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MP968/ARa Main Page
This page last updated
November 1, 2002
MP968/ARA Tech Spec's
An important BIOS update notice!
I just found the correct flash program for the MP968/ARa and anyone desiring to upgrade to 72 MB of RAM should update their BIOS to the last correct version for their ARa. Earlier BIOS versions may have just a 40 MB RAM limit. The MP968 has just one version - so it is easier job to update correctly.
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Information removed from old Chicony Websites specifications
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Multimedia Acceleration adds a New Dimension in your Notebook
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CPU
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Intel P54C 75, 90, 100, 120, 133, 150 and 166Mhz
Can use standard 3.3V SPGA socket CPU's
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Memory
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8MB on-board, expandable to 16/24/40 and 48MB!
CPU utilizes built-in 16kb Cache memory.
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BIOS
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256kb Flash ROM System BIOS
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Chipsets
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OPTi Viper System Chip
C&T 65545 VGA software MPEG
ESS 1688 Sound
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LCD Display
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11.3" SVGA (800x600) DSTN
10.4", 11.3" and 12.1" SVGA (800x600) TFT
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Video
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PCI Bus with 2MB RAM
1280x1024 resolution at 256 colors for external VGA support
LCD & CRT Simultaneous display
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Audio
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ESS 1688 Sound
Yamaha FM synthesizer for OPL3 support
Two built-in stereo speakers and internal microphone
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SmartBay
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Removable internal 5.25" TEAC 6x or 8x speed CD-ROM
3.5" 1.44MB FDD
2nd HDD
2nd Battery
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Hard-Disk
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Removable internal 2.5" HDD upgradable to 3.2GB, 19mm and 12.7mm height PCI bus, enhanced IDE interface supporting LBA mode and HDD suspend. The 2nd HDD is also 2.5" and can support 3.2GB for a total of 6.4GB!
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FDD
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Removable internal 3.5" 1.44MB FDD (Japanese BIOS supports 1.2MB)
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PCMCIA
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Two Type II and one Type III (all inside)
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I/O Ports
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Built-in Touch-Pad, 9-pin RS-232C serial port, 25-pin parallel port, 15-pin external VGA monitor port, 160-pin expansion slot for ISA docking station, Line-in jack, Speaker output, Microphone input, FDD connector, Video-Out, IrDA infrared port
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Keyboard
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Detachable 86-key keyboard with Windows 95 function keys
Supports multiple language keyboards
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Battery
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Ni-MH removable and rechargeable Optional 2nd removable internal battery pack
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Power Supply
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90V-270V universal AC adapter
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Size / Weight
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304mm x 231mm x 55mm x 3.6kg (with battery)
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Options
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2nd HDD
2nd Ni-MH battery pack
Port Replicator
Battery Charger
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Chicony ARa / 968 FAQ
Q. Why the system cannot recognize Toshiba HDD - 2.1 GB ?
A. BIOS version D10 can support 2.1GB Toshiba HDD
Q. Why after updating the system BIOS, FDD cannot read or write?
A. After updating the system BIOS, you should also update the 51SL bios(51SL bios cannot be flashed, and should be replaced)
Q. Under Win95, how can I verify the version of PCI-IDE driver that is installed into the system?
A. Go to Control Panel, double click System Properties, go to Device Manager =>Hard Disk Controller => National Semiconductor Dual PCI-IDE (NS87410) => Driver . Under Driver folder, check the file version. The latest PCI-IDE version is 1.08.00
Q. Under Win95, how to update the PCI-IDE driver from 1.00 to 1.08?
A. Go to Control Panel, double click System Properties, go to Device Manager =>Hard Disk Controller => National Semiconductor Dual PCI-IDE (NS87410) => Driver . Under Driver folder, Select Change Driver and insert the diskette that contain the PCI-IDE driver. It will update the PCI-IDE driver and reboot the system.
Q. Why under Win95, double clicking "My Computer" takes too long to open and sometimes cannot recognize CD-ROM?
A. You should update the PCI-IDE driver to version higher than 1.07.00
Q. Why the battery icon is not an accurate basis to tell if the battery is fully charged?
A. It is recommended to plug the AC-DC adapter to the machine before power ON, and don't plug/unplug the AC-DC adapter during battery charging, this action may cause abnormal condition on the battery icon. It is better to use the battery LED indicator located on the right bottom side of the display panel as a basis if the battery is fully charged or not.
