System BIOS For IBM PC - XT - AT Computers and Compatibles

Technical Reference Series
System BIOS for

IBM® PCI)(TrMIAT®
Computers and
Compatibles
The Complete Guide to

ROM-Based System Software
Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
....
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc.
Reading, Massachusetts Menlo Park, California New York
Don Mills, Ontario Wokingham, England Amsterdam Bonn
Sydney Singapore Tokyo Madrid San Juan
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are
claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Addison-Wesley
was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in initial capital letters.
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While every reasonable precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the
author and the publishers assume nO responsibility for errors or omissions, or for the uses
made of the material contained herein or the decisions based on such use. No warranties
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ers shall be liable for direct, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the
use or inability to use the contents of this book.
Library of Congress Cataloglng-In-Publlcatlon Data
System BIOS for IBM PCIXTIAT computers and compatibles I Phoenix

Technologies, Ltd.
p. cm. -- (Phoenix technical reference series)
ISBN 0-201-51806-6 :
1.IBM Personal Computer. 2. IBM Personal Computer XT. 3. IBM
Personal Computer AT. 4. Operating systems (Computers) I. Phoenix

Technologies. II. Title: BIOS. III. Series.
QA76.8.12594S97 1989
004.4'469--dc20 89-17557
CIP
Copyright © 1989,1988,1987 by Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the
United States of America. Published simultaneously in Canada.
Cover design by Hannus Design Associates
Text design by Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Set in 10-point Modern by Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
ISBN: 0-201-51806-6
EFGHIJ-AL-93210
Fifth Printing, August 1990
Trademarks
This manual acknowledges the following trademarks:
Ashton-Tate and Framework are registered trademarks of Ashton-Tate Corporation.
AST Is a registered trademark of AST Research, Inc.
AT, IBM, Personal Systems/2, PS/2, and PC/AT are registered trademarks of the Interna
tional Business Machines Corporation. PC-DOS, PC/XT, VGA, CGA, MCA, MDA, EGA,
OS/2, and Micro Channel are trademarks of the International Business Machines Corpora
tion.
Hercules, Hercules Graphic Card, and Hercules Graphic Adapter are
trademarks of Hercules Computer Technology.
Intel Is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
1-2-3, Lotus, and Symphony are registered trademarks of Lotus
Development Corp.
Motorola Is a registered trademark of Motorola Semiconductor Products, Inc.
MS, MS-DOS, XENIX, and Microsoft are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
NEC and Multisync are registered trademarks of Nippon Electric Corporation.
Quadram Is a registered trademark of Quadram Corporation.
Dedication
To the IBM engineers and programmers who designed and coded the IBM
PC, XT, and AT BlOSs.
Table of Contents
Foreword ...................................................... xvii
About This Book ............................................... xxiii
Acronyms and Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. xxvii
Chapter 1 - The ROM BIOS
Overview .......................................................... 1
BIOS: Theory of Operation .................................. . . . . . . . . .. 4
BIOS Memory Usage ...............•................•.' . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8
Interrupt Vector Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9
Unexpected Interrupt Handler •......................................... 12
System BIOS Functions and BIOS Diversity .............................. 14
Video BIOS Functions and BIOS Diversity ................................ 16
Summary: The BIOS Services ......................................... 18
Chapter 2 - System RAM Data
Overview .......................................................... 27
Interrupt Vectors .................................................... 28
BIOS Data Area ..................................................... 31
Power-On Self Test Definitions ........................................ 38
INT 1Oh Video Service Data Definitions .................................. 39
INT 11 h Equipment List Service Data Definitions .......................... 41
INT 12h Memory Size Service Data Definition ............................ 41
INT 13h Diskette Service Data Definitions ................................ 42
INT 14h Serial Communication Service Data Definitions .................... 45
INT 16h Keyboard Data Service Definitions and
INT 09h Keyboard Service Interrupt Data Definitions .................... 45
INT 17h Parallel Printer Service Data Definitions .......................... 47
INT 19h Bootstrap Loader Service Data Definitions ........................ 48
INT 1Ah Time-of-Day Service Data Definitions ........................... 48
continued
System BIOS for IBM PC/XT I AT Computers and Compatibles vii

Chapter 3 - CMOS RAM Data
Overview ......................................................... 49
CMOS RAM I/O Ports ............................................... 50
Accessing CMOS RAM .............................................. 51
CMOS RAM Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. 52
Chapter 4 - ROM BIOS Data
Overview ......................................................... 57
ROM Address Compatibility Table ..................................... 58
System Configuration Data Table (AT only) ............................. 60
Diskette Parameter Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61
AT Fixed Disk Parameter Table ..................... ;................. 63
XT Fixed Disk Parameter Table ....................................... 68
Baud Rate Initialization .............................................. 70
Chapter 5 - 1/0 Port Addresses
Overview ......................................................... 71
Hardware I/O Port List .............................................. 72
Video I/O Port List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 94
Chapter 6 - Power-On Self Tests (POST)
Overview ......................................................... 103
POST Procedures .................................................. 105
Rules for Positioning I/O Expansion ROM ............................... 107
Re-Entering Real Mode (80286-based systems only) .................... 109
INT 19h, INT 18h, and System Boot ................................... 110
POST Error Handling in AT Systems ................................... 111
POST Error Handling in XT Systems ................................... 111
continued
viii System BIOS for IBM PC/XT I AT Computers and Compatibles

Chapter 7 - INT 02h Nonmaskable Interrupt
Overview ......................................................... 113
XT NMI Handling ................................................... 115
8087 Coprocessor Exceptions ........................................ 116
AT NMI Handling ................................................... 117
80x87 Coprocessor Exceptions in AT Systems .......................... 119
Chapter 8 - INT 09h and INT 16h Keyboard Services
Overview ......................................................... 121
Theory of Operation ................................................ 123
Keyboard 1/0 Ports ................................................. 128
System RAM Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
INT 09h: Internal Function Requests ................................... 131
INT 09h: System Reset «Ctrl> <A It> <Del» ............................ 132
INT 09h: Break «Ctrl> <Break> or <Ctrl> <Scroll Lock» .................. 133
INT 09h: Pause «Ctrl> <Num Lock» .; ................................ 134
INT 09h: Print Screen «PrtSc> or <Shift> <PrtSc>) ...................... 136
INT 09h: System Request «SysReq» ................................. 137
INT 16h: Keyboard DSR ............................................. 138
INT 16h: AH = OOh Read Keyboard Input ............................... 139
INT 16h: AH = 01 h Return Keyboard Status ............................. 141
INT 16h: AH = 02h Return Shift Flag Status ............................. 142
INT 16h: AH = 03h Set Typematic Rate and Delay ....................... 143
INT 16h: AH = 05h Store Key Data .................................... 144
INT 16h: AH = 10h Read Extended Keyboard Input ....................... 145
INT 16h: AH = 11 h Return Extended Keyboard Status .................... 146
INT 16h: AH = 12h Return Extended Shift Flags Status .................... 147
How to Read Character Code Tables .................................. 149
Character Codes: AH = OOh/01 h ...................................... 151
Character Codes: AH = 1Oh/11 h ...................................... 156
Chapter 9 - INT 10h Video Service
Overview ......................................................... 161
Theory of Operation ............................•................... 164
MDA Hardware Environment .......................................... 174
continued
System BIOS for IBM PC/XTI AT Computers and Compatibles ix
Chapter 9 - INT 10h Video Service, Continued
CGA Hardware Environment .......................................... 176
EGA Hardware Environment .................................•........ 178
VGA Hardware Environment .......................................... 182
Video Modes •.•......................•............................ 188
System RAM Data .....................................•............ 192
Summary of INT 10h Functions ............... , ....................... 199
How Functions Are Called .....................•..................... 202
Error Handling ........•.......................•.................... 202
Function: AH = OOh Set Video Mode .................................. 203
Function: AH = 01h Set Text Mode Cursor Size ......................... 204
Function: AH = 02h Set Cursor Position ..............•................. 206
Function: AH = 03h Read Current Cursor Position ....................... 207
Function: AH = 04h Read Light Pen Position .....•...................... 208
Function: AH = 05h Select New Video Page ............................ 209
Function: AH = 06h Scroll Current Page Up
Function: AH = 07h Scroll Current Page Down ............•.......... 210
Function: AH = 08h Read Character/Attribute from Screen ................ 211
Function: AH = 09h Write Character/Attribute to Screen .................. 212
Function: AH = OAh Write Character Only to Screen ..•.................. 214
Function: AH = OBh Set Color Palette .................................. 215
Function: AH = OCh Write Pixel ....................................... 216
Function: AH = ODh Read Pixel ....................................... 217
Function: AH = OEh Write Teletype to Active Page ....................... 218
Function: AH = OFh Return Video Status ......•........................ 220
Function: AH = 10h Set Palette/Color Registers .•....................... 221
Function: AH = 11 h Load Character Generator .•........................ 230
Function: AH = 12h Alternate Select ................................... 241
Function: AH = 13h Write String ..................................... 247
Function: AH = lAh Read/Write Display Combination Code ................ 248
Function: AH = 1Bh Return Functionality/State Information ................. 249
Function: AH = 1Ch Save/Restore Video State .......................... 254
Chapter 10 - INT 13h Diskette Service
Overview ................•.................•...................... 263
Summary of Functions .............................................. 265
Theory of Operations .......................... , .................... 266
continued
x System BIOS for IBM PC/XT I AT Computers and Compatibles

Chapter 10 - INT 13h Diskette Service, Continued
Hardware Environment .............................................. 270
System RAM Data .................................................. 274
CMOS RAM Data ................................................... 278
ROM BIOS Data .................................................... 279
Diskette Service I/O Ports ........................................... 281
Error Handling ..................................................... 284
Function: AH = OOh Reset Diskette System ............................. 286
Function: AH = 01 h Read Diskette Status .............................. 287
Function: AH = 02h Read Diskette Sectors ............................. 288
Function: AH = 03h Write Diskette Sectors ............................. 289
Function: AH = 04h Verify Diskette Sectors ............................. 290
Function: AH = 05h Format Diskette Track ...........................•. 291
Function: AH = 08h Read Drive Parameters ............................. 293
Function: AH = 15h Read Drive Type .................................. 295
Function: AH = 16h Detect Media Change .............................. 296
Function: AH = 17h Set Diskette Type ................................. 297
Function: AH = 18h Set Media Type for Format ......................... 298
INT OEh Diskette Hardware Interrupt ................................... 300
Chapter 11 - INT 13h Fixed Disk Service
Overview ......................................................... 303
Fixed Disk Service Function Summary ................................. 305
Theory of Operations ............................................... 306
System RAM Data .................................................. 313
CMOS RAM Data ................................................... 314
ROM BIOS Data .................................................... 315
Fixed Disk Service liD Ports .......................................... 322
Error Handling ..................................................... 325
Function: AH = OOh Reset Diskette(s) and Fixed Disk .................... 327
Function: AH == 01 h Read Fixed Disk Status ............................. 328
Function: AH = 02h Read Sectors ..................................... 329
Function: AH = 03h Write Sectors ..................................... 331
Function: AH = 04h Verify Sectors .................................... 333
Function: AH = 05h Format Cylinder ................................... 334
Function: AH = 06h Format Bad Track ................................. 336
continued
System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles xi

Chapter 11 - INT 13h Fixed Disk Service, Continued
Function: AH = 07h Format Drive ..................................... 337
Function: AH = 08h Read Drive Parameters ............................. 338
Function: AH = 09h Initialize Drive Parameters .......................... 340
Function: AH = OAh Read Long Sectors ................................ 341
Function: AH = OBh Write Long Sectors ................................ 343
Function: AH = OCh Seek to Cylinder .................................. 345
Function: AH = ODh Alternate Fixed Disk Reset .......................... 346
Function: AH = OEh Diagnostics 1: Read Test Buffer ..................... 347
Function: AH = OFh Diagnostics 2: Write Test Buffer ..................... 348
Function: AH = 10h Test for Drive Ready ............... " .............. 349
Function: AH = 11 h Recalibrate Drive .................................. 350
Function: AH = 12h Controller RAM Diagnostic .......................... 351
Function: AH = 13h Controller Drive Diagnostic .......................... 352
Function: AH = 14h Controller Internal Diagnostic ........................ 353
Function: AH = 15h Read Fixed Disk Type .............................. 354
Chapter 12 - INT 14h Serial Communications Service
Overview ......................................................... 357
Theory of Operation ................................................ 359
System RAM Data .................................................. 365
ROM BIOS Data .................................................... 366
Serial Communications 110 Ports ...................................... 367
Error Conditions .................................................... 373
Function: AH = OOh Initialize Serial Communications Port .................. 374
Function: AH = 01h Send Character ................................... 376
Function: AH = 02h Receive Character ................................. 377
Function: AH = 03h Read Serial Port Status ............................ 378
Chapter 13 - INT 15h System Services
Overview ......................................................... 379
Summary of Functions ..•........................................... 381
System RAM Data .................................................. 382
CMOS RAM Data ................................................... 383
continued
xii System BIOS for IBM PC/XT I AT Computers and Compatibles

Chapter 13 - INT 15h System Services. Continued
ROM BIOS Data ..................••............•..•................ 384
System Services I/O Ports .........•...............•................. 385
Function: AH = OOh Turn Cassette Motor On ............................ 389
Function: AH = 01 h Turn Cassette Motor Off ............................ 390
Function: AH = 02h Read Cassette •..........................•........ 391
Function: AH = 03h Write to Cassette ...••............................ 392
Function: AH = 4Fh Keyboard Intercept ..........................•..... 393
Function: AH = 80h Device Open ...............•.•................•.. 394
Function: AH = 81 h Device Close ..................................... 395
Function: AH = 82h Program Termination ......•....................... 396
Function: AH = 83h Set Event Wait Interval ............................. 397
Function: AH = 84h Joystick Support ............•...••................ 400
Function: AH = 85h System Request Key ............................... 402
Function: AH = 86h Wait ...........••............................... 403
Function: AH = 87h Move Block ...................................... 404
Function: AH = 88h Read Extended Memory Size ........................ 408
Function: AH = 89h Switch Processor to Protected Mode ....•............ 409
Function: AH = 90h Device Busy ...................................... 411
Function: AH = 91 h Interrupt Complete ................................ 412
Function: AH = COh Return System Configuration Parameters ............. 413
Chapter 14 - INT 17h Parallel Printer Service
Overview ...............•......................................•.. 415
Theory of Operation ................................................ 41 7
System RAM Data .................................................. 421
Parallel Printer I/O Ports ..................................•.......... 422
Error Handling ..................................................... 423
Function: AH = OOh Print Character .•...........•..................... 424
Function: AH = 01 h Initialize Printer ...............•••................. 425
Function: AH = 02h Read Printer Status ..........•.••.................. 426
Chapter 15 - INT 1Ah Time-of-Day Service
Overview ..........••.............•............................... 427
Theory of Operations .............................•................. 430
continued
System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles xiii

Chapter 15 - INT 1Ah Time-of-Day Service, Continued
System RAM Data .................................................. 434
CMOS RAM Data ................................................... 434
Time-at-Day Service 1/0 Ports ....................................... 436
Error Handling ..................................................... 437
Function: AH = ~Oh Read System Timer Time Counter ................... 438
Function: AH = 01 h Set System Timer Time Counter ..................... 439
Function: AH = 02h Read Real Time Clock Time ........................ 440
Function: AH = 03h Set Real Time Clock Time .......................... 441
Function: AH = 04h Read Real Time Clock Date ........................ 442
Function: AH = 05h Set Real Time Clock Date .......................... 443
Function: AH = 06h Set Real Time Clock Alarm ........................ 444
Function: AH = 07h Reset Real Time Clock Alarm ....................... 445
Function: AH = 80h Set Sound Source ................................. 445
INT 08h System Timer ISR ........................................... 446
INT 70h Real Time Clock ISR ......................................... 449
INT 1Ch Timer Tick ISR .............................................. 452
INT 4Ah Alarm ISR .................................................. 452
Chapter 16 - Single Function BIOS Services
Overview ......................................................... 453
INT 05h Print Screen Service ......................................... 455
INT 11 h Equipment List Service ....................................... 457
INT 12h Memory Size Service ........................................ 458
INT 19h Bootstrap Loader Service ..................................... 459
Appendix A - AT BIOS Error Codes and Messages
Introduction ........................................................ 463
IBM BIOS POST and Boot Messages ................................... 464
Phoenix BIOS POST and Boot Messages ............................... 466
Phoenix BIOS Run-Time Messages .................................... 470
Phoen~ BIOS Beep Codes ........................................... 471
SETUP Messages ................................................... 477
continued
xiv System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles

Appendix B - XT BIOS Error Messages
Introduction .••..•..............................•.................. 479
Beep Code ........................................................ 480
IBM XT BIOS POST Messages ...........•...............•..•......... 480
Phoenix XT BIOS POST and Boot Messages ...............•............. 481
Phoenix XT BIOS Run-Time Messages ................................. 484
Glossary ............................................ , ........... 485
Additional Resources ........................................... 493
Index .. .......................................................... 495
System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles xv

Foreword
The Micro Revolution

The personal computer has come a long way from being a hacker's hobby
in basements and garages to a multibillion-dollar industry. In the early days,
programming carried with it an aura of history-in-the-making, of a revolution
that would alter not only the business world, but the fabric of society as well.
In the personal computer, we had found a new vehicle for the exchange of
ideas and the formation of a global village. Personal computing promised to
democratize technology.
At that time, the structure of computing environments centered around the

mainframe. Mainframes cost millions of dollars, filled up large air-conditioned
rooms and required a host of programmers to appease and maintain them.
Users who wished to supplicate the mainframe for a specific task were
forced to request an audience through their Management Information Sys
tems group. They then had to wait months and even years for their applica
tions to be built and run, often sacrificing precious time and frustrating their
creative spirits.
I was an undergraduate at M.I.T. when I first heard of the microprocessor. It

was the key to the computer kingdom that all hackers dreamt about, a way
to bring computing power to individuals without the intervention of bureaucra
cies. The microprocessor created a cult following among programmers.
System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles xvii

In the mid-seventies, large computer companies, built around the proprietary
technology of their mainframes and minicomputers, down played the micro's
potential. As often happens in the business world, it took a group of vision
aries and entrepreneurs to capitalize on that potential and to create an in
dustry around it.
Once the market had been formed, though, the computer establishment
realized there was gold in those silicon hills and valleys and rushed to enter.
It was actually just what the fledgling industry needed: someone with the
marketing clout to establish a standard platform. One cannot advance tech
nology without a platform to serve as a basis for expansion and evolution
into higher forms.
Thus, the IBM PC was born, and with it the era of DOS.
BIOS: The Missing Link
I founded Phoenix in 1979 as a supplier of programmers' tools to support the
DOS standard. We were successful, but not a phenomenon until we broke
through with the PC ROM BIOS in May 1984. It proved to be the missing link
for manufacturers to build systems that were 100 percent compatible with
the IBM PC and, just as important, 100 percent legal.
Our "clean room" methodology was responsible. "Contaminated" engineers
studied the BIOS' functionality and passed on those functions to "virgin"
engineers, who had never seen the BIOS and who then wrote the code that
would accomplish specific tasks. I am proud to say the Phoenix ROM BIOS
was one of the keys that unlocked the PC market and enabled it to grow to
its present proportions.
Phoenix was your archetypal start-up. The first bus architecture that Phoenix
supported was the VW platform as it was driven from one programmer's
garage to another's basement, picking up products and orders for our initial
line of programmers' tools. Our corporate meeting room was in a basement.
I would lead visiting computer executives down a narrow stairwell to a dark
basement, where they would share an old sofa with a bunch of cats, shed
ding hairs all over their pinstriped suits. That was three office buildings ago,
and we're still growing.
Over 300 companies have licensed our ROM BIOS. Today, there are more
installed Phoenix BlOSs than IBM's, with over 14 million systems booting up
with the Phoenix name as the first item to appear on screen.
xviii System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles

Our engineering ventures did not end with the BIOS. Since the PC standard
is always changing, compatibility is a moving target. In fact, the BIOS has
been an evolving piece of indispensable code which has been continually
upgraded to maintain a system's compatibility with the advancements of the
PC's capabilities.
Phoenix also helped to pioneer emulation technologies that enable technical

and graphical workstations to become DOS compatible. Our software co
processor technology is one of the key reasons UNIX workstations are cur
rently enjoying their acceptance in mainstream computing environments. Our
latest product development, PhoenixPage, is a systems software suite that
supports printer standards, such as PostScript-language compatibility.
Portrait of a Company as a Young BIOS

Phoenix is in the middle of the micro madness, but with a method. Phoenix's
strategy is based on the revolution at the heart of the computer industry's
dynamic growth. The emergence of open standards has drastically altered
the way we do business with advanced technologies. Contrary to the con
ventional wisdom that looked for a market edge through the development of
proprietary technologies, companies are realizing that industry-wide adoption
of standards is a prerequisite for growth, both in technical and financial
terms.
The diversification of the Phoenix product line revolves around a central
concept: the promulgation of open standards. In the current proliferation of
operating systems, CPUs, chip sets, system board configurations, and bus
architectures, Phoenix's flexible systems software gives a manufacturer
freedom of design and end users the assurance of quality compatibility.
The BIOS itself may serve as a perfect business model in understanding

Phoenix's role in the microcomputer revolution. Just like systems-level
components in the architecture of a computer, there are players in the
computer industry that are mainly invisible to end users, but who possess
roles that are crucial to the smooth execution of product cycles and advanc
ing technologies.
Just as the BIOS sits at the heart of the PC, where software meets hard
ware, and interfaces communications between the operating system, CPU,
and a computer's peripheral devices (monitor, printer, disk drives, etc.), so
Phoenix is positioned at the center of the PC universe, working closely with
semiconductor, hardware, and peripheral manufacturers; operating system
and independent software developers; and system integrators, ensuring
compatible designs among them all, peace of mind for purchasers and end
users, and a stable and open platform for programmers.
System BIOS for IBM PC/XT IAT Computers and Compatibles xix
PC Compatibility: The Only Game in Town
The PC standard is now entirely software-driven. It is not dependent on
IBM's hardware architecture. The goal of a standard is not IBM hardware
emulation, but a hardware-independent compatibility based on the ability to
run PC applications. It was as much to achieve compatibility with each other
as with IBM that caused most of the industry's largest manufacturers (some
of whom once shunned PC compatibility) to jump on the bandwagon.
The value of compatibility with the PC standard from the end user's view
point is that it offers investment protection, portability, and access to the
world's largest library of applications software packages. These consider
ations have made 100 percent compatibility the main customer-driven
demand in the personal computer marketplace.
In the past few years, the PC industry has seen phenomenal growth. Now
that the standard has been established, the platform is in place to launch an
even more impressive and expansive future. The goal for software develop
ers is to break away from hardware-imposed stagnation and push the PC
environment to new heights. Phoenix's biggest challenge as a company will
be to help manufacturers and software developers integrate compatibility into
new products with smart, innovative engineering.
Open Sesame
Standards advance technology. The establishment of a common platform
enables hardware and software developers to evolve more advanced tech
nologies, since they now have a target and a customer base to make it
worthwhile. The adoption of standards frees engineering resources to con
centrate on differentiating products with expanded capabilities.
Phoenix's goal has always been to support standards in the micro environ
ment. Open standards enable an industry to reap the rewards of advanced
technology by attracting the widest possible customer base and applications.
Phoenix provides a cost-effective engineering resource to solve the integra
tion challenges the PC industry faces.
We are offer.ing this series of BIOS technical references in the same spirit of
.. openness" that has characterized our research and development, from the
days of our programmers' tools through the introduction of our PC BIOS and
creation of the compatibles market.
Open systems need open communications. For personal computing to suc
ceed in society, information must be readily available to allow individuals to
exploit its capabilities. These manuals provide a complete and clear picture
of the design of the PC standard. They describe the parameters of compati
bility and how best to design a system based on the standard.
xx System BIOS for IBM PC/XT IA T Computers and Compatibles

Programmers will find a treasure trove between these covers. They will have
easy access to the PC architecture and will have a secure and stable plat
form to which to write. My hope is that these manuals will help put the
personal back into computing.
Neil J. Colvin
Chairman
System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles xxi

About This Book
What this book is about

System BIOS for IBM PCIXTIAT Computers and Compatibles is a detailed
technical reference that describes the BIOS. the component of PC. XT.
and AT systems that insulates both applications software and single-tasking
operating systems. such as MS-DOS. from direct manipulation of PC hard
ware. The information provided in this book is applicable to all PC. XT. and
AT computers and compatibles.
Who should read this book

System BIOS for IBM PCIXTIAT Computers and Compatibles provides the
most comprehensive source of information about IBM PC. XT. and AT and
compatible BlOSs available today. It can be used by anyone interested in
learning more about IBM or compatible computers.
Applications programmers and device driver developers will find a thorough

discussion of each BIOS device service and function. including all levels of
video BIOS. from MDA and CGA through EGA and VGA. In addition. System
BIOS for IBM PCIXTIAT Computers and Compatibles defines. to the bit level.
all IBM and compatible 110 port addresses and BIOS-related CMOS RAM and
system RAM data.
Hardware technicians and other system troubleshooters will appreciate the

complete list of all BIOS-generated error messages. their likely causes. and
suggested solutions.
System BIOS for IBM PC/XTI AT Computers and Compatibles xxiii

Other volumes in this series
System BIOS for IBM PC/XTIAT Computers and Compatibles is one of several
volumes about BIOS software in the Phoenix Technical Reference Series.
Other volumes are:
ABIOS for IBM PS/2 Computers and Compatibles - a complete

technical reference describing the portion of a PS/2 BIOS that
supports multitasking operating systems such as OS/2.
CBIOS for IBM PS/2 Computers and Compatibles - a complete

technical reference describing the portion of a PS/2 BIOS that
supports single-tasking operating systems such as DOS.
The volumes of this series are a natural companion for anyone who owns
and programs an IBM PC, XT, AT, or PS/2, or any compatible system.
How to find information

System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles is organized into
several major parts. Chapter 1 provides a general summary of BIOS con
cepts. Chapters 2-6 describe BIOS and system data definitions and I/O port
usage. Chapters 7-16 describe the individual BIOS services and serve as a
technical reference. Appendixes A and B provide comprehensive lists of
potential error messages for AT and XT -compatible systems.
Each service-specific chapter (7-16) is organized in the same way. There is

a description of the service and the theory of operations for this service, a
list of all I/O ports and data definitions accessed by the service, a discussion
on how errors are handled for this service, and complete descriptions of
each service function. The function descriptions include an explanation of
what the function does, the function's required inputs and outputs, and any
special programming considerations.
A word about diversity

In the eight years since the original PC emerged, there have been countless
manufacturers of PC, XT, and AT systems and BIOS products. Although all
BlOSs in IBM-compatible microcomputers by definition have to be compatible
with the IBM standard, there has been a good deal of diversity in the detail
of BIOS architecture.
This diversity makes it difficult to precisely identify terms such as PC-, XT-,
or AT-compatible. BIOS functions that appear only in IBM AT systems can be
found in the Phoenix XT BIOS. And there are many different combinations of
BIOS functions in various XT or AT clones. Whenever possible, we provide
directions on how to find out if a particular function is supported.
xxiv System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles

What we assume you know
This book assumes a basic knowledge of 8086. 80286. and 80386 assembly
language programming concepts. PC architecture. and operating system
concepts. If you are new to these subjects. you may want to refer to the
introductory texts listed at the end of this book.
Acknowledgments
First and foremost. we would like to acknowledge the vision and technical
skill of Neil Colvin. founder. Chairman of the Board and Chief Technical
Officer of Phoenix Technologies Ltd. We also acknowledge the expert guid
ance of Lance Hansche. President and CEO of Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
We especially want to acknowledge the contributions made by Jeff Bobzin.
Dave Hirschman. and Bob Vandette - the Phoenix engineers who initially
brought the BIOS to life. as well as the continuing efforts of Eric Enge. Paula
Bishop. Jeff Kleiman. Debbie Schultz. Stan Lyness. Greg Honsa. Bruce
Cairns. Ruth Brent. Jeff Wheeler. and the rest of the Phoenix staff. who keep
the BIOS alive and compatible with the widest range of PC hardware.
This volume could not have been produced without the tireless efforts of
Rich Levandov. Vice President of Marketing. and Henry Suwinsky. Project
Manager.
We would like to thank Kathy Schiff. Manager of Technical Communications.
who provided editorial guidance and direction in the production of this book
and Jeff Evangelista. who contributed two well-written chapters. And last but
not least. our special thanks goes to Sandie Zierak. Chief Production Coordi
nator. for her invaluable contributions in document design. graphics, and
production.
The Authors
Mike Boston
Paul Narushoff
Norwood, MA
May. 1989
System BIOS for IBM PC/XTI AT Computers and Compatibles xxv

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Acronyms and Abbreviations
The following abbreviations and acronyms are used in this manual:
ACK Acknowledge (keyboard and serial port commands)

ACR Fixed disk adapter controller register
ALE Address latch enable
ANSI American National Standards organization
ARB Access rights byte (part of 80286/80386 instruction)
ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASIC Application-specific integrated circuit
ASR Fixed disk adapter status register
AT Advanced technology
b Binary
BAT Basic assurance test (keyboard diagnostic)
BCD Binary coded decimal
BIOS Basic input/output system
bps Bits per second
CAS Column address strobe
CCB Command control block
CGA Color graphics adapter
ClK Clock line on a microprocessor
CMOS Complementary metal oxide semiconductor
CRC Cyclic redundancy check
CSB Command specify block
CTS Clear to send
DAC Digital-to-analog converter
DCC Display combination code
DIN Deutsche Industrie Norm
DIP Dual inline package
DMA Direct memory access
DPl Descriptor privilege level part of 80286/80386 code
DSR Data set ready
DSR Device service routine
DTR Data terminal ready
EA Effective address
continued
System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles xxvii

Acronyms and Abbreviations, Continued
EBCDIC Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange

ECC Error checking and correction
EGA Enhanced graphics adapter
EIA Electronic Industries Association
EISA Extended industry standard architecture
EOI End of interrupt
EPL Extended privilege level
EPROM Erasable programmable read-only memory
ESDI Enhanced small device interface
ETB End of transmission block
FCB Format control block - disk I/O data structure
GDT Global descriptor table
h Hexadecimal
ICW Interrupt control word
INT Interrupt
I/O Input/Output
IRQ Interrupt request line or Interrupt request
IRET Return from an interrupt
ISA Industry standard architecture
ISR Interrupt service routine
ISR Interrupt status register
K Kilobytes
Kbs Kilobits per second
LDT Local descriptor table
LDTR Local descriptor table register
LED Light-emitting diode
LID LogicallD
LSB Least significant byte (or bit)
LSI Large scale integration
M, MB Megabytes
MDA Monochrome display adapter
MFM Modified frequency modulation
MHz Megahertz
continued
xxviii System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles

MMU Memory management unit

MSB Most significant byte (or bit)
NCB Network control block
NMI Nonmaskable interrupt
OCW Operation control word
OS/2 Operating System/2
PC Personal computer
PCLK Peripheral clock
PEL Picture element (pixel)
PGA Professional graphics adapter
PIC Programmable interrupt controller
PIO Programmed input/output
PIT Programmable interrupt timer
POR Power-on reset
POST Power-on self test
PTL Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
RAM Random access memory
RAS Row address strobe
RGB Red-Green-Blue (type of color generator)
RI Ring indicator
RLL Run length limited
ROM Read-only memory
RS-232C Recommended standard-232C (serial controller interface)
RTC Real time clock
RTS Request to send
SCSI Small computer systems interface
SOLC Synchronous data link communications
SIMM Single inline memory module
SIP Single inline package
SMD Surface-mount device
SSB Sense summary block - a disk I/O structure
TSS Task state segment
TIL Transistor-to-transistor logic
continued
System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles xxix

UART Universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter

VGA Video graphics array
VLSI Very large scale integration
XT Extended technology
xxx System BIOS for IBM PC/XT / AT Computers and Compatibles

Chapter 1
The ROM BIOS
Overview
What is a BIOS?
A basic input output system (BIOS) is the lowest level software component
of a computer's operating system. In personal computer systems, the BIOS
usually consists of a routine designed to test system hardware and bootstrap
load the operating system and a group of device drivers that service system
liD components, such as the keyboard, the display, fixed disk drive, diskette
drives, real time clock, parallel ports, serial ports, and other components.
Two methods for implementing BIOS

There are two methods for implementing a BIOS. The BIOS can be incorpo
rated directly into system software and delivered on diskette as an integral
part of the operating system. Or, the BIOS can be tied directly to the system
hardware, programmed into ROM on the motherboard or on an expansion
card.
continued
The ROM BIOS

Overview, Continued
Advantage of the ROM BIOS

As long as the interface between the operating system and the BIOS is stan
dardized, programming the BIOS into ROM has the advantage of allowing
system hardware to evolve independently from the operating system. When
the BIOS is tied directly to the operating system, however, the operating
system must be modified each time there is a change in system hardware.
PC ROM BIOS
The original IBM PC, a system based on the the 8/16-bit Intel 8088 micro
processor, was introduced in 1981. The IBM PC/XT, a fixed disk capable
version of the PC, was introduced in 1983. The IBM PC/AT, a 16-bit system
based on the Intel 80286 microprocessor, was introduced in 1984. Clone
manufacturers have added Intel 80386-based AT-compatible systems. The
BlOSs for all these systems are compatible, in the sense that the later AT
BlOSs support all PC and XT BIOS functions in some way.
The BIOS in all models and versions of the IBM PC/XT / AT family of personal
computers is programmed into ROM contained on the motherboard. The
video BlOSs supporting the EGA and VGA PC video adapters are an excep
tion to this rule. The EGA and VGA BlOSs are programmed into ROM con
tained on EGA and VGA adapter cards.
DOS: the PC operating system

PC-DOS, or MS-DOS - its Microsoft Corporation counterpart, is a single
tasking operating system capable of addressing the 1 megabyte real mode
address range of IBM PC/XT / AT systems. Introduced along with the original
IBM PC in 1981, PC-DOS/MS-DOS has emerged as the predominant PC
operating system. Both PC- and MS-DOS interface with the ROM BIOS in
stead of directly with system hardware. Programs that interface with DOS
services or directly with the BIOS are assured the highest degree of hard
ware independence.
continued
2 System BIOS for IBM PC/XT / AT Computers and Compatibles

Overview, Continued
E
OS/2 and the ROM BIOS

In 1987. IBM introduced OS/2. a multitasking operating system designed for
16-bit PCs. When implemented on IBM PS/2 systems. OS/2 interfaces with
the ABIOS portion of the PS/2 ROM BIOS. Although OS/2 can operate on AT
class machines. it does not interface with the AT ROM BIOS. There is no
BIOS support for OS/2 on an AT. so the level of support usually provided by
the BIOS must be built into OS/2. Since OS/2 on an AT must interface di
rectly with the computer hardware. there is a minimal level of portability from
system to system with the AT version of OS/2.
Reference: For more information on the ABIOS. see ABIOS for IBM PS/2
Computers and Compatibles in this series.
Terminology used in this book

With the introduction of IBM PC/XT/AT compatible hardware and of IBM
PC/XT/AT compatible ROM BlOSs (such as the Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
80x86 ROM BlOSs) came an entire PC "clone" industry. Like their IBM coun
terparts. the clones also contained a system board ROM BIOS.
Because of their sheer number. keeping track of PC clone model names can
be confusing. In this book, "PC" refers to the IBM Personal Computer and
compatible systems; "PC/XT" refers to the IBM Personal Computer/XT and
compatibles. and "PC/AT" refers to the IBM Personal Computer/AT and
compatibles. The terms PC BIOS. XT BIOS. and AT BIOS correspond to the
ROM BIOS contained in each of those systems and their compatibles.
What this chapter is about

This chapter presents a general introduction to the concepts and design
features of the IBM PC/XT/ATand compatible ROM BIOS.
The following topics are discussed:

• BIOS: Theory of Operation
• BIOS Memory Usage
• Interrupt Vector Table
• Unexpected Interrupt Handler
• System BIOS Functions and BIOS Diversity
• Summary: The BIOS Services
The ROM BIOS 3

BIOS: Theory of Operation
Background
All IBM PC/XT/AT and compatible computer systems are based on the Intel
80x86 or compatible microprocessors. To understand the BIOS architecture,
one must consider the interrupt-driven nature of the Intel 80x86 architecture.
In Intel 80x86-based systems, interrupts can be generated by the micropro

cessor, by system hardware, or by software.
When an interrupt occurs, control of the computer is transferred to an

interrupt handling routine. Once the routine has executed, the processor's
program counter and flag register are returned to their previous state.
Where the ROM BIOS fits in

The majority of the ROM BIOS lID drivers proviae low level device services to
the operating system and application programs running on the system. This
kind of BIOS lID driver is invoked exclusively by software interrupt.
The remaining few ROM BIOS lID services provide direct support for system
hardware; they are called via a hardware Interrupt.
BIOS services that are driven by software interrupt are referred to as ROM
BIOS device service routines (DSR) , or more commonly by the name of the
device involved. The ROM BIOS Video DSR, for example, is commonly re
ferred to as the ROM BIOS Video Service. BIOS hardware driven services are
referred to as hardware interrupt service routines (ISR).
Understanding the ROM BIOS is largely a matter of understanding how the
BIOS device services fit into the Intel 80x86 scheme of interrupts.
continued
4 System BIOS for IBM PC/XT I AT Computers and Compatibles

BIOS: Theory of Operation, Continued
Facts about interrupts

Be it microprocessor, hardware, or software, every 80x86 interrupt is as
signed a unique interrupt number ranging from OOh to FFh. By convention
and to maintain IBM compatibility, certain ranges of interrupt numbers are
reserved for special use. The software interrupt numbers ranging from 20h
- 3Fh, for example, are reserved for the operating system (usually PC- or
MS-DOS). End user software interrupts fall in the ranges 60h - 67h and
F1h-FFh.
Each interrupt number is associated with one interrupt vector. An interrupt

vector is the double word, segment:offset address of the routine assigned to
an interrupt number. Interrupt vectors are stored in a table in memory begin
ning at address OO:OOh. The vector for INT OOh is stored at location OO:OOh
to OO:03h; the address for INT 02h is stored at address OO:04h, and so
forth.
In a process called the power-on self test (POST), the portion of the ROM
BIOS responsible for testing system components and booting the operating
system writes the interrupt vector table to low memory and initializes the
vector address of all those interrupts concerned with the BIOS. When the
operating system is booted, it, in turn, initializes all those interrupt vectors
concerned with DOS. Users calling the BIOS from applications programs
must take care to initialize the vectors concerned with their own interrupts.
continued
The ROM BIOS 5

Interrupt ranges, types, and uses

The table below defines the range of interrupt numbers reserved for each
interrupt type. It also summarizes how the various types of interrupts are
invoked.
Type Description
Processor Microprocessor, or logical. Interrupts are Invoked by the proces

sor as a result of some unusual program result. such as a pro
gram attempt to divide by zero.
• INTs OOh-04h are reserved for the processor.
Hardware Hardware interrupts are Invoked by peripheral devices by setting
their respective Interrupt Request Line (IRQ). Each time a key is
pressed. for example. the keyboard hardware generates a hard
ware Interrupt. Hardware Interrupts are vectored to Interrupt
service routines (ISR) that generally reside In the BIOS.
Software
· INTs OBh-OFh and 70h-77h are reserved by the BIOS.
Software interrupts are invoked via the assembly language "INT"
mnemonic. Most software interrupts are vectored to device
service routines (OSR) located In the ROM BIOS or in ~OS.
There are three exceptions to this rule. however.
· BIOS software INTs 1Dh, 1Eh, and 46h do not service a par
ticular device, but act instead to return various ROM-resident
hardware parameter tables.
·
INTs 20h-3Fh are reserved for ~OS.
• INTs OSh, 10h-1Ah. 1Dh-1Fh. 40h, 41h, 43h, and 46h are
reserved for the BIOS.
User User Interrupts are a special class of software interrupt. They
are invoked In the same way as software interrupts are. That is.
through the INT mnemonic.
· INTs 60h-67h and INTs F1 h-FFh are reserved for user inter
rupt routines.
Reference: The contents of the interrupt vector table, as initialized by the

ROM BIOS, are listed under the heading Interrupt Vector Table in
this chapter. A discussion of how the ROM BIOS handles un
expected interrupts is found under the heading Unexpected
Interrupt Handler.
continued

Calling ROM BIOS services/functions

Each ROM BIOS DSR is associated with one entry in the interrupt vector
table. The ROM BIOS Video Service is vectored to INT 10h, the ROM BIOS
Parallel Printer Service is vectpred to INT 17h, and so on.
Most of the BIOS DSRs are capable of executing more than one device re
lated routine, or function. Individual functions within a device service are
identified by a hex number and are selected by specifying that number in the
AH register when the service is invoked. (Some ROM BIOS DSRs also contain
subfunctions. Subfunctions are usually selected via the AL or BL registers.)
In addition to function numbers, all other parameters are passed to and from
BIOS functions via the microprocessor registers. All BIOS device services
save the program counter registers, the flag register, and all other registers
except the AX register and those registers that return a value to the caller.
Reference: A complete list of the ROM BIOS DSRs, their associated inter
rupts, and functions is found under the heading Summary: The
BIOS Services in this chapter.
Example program
The assembly language program below uses INT 10h Video Service function
AH = 02h Set Cursor Position to move the cursor on video page 0 to row 3,
column 14.
MOV AH, 2 ;Select "Set Cursor Position" function

MOV DH, 3 ;Input row parameter into DH register
MOV DL, 14 ;Input column parameter into DL register
INT 10H ;Invoke INT 10h, BIOS Video Service
The ROM BIOS 7

BIOS Memory Usage
Description
Aside from the interrupt vector table, a BIOS device service makes use of
other information stored in System RAM, CMOS RAM, and the BIOS itself.
The illustration below outlines the location and use of BIOS ROM, System
RAM ,and CMOS RAM. XT systems usually do not have any CMOS RAM,
however, XT systems use ROM BIOS and System RAM data.
Reference: Additional information on System RAM data, CMOS RAM data,

and ROM BIOS data, is found in Chapters 2, 3, and 4,
respectively.
ROM ROM BIOS DATA

The BIOS contains routines that test and initialize system hardware and
boot the operating system. It also contains routines that service the
microprocessor, the fixed disk, keyboard, display, and other peripheral
devices with which the microprocessor must communicate. Each of the
routines is stored in system Read-Only Memory (ROM). The BIOS Is
stored at address EOOOOh to FFFFFh in ROM.
SYSTEM RAM DATA

The BIOS uses system RAM to store data that it needs to reference or
update in the course of executing its device service routines. The BIOS
also uses system RAM to store the interrupt vectors.
Interrupt Vector Table - An interrupt vector is the segment:offset
address of a routine invoked by issuing the assembly language "INT"
mnemonic. Interrupt vectors are stored in an interrupt vector table in
low memory beginning at OO:OOh and ending at OO:3FFh. The BIOS
initializes those table entries that are reserved for BIOS use during
POST. Each entry points to one ROM BIOS service routine. Other
interrupt vector table entries are reserved for use by the operating
system, the microprocessor, and by end users.
BIOS Data Area - At POST, the BIOS stores a set of data definitions
in system RAM in absolute memory location 400h-500h. In the process
of executing device service routines, the BIOS refers to and updates
this data. For example, the BIOS updates 40:50h, the location of the
cursor on the video page, each time the BIOS routine "Set Cursor
Position" is executed.
CMOS RAM DATA

The BIOS uses nonvolatile CMOS RAM to store real time clock, system
configuration, and system diagnostic information. XT systems usually do
not have any CMOS RAM.
• CMOS Data Area - 64 bytes (32 Words) of time-of-day and configu
ration data are located on the system real time clock chip. A" imple
mentations of the BIOS make use of this information.

Interrupt Vector Table
Description
The table below identifies each interrupt by function and type. Where appli
cable, it lists the interrupt vector address initialized by the BIOS at POST.
System software may revector an interrupt at or shortly after the boot pro
cess is completed, so these values may not be the same in every system
on every occasion.
Note: The column labeled Ref. Chapter indicates the chapter to turn to for
more information on a particular interrupt.
Ref.
INT Function Type Vector Chap.
OOh Divide by Zero Logical

01h Single Step Logical
02h Nonmaskable Interrupt (NMI) Logical FE2C3h 7
03h Breakpoint Logical
04h Overflow Logical
OSh Print Screen Software FFFS4h 16
OSh Bounds Exception (80286, 80386) Hardware
06h Invalid Op Code (80286, 80386) Hardware
06h Reserved (PC only) Hardware
07h Math Coprocessor Not Present Hardware
08h Double Exception Error (80286, Hardware
80386) (AT only)
08h System Timer (IRQ 0) Hardware FFEASh 15
09h Keyboard Hardware FE987h 8
09h Math Coprocessor Segment Overrun Hardware
(80286, 80386) (AT only)
OAh IRQ 2 Cascade from Second Hardware
Programmable Interrupt Controller
OAh Invalid Task Segment State (80286, Hardware
80386) (AT only)
OAh IRQ 2 (Reserved) (PC only) Hardware
continued
The ROM BIOS 9

Interrupt Vector Table, Continued
Interrupt vector table, cont'd

Ref.
OBh Serial Communications (COM2) Hardware

OBh Segment Not Present (80286, 80386) Hardware
OCh Serial Communications (COM1) Hardware
OCh Stack Segment Overflow (80286, Hardware
80386)
ODh Parallel Printer (LPT2) (AT only) Software 14
ODh IRQ 5 Fixed Disk (XT only) Software 11
ODh General Protection Fault (80286, Software
80386)
OEh IRQ 6 Diskette Software FEF57h 10
OEh Page Fault (80386 only) Software
OFh Parallel Printer (LPT1) IRQ 7 Software 14
10h Video Software FF065h 9
10h Numeric Coprocessor Fault (80286, Software
80386)
11 h Equipment List Software FF84Dh 16
12h Memory Size Software FF841h 16
13h Fixed Disk/Diskette Software FE3FEh 10/11
14h Serial Communication Software FE739h 12
15h System Services Software FF859h 13
16h Keyboard Software FE84Eh 8
17h Parallel Printer Software FEFD2h 14
18h Load ROM BASIC (PC only) Software F1C90h 16
18h Process Boot Failure (XT, AT) Software F1C90h 16
19h Bootstrap Loader Software FE6F2h 16
1Ah Tlme-of-Day Software FFE6Eh 15
1Bh Keyboard Break Software FFF53h 8
1Ch User Timer Tick User FFF53h 15
1Dh Video Parameter Table BIOS Table FFOA4h 9
1Eh Diskette Parameter Table BIOS Table FEFC7h 10
continued
10 System BIOS for IBM PC/XT / A T Computers and Compatibles

Interrupt Vector Table, Continued

Ref.
1Fh Video Graphics Characters User F7F67h 9

20h-3Fh Reserved for DOS
40h Diskette BIOS Revector Software FEC59h 10
41h Fixed Disk Parameter Table BIOS Table FE401h 11
42h EGA Default Video Driver BIOS Table
43h Video Graphics Characters User 9
44h-45h Reserved
47h-49h Reserved
4Ah User Alarm User 15
4Bh-59h Reserved
5Ah Cluster Adapter
5Bh-5Fh Reserved
60h-66h Reserved for User Program Interrupts User 1
67h LIM EMS Driver (AT only)
68h-6Fh Reserved
70h Real Time Clock Hardware F5124h 15
71h Redirect Cascade Hardware F5266h
72h-73h Reserved
74h Reserved Hardware F4910h 13
75h 80287 Exception User F5257h 7
76h Fixed Disk Hardware FE2C3h 11
77h-7Fh Reserved
80h-FOh Reserved for BASIC BASIC 16
F1h-FFh Reserved for User Program Interrupts User
The ROM BIOS 11

Unexpected Interrupt Handler
O,scription
The BIOS initializes unused interrupt vectors to the BIOS unexpected interrupt
handler routine. The unexpected interrupt handler processes all interrupts
that are either special user processes (INT 1Ch or INT 4Ah), or not meaning
ful to the BIOS, such as INT 72h, 73h, or 74h, which are all reserved in PC,
XT, and AT BlOSs.
Generally speaking the BIOS either ignores unexpected software interrupts,

returning control to the interrupted program with registers preserved and the
Carry Flag set or it revectors the interrupt to a caller-supplied routine. An
example would be INT 1Ch, for which the caller would supply a routine that
would access the BIOS INT 08h System Timer ISA.
An exception is INT ODh. If the microprocessor is an 80286, 80386SX, or

80386, the BIOS generates a screen message about a General Protection
Fault.
continued
12 System BIOS for .IBM PC/XT I AT Computers and Compatibles

Unexpected Interrupt Handler, Continued
Interrupts initialized to BIOS unexpected interrupt handlers

The following interrupts are initialized by the BIOS to different unexpected
interrupt handlers. Operating systems and user applications may replace
these interrupt vectors, if they wish. The BIOS provides these routines to
ensure complete BIOS error recovery.
INT Description
OOh Divide by zero

01h Single step
03h Breakpoint
04h Overflow
06h Invalid op code
07h Math coprocessor not present
OAh IRQ 2 Cascade from slave 8259A
OBh IRQ 3 Serial Communications hardware (COM2)
OCh IRQ 4 Serial Communications hardware (COM1)
ODh IRQ 5 Fixed disk controller
OFh Parallel printer IRQ 7
1Bh Keyboard Ctrl/Break
1Ch Timer tick
72h Reserved. IRQ 10
73h Reserved. IRQ 11
74h Reserved, IRQ 12
76h IRQ 14 Fixed disk controller
77h Reserved, IRQ 15
The ROM BIOS 13

System BIOS Functions and BIOS Diversity
Introduction
Throughout this manual, each ROM BIOS function description includes an
explanation of what the function does, the function's required inputs and
outputs, and any special programming considerations or hardware
.. gotcha' s.. associated the the function.
Although all BlOSs in IBM-compatible microcomputers by definition have to

be compatible with the IBM standard, there has been a tremendous amount
of diversity in the level of functions supported between BIOS versions.
This diversity makes it difficult to precisely identify functions as PC-, XT -, or

AT-specific. BIOS functions that are AT-only in IBM systems can be found in
the Phoenix XT BIOS. And, depending on the manufacturer of the BIOS or
computer, there are variations on which function appears in which XT or AT
clone.
How to determine level of support

Throughout this book, the commonly accepted level of support for each ROM
BIOS function is identified by the legend [PC], [XT] , and/or [AT] on the
same line as the function title.
Legend Description
[PC] Function Is supported by the original IBM PC BIOS only.

[XT] Function is supported by all IBM PC/XT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.
Note: This level of support Is contained In the ROM BIOS im
plemented in the majority of IBM PC and PC/XT compat
ible systems.
[AT] Function is supported by all IBM PCI AT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.
continued

System BIOS Functions and BIOS Diversity, Continued
Sample: Diskette Service function description

The sample description below is excerpted from Chapter 10, which describes
the ROM BIOS Diskette Service functions. As the legend indicates, diskette
function AH = OOh is supported by the system BIOS commonly implemented
in IBM PC/XT/AT and compatible systems.
Function: AH = OOh Reset Diskette System [XT] [AT]
Description
This function resets both the diskette controller and the specified
diskette drive (the R/W arm is moved to track 0). The diskette drive
number (either OOh or 01 h) is specified in DL.
Function failure
Call this function when a problem occurs in attempting to access the
diskette subsystem with any other function, then retry the function that
failed. The diskette subsystem will not react immediately. Instead, a
reset flag forces the BIOS to recalibrate the diskette drive's read/write
heads the next time they are used. The heads are relocated track 0 in
order to start the next I/O operation from a known state.
Input/Output
Input: AH OOh
DL = Drive number
Bit 7 = 0 for a diskette
1 for a fixed disk
Output: AH OOh No error
xxh Error (See Error codes earlier in this chapter)
= Diskette Status (40:41 h)
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
The ROM BIOS 15

Video BIOS Functions and BIOS Diversity
Introduction
Since the introduction of the IBM PC in 1981, four video adapter types have
emerged: MDA, CGA, EGA, and VGA. MDA and CGA adapters rely exclu
sively on the Video Service contained in the system board ROM BIOS of all
PC/XT/AT and compatible computers. EGA and VGA adapters contain a
dedicated ROM BIOS installed on the adapter hardware itself.
The number and sophistication of the functions supported by the video BlOSs
associated with each adapter varies. As a general rule, the more recent the
adapter, the greater the number of functions its BIOS supports.
Note: The Hercules display adapter allows for the display of 720x350 mono
chrome graphics on standard TTL monochrome monitors. However,
neither the system ROM BIOS nor the Hercules adapter itself contain a
BIOS. Applications programs that support Hercules graphics must
contain an application-specific device driver.

When a function applies exclusively to the VGA adapter, for example, its
description will bear the legend [VGA]. When the function applies to all
adapter types, it will bear the legend [MDA] [CGA] [EGA] [VGA].
The table below describes the meaning of each legend.
Legend Description
[MDA] Function is supported by IBM Monochrome Display Adapters

(MDA), and compatibles.
[CGA] Function is supported by IBM Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) ,
and compatibles.
[EGA] Function is supported by IBM Enhanced Graphics Adapter
(EGA), and compatibles.
[VGA] Function is supported by IBM Video Graphics Array (VGA) and
compatible adapters.
continued
16 System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/ AT Computers and Compatibles

Video BIOS Functions and BIOS Diversity, Continued
Sample: Video BIOS function description

The sample description below is excerpted from Chapter 9, which describes
the BIOS Video Service functions. As the legend indicates, video function
AH = 02h is supported by the video BIOS associated with MDA, CGA, EGA,
and VGA adapters.
Function: AH = 02h Set Cursor Position [MDA] [eGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Set Cursor Position function sets the cursor position (in terms of
row-by-column coordinates) for the display page indicated in BL. It
saves the position as a two-byte row-by-column table entry in the
cursor coordinates byte at 40:S0h. Rowand column coordinates are
indicated in registers DH and DL respectively.
The Set Cursor Position function applies to both text and graphics video
modes. In text modes, if the display page selected in BH is the active
display page, the on-screen cursor will move to the coordinates
indicated in registers DH and DL. In graphics modes, the cursor is invis
ible, but it is used to define a position on the screen.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 02h
BH = Display page number (see function AH = aSh)
DH = Row (0 is top row of screen)
DL = Column (0 is leftmost column)
Output: AX = OOh
The ROM BIOS 17

Summary: The BIOS Services
Each BIOS service executes at least one function. When a BIOS service is
capable of executing more than one function, functions are selected by
placing the proper function number in the AH register. Subfunctions are
selected via either the AL register or the BL register.
The tables below briefly define each BIOS service and list each BIOS function
and subfunction.
Print Screen The BIOS Print Screen Service prints the contents
Service of the current video screen to printer number O.
INT PARAMETER FUNCTION
OSh None Print Screen
The BIOS Video Service provides 1/0 support for

Video the MDA and eGA adapters. BIOS support for
Service EGA and VGA adapters is contained in adapter
ROM.
10h AH = OOh Set Video Mode
AH = 01h Set Text Mode Cursor Size
AH = 02h Set Cursor Position
AH = 03h Read Current Cursor Position
AH = 04h Read Light Pen Position
AH = OSh Select New Video Page
AH = 06h Scroll Current Page Up
AH = 07h Scroll Current Page Down
AH = 08h Read Characterl Attribute from Screen
AH = 09h Write CharacterlAttribute to Screen
continued
18 System BIOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles

Summary: The BIOS Services, Continued
Video The BIOS Video Service provides 1/0 support for

Service, the MDA and eGA adapters. BIOS support for EGA
cont'd and VGA adapters is contained in adapter ROM.
10h AH = OAh Write Character Only to Screen

AH = OBh Set Color Palette
AH = OCh Write Pixel
AH = ODh Read Pixel
AH = OEh Write Teletype To Active Page
AH = OFh Return Video Status
AH = 10h Set Palette/Color Registers:
Parameter Subfunctlon
AL = OOh Set single palette
AL = 01h Set overscan register
AL = 02h Set all palette registers and overscan
AL = 03h Toggle intensify/blinking bit
AL = 04h-06h Reserved
AL = 07h Read individual palette register
AL = 08h Read overscan register (border color)
AL = 09h Read all palette registers and
overscan register (border color)
AL = 10h Set Individual color register
AL = 11h Reserved
AL = 12h Set block of color registers
AL = 13h Select color paging mode (not valid
for mode 13h)
BL = OOh Select paging mode
BL = 01h Select page
AL = 14h Reserved
AL = 15h Read single DAC c610r register
AL = 16h Reserved
AL = 17h Read block of color registers
AL = 1Ah Read color paging status
AL = 1Bh Sum color values to gray shades
continued
The ROM BIOS 19

Summary: The 810S Services, Continued
Video The BIOS Video Service provides I/O support for

MDA and CGA. BIOS support for EGA and VGA
Service, cont'd adapters is contained in adapter ROM.

10h AH = 11h Load Character Generator:
AL =OOh Load user text mode font
AL = 01h Load ROM 8x 14 text mode font
AL = 02h Load ROM 8x8 double dot text mode
font
AL = 03h Set block specifier (text mode only))
AL = 04h Load 8x16 ROM text mode font
AL = 10h Load user text mode font (after
mode set)
AL = 11h Load ROM 8x14 text mode font
(after mode set)
AL = 12h Load ROM 8x8 double dot text mode
font (after mode set)
AL = 14h Load 8x16 ROM text mode font
(after mode set)
AL = 20h Set user graphics characters
pointer at INT 1Fh (8x8 font)
AL = 21h Set user graphics font pointer at INT
43h
AL = 22h Use ROM 8x14 font for graphics
AL = 23h Use ROM 8x8 double dot font for
graphics '
AL = 30h Get font pointer information
10h AH = 12h Alternate Select:

Parameter Subfunction
BL = 10h Return configuration Information
BL = 20h Switch to alternate print screen
routine
BL = 30h Select scan lines for text modes
BL = 31h Enable/disable default palette loading
during set mode
BL = 32h Enable/disable video
BL = 33h Enable/disable summing to
gray shades
BL = 34h
Enable/disable cursor scaling
BL = 35h
Switch display
BL = 36h
Video screen off/on
continued

Video The BIOS Video Service provides I/O support for

Service, the MDA and CGA adapters. BIOS support for EGA
cont'd and VGA adapters is contained in adapter ROM.

10h AH = 13h Write String:
AL = OOh Cursor not moved
AL =01h Cursor Is moved
AL =02h Cursor not moved (text modes only)
AL = 03h Cursor Is moved (text modes only)
AH = 14h-19h Reserved
AH = lAh Read/Write Display Combination Code:
Parameter Subfunction
AL =OOh Read display combination code

AL =01h Write display combination code
AH = lBh Return Functionality/State Information
AH = lCh Save/Restore Video State
AH = lDh-FFh Reserved
Equipment List The BIOS Equipment List Service returns the

system equipment list, as determined by the BIOS
Service POST routine.
llh None Read Equipment List
continued
The ROM BIOS 21

Memory Size
The BIOS Memory Size Service returns the amount
of available base memory (in Kilobytes). as deter
Service
mined by the POST routine.
12h None Read Memory Size
The BIOS Diskette Service performs BIOS-level

read. write. format. initialization, and diagnostic
support for up to two internal diskette drives.
Diskette Note: If a fixed disk is installed. the BIOS
Service automatically revectors all 13h Diskette
Service requests to INT 40h. Revectoring is
transparent to end users. End users should
continue to use INT 13h for both fixed disk
and diskette service requests.
13h AH = OOh Reset Diskette System
AH = 01h Read Diskette Status
AH = 02h Read Diskette Sectors
AH = 03h Write Diskette Sectors
AH = 04h Verify Diskette Sectors
AH = OSh Format Diskette Track
AH = 08h Read Drive Parameters
AH = 1Sh Read Drive Type
AH = 16h Detect Media Change
AH = 17h Set Diskette Type
AH = 18h Set Media Type for Format
AH = 19h-FFh Reserved
continued

Fixed Disk
The BIOS Fixed Disk Service performs BIOS level
read, write, format, initialization, and diagnostic
Service
functions for up to two fixed disk drives.

13h AH = OOh Reset Dlskette(s) and Fixed Disk
AH = 01h Read Fixed Disk Status
AH = 02h Read Sectors
AH = 03h Write Sectors
AH = 04h Verify Sectors
AH = OSh Format Cylinder
AH = 06h Format Bad Track
AH = 07h Format Drive
AH = 08h Read Drive Parameters
AH = 09h Initialize Drive Parameters
AH = OAh Read Long Sectors
AH = OBh Write Long Sectors
AH = OCh Seek to Cylinder
AH = ODh Alternate Fixed Disk Reset
AH = OEh Diagnostics 1: Read Test Buffer
AH = OFh Diagnostics 2: Write Test Buffer
AH = 10h Test for Drive Ready
AH = 11h Recalibrate Drive
AH = 12h Controller RAM Diagnostic
AH = 13h Controller Drive Diagnostic
AH = 14h Controller Internal Diagnostic
AH = 1Sh Read Fixed Disk Type
continued
The ROM BIOS 23

Serial
The BIOS Serial Communication Service performs
Communication
RS-232-C character 110 for IBM-compatible serial
Service
port adapters.

14h AH = OOh Initialize Serial Communications Port
AH = 01h Send Character
AH = 02h Receive Character
AH = 03h Read Serial Port Status
System
The BIOS System Services is composed of several
miscellaneous system-level subservices, all of
Services
which are invoked via the INT 15h mnemonic.

15h AH = OOh Turn Cassette Motor On
AH = 01h Turn Cassette Motor Off
AH = 02h Read Cassette
AH = 03h Write to Cassette
AH = 04h-4Eh Reserved
AH = 4Fh Keyboard Intercept
AH = 50h-7Fh Reserved
AH = 80h Device Open
AH = 81h Device Close
AH = 82h Program Termination
AH = 83h Set Event Wait Interval
AH = 84h Joystick Support
AH = 85h System Request Key
AH = 86h Wait
AH = 87h Move Block
AH = aah Read Extended Memory Size
continued

System The BIOS System Services is composed of several

Services, miscellaneous system-level subservices, all of
cont'd which are invoked via the INT 15h mnemonic.

1Sh AH = 89h Switch Processor to Protected Mode
AH = 8Ah-8Fh Reserved
AH = 90h Device Busy
AH = 91h Interrupt Complete
AH = 92h-BFh Reserved
AH = COh Return System Configuration Parameters
Keyboard
The BIOS Keyboard Service interfaces the
operating system and application programs with
Service
the keyboard.
16h AH = OOh Read Keyboard Input

AH = 01h Return Keyboard Status
AH= 02h Return Shift Flag Status
AH = 03h Set Typematic Rate And Delay
AH = OSh Store Key Data
AH = 06h-OFh Reserved
AH = 10h Read Extended Keyboard Input
AH = 11h Return Extended Keyboard Status
AH = 12h Return Extended Shift Flag Status
continued
The ROM BIOS 25

Parallel Printer The BIOS Printer Service provides 1/0 support for
Service parallel printer ports.

17h AH = OOh Print Character
AH = 01h Initialize Printer
AH = 02h Read Printer Status
The BIOS Time-of-Day Service contains functions

Time-of-Day
that support and maintain the time-of-day portion
Service
of the Motorola MC 146818A (or equivalent)
CMOS clock chip.

1Ah AH = OOh Read System Timer Time Counter
AH = 01h Set System Timer Time Counter
AH = 02h Read Real Time Clock Time
AH = 03h Set Real Time Clock Time
AH = 04h Read Real Time Clock Date
AH = 05h Set Real Time Clock Date
AH = OSh Set Real Time Clock Alarm
AH = 07h Reset Real Time Clock Alarm
AH = BOh Set Sound Source (PC]r only)
26 System BIOS for IBM PC/XT I A T Computers and Compatibles

Chapter 2
System RAM Data
Overview
Introduction
The BIOS makes use of information stored in system RAM. The table below
characterizes each of these areas.
Data Area Location Description
Interrupt Vector Table OOh to 3FFh Interrupt vectors stored as offset/segment

format.
BIOS Data Area 400h to 4FFh BiOS work area. Contains data definitions
related to BIOS fixed disk. diskette. key
board. video. and other BIOS features and
functions.
In this chapter
This chapter presents the following information:
• Interrupt Vectors
• BIOS Data Area
• Power-On Self Test Definitions
• Data Definitions
System RAM Data 27

Interrupt Vectors
Interrupt vector table

The table below identifies each interrupt by function and type. Where appli
cable, it lists the interrupt vector address initialized by the BIOS at POST.
System software may revector an interrupt at or shortly after the boot pro
cess is completed, so these values may not be the same in every system
on every occasion. Low-level hardware interrupts are handled differently on
the PC and XT. The 80286 and 80386 architectures require the use of some
of these interrupts.
Note: Further discussion of interrupts is limited to those interrupts directly

related to the BIOS. The column labeled "Ref. Chapter" tells where to
turn for more information on a particular interrupt.
Ref.
OOh Divide by Zero Logical

01h Single Step Logical
02h Nonmaskable Interrupt (NMI) Logical FE2C3h 7
03h Breakpoint Logical
04h Overflow Logical
OSh Print Screen Software FFFS4h 16
OSh Bounds Exception (80286, 80386) Hardware
06h Invalid Op Code (80286. 80386) Hardware
07h Math Coprocessor Not Present Hardware
08h Double Exception Error (80286, Hardware
80386) (AT only)
08h System Timer (IRQ 0) Hardware FFEASh 15
09h Keyboard Hardware FE987h 8
09h Math Coprocessor Segment Overrun Hardware
(80286, 80386) (AT only)
OAh IRQ 2 Cascade from Second Hardware
OAh Invalid Task Segment State (80286, Hardware
80386) (AT only)
OAh IRQ 2 (Reserved) (PC only) Hardware
continued

Interrupt Vectors, Continued
Ref.
OBh Serial Communications (COM2) Hardware

OBh Segment Not Present (80286, 80386) Hardware
OCh Serial Communications (COM1) Hardware
OCh Stack Segment Overflow (80286. Hardware
80386)
ODh Parallel Printer (LPT2) (AT only) Software 14
ODh IRQ 5 Fixed Disk (XT only) Software 11
ODh General Protection Fault (80286, Software
80386)
OEh IRQ 6 Diskette Software FEF57h 10
OEh Page Fault (80386 only) Software
OFh Parallel Printer (LPT1) IRQ 7 Software 14
10h Video Software FF065h 9
10h Numeric Coprocessor Fault (80286, Software
80386)
11 h Equipment List Software FF84Dh 16
12h Memory Size Software FF841h 16
13h Fixed DisklDiskette Software FE3FEh 10/11
14h Serial Communication Software FE739h 12
15h System Services Software FF859h 13
16h Keyboard Software FE84Eh 8
17h Parallel Printer Software FEFD2h 14
18h Load ROM BASIC (PC only) Software F1C90h 16
18h Process Boot Failure (XT, AT) Software F1C90h 16
19h Bootstrap Loader Software FE6F2h 16
1Ah Time-of-Day Software FFE6Eh 15
1Bh Keyboard Break Software FFF53h 8
1Ch User Timer Tick User FFF53h 15
1Dh Video Parameter Table BIOS Table FFOA4h 9
1Eh Diskette Parameter Table BIOS Table FEFC7h 10
continued
System RAM Data 29

Interrupt Vectors, Continued
Ref.
INT Funqtlon Type Vector Chap.
1Fh Video Graphics Characters User F7F67h 9

20h-3Fh Reserved for DOS
40h Diskette BIOS Revector Software FEC59h 10
42h EGA Default Video Driver BIOS Table
43h Video Graphics Characters User 9
44h-45h Reserved
47h-49h Reserved
4Ah User Alarm User 15
4Bh-59h Reserved
5Ah Cluster Adapter
5Bh-5Fh Reserved
60h-66h Reserved for User Program Interrupts User 1
67h LIM EMS Driver (AT only)
68h-6Fh Reserved
70h Real Time Clock Hardware F5124h 15
71h Redirect Cascade Hardware F5266h
72h-73h Reserved
74h Reserved Hardware F4910h 13
75h 80287 Exception User F5257h 7
76h Fixed Disk Hardware FE2C3h 11
77h-7Fh Reserved
80h-FOh Reserved for BASIC BASIC 16
F1h-FFh Reserved for User Program Interrupts User
30
.
System BIOS for IBM PC/XTI AT Computers and Compatibles

BIOS Data Area
Introduction
The BIOS uses system RAM for storage of data definitions specific to the
BIOS. This data area is almost exactly the same for the PC, XT, and AT
architectures. Differences are noted.
System RAM summary

The table below lists the system RAM data definitions in offset order. Offsets
are from segment address 40:00h.
BIOS
Location Service Description
OOh INT 14h 1/0 address of up to 4 serial communications

adapters
08h INT 17h 1/0 address of up to 4 parallel printer adapters
10h INT 11 h Number of devices Installed, where:
Bits 15-14 = Number of printer adapters
Bits 13-12 = Reserved
Bits 11-9 = Number of asynchronous
adapters (RS232)
Bits 8 = Reserved
Bits 7-6 = Number of disk drives, where:
OOb = 1 Disk drive
01b = 2 Disk drives
Bits 5-4 = Initial video mode, where:
OOb = EGAIVGA or PGA
01b = 40x25 color
1Db = 80x25 color
11 b = 80x25 black and white
Bit 3 = Reserved
Bit 2 = Pointing device
Bit 1 = 1 If math coprocessor
Bit 0 = Diskette available for boot
12h POST Manufacturing test port (AT only)
(~3h) INT 12h Installed memory In Kilobytes

15h POST Manufacturing test port (AT only)
continued
5'1~o . ~ 0.(' 4 \«3 \~\ock$ 0'"' 't'¥., 0-\"'. e.r \0 0 0\" cA
51bo 5\70 : \4-'" ::: ~ cl 2~b \«3 'b\ocks.

