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'''MR BIOS''' (short for '''Microid Research BIOS'''), unofficially and commonly nicknamed '''Mr. BIOS''', is a personal computer BIOS developed by Microid Research Inc. (MRI) from 1989 to 1999. It was mostly offered as a third-party BIOS upgrade for existing motherboards of various brands. However, it was occasionally also used as the default BIOS on some motherboards.
'''AMR BIOS''' (short for '''Microid Research BIOS'''), commonly (though unofficially) nicknamed '''Mr. BIOS''', is a personal computer BIOS first released in 1990 by Microid Research Inc. (MRI). It was developed until 1999 when it was discontinued by [[Phoenix Technologies]], which became the owner of Microid Research a year prior.
 
Unlike most other BIOS solutions, MR BIOS was primarily offered as a third-party upgrade for existing motherboard ROMs, instead of being mass licensed to OEMs for use on newly produced systems. However, it was occasionally also licensed to some OEMs.


== Microid Research Inc. (MRI) ==
== Microid Research Inc. (MRI) ==
Microid Research Inc., abbreviated MRI, was a software development company founded in 1989 and incorporated in 1992 in [[wikipedia:Santa_Clara,_California|Santa Clara, California]]. It was acquired by Unicore Software in the mid-1990s (most likely in 1995 or 1996) and relocated to [[wikipedia:North_Andover,_Massachusetts|North Andover, Massachusetts]] (where Unicore was located). Unicore was then acquired by [[AwardBIOS#Award Software International Inc.|Award Software]] in 1997, which then merged with Phoenix Technologies the following year.
'''Microid Research Inc.''', abbreviated as '''MRI''', was a software development company founded in 1989 and incorporated in 1992 in [[wikipedia:Santa_Clara,_California|Santa Clara, California]].<ref name=":0">https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ca/1521628</ref> It was acquired by Unicore Software in the mid-1990s (likely in 1995 or 1996). Unicore was then acquired by [[AwardBIOS#Award Software|Award Software]] in 1997, which then merged with Phoenix Technologies the following year, resulting into Phoenix becoming the owner of the company.
 
The company was suspended by the California Secretary of State in September 1998, then by the [[wikipedia:California_Franchise_Tax_Board|Franchise Tax Board]] in November 2003.<ref name=":0" />


