Sample Basic Code to Display ROM-BIOS Date for an IBM PC

ID: Q33706

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Visual Basic Standard and Professional Editions for MS-DOS, version 1.0
Microsoft QuickBASIC for MS-DOS, versions 1.0, 1.01, 1.02, 2.0, 2.01, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0b, 4.5
Microsoft BASIC Compiler for MS-DOS, versions 5.35, 5.36, 6.0, 6.0b
Microsoft GW-Basic Interpreter, versions 3.20, 3.22, 3.23
Microsoft BASIC Professional Development System (PDS) for MS-DOS, version 7.0

SUMMARY

Getting the ROM-BIOS (Read-Only Memory, Basic Input/Output System) date for a computer can be an important clue in diagnosing a variety of potential hardware- and software-compatibility problems.

Page 60 of "The Peter Norton Programmer's Guide to the IBM PC" (published by Microsoft Press, 1985) provides the following Basic program to display the ROM-BIOS date in month-day-year format for an IBM PC:


' To try this example in VBDOS.EXE:
' 1. From the File menu, choose New Project.
' 2. Copy the code example to the Code window.
' 3. Press F5 to run the program.

DEF SEG = &HF000
FOR i = 0 TO 7
  PRINT CHR$(PEEK(&HFFF5 + i));
NEXT

MORE INFORMATION

If your IBM PC ROM-BIOS is dated prior to 10/27/82, then the following restrictions apply:

You may not be able to address a full 640K -- only 544K or so may be available.

The machine will not be compatible with the Microsoft MACH 20 board.

Because the ROM-BIOS is earlier than 10/27/82, you have an IBM PC 1 with a 16/64K motherboard (logic board). This machine does not support hard drives, and just supports floppies.

IBM no longer offers the 10/27/82 ROM-BIOS upgrade for ROM versions earlier than 10/27/82 if you have a 16/64K motherboard. (IBM does currently upgrade the BIOS for the 64/256K motherboard.)

Other BIOS-related restrictions or problems may occur.

Another way to determine the age of your PC is to look on the front-left corner of your motherboard (logic board). IBM PC 1 machines are stamped with 16/64K. IBM PC 1 machines usually have ROM-BIOS versions earlier than 10/27/82, and they do not support hard drives. IBM PC 2 machines are stamped with 64/256K on the motherboard and can optionally support hard drives.

Additional query words: VBmsdos QuickBas BasicCom 1.00 1.01 1.02 2.00 2.01 3.00 4.00 4.00b 4.50

Keywords :
Version : MS-DOS:1.0,1.01,1.02,2.0,2.01,3.0,4.0,4.0b,4.5; :3.20,3.22,3.23,5.35,5.36,6.0,6.0b,7.0
Platform : MS-DOS
Issue type :