 ͻ
                                                                          
              Inboard 386/PC Computer Compatibility: A-C                  
                                                                          
 ͼ

 IN GENERAL

     In general (don't know make and model)
     GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR COMPATIBILITY
     This section describes the general characteristics a computer must have
     to be compatible with Inboard 386/PC:

        You must be able to set the system board memory to 256K bytes or
         less.  If more memory is present, you must disable it using switch
         settings, not by removing chips from the system board.
        The system board must power up at 4.77 Mhz.  This can't be done
         with software, as in some compatible computers, but must be done
         using a switch or jumper.
        The central processor unit (CPU) must have these characteristics:
         -   It can't be soldered to the system board.
         -   It must be within reach of the Inboard 386/PC's 9" cable.
         -   It must be an 8088 or NEC V20.  It can't be an 8086 or NEC V30.
        The computer's power supply must be at least 125 watts.
        The CPU should be on the system board, not on a board that plugs
         into the bus (called  a passive backplane).  Inboard 386/PC
         generally won't work in computers with passive backplanes.

 8086-BASED COMPUTERS

     The Inboard 386/PC works only in the 8088-based computers. It won't
     work in an 8086-based computer.

 ACER 910

     ACER 910 (Field report)
     The Acer is incompatible with Inboard 386/PC.  The computer won't boot.

 ALTISOFT XT CLONE

 (FIELD REPORT)  THIS COMPUTER IS REPORTED TO HAVE MEMORY PROBLEMS WITH
 INBOARD 386/PC.  THE MEMORY ON THE SYSTEM BOARD CAN'T BE DISABLED.

 AMSTRAD PC

     This computer uses an 8086 CPU and is incompatible with Inboard 386/PC.

 ARC (AMERICAN RESEARCH CORPORATION)

 (FIELD REPORT)  INBOARD 386/PC IS REPORTED TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THIS
 COMPUTER.  YOU MUST DISABLE THE COMPUTER'S MEMORY TO 256K BYTES OR LESS.

 AT&T 6300

     This computer uses an 8086 CPU and is incompatible with Inboard 386/PC.

 BELLTRON XT

     This computer is incompatible with Inboard 386/PC.  The ROM BIOS
     switches the computer to a higher speed at power-on.

 BENTLY PC MODEL T

     (Field report)  The Bently PC Model T is incompatible with Inboard
     386/PC.  The computer won't boot.

 BLUE CHIP PC POPULAR

     (Field report)  One user reports Inboard 386/PC is compatible with this
     computer.  However, the user had to build a custom 9-inch cable because
     the 8088 socket is under the floppy drive.  All Inboard 386/PC software
     works fine.

 COLUMBIA

     (Field report)  One user reported getting the Inboard to work in this
     computer when upgraded to ROM BIOS version 4.36.  Other users have had
     no success.

 COMMODORE PC10-2

     This computer is incompatible with Inboard 386/PC.  The computer won't
     warm boot.

 COMPAQ DESKPRO

     This computer uses an 8086 CPU and is incompatible with Inboard 386/PC.

 640K BYTES ON SYSTEM BOARD

     If there is 640K bytes on system board,
     you may need to replace a PROM on the system board. COMPAQ offered a
     640K-byte system board upgrade that included a replacement PROM.  This
     PROM allowed access to 640K bytes by using 256K-bit chips.  If you
     installed this upgrade and want to install an Inboard 386/PC, contact
     Intel customer support.  Intel can send you a PROM that decodes only to
     256K bytes, so you won't have to replace the chips on the system board.

 POWER SUPPLIES

     COMPAQ lists one power supply for the COMPAQ Portable, but there are
     actually two versions of this power supply.  The first version uses a
     2-amp fuse, and its fan sits at a 90 degree angle to the components in
     the power supply.

     The second version uses a 3-amp fuse, and its fan faces the components.
     The wattage rating is the same for both supplies, and the circuitry
     appears to be the same, but the second version can handle more current
     draw.

     PC POWER & COOLING sells 160-watt COMPAQ Portable power supplies and
     fans. PC Power & Cooling is in Bonsall, CA, and can be reached at (619)
     723-9513.

     (Field report)  MICROTEST can upgrade your COMPAQ portable power supply
     to 175 watts.  Microtest is in Santa Ana, CA and can be reached at
     (714) 545-3836.

 SHORT CABLE

     Some COMPAQ portables have video and disk controller boards that are
     taller than COMPAQ's standard boards.  In these computers, the Inboard
     386/PC cable won't reach the 8088 socket.  Intel has a longer (about 1
     inch longer, 9-inch total) replacement cable for users with this
     problem.  You still have to move the video board to another slot and
     install the Inboard 386/PC in its place.

 SYSTEM BOARDS W/ TWO SWITCH BLOCKS

     System boards with two switch blocks
     Some COMPAQ system boards have two switch blocks (SW1 and SW2).  To set
     these switches, you should follow the instructions in the IBM
     installation chapter of the Inboard 386/PC manual.  The BIOS on these
     computers recognizes only 544K bytes of memory, so you need to upgrade
     the COMPAQ BIOS.  If you already upgraded the BIOS (and have access to
     640K bytes), follow the IBM PC-2 switch settings in the Inboard 386/PC
     manual.

 PROBLEMS ACCESSING EXPANDED MEMORY

     (Field report) A customer reports that upgrading the Compaq Portable
     ROM BIOS from revision C to revision J solved problems using ILIM386
     for expanded memory.

 COMPAQ PORTABLE PLUS

     Intel has tested Inboard 386/PC with this computer, and it is
     compatible.  If the Hard Drive won't be recognized, check for Revision
     B on the hard disk controller.  If this controller contains disk
     controller ROM number 101596-002, it can't be detected when an 80286 or
     80386 CPU is present.  Call COMPAQ for a custom ROM that works with
     Inboard 386/PC.

 COMPUTERLAND PC88 (WYSE)

     Inboard 386/PC is incompatible with the Computerland PC88.  The floppy
     disk does not work with Inboard 386/PC installed. This is a passive
     backplane computer with the floppy disk controller on the CPU board.



End of file                 Intel FaxBack # 2520          June 25,1992
