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  To conclude this chapter we'd like to mention the alternative BIOS
  interface that IBM introduced in the PS/2 models 50, 60, and 80. This
  Advanced BIOS (ABIOS) interface addresses some of the major design
  shortcomings of the interrupt-based interface described in this chapter.

  The traditional, interrupt-based ROM BIOS interface is limited in two
  important ways:

  .  It cannot be used in protected mode in a PS/2 Model 50, 60, or 80.

  .  It provides poor support for multitasking, so an operating system that
     offers multitasking cannot rely on the traditional ROM BIOS interface.

  IBM's solution to these problems is the Advanced BIOS interface in the
  PS/2 models 50, 60, and 80. Through the Advanced BIOS interface, BIOS
  services are accessed through a set of address tables and common data
  areas designed for use in protected mode as well as with a multitasking
  operating system. However, the complexity of the Advanced BIOS interface
  makes it better suited to supporting an operating system than to
  supporting applications programs. Unless you're writing a protected-mode,
  multitasking operating system, we recommend that you keep using the
  traditional ROM BIOS interface that is common to all computers in the PC
  family.