, '3 h. = '"e "",.,.:, ",J,. e or
!' \
\.. <::>-."" ....... f"e..
\1...,. \~ __ 1"1"'- ..... ck \'5 '" = \ 28 eke..
€,""'-\c," -\-0 6'+0~«)
System RAM Data 31
BIOS Data Area, Continued
System RAM summary. cont'd
BIOS
17h INT 16h Keyboard shift flags. where:
Bit 7 = 1 Insert active
Bit 6 = 1 Caps Lock active
Bit 5 = 1 Num Lock active
Bit 4 = 1 Scroll Lock active
Bit 3 = 1 Alt pressed
Bit 2 = 1 Ctrl pressed
Bit 1 = 1 Left Shift pressed
Bit 0 = 1 Right Shift pressed
18h INT 16h Extended keyboard shift flags. where:
Bit 7 = 1 Insert pressed
Bit 6 = 1 Caps Lock pressed
Bit 5 = 1 Num Lock pressed
Bit 4 = 1 Scroll Lock pressed
Bit 3 = 1 Ctrl-Num Lock state active
Bit 2 = 1 Sys Req pressed
Bit 1 = 1 Left Alt pressed
Bit 0 = 1 Left Ctrl pressed
19h INT 16h Work area for Alt key and numeric keypad input
1Ah INT 16h Pointer to next character In keyboard buffer
1Ch INT 16h Pointer to first available spot In keyboard buffer
1Eh INT 16h Keyboard buffer of 16 word entries
3Eh INT 13h Diskette drive recallbrate status. where:
Bit 7 = 1 Diskette hardware Interrupt has
occurred
Bits 6-4 = Not used
Bits 3-2 = Reserved
Bit 1 = 1 Recallbrate drive 1
3Fh INT 13h Diskette drive motor status. where:
Bit 7 = 1 Current operation Is a write or format
= 0 Current operation Is a read or verify
Bit 6 = Reserved
Bits 5-4 = Drive select states where:
00 = Drive 0 selected
10 = Reserved
11 = Reserved
Bit 1 = 1 Drive 1 motor Is on
40h INT 13h Diskette motor time-out count
continued

System RAM summary, cont'd
BIOS
41h INT 13h Diskette status return code, where:
Bit 7 =1 Drive not ready
Bit 6 =1 Seek error occurred
Bit 5 =1 Diskette controller failed
Bits 4-0 =Error codes, where:
=OOh No error
=01 h Illegal function was requested
=02h Address mark not found
=03h Write protect error
=04h Sector not found
=06h Drive door was opened
=OSh DMA overrun error
=09h DMA boundary error
=OCh Media type unknown
=10h CRC failed on disk read
42h-48h INT 13h Diskette controller status bytes and command bytes
for fixed disk controller
49h INT 10h Video mode setting
4Ah INT 10h Number of columns on screen
4Ch INT 10h Current page size (video)
4Eh INT 10h Current page address (video)
50h INT 10h Cursor position on each page. Two bytes/page.
First byte of each pair is column; second byte is
row. 0,0 is upper left corner of screen.
60h INT 10h Cursor type defined as 6845 video chip-compatible
starting and ending scan lines. High byte is starting
scan line; low Is ending scan line.
62h INT 10h Current page number (video)
63h INT 10h 6845-compatlble I/O port number for current mode
(Port 03D4h or 03B4h) (video)
65h INT 10h Current mode select register
66h INT 10h Current palette value
67h-6Ah POST Pointer to reset code upon system reset for real
mode re-entry
6Bh POST Last unexpected Interrupt that occurred
6Ch INT 1Ah Timer count - number of ticks since midnight (four
bytes)
70h INT 1Ah 24 hour roll over flag
continued
System RAM Data 33

BIOS
71h INT 16h Ctrl-Break flag (bit 7 = 1 <CtrI><Break> pressed)
72h POST System Reset Flag (AT only). where:
1234h = Bypass memory test (also warm boot)
4321 h = Preserve memory
64h = Burn In mode
74h INT 13h Status from last fixed disk operation. where:
OOh = No error
01h = Invalid function request
02h = Address mark not found
03h = Write protect error
04h = Sector not found
OSh = Reset failed
07h = Drive parameter activity failed
OBh = DMA overrun on operation
09h = Data boundary error
OAh = Bad sector flag detected
OBh = Bad track detected
ODh = Invalid number of sectors on format
OEh = Control data address mark detected
OFh = DMA arbitration level out of range
10h = Uncorrectable ECC or CRC error
11 h = ECC corrected data error
20h = General controller failure
40h = Seek operation failed
BOh = Time-out
-
AAh = Drive not ready
BBh = Undefined error occurred
CCh =Write fault on selected drive
EOh =Status error/error register is 0
FFh =Sense operation failed
7Sh iNT 13h Number of fixed disks
76h INT 13h Fixed disk control byte
77h INT 17h Fixed disk port offset
78h INT 14h Printer time-out table (ports 0-3)
7Ch INT 16h Serial time-out table (ports 0-3)
80h INT 16h Offset to start of keyboard buffer (from
segment 40h)
82h INT 10h Offset to end of keyboard buffer (from
segment 40h)
84h INT 10h Number of rows on screen (24/2S) (VGA only)
85h INT 10h Character height (bytes/character) (VGA only)
continued
34 System BIOS for IBM PC/XT / AT Computers and C0!'T1patibles

BIOS
Location Service Oescrl.ptlon
87h INT 10h Video control bits (VGA only). where:
Bit 7 = Clear RAM
Bit 6-5 = M emory on adapter as follows:
OOb = 64K
01b = 128K
10b = 192K
11b = 256K
Bit 4 = Not used
Bit 3 = 0 EGAIVGA-compatible adapter active
Bit 2 =Walt for display enable
Bit 1 = 0 Color or ECD monitor Is attached to
EGAIVGA-compatible adapter
= 1 Monochrome monitor is attached to
EGAIVGA-compatible adapter
Bit 0 = 0 Translate cursor video modes 0-3
when using ECD monitor In 350 line
mode
= 1 Inhibit cursor translation
88h INT 10h EGAIVGA switch data (VGA only). where:
Bits 7-4 = Feature connector bits 3-0. respectively
Bits 3-0= Option switches 3-0, respectively
89h INT 10h EGAIVGA control bits (VGA only), where:
Bit 7 =200 lines
Bits 6-5 = Reserved
Bit 4 =400 lines
Bit 3 =No palette load
Bit 2 =Mono Monitor
Bit 1 =Gray Scalling
Bit 0 =Reserved
8Ah INT 13h Index Into DeC table (VGA only)
8Sh INT 13h Diskette data rate Information
Bits 7-6 = L ast data rate set by controller. where:
OOb = 500 Kllobits/second (Kbs)
01b = 300 Kbs
10b = 250 Kbs
Bits 5-4 =Last diskette drive step rate selected
Bits 3-2 = D ata transfer rate at operation start.
where:
OOb = 500 Kbs
01b = 300 Kbs
10b = 250 Kbs
Bits 1-0 =Reserved
BCh INT 13h Fixed disk status register (AT only)
BDh INT 13h Fixed disk error register (AT only)
BEh INT 13h Fixed disk interrupt flag (AT only)
continued
System RAM Data 35

BIOS
8Fh INT 13h Diskette controller Information. where:
Bit 7 =Reserved
Bit 6 =1 Drive determined for drive 1
Bit 5 =1 Drive 1 Is multirate
Bit 4 = 1 Drive 1 supports change line
Bit 3 =Reserved
Bit 2 = 1 Drive determined for drive 0
Bit 1 =1 Drive 0 Is multirate
90h-91h INT 13h Media type of both drives:
(One byte per drive. drive 0 at 40:90h; drive 1 at
40:91h)
Bits 7-6 = D ata Transfer Rate. where:
OOb = 500 Kbs
01b = 300 Kbs
10b = 250 Kbs
Bit 5 =1 Double stepping required
(360K media/1.2 MB drive)
Bit 4 =1 Known media In drive
Bit 3 = Reserved
Bits 2-0 = Definitions on return to user:
111b = 720K media In 720K or 1.44 MB
drive; or 1.44 MB media in
1.44 MB drive
101b = Known 1.2 MB media In 1.2 MB
drive
100b = Known 360K media in 1.2 MB
drive
011 b = Known 360K media In 360K drive
010b = Trying 1.2 MB media in 1.2 MB
drive
001b = Trying 360K media in 1.2 MB
drive
OOOb =Trying 360K media in 360K drive
92h INT 13h Diskette device service work area. Each entry Is
first diskette device service value tried. One byte
per drive. Drive 0 at 92h. Drive 1 at 93h.
94h INT 13h Current track number for both drives. One byte
per drive. Drive 0 at 94h. drive 1 at 95h.
96h INT 16h Keyboard status byte:
Bit 7 = 1 Read 10 In progress
Bit 6 = 1 Last code was first 10
Bit 5 = 1 Forced Num Lock
Bit 4 = 1 101/102 keyboard used
Bit 3 = 1 Right Alt active
Bit 2 = 1 Right Ctrl active
Bit 1 = 1 Last code was EOh
Bit 0 = 1 Last code was E1h
continued
36 System BIOS for IBM PC/XT 1AT Computers and Compatibles

BIOS
Location Service
Description
97h INT 16h Keyboard LED status byte:
Bit 7 = Error flag for keyboard command
Bit 6 = LED update In progress
Bit 5 = RESEND received from keyboard
Bit 4 = ACK received from keyboard
Bit 3 = Reserved
Bit 2 = Current status of Caps Lock LED
Bit 1 = Current status of Num Lock LED
Bit 0 = Current status of Scroll Lock LED
98h INT 15h User walt flag offset address (AT only)
9Ah INT 15h User wait flag segment address (AT only)
9Ch INT 15h Least significant byte of walt count (AT only)
9Eh INT 15h Most significant byte of wait count (AT only)
AOh INT 15h Walt active flag, (AT only) where:
Bit 7 = 1 Wait time elapsed
Bits 6-1 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 INT 15h, AH = 86h occurred
A8h INT 10h Pointer to video parameters and overrides (In
segment:offset format) (VGA only)
BOh-B5h Reserved
B6h-B8h POST Reserved for POST (AT only)
OCOh-OCDh Reserved
CEh INT 1Ah Count of days since 1-1-80
CFh-FFh Reserved
100h INT 05h Print screen status byte
System RAM Data 37

Power-On Self Test Definitions
POST data definitions

The data definitions used by the power-on self test (POST) routine are
stored in system RAM at segment 40h and are presented below in offset
order.
Location Length Description
12h 1 Byte Reserved for manufacturer test

15h 1 Word Reserved for manufacturer test
67h 1 Word Pointer to reset code upon system reset with
memory preserved.
6Bh 1 Byte Last interrupt that occurred
72h 1 Word Reset flag. where:
1234h =Bypass memory test
4321h =Preserve memory
64h =Burn in mode

INT 10h Video Service Data Definitions
Video data definitions

The data definitions used by the INT 10h. Video Service. are stored in sys
tem RAM in segment 40h and are presented below in offset order.
10h 1 Byte Number of devices Installed. where:

Bits 15-14 =Number of printer adapters
Bits 13-12 =Reserved
Bits 11-9 =Number of asynchronous
adapters (RS232)
Bits 8 =Reserved
Bits 7-6 =Number of disk drives. where:
OOb = 1 Disk drive
01 b = 2 Disk drives
Bits 5-4 = Initial video mode. where:
01b = 40x25 color
10b = 80x25 color
Bit 3 =Reserved
Bit 2 =Pointing device
Bit 1 =1 If math coprocessor
Bit 0 =Diskette available for boot
49h 1 Byte Video mode setting.
4Ah 1 Word Number of columns on screen (40 or 80).
4Ch 1 Word Current page size (In bytes).
4Eh 1 Word Offset of current page address.
SOh 8 Words Cursor position on each page. Two bytes/page.
First byte (low order) of each pair is column. sec
ond is row. 0.0 Is the upper left corner of screen.
60h 1 Word Cursor type defined as 6845-compatible starting
and ending scan lines. High-order byte holds start
ing scan line; low-order byte holds ending scan line.
62h 1 Byte Current page number.
63h 1 Word 6845-compatible 110 port number for current mode.
where:
03B4h =Monochrome
03D4h =Color
65h 1 Byte Current mode select register.
66h 1 Byte Current palette value.
84h 1 Byte Number of rows on screen minus one (24 or 25)
85h 1 Word Character height (bytes/character)
continued
System RAM Data 39

INT 10h Video Service Data Definitions, Continued
Video data definitions, cont'd
87h 1 Byte Video control bits. where:

Bit 7 =Clear RAM
Bit 6-5 =Memory on adapter as follows:
OOb = 64K
01b = 128K
10b = 192K
11b = 256K
Bit 4 =Not used

Bit 3 =0 If EGA-compatible adapter is active
=1 If EGA-compatible adapter is inactive
Bit 2 =Wait for display enable
Bit 1 =0 If color or ECD monitor is attached to
EGA-compatible monitor
=1 If monochrome monitor is attached to
EGA-compatible adapter.
Bit 0 =0 If translate cursor video modes 0-3
when using ECD monitor in 350 line
mode
=1 If inhibit cursor translation
88h 1 Byte EGA switch data where:
Bits 7-4 = Feature connector bits 3-0. respectively
Bits 3-0 =Option switches 3-0. respectively
A8h 1 Word Pointer to video parameter table and overrides (In
segment:offset format).
100h 1 Byte Print flag. where:
Bit 7 = 1 Print screen In progress
40 System BiOS for IBM PC/XT I A T Computers and Compatibles

INT 11 h Equipment List Service Data Definitions
Equipment data definitions

The data definition used by INT 11 h. Equipment List Service. is stored in
.system RAM in segment 40h and is presented in offset order below.
10h 1 Word Number of devices Installed, where:

Bits 11-9 = Number of asynchronous adapters
(RS232)
Bits 8 =Reserved
Bits 7-6 = Number of disk drives, where:
OOb = 1 Disk drive
OOb = EGA or PGA
01b = 40x25 color
10b = 80x25 color
INT 12h Memory Size Service Data Definition
Memory data definition

The data definition used by INT 12h, Memory Size Service. is stored in
system RAM in segment 40h.
13h 1 Word Installed memory In K minus 1K
System RAM Data 41

INT 13h Diskette Service Data Definitions
Diskette data definitions

The data definitions used by INT 13h, Diskette Service, are stored in system
RAM in segment 40h and are presented below in offset order.
3Eh 1 Byte Diskette drive recallbrate status, where:

occurred
Bits 6-4 = Not used
Bits 3-2 = Reserved
Bit 1 = 1 Recalibrate drive 1
3Fh 1 Byte Diskette motor status, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Current operation is a write or format
=0 Current operation Is a read or verify
Bit 6 =Reserved
Bit 5-4 = Drive select states where:
10 = Reserved
11 = Reserved
Bit 1 =1 Drive 1 motor is on
Bit 0 = 1 Drive 0 motor is on
40h 1 Byte Diskette motor time-out count
41h 1 Byte Diskette status return code, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Drive not ready
Bit 6 = 1 Seek error occurred
Bit 5 = 1 Diskette controller failed
Bits 4-0 = Error codes, where:
= 01 h Illegal function was requested
= 02h Address mark not found
=03h Write protect error
=04h Sector not found
= 06h Drive door was opened
=08h DMA overrun error
=09h DMA boundary error
=OCH Media type unknown
=10h CRC failed on disk read
continued

INT 13h Diskette Service Data Definitions, Continued
Diskette data definitions, cont'd
42h 7 Bytes Disk controller status bytes

74h 1 Word Status from last fixed disk operation, where:
OOh = No error
05h = Reset failed
08h = DMA overrun on operation
OEh = control data address mark detected
11h = ECC corrected data error
80h = Time-out
CCh = Write fault on selected drive
EOh = Status error/error register is 0
FFh = Sense operation failed
75h 1 Byte Number of fixed disk drives
8Bh 1 Byte Diskette data rate information
Bits 7-6 = L ast data rate set by controller, where:
OOb = 500 Kliobits/second (Kbs)
01b = 300 Kbs
10b = 250 Kbs
Bits 5-4 =Last diskette drive step rate selected
Bits 3-2 = D ata transfer rate at operation start,
where:
OOb = 500 Kbs
01b =300 Kbs
10b = 250 Kbs
Bits 1-0 =Reserved
8Ch 1 Byte Fixed disk drive controller status
8Dh 1 Byte Fixed disk controller error status
8Eh 1 Byte Fixed disk Interrupt flag
continued
System RAM Data 43

INT 13h Diskette Service Data Definitions, Continued
Diskette data definitions, cont'd
8Fh 1 Byte Diskette controller Information, where:

Bit 7 =Reserved
Bit 6 =1 Drive determined for drive 1
Bit 5 =1 Drive 1 Is multlrate
Bit 3 = Reserved
Bit 1 = 1 Drive 0 Is multlrate
90h 1 Word Media type of both drives:
(One byte per drive. Drive 0 at 40:90h; drive 1 at
40:91h)
Bits 7-6 =Data transfer rate, where:
OOb = 500 Kbs
01b = 300 Kbs
10b = 250 Kbs
Bit 5 =1 Double stepping required (360K medial

1.2M drive)
Bit 4 =1 Known media in drive
Bit 3 =Reserved
Bits 2-0 =Definitions on return to user:
111b = 720K media In 720K or 1.44 MB
drive, 1.44 MB media In 1.44 MB
drive
101b = Known 1.2 MB media In 1.2 MB
drive
100b = Known 360K media in 1.2 MB
drive
011 b =Known 360K media In 360K drive
010b =Trying 1.2 MB media in 1.2 MB
drive
001b =Trying 360K media in 1.2 MB
drive
OOOb = Trying 360K media In 360K drive
92h 1 Word Diskette work area. Each entry contains the first
value tried. (One byte per drive. Drive 0 at 40:92h
Drive 1 at 40:93h)
94h 1 Word Current track number for both drives. (One byte
per drive. Drive 0 at 40:94h Drive 1 at 40:95h)
44 System BIOS for IBM PC/XT IA T Computers and Compatibles

INT 14h Serial Communication Service Data Definitions
Serial data definitions

The data definitions used by the INT 14h Serial Communications services
are stored in system RAM in segment 40h and are presented below in
offset order.
DOh 4 Words 1/0 address of up to 4 asynchronous communica

tions adapters
78h Printer time-out table
7Ch 2 Words Serial (RS232) time-out table for serial ports 0
through 3.

INT 09h Keyboard Service Interrupt Data Definitions
Keyboard data definitions

The data definitions used by the INT 16h and INT 9h Keyboard Service are
stored in system RAM in segment 40h. They are presented below in offset
order.
17h 1 Byte Keyboard shift flags. where:

continued
System RAM Data 45

INT 09h Keyboard Service Interrupt Data Definitions, Continued
Keyboard data definitions, cant'd
1Bh 1 Byte Extended keyboard shift flags, where:

19h 1 Byte Work area for Alt key and numeric keypad input
1Ah 1 Word Offset to next character in keyboard buffer
1Ch 1 Word Offset to first available spot In keyboard buffer
1Eh 16 Words Keyboard buffer of 16 word entries
(a maximum of 15 are used at a time)
71h 1 Byte Bit 7 = 1 If Ctrl-Break pressed
72h 1 Word Reset flag. where:
1234h = Bypass memory test
4321 h = Preserve memory
BOh 1 Word Address to start of keyboard buffer (from
segment 40h)
B2h 1 Word Address to end of keyboard buffer (from
segment 40h)
96h 1 Byte Status byte:
Bit 7 = 1 Read 10 in progress
Bit 4 = 1 1011102 keyboard used
Bit 6 = LED update in progress
Bit 5 = RESENO received from keyboard
Bit 4 = ACK received from keyboard
Bit 3 = Reserved
Bit 2 = Current status of Caps Lock LED
Bit 0 = Current status of Scroll Lock LED

INT 17h Parallel ·Printer Service Data Definitions
The data definitions used by INT 17h Parallel Printer Service are stored in
system RAM in segment 40h and are presented below in offset order.
08h 4 Words 1/0 address of up to 4 printer adapters

78h 2 Words Printer time-out table for printers 1-3
10h 1 Word Number of devices installed. where:
Bits 15-14 =Number of printer adapters
Bits 13-12 =Reserved
Bits 11-9 =Number of asynchronous adapters
(RS232)
Bits 8 =Reserved
Bits 7-6 =Number of disk drives. where:
OOb = 1 Disk drive
Bits 5-4 =Initiai video mode, where:
OOb = EGA or PGA
01 b = 40x25 color
10b = 80x25 color
Bit 3 =Reserved
Bit 2 =Pointing device
Bit 1 =1 If math coprocessor
Bit 0 =Diskette available for boot
System RAM Data 47

INT 19h Bootstrap Loader Service Data Definitions
System RAM data

The data definitions used by INT 19h are stored in system RAM in segment
40h and are presented below in offset order.
Location Size Description
12h 1 Byte Reserved for manufacturers test, where:

Bits 7-1 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 Manufacturing test mode
= 0 Non-manufacturing test mode
72h 1 Word Reset flag, where:
4321h = Preserve memory
64h = Burn In mode
INT 1Ah Time-of-Day Service Data Definitions
Timer data definitions

The data definitions used by the INT 1Ah Time-of-Day Service and by the
INT 08h Timer Interrupt are stored in system RAM in segment 40h and are
presented below in offset order.
6Ch 4 Bytes Timer tick count (count of timer ticks since

midnight)
70h 1 Byte 24 hour rollover flag
98h 1 Word User walt flag offset address
9Ah 1 Word User wait flag segment address
9Ch 1 Word Least significant wait count
9Eh 1 Word Most significant wait count
AOh 1 Byte Wait active flag, where:
Bit 7 = 1 If wait time elapsed
Bits 6-1 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 If INT 15h, AH = 86h wait has
occurred

Chapter 3
CMOS RAM Data
Overview
Introduction
The AT BIOS uses nonvolatile CMOS RAM to store real time clock, system
configuration, system diagnostic, and other information. In general, only AT
and AT-compatible systems have CMOS RAM.
Where CMOS RAM data is located

The table below describes the CMOS RAM areas available to the BIOS.
CMOS RAM data is available only in AT and AT-compatible systems.
1/0 Port
Data Area Access Size Description
CMOS RAM 070h & 071h 64 bytes Located on the Motorola MC146818A Real
Data Area Time Clock CMOS chip (or its equivalent).
All implementations of the BIOS make use
of this area to store real time clock, POST,
and system configuration data.
continued
CMOS RAM Data 49

Overview, Continued
In this chapter
This chapter defines the contents of the CMOS RAM data areas. The follow
ing topics are presented:
• CMOS RAM 1/0 Ports
• Accessing CMOS RAM
• CMOS RAM Data
CMOS RAM I/O Ports
The BIOS accesses the CMOS RAM data areas through the following 1/0
ports.
Read/Write
1/0 Address Status Description
0070h W CMOS RAM address register port. where:

Bit 7 = 1 NMI disable
= 0 NMI enabled
Bits 6-0 = 0 CMOS RAM address
0071h R/W CMOS RAM data register port

Accessing CMOS RAM
MC146818A Real Time Clock

The AT BIOS supports a Motorola MC146818A or equivalent Real Time Clock.
This chip is assumed to have at least 64 bytes of nonvolatile CMOS RAM
available to store configuration data. The first nine bytes,· at offset locations
OOh - 09h) are used to store RTC information. The next four bytes (offsets
OAh - ODh) store status information. The balance of CMOS RAM storage
(OEh - 3Fh) is used to store system configuration and other data.
Writing to CMOS RAM

The bit definitions for most of the standard CMOS RAM data definitions are
provided in this chapter. To write data to CMOS RAM:
1. Inhibit interrupts.
2. Write the CMOS RAM address to which the data is to be written to 1/0
port 0070h.
3. Write the data to be written to 1/0 port 0071h.
Values can be written to CMOS RAM locations OOh - 09h much more quickly
using INT 1Ah functions 02h - 07h.
Reading from CMOS RAM

The bit definitions for most of the standard CMOS RAM data definitions are
provided in this chapter. To read from RTC CMOS RAM:
1. Inhibit interrupts.
2. Write the CMOS RAM address from which the data is to be read to I/O
Port 0070h.
3. Read from 110 port 0071 h.
Values can be read from CMOS RAM locations OOh - 09h much more quickly
using INT 1Ah functions 02h - 07h.
CMOS RAM Data 51

CMOS RAM Data
Introduction
The BIOS uses 64 bytes of CMOS RAM located jn the Motorola MC 14681 8A
Real Time Clock CMOS chip to store real time Clock and configuration data.
The tables below present the following CMOS RAM data definitions:
• Real time clock
• Real time clock status registers
• Configuration
Real time clock data definitions

Real time clock information uses CMOS RAM addresses OOh - 09h. These
data definitions are presented below.
Offset Size Description
OOh 1 Byte Current second in binary coded decimal

01h 1 Byte Second alarm in binary coded decimal
02h 1 Byte Current mlnlJte In binary coded decimal
03h 1 Byte Minute aljlrm in binary coded decimal
04h 1 Byte Current hour in binary coded decimal
OSh 1 Byte Hour alarm In binary coded decimal
06h 1 Byte Current day of week in binary coded decimal
07h 1 Byte Current date In binary coded decimal
08h 1 Byte Current month in binary coded decimal
09h 1 Byte Current year In binary coded decimal
continued

CMOS RAM Data, Continued
Status Registers data definitions

The real time status registers use CMOS RAM addresses OAh - ODh. These
data definitions are presented below in offset order.
OAh 1 Byte Status Register A. where:

Bit 7 = 1 Update In progress
Bits 6-4 =Divider Identifying the time-based
frequency to use
Bits 3-0 =Rate selection bits that define output
frequency and periodic Interrupt rate
OBh 1 Byte Status Register B. where:
Bit 7 =0 Run (update cycle)
= 1 Abort any update cycle in progress
Bit 6 = 1 Enable periodic Interrupt
Bit 5 =1 Enable alarm Interrupt
Bit 4 = 1 Enable update-ended interrupt
Bit 3 =1 Enable square wave frequency set In
Status Register A
Bit 2 =1 Calendar is in binary format
=0 Calendar is in BCD format
Bit 1 =1 24-hour clock
=0 12-hour clock
Bit 0 = 1 Enable Daylight Savings Time
OCh 1 Byte Status Register C. where:
Bits 7-4 = IRQF. PF, AF. and UF flags, respec
tively. Only valid If alarm interrupt,
update-ended interrupt or periodic
interrupt Is enabled.
Bits 3-0 =Reserved
ODh 1 Byte Status Register D, where:
Bit 7 =1 Real time clock has power
Bits 6-0 = Reserved
continued
CMOS 'RAM Data 53

Configuration data definitions

The system configuration information data definitions use CMOS RAM ad
dresses OEh - 3Fh. These data definitions are presented below in offset
order.
OEh 1 Byte Diagnostic status. where:

Bit 7 = 1 Real time ciock lost power
Bit 6 = 1 CMOS checksum is bad
Bit 5 = 1 Invalid configuration information found
at POST
Bit 4 = 1 Memory size compare error at POST
Bit 3 = 1 Fixed disk or adapter fails initialization
Bit 2 = 1 CMOS time found inva.lld
Bit 1 = 1 Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 Reserved
OFh 1 Byte Reason for shutdown. where:
OOh = Power on or soft reset
01h = Memory size pass
02h = Memory test pass
03h = Memory test fail
04h = POST end; boot system
OSh = JMP doubleword pointer with EOI
06h = Protected tests pass
07h = Protected tests fail
08h = Memory size fail
09h = INT 15h Block Move
OAh = JMP double word pointer without EOI
OBh = Used by 80386
10h 1 Byte Type of diskette drives:
Bits 7-4 = Drive type of drive O. where:
OOOOb = No drive
0001 b = 360K drive
0010b = 1.2 MB drive
0011b = 720K
0100b = 1.44 MB
Bits 3-0 = Drive type of drive 1. where:
OOOOb = No drive
0001b = 360K drive
0011b = 720K
0100b = 1.44 MB
11h 1 Byte Type of fixed disk drive 0
~-., -
. ~
13h 1 Byte Reserved
continued

Configuration data definitions, cont'd
l4h 1 Byte Equipment Installed. where:

Bits 7-6 = Number of diskette drives. where:
OOb = 1 Diskette drive
01b = 2 Diskette drives
Bits 5-4 =Primary display. where:
OOb = Reserved
01b = CGA in 40-column mode
lOb = CGA in SO-column mode
llb = eGA in monochrome mode
Bits 3-2 = Reserved
Bit 1 = 1 Math coprocessor installed
Bit 0 =0 Diskette drive installed
15h
1 Byte Base memory in 1K. low byte
l6h
1 Byte Base memory in 1K. high byte
17h
1 Byte Expansion memory in 1K. low byte
1Sh
1 Byte Expansion memory in 1K. high byte
19h
1 Byte Drive type of first fixed disk
1Ah
1 Byte Drive type of second fixed disk
1Bh - 2Dh
Reserved
2Eh
1 Byte
High byte checksum for 10h - 2Dh
-
2Fh
1 Byte
Low byte checksum for 10h - 2Dh
30h
1 Byte
Low byte of actual expansion memory size
31h
1 Byte
High byte of actual expansion memory size
32h
1 Byte
Century In BCD
33h
1 Byte
Information flag
34h - 3Fh
6 Words
Reserved
CMOS RAM Data 55

Chapter 4
ROM BIOS Data
Overview
Introduction
In addition to the code for the various BIOS services, the BIOS also contains
tapular data that is used to initialize devices. This data, particularly for fixed
disk and diskette parameter tables, may be different for PC, XT, and AT
systems. The differences are described in this chapter.
In this chapter
This chapter defines the contents of the ROM BIOS data areas. The following
topics arE;! presented:
• ROM A~dress Compatibility Table
• SystE;lm Configuration Data Table
• Diskette Parameter Table
• AT Fixed Disk Parameter Table
• XT Fixed Disk Parameter Table
• Bau9 Rate Initialization
ROM BIOS Data 57

ROM Address Compatibility Table
Description
The BIOS maintains compatibility between PC, XT, and AT versions by pro
viding a list of jump instructions that insure that both table information and
calls to specific BIOS services are located at fixed entry points.
ROM BIOS address map
Address Description
FE05Bh POST Entry Point

FE2C3h NMI Handler Entry Point
FE3FEh INT 13h Fixed Disk Service Entry Point
FE401h Fixed Disk Parameter Table
FE6F2h INT 19h Boot Load Service Entry Point
FE6F5h Configuration Data Table
FE729h Baud Rate Generator Table
FE739h INT 14h Serial Communications Service Entry Point
FE82Eh INT 16h Keyboard Service Entry Point
FE987h INT 09h Keyboard Service Entry Point
FEC59h INT 13h Diskette Service Entry Point
FEF57h INT OEh Diskette Hardware ISR Entry Point
FEFC7h Diskette Controller Parameter Table
FEFD2h INT 17h Printer Service Entry Point
FF045h INT 10 Functions O-Fh Entry Point
FF065h INT 10h Video Support Service Entry Point
FFOA4h MDA/CGA Video Parameter Table (INT 1Dh)
FF841h INT 12h Memory Size Service Entry Point
FF84Dh INT 11 h Equipment List Service Entry Point
FF859h INT 15h System Services Entry Point
FFA6Eh Character Font for 320X200 and 640X200 Graphics (lower 128
characters)
FFE6Eh INT 1Ah Time-of-day Service Entry Point
FFEA5h INT 08h System Timer ISR Entry Point
continued

ROM Address Compatibility Table, Continued
ROM BIOS address map, cont'd
Address Description
FFEF3h Initial Interrupt Vector Offsets Loaded by POST

FFF53h IRET Instruction for Dummy Interrupt Handler
FFF54h INT 05h Print Screen Service Entry Point
FFFFOh Power-up Entry Point
FFFF5h ASCII Date ROM was built - 8 characters xx/xx/xx. (for example:
05/31/88)
FFFFEh System Model ID. where:
FCh = AT
FDh = IBM PCjr
FEh = XT
FFh = PC
ROM BIOS Data 59

System Configuration Data Table (AT only)
Description
The System Configuration Table is located at FOOO:E6F5h. This table can be
called into RAM via INT 15h Function AH = COh Return System Configuration
Parameters.
Offset Initial
(hex) Value Length Description
OOh OOh 2 Bytes Number of bytes in this table (minimum =8)

02h 02h 1 Byte Model byte, where:
PC =FFh
PC XT =FEh
PC XT =FBh
PCjr =FDh
AT =FCh
XT-286 =FCh
PC Convertible =F9h
Unknown system board =FFh
03h 03h 1 Byte Submodel byte, where:
PC =OOh
PC XT =OOh
PCjr =OOh
AT =OOh
AT =01h
XT-286 =02h
PC Convertible =OOh
Unknown system board =FFh
04h 04h 1 Byte BIOS revision level (first release = OOb)
OSh OSh 1 Byte Feature Information byte, where:
Bit 7 =1 Fixed disk BIOS uses DMA channel 3
Bit 6 = 1 Second Interrupt chip present
Bit S = 1 Real time clock present
Bit 4 = 1 Keyboard intercept (INT 15h, Function
AH = 4Fh) called by keyboard Interrupt
service (INT 09h)
Bit 3 = 1 Wait for external event supported
Bit 2 = Reserved
Bit 1 =0 PC-type I/O channel implemented
Bit 0 =0 Reserved
06h 06h 1 Byte Feature Information byte 2 (reserved. zeros)
07h 07h 1 Byte Feature Information byte 3 (reserved, zeros)
08h 08h 1 Byte Feature information byte 4 (reserved, zeros)
09h 09h 1 Byte Feature information byte 5 (reserved, zeros)

Diskette Parameter Table
Description
The diskette device service routine in PC/XT / AT systems contains a table of
parameters used to manipulate diskette drives. For many AT systems, val
ues have been modified so the table is more suited to the default 3.5-inch
1.44 MB diskette drives. The default 11-byte table is located in ROM at
FOOO:EFC7h and is pointed to by the interrupt 1Eh vector. This arrangement
allows operating systems or application programs to change the INT 1Eh
vector to point to a different set of diskette parameters.
Diskette parameter table structure
Offset Description
OOh First data byte of the diskette Specify command, where:
Setting for Bits 7-4

Drive Type/
Transfer Rate F E D C B A
360K/250 Kbs 1 2 3 4 5 6
Other/500 Kbs 1 2 3 4 5 6
Other/300 Kbs 1.7 3.3 5 6.7 8.3 10
Other/250 Kbs 2 4 6 8 10 12
Bits 3-0 = Head unload time. Default Is 240 milliseconds (OFh).

01h Second data byte of the diskette Specify command, where:
Bits 7-1 = Head load time. Default Is 01h (4 milliseconds).
Bit 0 = Non-DMA mode flag
The heads are loaded at the same time as the motor is started,
but the motor delay Is much longer so the head load time delay
is not really needed.
The non-DMA mode flag is always set to zero to indicate that
DMA is being used.
02h Motor turn-off delay. The amount of time in timer ticks that the
diskette device service routine walts before turning off an inac
tive diskette drive motor. Timer ticks occur 18.2 times per sec
ond and the routine walts about two seconds. The default value
for this field is 25h.
continued
ROM BIOS Data 61

Diskette Parameter Table, Continued
Diskette parameter table structure, cont'd
Offset Description
03h Bytes per sector. This field Is encoded In the following way to
match the encoding used by the diskette controller:
OOh = 128 bytes per sector
01h = 256 bytes per sector
02h = 512 bytes per sector (default value)
03h = 1024 bytes per sector
04h The number of sectors per track. For a 1.44 MB diskette In the
1.44 MB drive. this field Is 18 sectors per track. The range of
values Is:
08h = 8 sectors per track (320K drive)
09h = 9 sectors per track (360K/720K 5.25-lnch drive)
15h = 15 sectors per track (5.25-lnch 1.2 MB drive)
18h = 18 sectors per track (3. 5-inch drives)
05h Gap length. The length of the gap between sectors. 1Bh for a
3.5-inch diskette drive and 2Ah for a 5.25-inch diskette drive.
06h Data length. Since the bytes per sector field is nonzero, this field
is meaningless and Is set to FFh.
07h Gap length for format. The length of the gap between sectors to
maintain when formatting. The format gap length is 6Ch for a
3.5-inch drive and 50h for a 5.25-inch drive.
08h Fill byte for format. The default Is F6h.
09h Head settle time. The amount of time in milliseconds the diskette
DSR must wait for the heads to settle after doing a seek opera
tion. For a 3. 5-inch diskette drive, this field is OFh. 1.2MB
drives require 15 milliseconds and 360K drives. 20 - 25
milliseconds.
OAh Motor start time. The amount of time in eighths of a second that
the diskette DSR must walt for the motor to come up to speed
before doing an I/O operation. Most drives have a motor start
time of one second so the default value is 08h for most opera
tions. except Read and Verify. where the default value Is either
04h or 05h.

AT Fixed Disk Parameter Table
Description
The AT fixed disk parameter table defines the types of fixed disk drives that
can be used. As part of system configuration, the INT 41 h vector is set up
to point to the fixed disk parameters entry associated with drive O. If fixed
disk drive 1 is installed, INT 46h is initialized to point to its corresponding
entry in the AT fixed disk parameter table. To maintain compatibility, the
fixed disk parameter table is based at FOOO:E401 h.
Parameter table structure

Each entry in the fixed disk parameter table occupies 8 words as defined
below.
OOh 2 Bytes Maximum number of cylinders

02h 1 Byte Maximum number of heads
03h 2 Bytes Reserved
05h 2 Bytes Starting write precompensation cylinder
07h 1 Byte Reserved
08h 1 Byte Control byte, where:
Bits 7-6 = 1 Disable retries (either bit disables)
Bit 5 = 1 Defect map present at max,
cylinder + 1
Bit 4 = 0 Reserved
Bit 3 = 1 More than 8 heads
Bits 2-0 = 0 Reserved
OCh 2 Bytes Landing zone
OEh 1 Byte Number of sectors per track
OFh 1 Byte Reserved
continued
ROM BIOS Data 63

AT Fixed Disk Parameter Table, Continued
Fixed disk drive type table

The fixed disk drives that the AT BIOS supports are named in a ROM-based
table. Table entries 1-47 are popular fixed disk drive types. In the Phoenix
AT BIOS, table entries 48 and 49, however, are left for the end user to
define. To define fixed disk drive types 48 and 49, the end user runs SETUP.
Once specified, the drive characteristics remain stored in CMOS RAM. The
end user can add any type of AT-compatible fixed disk drive to a system.
The fixed disk drive table appears as follows in ROM:

Write Landing
# Drive Type Cylinders Heads Precomp Zone Sectors
1 iBM 5.25" 10 MB 306 4 128 305 17
2 IBM 5.25" 20 MB 615 4 300 615 17

Seagate ST -225
CDC Wren II
9415-5-25 •
Minlscribe 8438F
3 IBM 5.25" 30 MB 615 6 300 615 17
4 IBM 5.25" 62 MB 940 8 512 940 17
5 IBM 5.25" 46 MB 940 6 512 940 17
6 IBM 5.25" 20 MB 615 4 -1 615 17
Mlnlscrlbe MS 8425
Tandon TM 262 •••
Tandon TM 702AT •••
7 IBM 5.25" 30 MB 462 8 256 511 17
8 IBM 5.25" 30 MB 733 5 -1 733 17
Seagate ST -4038 •••
CDC Wren II
9415-5-38 ••••
9 IBM 5.25" 112 MB 900 15 -1 901 17
Priam IDEO 130·
10 IBM 5.25" 20 MB 820 3 -1 820 17
Priam IDED75, 100, 120,
150, 160, 230, 330·
• The OEM may have to disable drive connector J1 pin 2 when used on the AT .
•• Remove jumper W3 .
••• Values for Write Precomp of -1. 0, or the last track are assumed to be equivalent.
continued

Fixed disk drive type table, cont'd
Write Landing
11 IBM 5.25" 35 MB 855 5 -1 855 17
Priam IDEO 40, 45. 45H
Priam ID45T-S, ID45T-Q"
12 IBM 5.25" 49 MB 855 7 -1 855 17
13 IBM 5.25" 20 MB 306 8 128 319 17
14 IBM 5.25" 42 MB 733 7 -1 733 17
15 Reserved
16 IBM 5.25" 20 MI3 612 4 0 663 17
17 IBM 5.25" 40 MB 977 5 300 977 17
18 IBM 5.25" 56 MB 977 7 -1 977 17
Priam 10 60, 62"
19 IBM 5.25" 59MB 1024 7 512 1023 17
20 IBM 5.25" 30 MB 733 5 300 732 17
21 IBM 5.25" 42 MB 733 7 300 732 17
22 IBM 5.25" 30 MB 733 5 300 733 17
23 IBM 5.25" 10 MB 306 4 0 336 17
24 Priam IDEO 62 1024 7 -1 1024 17
25 NEC 5126 20 MB 615 4 0 615 17
26 Micropolls 1323 """ 1024 4 -1 1024 17
BO.dime 5040
27 Micropolls 1323A """ 1024 5 -1 1024 17
Si;!agate ST -4077R
Miniscrlbe 3053/6053
Priam IDEO 45, 45H""
28 Micropolls 1325 """ 1024 8 -1 1024 17
Miniscribe 6085
Maxtor XT-1085 """
29 512 8 256 512 17
" The OEM may have to disable drive connector J1 pin 2 when used on the AT.
"" Remove jumper W3.
""" Values for Write Precomp of -1, 0, or the I~.st track are assumed to be equivalent.
continued
ROM BIOS Data 65


Write Landing
30 Syquest SQ312RD •• 615 2 615 615 17

Minlscribe MS 8212 •••
31 CDC Wren II 9420-5-51 •• 989 5 0 989 17
32 1020 15 -1 1024 17
33 Reserved
34 Reserved
35 Seagate ST -4096 1024 9 1024 1024 17
Seagate ST -4144
Seagate ST -4144R 26
36 Minlscrlbe MS 6053 1024 5 512 1024 17
Microscience HHl050
37 830 10 -1 830 17
38 NEC 67 MB 823 10 256 824 17
39 NEC D5126H 20 MB 615 4 128 664 17
40 IBM 5.25" 40 MB 615 8 128 664 17
NEC D5146H
41 IBM 5.25" 114 MB 917 15 -1 918 17
42 IBM 5.25" 127 MB 1023 15 -1 1024 17
Priam IDEO 130"
43 NEC 823 10 512 823 17
44 Seagate ST -251 40 MB 820 6 -1 820 17
45 Reserved
46 CDC Wren II (1) 925 9 -1 925 17
9415-5-86
47 699 7 256 700 17
48 Configurable by end user
49 Configurable by end user
• The OEM may have to disable drive connector J1 pin 2 when used on the AT .
••• Values for Write Precomp of -1, 0, or the last track are assumed to be equivalent .
continued


If a table entry contains -1 for Write Precompensation, then there is no write
precompensation for this fixed disk drive type. If the Write Precompensation
is zero, then there is write precompensation for all cylinders.
Drive types 48 and 49 in a Phoenix BIOS can be eoited by the Phoenix

SETUP utility. Parameter values entered in SETUP for these drives are stored
in CMOS RAM.
ROM BIOS Data 67

XT Fixed Disk Parameter Table
Description
The XT fixed disk parameter table defines the types of fixed disk drives that
can be used in an XT system. As part of system configuration, the INT 41 h
vector is set up to point to the fixed disk parameter entry associated with
drive O. To maintain compatibility, the fixed disk parameter table is based at
FOOO:E401 h.
Parameter table structure

Each entry in the fixed disk parameter table occupies 16 bytes as defined
below.
Offset Bytes Description
OOh 2 Maximum number of cylinders

02h 1 Maximum number of heads
03h 2 Starting reduced write current cylinder
05h 2 Starting write precompensation cylinder
07h 1 Maximum ECC burst length
08h 1 Control byte. where:
Bit 7 = 1 Disable fixed disk retries
Bit 6 = 1 Disable ECC retries
Bits 5-3= 1 Reserved
Bits 2-0= Drive option
09h 1 Standard timeout value
OAh 1 Time-out value for format drive command
OBh 1 Time-out value for check drive command
OCh 4 Reserved
continued
68 System BIOS for IBM PC/XTI A T Computers and Compatibles

XT Fixed Disk Parameter Table, Continued
XT fixed disk drive type table

There are four fixed disk drive types supported by the XT-compatible Fixed
Disk Service. The parameters for each of these XT-compatible drive types
are:
Parameter Type 0 Type 1 Type 2 Type 3
Maximum cylinders 306 612 615 306

Maximum head(s) 4 4 4 8
Reduced write current cyl. 306 612 615 306
Write precomp cylinder 0 0 300 128
ECC Data Burst Length 11 11 11 11
Control byte 5 5 5 5
Standard time-out 12 32 24 12
Format drive time-out 180 180 180 180
Check drive time-out 40 40 40 40
Reserved 0 0 0 0
Reserved 0 0 0 0
Reserved 0 0 0 0
Reserved 0 0 0 0
ROM BIOS Data 69

Baud Rate Initialization
Baud rate initialization table

The baud rate initialization table is located at FOOO:E729h in the ROM BIOS.
Baud Rate Divisor
110 0417h
150 0300h
300 0180h
600 OOCOh
1200 0060h
2400 0030h
4800 0018h
9600 OOOCh
How baud rate divisor is calculated

The input frequency to the device is 1.8432 MHz. The values in the table are
calculated as follows:
1,843,200 115200
= = Divisor
16 Baud Rate
For example, a baud rate of 2400 has a divisor of 115200/2400, which
equals 48 decimal, 30 hex.

Chapter 5
1/0 Port Addresses
Overview
1/0 Ports
In the PC, XT, and AT architecture, the bus can address either system
memory or 1/0. Four bytes are used for the address formation, so I/O port
addresses can range from OOOOh to FFFFh for a total of 64K locations. The
microprocessor can address as many I/O locations as it can address mem
ory locations in any given memory segment. In an AT system, addresses
OOOOh to OOFFh are reserved for the system board and addresses 0100h
03FFh are reserved for the I/O channel.
This I/O addressing capability gives the ISA architecture considerable power
in that a system is able to access I/O devices through a broad range of
addresses.
Standard I/O port protocols have been established for many common input
devices. These standard I/O port address definitions are presented in the
following pages. Where possible, we have provided exact bit definitions for
I/O ports. Note that some IBM-compatible systems use nonstandard I/O
devices or nonstandard I/O port definitions. For instance, the location of the
third and fourth serial ports, given here as 3220h and 3228h, may vary from
system to system.
110 Port Addresses 71

Hardware 1/0 Port List
Read/Wrlte
1/0 Address
Status Description
OOOOh
R/W DMA channel 0, memory address register
0001h
R/W DMA channel 0, transfer count register
0002h
0003h
0004h
0005h
0006h
0007h
OOOBh
R DMA channel 0-3, status register, where:
Bit 7 =1 Channel 3 request
Bit 3 =1 Terminal count on channel 3
OOOAh R/W DMA channel 0-3, mask register, where:
Bits 7-3 =0 Reserved
Bit 2 =0 Clear mask Bit
=1 Set mask Bit
Bits 1-0 =OOb Select channel 0
=01b Select channel 1
=1Ob Select channel 2
= 11 b Select channel 3
OOOBh W DMA channel 0-3, mode register, where:
Bits 7-6 =OOb Demand mode
=01b Signal mode
=10b Block mode
= 11 b Cascade mode
Bits 3-2 =OOb Verify operation
=01 b Write operation
=10b Read operation
=11 b Reserved
=01 b Select channel 1
=1Ob Select channel 2
continued

Hardware 1/0 Port List, Continued
Read/Write
I/O Address
Status
Description
OOOCh
W
DMA Clear Byte Pointer
OOODh
W
DMA Master Clear Byte
OOOEh
W
DMA Channel 0-3 Clear Mask Register
OOOFh
W
DMA channel 0-3. write mask register. where:
Bit 3 = 0 Unmask channel 3 mask bit
= 1 Set channel 3 mask bit
Bit 2 =0 Unmask channel 2 mask bit
0019h
R/W
DMA scratch register
0020h
R
Programmable Interrupt Controller (PIC). Inter
rupt requestlln-service registers programmed
by Operation Command Word 3 (OCW3):
Interrupt request register. where:
Bits 7-0 =0 No active request for the
corresponding interrupt line
= 1 Active request for the
Interrupt In-service register. where:
Bits 7-0 =0 The corresponding interrupt line is
not currently being serviced
= 1 The corresponding interrupt line is
currently being serviced
0020h
W
PIC. Initialization Command Word 1 (ICW1) (Bit
4 is one). where:
Bits 7-5 =0 Only used in 80/85 mode
Bit 4 = 1 Reserved
Bit 3 =0 Reserved
Bit 2 =0 Successive interrupt vectors are
separated by eight bytes
= 1 Successive interrupt vectors are
separated by four bytes
Bit 1 =0 Cascade mode
=1 Single mode - no ICW3 needed
Bit 0 =0 No ICW4 needed
= 1 ICW4 needed
continued
I/O Port Addresses 73

Read/Write
I/O Address Status Description
0021h W PIC, ICW2, ICW3, or ICW4 In sequential order
. after ICW1 written to Port 0020h
ICW2, where:
Bits 7-3 =Address lines AO-A3 of base vector
address for Interrupt controller
ICW3, where:
Bits 7-0 =0 Slave controller not attached to
corresponding Interrupt pin
=0 Slave controller attached to
ICW4, where:
Bit 4 =0 No special fully-nested mode
=1 Special fully-nested mode
Bits 3-2 =OOb Non-buffered mode
=01b Non-buffered mode
= lOb Buffered mode/slave
= 11 b Buffered mode/master
Bit 1 =0 Normal EOI
= 1 Auto EOI
Bit 0 =0 80/85 mode
= 1 8086/8088 mode
0021h R/W PIC, Interrupt mask register (OCW1), where:
Bit 7 =0 Enable parallel printer interrupt
Bit 6 =0 Enable diskette Interrupt
Bit 5 =0 Enable fixed disk interrupt
Bit 4 =0 Enable serial port 1 interrupt
Bit 3 =0 Enable serial port 2 Interrupt
Bit 2 =0 Enable video Interrupt
Bit 1 = 0 Enable keyboard interrupt
Bit 0 =0 Enable timer interrupt
continued

Hardware 110 Port List, Continued
ReadlWrite
0021h W PIC, OCW2 (Bit 4 Is zero, Bit 3 Is zero), where:

Bits 7-5 = 000 Rotate In automatic EOI mode
(clear)
= 001 Non-specific EOI
= 010 No operation
= 011 Specific EOI
= 100 Rotate In automatic EOI mode
(set)
= 101 Rotate on non-specific EOI
command
= 110 Set priority command
= 111 Rotate on specific EOI
command
Bit 4 = 0 Reserved
Bit 3 = 0 Reserved
Bits 2-0 = Interrupt request to which the
command applies
0020h W PIC, OCW3 (Bit 4 Is zero, Bit 3 Is one), where:
Bit 7 = 0 Reserved
Bits 6-5= 00 No operation
= 01 No operation
= 10 Reset special mask
= 11 Set special mask
Bit 4 = 0 Reserved
Bit 3 = 1 Reserved
Bit 2 = 0 No poll command
= 1 Poll command
Bits 1-0= ~ONo operation
= 01 No operation
= 10 Read Interrupt request register
on next read at Port 0020h
= 11 Read Interrupt In-service register
on next read at Port 0020h
0022h-003Fh R/W Reserved for use by Intel 8259 Programmable
Interrupt Controller
0040h R/W Programmable Interrupt Timer - Read/write
counter 0
0041h R/W Programmable Interrupt Timer register
0042h R/W Programmable Interrupt Timer - miscellaneous
register
continued

Read/Write
I/O Address
Status Description
0043h
W Programmable Interrupt Timer. control word
register for counters 0 and 2. where:
Bits 7-6 = OOb Select counter 0
= 01b Reserved
= lOb Select counter 2
Bits 5-4 = OOb Counter latch command
= 01b Read/write counter bits 0-7
only
= lOb Read/write counter bits 8-15
only
= 11 b Read/write counter bits 0-7
first. then bits 8-15
Bits 3-0 = OOOb Mode 0 select
= 001 b Mode 1 select
= Xl0b Mode 2 select
= Xllb Mode 3 select
= 100b Mode 4 select
Bit 0 = 0 Binary counter 16 bits
= 1. Binary coded decimal counter
0044h
W Programmable Interrupt Timer. miscellaneous
register (AT only)
0047h
W Programmable Interrupt Timer. control word
register for counter 0 (AT only). where:
= 01b Reserved
= lOb Reserved
= 11 b Reserved
select counter 0
= 01b Read/write counter bits 0-7
only
= lOb Reserved
= 11 b Reserved
0048h-005Fh
R/W Used by Programmable Interrupt Timer
0060h
W Keyboard data Input buffer (AT only)
0060h
R Keyboard data output buffer (AT only)
0061h
8042 control register (AT only), where:
R/W
Bit 7 = 1 Parity check
Bit 6 = 1 Channel check
Bit 5 = 1 Timer 2 output
Bit 4 = 1 Toggle with each refresh request
Bit 3 = 0 Channel check enabled
Bit 2 = 0 Parity check enabled
Bit 1 = 1 Speaker data enabled
Bit 0 = 1 Timer 2 gate to speaker enabled
continued

Read/Write
110 Address Status Description
0061h W 8255 output register (XT only), where:

Bit 7 = 1 Clear keyboard)
Bit 6 =0 Hold keyboard clock low
Bit 5 =0 Enable 110 check
Bit 4 =0 Enable RAM parity check
Bit 3 =0 Read low switches
Bit 2 =Reserved
Bit 1 = 1 Speaker data enable
Bit 0 = 1 Enable timer 2 gate to speaker
0062h R/W 8255 input register (XT only), where:
Bit 7 = 1 RAM parity check
Bit 6 = 1 110 channel check
Bit 5 = 1 Timer channel 2 out
Bit 4 =Reserved
Bit 3 =1 System board RAM size type 1
Bit 2 = 1 System board RAM size type 0
Bit 1 = 1 Coprocessor installed
Bit 0 =1 Loop in POST
0063h R/W 8255 Command mode register (XT only),
where:
Bits 7-6 = N umber of diskette drives, where:
OOb - 1 drive
01 b - 2 drives
10b - 3 drives
11 b -4 drives
Bits 5-4 = T ype of display at power-on, where:
OOb - Reserved
01b - 40x25 color (mono mode)
11b - MDA (80x25)
Bits 3-2 = M emory on system board (256K
chips), where:
OOb - 256K
01b - 512K
10b - 576K
11b - 640K
Bits 3-2 = M emory on system board 964K
chips), where:
OOb - 64K
01b - 128K
10b - 192K
11b - 256K
Bits 1-0 =Reserved
continued

Read/Write
I/O Address
Status
Description
0064h
W
8042 keyboard Input buffer (AT only)
0064h
R
8042 Status (AT only), where:
Bit 7 = 1 Parity error
Bit 6 = 1 General time out
Bit 5 = 1 Auxiliary output buffer full
Bit 4 = 1 Inhibit switch
Bit 3 = 1 Command/data
Bit 2 =System flag
Bit 1 = 1 Input buffer full
Bit 0 = 1 Output buffer full
0065h-006Fh
Reserved for use by 8255 (XT) or 8042 (AT)
0070h
W
CMOS RAM address register port (AT only) ,
where:
0071h
R/W
CMOS RAM data register port (AT only)
0080h
R
Manufacturing test port (AT only)
0081h
R/W
DMA channel 2. page table address register
0082h
R/W
0083h
R/W
0087h
R/W
DMA channel O. page table address register
0089h
R/W
DMA channel 6, page table address register
008Ah
R/W
008Bh
R/W
DMA channel 5, page table address register
008Fh
R/W
DMA channel 4. cascade to Channels 5-7
0093h-009Fh
Reserved for DMA Controller
OOAOh
R/W NMI mask register (XT)
OOAOh
R/W Programmable Interrupt Controller 2
00A1h
R/W Programmable Interrupt Controller 2 mask
(AT only) , where:
Bit 7 = 0 Reserved
Bit 6 =0 Enable fixed disk Interrupt
Bit 5 =0 Enable coprocessor exception
interrupt
Bit 4 = 0 Enable mouse interrupt
Bit 3 =0 Reserved
Bit 2 = 0 Reserved
Bit 1 = 0 Enable redirect cascade
Bit 0 = 0 Enable real time clock interrupt
continued

Hardware I/O Port List, Continued
Read/Write
OOCOh R/W DMA channel 0 (AT only). memory address
register
00C2h R/W DMA channel 0 (AT only). transfer count
register
00C4h R/W DMA channell .(AT only). memory address
register
OOC6h R/W DMA channell (AT only). transfer count
register
00C8h R/W DMA channel 2 (AT only). memory address
register
OOCAh R/W DMA channel 2 (AT only). transfer count
register
OOCCh R/W DMA channel 3 (AT only). memory address
register
OOCEh R/W DMA channel 3 (AT only). transfer address
register
OODOh R DMA status register (AT only). where:
Bit 5 = 1 Channel 5 request
Bit 4 = 1 Channel 4 request
Bit 0 = 1 Terminal count on channel 4
00D2h W
DMA Write request register (AT only)
00D4h R/W
DMA mask register (AT only). where:
Bit 2 =0 Clear mask bit
= 1 Set mask bit
Bits 1-0 = OOb Select channel 4
= lOb Select channel 6
continued

Read/Write
I/O Address Status
Description
00D6h R/W
DMA Mode Register (AT only). where:
Bits 7-6 =OOb Demand mode
=01b Single mode
= lOb Block mode
=11 b Cascade mode
Bit 5 =0 Reserved
Bit 4 =0 Reserved
Bits 3-2 =OOb Verify operation
=01b Write operation
= lOb Read operation
=11 b Reserved
= lOb Select channel 6
00D8h W DMA Clear Byte Pointer (AT only)
OODAh W DMA Master Clear (AT only)
OODCh W DMA Clear Mask Register (AT only)
OODEh W DMA Write Mask Register (AT only). where:
=1 Set channel.5 mask bit
=1 Set channel 4 mask bit
OODF-OOEFh
Reserved
OOFO-OOFFh
R/W Math Coprocessor
0100-0l6Fh
Reserved
0170h
R/W Fixed disk 1 data register (AT only)
017lh
R/W Fixed disk 1 error register (AT only)
0172h
R/W Fixed disk 1 sector count (AT only)
0173h
R/W Fixed disk 1 sector number (AT only)
0174h
R/W Fixed disk 1 cylinder low (AT only)
0175h
R/W Fixed disk 1 cylinder high (AT only)
0176h
R/W Fixed disk 1 drive/head register (AT only)
0177h
R/W Fixed disk 1 status register (AT only)
continued

Read/Write
I/O Address
Status Description
01FOh
R/W Fixed disk 0 data register (AT only)
01F1h
R/W Fixed disk 0 error register (AT only)
01F2h
R/W Fixed disk 0 sector count (AT only)
01F3h
R/W Fixed disk 0 sector number (AT only)
01F4h
R/W Fixed disk 0 cylinder low (AT only)
01F5h
R/W Fixed disk 0 cylinder high (AT only)
01F6h
R/W Fixed disk 0 drive/head register (AT only)
01F7h
R/W Fixed disk 0 status register (AT only)
01F9-01FFh
R/W Reserved
0200-020Fh
Game control port
0201h
R/W Game port I/O data
0210-0217h
R/W Expansion Unit (PC and XT only)
0278h
R/W Parallel 3, data port (AT only)
0279h
R/W Parallel 3, status port, (AT only), where:
Bit 7 = 0 Busy
Bit 6 = 0 Acknowledge
Bit 5 = lOut of paper
Bit 4 = 1 Printer Is selected
Bit 3 = 0 Error
Bit 2 = 0 IRQ has occurred
Bits 1-0 = Reserved
027Ah
R/W Parallel 3, control port (AT only), where:
Bits 7-5 = Reserved
Bit 4 = 1 Enable IRQ
Bit 3 = 1 Select printer
Bit 2 = 0 Initialize printer
Bit 1 = 1 Automatic line feed
Bit 0 = 1 Strobe
02BO-02DFh
Reserved
02EOh
EGAIVGA (alternate)
02E1h
GPIB (Adapter 0)
02E2h
Data Acquisition (Adapter 0)
02E3h
Data Acquisition (Adapter 0)
02E4-02F7h
Reserved
continued

Read/Write
I/O Address Status
Description
02F8h W
Serial 2. transmitter holding register. which
contains the character to be sent. Bit O. the
least significant bit. is sent first.
Bits 7-0 = Contains data bits 7-0.
respectively. when Divisor Latch
Access Bit (DLAB) = 0
02F8h R
Serial 2. receiver buffer register. which
contains the received character. Bit O. the
least significant bit. Is sent first.
Bits 7-0 = Contains data bits 7-0. respectively.
when DLAB = 0
02F8h R/W
Serial 2. divisor latch. low byte. where:
Bits 7-0 = Bits 7-0 of divisor. when DLAB =1
02F9h R/W
Serial 2. divisor latch. high byte. where:
Bits 7-0 =Bits 15-8 of divisor. when DLAB =1
02F9h R/W
Serial 2. Interrupt enable register. Allows the
four controller interrupts to enable the chip
interrupt output signal.
Bit 3 =1 Modem status interrupt enable
Bit 2 =1 Receiver line status interrupt
enable
Bit 1 =1 Transmitter holding register
empty interrupt enable
Bit 0 =1 Received data available interrupt
enable when DLAB = 0
02FAh R
Serial 2 InterruptlD register. Information about
a pending interrupt is stored here. When ID
register is addressed. the highest priority
interrupt is held and no other interrupts are
acknowledged until the CPU services that
interrupt.
Bits 2-1 = These bits identify the pending
interrupt with the highest priority:
11 b Receiver Line Status Interrupt;
priority = highest.
10b Received Data Available; priority
= second
01 b Transmitter holding register;
priority = third.
OOb Modem status interrupt; priority
=fourth.
Bit 0 =0 Interrupt pending. and contents of
register can be used as a pointer
to the appropriate interrupt service
routine.
=1 No interrupt pending.
continued

Read/Write
02FBh R/W Serial 2, Line Control Register, where:
Bit 7 =0 Receiver Buffer, Transmitter
Holding, or Interrupt Enable
Registers Access
= 1 Divisor Latch Access
Bit 6 =1 Set Break Enabled. Serial output
Is forced to spacing state and
remains there.
Bit 5 =Stick Parity
Bit 4 = Even Parity Select
Bit 3 = Parity Enable
= 1 Even number of ones are sent and
checked in the data word bits and
parity bit.
=0 Odd number of ones are sent and
checked.
Bit 2 =Number of stop bits per character:
=01 Stop bit
= 1 0 Stop bits
Bits 1-0 = S pecify the number of bits per
character:
DDb 5 bit word length
01 b 6 bit word length
1Db 7 bit word length
02FCh R/W Serial 2, Modem Control Register. where:
Bit 4 = 1 Loopback Mode for diagnostic
testing of serial port. Output of
Transmitter Shift register Is
looped back to Receiver Shift
register Input. When in this
mode, transmitted data is
received immediately so that the
CPU can verify the transmit data/
receive data serial port paths.
Bit 3 = 1 Enable OUT2 Interrupt
Bit 2 =1 Force OUT1 Active
Bit 1 = 1 Force Request To Send Active
Bit 0 =1 Force Data Terminal Ready
Active
continued
I/O Port Addre.sses 83

Hardware 1/0 Port List, Continuea
Read/Write
I/O Address Status
Description
02FDh R
Serial 2, line status register, where:
Bit 7 = 0 Reserved
Bit 6 = 1 Transmitter Shift and Holding
Registers Empty
Bit 5 = 1 Transmitter Holding Register Emp
ty. The controller is ready to ac
cept a new character to send.
Bit 4 = 1 Break Interrupt. The received data
Input Is held in the zero bit state
longer than the time of start bit +
data bits + parity bit + stop bits.
Bit 3 = 1 Framing Error. The stop bit that
follows the last parity or data bit is
a zero bit.
Bit 2 = 1 Parity error. Character has wrong
even or odd parity.
Bit 1 = 1 Overrun Error. A character was
sent to the receiver buffer before
the previous character in the buffer
could be read. This destroys the
previous character.
Bit 0 = 1 Data Ready. A complete Incoming
character has been received and
sent to the receiver buffer register.
02FEh R Serial 2, modem status register, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Data carrier detect
Bit 6 = 1 Ring indicator
Bit 5 = 1 Data set ready
Bit 4 = 1 Clear to send
Bit 3 = 1 Delta to carrier detect
Bit 2 = 1 Trailing edge ring indicator
Bit 1 = 1 Delta data set ready
Bit 0 = 1 Delta clear to send
02FFh R/W Serial 2, Reserved
0300-031Fh R/W
Prototype card
0320h R/W
Fixed Disk Adapter Register (8 or 16 bit)
0322h W Fixed Disk Adapter Control Register, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Reset
Bit 6 = 1 Reserved (except during reset)
Bit 5 = 1 16-blt mode (must match bit 2)
= 0 8-bit mode
Bit 2 = 1 16-bit mode (must match bit 5)
= 0 8-bit mode
Bit 1 = 1 Enable interrupt through
(hardware Interrupt)
= 0 Enable interrupt through Interrupt
Status Register (port 324h)
Bit 0 = 1 DMA mode
= 0 PIO mode
continued

Read/Write
I/O Address Status
Description
0322h R
Fixed Disk Adapter Status Register, where:
Bit 5 =1 16-blt mode
=0 8-blt mode
Bit 4 =1 Data transfer requested by adapter
Bit 3 =1 Direction Is adapter to system
= 0 Direction Is system to adapter
Bit 2 = 1 Busy
Bit 1 = 1 Interrupt request (notification)
Bit 0 = 1 Transfer In progress
0324h W Fixed Disk Adapter Attention Register, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Command Control Block
Bit 6 = 1 Command Specify Block
Bit 5 = 1 Sense Summary Block
Bit 4 = 1 Data transfer requested by system
Bit 3 =0 Reserved
Bit 2 =0 Drive 0 select
= 1 drive 1 select
Bit 1 =0 Reserved
Bit 0 =1 Abort current command
0324h R Fixed Disk Adapter Interrupt Status Register
where:
Bit 7 =1 Termination error, bits 0-6
indicate what the error is
Bit 6 = 1 Invalid command
Bit 5 = 1 Command reject
Bit 2 = 0 Drive 0 selected
= 1 Drive 1 selected
Bit 1 = 1 Error recovery procedure invoked
Bit 0 = 1 Equipment check
0325h-0347h Reserved
0348h-0357h DCA 3278
0360h-36Fh W PC Network (PC and XT only)
0372h R Diskette controller digital output register, where:
Bit 5 =1 Enable drive motor 1
Bit 4 =1 Enable drive motor 0
Bit 3 =0 Allow Interrupts
Bit 2 =0 Controller reset
Bit 1 =0 Reserved
Bit 0 = 0 Select drive 0
= 1 Select drive 1
continued

Read/Write
I/O Address Status
Description
0374h R
Diskette controller status register, where:
Bit 7 =1 Data register is ready

Bit 6 = 1 Transfer is from controller to
system
= 0 Transfer is from system to
controller
Bit 5 =1 Non-DMA mode
Bit 4 =1 Diskette controller busy
Bits 3-2 = Reserved
Bit 1 =1 Drive 1 busy
Bit 0 =0 Drive 0 busy
0375-0376h R/W
Diskette controller data registers
0377h R
Diskette controller digital input register where:
Bit 7 =Diskette change
Bits 6-1 =Reserved
Bit 0 =0 High density select
0378h R/W
Parallel 2, Data Port
0379h R/W
Parallel 2, status port, where:
Bit 7 = 0 Busy
Bit 6 =0 Acknowledge
Bit 5 = 1 Out of paper
Bit 4 = 1 Printer Is selected
Bit 3 = 0 Error
Bits 1-0 =Reserved
037Ah R/W Parallel 2, control port, where:
Bit 7-5 =Reserved
Bit 4 =1 Enable IRQ
Bit 3 =1 Select printer
Bit 2 =0 Initialize printer
Bit 1 =1 Automatic line feed
Bit 0 = 1 Strobe
380-38Fh SDLC and BSC communications
390-393h Cluster (adapter 0)
3AO-3AFh BSC communications (primary)
03BO-03B3h* R/W Miscellaneous video registers
03B4h* R/W MDA, EGA. VGA CRTC Index register
03B5h* R/W Other MDA, EGA. VGA CRTC registers
03B8h* R/W MDA mode control register
* For more Information on video I/O ports, refer to the Video 1/0 Port List at the
end of this chapter.
continued

Read/Write
I/O Address Status
Description
03BAh* R
VGA input status register 1
03BAh* W
EGA. VGA feature controi register
03BCh R/W
Parallel 1. data port
03BDh R/W
Parallel 1. status port. where:
Bit 7 = 0 Busy
Bit 4 = 1 Printer is selected
Bit 3 = 0 Error
Bits 1-0 = Reserved
03BEh R/W
Parallel 1. control port. where:
Bits 7...,5 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 Strobe
03BFh* R/W
Hercules configuration switch register. where:
Bits 7-2 = Unused
Bit 1 = 0 Disables upper 32K of graphics
mode buffer
= 1 Enables upper 32K of graphics
mode buffer at B800: OOOOh
Bit 0 = 0 Prevents graphics mode
= 1 Allows graphics mode
03COh* R/W
VGA attribute controller index register
03COh* W
Other video attribute controller registers
03C1h* R/W
Other video attribute controller registers
03C2h* W
EGA. VGA. CGA miscellaneous output register
03C2h* R
EGA. VGA. CGA input status register 0
03C3h* R/W
Video subsystem enable
03C4h* R/W
CGA. EGA. VGA sequencer index register
03C5h* R/W
Other CGA. EGA, VGA sequencer registers
03C6h* R
VGA video DAC state register
03C6h* R/W
VGA video DAC PEL mask
03C7h* R
VGA video DAC state register
03C8h* W
VGA video DAC PEL address, read mode
* For more information on video i/O ports, refer to the Video 1/0 Port List at the
continued

Read/Write
03C8h* R/W VGA video DAC PEL address, write mode

03C9h* R/W VGA video DAC registers
03CAh* R/W CGA/EGA, VGA Graphics 2 position register
03CAh* R CGA/EGA, VGA feature control register
03CCh* VGA miscellaneous output register (R),
VGA Graphics 1 position register (R/W) ,
EGA memory mode register (W)
03CDh* W VGA feature control register (color)
03CEh* R/W VGA graphics controller Index register
03CFh* W Other VGA graphics controller registers
03DOH* Video register
03D1h* Video register
03D4h* R/W Video CRTC Index register
03D5h* R/W Other CGA, EGA, VGA registers
03D8h* R/W CGA, EGA, VGA mode control register
03D9h* R/W CGA, EGA, VGA palette register
03DAh* CGA, EGA, VGA register
03DBh* Video register
03DCh* Video register
03DDh* Video register
03DEh* Video register
03DFh* Video register
03D4h* R VGA CRT controller index register (color)
03D5h* Other VGA CRT controller registers (color)
03DAh* R VGA input status register 1 (color)
03DAh* W VGA feature control register (color)
* For more Information on video I/O ports, refer to the Video I/O Port List at the
continued

ReadlWrlte
03FO!, R Diskette controller status register A. where:

Bit 7 = 1 Interrupt pending
Bit 6 = 0 Second drive installed
Bit S =.1 Step
Bit 4 = 1 Track 0
Bit 3 = 1 Head 1 select
Bit 2 = 0 Index
Bit 1 = 0 Wr-ite protect
Bit 0 = 0 Data received by controller
03F1h R Diskette controller status register B. where:
Bit S = Select drive
Bit 4 = Write· data
Bit 3 = Read data
Bit 2 = Write enable
Bit 1 = 1 Enable drive motor 1
03F2h W Diskette controller digital output register.
where:
Bit S == 1 Enable drive motor 1
Bit 3 = 0 Allow interrupts
Bit 2 = 0 Controller reset
Bit 1 = 0 Reserved
= 1 Select drive 1
03F4h R Diskette controller status register. where:
Bit 7 = 1 Data register is ready
system
controller
Bit S = 1 Non-DMA mode
Bit 4 = 1 Diskette controller busy
Bits 3-2 = Reserved
Bit 1 = 1 Drive 1 busy
03FS-03F6h RIW Diskette controller data registers
continued
1/0 Port Addresses 89

Read/Write
03F7h R Diskette controller digital Input register, where:

Bit 7 = Diskette change
Bits 6-1 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 0 High density select
03F7h W Diskette controller configuration control
register, where:
Bits 7-2 =Reserved
Bits 1-0 =OOb 500 Kbs mode
01 b Reserved
10b 250 kbs mode
11 b Reserved
03F8h W Serial 1,transmltter holding register, which
contains the character to be sent. Bit 0, the
least significant bit, Is sent first.
Bits 7-0 =Contains data bits 7-0,
respectively, when Divisor Latch
Access Bit (DLAB) = 0
03F8h R Serial 1, receiver buffer register, which
contains the received character. Bit 0, the
least significant bit, Is sent first.
Bits 7-0 =Contains data bits 7-0,
respectively, when DLAB = 0
03F8h R/W Serial 1, divisor latch, low byte. Both divisor
latch registers store the baud rate divisor.
Bits 7-0 = Bits 7-0 of divisor, when DLAB = 1
03F9h R/W Serial 1, divisor latch, high byte, where:
Bits 7-0 = Bits 15-8 of divisor, when
DLAEI = 1
03F9h R/W Serial 1, Interrupt. enable register. Allows the
four controller interrupts to enable the chip
interrupt output signal.
Bit 3 = 1 Modem status interrupt enable
Bit 2 = 1 Receiver line status interrupt
enable
Bit 1 = 1 Transmitter holding register
Bit 0 = 1 Received data available interrupt
continued

Hardware lID Port List, Continued
ReadlWrite
03FAh R Serial 1 Interrupt ID register. Information about

a pending Interrupt is stored here. When ID
register Is addressed. the highest priority
Interrupt Is held and no other interrupts are
interrupt.
Bits 2-1 = These bits Identify the pending
Interrupt with the highest priority:
11 b Receiver Line Status Interrupt;
priority = highest.
lOb Received Data Available; priority
= second
01 b Transmitter Holding Register;
priority = third.
OOb Modem Status Interrupt; priority
= fourth.
Bit 0 = 0 Interrupt pending. and contents of
to the appropriate interrupt
service routine.
= 1 No Interrupt pending.
03FBh RIW Serial 1. Line Control Register. where:
ait 7 = 0 Receiver Buffer. Transmitter
Holding. or Interrupt Enable
Registers Access
Bit 6 = 1 Set Break Enabled. Serial output is
forced to spacing state and
remains there.
Bit 5 = Stick Parity
checked in the data word bits and
parity bit.
= 0 Odd number of ones are sent and
checked.
Bit 2 = Specify number of stop bits per
character:
= 0 1 Stop bit
= 1 0 Stop bits
Bits 1-0 = Specify the number of bits per

character:
OOb 5 bit word length
1Ob 7 bit word length
continued
1/0 Port Addresses 91

Read/Write
03FCh R/W Serial 1. Modem Control Register. where:

Transmitter Shift register is looped
back to Receiver Shift register
input. When in this mode.
transmitted data is Immediately
received so that the CPU can
verify the transmit data/receive
data serial port paths.
Bit 2 = 1 Force OUT1 Active
Bit 1 = 1 Force Request To Send Active
Bit 0 = 1 Force Data Terminal Ready
Active
03FDh R Serial 1. Line Status Register. where:
Bit 7 = 0 Reserved
Bit 6 = 1 Transmitter Shift and Holding
Registers Empty
Bit 5 = 1 Transmitter Holding Register Emp
ty. The controller is ready to ac
cept a new character to send.
Bit 4 = 1 Break Interrupt. The received data
Input Is held In the zero bit state
Bit 3 = 1 Framing Error. The stop bit that
a zero bit.
Bit 2 = 1 Parity error. Character has inc or
rect even or odd parity.
Bit 1 = 1 Overrun Error. A character was
the previous character in the buffer
previous character.
Bit 0 = 1 Data Ready. A complete Incoming
03FEh R Serial 1. Modem Status Register. where:
Bit 7 = 1 Data Carrier Detect
Bit 6 = 1 Ring Indicator
Bit 5 = 1 Data Set Ready
Bit 4 = 1 Clear To Send
Bit 3 = 1 Delta Data Carrier Detect
Bit 2 = 1 Trailing Edge Ring Indicator
Bit 1 = 1 Delta Data Set Ready
Bit 0 = 1 Delta Clear To Send
03FFh R/W Serial 1. Reserved
06E2-06E3h R/W Data Aquisitlon (Adapter 1)
continued

Read/Write
I/O Address Status

Description
06E4-0790h Reserved
0790-0793h R/W Cluster (Adapter 1)
0794-0AE1h Reserved
OAE2-0AE3h R/W Cluster (Adapter 2)
OAE4-0BBFh Reserved
OB90-0B93h R/W Cluster (adapter 2)
OB94-13BFh Reserved
1390-1393h R/W Cluster (adapter 3)
1394-23BFh Reserved
2390-2393h R/W Cluster (adapter 4)
2394h-321Fh Reserved
3220h-3227h R/W Serial Port 3 (see description for addresses
03FBh-03FFh for details).
322Bh-322Fh R/W Serial Port 4 (see description for addresses
03FBh-03FFh for details).
3230h-42EOh Reserved
42E1h R/W GPIB (Adapter 2)
42E2h-62EOh Reserved
62E1h R/W GPIB (Adapter 3)
62E2h-B2EOh Reserved
B2E1h R/W GPIB (Adapter 4)
B2E2h-A2EOh Reserved
A2E1h R/W GPIB (Adapter 5)
A2E2h-C2EOh Reserved
A2E2h-AFFEh Reserved
AFFFh R/W Plane 0-3 system latch (video register)
BOOOh-C2EOh Reserved
C2E1h R/W GPIB (Adapter 6)
C2E2h-E2EOh Reserved
E2E1h R/W GPIB (Adapter 7)
E2E2h-FFFFh Reserved

Video I/O Port List
Introduction
The following pages contain tables that describe ail the video I/O ports for
each video adapter: MDA, CGA, EGA, and VGA. Because of the complexity
of the way the video I/O ports are mapped, they are listed separately from
the rest of the hardware I/O ports.
Table: MDA 1/0 ports

The 6845 CRTC's index register is mapped to I/O port 03B4h. The index
value written to port 03B4h controls the register that appears at port 03B5h.
The 6845 mode control register is accessed directly via I/O port 03B8h.
1/0
Address Read/Wrlte Index Description
03B4h R/W - CRTG Index Register

03B5h W 01h Horizontal Total
03B5h W 02h Horizontal Display Enable End
03B5h W 03h Start Horizontal Blanking
03B5h W 04h End Horizontal Blanking
03B5h W 05h Start Horizontal Retrace Pulse
03B5h W OSh End Horizontal Retrace
03B5h W 07h Vertical Total
03B5h W OSh Overflow
03B5h W 09h Preset Row Scan
03B5h W OAh Maximum Scan Line
03B5h W OAh Cursor Start
03B5h W OBh Cursor End
03B5h W OCh Start Address High
03B5h W ODh Start Address Low
03B5h R/W OEh Cursor Location High
03B5h R/W OFh Cursor Location Low
03B5h R/W 10h Light Pen High
03B5h R/W 11 h Light Pen Low
03BSh R/W - Mode Control Register
continued

Video 1/0 Port List, Continued
Table: eGA 1/0 ports

The 6845 CRTC's index register is mapped to I/O port 03D4h. The value
written to I/O port 03D4h controls the register that appears at port 03D5h.
Mode control and palette registers are accessed via ports 03D8h and 03D9h.
I/O
Address Read/Write Index Description
0304h R/W - CRTC Index Register
0305h W 01h Horizontal Total
0305h W 02h Horizontal Display Enable End
0305h W 03h Start Horizontal Blanking
0305h W 04h End Horizontal Blanking
03D5h W 05h Start Horizontal Retrace Pulse
03D5h W 06h End Horizontal Retrace
03D5h W 07h Vertical Total
0305h W 08h Overflow
0305h W 09h Preset Row Scan
0305h W OAh Maximum Scan Line
0305h W OAh Cursor Start
0305h W OSh Cursor End
0305h W OCh Start Address High
0305h W OOh Start Address Low
0305h R/W OEh Cursor Location High
0305h R/W OFh Cursor Location Low
0305h R/W 10h Light Pen High
0305h R/W 11h Light Pen Low
03D8h R/W - Mode Control Register
0309h R/W - Palette Register
continued

Table: EGA 1/0 ports

The EGA lID port address map is listed in the table below.
I/O Address Read/Write Index Description
GENERAL REGISTERS
03C2h
W - Miscellaneous Output
03C2h
R - Input Status 0
3?2h*
R - Input Status 1
03?Ah/3?Ah*
W - Feature Control
SEQUENCER REGISTERS
03C4h R/W - Sequencer Index Register
03C5h W OOh Reset
03C5h W 01h Clocking Mode
03C5h W 02h Map Mask
03C5h W 03h Character Map Select
03CCh W 04h Memory Mode
CRT CONTROLLER REGISTERS
3?4h/3?4h* R/W - CRTC Index Register
3?5h/3?5h* W 01h Horizontal Total
3?5h/3?5h* W 02h Horizontal Display Enable End
3?5h/3?5h* W 03h Start Horizontal Blanking
3?5h/3?5h* W 04h End Horizontal Blanking
• The value of ? depends on the value of bit 0 In the Miscellaneous Output Register
? = B in Monochrome Emulation Modes
? = D in Color Emulation Modes
continued

Table: EGA 1/0 ports, cont'd
CRT CONTROLLER REGISTERS, cont'd

3?5h/3?5h* W 05h Start Horizontal Retrace Pulse
3?5h/3?5h* W 06h End Horizontal Retrace
3?5h/3?5h* W 07h Vertical Total
3?5h/3?5h* W 08h Overflow
3?5h/3?5h* W 09h Preset Row Scan
3?5h/3?5h* W OAh Maximum Scan Line
3?5h/3?5h* W OAh Cursor Start
3?5h/3?5h* W OBh Cursor End
3?5h/3?5h* R/W OCh Start Address High
3?5h/3?5h* R/W ODh Start Address Low
3?5h/3?5h* R/W OEh Cursor Location High
3?5h/3?5h* R/W OFh Cursor Location Low
3?5h/3?5h* W 10h Vertical Retrace Start
3?5h/3?5h* R 10h Light Pen High
3?5h/3?5h* W 11 h Vertical Retrace End
3?5h/3?5h* R 11 h Light Pen Low
3?5h/3?5h* W 12h Vertical Display Enable End
3?5h/3?5h* W 13h Offset
3?5h/3?5h* W 14h Unqerline Location
3?5h/3?5h* W 15h Start Vertical Blank
3?5h/3?5h* W 16h End Vertiqal Blank
3?5h/3?5h* W 17h CRTC Mode Control
3?5h/3?5h* W 18h Line Compare
* The value of ? depends on the value of bit 0 in the Miscellaneous Output Register
? = B In Monochrome Emulation Modes
? = 0 in Color Emulation Modes
continued
110 Port Addre$ses 97

Table: EGA 1/0 ports, cont'd
ATTRIBUTE CONTROLLER REGISTERS

03COh W - Attribute Controller Index Register
03COh W OOh-OFh Palette Registers OOh - OFh
03COh W 10h Attribute Mode Control Register
03COh W 11h Overscan Color Register
03COh W 12h Color Plane Enable Register
03COh W 13h Horizontal PEL Panning Register
GRAPHICS CONTROLLER REGISTERS
03CAh R/W - Graphics 2 Position Register
03CCh R/W - Graphics 1 Position Register
03CEh R/W - Graphics Controller Index Register
03CFh R/W OOh Set/Reset
03CFh R/W 01h Enable Set/Reset
03CFh R/W 02h Color Compare
03CFh R/W 03h Data Rotate
03CFh R/W 04h Read Map Select
03CFh R/W OSh Graphics Mode Register
03CFh R/W 06h Miscellaneous
03CFh R/W 07h Co.lor Don't Care
03CFh R/W 08h Bit Mask
continued

Table: VGA 1/0 ports

The VGA I/O port address map is listed in the table below.
GENERAL REGISTERS
03CCh R - Miscellaneous Output
03C2h W - Miscellaneous Output
03C2h R - Input Status 0
3?Ah* R - Input Status 1
03CAh R - Feature Control
03?Ah/3?Ah* W - Feature Control
03C3h R/W - VGA Enable
03C7h R - DAC State
SEQUENCER REGISTERS
03C4h R/W - Sequencer Index Register
03C5h R/W OOh Reset
03C5h R/W 01h Clocking Mode
03C5h R/W 02h Map Mask
03C5h R/W 03h Character Map Select
03C5h R/W 04h Memory Mode
• The value of ? depends on the value of bit 0 in the Miscellaneous Output Register
? = 03BAh in Monochrome Emulation Modes
? = 03DAh in Color Emulation Modes
continued

Table: VGA 1/0 ports. cont'd
1/0 Address Read/Wrlte Index Description

3?5h/3?5h* R/W 01h Horizontal Total
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 02h Hprlzontal Display Enable End
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 03h Start Horizontal Blanklrg
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 04h End Horizontal Blanking
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 05h Start Horizontal Retrace Pulse
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 06h End Horizontal Retrace
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 07h Vertical Total
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 08h Overflow
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 09h Preset Row Scan
3?5h/3?5h* R/W OAh Maximum Scan Line
3?5h/3?5h* R/W OAh Cursor Start
3?5h/3?5h* R/W OBh Cursor End
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 10h Vertical Retrace Start
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 11h Vertical Retrace End
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 12h Vertical Display Enable End
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 13h Offset
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 14h Underline Location
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 15h Start Vertical Blank
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 16h End Vertical Blank
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 17h CRTC Mode Control
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 18h Line Compare
* The value of ? depends on the value of bit 0 In the Miscellaneous Output Register
? " 03BAh in Monochrome Emulation Moc;tes
continued

Video 110 Port List, Continued
Table: VGA I/O ports. cont'd

03COh R/W - Attribute Controller Index Register
03C1h R/W OOh-OFh Palette Registers OOh - OFh
03C1h R/W 10h Attribute Mode Control Register
03C1h R/W 11h Overscan Color Register
03C1h R/W 12h Color Plane Enable Register
03C1h R/W 13h Horizontal PEL Panning Register
03CFh R/W 07h Color Don' t Care
03CFh R/W OSh Bit Mask
AFFFh R/W OOh Plane 0 System Latch
AFFFh R/W 01h Plane 1 System Latch
continued

Table: VGA 1/0 ports, cont'd
1/0 Address Read/Write Index Description
DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTER (DAC) REGISTERS

03C8h R/W - Pixel Address (Write Mode)
03C8h W - Pixel Address (Read Mode)
03C6h R - DAC State Register
03C6h R/W - Pixel Mask"
03C9h R/W OOh Red value color 0
03C9h R/W OOh Green value color 0
03C9h R/W OOh Blue value color 0
03C9h R/W 01h Red value color 1
• •• •• ••
•• • • •
03C9h R/W FFh Red value color FFh
03C9h R/W FFh Green value color FFh
03C9h R/W FFh Blue value color FFh
03C1h R/W 14h Color select register
• Applications should not write to this register. Unpredictable results will occur.
102 System BIOS for IBM PC/XTI AT Computers and Compatibles

Chapter 6
Power-On Self Tests (POST)
Overview
Introduction
Before a computer system can be used, all system components must be
tested and initialized, and the operating system must be bootstrapped into
memory. The process of system test and initialization is generally under the
control of the ROM BIOS. It is commonly referred to by the acronym POST,
for power-on self test and initialization procedure.
IBM BIOS POST and Phoenix BIOS POST

The process followed in performing the power-on self test is similar in every
XT or AT BIOS, although the POST process as described in this chapter
applies more specifically to Phoenix BIOS products.
continued
Power-On Self Tests (POST) 103

Overview, Continued
How POST is started

The BIOS POST process can be started in any of the following ways:
Start Method BIOS Behavior
Apply power to system Jump to entry point indicated by the processor reset vector
(I. e. turn system on.) (F:OOOOh). All POST tests and initializations are executed.
POST invokes BIOS INT 19h, Bootstrap Loader.
Reset system via Jump to entry point Indicated by the processor reset vec
optional hardware reset tor. All POST tests and initializations are executed. POST
button. invokes BIOS INT 19h, Operating System Bootstrap Loader.
Press <Ctri> <Alt> <Del> INT 09h keyboard hardware Interrupt service routine trans
(warm boot) fers control to BIOS POST. The POST test and Initialization
of memory above 64K Is not executed. All other POST
tests and initiallzatlons are executed. POST Invokes BIOS
INT 19h, Bootstrap Loader.
Processor reset vector location

The processor reset vector points to address FOOO:OOOOh.
In this chapter
This chapter presents the following information:
• POST Procedures
• Rules for Positioning liD Expansion ROM
• Re-Entering Real Mode (80286-based systems only)
• INT 19h, INT 18h, and System Boot
• POST Error Handling in AT Systems
• POST Error Handling in XT Systems

POST Procedures [PC] [XT] [AT]
Introduction
The initialization and self test functions of the POST process are tightly inter
woven. The functions can be generally thought of, however, as falling into
two categories:
• Functions related to the central system hardware
• Functions related to configuration and nonsystem board hardware
How POST handles errors

In a Phoenix BIOS, a failure in the central hardware POST test generally
results in a fatal system board error, which generates a beep code. A beep
code is a series of three beep bursts, separated by short pauses. All AT
beep codes are listed in Appendix A. The XT beep code is described in
Appendix B.
Nonfatal beep codes may also be sounded. These are listed in Appendix A.
Note: See the POST error handling information in Appendix A.
Central hardware POST tests

Because the proper functioning of the central hardware is required before
further POST tests can occur, the most central hardware is first tested, then
initialized.
POST tests and initializes the following central system components in the
order listed below:
• The central processing unit (CPU),
• the ROM BIOS (checksum),
• the CMOS RAM (AT only),
• the Intel 8237 Direct Memory Access (OMA) Controller,
• the keyboard controller,
• the base 64K System RAM,
• the Programmable Interrupt Controller,
• the Programmable Interrupt Timer, and, if present,
• the cache controller (generally present only on AT systems).
continued

POST Procedures, Continued [PC] [XT] [AT]
Nonsystem hardware POST tests

Once the central hardware has been tested and initialized, POST verifies that
the system configuration data stored in CMOS RAM matches the actual
hardware present. The remaining POST procedures test and initialize memory
above 64K, the keyboard, the diskette and fixed disk drives, the CRT con
troller, and any nonsystem board hardware.
POST tests and initializes the following configuration and nonsystem board
components in the order listed below:
• CMOS RAM configuration data,
• the CRT controllers,
• RAM memory above 64K,
• the keyboard,
• diskette drive A availability,
• the serial interface circuitry,
• the diskette controller,
• the fixed disk controller , and
• any additional hardware.
If an error occurs
A failure in the nonsystem hardware POST test generally results in a screen
message. Both IBM and Phoenix AT BIOS messages are listed in Appendix A.
XT BIOS messages are listed in Appendix B.

