ABit ZH6 ZH6 User's Manual rev 1.00

Copyright and Warranty Notice

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not

represent a commitment on part of the vendor, who assumes no liability or

responsibility for any errors that may appear in this manual.

No warranty or representation, either expressed or implied, is made with respect to

the quality, accuracy or fitness for any particular part of this document. In no event

shall the manufacturer be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental or

consequential damages arising from any defect or error in this manual or product.

Product names appearing in this manual are for identification purpose only and

trademarks and product names or brand names appearing in this document are

property of their respective owners.

This document contains materials protected under International Copyright Laws. All

rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced, transmitted or

transcribed without the expressed written permission of the manufacturer and

authors of this manual.

If you do not properly set the motherboard settings causing the motherboard to

malfunction or fail, we cannot guarantee any responsibility.

ZH6 Motherboard User’s Manual

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION OF ZH6 FEATURES 1

EATURES OF THIS MOTHERBOARD

1-1.F

PECIFICATIONS

1-2. S

AY OU T DIAGRAM

1-3. L

HE SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM

1-4. T

CHAPTER 2. INSTALLING THE MOTHERBOARD 1

NSTALLING THE MOTHERBOARD TO THE CHASSIS

2-1. I

NSTALLATION OF THE PENTIUM

2-2. I

NSTALLING SYSTEM MEMORY

2-3. I

ONNECTORS

2-4. C

CHAPTER 3. INTRODUCTION OF THE BIOS 1

3-1. CPU S
3-2. S
3-3. BIOS F
3-4. C
3-5. P

ETUP

TAN DAR D

EATURES SETUP MENU

HIPSET FEATURES SETUP MENU

OWER MANAGEMENT SETUP MENU

3-6. PNP/PCI C

OAD SETUP DEFAULTS

3-7. L

NTEGRATED PERIPHERALS

3-8. I

ASSWORD SETTING

3-9. P
3-10. IDE H
3-11. S
3-12. E

ARD DISK DETECTION

AV E

& E

XIT WITHOUT SAV I N G

EADERS AND SWITCHES

, H

[SOFT MENU

CMOS S

ONFIGURATION

XIT SETUP

ETUP MENU



II/III, C

™

II] 3

ELERON

CPU 3

11
16
20
24
24
24
24
24
24
24

1
2
4
5

2

3
6

8

APPENDIX A BIOS FLASHING USER INSTRUCTIONS

APPENDIX B INSTALLING THE HIGHPOINT XSTORE PRO UTILITY

APPENDIX C HARDWARE MONITORING FUNCTION (INSTALLING

THE WINBOND HARDWARE DOCTOR UTILITY)

APPENDIX D TROUBLESHOOTING (NEED ASSISTANCE?)

MN-164-2A0-71 Rev. 1.00

Introduction of ZH6 Features 1-1

Chapter 1. Introduction of ZH6 Features

1-1.Features of This Motherboard

The motherboard is designed for a new generation CPUs. It supports the Intel SLOT1

structure (Pentium



II/III and Celeron



processors), up to 512MB of memory, super I/O, and

Green PC functions.

The ZH6 has built-in hardware monitoring functions (you can refer to

Appendix C

for

detailed information), they can monitor and protect your computer insuring a safe

computing environment. The ZH6 also supports both the PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse

wake up features (you can refer to section 3-8 for detailed information), letting you easily

wake up your system by these devices. The motherboard can provide high performance for

workstations and meets the requirements for desktop systems for multimedia in the future.

Sets You Free From the Y2K Threat

The potential threat of Year 2000 (Y2K) problems are making everyone very nervous. The

Y2K issue applies to almost any device, firmware, or software that operates on or with year

based dates. This problem is caused by a design flaw in the Real Time Clock (RTC) unit.

The RTC only changes the last two digits of the year code, but not the century information.

As a result, when it comes to 12:00 AM January 1, 2000 the RTC will switch from

December 31 11:59 PM 1999 to 12:00 AM January 1 1900.

Y2K compliance deals with the date change over from 31 December 1999 to 1 January 2000,

and with recording and reporting of all dates from the RTC including leap year dates. This

motherboard is free from the Y2K problem because its BIOS are Y2K compliant.

