AMIBIOS 07.00.10: Difference between revisions

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AMIBIOS 7, also known as 07.00.10, is a release of AMIBIOS that is usually known with the subcore date of "040201" (April 2, 2001). Unlike other [[AMIBIOS 07.00.xx]] code bases, 07.00.10 was most likely based on the existing [[AMIBIOS 6]] (071595 and it's sub-core dates) code instead of the entire new codebase other AMIBIOS 7 cores used, although with some new features. These features include bigger size storage support (from 32 GB to 2 TB), a built-in boot menu and a built-in option ROM for network boot (although it was still possible to perform a network boot on earlier cores with unofficial option ROMs).
AMIBIOS 7, also known as 07.00.10 and is not to be confused with [[AMIBIOS 07.00.xx]], is a release of AMIBIOS that is usually known with the string core date of "040201" (April 2, 2001). Unlike [[AMIBIOS 07.00.xx]] (whose code was re-used for [[AMIBIOS 8]]), 07.00.10 is based on the older AMIBIOS codebase, although with some changes and new features. These features include bigger size storage support (from 64 GB to 2 TB), a built-in boot menu and a built-in option ROM for network boot (although it was still possible to perform a network boot on earlier versions with unofficial option ROMs).
 
AMIBIOS 7 was quickly replaced by [[AMIBIOS 8]] in around 2003 for most commercial computers. Therefore, it's one of the most uncommon versions of AMIBIOS.


== POST screen ==
== POST screen ==
AMIBIOS 7 was available in both VGA (640x480) and EGA (640x350) resolutions, although in most cases it was in VGA. The VGA version includes a bigger, more colourful and detailed EPA (Energy Star logo), while the EGA version used the older EPA from later AMIBIOS 6 versions.<gallery>
AMIBIOS 7 can often be seen with a VGA (640x480) resolution POST screen and a graphic Energy Star Ally EPA, although occassionally it may also be seen with an EGA (640x350) resolution POST screen and the older text mode EPA from [[AMIBIOS 6]]. Also, the EPA on both variants may be changed with a different graphic or can be completely disabled.<gallery>
File:AMIBIOS 07.00.10 POST.png|A VGA AMIBIOS 7 compiled for the Acrosser AR-B1479 Single Board Computer
File:AMIBIOS 07.00.10 POST.png|A VGA AMIBIOS 7 compiled for the Acrosser AR-B1479 Single Board Computer
File:AMIBIOS 7 EGA for ECS K7S5A.jpg|An EGA AMIBIOS 7 compiled for the ECS K7S5A motherboard
File:AMIBIOS 7 EGA for ECS K7S5A.png|An EGA AMIBIOS 7 compiled for the ECS K7S5A motherboard
</gallery>
</gallery>
== Setup Utility ==
== Setup Utility ==
Like AMIBIOS 6, AMIBIOS 7 had a couple of different setup utilities, one resembling the later Hi-Flex setup utility of AMIBIOS 6 (seen in VGA or EGA), another resembling the later Simple Setup utility, again from AMIBIOS 6, and "Easy Setup Utility" resembling the 1994 and onwards PhoenixBIOS setup utility and most likely based on the AMIBIOS 6's Easy Setup Utility. The VGA versions of these setup utilities with the version number "3.31a" were all dubbed "New Setup Utility" (Except for VGA Easy Setup Version 2.01a which calls itself "Easy Setup Utility"), but the EGA versions were all directly ported from AMIBIOS 6, therefore they kept their original names. The Easy Setup Utility was also seen in EGA and under the name "AMIBIOS SETUP UTILITY", however all known instances of this were on ASRock motherboards, therefore it's believed to be a customization made by ASRock.
Two different screen resolutions may be used for the setup on AMIBIOS 7, VGA (640x480) and EGA (720x400). Although versions that use VGA for the POST screen often also use it for the setup, some versions with VGA POST may also use EGA setup instead.
 
For VGA, AMIBIOS 7 has introduced new VGA resolution versions of all setup utilities originally introduced with [[AMIBIOS 6]] (except for WinBIOS Setup Utility, which was discontinued by the time and was only in use by some code forks of AMIBIOS 6), although also with some other changes. These include Hi-Flex, Simple and Easy Setup. They are all often called "AMIBIOS NEW SETUP UTILITY", although in some rare cases the actual names of the utilities may also be used instead.
 
For EGA, the original Hi-Flex and Simple Setup utilities from [[AMIBIOS 6]] can be seen (with no changes) with their original names (instead of "AMIBIOS NEW SETUP UTILITY"), although Easy Setup was re-written for EGA as well and is different from the original Easy Setup seen on AMIBIOS 6. Easy Setup is often also called "AMIBIOS NEW SETUP UTILITY" instead of its actual name, although sometimes it may also be called "AMIBIOS SETUP UTILITY" instead (seen on ASRock motherboards, which may indicate it is a modification made by ASRock, although sometimes the "AMIBIOS NEW SETUP UTILITY" name was also used by ASRock).
 
It is often possible to port the setup utilities from AMIBIOS 6 to AMIBIOS 7 by swapping the setup client module with AMIBCP 7, however both modules must be in the same screen resolution. Swapping a VGA resolution setup module with an EGA resolution setup module (or vice versa) will cause the setup utility to not work (and often just a black screen will be displayed when entering setup). Aside from this, swapping the setup utility may cause other issues as well (such as nonfunctional features or menus in setup), even if the utilities are in same resolution. By swapping the setup utilities, the WinBIOS Setup Utility may also be used with AMIBIOS 7 (by swapping one from an AMIBIOS 6 ROM with WinBIOS setup), however only if it's being swapped with an EGA setup client (as WinBIOS setup was never made in VGA resolution).