== Versions ==
== Versions ==
The below is a list of known and possible versions of MR BIOS. Known versions with available ROMs are marked as "Available", while ones without are marked "Confirmed". Assumed possible versions are marked "Assumed".
The below is a list of known and possible versions of MR BIOS. Known versions with available ROMs are marked as "Available", while ones without are marked "Confirmed". Assumed possible versions are marked "Assumed".
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+
!Version
!Version
!Earliest release date
!Earliest known release date
!Status
!Status
!First seen on
!First seen on
Line 26: Line 29:
|{{Assumed}}
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|May possibly exist assuming by the naming scheme, currently no ROMs are known.
|Likely exists assuming by the naming scheme, currently no ROMs are known.
|
|
|-
|-
Line 40: Line 43:
|{{Assumed}}
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|May possibly exist assuming by the naming scheme
|Likely exists assuming by the naming scheme
|
|
|-
|-
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|V1.27
|V1.27
| rowspan="2" |Late-1991 or early-1992(?)
| rowspan="2" |Late-1991 or early-1992(?)
| rowspan="2" |Assumed
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
| rowspan="2" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
Line 65: Line 68:
|-
|-
|V1.28
|V1.28
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
Line 70: Line 74:
|V1.29
|V1.29
|January 28, 1992
|January 28, 1992
|Available
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/orchid-technolog-superboard-486 ORCHID TECHNOLOGY SUPERBOARD 486]
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/orchid-technolog-superboard-486 ORCHID TECHNOLOGY SUPERBOARD 486]
|Earliest known version with the blue background setup utility.
|Earliest known version with the light blue background setup utility.
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.30
|V1.30
| rowspan="6" |Early or mid-1992
| rowspan="6" |Early or mid-1992
| rowspan="6" |Assumed
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
| rowspan="6" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
| rowspan="6" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
Line 83: Line 87:
|-
|-
|V1.31
|V1.31
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.32
|V1.32
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.33
|V1.33
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.34
|V1.34
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.35
|V1.35
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
Line 104: Line 113:
|V1.36
|V1.36
|July 15, 1992
|July 15, 1992
|Available
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-panther-ii Octek PANTHER II]
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-panther-ii Octek PANTHER II]
|
|
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|V1.37
|V1.37
| rowspan="3" |Mid-1992
| rowspan="3" |Mid-1992
| rowspan="3" |Assumed
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
| rowspan="3" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
| rowspan="3" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
Line 117: Line 126:
|-
|-
|V1.38
|V1.38
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.39
|V1.39
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
Line 126: Line 137:
|V1.40
|V1.40
|September 9, 1992
|September 9, 1992
|Available
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/ecs-8517-v3.3 ECS 8517 V3.3]
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/ecs-8517-v3.3 ECS 8517 V3.3]
|
|
Line 133: Line 144:
|V1.41
|V1.41
|October 14, 1992
|October 14, 1992
|Available
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-jaguar-iv-c-r1-6 Octek Jaguar IV-C (Rev 1.6)]
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-jaguar-iv-c-r1-6 Octek Jaguar IV-C (Rev 1.6)]
|
|
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|V1.42
|V1.42
| rowspan="3" |Late-1992 or early-1993
| rowspan="3" |Late-1992 or early-1993
| rowspan="3" |Assumed
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
| rowspan="3" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
| rowspan="3" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
Line 146: Line 157:
|-
|-
|V1.43
|V1.43
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.44
|V1.44
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
Line 155: Line 168:
|V1.45
|V1.45
|March 16, 1993
|March 16, 1993
|Available
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-hippo-vl-2 Octek HIPPO VL+]
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-hippo-vl-2 Octek HIPPO VL+]
|
|
Line 162: Line 175:
|V1.46
|V1.46
| rowspan="5" |Mid-1993
| rowspan="5" |Mid-1993
| rowspan="5" |Assumed
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
| rowspan="5" |May possibly exist assuming by the naming scheme
| rowspan="5" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.47
|V1.47
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.48
|V1.48
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.49
|V1.49
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.50
|V1.50
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
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|V1.51
|V1.51
|August 6, 1993
|August 6, 1993
|Available
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-jaguar-v-386-rev-2.0 Octek JAGUAR V 386 (rev 2.0)]
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-jaguar-v-386-rev-2.0 Octek JAGUAR V 386 (rev 2.0)]
|
|
Line 192: Line 209:
|V1.52
|V1.52
|August 20, 1993
|August 20, 1993
|Available
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/a-trend-4gpv3 A-Trend 4GPV3], [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/a-trend-4gpv3-1 4GPV3.1] and [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/mecer-corporation-b860-rev-a MECER CORPORATION B860 (REV. A)]
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/a-trend-4gpv3 A-Trend 4GPV3], [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/a-trend-4gpv3-1 4GPV3.1] and [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/mecer-corporation-b860-rev-a MECER CORPORATION B860 (REV. A)]
|All three motherboards support the same ROM upgrade (V080B425)
|All three motherboards support the same ROM upgrade (V080B425)
Line 199: Line 216:
|V1.53
|V1.53
|November 20, 1993
|November 20, 1993
|Available
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-hippo-op Octek HIPPO OP]