Please Note

If the operating system or application software cannot handle Year 2000 dates, you will

still be facing the Y2K threat because it is not a hardware problem that relates to the

motherboard itself. According to Award BIOS, it is BIOS source code released after 31

May 1995 complies with all known Y2K issues; however, it may still fail the 2000.exe

test. Award has modified its BIOS source code to accommodate the requirements of

2000.exe. Award BIOS source code issued later than 18 November 1996 passes the

NTSL 2000.exe test program.

User’s Manual

1-2 Chapter1

1-2. Specifications

1. CPU

Supports Intel

!

Supports Intel

!

Supports Intel

!

Supports Intel

!

processor with adapter)

Supports 66 and 100MHz CPU external clock speeds

!

2. Chipset

®

Intel

!

Supports Advanced Configuration and Power Management Interface (ACPI)

!

Accelerated Graphics Port connector supports AGP 1x and 2x mode (Sideband) 3.3V

!

device

3. Memory (System Memory)

Three 168-pin DIMM sockets support SDRAM modules

!

Supports up to 512MB MAX. (8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 MB SDRAM)

!

4. System BIOS

CPU SOFT MENU

!

AWARD BIOS

!

Supports Plug-and-Play (PnP)

!

Supports Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI)

!

Supports Desktop Management Interface (DMI)

!

Year 2000 compliant

!



Pentium III 450 ~ 550 MHz Processor cartridge.



Pentium II 233 ~ 450 MHz Processor cartridge.

®

Celeron™ 266 ~ 433MHz processors (Cartridge)

®

Celeron™ 300A MHz~466MHz processors (Based on 66MHz PPGA

440ZX chipset (82443ZX and 82371EB)

™

II, can easily set the processor parameters

5. Multi I/O Functions

2x Channels of Bus Master IDE Ports supporting up to four Ultra DMA 33 devices

!

PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Connectors

!

1x Floppy Port ( up to 2.88MB)

!

1x Parallel Port (EPP/ECP)

!

2x Serial Ports

!

2x USB Connectors

!

ZH6

Introduction of ZH6 Features 1-3

6. Miscellaneous

ATX form factor

!

One AGP slot, five PCI slots and two ISA slots

!

Supports PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse wake-up functions

!

Built-in Wake on LAN header

!

Built-in IrDA TX/RX header

!

Built-in SB-Link

!

Built-in Wake On Ring header

!

Built-in SMBus header

!

Hardware monitoring：Included fan speed, voltages, CPU and system environment

!

temperature

Board size: 305 * 190mm

!

""""

The 82443ZX chip can support 4 bus master control signals, PCI slots 4 and 5 use

the same bus master control signal.

"

Supports Wake On LAN, Keyboard or Mouse, but your ATX power supply 5V

standby power must be able to provide at least a 720mA current capacity.

Otherwise, the functions may not work normally.

"

There are three Memory module sockets on the system board, but total four banks.

Above 66MHz/100MHz bus speeds are supported but not guaranteed due to the PCI and

#

chipset specifications.

Sound Blaster

#

States and certain other countries. Sound Blaster - LINK

trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd.

Specifications and information contained in this manual are subject to change without

#

notice.

™

header

™

is a registered trademark of Creative Technology Ltd. in the United

™

and SB-LINK™ are

Note

All brand names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

User’s Manual

1-4 Chapter1

1-3. Layout Diagram

Figure 1-2. Motherboard component location

ZH6

Introduction of ZH6 Features 1-5

1-4. The System Block Diagram

Figure 1-3. System diagram of the 440ZX chipset

User’s Manual

1-6 Chapter1

ZH6

Installing the Motherboard 2-1

Chapter 2. Installing the Motherboard

This ZH6 motherboard 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 motherboard is able to support all



Intel

Pentium II/III processors and Intel Celeron processor now on the market. (For

details, see specifications in Chapter 1.)

This chapter is organized according the following features:

2-1 Installing the Motherboard to the Chassis

2-2 Installation of the Pentium

2-3 Installing System Memory

2-4 Connectors, Headers and Switches

$$$$

$$$$

$$$$$$$$

Before you install or unplug any connectors or add-on cards, please remember to turn the

ATX power supply switch off (fully turn the +5V standby power off), or take the power cord

off. Otherwise, you may cause the motherboard components or add-on cards to malfunction

or be damaged.



