Abit PX5 User Manual
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction of PX5 Features
¬ Specifications................................................................................... 1-2
- Layout diagram................................................................................ 1-4
® System block diagram...................................................................... 1-5
Chapter 2 Installing the Mainboard
¬ Standard External Connectors.......................................................... 2-3
- Jumpers and Switches...................................................................... 2-9
® Presentation and Installation of the CPU......................................... 2-10
¯ Installing System Memory 【DRAM Memory】.......................... 2-13
Chapter 3 Introduction of BIOS
¬ CPU Setup【CPU SOFT MENU™ 】........................................... 3-3
- Standard CMOS Setup Menu.......................................................... 3-9
® BIOS Features Setup Menu........................................................... 3-11
¯ Chipset Features Setup Menu ........................................................ 3-17
° Power Management Setup Menu ................................................... 3-19
± PCI & Onboard I/O Setup ............................................................ 3-23
² Load BIOS Defaults...................................................................... 3-28
³ Load Setup Defaults ...................................................................... 3-28
´ Password Setting........................................................................... 3-29
µ IDE HDD Auto Detection.............................................................. 3-30
Appendix A Quick Installation
Appendix B Intel Pentium CPUs
Appendix C AMD-K5 CPUs
Part No:MN-093-2A1-91 Rev:1.01
Appendix D Cyrix 6x86 CPUs
Appendix E General Discussion about HDD Installation
Appendix F Technical Support
Appendix G Flash BIOS User Instructions
Introduction of PX5 Features 1- 1
Chapter 1 Introduction of PX5
Features
The PX5 have been especially designed for File server, Workstation and
Professional users. It can support a wide range of processors, including all Intel
CPUs (P54C) and Intel CPUs with MMX (P55C), as well as all AMD-K5/K6 and
Cyrix 6x8 6/6x86L CPUs. It also takes into account, as much as possible, all future
CPUs.
The PX5 uses SOFT MENU™ technology, which means that all the
parameters can be configured without using DIP switches or jumpers. The
configuration is entirely achieved through a “Soft Switch” that allows the user to set
CPU speed and operating voltage with ease.
The PX5 uses Intel 430TX series chipsets, and has 256K or 512K Level-2
Pipeline Burst SRAM on board.
Two 168-pin DIMM slots and two 72-pin SIMM slots meet the requireme nts
for all memory configurations required by high level computing. The 168-pin
DIMM slots support traditional Fast Page and EDO DRAM as a memory standard
for next generation 64-bit systems. The two 168-pin DIMM slots have been
reserved to meet requirements for both present and future upgrades.
The PX5 also provides two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports and meets the
Concurrent PCI Rev. 2.1 standard. It also supports IDE interface for Fast HDD
(Mode 0~4) and Ultra DMA/33, as well as IDE Bus Master. These features also
meet present and future interface standards and needs.
System BIOS features include Plug-and-Play (PnP), Advanced Configuration
Power Interface (ACPI), the newest Desktop Management Interface (DMI), as well
as PX5’s unique CPU operating frequency and voltage setup feature in order to meet
modern computing demands.
1-2 Chapter 1
¬ Specifications
1. CPU frequency and voltage setup with CPU “SOFT MENU™”
l Setup of the mainboard’s frequency and voltage without DIP Switches or
Jumpers.
l Modification of CPU operating voltage and frequency through software
configuration.
l Modification of CPU operating voltage and frequency directly on screen.
