=

AST RESEARCH, INC.              TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 0931              5-31-94

=


			    AST COMPUTER FLOPPY DRIVE ERROR

PROBLEM:        Certain AST computers may exhibit the following floppy drive 
		failures with Mitsumi floppy drives:  
	
		1. After performing a read/write operation on a 1.44 density 
		   floppy diskette, the drive will no longer read a 720k 
		   diskette until the system is rebooted.  

		2. After performing a read/write operation on a 720k diskette, 
		   the drive will not read a 1.44 diskette until the system is 
		   rebooted.

CAUSE:          Improper cabling from the floppy drive to the system board may 
		cause bent pins on the system board floppy drive connector.

SYSTEMS 
AFFECTED:       AST
		PART NUMBER     DESCRIPTION
		500887-XXX      PREMIUM SE4-33/3
		500888-XXX      PREMIUM SE4-50/3
		500998-XXX      PREMIUM SE4-50D
		500999-XXX      PREMIUM SE4-60D
		501200-XXX      PREMMIA SE4-33
		501202-XXX      PREMMIA SE4-60d
		501203-XXX      PREMMIA SE-P60
		501204-XXX      PREMMIA MTE 4-33
		501206-XXX      PREMMIA MTE 4-66D
		501232-XXX      PREMMIA MTE P/60        

SOLUTION:       Reseat the cable on the component side of the system board.
		It is strongly recommended that this modification be performed 
		by a qualified service technician at an AST Authorized Service 
		Center.  In no case will AST Research, Inc. be liable for 
		damage to the system and its components, or loss of data caused 
		by improper modification.