II/III, Celeron CPU

Before Proceeding with the Installation

$$$$

$$$$

$$$$$$$$

%%%%

User Friendly Instructions

Our objective is to enable the novice computer user to perform the installation by himself.

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 step-by-step.

User’s Manual

2-2 Chapter2

2-1. Installing the Motherboard to the Chassis

Most computer chassis will have a base on which there will be many mounting holes that

allows the motherboard to be securely attached and at the same time, prevents short circuits.

There are two ways to attach the motherboard to the base of chassis:

with studs

!

or with spacers

!

Please refer to the figure 2-1 that shows the studs and spacers, they may have several types,

but all look like the figures below:

In principle, the best way to attach the

motherboard is with studs, and only if

you are unable to do this should you

attach the board with spacers. Take a

careful look at the motherboard and

you will see many mounting holes on

it. Line these holes up with the

mounting holes on the base. If the

holes line up, and there are screw holes

this means you can attach the motherboard with studs. If the holes line up and there are only

slots, this means you can only attach the motherboard with spacers. Take the tip of the

spacers and insert them into the slots. After doing this to all the slots, you can slide the

motherboard into position aligned with the slots. After the motherboard has been positioned,

check to make sure everything is OK before putting the casing back on.

Figure 2-2 shows you the way to affix the motherboard using studs or spacers:

ZH6

Installing the Motherboard 2-3

Note

If the motherboard has mounting holes, but they don’t line up with the holes on the base

and there are no slots to attach the spacers, don’t worry, you can still attach the spacers

to the mounting holes. Just cut the bottom portion of spacers (the spacer may be a little

hard to cut off, so be careful of your hands). In this way you can still attach the

motherboard to the base without worrying about short circuits. Sometimes you may

need to use the plastic springs to isolate the screw from the motherboard PCB surface,

because the circuit wire may be near by the hole. Be careful, don’t let the screw contact

any printed circuit wire or parts on the PCB that are near the fixing hole, otherwise it

may damage the board or cause board malfunctioning.



Note:

II/III, Celeron

2-2. Installation of the Pentium

The installation method for the CPU is printed on the package of the retention mechanism

that comes with the motherboard. You can refer to it while you install the CPU. This

motherboard also supports the Celeron

PPGA processor, you have to use an additional adapter that allows you to use a Celeron

PPGA processor in a slot 1 board. For this ABIT makes the SlotKET adapter.

Installing a heat sink and cooling fan is necessary for proper heat dissipation from

!

your CPU. Failing to install these items may result in overheating and damage of

your CPU.

Please refer to your boxed

!

with your CPU for detailed installing instructions.

®

PPGA processor. If you want to install the Celeron

processor installation or other documentation attached



CPU

2-3. Installing System Memory

This motherboard provides three 168-pin DIMM sites for memory expansion. The DIMM

sockets support 1Mx64 (8MB), 2Mx64 (16MB), 4Mx64 (32MB), 8Mx64 (64MB), 16Mx64

(128MB), and 32Mx64 (256MB) or double sided DIMM modules. Minimum memory size

is 8MB and maximum memory size is 512MB SDRAM. There are three Memory module

sockets on the system board. (Total four banks)

®

®

User’s Manual

2-4 Chapter2

In order to create a memory array, certain rules must be followed. The following set of rules

allows for optimum configurations.

The memory array is 64 or 72 bits wide. (depending on with or without parity)

!

Those modules can be populated in any order.

!

Supports single and double density DIMMS.

!

Table 2-1. Valid Memory Configurations

Bank Memory Module Total Memory

Bank 0, 1
(DIMM1)
Bank 2, 3
(DIMM2)
Bank 2, 3
(DIMM3)

8MB, 16MB, 32MB,

64MB, 128MB, 256MB

8MB, 16MB, 32MB,

64MB, 128MB, 256MB

8MB, 16MB, 32MB,

64MB, 128MB, 256MB

8MB ~ 256MB

8MB ~ 256MB

8MB ~ 256MB

Total System Memory

When you install RAM modules, we strongly suggest that you install them in the

Note: 1.

8MB ~ 512MB

order of filling DIMM 1~ DIMM3. If you install RAM modules disregarded this

order, you may encounter some problems. One of problems might be that you can’t

boot up the system. Another possible problem is that the BIOS won’t be able to

detect the memory you installed.