2. Uses ZIF CPU Socket 7 for easy CPU installation
l Building high efficiency DC-DC power converter for a more stable
CPU operating environment
l Supports Intel Pentium CPUs: 75MHz to 200MHz and Pentium with
MMX CPU
l Supports all AMD sixth generation AMD-K5™ CPUs: 75MHz to
166MHz, AMD-K6™ CPUs: 200MHz and 233MHz
l Supports all Cyrix sixth generation 6x86™ CPUs: P120+, P133+,
P150+, P166+
l Reserved circuitry supports future sixth generation CPUs
3. Chipset
l Intel 430TX chipset
l Supports standard version PCI 2.1
4. L2 Cache Memory
l 256K or 512K of cache memory (Pipeline Burst SRAM)
5. System DRAM
l Two 72-pin SIMM sockets: support FP and EDO DRAM
l Two 168-pin DIMM sockets: support FP, EDO and Synchronous
DRAM (SDRAM)
l DIMM sockets use PC modules (3.3V Unbuffered DRAM)
l Up to 256MB memory configuration possible
6. System BIOS
l AWARD BIOS
l Supports Plug-and-Play (PnP)
l Supports Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI)
l Supports Desktop Management Interface (DMI)
Introduction of PX5 Features 1- 3
7. Multi I/O features
l Two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports
l Four fast IDE channels (PIO mode 0~4, Ultra “DMA/33” and Bus
Master)
l One EPP/ECP parallel port and two 16550 serial ports
l Two flo ppy disk drive connectors (FDD) (360K, 720K, 1.2M, 1.44M
and 2.88M)
8. Other features
l Four ISA bus slots and four PCI bus slots
l Supports 3-MODE for a special Japanese floppy disk drive
l Supports two bootable hard disks--able to run two different operating
systems
Note: All brand names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
1-4 Chapter 1
- Layout diagram
Fig 1-1 Layout diagram
Introduction of PX5 Features 1- 5
1
2
® System block diagram
CD ROM &
Hard Disk
Host BUS
PCI BUS
Second Level
Cache
CACHE
(SRAM)
TAG
Fast
IDE
Pentium Processor
Ctrl Addr
Tag Ctrl
TIO[0..7]
MTXC
PIIX4
USB
Universal Serial Bus
3.3V
Ctrl
Control
Address/Data
USB
Control
Address
Data
Main
Memory
(DRAM)
PCI Device(s)
ISA Device(s)
ISA BUS
Serial
Winbond
W83977
LPT
FDC
Fig. 1-2 System block diagram
1-6 Chapter 1
Installing the Mainboard 2-1
Chapter 2 Installing the Mainboard
This PX5 mainboard not only provides all standard equipment for classic
personal computers, but also provides great flexibility for meeting future upgrade
demands. This chapter will introduce step by step all the standard equipment and
will also present, as completely as possible future upgrade capabilities. This
mainboard is able to support all Intel Pentium including P55C with MMX, Cyrix
6x86, 6x86L and AMD-K5 processors now on the market. (For details, see
specifications in Chapter 1.) However, we cannot guarantee that the description
given in this manual on the circuitry of your mainboard will work for processors not
listed in Chapter 1. For example, the operating voltage of Cyrix’s next generation
CPUs is unknown at the present time. Thus we were not able to include these
specifications in your motherboard. We will supply further information about CPU
support when new CPUs arrive on the market.
This chapter is organized according the following features:
ΠStandard external connectors
• Jumpers and switches
Ž Presentation and Installing of the CPU.
• Installing the system memory.
NNNN
Before proceeding with the installation
Before installing the mainboard please be sure to turn off or disconnect the
power supply unit. Before making any modifications to the hardware configuration
of the mainboard, the power supply to any areas of the mainboard you plan to modify
should be turned off to avoid unnecessary damage to the hardware.
2-2 Chapter 2
&
User friendly instructions
Our objective is to enable the novice computer user to perform the installation by
themselves. We have attempted to write this document in a very clear, concise and
descriptive manner to help overcome any obstacles you may face during installation.
Please read our instructions carefully and follow them carefully step-by-step.
Installing the Mainboard 2-3
Knowledge
¬ Standard External Connectors
Inside the case of any computer several cables and plugs have to be connected.
These cables and plugs are usually connected one -by-one to connectors located on
the mainboard. You need to carefully pay attention to any connection orientation
the cables may have and, if any, notice the position of the first pin of the connector.
In the explanations that follow, we will describe the significance of the first pin.
PN1 - Keylock connector Please pay attention to pin position and orientation
This connector has a specific orientation. Connect the five -thread keylock
connector cable to the PN1 connector pins on the mainboard.
Pin number Name or significance of signal
1 +5VDC
2 No connection
3 Ground
4 Keyboard inhibit Signal
5 Ground
The “keylock switch” is used to lock the computer’s keyboard.
Computer
This disables the keyboard so that unauthorized persons cannot
use it. When this function is in use, you will need to use the
unlock key to activate the keyboard.
2-4 Chapter 2
PN1 - SMI (Hardware Suspend) switch
There is no specific orientation. Connect the two-thread hardware suspend plug
to the PN1 connector pins on the mainboard. Since most cases do not support this
feature, most of you ignore this instruction. Furthermore, this feature is not
necessary as it is already a part of the mainboard.
