AMIBIOS Confirmed as Core BIOS for Microsoft Virtual Machine Technology

ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 27, 2003–American Megatrends Inc.

Editorial Summary

— AMIBIOS used for Microsoft Virtual PC and Virtual server

products.

American Megatrends announced today that Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) has confirmed the use of AMIBIOS8, an AMI core system software, for initializing and enabling its Virtual Machine technology.

Virtual Machine Solutions comprise Virtual PC for Mac, Microsoft Virtual PC and Virtual Server. The software allows a single server to run multiple operating systems, enabling customers to migrate to newer and more advanced operating systems while maintaining the capability to run legacy applications based on different operating systems.

Microsoft Virtual PC is a powerful application compatibility and desktop consolidation tool for Windows desktops. Virtual PC enables IT professionals to transition users of legacy desktop applications and older operating systems to Windows XP Professional or Windows 2000 Professional operating systems. Virtual PC allows one PC to support multiple computing operating system environments and the applications that run within each such operating system, while keeping costs in control.

Virtual Server is an enterprise-class virtualization solution for server consolidation and the efficient management of multiple operating system environments. Virtual PC for Mac delivers true PC compatibility by enabling a Mac to run applications for Windows, access PC networks, and share files with PC users.

Virtual machine technology requires an embedded BIOS core.

AMIBIOS8 has precious advantages from the software developer’s standpoint. Its modular architecture allows developers to pick and choose those components that are required for a particular project and minimizes footprint. Thanks to the Visual eBIOS graphical development environment, software engineers can program under the familiar Windows interface. There is an enormous gain in speed and productivity that benefits development time and coding quality.

Visual eBIOS provides numerous tools that are very valuable for customizing and debugging, like the Built-in Editor, the IRQ Routing Wizard and the Integrated Debugger.

AMIBIOS8 introduces an innovative design aimed at facilitating development and customization as well as to increase scalability. The firmware architecture has been streamlined. The directory structure has been simplified and organized by component type. Developers can visualize any BIOS project by the actual file structure or by BIOS component. Single Link Architecture simplifies inter-module communication and eliminates the need to write extra-code in order to link the various modules together.

Power On Self Test (POST) has been organized in a table order, which simplifies the addition of a customized process or improvement file.

AMIBIOS8 supports the latest technological developments, like ACPI for notebook and tablet power management, IPMI 1.5 for server management and headless operation for blade and embedded applications.

About AMI

Founded in 1985, American Megatrends Inc. (AMI) has dedicated its resources to providing OEMs, resellers and systems integrators with leading edge computer technologies. Privately held, AMI is best known for its BIOS, but it also supplies state-of-the-art hardware, software and utilities. AMI offers high-density motherboards, disk subsystems and innovative storage solutions and is a voting member of the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA). Headquartered in Atlanta, AMI has locations in the U.S. and throughout the world including Chennai, Munich, Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo to better serve its customers.

For more information on AMI products and services, call 1-800-U-BUY-AMI or visit www.ami.com.

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