According to this motherboard layout design, DIMM 2 and DIMM 3 share two

Note 2.

banks. Therefore, please don’t install RAM modules that will occupy two banks

into both DIMM 2 and DIMM 3 at the same time. There are two main types of

RAM modules on the market now, one is single sided and the other is double sided.

The single sided RAM module doesn’t mean it only occupies one bank, and double

sided RAM module also doesn’t mean it will occupy two banks. When you want to

install RAM modules into both DIMM 2 and DIMM 3 at the same time, please

make sure how many banks of RAM the modules will occupy. For this issue, you

can refer to the specifications of your RAM module from the manufacturer.

Generally, installing SDRAM modules to your motherboard is an easy thing to do. You can

refer to figure 2-3 to see what a 168-pin PC100 SDRAM module looks like.

Unlike installing SIMMs, DIMMs may

be "snapped" directly into the socket.

Figure 2-3 PC100 Module and Component Mark

Note: Certain DIMM sockets have minor

physical differences. If your module

doesn't seem to fit, please do not force it into the socket as you may damaged your memory

module or DIMM socket.

ZH6

Installing the Motherboard 2-5

The following procedure will show you how to install a DIMM module into a DIMM socket.

Before you install the memory

Step 1.

module, please place the computer power

switch in the

the AC power cord from your computer.

Step 2.

cover.

Step 3.

components, make sure you first touch

an unpainted, grounded metal object to

discharge any static electricity stored on

Figure 2-4. Memory module installation

memory expansion DIMM socket.

Insert the DIMM module into the expansion socket as shown in the illustration.

Step 5.

Note how the module is keyed to the socket. You can refer to figure 2-4 for the

details.

This insures the DIMM module will be plugged into the socket in one way

. Firmly press the DIMM module into the DIMM socket, making certain the

only

module is completely seated in the DIMM socket.

your clothing or body.

Step 4.

position and disconnect

off

Remove the computer’s chassis

Before touching any electronic

Locate your computer’s 168-pin

Once the DIMM module has been installed, the installation is complete and the

Step 6.

computer’s cover can be replaced. Or you can continue to install other devices and

add-on cards that are mentioned in the following section.

Note

When you install a DIMM module fully into the DIMM socket, the eject tab should be

locked into the DIMM module very firmly and fit into its indention on the both sides.

User’s Manual

2-6 Chapter2

2-4. Connectors, Headers and Switches

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 motherboard. 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.

We will show you all connectors, headers and switches here, and tell you how to connect

them. Please pay attention and read the whole section for necessary information before

attempting to finish all of the hardware installation inside the computer chassis.

Figure 2-5 shows you all of the connectors and headers that we’ll discuss in the next section,

you can use this diagram to visually locate each connector and header we describe.

All connectors, headers and switches mentioned here, will depend on your system

configuration. Some features you may (or may not) have and need to connect or configure

depending on the peripheral. If your system doesn't have such add-on cards or switches you

can ignore some special feature connectors.

Figure 2-5. All Connectors and Headers for the ZH6

First, Let’s see the headers that ZH6 uses, and what their functions are.

ZH6

Installing the Motherboard 2-7

CON1: ATX Power Input Connector

Caution

If the power supply connectors are not properly attached to the CON1 power supply, the

power supply or add-on cards may be damaged.

Attach the connector from the power supply

to the CON1 connector here. Remember you

have to push the connector from the ATX

power supply firmly to the end with the

CON1 connector, insuring that you have a

good connection.

Note: Watch the pin position and the

orientation

FAN 1 , FAN2 & FAN3 : FA N hea d er

Attach the connector from the individual

CPU fan to the header named FAN1, and

attach the connector from the chassis fan to

FAN2 or & FAN3 header.

Note: Watch the pin position and the orientation

You must attach the CPU fan to the

processor, or your processor will work

abnormally or may be damaged by

overheating. Also, if you want the computer

case’s internal temperature to be kept steady

and not too high, you had better connect the

chassis fan to reach this goal.

User’s Manual

2-8 Chapter2

IR1: IR Header (Infrared)

There is a specific orientation for pins 1

through 5, attach the connector from the IR

KIT or IR device to the IR1 header This

motherboard supports standard IR transfer

rates.