Rules for Positioning 1/0 Expansion ROM [PC] [XT] [AT]
Introduction
An 110 expansion ROM is an optional extension of the BIOS which is inserted
into the machine environment as part of an added 1/0 subsystem. 1/0 ROMs
often replace part of the BIOS for a certain function (e.g .• ESDI fixed disk
BIOS. VGA video adapter).
1/0 expansion ROMs are detected by POST and are given an opportunity to
initialize themselves and their hardware environment.
Predefined address ranges

POST searches for expansion ROM over three predefined address ranges.
shown below:
Address Range Description
COOOOh - C7FFFh VIDEO EXPANSION ROM

POST searches the address range beginning at COOOOh and
up to but not Including C8000h for the existence of Video
Expansion ROM. This search proceeds In 2K Increments.
C8000h - DFFFFh GENERAL EXPANSION ROM
POST searches the address range beginning at C8000h and
up to but not including EOOOOh for the existence of General
Expansion ROM. This search proceeds In 2K increments.
EOOOOh SYSTEM EXPANSION ROM
POST searches for expansion ROM only at EOOOOh. If no ex
pansion ROM is at EOOOOh, the search Is ended. Any expan
sion ROM at this address must occupy the entire 64K.
continued

Rules for Positioning 1/0 Expansion ROM, Continued [PC] [XT] [AT]
Rules for detecting ROM

For POST to detect an expansion ROM, the first two words of each expansion
ROM area must be set up as described below.
I··
, I/O ROM Byte Value
I 0 55h
1 AAh
2 ROM length In 512-byte blocks
3 Entry point for ROM Initialization (via FAR CALL)
Note: POST calculates the checksum of the area indicated by 1/0 ROM Byte
2. If the checksum is zero, POST will call the expansion ROM initializa
tion code. which must begin at Byte 3.

Re-Entering Real Mode (80286-based systems only) [AT]
Re-entry into real mode

Several POST processes require that the system be put into protected
mode.
When returning to real mode from protected mode in an 80286-based sys

tern, the processor is reset, therefore POST is re-entered. In order to pre
vent re-initialization of the system, POST reads the shutdown code stored in
location OFh in CMOS RAM. It then jumps around the initialization procedures
to the appropriate entry point.
Table of shutdown code values

As POST proceeds, it will use the shutdown codes with values 01 h, 02h,
03h, 04h, 06h, 07h, and 08h to return the processor to real mode.
Shutdown codes 05h and OAh are more flexible; they return control to the
address stored in a double word pointer at 40:67h. These vectors are pro
vided for use by operating system extensions such as 110 ROMs. Shutdown
code 05h flushes the keyboard buffer and performs an end-of-interrupt
(EOI) prior to vectoring. Shutdown code OAh simply vectors.
CMOS RAM
OFh 1 Byte SHUTDOWN CODE

OOh = Power-on or sott reset
03h = Memory test tail
OSh = JMP dword pointer with end-ot-Interrupt
07h = Protected tests tall
OSh = Memory size tail
09h = INT 1Sh Block Move
OAh = JMP dword pointer without end-at-interrupt

INT 19h, INT 18h, and System Boot [AT]
Introduction
Once the POST test and initialization procedures have been completed, POST
boots the system by issuing an INT 19h.
INT 19h behavior

INT 19h behaves as described in the table below:
If ... And ... Then ...
a diskette drive is a bootable diskette Is In . INT 19h reads the diskette boot
configured place sector and places Its contents at
address 0000: 7COOh
a fixed disk Is there Is no bootable dlsk- INT 19h reads the fixed disk boot
configured ette In the diskette drive sector and places Its contents at
address 000O,:7COOh
no boot sector Is found no boot sector Is found on INT 19h Issues INT 18h. INT 18h
on the diskette the fixed disk displays the message: • NO
BOOT DEVICE AVAILABLE"
INT 18h behavior

INT 18h can be vectored to a .. no boot routine" which takes over the boot
process. An example of such a routine would be one that allows the system
to be booted over a network.
The PC BIOS initializes INT 18h to point to ROM Resident BASIC. However, in
an XT BIOS, INT 18 points to a routine that displays a message indicating
that there is no boot device available, and that the boot process has failed.
By default. the AT BIOS initializes INT 18h to point to a routine that displays
the message NO BOOT DEVICE AVAILABLE, and transfers control to INT 18h
if the INT 19h process fails.

POST Error Handling in AT Systems [AT]
Introduction
For AT and AT-compatible systems. POST reports test or initialization failures
in one of the following ways:
• Beep codes (only Phoenix BIOS products)
• System failure messages
• Boot failure messages
• Informational messages
Reference
See Appendix A for a list of messages that can be generated by an AT
BIOS. Separate lists are provided of Phoenix and IBM AT BIOS messages.
See Appendix B for a list of messages that can be generated by an XT
BIOS. Separate lists are provided of Phoenix and IBM XT BIOS messages.
POST Error Handling in XT Systems [XT]
Introduction
For XT and XT-compatible systems. POST reports test or initialization failures
in one of the following ways:
• Beep code
• System failure messages
• Boot failure messages
• Informational messages
Reference
See Appendix B for a more complete list of all messages that can be gener
ated by a BIOS in an XT or XT-compatible system.
Power-Oli Self Tests (POST) 111

Chapter 7
INT 02h Nonmaskable Interrupt
Overview
Description
When the system hardware activates the Nonmaskable Interrupt (NMI) pin on
the microprocessor, the BIOS INT 02h Nonmaskable Interrupt Service ISR is
invoked. A nonmaskable interrupt is a hardware interrupt that cannot be
masked. An NMI indicates a serious condition that usually cannot be shut off
or diSabled by any process. The microprocessor does not generate an inter
rupt acknowledge cycle when it receives an NMI (as it usually does when it
receives an interrupt), since the NMI is handled by a software ISR.
If an NMI is received while a previous NMI is being serviced, the second NMI
is not serviced until the first has completed.
Disabling NMls
In AT systems, NMls can be disabled by setting bit 7 of the CMOS RAM
address register port, 0070h. This practice is not recommended.
continued
INT 02h Nonmaskable Interrupt 113

Overview, Continued
In this chapter
This chapter describes the various NMI sources and tells how the BIOS
Nonmaskable Interrupt ISR handles them.
The following topics are presented:
• XT NMI Handling
• 8087 Coprocessor Exceptions
• AT NMI Handling
• 80x87 Coprocessor Exceptions in AT Systems

Legend Description
[PC) Function Is supported by original IBM PC BIOS only.

tXT) Function is supported by all IBM PC/XT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.
ible systems.
[AT) Function is supported by all IBM PCI AT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.

XT NMI Handling [XT]
XT BIOS Nonmaskable Interrupt ISR

When the system hardware activates the NMI pin on the 8086 or 8088
microprocessor, the XT BIOS INT 02h Nonmaskable Interrupt Service ISR
is invoked.
The XT BIOS Nonmaskable Interrupt Service determines the reason for the
NMI and takes appropriate action. In general, this involves:
• displaying a run-time error message (shown below), and
• halting the processor.
NMls can only be cleared by a system reboot. The BIOS supports NMI clear
ing by warm (Ctrl-Alt-Del) reboot or cold reboot (system reset button or
power switch).
INT 02h vector

The XT BIOS initializes the INT 02h vector to FOOO:E2C3h. The INT 02h vector
resides at address 00:08h in the BIOS interrupt vector table.
XT BIOS run-time error messages

The following messages may accompany an NMI in an XT system. Possible
causes and solutions are listed. These messages apply only to systems with
a Phoenix BIOS. Other BlOSs may generate different messages and may not
let the user recover from the NMI without rebooting the system.
Message Possible Cause Solution
8087 NMI at address. An NMI occurred on access Type (S)hut off NMI.
Type (S)hut off NMI, to the math coprocessor. Temporarily continues pro
(R)eboot, other keys to cessing, but the coprocessor
continue must be replaced.
Memory parity NMI at A memory chip(s) has Type (S)hut off NMI.
address. Type (S)hut off failed. Temporarily continues pro-
NMI, (R)eboot, other cessing. The bad memory
keys to continue chip(s) must be replaced.
liD card NMI at address. An NMI occurred on access Turn the machine off and
Type (S)hut off NMI, to an adapter card. then on again. If that doesn't
(R) eboot, other keys to work, replace the adapter
continue card.

8087 Coprocessor Exceptions [XT]
Description
Systems based on the Intel 8086 and 8088 that incorporate the 8087 math
coprocessor indicate math coprocessor exceptions by generating an NMI
(i.e.,INT02h).
A user coprocessor exception routine should be written to handle 8087
coprocessor exceptions by intercepting INT 02h.
The coprocessor exception routine should determine if the NMI was gener
ated by the 8087. If the NMI was not coprocessor related, the routine should
transfer control to the BIOS NMI ISR. The graphic below illustrates the pro
cess that the caller's 8087 NMI handling routine must follow.
User
8087 Yes Coprocessor
Exception Exception
Handler
No
BIOS
8087 NMI
ISR

AT NMI Handling [AT]
AT BIOS Nonmaskable Interrupt Service (ISR)

The AT BIOS Nonmaskable Interrupt Service determines the reason for the
NMI and takes appropriate action. In general, this involves displaying a
run-time error message, and halting the processor.
NMls can only be cleared by a system reboot. The AT BIOS supports NMI
clearing by warm (Ctrl-Alt-Del) reboot or cold reboot (system reset button
or power switch).
INT 02h vector

The AT BIOS initializes the INT 02h vector to FOOO:E2C3h. The INT 02h vector
resides at address 00:08h in the BIOS interrupt vector table.
Handing NMI parity errors

Parity errors in system memory cause system hardware to activate the
80286, 80386SX, or 80386 processor's NMI pin.
There are two types of memory parity errors:

• system board memory failure, and
• I/O board memory failure.
continued

AT NMI Handling, Continued [AT]
AT BIOS parity error messages

The following messages may accompany an NMI in an AT system. Possible
causes and solutions are listed. These messages apply only to systems with
a Phoenix BIOS. Other BlOSs may generate different messages and may not
let the user recover from the NMI without rebooting the system.
Message Possible Cause Suggested Solution
Memory Parity Error at Memory failed. If the BIOS Type (S)hut off NMI to
xxxxx (R) NMI handler can determine temporarily continue pro
the address of the failing cesslng. Test the system
memory. It will be displayed board and all Installed de
In place of xxxxx. If the failing vices for proper operation.
memory Is not found. the Replace If necessary.
message will read "Memory
Parity Error ????".
I/O Card Parity Error at A peripheral card failed. If Type (S)hut off NMI to
XXX)((R) the BIOS NMI handler can de temporarily continue pro
termine the address of the cesslng. Test the system
failed card. It will be displayed board and all Installed de
in place of xxxxx. If the failed vices for proper operation.
card is not found. then the Replace if necessary.
message will read "I/O Card
Parity Error ???? H •
DMA bus time-out errors

Time-out errors cause the system hardware to set the 80286 or 80386
processor's NMI pin. Direct Memory Access (DMA) bus time-out errors
cause NMI time-out errors.
When a DMA driven device uses the bus longer that 7.8 microseconds, an
NMI and the following error message is generated.
Message Possible Cause Suggested Solution
DMA Bus Time-out A device has driven the Test the system board
-BURST signal line for more and all Installed devices
than 7.8 microseconds. for proper operation. Re
causing the DMA Controller place if necessary.
to generate a bus time-out.

SOxS7 Coprocessor Exceptions in AT Systems [AT]
80287/80387 coprocessor exceptions

Systems based on the 80286 or 80386 microprocessor that incorporate the
80287 or 80387 math coprocessor indicate math coprocessor exceptions by
setting IRQ 13. IRQ 13 invokes INT 75h, the AT BIOS Coprocessor Exception
Handling routine.
Software written to the 80287 or 80387 math coprocessor should handle
coprocessor exceptions by intercepting INT 75h. The caller's coprocessor
exception routine should determine if the NMI was generated by the 80287/
80387 by following the process that is depicted in the graphic below. If the
NMI was not coprocessor-related, the BIOS provides an INT 71 h handler
which redirects coprocessor exceptions to INT 02h.
Applications
80x87 Software
Exception Exception
Handler
No
8087
Exception
AT BIOS
NMI
ISR
continued

80x87 Coprocessor Exceptions in AT Systems, Continued [AT]
How AT BIOS maintains compatibility

Unless it is revectored by a user program. the AT BIOS INT 75h Coprocessor
Exception ISR is initialized to the same entry point as INT 02h. This ensures
that 80x87 software running under AT BIOS is given the opportunity to handle
coprocessor exceptions by intercepting INT 02h as it does in XT systems.
The AT BIOS initializes the INT 75h vector to FOOO:E2C3h (i.e .• the INT 02h
entry point). The INT 75h vector resides at address OO:4Bh in the AT BIOS
interrupt vector table.
XT compatibility
An AT-compatible system revectors any expansion bus hardware interrupt
that generates an INT 02h in 8088-based systems to INT 71 h.
In an AT. hardware IRQ 9 generates an INT 71 h. The AT-compatible BIOS

provides an interrupt handler which redirects this interrupt to INT OAh. provid
ing compatibility with programs that expect the INT OAh interrupt handler in
response to a hardware interrupt (8088-based systems).

Chapter 8
INT 09h and INT 16h Keyboard
Services
Overview
Introduction
The ROM BIOS contains two keyboard-related services, a Keyboard ISR and
a Keyboard DSR:
• Keyboard ISR
The BIOS Keyboard Interrupt Service routine (lSR) is invoked via hardware
INT 09h each time a key is pressed. The BIOS Keyboard ISR processes
keyboard data and converts it into information that is useful to the sys
tem. In most cases, this conversion results in the Keyboard ISR placing a
two byte character code into a keystroke buffer located at 40: 1Eh in low
memory.
• Keyboard DSR
The BIOS Keyboard Device Service routine (DSR) is invoked via software
INT 16h. The BIOS Keyboard DSR provides an interface through which the
operating system or application software can interface with the keystroke
buffer. The Keyboard DSR contains functions that read the BIOS keyboard
buffer, write to the buffer, return the status of the buffer, and so on.
continued
INT 09h and INT 16h Keyboard Services 121

Overview, Continued
Vector values
Each time the system is booted, the ROM BIOS vectors INT 09h to
FOOO:E987h, the Keyboard ISR entry point. In addition, it vectors INT 16h
to FOOO:E82Eh, the Keyboard DSR entry point.
In this chapter
Becaus~ they are closely related, this chapter presents information on both
INT 09h and INT 16h Keyboard Services. The following topics are dis~ussed:
• Theory of Operation
• Keyboard I/O Ports
• System RAM Data
• INT 09h: Internal Function Requests
• INT 16h: Keyboard DSR
• How to Read Character Code Tables
• Character Codes: AH = OOh/01 h
• Character Codes: AH = 10h/11h

BIOS function is identified by the legend [PC], [XT], and/or [AT] on the
Legend Description
[PC] Function Is supported by original IBM PC BIOS only.

tXT] Function is supported by ali IBM PC/XT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.
Note: This level of support is contained in the ROM BIOS im
ible systems.
[AT] Function is supported by ali IBM PC/AT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.

Theory of Operation
Introduction
IBM PC/XT, PCI AT, and compatible keyboards add flexibility to IBM compat
ible PCs by tying the interpretation of keystrokes to system software, rather
than directly to keyboard hardware.
Raw key data originates in hardware

Each time a key is pressed or released, the IBM PC keyboard hardware gen
erates a one byte .. make code" or .. break code."
The keyboard generates a key's make code each time that key is pressed,
and it generates the key's break code each time the key is released. The
byte associated with a key's break code is identical the one associated with
its make code except that bit 7 is set. That is, the numeric value its break
code is 80h higher than the key's make code.
Make and break code conversion

In and of itself, a key's make or break code has no direct meaning to an
operating system or applications software. The keyboard make and break
codes generated by a U.S keyboard, for example, are identical to the key
board codes generated by a German, French, or Italian keyboard.
Keyboard codes are converted from meaningless numbers into ASCII charac
ters or other meaningful data through a series of transformations controlled
by system software. The number of transformations involved depends direct
lyon the kind of PC in use.
PC. PC/XT and the 8255A-5 controller chip

In IBM PC, PC/XT, and compatible systems, keyboard make and break
-codes are converted from serial to parallel form by an Intel 8255A-5 (or
compatible) keyboard controller chip. The 8255A-5 chip then generates an
interrupt request (IRQ1) which invokes the ROM BIOS INT 09h Keyboard Inter
rupt Service Routine (ISR).
continued

Theory of Operation, Continued
PC/AT and the 8042 controller chip

In IBM PC/AT and compatible systems. keyboard make and break codes are
converted from serial to parallel form by an Intel 8042 (or compatible) key
board controller chip.
Like its PC/XT counterpart, the 8042 chip generates IRQ1 which invokes the
ROM BIOS INT 09h Keyboard Interrupt Service Routine. Because of hardware
differences between PC and PC/AT keyboards, however, firmware resident in
the 8042 controller must perform the additional step of converting AT key
codes into System Scan Codes, values that are backwards compatible with
those generated by PC/XT keyboards.
ROM BIOS INT 09h processing

The ROM BIOS Keyboard ISR analyzes each key code as follows:
• Codes generated by keyboard shift or toggle keys cause the Keyboard ISR
to update the keyboard shift key and toggle key flags
• Shift key combinations, such as Ctrl-Alt-Del, Ctrl-Num Lock, and Ctrl
Scroll Lock, are converted into requests for keyboard ISR internal func
tions, such as Reset, Pause, and Break.
• Codes that correspond to ASCII or special key values (e.g., function or
edit keys) are converted into two byte character codes and are placed in
a 16 word keystroke buffer. Operating systems or application software can
then access the keystroke via the ROM BIOS INT16h Keyboard Device Ser
vice Routine (DSR).
Charact~r code format

The character codes generated by the INT 09h Keyboard ISR are made up of
a low order byte. called the main byte, and of a high order byte. called the
auxiliary byte. The ASCII value of a keystroke. if any, is always contained in
the main byte; the auxiliary byte contains the keystroke's make code or
system scan code. When a key, such as a function key, edit key, or func
tion key combination, does not have an ASCII value, the Keyboard ISR sets
the main byte to OOh and the auxiliary byte to a special key value.
Reference: A complete list of all character codes is found at the end of

this chapter.
continued

Typematic Rate and Delay

A key's break code indicates that the key has been released. The way the
INT 09h ISR handles a key's break code depends on which key is pressed.
When a key is held down continuously, the keyboard hardware delays for a
brief period then sends repeat values of the key's make code to the key
board controller chip. Upon receipt of each make code, the controller chip
does its processing and generates an IRQ1 which invokes INT 09h, the
keyboard ISR.
If the make code corresponds to an alphanumeric, arrow, backspace, enter,

or tab key, the keyboard ISR sends repeat character codes to the keystroke
buffer until it receives the key's break code. If the make code corresponds
to a special key, such as a function key, or a shift/toggle key, then the key
board ISR ignores subsequent make codes from the keyboard, toggling the
status of the key when it receives the key's break code.
INT 09h, DOS, and foreign keyboard support

The BIOS Keyboard ISR can only convert key codes into their American En
glish ASCII values. When a foreign keyboard is in place, the MS-DOS com
mand KEYBxx must be invoked. ("xx" must be a supported two-character
country code) The KEYBxx command replaces the ROM BIOS INT 09h Key
board ISR with one which uses foreign keyboard translation tables. For more
information on foreign keyboards, refer to your PC-DOS or MS-DOS refer
ence guide.
continued

Keystroke data flow in PC/AT systems

Using the PC/AT model, the graphic below traces the path of a keystroke
from keyboard to application program .
. __ ....
: '
Step I. -
8042
Keyboard
Controller
Shift I
Toggle
State
Flags
Step 11.
INT 16h
Step 111.
DOS
or
Applications
Software

Step I.
The 8042 Keyboard Controller converts keyboard make or break codes from
serial to parallel form, then it translates them into System Scan Codes, val
ues that are backwards compatible with PC/XT keyboard hardware. In PC/ A T
and compatible systems, 8042 System Scan Codes are the only codes the
INT 09h Keyboard ISR can Interpret. In PC/XT systems, conversion of key
codes Into System Scan Codes is unnecessary; keyboard make or break
codes are passed directly through to the INT 09h Keyboard ISR.
Step II.
INT 09h accepts the System Scan Codes placed at Port 60h by the 8042
Keyboard Controller and processes each code as follows:
1. System Scan Codes that correspond to the keyboard shift or toggle keys
(Shift, Alt, Ctrl, Caps Lock, Num Lock or, Scroll Lock) cause
INT 09h to update the Shift/Toggle data variables located In segment 40h
of system RAM.
2. System Scan Codes corresponding to nonshift/toggle keys are first

compared to the Shift/Toggle state data to see If the shift or toggle of
the Character Code corresponding to that key should be generated. For
example, the Character Code for a shifted • A' key Is different from the
one for an unshlfted • a" key. If no shift/toggle state data applies, then
INT 09h generates the unshlfted Character Code for that key. All Charac
ter Codes occupy one word and are placed by INT 09h Into a the key
board buffer.
3. Some combinations of Shift and Toggle keys (such as Ctrl/Break) and of

Shift keys and nonshlft keys (such as Ctrl/Alt/Del) are interpreted by INT
09h as a request for Internal function services.
Step III.
When Invoked by the operating system or by a software application, INT 16h
reads the Character Code from the keyboard buffer. If desired, 101/102-key
keyboard character codes can be filtered for compatibility with application
software that accepts only those character codes generated by 83- and
84-key keyboards.

Keyboard I/O Ports
INT 09h and 16h Keyboard Services reference the following 1/0 ports:
Read/Write
0060h W Keyboard data Input buffer (AT-only)

0060h R Keyboard data output buffer (AT-only)
0062h W 8042 keyboard Input buffer (AT-only)
0061h R/W 8255 output register (XT -only), where:
Bit 7 = 1 Clear keyboard
Bit 6 = 1 Hold keyboard clock low
Bit 5 = 1 Enable 110 check
Bit 4 = 1 Enable RAM parity check
Bit 3 = 1 Read low switches
Bit 2 = 0 Reserved
Bit 1 = 1 Speaker data "enable
0062h R/W 8255 Input register (XT -only), where:
Bit 6 = 1 1/0 channel check
Bit 4 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 Loop In POST
0063h R/W 8255 Command mode register (XT -only) ,
where:
Bits 7-6 = Number of diskette drives, where:
OOb 1 drive
01b 2 drives
lOb 3 drives
llb 4 drives
Bits 5-4 = Type of display at power-on, where:
OOb Reserved
01b 40x25 color (mono mode)
lOb 80x25 color (mono mode)
llb MDA (80x25)
Bits 3-2 = Memory on system board (256K
chips), where:
OOb 256K
01b 5l2K
lOb 576K
llb 640K
Bits 3-2 = Memory on system board (64K
chips), where:
OOb 64K
01b 128K
lOb 192K
l1b 256K
Bits 1-0 = Reserved
continued

Keyboard 1/0 Ports, Continued
Read/Write
0064h W 8042 keyboard Input buffer (AT-only)

0064h W 8042 Commands (AT-only)
0064h R 8042 Status (AT-only). where:
Bit 2 = System flag
System RAM Data
Introduction
Throughout the course of operation, the BIOS Keyboard Services monitor and
maintain several status and buffer-control data definitions.
Keyboard data definitions

The keyboard data definitions, which are stored in segment 40h of the sys
tem RAM, are presented below in offset order.
17h 1 Byte Keyboard shift flags. where:

Bit 6 =1 Caps Lock active
Bit 5 =1 Num Lock active
Bit 4 =1 Scroll Lock active
continued

System RAM Data, Continued
Keyboard data definitions. cont'd
18h 1 Byte Extended keyboard shift flags, where:

19h 1 Byte Work area for Alt key and numeric keypad Input
1Ah 1 Byte Offset to next character In keyboard buffer
1Ch 1 Word Offset to first available spot In keyboard buffer
1Eh 16 Words Keyboard buffer of 16 word entries
(a maximum of 15 are used at a time)
71h 1 Byte Bit 7 =1 If <Ctrl> <Break> pressed
72h 1 Word Set to 1234h If <Ctrl> <Alt> <Del> is pressed
80h 1 Word Address to start of keyboard buffer (from seg
ment 40h)
82h 1 Word Address to end of keyboard buffer (from segment
40h)
Bit 7 =1 Read 10 In progress
Bit 4 = 1 101 /1 02 keyboard used
Bit 6 =LED update In progress
Bit 5 =RESEND received from keyboard
Bit 4 =ACK received from keyboard
Bit 3 =Reserved
Bit 2 =Current status of Caps Lock LED
Bit 0 =Current status of ScrOll Lock LED

INT 09h: Internal Function Requests
Introduction
The BIOS INT 09h ISR is programmed to interpret certain predefined key
combinations as requests for internal functions.
The key or key combinations which the INT 09h ISR interprets as internal
function calls are listed below:
• <Ctrl> <Alt> <Del>: SYSTEM RESET
• <Ctrl> <Break> «Ctrl> <Scroll Lock»: BREAK
• <Ctrl> <Num Lock>: PAUSE
• <Shift> <Print Screen>: PRINT SCREEN
• <SysReq>: SYSTEM REQUEST
INT 15h Function: AH = 4Fh Keyboard Intercept [XT] [AT]

The INT 09h ISR calls INT 15h AH = 4Fh, the Keyboard Intercept function,
each time a key is pressed. The Keyboard Intercept function can be used to
create alternate keyboard layouts and/or to cause the system to ignore
certain keystrokes.
The Keyboard Intercept function is supported only by later versions of the XT

and AT BIOS. To determine if your BIOS supports this function, invoke INT
15h AH = COh, Return System Configuration Parameters. If the Keyboard
Intercept function is supported. bit 4 of Feature Information Byte 1 (40:05h)
will be set to 1.
Input: AH = 4Fh
AL = Scan code input by INT 09h ISR
Output: AL = Scan code
CF = o Keystroke unchanged (original scan code in AL)
= 1 Keystroke changed (new scan code in AL)
Reference: See Chapter 13 for more information on INT 15h functions 4Fh
and COho

INT 09h: System Reset «Ctrl> <All> <Del» [XT] [AT]
Description
The BIOS INT 09h ISR recogflizes the <Ctrl> <Alt> <Del> key combination as
an internal request for the system RESET routine.
The INT 09h ISR invokes the RESET operation with a direct call to the ROM
BIOS code location where the system RESET routine resides.
Input/Output
Input: Keyboard Shift Flags byte (40: 17h)
Bit 3 = 1 (Alt pressed)
Bit 2 = 1 (Ctrl pressed)
XT Make Code or
AT System Scan Code = 53h (Del pressed)
Output: Reset Flag word (40:72h)
(1 Word) = 1234h
INT 09h initiates system RESET routine

INT 09h: Break
«Ctrl> <Break> or <Ctrl> <Scroll Lock» [XT] [AT]
Description
The BIOS INT 09h ISR recognizes the <Ctrl> <Break> key combination as an
internal function request for INT 1Bh. <Break> and <Scroll Lock> are equiva
lent keys on many keyboards.
INT 1Bh DSR is simply a vector which points to a body of programmer

created or application-program-resident code intended for execution when
the <Ctrl> <Break> key combination is received from the keyboard.
Input/Output
Input: Keyboard Shift Flags byte (40: 17h):
XT Make Code or
AT System Scan Code = 46h (Break pressed)
Output: INT 09h invokes INT 1Bh, a vector address which points to a break
routine, if any.

INT 09h: Pause «Ctrl> <Num Lock» [XT] [AT]
Description
The BIOS INT 09h ISR recognizes the <Ctrl> <Num Lock> key combination as
an internal function request for the INT 09h controlled PAUSE state. On a
101-key keyboard. the <PAUSE> key causes the INT 09h ISR to initiate the
Pause State.
When the INT 09h ISR puts the computer system into the Pause State. the
INT 09h ISR Pause-State routine loops until a valid key or key combination is
received from the keyboard.
Input/Output
Input: Keyboard Shift Flags byte (40: 17h)
Keyboard Shift Flags byte 2 (40: 18h)
Bit 5 = 1 (Num Lock pressed)
Bit 3 = 1 (Ctrl/Num Lock in active state: suspend toggles)
XT Make Code or
AT System Scan Code = 45h (Num Lock pressed)
Output: INT 09h loops PAUSE routine until a valid key or key combination
is received from 8042 controller.
Ending PAUSE state

To end Pause State. Bit 3 of Keyboard Shift Flags byte 2 (40: 18h) must be
reset to O.
The INT 09h ISR resets Bit 3 of Keyboard Shift Flags byte 2 to zero as soon
as it receives either
• the make System Scan Code for any non-shift key except the SYS REO
key. or
• any valid shift/toggle key combination.
The valid shift/toggle key combinations needed to reset Bit 3 of Keyboard

Shift Flags Byte 2 to zero are shown on the following page.
continued

INT 09h: Pause «Ctrl> <Num Lock», Continued [XT] [AT]
PAUSE state table

The table below outlines the behavior of the various shift/toggle key combi
nations during the INT 09h Keyboard ISR pause state. The key combinations
necessary to reset Bit 3 of Keyboard Shift Flags Byte 2 to zero (i.e., end
Pause State) are in category #1 .
Shift Keys
None
Shift (L or R)
2. 3.
Alt
Alt/Shift
Ctrl
Ctrl/Shlft 4.
Alt/Ctrl 5.
Alt/CtrllShift
LEGEND
1. PAUSE STATE IS ENDED (Bit 3 of Keyboard Shift Flags Byte 2 is reset).
The scan codes normally associated with these keys do not have their
usual effect on the shift and toggle flags. They are interpreted instead as
a request to reset Bit 3 of Keyboard Shift Flags Byte 2 to zero, thus
ending the Pause State.
2. PAUSE STATE IS NOT ENDED. The keyboard controller chip places the
System Scan Code for (Ins) or (Shift Ins) into its internal buffer. The INT
09h ISR will act on these codes once Pause State is ended.
3. PAUSE STATE IS NOT ENDED. These key combinations are treated as

valid requests to change Shift/Toggle states or update LEDs. (LED updat
ing is supported on AT-compatible keyboards only.)
4. PAUSE STATE IS NOT ENDED. The keys which initiate the Pause State can
not be used to end Pause State. When in Pause State, these keys are
ignored.
5. PAUSE STATE IS NOT ENDED. When in Pause State, these keys are
ignored.

INT 09h: Print Screen
«PrtSc> or <Shift> <PrtSc» [XT] [AT]
Description
The BIOS INT 09h ISR invokes INT OSh (the BIOS Print Screen service) when
ever it receives the combination of System Make Scan Codes corresponding
to the left or the right Shift key and the Print Screen key.
The System Make Scan Codes necessary to cause INT 09h to invoke INT OSh
can be generated by pressing
• the Print Screen key alone. or
• either of the Shift keys and the Print Screen key.
Input/Output
Input Case #1: <PrtSc> key only
Input Case #2: <Shift> <PrtSc> keys
System Scan Codes = EOh. 2Ah. EOh. 37h
(Left Shift and Print Screen both depressed)
Keyboard Shift Flags Byte (40: 17h)
Bit 1 = 1 (Left Shift pressed)
or
Bit 0 = 2 (Right Shift pressed)
System Scan Codes = EOh. 37h
Output for both Case #1 and Case #2:
INT 09h invokes INT OSh BIOS Print Screen Service

INT 09h: System Request «SysReq» [AT]
Description
On AT-compatible systems. the BIOS INT 09h ISR interprets the System Re
quest key in either of two ways:
• When the System Request key is depressed. INT 09h interprets the result
ing System Scan Code as an internal function request for INT 15h: func
tion AH = 85h. subfunction AL OOh - Process System Request.
• When the System Request key is released. INT 09h interprets the resulting
System Scan Code as an internal request for INT 15h. function AH = 85h.
subfunction AL = 01 h - Terminate System Request.
No.e: The Sys Req is not available on 83-key PC/XT and compatible
keyboards.
Process SysReq input/output

The inputs and outputs that result when the System Request key is pressed
are listed below:
Input: Keyboard Shift Flags Byte 2 (40:18h)
Bit 2 = 1 (System Request pressed)
Output: AH = 85h
AL = ~Oh INT 09h invokes INT 15h Process System Request
Terminate SysReq input/output

The inputs and outputs that result when the System Request key is released
are listed below:
Input: Keyboard Shift Flags Byte 2 (40: 18h)
Bit 2 = 0 (System Request key released)

Output: AH = 85h
AL = 01 hiNT 09h invokes INT 15h Terminate System Request

INT 16h: Keyboard DSR
Introduction
The BIOS Keyboard DSR is invoked via software interrupt INT 16h. Individual
function codes are selected via the AH register.
Summary of INT 16h functions

A table of INT 16h AH register values and their corresponding function is
shown below.
Function Description Platforms
OOh Read Keyboard Input [XT] [AT]
01h Return Keyboard Status [XT] [AT]

02h Return Shift Flag Status [XT] [AT]
03h Set Typematlc Rate and Delay [XT] [AT]
04h Reserved Reserved
OSh Store Key Data [XT] * [AT]
06h-OFh Reserved Reserved
10h Read Extended Keyboard Input [XT] * [AT]
11 h Return Extended Keyboard Status [XT] * [AT]
12h Return Extended Shift Flags Status [XT] * [AT]
13h-FFh Reserved Reserved
* Functions OSh and 10h - 12h are not supported on all XT BlOSs.
See Determining level of support below.
Determining level of support

Functions 05h and 10h - 12h are not available on all XT BlOSs. To determine
if your BIOS supports functions 05h and 10h - 12h;
• Use function 05h to write a value of FFFFh to the keyboard buffer. If func
tion 05h returns with AL= OOh. the value was written and function 05h is
supported. (See Function: AH = 05h Store Key Data in this chapter.)
• Use function 10h to read the keyboard buffer. If FFFFh is not returned in
AX. retry at least 15 times (i.e. the buffer holds 16 characters). Functions
10h - 12h are supported only if FFFFh is returned to AX.

INT 16h: AH = OOh Read Keyboard Input eXT] [AT]
Description
If a character code is available in the keyboard buffer, the Read Keyboard
Input function reads the character code, removes it from the keyboard buf
fer, and returns its value in AX. The way this function processes when no
character code is available depends on the kind of PC in place.
PC/XT processing
In PC/XT and compatible systems, if the keyboard buffer is empty, this func
tion suspends program operation until a character code is inserted into the
buffer. Users who wish to avoid suspending the system are advised to use
function AH = 01 h Return Keyboard Status to test for the presence of a
character code.
AT processing
In PC/AT and compatible systems, if the keyboard buffer is empty, this
function invokes INT 15h function AH = 90h (Device Busy) with AL = 02h
Keyboard. This allows the operating system to perform another task while
the keyboard loop is occurring.
Once the INT 09h Keyboard ISR places a character code in the keyboard
buffer, it invokes INT 15h function AH = 91 h (Interrupt Complete) with
AL = 02h Keyboard. The Read Keyboard Input function then reads the char
acter code, removes it from the buffer, and returns to the caller with the
character code in AX. In addition, if the keyboard LEOs do not match the
current flag settings, function AH = ~Oh also updates the keyboard LEOs.
Input/Output
Input: AH OOh
Output: AH Scan code or character 10 for special character
AL = ASCII code or other translation of character.
Reference: The data table labeled" Character Codes: AH = 00h/01 h" lists
the codes returned in AX when using INT 16h AH = OOh and
AH=01h.
continued

INT 16h: AH = OOh Read Keyboard Input, Continued [XT] [AT]
Extended key code "filtering"

The new and duplicate keys (i.e. the "extended keys") present on 101/102
key PC/AT compatible keyboards generate System Scan Codes that are not
useful to applications software written to interact exclusively with the tradi
tional 83-key PC/XT or 84-key PC/AT keyboards.
The Read Keyboard Input function acts as an 83-key/84-key keyboard filter,
selectively editing the keyboard buffer contents for 83-key/84-key keyboard
compatibility. When a 101-key keyboard is in place, INT 16h function
AH = OOh:
• returns all standard 83-key/84-key keyboard Character Codes as is,
• adjusts 101-key keyboard duplicate keyboard characters so that they take
on the same two-byte key code as their 83-key/84-key counterparts, and
• destroys any 101-key Character Codes not compatible with the 83-key/
84-key keyboards.
The "84th" key

"Sys Req," the 84th key on PC/AT compatible keyboards, is not present on
PC/XT 83-key keyboards. The absence of this 84tH key is transparent to the
Read Keyboard Input function; the System Scan Code generated by the Sys
Req key is trapped by INT 09h and does not result in character code being
placed in the keyboard buffer. For a discussion of INT 09h Sys Req key pro
cessing see "INT 09h: System Request <SysReq>" in this chapter.
Extended key passthrough

Function AH = 10h Read Extended Keyboard Input does not modify charac
ter codes for 84-key keyboard compatibility. For further details, see the
Function: AH = 10h heading in this chapter.

INT 16h: AH = 01h Return Keyboard Status [XT] [AT]
Description
This function is useful for allowing programs to check for keyboard input
while continuing to run if there is none. It executes as follows:
• Checks to see if a two-byte character code is available in the keyboard
buffer.
• If a key is waiting, a copy of the key is returned. The buffer is not incre
mented to the next key.
• If the keyboard buffer contains at least one key, the Zero Flag is cleared.
• If the keyboard buffer does not contain a key, the Zero Flag is set.
• In PCI AT systems, if the keyboard LEOs do not match the current flag
settings, this function updates the LEOs.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 01h
Output: AH Scan code or character 10 for special character
AL ASCII code or other translation of character.
ZF 0 Character is ready
1 No character is available
Reference: The data table labeled" Character Codes: AH = 00h/01 h" lists
the codes returned when using INT 16h AH = OOh and AH = 01 h.
Extended key code "filtering"

The new and duplicate keys (i. e. the "extended keys") present on 10 1I
102-key PCI AT compatible keyboards generate System Scan Codes that are
not useful to applications software written to interact exclusively with the tra
ditional 83-key PC/XT or 84-key PCI AT keyboards.
The Read Keyboard Input function acts as an 83-key/84-key keyboard filter,

selectively editing the keyboard buffer contents for 83-key/84-key keyboard
compatibility.
Note: A complete discussion of extended key code filtering is found under

the heading "INT 16h: AH = OOh Read Keyboard Input" on the pre
vious page.
continued

INT 16h: AH = 01 h Return Keyboard Status, Continued [XT] [AT]
Extended key passthrough

Function AH :: 11 h Return Extended Keyboard Status does not modify char
acter codes for 84-key keyboard compatibility. For further details, see the
Function: AH :: 11 h heading in this chapter.
INT 16h: AH = 02h Return Shift Flag Status [XT] [AT]
Description
The Return Shift Flag Status function returns the current shift status from the
Keyboard Shift Flags byte (40: 17h).
Note: In PC/AT and compatible systems. the LED status is not updated.
Input/Output
Input: AH 02h
Output: AL Current shift status, where:
Bit 7 :: 1 Insert active
Bit 5 :: 1 Num Lock active
Bit 2 :: 1 Ctrl pressed

INT 1Sh: AH = 03h Set Typematic Rate and Delay [AT]
Description
The Set Typematic Rate and Delay function changes the typematic rate
(make code per second) and the delay (milliseconds before beginning
typematic) .
Input/Output
If the parameters are valid. the function transmits a Set Rate command
(F3h) to the keyboard controller.
Input: AH = 03h
AL = 05h
BH = Delay value (in milliseconds)
OOh = 250 03h = 1000
01 h = 500 04h to FFh - Reserved
02h = 750
BL = Typematic rate (in characters per second)
OOh = 30.0 OBh = 10.9 16h = 4.3
01h = 26.7 OCh = 10.0 17h = 4.0
02h = 24.0 ODh = 9.2 18h = 3.7
03h = 21.8 OEh = 8.6 19h = 3.3
04h = 20.0 OFh = 8.0 1Ah = 3.0
05h = 18.5 10h = 7.5 1Bh = 2.7
06h = 17.1 11h = 6.7 '1Ch = 2.5
07h = 16.0 12h = 6.0 1Dh = 2.3
08h = 15.0 13h = 5.5 1Eh = 2.1
09h = 13.3 14h = 5.0 1Fh = 2.0
OAh = 12.0 15h = 4.6 20h to FFh - Reserved
Output: None
INT 1Sh: AH = 04h Reserved

INT 16h: AH = OSh Store Key Data [XTI [AT]
Description
The Store Key Data function stores program-generated data into the key
board buffer just as if a key were pressed. The buffer pointer (40: 1Ch) is
adjusted to point to the next available location in the keyboard buffer.
It the keyboard buffer is full, AL is set to indicate a keyboard buffer full

error. Keyboard enhancers and other utilities can use this function to inter
polate keys into the data stream viewed by applications ·programs.
XT support: This function is only supported by later version XT BlOSs. See
Determining level of support under the heading INT 16h: Key
board DSR.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OSh
CH = Scan code
CL = ASCII character
Output: AL OOh No error
= 01 h Keyboard buffer full
INT 16h: AH = 06h - OFh Reserved

INT 16h: AH = 10h Read Extended Keyboard Input [XT] [AT]
Description
The Read Extended Keyboard Input function reads the next two-byte charac
ter code in the keyboard buffer and returns the value in AX. It is designed
for use with the 101/102-key keyboard. Unlike function AH = OOh, this func
tion does not modify character codes for 84-key keyboard compatibility.

board DSR.
InputlOutput
Input: AH ::;: 10h
Output: AH ::;: Scan code or character ID for special character
AL ::;: ASCII code or other translation of character
Reference: The character codes returned by this function are found in the
table "Character Codes: AH = 10h/11h" in this chapter.
FOh low byte. filter

INT 09h places the value FOh in the low byte character code position for
some Alt/character key combinations. The Return Extended Keyboard Input
function strips FOh from the keyboard buffer image before returning to the
caller. Keys with FOh are returned to AX with their low order byte set to OOh.
All other keys are returned to AX unmodified by this function.
Extended key "filtering"

Function AH ::;: OOh Read Keyboard Input selectively filters keyboard buffer
input for compatibility with PC/XT 83-key and PC/AT 84-key keyboards. For
details, see the Function: AH ::;: ~Oh heading in this chapter.

INT 16h: AH = 11h Return Extended Keyboard Status [XT] [AT]
Description
This function is similar to function AH = 01 h, except that it returns unique
scan codes for all keys on the 101 11 02-key keyboard. It executes as follows:
• Checks to see if a character code is available in the keyboard buffer.
• If a key is waiting, a copy of the character code is returned in AX. The
buffer is not incremented to the next key.
• If the keyboard buffer contains at least one key, the Zero Flag is cleared.
• If the keyboard buffer does not contain a key, the Zero Flag is set.
• If the keyboard LEOs do not match the current flag settings, this function
updates the LEOs.

board OSR.
Input/Output
Input: AH 11 h
Output: AH = Scan code or character 10 for special character
(if ZF is set)
AL = ASCII code or other translation of character 10 (ZF is set)
ZF = 0 No key in buffer
= 1 Key waiting
Reference: The character codes returned by this function are found in the
table "Character Codes: AH = 10h/11h" in this chapter.
continued

INT 16h: AH = 11h
Return Extended Keyboard Status, Continued [XT] [AT]
FOh low byte filter

INT 09h places the value FOh in the low byte character code position of
some Altlcharacter combinations. The Return Extended Keyboard Status
caller. Keys with FOh are returned to AX with their low order byte set to OOh.
Extended key "filtering"

Function AH = 01 h Read Keyboard Status selectively filters keyboard buffer
input for compatibility with 84-key keyboards. For details. see" Function:
AH = 01 h" in this chapter.
INT 16h: AH = 12h Return Extended Shift Flags Status [XT] [AT]
Description
This function is similar to function AH = 02h. except that it returns informa
tion on the shift keys provided on the 101/1 02-key keyboard. It also returns
an additional byte of flags in the AH register.
The Return Extended Shift Flags Status function returns the shift flag status
from Keyboard Shift Flags Byte (40: 17) in the AL register. and returns the
shift flag status from Keyboard Shift Flags Byte 2 (40: 18) and 101-key
Keyboard Status Byte (40:96) in the AH register.

board DSR.
continued

INT 16h: AH = 12h
Return Extended Shift Flags Status, Continued [XT] [AT]
Input/Output
Input: AH = 12h
Output: AH = More keyboard shift flags, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Sys Req pressed (40: 18h Bit 2)
Bit 6 = 1 Caps Lock active (40: 18h Bit 6)
Bit 5 = 1 Num Lock active (40:18h Bit 5)
Bit 4 = 1 Scroll Lock active (40: 18h Bit 4)
Bit 3 = 1 Right Alt active (40:96h Bit 3)
Bit 2 = 1 Right Ctrl active (40:96h Bit 2)
Bit 1 = 1 Left Alt active (40: 18h Bit 1)
Bit 0 = 1 Left Ctrl active (40: 18h Bit 0)
AL = Keyboard shift flags (copy of Keyboard Shift Flags Byte

40: 17), where:
INT 16h: AH = 13h - FFh Reserved
148 Sy'stem BIOS for IBM PC/XT IA T Computers and Compatibles

How to Read Character Code Tables
Introduction
The tables on the following pages present data related to the IBM PC/XT / AT
and compatible keyboards.
There are two character-code tables. They are labeled:

• Character Codes: AH = 00h/01 h
• Character Codes: AH = 1Oh/11 h
How to read the tables

• The data presented in each table is listed by key number and U. S. key
board key legend. Readers who are using foreign keyboards should refer
to the keyboard layout figures on the next page to see how their keyboard
legend maps into key numbers.
• The columns labeled II Scan Codes" list the codes offered to the INT 09h
ISR by the keyboard controller chip. In PC/AT compatible systems these
codes are generated by the 8042 controller chip and are more commonly
referred to as System Scan Codes. Only Make Code values are listed.
Break codes are found by adding a value of 80h to the make code in
question. Scan Codes in EO-xxh form correspond to the 101l102-key
keyboard extended keys. These keys are not present on 83- and 84-key
keyboards.
• The two-byte number associated with each Character Code is listed in

four-digit hex notation. The high order byte, which is placed by INT 16h
into the AH register, is listed first. The low order byte, which is placed by
INT 16h into the AL register, is listed second. The two bytes are sepa
rated with a slash. For example, the Character Code for the unshifted lin"
key is listed on the table as 31/6E.
• Caps Lock plus any typewriter key yields the same character code as
Shift plus any typewriter key.
• Num Lock plus any numeric keypad key yields the same character code
as Shift plus any numeric keypad key.
• Alt plus the decimal value for an ASCII character input from the numeric
keypad yields the ASCII character. Allowable values are 0 to 255. These
instances are noted with II • • " in the Alt column.
continued

How to Read Character Code Tables, Continued
83-key, 84-key, and 101/1 02-key keyboard numbers

The key number systems applied to 83-key PC-compatible, 84-key AT
compatible, and 101f.l02-key AT-compatible keyboards are shown below.
83-Key Keyboard
59 60 69 70
61 62 27 71 72 73 74
~ __"~JL~~~~~..JL~~.-~~..JL~~~~~-t 28
63 64 41 75 76 77
65 66 42 54 55 79 80 81 78
67 68 82 83
84-Key Keyboard
70 65 90 95 100 lOS
71 66 ., •• 101 106
72 67 92 97 102 107
73 68 93 98 103
108
74 69 99 104
75 80 86 90 95 100 lOS
76 81 8. 91 96 101
106
92 97 102
~ 93 98 103
108
c:EEl 99 104

Character Codes: AH = OOh/01 h
Introduction
The read keyboard input function acts as an 84-key keyboard filter, selec
tively editing the buffer contents for 84-key keyboard compatibility.
When a 101-key keyboard is in place, INT 16h subservice AH = OOh

• returns all standard 84-key keyboard Character Codes "as is,"
• adjusts 101-key keyboard duplicates of 84-key keyboard characters so
that they take on the same two-byte key code as their 84-key counter
parts, and
• destroys any 101-key Character Codes not compatible with the 84-key
keyboard.
Table: AH = OOh/01 h
The table below lists the character codes returned by functions AH = OOh
and AH = 01h.
u.s. Scan Character Codes AHI AL (hex)

101/102 83 84 Keyboard Codes
Key # Key # Key # Legend (hex) Normal Shifted Control Alt
1 41 1 , 29 29/60 29/7E
2 2 2 1! 02 02/31 02/21 78/00
3 3 3 2@ 03 03/32 03/40 03/00 79/00
4 4 4 3# 04 04/33 04/23 7A/00
5 5 5 4$ 05 05/34 05/24 7B/00
6 6 6 5% 06 06/35 06/25 7C/00
7 7 7 6 A
07 07/36 07/5E 07/1 E 70/00
8 8 8 7& 08 08/37 08/26 7E/00
9 9 9 8" 09 09/38 09/2A 7F/00
10 10 10 9( OA OA/39 OA/28 80/00
11 11 11 o) OB OB/30 OB/29 81/00
12 12 12 -- OC OC/20 OC/5F OCllF 82/00
13 13 13 =+ 00 00/30 OOI2B 83/00
15 14 15 Backspace OE OE/08 OE/08 OE/7F
16 15 16 Tab OF OF/09 OFIOO
continued

Character Codes: AH = OOh/01 h, Continued
Table: AH = OOh/01h, cont'd
U.S. Scan Character Codes AH/AL (hex)

17 16 17 Q 10 10/71 10/51 10/11 10/00
18 17 18 W 11 11/77 11/57 11/17 11/00
19 18 19 E 12 12/65 12/45 12/05 12/00
20 19 20 R 13 13/72 13/52 13/12 13/00
21 20 21 T 14 14/74 14/54 14/14 14/00
22 21 22 Y 15 15/79 15/59 15/19 15/00
23 22 23 U 16 16/75 16/55 16/15 16/00
24 23 24 I 17 17/69 17/49 17109 17100

25 24 25 0 18 18/6F 18/4F 18/0F 18/00
26 25 26 P 19 19/70 19/50 19/10 19/00
27 26 27 [ { 1A 1A/5B 1A/7B 1A/1B
28 27 28 I } 1B 1B/5D 1B/7D 1B/1D
29' 43 14 :\ 2B 2B/5C 2B/7C 2B/1C
30 58 64 Caps Lock 3A
31 30 31 A 1E 1E/61 1E/41 1E/01 1E/00
32 31 32 S 1F 1F/73 1F/53 1F/13 1F/OO
33 32 33 D 20 20/64 20/44 20104 20100
34 33 34 F 21 21/66 21/46 21/06 21/00
35 34 35 G 22 22/67 22/47 22/07 22/00
36 35 36 H 23 23/68 23/48 23/08 23/00
37 36 37 J 24 24/6A 24/4A 24/0A 24/00
38 37 38 K 25 25/6B 25/4B 25/0B 25/00
39 38 39 L 26 26/6C 26/4C 26/0C 26/00
40 39 40 , . 27 27/3B 27/3A
41 40 41 ' . 28 28/27 28/22
42 (102-key 2B 2B/5C 2B/7C 2B/1C
only)
43 28 43 Enter~ 1C 1C/OD 1C/OD 1C/OA
, 101-key keyboard only.
continued

Table: AH = OOh/01 h, cont'd
U.S. Scan Character Codes AHIAL (hex)

44 42 44 L Shift 2A
45 (102-Key 56 56/5C 56/7C
only)
46 44 46 Z 2C 2C/7A 2C/5A 2C/1A 2C/00
47 45 47 X 2D 2D/78 2D/58 2D/18 2D/00
48 46 48 C 2E 2E/63 2E/43 2E/03 2E/OO
49 47 49 V 2F 2F/76 2F/56 2F/16 2F/00
50 48 50 B 30 30/62 30/42 30/02 30/00
51 49 51 N 31 31/6E 31/4E 31/0E 31/00
52 50 52 M 32 32/6D 32/4D 32/0D 32/00
53 51 53 ,< 33 33/2C 33/3C
54 52 54 .> 34 34/2E 34/3E
55 53 55 I ? 35 35/2F 35/3F
57 54 57 R Shift 36
58 29 30 L Ctrl 1D
60 56 58 L Alt 38
61 57 61 Space 39 39/20 39/20 39/20 39/20
62 R Alt EO-38
64 R Ctrl EO-1D
75 Insert EO-52 52/00 52/00
76 Delete EO-53 53/00 53/00
79 Left EO-4B 4B/00 4B/00 73/00
80 Home EO-47 47/00 47100 77100
81 End EO-4F 4F/00 4F/00 75/00
83 Up EO-48 48/00 48/00
84 Down EO-50 50/00 50/00
85 Page Up EO-49 49/00 49/00 84/00
86 Page Down EO-51 51100 51100 76/00
continued

U.S. Scan Character Codes AHI AL (hex)

Key # Key # Key # Legend (hex) Normal Shifted Control Ait
89 Right EO-40 40/00 40/00 74/00
90 69 95 Num Lock 45
91 71 91 7 Home 47 47/00 47/37 77/00 ••
••
92
93
75
79
92
93
4 Left
1 End
4B
4F
4B/00
4F/00
4B/34
4F/31
73/00
75/00 ..
95 / EO-35 35/2F 35/2F
96 72 96 8 UP 48 48/00 48/38 ••
97 76 97 5 4C 4C/00 4C/35 ••
98 80 98 2 Down 50 50100 50/32 ••
99 82 99 o Ins 52 52/00 52/30
100 55 106 • 37 37/2A 37/2A
101 73 101 9 PgUp 49 49/00 49/39 84/00 ••

102 77 102 6 Right 40 40/00 40/36 74/00 ••
103 81 103 3 pgOn 51 51/00 51133 76/00 ••
104 83 104 Del 53 53/00 53/2E
105 74 107 - 4A 4A/20 4A/20
106 78 108 + 4E 4E/2B 4E/2B
108 Enter EO-1C 1C/00 1C/00 1C/OA
110 1 90 Esc 01 01/18 01/1B 01/1 B
112 59 70 F1 3B 38/00 54/00 5E/00 68/00
113 60 65 F2 3C 3C/00 55/00 5F/00 69/00
114 61 71 F3 3D 30/00 56/00 60100 6A/00

115 62 66 F4 3E 3E/00 57/00 61/00 6B/00
116 63 72 F5 3F 3F/00 58/00 62/00 6C/00
117 64 67 F6 40 40/00 59/00 63/00 60/00
118 ·65 73 F7 41 41/00 5A/00 64/00 6E/00
119 66 68 F8 42 42/00 5B/00 65/00 6F/00
•• Alt plus the decimal value for an ASCII character Input from the numeric keypad yields
the ASCII character. Allowable values are 0 to 255.
continued

U.S. Scan Character CodesAH/AL (hex)

Key' Key' Key' Legend (hex) Normal Shifted Control Alt
120 67 74 F9 43 43100 5CI00 66/00 70/00

121 68 69 FtO 44 44/00 50/00 67/00 71/00
122 F11 57
123 F12 58
105 SysReq
124 Print EO-2A1
72/00
Screen EO-37
EO-37
125 70 100 Scroll Lock 46

126 Pause E1-1D1 00/00
5-ElI
90/e5

Character Codes: AH = 10h/11h
Introduction
INT 09h places the value FOh in the low byte character code position for
some Altlcharacter key combinations. The Return Extended Keyboard Input
caller. Keys with FOh are returned to AX with their low-order byte set to OOh.
Table:. AH = 1Oh/11 h
The table below lists the character codes returned by functions AH = 10h
and AH = 11 h.
u.s. Scan Character Codes AH/AL (hex)

101/102 Keyboard Codes
Key' Legend (hex) Normal Shifted Control Alt
1 . 29 29160 29/7E 29/00
2 11 02 02/31 02/~1 78/00

3 2@ 03 03/32 03/40 03/00 79/00
4 3# 04 04/33 04/23 7A/00
S 4$ OS OS/34 OS/24 7B/OO
6 S% 06 06/3S 0612S 7C/OO
7 6 A
07 07/36 07/SE 07/1E 70/00
8 7& 08 OS/37 OS/26 7E/OO
9 S" 09 09/38 09/2A 7F/OO
10 9( OA OA/39 OA/28 80/00
11 o) OB OB/30 OB/29 81/00
12 - OC OC/20 OC/SF OC/1F 82/00
13 =+ 00 00/30 00128 S3/00
lS Backspace OE OE/08 OE/08 OE/7F OE/OO
16 Tab OF OF/09 OF/OO 94/00 AS/OO
continued

Character Codes: AH : : : 1Oh/11 h, Continued
Table: AH = 10h/11h, cont'd

Key # Legend (hex) Normal Shifted Control Alt
17 Q 10 10171 10151 10/11 10/00
18 W 11 11/77 11/57 11/17 11/00
19 E 12 12/65 12/45 12/05 12/00
20 R 13 13/72 13/52 13/12 13/00
21 T 14 14/74 14/54 14/14 14/00
22 Y 15 15179 15/59 15/19 15/00
23 U 16 16/75 16/55 16/15 16/00
24 I 17 17/69 17/49 17/09 17/00
25 0 18 18/6F 18/4F 18/0F 18/00
26 P 19 19/70 19/50 19/10 19/00
27 [ { lA lA/5B lA/7B lA/l B lA/OO
28 I } lB lB/50 lB/70 lB/lO lB/OO
29" :\ 2B 2B/5C 2B/7C 2B/lC 2B/00
30 Caps Lock 3A
31 A lE 1E/61 1E/41 lE/Ol lE/OO
32 S lF 1F/73 1F/53 1F/13 1FIOO
33 0 20 20/64 20/44 20104 20/00
34 F 21 21/66 21/46 21/06 21/00
35 G 22 22/67 22/47 22/07 22/00
36 H 23 23/68 23/48 23/08 23/00
37 J 24 24/6A 24/4A 24/0A 24/00
38 K 25 25/6B 25/4B 25/0B 25/00
39 L 26 26/6C 26/4C 26/0C 26/00
40 · ..
· 27 27/3B 27/3A 27/00
41 ·" 28 28/27 28/22 28/00
42 (102-key 2B 2B/5C 2B/7C 2B/lC
only)
43 Enter~ lC lC/OO lC/OO lC/OA lC/OO
" 101-key keyboard only.
continued

Character Codes: AH = 1Oh/11 h, Continued
Table: AH = 10h/11h. cont'd

44 L Shift 2A
45 (102-Key 56 56/5C 56/7C
only)
46 Z 2C 2C/7A 2C/5A 2C/1A 2C/00
47 X 2D 2D/78 2D/58 2D/18 2D/00
48 C 2E 2E/63 2E/43 2E/03 2E/00
49 V 2F 2F/76 2F/56 2F/16 2F/00

50 B 30 30/62 30/42 30102 30100
51 N 31 31/6E 31/4E 31/0E 31/00
52 M 32 32/6D 32/4D 32/0D 32/00
53 ,< 33 33/2C 33/3C 33/00
54 .> 34 34/2E 34/3E 34/00
55 I ? 35 35/2F 35/3F 35/00
57 R Shift 36
58 L Ctrl 10
60 L Alt 38
61 Space 39 39/20 39/20 39/20 39/20
62 R Alt EO-38
64 R Ctrl EO-lO
75 Insert EO-52 52/EO 52/EO 92/EO A2/00
76 Delete EO-53 53/EO 53/EO 93/EO A3/00
79 Left EO-4B 4B/EO 4B/EO 73/EO 98/00
80 Home EO-47 47/EO 47/EO 77/EO 97100
81 End EO-4F 4F/EO 4F/EO 75/EO 9F/00
83 Up EO-48 48/EO 48/EO 8D/EO 98/00
84 Down EO-50 50/EO 50/EO 91/EO AOIOO
85 Page Up EO-49 49/EO 49/EO 84/EO 99/00
86 Page Down EO-51 511EO 51/EO 76/EO A1/00
continued


89 Right EO-4D 4D/EO 4D/EO 74/EO 9D/00

90 Num Lock 45
91
92
7 Home
4 Left
47
48
47100
48/00
47/37
48/34
77100
73/00 ..••
93 1 End 4F 4F/00 4F/31 75/00 ••
95 I EO-35 EO/2F EO/2F 95/00 A4/00
96 8 UP 48 48/00 48/38 8D/00 ••
97 5 4C 4C/00 4C/35 8F/00 ••
98 2 Down 50 50/00 50/32 91/00 ••
99 o Ins 52 52/00 52/30 92/00
•
100
101 9 PgUp
37
49
37/2A
49/00
37/2A
49/39
96/00
84/00 ..
37/00
102
103
6 Right
3 PgDn
4D
51
4D/00
51100
4D/36
51/33
74/00
76/00 ..••
104 . Del 53 53/00 53/2E 93/00
105 - 4A 4A/2D 4A/2D 8E/00 4A/00
106 + 4E 4E/28 4E/28 90/00 4E/00
108 Enter EO-1C EO/OD EO/OD EO/OA A6/00
110 Esc 01 01/18 01/18 01/18 01/00
112 F1 38 38/00 54/00 5E/00 68/00
113 F2 3C 3C/00 55/00 5F/00 69/00
114 F3 3D 3D/00 56/00 60/00 6A/00
115 F4 3E 3E/00 57/00 61/00 68/00
116 F5 3F 3F/00 58/00 62/00 6C/00
117 F6 40 40/00 59/00 63/00 6D/00
118 F7 41 41/00 5A/00 64/00 6E/00
119 F8 42 42/00 58/00 65/00 6F/00
•• Altplus the decimal value for an ASCII character Input from the numeric keypad
yields the ASCII character. Allowable values are 0 to 255.
continued


120 F9 43 43100 5CI00 66/00 70100

121 F10 44 44/00 50/00 67/00 71/00
122 F11 57 85/00 87/00 89/00 8B/00
123 F12 58 86/00 88/00 8A/00 8C/00
124 Print Screen EO-2AI 72/00
EO-37
EO-37
125 Scroll Lock 46
126 Pause E1-101 00/00
4S-E11
90/C5

Chapter 9
INT 10h Video Service
Overview
Description
In general, all IBM PC/XT/AT and compatible video BlOSs contain a group of
functions that allow the user to select video display mode, cursor address
ing, text display, scrolling, and writing pixels. However, the physical location
and number of functions supported by a PC/XT/AT or compatible video BIOS
depends on the kind of adapter in place.
MDA and CGA adapters rely exclusively on the Video Service contained in
the system board ROM BIOS of all PC/XT/AT and compatible computers.
EGA and VGA adapters contain a dedicated ROM BIOS installed on the
adapter hardware itself.
How the functions are invoked

Be they in system or adapter ROM, all video BIOS functions are invoked by
INT 10h. The INT 10h vector resides at interrupt table address OO:40h and is
initialized to absolute address FF065h.
continued
INT 10h Video Service 161

Overview, Continued
Determining video BIOS support [MDA] [CGA] [EGA] [VGA]

Since the introduction of the IBM PC in 1981, four video adapter types have
emerged: the MDA, CGA, EGA, and the VGA. The number and sophistication
of the functions supported by the video BlOSs associated with each adapter
varies; the more recent the adapter, the greater the number of functions its
BIOS supports.
In order to identify which function is supported by which adapter, we have

adopted the legend above. When a function applies exclusively to the VGA
adapter, for example, its description will bear the legend [VGA]. When the
function applies to all adapter types, it will bear the legend [MDA] [CGA]
[EGA] [VGA].
The table below describes the meaning of each legend.
Legend Description
[MDAI Function Is supported by IBM Monochrome Display Adapters

(MDA) , and compatibles.
[CGA] Function Is supported by IBM Color Graphics Adapter (CGA),
and compatibles.
[EGA] Function is supported by IBM Enhanced Graphics Adapter
(EGA). and compatibles.
[VGAI Function is supported by iBM Video Graphics Array (VGA) and
compatible adapters.
Note: The Hercules display adapter allows for the display of 720x350 mono
chrome graphics on standard TTL monochrome monitors. However,
neither the system ROM BIOS nor the Hercules adapter itself contain a
BIOS. Applications programs that support Hercules graphics must
contain an application-specific device driver.
continued
162 System BiOS for IBM PC/XT I A T Computers and Compatibles

Overview, Continued
In this chapter
This chapter defines the features and functions of all PC-compatible video
and ROM BlOSs. The following topics are presented:
• MDA Hardware Environment
• CGA Hardware Environment
• EGA Hardware Environment
• VGA Hardware Environment
• Video Modes
• System RAM Data
• Summary of INT 10h Functions
• How Functions Are Called
• Error Handling
• Video BIOS Function Descriptions

Theory of Operation
Introduction
A computer monitor is a specialized device designed to display digital data
written into a video buffer by the computer's microprocessor. The signals
driving the monitor originate in the computer's video subsystem. Computer
monitors in themselves are not programmable, but the video subsystems
controlling them are. The BIOS Video Service offers operating systems and
applications programs a set of functions that eliminate the need to directly
program video subsystem hardware.
How information is "painted" on the screen

The front surface on a computer monitor - the computer screen - is ac
tually the end a large Cathode Ray Tube (CRT). The rearmost part of the
CRT contains a cathode that, when heated to approximately 600 degrees
Centigrade, emits a high voltage, narrowly focused, electron beam. When
the electron beam strikes the phosphor coated inner surface of the com
puter screen, it causes an area of the phosphor to glow. When the voltage
of the beam is modulated, so too is the intensity of the CRT's glow.
The computer's video subsystem generates signals that cause the CRT's
electron beam to sweep across the screen in a left to right, top to bottom
pattern of horizontal lines called a raster. The information written by the
microprocessor to the video buffer is represented on the CRT screen as a
pattern of illuminated dots, called pixels (picture elements). As the beam
sweeps across the screen, the video subsystem turns the electron beam on
and off, thus .. painting" the buffer information onto the screen.
continued

Display resolution
A monitor's horizontal scan frequency determines the maximum number of
lines the monitor is capable of painting per second. Its vertical scan frequen
cy determines the frames per second the monitor is capable of refreshing .
• Vertical resolution
A display's vertical resolution - the maximum number of scan lines it can
display on the screen - is calculated by dividing horizontal scan frequen
cy by vertical scan frequency.
IBM PC (and compatible) monochrome displays, for example, have a

horizontal scan frequency of 18.432 KHz and a vertical scan frequency of
50Hz. The maximum number of lines displayed on the screen is calculated
as follows:
18,432 KHz (lines per second)

= 368 lines per frame
50 Hz (frames per second)
To allow for vertical centering of the display image, approximately 5
percent of the maximum displayable lines must be subtracted from the
total. Thus maximum vertical resolution is 350 lines.
• Horizontal resolution
The dots, or pixels, that appear on each horizontal scan line are gener
ated by the video subsystem controlling the monitor. Physically, the dots
are generated by a crystal-driven device, called a dot clock. A display's
horizontal resolution - the maximum number of dots per line - is calcu
lated by dividing the monitor's horizontal scan frequency into the dot rate
of the subsystem driving the monitor.
The Monochrome Display Adapter, or MDA, (about which we will learn

more later) has a dot clock rate of 16.257 MHz, or 16,257,000 dots per
second. When driving an IBM-compatible monochrome display, maximum
dots per line are calculated as follows:
16.257 MHz (16,257.000 dots per second)

