AST RESEARCH, INC.        TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1714          05/06/97 
 
 
 
TITLE:  Ascentia J, Serial Mouse Freezes
 
 
ISSUE 
 
   A serial mouse attached to the Ascentia J may stop responding 
   after a few minutes of operation under Windows 3.xx.
   
   This issue affects all Ascentia J systems.    

 
BACKGROUND 
 
   A problem with the 16550 UART implementation in a 
   Pentium(TM)-based system causes the chip to become trapped in a 
   mode in which data is always detected in 
   its FIFO buffer.  
   
   The system may stop responding if there is data in the chip when 
   the serial communications application attempts to open the 
   communications port.    

 
ACTION 
 
   To resolve the issue, perform the following:
   
   1. Download the file SERIAL.ZIP from the Standard 
      Microsystems (SMC) website located at:
   
        ftp://170.129.51.1/pub/chips/superio/
   
   2. Unzip the file mentioned above and follow the 
      instructions in the enclosed README file.    

 
NOTES 
 
   N/A    

 
TAN 000540NS 
 
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