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''' | '''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]].<ref>https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ca/1521628</ref> It was acquired by Unicore Software in the mid-1990s ( | '''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 known release date | !Earliest known release date | ||
Line 71: | 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 light blue background setup utility. | |Earliest known version with the light blue background setup utility. | ||
Line 78: | Line 81: | ||
|V1.30 | |V1.30 | ||
| rowspan="6" |Early or mid-1992 | | rowspan="6" |Early or mid-1992 | ||
|Assumed | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| rowspan="6" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | | rowspan="6" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | ||
Line 84: | 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 110: | 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] | ||
| | | | ||
Line 117: | Line 120: | ||
|V1.37 | |V1.37 | ||
| rowspan="3" |Mid-1992 | | rowspan="3" |Mid-1992 | ||
|Assumed | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| rowspan="3" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | | rowspan="3" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | ||
Line 123: | Line 126: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V1.38 | |V1.38 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V1.39 | |V1.39 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
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|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] | ||
| | | | ||
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|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)] | ||
| | | | ||
Line 148: | Line 151: | ||
|V1.42 | |V1.42 | ||
| rowspan="3" |Late-1992 or early-1993 | | rowspan="3" |Late-1992 or early-1993 | ||
|Assumed | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| rowspan="3" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | | rowspan="3" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | ||
Line 154: | Line 157: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V1.43 | |V1.43 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V1.44 | |V1.44 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 165: | 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 172: | Line 175: | ||
|V1.46 | |V1.46 | ||
| rowspan="5" |Mid-1993 | | rowspan="5" |Mid-1993 | ||
|Assumed | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| rowspan="5" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | | rowspan="5" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | ||
Line 178: | Line 181: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V1.47 | |V1.47 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V1.48 | |V1.48 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V1.49 | |V1.49 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V1.50 | |V1.50 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 199: | Line 202: | ||
|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 206: | 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 213: | 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 220: | Line 223: | ||
|V1.54 | |V1.54 | ||
| rowspan="6" |Late-1993 or early-1994 | | rowspan="6" |Late-1993 or early-1994 | ||
|Assumed | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| rowspan="6" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | | rowspan="6" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | ||
Line 226: | Line 229: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|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 252: | 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] | ||
|Earliest known version with the blue background setup utility. 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) | ||
Line 259: | Line 262: | ||
|V1.61 | |V1.61 | ||
|February 5, 1994 | |February 5, 1994 | ||
|Available | |{{Available}} | ||
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/ibm-eteq-486slc2 IBM ETEQ 486SLC2] | |[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/ibm-eteq-486slc2 IBM ETEQ 486SLC2] | ||
| | | | ||
Line 266: | Line 269: | ||
|V1.62 | |V1.62 | ||
| rowspan="3" |Early-1994 | | rowspan="3" |Early-1994 | ||
|Assumed | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| rowspan="3" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | | rowspan="3" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | ||
Line 272: | Line 275: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V1.63 | |V1.63 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V1.64 | |V1.64 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 283: | Line 286: | ||
|V1.65 | |V1.65 | ||
|April 18, 1994 | |April 18, 1994 | ||
|Available | |{{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/cache-computers-cache-bat-486-model-319 Cache Computers CACHE BAT 486 (Model 319)] | ||
Line 300: | Line 303: | ||
|V1.66 | |V1.66 | ||
|October 31, 1994 | |October 31, 1994 | ||
|Available | |{{Available}} | ||
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-hippo-dca-1-486-rev.-1.0 Octek HIPPO DCA 1 486 REV. 1.0] | |[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-hippo-dca-1-486-rev.-1.0 Octek HIPPO DCA 1 486 REV. 1.0] | ||
| | | | ||
Line 307: | Line 310: | ||
|V1.67 | |V1.67 | ||
|November 23, 1994 | |November 23, 1994 | ||
|Available | |{{Available}} | ||
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/alaris-leopard-rev-a Alaris Leopard REV A] | |[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/alaris-leopard-rev-a Alaris Leopard REV A] | ||
|Last known version of MR BIOS V1.x | |Last known version of MR BIOS V1.x | ||
Line 314: | Line 317: | ||
|V2.00 | |V2.00 | ||
|October 13, 1994 | |October 13, 1994 | ||
|Available | |{{Available}} | ||
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-bison-iii-rev.-1.0 Octek BISON III REV. 1.0] | |[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/octek-bison-iii-rev.-1.0 Octek BISON III REV. 1.0] | ||
|First version of MR BIOS V2.x | |First version of MR BIOS V2.x | ||
Line 321: | Line 324: | ||
|V2.01 | |V2.01 | ||
|Late-1994 | |Late-1994 | ||
|Assumed | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
|Likely exists assuming by the naming scheme | |Likely exists assuming by the naming scheme | ||
Line 328: | Line 331: | ||
|V2.02 | |V2.02 | ||
|November 29, 1994 | |November 29, 1994 | ||
|Available | |{{Available}} | ||
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/jetway-j-403tg-v2.0 Jetway J-403TG V2.0] | |[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/jetway-j-403tg-v2.0 Jetway J-403TG V2.0] | ||
| | | | ||
Line 335: | Line 338: | ||
|V2.03 | |V2.03 | ||
| rowspan="2" |Late-1994 | | rowspan="2" |Late-1994 | ||
|Assumed | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| rowspan="2" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | | rowspan="2" |Likely exist assuming by the naming scheme | ||
Line 341: | Line 344: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V2.04 | |V2.04 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 347: | Line 350: | ||
|V2.05 | |V2.05 | ||
|December 28, 1994 | |December 28, 1994 | ||
|Available | |{{Available}} | ||
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/alaris-tornado-2 Alaris Tornado 2] | |[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/alaris-tornado-2 Alaris Tornado 2] | ||
| | | | ||
Line 354: | Line 357: | ||
|V2.06 | |V2.06 | ||
| rowspan="4" |Late-1994 or early-1995 | | rowspan="4" |Late-1994 or early-1995 | ||
|Assumed | |{{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. | | 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. | ||
Line 360: | Line 363: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V2.07 | |V2.07 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V2.08 | |V2.08 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|V2.09 | |V2.09 | ||
| | |{{Assumed}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 376: | Line 379: | ||
|V2.10 | |V2.10 | ||
|January 16, 1995 | |January 16, 1995 | ||
|Available | |{{Available}} | ||
|[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/4027 Octek HIPPO DCA II 486-33] | |[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/4027 Octek HIPPO DCA II 486-33] | ||
|Last known version of MR BIOS V2.x | |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 |
---|