is there a diagnostic option ROM? \ VOGONS

is there a diagnostic option ROM?

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First post, by bakemono

Posted on 2019-01-28, 21:48

bakemono Offline

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My 286 board doesn't boot, but it does show the video card BIOS message on the screen before it resets/halts. So I was thinking, maybe there is such thing as a diagnostic ROM that could be plugged into eg. a network card (like XT-IDE normally is) and that would enhance troubleshooting abilities? According to this page, option ROMs execute immediately after the video BIOS: http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/bios/bootSequence-c.html

I have PC-Retro kit (not built) that came with Supersoft BIOS but I don't know if it would work at all in an AT, and I don't have any CGA/MDA card/monitor to use with it anyway.

I once had a Zenith 286 with a monitor program in ROM, similar to the DOS DEBUG utility. Something like that could be useful too.

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Reply 1 of 2, by wiretap

Posted on 2019-01-28, 22:15

wiretap Offline

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You could probably just use an ISA diagnostic card, could you not? It should tell you where it halts.
Example: https://www.amazon.com/Optimal-Shop-Computer- … c/dp/B008BZBKXC

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Reply 2 of 2, by Predator99

Posted on 2019-01-29, 06:00

Predator99 Offline

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Yes, tested Supersoft also with 486. CGA-card is good, but it tells also what its doing with beep-codes.
As far as I know option ROMs are initialized after Main BIOS and before boot. But Supersoft is not an option-ROM, so try it.

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