I need to find the manual for my machine

[ee1209b]

In a previous thread i was told to give info about my machine and you could help me find a manual so I can find out what kind of, and how much RAM I can upgrade to (pardon infinitive). I could not find out much but this is what I found under "My Computer> system properties"
Windows version 4.10.1998, Computer name: unknown , system bus type : ISA, Bios Name: American Megatrends, Bios date 07/15/95, Machine type:IBM PC/AT Processor Vendor: GenuineIntel, Processor Type: Pentium(r) II Processor Math Co-processor:present.
I am running windows 98, I cannot find a model # anywhere on the computer case. The invoice I got when i purchased says I have 333 celeron processor 64 MEGs Ram
If there is something else i need to have, please tell me where I might find it. I do not know where to look for this stuff

[Whyzman]

Not a problem! :)

When you first boot up your machine, on the black and white screen, you will see a BIOS number. Usually, this number will be found in the lower left hand corner.

By hitting the Pause/Break key you can freeze the screen to enable copying of the number. It is important to copy the number exactly. If you would then post it here we can then try to ID your motherboard.

[kayofcircles]

I could never get that screen to freeze, so had to go to motherboard.org (http://www.motherboards.org/moboidtools.html) and download a small German program that gave me my BIOS ID. And that's also where you can go after you have the ID, and search manufacturers for a manual.

Just hope you don't have a Vision Top Tech mobo, because that's what I had then, and they went out of business before I even bought my puter from the shop.:)

[Budfred]

You can also download Belarc and/or Aida32 which can give you a wealth of information about your computer when you run them.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

http://www.aida32.hu/aida-download.php?bit=32

Aida32 is probably a little bit stronger....

[ee1209b]

I got two utilities to get information about my system(Aida32 & Bios Wizard 2.10) These are relevant reports they gave me: BIOS CAPABILITIES TEST REPORT
===============================

Generated by: BIOS Wizard 2.10
Date: May 12, 2003
Time: 10:57

PnP Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 1.0
PCI Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 2.1
PCI IRQ Routing Table : BIOS currently supports this feature
Enhanced Disk Drive
Specification : BIOS currently supports this feature
DMI Version : Current version is 2.0. The minimum DMI version is
2.1
ACPI Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 1.0
APM Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 1.2
Booting From CD-ROM : BIOS currently supports this feature
Supports ESCD : BIOS currently supports this feature
Can be Updated (flashed) : BIOS currently supports this feature
Can be Shadowed : BIOS currently supports this feature
BIOS Chip in Socket : BIOS doesn't support this feature
Supports Selective Booting : BIOS doesn't support this feature
Supports LS-120 Booting : The testing of this feature is not supported by
the current DMI version
Supports ZIP Booting : The testing of this feature is not supported by
the current DMI version
Supports Network Booting : The testing of this feature is not supported by
the current DMI version
BIOS Manufacturer : American Megatrends
BIOS ID : 61-1210-000747-00101111-071595-M747
BIOS Date : 07/15/95
BIOS OEM Signon :
BIOS ROM Size : 256K
Chipset : SiS600 rev 17
Super I/O Chip : ITE 8661/SiS 6801 found at port 279h

And:--------[ AIDA32 (c) 1995-2003 Tamas Miklos ]---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Version AIDA32 v3.50
Author fiery@aida32.hu
Homepage http://www.aida32.hu
Report Type Quick Report
Computer END
Generator emte
Operating System Microsoft Windows 98 4.10.1998 (Win98 Retail)
Date 2003-05-16
Time 02:08


--------[ Motherboard ]-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Motherboard Properties:
Motherboard ID 61-1210-000747-00101111-071595-M747$M747V5.0Release 12/10/1998S
Motherboard Name Aristo M747 BX-Pro

Front Side Bus Properties:
Bus Type Intel GTL+
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 66 MHz
Effective Clock 66 MHz
Bandwidth 528 MB/s

Motherboard Physical Info:
CPU Sockets/Slots 1
Expansion Slots 2 ISA, 3 PCI
RAM Slots 3 DIMM
Integrated Devices Audio, Video
Form Factor Baby AT
Motherboard Size 220 mm x 250 mm
Motherboard Chipset SiS600

Will this help anyone help me find out how I can upgrade my RAM. I ordered an upgrade for my BIOS today from Touchstone Software Corp. Did I get ripped off? Someone told me BIOS upgrades should be free

[saphalline]

Here's (http://www.sis.com/products/chipsets/integrated/socket370/620.htm) SiS' website for the SiS 620 chipset for PII's. It might help a little. It says the chipset supports up to 1.5GB of RAM in 3 DIMM slots (3 slots, 6 banks, 256MB per bank, so 512MB sticks of RAM can be used).

I think I also found Aristo's main website (http://www.ventura.at/), but their list of mobo's (http://www.ventura.at/navigation/mainnavigation/index2.htm) seems to be missing the info you gave (click on "Socket 370"). Maybe you can pick it out by looking or something?

I've never heard of Aristo mobo's, but having found their website in working condition (after a simple Google search for "aristo") I can probably say for certain that you got ripped off by buying a BIOS upgrade. BIOS upgrades are indeed supposed to be free.

[Whyzman]

Does this look like it?

http://www.pcchips.com.tw/M747.html

If it is check on the bottom of the page...there's a download manual...

[Budfred]

I know of at least one company that sells BIOS chips if you need them, but generally that is only if your old chip is fried for some reason. If it is simply a software upgrade, those are generally available on the web for free download.

[ee1209b]

I went to the SiS website. It did not help me very much. I believe i understand what saphalline said though. I went to the Aristo main website and did not understand what I saw under "Socket 370". I tried to send an e mail inquiry to aristo, but they did not accept my e mail.( It was returned as undeliverable). They had info on the site about upgrading BIOS and it was enough to frighten me to death. Said stuff about not being about to boot up if installation is not done in a certain way.
I went to pcchips.com and tried unsuccessfully to download the manual. Then i tried to download files i thought might be relevant but they would not download either. When I unzipped them it said some files were missing and it would not open.
Now i am afraid to try to use the bios chip i ordered. (Plus i am unsure i need it anyway) Am i having incredibly bad luck or what?
Anybody have any more ideas? I am beginning to feel very desperate:confused: Thank you for your help. I would really be lost without you! Please don't give up on me! I am gonna get good at this yet!

[Budfred]

If the BIOS chip you ordered is for the right board and you can't return it, I would go ahead and use it. The warnings about updating the BIOS are dire because nobody want to take responsibility for turning your motherboard into wall art, but the truth is that it isn't that hard to get it right if you go step by step and follow instructions. If you have the chip, it is simply a matter of installing it...

If you were unable to download good versions of any software from the web, it suggests that you may have some work to do on the computer you are using to download. You may want to start another thread to get help sorting that out. If you do, give as much info as you can, especially what version of Windoze you are using and what browser.

Whatever you didn't understand about your board, copy and post it here so we can try to interpret it for you....

[pcmuncher]

Hey, to help I have a link most supplier drivers and manuals (http://websell.pipex.com/beta-cgi/tek/aboutus.html) at the bottom of the page there is a BIG list, with direct links to BIOS updates, MANUALs and everthing. I go here most of the time for updates.
Hope it helps.

:confused: