First post, by Rav
Here is the first version of an universal chipset configuration for, initially, 386 and 486 systems.
Current version : 1.1.1 ->
Functions:
Permit changing the different chipset registers to allow proper configuration for when the BIOS is limited. Or to do testing instead of to prevent needing to reboot many time.
It also allow to change the cache mode between Write-Back and Write-Through.
Currently implemented:
- ALI 1429/G (If you have an Acer with some A1G/A1GX motherboard, it's the program you need to make it from meh to actually good)
- ALI 1489 / FINALi
Implemented features
- Display chipset parameters
- Change chipset parameters
- Display parameters valid only for selected chipset
- Perform memory test for every memory configuration change (with /test parameter). Automatically rollback in case of a failure
- Change cache mode
Generic parameters
- /test -> Will execute memory test after important memory timing change. Soon will also do the same for cache
- /list -> Display configured parameter. Can be used while setting parameter then in that case, it will display all current configured parameter once it is done configuring them
- /cs -> Specify cache size in KB. Normally it will detect the cache but in case it miss-detect or if you want a slightly faster execution, say, if you put it in the autoexec.bat, you can specify it there
- /v -> Verbose mode, only used for cache configuration or memory test
- /chip list -> show list of supported chips
- /chip chipname -> select a chip
Base parameter and /list usage:
Selected chip help plus actually configured parameters:
Demonstration of applying parameters then displaying the list of configured settings with /list
Upcoming feature:
- More supported chipset
- Bruteforce mode
- Perform cache test for every cache configuration change (with /test parameter)
- Ability to do a memtest or cache test without changing any parameters
Current limitations:
- Patching cache mode [WT/WB] on Windows (it can work... some rare time by luck, but it usually endup with a system crash. There is no problem about changing the other registers on Windows, but know that changing them will be more sensitive)
- Patching cache mode [WT/WB] when himem.sys memory manager is used and there is actually more than ~32MB of used memory (say, you have xhdd /S32 in the config.sys, then it crash every single time I tested). Work fine with QEMM.
- Cache detection work fine in real mode and protected mode but if you use the tool in protected mode while the whole kitchen sink is loaded, miss detection may occure
- Cache detection on Windows, don't expect that to work reliably
- Running the tool from a etherdfs network drive will result into a crash (real mode) or a memory protection error (protected mode). Netware drives are fine, did not test with LANMAN.
Special thanks to : mkarcher, feipoa
I will also need chipset register dumps from you guys, I will also update my dumping too to be more complete and release it. That should help me for the "chipset detection" update.
I will add a credit switch in the program, and list all the peoples who help.