= 882 pixels per line
18.432 KHz (18,432 lines per second)
To allow for horizontal centering of the displayed image, 10 to 15 percent
of the maximum displayable pixels must be subtracted from this total.
Thus maximum horizontal resolution is 720 pixels.
continued

Monitor types
Computer monitors come in two varieties: color and monochrome.
• Colo'r monitors
Color computer monitors contain three electron guns: one red, one blue,
and one green. The special phosphors coating the CRT surface glow ac
cordingly: when struck by a red beam they glow red; when struck by a
blue beam, they glow blue, and so on. Although each gun illuminates a
separate dot, the dots are so tightly focused that they appear to the eye
as one color.
• Monochrome monitors
Monochrome monitors have only one electron gun. The color of the
screen is a function of the phosphor used. In monochrome computer
displays, common phosphor colors are amber. green. or white.
Signal types
Computer monitors are further distinguished from each other by the kind of
input signal they are designed to accept:
• Composite
Composite monitors accept a composite. analog signal - like the signal
used to drive a television set. In a composite color signal, the red, green,
and blue (and other control signals) are combined by the video subsys
tem and separated by the monitor. Composite monochrome signals are
the same except that they contain only one "color" signal. Composite
signals can be sent over a single line, but the difficulty involved in accu
rately separating colors limits the resolution achieved on composite
monitors.
continued

Signal types, cont'd

• Digital RGB and digital monochrome
Digital RGB monitors accept signals for red, green, or blue on separate
lines. The monitor does not perform color signal separation. The number
of colors displayed by a digital RGB monitor is a function of the number of
color lines. A 64-color RGB monitor, such as the IBM Enhanced Color
Display, is driven by two lines for each primary color. Since each pair of
lines can combine into four possible intensities, 64 colors are possible
(Le., 4 x 4 x 4 = 64). A digital monochrome signal is identical to its RGB
counterpart except that only one "color" line is required .
• Analog RGB and monochrome

Analog RGB monitors accept signals for red, green, and blue on separate
lines. The number of colors potentially displayable, however, is infinite,
since the intensity of each line varies with the voltage applied to it. Video
subsystems designed to drive analog color monitors must convert digital
color information into analog voltages.
The practical limit on the number of displayable colors is determined by

the number of digital bits dedicated to each color line. A video subsystem
that devotes 6 bits per color would be capable of generating signals for
262,144 different colors (Le. 2 (3*6) = 262,144). Monochrome analog
signals are identical to color analog signals save that they transmit only
one "color" signal. A video subsystem that devotes six bits per "color"
would be capable of generating 64 shades of that color (Le., 26 = 64).
continued

Adapter types
IBM PC/XTs, ATs, and compatible systems are not manufactured with the
video subsystem integrated in the motherboard; video hardware, instead,
must be configured into the system bus on a video adapter board.
The table below describes monitors and resolutions supported by the major
PC video adapters.
Adapter Year Dot Monitor Horlz. Vert. Resolution

Type Intro. Clock Support Freq. Freq. Color
MDA 1981 16.257 MHz Digital Mono 18.43 KHz 50 Hz 720x350

HGC 1982 16.257MHz Digital Mono 18.43 KHz 50 Hz 720x350
CGA 1981 14.318 MHz Composite Color 15.75 KHz 60 Hz 640x200
Digital RGB'
EGA 1985 16.257 MHz Digital RGB" 21.85 KHz 60 Hz 640x350
14.318 MHz Digital RGB' 15.75 KHz 60 Hz 640x200
16.257 MHz Digital Mono 18.43 KHz 50 Hz 720x350
VGA 1987 25.175 MHz Analog'" 31.5 KHz 70 Hz 640x400
28.175 MHz Analog'" 31.5 KHz 70 Hz 720x400
25.175 MHz Analog'·' 31.5 KHz 60 Hz 640x480
25.175 MHz Analog··' 31.5 KHz 70 Hz 640x350
Legend:
MDA = Monochrome Display Adapter
HGC = Hercules Graphics Card
...
IBM Color Display or compatible
IBM Enhanced Color Display or
CGA = Color Graphics Adapter compatible
EGA = Enhanced Graphics Adapter ••• IBM VGA Analog or compatible
VGA = Video Graphics Array
continued

Video data format

Each location in the video adapter's display buffer maps to a location on the
display screen. The first byte of buffer memory maps to the top, leftmost
point on the screen. As memory addresses increase, the screen location
mapped moves from left to right and top to bottom. The microprocessor
writes information to the video hardware's data buffer in either of two for
mats: alphanumeric or graphic .
• Alphanumeric format
When writing alphanumeric data to the video buffer, the microprocessor
writes each symbol (e.g., letter, number, punctuation mark, etc.) as a
series of two bytes. The first byte contains the ASCII code for the symbol,
and the second byte contains the color attributes to be applied to the
symbol.
Alphanumeric characters are painted on the screen in a matrix of dots,

called a character cell. The video subsystem's control circuitry reads
one display line of ASCII data from the yideo buffer and converts it into
the necessary series of dots. Simultaneously, the video hardware trans
lates the ASCII character's accompanying attribute into the indicated
foreground/bl;lckground colors .
• Graphic format
When writing graphical data to the video buffer, the microprocessor writes
the individual color value of each pixel to be. painted on the CRT. In order
to do this, the microprocessor must address the display buffer as a
memory map made up of a series of bits. When displaying data in any of
16 colors, for example, the microprocessor writes four bits per pixel (i.e.,
24 =16). The video subsystem's control circuitry reads each pixel location
from the buffer and generates the color and control signals necessary to
write the dot to the correct screen location.
continued

Adapters, modes, and BlOSs

A video mode is characterized by:
• screen resolution,
• number of displayable colors, and the
• kind of data (alphanumeric or graphic) displayed.
Most PC video adapters support more than one video mode. The reason for
this is largely historical: PC video adapters have evolved from low resolution,
16-color devices to relatively high resolution, 256K-color devices. In order to
maintain compatibility with software written for the previous video adapters,
each successive generation of video hardware had to be made mode
compatible with its predecessors. Thus the video modes supported by eGA
adapters (1981) are also supported by the more current VGA adapters
(1987) .
Establishing a video mode is a matter of programming those components of

the video adapter's hardware that control the adapter's dot clock, enable or
disable the adapter hardware generation of alphanumeric dot patterns, and
so on. Although it is possible to program these components directly, setting
video modes is more easily accomplished through the video BIOS.
The physical location and number of functions supported by a video BIOS

depends on the kind of adapter in place. MDA and CGA adapters rely exclu
sively on the Video Service contained in the system board ROM BIOS of all
PC/XT/AT and compatible computers. EGA and VGA adapters contain a
continued

Compatibility and portability

In addition to simplifying mode sets, the video BIOS contains a group of
other functions that further insulate applications software from direct manipu
lation of video hardware. For example, the Video Service contains functions
that allow users to write a dot on the screen, write a string of ASCII charac
terS to a specified screen location, to control the location of the cursor, and
so on.
Application software can be made to execute faster if it writes directly to the

video hardware. In fact, this is a common strategy used by the authors of
games and other software. However, writing applications directly to the video
hardware ties the application to the hardware, for there is never a guarantee
that the next generation video adapter will be 100% hardware compatible
with its predecessors. The BIOS that interfaces with each generation of hard
ware generally contains a superset of the functions supported by the pre
vious version. Writing software to an adapter's video BIOS instead of directly
to its hardware helps insure the application's longevity and portability.
Adapter hardware components

When viewed on the highest functional level, all PC video adapters share the
same programmable components:
• Video Buffer
An adapter's video buffer is a block of RAM that exists on the adapter but
is mapped into the microprocessor's address space. Each location in the
video buffer maps to a location on the video screen. The video buffer
address map can range from segment BOOO:OOOOh - BOOO:BFFFh for MDA
adapters to AOOO:OOOOh - BOOO:FFFFh for VGA adapters. (See Video
Modes in this chapter.)
• Cathode Ray Tube Controller (CRTC)
The CRTC generates the horizontal and vertical timing signals that control
the path and duration of the electron beam sweeping the inner surface of
the CRT. The CRTC also increments a video buffer address counter so
that the data contained in the buffer will be synchronized with the timing
signals. The CRTC controls the size/location of the text mode cursor, and
selects the portion of the video buffer to be displayed on the screen.
continued

Adapter hardware components, cont'd

• Hardware Alphanumeric Character Generator
In alphanumeric modes, characters are written to the video buffer as pairs
of bytes. The first byte represents the character's ASCII value; the sec
ond byte represents the character's attribute (i.e. foreground/background
color, blinking, intensity). The hardware character generator is responsible
for translating the ASCII value of a character into a matrix of dots to dis
play on the screen. To do this, the hardware character generator must
reference a character table under the control of the video BIOS. Depend
ing on adapter type, this character table can resides permanently at a
fixed ROM location, or it can be written (on mode set) from ROM to a
fixed location in RAM.
• Attribute Decoder
An adapter's attribute decoder component uses data from the video
buffer to control the color and brightness of the signals produced by the
video Signal generator.
• Video Signal Generator

An adapter's video signal generator component outputs the signals that
control what appears on the monitor's screen. As we have seen there are
three kinds of signals: composite, digital, and analog.
• Mode Control Registers

Video mode control registers put the video adapter hardware in a state
that will allow it to produce the indicated mode. For example, in graphics
modes, the character generator must be disabled. The adapter's charac
ter clock, which determines the number of dots that are put up for each
ASCII character in alphanumeric modes can vary from mode to mode.
Characters can be 9 dots wide in some modes and 8 dots wide in others.
continued

Putting a character on the screen
Video BIOS Function AH = 09h is
Operating System
used to write a character and its
or
attribute to the screen. This illus Application Software
tratio'n shows how the video BIOS
and video adapter hardware inter

act when Function AH = 09h is
called.
Call INT 10h AH = 09h
Dot Stream
to Monitor
ASCII Attribute
... Video BIOS ..-----. Microprocessor
43h 07h
43h 07h Attribute Color
I I ~ Decoder Intensity
I I
I I
Video
I I
Signal
I I
Generator
I
IL _____ 07h
IL _ _ _ _ _ _ t - - Alphanumeric
Dot
43h ~
Character Pattern
Generator
Video
TI Horizontal & Vertical Timing j Buffer
Address
Buffer
CRT Controller Mode Control

MDA Hardware Environment
Introduction
The MDA BIOS resides in system ROM and not on the MDA adapter card.
The MDA BIOS assumes the following hardware environment:
• Motorola 6845 (or compatible) CRTC
• Monochrome digital signal monitor
• 4K of video RAM
Motorola 6845 CRTC and the MDA

When implemented on a MDA adapter, the Motorola 6845 CRTe contains 20
programmable, 8-bit internal registers. Nineteen of these registers control
horizontal and vertical timings. The remaining register, the mode control
register, is used in setting the MDA video mode.
continued

MDA Hardware Environment, Continued
MDA 1/0 ports

The 6845 CRTC's index register is mapped to I/O port 03B4h. The index
value written to I/O port 03B4h controls which register will appear at I/O port
03B5h. The 6845 mode control register is accessed directly via 1/0 port
03B8h.
I/O
03B4h R/W - CRTC Index Register

03B5h W 01h Horizontal Total
03B5h W 02h Horizontal Display Enable End
03B5h W 03h Start Horizontal Blanking
03B5h W 04h End Horizontal Blanking
03B5h W 05h Start Horizontal Retrace Pulse
03B5h W 06h End Horizontal Retrace
03B5h W 07h Vertical Total
03B5h W 08h Overflow
03B5h W 09h Preset Row Scan

03B5h W OAh Maximum Scan Line
03B5h W OAh Cursor Start
03B5h W OBh Cursor End
03B5h W OCh Start Address High
03B5h W OOh Start Address Low
03B5h R/W OEh Cursor Location High
03B5h R/W OFh Cursor Location Low
03B5h R/W 10h Light Pen High
03B5h R/W 11h Light Pen Low
03B8h R/W - Mode Control Register
For more information

A full discussion of MDA hardware is beyond the scope of this book. For
more information. see the documentation accompanying your MDA adapter
or one of the excellent references listed at the end of this book.

eGA Hardware Environment
Introduction
The CGA BIOS resides in system ROM and not on the CGA adapter card.
The CGA BIOS assumes the following hardware environment:
• Motorola 6845 (or compatible) CRTC
• Composite or Digital RGB monitor
• 16K of video RAM
Motorola 6845 CRTC and the CGA

When implemented on a CGA adapter, the Motorola 6845 CRTC contains 21
programmable, 8-bit internal registers. Nineteen of these registers control
horizontal and vertical timings. The remaining two registers, the mode con
trol and palette registers, are used to set video modes and program the
CGA palette.
continued

eGA Hardware Environment, Continued
eGA 1/0 ports

The 6845 CRTC's index register is mapped to 1/0 port 03D4h. The value
written to 1/0 port 03D4h controls the register that appears at port 03D5h.
Mode control and palette registers are accessed via ports 03D8h and 03D9h.
I/O
03D4h R/W - CRTC Index Register

03D5h W 01h Horizontal Total
03D5h W 02h Horizontal Display Enable End
03D5h W 03h Start Horizontal Blanking
03D5h W 04h End Horizontal Blanking
03D5h W 05h Start Horizontal Retrace Pulse
03D5h W 06h End Horizontal Retrace
03D5h W 07h Vertical Total
03D5h W 08h Overflow
03D5h W 09h Preset Row Scan
03D5h W OAh Maximum Scan Line
03D5h W OAh Cursor Start
03D5h W OBh Cursor End
03D5h W OCh Start Address High
03D5h W ODh Start Address Low
03D5h R/W OEh Cursor Location High
03D5h R/W OFh Cursor Location Low
03D5h R/W 10h Light Pen High
03D5h R/W 11h Light Pen Low
03D8h R/W - Mode Control Register
03D9h R/W - Palette Register

A full discussion of CGA hardware is beyond the scope of this book. For
more information, see your CGA adapter riocumentation.

EGA Hardware Environment
Introduction
The EGA BIOS resides in EGA adapter cards, completely superseding the
system ROM video BIOS. The EGA BIOS assumes the following hardware
environment:
• IBM EGA or compatible chip
• 64K of video RAM
• Digital RGB or digital monochrome monitor
EGA proprietary LSI chip

EGA adapters are controlled by an IBM (or compatible) LSI CRTC chip.
EGA 1/0 port addressing

The IBM EGA (or compatible) chip is a Large Scale Integration (LSI) device
that incorporates the functionality of four general purpose adapter control
registers, a CRTC, an Attribute Controller, an Address Sequencer, and a
Graphics Controller onto one chip.
The limited I/O address space of PC/XT/AT and compatible computers,

makes it impossible to assign each register its own I/O port. With the excep
tion of the general registers, each major EGA register group is addressed via
an index/access port pair. For example, the EGA Sequencer's index register
is mapped to I/O port 03C4h. The value (index) written to port 03C4h deter
mines which register appears at I/O port 03C5h.
continued

EGA Hardware Environment, Continued
EGA 1/0 ports

The EGA I/O port address map is listed in the table below.
I/O Address
Read/Write Index Description
GENERAL REGISTERS
03C2h
W - Miscellaneous Output
03C2h
R - Input Status 0
3?2h*
R - Input Status 1
03? Ah/3? Ah*
W - Feature Control
SEQUENCER REGISTERS
03C4h R/W - Sequencer index Register
03C5h W OOh Reset
03C5h W 01h Clocking Mode
03C5h W 02h Map Mask
03C5h W 03h Character Map Select
03CCh W 04h Memory Mode
3?5h/3?5h* W 01h Horizontal Total
3?5h/3?5h* W 02h Horizontal Display Enable End
3?5h/3?5h* W 03h Start Horizontal Blanking
3?5h/3?5h* W 04h End Horizontal Blanking
? = D In Color Emulation Modes
continued

EGA 1/0 ports. cont'd
1/0 Address Read/Wrlte Index Description
CRT CONTROLLER REGISTERS, cont'd

3?5h/3?5h* W 05h Start Horizontal Retrace Pulse
3?5h/3?5h* W 06h End Horlzor,tal Retrace
3?5h/3?5h* W 07h Vertical Total
3?5h/3?5h* W 08h Overflow
3?5h/3?5h* W 09h Preset Row Scan
3?5h/3?5h* W OAh Maximum Scan Line
3?5h/3?5h* W OAh Cursor Start

3?5h/3?5h* W OBh Cursor End
3?5h/3?5h* W 10h Vertical Retrace Start
3?5h/3?5h* R 10h Light Pen High
3?5h/3?5h* W 11h Vertical Retrace End
3?5h/3?5h* R 11h Light Pen Low

3?5h/3?5h* W 12h Vertical Display Enable End
3?5h/3?5h* W 13h Offset
3?5h/3?5h* W 14h Underline Location
3?5h/3?5h* W 15h Start Vertical Blank
3?5h/3?5h* W 16h End Vertical Blank
3?5h/3?5h* W 17h CRTC Mode Control
3?5h/3?5h* W 18h Line Compare
* The value of ? depends on the value of bit 0 in the Miscellaneous Output Register
? = 0 in Color Emulation Modes
continued

EGA 1/0 ports, cont'd
A TTRIBUTE CONTROLLER REGISTERS

03COh W - Attribute Controller Index Register
03COh W OOh-OFh Palette Registers OOh - OFh
03COh W 10h Attribute Mode Control Register
03COh W 11 h Overscan Color Register
03COh W 12h Color Plane Enable Register
03COh W 13h Horizontal PEL Panning Register
03CAh R/W - Graphics 2 Position Register
03CCh R/W - Graphics 1 Position Register
03CFh R/W 07h Color Don't Care
03CFh R/W OSh Bit Mask

A full discussion of EGA hardware is beyond the scope of this book. For
more information, see the documentation accompanying your EGA adapter

VGA Hardware Environment
Introduction
The VGA BIOS resides in ROM on VGA adapter cards. The VGA BIOS as
sumes the following hardware environment:
• IBM VGA-compatible VLSI chip or chip set
• INMOS G171 or compatible digital-to-analog converter (DAC) chip
• 256K of dynamic read/write .video RAM configured as four 64K maps
• Monochrome or color direct drive analog monitor
• Multisynchronous style monitor, such as the NEC MultiSync
VGA-compatible chip (or chip set)

The VGA chip (or chip set) provides all CRT control signals. It consists of
four components: CRT Controller, Sequencer, Graphics Controller, and
Attribute Controller.
In general, the VGA-compatible chip
• provides the interface between the system microprocessor and video
memory,
• provides all of the CRT control signals, and
• outputs 8-bit digital data to the Digital-to-Analog converter (DAC) for
display.
Each of these components contains a fixed number of control registers that

are accessed via 8-bit I/O ports. The BIOS exchanges information with con
trol registers by writing the register number to the appropriate I/O port and
by subsequently reading from or writing to the specified register.
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)

The video DAC contains 256 individual color registers which can be accessed
by the BIOS as either four 64-color registers or sixteen 16-color registers.
Each DAC color register contains one 18-bit RGB analog value. Six bits of
each register are allocated to each primary color. Thus, the color repre
sented in each DAC color register may be any of 256K possible colors
(i.e., 23 *6 = 256K).
continued

VGA Hardware Environment, Continued
DAC, Attribute Controller, ands BIOS initialization

The BIOS initializes the 8-bit index values contained in the Attribute Controller
and the 18-bit analog color values contained in the DAC color registers each
time a video mode is set.
Video RAM
The BIOS Video Service requires 256K of read/write video RAM formatted
into four banks (or maps) of 64K.
To maintain compatibility, display memory for each of the historical MDA,

CGA, and EGA modes is exactly as it was before. The display memory
organization for the new VGA modes is outlined in this chapter in the table
found under the heading Video Modes.
Monitor support
To display all modes, the Video Service requires either a monochrome or a
color direct drive analog monitor with a 31.5 KHz horizontal scan frequency.
The display's vertical gain is adjusted automatically by the VGA-compatible
circuitry. Thus, video modes with 350, 400, and 480 horizontal scan lines
can be displayed without requiring manual adjustment. MultiSync-style moni
tors are also supported.
VGA 110 port addressing

The IBM VGA (or compatible) chip is a very large scale integration (VLSI)
device that incorporates the functionality of six general purpose adapter
control registers, a CRTC, an Attribute Controller, an Address Sequencer,
and a Graphics Controller onto one chip.
The limited I/O address space of PC/XT/AT and compatible computers,

makes it is impossible to assign each register its own I/O port. With the
exception of the general registers, each major VGA register group is ad
dressed via an index/access port pair. For example, the VGA Sequencer's
index register is mapped to 1/0 port 03C4h. The value (index) written to port
03C4h determines which register appears at I/O port 03C5h.
continued

VGA 110 ports

The VGA I/O port address map is listed in the table below.
110 Address Read/Write Index Description
GENERAL REGISTERS
03CCh R - Miscellaneous Output
03C2h W - Miscellaneous Output

03C2h R - Input Status 0
3?Ah* R - Input Status 1
03CAh R - Feature Control
03?Ah/3?Ah* W - Feature Control
03C3h R/W - VGA Enable
03C7h R - DAC State
SEQUENCER REGISTERS
03C4h R/W Sequencer Index Register
03C5h R/W OOh Reset
03C5h R/W 01h Clocking Mode
03C5h R/W 02h Map Mask
03C5h R/W 03h Character Map Select
03C5h R/W 04h Memory Mode
? = 03BAh In Monochrome Emulation Modes
? = 03DAh In Color Emulation Modes
continued

VGA 1/0 ports, cont'd
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 01h Horizontal Total
3?Sh/3?5h* R/W 02h Horizontal Display Enable End

3?5h/3?5h* R/W 03h Start Horizontal Blanking
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 04h End Horizontal Blanking
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 05h Start Horizontal Retrace Pulse
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 06h End Horizontal Retrace
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 07h Vertical Total
3?5h/3?5h* R/W OSh Overflow
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 09h Preset Row Scan
3?5h/3?5h* R/W OAh Maximum Scan Line
3?5h/3?5h* R/W OAh Cursor Start
3?5h/3?5h* R/W OBh Cursor End
.-
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 10h Vertical Retrace Start
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 11h Vertical Retrace End
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 12h Vertical Display Enable End
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 13h Offset
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 14h Underline Location
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 15h Start Vertical Blank
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 16h End Vertical Blank
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 17h CRTC Mode Control
3?5h/3?5h* R/W 18h Line Compare
? = 03BAh in Monochrome Emulation Modes
continued


03COh R/W - Attribute Controller Indei, Register
03C1h R/W OOh-OFh Palette Registers OOh - OFh
03C1h R/W 10h Attribute Mode Control Register
03C1h R/W 11h Overscan Color Register
03C1h R/W 12h Color Plane Enable Register
03C1h R/W 13h Horizontal PEL Panning Register
GRAPHiCS CONTROLLER REGISTERS
03CFh R/W 07h Color Don't Care
03CFh R/W 08h Bit Mask
AFFFh R/W OOh Plane 0 System Latch
continued

DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTER (DAC) REGISTERS

03C8h R/W - Pixel Address (Write Mode)
03C8h W - Pixel Address (Read Mode)
03C6h R - DAC State Register
03C6h R/W - Pixel Mask"
03C9h R/W OOh Red value color 0
03C9h R/W OOh Green value color 0
03C9h R/W OOh Blue value color 0
03C9h R/W 01h Red value color 1
•• •• •• ••
• • • •
03C9h R/W FFh Red value color FFh
03C9h R/W FFh Green value color FFh
03C9h R/W FFh Blue value color FFh
03C1h R/W 14h Color select register
• Applications should not write to this register. Unpredictable results will occur.

A full discussion of VGA hardware is beyond the scope of this book. For
more information. see the documentation accompanying your VGA adapter

Video Modes
MDA video mode

MDA adapters support only one video mode.
Max. Char. Max. Buff.

Mode Type Resolution Colors Scheme Box P~ges Start
7 Text 720x350 mono 8Ox25 9x14 8 BOOOOh
CGA video modes

The table below lists the seven video modes supported by the CGA BIOS.

Mode Type Resolution Colors Scheme Box Pages Start
0 Text 320x200 16 40x~5 8x8 8 B8000h

1 Text 320x200 16 40x25 8x8 8 B8000h
2 Text 640x200 16 8Ox25 8x8 8 B8000h
3 Text 640x200 16 8px25 8x8 8 B8000h
4 Graphics 320x20Q 4 40x25 8x8 1 B8000h
5 Graphics 320x200 4 40x25 8x8 1 B8000h
6 Graphics 640x200 2 8Ox25 8x8 1 B8000h
CGA video mode facts

The following facts apply to the CGA supported modes:
• No cursor is displayed in graphics modes
• Modes 1, 3, and 4 are the same as modes 0, 2,and 5 except that in
modes 0, 2, and 5 color burst is enabled. Enabling color burst allows
color information to be displayed on composite color displays.
• Digital RGB displays are not affected by enabling color burst.
continued

Video Modes, Continued
EGA video modes
The table below lists the sixteen video modes supported by the EGA BIOS.

Mode Type Dlsp. Res. Colors Scheme Box Pages Start
0 Text CD 320x200 16 40x25 8x8 8 B8000h
0 Text ECD 320x350 16/64 40x25 8x14 8 B8000h
1 Text CD 320x200 16 40x25 ax8 8 B8000h
1 Text ECD 320x350 16/64 40x25 8x14 8 B8000h
2 Text CD 640x200 16 80x25 8x8 8 B8000h
2 Text ECD 720x400 16/64 80x25 8x14 4/8 B8000h
3 Text CD 640x200 16 80x25 8x8 4/8 B8000h
3 Text ECD 640x200 16/64 80x25 8x14 4/8 B8000h
4 Graphics CD/ECD 320x200 4 40x25 8x8 1 B8000h
7 Text Mono 720x350 Mono 80x25 9x14 4 BOOOOh
D Graphics CD/ECD 320x200 16 40x25 8x8 2/4 AOOOOh
E Graphics CD/ECD 640x200 16 80x25 8x8 1/2 AOOOOh
F Graphics Mono 640x350 Mono 80x25 9x14 1 AOOOOh
10 Graphics ECD 640350 4/16 80x25 8x14 1/2 AOOOOh
Legend:
CD = IBM Color Display, or compatible 112 = 64K/128K video memory Installed
ECD = IBM Enhanced Color Display, or 4/8 = 64K/128K video memory installed
compatible 4/8 = 64K/128K video memory installed
Mono = IBM Monochrome Display, or
compatible
EGA video mode facts

The following facts apply to the EGA supported modes:
• No cursor is displayed in graphics modes
• Modes 1, 3, and 4 are the same as modes 0, 2, and 5 except that in
modes 0, 2, and 5 color burst is enabled. Enabling color burst allows
color information to be displayed on composite color displays.
• Digital RGB displays are not affected by enabling color burst.
continued

VGA video modes

The VGA BIOS supports seventeen video modes, providing backward com
patibility with MOA, eGA, and EGA modes, as well as all new VGA modes.
The table below lists the modes supported by the VGA BIOS.

Mode Emul. Res. Type Colors Scheme Box Pages Start
0, 1 CGA" 320x200 Text 16/256K 40x25 8x8 8 B8000h
0, 1 EGA" 320x350 Text 16/256K 40x25 8x14 8 B8000h

0, 1 VGA+ 360x400 Text 16/256K 40x25 9x16 8 B8000h
2, 3 CGA" 640x200 Text 16/256K 80x25 8x8 8 B8000h
2, 3 EGA" 640x350 Text 16/256K 80x25 8x14 8 B8000h
2, 3! VGA+ 720x400 Text 16/256K 80x25 9x16 8 B8000h
4, 5 CGA 320x200 Graphics 4/256K 40x25 8x8 1 B8000h
6 CGA 640x200 Graphics 2/256K 80x25 8x8 1 B8000h
7 MDA" 720x350 Text MDA Mono 80x25 9x14 8 BOOOOh
7! VGA+ 720x400 Text VGA·Mono 80x25 9x16 8 BOOOOh
D EGA 320x200 Graphics 16/256K 40x25 8x8 8 AOOOOh
E EGA 640x200 Graphics 16/256K 80x25 8x8 4 AOOOOh
F EGA 640x350 Graphics Mono 80x25 8x14 2 AOOOOh
10 EGA 640x350 Graphics 16/256K 80x25 8x14 2 AOOOOh
11 VGA 640x480 Graphics 2/256K 80x30 8x16 1 AOOOOh
Legend: "I" Indicates power-on default mode
3! = Color monitor is attached,
7! = Monochrome monitor Is attached.
"* " In~icates that scan lines must be specified before mode set. (See AH =
12h BL = 30h Select scan lines for text modes for details.)
"+" Indicates default mode
continued

VGA video mode facts

The facts below apply to modes listed on the previous page.
Fact Description
Modes 0, 2, 4 =modes 1, 3, 5 In eGA, modes 1, 3, and 5 have color burst turned

on and modes 0, 2, and 4 have color burst turned
off. The VGA hardware does not support color burst;
modes 0, 2, and 4 are Identical to modes 1, 3, and 5
respectively.
200-lIne modes, double-scanned All 200 scan line modes are double-scanned by the
analog monitor. Each line of video Is painted on the
screen twice, one beneath the other, before the next
new scan line Is painted.
No cursor in graphics The cursor Is not displayed In graphics modes.
MDA, CGA, EGA Emulation To Insure compatibility with older software, the BIOS
Video Service supports all 200 and 350 scan line
MDA, CGA, and EGA video modes.
.
To activate a 200 or 350 scan line mode:
Execute Function AH = 12h, BL = 30h Select scan
lines for text mode with AL = OOh or 01h. (i.e.,
200 or 350 scan lines).
• Execute Function AH = OOh Set Video Mode .
Note: Unless otherwise Indicated, the BIOS defaults
to 400 scan lines for all text modes.

System RAM Data
Video Service data definitions

The data definitions used by thelNT 10h Video Service are stored in system
RAM in segment 40h and are presented below in offset order.
System RAM
Offset (hex) Size Description
49h 1 Byte Video mode setting.

4Ah 1 Word Number of columns on screen.
4Ch 1, Word Current page size.
4Eh 1 Word Current page address.
SOh 8 Words Cursor position on each page. Two bytes/page.
First byte (low order) of each pair is column, sec
ond is row. 0, 0 Is upper left corner of screen.
60h 1 Word Cursor type defined as 6845 video chip-compatlbie
starting and ending scan lines, High order byte
holds starting scan line; low order byte holds ending
scan line.
62h 1 Byte Current page number.
63h 1 Word 6845 video chip-compatible I/O port number for
current mode. (Port 0304h or 03B4h)
65h 1 Byte Current mode select register.
66h 1 Byte Current palette value.
84h 1 Byte Number of rows on screen (24/25)
85h 1 Word Character height (bytes/character)
87h 1 Byte Video control bits, where:
Bit 7 = Clear RAM
Bit 6,5 = M emory on video hardware as follows:
OOb = 64K
01b = 128K
10b = 192K
11b = 256K
Bit 4 = Not used
Bit 3 = 0 EGA-compatible mode active
Bit 2 = 1 Walt for display enable
Bit 1 = 0 Color or ECO monitor attached to
EGA-compatible adapter
= 1 Monochrome monitor is attached to
Bit 0 = 0 Translate cursor video modes 0-3
when using ECO monitor In 350-line
mode
continued

Video Service data definitions, cont'd
System RAM
BBh 1 Byte EGAIVGA switch data where:

Bits 7-4 = Feature connector bits 3-0, respectively
Bits 3-0 = Option switches 3-0, respectively
B9h 1 Word VGA control bits. where:
Bit 7 =200 lines
Bits 6-5 = Reserved
Bit 4 =400 lines
Bit 2 = Mono Monitor
Bit 1 =Gray Scaling
Bit 0 = Reserved
BAh 1 Byte Index to the Display Combination Code table
ABh 1 Word Pointer to video parameter table and overrides (in
segment:offset format).
Video Service Pointer Tables [EGA] [VGA]

The Video Service initializes and maintains two system RAM pointer tables.
Each table consists of seven double-word segment:offset pointers to video
parameters and optional auxiliary character generator information.
AH = OOh Set Video Mode refers to the INT 10h Video Service pointer tables
(and to the information pointed to by the tables) on every mode set.
Default table locations [EGA] [VGA)

There are two pointer tables: the primary table and the secondary table. The
locations of each of these tables is initialized by the BIOS during the power
on self test and initialization (POST) procedure. The table locations are
initialized as follows:
• This memory location (40:A8h in the BIOS data area) points to the first
pointer table. It is initialized by the BIOS to a default table in ROM.
• The fifth entry in the first pointer table points to the location of the second
pOinter table.
Note: Users who wish to override the BIOS default locations may supply
their own values for 40:A8h and entry 5 of Table #1. See below.
continued

Structure of Video Service Pointer Table #1 [EGA] [VGA]

The location of the first, or primary, pointer table must be stored in 40:A8h.
This address is initialized by the BIOS to a default location.
The table is structured as follows:
Table Location Description
Pointer 1 POINTER TO VIDEO PARAMETER TABLE

Initialized at POST to the ROM BIOS video parameter table.
This table entry is mandatory. If relnltlalized, It must point to
a valid video parameter table.
Pointer 2 POINTER TO DYNAMIC SAVE AREA
Optionai table entry. Initialized at POST to OO:OOh. When non
zero, this entry must pOint to a Dynamic Save Area In system
RAM. The Dynamic Save Area must be at least 256 bytes
long. It contains the 16 EGA palette register values as well as
the overscan register value In bytes 0-16, respectively.
Pointer 3 POINTER TO TEXT MODE AUXILIARY CHARACTER
GENERATOR
Optional table entry. Initialized by the BIOS to OO:OOh. When
nonzero, this entry must pOint to a table structured as below:
Size Description
Byte Bytes per character

Byte Block to load, 0= Normal operation
Word Count to store, 256 = Normal operation
Word Character offset, 0 = Normal operation
Dword Pointer to a font table
Byte Displayable rows, where:
OFFh = Maximum caiculated value otherwise
indicated number of rows displayed.
Byte Consecutive bytes of mode values for font.
OFFh :: Indicates end of stream
Note: Using this third pointer can cause unexpected cursor

operation. See Function AH = 01h Set Text Mode
Cursor Size, in this chapter for details.
continued

Structure of Video Service Pointer Table #1, cont'd [EGA] [VGA]
Pointer 4 POINTER TO GRAPHICS MODE CHARACTER

GENERATOR
Optional table entry. Initialized to 00: OOh. When nonzero, this
entry must point to a table structured as below:
Size Description
Byte Displayable rows

Word Bytes per character
DWord Pointer to font table
OFFh = Indicates end of stream
Pointer 5 POINTER TO VIDEO SERVICE POINTER TABLE #2 (Secon

dary Save Pointer Data Area)
Initialized by the BIOS to the default Pointer Table #2 location.
This table entry Is mandatory. If relnltlalized, it must pOint to
a valid Pointer Table #2.
Pointer 6 Reserved. Set by the BIOS to OO:OOh.
Pointer 7 Reserved. Set by the BIOS to OO:OOh.
continued

Structure of Video Service Pointer Table #2 [VGA]
The location of the secondary pointer table must be stored in Pointer 5 of

Pointer Table #1. Pointer 5 of Table #1 is initialized by the BIOS to a default
loqation.
Pointer 1 TABLE LENGTH

Initialized by the BIOS to default table length.
Pointer 2 POINTER TO DISPLAY COMBINATION CODE (DCC)
Initialized by the BIOS to the ROM BIOS DCC table. This table
entry is mandatory. If relnitlalized, it must point to a valid
DCC table. The DCC table Is structured as below:
Size Description
Byte Number of entries in the DCC table
Byte DCC Table Version Number
Byte Maximum display type code
Byte Reserved
00,00 Entry 0 No Displays

00,01 Entry 1 MDPA
00,02 Entry 2 CGA
02,01 Entry 3 MDPA + CGA
00,04 Entry 4 EGA
04,01 Entry 5 EGA + MDPA
00,05 Entry 6 MEGA
02,05 Entry 7 MEGA + CGA
00,06 Entry 8 PGC
01,06 Entry 9 PGC + MDPA
05,06 Entry 10 PGC + MEGA
00,08 Entry 11 CVGA
01,08 Entry 12 CVGA + MDPA
00,07 Entry 13 MVGA
02,07 Entry 14 MVGA + CGA
02,06 Entry 15 MVGA + PGC
Abbreviations
MDPA = Monochrome Display and Printer Adapter
CGA = Color/Graphics Monitor Adapter
EGA = Enhanced Graphics Adapter
MEGA = EGA with monochrome display
PGC = Professional Graphics Controller
VGA = Video Graphics Array
MVGA = VGA-based with monochrome display
CVGA = VGA-based with color display
continued

Structure of Video Service Pointer Table #2, cont'd [VGA]
Pointer 3 POINTER TO SECOND TEXT MODE AUXILIARY CHARACTER

GENERATOR
Optional table entry. Initialized by the BIOS to 00: OOh. When
nonzero, this entry must point to a table structured as below:
Size Description
Byte Bytes per character

Byte Block to load, 0= Normal operation
Word Count to store, 256 = Normal operation
Word Character offset, 0 = Normal operation
Dword Pointer to a font table
Byte Displayable rows, where:
OFFh = Maximum calculated value; otherwise
Indicated number of rows displayed.
OFFh = Indicates end of stream.
Note: Bit 3 of the Attribute byte is used to switch between

text mode fonts. It may be necessary to employ the
user palette profile table to define a palette of colors
Independent of attribute bit 3.
continued

Structure of Video Service Pointer Table #2. cont'd [VGA]
Pointer 4 Pointer to User Palette Profile Table

Optional table entry. Initialized by the BIOS to 00: OOh. When
nonzero, this entry must point to a table structured as beiow:
Size Description
Byte Underlining flag, where:

1 =On
o =Ignore (Normal operation)
-1 =Off
Byte Reserved
Word Reserved
Word Internal palette count (0-17), where:
17 = Normal operation
Word internal palette index (0-16), where:
o = Normal operation
DWord Pointer to Internal palette
Word External palette count (0-256), where:
Word External palette Index (0-255), where:
DWord Pointer to external palette
Byte Consecutive bytes of mode values for
font, where:
OFFh = End of stream
Pointer 5 Reserved
Pointer 7 Reserved

Summary of INT 10h Functions [MDA] [eGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Summary of Video Service functions

The physical location and number of functions supported by a given video
BIOS depends on the kind of adapter in place. MDA and eGA adapters rely
exclusively on the Video Service contained in the system board ROM BIOS of
all PC/XT IAT and compatible computers. EGA and VGA adapters contain a
The table below lists the Video Service functions and subfunctions. The col
umn labeled Adapter Type defines each function's level of support for each
video adapter type.
AH Description Adapter Type
OOh Set Video Mode [MDA] [CGA] [EGA] [VGA]

01h Set Text Mode Cursor Size [MDA] [CGA) [EGA) [VGA]
02h Set Cursor Position [MDA) [CGA) [EGA] [VGA]
03h Read Current Cursor Position [MDA] [CGA] [EGA) [VGA)
04h Read Light Pen Position [CGA) [EGA]
05h Select New Video Page [CGA) [EGA] [VGA)
OSh Scroll Current Page Up [MDA) [CGA] [EGA) [VGA]
07h Scroll Current Page Down [MDA) [CGA) [EGA] [VGA)
OSh Read Character/Attribute from Screen [MDA) [CGA] [EGA] [VGA)
09h Write Character/Attribute to Screen [MDA] [CGA] [EGA] [VGA]
OAh Write Character Only to Screen [MDA] [CGA) [EGA] [VGA)
OBh Set Color Palette [CGA) [EGA] [VGA)
OCh Write Pixel [CGA] [EGA] [VGA]
ODh Read Pixel [CGA) [EGA) [VGA]
OEh Write Teletype to Active Page [MDA) [CGA] [EGA] [VGA)
OFh Return Video Status [MDA] [CGA) [EGA) [VGA)
continued

Summary of INT 10h Functions, Continued [MDA] [eGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Summary of Video Service functions, cont'd
10h Set Palette/Color Registers [EGA] [VGA]

AL = OOh Set single palette
AL = 01h Set overscan register
AL = 02h Set all palette registers
and overscan (border color)
AL = 03h Toggle Intensity/blinking bit
• AL = 07h Read individual palette register
• AL = 08h Read overscan register (border
color)
• AL = 09h Read all palette registers and
overscan register (border color)
• AL = 10h Set Individual color register
• AL = 11 h Reserved
• AL = 12h Set block of color registers
• AL =13h Select color paging mode
(not valid for mode 13h)
BL = 01 h Select page
• AL = 14h Reserved
• AL = 15h Read single DAC color register
• AL =16h Reserved
• AL = 17h Read block of color registers
• AL = 18h-19h Reserved
• AL = 1Ah Read color paging status
• AL = 1Bh Sum color values to gray shades
11 h Load Character Generator [EGA] [VGA]
AL =OOh Load user text mode font
AL =01h Load ROM 8x14 text mode font
AL = 02h Load ROM 8x8 double dot text
mode font
AL =03h Set block specifier(text mode only)
• AL =04h Load 8x16 ROM text mode font
AL = 10h Load user text mode font
(after mode set)
AL = 11 h Load ROM 8x14 text mode font
(after mode set)
AL = 12h Load ROM 8x8 double dot text
mode font (after mode set)
• AL = 14h Load 8x16 ROM text mode font
(after mode set)
AL = 20h Set user graphics characters
pointer at INT 1Fh (8x8 font)
AL =21 h Set user graphics font pointer at
INT 43h
AL = 23h Use ROM 8x8 double dot font
for graphics
• AL = 24h Use ROM 8x16 font for graphics
AL = 30h Get font pointer information
• Supported on VGA adapters only.
continued

Summary of INT 10h Functions, Continued [MDA] [eGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Summary of Video Service functions. cont'd
12h Alternate Select (EGAI (VGAI

BL =10h Return configuration Information
BL =20h Switch to alternate print
screen routine
• BL = 30h Select scan lines for
text modes
• BL =31h Enable/disable default
palette loading during set mode
• BL = 32h Enable/disable video
• BL = 33h Enable/disable summing
to gray shades
• BL =34h Enable/disable cursor scaling
• BL· =35h Switch display
• BL = 36h Video screen off/on
13h Write String (MDAI [CGAI [EGA] [VGAI
AL =OOh Cursor not moved
AL = 01h Cursor Is moved
AL = 02h Cursor not moved
(text modes only)
AL =03h Cursor Is moved
(text modes only)
14h-19h Reserved
1Ah Read/Write Display Combination Code [VGAI
AL =OOh Read display combination code
AL = 01 h Write display combination code
1Bh Return Functionality/State Information [VGAI
1Ch Save/Restore Video State· [VGAI
AL =OOh Return Save/Restore buffer
size needed
AL =01 h Save current video state
AL =02h Restore current video state
• Supported on VGA adapters only.

How Functions Are Called [MDA] [CGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Description
Individual Video Service functions are selected via the AH register. Subfunc
tions are selected via the AL register or the BL register. The following gen
eral rules apply to these functions:
• The character or pixel value that is to be written is normally passed in
register AL.
• BX, ex, DX and segment registers are preserved through all function
calls. Assume that all other register contents, particularly SI and DI, may
be destroyed.
• . The x coordinate (column number) is passed in ex (graphics functions) or
DL (text functions).
• Any display page value is passed in BH. Display pages are zero-based
(i.e., page 0 = first page, page 1 = second page, etc.).
Error Handling [MDA] [CGA] [EGA] [VGA]
If the number in AH is outside the legal range, no action will be taken.

Function: AH = OOh Set Video Mode [MDA] [eGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Set Video Mode Function sets the video mode registers for operation in
any supported mode. It selects the active video mode if more than one is
installed, clears the screen, positions the cursor at 0,0 and resets the color
palette to default color values. (See the Video Modes heading in this chapter
for a description of each mode.)
Input/Output
Input: AH = OOh
AL = Video mode, where:
00h-07h - Valid values
OSh-OCh - Reserved
ODh-13h - Valid values
Output: AL = Video mode, where:
20h - Mode is greater than 7
30h - Mode is from 0-5 or 7
3Fh - MOde is mode 6
Additional information
• Resetting the same video mode can be used to clear the screen.
• To avoid resetting the palette when working with colors, use INT 10h
Function 06h rather than Function OOh to clear the screen.
• The cursor is not displayed in graphics modes.
• On EGA and VGA adapters, modes 0, 2, and 5 are identical to modes 1,
3, and 4.
• The power-on default mode with a color analog monitor attached is 3.
• The power-on default mode with a monochrome analog monitor attached
is 7.
• During mode set on VGA adapters, if bit 7 of AL is set, the video buffer is
not cleared.
• Refer to AH = 12h BL = 30h to select the number of scan lines for text
modes (200, 350, or 400).
• For all modes except mode 13, the first 64 color registers are initialized
and the values in the remaining 192 color registers are undefined.

Function: AH = 01h [MDA] [eGA]
Set Text Mode Cursor Size [EGA] [VGA]
Description
This function sets the size of the cursor that appears in text modes. Cursor
size and location within the character box is determined by the starting and
ending scan lines indicated in bits 4 - 0 of registers CH and CL respectively.
This function stores cursor size parameters in the cursor type byte at
40:60h.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 01h
CH = Top scan line, where:
Bits 7-6 = OOh (must be OOh, otherwise cursor blinking
becomes erratic)
Bit 5 = To shut cursor off
Bits 4-0 = Top scan line
CL = Bottom scan line, where:
Bit 7 = Undefined
Bits 6-5 = Show cursor
Bits 4-0 = Lower scan line
Output: None
continued

Set Text Mode Cursor Size, Continued [EGA] [VGA]
• Only one cursor type is available for all video pages.
• The default text mode cursor occupies the bottom two scan lines of the
character box associated with the given text mode.
• Setting register bit 5 of the CH register causes the text mode cursor to
disappear completely. The cursor can also be eliminated by positioning it
to a nondisplay address, e.g. (x,y) = (0,25)
• In graphics mode, bit 5 is set automatically, which prevents the cursor
from being displayed. To simulate the cursor, use the solid block charac
ter DFh, or the change background attributes.
• CGA modes can display a cursor on eight lines, numbered 0 to 7, top
to bottom.
• MDA and EGA modes can display a cursor on 14 lines, numbered 0 to 13,
top to bottom.
• VGA modes can display a cursor on 16 lines, the default character size of
this mode.
Default cursor settings

The default cursor settings for each mode type are listed below. Default
cursor settings are established by Function AH = OOh Set Video Mode at
mode set.
Mode type Cursor settings
CGA CH = 6, CL = 7
MDA. EGA CH = 11, CL = 12
MCGA. VGA CH = 13, CL = 14

Function: AH = 02h Set Cursor Position [MDA] [CGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Set Cursor Position function sets the cursor position (in terms of row
by-column coordinates) for the display page indicated in BL. It saves the
position as a two-byte row-by-column table entry in the cursor coordinates
byte at 40:50h. Rowand column coordinates are indicated in registers DH
and DL respectively.
The Set Cursor Position function applies to both text and graphics video
modes. In text modes, if the display page selected in BH is the active dis
play page, the screen cursor will move to the coordinates indicated in regis
ters DH and DL. In graphics modes, the cursor is invisible but is used to
define a position on the screen.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 02h
BH Display page number (see Function AH = 05h)
DH = Row (0 is top row of screen)
DL = Column (0 is leftmost column)
Output: AX = OOh
Cursor Positioning
Positioning the cursor to coordinates (0,0) places it in the upper left corner
of the screen in the 80x25 text mode. Selecting coordinates (79,24) in the
80x25 text mode will allow placement of the cursor in the lower right corner
of the screen. The cursor can also be placed in the lower right corner of the
screen using coordinates (39,24) in the 40x25 text mode.
The cursor can be turned off by moving it to an off-screen location or

changing its coordinates to a position such as (0,25). However, if it is
moved too far off-screen, the actual position if the cursor may become
unpredictable.
• The display page number must be set to 0 in CGA graphics mode.
• Multiple display pages in 16-color graphics as well as text modes are
supported by both EGA and VGA.

Read Current Cursor Position [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Read Current Cursor Position function reads the cursor position for the
given video page from the cursor coordinates byte at 40:50h. It reads the
cursor type from 40:60h and returns the current cursor position in text
coordinates. This function is useful for determining the exact cursor type
before it is changed.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 03h
BH = Display page number (zero-based)
Output: AX = OOh
CH = Starting cursor scan line
CL = Ending cursor scan line
DH = Row number
DL = Column number
A different cursor is maintained for each display page. Each of these cursors
can be examined independently with this function, no matter which page is
currently active. The number of available display pages is defined by the
display mode selected.

Function: AH = 04h Read Light Pen Position [eGA] [EGA]
Description
This function reads the light pen's status and position. Light pen input de
vices are not supported on VGA adapters. Light pens are not effective on
monochrome monitors with long image-retention phosphor, and the light pen
position is not accurate enough for use with high resolution devices.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 04h
Output: AH = OOh Light pen switch is not active
= 01 h Light pen coordinate values
DH,DL = Rowand column of character
CH = Raster line (0 -199)
CL = Raster line (0 - nnn) modes> 200 line resolution
BX Pixel column (0 - 319,639)

Function: AH = OSh Select New Video Page [eGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Select New Video Page function sets the active page for the video mode
selected. Refer to the table under the Video Modes heading for a list of the
maximum number of pages allowed for each video mode.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OSh
AL = New page number (zero-based)
Output: None
• All page numbers are zero-based (i.e., page numbers begin at page 0).
• In text modes, page numbers range from 0-7.
• Page 0, located at the beginning of display memory, is used by default in
all video modes.
• Switching between pages does not alter their contents. Also, no matter
which page is active (currently displayed), text can be written to any video
page using INT 10h, Functions 02h, 09h and 10h.
• In the eGA modes, no video paging is possible.
• In EGA and VGA modes, video pages are available up to the limits of
video RAM in both alphanumeric and graphics modes.
• The current cursor position is maintained by the BIOS for as many as
eight video pages.
• An instantaneous screen change can be created by building a screen on
an undisplayed page, then using this function to display it.

Function: AH = OSh Scroll Current Page Up [MDA] [eGA]
Function: AH = 07h Scroll Current Page Down [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Scroll Current Page Up/Down functions employ the CH, DH, CL, and DL
registers to define a screen window and allow the contents of the window to
be scrolled either up or down by the number of character rows specified in
register AL. If AL = OOh, the window is blanked instead of scrolled.
Information appearing on the screen but lying outside the parameters of the
defined window remains on the screen. Only one window can be defined at
any given time.
These two functions operate in both text and graphics modes.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 06h Scroll current page up
07h Scroll current page down
AL = Scroll distance in character rows
(0 blanks entire scroll area)
BH = Attribute to use on blanked lines
CH = Top row of scroll window
CL = Left column of scroll window
DH Bottom row of scroll window
DL = Right column of scroll window
Output: None
Use the cursor positioning and character writing functions to fill the blank line
with text.
Initializing a window
Setting AL = OOh initializes a window on the display screen. Setting the AL
register to zero blanks out the region specified by the CX and DX general
purpose registers and fills the window with the attribute in the BH register.

Function: AH = OSh [MDA] [eGA]
Read Character/Attribute from Screen [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Read Character/Attribute from Screen function reads the character at
the current cursor location. For text modes, the attribute is also returned. In
graphics modes, the character matrix at the cursor position is compared to
the bit patterns in the current graphics character definition table to determine
the character's ASCII value. Characters other than standard ASCII characters
are returned as AL = OOh.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 08h
BH = Display page (refer to the Video Modes heading for the
maximum pages per mode)
Output: AH = Attribute (text modes only)
AL = Character read
Additional Information
• To read a character from any valid display page (other than the active
one), specify the display page number.
• Information about the screen is in screen memory and need not be stored
in a program.
• This function can be used to read the screen for TSR spelling and thesau
rus utilities.

Write Character/Attribute to Screen [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Write Characterl Attribute function writes the character to the screen
starting at the current cursor location for as many times as indicated in the
CX register. The cursor is not moved even if more than one character is
written. unless the same character is repeated.
INT 10h Functions AH = 09h and AH = OAh are similar. AH = 09h should be
used for all graphics modes and in all text modes where character by char
acter control of foreground and background attributes is desired.
Input/Output
Input: AH 09h
AL = ASCII character to write
BH = Display page (refer to the Video Modes heading for the
maximum pages per mode)
= Background color (graphics mode 13h only)
BL = Character attribute (text modes)
= Foreground color (graphics modes) (Le. color of
character)
CX = Repeat count
Output: None
continued

Write Character/Attribute to Screen, Continued [EGA] [VGA]
• In text modes, the number of repeats placed into CX may exceed the
number of columns remaining in a given row. Characters will wrap around
from row to row. In graphics modes, the number of repeats placed into
CX cannot exceed the number of columns remaining in a given row.
Characters will not wrap around from row to row.
• In VGA graphics mode 13h, the color specified in BH determines the
screen background color.
• In CGA graphics modes, the bit map used for ASCII characters 80-FFh is
stored in a table that starts at O:7Ch. This value is stored in the vector for
INT 1Fh. By resetting the vector, the bit map table location can be
changed to point to a different bit map.
• For EGA and VGA graphics modes, use the table whose pointer is stored
in the vector for INT 43h. For further information, refer to the INT 10h,
Function AH = 11 h, AL = 20h and AL = 21 h headings in this chapter.
• Any value of AL will produce a display; this includes all control characters
(e.g. bell, backspace, CR, LF). These control characters are not inter
preted as special characters and do not change the cursor position.
• After a character has been written, the cursor has to be explicitly moved
to the next position using INT 10h, Function 02h.
• To write a character without changing the attribute at the current cursor
position, use INT 10h, Function OAh.
• When this function is used to write characters in graphics mode, and bit 7
of BL is set to 1, the character is XORed with the contents of the current
display. This feature can be used to write characters and then erase
them.

Function: AH = OAh [MDA] [eGA]
Write Character Only to Screen [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Write Character Only to Screen function operates identically to the Write
CharacterI Attribute function, except that for text modes the attribute bytes
corresponding to the characters remain unchanged. This function is often
used to write a character to the screen in text modes.
Note: Use AH = 09h in graphics modes.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OAh
AL = Character to write (ASCII codes)
BH = Display page (text modes only)
CX = Repeat count
Output: None
• Any value of AL will produce a display; this includes all control characters
(e.g. bell, backspace, CR, LF). These control characters are not inter
preted as special characters and do not change the cursor position.
• After a character has been written, the cursor has to be explicitly moved
to the next position using INT 10h, Function 02h.
• To write a character without changing the attribute at the current cursor
position, use INT 10h, Function OAh.
• When this function is used to write characters in graphics mode, and bit 7
of BL is set to 1, the character is XORed with the contents of the current
display. This feature can be used to write characters and then erase
them.

Function: AH = OBh Set Color Palette [eGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Description
This function selects colors for medium resolution graphics modes. Depend
ing on the value placed in BH, the Set Color Palette function will perform any
of four operations.
If BH = OOh, then the value in BL sets the:

• background color for 320x200 graphics modes (modes 4, 5),
• border color for 320x200 text modes (modes 0, 1, 2, 3),
• foreground color for 640x200 graphics mode (mode 6).
If BH = 01 h, then the value in BL sets the palette for 320x200 graphics
modes (modes 4, 5).
Input/Output
Input: AH = OBh
BH = OOh
= Mode = 4, 5, set background color to value in BL
= Mode = 0, 1, 2, 3, set border color to value in BL
= Mode = 6, set foreground color (640x200 graphics)
to value in BL
BL = (0-31), when colors (16-31 are high intensity
background set)
or
BH = 01 h Select palette for modes 4, 5 (320x200 graphics)
BL = OOh Palette = Green (1). Red (2), Brown (3)
= 01 h Palette = Cyan (1), Magenta (2), White (3)
Output: None
• In CGA graphics modes, bit 4 of BL selects between normal and high
intensity. EGA and VGA graphics modes emulate this by selecting a
palette of high intensity colors when bit 4 of BL is set.
• A flashing display can be set by rapidly changing the palette.
• The background color of text is determined by the high order four bits of
the attribute byte of each character.

Function: AH = OCh Write Pixel [eGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Write Pixel function writes to video memory the pixel specified by row
and column number in DX and CX. When a video mode allows more than
one page. the (O-based) page number must be indicated in BH.
For all graphics modes except mode 13h, bit 7 of AL acts as an inverter
flag. If bit 7 of AH is set, then the color value in AL is exclusively ORed
(XOR) with the current pixel. That pixel can be erased by writing it a
second time.
Refer to the Video Modes heading for video modes, resolutions, and maxi
mum pages/mode.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OCh
AL Color (Bit 7 is exclusive OR flag)
BH = Page number (modes allowing more than one page)
CX = Pixel column number
DX = Pixel row number
Output: None
Pixel values
• In four-color graphics modes (modes 04h and OSh), pixel values range
from 0-3.
• In two-color graphics modes (mode 06h), pixel values range from 0-1.

Function: AH = ODh Read Pixel [eGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Read Pixel function returns the value of an addressed pixel to the low
order bits of the AL register. This function can be used for collision detection
in video games. It can also be used by advanced graphics programs to
detect bpundaries when moving a graphics object on the screen.
Refer to the Video Modes heading for a listing of video modes, resolutions,
and maximum pages/mode.
Input/Output
Input: AH = ODh
BH = Page number (modes allowing more than one page)
CX = Column number
DX = Row number
Output: AL = Color value of pixel read
Pixel values
Display modes 04h, 05h and aSh have valid pixel values in the ranges of
0-3, 0-3 and 0-1 respectively.

Function: AH = OEh [MDA] [eGA]
Write Teletype to Active Page [EGA] [VGA]
Description
This function makes the display appear as a serial terminal. The character
in AL is written to video memory to be placed in the active page at the cur
rent cursor position and the cursor is moved to the next character location
(scrolling is necessary). Screen width is a function of the video mode cur
rently in effect.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OEh
AL = Character to write
BL = Foreground color (graphics modes only)
BH = Active page
Output: None
Special characters
The four ASCII characters listed below are not displayed but are interpreted
instead as control characters. All other characters (including other control
characters) are interpreted as display characters.
Character ASCII Code Function
Bell 07h A beep is sounded.

Backspace OSh If the cursor Is already on column O. nothing hap
pens. Otherwise. the cursor moves back one
column.
LF OAh The cursor moves down one row. If done on the
last row of the screen, the display is scrolled one
row.
CR OOh The cursor moves to column 0 on the current row.
continued

Function: AH ... OEh [MDA] [eGA]
Write Teletype to Active Page, Continued [EGA] [VGA]
• When working in the active page, this function allows a character to be
printed at the current cursor position. After printing the character, it
moves the cursor to the right one space. It then wraps the cursor to the
next line. Scrolling the screen up one line requires that the cursor be
moved past the lower right corner of the screen.
• In CGA text mode, characters can be written to any legal display page, no
matter which page is active.
• Compare this function with INT 10h, Function 13h.
• This is the best function to use for simple output.
DOS uses
DOS uses this function in the console driver for writing operating system text
and messages to the screen.
This function does not, however, allow the attribute of a text character to be
selected. To define an attribute for a character written to the screen:
1. write the ASCII blank character (20h) having the desired attribute to the
current position using Function 09h, and
2. write the desired character using Function OEh.
With this method, the user does not have to provide for line wrapping and
screen scrolling, but can allow the BIOS to control line wrap and screen
scroll.
INT 10h Video 'Service 219

Function: AH = OFh [MDA] [eGA]
Return Video Status [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Return Video Status function returns current display mode information. It
gives the mode. screen width in characters. and the display page number.
Refer to the Video Modes heading in this chapter for maximum pages per
mode.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OFh
Output: AH = Number of columns on screen from the screen width byte
(40:4Ah)
AL = Current mode from the video mode setting byte (40:49h)
BH = Active display page number from the display page byte
(40:62h)
Examples of use
Some ways to use this function are:
• To determine the screen width in the current screen mode before clearing
the screen.
• To determine the settings of the display system at program initialization so
that they can be returned to when the program terminates.
• To write TSR utilities that pop up on the screen while another application is
running. The background application may be running in a different mode
than the TSR.

Function: AH = 10h Set Palette/Color Registers [EGA] [VGA]
Description
This function has fourteen subfunctions that control operations on the color
palette registers in EGAIVGA video controllers. The subfunctions control
color, blinking and the video DAC for VGA controllers. There are two groups:
• Subfunctions that service the Attribute Controller's Internal Palette
• Subfunctions that service the DAC Color Registers.
Subfunctions
AL Value Subfunction Name Programs
OOh Set single palette register Atrib. Contrl.

01h Set overscan register Atrlb. Contrl.
02h Set all palette registers and overscan (border color) Atrlb. Contrl.
03h Toggle Intensify/blinking bit Atrlb. Contrl.
04h-06h Reserved Atrlb. Contrl.
07h* Read individual palette register Atrib. Contrl.
08h* Read overscan register (border color) Atrib. Contrl.
09h* Read all palette registers and overscan register Atrib. Contrl.
(border color)
10h* Set Individual color register DAC
11 h Reserved DAC
12h* Set block of color registers DAC
13h* Select color paging mode (not valid for mode 13h) DAC
BL = 01h Select page
14h Reserved DAC
15h* Read single DAC color register DAC
16h Reserved DAC
17h* Read block of color registers DAC
18h-19h Reserved DAC
1Ah* Read color paging status DAC
1Bh* Sum color values to gray shades DAC
* Supported on VGA adapters only.
continued

Function: AH = 10h
Set Palette/Color Registers, Continued [EGA] [VGA]
Subfunction: AL = OOh Set single palette [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction sets a single color value in the Attribute Controller's 16
value internal palette. For VGA mode 13h (i.e, 2S6-color graphics), this
subfunction exits without processing.
Input: AH = 10h
AL = DOh set single palette
BH = New color value
BL = Palette register
Output: None
Subfunction: AL = 01 h Set overscan register [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction sets the overscan color (screen border) for the current
video modes.
Input: AH = 10h
AL = 01h
BH = Color value to set
Output: None
continued

Function: AH = 10h
Subfunction: AL = 02h
Set all palette registers and overscan (border color) [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction sets all 16 Attribute Controller internal palette registers, as

well as the overscan register (11 h), to the values pointed to by the 17-byte
table by ES:BX. This function exits without processing if the current mode is
VGA mode 13h (i.e., 256-color graphics).
Input: AH = 10h
AL = 02h
ES:DX = Pointer to 17-byte table, where:
Byte 16 = Overscan value (border color)

Bytes 15-0 = Palette values
Output: None
Subfunction: AL =03h Toggle intensity/blink bit [EGA] [VGA]

This subfunction sets either the background intensity or the foreground
blinking for all color modes displayed by EGA and VGA adapters.
Input: AH = 10h
AL = 03h
BL = OOh Enable background intensity
= 01 h Enable foreground blinking

Output: None
Subfunctions: AL = 04h to 06h

These subfunctions are reserved.
continued

Function: AH = 10h
Subfunction: AL = 07h Read individual palette register [VGA]

This subfunction reads the color value of the register input into BL and
returns that value in BH.
Input: AH = 10h
AL = 07h
BL = Palette register to be read (Range OOh -OFh)
Output: BH = Value read
Subfunction: AL = OSh Read overscan register (border color) [VGAl

This subfunction reads the color value stored in the overscan register of the
current color palette. This value defines the current border color.
Input: AH = 10h
AL 08h
Output: BH = Value read
Read all palette registers and overscan register (border color) [VGAl
This subfunction reads the contents of the current palette register and the
overscan register and outputs the contents to a table pointed to by ES:DX.
The table pointed to by ES:DX must be 17 bytes long.
Input: AH = 10h
AL = 09h
ES:DX = Pointer to 17-byte buffer for return values
Output: ES:DX = Pointer to 17-byte table destination, where:
Byte 16 = Overscan value (border color)
Bytes 15-0 = Register color values
continued

Function: AH = 10h
Subfunction: AL = 1OhSet individual color register [VGA]

This subfunction reads in a table of RGB color values from the area pointed
to by ES:DX. The number of the first DAC color register to set is specified in
BX. The total number of color registers to set is specified in CX. Each red,
green, and blue entry must be one byte long.
Bits 7-6 are don't care bits. Bits 5-0 are set as 3Fh (most intense) to
OOh (off).
Input: AH = 10h
AL = 10h
BX = Color register to set
CH = Green value to set, where:
Bits 7-6 = Reserved
Bits 5-0 = 3Fh Most intense; OOh = Off (black)
CL = Blue value to set, where:

Bits 7-6 = Reserved
Bits 5-0 = 3Fh Most intense: OOh = Off (black)
DH = Red value to set, where:
Bits 7-6 = Reserved
Bits 5-0 = 3Fh Most intense; OOh = Off (black)
Output: None
With gray scale summing selected, the weighted sum gray shade value
is calculated and saved to each of the three RGB parts of the color regis
ter. See INT 1Oh, Function 1Oh, subfunction 1Bh for a description of this
calculation.
Subfunction: AL = 11 h
This subfunction is reserved.
continued

Function: AH = 10h
Subfunctlon.: AL = 12h Set block of color registers [VGA]

This subfunction sets a consecutive series of DAC color registers. Input the
number of the first color register to set in BX, the number of color registers
to set in CX, and the pointer to the table of color values in ES:DX.
Input: AH = 10h
At = 12h
BX = First color register to set
CX = Number of color registers to set
ES:DX = Pointer to table of color values. Table format is red,
green, blue, red, green, blue
Output: None
With gray scale summing selected, the weighted sum gray shade value
is calculated and saved to each of the three RGB parts of the color regis
ter. See INT 10h, Function 10h, subfunction 1Bh for a description of this
calculation.
continued

Function: AH = 10h
Subfunc'tion: AL = 13h Select color paging mode [VGA]

The DAC chip contains 256 color registers. In all modes except mode 13h
(i.e., 256-color graphics), the DAC color registers can be logically divided
into four blocks, each containing 64 color registers, or into 16 blocks, each
containing 16 color registers.
Depending on the value placed in BL, this subfunction performs two
operations:
• When BL = OOh, the value placed in BH selects whether the 256 DAC
color registers will be logically divided into four blocks of 64 color regis
ters or into 16 blocks of 16 color registers.
• When BL = 01 h, the value placed in BL selects an individual block of
color registers. When in four-block mode, the allowable range for BH is
00h-03h. When in 16-block mode, the allowable, range for BH is OOh-OFh.
Input: AH = 10h
AL = 13h
BH OOh Set 4 blocks of 64 registers
= 01 h Set 16 blocks of 16 registers

BL = ~Oh Set block mode
or
BL = 01 h Select individual block
BH 00h-03h for 4-block mode
OOh-OFh for 16-block mode
Output: None
The Set single palette subfunction (AH = 1Oh, AL = OOh) defaults to the 64
register/block mode, initializing only the first block of 64 color registers.
Alternate blocks of color registers are initialized through the Select paging
mode subfunction (AH = 10h, AL = 13h, BL = OOh). Alternate blocks of color
registers must be initialized for the Select page subfunction (AH = 1Oh,
AL = 13h, BL = 01h) to operate properly.
continued

Function: AH = 10h
Subfunction: AL = 15h Read single DAC color register [VGAl

This subfunction reads an individual DAC color register.
Input: AH = 10h
AL = 15H
BX = Color register to read
Output: CH = Green value
CL = Blue value
DH = Red value
Subfunction: AL = 17h Read block of color registers [VGAl

This subfunction reads a block of DAC color registers to the buffer area
pointed to by ES:DX.
Input: AH = 10h
AL = 17h
BX = DAC color register that begins block
CX = Total number of color registers to read
ES:DX = Pointer to buffer to save register information in.
(3 bytes per color register). Format as red byte, green

byte, blue byte ...
Output: ES:DX = Pointer to values read
Subfunctions: AL = 18h to 19h

These subfunctions are reserved.
continued
228 System BIOS for IBM PCIXT I AT Computers and Compatibles

Function: AH = 10h
Subfunction: AL = 1Ah Read color paging status [VGA]
This subfunction returns the current color paging mode as well as the current
color page within this mode. See INT 1Oh, Function 1Oh, subfunction 13h,
Select color paging mode.
Input: AH = 10h
AL 1Ah
Output: BH = Current page
BL = Current paging mode
= OOh (4 pages of 64 registers)
01 h (16 pages of 16 registers)
Subfunction: AL = 1Bh Sum color values to gray shades [VGA]
This subfunction reads the red, green, and blue values stored in the speci
fied color registers and performs the following weighted sum:
Gray Shade = 30% red + 59% green + 11 % blue

The resulting red, green, and blue values are written to the specified color
registers. The original contents of each register are not retained.
Input: AH = 10h
AL 1Bh
BX = Color register to start with
CX = Count of how many to sum
Output: None

Function: AH = 11 h Load Character Generator [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Load Character Generator function consists of fifteen subfunctions, all
of which, in one way or another, permit the loading and/or enabling of text
mode and graphics mode character generators (fonts).
Load Character Generator subfunctions

The Load Character Generator subfunctions are invoked by passing the
proper parameter in the AL register. The subfunctions are:
AL Value Subfunction Name
OOh Load user text mode font

01h Load ROM 8x14 text mode font
02h Load ROM 8x8 double dot text mode font
03h Set block specifier (text modes only)
04h* Load 8x16 ROM text mode font
10h Load user text mode font (after mode set)
11 h Load ROM 8x14 text mode font (after mode set)
12h Load ROM 8x8 double dot text mode font (after mode set)
l4h* Load 8x16 ROM text mode font (after mode set)
20h Set user graphics character pointer at INT 1Fh (8x8 font)
21h Set user graphics character pointer at INT 43h
22h Use ROM 8x14 font for graphics
23h Use ROM 8x8 double dot font for graphics
24h* Use ROM 8x16 font for graphics
30h Get font pointer information
* Supported on VGA adapters only.
continued

Function: AH = 11 h
Load Character Generator, Continued [EGA] [VGA]
Subfunctions: AL = OOh, 01 h, 02h, 03h, 04h [EGA] [VGA]

As a group. subfunctions OOh - 04h allow the user to load character font
sets into memory map 2. the area of video memory where the BIOS refer
ences text mode character generators. There are slight differences in the
way these functions are supported on EGA and VGA adapters.
The following facts apply:
• On EGA adapters. this subfunction performs a mode set. resetting the
video environment but preserving the contents of the video buffer.
• Subfunction 04h is not supported on EGA subsystems.
• On VGA adapters. no mode set occurs. Scan lines per character. number
of character rows. buffer length. and cursor size are not recalculated.
• To prevent unpredictable results, the user-defined font loaded here must
occupy a character box size that is close in size to the one employed by
the current mode.
Subfunction: AL = OOh Load user text mode font [EGA] [VGA]

This subfunction loads a user-defined font into the memory map 2 block
specified in BL. The user font must be stored in a table pointed to by ES:BP,
with the ASCII character 10 or the first character specified in OX. This sub
function is for fonts in text display mode. For fonts in graphics mode. see
INT 10h. Function 11h. subfunctions 20h-24h.
Inp.... t: AH = 11h
AL = OOh
BH = Number of bytes per character
BL = Block to load (valid values are OOh - 07h)
CX = Number of characters to store
OX = Character 10 of first character in ES:BP table
ES:BP = Pointer to the user table
Output: None
continued

Function: AH = 11 h
Subfunction: AL = 01h Load ROM 8x14 text mode font [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction loads the ROM-resident 8x14 font into the memory map 2
block indicated in BL. Use this subfunction to override the BIOS default char
acter block location for 8x14 character video modes. For fonts in graphics
mode, see INT 1Oh, Function 11 h, subfunctions 20h-24h.
Input: AH = 11h
AL = 01h
Output: None
Subfunction: AL = 02h Load 8x8 double dot text mode font [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction loads the ROM-resident 8x8 font into the character block
indicated in BL. Use this subfunction to override the BIOS default character
block location for 8x8 character video modes. For fonts in graphics mode,
see INT 1Oh, Function 11 h, subfunctions 20h-24h.
Input: AH = 11h
AL = 02h
Output: None
continued

Function: AH = 11h
Subfunction: AL = 03h Set block specifier (text modes only) [EGA] [VGA]
EGA- and VGA-compatible hardware allows the user to display up to 512
text mode characters at a time. However, in text modes, all character font
bit patterns are ~tored in 8K blocks in video memory map 2. Each 8K block
can store up to 256 characters. In order to display 512 text mode characters
special steps need to be taken to allow end user software to select between
either of two possible 8K character blocks.
This supfunctionsets up the video hardware so that bit 3 of each text mode
attribute byte can select between either of two memory map 2 character
blocks, thus allowing up to 512 characters to be displayed in any text mode.
Characters are selected according to the rules below:
• The value of bits 4, 1, and 0 of BL set by this subfunction indicates the
first character block; the value of bits 5, 3, and 2 in BL indicates the
second character block.
• The value of bit 3 of each character attribute byte determines from which
character block a given ASCII character will be selected.
• When bit 3 = 0, the character is selected from the block defined by bits
a
4, 1, and input into BL.
• When bit 3 = 1, the character is selected from the block defined by bits
5,3, and 2 of BL.
~ If bits 4, 1, and 0 = bits 5, 3, and 2, then bit 3 of the character attribute
byte toggles foreground intensity on or off. When two character blocks are
selected, Function AX = 1000h BX = 0712h will ensure that eight consis
tent color planes are set.
Note: To make a loaded character block active, this subfunction must be
run after any load character block subfunction.
Input: AH = 11 h
AL = 03h
BL = Select character block (see description above)
Output: None
continued

Function: AH = 11 h
Subfunction: AL = 04h Load 8x16 ROM text mode font [VGA]
This subfunction loads the ROM-resident 8x16 font into the character block
indicated in BL. Use this subfunction to override the BIOS default character
block for 8x16 character block modes. For fonts in graphics mode, see INT
1Oh, Function 11 h, subfunctions 20h-24h.
Input: AH = 11h
AL = 04h
BL = Block to load (valid values are 0-7)
Output: None
Subfunctions: AL = 10h, 11 h. 12h. 14h [EGA] [VGA]

Subfunctions AL = 1Oh, 11 h, 12h, and 14h, respectively, are identical to
subfunctions AL = OOh, 01 h, 02h, and 04h except for the following:
• Page 0 is active,
• the bytes per character (points) are recalculated,
• the number of rows is recalculated,
• the display buffer length is calculated, and
• the following CRTC registers are reprogrammed:
• Index 09h Maximum scan line index
• Index OAh Cursor start index
• Index OBh Cursor end index
• Index 12h Vertical displacement end index
• Index 14h Underline location (mode 07h only)
continued

Function: AH = 11 h
Subfunction: AL =
10h
Load user text mode font (after mode set) [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction loads the user character set defined in the table pointed to
by ES: BP to the character block indicated BL.
Input: AH = 11 h
AL = 10h
BH = Number of bytes per character
BL Block to load (valid values are 0-7)
CX = Number of characters to store
OX = Character 10 of first character in ES:BP table
ES:BP = Pointer to table
Output: None
The registers programmed by subfunction 10h are a subset of all EGAIVGA

CRTC registers. Because of this, the font downloaded by this subfunction
must be relatively close in size to the default font associated with the current
video mode. To prevent unpredictable results, these subfunctions should
only be called after a call to INT 10h, AH = OOh Set Video Mode.
Subfunction: AL =
11 h
Load ROM 8x14 text mode font (after mode set) [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction loads the ROM 8x14 font into the character block indicated
in BL. Bytes/characters (point size), number of display rows, cursor and
underline parameter, and display buffer length are recalculated. Use this
subfunction to override the BIOS-defined font for the text mode in question.
Input: AH = 11 h
AL = 11 h
BL = Block to load (valid values are 0-7)
Output: None
The registers programmed by subfunction 11 h are a subset of all EGAIVGA

CRTC registers. Because of this, the font downloaded by this subfunction
video mode. To prevent unpredictable results, these subfunctions should
only be called after a call to INT 1Oh. AH = OOh Set Video Mode.
continued

Function: AH = 11 h
Subfunction: AL 12h =
Load ROM 8x8 double dot text mode font [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction loads the ROM 8x8 font into the character block indicated in
BL. Bytes/character (point size), number of display rows, cursor and under
line parameters, and display buffer length are recalculated. Use this subfunc
tion to override the BIOS-defined font for the text mode in question.
Input: AH = 11 h
AL 12h
BL = Block to load
Output: None
The registers programmed by subfunction 12h are a subset of all EGAIVGA

CRTC registers. Because of this, the font downloaded by this subfuhction
video mode. To prevent unpredictable results, these subfunctions Should
only be called after a mode set call (i. e., INT 1Oh, AH = OOh Set Video
Mode) .
Subfunction: AL = 14h Load 8x16 ROM text 1l10de font [VGA]
This subfunction loads the ROM 8x16 font into the character block indicated
in BL. Bytes/character (point size), number of display rows, cursor and
underline parameters, and display buffer length are recalculated. Use this
subfunction to override the BIOS-defined font for the text mode in question.
Input: AH 11 h
AL 14h
BL = Block to load
Output: None
The 8x16 text mode font is not available in EGA adapters. As such, the
registers programmed by subfunction 14h are a subset of all VGA CRTC
registers. Because of this, the font downloaded by this subfunction must be
relatively close in size to the default font associated with the current video
mode. To prevent unpredictable results, these subfunctions should only be
called after a mode set call (I.e., INT 1Oh, AH = OOh Set Video Mode).
continued

Function: AH = 11h
Subfunctions: AL = 20h, 21 h, 22h, 23h, 24h [EGA] [VGA]

Subfunctions AL = 20h, 21 h, 22h, 23h, and 24h all deal with fonts that are
used in graphics modes. For functions that deal with fonts in text display
mode, see INT 10h, Function 11 h, subfunctions OOt¥-+4h-.
To prevent unpredictable results, subfunctions AL = 20h, 21 h, 22h, 23h, and

24h should be called only immediately after a video mode is set (See INT
1Oh, AH = OOh Set Video Mode, AL = mode to select).
Set user graphics font pointer at INT 1Fh (8x8 font) [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction sets the graphics font pointer to the vector contained in INT
1Fh. The INT 1Fh vector is specified in ES:BP. The font table pointed to is
used by applications programs running on EGA or VGA adapters that are set
to modes 04h - 06h, the CGA graphic modes. The graphics character set
loaded can contain bit patterns for ASCII characters 80h-FFh.
Input: AH = 11h
AL = 20h
ES:BP = User graphics font pointer
(INT 1Fh is set to the vector contained in ES:BP)

Output: None
• The character generators for all graphics modes are contained within the
video BIOS. The ROM BIOS-based character generators for graphics VGA
modes ODh to 13h contain all 256 ASCII characters.
• The character generators for graphics modes 04h, 05h, and 06h, (CGA
compatible graphics modes), contain only the first 128 ASCII characters.
The remaining 128 ASCII characters (extended ASCII characters 80h-FFh)
may be supplied by the user. All user-supplied character sets must be
vectored to a memory location pointed to by INT 1Fh. In general, these
user-supplied character sets are built into an 8x8 character box.
• The DOS command GRAFTABL loads a graphic table which allows modes
04h, 05h, and 06h to display extended ASCII characters. Vectoring INT
1Fh to point to the DOS GRAFTABL graphics table is the usual method of
providing user-supplied extended ASCII characters.
continued

Function: AH = 11 h
Subfunction: AL = 21 h
Set user graphics font pointer at INT 43h [EGA] [VGA]
This. subfunction sets the graphics font pointer to the vector contained in INT
43h. To avoid unpredictable results, this function should be called only after
a mode set (INT 10h, AH = OOh Set Video Mode) .The INT 43h vector is spe
cified in ES:BP.
Input: AH = 11h
AL = 21h
BL = Rows on screen specifier
= ~Oh if user-supplied
01 h = 14 (OEh) rows
02h = 25 (19h) rows
03h = 43 (2Bh) rows
CX = Points (bytes/character)
DL = Rows per screen (if BL = OOh)
ES:BP = Pointer to user table
Output: None
Subfunction: AL = 22h Use ROM 8x14 font for graphics [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction specifies the use of the ROM-based 8x14 font in EGA and
VGA graphics modes. Use it to display the 8x14 font in non-8x14 font graph
ics modes. To avoid unpredictable results, this function should be called only
after a mode set (INT 10h, AH = OOh Set Video Mode). This subfunction
should be used in conjunction with subfunction AH = 11 h, AL = 21 h, Set user
graphics font pointer at INT 43h.
Input: AH = 11 h
AL 22h
BL Row specifier
= OOh if user-supplied
02h = 25 (19h) rows
03h = 43 (2Bh) rows
DL = Rows per screen (if BL = OOh):
Output: None
continued

Function: AH = 11 h
Use ROM 8x8 double dot font for graphics [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction specifies the use of the ROM-based 8x8 font in EGA and
VGA graphics modes. Use it to display the 8x8 font in non-8x8 font graphics
modes. To avoid unpredictable results, this function should be called only
after a mode set (INT 1Oh, AH = ~Oh Set Video Mode). This subfunction
should be used in conjunction with subfunction AH = 11h, AL = 21h, Set user
graphics font pointer at INT 43h.
Input: AH = 11 h
AL = 23h
BL = Row specifier
02h = 25 (19h) rows
03h = 43 (2Bh) rows
Output: None
Subfunction: AL = 24h Use ROM 8x16 font for graphics [VGAl

This subfunction specifies the use of the ROM-based 8x16 font in VGA
graphics modes. Use it to override to display the 8x16 font in non-8x16 font
graphics modes. To avoid unpredictable results, this function should be
called only after a mode set (INT 10h, AH = OOh Set Video Mode). This sub
function should be used in conjunction with subfunction AH = 11 h, AL = 21 h,
Set user graphics font pointer at INT 43h.
Input: AH = 11 h
AL = 24h
BL = Row specifier
02h = 25 (19h) rows
03h = 43 (2Bh) rows
Output: None
continued

Function: AH = 11 h
Subfunction: AL = 30h Get font pointer information [EGA] [VGAl

This subfunction returns font pointer information. The pointer information
desired is requested in the BH register. To avoid unpredictable results, this
subfunction should be issued immediately after a mode set.
Input: AH = 11 h
AL = 30h
BH = Font pointer, where:
= ~Oh
Return current INT 1Fh pointer
= 01 h Return current INT 43h pointer
= 02h Return ROM font 8x14 pointer
= 03h Return current ROM 8x8 font pointer
= 04h Return current ROM 8x8 font pointer (top)
= OSh Return current ROM 9x14 font alternate
= 06h Return current ROM 8x16 font pointer
= 07h Return current ROM 9x16 font alternate
= >07h Returns all registers (including AX) preserved
Output: CX = Bytes per character
DL = Maximum number of rows on screen
ES:BP = Pointer to character table

Function: AH = 12h Alternate Select [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Alternate Select function contains several subfunctions. Each subfunction
allows the user to enable or disable certain operations that are standard
video mode defaults. For example, on VGA adapters the video BIOS auto
matically programs the DAC color registers each time the video mode is set.
Alternate Select subfunction AL = 31 h allows the user to selectively enable or
disable DAC programming on mode set.
Alternate select subfunctions

The alternate select subfunctions are listed in the table below:
BL Value Subfunctlon Name
10h Return configuration Information

20h Switch to alternate print screen routine
30h" Select scan lines for text modes
31h" Enable/disable default palette loading during mode set
32h" Enable/disable video
33h" Enable/disable summing to gray shades
34h" Enable/disable cursor scaling
35h" Switch display
36h" Video screen on/off
" Supported on VGA adapter only.
continued

Function: AH = 12h Alternate Select, Continued [EGA] [VGA]
Subfunction: BL = 10h Return configuration information [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction returns the state of EGA or VGA hardware.

