Something else:
Subj: Phoenix Announces Specification That Enables Full Integration of New High Capaci
Date: 96-09-19 07:20:42 EDT
From: AOLNewsProfiles@aol.net
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 1996--Phoenix
Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: PTEC), in conjunction with Compaq
Computer Corporation, today announces the release of a new jointly
developed specification that enables personal computers to use ATAPI
(Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface) compliant high
capacity removable media as boot devices.
Compaq and Phoenix are the first companies to support this
specification that breaks the 2.88 MB barrier of today's floppy disk
drives.
"This specification will provide real benefits to PC users,"
said Gayn Winters, vice president and general manager, Personal
Systems Division, Phoenix Technologies.
"With today's much larger operating systems, the storage
limitations of standard removable media are a major concern for PC
users when backing-up critical system files. With the ability to
boot new high capacity removables, improved back-up capabilities will
permit a one disk restoration of system critical files."
The ATAPI Removable Media BIOS Specification allows the BIOS to
initialize all ATAPI removable media devices in the system, and
configure them as either the primary or secondary floppy devices
(A: or B: drive). It also provides runtime drive support using INT
13 in DOS or Windows. This specification allows new systems to
operate using the ATA controller instead of a floppy controller.
The ATA interface is also used to control CD-ROM drives, tape
drives, and soon, DVD (Digital Video Disc) devices. Many
manufacturers of high capacity drives with removable media are
migrating from the 15-year old floppy controller protocol to the ATA
standard.
This new specification -- jointly developed by Phoenix and
Compaq, is being offered to PC and peripheral manufacturers along
with critical pseudo code -- a set of proprietary instructions for
the BIOS, to speed industry wide adoption and provide greater
compatibility in the marketplace.
Broad Industry Support
The new ATAPI specification is already receiving broad industry
support. Some of the companies adopting this specification include:
Fujitsu, Imation, Iomega, MKE, Mitsubishi, OR Technology, and
Syquest.
Compaq: "The LS-120 Drive -- which stores 80 times more
information than current 1.44MB diskettes, runs at a faster speed,
and is fully backwards compatible -- is standard on several of our
new Deskpro models," said Jerry Meerkatz, vice president at Compaq
Computer Corporation. "This new specification and new technology
will benefit the entire PC industry."
Fujitsu: "Fujitsu is pleased to be working with Phoenix to offer
this important breakthrough on future ATAPI-compliant magneto-optical
disk drives," said Ken Oberman, senior director of Fujitsu Computer
Products of America's optical business unit.
"This specification will enable our PC customers to carry an
entire system on a bootable MO disk and, at the same time, know that
all their system and data files are stored on the most rugged media
available."
Imation: "As a co-developer of LS-120 diskette technology,
Imation welcomes the new specification as one that strengthens
standardization of the LS-120 platform," said Ray Meifert, Business
Director, PC Segment.
"With its high capacity, backward compatibility, strong industry
support, and now this new specification, LS-120 technology offers
users the powerful storage solution they need to manage and store
data on the desktop."
Iomega: "There are currently more than 2 million Zip drives
around the world, and many of the world's top computer system
manufacturers now build them into their computers as either standard
or optional features," said Timothy L. Hill, vice president
worldwide marketing for Iomega.
"Iomega has had a long standing partnership with Phoenix and is
pleased to support Phoenix's ATAPI specification with future ATAPI
compliant drives. This effort, along with extensive ongoing efforts
by Phoenix to enhance their BIOS to support the current internal IDE
Zip drive will ensure that personal computer vendors have a flexible
and seamless strategic path to replacing the outdated floppy drive."
OR Technology: OR Technology's 120MB a:drive(TM) is the only
product available today that provides a bootable replacement for the
floppy disk drive. It is the first ATAPI-compliant drive to market
that supports Phoenix Technologies' removable media BIOS
specification," said John Haughey, OR Technology president and CEO.
"With this achievement, we can now satisfy growing customer
demand for an internal bootable solution that is also compatible with
720KB and 1.44MB floppy disk drives."
The new specification is available to interested manufacturers
and developers on the Phoenix Technologies World Wide Web site at:
ptltd.com.
About Compaq
Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune 100 company and the
world's largest supplier of personal computers, delivers useful
innovation through products that network people with information.
Compaq is strategically organized to meet the current and future
needs of its customers, offering Internet and enterprise computing
solutions, networking products, commercial PC products and consumer
personal computers.
In 1995, the company reported worldwide sales of $14.8 billion.
The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly
programs and business practices. Compaq products are sold and
supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized
Compaq marketing partners.
Customer support and information about Compaq and its products
can be found at compaq.com or by calling 800/OK-COMPAQ.
Product information and reseller locations can be obtained by calling
800/345-1518.
About Phoenix
Phoenix Technologies Ltd. is the world's largest supplier of
standards-based compatibility software to the personal computer
industry. The company's system-level software products, such as
PhoenixBIOS(TM) for desktops, NoteBIOS(TM) for portables, and
ServerBIOS(TM) for servers, allow PC manufacturers to increase
product differentiation, reduce product cycle time to market as well
as cut internal engineering costs.
Phoenix provides a line of products and services for Special
Purpose PCs and interconnect standards including PC Cards/CardBus,
Universal Serial Bus and other emerging interfaces.
Phoenix has also developed an expanding family of software
products for Original Equipment Manufacturers such as Phoenix
Telephony Suite(TM) -- that increases personal computer functionality
and CyberMedia's award-winning FirstAid 95 Deluxe that allows PCs to
automatically repair hardware and software problems.
Information on all Phoenix Technologies' products is available on
the World Wide Web at: ptltd.com.
--30--kvc/sf* jf
CONTACT:
Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Jim Adamson, 408/452-6867
jim_adamson@ptltd.com |