Q. Why the MPEG driver is successfully installed under Win95 but cannot play CD-i?
A. Make sure the display resolution is using 256 colors. 16 colors or 16-bit high color will cause the system to have an error message when playing CD-i.
Q. How to install ext. PS/2 mouse under Win95?
A. Just plug the ext. PS/2 mouse on the PS/2 port and reboot the system. The system should recognize the ext. PS/2 mouse and will automatically disable the internal touchpad. Go to System Properties, Device Manager , there should be no "!" beside the mouse setting.
Q. How to install serial mouse under Win95?
A. Connect serial mouse on COM1 and reboot the system, Win95 will prompt you that a new hardware (serial mouse) is found and select Driver provided by the manufacturer.
Q. Is the video RAM of ARa able to be updated to 2MB?
A. The maximum video RAM for ARa series is 1MB only
Q. What is the maximum resolution for ARa LCD display
A. The maximum resolution for ARa is 800 x 600
Q. How do we get full screen when playing CD-i or Video CD
A. Go to MPEGNOW directory, edit VMPWIN16.INI, under [MCT], Change the value of Adaptivesizing from 1 to 0. And execute mdia player again. When maximize the display windows, you can get a full screen movie display.
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Microprocessor Type
Intel Pentium P54C 75~120Mhz is supported by all versions. Pentium 150 is supported on V7 & V8 mainboard. Pentium 166 is supported on V8 only. See below for mainboard versions.
MMX CPUs are NOT supported on any version of the system.
Location
The microprocessor is located on the under side rear of the computer, under the door with the fan vents.
Installation Instructions
Turn the computer off and remove all power sources
Remove the hard drive (see above)
Remove the screw on the door with the fan vents and remove the door.
Under the door you will see a heatsink/fan assembly.
The heatsink/fan is attached to the chip with double sided tape. You need to pry the
heat/sink loose.
You will see the Intel Chip. It is in a white socket. You should see the 2 tabs labeled Lock and
open on either side of the chip.
Insert the tip of a flat screwdriver into the hole on the open side and move the handle of the
screwdriver towards the chip. This will move the socket and chip about 1mm.
Remove the chip from the socket
Set the switches to match your new CPU chip.
Insert the new chip, it should just drop into place. Note the pins are not symmetrical, so the chip
will only fit in one direction.
Place a flat screwdriver into the lock side of the socket and move the handle toward the chip.
You must be sure the socket moves all the way so that there is no gap on the open side
(see diagram). This often takes a bit more force than most people think they should apply. If the
socket does not lock all the way either the system will not boot or the socket will loosen
causing the system not to boot at a later date.
Re-assemble the computer.
Switch Settings
There is a switch block located on the corner of the mainboard, next to the CPU socket.
Note the switch settings and possible CPU's vary by mainboard version. Use the following steps to determine your mainboard version.
Access the area under the keyboard (see memory instructions above).
Look for a group of jumpers between the left memory socket and the LCD.
If these jumpers are NOT present, you have a V1~V5 mainboard. You should use the
settings below.
If these jumpers are present, turn the computer upside down with the ports away from you.
With the CPU door removed, look at the mainboard next to the CPU socket. Look to the right
side closest to you for "V8" printed on the mainboard. You may have to look on an angle, as
this will be partially obstructed by the case.
If the "V8" mark is present, your version is V8
If the "V8" mark is absent, your version is V7
V1~V5
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75
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90
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100
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120
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133
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SW1:1
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OFF
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ON
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ON
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ON
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ON
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SW1:2
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ON
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ON
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OFF
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ON
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ON
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SW1:3
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OFF
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OFF
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ON
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ON
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ON
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SW1:4
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OFF
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OFF
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ON
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OFF
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ON
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V7
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75
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90
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100
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120
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133
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150
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SW1:1
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OFF
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ON
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ON
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ON
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ON
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ON
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SW1:2
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ON
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ON
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ON
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ON
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ON
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OFF
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SW1:3
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OFF
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OFF
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OFF
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ON
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ON
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ON
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SW1:4
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OFF
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OFF
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ON
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OFF
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ON
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ON
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V8
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75
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90
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100
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120
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133
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150
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166
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SW1:1
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OFF
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ON
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ON
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ON
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ON
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ON
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ON
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SW1:2
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OFF
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OFF
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OFF
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OFF
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OFF
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ON
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ON
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SW1:3
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OFF
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OFF
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OFF
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ON
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ON
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ON
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ON
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SW1:4
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OFF
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OFF
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ON
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OFF
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ON
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OFF
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ON
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I've worked out the following additional speed settings for V8 motherboards.