Input: AH = 12h
BL = 10h
Output: BH = OOh EGAIVGA color mode
= 01 h EGAIVGA monochrome mode
BL = Memory available, where:
OOh = 64K available
01 h = 128K available
02h = 192K available
03h = 256K available
CH = Adapter bits
CL = Switch settings
In VGA compatible subsystems, the references to adapter bits and switch

settings are retained only for historical reasons. VGA hardware simulates
earlier adapter cards in software rather than in hardware. IBM-compatible
VGA hardware only gives a software emulation of switches.
continued

Subfunction: BL = 10h Return configuration information, cont'd [EGA] [VGA]

On VGAadapters, adapter bits are set from Input Status Register 0, re
spondingto output on a given Adapter Control register bit.
Adapter Control Output

Adapter Bit No. Bit Setting Input Status Bit No.
0 0 5
1 0 6
2 1 5
3 1 6
4-7 Reserved
On VGA adapters, the bits of the switch settings byte give the settings of the
EGA's configuration DIP switch (where 1 = off, 0 = on). Color = 09h and
monochrome = OBh.
Bit No. Meaning
0 Configuration switch 1
4-7 Reserved
Subfunction:BL = 20h Switch to alternate print screen routine [EGA] [VGA]

This subfunction sets the INT 05h Print Screen Service to the proper alter
nate Print Screen vector. The default BIOS print screen routine assumes a
screen length of 25 lines. This subfunction allows an alternative routine to be
selected that supports a screen length other than 25 lines.
Input: AH = 12h
BL = 20h
Output: None
continued

Subfunction: BL =30h Select scan lines for text modes [EGA] [VGA]
This subfunction sets the number of scan lines to be displayed in text

modes. By default, the VGA BIOS sets all text modes to 400 scan lines as
part of the power-on self test and initialization (POST) process.
Input: AH = 12h
AL = Number of scan lines, where
OOh = 200 scan lines
01 h = 350 scan lines
02h = 400 scan lines
BL = 30h
Output: AL = 12h Function is supported
= OOh VGA not active
• The number of scan lines indicated in AL will take effect upon the next
mode set.
• The VGA BIOS loads the font associated with the mode/scan line combina
tion upon the next mode set.
• 200-line scan modes are double-scanned. Each video line is painted
twice before the next new line is begun.
Subfunction: BL = 31 h
Enable/disable default palette loading during set mode [VGAl
If AL = 01 h is selected, no updates are made to the overscan color register,
the attribute color registers or the DAC color registers when a video mode is
set.
Input: AH = 12h
AH = OOh
AL = OOh Enable default palette loading
= 01 h Disable default palette loading

BL = 31h
continued

SubfuncUon: BL = 32h Enable/disable video [VGAl

This subfunction enables/disables the video I/O port regenerator and the
display buffer address decoder for the currently active video monitor.
Input: AH = 12h
AL = OOh Enable video
= 01 h Disable video
BL = 32h
Subfunction: BL = 33h Enable/disable summing to gray shades [VGAl

This subfunction enables/disables gray scale summing that occurs during the
Set Video Mode Function (AH = OOh) and during the Set Palette Registers
Function (AH = 10h) for the display that is currently active.
Input: AH = 12h
AL OOh Enable summing
= 01 h Disable summing
BL = 33h
Subfunction: BL = 34h Enable/disable cursor scaling [VGAl

When cursor scaling is enabled (which is the power-on default), cursor start
and end information is scaled to the current character height. See INT 1Oh,
AH = 01 h Set Text Mode Cursor Size for more information on setting cursor
type.
Input: AH = 12h
AL = ~Oh Enable cursor scaling
= 01 h Disable cursor scaling
BL = 34h
continued

Subfunction: BL = 3Sh Switch display [VGAl

This subfunction permits switching between the system video and an adapter
video ROM. When there is a conflict between the system video and an
adapter video (i.e .• overlapping usage of the BIOS data area and/or hard
ware capabilities). the adapter video is the power-up default primary video.
The system board video remains inactive until switching has been enabled.
To be able to switch. the Enable/disable video subfunction (AH = 12h. BL =

32h) must be supported by both the adapter and the system board.
• To enable video switching. first call with BL = 35h and AL = OOh to disable
the adapter video. then call with AL = 01 h to enable system board video.
• Once switching has been enabled. all subsequent switches are done
through AL = 02h disable active video and AL = 03h enable inactive video.
Input: AH = 12h
AL = OOh Turn off initial video adapter. The user must establish
a 128-byte save area pointed to by ES:DX
= 01 h Turn on initial system board video
= 02h Disable active video. The user must have a save
buffer pointer in ES:DX
= 03h Enable inactive video. The user must have a pointer
in ES:DX to a previously filled save buffer
BL =
35h
ES: DX = Pointer to a 128-byte save buffer area
When there is no conflict between the system video and an adapter video
board, both video devices are active and use of this subfunction is not
necessary.
Subfunction: BL = 36h Video screen on/off [VGAl

This subfunction turns the video screen on or off.
Input: AH = 12h
AL = 01 h Screen off
= OOh Screen on
BL = 36h

Function: AH = 13h Write String [MDA] [CGA] [EGA] [VGA]
Description
The Write String function operates similarly to Write Teletype to Active Page
Function (AH = OEh), except that an entire string is handled with each call.
The AL register contains two single-bit fields differentiated as follows:
If ••• Then •.•
AL Bit 0 = 1 the cursor remains at the last character written.

AL Bit 0 = 0 the cursor Is restored to where It was before the write string
operation began.
AL Bit 1 = 1 each string character to be displayed Is followed by Its attribute.
AL Bit 1 = 0 carriage return, line feed, backspace, and bell are Interpreted as
commands rather than as printable characters. The string con
tains only display characters, and the attribute Is taken from the
BL register.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 13h
ES:BP = Pointer to start of string
BH = Page number (for text modes)
BL = Attribute for characters (graphics modes)
CX = Length of string (attributes don't count)
DX = Starting cursor position (DH = row, DL = column)
AL = OOh Cursor not moved.
= 01h Cursor is moved.
= 02h Cursor not moved (text mode only)
= 03h Cursor is moved (text mode only)
Output: None
Functions: AH = 14h- 19h Reserved

Function: AH = 1Ah Read/Write Display Combination Code [VGA]
Description
The Read/Write Display Combination Code function has two subfunctions,
one devoted to reading the display codes (AL = OOh) and one devoted to
writing the display combination codes (AL = 01 h). In either case, the display
code for the active monitor is specified in BL. The display code for the in
active monitor (if any) is specified in BH.
The display codes corresponding to the monitors are listed below.
Code Description
OOh No display attached

01h Monochrome Display Adapter (MDA) with monochrome monitor
02h Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) with color monitor
03h Reserved
04h Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) with color monitor
OSh EGA with monochrome monitor
06h Professional Graphics Adapter (PGA) with color monitor
07h Video Graphics Array (VGA) with monochrome analog monitor
OSh VGA with color analog monitor
09h-FEh Reserved
FFFFh Display type unknown
Subfunction: AL = OOh Read display Combination Code [VGAj
This subfunction reads the display code in AL.

Input: AH 1Ah
AL = OOh
Output: AL 1Ah Function is supported
BH Inactive display code
BL Active display code
continued

Function: AH = 1Ah
Read/Write Display Combination Code, Continued [VGA]
Subfunction: AL = OOh Write Display Combination Code [VGA]

This subfunction writes the display code in AL.
Input: AH 1Ah
AL = 01 h
BH = Alternate display code (if any)
BL = Active display code
Output: AL = 1Ah - Function is supported
Function: AH = 1Bh Return Functionality/State Information [VGA]
Description
This function outputs a table describing the current state of the video hard
ware to a 40h-byte buffer location pointed to by ES:DI.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 1Bh
BX = OOOOh Implementation type
ES:DI = Pointer to 40h byte buffer
Output: AL = 1Bh Function successful
Functionality/state information is output to 40h-byte buffer (see description

on the following page).
Error conditions
The BIOS will accept only one implementation type: BX = OOOOh. If a value
other than OOOOh is input into BX, this function returns the following values:
• AH = 1Bh
• AL = OOh
• All other registers are preserved.
continued

Function: AH = 1Bh
Return Functionality/State Information, Continued [VGA]
Structure of the Functionality/State Table

This function places the functionality and state of the current video environ
ment in a 40h-byte table pointed to by ES:DI. The structure of the 40h-byte
Functionality/State Table is detailed below.
DI+OOh Dword Segment/offset of static functionality table fixed

address
DI+04h 1 Byte Video mode (See the Video Mode heading in this
chapter for supported video modes)
DI+OSh 1 Word Column/row
DI+07h 1 Word Display buffer length
DI+OSh 1 Word Starting address of buffer
DI+OBh 1 Word Array of 8 cursor positions
DI+1Bh 1 Word Cursor type
DI+1Dh 1 Byte Active page
DI+1Eh 1 Word CRT controller base address
DI+20h 1 Byte Current value of 3x8 register
DI+21h 1 Byte Current value of 3xS register
DI+22h 1 Byte Rows on screen
DI+23h 1 Word Character height (bytes/character)
DI+2Sh 1 Byte Active display code
DI+26h 1 Byte Inactive display code
DI+27h 1 Byte Numbers of colors available in current mode
DI+2Sh 1 Byte Display pages supported for current video mode
continued

Function: AH = 1Bh
Return Functionality/State Information, Continued [VGAJ
Structure of the Functionality/State Table, cont'd
DI+2Ah 1 Byte Number of scan lines In current video mode

OOb = 200
01b = 350
lOb = 400
11 b = 480
1OOb - 11111111 b = Reserved
DI+2Bh 1 Byte Primary character block
OOb = Block 0
01b = Block 1
lOb = Block 2
11 b - 11111111 b = Blocks 3 to 255
DI+2Ch 1 Byte Secondary character block
OOb = Block 0
01b = Block 1
lOb = Block 2
11 b - 11111111 b = Blocks 3 - 255
DI+2Dh 1 Byte Miscellaneous state Information
Bits 7-6 = Reserved
Bit 5 = 0 Background Intensity
= 1 Blinking
Bit 4 = 1 Cursor emulation is active
Bit 3 = 1 Mode set auto palette loading disabled
Bit 2 = 1 Mono display is attached
Bit 1 = 1 Gray scale summing is active
Bit 0 = 1 All modes on all displays active
DI+2Eh 1 Byte Reserved
DI+2Fh 1 Byte Reserved
DI+30h 1 Byte Reserved
DI+31h 1 Byte Video memory available
OOb :: 64K
01b = 128K
lOb = 192K
11 b = 256K
DI+32h 1 Byte Save pointer state information
Bits 7-6 = Reserved
Bit 5 = 1 Display Combination Code (DCC)
extension active
Bit 4 = 1 Palette override active
Bit 3 = 1 Graphics font override active
Bit 2 = 1 Text mode font override active
Bit 1 = 1 Dynamic save area active
Bit 0 = 1 512-character character set active
DI+33h-3Fh 13 Bytes Reserved
continued

Function: AH = 1Sh
Structure of the Static Functionality Table

The first entry in the Functionality/State Table is a double word pointer to a
16-byte ROM-based Static Functionality Table.
The Static Functionality Table contains fixed video parameter information.
The table is located at EOOO:305Fh in the BIOS. The contents of the Static
Functionality Table are defined below.
Offset Value Description
OOh FFh Video modes supported

Bit 7 = 1 Mode 7 s4Pported
Bit 6 = 1 Mode 6 supported
Bit 2 =1 Mode 2 supported
01h FOh Video modes supported
Bit 7 =1 Mode F supported
Bit 6 =1 Mode g supported
Bit 4 =0 Mode C supported
Bit 3 =0 Mode B supported
Bit 2 = 0 Mode A supported
02h OFh Video modes slJPported
Bits 7-4 =Reserved
03h-06h OOh Reserved
07h 07h Scan line modes available for text modes
Bits 7-3 =OOOOOb Reserved
Bit 2 =1 400 scan lines supported
continued

Function: AH = 1Bh
Structure of the Static Functionality Table, cont'd
Offset Value Description
OSh 02h Number of character blocks available in text modes

09h Maximum number of active character blocks
available in text modes
OAh FFh Miscellaneous
Bit 7 = 1 Color paging supported
Bit 6 = 1 Color palette supported
Bit 5 = 1 EGA palette supported
Bit 4 = 1 Cursor emulation supported
Bit 3 = 1 Cursor emulation supported
Bit 3 = 1 Default palette loading supported
Bit 2 = 1 Character font loading supported
Bit 1 = 1 Gray scale summing supported
Bit 0 = 1 All modes on all displays supported
OBh OEh Miscellaneous,
Bit 3 = 1 Display Combination Codes (DCC)
supported
Bit 2 = 1 Background intensity /blinking control
supported
Bit 1 = 1 Save/restore ,supported
Bit 0 = 0 Light pen not supported
OCh-ODh OOh Reserved
OEh 3Fh Save pointer functions
Bits 7-6 = OOb Reserved
Bit 5 = 1 DCC extension
Bit 4 = 1 Palette override
Bit 3 = 1 Graphics font override
Bit 2 = 1 Alpha font override
Bit 1 = 1 Dynamic save area
Bit 0 = 1 512 Character set supported
OFh OOh Reserved

Function: AH = 1Ch Save/Restore Video State [VGA]
Introduction
At any time. the savable portion of the current video state consists of three
discrete parts:
Video State Description
Hardware State The contents of the CRT. Attribute. and Graphics Control
ler registers.
Video BIOS State Those areas In the BIOS Data Area In system RAM contain-
Ing video Information.
Digital/ Analog Converter The contents of the DAC control and color registers.
(DAC) State
Description
The Save/Restore Video State function consists of three subfunctions that
enable the user to save (and subsequently restore) any or all of the three
states making up the current video state.
Video state information is stored in a system RAM buffer pointed to by

ES:BX. The video states (i.e .• hardware/BIOS/DAC) to save or restore are
selected in CX by setting or clearing bits 2-0.
Save/Restore video state subfunctions

Each of the three Save/Restore Video State subfunctions is selected via the
AL register. The table below lists the three subfunctions:
AL Value Subfunctlon Name
OOh Return save/restore buffer size needed

01h Save current video state
02h Restore current video state
continued

Function: AH = 1Ch Save/Restore Video State, Continued [VGAI
Error handling
Upon entry into the Save/Restore Video State function, the BIOS checks the
parameter passed in the AL register. If it is out of range (i.e., greater than
02h), then the function returns with AL = OOh and AH preserved.
Buffer format for save/restore video state

The save buffer is composed of a 20h-byte fixed offset area followed by
one, two, or three optional areas, depending on which areas (hardware/
BIOS/DAC) were specified in CX.
The 20h-byte fixed offset area contains the following information:
Offset Description
OOh Word offset of hardware save area, If saved

02h Word offset of BIOS RAM save area, If saved
04h Word offset of DAC save area, If saved
06h-1Fh Reserved
Subfunction AL = OOh Return save/restore buffer size needed [VGAl

This subfunction returns the buffer size (in 64-byte blocks) needed for any
combination of the three video states that can be stored. The video state (or
combination of video states) is specified in CX; the buffer size in 64-byte
blocks is returned in BX.
Input: AH = 1Ch
AL = OOh
CX = Video state to store, where:
Bit 0 = 1 Save video hardware state

Bit 1 = 1 Save video BIOS data area
Bit 2 = 1 Save video DAC state and color registers
Output: AL = 1Ch Function is supported
BX Buffer size block count (1 block = 64 bytes)
continued

Function: AH = 1Ch Save/Restore Video State, Continued [VGA]
Subfunction: AL = 01 h Save current video state [VGAl
This subfunction stores the video states specified in CX to a system RAM

buffer area pointed to by ES: BX.
Input: AH = 1Ch
AL = 01h
CX = Video state to store, where:

ES: BX = Pointer to system RAM buffer
Warning
Saving a video state alters the original contents of the registers or data
areas involved. To maintain the current video state, execute the
Restore current video state subfunction immediately after saving the
video state.
Subfunction: AL = 02h Restore current video state [VGAl

This subfunction restores the video states specified in CX from the system
RAM buffer area pointed to by ES:BX.
Input: AH = 1Ch
AL = 02h
CX = Video state to restore, where:

ES: BX = Pointer to previously saved system RAM buffer
continued

Function: AH = 1Ch Save/Restore Video State, Continued [VGAJ
Structure of hardware state save area

If bit 0 of the CX register is set and. the save video state subfunction is
executed. the current hardware state is stored to the system RAM buffer
pointed to by ES:BX. Executing the restore video state subfunction with the
same ex and ES:BX values restores the hardware state information to the
actual video hardware.
The structure of the hardware state save area is as follows:
I/O
Offset Address Index Description
OOh 03C4h Sequencer Index

01h 3B4h/3D4h· CRT Controller Index
02h 03CEh Graphics Controller Index
03h 03COh Attribute Controller Index
04h 03CAh Feature Control
SEQUENCER REGISTERS
05h 03C5h 01h Clocking Mode
06h 03C5h 02h Map Mask
07h 03C5h 03h Character Map Select
08h 03C5h 04h Memory Mode
09h 03CCh OOh Miscellaneous Output
• 03B4h In Monochrome Emulation Modes
03D4h in Color Emulation Modes
continued

Structure of hardware state save area, cont'd

I/O

OAh 3BSh/30Sh' 01h Horizontal Total
OBh 3BSh/30Sh' 02h Horizontal Display Enable End
OCh 3BSh/30Sh' 03h Start Horizontal Blanking
ODh. 3BSh/30Sh' 04h End Horizontal Blanking
OEh 3BSh/30Sh" OSh Start Horizontal Retrace Pulse
OFh 3BSh/30Sh" 06h End Horizontal Retrace
10h 3BSh/30Sh" 07h Vertical Total
11h 3BSh/30Sh" 08h Overflow
12h 3BSh/30Sh" 09h Preset Row Scan
13h 3BSh/30Sh" OAh Maximum Scan Line
14h 3BSh/30Sh" OAh Cursor Start
1Sh 3BSh/30Sh" OBh Cursor End
16h 3BSh/30Sh" OCh Start Address High
17h 3BSh/30Sh" OOh Start Address Low
18h 3BSh/30Sh" OEh Cursor Location High
19h 3BSh/30Sh" OFh Cursor Location Low
1Ah 3BSh/30Sh" 10h Vertical Retrace Start
1Bh 3BSh/30Sh" 11 h Vertical Retrace End
1Ch 3BSh/30Sh" 12h Vertical Display Enable End
10h 3BSh/30Sh' 13h Offset
1Eh 3BSh/30Sh" 14h Underline Location
1Fh 3BSh/30Sh" 1Sh Start Vertical Blank
20h 3BSh/30Sh" 16h End Vertical Blank
21h 3BSh/30Sh* 17h CRTC Mode Control
22h 3BSh/30Sh" 18h Line Compare
" 03BSh In Monochrome Emulation Modes

030Sh In Color Emulation Modes
continued

Structure of hardware state save area, cont'd
1/0
A TTRIBUTE CONTROLLER REGISTERS

23h-32h 03C1h OOh-OFh Palette Registers OOh - OFh
33h 03C1h 10h Attribute Mode Control Register
34h 03C1h 11h Overscan Color Register
35h 03C1h 12h Color Plane Enable Register
36h 03C1h 13h Horizontal PEL Panning Register
37h 03CFh OOh SetlReset
38h 03CFh 01h Enable SetlReset
39h 03CFh 02h Color Compare
3Ah 03CFh 03h Data Rotate
3Bh . 03CFh 04h Read Map Select
3Ch 03CFh OSh Graphics Mode Register
3Dh 03CFh 06h Miscellaneous
3Eh 03CFh 07h Color Don't Care
3Fh 03CFh 08h Bit Mask
40h 40:63h CRTC Base Address Low
41h 40:64h CRTC Base Address High
42h AFFFFh OOh Plane 0 System Latch
43h AFFFFh 01h Plane 1 System Latch
continued

Structure of video BIOS state save area

If bit 1 of the CX register is set and the Save current video state subfunction
is executed. the current video BIOS state is stored to the system RAM buffer
pointed to by ES:BX. Executing the Restore current video state subfunction
with the same CX and ES:BX values restores the video BIOS state informa
tion in its location in the ROM BIOS data area (0400h-0500h) in system RAM.
Video data definitions

The data definitions used by the INT 10h Video Service are stored in system
RAM in segment 40h and are presented below.
40:49h 1 Byte Video mode setting.

40:4Ah 1 Word Number of columns on screen.
40:4Ch 1 Word Current page size.
40:4Eh 1 Word Current page address.
40:50h 8 Words Cursor position on each page. Two bytes/page.
First byte (low order) of each pair is column, sec
ond is row. O. 0 is upper left corner of screen.
40:60h 1 Word Cursor type defined as 6845 video chip-compatible
starting and ending scan lines. High-order byte
holds starting scan line; low-order byte holds end-
Ing scan line.
40:62h 1 Byte Current page number.
40:63h 1 Word 6845-compatible 110 port number for current
mode. (Port 03D4h or 03B4h).
40:65h 1 Byte Current mode select register.
40:66h 1 Byte Current palette value.
40:84h 1 Byte Number of rows on screen (24 or 25).
40:85h 1 Word Character height (bytes/character).
continued

Video data definitions, cont' d
System RAM
40:87h 1 Byte Video control bits. where:

Bit 7 =Clear RAM
Bits 6-5 = M emory on video hardware • where:
OOb =64K
01b = l28K
lOb = 192K
llb =256K
Bit 4 =Not used
Bit 3 =0 EGA-compatible mode Is active
Bit 2 =0 Walt for display enable
Bit 1 =0 Color or ECD monitor Is
attached to EGA-compatible adapter
=1 Monochrome monitor Is attached to
Bit 0 =0 Translate cursor video modes
0-3 when using ECD monitor in
350 line mode
40:88h 1 Byte EGAIVGA switch data where:
Bits 7-4 =Feature connector bits 3-0, respectively
Bits 3-0 =Option switches 3-0, respectively
40:89h 1 Word VGA control bits. where:
Bit 7 =200 lines
Bits 6-5 =Reserved
Bit 4 =400 lines
Bit 2 =Mono monitor
Bit 1 =Gray scalllng
Bit 0 =Reserved
40:8Ah 1 Byte Index to the Display Combination Code table
40:A8h 1 Word Pointer to video parameter table and overrides (in
segment:offset format),
continued

Function: AH = 1Ch Save/Restore Video State, Continued [VGAl
Structure of DAC state save area

If Bit 2 of the CX register is set and the Save current video state subfunction
is executed, then the current state of the DAC is stored to the system RAM
buffer pointed to in ES:BX. Executing the Restore current video state sub
function with the same CX and ES:BX values restores the DAC information to
the actual DAC hardware.
The structure of the DAC state save area is as follows:
I/O
OOh 03C7h Read/Write mode DAC

01h 03C8h Pixel address
02h 03C6h Pixel mask
03h 03C9h OOh Red value color 0
04h 03C9h OOh Green value color 0
OSh 03C9h OOh Blue value color 0
06h 03C9h 01h Red value color 1
•
••
300h
·••
03C9h
••
•
FFh
••
•
Red value color FFh
301h 03C9h FFh Green value color FFh
302h 03C9h FFh Blue value color FFh
303h 03C1h 14h Color select register
Functions: AH = 1Dh - FFh Reserved

Chapter 10
INT 13h Diskette Service
Overview
Description
The BIOS Diskette Service performs read, write, format, diagnostic, initializa
tion and other operations for up to two internal diskette drives.
PC diskette drive support history

The original PC provided support for single-sided, single-density S.2S-inch
diskette drives. Soon, support for 360K diskette drives was added. The AT
introduced the high-density 1.2 MB S.2S-inch diskette drive. Later versions
of the AT introduced support for 3.5-inch diskette drives.
How the diskette service is invoked

The BIOS Diskette Service is invoked via software INT 13h. The BIOS initial
izes the INT 13h Diskette Service vector to FOOO:EC59h. The INT 13h vector
resides at address OO:4Ch in the interrupt vector table.
The BIOS Diskette Service has eleven functions. Individual functions are
selected via the AH register.
continued
IN T 13h Diskette Servic e 263

Overview, Continued
When a fixed disk is present

When a fixed disk is installed, the BIOS automatically redirects all INT 13h
Diskette Service requests to INT 40h. This redirection is transparent to BIOS
users. Users should continue to invoke INT 13h for both diskette and fixed
disk services.
For a discussion of the BIOS Fixed Disk Service, refer to Chapter 11.
In this chapter
This chapter focuses on the BIOS Diskette Service INT 13h. The following
topics are discussed:
• Summary of Functions
• Theory of Operations
• Hardware Environment
• System RAM Data
• CMOS RAM Data
• ROM BIOS Data
• Diskette Service 1/0 Ports
• Error Handling
• Diskette Service Functions
• INT OEh Diskette Hardware Interrupt

Summary of Functions
Summary of INT 13h Diskette Service functions
Function
Description Platforms
OOh
Reset Diskette System [XT] [AT]
01h
Read Diskette Status [XT] [AT]
02h
Read Diskette Sectors [XT] [AT]
03h
Write Diskette Sectors [XT] [AT)
04h
Verify Diskette Sectors [XT] [AT]
OSh
Format Diskette Track [XT] [AT]
OSh-07h
Reserved Reserved
Cah
Read Drive Parameters [AT]
09h-14h
Reserved Reserved
1Sh
Read Drive Type [AT]
16h
Detect Media Change [AT]
17h
Set Diskette Type [AT]
1ah
Set Media Type for Format [AT]

BIOS function is identified by the legend [PC], [XT], and/or [AT] on the
Legend Description
[PC] Function is supported by original IBM PC BIOS only.

tXT] Function is supported by all IBM PCIXT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.
Note: This level of support is contained In the ROM BIOS im
plemented in the majority of IBM PC and PCIXT compat
ible systems.
[AT] Function is supported by all IBM PCI A T and compatible
ROM BlOSs.
INT 13h Diskette Service 265

Theory of Operations
Introduction
Diskettes remain the fundamental media for transfer of information in _the
microcomputing world. New software is shipped on diskettes. and despite
the proliferation of networks. software in the workplace is still primarily
transferred by diskette.
This chapter contains general information about diskette drives and specific
information on how the BIOS manipulates the diskette drives.
Ordinarily. programmers will (and should) use the DOS INT 21 h diskette
functions. INT 21 h itself calls the BIOS Diskette Service functions. However,
for certain types of applications (games programming, copy protection
schemes), a programmer may want to use the BIOS Diskette Service
directly, or may even want to bypass the BIOS and write directly to the
diskette hardware.
Diskette sizes
The diskette drives commonly supported by pes come in two sizes - 5.25
inch and 3.5 inch. The 5.25-inch diskette drive supports standard formats of
360K, 720K, or 1.2 MB. The 720K format is not as widely supported as the
360K and 1.2MB standards.
3.5-inch diskette drives have been available for several years. Many IBM
compatibles support both 720K and 1.44 MB variants of the 3.5-inchdiskette
drive.
System configurations vary widely when it comes to diskette support. Most

IBM-compatible systems that have a Phoenix BIOS support all of the various
standards. The Phoenix BIOS even supports 720K quad-density 5.25-inch
diskette drives.
continued

Theory of Operations, Continued
Diskette terms
The reader should be familiar with the following diskettes terms:
• Head
The head contains an electromagnet, positioned on a movable assembly
just above the surface of the diskette. By pulsing the electromagnet, the
head reads or writes data to or from the diskette.
• Track
While the head is positioned over a point on the diskette, ready to read or
write, the diskette surface spins underneath it, tracing a full circle. This
circle is a track. There may be 40 to 80 tracks per diskette surface, or
side.
• Sector
Diskette systems divide each track into short arcs (usually 9, 15, or 18
per track) called sectors. Each sector usually holds 512 bytes of data.
• Sector size
Using Diskette Service function 03h, the caller can change the diskette
sector size, but then must carefully control diskette use while the different
sector size is used. The caller must also make sure that the sector size is
set to 512 bytes for the use of other applications when his routine com
pletes its functions.
• Change line
Some diskette drives support a disk change line signal that is set if the
drive door is opened. The BIOS checks the change line signal before each
diskette I/O operation.
continued

Heads and surfaces

Both sides of the diskette platter surface are covered with a material that can be
magnetized and Is used to store information.
Diskette drives generally have two magnetic "heads· (the mechanisms that allow them
to read/write the encoded bits on the diskette surface). One head is used for each
side.
Head
Moves
In and Out
Tracks and sectors

The diskette head rapidly magnetizes areas on the diskette surface as the platter
spins, representing binary zeros and ones. These areas are organized Into concentric
circles (tracks). There can be 40, 80, or even more tracks per diskette side.
Tracks are further subdivided into sectors. Sectors usually store 512 bytes, but the
sector size can also be changed with INT 13h, AH = 05h. The bytes In a sector must
be organized in a prescribed manner. There can be 9, 15, 18 or more sectors per
track.
Tracks Side 0
Sectors
continued

How the diskette service works

The BIOS Diskette Service Read, Write, Verify, and Format functions all
require data to be transferred to or from the diskette drive to system
memory. This is always done using the DMA controller. DMA facilitates the
movement of data directly from memory to I/O devices, freeing the micro
processor for other functions. The DMA controller is programmed by the
BIOS before the command block is written to the diskette controller. All
diskette operations use DMA controller channel 2.
The process of checking the diskette controller status, sending a byte, and
waiting is repeated until all bytes in the command block are sent. Once the
command block is received, the controller performs the function requested.
After the diskette controller has performed the command and transferred
data, an interrupt is generated by the diskette controller. INT OEh, the dis
kette ISR, handles the interrupt, setting bit 7 of location 40:3Eh. INT 40, the
diskette DSR, monitors location 40:3Eh for up to one second, waiting for the
interrupt.
The interrupt indicates that one or more (a maximum of 7) result bytes may
be waiting for INT 40h to read. If there is no interrupt, the time-out bit in
40:41h is set by INT 40h.

Hardware Environment
Hardware assumed
The NEG 765 diskette controller chip (or its equivalent) and some additional
logic is used to control the diskette drives.
Diskette change line

Some diskette drives and diskette controllers support a change line signal
that is set if the drive door of the selected drive is opened. The caller can
use this signal to determine if the sector images in memory are still current.
The BIOS checks the change line signal before each diskette I/O operation.
Bit 7 of port 03F7h indicates the change line signal status: if not set, the
drive door has not been opened and a diskette is probably in the drive. If
set, the drive door has been opened and additional verification must take
place to determine if the diskette has been changed.
Recalibrating a diskette drive

The following information is provided for programs that bypass BIOS diskette
operations and write directly to the diskette hardware.
The diskette status information at location 40:3Eh contains a bit for each
diskette drive that indicates if a drive should be recalibrated. The BIOS
automatically instructs the diskette controller to recalibrate a drive, if
necessary.
How diskette drives are identified

Each diskette drive must be identified to the system with a unique number.
There are four valid diskette numbers in an XT system. AT systems support
a maximum of two internal drives, and, with an external diskette driver
(usually a DOS routine) and a Phoenix BIOS, may support a total of four
diskette drives.
• Diskette drive 1 is number 0
These values must be in DL for most Diskette Service functions.
continued

Hardware Environment, Continued
Phoenix-supported diskette drive types

AT and XT BlOSs support various combinations of diskette drives types in
various configurations. XT systems support up to four diskette drives, but
older XT systems may only support 360K 5.25-inch drives. Newer XT sys
tems may support 720K 3.5-inch drives.
Many European models support 720K 5.25-inch diskette drives, but support
for these types of drives is rare in the US (the Phoenix BIOS supports them).
Newer AT systems support both 3.5-inch and !5.25-inch diskette drives, but
older AT systems may only support 5.25-inch drives.
The Phoenix BIOS Diskette Service supports six types of diskette drives. Not
all BlOSs support all diskette drive types on all XT and AT systems.
Drive Type Media type Diskette Size Tracks/Side Sectors/Track
1.44 MB 1.44 MB 3.5 80 18

720K 720K 3.5 80 9
360K 360K 5.25 40 9
320K 360K 5.25 40 8
720K 720K 5.25 80 9
1.2 MB 1.2 MB 5.25 80 15
360K diskette format compatibility

The BIOS supports 8 or 9 sectors per track and either single-sided or dou
ble-sided diskette drives. 360K is the maximum data storage capability for
standard double-density diskette drives. 320K, 160K, or 180K diskette capa
bilities are also supported.
continued

External diskette drives

In some cases, BIOS support is extended to support external diskette drives.
This support is usually provided by a DOS driver.
An external diskette driver, EXDSKBIO. DRV, is provided with most Phoenix
BlOSs. This driver, operating through DOS, allows up to two additional dis
kette drives to be configured external to the system. EXDSKBIO.DRV sup
ports all types of both 3.5-inch and 5.25-inch diskette drives.
5.25-inch diskette compatibility

5.25-inch diskette media can be high density (1.2 MB) or double density
(360K). Diskettes written on one type of 5.25-inch drive mayor may not
be written on or read from using the other type. The following table outlines
the possible read/write combinations of 5.25-inch diskette media and drive
types.
If diskette was Then It can be And it can be
Media Type formatted on ... read on •.. or ... written to by ...
360K 360K drive 360K drives 1.2 MB drives 360K drives only
1.2 MB 1.2 MB drive 1.2 MB drives 1.2 MB drives
The DOS command, format/4, can be used to format a 360K diskette in a

1 .2 MB drive. Both 1.2MB and 360K drives can generally read and write
these diskettes.
3.5-inch diskette compatibility

The following outlines the possible read/write combinations for 3.5-inch
drives and media:
• If a 720K media type diskette is formatted on a 720K drive, then it can be
read on either 720K or 1.44 MB drives, but it can only be written to by
720K drives.
• If a 1.44 MB media type diskette is formatted on a 1.44 MB drive, then it
can be read on and written to by 1.44 MB drives only.
continued

Data transfer rates

All supported formats use a 512-byte sector size. Data transfer rates are:
Transfer Rate Diskette Capacity Drive Capacity Drive Size
250 Kbs 360K 360K 5.25

250 Kbs 720K 720K 3.5
500 Kbs 1.2 MB 1.2 MB 5.25
300 Kbs 360K 1.2 MB 5.25
250 Kbs 720K 1.44 MB 3.5
500 Kbs 1.44 MB 1.44 MB 3.5
Kbs = Kilobits per second

System RAM Data
System RAM data area table

The BIOS Diskette Service references control data stored in the BIOS Data
Area (400h-500h). All Diskette Service items are defined in the table below.
40:10h 2 Bytes Number of devices Installed, where:

(RS232)
Bit 8 = Reserved
OOb= 1 diskette drive
01 b= 2 diskette drives
Bits 5-4 = Initial video mQde, where:
OOb= EGAIVGA/PGA
01 b= 40x25 color
10b= 80x25 color
11 b= 80x25 black and white
Bit 3 = Reserved
Bit 2 = POinting device installed
Bit 1 = 1 Math coprocessor Instal.led
40:3Eh 1 Byte Diskette drive recalibratlon status, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Diskette hardware interrupt occurred
Bits 6-4 = Not used
Bits 3-2 = Reserved
Bit 1 = Recalibrate drive 1
Bit 0 = Recalibrate drive 0
40:3Fh 1 Byte Diskette drive motor status, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Current operation Is a write or format
= 0 Current operation Is a read or verify
Bit 6 = Reserved
Bit 5-4 = Drive select status where:
OOb= Drive 0 selected
01b= Drive 1 selected
10b= Reserved
11 b= Reserved

Bit 0 = 1 Drive 0 motor is on
40:40h 1 Byte Diskette motor time-out count
continued

System RAM data area table, cont'd
40:41h 1 Byte Diskette status return code, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Drive not ready

Bit S = 1 Seek error occurred
Bit S = 1 Diskette controller failed
Bits 4-0 = Error codes, where:
01 h= Illegal function requested
02h= Address mark not found
03h= Write protect error
04h= Sector not found
OSh= Drive door was opened
08h= DMA overrun error
09h= DMA boundary error
OCh= Media type unknown
10h= CRC failed on diskette read
40:42h 7 Bytes Diskette controller status bytes
40:74h 1 Word Status from last fixed disk operation, where:
OOh = No error
OSh = Reset failed
08h = DMA overrun on operation
80h = Time-out
EOh = Status error/error register is 0
continued

40:8Bh 2 Bytes Diskette data rate Information (AT only)

Bits 7-6 = L ast data rate set by controller, where:
OOb = 500 Kilobits/second (Kbs)
01b = 300 Kbs
10b = 250 Kbs
11 b = Reserved
Bits 5-4 = Last diskette drive step rate selected
Bits 3-2 = D ata transfer rate at operation start,
where:
OOb = 500 Kbs
01b = 300 Kbs
10b = 250 Kbs
11 b = Reserved
Bits 1-0 = Reserved
40:8Fh 1 Byte Diskette controller information (AT only), where:
Bit 7 = Reserved
Bit 5 = 1 Drive 1 is multirate
Bit 3 = Reserved
Bit 2 = 1 Di"ive determined for drive 0
Bit 1 = 1 Drive 0 is multirate
40:90h-91h 2 Bytes Media Type of Both Drives (AT only), where:
(One byte per drive. Drive 0 at 40: 90h; drive 1 at
40:91h)
Bits 7-6 = D ata Transfer Rate, where:
OOb = 500 Kbs
01b = 300 Kbs
10b = 250 Kbs
Bit 5 = 1 Double stepping required
(360K media/1.2 MB drive)
Bit 4 = 1 Known media In drive
Bit 3 = Reserved
Bits 2-0 = Definitions on return to user:
11 i b = 720K media in 720K or 1 .44 MB
drive; or 1.44 MB media in
1.44 MB drive
101b = Known 1.2 MB media in 1.2 MB
drive
100b = Known 360K media in 1.2MB
drive
011b = Known 360K media in 360K drive
010b = Trying 1.2 MB media in 1.2 MB
drive
001b = Trying 360K media in 1.2 MB
drive
OOOb = Trying 360K media In 360K drive
continued

40:92h 2 Bytes Diskette Service work area. Each entry is the first
media type value tried. One byte per drive. Drive 0
at 92h, Drive 1 at 93h.
40:94h 2 Bytes Current track number for both drives. One byte
per drive. Drive 0 at 94h, drive 1 at 95h.
40:AOh 2 Bytes Wait active flag, where:
Bits 6-1 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 INT 15h, AH = a6h occurred

CMOS RAM Data
Introduction
The Diskette Service routine makes use of control information located in
CMOS RAM data areas OEh through 10h. The table below provides detailed
information about the areas used.
CMOS RAM data area table

The following table descrities all CMOS RAM data areas used by this
interrupt.
CMOS RAM
OEh 1 Byte Diagnostic status, where:

Bit 7 = 1 Real time clock lost power
Bit 6 = 1 CMOS RAM checksum is bad
Bit 5 = 1 Invalid configuration information at POST
Bit 2 = 1 RTC time found invalid
Bit 1 = 1 Adapters do not match configuration
Bit 0 = 1 Time-out in reading an adapter ID
10h 1 Byte Type of diskette drives:
Bits 7-4 = Drive type of drive 0, where:
OOOOb = No drive
0001 b = 360K drive
0011b = 720K
0100b = 1.44 MB
Bits 3-0 = Drive type of drive 1, where:
OOOOb = No drive
0001b = 360K drive
0011b = 720K
0100b = 1.44 MB
278 System BIOS for IBM PCIXT/AT Computers and Compatibles

ROM BIOS Data
Description
The diskette device service routine in PC/XT / AT systems contains a table of
parameters used to manipulate diskette drives. For many newer systems,
values have been modified so the table is more suitable for use with 3.5
inch diskette drives. Both 3.5-inch and 5.25-inch values are provided below.
The default 11-byte table is located in ROM at FOOO: EFC7h and is pointed to
by the interrupt 1Eh vector. This arrangement allows operating systems or
application programs to change the INT 1Eh vector to point to a different set
of diskette parameters.
Diskette parameter table
Offset Description
OOh First data byte of the diskette Specify command, where:
Setting for Bits 7-4

Drive Typel
Transfer Rate F E D C B A
360K/250 Kbs 1 2 3 4 5 6
Other I 500 Kbs 1 2 3 4 5 6
Other/300 Kbs 1.7 3.3 5 6.7 8.3 10
Other /250 Kbs 2 4 6 8 10 12
Bits 3-0 =Head unload time. Default Is 240 milliseconds (OFh).

01h Second data byte of the diskette Specify command, where:
Bits 7-1 =Head load time. Default Is 01h (4 milliseconds).
Bit 0 =Non-DMA mode flag
The heads are loaded at the same time as the motor Is started,
but the motor delay Is much longer so the head load time delay
Is not really needed.
The non-DMA mode flag Is always set to zero to Indicate that
DMA Is being used.
02h Motor turn-off delay. The amount of time in timer ticks that the
diskette device service routine waits before turning off an Inac
tive diskette drive motor. Timer ticks occur 18.2 times per sec
ond and the routine walts about two seconds. The default value
for this field Is 25h.
continued

ROM BIOS Data, Continued
Diskette parameter table, cont'd
Offset Description
OSh Bytes per sector. This field is encoded in the following way to
match the encoding used by the diskette controller:
OOh = 128 bytes per sector
01h =2S6 bytes per sector
02h =S12 bytes per sector (default value)
03h =1024 bytes per sector
04h The number of sectors per track. For a 1.44 MB diskette in the
1.44 MB drive, this field is 18 sectors per track. The range of
values Is:
08h =8 sectors per track (320K drive)
09h =9 sectors per track (360K/720K S.2S-lnch drive)
1Sh =15 sectors per track (S.2S-lnch 1.2 MB drive)
18h =18 sectors per track (S.S-Inch drives)
OSh Gap length. The length of the gap between sectors. 1Bh for a
S.5-inch diskette drive and 2Ah for a 5. 25-lnch diskette drive.
06h Data length. Since the bytes per sector field Is nonzero, this field
is meaningless and Is set to FFh.
07h Gap length for format. The length of the gap between sectors to
maintain when formatting. The format gap length is 6Ch for a
3.S-inch drive and 50h for a S.25-inch drive.
08h Fill byte for format. The default Is F6h.
09h Head settle time. The amount of time In milliseconds the diskette
DSR must walt for the heads to settle after doing a seek opera
tion. For a 3. 5-inch diskette drive, this field is OFh. 1.2 M B
drives require 15 milliseconds and 360K drives, 20 - 25
milliseconds.
OAh Motor start time. The amount of time In eighths of a second that
the diskette DSR must wait for the motor to come up to speed
before doing an I/O operation. Most drives have a motor start
time of one second so the default value Is 08h for most opera
tions, except Read and Verify, where the default value is either
04h or OSh.

Diskette Service I/O Ports
Read/Write
0004h R/W DMA channel 2, memory address register

0005h R/W DMA channel 2, transfer count register
OOOAh R/W DMA channel 0-3, mask register, where:
Bit 2 = 0 Clear mask Bit
= 1 Set mask Bit
Bits 1-0 = OOb Select channel 0
= 01 b Select channell
= 10b Select channel 2
OOOBh W DMA channel 0-3, mode register, where:
Bits 7-6 = OOb Demand mode
= 01b Signal mode
= lOb Block mode
= 11 b Cascade mode
Bit 5 = 0 Address Increment select
= 1 Address decrement select
Bit 4 = 0 Autoinitialization disable
= 1 Autoinitialization enable
Bits 3-2 = OOb Verify operation
= 01 b Write to memory
= lOb Read from memory
= 11 b Reserved
Bits 1-0 = OOb Channel 0 select
= 01b Channell select
= lOb Channel 2 select
= 11 b Channel 3 select
OOOCh W DMA Clear Byte Pointer
0070h W CMOS RAM address register port, where:
= 0 NMI enabled
0071h R/W
CMOS RAM data register port
008111 R/W
DMA channel 2, page register
0372h W
Diskette controller digital output register, where:
Bit 3 = 0 Allow interrupts
Bit 1 = 0 Reserved
= 1 Select drive 1
continued

Diskette Service 110 Ports, Continued
Read/Write
0374h R Diskette controller status register, where:

I Bit 7 = 1 Data register Is ready
system
controller
Bit 5 = 1 Non-DMA mode
Bits 3-2 = Reserved
0375-0376h RIW Diskette controller data registers
0377h R Diskette controller digital input register where:
Bit 7 = Diskette change
Bits 6-1 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 0 High density select
03FOh R Diskette controller status register A, where:
Bit 5 = 1 Step
Bit 4 = 1 Track 0
Bit 3 = 1 Head 1 select
Bit 2 = 0 Index
Bit 1 = 0 Write protect
Bit 0 = 1 Direction
03F1h R Diskette controller status register B, where:
Bit 7 = 0 Reserved
Bit 6 = 0 Reserved
Bit 4 = Write data
Bit 3 = Read data
Bit 2 = 1 Write enable
03F2h W Diskette controller digital output register,
where:
Bit 7 = 0 Reserved
Bit 6 = 0 Reserved
Bit 5 = 1 Enable drive 1 motor
Bit 4 = 1 Enable drive 0 motor
Bit 3 = 0 Enable diskette Interrupts and
DMA
Bit 1 = 0 Reserved
= 1 Select drive 1
continued

Diskette Service 1/0 Ports, Continued
Read/Write
03F4h R Diskette controller status register. where:

Bit 7 = 1 Data register is ready for transfer
Bit 6 = 1 Transfer Is from controller to system
= 0 Transfer is from system to controller
Bit 5 = 1 Non-DMA mode
Bit 3 = 0 Reserved
Bit 2 = 0 Reserved
03F5h R/W Diskette controller data registers
03F7h R Fixed disk digital input register (AT only), where:
Bit 7 = 1 Diskette change
Bit 6 = 1 Write gate
Bit 5 = Head select 3/reduced write current
Bit 4 = Head select 2
Bit 1 = Select drlve1
Bit 0 =Select drive 0
(Bits 6-0 apply to the fixed disk drive currently
selected) .
03F7h W Diskette data transfer rate select register
(AT only), where:
Bits 7-2 = Reserved
Bits 1-0 = OOb 500 Kbs mode
= 01 b 300 Kbs mode
= 10b 250 Kbs mode
= 11 b Reserved

Error Handling
Introduction
The BIOS Diskette Service returns the completion status of each function via
the AH register. the Carry Flag. and the Diskette Status data definition.
located at 40:41h.
Result bytes
The BIOS stores all result bytes returned by the diskette controller in the
seven-byte location starting at 40:42h. Usually there are four to seven result
bytes.
Successful functions
Successful functions return as follows:
• AH = OOh (No error)
• Diskette Status (40:41 h) = AH
• Carry Flag = 0 (cleared)
Unsuccessful functions
Unsuccessful functions return as follows:
• AH = xxh (an error code - see the following page)
• Diskette Status (40:41 h) = Error code
• Carry Flag = 1 (set)
continued

Error Handling, Continued
Error code table

The BIOS Diskette Service error codes are listed in the table below. The
Carry Flag is set if any of the following errors occur.
Error code (In AH) Description
OOh No error
01h Invalid function request
02h Address mark not found
03h Write attempted on write-protected disk
04h Sector not found
06h Diskette change line active
OBh DMA overrun
09h DMA boundary error
OCh Media type not available
10h Bad CRC
20h Diskette controller failed
40h Seek failed
BOh Time-out

Function: AH = OOh Reset Diskette System [XT] [AT]
Description
This function resets both the diskette controller and the specified diskette
drive (the R/W arm is moved to track 0). The diskette drive number (either
OOh or 01 h) is specified in DL.
Function failure
Call this function when a problem occurs in attempting to access the diskette
subsystem with any other function, then retry the function that failed. The
diskette subsystem will not react immediately. Instead, a reset flag forces
the BIOS to recalibrate the diskette drive's read/write heads the next time
they are used. The heads are relocated to track 0 in order to start the next
110 operation from a known state.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OOh
DL = Drive number
Bit 7 = o for a diskette
1 for a fixed disk
Output: AH = OOh No error
xxh Error (See error code table earlier in this chapter)
CF = o No error
= 1 Error

Function: AH = 01h Read Diskette Status [XT] [AT]
Description
The BIOS Diskette Service stores the error code associated with the last
requested function in Diskette Status (40:41 h). If the last function executed
successfully, the Diskette Status and AH are set to OOh. If the last function
was not successful, AH and the Diskette Status are set to the appropriate
nonzero error code.
This function reads the value contained in Diskette Status and returns it in
the AH register. CF is not set by this function.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 01h
DL = OOh or 01 h (drive number)
AL = Diskette Status from previous operation
Diskette status byte

The Diskette Status byte is saved after each read, write, verify or format
diskette function. This allows error handling or error reporting routines to be
written which are entirely independent of diskette operation routines.

Function: AH = 02h Read Diskette Sectors [XT] [AT]
Description
This function reads data from the number of sectors specified in AL from the
drive specified in DL to the buffer specified in ES:BX.
The diskette drive head number is specified in DH. Starting track and sector
numbers are specified in CH and CL.
This function is useful for block move operations that require reading many
individual sectors or a whole trackful of sectors. For example, the DOS
DISKCOPY command uses this function.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 02h
AL = Number of sectors (1-18, depending on drive media
type)
CH = Track number (0-79, depending on drive media type)
CL = Sector number (1-18, depending on drive media type)
DH = Head number (0-1)
DL Drive number
ES:BX = Pointer to buffer
Output: AL Number of sectors read/written
AH = DOh No error
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
Wait for device to reach proper speed

In some BlOSs, an error may be caused by the diskette drive motor being
off when the request is made. The BIOS may not wait for the device to
reach proper speed before trying to read. In such a situation, the caller
should reset the diskette drive (INT 13h function DOh) and retry three times
to make sure that an error is real.

Function: AH = 03h Write Diskette Sectors [XT] [AT]
Description
This function writes data to the number of sectors specified in AL on the
drive specified in DL from the buffer specified in ES:BX.
numbers are specified in CH and CL. Diskette sectors must be formatted
before they can be written to.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 03h
AL = Number of sectors (1-18, depending on drive media
type)
CH = Track number (0-79, depending on drive media type)
CL = Sector number (1-18, depending on drive media type)
DH = Head number (0-1)
DL Drive number
Output: AL = Number of sectors read/written
AH = OOh No error
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
Wait for device to reach proper speed

In some BlOSs, an error may be caused by the diskette drive motor being
off when the request is made. The BIOS may not wait for the device to
reach proper speed before trying to read. In such a situation, the caller
should reset the diskette drive (INT 13h function OOh) and retry three times
to make sure that an error is real.
I NT 13h Diskette Service 289

Function: AH = 04h Verify Diskette Sectors [XT] [AT]
Description
This function verifies the address fields of the number of sectors specified in
AL from the drive specified in DL to the buffer specified in ES:BX.
numbers are specified in CH and CL. No data is transferred from the dis
kette in this operation. Diskette data is not compared to data in memory.
The BIOS Diskette Service verifies diskette sectors by determining if the

sectors can be found, read. and pass a Cyclic Redundancy Check (eRC).
Determining if a readable diskette is present

This function can be used to determine if a readable diskette is in the drive.
although an error will occur if the diskette motor is off when this function is
invoked.
First invoke function OOh. then invoke function 04h. If no diskette is present,
AH will contain a nonzero value and the Carry Flag will be set. Retry three
times to make sure that no other error condition is occurring.
InputlOutput
Input: AH = 04h
AL = Number of sectors (1-18. depending on drive media
type)
CH = Track number (0-79. depending on drive media type)
CL = Sector number (1-18. depending on drive media type)
DH Head number (0-1)
DL = Drive number
ES:BX = Buffer with address field data
Output: AL = Number of sectors actually transferred
AH = OOh No error
= nnh Error (See error code table earlier in this chapter)
Diskette Status (40:41h)
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error

Function: AH = OSh Format Diskette Track [XT] [AT]
Description
This function formats a single diskette track on the drive specified in DL. The
format operation consists of writing the diskette sector and track address
field data on the specified track. The number of sectors is specified in AL,
the head number in DH, and the track number in CH. Each call to 'function
05h of the Diskette Service, can be verified by following it with a call to
function 04h.
ES: BX points to a table defining the address fields for the track being
formatted.
If the diskette drive in question supports more than one diskette format, the
caller must invoke either Diskette Service Function AH = 17h Set Diskette
Type or AH = 18h Set Media Type for Format before calling this function.
Use function 17h first if AT system

. On an AT-compatible system, invoke INT 13h function 17h to select the type
of media to be formatted before invoking function 05h.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 05h
AL = Number of sectors to be formatted (starts at one)
DH = Head number
DL = Drive number
CH = Track number (starts at 0)
ES: BX = Address field buffer
= 80h Specified diskette drive does not exist
= xxh Error (See error code table earlier in this chapter)
Diskette Status (40:41 h)
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
continued

Function: AH = OSh Format Diskette Track, Continued [XT} [AT]
Address field table

The address field table must contain one entry for each sector on the track
to be formatted. Each entry consists of four bytes as defined in the table
below.
Byte Description
0 Track number
1 Head number - zero based
2 Sector number
3 Sector Size indicator, where:
OOh = 128 bytes/sector
01h = 256 bytes/sector
Example: Address Field Table

For example, the address field table to format track 3, head 0 of a 9 sectorl
track diskette with 512-byte sectors, would be:
db 03, 00, 01, 02, 03, 00, 02, 02, 03, 00, 03, 02
db 03, 00, 04, 02, 03, 00, OS, 02, 03, 00, 06, 02
db 03, 00, 07, 02, 03, 00, 08, 02, 03, 00, 09, 02
Copy protection
Function 05h can be used for copy protection by:
• squeezing more sectors onto a track.
• rearranging the order of the sectors.
• leaving out a sector number.
• specifying 1 or more sectors to be an unconventional size.
• adding a sector with an unconventional address mask.

Function: AH = 08h Read Drive Parameters [AT]
Description
This function returns the diskette parameters for the drive specified in Dl. If
successful, the Carry Flag is cleared and Diskette Status (40:41 h) is not
modified.
The drive type stored in CMOS RAM determines the parameters returned. If
the drive type is not stored in CMOS RAM, all registers return a value of
zero, except Dl, which contains the number of diskette drives installed.
If the media type is known, the maximum media capacity is returned in

registers Bl, CH, Cl, and DH. A pointer to the diskette parameter table is
returned in ES:DI.
Diskette change line support

If a diskette drive does not support the diskette change line, the parameters
for a 360K, nine sector/track diskette in a 360K drive are pointed to by the
value in ES:DI. The drive type returned in BL is zero.
If a change line is supported, the parameters for a 1.2MB diskette in a 1.2

MB drive are pointed to by ES:DI. The drive type returned in BL is zero.
continued

Function: AH = OSh Read Drive Parameters, Continued [AT]
Input/Output
Input: AH = 08h
DL = Drive number
Output: AX = OOOOh
BH = OOh
BL Bits 4-7 = 0
Bits 0-3 = Valid drive type value from CMOS RAM
01h = 5.25", 360K, 40 track
02h = 5.25", 1.2 MB, 80 track
03h = 3.5", 720K, 80 track
04h = 3.5", 1.44 MB, 80 track
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Invalid parameter
CH Maximum usable track number
CL Maximum usable sector number
DH = Maximum usable head number
(always 1 if CMOS RAM value valid)
DL Number of diskette drives installed (OOh, 01 h, or 02h)
ES:DI = Pointer to diskette drive parameter table for
the maximum media type supported on the
specified drive

Function: AH = 15h Read Drive Type [AT]
Description
This function returns information about the drive specified in DL.
Unlike most other BIOS Diskette Service functions, the value returned in the
AH register by this function is not an error code. Instead, the value returned
in AH corresponds to one of the four indicators described in the table below.
AH Value Meaning
OOh No drive instalied

01h Diskette drive that cannot detect media change (360K,
40-track diskette)
02h Diskette drive that can detect media change (1.2 MB,
aD-track diskette)
03h Fixed disk instalied
Input/Output
Input: AH = 15h
DL = Drive number
Output: AH = OOh Drive number is valid

01 h Diskette drive with no change line
= 02h Diskette drive with a change line
= 03h Fixed disk installed
CF o
= No error
1 Invalid drive number

Function: AH = 16h Detect Media Change [AT]
Description
This function determines if the drive door has been opened since the last
time the change line was cleared. The change line signal is generally asso
ciated with 3.5-inch diskette drives.
If the drive number is not valid, the Carry Flag is set, AH is set to 01h, and
control is returned to the caller.
If the specified diskette drive is not configured, AH and Diskette Status are
set to 80h (time-out), CF is set, and control is returned to the caller.
Using this function

Invoke INT 13h function 15h first to determine whether the diskette drive
hardware can sense when a diskette is changed. AH will be set to 02h if
it can.

When this function returns with CF set, it does not necessarily mean that a
diskette has been changed. It only means that the diskette drive door has
been opened and closed since the last time the change line was cleared.
If the change line is not supported. AH and Diskette Status are set to 06h
(media change), CF is cleared, and control is returned to the caller.
Input/Output
Input: AH 16h
DL = Drive number
Output: AH = OOh Diskette change line signal not active
01 h Invalid drive number
= 06h Either change line not supported or
diskette change line signal is active
80h Diskette drive not ready or no drive present
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error

Function: AH = 17h Set Diskette Type [AT]
Description
This function sets the transfer rate for the specified drives using the diskette
types passed in AL. This function is provided for use with DOS 3.0 or 3.1.
Function 1Bh replaces this function for DOS versions 3.2 and above.
1.44 MB drives are not handled by this function.
If t!1e diskette type in AL is invalid, AH and Diskette Status are set to 01 h,

OF is set, and control is returned to the caller. If the drive number is invalid,
OF is set, AH and Diskette Status (40:41 h) are set to 01 h, and control is
returned to the caller.
The media transfer rate is set according to the drive type specified. For
diskette types 02h, 03h, and 04h, the change line determines if there is a
piskette in the drive. If there is no diskette in the drive, AH and Diskette
Status are set to BOh (time-out), OF is set, and control is returned to the
caller. If a diskette is present, Diskette Status is set to OOh and the following
values are set according to the diskette type in AL.
Diskette Type Transfer Rate Double Step Known Media
02h 300 Kbs (01b) Yes Yes

03h 500 Kbs (OOb) No Yes
04h 250 Kbs (10b) No Yes
Input/Output
Input: AH = 17h
AL ~Oh Unused
01 h 360K diskette in 360K drive
= 02h 360K diskette in 1.2MB drive
03h 1.2 MB diskette in 1.2 MB drive
= 04h 720K diskette in 720K drive
DL = OOh or 01 h Drive number
OF a
No error
1 Error

Function: AH = 18h Set Media Type for Format [AT]
Description
This function sets the media type in preparation for a format command.
If the drive number is invalid, the Carry Flag (CF) is set and control is re
turned to the caller with both AH and Diskette Status (40:41h) = 01h. If the
drive type can't be determined, AH and Diskette Status are set to OCh
(unknown media), CF is set, and control is returned to the caller.
If there are no problems with the values returned by this function, the BIOS
selects a diskette parameter table based on the data input to this function.
ES:DI pOints to the chosen diskette parameter table, AH and Diskette Status
are set to DOh, CF is cleared, and control is returned to the caller.

If the drive number is valid, this function determines if the drive supports a
change line. If the drive supports a change line, this function determines if
there is a diskette in the drive. If there is no diskette, AH and Diskette
Status are set to BOh (time-out), the Carry Flag (CF) is set, and control is
Using this function

Invoke this function before formatting a diskette with function 05h so the
BIOS can set the correct data rate for the media.
continued

Function: AH = 18h Set Media Type for Format, Continued [AT]
Input/Output
Input: AH = 18h
CH Maximum number of tracks
CL = Maximum sectors per track
DL Drive number
Output: ES:DI Pointer to drive parameter table
AH DOh track/sector combination is supported
OCh Media unknown (CMOS RAM not valid, drive not

configured in CMOS RAM, or not in the diskette
parameter table)
80h No diskette in drive
CF = o No error
1 Error

INT OEh Diskette Hardware Interrupt
Introduction
The BIOS Diskette Interrupt Service Routine (ISR) services interrupts from the
diskette controller.
How BIOS Diskette ISR is invoked

The diskette controller generates an INT OEh, the BIOS Diskette ISR, to signal
the completion of the last command issued by INT 13h.
The INT OEh entry point is located at address FOOO:EF57h. INT OEh resides at
address 38h in the interrupt vector table.
BIOS multitasking support

Each time the BIOS Diskette Service issues a diskette controller command, it
also invokes INT 15h with AH = 90h Device Busy Loop.
Calling INT 15h allows other tasks in the system to process while diskette 1/0
is in progress. However, this multitasking must be implemented by user
supplied programs executing in the microprocessor's real address mode.
INT OEh and multitasking return

When the diskette controller completes a command, it issues an INT OEh
interrupt and enables interrupts.
INT OEh sets bit 7 of the diskette drive recalibrate status byte (40:3Eh,) and
calls INT 15h with AH = 91 hand AL = 01 h Interrupt Complete. It then sets bit
7 of (40:3Eh) to signal the completion of the command.
continued

INT OEh Diskette Hardware Interrupt, Continued
System RAM data area

INT OEh, Diskette ISR, references the following system RAM data area
location:
3Eh 1 Byte Diskette drive recalibrate status, where:

occurred
Bit 6-4 = Not used
Bits 3,2 = Reserved
I/O Port table
INT OEh, Diskette ISR, references the following 1/0 port:
ReadlWrite
03FOh R Diskette controller status register A, where:

Bit 5 = 1 Step
Bit 4 = 0 Track 0
Bit 3 = 1 Select head 1
Bit 2 = 0 Index
Bit 1 = 0 Write protect
Bit 0 = 1 Direction Is from controller to diskette

Chapter 11
INT 13h Fixed Disk Service
Overview
Description
The BIOS Fixed Disk Service performs read, write, format, diagnostic, initiali
zation and other operations for up to two fixed disk drives.
How the service is invoked

INT 13h invokes the BIOS Diskette and Fixed Disk Service. If a fixed disk
drive is present, the Fixed Disk Service redirects the INT 13h vector to the
interrupt vector table address 00:4Ch. The Phoenix AT and XT BlOSs initialize
the INT 13h Fixed Disk Service vector to FOOO:E3FEh.
BIOS diskette support

When a fixed disk is installed, the BIOS automatically redirects all INT 13h
Diskette Service requests to INT 40h. This redirecting is transparent to end
users. End users should continue to invoke INT 13h for both diskette and
fixed disk services.
For a discussion of the BIOS Diskette Services, refer to Chapter 10.
continued
INT 13h Fixed Disk Service 303

Overview, Continued
In this chapter
This chapter focuses on the BIOS Fixed Disk Service. The following topics
are presented:
• Fixed Disk Service Function Summary
• System RAM Data
• CMOS RAM Data
• ROM BIOS Data
• Fixed Disk Service I/O Ports
• Error Handling
• Fixed Disk Service Functions

same line as the function title. In this chapter, the designation [XT] refers to
XT-type fixed disk controller support. [AT] refers to AT-type fixed disk
controller support.
Legend Description

[XT] Function Is supported by all IBM PC/XT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.
plemented In the majority of IBM PC and PC/XT compat-
Ible systems.
ROM BlOSs.

Fixed Disk Service Function Summary
Summary of fixed disk service functions

The BIOS Fixed Disk Service contains twenty-three functions. Individual
functions are selected via AH. The table below summarizes these functions.
The notation in the Controller Type column refers specifically to the type of
fixed disk controller in the system, not necessarily the type of system.
Function Description Controller type
OOh Reset Diskette(s) and Fixed Disk [XT] [AT]
01h Read Fixed Disk Status [XT] [AT]
02h Read Sectors [XT] [AT]
03h Write Sectors [XT] [AT]
04h Verify Sectors [XT] [AT]
OSh Format Cylinder [XT] [AT]
OSh Format Bad Track [XT]
07h Format Drive [XT]
08h Read Drive Parameters [XT] [AT]
09h Initialize Drive Parameters [XT] [AT]
OAh Read Long Sectors [XT] [AT]
OBh Write Long Sectors [XT] [AT]
OCh Seek to Cylinder [XT] [AT]
ODh Alternate Fixed Disk Reset [XT] [AT]
OEh Diagnostics 1: Read Test Buffer [XT]
OFh Diagnostics 2: Write Test Buffer [XT]
10h Test for Drive Ready [XT] [AT]
11 h Recallbrate Drive [XT] [AT]
12h Controller RAM Diagnostic [XT] [AT]
13h Controller Drive Diagnostic [XT] [AT]
14h Controller Internal Diagnostic [XT] [AT]
1Sh Read Fixed Disk Type [XT] [AT]

History
Fixed disks were not supported in the original IBM PC. The IBM XT, intro
duced later, contained the first fixed disk controller, supporting only one
fixed disk drive. XT -type fixed disk controllers are still in use today, even in
some AT-compatible systems. Today, most XT-type fixed disk controllers
support two or more fixed disk drives.
Although the ST506 interface standard permits support of up to four drives

per controller, most AT-type fixed disk controllers support up to two fixed
disk drives. Almost all AT BlOSs support a maximum of two fixed disk drives.
Most systems have a combination diskette/fixed disk controller.
Fixed disk basics

A fixed disk is an electromechanical device. The electronic part includes the
read/write head (s), which are essentially electromagnets that convert rapidly
pulsing digital electronic signals from the computer to semi-permanent
magnetic fields on a specific location on the disk surface. There are other
electronic components that control the mechanical parts. They properly align
the magnetic storage and help to locate the information on the disk surface.
The mechanical part of a fixed disk drive includes a spindle (a shaft that
connects directly to the disk drive motor), and disk platters (upon which
data is actually written). The motor spins the disk platter at a precisely con
trolled speed. The only other mechanical part is the arm, upon which the
read/write heads are mounted. The arm allows the heads to move freely just
above the disk surface so that the heads can be placed anywhere between
the inner and outermost part of the surface. Fixed disks usually have many
read/write heads and both sides of the disk platters are used. There is one
read/write heads positioned just above the surface of each side of the disk
platter. The graphic on the following page describes these terms.
continued

continued
INT 13h FIxed Disk Service 307

Fixed disk drive organization

The following graphic explains fixed disk tracks and sectors.
Heads and surfaces

Fixed disk drives generally have several magnetic "heads" (the mechanisms that allow
them to read/write the encoded bits on the fixed disk platter surfaces). One head is
used for each side of each disk platter. A fixed disk can have many disk platters.
All sides of the fixed disk platter surfaces are covered with a material that can be
magnetized and Is used to store Information.
Moves
Head
In and Out
.;~~t±~~~~~ZZt:::3 n) • • • •••
Tracks and sectors

The fixed disk head rapidly magnetizes areas on the surface of the disk platter as the
platter spins, representing binary zeros and ones. These areas are organized into con
centric circles (tracks). There can be 40, 80, or even more tracks per fixed disk side.
Tracks are further subdivided into sectors. Sectors usually store 512 bytes. but the
sector size can also be changed with INT 13h. AH = 05h. The bytes in a sector must
be organized in a prescribed manner. There can be 17. 26. 34 or more sectors per
track.
Tracks Side 0
Sectors
continued

Fixed disk processing

Like the Diskette Service, the BIOS Fixed Disk Service programs the fixed
disk controller directly. The BIOS never writes directly from the processor to
the fixed disk drive. Sometimes data and commands are sent directly to the
controller from the microprocessor, but more often, the BIOS uses the DMA
controller.
The BIOS uses the DMA controller to move data directly to and from system
memory without the intervention of the microprocessor.
The fixed disk controller communicates directly between the fixed disk drive,
the processor, and system memory. It uses DMA channel 2 to access
memory.
The following graphic depicts the relationship between the processor, system
memory, the DMA channel, the fixed disk controller, and the fixed disk drive.
System
Memory <: DMA Channe'
Fixed Disk
Controller
f'J ...
Read &'
commanf Write oat,!
,
.
~Re.u,to
01
Step
01 Control
Processor .... Fixed Disk
Drive
r'
...
Motor'
COmmand? Control
Selectio'!..
~

continued

Fixed disk controller interfaces

The computer does not access the fixed disk directly. The computer com
municates with the fixed disk controller which controls the fixed disks and
often also the diskettes. The fixed disk controller uses a predetermined stan
dard for formatting instructions and data (called an interface) for accessing
the fixed disk. There are three widely used fixed disk controller standards (or
interfaces) :
• ST506/ST412 - the standard interface
• ESDI (enhanced small device interface), and
• SCSI (small computer systems interface).
Fixed disk data encoding methods

On the ST506 interface, the disk-generated pulses that are used to re
present the actual data are passed directly to the controller and the way
these pulses are arranged can make a big difference in fixed disk drive
performance.
There are several methods of data encoding used by ST506 fixed disk con
trollers. The most frequently used methods are:
• MFM - modified frequency modulation,
• RLL - run length limited, and
• ARLL - advanced run length limited
Encoding methodologies and the BIOS

The BIOS Fixed Disk Service does not need to worry about different types of
encoding or interface methods for fixed disk drives. The BIOS uses the fixed
disk drive parameters stored in the fixed disk drive type table in the ROM
BIOS data area. See the ROM BIOS Data heading later in this chapter.
continued

Fixed disk drive types and the user

XT fixed disk controllers support a limited number of fixed disk drives, so an
XT system user has a limited choice of fixed disk drive types. Only four drive
types are available. See the ROM BIOS Data heading in this chapter for a
description of the XT fixed disk drive types.
In an AT system, the BIOS or computer manufacturer changes the drive

types (1-47) and fixed disk parameter table entries to correspond to popular
types of fixed disk drives that use the various interfaces and encoding meth
ods. Therefore, many popular types of fixed disk drives that use MFM, RLL,
ARLL, or ESDI are available to the end user. The user can access the fixed
disk drive type table in the ROM BIOS Data Area and select a fixed disk drive
type that corresponds to the parameters of the system's fixed disk drive.
The end user can also use a BIOS utility program, such as the Phoenix
SETUP utility, to change the fixed disk drive type table to ensure that the
fixed disk drive is supported.
Setting up a fixed disk drive

In systems with XT fixed disk controllers, installing a fixed disk drive requires
only physical installation and no software setup.
In AT systems, a SETUP utility must be used. The user needs to know sev
eral facts about the fixed disk drive, including the:
• cylinder write precompensation value,
• number of heads,
• number of cylinders,
• number of sectors per track,
• landing zone value, and
• capacity.
The user can look up the fixed disk drive type table stored in the system
BIOS (usually the SETUP help facility provides this information) and find the
drive type that matches the characteristics of his fixed disk drive.
Some BlOSs provide editable drive types. Phoenix BlOSs provide types 48
and 49, which the user can modify by entering the parameter values of the
fixed disk drive with the SETUP utility. The data is automatically stored in
CMOS RAM.

