Phoenix ROM BIOS Ver 1.xx

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The POST screen from the Kaypro Model 16 computer

Phoenix ROM BIOS Ver 1.xx is the first version of PhoenixBIOS developed by Phoenix Technologies (then Phoenix Software Associates) and released in 1984. It is the first fully IBM PC compatible BIOS that was licensed to OEMs for use on their clones of that system, as at that time individual OEM solutions were either not fully compatible or contained copyrighted IBM code, which prohibited their mass licensing for use on other systems and usually resulted in legal action by IBM against them.

Setup Utility

This version does not include a built-in CMOS setup utility. Therefore, a floppy disk containing the setup program must be used to configure the system. This setup program would be usually supplied by Phoenix or the OEMs themselves. Alternatively, generic setup programs such as GSETUP (which was written for the original IBM PC) will usually work on this version.

Known systems

The below is a list of systems that are known to use this version of PhoenixBIOS

POST screen Release date Manufacturer Model name PhoenixBIOS Version Note(s)
1984 Tandy 1000 (original) 01.00.00 Most likely a code fork based on PhoenixBIOS Ver 1.00
1984 Kaypro Model 16 1.07
1985-1987 Nokia(?) Unknown 1.50 From an unknown 286 system with Nokia copyright seen here: https://retro.swarm.cz/20180901/aaaa-10/
1986 Tandy 1000 SX 01.02.00 Most likely a code fork based on PhoenixBIOS Ver 1.02
1988 Tandy 1000 TL 01.04.01 Most likely a code fork based on PhoenixBIOS Ver 1.04