Note: Watch the pin position and the

orientation

SB-Link: SB-Link

™

Header

If your PCI audio adapter supports this

feature, then you can connect the specific

cable from the audio adapter to this header.

SB-LINK

™

combines Intel's PC-PCI and

"Serialized IRQ" protocols. These

technologies can be found in Intel's TX, LX,

BX and newer core logic chipsets. This

technology provides the DMA and IRQ

signals present in ISA Bus today, but not

available on the PCI Bus. The SB-LINK

™

serves as a bridge between the motherboard and

PCI sound card to deliver Sound card for real-mode DOS games. Check to see if your card

supports this.

Note: Watch the pin position and the orientation

WOR1: Wake On Ring Header

If you have an internal modem adapter that

supports this feature, then you can connect

the specific cable from the internal modem

adapter to this header. This feature lets you

wake up your computer via remote control

through the modem.

Note: Watch the pin position and the

orientation

ZH6

Installing the Motherboard 2-9

WOL1: Wake on LAN Header

If you have a Network adapter that supports

this feature, then you can connect the

specific cable from the network adapter to

this header. This feature lets you wake up

your computer via remote control through a

local area network. You may need a specific

utility to control the wake up event, like

using the Intel

®

LDCM® utility or other

similar utilities.

Note: Watch the pin position and the orientation

SMBCon: System Management Bus Connector

This connector is reserved for system

management bus (SMBus). The SMBus is a

specific implementation of an I

2

C bus. I2C is

a multi-master bus, which means that

multiple chips can be connected to the same

bus and each one can act as a master by

initiating a data transfer. If more than one

master simultaneously tries to control the

bus, an arbitration procedure decides which

master gets priority.

Note: Watch the pin position and the orientation

RT2 header:

This header is for you to connect an

additional thermistor to detect the CPU

temperature. You can buy the thermistor at

an electronics store, and ask for a 10K

thermistor which will be OK. Please don’t

use too long of a lead wire for the thermistor.

You can see the detected temperature in the

BIOS menu. (see Chipset Features Setup

Menu)

User’s Manual

Ω

2-10 Chapter2

CCMOS1: CMOS Discharge Jumper

Jumper CCMOS1 discharge CMOS

memory. When you install the motherboard,

make sure this jumper is set for normal

operation (pin 1 and 2 shorted). See figure

2-6.

Normal Operation (Default) Discharge CMOS

Figure 2-6. CCMOS1 jumper setting

Note

Before you clear the CMOS, you have to turn the power off first (including the +5V

standby power). Otherwise, your system may work abnormally or malfunction.

PN1 and PN2 Headers

ZH6

PN1 and PN2 are for switches and indicators

for the chassis’s front panel, there are

several functions that come from these two

headers. You have to watch the pin position

and the orientation, or you may cause

system malfunctions. Figure 2-7 shows you

the PN1 and PN2 functions of the pins.

Figure 2-7. The definition of PN1 and

PN2 pins

Installing the Motherboard 2-11

PN1 (Pin 1-2-3-4-5): Power LED and Keylock Switch Headers

There is a specific orientation for pins 1

through 3. Insert the three-threaded power

LED cable to pins 1~3, and the two-threaded

keylock cable into pin 4 and pin 5. Check to

make sure the correct pins go to the correct

connectors on the motherboard. If you

install them with the wrong direction, the

power LED light will not illuminate correctly.

Note: Watch the power LED pin position and orientation.

PN1 (Pin 6-7): HDD LED Header

Attach the cable from the case’s front panel

HDD LED to this header. If you install it in

the wrong direction, the LED light will not

illuminate correctly.

Note: Watch the HDD LED pin position and the orientation.

PN1 (Pin 8-9): Power on Switch Header

Attach the cable from the case’s front panel

power switch to this header.

PN1 (Pin 10-11): Hardware Suspend Switch (SMI Switch) Header

Attach the cable from the case’s front panel

suspend switch (if there is one) to this

header. Use this switch to enable/disable the

power management function by hardware.

User’s Manual

2-12 Chapter2

NOTE

If you enable the ACPI function in the BIOS setup, this function will not work.

PN2 (Pin 1-2): Hardware Reset Switch Header

Attach the cable from the case’s front panel

Reset switch to this header. Press and hold

the reset button for at least one second to

reset the system.

