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".
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.
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.
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.
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