Support for two fixed disk drives

The BIOS Fixed Disk Service supports up to two fixed disk drives. An
ST412/506 interface fixed disk controller or equivalent is assumed present.
The BIOS uses information from the drive table which may include support
for RLL and ESDI drives. ESDI drives generally require an option ROM, which
replaces part of the ROM BIOS data.
Older XT-type fixed disk controllers may support only one fixed disk drive.
These controllers may be found in both AT and XT systems.
How fixed disks are identified

There are only two valid fixed disk identification numbers - BOh and B1 h.
The numbers must be assigned as follows:
• Fixed Disk Drive 0 = 80h
• Fixed Disk Drive 1 = 81 h
Note: The fixed disk drive values BOh or B1 h are required DL register
inputs for many of the INT 13h fixed disk services.
BIOS allows processing while disk activity is performed

The BIOS issues an INT 15h, AH = 90h Device Busy (AL = OOh fixed disk) call
while waiting for fixed disk interrupts, informing the operating system that the
BIOS is waiting for the fixed disk hardware, so processing can go on. When
the fixed disk interrupt occurs, the BIOS issues an INT 15h, AH = 91h Inter
rupt Complete (AL = OOh fixed disk), indicating that the fixed disk operation
is complete.
312 System BIOS for IBM PCfXT f AT Computers and Compatibles

System RAM Data
Introduction
The BIOS data area (address 400h - 500h) contains data definitions that are
referred to by the BIOS Fixed Disk Service.
40:74h 1 Word Status from last fixed disk operation. where:

OOh =No error
01h =Invalid function request
02h =Address mark not found
03h =Write protect error
04h =Sector not found
OSh =Reset failed
OSh = DMA overrun on operation
SOh = Time-out
EOh = Status error/error register Is 0
40:7Sh 1 Byte Number of fixed drives (AT only)
40:76h 1 Byte Control byte (when to write to I/O port 03F6h) .
40:77h 1 Byte Fixed disk port offset
40:8Ch 1 Byte Fixed disk controller status (AT only)
40:8Dh 1 Byte Fixed disk controller error status (AT only)
40:8Eh 1 Byte Fixed disk interrupt flag (AT only)

CMOS RAM Data
Table of CMOS RAM data used

The CMOS RAM data referenced by the Fixed Disk Service is listed below.
CMOS RAM

Bit 7 = 1 Real time clock lo~~ power
Bit 5 = 1 Invalid configuration information at POST
Bit 3 = 1 Fixed disk or controller fails initialization
Bit 2 = 1 RTC time invalid
Bit 1 = 1 Controllers do not match configuration
Bit 0 = 1 Time-out in reading an controller 10
11 h 1 Byte Type of fixed disk drive 0
19h 1 Byte Drive type of fixed disk 1
1Ah 1 Byte Drive type of fixed disk 2

ROM BIOS Data
AT fixed disk parameter table structure

The 16-byte AT fixed disk parameter table defines the types of fixed disk
drives that can be used in an AT-compatible system. The address of the
correct entry within the fixed disk parameter table is contained in the INT 41 h
vector for drive 0 and in the INT 46h vector for drive 1. The INT 41 h fixed
disk parameter table is usually located at FOOO:E401 h. The default location of
the INT 46h table is often the same as the INT 41 h vector. By invoking INT
13h AH = 08h Read Drive Parameters, the caller can find out where the fixed
disk parameter table is located.
DOh 2 Bytes Maximum number of cylinders

OSh 2 Bytes Starting write precompensation cylinder
07h 1 Byte Reserved
08h 1 Byte Control byte. where:
Bit 7 = 1 Disable retries
Bit 5 = 1 Defect map present at maximum
cylinder + 1
Bit 4 = 0 Reserved
Bit 3 = 1 More than 8 heads
OCh 2 Bytes Landing zone cylinder
OEh 1 Byte Number of sectors per track
OFh 1 Byte Reserved
continued
iNT 13h Fixed Disk Service 315

XT fixed disk parameter table structure

The XT fixed disk parameter table defines the types of fixed disk drives that
can be used in an XT -compatible system. The address of the correct entry
within the fixed disk parameter table is contained in the INT 41 h vector. The
fixed disk parameter table is usually located at FOOO:E401 h. By invoking INT
13h, AH = 08h Read Drive Parameters, the caller can find out where the
fixed disk parameter table is located.
OOh 2 Bytes Maximum number of cylinders

03h-04h 2 Bytes Starting reduced write current cylinder
OSh-06h 2 Bytes Starting write precompensation cylinder
07h 1 Byte Maximum ECC burst length
08h 1 Byte Control byte, where:
Bit 6 = 1 Disable ECC retries
Bits S-3 = 0 Reserved
Bits 2-0 = Drive option
09h 2 Bytes Standard timeout value
OAh 1 Byte Timeout value for format drive command
aBh 1 Byte Timeout value for check drive command
aCh 4 Bytes Reserved
continued

AT fixed disk drive type table

The fixed disk drives that the AT BIOS supports are stored in a ROM-based
table. In the Phoenix AT BIOS. table entries 48 and 49 are left for the end
user to define by running SETUP. Once specified. the drive characteristics
remain stored in CMOS RAM. The end user can add any type of AT
compatible fixed disk drive to a system in this manner. This list is by no
means inclusive. but is merely the default drive types provided by Phoenix.
Some manufacturers define many more default drive types; others provide
means for user definition of drive types.
The Phoenix default drive type table is shown below. We have included the
names of many popular fixed disk drive types for easy identification.
Write Landing
1 IBM 5.25" 10 MB 306 4 128 305 17

2 IBM 5.25" 20 MB 615 4 300 615 17
Seagate ST-225
CDC Wren II
9415-5-25 •
Miniscribe 8438F
3 IBM 5.25" 30 MB 615 6 300 615 17
4 IBM 5.25" 62 MB 940 8 512 940 17
5 IBM 5.25" 46 MB 940 6 512 940 17
6 IBM 5.25" 20 MB 615 4 -1 615 17
Miniscribe MS 8425
Tandon TM 262 •••
7 IBM 5.25" 30 MB 462 8 256 511 17
8 IBM 5.25" 30 MB 733 5 -1 733 17
Seagate ST-4038 •••
CDC Wren II
9415-5-38 ••••
9 IBM 5.25" 112 MB 900 15 -1 901 17
Priam IDEO 130'
.....•
The OEM may have to disable drive connector J1 pin 2 when used on the AT .
Remove jumper W3 .
Values for Write Precomp of -1, 0, or the last track are assumed to be equivalent.
continued

AT fixed disk drive type table, cont'd

Write Landing
10 IBM 5.25" 20 MB 820 3 -1 820 17
Priam IDED75, 100, 120,
150, 160, 230, 330·
11 IBM 5.25" 35 MB 855 5 -1 855 17
Priam IDEO 40, 45, 45H
Priam ID45T -5, ID45T -Q.
12 IBM 5.25" 49 MB 855 7 -1 855 17
13 IBM 5.25" 20 MB 306 8 128 319 17
14 IBM 5.25" 42 MB 733 7 -1 733 17
15 Reserved
16 IBM 5.25" 20 MB 612 4 0 663 17
17 IBM 5.25" 40 MB 977 5 300 977 17
18 IBM 5.25" 56 MB 977 7 -1 977 17
Priam ID 60, 62·
19 IBM 5.25" 59MB 1024 7 512 1023 17
20 IBM 5.25" 30 MB 733 5 300 732 17
21 IBM 5.25" 42 MB 733 7 300 732 17
22 IBM 5.25" 30 MB 733 5 300 733 17
23 IBM 5.25" 10 MB 306 4 0 336 17
24 Priam IDEO 62 1024 7 -1 1024 17
25 NEC 5126 20 MB 615 4 0 615 17
26 Micropoiis 1323 ••• 1024 4 -1 1024 17
Rodlme 5040
27 Mlcropolis 1323A _•• 1024 5 -1 1024 17
Seagate ST -4077R
Miniscribe 3053/6053
Priam IDEO 45, 45H-·
-_. The OEM may have to disable drive connector J1 pin 2 when used on the AT.
Remove jumper W3.
••• Values for Write Precomp of -1, 0, or the last track are assumed to be equivalent.
continued

Write Landing
28 Micropolis 1325 ••• 1024 8 -1 1024 17
Mlniscribe 6085
Maxtor XT-1085 •••
29 512 8 256 512 17
30 Syquest SQ312RD .. 615 2 615 615 17
Minlscribe MS 8212 •••
31 CDC Wren II 9420-5-51 •• 989 5 0 989 17
32 1020 15 -1 1024 17
33 Reserved
34 Reserved
35 Seagate ST -4096 1024 9 1024 1024 17
Seagate ST -4144
Seagate ST -4144R 26
36 Mlnlscrlbe MS 6053 1024 5 512 1024 17
Microscience HH1050
37 830 10 -1 830 17
38 NEC 67 MB 823 10 256 824 17
39 NEC D5126H 20 MB 615 4 128 664 17
40 IBM 5.25" 40 MB 615 8 128 664 17
NEC D5146H
41 IBM 5.25" 114 MB 917 15 -1 918 17
42 IBM 5.25" 127 MB 1023 15 -1 1024 17
Priam IDED 130··
43 NEC 823 10 512 823 17
44 Seagate ST -251 40 MB 820 6 -1 820 17
45 Reserved
46 CDC Wren II (1) 925 9 -1 925 17
9415-5-86
• The OEM may have to disable drive connector J 1 pin 2 when used on the AT .
••• Values for Write Precomp of -1. O. or the last track are assumed to be equivalent .
continued

ROM SIOS Data, Continued
Write Landing
47 699 7 256 700 17
48 Conflgurable by end user

49 Conflgurable by end user
...
The OEM may have to disable drive connector J 1 pin 2 when used on the AT .
... Remove jumper W3 .
Values for Write Precomp of -1, 0, or the last track are assumed to be equivalent .
If a table entry contains -1 as the entry for the beginning write precompen
sation cylinder, then there is no write precompensation for this fixed disk
drive type. If the write precompensation is zero, then there is write pre
compensation for all cylinders.
Drive types 48 and 49 in a Phoenix BIOS can be edited by the Phoenix

SETUP utility. Parameter values entered in SETUP for these drives are stored
in CMOS RAM.
continued

XT fixed disk drive types

Systems with an XT -type fixed disk controller support only four fixed disk
drive types. The fixed disk parameter values for each of these XT drive
types are defined below. Some AT systems may have XT -type fixed disk
controllers.
Parameter Type 0 Type 1 Type 2 Type 3
Maximum cylinders 306 612 615 306

Maximum head(s) 4 4 4 8
Reduced write current cyl. 306 612 615 306
Write precomp cylinder 0 0 300 128
ECC Data Burst Length 11 11 11 11
Control byte 5 5 5 5
Standard time-out 12 32 24 12
Format drive time-out 180 180 180 180
Check drive time-out 40 40 40 40
Reserved 0 0 0 0
Reserved 0 0 0 0
Reserved 0 0 0 0
Reserved 0 0 0 0

Fixed Disk Service 1/0 Ports
The INT 13h Fixed Disk Service references the following I/O ports:
Read/Write
I/O Address status Description
0020h R Programmable Interrupt Controller - Interrupt re

quest/in-service registers programmed by Opera
tion Command Word 3 (OCW3): Interrupt request
register, where:
Bits 7-0 = 0 No active request for the
0020h R Interrupt in-service register, where:
Bits 7-0 = 0 The corresponding interrupt line is
= 1 The corresponding Interrupt line Is
0020 W Programmable Interrupt Controller - Initialization
Command Word 1 (ICW1) (Bit 4 is one), where:
Bits 7-5 = 000 Only used in 80/85 mode
Bit 4 = 1 Reserved
Bit 3 = 0 Edge triggered mode
= 1 Level triggered mode
Bit 2 =0 Successive interrupt vectdrs are
=1 Successive interrupt vectors are
= 1 ICW4 needed
continued

Fixed Disk Service 1/0 Ports, Continued
Read/Write
0021h W ICW2, ICW3, or ICW4 in sequential order after

ICWl written to Port 0020h
ICW2, where:
Bits 7-3 = Address lines AO-A3 of base vector
address for Interrupt controller
ICWS, where:
Bits 7-0 = 0 Slave controller not attached to
corresponding interrupt pin
= 0 Slave controller attached to
corresponding interrupt pin
ICW4, where:
Bit 4 = 0 No special fully-nested mode
= 1 Special fully-nested mode
Bits 3-2 = 00 Nonbuffered mode
= 01 Nonbuffered mode,
= 10 Buffered mode/slave
= 11 Buffered mode/master
Bit 1 = 0 Normal EOI
= 1 Auto EOI
Bit 0 = 0 80/85 mode
= 1 8086/8088 mode
0021h R/W Interrupt mask register (OCW1), where:
Bit 7 = 0 Enable p~rallel printer interrupt
Bit 6 = 0 Enable diskette interrupt
Bit 5 = 0 Enable fixed disk interrupt
Bit 4 = 0 Enable serial interrupt
Bit 3 = 0 Reserved
Bit 2 = 0 Enable video interrupt
Bit 1 = 0 Enable keyboard/pointing device/RTC
Interrupt
Bit 0 = 0 Enable timer Interrupt
0021h W OCW2 (Bit 4 Is zero, Bit 3 Is zero), where:
-
Bits 7-5 = 000 Rotate In automatic EOI mode
( clear)
= 001 Nonspecific EOI
= 010 No operation
= 011 Specific EOI
= 100 Rotate in automatic EOI mode (set)
= 101 Rotate on nonspecific EOI
command
= 110 Set priority command
= 111 Rotate on specific EOI command
Bit 4 = 0 Reserved
Bit 3 = 0 Reserved
Bits 2-0 = Interrupt request to which the command
applies
continued

Fixed Disk Service 110 Ports, Continued
Read/Write
I/O Address Status
Description
0020h W
OCW3 (Bit 4 Is zero, Bit 3 is one), where:
Bit 7 =0 Reserved
Bits 6-5 =00 No operation
=01 No operation
=10 Reset special mask
= 11 Set special mask
Bit 4 =0 Reserved
Bit 3 =1 Reserved
Bit 2 =0 No poll command
=1 Poll command
Bits 1-0 =00 No operation
= 01 No operation
=10 Read Interrupt request register on
next read at Port 0020h
=11 Read Interrupt in-service register on
next read at Port 0020h
0070h W
CMOS RAM address register port, where:
Bit 7 =1 NMI disable
=0 NMI enabled
Bits 6-0 =0 CMOS address
0071h R/W
CMOS RAM data register port
OOAOh R/W
Programmable Interrupt Controller 2
00A1h W
Programmable Interrupt Controller 2 mask, where:
Bit 7 =0 Reserved
Bit 5 = 0 Enable 80387 exception interrupt
Bit 4 =0 Enable mouse interrupt
Bit 3 =0 Reserved
Bit 2 =0 Reserved
Bit 1 =0 Enable redirect cascade
Bit 0 =0 Enable real time clock interrupt
0170h R/W Fixed disk 1 data register (AT only)
0171h R/W Fixed disk 1 error register (AT only)
0172h R/W Fixed disk 1 sector count (AT only)
0173h R/W Fixed disk 1 sector number (AT only)
0174h R/W Fixed disk 1 cylinder low (AT only)
0175h R/W Fixed disk 1 cylinder high (AT only)
0176h R/W Fixed disk 1 drive/head register (AT only)
0177h R/W Fixed disk 1 status register (AT only)
01FOh R/W Fixed disk 0 data register (AT only)
01F1h R/W Fixed disk 0 error register (AT only)
continued

Fixed Disk Service 1/0 Ports, Continued
Read/Write
01F2h R/W Fixed disk 0 sector count (AT only)

01F3h R/W Fixed disk 0 sector number (AT only)
01F4h R/W Fixed disk 0 cylinder low (AT only)
01F5h R/W Fixed disk 0 cylinder high (AT only)
01F6h R/W Fixed disk 0 drive/head register (AT only)
01F7h R/W Fixed disk 0 status register (AT only)
0320h R/W Fixed Disk controller Register (8 or 16 bit)
Error Handling
Introduction
Upon return from each function, the Fixed Disk Service indicates the result of
the operation with a numeric error code. This error code is returned in AH
and is stored in The Fixed Disk Status byte (40:74h).
Error codes
Successful functions return with
• AH and Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) set to ~Oh (i.e. Error Code = OOh,
no error)
• Carry Flag (CF) cleared
Functions which have not executed successfully return with
• AH and Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) set to one of 23 possible error codes
• Carry Flag set
continued

Error Handling, Continued
Table of error codes
Error Code Description
OOh No error
01h Invalid function passed in AH or invalid parameter
02h Address mark not found
04h Sector not found
OSh Reset failed
07h Drive parameter activity failed
OBh DMA overrun on operation
09h Data boundary error
OAh Bad sector flag detected
OBh Bad cylinder detected
ODh Invalid number of sectors on format
OEh Control data address mark detected
OFh DMA arbitration level out of range
10h Uncorrectable ECC or CRC error
11 h ECC corrected data error
20h Controller failure
40h Seek failed
BOh Time-out
AAh Drive not ready or not selected
BBh Undefined error
CCh Write fault on selected drive
EOh Status error/error register is 0
FFh Sense operation failed

Function: AH = OOh Reset Diskette(s) and Fixed Disk [XT] [AT]
Description
This function resets both the diskette and the fixed disk controllers. It places
both the diskette and the fixed disk systems in a known state by reinitializing
the fixed disk and diskette drive parameters and by recalibrating the read/
write heads positions of both devices to cylinder O.
The fixed disk drive number (either 80h or 81 h) is specified in DL. If suc
cessful, this function returns with AH set to OOh and the Carry Flag cleared.
Note: The diskette system is reset regardless of the drive number specified
in DL. To reset the fixed disk controller only, use Function AH = ODh.
Input/Output
Input: AH OOh
xxh Error (See error codes earlier in this chapter)
= Fixed Disk Status (40:74h)
CF = o
No error
= 1 Error
Differentiating diskette from fixed disk errors

In AT systems, the status of the last Diskette Service operation is stored in
Diskette Status (40:41 h), and the status of the last Fixed Disk Service opera
tion is stored in Fixed Disk Status (40:74h).
• If the error code returned in AH by this function pertains to the diskette
system, then the value of Diskette Status will be equal to the value of AH.
• If the error code in AH pertains to the fixed disk, then the value in Fixed
Disk Status will be equal to the value in AH.

Function: AH = 01 h Read Fixed Disk Status [XT] [AT]
Description
This function returns Fixed Disk Status. the error code from the last opera
tion. in the AL register. Before returning to the caller this function sets Fixed
Disk Status and AH to OOh and clears the Carry Flag.
Error code 11 h. ECC Data Error. indicates that a recoverable error was de
tected during a preceding call to Function 02h Read Sectors. See the head
ing Error Handling earlier in this chapter for a complete list of all codes that
may be returned in AL.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 01 h
DL = Drive number
80h Fixed disk 1
81 h Fixed disk 2
Fixed Disk Status (40:74h)
AL = Error code for last operation

Function: AH = 02h Read Sectors [XT] [AT]
Description
This function reads the number of sectors specified in AL from the drive
specified in DL to a buffer area defined by ES:BX. This function also reads
the two words of Error Correction Code (ECG) associated with that sector
and automatically corrects ECC errors. Multisector transfers are terminated
after any sector that has a read error. Cylinder number, sector number, and
head number are specified in CH, CL, and DH, respectively (see Input!
Output below).
If successful, this function returns with the Carry Flag cleared and AH = OOh.
The number of sectors specified in AL must not be zero or greater than 128.
Numbers greater than 128 cause a transfer of greater than 64K and thus
force a DMA boundary error.
Input/Output
Input: AH 02h
AL Number of sectors to read
CH = Cylinder num.ber (low 8 bits, zero-based1 \ 0 bAs
CL = Cylinder/sector number, where:
Bits 7-6 = cylinder numb~r (high 2 bits) =' \02'+ L"fL
Bits 5-0 = sector number ---.........

DH = Hea. d number (zero-based) _~ " ' - - (V\N< b4 SE..c.\~S
DL Drive number
80h fixed disk 1 fV' A)< 2 5: ~ '" e A'J>S
81 h fixed disk 2
= xxh Error (See error codes earlier in this chapter)

AL Number of sectors of data transferred
CF = 0 No error
1 Error
continued
\024 x 64 x 2~b
:::- 1£ 1777 I 2 1 6
INT 13h Fixed Disk Service - ~.,+ G a 329
Function: AH = 02h Read Sectors, Continued [XT] [AT]
Error conditions
If it is unsuccessful, this function returns with the Carry Flag (CF) set and
the appropriate Fixed Disk Service error code in both AH and Fixed Disk
Status (40:74h).
For example, if an invalid number of sectors is in AL, this function returns

with the CF set and AH and Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) set to 09h the error
code that indicates a DMA boundary error has occurred.
The caller should retry this function at least three times, issuing the Reset
Function (AH = OOh) between retries, when an error condition occurs to
ensure that the error is not just a hardware timing problem.

Function: AH= 03h Write Sectors eXT] [AT]
Description
This function writes the number of sectors specified in AL to the drive speci
fied in DL from a buffer area defined by ES:BX. The fixed disk head number
is indicated in DH. Starting cylinder and sector number are indicated in CH
and CL as shown under the Input/Output heading below.
This function does not require a prior call to the Seek Function (AH = OCh).
The number of sectors specified in AL must not be zero or greater than 128.
Numbers greater than 128 cause a transfer of greater than 64K, and thus
force a DMA boundary error.
If an error occurs when this function is invoked, issue a Function OOh to

reset the fixed disk controller, and retry this function at least three times.
If successful, this function returns with the Carry Flag cleared and AH = OOh.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 03h
AL = Number of sectors to write
CH = Cylinder number (low 8 bits, zero-based)
Bits 7-6 = cylinder number (high 2 bits)

Bits 5-0 = sector number
DH = Head number (zero-based)
DL = Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
ES:BX = Disk transfer address
Output: AH DOh No error.
AL = Number of sectors of data transferred

CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
continued

Function: AH = 03h Write Sectors, Continued [XT] [AT]
Error conditions
If unsuccessful, this function returns with the Carry Flag (CF) set and the
appropriate Fixed Disk Service error code in both AH and Fixed Disk Status
(40:74h) .
See the Error Handling heading earlier in this chapter for a list of possible
errors.
For example, if an invalid number of sectors is in AL, this function returns

with CF set and AH and Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) set to 09h, the error
code that indicates a DMA boundary error has occurred.

Function: AH = 04h Verify Sectors [XT] [AT]
Description
This function verifies the number of sectors specified in AL on the cylinder,
head, and drive specified in CH, CL, and DH respectively. (See Input/Output
below.)
This function does not compare data on disk with data in memory. It merely
verifies that the specified sectors can be read and that the cyclical redun
dancy check (CRC) is correct. This function does not cause any data to be
transferred from memory to fixed disk or vice versa.
If successful, this function returns with the Carry Flag cleared and AH and
Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) set to OOh.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 04h
AL = Number of sectors to verify
DL Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
AL = Number of sectors verified
CF o No error
1 Error
Error conditions
(40:74h) .
Refer to the Error Handling heading in this chapter for a table of error codes.

Function: AH = 05h Format Cylinder [XT] [AT]
Description
This function formats the cylinder specified in CH and CL using the head
specified in DL.
If the system uses an XT -type fixed disk controller, INT 13h, AH = OFh
should be called before invoking this function.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 05h
AL Interleave factor (XT-type fixed disk controllers only)
CH Cylinder number (low 8 bits)
CL Cylinder/sector number, where:
Bits 7-6 = cylinder number (high 2 bits, zero-based)
DH Head number (zero-based)
DL Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
ES: BX = Pointer to table of 2-byte address field entries
CF a No error
= 1 Error
continued

Function: AH = OSh Format Cylinder, Continued [XT] [AT]
Buffer table contents

The caller must provide a 512-byte table of address markers pointed to by
ES:BX. There must be one two-byte table entry for each sector on the
cylinder. Table entries must be formatted as shown below:
Byte 1 = good/bad flag
OOh is good
80h is bad
Byte 2 = sector number
Example: Address Field Table

For example, the address field to format a track on a fixed disk drive that
has an interleave factor of two and that is formatted for 17 sectors per track
would be:
db 00, 01, 00, OA, 00, 02, 00, OB, 00, 03, 00, OC, 00, 04, 00, 00
db 00, 05, 00, OE, 00, 06, 00, OF, 00, 07, 00, 10, 00, 08, 00, 11
db 00, 09
Error conditions
(40:74h). For example, if a time-out error occurs during the execution of
this function, error code 80h is returned in both AH and Fixed Disk Status.

reset the fixed disk controller and retry this function at least three times.

Function: AH = 06h Format Bad Track [XT]
Description
This function initializes a track. writing fixed disk address fields and data
sectors and setting bad sector flags. It is designed for use with an XT -type
fixed disk controller.
For drive 80h. this function references the fixed disk parameter table pointed
to by the Interrupt 41 h vector. If successful. this function returns with AH
and 40: 74h set to zero.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 06h
AL Interleave factor
CH = Cylinder number
DH = Head number
DL = Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
Output: AH 07h Drive number in DL is invalid
01 h Invalid function request
= ~Oh If operation is successful
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
Error conditions
If an error occurs when this function is invoked. issue a Function OOh to
reset the fixed disk controller. and retry this function at least three times.
If the drive number specified in DL is not valid. this function returns with AH
and location 40:74h set to 07h to indicate that the drive parameter activity
failed. AL. CX. and DX are cleared. the Carry Flag is set. and control is

Function: AH = 07h Format Drive [XT]
Description
This function formats the entire fixed disk drive, writing disk address fields
and data sectors, starting at the specified cylinder. This function works only
with XT -type fixed disk controllers.
If successful, this function returns with AL and location 40: 74h set to OOh.
Input/Output
Input: AH
AL
=~
=
01
Interleave factor
CH Cylinder
DL Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
Output: AH = 07h If drive number in DL is invalid
OOh No error
CF 0 No error
= 1 Error
Error conditions
reset the fixed disk controller, and retry this function at least three times.
If the drive number specified in DL is not valid, this function returns with AH
and location 40:74h set to 07h to indicate that the drive parameter activity
failed. AL, CX, and OX are cleared, the Carry Flag is set, and control is

Function: AH = OSh Read Drive Parameters [XT] [AT]
Description
This function returns parameters associated with the fixed disk drive (either
80h or 81h) specified in DL.
For drive 80h. this function references the fixed disk parameter table pointed
to by the INT 41h vector. For drive 81h. the function references the INT 46h
vector. See the ROM BIOS Data heading in this chapter for the structure and
contents of the fixed disk parameter table.
If successful. this function returns with AL and Fixed Disk Status set to OOh.
The maximum usable cylinder number is returned in CH/CL. maximum usable
sector number in CL. maximum usable head number in DH. the number of
fixed disk drives contained in the system is returned in DL. and the address
of the fixed disk parameter table is returned in ES:DI.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 08h
DL Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
Output: AH 07h If drive number in DL is invalid
= OOh If operation is successful
AL = OOh
CF o No error
1 Error
CH Maximum usable cylinder number (low 8 bits.
zero-based)
(OOh if AH = 07h)
CL Cylinder/sector number. where:
Bits 7-0 = OOh if AH = 07h
Bits 7-6 = Maximum usable cylinder number (high 2 bits)
Bits 5-0 = Maximum usable sector number
DH Maximum usable head number
DL = Number of drives (zero-based. OOh if AH = 07h)
ES:DI Address of fixed disk parameter table
continued

Function: AH = OSh Read Drive Parameters, Continued [XT] [AT]
Error conditions
If the drive number specified in DL is not valid. this function returns with AH
and Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) set to 07h to indicate that the drive parame
ter activity failed. AL. CX. and DX are cleared. the Carry Flag is set. and

Function: AH ::: 09h Initialize Drive Parameters [XT] [AT]
Description
This function initializes the controller associated with the fixed disk drive
(either 80h or 81 h) specified in DL.
For drive 80h, this function references the fixed disk parameter table pointed
to by the Interrupt 41 h vector. For drive 81 h, the function uses the interrupt
46h vector. See the ROM BIOS Data heading in this chapter for the structure
and contents of the fixed disk parameter table.
If successful, thiS function returns with AH and Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) set
and the Carry Flag cleared.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 09h
DL = Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
= 07h Operation has failed
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
Error conditions
If unsuccessful, the Initialize Drive Parameters function returns with AH and
Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) equal to 07h. This indicates that drive parameter
activity has failed.
Note: The Initialize Drive Parameters function generates only two valid
return codes:
AH = Fixed Disk Status = OOh = Function successful
AH Fixed Disk Status = 07h = Function unsuccessful,
drive parameter activity has failed.

Function: AH = OAh Read Long Sectors [XT] [AT]
Description
This function reads one or more sectors from the fixed disk specified in Dl.
This function also reads the four to seven bytes of Error Correction Code
(ECC) associated with that sector, but does not automatically correct ECC
errors (Function 02h automatically corrects ECC errors). Multisector transfers
are terminated after any sector that has a read error. Cylinder number,
sector number, and head number are specified in CH, Cl, and DH, respec
tively.
This function does not require a prior call to the Seek Function (AH = OCh).
This function is normally reserved for diagnostics and should not be used for
normal reads from the fixed disk.
Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) equal to zero.
Input/Output
Input: AH OAh
Al = Number of sectors (usually one)
CH Cylinder number (low 8 bits, zero-based)
Cl Cylinder/sector number, where:

DH Head number (zero-based)
Dl Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
continued

Function: AH = OAh Read Long Sectors, Continued [XT] [AT]
Error conditions
appropriate Fixed Disk Service error code in both AH and in Fixed Disk
Status (40:74h).
For example, if the number of sectors in AL is not 01 h, this function returns

with AH and Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) set to 01 h (the invalid parameter
error code) and the Carry Flag set.

Function: AH = OBh Write Long Sectors [XT] [AT]
Description
This function writes one or more sectors to the location on the fixed disk
specified in Dl from the buffer pointed to by ES:BX. This function also writes
four to seven bytes of Error Correction Code (ECC) associated with the
specified sectors.
Cylinder number, sector number, and head number are specified in CH, Cl,
and DH, respectively (see Input/Output below).
This function does not require a prior call to Function OCh, Seek to Cylinder.
Along with Function AH = OAh, this function is normally reserved for diagnos
tics and should not be used for normal write to fixed disk operations.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OBh
Al = Number of sectors to write (usually one)
Cl = Cylinder/sector number, where:
=
Bits 7-6 cylinder number (high 2 bits)
Dl = Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
continued

Function: AH = aSh Write Long Sectors, Continued [XT] [AT]
Error conditions
If unsuccessful, this function returns to the caller with the Carry Flag (CF)
set and the appropriate Fixed Disk Service error code in both AH and in
Fixed Disk Status (40:74h).

Function: AH = OCh Seek to Cylinder [XT] [AT]
Description
This function positions the disk read/write head over the cylinder specified in
CH and CL (see Input/Output below). The fixed disk drive number must be
specified in DL.
The Read Disk Sectors (AH = 02h), Write Disk Sectors (AH = 03h), Read
Long Sectors (AH = OAh) , and Write Long Sectors (AH = OBh) functions
have a seek operation implicitly built into them and do not require a prior call
to this function.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OCh
CH Cylinder number (low 8 bits, zero-based)
CL Cylinder/sector number, where:
DL = Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
CF 0 No error
= 1 Error
Error conditions
If unsuccessful, this function returns to the caller with the Carry Flag (CF)
Fixed Disk Status (40: 74h) .

Function: AH = ODh Alternate Fixed Disk Reset [XT] [AT]
Description
This function is identical to INT 13h AH = OOh Reset Diskette (s) and Fixed
Disk except that the diskette system is not reset.
The caller must specify the fixed disk drive to reset in DL. This function
reinitializes the fixed disk controller and places the specified fixed disk drive
in a known state by resetting the fixed disk parameters and by recalibrating
the read/write head positions. This process resets the read/writer head to
track O.
Input/Output
Input: AH ODh
DL Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
CF = 0 No error
1 Error
Error conditions
If not successful, this function returns to the caller with the Carry Flag (CF)

Function: AH = OEh Diagnostics 1: Read Test Buffer [XT]
Description
This function reads a test buffer from the fixed disk controller into the diag
nostics buffer specified in ES:BX. Data is not read from the actual physical
disk drive.
If successful, this function returns with the Carry Flag (CF) cleared and AH
and Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) set to zero.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OEh Diagnostics 1, read test buffer
DL = Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
ES:BX = Pointer to diagnostic buffer
Output:· AH OOh No error
CF 0 No error
= 1 Error
Error conditions
Fixed Disk Status (40: 74h) .

Function: AH = OFh Diagnostics 2: Write Test Buffer [XT]
Description
This function writes a test buffer to the controller from the diagnostics buffer
specified in ES:BX. Data is not written to the actual physical disk drive.
This function should be called to initialize the sector buffer contents before
formatting an XT -type fixed disk drive using INT 13h AH = 05h.
If successful. this function returns with the Carry Flag (CF) cleared and AH
Input/Output
Input: AH = OFh Diagnostics 2. write test buffer
DL = Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
ES:BX = Pointer to diagnostic buffer
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
Error conditions
If not successful. this function returns to the caller with the Carry Flag (CF)

Function: AH = 10h Test for Drive Ready [XT] [AT]
Description
This function determines if the fixed disk drive specified in DL is ready and
can process a command.
If successful, this function returns to the caller with the Carry Flag (CF)
cleared and AH and Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) set to zero.
Input/Output
Input: AH 10h
DL Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
Error conditions

Function: AH = 11 h Recalibrate Drive [XT] [AT]
Description
This function repositions head 0 over cylinder 0 of the fixed disk drive speci
fied in DL.
If successful, this function returns with the Carry Flag (CF) cleared and AH
Input/Output
Input: AH = 11 h
DL Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
Error conditions

Function: AH = 12h Controller RAM Diagnostic eXT]
Description
This function causes the fixed disk controller to carry out a built-in diagnostic
test on its internal sector buffer, indicating whether the test was passed by a
status indicator in AH.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 12h
AL = Number of sectors
CH = Cylinder
CL Sector
DH = Head
DL Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
Output: AL = OOh
AH = OOh No error
CF = o
No error
Error conditions
If not successful, this function returns with the appropriate Fixed Disk Service
error code in both AH and location 40:74h and the Carry Flag (CF) set.

Function: AH = 13h Controller Drive Diagnostic [XT]
Description
This function causes the fixed disk controller to run internal diagnostic tests
of the attached fixed disk drive. The value in AH indicates whether the test
was passed, and, if not, gives an appropriate error code in AH. If there is
an error the Carry Flag is set.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 13h
CH = Cylinder
CL = Sector
DH = Head
DL = Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
Output: AL = OOh
AH = OOh No error
CF = o No error
= 1 Error
Error conditions

Function: AH = 14h Controller Internal Diagnostic [XT] [AT]
Description
This function causes the fixed disk controller to carry out a built-in diagnostic
self-test, indicating whether the test was passed by a status code in AH.
If an illegal parameter is passed in one of the input registers, the Carry Flag
is set and control is returned to the caller with registers preserved.
Input/Output
Input: AH 14h
CH = Cylinder
CL = Sector
DH Head
DL = Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
Output: AL = OOh
AH OOh No error
CF = o No error
Error conditions

Function: AH = 15h Read Fixed Disk Type [AT]
Description
This function returns a status code in AH which indicates the type of diskette
or fixed disk drive for the drive specified in DL. This function also returns the
number of 512-byte blocks on the fixed disk if the drive specified in DL is
valid. (Valid values are 80h and 81 h.)
If successful, the high word of the number of 512-byte sectors on the fixed
disk is returned in CX, and the low word of the number of 512-byte sectors
is returned in OX. The Fixed Disk Status (40:74h) and AH are set to OOh, the
Carry Flag is cleared, and control is returned to the caller.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 15h
DL Drive number
80h fixed disk 1
81 h fixed disk 2
Output: AH = OOh No drive installed
= 03h Fixed disk was accessed
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
CX = Number of 512-byte sectors on the fixed disk
(valid only of AH = 03h)
continued

Function: AH = 15h Read Fixed Disk Type, Continued [AT]
AHreports drive number validity

For drive 80h, this function references the fixed disk parameter table pointed
to by the Interrupt 41 h vector. For drive 81 h, the function references the
Interrupt 46h vector.
Unlike most other Fixed Disk Service functions, in this function the value
stored in AH is not equal to the value stored in Fixed Disk Status (40: 74h).
Instead, AH reports whether or not the drive number input in DL is valid (AH
will equal OOh if there is no drive for this drive number), or the fixed disk/
diskette status of the drive specified in DL.
Error conditions
If the drive number specified in DL is not valid, this function clears AH, AL,
CX, OX, and the Fixed Disk Status (40:74h), clears the Carry Flag, and
returns control to the caller.

Chapter 12
INT 14h Serial Communications
Service
Overview
Description
The BIOS Serial Communications Service performs RS-232C character I/O on
IBM-compatible serial port adapters.
How the Serial Communications Service is invoked

Software INT 14h invokes the Serial Communications Service.
The INT 14h vector resides at address OO:50h in the interrupt vector table.
The BIOS initializes the INT 14h vector to address FOOO:E739h.
continued
INT 14h Serial Commu.nications Service 357

Overview, Continued
Summary of Serial Communications functions

The Serial Communications Service contains four functions. Individual func
tions are selected via the AH register. The table below summarizes the
Serial Communications Service functions.
OOh Initialize Serial Communications Port tXT) [AT)

01h Send Character tXT) [AT)
02h Receive Character tXT) [AT)
03h Read Serial Port Status tXT) [AT)
In this chapter
This chapter focuses on the BIOS Serial Communications Service. The follow
ing topics are discussed:
• System RAM Data
• ROM BIOS Data
• Serial Communications I/O Ports
• Error Conditions
• Serial Communications Functions
Legend Description

tXT) Function is supported by all IBM PC/XT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.
ible systems.
[AT) Function is supported by all IBM PCI A T and compatible
ROM BlOSs.

Theory of Operation
Introduction
The asynchronous serial port on an IBM PC, PC/XT, and PC/AT converts
data from parallel form to serial form for communication between the com
puter and an external device, usually a serial printer or an external modem.
The physical connection consists of an RS-232C-standard cable linking the
two devices. The ROM BIOS Serial Communications Service. which is invoked
via INT 14h, performs various operations that make serial transmission and
reception possible.
Parallel and serial transmission

In a parallel connection, all the individual bits of a data byte are simulta
neously transmitted over the parallel port. This kind of connection exists
between a computer and a parallel printer. When data is transmitted serially.
however. all the bits of a data byte are sequentially transmitted over the
serial port. For example, during serial transmission, a parallel data byte of 8
bits would be converted to a serial data byte of 8 consecutive data bits.
delivered one at a time. The receiving device then assembles these indivi
dual bits into a parallel data byte.
continued
INT 14h Serial Communications Service 359

Data sent as packets of frames

Since asynchronous serial transmission sends individual data bits along the
lID path, there has to be some way for the receiver to distinguish these bits
and assemble them into separate characters. This is achieved through the
serial controller, which packages each data byte into a separate frame. Each
frame consists of a start bit, the actual data byte, an optional parity bit, and
a stop bit (s) .
The start bit is automatically inserted by the controller before it sends a
character. This is the first bit that the receiving device gets, and it tells the
device that a character is about to follow. The data byte, which can be a 5-,
6-, 7-, or a-bit character, follows the start bit. If the controller is program
med to add an error-detecting parity bit, this comes next. Finally, the stop
bits complete the frame. These tell the receiving device that this is the end
of a character and another one is about to begin. The controller can be
programmed to insert 1, 1.5, or 2 stop bits.
Sending characters as packets of frames allows the receiving device to
recognize when a particular character begins and ends, so that these char
acters can be distinguished and joined into words.
NS 16450 IC Controller
The Serial Communications Service assumes a National Semiconductor NS
16450 IC serial communications controller (or compatible) is in place. The
controller contains a programmable baud rate generator that supports baud
rates from 50 baud to 9600 baud. The controller also supports 5-, 6-, 7-,
and a-bit characters with 1-, 1.5-, or 2-stop bits operating in even, odd,
and no parity modes.
continued

RS-232C interface standard

All IBM and compatible serial controllers use a predetermined standard
(called an interface) for sending and receiving serial data. This interface
standard is called the RS-232C. The RS-232C interface standard defines
various connection parameters, including the connector type, 1/0 signal
levels, line names, and pin numbers.
The cable that links the computer's serial port to the external device must
conform to EIA RS-232C (or equivalent) standards.
Programming the controller

The serial communications controller is responsible for performing a host of
operations on the incoming or outgoing serial data stream. For one, the
controller adds or removes bits as described above. In addition, the control
ler controls the speed at which data gets sent across the the data path.
Also, the controller communicates with the external device through signals
that inform the two devices about their readiness to send and receive data
(see 1/0 signals on the next page).
All of these operations can be modified by programming the controller. The

controller can be programmed by manipulating the serial communications
1/0 ports.
Reference: A complete list of the serial 1/0 ports can be found under the
heading Serial Communications 1/0 Ports in this chapter.
continued

1/0 signals
The controller communicates with the external device through input/output
signals. The input signals are generated by the external device, and moni
tored by the modem status register. The output signals are generated by the
controller, and controlled by bits 3-0 in the modem control register.
These signals can be set active or inactive by programming their respective

register bits. The following table describes these signals.
Input/Output
Signal Name Status Description
Clear to send I 1 = The external device Is ready for the serial port
to transmit data.
Data set ready I 1 = The external device Is ready to establish the
communications link and transfer data with the
controller.
Ring Indicator I 1 =The external device detected a telephone ring-
Ing signal.
Data carrier I 1.= The external device detected a data carrier.
detect
Data terminal I 1 =The controller Is ready to communicate.
ready
Request to send 0 1 = The controller is ready to send data,
Output 1 0 1 =User-designated output. This is a spare signal
that can be used.
Output 2 0 1 = User~deslgnated output, Spare sig'nal that con
trols Interrupts to the system,
continued

INT 14h and the serial port

The ROM BIOS Serial Communications Service is invoked via INT 14h, and its
functions perform various serial I/O operations on IBM-compatible serial port
adapters and controllers. This service contains functions that initialize the
serial port, transmit a character across the I/O path, receive a character,
and read the status of the serial port.
INT 14h and data transmission

The process whereby an INT 14h request causes data to be transmitted
across the RS-232C I/O path is:
1. A program places the data byte to be sent in AL, puts Function 01 h Send
Character in AH, and performs an INT 14h.
2. The BIOS transfers the data in AL to the serial port specified in ox. The
serial controller and the external device communicate through a series of
signals. These signals, such as Data terminal ready (OTR) and Request to
send (RTS) , relay control information across the I/O path. When the ex
ternal device signals that it is ready to begin the data transfer, the con
troller inserts the appropriate bits before and after each data byte and
sends each frame across the I/O path.
3. The external device receives each character, removes the start, parity,
and stop bits, and assembles the characters.
continued

Serial data flow

The graphic below traces the path of serial data from the controller to the
receiving device.
Calling
Program
Port Specified In DX
Parity Bit Start Bit
External
Device
I- - - One Frame - - --I

System RAM Data
Introduction
The Serial Communications Service makes use of control information located
in the BIOS data area of system RAM (address 40:00h through 40:100h).
The table below describes those areas.
OOh 4 Words I/O address of up to 4 asynchronous communica

tions adapters. One word for each asynchronous
communications adapter.
7Ch 4 Bytes Serial (RS232) time-out table for serial ports 0
through 3. One byte per adapter.
How the Serial Port Table is initialized

As it identifies each RS-232-C communications line, the BIOS power-on self
test (POST) places its corresponding base port address into the Serial Port
Table (40:00h). In systems containing fewer than four serial ports, POST will
initialize the base address for nonexistent ports to O. All entries into the
serial port table are sequential. POST never writes a 0 into the serial port
table between two valid base address entries.

ROM BIOS Data
Baud rate initialization table

The baud rate initialization table is located at FOOO:E729h in the ROM BIOS.
Baud Rate Divisor
110 0417h
150 0300h
300 0180h
600 OOCOh
1200 0060h
2400 0030h
4800 0018h
9600 OOOCh
How baud rate divisor is calculated

The controller's clock input runs at 1.8432 MHz. The values in the table are
calculated as follows:
1,843,200 115200
= = Divisor
16 Baud Rate
For example, a baud rate of 2400 has a divisor of 115200/2400, which
equals 48 decimal, 30 hex.

Serial Communications 1/0 Ports
INT 14h references the following 1/0 ports. These registers are used to
monitor the controller's operations, and to transmit and receive data.
Read/Write
03F8h W Serial 1, transmitter holding register, which

contains the character to be sent. Bit 0, the
least significant bit, is sent first.
Bits 7-0 = Contains data bits 7-0, respec
tlvely, when Divisor Latch Access
Bit (DLAB) = 0
03F8h R Serial 1, receiver buffer register, which con
tains the received character. Bit 0, the least
significant bit, Is sent first.
Bits 7-0 = Contains data bits 7-0, respec
tively, when DLAB = 0
03F8h R/W Serial 1, divisor latch, low byte. Both divisor
latch registers store the baud rate divisor.
03F9h R/W Serial 1, divisor latch, high byte, where:
03F9h R/W Serial 1, interrupt enable register. Allows the
four controller interrupts to enable the chip-
Interrupt output signal.
Bit 3 = 1 Modem-status interrupt enable
Bit 2 = 1 Receiver-line-status interrupt
enable
Bit 1 = 1 Transmitter-holding-register
Bit 0 = 1 Received-data-available interrupt
continued

Serial Communications 1/0 Ports, Continued
Read/Write
03FAh R Serial 1 Interrupt ID register. Information about

a pending Interrupt Is stored here. When ID
register Is addressed. the highest priority in
terrupt is held and no other Interrupts are
Interrupt.
Bits 2-1 = These bits identify the pending in
terrupt with the highest priority:
llb Receiver Line Status Interrupt,;
priority = highest.
lOb Received Data Available;
priority = second
01b Transmitter Holding Register;
priority = third.
OOb Modem Status Interrupt;
priority = fourth.
to the appropriate Interrupt ser
vice routine.
= 1 No interrupt pending.
03FBh R/W Serial 1. line control register. where:
Bit 7 = 0 Receiver Buffer. Transmitter
Holding. or Interrupt Enable
Registers Access
forced to spacing state and re
mains there.
Bit 5 = Stick Parity
checked In the data word bits and
parity bit. if Bit 3 is 1.
= 0 Odd number of ones are sent and
checked. if Bit 3 is 1.
Bit 2 = Specify number of stop bits per
character:
= 01 Stop Bit
= 1 0 Stop Bits
character:
OOb 5 Bit Word Length
01 b 6 Bit Word Length
lOb 7 Bit Word Length
continued

Read/Write
03FCh R/W Serial 1, modem control register, where:
testing of serial port, Output of
transmitter shift register is looped
back to receiver shift register
Input. When in this mode, trans
mitted data is immediately re
ceived so that the CPU can verify
the transmit data/receive data
serial port paths.
Bit 3 = 1 Enable OUT21nterrupt
Bit 2 = 1 Force OUT1 Active
Bit 1 = 1 Force Request-To-Send Active
Bit 0 = 1 Force Data-Terminal-Ready Active
03FDh R Serial 1, line status register, where:
Bit 7 = 0 Reserved
Bit 6 = 1 Transmitter shift and holding
registers empty
Bit 5 = 1 Transmitter holding register empty.
The controller is ready to accept
a new character to send.
Bit 4 = 1 Breaklnterrupt. The received data
input Is held In the zero bit state
Bit 3 = 1 Framing error. The stop bit that
a zero bit.
even or odd parity.
Bit 1 = 1 Overrun error. A character was
the previous character In the buffer
previous character.
Bit 0 = 1 Data ready. A complete incoming
continued

ReadlWrite
03FFh R/W Serial 1. Reserved

02F8h W Serial 2. transmitter holding register. which
contains the character to be sent. Bit O. the
least significant bit. is sent first.
Bits 7-0 =Contains data bits 7-0. respec
tively. when Divisor Latch Access
Bit (DLAB) = 0
.
02F8h R Serial 2. receiver buffer register. which con
tains the received character. Bit O. the least
significant bit. is first to be sent.
Bits 7-0 =Contains data bits 7-0. respectively.
when DLAB = 0
02F8h R/W Seriai 2. divisor latch. low byte. where;
02F9h R/W Serial 2. divisor latch. high byte. where:
02F9h R/W Serial 2. interrupt enable register. Allows the
four controller interrupts to enable the chip-
Interrupt output signal.
Bit 3 =1 Modem-status interrupt enable
Bit 2 =1 Receiver-line-status interrupt
enable
Bit 1 = 1 Transmitter-holding-register
Bit 0 = 1 Received-data-avallable interrupt
02FAh R Serial 2 interrupt ID register. Information about
a pending interrupt is stored here. When ID
register is addressed. the highest priority in
terrupt is held and no other interrupts are
Interrupt.
Bits 2-1 =These bits identify the pending Inter
rupt with the highest priority:
11b Receiver Line Status Interrupt;
priority = highest.
10b Received Data Available;
priority = second
01b Transmitter Holding Register;
priority =third.
OOb Modem Status Interrupt;
priority = fourth.
to the appropriate Interrupt service
routine.
= 1 No Interrupt pending.
continued

Serial Communications 110 Ports, Continued
Read/Write
02FBh R/W Serial 2, line control register, where:

Bit 7 = 0 Receiver Buffer, Transmitter
Holding, or Interrupt Enable
Registers Access
forced to spacing state and re
mains there.
Bit 5 =Stick Parity
Bit 4 =Even Parity Select
Bit 3 =Parity Enable
checked In the data word bits and
parity bit, If Bit 3 Is 1.
=0 Odd number of ones are sent and
checked, If Bit 3 Is 1.
Bit 2 =Specify number of stop bits per
character:
=01 Stop Bit
= 1 0 Stop Bits

character:
OOb 5 Bit Word Length
10b 7 Bit Word Length
02FCh R/W Serial 2, modem control register, where:
Bit 4 = 1 Loopback mode for diagnostic
transmitter shift register Is looped
back to receiver shift register
Input. When In this mode, trans
mitted data is Immediately re
ceived so that the CPU can verify
the transmit data/receive data
serial port paths.
Bit 2 . = 1 Force OUT1 Active
Bit 1 =1 Force Request-To-Send Active
Bit 0 = 1 Force Data-Terminal-Ready Active
continued

ReadlWrite
02FDh R Serial 2, line status register, where:

Bit 7 =0 Reserved
Bit 6 = 1 Transmitter shift and holding
. registers empty .
Bit 5 =1 Transml.tter holding register empty.
The controller Is ready to accept a

new character to send.
Bit 4 = 1 Break interrupt. The received data
input is held in the zero bit state
longer than the time of start bit + data
bits + parity bit + stop bits.
Bit 3 = 1 Framing error. The stop bit that
follows the last parity or data bit is a
zero bit.
~ven or odd parity.
Bit 1 = 1 Overrun error. A character was sent
to the receiver buffer before the pre
vious character in the buffer could be
read. This destroys the previous
character.
Bit 0 = 1 Data ready. A complete incoming
character has been received and sent
to the receiver buffer register.
02FFh R/W Serial 2, Reserved
3220-322Bh R/W Often used for serial port 3 (see 1/0 address
descriptions for 03FBh-03FFh for details).
322B-322Fh R/W Often used for serial port 3 (see 1/0 address
descriptions for 03FBh-03FFh for details).

Error Conditions
Introduction
The Serial Communications Service detects two kinds of errors:
• Parameter-related errors
• Time-out errors
Parameter-related errors
The following parameter-related conditions are checked upon entry into each
Serial Communications Service function.
• The function number specified in AH must fall within the range 0-3.
• The serial port specified in OX must fall within the range of 0-3.
• The serial port specified in OX must exist in hardware.
If any of the conditions above are not true, the Serial Communications
Service does not perform the requested function and returns with all regis
ters preserved.
Time-out errors
A time-out error occurs when either a read or a write of a specified commu
nications line was unable to occur.
The Serial Communications Service Read and Write functions test the line
status register and the modem status register. When a time-out error oc
curs, the contents of the status register being tested are returned with bit 7
.. time-out error" set.

Function: AH = OOh
Initialize Serial Communications Port [XT] [AT]
Description
This function initializes the selected adapter card from the baud rate, parity,
stop bit, and word length parameters specified in the AL register. The func
tion returns with the modem status register and the line status register in AL
and AH, respectively. All other registers are preserved.
9600 baud limit

The Initialize Serial Communications Port function is unable to initialize a
baud rate above 9600 baud because of input parameter size limitations.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OOh
AL = Serial port initialization parameters, where:
Bits 7-5 = Baud rate, where:

OOOb = 110 baud
001b = 150 baud
010b = 300 baud
011b = 600 baud
100b = 1200 baud
101 b = 2400 baud
11 Ob = 4800 baud
111b = 9600 baud
Bits 4-3 = Parity, where:
OOb = None
01b = Odd
10b = None
11b = Even
Bit 2 Number of stop bits, where:
Ob = 1 Stop bit
1b = 2 Stop bits
Bits 1-0 = Character size, where:
1Ob = 7-bit characters
11 b = 8-bit characters
DX Serial port number (valid values are 0, 1, 2, 3,
where 0 = COM1, 1 = COM2, etc.)
continued

Function: AH = OOh
Initialize Serial Communications Port, Continued [XT] [AT]
Input/Output, cont' d
Output: AH = Line Status, where:

Bit 7 = 1 Time-out error
Bit 6 = 1 Transmitter shift and holding register empty
Bit 5 = 1 Transmitter holding register empty
Bit 4 = 1 Break interrupt
Bit 3 = 1 Framing error
Bit 1 = 1 Overrun error
Bit 0 = 1 Data ready
AL = Modem Status, where:
Bit 3 = 1 Delta data carrier select

Function: AH = 01 h Send Character [XT] [AT]
Description
The Send Character function transmits the character supplied in AL over the
communication line specified in OX.
If successful, this function returns with the contents of the line status register
in AH, Bit 7 = O. If unsuccessful, AH, Bit 7 = 1.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 01h
AL Character
OX - Serial port number (valid values are 0, 1, 2, 3, where
o = COM1, 1 = COM2, etc.)
Output: AH Line Status Register, where:
Bit 7 = 0 No time-out error has occurred
AL Character sent (unchanged)
Error conditions
When a time-out error occurs during the execution of the Send Character
function, the value returned in AH can reflect the state of either the modem
status register or the line status register. However, since bit 7 of AH is used
to report that an error has occurred, it is not available to report a time-out
error. For this reason, if this function or INT 14h function 02h reports an
error, it is preferable to use INT 14h function 03h, which gives a complete
status report, rather than the less-complete status bits returned with the
error bit in functions 01 hand 02h.

Function: AH = 02h Receive Character [XT] [AT]
Description
The Receive ·Character function receives one character from the serial port
specified in the OX register.
If successful. this function returns with the character received in the AL re
gister. The contents of the line status register is returned in the AH register.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 02h
OX Serial port number (valid values are O. 1. 2. 3.
where 0 = COM1. 1 = COM2. etc.)
Output: AH = Line Status Register. where:

Bit 7 = 0 No time-out error has occurred
AL = Character received
Error conditions
If a time-out error occurs during the execution of the Receive Character
function. the value returned in AH can reflect the state of either the modem
status register or the line status register. However. since bit 7 of AH is used
to report that an error has occurred. it is not available to report a time-out
error. For this reason. if this function or INT 14h function 01 h reports an
error. it is preferable to use INT 14h function 03h. which gives a complete
status report. rather than the less-complete status bits returned with the
error bit in functions 01 hand 02h.

Function: AH = 03h Read Serial Port Status [XT] [AT]
Description
The Read Serial Port Status function returns the current modem status in the
AL register and the current line status in the AH register. All other registers
are preserved.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 03h
DX = Serial port number (valid values are 0, 1 2, 3, where
j
o = COM1, 1 = COM2, etc.)

Output: AH = Line Status, where:
Bit 7 = 0 Reserved
AL = Modem status, where:
Bit 3 = 1 Delta data carrier detect
Functions: AH = 04h - FFh Reserved

Chapter 13
INT 15h System Services
Overview
Introduction
INT 15h. System Services. provides several services:
• Multitasking hooks
The BIOS provides six hooks for use by multitasking operating systems. In
a DOS environment (which is not a multitasking operating system) these
six functions do nothing except return to the caller. A multitasking operat
ing system would normally intercept these function calls by replacing the
INT 15h vector and processing these function calls itself.
• Joystick support
Function 84h supports up to two joysticks. Function 84h has two subfunc
tions: read current switch settings and read resistive inputs.
• Wait routines
INT 15h provides two wait functions: Function 83h. Set Event Wait Interval.
and Function 86h. Wait. Function 86h does not return control to the caller
until a specified interval is completed. Function 83h returns control to the
caller immediately but sets a bit when a predetermined interval is over.
continued
INT 15h System Services 379

Overview, Continued
Introduction, cont'd
• Protected mode support
The BIOS System Services provides limited protected mode support
through two functions: Function 87h, Move Block, and Function 89h,
Switch Processor to Protected Mode.
• System information
Function COh, Return System Configuration Parameters, and Function 88h,
Read Extended Memory Size, provide information about the system.
How INT 15h services are invoked

INT 15h invokes the BIOS System Services.
The INT 15h vector resides at interrupt table address 00: 54h. The BIOS
initializes the INT 15h vector to FOOO:F859h.
Individual INT 15h System Services functions are selected via the AH regis
ter. Subfunctions are selected via the AL, OX, or BH registers.
In this chapter
The following topics are discussed in the rest of the INT 15h System
Services chapter:
• Summary of Functions
• System RAM Data
• CMOS RAM Data
• ROM BIOS Data
• System Services lID Ports
• System Services Functions

Summary of Functions
Summary of INT 15h System Services functions

The table below lists the System Services functions and subfunctions.
Functions AH = 80h. 81 h. 82h. 85h. 90h. and 91 h (i. e .• those marked with
an asterisk in the table below) are multitasking hooks. A multitasking operat
ing system would normally intercept these function calls by replacing the INT
15h vector and processing these function calls itself. In DOS (which is not a
multitasking operating system) these six functions do nothing except return
immediately to the caller with the Carry Flag cleared.
OOh Turn Cassette Motor On [PC]

01h Turn Cassette Motor Off [PC]
02h Read Cassette [PC]
03h Write to Cassette [PC]
4Fh Keyboard Intercept [AT]
80h Device Open' [AT]
81h Device Close' [AT]
82h Program Termination' [AT]
83h Set Event Walt Interval [AT]
AL = OOh Set Walt
AL = 01h Cancel Wait
84h Joystick Support

[AT]
DX = OOh Read Current Switch Settings
DX = 01h Read Resistive Inputs
85h System Request Key' [AT]
8Sh Walt [AT]
87h Move Block [AT]
88h Read Extended Memory Size [AT]
89h Switch Processor to Protected Mode [AT]
90h Device Busy' [AT]
91h Interrupt Complete' [AT]
COh Return System Configuration Parameters [AT)
• Multitasking hooks

INT 15h System Services supports the following system components:

• an 8259 Programmable Interrupt Controller (two. if an AT system).
• an 8237 DMA controller.
• an 8254 (or 8253 in an XT) programmable interval timer/counter chip.
• an MC146818A real time clock chip (AT only). and
• a game port controller.
Equivalent logic is also supported.
INT 15h. Function 84h Joystick Support supports all devices that can be
attached to a game port. such as a mouse pointing device, joystick, touch
pads, and track balls. It will support any device that can be attached to the
game port.
System RAM Data
System RAM data table

The following table shows the data definitions used by INT 15h. The data
definitions are stored in system RAM in segment 40h.
40:67h 2 Words Pointer (offset:segment) to reset code

40:98h 1 Word User walt flag offset address
40:9Ah 1 Word User walt flag segment address
40:9Ch 1 Word Least significant byte of wait count
40:9Eh 1 Word Most significant byte of wait count
40:AOh 1 Word Wait active flag. where:
Bits 6-1 = Reserved
Bit 0 = liNT 15h. AH = 86h occurred

CMOS RAM Data
CMOS RAM data area table

The following table describes all CMOS RAM locations used by the INT 15h
System Services routines:
OBh 1 Byte Status register B, where:

Bit 7 = 0 Run
= 1 Halt
Bit S = 1 Enable alarm Interrupt
Bit 4 = 1 Enable update-ended interrlJpt
Bit 3 = 1 Enable square wave Interrupt
Bit 2 = 1 Calendar is in binary format
= 0 Calendar is in BCD format
Bit 1 = 1 24-hour mode
=0 12-hour mode
OFh 1 Byte Reason for shutdown, where:
OOh = Power on or soft reset
03h = Memory test fall
OSh = JMP dword pointer with end-of-interrupt
07h = Protected tests fall
08h = Memory size fall
09h = INT 1Sh Block Move
OAh = JMP dword pointer without end-of
interrupt
OBh = Reserved
30h 1 Byte Low byte of actual expansion memory size
31h 1 Byte High byte of actual expansion memory size
INT 1Sh System Services 383

ROM BIOS Data
System configuration table

The system configuration table is located in the BIOS ROM at FOOO:E6F5h.
This table can be called into RAM via INT 15h AH = COh Return System
Configuration Parameters.
Initial
Offset value Length Description
OOh 0 1 Word Number of bytes In this table (minimum = 8)

02h 1 1 Byte Model byte, where:
PC = FFh
XT = FEh
XT = FBh
PCjr = FDh
AT = FCh
XT-286 = FCh
PC Convertible = F9h
03h 1 1 Byte Submodel byte, where:
PC = OOh
XT = OOh or 01h
PCjr = OOh
AT = OOh or 01h
XT-286 = 02h
PC Convertible = OOh
04h 1 1 Byte BIOS revision level (first release = OOb)
05h 1 1 Byte Feature information byte, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Fixed disk BIOS uses DMA channel 3
Bit 6 = 1 Second Interrupt chip present
Bit 5 = 1 Real time clock present
Bit 4 = 1 Keyboard intercept (INT 15h, Function
AH = 4Fh) called by keyboard interrupt
service (INT 09h)
Bit 2 = Reserved
Bit 1 = 0 PC-type I/O channel implemented
Bit 0 = 0 Reserved
06h 0 1 Byte Feature Information byte 2 (reserved, zeros)
07h 1 1 Byte Feature information byte 3 (reserved, zeros)
08h 1 1 Byte Feature Information byte 4 (reserved, zeros)
09h 0 1 Byte Feature information byte 5 (reserved, zeros)

System Services 1/0 Ports
Read/Write
0020h W PIC, Initialization Command Word 1 (ICW1) (Bit 4

is one), where:
Bits 7-5 =0 Only used in 80/85 mode
Bit 4 = 1 Reserved
Bit 3 =0 Reserved
Bit 2 =0 Successive Interrupt vectors are
=1 Successive Interrupt vectors are
=1 ICW4 needed
0021h W PIC, ICW2, ICW3, or ICW4 in sequential order
after ICW1 written to Port 0020h
ICW2, where:
Bits 7-3 =Address lines AO-A3 of base vector
address for interrupt controller
ICW3, where:
Bits 7-0 = 0 Slave controller not attached to
=0 Slave controller attached to
ICW4, where:
Bit 4 =0 No special fully-nested mode
=1 Special fully-nested mode
Bits 3-2 =OOb Non-buffered mode
=01 b Non-buffered mode
=10b Buffered mode/slave
= 11b Buffered mode/master
Bit 1 =0 Normal EOI
= 1 Auto EOI
Bit 0 =0 80/85 mode
=1 8086/8088 mode
0021h R/W PIC, Interrupt mask register (OCW1), where:
Bit 7 =0 Enable parallel printer interrupt
Bit 6 =0 Enable diskette Interrupt
Bit 5 =0 Enable fixed disk Interrupt
Bit 4 =0 Enable serial port 1 Interrupt
Bit 3 =0 Enable serial port 2 interrupt
Bit 2 =0 Enable video Interrupt
Bit 1 =0 Enable keyboard Interrupt
Bit 0 =0 Enable timer interrupt
continued

System Services 1/0 Ports, Continued
Read/Write
0020h W Programmable Interrupt Controller, Interrupt re

questlln-service registers. where:
interrupt In-service register. where:
Bits 7-0 = 0 The corresponding interrupt line is
= 1 The corresponding Interrupt line is
counter 0
0041h R/W Programmable interrupt timer register

counter 2
0043h W Control byte for timers 0 and 2, where:

Bits 7-6 = Timer select. where
OOb = Select timer 0
01b = Reserved
10b = Select timer 2
Bits 5-4 = Timer action where:
OOb = Counter latch command
01b = Read/write counter bits 0-7
only
10b = Read/write counter bits 8-15
only
11 b = Read/write counter bits 0-7
first. then bits 8-15
Bits 3-1 = Timer mode where
OOOb = Mode 0 select
001 b = Mode 1 select
X10b = Mode 2 select
X11b = Mode 3 select
100b = Mode 4 select
101b = Mode 5 select
Bit 0 = 1 Binary coded decimal counter
= 0 Binary counter 16 bits
0044h R/W Timer 3 counter register (AT only)
0045h-0046h R/W Timer registers (AT only)
0047h W Control byte for timer three (AT only) where:
Bits 7-6 = OOb Select timer 3
= 01 b Read/write counter bit 0-7 only
0060h R/W Keyboard/auxiliary data port (AT only)
continued

Read/Write
0061h R 8255 output register (XT only), where:

Bit 7 = 1 Clear keyboard)
Bit 6 = 0 Hold keyboard clock low
Bit 5 = 0 Enable 110 check
Bit 4 = 0 Enable RAM parity check
Bit 3 = 0 Read low switches
Bit 2 = Reserved
Bit 1 = 1 Speaker data enable
0062h R/W 8255 Input register (XT only), where:
Bit 6 = 1 110 channel check
Bit 4 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 Loop in POST
0063h R/W 8255 Command mode register (XT only), where:
Bits 7-6 = N umber of diskette drives, where:
OOb = 1 drive
01 b = 2 drives
1Ob = 3 drives
llb = 4 drives
OOb = Reserved
01b = 40x25 color (mono mode)
lOb = 80x25 color (mono mode)
llb = MDA (80x25)
Bits 3-2 = M emory on system board (256K chips),
where:
OOb = 256K
01b = 512K
lOb = 576K
l1b = 640K
Bits 3-2 = M emory on system board (64K chips),
where:
OOb = 64K
01b = 128K
lOb = 192K
11 b = 256K
Bits 1-0 = Reserved
continued

ReadlWrlte
0064h W 8042 Status (AT only), where:

Bit 2 = System flag
0070h W CMOS RAM address register port (AT only) ,
where:
Bits 6-0 = 0 CMOS address
0071h R/W CMOS RAM data register port (AT only)
OOAOh W Programmable Interrupt Controller 2
00A1h R/W Interrupt Controller 2 mask, where:
Bit 7 = 0 Reserved
Bit 5 = 0 Enable 80387 exception interrupt
Bit 4 = 0 Enable mouse interrupt
Bit 3 = 0 Reserved
Bit 2 = 0 Reserved
Bit 1 = 0 Enable redirect cascade
Bit 0 = 0 Enable real time clock interrupt
0201h R/W Joystick port
How to determine level of s upport

The commonly accepted level of support for each ROM 810S function is
identified by the legend [PC], [XT] , and/or [AT] on the function title line.
Legend Description

[XTI Function Is supported by all IBM PC/XT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.
ible systems.
[AT] Function is supported by all IBM PC/AT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.
388 System BiOS for IBM PC/XT / AT Computers and Compatibles

Function: AH = OOh Turn Cassette Motor On [PC]
Description
Older PC BlOSs support the Turn Cassette Motor On function. On an older
PC, this function turns on the tape cassette motor if a cassette drive is at
tached to the system. The cassette connector is generally located near the
keyboard connector on the back of the PC.
XT and AT BlOSs support this function to the extent that the BIOS does not
generate an error and returns with registers preserved if this function is
invoked.
Functions OOh, 01 h, 02h, and 03h may be useful to those who need to
attach a low-voltage analog device to a PC or to generate a signal to a
signalling device. These functions control the operation of a relay within the
PC. This relay is useful for controlling low-voltage and low-current devices.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OOh
86h Cassette not present.
= Status
CF o
No error
= 1 Error

Function: AH = 01h Turn Cassette Motor Off [PC]
Description
The Turn Cassette Motor Off function is supported in older PC BlOSs. In an
older PC it turns the tape cassette motor off.
This function is supported by XT and AT BlOSs only to the extent that the
BIOS does not generate an error and returns with registers preserved.
Functions OOh, 01h, 02h, and 03h may be useful to those who need to at
tach a low-voltage analog device to a PC or to generate a signal to a sig
nalling device. These functions control the operation of a relay within the PC.
This relay is useful for controlling low-voltage and low-current devices.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 01 h
8Sh Cassette not present.
= Status
CF = a
No error
= 1 Error

Function: AH = 02h Read Cassette [PC]
Description
The Read Cassette function is supported in older PCs. Invoking this function
causes the system to read data from the cassette.
This function is supported for compatability purposes only on XT and AT

systems. An XT or AT BIOS preserves register values, does not generate an
error, and returns to the caller when this function is invoked.
Input/Output
Input: AH 02h
CX = Number of bytes to read
ES:BX = Segment:Offset of buffer

01 h CRC error
= 02h Bit signals scrambled
= 04h No data found
SOh Invalid command
= S6h Cassette not present
= Status
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
DX Number of bytes actually read
EX:BX = Segment:Offset + 1 of last byte read

Function: AH = 03h Write to Cassette [PC]
Description
The Write to Cassette function is supported in older PCs. Invoking this func
tion causes the system to write data from the system to the cassette.
This function is supported for compatability purposes only on XT and AT

systems. An XT or AT BIOS preserves register values, does not generate an
error, and returns to the caller when this function is invoked.
InputfOutput
Input: AH = 03h
CX = Number of bytes to read
ES:BX = Segment:Offset of buffer
BOh Invalid command
86h Cassette not present
Status
CF 0 No error
= 1 Error
CX OOH
EX:BX = Segment:Offset + 1 of last byte written

Function: AH = 4Fh Keyboard Intercept [XT] [AT]
Description
The INT 09h ISR calls this function, each time a key is pressed.
This function can be used to create alternate keyboard layouts and/or to

cause the system to ignore certain keystrokes. For example, an operating
system or resident utility can intercept Function 4Fh to filter the raw key
board data stream. A new handler can be written to substitute a different
scan code, return the existing scan code, or discard the scan code al
together before returning to the caller.
If this function is not intercepted by an alternate routine, the BIOS returns to

the caller with the scan code in AL (unchanged) and the Carry Flag clear.
Otherwise, it processes as described below.
Input/Output
Input: AH 4Fh
AL = Scan code input by INT 09h ISR
Output: AL Scan code
CF o Keystroke unchanged (original scan code in AL)
= 1 Keystroke changed (new scan code in AL)
Note: This function is supported only by later versions of the XT and AT

BIOS. To determine if your BIOS supports this function, invoke INT 15h
AH = COh Return System Configuration Parameters. If the Keyboard
Intercept function is supported, bit 4 of feature information byte 1
(40:05h) will be set to 1.

Function: AH = SOh Device Open [AT]
Description
This function is used by multitasking operating systems. A multitasking
operating system would intercept this function and process the request as
necessary. Normally. the BIOS simply returns with AH set to OOh and the
Carry Flag clear. The caller must clear the Carry Flag before invoking this
function.
A multitasking operating system could use this function to capture control of

a logical device so as to arbitrate its use by multiple processes.
Input/Output
Input: AH = aOh
BX = Device ID
CF = 0
CX = Process ID
Output: AX OOaOh

Function: AH = 81h Device Close [AT]
Description
necessary. Normally, the BIOS simply returns with AH set to OOh and the
function.
This function could be used by a multitasking operating system to release

control of a logical device for a process. See also INT 15h, AH = 80h and
82h.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 81h
BX = Device ID
CF = 0
CX = Process ID
Output: AX = 0081h

Function: AH = 82h Program Termination [AT]
Description
necessary. Normally, the BIOS simply returns with AH set to OOh and the
function.
A multitasking operating system could use this function to release control of

all logical device"s for a process that will soon terminate. See also INT 15h,
AH = 80h and 81 h.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 82h
BX = Device 10
CF = 0
Output: AX = 0082h

Function: AH = 83h Set Event Wait Interval [AT]
Description
INT 15h provides two wait functions: Function 83h Set Event Wait Interval and
Function 86h Wait. The difference between these two functions is that pro
cessing continues when INT 15h Function 83h is invoked, but processing
stops for the calling program when INT15h Function 86h is invoked.
Function 83h, subfunction AL = OOh causes the BIOS to set a signal in a
user-defined memory location after a specified interval passes. Function
83h, subfunction AL = 01 h cancels the wait.
This function accesses INT 70h, the Real Time Clock ISR. INT 70h has two
components: an alarm interrupt service, and a periodic interrupt service. INT
15h, Function 83h sets and cancels the periodic interrupt service of INT 70h,
as does INT 15h, Function 86h.
With this function, the caller must specify a location in ES:BX where the
BIOS will set the high-order bit when the time period specified in CX and OX
expires. The caller is responsible for clearing this bit after the time interval
expires and before invoking this function again.
The input and output register settings are shown on the following page.
• An event wait's duration is an integral multiple of 976 microseconds, since
the MC146818 RTC chip is usually programmed to tick 1024 times per
second, or once every 976 microseconds.
• This function provides hardware-independent wait periods of finer granu
larity than provided with the DOS Get Time Function (INT 21h, Function
2Ch), or the INT 08h System Timer ISR, which ticks only 18.2 times per
second. MS-DOS INT 21 h, Function 2Ch returns time only in hundredths of
a second.
continued

Function: AH = 83h Set Event Wait Interval, Continued [AT]
Subfunction: AL = OOh Set interval

This subfunction starts the alarm process. If a wait has already been started,
control is returned to the caller with CF set.
Input/Output
Input: AH == 83h
AL OOh
CX == Microseconds until posting (high byte)
ox == Microseconds until posting (low byte)
ES:BX == Pointer to byte in caller's memory that will have bit 7 set
when the interval expires
Output: AH 83h
AL == Bit 6 of CMOS RAM location OBh is set, if successful
== OOh Function busy
CF == 0 No error
== 1 Error, function busy
continued

Function: AH = B3h Set Event Wait Interval, Continued [AT]
Subfunction: AL = 01 h Cancel interval

This function cancels the interval in progress.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 83h
AL = 01h
Output: AX = 8300h
CF = 0 No error
1 Error
Error conditions
No action is taken and the registers are preserved if CX and DX contain zero
values. If a wait is already in progress, CF is set and control is returned to
the caller.
If the subfunction code in AL is not OOh or 01 h, one (1) is subtracted from

AL, the Carry Flag is set, and control is returned to the caller.
Reference
Refer to Chapter 15, INT 1Ah Time-ot-Day Service, tor more information
about INT 15h, Functions 83h and 86h.