PN2 (Pin 4-5-6-7): Speaker Header

Attach the cable from the system speaker to

this header.

PN2 (Pin 9-10): Suspend LED Header

Insert the two-threaded suspend LED cable

into pin 9 and pin 10. If you install it in the

wrong direction, the LED light will not

illuminate correctly.

Note: Watch the HDD LED pin position and the orientation.

For the PN1 and PN2 pin’s count-name list, please refer to table 2-2.

ZH6

Installing the Motherboard 2-13

Table 2-2. PN1 and PN2 pin count name list

PIN Name Significance of signal PIN Name Significance of signal

PIN 1 +5VDC PIN 1 Ground

PIN 2 No connection PIN 2 Reset input

PIN 3 Ground PIN 3 No connection

PIN 4 Keyboard inhibit Signal PIN 4 +5VDC

PIN 5 Ground PIN 5 Ground

PN1

PIN6 LED power PIN6 Ground

PIN 7 HDD active PIN 7 Speaker data

PIN 8 Ground PIN 8 No connection

PIN 9 Power On/Off signal PIN 9 +5VDC

PIN 10 +3V Standby PIN 10 Suspend LED active

PIN 11 Suspend signal

Let’s now see the I/O connectors that ZH6 uses, and what their functions are.

FDC1 Connector

PN2

PIN 11 No connection

This 34-pin connector is called the “

disk drive connector

360K, 5.25”, 1.2M, 5.25”, 720K, 3.5’’,

1.44M, 3.5” or 2.88M, 3.5” floppy disk

drive, you can even connect a 3 Mode

floppy disk drive (it’s a 3 1/2” drive used in

Japanese computer systems).

A floppy disk drive ribbon cable has 34

wires and two connectors to provide for the connection of two floppy disk drives. After

connecting the single end to the FDC1, connect the two connectors on the other end to the

floppy disk drives. In general, people only install one floppy disk drive on their computer

system.

Note

A red mark on a wire typically designates the location of pin 1. You need to align the

wire pin 1 to the FDC1 connector pin 1, then insert the wire connector into the FDC1

connector.

”. You can connect a

floppy

User’s Manual

2-14 Chapter2

IDE1 and IDE2 Connectors

An IDE hard disk drive ribbon cable has 40

wires and two connectors to provide a

connection for two IDE hard disk drives.

After connecting the single end to the IDE1

(or IDE2), connect the two connectors on

the other end to the IDE hard disk drives (or

CD-ROM drive, LS-120, etc.).

Before you install a hard disk, there are

some things you need to be aware of:

“Primary” refers to the first connector on the motherboard, that is, the IDE1 connector on

♦

the motherboard.

“Secondary” refers to the second connector on the motherboard, that is, the IDE2

♦

connector on the motherboard.

Two hard disks can be connected to each connector:

♦

The first HDD is referred to as the “Master”,

The second HDD is referred to as the “Slave”.

For performance issues, we strongly suggest you don’t install a CD-ROM drive on the

♦

same IDE channel as a hard disk. Otherwise, the system performance on this channel may

drop. (how much depends on your CD-ROM drive performance)

Note

The Master or Slave status of the hard disk drive is set on the hard disk itself. Please

!

refer to the hard disk drive user’s manual.

A red mark on a wire typically designates the location of pin 1. You need to align the

!

wire pin 1 to the IDE connector pin 1, then insert the wire connector into the IDE

connector.

ZH6

Installing the Motherboard 2-15

Figure 2-11. ZH6 back panel connectors

Figure 2-11 shows the ZH6 back panel connectors, these connectors are for connection to

outside devices to the motherboard. We will describe which devices will attach to these

connectors below.

KM1 Lower: PS/2 Keyboard Connector

Attach a PS/2 keyboard connector to this 6-

pin Din-connector. If you use an AT

keyboard, you can go to a computer store to

purchase an AT to ATX converter adapter,

then you can connect your AT keyboard to

this connector. We suggest you use a PS/2

keyboard for best compatibility.

KM1 Upper: PS/2 Mouse Connector

Attach a PS/2 mouse to this 6-pin Din-

connector.

USB Port Connectors

This motherboard provides two USB ports.

