Thomas,

IIRC, Award was purchased by Phoenix Technologies (www.phoenixtech.com).  
Also, IIRC, Award was one of the first to have "flash" BIOSes, which can be 
software upgraded without replacing the BIOS.  I have a Gateway, originally a 
486DX/33, with a Phoenix BIOS that I bought in 1991 and its BIOS is software 
upgradable (flash).  With the Y2K (non-)problem, BIOS manufacturers were 
quick to provide free BIOS upgrades on their web sites.  Since the early 
'90's, most BIOSes could be software upgraded and did not need to be 
physically replaced.

To find out the BIOS that you have, carefully view the screen when booting.  
The BIOS and BIOS version will be displayed.  Carefully write it down.  (You 
may have to boot several times to get the information correct.)  For example, 
the BIOS in my Gateway is Phoenix GLB01, ver. 0.5.  The current BIOS 
available from Gateway is GLB05.  DO NOT attempt to upgrade your BIOS with an 
upgrade that is not specifically for your BIOS.

As far as the manufacturer of your motherboard, there should be an FCC number 
on it.  Go to the FCC site (www.fcc.gov) and enter the number in their form.  
You will be told who the manufacturer is.

Hope this helps.

Roger Turk
Tucson, Arizona  USA

Thomas Mueller wrote:

>>I don't know who the manufacturer of the motherboard is, or if there is a 
web site.  Booklet gives no name.  Computer dealer is no longer in business,
telephone was disconnected, but their web site (http://www.ccworks.net) was 
still up as of a couple months ago.  I don't think the BIOS is upgradeable. 
If
it is possible to replace the non-volatile memory chip with a fresh programmed
one, how much labor would be involved, and how much would it cost?  It might
not
be worth the cost for a Cx486DX2-S at 66 MHz.<<

Reply via email to