Function: AH = 84h Joystick Support [AT]
Description
This function controls a joystick connected to the game control adapter. It
has two subfunctions: read current joystick switch settings and read resistive
inputs. which are described below.
Subfunction: DX = OOh Read current switch settings

This subfunction returns the switch settings read from the joystick in bits 4
through 7 of AL. while bits 3-0 of AL are cleared. The switch settings are
read at port 0201 h. If no game adapter is installed. AL is cleared.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 84h
OX OOh
Output: AH = OH on entry to this function
AL Switch settings in bits 7-4. bits 3-0 = OOOOb
CF = o No error
1 Incorrect value in OX
continued

Function: AH = 84h Joystick Support, Continued [AT]
Subfunction: OX = 01 h Read resistive inputs

This subfunction retrieves the relative position of the X and Y coordinates
of the two possible joysticks. Control is returned to the caller and CF is
cleared. If no game adapter is installed, AX, BX, CX, and OX are all
cleared.
Input/Output
Input: AH 84h
OX = 01h
Output: AX = Joystick A X-coordinate value
BX = Joystick A Y-coordinate value
CF = o No error
1 Incorrect value in OX
CX = Joystick B X-coordinate value
OX Joystick BY-coordinate value
With a 250K Ohm joystick connected, potentiometer values will be around

0-416 (0000-01 AOh) .

Function: AH = 8Sh System Request Key [AT]
Description
The keyboard interrupt function is called by INT 09h when the Sys Req key is
pressed. When called, this function returns to the caller with the scan code
in AL (unchanged) and the Carry Flag clear.
This function is used by multitasking operating systems. A multitasking oper

ating system would intercept this function and process the request as neces
sary. Normally, the BIOS simply returns with AH set to OOh and the Carry
Flag clear. The caller must clear the Carry Flag before invoking this function.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 85h
AL = OOh Key make
= 01 h Key break
CF
= a
Output: AX = 0085h
CF a
= No error
= 1 Invalid number in AL

Function: AH = 8Sh Wait [AT]
Description
This function causes the BIOS to immediately suspend activity for the calling
program for the amount of time specified in CX and DX. It then sets bit 7 of
location 40:AOh when the specified interval is completed.
The values entered in CX and DX must be in microseconds. However, an

event wait's duration will always be an integral multiple of 976 microseconds.
Any value input into CX and DX will be rounded to a multiple of 976 microse
conds because the RTC, which is used by this function, is usually pro
grammed to tick 1024 times per second, or once every 976 microseconds.
INT 15h provides two wait functions: Function a3h Set Event Wait Interval and
Function a6h Wait. The difference between these two functions is that pro
cessing continues when INT a3h is invoked, but processing stops for the
calling programs when INT a6h is invoked.
No action is taken and the registers are preserved if CX and DX contain zero
values. If a wait is already in progress, CF is set and control is returned to
the caller.
Input/Output
Input: AH = a6h
CX = High byte of wait interval (in microseconds)
DX = Low byte of wait interval (in microseconds)
Output: AH = a6h
AL = Mask written to interrupt controller 2 (if successful)
= Unmodified if function busy
CF = o
No error
= 1 Function busy, wait not performed
Time delay granularity

Using this function, the caller can obtain hardware-independent delays of
finer granularity than provided by the MS-DOS Get Time function (INT 21 h,
Function 2Ch), or the INT OSh System Timer ISR, which ticks only 1S.2 times
per second. MS-DOS INT 21 h, Function 2Ch returns time only in hundredths
of a second.

Function: AH = 87h Move Block [AT]
Description
This function copies a block of memory for a program that operates in real
address mode from anywhere in the system address space to anywhere else
in the system's address space.
A program operating in real address mode can indirectly access extended

memory by using this function to copy data located in a range of extended
memory to conventional memory, where the program can access the data.
By invoking this function, a program can also perform the reverse operation
- copying data from a conventional memory range of addresses to an ex
tended memory address range.
Types of memory
Conventional memory is located at addresses below 640K. Only this area
can be accessed by DOS and DOS application programs. Extended memory
is located at addresses above 1 MB, and has to be accessed by an 80286,
80386SX, or 80386 microprocessor operating in the protected address
mode.
Accessing extended memory

Addresses above 1 MB must be accessed through 80286/80386/80386SX
data structures called descriptors. Descriptors are organized into structures
called local descriptor tables (LOT) or global descriptor tables (GOT). Pro
grams accessing protected mode must build descriptor tables that organize
access to extended memory and allow translation of 32-bit virtual addresses
into corresponding 24-bit physical addresses.
Input to this function: building part of a descriptor table

The caller must help build a descriptor table before invoking this function.
However, the caller need only supply the source and destination addresses
of the copy, the BIOS constructs the rest of the descriptor table.
continued

Function: AH = 87h Move Block, Continued [AT]
Input table description

ES:SI points to global descriptor table (GDT) that the caller partially builds
before calling this function. The caller need only enter the information re
quired at offsets 12h and 1Ah in the table; the BIOS supplies the rest of the
information. The descriptors in this table allow the BIOS to perform a block
move in protected address mode. The BIOS will set the access right byte as
indicated in the table below. The caller must set the 24-bit addresses to the
target and source locations. A 24-bit address permits access to addresses
up to 16 MB.
The input table format is:
Offset Initial contents Size Description
OOh All zeros 8 Bytes Dummy entry

08h N/A 8 Bytes Completed by the BIOS
12h 24-bit address 3 Bytes Pointer to source address for copy
1Ah 24-bit address 3 Bytes Pointer to destination address
1Dh N/A 19 Bytes Completed by the BIOS
Input/Output
Input: AH = 87h
CX = Number of 16-bit words to move (O-BOOOh words)
ES:SI = Pointer to a 30h-byte table allocated by the caller
Output: AH = OOh Successful move
= 01 h RAM parity error occurred
= 02h Other exception interrupt error
CF = o No error
= 1 Error
ZF = o Unsuccessful move
1 Successful move
continued

24-bit address
The 24-bit address provided by the caller is a physical base address that is
the beginning address of the memory segment specified by the descriptor.
This is the beginning address of the segment of code or data to be moved.
80286 descriptors
Although the caller is not concerned with this part of the table format, each
8 bytes of the table (except the first eight bytes, which must be zero) is a
descriptor that references a memory segment.
Intel 80286 code forms protected mode addresses to access addresses up
to 16 MB differently, using a descriptor format. The segment: offset address
form is modified so that the segment address is a 24-bit address located at
the descriptor starting address + 2 and the offset is a 16-bit value located at
the descriptor starting address + O. The 80286 data segment descriptor
format is shown in the following table. The 80386 data segment descriptor
format is slightly different, but is not shown here. See the Intel 80386 Pro
grammer's Reference for details about the 80386 protected mode instruction
format.
OOh 2 Bytes The size of the memory segment minus one.

02h 3 Bytes The start address of the memory segment.
OSh 1 Byte Access flags, where:
9Ah or 9Bh = Code segment
92h or 93h = Writable data segment
.
90h or 91h = Read only data segment
If an 80286-based system, 9Bh, 93h, or 91h will
. be the required values.

In an 80386-based system, any of the values
listed above may occur.
06h 2 Bytes Reserved in an 80286 instruction
continued

Interrupts disabled
Interrupts are disabled while the block move is performed. For this reason,
using this function may interfere with software such as communications
programs and network drivers that depend on prompt servicing of hardware
interrupts.
Processor-specific information
On 80386-based systems, 32-bit moves are performed. The BIOS uses the
keyboard controller to reset the processor on 80286-based systems.
Error conditions
If an exception interrupt occurs during the block move, AH is set to 02h. CF
is set, ZF is cleared, and control is returned to the caller.
If a parity error occurs, AH is set to 01h, CF is set, ZF is cleared, and


Function: AH = SSh Read Extended Memory Size [AT]
Description
The Read Extended Memory Size function reads the size of the extended
memory (memory beginning at address 100000h) from CMOS locations 30h
and 31 h and stores the combined contents as a word in the AX register.
Extended memory is located at addresses above 1 MB, and has to be ac

cessed by an 80286 or 80386 operating in protected mode. Since DOS is a
real mode operating system, extended memory cannot be used to execute
DOS programs. Extended memory can, however, be used to store data that
can be indirectly accessed through an Extended Memory Manager (EMM).
The system may not be able to use the extended memory unless the system
board is fully populated.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 88h
Output: AX = Number of contiguous 1K blocks of extended memory
starting at address 1024K (100000h)

Function: AH = 89h Switch Processor to Protected Mode [AT)
Description
The Switch Processor to Protected Mode function sets the processor into
protected mode and passes control to the code segment pointed to in the
GOT (global descriptor table) provided by the caller.
Input/Output
Input: AH 89h
::z::
BH Index into the interrupt descriptor table (lOT) that

defines where the first 8 hardware interrupts are based
BL == Index into the lOT that defines where second 8
hardware interrupts are based
ES:SI Pointer to GOT built by user
Output: AH == OOh successful (CF == 0). Returns in protected mode
FFh Unsuccessful
CF 0 No error
1 Error
Global descriptor table requirements

The global descriptor table (GOT) as described below defines the memory
management environment that will be in effect upon return to the caller.
The entry requirements are:

• ES:SI points to a global descriptor table, which must be built before call
ing this function.
• The GOT entries are used by this function to initialize the interrupt descrip
tor table (lOT) register, the GOT register, and the stack segment (SS)
selector.
• The data Segment (OS) descriptor and the extra segment (ES) descriptor
are initialized by the caller.
• BH must contain an index into the lOT to point to where the first eight
hardware interrupts begin.
• BL must contain an index into the lOT to point to where the second eight
hardware interrupts begin.
continued

Function: AH = 89h
Switch Processor to Protected Mode, Continued [AT]
Global descriptor table format

The following table describes the information contained in the global descrip
tor table. The user-supplied global descriptor table starting address must be
in register ES:SI.
Offset
Table from
Entry # ES:SI Size Description
0 OOh 8 Bytes Dummy. Must be Initialized to 0
1 08h 8 Bytes Descriptor referencing this GDT
2 10h 8 Bytes Descriptor referencing caller-defined Interrupt
descriptor table
3 18h 8 Bytes Descriptor referencing caller's data segment
4 20h 8 Bytes Descriptor referencing caller's extra segment
5 28h 8 Bytes Descriptor referencing caller's stack segment
6 30h 8 Bytes Descriptor referencing code segment to which
the function will return
7 38h 8 Bytes Descriptor used during this function to map
BIOS code segment
Global descriptor table processing

All of the descriptors are initialized by the caller except the BIOS code
segment descriptor. The access rights byte is set to 09Bh, the address to
EOOOOh, and the data segment limit to FFFFh. The OS, ES, and SS selectors
are loaded with 0018h, 0020h, and 0028h, respectively, so that the descrip
tors built at these GOT offsets describe the segments that these registers will
reference after the BIOS returns to the caller.
BIOS interrupt vectors do not operate in protected mode. For this reason, a
program that enters protected mode must construct its own lOT which does
not overlap the BIOS real mode table, and which handles all interrupts while
the program is in protected mode.

Function: AH = 90h Device Busy [AT]
Description
In a multitasking operating system, this function could be invoked by the

BIOS fixed disk, diskette, parallel printer, serial communications, or keyboard
services to perform a programmed wait for 1/0 completion, which would
allow other tasks to be dispatched while 1/0 is in progress.
Input/Output
Input: AH SOh
AL Device Type, where:
OOh Fixed disk time-out
= 01 h Diskette time-out
= 02h Keyboard
03h Pointing device time-out
21 h Waiting for keyboard input
BOh Network.
FCh Fixed disk reset time-out
FDh Diskette drive motor start
= FEh Printer time-out
CF = 0
ES:BX = Points to a network control block (if AL = BOh or any
address above BOh)
Output: AH OOh Wait time not satisfied
CF 0 Wait time not satisfied (the service must use its own
wait routine)
1 Minimum wait time satisfied (wait performed)
Device types
Serially reusable devices must be given device types 'from OOh - 7Fh;
reentrant devices must have types BOh - BFh; and wait only calls, which
have no corresponding function in BIOS POST, must have device types COh
- FFh.

Function: AH = 91 h Interrupt Complete [AT]
Description
In a multitasking operating system, this function could be invoked by the

BIOS fixed disk, diskette, parallel printer, serial communications, or keyboard
services so the service can be notified when I/O is completed. This function
could also be used to allow the operating system to be informed when 1/0 is
done so the requesting task could be reactivated.
The multitasking operating system printer service would not invoke this func
tion, since printer output is not interrupt-driven.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 91h
AL = Type code, where:
= OOh Disk time-out
= 01 h Diskette time-out
02h Keyboard
= 03h Pointing device time-out
BOh Network
= FCh Fixed disk reset time-out
= FDh Diskette drive motor start
CF = 0
ES:BX = Points to a network control block (if AL = BOh)
Output: None

Function: AH = COh Return System Configuration Parameters [AT]
Description
This function returns a pointer in ES:BX to the system configuration parame
ter table, located in ROM at FOOO:E6F5h, which gives information about the
system.
Input/Output
Input: AH = COh
Output: AH = OOh Successful
= 86h System model could not be determined
CF = 0 No error (AH = OOh)
= 1 System model could not be determined (AH = 86h)
ES:BX = Address of system configuration table
continued

Function: AH = COh
Return System Configuration Parameters, Continued [AT]
System configuration table

The system configuration table is located in the BIOS ROM at FOOO:E6F5h.
Offset Initial
(hex) value Length Description
OOh OOh 2 Bytes Number of bytes In this table (minimum = 8)

02h 02h 1 Byte Model byte, where:
PC = FFh
PC XT = FEh
PC XT = FBh
PCjr = FDh
AT = FCh
XT-286 = FCh
PC Convertible = F9h
Unknown system board = FFh
03h 03h 1 Byte Sub model byte, where:
PC = OOh
PC XT = OOh
PCjr = OOh
AT = OOh
AT = 01h
XT-286 = 02h
PC Convertible = OOh
Unknown system board = FFh
04h 04h 1 Byte BIOS revision level (first release = OOb)
OSh OSh 1 Byte Feature information byte, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Fixed disk BIOS uses DMA channel 3
Bit 6 = 1 Second interrupt chip present
Bit S = 1 Real time clock present
Bit 4 = 1 Keyboard Intercept (INT lSh,
Function AH = 4Fh) called by
keyboard Interrupt service (INT 09h)
Bit 2 = 1 Extended BIOS data area is
allocated
Bit 1 = 0 PC-type 110 channel Implemented
Bit 0 = 0 Reserved
09h 09h 1 Byte Feature Information byte S (reserved, zeros)

Chapter 14
INT 17h Parallel Printer Service
Overview
Description
The Parallel Printer Service provides BIOS-level support for up to three
parallel printer ports. This service provides three printer-related functions.
Invoking the Parallel Printer Service

Software INT 17h invokes the BIOS Parallel Printer Service.
The INT 17h vector resides at address OOSCh in the interrupt vector table.
The BIOS initializes the INT 17h vector to address FOOO:EFD2h.
continued
INT 17h Parallel Printer Service 415

Overview, Continued
Summary of P arallel Printer Service functions

The following table lists the Parallel Printer functions. Individual functions are
selected via the AH register.
OOh Print Character [XT) [AT)

01h Initialize Printer [XT) [AT)
02h Read Printer Status [XT) [AT)
In 'this chapter
This chapter focuses on the INT 17h Parallel Printer Service. The following
topics are discussed:
• System RAM Data
• Parallel Printer I/O Ports
• Error Handling
• Parallel Printer Functions

Legend Description

[XT) Function is supported by all IBM PC/XT and compatible
ROM BlOSs.
ible systems.
ROM BlOSs.

Theory of Operation
Introduction
The parallel printer port on an IBM PC, PC/XT, and PC/AT is an 8-bit-wide
device that can be used to drive various IBM PC and compatible printers.
The BIOS Parallel Printer Service provides support for up to three parallel
printer ports.
Parallel transmission of data

In a parallel transmission connection, all the data bits of a data byte are
transmitted simultaneously over the parallel printer port. Similarly, the exter
nal device (typically a parallel printer) receives all these data bits simulta
neously. This is in contrast to a serial connection, where the individual bits of
a data byte are transmitted sequentially, or one at a time.
Printer adapter and interface

Typically the parallel printer adapter is used to connect a printer to the par
allel port interface, but any device that accepts 8 bits of parallel data can be
attached.
The 25-pin parallel connector at the rear of the adapter is the interface to
an attached printer. The parallel port provides various input/output signals for
communication with the printer. In particular, it uses the strobe signal to
write data to the printer. The parallel port I/O signals are described on the
next page.
continued

110 signals
The parallel port makes available two types of signals: control output signals
which are stored in the printer control port, and status input signals which
are stored in the printer status port. These signals can be read by the
microprocessor to determine the success or failure of an operation. The
following table describes these signals.
Input/Output
Signal Name Status Description
+IRQ Enable 0 1 = An interrupt occurs when -ACK changes from

true to false
+SELECT IN 0 1 = Select the printer
-INIT 0 o = Start the printer
+AUTO FEED 0 1 = The printer produces a line feed after a line
has been printed
+STROBE 0 1 =Write data to the printer
-BUSY I 1 = The printer is busy and cannot print
-AGK I o = The printer received the character and is
ready to accept another character
+PE I 1 = The printer is out of paper
+SELECT I 1 = The printer is selected
-ERROR I o = An error condition has occurred
continued

INT 17h and the parallel port

The Parallel Printer Service is invoked via software interrupt 17h. This service
contains three BIOS functions that interact with the parallel port: one to print
the character in AL to the printer specified in OX, one to initialize that print
er, and one to read and return that printer's status.
For example, when the caller wants to send a print request to the micropro
cessor, INT 17h Function OOh Print Character is invoked. This writes a char
acter to the printer specified in OX.
The INT 17h functions reference three parallel printer 1/0 ports: the data
port, the printer control port, and the printer status port.
Reference: A description of the parallel printer 110 ports can be found under
the heading Parallel Printer 1/0 Ports in this chapter.
INT 17h and printing data

The process whereby an INT 17h request causes data to be printed is:
1. A program places the data byte to print in AL, puts Function OOh Print
Character in AH, and performs an INT 17h.
2. The BIOS transfers the data in AL to the printer port specified in OX. The
port's strobe signal is then activated, causing the data to be written to
the printer. Printer status information, such as .. out of paper" or .. busy, ..
is returned in AH and can be read by the microprocessor to check if the
operation was successful.
continued

Printing a character
The graphic below illustrates how the INT 17h Print Character function (OOh)
writes data to an attached parallel printer.
Calling
Program
INT 17h
AL-Data
AH-OOh
BIOS
Port specified in DX
Strobe Signal
Cable
Printer Status Information

(returned in AH)

System RAM Data
Parallel printer data definitions

The INT 17h Para"el Printer Service uses certain locations in the BIOS data
area of system RAM (address 40:00h through 40: 1OOh). These data defini
tions are presented below in offset order.
08h 4 words 1/0 address of up to 4 printer adapters.

10h 1 word Number of devices Installed, where:
(RS232)
Bits 8 =Reserved
OOb = 1 diskette drive
01b = 2 diskette drives
01b = 40x25 color
10b = 80x25 color
Bit 3 = Reserved
78h 3 bytes One byte per adapter. Time-out values for printer
number 1 through 4.

Parallel Printer 1/0 Ports
The characteristics of each printer port are defined in thefoliowing table.
Read/Write
0278h R/W Parallel 3 data port

0279h R/W Parallel 3. status port, where:
Bit 7 = 0 Busy
Bit 3 = 0 Error
Bits 1-0 = Reserved
Bits 7-5 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 Strobe
0378h R/W Parallel 2 data port
0379h R/W Parallel 2, status port, where:
Bit 7 = 0 Busy
Bit 3 = 0 Error
Bits 1-0 = Reserved
Bits 7-5 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 Strobe
continued

Parallel Printer 1/0 Ports, Continued
Read/Write
03BCh R/W Parallel 1, data port
03BDh R/W Parallel 1, status port, where:
Bit 7 = 0 Busy
Bit 3 = 0 Error
Bits 1-0 = Reserved
03BEh R/W Parallel 1, control port, where:
Bits 7-5 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 Strobe
Error Handling
Before entering any functions, the Parallel Printer Service ensures that the
index in OX is not out of range, that the function number is not out of range,
and that the printer is at the specified index.
If any of the above conditions are not met, the service returns to the caller
with all registers restored except AH. When OX is out of range or the printer
does not exist, AX is not modified. When the function number is out of
range, AH is returned, and is decremented by 2.

Function: AH = OOh Print Character [XT] [AT]
Description
The Print Character function prints the character in the AL register to the
printer specified in the DX register. The printer status is returned in the AH
register.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OOh
AL Character to print
DX Printer number (0 = LPT1, 1 = LPT2, or 2 = LPT3) used as
an index to the printer base port address table at 40:08h.
Output: AH Printer status, where:
Bit 7 1 Printer not busy
Bit 6 Acknowledgment
Bit 5 = Out of paper
Bit 4 = Printer selected
Bit 3 1/0 error
Bit 2 = Reserved
Bit 1 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 Time-out

Function: AH = 01 h Initialize Printer [XT] [AT]
Description
The Initialize Printer function initializes the printer selected in the OX register.
The printer status is returned in register AH.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 01 h
DX = Printer number (0 = LPT1, 1 = LPT2, or 2 = LPT3) used as
an index to the printer base port address table at 40:08h.
Bit 6 = Acknowledgment from printer
Bit 4 = Printer selected
Bit 3 = 1/0 error
Bit 2 Reserved
Bit 1 = Reserved
Bit 0 1 Time-out error

Function: AH = 02h Read Printer Status [XT] [AT]
Description
The Read Printer Status function reads and returns the status of the printer
selected by the ox register.
Input/Output
Input: AH 02h
OX = Printer number (0 = LPT1, 1 = LPT2, or 2 = LPT3) used as
an index to the printer base port address table at 40: 08h.
Bit 6 = 1 Acknowledgment from printer
Bit 4 Printer selected
Bit 3 1/0 error
Bit 2 = Reserved
Bit 1 = Reserved
Bita = 1 Time-out error
Functions: AH = 03h - FFh Reserved

Chapter 15
INT 1Ah Time-of-Day Service
Overview
BIOS time services and timer chips

A PC. XT. or AT BIOS may provide up to five time-related interrupts: INT
1Ah. INT 08h. INT 70h. INT 1Ch. and INT 4Ah. The time-related services
supported by the BIOS depend on the timer chips that are available.
AT systems have an Intel 8254 or equivalent timer chip. XT systems have an

Intel 8253 or equivalent timer chip. Both the 8253 and 8254 are usually pro
grammed to generate a timer tick 18.2 times a second. INT 1Ah. Functions
~Oh and 01 h program the 8254. INT 1Ah is not available in most XT sys
tems. and therefore. does not program the 8253. INT 08h and INT 1Ch also
access the 8254 in both XT and AT systems.
AT systems have a Motorola MC146818A Real Time Clock. or equivalent. as

well as an 8254. An MC146818A is usually programmed to generate a timer
tick 1024 times per second. and contains 64 bytes of nonvolatile RAM. The
first 12 bytes of this RAM are used to store time-related data. which INT
1Ah. Functions 02h - 05h program. INT 1Ah. Functions 06h and 07h and INT
15h System Services Functions 83h and 86h also set the RTC. INT 70h is the
RTC ISR and INT4Ah is the User Alarm Interrupt that is invoked by INT 70h.
continued
INT 1Ah Time-of-Day Service 427

Overview, Continued
INT 1Ah functions

The AT 810S Time-of-Day Service provides eight system time-related func
tions. One additional INT 1Ah function is supported only by the PCjr 810S and
is documented here for historical purposes.
CMOS RAM access

The Time-of-Day Service provides an easy and quick way to modify CMOS
RAM data, since the first 13 bytes of CMOS RAM contain time-related infor
mation (time, day, date, alarm settings, etc). The standard method of
accessing CMOS RAM involves writing information to and reading liD ports
0070h and 0071 h multiple times. Invoking an INT 1Ah functions is much
faster.
Invoking the 8105 Time-ot-Day Service

The 810S Time-of-Day Service is invoked via software interrupt INT 1Ah.
Individual Time-of-Day functions are selected via the AH register. Subfunc
tions are selected via the AL register.
The INT 1Ah vector resides at address 00: 68h in the interrupt vector table.
The 810S initializes the INT 1Ah vector to address FOOO:FE6Eh.
Legend Description

ROM BlOSs.
plemented In the majority of IBM PC and PC/XT compat
ible systems.
ROM BlOSs.
continued
428 System BiOS for IBM PC/XT / AT Computers and Compatibles

Overview, Continued
Summary of Time-of-Day Service functions
OOh Read System Timer Time Counter [AT]

01h Set System Timer Time Counter [AT]
02h Read Real Time Clock Time [AT]
03h Set Real Time Clock Time [AT]
04h Read Real Time Clock Date [AT]
OSh Set Real Time Clock Date [AT)
06h Set Real Time Clock Alarm [AT)
07h Reset Real Time Clock Alarm [AT)
80h Set Sound Source (PCjr only) [PCjr]
In this chapter
This chapter discusses each of the BIOS timer-related services. The follow
ing topics are presented:
• System RAM Data
• CMOS RAM Data
• Time-of-Day Service lID Ports
• Error Handling
• Time-of-Day Service Functions
• INT 08h System Timer ISR
• INT 70h Real Time Clock ISR
• INT 1Ch Timer Tick ISR
• INT 4Ah Alarm ISR
INT 1Ah Time-ot-Day Service 429

The BIOS provides the following timer-related support:
• INT 1Ah Time-ot-Day Service

AT-only software INT 1Ah invokes the BIOS Time-of-Day Service. The
Time-of-Day Service provides access to the RTC CMOS RAM in locations
OOh - OCh, and sets the INT 70h Real Time Clock ISR alarm function.
• INT OSh System Timer ISR

Channel a of the Intel 8253 or 8254 Timer/Counter (or its equivalent), is
usually programmed to interrupt 18.2 times per second. Each such inter
val generates hardware INT 08h, System Timer ISR. This interrupt is gen
erated on PCs, XTs, and AT systems. INT 08h maintains a count of how
many ticks have elapsed since midnight; this count is used for system
timing purposes.
• INT 1Ch Timer Tick ISR

Software INT 08h generates INT 1Ch 18.2 times per second. The user can
revector INT 1Ch to a user-supplied routine to be executed on every sys
tem clock tick. No action is taken by the BIOS when INT 1Ch is invoked
unless this vector is modified by the caller. Any caller modifying the vec
tor associated with this interrupt is responsible for saving and restoring all
registers upon return to the BIOS. Users should return control to the BIOS
through an IRET.
continued

INT 08h System Timer ISR and the Intel 8254

The Intel 8254 provides timing services that can be accessed by the caller
from INT 1Ch and INT 1Ah.
The following graphic describes how the Intel 8254, the INT 08h ISR, the INT
1Ah ISR. the INT 1Ch ISR, and the user interface are related.
Intel 8254 Timer
INT OSh
System Timer ISR
Timer Tick Count

System RAM locations
4D:6Ch and 4D:6Eh
INT 1Ah Time-of-Day Service INT 1Ch Timer Tick

AH = DOh Read System Timer Vector to caller-supplied routine
Time Counter that Is executed as programmed
by the caller. Provides access to
AH = 01h Set System Timer low granularity timer (18.2 times/
Time Counter second) .
continued

• INT 70h Real Time Clock ISR

The Motorola MC146818A real time clock chip, or its equivalent, is usually
programmed to generate hardware interrupt 70h approximately 1024 times
per second. The real time clock chip usually appears only in AT systems.
There are three functions that determine how the BIOS real time clock
hardware ISR will handle interrupts from the real time clock chip.
BIOS Function Effects on BIOS RTC ISR
Periodic function These functions activate the BIOS Real Time
INT 15h: AH = a3h Event Wait Interval Clock ISR's periodic interrupt component.
INT 15h: AH = a6h Wait For INT 15h AH = a3h Event Wait, the caller
must provide a designated location where the
BIOS will set a bit when the time for the Event
Interval period is expired.
For INT 15h AH = a6h Wait, the BIOS sets bit 7
of location 40:AOh after the Wait is completed.
Alarm function This function activates the BIOS Real Time
INT 1Ah: AH = 06h Set User Alarm

Clock ISR's alarm Interrupt component.
INT 1Ah: AH = 07h Reset User Alarm
• INT 4Ah User Alarm

INT 70h generates an INT 4Ah every timer tick. Usually, INT 4Ah returns
immediately to the BIOS. But a user can revector INT 4Ah to a user
supplied routine that will be executed every tick of the RTC. The user
must restore registers and return to the BIOS with an IRET when the
user-supplied routine completes processing.
• INT 15h System Services

Functions 83h and 86h of INT 15h set the RTC ISR (INT 70h) periodic
function. See Chapter 13 for a more complete description of these two
functions.
continued

INT 70h and the Real Time Clock

The MC146818A is accessed by the RTC DSR, INT 70h.
The following graphic shows how the MC146818A, the BIOS interrupts, and
the user interface are related.
SET RTC CMOS RAM

INT 1Ah
\ MC146818A
Real Time Clock
"'71'1'1', ~I'1'1'1'1'1'1'I'
\
AH = 02h Read Real Time Clock

AH = 03h Set Real Time Clock
AH = 04h
AH = OSh
Read Real Time Clock
Date
Set Real Time Clock
Date
\ INT 70h
Real Time Clock ISR
Alarm Function
INT 1Ah
W
AH = 06h Set Real Time Clock Alarm Periodic Function
AH = 07h Reset Real Time Clock INT 1Sh
Alarm
AH = 83h Event Wait Interval - set
INT 4Ah signal when interval
completed.
Vector to caller-supplied routine that
executes as programmed by the caller. Subfunctlon:
Provides access to high granularity tim AL = OOh Set Interval
er (1024 times per second) . = 01h Cancel Interval
AH = 86h Wait - stop processing
until specified interval is
completed.

System RAM Data
Description
The following table lists all system RAM data areas, beginning at segment
40h, used by the Time-of-Day Service.
40:6Ch 4 Bytes 32-bit COIJnt of timer ticks since midnight

40:70h 1 Byte Timer Overflow Flag
CMOS RAM Data
Description
The Time-of-Day Service accesses the first 12 bytes of the RTC CMOS RAM
data. Time data is stored in these locations. It also accesses location 32h,
Century in BCD. Location 32h is updated by software access, and not inter
nally by the chip.
The CMOS RAM configuration data definitions begin at address OEh. See
Chapter 3 for a detailed description of the contents of CMOS RAM.
continued

RTC CMOS RAM Data

The following table lists the MC146818A Real Time Clock data locations used
by the BIOS Time-of-Day Service.
OOh 1 Byte Current second in binary coded decimal (BCD)

01h 1 Byte Second alarm in BCD
02h 1 Byte Current minute in BCD
03h 1 Byte Minute alarm in BCD
04h 1 Byte Current hour in BCD
OSh 1 Byte Hour alarm in BCD
OSh 1 Byte Current day of week in BCD
07h 1 Byte Current Date in BCD
08h 1 Byte Current month In BCD
09h 1 Byte Current year in BCD
OAh 1 Byte Status Register A, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Update in progress
Bits 6-4 = Divider that identifies the time-based
frequency
Bits 3-0 = Rate-selection bits that define output
frequency and periodic Interrupt rate
OBh 1 Byte Status Register B, where:
Bit 7 = 0 Run
= 1 Halt
Bit S = 1 Enable alarm Interrupt
Bit 3 = 1 Enable square wave interrupt
= 0 12-hour mode
OCh 1 Byte Status Register C, where:
Bits 7-4 = IRQF, PF, AF, and UF tlags,
. . respectively
Bits 3-0 = Reserved
ODh 1 Byte Status Register 0, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Real time clock has power
Bits 6-0 = Reserved
32h 1 Byte Century In BCD

Time-of-Day Service 1/0 Ports
Read/Write
0020h R/W Programmable interrupt Controiier, interrupt re

questlln-service registers programmed by
Operation Command Word 3 (OCW3):
Interrupt request register, where:
corresponding Interrupt line
Interrupt In-service register, where:
Bits 7-0 = 0 The corresponding interrupt line Is
= 1 The corresponding interrupt line is
0020h R/W PIC, Initialization Command Word 1 (ICW1) (Bit 4 is
one), where:
Bits 7-5 = 0 Only used in 80/85 mode
Bit 4 = 1 Reserved
Bit 3 = 0 Reserved
Bit 2 = 0 Successive interrupt vectors are
= 1 Successive interrupt vectors are
Bit 1 = 0 Cascade mode
= 1 Single mode - no ICW3 needed
Bit 0 = 0 No ICW4 needed
= 1 ICW4 needed
= 0 NMI enabled
0071h R/W CMOS RAM data port
OOAOh R/W Slave Programmable Interrupt Controiier (AT only)

Error Handling
Description
All functions of the BIOS Time-of-Day Service set the Carry Flag if an invalid
function is requested. The function number remains in AH if there is an
invalid function request.
Each function handles all other errors uniquely. Refer to the description for
each function for specific information about error codes.
INT 1Ah Tlme-af-Day Service 437

Function: AH = OOh Read System Timer Time Counter [AT]
Description
This function reads and returns the system tick count from the system RAM
location 40:6Eh (high word) and 40:6Ch (low word). The value returned is
the cumulative number of Intel 8254 clock ticks since midnight. This opera
tion sets the timer tick count maintained by INT 08h.
The values stored in these locations are defined by the frequency of the INT
08h System Timer interrupt, which is usually programmed to interrupt
approximately 18.2 ticks per second. The contents of 40:70h, the Timer
Overflow Flag, are returned in AL. This value will be 0 if the timer has not
exceeded 24 hours.
Interrupts are disabled while reading RAM data memory locations because a
timer tick update may occur.
Execution of this function causes the Timer Overflow Flag at 40:70h to be

reset to O.
Input/Output
Input: AH OOh
Output: AH = ~Oh
AL = Timer overflow value, where:
= 0 Timer count is less than 24 hours since the last
power-on or system reset.
Any value greater than O. The timer count is more than
24 hours since the last power-on, system reset, last
system-timer time counter read, or the last time the
system-timer time counter was set.
CF = 0 No error
1 Error
CX = High word of tick count
DX = Low word of tick count

Function: AH = 01h Set System Timer Time Counter [AT]
Description
This function stores values from CX and DX to RAM data areas 40:6Eh (high
word) and 40:6Ch (low word). This operation sets the INT 08h timer tick
count.
Execution of this function causes the Timer Overflow Flag at 40:70h to be

reset to O.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 01h
CX = High word of tick count
DX = Low word of tick count
Output: AH OOh
CF = o No error
1 Error

Function: AH = 02h Read Real Time Clock Time [AT]
Description
This function first finds out if the RTC is currently updating its clock value. If
so, the Carry Flag is set, the function is not performed, and control is re
turned to the caller.
If an update is not in progress, the appropriate values are read from the
RTC CMOS RAM and returned to the caller in AL, CX, and DX, as specified
below, with the Carry Flag cleared and AH = OOh.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 02h
Output: AH = OOh
AL = Hours in BCD
CF = 0 Clock operating
= 1 Clock not operating
CH = Hours in BCD
CL = Minutes in BCD
DH = Seconds in BCD
DL OOh - No Daylight Savings Time option
01 h - Daylight Savings Time option

Function: AH = 03h Set Real Time Clock Time [AT]
Description
an update is in progress, the real time clock is initialized, the Carry Flag is
set, the function is not performed, and control is returned to the caller.
The values placed by the caller in CX and DX are stored in their respective
CMOS RAM storage locations. Hours are stored in CMOS RAM location 04h,
minutes in location 02h, and seconds in location OOh.
Input/Output
Input: AH 03h
CH Hours in BCD
CL Minutes in BCD
DH Seconds in BCD
DL OOh No Daylight Savings Time option
01 h Daylight Savings Time option
Output: AH OOh
AL Value written to CMOS OBh register
CF o No error
1 Error
If a time-out occurs, which indicates that an update is in progress, the clock

is initialized and the routine continues as if an update were not in progress.

Function: AH = 04h Read Real Time Clock Date [AT]
Description
it is, the Carry Flag is set, this function is not performed, and control is
If no time-out occurs, the century, year, month, and day are extracted from
CMOS RAM and are returned to the caller as described below. Upon return,
the Carry Flag is cleared and AH = OOh.
Input/Output
Input: AH 04h
Output: AH = OOh
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Clock update in progress
CH = Century in BCD (either 19 or 20)
CL = Year in BCD
DH = Month in BCD
DL - Day in BCD
If a time-out occurs, which indicates that an update is in progress, the Carry

Flag is set, AH is cleared, and control is returned to the caller.

Function: AH = OSh Set Real Time Clock Date [AT]
Description
it is, the Carry Flag is set, this function is not performed, and control is re
turned to the caller.
The values placed in CX and OX, as defined below, are stored in their re
spective CMOS RAM storage locations. Century is stored in location 32h,
year in 09h, month in location OSh, and day in location 06h. This function
then returns to the caller with the Carry Flag cleared and AH = OOh.
Input/Output
Input: AH = OSh
CH = Century in BCD (either 19 or 20)
CL = Year in BCD
DH = Month in BCD
DL = Day in BCD
Output: AH - OOh
AL Value written to CMOS OBh register
CF = o
No error
= 1 Error
If a time-out occurs, which indicates that an update is in progress, the clock

is initialized and the Carry Flag is set.

Function: AH = 06h Set Real Time Clock Alarm [AT]
Description
This function sets the alarm function of INT 70h. The BIOS first tests if an
alarm is in progress. If an alarm is in progress, control is returned to the
caller with the Carry Flag set and AH cleared.
If an alarm is currently not enabled, the BIOS determines if the RTC is updat
ing its clock value. If a time-out occurs, which indicates that an update is in
progress, the clock is initialized. This function then sets the alarm with the
values from registers CH, CL and DH.
The alarm interrupt will take place at the hour, minute, and second specified
in registers CH, CL, and DH, respectively. Only one alarm function can be in
an active state at anyone time. The alarm interrupt, once set, will be acti
vated every 24 hours until reset. The caller must place the address of an
interrupt handling routine for the alarm in the vector for INT 4Ah. The entry
for INT 4Ah in the interrupt vector table is 128h.
This function also enables INT 7ah (IRQ 8) when invoked.
The values defined below are stored in their respective CMOS RAM storage
locations. Unlike all other functions in this service, this function clears both
AH and AL.
Input/Output
Input: AH = a6h
CH Hours in BCD
CL = Minutes in BCD
DH = Seconds in BCD
Output: AH OOh
AL OOh
CF = a No error
= 1 Alarm already set

Function: AH = 07h Reset Real Time Clock Alarm [AT]
Description
This function stops the real time clock alarm interrupt, canceling any pending
alarm request stored in the date/time location in CMOS RAM. This function
does not disable the IRQ 8 generated by the real time clock, but it does
reset the alarm function of INT 70h.
Input/Output
Input: AH = 07h
Output: AH = DOh
CF = 0 No error
= 1 Error
Function: AH = SOh Set Sound Source [PCjr]
Description
The Set Sound Source function is used only by the PCjr to set the tones for
the Audio Out or RF modulator on the PCjr. This function is not supported in
any other PC, XT, or AT environment. If invoked, it will be treated as an
invalid function (the Carry Flag is set and the registers are preserved).
Input/Output
Input: AH = 80h
AL = Sound source (PCjr only), where:
= DOh 8253 Programmable Timer, channel 2
= 01 h Cassette input
= 02h Audio In line on 110 channel
= 03h Sound generator chip
Output: None

INT OSh System Timer ISR
Description
The Intel S254 timer/counter chip, or its equivalent, "ticks" roughly 1S.2
times per second. Each tick generates hardware INT OSh. PC, XT, and AT
BlOSs support this interrupt.
The BIOS System Timer ISR increments the double word, system time count.
The system time count is stored in the BIOS system RAM data area at loca
tions 40:6Ch (low word) and 40:6Eh (high word).
If the count in these location exceeds 24 hours, then the Timer Overflow
Flag at location 40:70h is set and the date is incremented. When 40:70h is
set, the system time count (40:6Ch and 40:6Eh) is cleared.
Diskette motor count

The processing of INT OSh includes the decrement of the diskette motor
counts at 40:35h. If the count reaches zero, the diskette motors are turned
off.
INT 1Ch and INT OSh

Once it has serviced the clock, INT OSh issues a software INT 1Ch Timer Tick
ISR. BIOS users may revector INT 1Ch to their own routines. PC, XT, and AT
BlOSs support this interrupt.
If not revectored, INT 1 Ch returns immediately to the caller with all registers
preserved.
How the BIOS System Timer ISR is invoked

The BIOS System Timer ISR is invoked via hardware INT OSh.
The INT OSh vector resides at address OO:20h in the interrupt vector table.
The BIOS initializes the INT OSh vector to FOOO:FEA5h.
continued

INT OSh System Timer ISR, Continued
System RAM data

The BIOS System Timer ISR references the following system RAM data:
40:3Fh 1 Byte Diskette drive motor status

40:40h 1 Byte Diskette motor time-out count
40:6Ch 1 Word Least significant timer count
40:6Eh 1 Word Most significant timer count
40:70h 1 Byte 24 hour rollover flag
40:CEh 1 Byte Count of days since 1/11 80
continued

INT OSh System Timer ISR, Continued
System Timer 110 ports

The BIOS System Timer ISR references the following 1/0 ports:
Read/Write
0020h R/W Base port of 8259 Interrupt

0040h R/W Programmable Interrupt Timer - read/write
counter 0
0042h R/W Programmable Interrupt Timer - read/write
counter 2
0043h W Control word register for counters 0 and 2. where:
=
Bits 7-6 OOb Select counter 0
= 01 b Reserved
= 10b Select counter 2
=
Bits 5-4 OOb Counter iatch command
= 01 b Read/Write counter bits 0-7 only
= 10b Read/Write counter bits 8-15 only
= 11 b Read/Write counter bits 0-7 first.
then bits 8-15
=
Bits 3-0 OOOb Mode 0 select
= X1 Ob Mode 2 select
= X11 b Mode 3 select
= 100b Mode 4 select
Bit 0 = 0 Binary counter 16 bits
= 1 Binary coded decimal counter
0044h W Read/Write counter 3
0047h W Control word register for counter 3. where:
= 01 b Reserved
= 10b Reserved
= 11 b Reserved
Bits 5-4 = OOb Counter latch command select
counter 0
= 01b Read/Write counter bits 0-7 only
= 10b Reserved
= 11 b Reserved
Bits 3-0 = OOb
03F2h W Diskette controller digital output register. where:
Bit 5 = 1 Motor enable 1
Bit 4 = 1 Motor enable 0
Bit 3 = 0 Allow Interrupts
Bit 1 = 0 Reserved
Bit 0 = 0 Drive select 0
= 1 Drive select 1

INT 70h Real Time Clock ISR
Introduction
The Motorola MC146818A real time clock chip, or its equivalent, can be
programmed to generate the real time clock hardware interrupt (INT 70h)
approximately 1024 times per second. The BIOS Real Time Clock I$R is
invoked on each real time clock interrupt. Only AT BlOSs support the Real
Time Clock ISR.
How the Real Time Clock ISR is invoked

The BIOS Real Time Clock ISR is invoked via hardware interrupt INT 70h.
The INT 70h vector resides at address 00: 1Ch in the interrupt vector table.
The BIOS initializes the INT 70h vector to address FOOO:5124h.
Real Time Clock ISR processing

Three AT BIOS functions interface with the INT 70h Real Time Clock ISR.
They are:
BIOS Function Effects on Real Time Clock Processing
INT 15h AH = 83h Event Wait Interval PERIODIC INTERRUPT PROCESSING

INT 15h AH = 86h Wait The BIOS Real Time Clock ISR decrements a
These functions activate the BIOS counter (set to a user-defined period of time)
Real Time Clock ISR's Periodic Inter by 1/1024 second for each RTC interrupt.
rupt component. When the count Is less than or equal to zero.
bit 7 of location 40: AOh is set.
INT 1Ah AH = 06h Set User .Alarm ALARM INTERRUPT PROCESSING
This function activates the BIOS The BIOS Real Time Clock ISR decrements a
Real Time Clock ISR's Alarm Interrupt counter (set to a user-specified period of
component. time) by 1/1024 second for each RTC inter
rupt. When the count reaches zero, the BIOS
Real Time Clock ISR issues a software INT
4Ah.
BIPS users may revector INT 4Ah to their own
routines. If not revectored, INT 4Ah returns
immediately to the BIOS.
continued

INT 70h Real Time Clock ISR, Continued
System RAM data area

The BIOS Real Time Clock ISR references the following system RAM data:
40:6Ch 2 Words 32-bit count of timer ticks since midnight.

40:70h 1 Byte 24 hour rollover flag
40:98h 1 Word User wait flag offset address
40:9Ah 1 Word User wait flag segment address
40:9Ch 1 Word Least significant byte of wait count
40:9Eh 1 Word Most significant byte of wait count
40:AOh 1 Byte Walt active flag, where:
Bits 6-1 " Reserved
Bit 0 " 1 INT 15h, AH = 86h (wait) has occurred
continued
450 System BIOS for iBM PC/XT / AT Computers and Compatibles

INT 70h Real Time Clock ISR, Continued
CMOS RAM data table areas

The BIOS Real Time Clock ISR references the following CMOS RAM data:
OBh 1 Byte Status Register B, where:

Bit 7 = 0 Run
= 1 Halt
Bit 6 = 1 Enable periodic interrupt
Bit 5 = 1 Enable alarm interrupt
Bit 3 = 1 Enable square wave interrupt
= 0 12-hour mode
OCh 1 Byte Status Register C, where:
Bits 7-4 = IRQF, PF, AF, and UF flags,
respectively
Bits 3-0 = Reserved
ODh 1 Byte Status Register D, where:
Bit 7 = 1 Real time clock has power
Bits 6-0 = Reserved
Real Time Clock 1/0 Ports

The INT 70h Real Time Clock ISR references the following I/O ports:
Read/Write
0020h R/W Master Programmable Interrupt Controller

= 0 NMI enabled
0071h R/W CMOS RAM data port
OOAOh R/W Slave Programmable Interrupt Controller
INT lAh Time-of-Day Service 451

INT 1Ch Timer Tick ISR
Once INT OSh has serviced the clock, it issues a software INT 1Ch. BIOS
users may revector INT 1Ch to their own routines.
Software INT 1Ch points to a user routine to be executed on every system

clock tick. The vector associated with this interrupt is invoked by the BIOS.
Users should return control to the BIOS through an IRET. No action is taken
by the BIOS when this interrupt is invoked unless this vector is modified by
the caller. Any caller modifying the vector associated with this interrupt is
responsible for saving and restoring all registers.
If not revectored, INT 1Ch returns immediately to the caller with all registers
preserved.
INT 4Ah Alarm ISR
When the alarm function is activated, this interrupt will occur at the time
specified when INT 1Ah Function 06h was last invoked. When the alarm time
occurs, an INT 4Ah is generated. The caller must vector INT 4Ah to an alarm
processing routine before invoking INT 1Ah AH = 06h Real Time Clock Alarm.
Only AT BlOSs support this interrupt. It is not supported by PC or XT BlOSs.

Chapter 16
Single Function BIOS Services
Overview
Introduction
Most of the BIOS device services contain a group of functions intended to
service a given device. For example, in the BIOS Parallel Printer service,
invoking INT 17h with AH = OOh causes the service to execute its print char
acter function. On the other hand, invoking INT 17h with AH = 01 h causes
the service to execute its Initialize Printer Port function.
The single function services

In addition to its multifunction device services, the BIOS also contains several
single function device services. Since these services perform only one func
tion, it is not necessary to specify a function number in the AH register.
continued
Single Function BIOS Services 453

Overview, Continued
In this chapter
Because each single function service can be described on one or two
pages, they are grouped into this one chapter.
This chapter presents the following topics:

• INT 05h Print Screen Service
• INT 11 h Equipment List Service
• INT 12h Memory Size Service
• INT 19h Bootstrap Loader Service

Legend Description

ROM BlOSs.
Note: This level of support is contained in the ROM BiOS im
plemented in the majority of IBM PC and PC/XT compat-
Ible systems.
ROM BlOSs.

INT OSh Print Screen Service [XT] [AT]
Description
The Print Screen Service:
• prints the contents of the entire current video screen to printer number 0
(LPT1) ,
• moves the cursor across the screen as the lines on the screen are
printed,
• repositions the cursor position to its original position, and
• returns all registers to their original values.
Since the Print Screen Service takes a considerable amount of time to exe
cute, interrupts are enabled throughout the routine.
The original PC BIOS did not support INT 05h, however, many PC-compatible
BlOSs do. Nearly all XT and AT BlOSs support INT 05h. As a rule, if the
system has a keyboard with a PrintScreen key, the system BIOS will support
INT 05h.

INT 05h invokes the BIOS Print Screen Service.
The INT 05h vector resides at the interrupt vector table address 00: 14h. The
BIOS initializes the INT 05h Print Screen Service vector to FOOO:FF54h.
INT 05h is usually invoked by the keyboard interrupt handler (INT 09h) when
the PrtSc key is pressed. However, BIOS users may invoke INT 05h indepen
dently. For more information on INT 09h, refer to Chapter 8.
continued

INT OSh Print Screen Service, Continued [XT] [AT]
System RAM Data

The Print Screen Service uses two system RAM data definitions. Both defini
tions are located in the BIOS Data Area (absolute address 400h to 500h) and
are defined in the table below.
40:84h 1 Byte Number of rows on screen (24/2S)

40:100h 1 Byte Print Screen Status Byte, where:
OOh =Print Screen Service inactive, or Print
Screen Service successful upon return
01 h = Print Screen in progress
FFh = Error
Input/Output
Input: None
Output: None (registers are preserved)
Error conditions
The Print Screen Service recognizes three kinds of error conditions. The
table below summarizes the Print Screen Service error handling procedures.
If ... Then the Print Screen Service ...
···
the printer is busy sets location 40: 1OOh = FFh
repositions cursor to original position
preserves all registers
the printer is out of paper

·• returns to the caller
repositions cursor to original position
·· preserves all registers
returns to the caller
· sets location 40: 100h = FFh
recursive print screen requests
are made ·· preserves all registers
returns to the caller
· does not change location 40: 1OOh (It was set
to 01 by previous INT OSh request)

INT 11 h Equipment List Service [XT] [AT]
Description
The Equipment List Service returns the contents of system RAM location
40:10h in AX. This memory location contains the system equipment list as
determined by the BIOS POST routine.
How the service is requested

INT 11 h requests the Equipment List Service of the BIOS.
The INT 11 h vector resides at the interrupt vector table address 0:44h.
The BIOS initializes the INT 11 h Equipment List Service vector to address
FOOO:F84Dh.
Input/Output
Input: None
Output: Equipment List
AX Contents of system RAM location 40: 1Oh, where:
Bits 11-9 = Number of RS-232-C asynchronous adapters
Bit 8 Reserved
Bits 7-4 Number of diskette drives, (if Bit 0 = 1),
where:
OOb = 1 diskette drive
01 b = 2 diskette drives
Bit 5-4 = Initial video mode, where:
OOb = VGA/EGA/PGA
01 b = 40x25 color
10b = 80x25 color
Bit 3 = Reserved
Bit 2 1 If pointing device installed
Bit 1 If math coprocessor installed
Bit 0 = If diskette available for boot

INT 12h Memory Size Service [XT) [AT)
Description
The Memory Size Service returns the contents of system RAM location
40: 13h in AX. This location contains the amount of available base memory in
kilobytes as it is determined by the BIOS POST routine. The value returned
reflects the amount of conventional memory in the system and does not
report extended memory.

INT 12h invokes the BIOS Memory Size Service.
The INT 12h vector resides at the interrupt vector table address O:48h.
The BIOS initializes the INT 12h memory size service vector to address
FOOO:F841 h.
Input/Output
Input: None
Output: Available Base Memory
AX = Contents of location 40: 13h in binary form
458 System BIOS for IBM PC/XT IAT Computers and Compatibles
INT 19h Bootstrap Loader Service [XT] [AT]
Description
The Bootstrap Loader Service attempts to load the 512-byte boot sector
code from either diskette (usually drive A: only) or fixed disk to address
0: 7COOh , transferring control to the code segment at that address. The boot
code is usually used to initialize the operating system.
The boot code is located in the first sector of the diskette (track O. head
0, sector 1) or in the first sector of the fixed disk (cylinder O. head O.
sector 1).
Input/Output
Input: None
Output: None (registers are preserved)

INT 19h invokes the BIOS Bootstrap Loader Service.
The INT 19h vector resides at the interrupt vector table address 0:64h.
The BIOS initializes the INT 19h Bootstrap Loader Service vector to address
FOOO:E6F2h.
INT 19h is usually invoked by the POST routine at the end of all POST pro
cessing. BIOS users are free to invoke INT 19h independently of POST. Users
should be aware. however. that invoking INT 19h does not reset or reinitialize
the system but simply causes the system to reboot. For more information on
POST and INT 19h. refer to Chapter 6.
continued

INT 19h Bootstrap Loader Service, Continued [XT] [AT]
Bootstrap processing
Once INT 19h has been invoked, the Bootstrap Loader Service executes as
described below:
Step Description
1 . Locate and load The boot code is located in the first sector of the diskette
boot code (track a, head a, sector 1) or hi the first sector of the fixed
disk (cylinder a, head a, sector 1). The Bootstrap Loader at
tempts to locate the boot sector and load it into memory at
address a: 7caah.
2. Check for power- On those systems that have password protection, the Boot-
on password strap Loader Service tests for the presence of a system
power-on password before it attempts to transfer control to
the boot code. End users enable or disable the power-on
password via the system's password control program. Power-
on passwords are not supported in most XTs and A Ts.
3. If power-on pass- If there is password support and the power-on password is
word e nabled enabled, It allows three opportunities to enter the password
correctly. After three attempts the system halts and must be
turned off, then turned on again before INT 19h may be in
voked again. The Bootstrap Loader recalculates the CRC if the
power-on password has been changed. This step is ignored in
most PC, XT, and AT systems.
4. Process boot The Bootstrap Loader Service transfers control to the boot
code, if found code if it has been located.
5. If no boot code If INT 19h does not find the boot sector code, it invokes INT
found, invoke INT 18h. By default, INT 18h displays the message "No boot de
18h. vice available, press F1 to continue." (See INT 18h DSR han
dier below.)
INT 18h DSR handler

In XT and AT systems, if no boot sector is found either on the diskette in
drive A: or on the fixed disk, the Bootstrap Loader Service invokes software
interrupt INT 18h. INT 18h can be vectored to a .. no boot device" routine
which takes over the boot process. For example, INT 18h can be vectored
to a routine that would allow the system to be booted over a network.
By default, the BIOS initializes INT 18h to point to a routine that displays a
message such as .. No boot device available, press F1 to continue."
In a PC BIOS, INT 18h loads the ROM-based BASIC interpreter, if one exists.
continued

INT 19h Bootstrap Loader Service, Continued eXT] [AT]
System RAM data

The Bootstrap Loader Service uses three system RAM data definitions. The
definitions are located in the BIOS Data Area (absolute hex address 400h to
SOOh) and are defined in the table below.
12h 1 Byte Reserved for manufacturer's test, where:

Bits 7-1 = Reserved
Bit 0 = 1 Manufacturing test mode
= 0 Non-manufacturing test mode
72h 1 Word System Reset Flag Where:
4321h = Preserve memory
0064h = Burn-in mode
75h 1 Byte Number of fixed disk drives
CMOS RAM data

The Bootstrap Loader Service references the following location in the CMOS
RAM data area:

Bit 7 = 1 RTC has lost power
Bit 5 = 1 Invalid configuration
information found at POST
Bit 4 = 1 Memory size compare error found at
POST
Bit 2 = 1 RTC time invalid
Bit 1 = 1 Adapters do not match configuration
Bit 0 = 1 Time-out in reading an adapter ID
continued

INT 19h Bootstrap Loader Service, Continued [XT] [AT]
1/0 ports used

INT 19h, Bootstrap Loader Service, references the following I/O ports:
Read/Write
0060h R/W Keyboard/auxiliary data port (AT only)

0064h W 8042 Commands (AT only)
0064h R 8042 Status (AT only), where:
Bit 3 = 1 Command
o Data
Bit 2 = System flag
0070h W CMOS RAM address register port (AT only),
where:
= 0 NMI enabled
Bits 6-0 = 0 CMOS address
0071h R/W CMOS RAM data register port (AT only)
0063h R/W 8255 Command mode register (XT only), where:
OOb - 1 drive
01 b - 2 drives
10b - 3 drives
11 b - 4 drives
OOb - Reserved
11b - MDA (80x25)
Bits 3-2 = Memory on system board (256K chips),
where:
OOb - 256K
01b - 512K
10b - 576K
11b - 640K
Bits 3-2 = Memory on system board (64K chips),
where:
OOb - 64K
01b - 128K
10b - 192K
11b - 256K
Bits 1-0 = Reserved

Appendix A
AT BIOS Error Codes
and Messages
Introduction
This appendix lists, separately, the error messages generated by the IBM AT
BIOS and the Phoenix AT-compatible BIOS.
In this appendix
The tables on the following pages present all Phoenix BIOS error messages,
their causes and corrective actions. The following types of messages are
documented:
• IBM BIOS POST and Boot Messages
• Phoenix BIOS POST and Boot Messages
• Phoenix BIOS Run-Time Messages
• Phoenix BIOS Beep Codes
• SETUP Messages
AT BIOS Error Codes and Messages 463

IBM BIOS POST and Boot Messages
IBM AT BIOS error messages
Error
Number Message Possible Cause
101 System Board Error

System interrupt failed.
102
System Board Error System timer failed.
103 System Board Error System timer interrupt failed.
104 System Board Error Protected mode operation failed.
105 System Board Error Keyboard communication failure.
106 System Board Error POST logic test problem.
107 System Board Error NMI test failed.
108 System Board Error Failed system timer test.
109 System Board Error Problem with first 64K of RAM.
161 System Options Not Set Possible bad battery.
162 System Options Not Set Invalid checksum.
163 Time and Date Not Set RTC failed.
164 Memory Size Error - (Run CMOS RAM checksum error.
SETUP)
201 Memory Error RAM failed test.
202 Memory Address Error RAM failed test.
203 Memory Address Error RAM failed test.
301 Keyboard Error Keyboard not connected.
302 System Unit Keylock Is Locked Keyboard is locked.
303 Keyboard or System Unit Error Keyboard chord or keyboard Itself
Is bad.
304 Keyboard or System Unit Error Keyboard chord or keyboard itself
is bad.
401 CRT Error

Monitor or video adapter bad.
501 CRT Error

Monitor or video adapter bad.
601
Diskette Error
Diskette drive or controller bad.
602
Diskette Boot Record Error No boot sector on diskette.
1780 Disk 0 Failure Primary fixed disk filed.
1781 Disk 1 Failure Secondary fixed disk failed.
1782 Disk Controller Failure Fixed disk controller failed.
continued
464 System BIOS for IBM PCIXT I AT Computers and Compatibles

IBM BIOS POST and Boot Messages, Continued
IBM AT BIOS error messages, cont'd
Error
Number Message Possible Cause
1790 Disk 0 Error Error on fixed disk number O.
1791 Disk 1 Error Error on fixed disk number 1 .
ROM Error Error reading ROM BIOS code.
RESUME = "F1" KEY Error. Press F1 to continue.
Unlock System Unit Keylock Keyboard is locked. Unlock
keyboard.

Phoenix BIOS POST and Boot Messages
AT BIOS error messages
Diskette configuration The specified configuration Change the configuration.

error is not supported.
Diskette drive reset failed The diskette adapter has Check the diskette adapter.
failed.
Diskette drive 1 seek The B: drive failed or Is Check the B: drive.
failure missing.
Diskette drive 0 seek The A: drive has either Check the A: drive.
failure failed or is missing.
Diskette drive reset failed The diskette adapter has Check the diskette adapter.
failed.
Diskette read failure The diskette is either not Replace the diskette with a
strike F1 to retry boot formatted or defective. bootable diskette and retry.
Display adapter failed; . The color/monochrome . Change the switch to the
using alternate
. switch Is set wrong.
The primary video
adapter failed.
. correct setting.
Check the primary video
adapter.
Errors found; disk X: POST reports hard disk Rerun SETUP and enter cor
Failed Initialization configuration Information Is rect hard disk information.
Incorrect.
Errors found; incorrect POST reports the size of Rerun SETUP and enter cor
configuration information base or expansion memory rect memory size.
memory size miscompare does not agree with con
figuration information.
Gate A20 failure Protected mode cannot be Check the system board.
enabled.
Hard disk configuration The specified configuration Correct the fixed disk
error Is not supported. configuration.
Hard disk controller The controller card has Replace the controller card.
failure failed.
Hard disk failure Bad disk. Retry boot. If that doesn't
work, replace the hard disk.
Hard disk read failure Defective fixed disk. Retry boot. if that doesn't
strike F1 to retry boot work, replace the hard disk.
FDD controller failure Disk and diskette controller Replace the controller card.
failed.
FDD A Is not Installed Can not find diskette con Either Install or replace the
troller for diskette drive A controller card.
continued

Phoenix BIOS POST and Boot Messages, Continued
AT BIOS error messages, cont'd
FDD B Is not Installed Can not find diskette con Either Install or replace the
troller for diskette drive B controller card.
Invalid configuration Infor

matlon - please run
SETUP program
·· Memory size Is Incorrect.
Display adapter [s
Run the SETUP utility.
configured Incorrectly.
· Wrong number of
diskette drives.
Keyboard clock line failure Either the keyboard or the Make sure the keyboard
keyboard cable connection cable and keyboard are con
Keyboard data line failure Is defective. nected properly.
Keyboard controller The keyboard controller
-
Check the keyboard
failure firmware has failed. controller.
Keyboard stuck key A key(s) is jammed. Try pressing the key (s)
failure again.
Memory address line fall Circuitry associated with the Check the circuitry.
ure at hex-value, read memory chips has failed.
hex-value, expecting
hex-value
Memory data line failure One of the memory chips or Replace the memory chips.
at hex-value. read associated circuitry has
hex-value, expecting failed.
hex-value
Memory high address line Circuitry associated with the Check the circuitry.
failure at hex-value, read memory chips has failed.
hex-value. expecting
hex-value
Memory double word Memory chip circuitry Replace the memory chip.
logic failure at hex-value, failed.
read hex-value, expect-
Ing hex-valu.e
Memory odd/even logic Circuitry associated with the Check the circuitry.
failure at hex-value, read memory chips has failed.
hex-value
Memory parity failure at One of the parity memory Try replacing the memory
hex-value, read chips has failed. chips.
hex-value
continued

AT BIOS error messages, cont'd
Memory write/read failure One of the memory chips Try replacing the memory
at hex-value, read has failed. chips.
hex-value
No boot device available Either diskette drive A:, the Retry boot. If that doesn't
- strike F1 to retry boot hard disk, or the diskette it work, replace the diskette or
self Is defective. the hard disk.
No boot sector on hard The C: drive Is not format Format the C: drive, make it
disk - strike F1 to retry ted or is not bootable . bootable.
boot
Not a boot diskette The diskette in drive A: is Replace the diskette with a
strike F1 to retry boot not formatted as a bootable bootable diskette and retry
diskette. boot.
No timer tick Interrupt The timer chip has failed. Check the timer chip on the
system board.
Hex-value optional The peripheral card Replace the peripheral card.
ROM bad checksum = contains a defective ROM.
hex-value
Shutdown failure The keyboard controlier or Check the keyboard
its associated logic has controlier.
failed.
Time-of-day clock The CMOS real time clock Run the SETUP utility.
stopped chip has failed.
Time-of-day not set Clock not set. Run the SETUP utility.
please run SETUP
program
Timer chip counter 2 Chip failed. Check the timer chip system
failed board.
Timer or Interrupt con Either the timer chip or the Check the timer chip or the
trolier bad interrupt controlier is interrupt controller on the
defective. system board.
Unexpected interrupt in The nonmaskable interrupt Check the system board,
protected mode (NMI) port can't be particularly the logic associ
disabled. ated with the non-maskable
interrupt.
Last boot Incomplete Incorrect configuration of Reconfigure Intel 82335.
Intel 82335 chip set.
continued

Informational messages
Message Meaning
nnnK Base Memory The amount of base memory that tested

successfully.
nnnK Expanded Memory The amount of expanded memory that
tested successfully.
nnnK Extended Memory The amount of extended memory that
nnnK Extra Memory The amount of extra memory that tested
successfully.
nnnK Standard Memory The amount of standard memory that
Decreasing available memory This message immediately follows any
memory error message. and informs you
that the memory chips are failing.
Memory tests terminated by keystroke This message indicates that you have
pressed the Spacebar while the memory
tests were running. This stops the memory
tests.
Strike the F1 key to continue This message Indicates that an error was
found during POST. Pressing the F1 key
allows the system to attempt to boot.
Base Memory size = 64K Used in reporting base memory for
Extended Features.
Extended Memory size = OOOOOK Used In reporting extended memory size for
Extended Features.

Phoenix BIOS Run-Time Messages
Run-time messages
Run-time messages are displayed if an error occurs after the boot proce
dure is complete.
110 card parity interrupt The peripheral card has Type (S)hut off NMI.
at address. Type (S)hut failed. Note: This will only tempo
off NMI, (R)eboot, other rarily allow the user to
keys to continue continue. The user
must replace the
peripheral card.
Memory parity interrupt A memory chip(s) has Type (S)hut off NMI.
at address. Type (S)hut fa.iled.
off NMI, (R)eboot, other Note: This will,only tempo
keys to continue rarily allow the user to
continue. The user
must replace the
memory chip(s).
Unexpected HW Interrupt This could be any Check the hardware.
Interrupt at address. hardware-related problem.
Type (R)eboot, other
Note: Not displayed if the
keys to continue extended interrupt
handler is not
enabled.
Unexpected SW interrupt There is an error ( s) in the Try turning the machine off
Interrupt at address. software program. and then on again. If that
Type (R)eboot, other doesn't work, check the
keys to continue Note: Not displayed If the
extended interrupt program.
handler is not
enabled.
Unexpected type 02 In There is an error(s) in the Try turning the machine off
terrupt at address. Type software program. and then on again. If that
(S)hut off NMI, (R)eboot, doesn't work, check the
other keys to continue Note: Not displayed if the
program.
extended interrupt
handler is not
enabled.

Phoenix BIOS Beep Codes
Description
Sometimes POST errors cannot be reported on the screen. When an error
occurs before the screen is initialized or when the system is set to loop on
the system board tests, then the screen cannot display the error message.
Systems with a Phoenix AT-compatible BIOS will then generate beep codes,
which may be used to identify a POST error that occurs when the screen is
not available.
Example
A 2-1-4 beep code (a burst of 2 beeps, a single beep, and a burst of
4 beeps) indicates a failure of bit 3 in the first 64K of RAM.
continued
A T BIOS Error Codes and Messages 471

Phoenix BIOS Beep Codes, Continued
Diagram
The diagram below shows the process performed by the system if an error
occurs and the screen is unavailable.
System writes error
code to port SOh
System checks
FAILBEEP option
Is FAILBEEP enabled? System halts
System sounds
beep code
continued

Using Beep Codes

The table below shows the errors for which beep codes and screen mes
sages are used:
System Board Failure

Off board
Fatal Non-fatal Failure
Looping on sys- Beep and halt Beep and halt Not applicable
tem board tests
(MAN LOOP set
to True)
Normal power Beep and halt Screen message and Screen message and
on (MANLOOP prompt to 'Press F1 prompt to 'Press F1
set to False) to continue' to continue'
List of Beep Codes

The Beep Codes for fatal and non-fatal system board errors are listed sepa
rately on the following pages.
Note: No beep code is sounded if a test is aborted while in progress. The

contents of port 80h can be read to identify the area of failure.
continued

Fatal system board errors
Beep Contents
Code Port BOh

Description
none 01h CPU register test in progress
1-1-3 02h CMOS write/read failure
1-1-4 03h ROM BIOS checksum failure

1-2-1 04h Programmable interval timer failure
1-2-2 05h DMA initialization failure
1-2-3 06h DMA page register write/read failure
1-3-1 08h RAM refresh verification failure

none 09h First 64K RAM test in progress
1-3-3 OAh First 64K RAM chip or data line failure, multi-bit
1-3-4 OBh First 64K RAM odd/even logic failure

1-4-1 OCh Address line failure first 64K RAM
1-4-2 ODh Parity failure first 64K RAM
2-1-1 10h Bit 0 first 64K RAM failure

2-1-2 11 h Bit 1 first 64K RAM failure

2-3-3 1Ah Bit 10 first 64K RAM failure
2-3-4 1Bh Bit 11 first 64K RAM failure
2-4-1 1Ch Bit 12 first 64K RAM failure
2-4-2 1Dh Bit 13 first 64K RAM failure
2-4-3 1Eh Bit 14 first 64K RAM failure
continued

Fatal system board errors, cont' d
Beep Contents
Code Port SOh Description
2-4-4 1Fh Bit 15 first 64K RAM failure
3-1-1
20h Slave DMA register failure
3-1-2 21h Master DMA register failure
3-1-3 22h Master interrupt mask register failure
3-1-4 23h Slave interrupt mask register failure
none 25h Interrupt vector loading in progress

3-2-4 27h Keyboard controller test failure
none 28h CMOS power failure and checksum calculation in
progress
none 29h CMOS configuration validation in progress
3-3-4 2Bh Screen initialization failure
3-4-1 2Ch Screen retrace test failure
3-4-2 2Dh Search for video ROM in progress
none 2Eh Screen running with video ROM
none 30h Screen operable
none 30h Screen running with video ROM
none 31h Monochrome monitor operable
none 32h Color monitor (40 column) operable
none 33h Color monitor (80 column) operable
continued

Non-fatal system board errors

A failure in add-on boards or memory is reported on the monitor. These
error messages help isolate the failed subsystem.
Beep code~ 4-2-1 through 4-4-3 are only reported through the speaker and
sent to the diagnostic port if the manufacturing loop option switch MAN LOOP
is set to TRUE and the manufacturing jumper indicator is on in POST. Other
wise, these errors are reported via the screen.
The following table describes the beep codes and error codes that are
written to Port BOh for non-fatal system board errors.
Beep Contents
Code Port 680h Description
4-2-1 34h Timer tick interrupt test in progress or failure

4-2-2 35h Shutdown test In progress or failure
4-2-3 36h Gate A20 failure
4-2-4 37h Unexpected interrupt in protected mode
4-3-1 38h RAM test in prQ!;Iress or address failure> FFFFh
4-3-3 3Ah Interval timer channel 2 test or failure
4-3-4 3Bh Time-of-Day clock test or failure
4-4-1 3Ch Serial port test or failure
4-4-2 3Dh Parallel port test or failure
4-4-3 3Eh Math coprocessor test or failure
low-1-1-2* 41h System board select failure
low-1-1-3* 42h Extended Cfy10S RAM failure
• "Low· means a lower-pitched beep precedes the three bursts.

SETUP Messages
Configuration messages
All error messages that can be displayed by the SETUP utility are listed
below. Each error message is followed by a description of the problem and
a suggested action you can take to correct the problem.
Table of SETUP Error Messages

SETUP first prints the message:
Errors have been found during the power-on self test in your
computer. These errors were:
Message Meaning Required Action
Clock chip lost power The clock chip is not Replace battery. Run SETUP;
(hit any key to continue) working. check all configuration
settings.
CMOS checksum invalid There is a configuration Run SETUP; check all con
(hit any key to continue) error. figuration settings.
Incorrect configuration Configuration data entered Run SETUP. Verify all settings
data in CMOS (hit any in SETUP is not the same are correct. If error persists.
key to continue) as the actual system com call the manufacturer's Tech
ponents. nical Support
Department.
Memory size in CMOS in Wrong base memory set. Run SETUP; correct error in
valid (hit any key to Base Memory field.
continue)
Disk C: failed initialization Incorrect fixed disk type. Run SETUP; correct the fixed
(hit any key to continue) disk setting.
Time or date in CMOS is The system clock time/date Run SETUP; correct the date
Invalid (hit any key to Is not the same as that or time field.
continue) entered in the SETUP
program.
Note: SETUP may not generate an error message if the incorrect diskette
drive information is supplied.

Appendix B
XT BIOS Error Messages
Introduction
This appendix describes the power-on self test and boot messages that may
be generated by both the IBM and the Phoenix XT BIOS.
These messages may be divided into the following types:

• Beep Code
• IBM XT BIOS POST Messages
• Phoenix XT BIOS POST and Boot Messages
• Phoenix XT BIOS Run-Time Messages
Each of these types of messages are discussed below.
XT BIOS Error Messages 479

Beep Code
Both the IBM and the Phoenix BIOS may generate a beep code under the
following conditions. If a power-on self test message occurs before the
video monitor testing is completed, there is no way for the BIOS to write an
error message to the screen. Therefore, the BIOS will sound one long beep
and then one short beep to indicate a POST error, and will stop all testing at
the point of the error.
IBM XT BIOS POST Messages
The following messages may be generated by the IBM XT BIOS POST

routine:
Message Possible Cause
101 System board error.

201 Memory error.
ROM Error reading ROM code.
1801 Expansion 1/0 box error.
Parity Check 1 NMI parity error found In 1/0 adapter card.
Parity Check 2 NMI parity error found In memory.
11111 Unknown NMI error.

