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AST RESEARCH, INC.             TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1035              12-14-94

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                      ADVANTAGE! ADVENTURE FLOPPY DRIVE DISABLE


        This is an informational bulletin.

        The Advantage! Adventure (All-in-one system) has a built-in security
        feature which intentionally disables the Floppy Disk Drive (FDD).  The
        system password works in the following three circumstances.

        1. User Password is :   [ Disable ]
           Password on boot :   [ Disable ]

        Under this setting, anyone can boot the computer and change the CMOS
        setting without any constraints.  The system can be booted by FDD or
        Hard Disk Drive (HDD) at power on.

        2. User Password is :   [ Enable  ]
           Password on boot :   [ Enable  ]

        Under this setting, the computer is protected by the password.  The
        correct password is needed to boot the system or change the CMOS
        setting.

        3. User Password is :   [ Enable  ]
           Password on boot :   [ Disable ]

        Under this setting, the system can be booted directly from the HDD
        without the constraint of a password, but it can not be booted by FDD.
        All the FDD functions are disabled in this circumstance.  You can use
        the HDD only.  This feature can protect the HDD data from illegal copy
        of the FDD.  To restore the FDD functions, just enable the "Password
        on boot:" in CMOS setting.  This requires password to enter into the
        setup screen.

        NOTE: It is not necessary to discharge the CMOS battery to clear the
        password.

SYSTEMS
AFFECTED:   AST
        PART NUMBER               DESCRIPTION

        501582-001      ADVANTAGE! ADVENTURE 486DX2-50
        501583-001      ADVANTAGE! ADVENTURE 486DX2-66