CPU SPEED
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SW1-1
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SW1-2
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SW1-3
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SW1-4
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200
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ON
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OFF
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ON
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ON
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ARa / MP968 BIOS
Application Notes
Chicony's FAQ (see above) states that some MP968 or ARa laptops may need a new floppy controller chip if the BIOS is updated. I do not have this chip and do not think that it is available. I have never had to replace this chip with my own MP968 or ARa laptops and do not know haw to determine if this chip will need to be replaced prior to flashing a BIOS.
Only use the flash program to the left - others will not work.
The ARa has many different motherboard versions and LCD configurations and the BIOS applications are very specific to certain configurations.
In order to determine the proper BIOS, you must first find out the serial number of the computer and the current BIOS version. The serial number is located on the bottom of the computer on a bar code label. Please upgrade with the same BIOS alphabet letter (D14, G14 etc) as shown during post or work out the correct version as determined below.
Your Existing BIOS version will appear on the first screen after the computer is turned on. The version line is the 4th line from the top of the screen and reads "System Version: L## - L## date" (L = a letter, # = a digit). The first group is your BIOS version and the second group is your Keyboard Controller version.
Once you have this information, follow the steps below to find the proper version.
1. Is your Current BIOS Version (first group) "B05"? - If Yes, you have a later version of the system and your BIOS can not need be updated. If No, continue.
2. Is your Keyboard BIOS version (second group) "C18" or "K01"? If Yes, Continue. If No, you cannot update your BIOS without first replacing the keyboard controller chip on the mainboard.
3. Does your current BIOS version begin with "H", "G", or "J"? If Yes, Download and the version which begins with the same letter. If No, continue.
4. Does your serial number begin with "ARA" or "ARB"? If Yes, Download Version F14. If No, continue.
5. If you have made it to this point, you should download version D14.
Warning/Disclaimer
You should not update your BIOS just because the file is available. BIOS updated are released to address specific issued found within a model. BIOS updates do not give your computer added features. There is a chance that an error may occur in the update process which will leave your computer in an un-usable state. Also before downloading, please be 100% sure that this update applies to your specific version of the model which you own. Damage resulting from a failed BIOS update will not be covered under any warranty.
In downloading and installing this update, you are doing so at your own risk.
MP968/ARa BIOS Files
Chicony's Last BIOS version was Version 14
The existing BIOS version can be seen during POST screen display - look for "D10", "J11" or other letter/number combinations in the BIOS string. The letter will be one of the following alphabet letters: D, F, G, H or J and the numbers will be 13 or less. If The BIOS has the number 14 then that is the latest BIOS available.
To update, replace your existing BIOS with a BIOS that has the same letter: ("D14", "F14", "G14", "H14" or "J14")
[Release date : 12/26/96]
Ara-d14.exe
- for serial numbers ARC, ARD, ARE with the following LCDs :
NEC TFT LCD 12.1"
LG TFT LCD 12.1"
SAMSUNG TFT LCD 10.4"
SANYO "CF53" & "FB53" DSTN LCD 11.3"
PANASONIC DSTN LCD 11.3"
Ara-f14.exe
- for serial numbers ARA, ARB only
Ara-g14.exe
- for serial number ARC, ARD, ARE with SANYO FE53 DSTN LCD only
Ara-h14.exe
- for serial number ARC, ARD, ARE with IBM TFT LCD only
Ara-j14.exe
- for serial number ARC, ARD, ARE with Mitsubishi TFT LCD only.
968-b05.exe
- MP968 BIOS version B05
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