Phoenix XT BIOS POST and Boot Messages
Phoenix XT BIOS POST error messages

Power-on self test (POST) and boot messages are displayed during the
power-on process. Within POST, there are three kinds of messages:
• system failure messages - failure in hardware, software, or firmware.
• boot failure messages - failure in the boot process.
• informational messages - require no action.
The following tables list these messages and describe their possible causes
and suggested corrective actions.
Phoenix XT BIOS system failure messages

System failure messages generated by a Phoenix BIOS in an XT system are
described in the following table.
Bad DMA port = System board bad. Test system board.

hex-value
Disk bad Fixed disk failure. Check fixed disk controller
cable, if not bad, controller
failure possible.
Diskette drive 0 seek The A: drive failed or Is Possible bad or unformatted
failure missing. diskette. Format diskette, or
use a different diskette.
Expansion Box Bad Adapter cards may be Test adapter cards and all
malfunctioning. plugs. Replace if necessary.
No scan code from Keyboard may be disc on Check keyboard plug and key
keyboard nected or malfunctioning. board. Replace if necessary.
ROM Bad Sum = Data In a ROM could not be Replace bad ROM chip.
read.
ROM bad checksum = Read failed on ROM access. Retry. If error persists, re
hex-value place ROM.
Hex-value = Scancode, An erroneous scan code Key may be stuck on key
check keyboard was received from the board. Keyboard connector
keyboard. may be bad, or keyboard
controller must be replaced.
continued

Phoenix XT BIOS POST and Boot Messages, Continued
Phoenix XT BIOS system failure messages, cont'd
Stuck key scancode = Key stuck on keyboard. Loosen stuck key. Check
hex-value scan code table to identify
key.
Timer or Interrupt Interrupt controller or timer Replace system board.
Controller Bad chip inoperative.
Timer chip counter 2 Timer bad. Replace'system board or
failed timer chip.
Phoenix XT BIOS boot failure messages

Boot failure messages generated by a Phoenix BIOS in an XT system are
128K not OK. parity First 128K of RAM failed Reboot. If message repeats.
disabled parity test. replace bad RAM chip($).
Keyboard bad Keyboard failed POST Retry. If message persists.
tests. replace keyboard.
Error. Press F1 key to A recoverable error Press F1 to continue (there
continue. occurred. may be errors). or reboot.
Non-System disk or disk No boot diskette or disk Use a system disk to boot
error. Press a key to available. the system.
continue.
Disk boot error. Replace Boot data not readable Use a boot diskette/disk to
and strike key or retry. from boot device. boot system.
RAM bad Memory failed POST tests. Replace bad RAM chips.
continued
482 System BiOS for IBM PC/XT/AT Computers and Compatibles

Phoenix XT BIOS POST and Boot Messages, Continued
Phoenix XT BIOS informational messages

Informational messages generated by a Phoenix BIOS in an XT system are
RAM test Information only. No action required.

Oh optionai Information only. No action required.
Hard disk wait complete information only. No action required.
Memory space preserved Information only. No action required.

Phoenix XT BIOS Run-Time Messages
Run-time message table

Run-time messages generated by a Phoenix BIOS are displayed if an error
occurs after the boot procedure is complete.
8087 NMI at address. An NMI occurred on access Type (Slhut off NMI.
Type (Slhut off NMI. to the math coprocessor. Note: This will only tempo
(Rleboot, other keys to rarify allow you to
continue. continue. You must
replace the peripheral
card.
Memory parity NMI at A memory chlp(sl has Type (Slhut off NMI.
address. Type (Slhut off failed. Note: This will only tempo
NMI, (Rleboot, other rarily allow you to
keys to continue. continue. You must
replace the memory
chip(sl.
Unexpected HW interrupt This could be any hardware- Check the hardware devices
interrupt at address. related problem. for loose cables, malfunc
Type (Rleboot, other Note: Not displayed if the tions, and other problems.
keys to continue. extended interrupt
handler is not
enabled.
Unexpected SW Interrupt There Is an error(sl in the Turn the machine off and
interrupt at address. software program. then on again. If that doesn't
Type (Rleboot, other Note: Not displayed if the work, check the program.
keys to continue.
extended interrupt
handler Is not
enabled.
1/0 card NMI at address. An NMI occurred on access Turn the machine off and
Type (Slhut off NMI, to an adapter card. then on again. If that doesn't
(Rleboot, other keys to work, replace the adapter
continue. card.

Glossary
Adapter Card
A circuit board that can be installed into one of the expansion slots inside
a PC, XT, AT, or IBM-compatible computer in order to expand the capabili
ties of the computer.
Adapter ROM
The read-only memory on the adapter, which contains code to control the
adapter device. An adapter is a peripheral card that extends the operation
of the system. For example, a fixed disk drive controller is an adapter that
may have an adapter ROM.
Address Bus
One or more lines (conductors) that carry address codes from the micro
processor to all parts of the system.
American National Standard Code for Information Exchange (ASCII)

A standard code, consisting of character, control, and graphic codes of 7
bits each (8 bits counting the parity bit).
Analog
Data transmitted in a continuously varying physical quality.
Arbitration
Arbitration is a process through which devices compete for possession of
the channel on a prioritized basis.
continued
Glossary 485
Glossary, Continued
Arbitration Level
Arbitration levels are the levels of priority assigned to devices that compete
for possession of the channel.
AT-Compatible Computer
Any computer that can run software programs written for an IBM AT
computer.
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)

Systems software that interfaces between the operating system and hard
ware.
BIOS Service
A software routine that services a given peripheral device, and provides an
interface between the operating system and the hardware. These services
are single task, call/return functions.
Bits per second (BPS)

A unit of measure that represents the number of discrete bits transmitted by
a device in one second.
Block Check Character (BCC)

An element in the checksum calculations in cyclic redundancy checking.
Boot
Process of starting the computer.
Buffer
An area of storage temporarily reserved for I/O operations.
Burst Mode
Burst mode is a method of DMA transfer that allows a device to remain in
active for long periods and then send large amounts of data in a short time.
Bus
One or more lines (conductors) that carry signals or power.
Bus High Enable (BHE)
A line on the 80286 processor that produces a signal, used in conjunction
with the address 0 signal, to specify if data is transferred in words or bytes.
continued

Glossary, Continued
Byte
Eight contiguous bits; a bit is the smallest item of information that a com
puter can process.
Cache
Method of using a fast device to speed up access to a slow device.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The main processing component of the microprocessor.
Channel
A path constructed specifically for moving data.
Command Control Block (CCB)

Disk 1/0 data structure.
Command Specify Block (CSB)

Disk I/O data structure.
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)

In PC, XT. or AT compatibles, it is low-power memory that is battery
backed and is therefore not lost when the computer is turned off.
Configuration
The process of setting up all the parts of the computer so they run
effectively.
Conventional memory
Memory located between addresses 0 and 1 MB. The memory that can be
addressed by DOS.
Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)

A method of redundancy check where the check key is produced by a cyclic
or repeating algorithm. A common means of error checking.
Cylinder
Tracks on a diskette or fixed disk that can be accessed without moving the
read/write heads.
Default
A value, setting. or option that is assigned by the program or system.
continued
Glossary 487
Glossary, Continued
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)

Used in VGA hardware to convert command and data when interfacing
between digital computer hardware and an analog monitor.
Direct Memory Access (DMA)

Direct Memory Access is a means for I/O devices to transfer data directly to
and from system memory without the intervention of the microprocessor.
This significantly decreases I/O processing by the microprocessor.
Disk Operating System (DOS)

Short for PC-DOS and MS-DOS. DOS, like other operating systems, orga
nizes the files and memory for other programs.
DMA Controller
A DMA controller is a device which gives addresses and control signals to
the device that has won the bus through arbitration. The controller does not
enter into the arbitration itself.
DMA Device
A DMA device enters into arbitration for the channel. If it wins, it receives
addresses and control signals from the DMA controller so it can read or
write data.
Dual Inline Package (DIP)

A method of organizing computer switches.
Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM)

A ROM device that can be erased and reprogrammed at anytime by a spe
cial machine.
Error Checking and Correction (ECC)

The process of detecting and correcting all single-bit errors using an algo
rithm that tests the accuracy of the transmitted data.
Expanded Memory
For AT-compatible systems, up to 32 MB of additional "paged" memory
above the DOS 640K limit. Application programs written according to LIM
EMS or AST EEMS specifications can use this type of memory. Examples of
such programs are Lotus 1-2-3, Symphony and Framework.
continued
488 System BIOS for IBM PCfXT f AT Computers and Compatibles

Glossary, Continued
Expanded Memory Specification (EMS)

For AT-compatible systems, a specification and protocol established by a
consortium of computer manufacturers, principally Lotus, Intel, and Microsoft
(LIM), which establishes a set of rules for organizing and accessing ex
panded memory.
Extended Expanded Memory Specification (EEMS)

A specification and protocol established by a consortium of computer manu
factures, principally AST, Quadram, and Ashton-Tate, which establishes a
set of rules for organizing and accessing expanded memory.
Extended Memory
The memory above 1 MB. XENIX and IBM's VDISK can use this memory, but
DOS and almost all application programs cannot, since use of the protected
mode of the Intel 80286, 80386SX, or 80386 microprocessor is required.
Fixed Disk (Hard Disk)

A magnetic storage device consisting of a drive mechanism with perma
nently installed metallic disks; a "filing cabinet" for the computer.
Hardware
The physical equipment and components in the computer system.
Head
The read/write head on a diskette or fixed disk drive. The device that pro
vides access to the data on the media.
Interrupt
The suspending of microprocessor program execution by a demand for
attention coming from a peripheral device. After the interrupt has been ser
viced, the suspended microprocessor task can be resumed where it was
broken off by the interrupt.
Kilobytes (K)
1024 bytes.
Known State
When a device is initialized or reset, and then set to a particular pre
established condition, it is said to be in a known state.
continued
Glossary 489
Glossary, Continued
Low Level Format

Electronic equivalent of drawing a detailed street map on the fixed disk. The
electronic markings tell the system at what points to start and end reads
and writes.
Main Memory
The memory between 0 and 1 MS. Another term for conventional memory.
Megabyte (MB)
One million, or 1024 x 1024 bytes.
Memory
A device that can store data recorded in it and from which the data can be
retrieved.
Microprocessor
Central processing unit, or "brain" of the computer.
Modified Frequency Modulation

Traditional method of formatting data on a fixed disk. This technique involves
a varying the amplitude and frequency of a signal to a fixed disk.
Multitasking
Multitasking programs execute multiple program modules simultaneously.
Information input into one module does not need to be processed completely
before information can be .input into another module.
Offset
A method of addressing that defines an address as relative to the beginning
of a memory segment.
Operating System
Generic systems software which controls the execution of applications
software.
Parameter
Value, option, or setting that can be set in two or more ways.
Power-On Self Test (POST)

A program that tests all parts of the computer every time you turn on the
computer.
continued

Glossary, Continued
Program
A set of instructions defining the operations of a computer in order to
achieve the desired results.
Protected Address Mode (Protected Mode)

One of two 80286 or three 80386 memory addressing modes. In protected
virtual address mode, the 80386/80286 uses all address lines. This allows
addressing of up to 16 megabytes of physical memory in an 80286 and 4
GB in an 80386. The 80286 processor's internal memory management allows
addressing of an additional 1 GB of virtual memory in protected mode (the
80386 up to 64 Terabytes). Protected mode addresses are specified in
selector:offset format.
Real Address Mode

One of two 80286 memory addressing modes (the 80386 has three). In real
address mode, the 80286 and 80386 microprocessors use 20 address lines,
thus allowing memory addressing of up to 1 megabyte of physical memory
(220 ). Real address mode· does not support virtual memory addressing. Real
mode addresses are specified in segment:offset format.
Segment
A unit of contiguous, one-dimensional address space. In real mode, these
address blocks are 64K in size, referenced by one byte. In protected mode,
programs can allocate segments of any size they require up to 64K.
Selector
A value contained in a segment register (such as the CS, OS, SS, or ES
segment registers) when in protected mode. This value determines what
segment is currently being used; e.g., with CS, what segment is being used
for executing code.
Single-Tasking
Single-tasking operating systems can only execute one program module or
routine at a time. Information input into a module or routine mustbe pro
cessed completely before information can be input into another module.
Software
A comprehensive term used to identify all of the non hardware components
of a computer. Software includes computer programs and data.
continued
Glossary 491
Glossary, Continued
System Board
A large circuit board that holds most of the main electronic parts of the
computer.
System Board ROM

Read-only memory chips that reside on the system board and provide
control information for various system components.
Task
In an 80386, a task is the execution of a single process or set of instructions
to perform a particular function. It is not the same as an operating system
task.
Time-Out
When the interval of time expected for a certain process (an interrupt) to
occur is exceeded.
Track
A segment of a diskette or fixed disk that is parallel to the edge of the
media and that can be accessed by the drive read/write head without the
head moving.
Virtual 8086 Mode (80386 only)

A way of emulating the 8086 or 8088 microprocessors on the 80386. The
8086 program runs in protected mode as a task that can run with multiple
8086 virtual tasks, as well as alongside other multiprogrammed 80386 tasks.
Write Precompensation
A procedure where the timing of the head current on a diskette or fixed disk
drive is varied depending on the head's position (anywhere from outer tracks
to the inner tracks) in order to keep the Write signal constant. Often given
as a cylinder number, as in the cylinder number where the write proecom
pensation procedure is to begin.

Additional Resources
The following books provide additional material related to the PC, XT, and AT
BlOSs:
Dettman, Terry R. DOS Programmer's Reference. Carmel, IN: Que®
Corporation, 1988.
Duncan, Ray. Advanced MS-DOS Programming. Redmond, WA: Microsoft

Press, 1986.
Duncan, Ray. IBM® ROM BIOS. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press, 1988.
Intel Corporation. Introduction to the 80286. Santa Clara, CA: Intel
Corporation, 1982.
Intel Corporation. 80286 Programmer's Reference Manual. Santa Clara, CA:

Intel Corporation, 1983.

Intel Corporation. Introduction to the 80386. Santa Clara, CA: Intel
Corporation, 1985.


continued
Additional Resources 493

Additional Resources, Continued
International Business Machines Corporation. IBM Personal Computer AT

Technical Reference. Boca Raton, FL: International Business Machines
Corporation, 1984.
International Business Machines Corporation. IBM Personal Computer XT

and Portable Personal Computer Technical Reference. Boca Raton, FL:
International Business Machines Corporation, 1986.
Kliewer, Bradley Oyck. EGAIVGA Programmer's Reference Guide. New York,

NY: McGraw-Hili Book Company, 1988
Norton, Peter. Inside the IBM® PC. New York, NY: Brady Books, a division of
Simon and Schuster, 1986.
Norton, Peter and Wilton, Richard. The New Peter Norton Programmer's
Guide to the IBM® PC and PSI2®. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press, 1988.
Wadlow, Thomas A. Memory Resident Programming on the IBM PC.
Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Inc., 1987.
Wilton, Richard. Programmer's Guide to PC® and PSI2'M Video Systems.

Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press, 1987.
494 System BIOS for IBM PC/XT IAT Computers and Compatibles
tndex
A
Abbreviations, xxvii-xxx resetting of, 445
setting of, 444
ACK signal, 418
Alphanumeric video format, 169
Acronyms, xxvii-xxx
Alt key, 127, 149
Active character blocks, 253

character codes with, 151-160
Active display code, 250

filtering of, 145, 147
in pause state table, 135
Active display pages shift flag for, 32, 45-46, 129-130,
1/0 port for, 250

142, 148
writing to, 218-219

work area for, 32, 46, 130
Adapters
Alternate Fixed Disk Reset, Fixed Disk
asynchronous communications, 31,

Service, 346
39, 41, 45, 47, 274, 421

Alternate print screen routine, 243
fixed disk, 84-85
printer, 31, 47, 121

Alternate Select, Video Service,
241-246
video, 2, 162
error messages for, 466

Analog monitors, 167-168
hardware components of,

Arbitration level, DMA, 326
171-172
mode support by, 170

Array of cursor positions, 250
types of, 168

ASCII value
video ROM for, switching of, with

of date ROM was built, 59
system video, 246

of keystrokes, 124
See a/so Characters
Address field table
for diskettes, 292

Asynchronous communication
fixed disk, 335

adapters
1/0 address for, 45
Address line failure, beep code for,

number of, 31, 39, 41, 47, 274,
474
421
Address register port, CMOS RAM,

See a/so Serial ports and
50, 281, 324, 388, 436, 462

communications
Addresses, error codes for, 285, 326

AT computer, 2-3
fixed disk parameter table for,
Alarm, real time clock, 432-433

63-67, 315
in CMOS RAM, 52, 435

functions for, 14
interrupt processing for, 449

keyboard make and break codes
interrupt vector for, 11

for, 124
ISR for, 452

model byte for, 59-60, 384, 414
Index 495
A. cont'd
nonmaskable interrupts for.

Bit mask. I/O port for. 98.101.181.
117-120
186, 259
POST error handling in. 111

Blanking, video. 94-97. 100. 175,
Attention register for fixed disk

177, 179-180. 185. 258
adapter. 85
Blink bit, toggling of, 223
Attributes. character. 169. 172

Block specifiers. 233
reading and writing of. 211-213
registers for. 87. 98. 101. 181,

Blocks. moving of
186, 257. 259

diskette, 288
memory, 404-407
AUTO FEED signal. 418
Blue color value. 102, 187. 262
Auxiliary character generator, 194,
197
Booting. 110
diskette for, 31. 39, 41. 47. 274.
421
error messages for. 111. 464, 482
B Bootstrap Loader Service. 104.
Backspace character, 218

459-462
data definitions for. 48
Bad CRC error code. 285

entry point for. 58
Bad cylinder detected error code,

interrupt vector for. 10. 29
326
sectors for. 464
Bad sector flag detected error code.

Border color, 222-224
326
Boundary error, DMA, 285, 326
Bad tracks. fixed disk, formatting of,

Bounds exception interrupt vector. 9.
336
28
Base address. CRT controller, 250,

Break codes. keyboard, 123-127
259
Break function. 124. 131. 133
Base memory, CMOS RAM for, 55

Breakpoint, interrupt vector for. 9.
BASIC, interrupt vector for, 11, 30
13. 28
Battery, error message for, 464

Buffers
display screen, 169. 171, 188-190
Baud rate, 374

length of. 250
generator table for, 58, 360

save/restore video state. 255
initialization of. 70, 366

fixed disk
Beep codes. 105. 111, 471-476, 480

tables for, 335
test. 347-348
Bell character. 218

keyboard. 32, 46, 124. 128. 130
BIOS data area. 8. 27. 31-37

checking of. 141-142
compatibility table for. 58-59

error indication for full, 144
See a/so ROM BIOS and ROM BIOS

input and output ,76, 78, 128-129
data
pointer to, 32, 46, 130

B, cont'd
program-generated data in, 144

Change line support, 267, 270, 285,
reading from, 139-140, 145

293, 296, 298
Bus time-out errors, DMA, 118

Characters
attributes for, 169
Busy printer error condition, 456

blocks of, 251, 253
BUSY signal, 418

codes for
format for, 124
Bytes per sector, 62, 280

reading of, 139-140
tables for, 149-160
displaying of, 173
c generators of, 172
graphics mode, 195
Cables for RS-232C interface, 361

text mode, 194, 197
height of, 34, 39, 192, 250, 260
Cache controller, testing of, 105

map select for, 96, 99, 179, 184,
257
Cancel interval, System Service
subfunction, 399
printing of, 419-420, 424
reading of, from screen, 211
Caps Lock key, 127, 149

serial transmission of, 376-377

writing of, to screen, 212-214
shift flags for, 32,45-46, 129-130,

See a/so Fonts
142, 148
Check drive command, time-out
Carriage return character, 218

value for, 68-69, 316, 321
Cascade to DMA channels 5-7, 78

Checksum
in CMOS RAM, 55
Cassette tape, System Services for,

389-392
for expansion ROM, 108
Cathode ray tube controller, 171

Clear byte pointer for DMA, 73, 80,
base address for, 250, 259

281
error message for, 464
Clear mask register for DMA channel,
registers for, 86, 88, 94-97, 100,

73, 80
175, 177, 179-180, 185,
257-258
Clear to send serial controller signal,
testing of, 106

362
Clearing of display ~creen, 203
Cathode ray tubes, 164
Clock chip lost power message. 477
CDC Wren II fixed disk drives, 64, 66,
317,319
Clocking mode register. 96. 99. 179.
184, 257
Central processing unit, testing of,
105
Clocks, dot, 165. 168
See a/so Alarm, real time clock;

Century in CMOS RAM, 55, 435,
Real time clock; Time-of-day
442-443
clock
CGA. See Color Graphics Adapter Closing of devices, 395
Index 497
C, cont'd
Cluster, 110 port for, 93

registers for, 87-88
support for, 16, 170
Cluster adapter, interrupt vector for,
video modes for, 188
11, 30
video parameter table for, 58
CMOS checksum invalid message,
477
Colors
available, 250
CMOS RAM data, 8, 49

in DAC state save area, 102, 187,
accessing of, 51
262
beep codes for, 474-476

display screen, 188-190
for Bootstrap Loader Service, 461

monitors for, 166, 475
configuration data definitions in,

paging mode for, 227
54-55
paging status for, 229
for diskette parameters, 293

registers for
for Diskette Service, 278

DAC, 228
error message for, 464, 477

overscan, 98, 101, 181, 186,
for Fixed Disk Service, 314

222-224, 259
1/0 ports for, 50

plane enable, 98,101,181,186,
for real time clock, 52, 428,

259
434-435, 440-441, 444, 451

select, 102, 187, 262
registers for, 50, 78, 281, 324,

setting of, 225-226
388, 436, 451, 462

summing of, to gray shades, 229,
status register data definitions in,

245
53, 435
See also Palettes
for System Services, 383
Columns, display screen, 33, 39,
testing of, 105-1 06

192, 250, 260
Codes
Command mode register, Intel 8255,
beep, 105, 111, 471-476, 480

128, 462
break and make, 123-127
character
Compatibility, xx
format for, 124

and coprocessor exceptions, 120
reading of, 139-140

diskette format, 271-272
tables of, 149-1 60

table of, for ROM BIOS data, 58-59
error, 285, 326

video, 171, 190
shutdown, 109
Composite video signals, :~7-168
Collision detection, 217

Configuration
control register for, 90
Color compare port, 98, 101, 181,
data definitions for, 54-55
186, 259
data table for, 58, 60
Color don't care port, 98,101,181,

error messages for, 466-467, 477
186, 259
Hercules switch register for, 87
Color Graphics Adapter, 162, 168

returning information about,
emulation of, 190-191

242-243
hardware environment for, 176

system parameters for, 413-414
1/0 ports for, 95, 177

Connectors, printer adapter, 417

C, cont'd
Control bits, video, 35, 40, 193, 261
CRC (cyclic redundancy check)
for disk verification, 290
Control bytes
error code for, 285, 326
for fixed disks, 34, 63, 68-69, 313,
for fixed disk sector verification,
315-316,321
333
for timers, 386
CRT (cathode ray tube), 164
Control data address mark detected
error code, 326

CRTC. See Cathode ray tube
controller
Control key, character codes with,
151-160
Ctrl key
Contml registers
for counters, 448

shift flag for, 32, 45-46, 129-130,
142, 148
for fixed disk adapter, 84
for keyboard, 76-77, 128,387,462

Ctrl-Alt-Del, 104, 124, 130-132
mode, 172
for parallel ports, 85-87, 422

Ctrl-Break, 13, 130-131, 133
flag for, 34
for PIT, 76
Controller, diskette, error message

Ctrl-Num Lock, 124, 134
for, 326
Ctrl-Scroll Lock, 124, 131, 133
Controller Drive Diagnostic, Fixed Disk

Current mode select register, 33, 39,
Service, 352
192, 260
Controller Internal Diagnostic, Fixed

Current page, 33, 39, 192, 260
Disk Service, 353
Current palette value, 33, 39, 192,
Controller RAM Diagnostic, Fixed Disk

260
Service, 351
Current track number for both drives,
Coprocessors. See Math 36, 44, 277
coprocessors
Current value of 8x8 and 8x9 register,
Copy protection, formatting tracks

250
for, 292
Cursor
Copying of blocks
position of, 33, 39, 192, 258, 260
diskette, 288
array of, 250
memory, 404-407
CGA, 177
Counters
EGA, 97, 180
control word register for, 448

MDA, 94-95, 175
for days since 1-1-80, 37, 447

reading of, 207
of sectors, fixed disk, 80-81,

setting of, 206
324-325
VGA, 100, 185
of timer ticks, 434, 438-439, 450

scaling of, 245
transfer, 72, 79, 281

size of, 204-205
wait, 37, 48, 382, 450

type of, 33, 39, 192, 250, 260
Index 499
C, cont'd
Cyclic redundancy check
Data segment descriptor format, 406
for disk verification, 290
Data set ready serial controller signal,
error code for, 285, 326
362
for fixed disk sector verification,
333
Data terminal ready serial controller
Cylinders, fixed disk, 307

signal, 362
error code for, 436

Data transfer rates
formatting of, 334-335

diskette, 44, 273, 297-299
for landing zone, 63, 315

select register for, 283
location of, 80-81, 324-325
number of, 63-66, 68-69, 315-321

Data transmission. See Serial ports
seeking of, 345

and communications
write precompensation for, 63,

Date
68-69, 315-316, 321

real time clock, 442-443
D Daylight savings time option, 440-441
DAC. See Digital-to-analog converter Days
registers count of, 37, 447
Data acquisition I/O ports, 81, 92

storage of, 52, 435, 442-443
Data carrier detect serial controller

DCA 3278 register, 85
signal, 36
DCC. See Display combination code
Data formats for video, 169-170
Decoders, attribute, 172
Data input and output buffers,
keyboard, 76, 128

Default palette loading, 244
Data length in diskette parameter

Delay
table, 62, 280

time, 403
turn off, for diskette motor, 61, 279
Data ports
typematic, 125, 143
for keyboard/auxiliary, 386, 462
parallel, 86-87, 422

Detect Media Change, Diskette
Service, 296
Data rate information for diskettes,
35, 43, 276

Detection of ROM, 108
Data registers, 78, 281, 324, 388,

Device Busy, System Services, 411
436, 451, 462
for CMOS RAM, 50

Device Close, System Services, 395
for diskette controller, 86, 89,

Device Open, System Services, 394
282-283
for fixed disks, 80-81, 324

Device service routines, 4, 6
Data rotate register, 98, 101, 181,

Devices, installed, 31, 39, 41, 47,
186, 259
274, 421

0, cont'd
Diagnostics
controller for
fixed disk, 341-344, 347-348,

error code for, 285
351-352
information for, 36, 44, 276
status of, 54, 278, 314, 461

parameter table for, 58
registers for, 85-86, 89-90,
Diagnostics 1: Read Test Buffer,
281-283, 448
Fixed Disk Service, 347
status bytes for, 33, 43, 275, 301
Diagnostics 2: Write Test Buffer,

testing of, 106

data transfer rate for, 35, 43, 276,
Digital input register
283
for diskette controller, 86, 90, 282
entry point for, 58
for fixed disks, 283
error handling by, 284-285
Digital output register for diskette

error codes and messages for,
controller, 85, 89, 281-282, 448

285, 326, 464-466, 477, 481
1/0 ports for, 281-283, 301
Digital-to-analog converter registers,
interrupt vector for, 10, 29
182-183
motor status and time-out count
color, reading of, 228

for, 32, 42, 274, 446-447
PEL address and mask, 87-88

number of, 31, 77, 128
state, 87, 99, 102, 184, 187,

operation of, 266-269
254-255
parameter table for, 10, 29, 61-62,
VGA, 87-88, 102, 187

279-280
Digital video signals, 167-168

recalibrate status of, 32, 42, 274,
301
Disk Controller Failure message, 464

status return code for, 33, 42, 274
Disk Error message, 465

support for, 271-272
system RAM for, 274-277, 301
Disk Failure message, 464

testing of, 106
Diskette BIOS revector interrupt

work area for, 36, 44, 277
vector, 11, 30
Diskette Service
Diskette Boot Record Error message,

functions for, 22, 263-265
464
Detect Media Change, 296
Diskette Hardware Interrupt,
Diskette change line active error

300-301
code, 285
Format Diskette Track, 291-292
Diskette Hardware Interrupt service,

Read Diskette Sectors, 288
300-301
Read Diskette Status, 287
Read Drive Parameters, 293-294
Diskettes and diskette drives

Read Drive Type, 295
and fixed disks, 264

Reset Diskette System, 286
and fixed disk errors, 327

Set Diskette Type, 297
and system boot, 11 0

Set Media Type for Format,
available for booting, 31, 39, 41,

298-299
47, 274, 421

Verify Diskette Sectors, 290
CMOS RAM for, 278

Write Diskette Sectors, 289
Index 501
D. cont'd
Display combination code
registers for. 72-73. 78-80. 281.
active, 250
474
index into. 35. 193, 261

Door. diskette drive. support for.
pointer to, 196

267, 270. 293. 296
reading and writing of. 248-249
DOS, interrupt vector for, 11, 30
Display screen
beep codes for. 475

Dot clock. 165. 168
buffer for. 169. 171. 188-190

Double dot fonts
length of. 250

graphics mode, 239
save/restore video state. 254-262

text mode, 232. 236
clearing of. 203
Double exception error interrupt
columns on. 33. 39. 192. 250, 260
vector, 9, 28
errors displayed on. 106
inactive code for. 250

Double-scanned video modes. 191
pages supported. 250

Drive not ready or not selected error
printing of. See Print Screen

code, 326
Service
reading characters and attributes

Drive parameter activity failed error
from. 211
code, 326
rows on. 34. 39. 192. 250. 260.

Drive ready. testing for. 349
456
turning anI off. 246

DSR (device service routines). 4. 6
type of. at power-on. 77. 128

Dynamic save area, pointer to. 194
writing characters and attributes to.
212-214
See a/so Video
Divide by zero interrupt vector. 9, 13.
E
28
ECC. See Error correction code
Divisor latch for serial port. 82. 90.
Edit keys. 124
367, 370
Editable fixed disk drive types, 31
DMA and DMA channels
EGA. See Enhanced Graphics Adapter

beep codes for, 474-475
cascade to channels 5-7. 78

Enable/disable cursor scaling, Video
clear byte pointer for. 73. 80. 281
Service subfunction. 245
controller for. 382

Enable/disable default palette loading
for Diskette Service. 269

during set mode, Video Service
for Fixed Disk Service, 309-310

subfunction. 244
reserved port for. 78
error codes and message for. 118. Enable/disable register for video. 98.
285. 326. 481
101. 181. 186, 259
initialization failure beep code for,

Enable/disable summing to gray
474
shades. Video Service
master clear byte for. 73. 80

subfunction. 245

E, cont'd
Enable/disable, Video Service
NMI, 118
subfunction, 245
for Parallel Printer Service, 418,
423
Enable register for VGA, 99, 184
parity bits for, 360
Encoding of fixed disk data, 310

POST and boot, 105, 464-469
for Print Screen Service, 456
End horizontal blanking port, 94-96,
run-time, 115, 470
100, 175, 177, 179, 185, 258
for Serial Communications Service,
End horizontal retrace port, 94-95,

373
97, 100, 175, 177, 180, 185, 258

for SETUP utility, 477
for Time-of-Day Service, 437
End vertical blank port, 97, 100, 180,

for Video Service, 202
185, 258
for XT, 479-484
Enhanced Graphics Adapter, 162, 168

ERROR signal, 418
alternate I/O port for, 81
control bits for, 35

Event wait interval, 397-399

EXDSKBIO.DRV diskette driver, 272
I/O ports for, 96-98, 178-181

Expansion memory, 55, 107-108,

383, 469

Expansion unit, 81
support for, 2, 16, 170
Extended keyboard
switch data for, 35, 40, 193, 261
filtering of, 127, 140-141, 145, 147
video modes in, 189
reading of, 145
Equipment installed data in CMOS shift flags for, 32, 46, 130
RAM,55 status of, 146-147
Equipment List Service, 21, 457

Extended memory
data definitions for, 41

accessing of, 404
entry point for, 58

message for, 469

shift flags for, 147-148
size of, 408
Error correction code
burst length, maximum, 68-69,

External diskette drives, 272
316,321
Extra memory, message for, 469
error code for, 326
reading of, 329, 341
Error handling and messages, 463

F
beep codes, 105, 111, 471-476,
480
Feature control register, 87-88, 96,
for Diskette Service, 284-285

99, 179, 184, 257
for fixed disks, 35, 43, 80-81, 313,
Feature information byte, 60, 384,
324-326
414
for keyboard, 144

Fill byte for disk format, 62, 280
Index 503
F. cont'd
Filters. keyboard. 127. 140-141. 145. Format Cylinder. 334-335
147. 393
Format Drive. 337
Initialize Drive Parameters. 340
Firmware. Intel 8042. 124

Read Drive Parameters. 338-339
Fixed disk drives Read Fixed Disk Status. 328
control byte for. 34. 63. 68-69. Read Fixed Disk Type. 354-355
313. 315-316. 321

Read Long Sectors. 341-342
controller for
Read Sectors. 329-330
adapter for. 84-85

Recalibrate Drive. 350
error messages for. 466

Reset Diskette(s) and Fixed Disk.
327
error status for. 43. 313
Seek to Cylinder. 345
interrupt vector for. 13
Test for Drive Ready. 349
registers for. 43. 313. 325
Verify Sectors. 333
testing of. 106
Write Long Sectors. 343-344
cylinders for. See Cylinders. fixed

Write Sectors. 331-332
disk
I/O ports for. 322-325
and diskettes. 264
ROM BIOS for. 315
error messages for. 464-466. 481

system RAM for. 313
hardware environment for. 312

and system boot. 11 0
interrupt flag for. 43. 313

types of. 55. 311. 314
number of. 34. 43. 313. 461

Flags
operation of. 306-311

Ctrl-Break. 34
parameter tables for. 10-11 •

for fixed disks. 43. 313
29-30.63-69.311.315-316
information. 55
keyboard shift. 32. 45-46. 129-130
port offset for. 34. 313
print. 40
registers for. 35. 80-81. 85. 283.
324-325
reset. 38. 46. 48
sector. 326
sector count for. 80-81. 324-325
shift. 32. 45-46. 129-130. 142.
sector number for. 81. 324-325
147-148
Fixed Disk Service. 303-306

system reset. 461
CMOS RAM for. 314

timer overflow. 434
entry point for. 58

24-hour rollover. 33. 48. 447. 450
error handling for. 325-326

wait active. 37. 48. 277. 382. 450
functions.
Fonts
Alternate Fixed Disk Reset. 346

graphics ROM. 58. 237-240
Controller Drive Diagnostic. 352

text mode. 231-232. 234-236
Controller Internal Diagnostic. 353

Foreign keyboard support. 125. 149
Controller RAM Diagnostic. 351
Format. fill byte for. 62. 280
Diagnostics 1: Read Test Buffer.
347
Format Bad Track. Fixed Disk
Diagnostics 2: Write Test Buffer.

Service. 336
348
Format Cylinder. Fixed Disk Service.
Format Bad Track. 336

334-335

F, cont'd
Format Diskette Track, Diskette

interrupt for, 11, 30
Service, 291-292
mode character generator, pointer
to, 195
Format drive command, time-out
value for, 68-69, 316, 321

registers for, 88, 98, 101, 181,
186, 257, 259
Format Drive, Fixed Disk Service, 337

video format for, 169
video modes for, 188-190
Formats
character code, 124

Gray shades, summing color values
diskette, 271-272
to, 229, 245
media type for, 298-299

Green color value, 102, 187, 262
video, 169-1 70
Frames, transmission of, 360
H
Function keys, 124
Hard disk wait complete message,
Functionality/state information table,

483
249-253
Hardware
for diskettes, 270-273
for hard disk drives, 312
G interrupts for, 4, 6, 9-11, 28-30,
300-301
Game control adapter, 400

port addresses for, 72-93
save area for, 257-259
Game control port, 81
Gap length for format, 62, 280

testing of, 105-016
Gate A20 failure message, 466, 476

for video, 171, 174-187, 249-255
GDT (global descriptor tables),

Heads
404-405, 409-410
diskette, 267-268, 271
load time of, 61
General expansion ROM, addresses

number of, in address field, 292
for, 107
settle time of, 62, 280
General protection faults, 10, 12, 29

fixed disk drive, 64-66, 306-308,
317-320
General registers
maximum number of, 63, 68-69,
EGA, 96, 179

315-316, 321
VGA, 99, 184

registers for, 80-81, 324-325
Get font pointer information, Video

Height, character, 34, 39, 192, 250,
Service subfunction, 240

260
Global descriptor tables, 404-405,

Hercules display adapter, 16, 162,
409-410
168
configuration switch register for, 87
GPIB register, 81, 93
Horizontal blanking and retrace,
Graphics
94-96, 100, 175, 179-180, 185,
fonts for, 58, 237-240

258
Index 505
H, cont'd
Horizontal display enable end, video,
command word for, 73-74,
94-96, 100, 175, 177, 179, 185,

322-323, 385, 436
258
failures in, 111, 474 of serial port
Horizontal frequency, adapter, 168
table, 365
Horizontal PEL panning register, 98,

See a/so POST
101, 181, 186, 259
Initialize Drive Parameters, Fixed Disk
Horizontal resolution, display screen,

Service, 340
165
Initialize Printer, Parallel Printer
Horizontal total, video port for,

Service, 425
94-96, 100, 175, 177, 179, 185,

Initialize Serial Communications Port,
258
Serial Communications Service,
Hours, storage of, 52, 435, 440-441,

374-375
444
Input control register for VGA, 88
Input status, 96, 99, 179, 184
I
Ins keys in pause state table, 135
IBM fixed disk drives, 64-66, 317-319

Insert active shift flag, 32, 45-46,
129-130,142,148
In-service register for interrupts, 322
Installed memory in kilobytes, 31, 41
Inactive display screen code, 250
INT mnemonic, 6
Incorrect configuration data in CMOS
RAM invalid message, 477

Intel 8042 keyboard controller, 124,
127
Index into DCC table, 35, 193, 261

commands, I/O port for, 129
Index register
control register for, 76, 128, 462
for attribute controller, 87

keyboard input buffer for, 78, 129
for CRT controller, 86, 88, 94-96,

status I/O port for, 129, 388, 462
100, 175, 177, 179, 185, 257

Intel 8237 DMA controller, 382
for graphics controller, 98, 101,

testing of, 105
181, 186, 257
Intel 8253 timer chip, 427
Information flag, 55
Intel 8254 programmable interval
Informational messages, 111

timer/counter chip, 382, 427, 431
INIT signal, 418

Intel 8255 keyboard controller,
registers for, 77-78, 128,387,
Initial interrupt vector offsets, 59

462
Initial video modes, 31, 39, 41, 47,

Intel 8255A-5 keyboard controller
274, 421
chip, 123
Initialization
Intel 8259 programmable interrupt
of baud rate, 70
controller, 75, 382

I. cont'd
Intensity bit, toggling of, 223

110 card parity error at message, 118
Interrupt Complete, System Services, 110 card parity interrupt at address
412
message, 470
Interrupt flag for fixed disk, 43, 313

110 port addresses, 71-93
for asynchronous communication
Interrupt request, PIC, 73, 322, 386,

adapters, 45
436
for Bootstrap Loader Service, 462
Interrupt request line, 6

for CGA, 177
enable signal for, 418

for Diskette Service, 281-283, 301
vectors for, 9-10, 13, 28-29

for EGA, 178-181
Interrupt service routines, 4, 6

for Intel 6845, 33, 39, 192, 260
alarm, 452
for keyboard, 128-1 29
keyboard, 121, 132-137

for MDA, 175
real time clock, 449-451

for Parallel Printer Service, 31,
system timer, 430, 446-448

422-423
timer tick, 430-431, 452

for printer adapters, 47, 421
for real time clock, 451
Interrupt vector table,S, 7-11, 27-30
Interrupts, 4-6
31, 367-372
beep code for, 475

System Services for, 385-388
enable register for serial port, 82,

for Time-of-Day Service, 436, 448
90, 367, 370

for VGA, 99-102, 183-187
for fixed disks, 35

video, 94-102
ID register for, 82, 91, 368, 370

IRET instruction for dummy interrupt
in-service register for, 322

handler, 59
last, 33, 38
IRQ. See Interrupt request line

mask register for, 74, 323, 385,
388, 475
ISA. See Interrupt service routines
status register for, 85
unexpected, 12-13
Invalid function passes or invalid
J
parameter error code, 326
Joystick support, 379, 382
Invalid function request error code, port for, 388
285
System Services for, 400-401
Invalid number of sectors on format
error code, 326
K
Invalid op code, interrupt vector for,
9, 28
KEYB command (MS-DOS) for foreign
keyboards, 125
Invalid task segment state interrupt
vector, 9, 28
Keyboard
beep code for, 475
110 card NMI at message, 115

Break ISR for, 133
Index 507
K, cont'd
buffer for, 32, 46, 124, 128, 130

testing of, 106
checking of, 141-142

Keyboard Intercept, System Services,
full, 144
393
input and output, 76, 78, 128-129
pointer to, 32, 46, 130

Keyboard or System Unit Error
message, 464
reading from, 139-140, 145
character codes for, 149-160
controller of, testing of, 105
data port for, 386, 462
L
data service definitions for, 45-46
Landing zone
error messages for, 464, 467,

cylinder, 63, 315
481-482
fixed disk drive, 64-66, 317-320
filtering of, 127, 140-141, 145, 147
intercept for, 131

Last interrupt that occurred, 33, 38
internal function requests, 131

LDT (local descriptor tables), 404
interrupt vector for, 9-10, 13,
LED status byte for keyboard, 37
28-29
LED status byte for, 37

Left Shift pressed shift flag, 32,

45-46, 129-130, 142, 148
Pause ISR for, 134-135

Light pen
ports for 128-129
j I/O port for, 94-95, 97, 175, 177,
Print Screen ISR for, 136

180
position of, 208
Keyboard Service
entry point for, 58

LIM EMS driver interrupt vector, 11.
functions for, 25, 121-122

30
Read Extended Keyboard Input,

Line compare video port, 97. 100,
145
180, 185, 258
Read Keyboard Input, 139-140

Line control register for serial port.
Read Keyboard Status, 141-142

83, 91, 368, 371
Return Extended Keyboard Status,
146-147
Line feed character. 218
Return Extended Shift Flags

Line status register for serial port,
Status, 147-148
84, 92, 369. 372. 375
Return Shift Flag Status, 142

Load 8x8 double dot text mode font.
Set Typematic Rate and Delay,

Video Service subfunction, 232,
143
Store Key Data, 144

Load 8x16 ROM text mode font.
interrupt data definitions for, 45-46
Video Service subfunction, 234,
236
shift flags for, 32, 45-46, 129-130,
142, 147-148
Load Character Generator, Video
status byte for, 36

Service. 230-240
system RAM data for, 129-130

Load ROM 8x14 text mode font,
system request ISR for, 137
Video Service subfunction. 232,
system reset ISR for, 132

235

L, cont'd
Load ROM BASIC interrupt vector, 10,

Master programmable interrupt
29
controller, 451
Load user text mode font, Video

Math coprocessors
Service subfunction, 231, 235

beep code for, 476
descriptors for, 406
Loader, bootstrap, 104, 459-462
exceptions for, 116, 119-120
entry point for, 58
interrupt vectors for, 9-11, 13,

28-30
service data definitions for, 48

messages for, 115, 484
Loading of default palettes, 244

port for, 80
system memory for, 31, 39, 41,
Local descriptor tables, 404

47, 274, 421
Logical interrupts, 6, 11, 28

Maximum ECC burst length, 68-69,
Long sectors, fixed disk, 341-344

316, 321
Maximum number of active character

Low-byte keyboard filter, 145, 147
blocks available in text modes,

Low-level interrupts, 28
253
Maximum number of cylinders, 63,
68-69, 315-316, 321
M Maximum number of heads, 63,
68-69, 315-316, 321
Make codes, keyboard, 123-127
Maximum scan lines, 94-95, 97, 100,
Manufacturer tests, ports for, 31, 38,

175, 177, 180, 185, 258
48, 78, 461

Maxtor fixed disk drives, 65, 319
Map mask, video, 96, 99, 179, 184,

MDA. See Monochrome Display
257
Adapter
Map select
Media change, detection of, 296
character, 96, 99, 179, 184, 257
read, 98, 101, 181, 186, 259

Media type
of diskettes, 36, 44, 276
Masks
error code for, 285
interrupt controller, 388

for format, setting of, 298-299
map, 96, 99, 179, 184, 257
Memory
for PIC, 78
BIOS usage of, 8
for pixels, 102, 187, 262
error messages for, 464, 467-469,
registers for, 72, 78-79, 281
480,484
Master clear byte for DMA, 73, 80

expansion, 55, 107-108, 383, 469
failure of, 115, 118
Master DMA register failure beep

installed, 31, 41
code, 475
mode register for, 88
Master interrupt mask register failure

moving blocks of, 404-407
beep code, 475

parity errors for, 115, 118, 470
Index 509
M, cont'd
size of, 41
DMA, 72, 80, 281

for graphics, 98 ,101, 181, 186,
entry point for, 58

259
error message for, 464, 466, 477

for MDA, 86
expansion, 55, 383

select, 33, 39, 192, 260

for video, 94-95, 175, 177
reading of, 408

text, 205-205, 231-232, 235-236
service for, 22, 458

video. See Video, modes for
on system board, 77, 128

Monitors, 164, 166-168
See also CMOS RAM data;

beep codes for, 475
Extended memory; RAM; ROM

and ROM BIOS data; System

RAM data
Monochrome Display Adapter, 162,
Memory address register for DMA

168
channel, 72, 79, 281
buffer for, 171
Memory mode, video, 96, 99, 179,

clock rate for, 165
184, 257
Memory Size Service, 458

lID ports for, 94, 175
Memory space preserved message,

registers for, 86
483
Micropolis fixed disk drives, 65, 318

video mode for, 188
video parameter table for, 58
Miniscribe fixed disk drives, 64-66,
317-319
Monochrome monitors, 166, 475
Minutes in CMOS RAM, 52, 435,

Month in CMOS RAM, 52, 435,
440-441, 444
442-443
Miscellaneous registers
Motorola 6845 CRTC
output, 87-88, 96, 99, 179, 184,

for CGA, 176
257
compatible lID port numbers for,
for PIT, 76
33, 39, 192, 260
for MDA, 174
video, 86, 98, 101, 181, 186, 251,
253, 259
Motorola MC146818A real time clock,
49,51,382,397,427,432-433
Model byte, 60, 384, 414
Motors
Modem registers, 83-84, 92, 362,
369, 371-372, 375

cassette, System Services for,
389-390
Modes
diskette
clocking, 96, 99, 179, 184, 257

start time for, 62, 280
color paging, setting of, 227

status of, 32,42, 274, 447
registers
time-out count for, 32, 42, 274,
control, 172
446-447
for CRT controller, 97, 100, 180,

turn off delay for, 61, 279
185, 258
fixed disk, 306

M, cont'd
Move Block, System Services,
Numeric coprocessors. See Math
404-407
coprocessors
MS-DOS, 2
Numeric keypad, work area for, 32,
46, 130
Multitasking operating systems
functions for, 394-396, 411
hooks for, 379
and portability, 3
o
support for, 300
OCW register for PIC, 74-75,
323-324
Offset
N of current page address, 39, 192,
260
National Semiconductor 16450 IC

fixed disks, 34, 313
controller, 360
to keyboard buffer, 34, 46, 130
NEC 765 diskette controller chip, 270

video, 100, 185
NEC fixed disk drives, 65-66,

Opening of devices, 394
318-319
Operating system
Networks, 1/0 port for, 85
interrupts for, 5
and ROM BIOS, 2
NMI. See Nonmaskable interrupts

OS/2 operating system, 3
No boot device available message,

Out of paper error condition, 456
110, 468
Output serial controller signal, 362
No error error code, 285
Overflow
Nonmaskable interrupts, 113-114

interrupt vector for, 9, 13, 28
AT handling of, 117-118

timer flag for, 434
disabling of, 113

video, 94-95, 97, 100, 175, 177,
entry point for, 58

180, 185, 258

Overrun error code for DMA, 285,
326
mask register for, 78
and math coprocessor, 116,

Overscan register, 98, 101, 181, 186,
119-120
259
XT handling of, 115

reading of, 224
setting of, 222-223
Nonmaskable Interrupt Service,
113-120
Nonvolatile RAM. See CMOS RAM p

data
Packets of frames, transmission of,
Num Lock key, 127, 149

360
shift flag for, 32,45-46, 129-130,

Page fault interrupt vector, 10, 29
142, 148
Page table address register, 78
Index 511
P. cont'd
Pages. video. 188-190. 250
video. 10. 29. 37. 40. 58.
active. writing to. 218-219

193-194. 261
current. address of. 39. 192. 260

Parameters

diskette. 293-294. 326
registers for. 281. 474

fixed disk drive. 338-340
scrolling of. 210

system configuration. 413-41
selection of new. 209
Parity bits. 360. 374
Paging status. color. reading of. 229
Parity errors
Palettes
beep code for. 474
default loading of. 244
lID card. 118
reading of. 224
message for. 480. 484
registers for. 95. 98. 101. 177.
181. 186. 259

NMI. 117
setting of. 215. 222

Pause state. 124. 131. 134-135
user profile table for. 198
PC computer. 2-3
Panning register. PEL. 98. 101. 181. functions for. 14
186. 259
model byte for. 59-60. 384. 414
Parallel data transmission. 359. 417

PC-DOS. 2
Parallel ports. 81. 86-87. 422-423.

PC network. lID port for. 85
476
PE signal. 418
Parallel printers
adapters for. 31. 47. 421

PEL panning register. horizontal. 98.
interrupt vectors for. 10. 29
101. 181. 186. 259
number of. 31
Periodic function. real time clock.
operation of. 41 7-420

432-433
data definitions for. 47
entry point for. 58

Periodic interrupt processing. 449
Parallel Printer Service. 415-426

Peripheral card failure. 118
error handling for. 423
Personal computer revolution.

Initialize Printer. 425
xvii-xviii
lID ports for. 422-423
Print Character. 424

Phoenix Technologies. history of.
Read Printer Status. 426
xviii-xix
Read Printer Status. 426
PhoenixPage. xix
signals for. 418
system RAM for. 421

PIC. See Programmable interrupt
time-out table for. 34. 45. 421
controller
Parameter tables
Pixels. 164-165
diskette. 10. 29. 58. 61-62.

address of. 102. 187. 262
279-280
mask for. 102. 187. 262
fixed disk. 10-11. 29-30. 63-69.

reading of. 217
311. 31 5-31 6
writing of. 216

p, cont'd
Plane enable register, 98, 101, 181,
186, 259
entry point for, 58
Plane system latct'l, 93, 101, 186,

error handling by, 105
259
hardware testing by, 105-106
Platters, fixed disk, 306
for interrupt vector table, 5, 28
Pointer functions, saving of, 253

for serial port table, 365
Pointer state information, saving of,

starting of, 104
251
and Video Service pointer tables,
193
Pointer tables, system RAM, 193-198

XT messages from, 480-483
Pointers
Preset row scan, 94-95, 97, 100,
clear byte, 73, 80, 281

175, 177, 180, 185, 258
to display combination code, 196
to dynamic save area, 194

Priam fixed disk drives, 64-65,
317-318
font, getting information for, 240
to graphics mode character

Primary character block, 251
generator, 19
Print Character, Parallel Printer
to keyboard buffer, 32, 46, 130
Service, 424
to reset code, 33, 38, 382
to text mode auxiliary character

Print flag, 40
generator, 194, 197
Print Screen Service, 18, 131, 136,
user graphics font, setting of,

455-456
237-238
alternate routine for, 243
to user palette profile table, 198
entry point for, 59
to video parameter table and
overrides, 37, 40, 193-194, 261
status byte for, 37, 456
to Video Service pointer table #2,
195
Printers. See Parallel printers
Pointing devices, 31, 39, 41, 47,
Process boot failure interrupt vector,
274, 421
10, 29
Portability, 3, 171
Processor
Ports, parallel, 81, 86-87, 422-423,

interrupts for, 6, 10, 29
476
reset vector for, 104
See also Serial ports and

Profile table, user palette, pointer to,
communications
198
Position registers for graphics, 88,

Program Termination System
98, 181
Services, 396
Positioning of expansion ROM,

Programmable interrupt controller,
107-108
382
POST (power-on self test), 103

1/0 port for, 78, 436, 451
for BIOS data area, 8

mask for, 78
and boot messages, 466-469

master, 451
Index 513
P, cont'd
OCW for, 75, 323-324
Read block of color registers, Video

385-386, 436
Read Cassette, System Services. 391
testing of. 105
Read Characterl Attribute from
Programmable interrupt timer

Screen. Video Service. 211
beep code for. 474, 476
Read color paging status. Video
counter chip for. 382
read/write counter for. 75. 386. 448
registers for, 75-76. 386

Read Current Cursor Position, Video
testing of, 105

Service. 207
Protected mode
Read current switch settings, System
addresses for, 406

Services subfunction, 400
error messages for, 464, 468. 476

Read Diskette Sectors. Diskette
returning from, 109

Service, 288
support for. 380

Read Diskette Status. Diskette
switching to. 409-410

Service. 287
Prototype card. I/O port for, 84

Read Display Combination code,
Video Service subfunction, 248
PrtSc key. 131. 136
Read Drive Parameters, Diskette
Service. 293-294
Q Read Drive Parameters, Fixed Disk
Service. 338-339
Quad-density diskettes. 266

Read Drive Type, Diskette Service,
295
Read Extended Keyboard Input,
R Keyboard Service. 145
Read Extended Memory Size. System
RAM
Services, 408
beep codes for. 474-476

Read Fixed Disk Status, Fixed Disk
diagnostics for. 351

Service, 328
display screen. 169, 171, 188-190

Read Fixed Disk Type, Fixed Disk
failures in. 464

Service, 354-355
test message for, 483

Read individual palette register, Video
testing of, 105-106

See also CMOS RAM data: System

Read Keyboard Input. Keyboard
RAM data Service. 139-140
Raster, display screen, 164

Read Keyboard Status, Keyboard
Read all palette registers and

Service. 141-142
overscan register, Video Service

Read Light Pen Position. Video
subfunction, 224
Service, 208

R, cont'd
Read Long Sectors, Fixed Disk
Real time clock chip, 49, 51, 382,
Service, 341-342
397, 427, 432-433
Read map select, Video Service, 98,

Real Time Clock, Time-of-Day
101, 181, 186, 259

Service, 449-451
Read overscan register, Video

Recalibrate Drive, Fixed Disk Service,
Service 'subfunction, 224

350
Read Pixel, Video Service, 217

Recalibration of diskette drives, 32,
42,270, 274, 301
Read Printer Status, Parallel Printer
Service, 426
Receive Character, Serial
Communications Service, 377
Read Real Time Clock Date,

Receiver buffer register for serial
Time-of-Day Service, 442

port, 82, 90, 367, 370
Read Real Time Clock Time,

Red color value, 102, 187, 262
Redirect cascade interrupt vector, 11,
Read resistive inputs, System Service

30
subfunction, 401
Reduced write current cylinder,
Read Sectors, Fixed Disk Service,

68-69, 316, 321
329-330
Re-entering real mode, 109
Read Serial Port Status, Serial

Request to send serial controller

signal, 362
Read single DAC color register, Video

Reset, system, 33, 38, 104, 124,

131-132, 382
Read System Timer Time Counter,

error code for, 326

fixed disk, alternate, 346
flag for, 38, 46, 48, 461
Read/write counter for PIT, 75, 386,

video port for, 96, 99, 179, 184
448
Reset Diskette, Diskette Service, 286
Read/Write Display Combination
Reset Diskette(s) and Fixed Disk,
Code, Video Service, 248-249
Read/write mode, video, 262

Reset Real Time Clock Alarm,
Real mode, re-entering of, 109

Real time clock, 427, 432-433

Resistive inputs, joystick, reading of,
alarm for. See Alarm, real time

401
clock
Resolution, display screen, 165, 168,

170, 188-190
date in, 442-443

Restore current video state, Video

ISR for, 449-451
reading and setting of, 440-441

Result bytes, 284
See also Time-of-Day Service

RESUME = "F1" KEY message, 465
Index 515
R. cont'd
Retrace. video. 94-95. 97. 100. 175. error message for. 465. 480-481
177. 180. 185. 258

expansion. 107-108
for Fixed Disk Service. 315
Return configuration information. font~ in. 232. 234-236. 238-239
Video Service subfunction.

interrupt vector for. 10-13. 29-30
242-243
for MDA. 174
Return Extended Keyboard Status.

memory used by. 8
Keyboard Service. 146-147

operation of. 4-7
Return Extended Shift Flags Status.

revision level of. 60. 384. 414
Keyboard Service. 147-148

system configuration data table in.
60
Return Functionality/State Information.

system functions. 14-15
Video Service. 249-253

for System Services. 384
Return save/restore buffer size testing of. 105
needed. Video Service for video functions. 16-17
subfunction, 255
XT fixed disk parameter table.
68-69
Return Shift Flag Status. Keyboard
Service, 142
Row scan. preset. 94-95. 97. 100.
175. 177. 180. 185. 258
Return System Configuration
Rows. on display screen. 34. 39.

Parameters, System Services,
192. 250. 260. 456
413-414
RS-232C interface, 361
Return Video Status. Video Service.

See a/so Serial ports and
220
communications
Revision level. BIOS. 60. 384, 414

Run-time messages. 115.470.484
RGB monitors. 167-168
Right shift pressed shift flag, 32.
45-46, 129-130, 142, 148
s
Save area. dynamiC. pointer to. 194
Ring indicator serial controller signal,
362
Save current video state. Video
Rodime fixed disk drives. 65. 318
Save pointer functions. 253
Roll over flag. 24 hour. 33. 48. 447.

Save pointer state information. 251
450
Save/Restore Video State. Video
ROM and ROM BIOS data. 1-3. 57

Service. 254-262
AT fixed disk parameter table.
Scaling of cursor. 245
63-67
beep code for. 474

Scan codes. 127. 149. 151-160
compatibility table. 58-59

Scan lines for text mode
date built. 59
available. 252
detection of. 108

maximum. 94-95. 97. 100. 175.
diskette parameter table. 61-62

177. 180. 185. 258
for Diskette Service. 279-280

selection of. 244

S, cont'd
Scratch register for DMA, 73

verification of, 333
Screen. See Display screen; Video writing to, 331-332
Seek failed error code, 285, 326
Scroll Current Page Down, Video
Service, 210
Seek to Cylinder, Fixed Disk Service,
345
Scroll Current Page Up, Video
Service, 210
Segment Not Present interrupt vector,
10, 29
Scroll Lock key, 127

Select color paging mode, Video
shift flag for, 32, 45-46, 129-130,

Service subfunction, 227 .
142, 148
Select New Video Page, Video
SDLC and BSC communications, I/O

Service, 209
port for, 86
Select register, color, 102, 187, 262
Seagate fixed disk drives, 64-66,

Select scan lines for text modes,
317-319
Second text mode auxiliary character

SELECT signal, 418
generator, 197
SELECT IN signal, 418
Secondary character block, 251

Send Character, Serial
Seconds in CMOS RAM, 52, 435,

440-441, 444
Sense operation failed error code,
Sector not found error code, 285,

326
326
Sequencer registers, 87-88, 96, 99,
179, 184, 257
Sectors
diskette, 267-268, 271

Serial data transmission, 359
address field table for, 292

Serial interface circuitry, testing of,
bytes per, 62, 280

106
error codes for, 285
number of, 292

Serial ports and communications
per track, 62, 280

beep code for, 476
reading of, 288

I/O port for, 93
size of, 292

verification of, 290

writing of, 289

367-372
fixed disk, 64-66, 307-308,

adapters for, 31
317-320
count for, 80-81, 324-325

entry point for, 58
error codes for, 326

long, 341-344
time-out table for, 34, 45
number for, 80-81, 324-325

Serial Communications Service, 24,
per track, 63, 315

357-358
reading of, 329-330

error handling for, 373
Index 517
S, cont'd
Initialize Serial Communications

Set Real Time Clock Date,
Port, 374-375
Time-of-,Day Service, 443
1/0 ports for, 367-372

Set Real Time Clock Time,
Read Serial Port Status, 378

Receive Character, 377
Send Character, 376

Set/reset, video port for, 98, 101,
signals for, 362

181, 186, 259
system RAM for, 365

Set single palette, Video Service
subfunction, 222
Serial terminal, screen display as,
218
Set Sound Source, Time-of-Day
Service, 445
Service work area for diskettes, 36,
44, 277
Set System Timer Time Counter,
Set all palette registers and overscan,

Set Text Mode Cursor Size, Video
Service, 204-205
Set block of color registers, Video

Set Typematic Rate and Delay,
Keyboard Service, 143
Set block specifier, Video Service
subfunction, 233
Set user graphics font pointer at INT
1Fh, Video Service subfunction,
Set Color Palette, Video Service, 215

237
Set Cursor Position, Video Service,

Set user graphics font pointer at INT
206
43h, Video Service subfunction,
Set Diskette Type, Diskette Service,

238
297
Set Video Mode, Video Service, 203
Set Event Wait Interval, System

SETUP utility, 67, 311, 477
Services, 397-399
Shift flags, keyboard, 32, 45-46,
Set individual color register, Video

129-130

status of, 142, 147-148
Set interval system, System Services

Shift keys, 124, 127, 149
subfunction, 398
character codes with, 1. 51-160
Set Media Type for Format, Diskette in pause state table, 135
Service, ·298-299
Shutdown
Set mode, default palette loading

failure message for, 468
during, Video Service 244

reason for, 54, 109, 383
Set overscan register, Video Service

Signals
subfunction, 222-223
for Parallel Printer Service, 418
Set PalettelColor Registers, Video

videa, 166-168, 172
Service, 221-229
Single function BIOS services,
Set Real Time Clock Alarm,

453-462

Single step interrupt vector, 9, 13, 28

S, cont'd
Size
Starting reduced write current
of current page, 33, 39, 192, 260

cylinder, 68-69, 316
of diskettes, 266
Starting write precompensation
of memory. See Memory, size of

cylinder, 63, 68-69, 315-31 6,
of sectors, 267-268, 271, 292

321
Slave DMA register failure beep code,

State information, video, 251
475
State register, DAC, 99, 102, 184,
Slave interrupt mask register failure

187, 254-255
beep code, 475

Static functionality table fixed
address, 250
Slave programmable interrupt
controller, I/O port for, 436, 451

Status and status bytes, 46
for color paging, 229
Software interrupts, 4-6, 9-11, 28-30

diagnostic, 54, 278, 314, 461
Sound source, setting of, 445

for diskettes, 32-33, 42-43,
274-275, 287, 301
Special characters as control

for extended keyboard, 146-147
characters, 21 8
for fixed disks, 34, 43, 275, 313,
328
Specify command and diskette
input, 96, 99, 179, 184
parameter table, 61, 279
keyboard, 36-37, 130, 141-142
Spindles, fixed disk, 306

print screen, 37, 456
of printer, 426
ST506 fixed disk interface standard,

registers for, 53, 383, 435, 451
306, 310, 312

Stack segment overflow interrupt

for diskette controller, 86, 89,
vector, 10, 29
282-283
for DMA, 72, 79
Standard memory, message for, 469

error code for, 326
Standard timeout value, 68-69, 316,

for fixed disks, 35, 43, 80-81,
321
85, 313, 324-325
input, 87-88
Standards, importance of, xx

for parallel ports, 81, 86-87, 422
Start address, video, 94-95, 97, 100,

of serial port, 378
175, 177, 180, 185,258

of shift flags, 142, 147-148
of video, 220, 249-253, 256
Start bits, 360
Stop bits, 360, 374
Start horizontal blanking, 94-96, 100,

Store Key Data, Keyboard Service,
175, 177, 179, 185, 258

144
Start horizontal retrace pulse, 94-95,

Strings, writing of, 247
97, 100, 175, 177, 180, 185,258

STROBE signal, 418
Start time for diskette motor, 62, 280

Submodel byte, 60, 384, 414
Start vertical blank, 97, 100, 180,

Sum color values to gray shades,
185, 258
Index 519
S, cont'd
Switch data for EGA, 35,40, 193,

Turn Cassette Motor Off, 390
261
Turn Cassette Motor On, 389
Wait, 403
Switch display, Video Service
subfunction, 246
Write to Cassette, 392
System board error message, 464,
Switch Processor to Protected Mode, 480
System Services, 409-41 0

System configuration data table, 60
Switch settings, joystick, reading of,

System configuration parameters,
400
returning of, 413-414
Switch to alternate print screen

System expansion ROM, addresses
routine, 243
for, 107
Syquest fixed disk drives, 66, 319

System latch, 93,101,186,259
Sys Req key, 131, 134, 137, 140,

System modellD, ROM BIOS address
148, 402
for, 59
System Options Not Set message,
System
464
booting of, 110, 115, 117
error messages for, 111, 464, 480

System RAM data, 8, 27, 31-37
information for, 380

for Bootstrap Loader Service, 48,
reset. See Reset, system

461
for Diskette Service, 42-44,
System Services, 379-414

274-277, 301
CMOS RAM for, 383

Equipment List Service data
Device Busy, 411

definitions in, 41
Device Close, 395

for Fixed Disk Service, 313
Device Open, 394

for Keyboard Service, 45-46,
entry point for, 58

129-130

for Memory Size Service, 41
Interrupt Complete, 412

for Parallel Printer Service, 47, 421

POST data definitions, 38
1/0 ports for, 385-388

for Print Screen Service, 456
Joystick Support, 400-401

Keyboard Intercept, 393

45, 365
Move Block, 404-407

Program Termination, 396

for Time-of-Day Service, 48, 434,
447
Read Cassette, 391
for video, 39-40, 192-198
Read Extended Memory Size, 408
Return System Configuration

System request, 131, 134, 137, 140,
Parameters, 413-414
148
ROM BIOS for, 384

System Request Key, System
Set Event Wait Interval, 397-399

Services, 402
Switch Processor to Protected

System ROM
Mode, 409-410
for MDA, 174
system RAM for, 382

switching of, with adapter video
System Request Key, 402

ROM,246

S, cont'd
System timer ISR, 430, 446-448
couhter for, 438-439

entry point for, 58

CMOS RAM for, 434-435


entry point for, 58
System Unit Keylock is Locked

error handling for, 437
message, 464
I/O ports for, 436, 448
See also Real Time Clock
T Time-of-Day Service, 427-452
Read Real Time Clock Date, 442
Tables, character code, 149-160

Read Real Time Clock Time, 440
Read System Timer Time Counter,
Tandon fixed disk drives, 64, 317
438
Tape, cassette, System Services,

Real Time Clock ISR, 449-451
389-392
Reset Real Time Clock Alarm, 445
Termination, program, 396

Set Real Time Clock Alarm. 444
Set Real Time Clock Date, 443
Test buffers for fixed disk drives,

Set Real Time Clock Time. 441
347-348
Set Sound Source, 445
Test for Drive Ready, Fixed Disk

Set System Timer Time Counter.
Service, 349
439
system RAM for. 434. 447
Testing
System Timer ISR, 446-448
manufacturer, ports for, 31, 38,

Timer Tick ISR, 452
48, 78, 123-124, 461
of PIC, 105
Time-out and time-out tables
of PIT, 105
check drive, 68-69, 316. 321
See also Diagnostics; POST

for diskette motor. 32. 42. 274.
447
Text modes, 188-190
DMA bus, 118
active character blocks in, 253
auxiliary character generator for,

errors for, 285, 326. 373
194, 197
format drive, 68-69. 316, 321
cursor size in, 204-205

for printer, 34, 45. 421
fonts for, 231-232, 234-236

for RS-232C, 365
scan lines for, 244, 252

for serial ports. 34, 45
standard. 68-69, 316, 321
32-bit count of timer ticks, 434, 450
Timer and timer ticks
Time
beep code for. 476
counts for, 438-439

control byte for. 386
delays, 403
count of. 33. 48. 279. 386. 434.

447, 45
Time-of-day clock
error messages for, 468. 482
beep code for, 476

ISR for. 430-431, 452
Index 521
T, cont'd u
registers for, 386
Uncorrectable ECC or CRC error
unexpected interrupt handler for, 13

code, 326
Timer Tick, Time-of-Day Service, 452

Undefined error code, 326
Toggle intensity blink bit, Video

Underline location, video, 100, 185

Unexpected interrupts
Toggle keys, 124, 127, 135

error messages for, 468, 470, 476,
484
Tracks
handler for, 12-13
diskette, 267-268, 271

last, 33
in address field, 292

Unlock System Unit Keylock
current, 36, 44, 277

message, 465
formatting of, 291-292
fixed disk, 307-308

Use ROM 8x8 double dot font for
graphics, Video Service
bad, formatting of, 336
subfunction, 239
Transfer count register, 72, 79, 281

Use ROM 8x14 font for graphics,
Transfer rates, 61, 273, 297-299

Use ROM 8x16 font for graphics,
Transmitter holding register for serial

port, 82, 90, 367, 370
User alarm, 11, 30, 432
TSR utilities, routine for, 220
User graphics font pointer, 237-238
Turn Cassette Motor Off, System
User interrupts, 5-6, 10-11, 29-30
Services, 390
User palette profile table, 198
Turn Cassette Motor On, System
Services, 389
User text mode fonts, 231, 235
Turn off delay for diskette motor, 61,

User timer tick interrupt vector, 10,
279
29
User wait flag address, 37, 48, 382,
24-hour rollover flag, 33, 48, 447,

450
450
Type
of diskette drive, 36, 44, 276

v
reading of, 295

Verify Diskette Sectors, Diskette
setting of, 297

Service, 290
of display at power-on, 77, 128

Verify Sectors, Fixed Disk Service,
of fixed disks, 55, 311, 314

333
reading of, 354-355

Vertical blanking, 97, 100, 180, 185,
of media, 298-299
258
Typematic rate and delay, Keyboard

Vertical display enable end, 97, 100,
Service, 125, 143

180, 185, 258

V, cont'd
Vertical frequency, adapter, 168

error handling by, 202
Load Character Generator, 230-240
Vertical resolution, display screen,
165
pointer table for. 195
Read Character/Attribute from
Vertical retrace, 97, 100, 180, 185

Screen, 211
258 '
Read Current Cursor Position, 207
Vertical total, 94-95, 97, 100, 175,

Read Light Pen Position, 208
177, 180, 185, 258

Read Pixel, 217
Read/Write Display Combination
VGA. See Video Graphics Array Code, 248-249
Video
Return Functionality/State
attribute controller registers for, 87

Information. 249-253
blanking and retrace for, 94-97,

Return Video Status, 220
100, 175, 179-180, 185, 258

Save/Restore Video State, 254-262
control bits for, 35, 40, 193, 261

Scroll Current Page Down, 210
data formats for, 169-170

Scroll Current Page Up, 210
enabling/disabling of, 98, 101, 181,

Select New Video Page, 209
186, 259
Set Color Palette, 215
entry point for, 58

Set Cursor Position, 206
expansion ROM for, 103

Set Palette/Color Registers,
hardware, status of, 249-253

221-229
interrupt vector for, 10-11, 29-30

Set Text Mode Cursor Size,
memory available for, 169, 171,

204-205
183, 188-190, 251

Set Video Mode, 203
modes for
Write Character/Attribute to Screen,
212-213
and adapters, 170
Write Character Only to Screen,
initial, 31, 39, 41, 47, 188-191,
214
274, 421
Write Pixel, 21 6
port for, 250
Write String, 247
read/write, 262
Write Teletype to Active Page,
setting of, 33, 39. 192. 203, 260
218-219
supported, 252
status of, 220
offset for, 100, 185
system RAM for, 192-198
operation of, 164-1 73
pages in. See Pages, video

Video Graphics Array, 162, 168
parameter table for, 10, 29, 37,

alternate I/O port for, 81
40, 58. 193-194, 261

buffer for, 171, 183
port addresses for, 94-102

control bits for, 35, 261
subsystem for, 87
enable for, 99, 184
See a/so Cathode ray tube

I/O ports for, 99-102, 183-187
controller; Display screen

support for, 2. 16, 170
Video Service, 16-21, 161-163,
switch data for, 35, 40, 193, 261
199-201
video modes in, 190
Alternate Select. 241-246

Video screen on/off subfunction, 246
Index 523
w
Wait active flag, 37. 48. 277. 382.

Write-protected disks. error code for.
450
285
Wait count, 37, 48, 382, 450

Write request register for DMA, 79
Wait interval, event. 397-399

Write Sectors, Fixed Disk Service.
Wait routines. 379

331-332
Wait, System Services, 403

Write String, Video Service. 247
Warm boot. 104

Write Teletype to Active Page, Video
Service. 218-219
Work area
for Alt key and numeric keypad

Write to Cassette. System Services,
input, 32, 46, 130

392
for diskettes. 36. 44. 277

Writing
Write attempted on write-protected

to CMOS RAM, 51
disk error code. 285

to video hardware. 171
Write Character/Attribute to Screen.
Video Service. 212-213
Write Character Only to Screen.
Video Service, 214
XT computers, 2-3
Write current cylinder, 321

compatibility for, 120
Write Diskette Sectors, Diskette

error messages for, 479-484
Service, 289
fixed disk parameter table for,
68-69, 316
Write Display Combination Code.
fixed disk types. 321
Video Service subfunction. 249
functions for, 14
Write fault on selected drive error

model byte for, 59-60. 384. 414
code, 326
nonmaskable interrupts for.
Write Long Sectors. Fixed Disk

115-116
Service. 343-344
POST error handling in, 111
Write mask register for DMA channel,
73.80
Write Pixel, Video Service, 216
Write precompensation, fixed disk

Year in CMOS RAM, 52, 435.
drive, 63-69, 316-321

442-443

System BIOS For IBM PC - XT - AT Computers and Compatibles

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System BIOS For IBM PC - XT - AT Computers and Compatibles

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Technical Reference Series

System BIOS for

The Complete Guide to

Phoenix Technologies Ltd.

Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc.

Reading, Massachusetts Menlo Park, California New York

Don Mills, Ontario Wokingham, England Amsterdam Bonn

Sydney Singapore Tokyo Madrid San Juan

Library of Congress Cataloglng-In-Publlcatlon Data

System BIOS for IBM PCIXTIAT computers and compatibles I Phoenix

1.IBM Personal Computer. 2. IBM Personal Computer XT. 3. IBM

Personal Computer AT. 4. Operating systems (Computers) I. Phoenix

Copyright © 1989,1988,1987 by Phoenix Technologies Ltd.

system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

United States of America. Published simultaneously in Canada.

Cover design by Hannus Design Associates

Text design by Phoenix Technologies Ltd.

Set in 10-point Modern by Phoenix Technologies Ltd.

This manual acknowledges the following trademarks:

Ashton-Tate and Framework are registered trademarks of Ashton-Tate Corporation.

AST Is a registered trademark of AST Research, Inc.

Hercules, Hercules Graphic Card, and Hercules Graphic Adapter are

trademarks of Hercules Computer Technology.

Intel Is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

1-2-3, Lotus, and Symphony are registered trademarks of Lotus

Motorola Is a registered trademark of Motorola Semiconductor Products, Inc.

NEC and Multisync are registered trademarks of Nippon Electric Corporation.

Quadram Is a registered trademark of Quadram Corporation.

Foreword ...................................................... xvii

About This Book ............................................... xxiii

Acronyms and Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. xxvii

Chapter 1 - The ROM BIOS

BIOS: Theory of Operation .................................. . . . . . . . . .. 4

BIOS Memory Usage ...............•................•.' . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8

Interrupt Vector Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9

Unexpected Interrupt Handler •......................................... 12

System BIOS Functions and BIOS Diversity .............................. 14

Video BIOS Functions and BIOS Diversity ................................ 16

Summary: The BIOS Services ......................................... 18

Chapter 2 - System RAM Data

Interrupt Vectors .................................................... 28

BIOS Data Area ..................................................... 31

Power-On Self Test Definitions ........................................ 38

INT 1Oh Video Service Data Definitions .................................. 39

INT 11 h Equipment List Service Data Definitions .......................... 41

INT 12h Memory Size Service Data Definition ............................ 41

INT 13h Diskette Service Data Definitions ................................ 42

INT 14h Serial Communication Service Data Definitions .................... 45

INT 16h Keyboard Data Service Definitions and

INT 09h Keyboard Service Interrupt Data Definitions .................... 45

INT 17h Parallel Printer Service Data Definitions .......................... 47

INT 19h Bootstrap Loader Service Data Definitions ........................ 48

INT 1Ah Time-of-Day Service Data Definitions ........................... 48

System BIOS for IBM PC/XT I AT Computers and Compatibles vii

CMOS RAM I/O Ports ............................................... 50

Accessing CMOS RAM .............................................. 51

CMOS RAM Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. 52

Chapter 4 - ROM BIOS Data

ROM Address Compatibility Table ..................................... 58

System Configuration Data Table (AT only) ............................. 60

Diskette Parameter Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61

AT Fixed Disk Parameter Table ..................... ;................. 63

XT Fixed Disk Parameter Table ....................................... 68