Attach the USB connector from the

individual device to these connectors. You

can attach USB devices such as a, scanner,

monitor, mouse, keyboard, hub, CD-ROM,

joystick etc. to one of each USB connector.

You must make sure your operating system supports this feature and you may need to install

an additional driver for individual devices. Please refer to your device user’s manual for

detailed information.

User’s Manual

2-16 Chapter2

Serial Port COM1 and COM2 Connector

This motherboard provides two COM ports,

you can connect an external modem, mouse

or other devices that support this

communication protocol.

Parallel Port Connector

This parallel port is also called an “LPT”

port, because it usually connects to the

printer. You can connect other devices that

support this communication protocol, like a

scanner, M.O. drive, etc.

ZH6

Introduction of the BIOS 3-1

Chapter 3. Introduction of the BIOS

The BIOS is a program located on a Flash Memory chip on the motherboard. 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 motherboard 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,

MENU™ II

operate at its best, only if all these parameters are correctly configured through the BIOS.

&&&&

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 very 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 test called POST (Power On Self Test) for all the necessary hardware, it

then configures 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 (OS). Since the BIOS is the only

channel for hardware and software to communicate, it will be the key factor for system

stability, and in insuring 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:

features and setup of CPU speed. The computer will operate normally, or will

Don’t change the parameters inside the BIOS unless you fully understand

their meanings and consequences

CPU SOFT

PRESS DEL TO ENTER SETUP

The message will be displayed for three to five seconds, if you press the

access the BIOS Setup menu. At that moment, the BIOS will display the following message:

key, you will

Del

User’s Manual

3-2 Chapter3

Figure 3-1. CMOS Setup Utility

In the BIOS Setup main menu of Figure 3-1, you can see several options. We will explain

these options step by step in the following pages of this chapter, but let us first see a short

description of the function keys you may use here:

Press

!

Press

!

to confirm or to modify.

Press

!

parameters and to exit the BIOS Setup menu.

Press Page Up/Page Down or +/- keys when you want to modify the BIOS parameters for

!

the active option.

Maybe you have heard somebody saying that their CMOS DATA was lost. What is the

CMOS? Is it important? The CMOS is the memory used to store the BIOS parameters

that you have configured. This memory is passive. You can read its data, and you can

also store data in it. But this memory has to be powered by a battery, in order to avoid

any loss of its data when the computer is turned off. Since you may have to change the

CMOS battery when it is out of power and if doing so, you will loose all CMOS data,

therefore, we recommend that you write down all the parameters of your hardware, or to

put a label with these parameters on your hard disk.

ZH6

to quit the BIOS Setup.

Esc

↑↓←→

(up, down, left, right) to choose, in the main menu, the option you want

when you have completed the setup of BIOS parameters to save these

F10

Computer Knowledge: CMOS Data

Introduction of the BIOS 3-3

3-1. CPU Setup [SOFT MENU™ II]

™

The CPU can be setup through a programmable switch (

CPU SOFT MENU

replaces the traditional manual hardware configuration. This feature allows the user to more

easily complete the installation procedures. You can install the CPU without configuring any

jumpers or switches. The CPU must be setup according its specifications.

In the first option, you can press <F1> at any time to display all the items that can be chosen

for that option.

II

), that

Figure 3-2. CPU SOFT MENU

™

II

CPU Name Is:

Intel Celeron

➤

Intel Pentium II MMX

➤

Intel Pentium III MMX

➤

MMX

CPU Operating Speed:

This option sets the CPU speed.

In this field, the CPU speed is indicated like this: CPU speed = External clock * Multiplier

factor, select the CPU speed according the type and the speed of your CPU.

For Intel Pentium® II/III and Celeron® MMX processors, you can choose the following

User’s Manual

3-4 Chapter3

settings:

233 (66)

➤

350 (100)

➤

450 (100)

➤

User Define

➤

User defined external clock and multiplier factor:

➤➤➤➤

User Defined

The wrong settings of the multiplier and external clock in certain circumstances may

cause CPU damage. Setting the working frequency higher than the PCI chipset or

processor specs, may cause abnormal memory module functioning, system hangs, hard

disk drive data lose, abnormal functioning of the VGA card, or abnormal functioning

with other add-on cards. Using non-specification settings for your CPU is not the

intention of this explanation. These should be used for engineering testing, not for

normal applications.

