FutureTech Systems

What's new in the latest BIOS Update?
The newest BIOS versions for FutureMate™ 9750 is version 2.6E.
Please be aware that there are different versions of the BIOS for 256KB L2 Cache and 512KB L2 Cache. If you have a 13.3" XGA TFT with 512KB L2 cache (i.e., FM9750-512K), please download 975v26E5.exe. If you have a 13.3" XGA TFT with 256KB L2 Cache, or a 12.1" DSTN or TFT Screen, please download 975v26E2.exe.
Version:2.6E / 2.6EO Date:December 11, 1998
This version has been released to fix the following problems:
1. You should download version 2.6EO only if both of the following 2 conditions are met:
2. You are using a Docking Station with your FutureMate™ 9750.
3. Your motherboard version number is F or below. This is the 3rd character in the manufacturer's serial number
    (A0F...).
If either of these two conditions is not met, then you should use version 2.6E.
Version:1.38 Date:December 18, 1997
This version has been released to fix the following problems:
1. Change string "SystemSoft SCU Demo" to "SystemSoft SCU" in SCU
Version:1.37E Date:October 19, 1997
This version has been released to fix the following problems:
1. Enabled full screen display under DOS mode.
2. Solve the problem where sometimes the Intel MMX CPU is not indicated to be an MMX CPU.
Version:1.35 Date:August 12, 1997
This version has been released to fix the following problems:
1. The NSTL "Year 2000 Problem" Test can now be passed.
Version:1.34 Date:July 7, 1997
This version has been released to fix the following problems:
1. Brightness control is now enabled. (This was a problem in version 1.31 on some systems).
2. COM B default setting in the BIOS is now set to FIR, not FAX/Modem.
Version:1.31 Date:June 6, 1997
This version has been released to fix the following problems:
1. When shutdown from Windows 95 and select MS-DOS mode, S2D/Resume will cause system hangup and
    causenoisy sound.
2. When install 80MB RAM in system and 84MB S2D partition area. Solved the problem that HDD crash after
    S2D/Resume.
3. Solved the problem that there is no S2D partition area but system show partition found on screen. This
    cause HDD crash after S2D/Resume.
4. Add additional selection for LPT type in SCU - Bidirectional PS-2.
5. Joystick did not work in Windows 95 with Port Replicator.
6. Change VGA BIOS to 140G2.
7. Modified VGA BIOS to fix panel sometimes become blank during install Windows 95.
8. Added cover switch features for switching to external CRT when pressing cover switch.
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How do I update the BIOS on the FM9750?
To update the BIOS on the FutureMate FM9750 to the newest version, follow this procedure.
1. Download the BIOS update file from the FM9750 FTP download page.
2. Run the downloaded executable to extract the files in the archive.
3. Boot up from a system disk. Make certain that no memory manager was loaded.
4. From the directory where the extracted files are located, type "flash x.x", where x.x is the file name of the
BIOS file.
5. The flash program will start to load the file. After it is loaded, press Enter to start.
6. Make certain that the program is not interrupted for any reason. Restart the computer when prompted.
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Why does my FM9750 display inaccurate CPU speeds?
If your FM9750 displays inaccurate CPU speeds, such as 134Mhz, 167Mhz, 201Mhz, etc., you need to upgrade the BIOS to version 0.14 or later.
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Can I upgrade my FM9750 to support MMX?
If you purchased your FM9750 before the last week of February of 1997, it was not modified to include support for the new Intel P55C MMX CPUs at 200MHz. You can still use P55C MMX CPUs at 166MHz without any hardware modification, although you will need to upgrade the BIOS to version 0.21 or later.
There will not be any upgrade services offered for using MMX 200MHz CPUs on any notebooks shipped before the last week of February of 1997.
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Does my FM9750 support Pentium 233 MHz with MMX?
Your FM9750 can support Pentium 233 MMX only if the following two conditions are met:
1. Motherboard version F or later.
2. BIOS version 1.31 or later.
You can determine the motherboard version from the manufacturer's serial number (NOT the serial number which starts with NB) on the bottom of the notebook computer. The third digit in that serial number is the motherboard version number. If you have already purchased a FM9750 which does not have motherboard version F or above, we will not be able to upgrade the motherboard to support Pentium 233 MMX.
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Where can I find the jumper settings for the FM9750?

CPU Speed	SW1-5	SW1-6	SW1-7	SW1-8
75 MHz	Off	Off	Off	Off
90 MHz	Off	Off	On	Off
100 MHz	Off	Off	On	On
120 MHz	Off	On	On	Off
133 MHz	Off	On	On	On
150 MHz	On	On	On	Off
166 MHz	On	On	On	On
200 MHz	On	Off	On	On
233 MHz	Off	Off	On	On

CPU Voltage	SW1-2	SW1-3	SW1-4
2.5V	Off	Off	Off
2.8V	On	Off	Off
3.1V	Off	On	Off
3.3V	Off	Off	On

Intel CPU : SW1-1 set to Off

RTC Clear	SW2-4
Normal	Off
RTC CLR	On

Screen Type	SW2-1	SW2-2	SW2-3
TFT 12.1"	Off	Off	Off
DSTN 12.1"	On	Off	Off
TFT 13.3"	Off	Off	On