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-hippo-op Octek HIPPO OP]
|
|
Line 206: Line 223:
|V1.54
|V1.54
| rowspan="6" |Late-1993 or early-1994
| rowspan="6" |Late-1993 or early-1994
| rowspan="6" |Assumed
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
| rowspan="6" |May possibly exist assuming by the naming scheme
| rowspan="6" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.55
|V1.55
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.56
|V1.56
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.57
|V1.57
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.58
|V1.58
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|V1.59
|V1.59
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|
Line 233: Line 255:
|V1.60
|V1.60
|January 26, 1994
|January 26, 1994
|Available
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/bek-tronic-bek-3739 BEK-tronic BEK-3739] and [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/edom-wintech-ma013-x Edom/WinTech MA013-X]
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/bek-tronic-bek-3739 BEK-tronic BEK-3739] and [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/edom-wintech-ma013-x Edom/WinTech MA013-X]
|Both motherboards support the same ROM upgrade (V084B4BH)
|Earliest known version with the blue background setup utility. Both motherboards support the same ROM upgrade (V084B4BH)
|
|-
|V1.61
|February 5, 1994
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/ibm-eteq-486slc2 IBM ETEQ 486SLC2]
|
|
|-
|V1.62
| rowspan="3" |Early-1994
|{{Assumed}}
|
| rowspan="3" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
|
|-
|V1.63
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V1.64
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V1.65
|April 18, 1994
|{{Available}}
|
* [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/cache-computers-cache-bat-486-model-319 Cache Computers CACHE BAT 486 (Model 319)]
* [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/dd-and-tt-enterpri-dt-423s4l-revision-c2-an DD & TT Enterprise DT-423S4L (Revision C2 and earlier)]
* [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/dfi-486-33-50uce,-486dx2-50uce DFI 486-33/50UCE, 486DX2-50UCE]
* [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/fic-386sc-rev-a2 FIC 386SC REV A2]
* [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/ibm-xt-286-type-5162-62x1168 IBM XT 286 (TYPE 5162) (62X1168)]
* [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/infinity-multipro-vii-386dxv Infinity Multipro VII-386DXV]
* [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/mitac-trigon-pwa-286c MiTAC/Trigon PWA-286C]
* [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/msi-ms-3124 MSI MS-3124]
* [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-panther-iv Octek PANTHER IV]
* [https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/pcchips-m321-rev.-2.x PCChips M321 (rev. 2.x)]
|9 ROMs for this BIOS version are known, with almost all of them (except one which is unavailable) released on the same day. Some of these motherboards support the same ROM upgrade.
|
|-
|V1.66
|October 31, 1994
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-hippo-dca-1-486-rev.-1.0 Octek HIPPO DCA 1 486 REV. 1.0]
|
|
|-
|V1.67
|November 23, 1994
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/alaris-leopard-rev-a Alaris Leopard REV A]
|Last known version of MR BIOS V1.x
|
|-
|V2.00
|October 13, 1994
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-bison-iii-rev.-1.0 Octek BISON III REV. 1.0]
|First version of MR BIOS V2.x
|
|-
|V2.01
|Late-1994
|{{Assumed}}
|
|Likely exists assuming by the naming scheme
|
|-
|V2.02
|November 29, 1994
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/jetway-j-403tg-v2.0 Jetway J-403TG V2.0]
|
|
|-
|V2.03
| rowspan="2" |Late-1994
|{{Assumed}}
|
| rowspan="2" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
|
|-
|V2.04
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|
|-
|V2.05
|December 28, 1994
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/alaris-tornado-2 Alaris Tornado 2]
|
|
|-
|V2.06
| rowspan="4" |Late-1994 or early-1995
|{{Assumed}}
|
| rowspan="4" |May possibly exist assuming by the naming scheme, however it is also possible the version number was skipped from V2.05 to V2.10, especially due to the short time frame between both versions.
|
|-
|V2.07
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V2.08
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V2.09
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V2.10
|January 16, 1995
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/4027 Octek HIPPO DCA II 486-33]
|Last known version of MR BIOS V2.x
|
|-
|V3.00
|Early or Mid-1995
|{{Assumed}}
|
|Likely exists judging by the version number scheme of the previous versions. If it does it would be the first version of MR BIOS V3.x
|
|-
|V3.01
|June 20, 1995
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/4027 Octek HIPPO DCA II 486-33]
|Possibly the first version of MR BIOS V3.x (assuming V3.00 doesn't exist)
|-
|V3.02
|June 27, 1995
|{{Available}}
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/alaris-tornado-2 Alaris Tornado 2]
|
|-
|V3.03
|
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V3.04
|
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V3.05
|
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V3.06
|
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V3.07
|
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V3.08
|
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V3.09
|
|{{Assumed}}
|
|
|-
|V3.10
| rowspan="4" |June, July or early-August 1995
|{{Confirmed}}
| rowspan="5" |[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/intel-advanced-zp-zappa Intel Advanced/ZP (Zappa)]
|Mentioned in the version note for the V3.14 ROM. Supposedly was the original release for this motherboard and also contained a new Plug and Play (PnP) "core" (likely either code or add-on)
|-
|V3.11
|{{Confirmed}}
|Mentioned in the version note for the V3.14 ROM
|-
|V3.12
|{{Confirmed}}
|Mentioned in the version note for the V3.14 ROM. Supposedly contains bug fixes for the PnP "core"
|-
|V3.13
|{{Confirmed}}
|Mentioned in the version note for the V3.14 ROM
|-
|V3.14
|August 10, 1995
|{{Available}}
|Supposedly contains a bug fix for the Super I/O chip with regards to the parallel port
|}
|}