Pin number Name or significance of the signal
13 +3VDC
14 Suspend
PN1 - HDD LED connector
This connector has a specific orientation. Connect the two-thread IDE LED
connector cable attached to the case to the IDE LED connector on the mainboard.
Pin number Name or significance of signal
8
7
LED’s Cathode
LED’s Anode
PN2 - Speaker connector
There is no specific orientation. Connect the four -thread speaker cable to the PN2
connector pins on the mainboard.
Pin number Name or significance of signal
4 +5VDC
5 Ground
6 Ground
7 Sound Signal
PN2 - SP-LED (Sleep LED) connector
This connector has a specific orientation. Connect the two-thread Sleep LED
connector cable attached to the case to the SP-LED connector on the mainboard.
Pin number Name or significance of signal
10
9
LED’s Cathode
LED’s Anode
Installing the Mainboard 2-5
PN2 - RST (Hardware Reset) switch
There is no specific orientation. Connect the two-thread hardware reset cable to
the PN2 connector pins on the mainboard.
Pin number Name or significance of signal
1 Hardware reset signal
2 Ground
PN2 - POW-ON (POWER-ON/OFF) switch
There is no specific orientation. Connect the two -thread power button cable to the
PN2 connector pins on the mainboard. For ATX power supply only.
Pin number Name or significance of signal
10 Power-on Signal
11 Ground
FAN1 - CPU Fan power connector
This has a specific orientation. Connect the three-threads CPU fan cable to the
FAN1 connector.
Pin number Name of the signal or signification
1 Ground
2 +12V
3 Ground
IR - Infrared remote Connectors Watch the pin number and the orientation
This has a specific orientation. Your mainboard supports this feature, but you must
buy the infrared remote device as an option.
Pin number Name of the signal or signification
1 +5VDC
2 No connection
3 Receive data
4 Ground
5 Transmit data
2-6 Chapter 2
ATXPWR - ATX Power input Connectors
These have a specific orientation. The three warning marks indicate that if you make a
mistake in pin number or connection orientation, you could destroy your equipment.
During installation, you just need to connect to the correct pins and in the correct
orientation, and to connect connector of the power supply unit to the connector on
the mainboard.
Pin number
1 +3.3VDC 11 +3.3VDC
2 +3.3VDC 12 -12VDC
3 Ground 13 Ground
4 +5VDC 14 PS_ON
5 Ground 15 Ground
6 +5VDC 16 Ground
7 Ground 17 Ground
8 POWERGOOD 18 -5VDC
9 +5VDC 19 +5VDC
10 +12VDC 20 +5VDC
Name of the signal or
signification
Pin number
Name of the signal or
signification
P8/P9 - AT Power input Connectors
These have a specific orientation. The three warning marks indicate that if you make a
mistake in pin number or connection orientation, you could destroy your equipment.
During installation, you just need to connect to the correct pins and in the correct
orientation, and to connect connectors P8 and P9 of the power supply unit to the
connectors on the mainboard.
Pin number
1 POWERGOOD 7 Ground
2 +5VDC 8 Ground
3 +12VDC 9 -5VDC
4 -12VDC 10 +5VDC
5 Ground 11 +5VDC
6 Ground 12 +5VDC
Name of the signal or
signification
Pin number
Name of the signal or
signification
Installing the Mainboard 2-7
2-8 Chapter 2
Mouse - PS/2 Mouse connector Watch the pin number and the orientation
This has a specific orientation. Connect the six-threads PS/2 Mouse cable provided
to the connector on the mainboard.
Pin number Name of the signal or signification
1 Mouse data
2 No connection
3 Ground
4 +5VDC
5 Ground
6 Mouse clock
Computer
The “PS/2 Mouse Port” is different from COM1 or COM2 serial
knowledge
ports to which you can also connect a Mouse. This mainboard
features an extra PS/2 Mouse port, so when you buy a mouse, be
sure that it is a PS/2 Mouse before connecting it to this port. But if
you cannot find any PS/2 Mouse, you can still use COM1 or
COM2 to connect a serial mouse to your computer.
KB1 - Keyboard Connector
This has an orientation pin. Connect your keyboard connector to the connector on
the mainboard.