Please note that EGA versions of Hi-Flex and Simple Setup were directly forked from [[AMIBIOS 6]] and look exactly like their AMIBIOS 6 versions, therefore they have not been included in the gallery below.<gallery>
The gallery below contains images of known setup utilities introduced with AMIBIOS 7. Please note that EGA resolution version of Hi-Flex and Simple Setup are not included as they're exactly the same as the versions used on [[AMIBIOS 6]].<gallery>
File:AMIBIOS 7 Hi-Flex Setup Utility (VGA).png|AMIBIOS 7's Hi-Flex Setup Utility in VGA resolution
File:AMIBIOS 7 Hi-Flex Setup Utility (VGA).png|AMIBIOS 7's Hi-Flex Setup Utility in VGA resolution
File:AMIBIOS 7 Simple Setup Utility (VGA).jpg|AMIBIOS 7's Simple Setup Utility in VGA resolution
File:AMIBIOS 7 Simple Setup Utility (VGA).png|AMIBIOS 7's Simple Setup Utility in VGA resolution
File:AMIBIOS 7 Phoenix-like Setup Utility (VGA).png|AMIBIOS 7's Easy Setup Utility in VGA (Version 3.31a)
File:AMIBIOS 7 Phoenix-like Setup Utility (VGA).png|AMIBIOS 7's Easy Setup Utility in VGA (Version 3.31a)
File:AMIBIOS 7 Easy Setup Utility VGA (Version 2.01a).png|AMIBIOS 7 Easy Setup Utility VGA (Version 2.01a) as seen in a documentation for the Gigabyte GS-SR222E-N storage server.
File:AMIBIOS 7 Easy Setup Utility VGA (Version 2.01a).png|AMIBIOS 7 Easy Setup Utility VGA (Version 2.01a) as seen in a documentation for the Gigabyte GS-SR222E-N storage server.
File:AMIBIOS 7 Easy Setup Utility (EGA).png|AMIBIOS 7's Easy Setup Utility in EGA resolution often seen in early-2000s ASRock motherboards
File:AMIBIOS 7 Easy Setup Utility (EGA).png|AMIBIOS 7's Easy Setup Utility in EGA resolution often seen in early-2000s ASRock motherboards
</gallery>
</gallery>

Revision as of 09:54, 15 December 2023

AMIBIOS 7, also known as 07.00.10 and is not to be confused with AMIBIOS 07.00.xx, is a release of AMIBIOS that is usually known with the string core date of "040201" (April 2, 2001). Unlike AMIBIOS 07.00.xx (whose code was re-used for AMIBIOS 8), 07.00.10 is based on the older AMIBIOS codebase, although with some changes and new features. These features include bigger size storage support (from 64 GB to 2 TB), a built-in boot menu and a built-in option ROM for network boot (although it was still possible to perform a network boot on earlier versions with unofficial option ROMs).

POST screen

AMIBIOS 7 can often be seen with a VGA (640x480) resolution POST screen and a graphic Energy Star Ally EPA, although occassionally it may also be seen with an EGA (640x350) resolution POST screen and the older text mode EPA from AMIBIOS 6. Also, the EPA on both variants may be changed with a different graphic or can be completely disabled.

Setup Utility

Two different screen resolutions may be used for the setup on AMIBIOS 7, VGA (640x480) and EGA (720x400). Although versions that use VGA for the POST screen often also use it for the setup, some versions with VGA POST may also use EGA setup instead.

For VGA, AMIBIOS 7 has introduced new VGA resolution versions of all setup utilities originally introduced with AMIBIOS 6 (except for WinBIOS Setup Utility, which was discontinued by the time and was only in use by some code forks of AMIBIOS 6), although also with some other changes. These include Hi-Flex, Simple and Easy Setup. They are all often called "AMIBIOS NEW SETUP UTILITY", although in some rare cases the actual names of the utilities may also be used instead.

For EGA, the original Hi-Flex and Simple Setup utilities from AMIBIOS 6 can be seen (with no changes) with their original names (instead of "AMIBIOS NEW SETUP UTILITY"), although Easy Setup was re-written for EGA as well and is different from the original Easy Setup seen on AMIBIOS 6. Easy Setup is often also called "AMIBIOS NEW SETUP UTILITY" instead of its actual name, although sometimes it may also be called "AMIBIOS SETUP UTILITY" instead (seen on ASRock motherboards, which may indicate it is a modification made by ASRock, although sometimes the "AMIBIOS NEW SETUP UTILITY" name was also used by ASRock).

It is often possible to port the setup utilities from AMIBIOS 6 to AMIBIOS 7 by swapping the setup client module with AMIBCP 7, however both modules must be in the same screen resolution. Swapping a VGA resolution setup module with an EGA resolution setup module (or vice versa) will cause the setup utility to not work (and often just a black screen will be displayed when entering setup). Aside from this, swapping the setup utility may cause other issues as well (such as nonfunctional features or menus in setup), even if the utilities are in same resolution. By swapping the setup utilities, the WinBIOS Setup Utility may also be used with AMIBIOS 7 (by swapping one from an AMIBIOS 6 ROM with WinBIOS setup), however only if it's being swapped with an EGA setup client (as WinBIOS setup was never made in VGA resolution).

The gallery below contains images of known setup utilities introduced with AMIBIOS 7. Please note that EGA resolution version of Hi-Flex and Simple Setup are not included as they're exactly the same as the versions used on AMIBIOS 6.