Latest revision as of 07:47, 28 February 2025

AMR BIOS (short for Microid Research BIOS), commonly (though unofficially) nicknamed Mr. BIOS, is a personal computer BIOS first released in 1990 by Microid Research Inc. (MRI). It was developed until 1999 when it was discontinued by Phoenix Technologies, which became the owner of Microid Research a year prior.

Unlike most other BIOS solutions, MR BIOS was primarily offered as a third-party upgrade for existing motherboard ROMs, instead of being mass licensed to OEMs for use on newly produced systems. However, it was occasionally also licensed to some OEMs.

Microid Research Inc. (MRI)

Microid Research Inc., abbreviated as MRI, was a software development company founded in 1989 and incorporated in 1992 in Santa Clara, California.[1] It was acquired by Unicore Software in the mid-1990s (likely in 1995 or 1996). Unicore was then acquired by Award Software in 1997, which then merged with Phoenix Technologies the following year, resulting into Phoenix becoming the owner of the company.

The company was suspended by the California Secretary of State in September 1998, then by the Franchise Tax Board in November 2003.[1]

Versions

The below is a list of known and possible versions of MR BIOS. Known versions with available ROMs are marked as "Available", while ones without are marked "Confirmed". Assumed possible versions are marked "Assumed".

Version Earliest known release date Status First seen on Notes
V1.0A November 18, 1990 Available Two OPTi 82C283 chipset motherboards (QDI P386SX/25 PW and Shuttle HOT-306). Both motherboards support the same ROM upgrade (V007B314)
V1.0B Late-1990(?) Assumed Likely exists assuming by the naming scheme, currently no ROMs are known.
V1.0C Late-1990 Confirmed Unknown OPTi 82C481 chipset motherboard, labelled "KMC486-25" Only known instance of V1.0C so far. Currently no ROM dumps are available.
V1.0D Late-1990 or early-1991(?) Assumed Likely exists assuming by the naming scheme
V1.0E April 2, 1991 Available Cache Computers CACHE BAT 486 (Model 319) motherboard Last known version using the V1.0x naming scheme. The ROM has no visible Microid Research or MR BIOS branding, so it was most likely licensed to the Cache Computers for use.
V1.26 October 27, 1991 Available TAM33-P1/TAM40-P1 motherboard Earliest known version under the new naming scheme.
V1.27 Late-1991 or early-1992(?) Assumed Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
V1.28 Assumed
V1.29 January 28, 1992 Available ORCHID TECHNOLOGY SUPERBOARD 486 Earliest known version with the light blue background setup utility.
V1.30 Early or mid-1992 Assumed Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
V1.31 Assumed
V1.32 Assumed
V1.33 Assumed
V1.34 Assumed
V1.35 Assumed
V1.36 July 15, 1992 Available Octek PANTHER II
V1.37 Mid-1992 Assumed Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
V1.38 Assumed
V1.39 Assumed
V1.40 September 9, 1992 Available ECS 8517 V3.3
V1.41 October 14, 1992 Available Octek Jaguar IV-C (Rev 1.6)
V1.42 Late-1992 or early-1993 Assumed Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
V1.43 Assumed
V1.44 Assumed
V1.45 March 16, 1993 Available Octek HIPPO VL+
V1.46 Mid-1993 Assumed Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