Pin number Name of the signal or signification
1 Keyboard clock
2 Keyboard data
3 No connection
4 Ground
5 +5VDC
Installing the Mainboard 2-9
I/O Port connectors Watch the pin number and the orientation
Connector name Pin number Name of the peripheral connected
IDE 1 40 IDE Channel 1
IDE 2 40 IDE Channel 2
FDC 34 Floppy Disk connector
LPT 26 Parallel port connector
COM1 10 Serial port COM1 connector
COM2 10 Serial port COM2 connector
USB 16 Universal Serial Bus connector
2-10 Chapter 2
- Jumpers and Switches
CCMOS : Delete the contents of the CMOS
This jumper is set on pins 1 and 2 at the factory, in order for the computer
to function normally, so please do not change this setting. The main feature
of this jumper is to solve situations where the computer crashes due to
improper usage. For instance:
l You have forgotten the password you set.
l You have changed inappropriately the settings in the BIOS menu.
l You want to change the version of flash BIOS.
All these errors are very serious, you must avoid them. But if you have
made one of these errors, this jumper can save your life. First turn off the
power supply and open the computer case, than place the jumper on pins
2 and 3 in order to save your computer. But if you use your computer
normally, you should not need to use this feature.
After you have deleted the CMOS information, the computer is saved, but you still
have to go back to the BIOS Setup menu, and reset one by one all the
specifications: CPU, date, hour, FDD and HDD parameters. etc., before your
computer will get back into normal operation.
Installing the Mainboard 2-11
® Presentation and Installation of the CPU
Jumperless Mainboard (Mainboard with no DIP Switch or Jumper)
The PX5 mainboard can be installed with CPU without the hardware setting of
the CPU.
On other boards, when you want to install the CPU, you have, more or less, to
setup some jumpers or DIP switches. With the PX5 mainboard, you will not need to
adjust any jumper or switch. The CPU speed and model is set up by software, in
order to allow the user to complete setup and installation procedures easily. After you
have inserted the CPU on the CPU socket, you can close the computer case and turn
the computer on. You just need to enter the CPU SOFT MENU™ located in the
BIOS Setup, and to setup the speed and the voltage of the CPU to compete the
installation. Even if you don’t need to setup any switch, we recommend you to read
our presentation of the CPUs, it will be useful information for you.
Since 1996, every two or three months, Intel adds new models to the Pentium
CPU series. That is why the CPU market is filled with a lot of different models and
brands. All CPUs have different electrical specifications. That’s why installing a CPU
is becoming more and more complex. You can’t help that, because everybody wants
to be able to upgrade its hardware. So, you have to take a bit of time to read this
section, in order to be able to install a cheaper and better processor.
The PX5 mainboard does not only support all the CPUs listed in the
specifications, but also has reserved several circuits in order to be able to support
future processors. But before we go further in our presentation, we must clarify that
“we have only tested the CPUs listed in Chapter 1”, we cannot guarantee that this
board will be able to support future products, because we cannot forecast future
developments. But we will do our best to support any possible CPU.
Related terminology :
External clock
Also referred to as the external CPU clock, or “Bus clock”, it is the input clock
of the CPU. For instance, Intel Pentium P90, P120 and P150 all have a
60MHz external CPU clock, but have different internal clock multiplier factors.
Clock multiplier factor
The real operation clock within the CPU is the multiple of the external clock.
We refer to this factor as the clock multiplier factor. The four factors possible
2-12 Chapter 2
are 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3. The factor differs from one CPU to another. For instance,
the Intel Pentium 166 CPU has a 66MHz external clock, with a multiplier factor
of 2.5, so that the speed of the internal clock is 66MHz x 2.5.
Internal clock
Also referred to as the real internal CPU clock, it is the actual internal operating
clock of the CPU. The Internal Clock is a multiple of the external clock and of
the clock multiplier factor. For instance, the Intel Pentium 90 CPU has a
60MHz external clock and its clock multiplier factor is 1.5; the Intel Pentium
P133 CPU has a 66MHz external clock and its clock multiplier factor is 2.
Internal CPU clock = clock multiplier factor * external CPU clock
AT Bus clock
Also referred to as ISA SPEED, or AT CLOCK, or even ISA Bus clock. Ten
years ago, the original specification of AT Bus clock installed in the first
generation PC/AT computers was 8MHz, this means that there are some
interface cards which can only work at 8MHz. In order to guarantee
compatibility with older hardware, we still support 8MHz AT Bus clock, but if
your interface card is newer or faster, you can choose a higher speed for the
AT Bus clock, in order to increase the transmission rate of the interface cards.
But we recommend you not to be too ambitious. An 8MHz setup ensures
maximum compatibility.
