AR-B1474 User¡¦s Guide

4.2 UTILITY DISKETTE

To support the AR-B1474 solid state disk’ s operations, the following programs or files has been provided on the accompanying utility diskette:

(1) PGM1474.EXE

PGM1474.EXE PGM1474.EXE is used to program the 12V FLASH EPROM after the ROM pattern files are generated by RFG.EXE The PGM1474.EXE can also program the correctness of the ROM pattern files onto 5V FLASH EPROM (start from MEM1) or SRAM for testing the ROM pattern files.

To execute PGM1474.EXE, the main menu will be displayed on your screen. There are 8 options on the main menu.

Quit to DOS

Quits and exits to the DOS.

OS Shell

Exits from PGM1474 temporarily to the DOS prompt. Type EXIT to return to PGM1474 main menu.

Load ROM File

If this option is used, the PGM1474 will prompt you for the ROM pattern file name. This option is useful if you have not previously entered a ROM pattern file name or if you wish to use a different ROM pattern file. The PGM1474 will check and display the ROM file name, ROM file size, (FLASH) memory capacity and the number of ROM pattern files that will be loaded and copied onto the (FLASH) memory chips.

Verify Memory

If ROM pattern files were loaded without error, this option instructs PGM1474 to verify the contents of (FLASH) memory chips with the current ROM pattern files.

Program Memory

If there are no mistakes in your ROM pattern file, then this menu option will erase (FLASH) memory, write the current ROM pattern files onto (FLASH) memory and verify data that was just written to (FLASH) memory, using the ROM pattern files.

Memory Type/Mfr.

Before you program the (FLASH) memory chips, make sure that the FLASH’ s type and manufactory match the one shown on the main menu. Otherwise, you can use this option to select the proper type and manufacture and instruct the program to use a right programming algorithm.

Select PGM Chips

Normally the PGM1474 will program all ROM pattern files onto the FLASH memories with the ROM pattern files just loaded. But you can use this option to select which memory chips that you want to program and which memory chips need to be skipped. The PGM1474 will only program the selected chips when writing data to the FLASH memory. This is very useful when some of the memory chip were verified and programmed previously.

Select FLASH PLSCNTs

If the 12V FLASHs have been programmed several times, please select the <Slowest> FLASH PLSCNT mode instead of <Standard> mode. In the <Slower> or <Slowest> mode, PGM1474.EXE will retry more times to program data onto the 12V FLASHs correctly.

The default setting is <Slowest> mode.

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Sony AR-B1474, DX4, 486DX manual Utility Diskette, PGM1474.EXE
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DX4, AR-B1474, 486DX specifications

The Sony 486DX, AR-B1474, and DX4 are notable examples of advanced computing technologies from the early to mid-1990s, a time when personal computers were rapidly evolving to meet increasing user demands. These systems played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of modern computing.

The Sony 486DX is built around the popular Intel 80486 microprocessor, which was a significant step up from its predecessor, the 386. The 486DX featured a 32-bit architecture and introduced integrated cache memory, which greatly enhanced data processing speeds and overall system performance. Operating at clock speeds typically ranging from 25 to 100 MHz, the 486DX models provided a solid foundation for running more sophisticated software applications and advanced games of the era.

Accompanying the 486DX was the AR-B1474 motherboard, designed to maximize the potential of the 486 architecture. This motherboard featured support for up to 512 KB of level 2 cache memory, further boosting performance for data-heavy tasks. The AR-B1474 also included extensive connectivity options, with ISA slots for legacy devices, as well as support for EISA, making it compatible with a wide range of hardware peripherals. This versatility made the AR-B1474 a popular choice among builders of custom desktop PCs during its time.

The DX4, another significant milestone, built upon the 486 architecture by introducing a clock-doubling technique. By effectively allowing the processor to perform operations at up to three times its base clock speed (typically 75 or 100 MHz), the DX4 could handle even more demanding applications, thereby providing users with significant performance improvements without requiring a complete overhaul of their systems.

Both the 486DX and DX4 processors facilitated advancements in multimedia capabilities, with improved graphics rendering and audio performance that supported CD-ROMs and early gaming technologies. This made them particularly appealing to consumers looking for a versatile machine for both work and entertainment.

Overall, the combination of the Sony 486DX, AR-B1474 motherboard, and DX4 processor exemplifies a significant chapter in computing history, showcasing how hardware advancements seamlessly integrated with user needs for performance and flexibility. As these technologies laid the groundwork for future innovations, they remain noteworthy for their contributions to the evolution of personal computing.
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