POST Probes -> Was -> Re: Here's a plan

[James Oakley]

"David J. Coffin" wrote:

> > http://www.quicktech.com/qppcplus.htm
> 
>      This card can be set for *any* ISA port 0x0 to 0x3ff,
> although the web page doesn't explain how.  Unfortunately,
> this company's phone number has been disconnected.
> 
>      Here's why having POST cards on two or three different
> ports is so important:

Another 2 reasons why building our own would be a good idea.

1) Company not available/reliable

2) a microcontroller can monitor multiple ports and display them all to
an lcd or multiple 7-seg displays mounted on front of the PC so we won't
have to look inside the case (I have a small flashlight next to my
computer for checking jumper settings, part numbers, etc..) all the
time.

Also, Matthew Sullivan mentioned it would be a good idea to have a "dual
bios" on the card that could be switched back and forth.  What if we
flash into the main BIOS code that would jmp to whatever bios is enabled
on the card, a backup bios and a test bios. That would *really* speed up
development time. The switch could go on front of the pc with the
display. It all could be mounted in a 5 1/4" drive bay cover. 

This is all, of course, very simple design.

It would be great to have a post card with such a level of intelligence.

James Oakley