CPU Voltage - Vcore and Vio
From the voltage point of view, 586 series CPU can be divided into two
categories: single voltage CPU and dual voltage CPUs. Single voltage CPUs
include: Intel Pentium P54C series, AMD-K5 and Cyrix 6x86, etc.
Dual voltage CPUs include: Intel P55C with MMX, future AMD CPUs, Cyrix
6x86L and M2.
The voltage of dual voltage CPUs has two components: Vcore and Vio. Vcore
provides all the power for internal processing, and its power consumption is
quite important. Vio provides the power necessary for the external interface of
the CPU.
Installing the Mainboard 2-13
P-Rating
The P-Rating was defined by some manufacturers other than Intel to rate the
performance of their CPU in comparison with Intel Pentium CPUs. For instance,
Cyrix 6x86 P166+ has a higher actual speed compared with Intel Pentium P166,
its internal clock needs only 133MHz versus 166MHz for Intel’s product. The
main reason is that Cyrix has improved the internal architecture of the 6x86
CPU, which means that with the same internal clock speed, the actual clock
speed will be different.
Having read the related terminology above, please refer to the information in
appendices B, C or D for the type and specifications of your own CPU. We suggest
that you note down these specifications, which will help you when you install the
CPU.
CPU Settings:
！！CPU SOFT MENU！！
To configure the speed and the voltage of the CPU, you must enter to the CPU
SOFT MENU in BIOS Setup.
2-14 Chapter 2
¯ Installing System Memory【DRAM Memory】
When this mainboard was designed, we not only have taken into account the
present needs, but we have also tried to care about demands for future upgrades:
1. Two 168-pin DIMM sockets:
If you want to extend your memory capacity, you will have no solution other
than to use 168-pin 3.3V unbuffered DIMM sockets.
2. Two 72-pin SIMM sockets:
Currently, the most common memory modules on the market are 72-pin
SIMM modules. The two 72-pin SIMM sockets of this mainboard will
meet your needs.
3. Easy installation
You just need to insert the modules, without the help of God. Isn’t it great?
Besides the features mentioned above, you can use simultaneously 72-pin
SIMM modules and 168-pin DIMM modules, but you will rarely encounter this kind
of configuration. Before you proceed with installation, be patient, first read what
follows:
1. Factory default setting of the mainboard is for 60ns FP or EDO
modules.
If your memory modules are faster than 60ns, say 45ns, you can modify the
BIOS settings in order to speed up the operating speed of the system. But if
you don’t want to modify these settings, or if you don’t know how to modify
them, it’s no big deal.
But if you set the external CPU clock at 66MHz or more, we recommend
you use 60ns or even faster DRAM modules.
2. Memory error check and correction do not support this feature on
this mainboard.
Since the Intel 430TX chipset does not support this feature, since the
memory error check and correction feature may not be effective, and since
you cannot easily find memory modules with memory check and correction
feature, this mainboard does not support it.
Installing the Mainboard 2-15
3. Maximum memory capacity 256M bytes supported by this
mainboard.
Computer
knowledge
【Relationships between memory modules and Pentium
CPUs】
Pentium, 6x86 and AMD-K5/K6 are all 64 bit CPUs, but 72-pin
SIMM modules are only 32-bit. That’s why they have to be used in
pairs, because the CPU will always be only able to see 64 bits. This
means that 72-pin SIMM modules have to be installed in pairs. The
two members of a pair must be of the same kind 【EDO or FP
DRAM】.
168-pin DIMM modules are 64 bit, so you can use single modules.
On the PX5 mainboard, these modules can support not only EDO
and FP DRAM, but also Synchronous DRAM memory
configurations.
When you install DIMM modules on the mainboard, you don’t have to setup
anything, just be sure that you use 3.3V unbuffered 168-pin DIMM modules, and
insert them in the memory socket.
Computer
【168-pin DIMM modules specifications】
Knowledge
According to the standards defined by JEDEC, there are a lot of
different types of specifications for 168-pin DIMM sockets. Here are
the possible types:
l 3.3V UNBUFFERED DIMM
l 3.3V BUFFERED DIMM
l 5V UNBUFFERED DIMM
l 5V BUFFERED DIMM
These types of DIMM modules differ not only by the electrical design,
but also by their architecture. So, if you buy different types of DIMM
modules, you will not be able to insert them in the DIMM sockets.
Currently, the standard for PC is 3.3V UNBUFFERED DIMM,
which is the standard supported by this series.