V1.47 Assumed
V1.48 Assumed
V1.49 Assumed
V1.50 Assumed
V1.51 August 6, 1993 Available Octek JAGUAR V 386 (rev 2.0)
V1.52 August 20, 1993 Available A-Trend 4GPV3, 4GPV3.1 and MECER CORPORATION B860 (REV. A) All three motherboards support the same ROM upgrade (V080B425)
V1.53 November 20, 1993 Available Octek HIPPO OP
V1.54 Late-1993 or early-1994 Assumed Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
V1.55 Assumed
V1.56 Assumed
V1.57 Assumed
V1.58 Assumed
V1.59 Assumed
V1.60 January 26, 1994 Available BEK-tronic BEK-3739 and Edom/WinTech MA013-X Earliest known version with the blue background setup utility. Both motherboards support the same ROM upgrade (V084B4BH)
V1.61 February 5, 1994 Available IBM ETEQ 486SLC2
V1.62 Early-1994 Assumed Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
V1.63 Assumed
V1.64 Assumed
V1.65 April 18, 1994 Available 9 ROMs for this BIOS version are known, with almost all of them (except one which is unavailable) released on the same day. Some of these motherboards support the same ROM upgrade.
V1.66 October 31, 1994 Available Octek HIPPO DCA 1 486 REV. 1.0
V1.67 November 23, 1994 Available Alaris Leopard REV A Last known version of MR BIOS V1.x
V2.00 October 13, 1994 Available Octek BISON III REV. 1.0 First version of MR BIOS V2.x
V2.01 Late-1994 Assumed Likely exists assuming by the naming scheme
V2.02 November 29, 1994 Available Jetway J-403TG V2.0
V2.03 Late-1994 Assumed Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme
V2.04 Assumed
V2.05 December 28, 1994 Available Alaris Tornado 2
V2.06 Late-1994 or early-1995 Assumed May possibly exist assuming by the naming scheme, however it is also possible the version number was skipped from V2.05 to V2.10, especially due to the short time frame between both versions.
V2.07 Assumed
V2.08 Assumed
V2.09 Assumed
V2.10 January 16, 1995 Available Octek HIPPO DCA II 486-33 Last known version of MR BIOS V2.x
V3.00 Early or Mid-1995 Assumed Likely exists judging by the version number scheme of the previous versions. If it does it would be the first version of MR BIOS V3.x
V3.01 June 20, 1995 Available Octek HIPPO DCA II 486-33 Possibly the first version of MR BIOS V3.x (assuming V3.00 doesn't exist)
V3.02 June 27, 1995 Available Alaris Tornado 2
V3.03 Assumed
V3.04 Assumed
V3.05 Assumed
V3.06 Assumed
V3.07 Assumed
V3.08 Assumed
V3.09 Assumed
V3.10 June, July or early-August 1995 Confirmed Intel Advanced/ZP (Zappa) Mentioned in the version note for the V3.14 ROM. Supposedly was the original release for this motherboard and also contained a new Plug and Play (PnP) "core" (likely either code or add-on)
V3.11 Confirmed Mentioned in the version note for the V3.14 ROM
V3.12 Confirmed Mentioned in the version note for the V3.14 ROM. Supposedly contains bug fixes for the PnP "core"
V3.13 Confirmed Mentioned in the version note for the V3.14 ROM
V3.14 August 10, 1995 Available Supposedly contains a bug fix for the Super I/O chip with regards to the parallel port
  1. ↑ Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ca/1521628
Retrieved from "https://wiki.softhistory.org/index.php?title=MR_BIOS&oldid=80235"
Last modified
This page was last edited on 28 February 2025, at 07:47.