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What is the BIOS version on my FutureMate FM9700XL?
The system bios version appears on the upper left corner of the POST (Power Up Self Test) screen in the following form:
System Bios v x.xx Date xx-xx-xx
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Can I use EDO RAM on my FM9750?
Only certain FM9750s support EDO system memory. EDO memory can be added only if the on board memory is EDO also. If you have a 6X CD-ROM, then you most likely have standard Fast Page Memory on board, which will not accept EDO add-on memory modules. Likewise, if you have a 8X or 10X CD-ROM, then you most likely have EDO memory on board, which will not accept standard Fast Page memory modules.
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Does the FM9750 LCD support True Color (24-bit)?
To use True Color on the FM9750 12.1" TFT LCD, you would need to upgrade your BIOS to version 0.14 or later. Click here for the latest BIOS update.
Note : Only 12.1" TFT LCD's can support true color. The maximum color depth for the 13.3" TFT LCD and the 12.1" Dual Scan LCD is 16-bit high color.
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How do I configure the FM9750 to use Cardbus cards in Windows NT 4.0?
If you are trying to use Cardbus PCMCIA cards on the FM9750 in Windows NT 4.0, please notice the following:
1. Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 1 must be installed (Service Pack 3 is the current release and recommended).
2. 16-bit PCMCIA card support (PCMCIA.SYS) will be disabled.

To allow both 16-bit PCMCIA and 32-bit Cardbus cards to be supported simultaneously, please download the Cardwizard for Windows NT from the FM9750 FTP Download page. Choose to install support for TI-1130 chip.
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Why does my FM9750 freeze up when I restart Windows NT with the modem PCMCIA card inserted?
If you experience problems restarting Windows NT 4.0 on the FM9750 with a PCMCIA modem card inserted, please download Windows NT Service Pack 3 from Microsoft.
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Is my EIDE using the ISA or PCI bus?
If you purchased your FM9750 notebook before December 1996 with a 6X CD-ROM, then your notebook most likely has an ISA Enhanced IDE bus with Fast Page system memory. Otherwise, if you have an 8X or 10X CD-ROM, then your notebook most likely has a PCI Enhanced IDE bus with EDO system memory.
To determine for certain, go into Windows 95 Device Manager, and look under the Hardware category of Hard Disk Controllers. If you see Opti Dual PCI Controllers, then you have the PCI E-IDE. Otherwise, you have ISA
E-IDE.
This distinction is important because a different BIOS is used for each type of notebook. If you have an ISA
E-IDE bus, you must use v.0.17a of the BIOS. If you have a PCI E-IDE bus, you must use v.1.1 or later. Click here to download the latest BIOS.
Note : A new BIOS version 1.31 has been released to unify the two versions of FM9750. It should be used on both the FM9750 with ISA IDE and FM9750A with PCI IDE.
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Can I use a serial external mouse on the FM9750?
If you wish to use an external serial mouse on COM 1, you will need to install the Logitech Mouse Driver, which is supplied with the notebook computer. You will be able to use the external serial mouse and the internal trackpad at the same time. At this time it is not possible to disable the onboard trackpad.
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How do I use the Video Capture Port with Camcorder and VCR?
If you wish to use the video capture port on the FM9750 in Windows 95, install the Chips TV software, restart Windows, and follow these steps.
Using Camcorder
1. Connect the Camcorder to the Video Capture Port, and turn on the camera.
2. In Windows 95, press Fn+1 (not Fn+F1), then open the Chips TV application.
3. At this time, you should be able to see the images as seen from the lens of the camcorder.
Using VCR
1. Connect the VCR to the Video Capture Port, and turn on the VCR.
2. Start Windows 95, and press Fn+1 (not Fn+F1) BEFORE when the message "Starting Windows 95..." is
displayed, and before Windows enters graphical mode.
3. Start Chips TV, and you should be able to see the video as played back by the VCR.
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How do I use the TV Out Port on the Port Replicator?
If you have a port replicator and wish to use the TV-Out port, press Fn+5 to activate the NTSC port. Pressing Fn+T, which is used for switching between LCD and external CRT, does not activate the NTSC port, and will not allow you to view the display on the TV.
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How many PCI cards can I use simultaneously on the FM9750 docking station?
Although there are 3 PCI slots on the FM9750 docking station, only one PCI card can be used at any single time. This is because the FM9750 is designed to support the Memphis operating system (Windows 97), which supports IRQ sharing. The single PCI Card can be used in any one of the three slots.
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Which operating systems can I use with the FM9750 docking station?
Currently the only operating system supported is Windows 95 B (OSR 2). When the new version of Windows is released (Memphis or Windows 97), the docking station can be used also.
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What should I be aware of regarding the Docking Station BIOS?
Please be aware that there are different versions of the BIOS for 256KB L2 Cache and 512KB L2 Cache. If you have a 13.3" XGA TFT with 512KB L2 cache (i.e., FM9750E), please download 97v23e5d.exe. If you have a 13.3" XGA TFT with 256KB L2 Cache, or a 12.1" DSTN or TFT Screen, please download 97v23e2d.exe
Version:2.3 Date:October 13, 1997
This version has been released to fix the following problems:
1. When using Intel MMX CPU before it sometimes does not show or indicate the CPU as MMX.
2. Now You'll be able to have a full screen under the DOS mode.
3. Fixed the problem of press cover switch lid too quick to hang up system.
4. Fixed the problem when pressing Fn+F10 can't enter suspend mode after wake up from sleep mode.
5. If you set "Shut Off Monitor" in Display Properties / Screen Saver with version 2.0, the system will shut
off when the time expires.
Version:2.0 Date:August 14, 1997
This is the original evaluation version, supporting only Windows 95B (OSR2).
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