2-16 Chapter 2
After installing the DRAM, the BIOS of the mainboard will automatically detect
the size of the memory installed on the mainboard. Below is a list of all the possible
situations:
Scenario 1: You use only 72-pin SIMM modules:
l The maximum memory size is 128M bytes.
l Support possible for single density or double density memory
modules.
l Memory modules supported: 1Mx32【4M】, 2Mx32【8M】,
4Mx32【16M】or 8Mx32【32M】.
l You can also directly refer to table 2-1.
Scenario 2: You use only 168-pin DIMM modules:
l The maximum memory size is 128M bytes.
l Support possible for single density or double density memory
modules.
l Memory modules supported: 1Mx64【8M】, 2Mx64
【16M】or 4Mx64【32M】.
l DIMM1 is the first pair, DIMM2 is the second pair. Usually, you
first insert modules in DIMM1 socket, than in DIMM2 socket, but
it is possible to do the reverse.
l You can also directly refer to table 2-2.
Scenario 3: You use 72-pin SIMM modules and 168-pin DIMM modules:
l The maximum memory size is: 256M bytes.
l Support possible for single density or double density memory
modules.
l Memory modules supported: Refer to case 1 and case 2 above.
l Support possible for mixed use of single density and double density
modules.
l Since there is a lot of possible configurations, no table is given.
Installing the Mainboard 2-17
Table 2-1 72-pin SIMM Module Installation
【SIMM1, SIMM2】 Total memory size
1Mx32【4Mx2】 8MB
2Mx32【8Mx2】 16MB
4Mx32【16Mx2】 32MB
8Mx32【32Mx2】 64MB
You just need to insert two 72-pin SIMM modules in the socket to complete the
installation.
Table 2-2 168-pin DIMM Module Installation
【DIMM1】 【DIMM2】
1st pair【or 2nd pair】 2nd pair【or 1st pair】
No 1Mx64【8M 】 8MB
module 2Mx64【16M】 16MB
inserted 4Mx64【32M】 32MB
1Mx64【8M 】 No 8MB
2Mx64【16M】 module 16MB
4Mx64【32M】 inserted 32MB
Since the installation described above is valid for the first pair as well as for the second
pair, it will not be repeated.
1Mx64【8M 】 16MB
1Mx64【8M 】 2Mx64【16M】 24MB
4Mx64【32M】 40MB
1Mx64【8M 】 24MB
2Mx64【16M】 2Mx64【16M】 32MB
4Mx64【32M】 48MB
1Mx32【4Mx2】 40MB
4Mx64【32M】 2Mx32【8Mx2】 48MB
4Mx32【16Mx2】 64MB
Total memory size
In fact, the table above shows that you just need to insert the DIMM module in any
of the two sockets to complete the installation of the memory.
Introduction of BIOS 3-1
Chapter 3 Introduction of BIOS
The BIOS is a program located on a Read-Only Memory chip on the
mainboard. This program will not be lost when you turn the computer off. This
program is also referred to as the boot program. It is the only channel for the
hardware circuit to communicate with the operating system. Its main function is to
manage the setup of the mainboard and interface cards parameters, including simple
parameters such as time, date, hard disk drive, as well as more complex parameters
such as hardware synchronization, device operating mode, CPU SOFT MENU™
techniques, setup of CPU voltage and speed. The computer will operate normally, or
will operate at its best, only if all these parameters are correctly configured through
the BIOS.
M Don’t change the parameters inside the BIOS unless you know what
you are doing
The parameters inside the BIOS are used to setup the hardware synchronization or
the device operating mode. If the parameters are not correct, they will produce
errors, the computer will crash, and sometimes you will even not be able to boot
the computer after it has crashed. We recommend that you do not change the
parameters inside the BIOS unless you are familiar with them. If you are not able to
boot your computer anymore, please refer to the section “Erase CMOS data” in
Chapter 2.
When you start the computer, it is controlled by the BIOS program. The BIOS
first operates an auto-diagnostic for all the necessary hardware, configurates the
parameters of the hardware synchronization, and detects all the hardware. Only when
these tasks are completed does it give up control of the computer to the program of
the next level, which is the operating system. Since the BIOS is the only channel for
hardware and software to communicate, it will be the key factor to system stability,
and to ensure that your system performs at its best. After the BIOS has achieved the
auto-diagnostic and auto-detection operations, it will display the following message:
TO ENTER SETUP BEFORE BOOT PRESS CTRL-ALT-ESC OR DEL KEY
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