If you use non-specification settings for normal operation, your system may not be

stable, and may effect system reliability. Also, we do not guarantee the stability and

compatibility for settings that are not within specification, and any damage of any

elements on the motherboard or peripherals, is not our responsibility.

Turbo Frequency:

✏

This item will only be displayed if your CPU external clock supports Turbo Mode.

266 (66)

➤

366 (66)

➤

466 (66)

➤

&&&&

300 (66)

➤

400 (66)

➤

500 (66)

➤

War ni ng

300 (100)➤333 (66)

➤

400(100)➤433 (66)

➤

500 (100)➤550 (100)

➤

&&&&

The Turbo mode allows you to speed up the external clock by approximately 2.5%.

This feature is used to verify the design flexibility. It is a very important tool for test

units to verify CPU stability. Do not use this feature.

Disabled: CPU external clock is operating within the normal limits.

➤

Enabled: CPU external clock is operating within the limits of the Turbo mode.

➤

ZH6

Introduction of the BIOS 3-5

Note

The increase by 2.5% of the CPU speed is not a standard feature of this product. It is

only for use by our development department to verify that the CPU is able to work

normally when CPU speed, operating temperature and power supply are 2.5% higher or

lower than the standard values. This is to guarantee product stability. We require the

manufacturer of the Clock Generator to meet the demands of our development

department and to add a TURBO Frequency feature used for testing purposes by our

R&D department. Of course, you can use this feature to test the stability of your own

system, but after you have tested the product, we recommend that you set it back to its

normal value in order to guarantee system stability.

External Clock:

✏

66MHz (1/2)

➤

83MHz(1/2)

➤

124MHz (1/3)

➤

CPU bus speed above 66MHz/100MHz supported but not guaranteed due to the PCI and

chipset specs.

100MHz (1/3)

➤

112M Hz (1/3)

➤

Note

75MHz (1/2)

➤

133MHz (1/3)

➤

Multiplier Factor:

✏

You can choose the following multiplier factors:

2.0

➤

6.5

➤

However, differences will exist because of the various brands and types available.

SEL100/66# Signal:

✏

This default setting is “High” at 100MHz, and “Low” at 66MHz. When you want to

try a higher multiplier factor at 100MHz and cannot choose it in the “High” state,

you can set it to the “Low” state.

According to Celeron® PPGA MMX processor types, some Celeron® PPGA MMX

processors will have the multiplier factor locked and the signal disabled. In this

situation, there is no way to choose a higher multiplier factor.

2.5

➤

7.0

➤

3.0➤ 3.5➤ 4.0➤ 4.5➤ 5.0➤ 5.5➤ 6.0

➤

7.5➤ 8.0

➤

Note

User’s Manual

3-6 Chapter3

AGPCLK/CPUCLK:

✏

The default setting is “ 2/3”. In this state, the AGP bus speed will be the CPU bus

speed divided by 3 and times 2. If you choose the setting to “ 1/1 ”, the AGP bus

speed will equal to the CPU bus speed.

L2 Cache Latency:

✏

Sixteen setting are available, Default, and 1 to 15. This item can let you adjust the

processor L2 cache speed, the larger the value, the faster the L2 cache will run. You

have to be aware that if you set the L2 cache speed too fast, it will cause the L2 cache

to fail. If the L2 cache fails it will cease to run until you reset the value, but the

processor and L1 cache will still function, just not as well. To make sure your L2

cache functions properly please choose an appropriate setting. The default setting is

Default.

Speed Error Hold:

✏

The default setting is “Disabled”. If you change the setting to “Enabled” when the

CPU speed setting is wrong, the system will hold.

Normally, we do not recommend that you use the “User Define” option to setup CPU

speed and multiplier factors This option is for setup of future CPUs whose

specifications are still unknown. The specifications of all present CPUs are included

in the default settings. Unless you are very familiar with all CPU parameters, it is

very easy to make mistakes when you define the external clock and the multiplier

factor by yourself.

Solution in case of booting problem due to invalid clock setup:

Normally, if the CPU clock setup is wrong, you will not be able to boot. In this case, turn the

system off then on again. The CPU will automatically use its standard parameters to boot.

You can then enter the BIOS Setup again and set up the CPU clock. If you can’t enter the

BIOS setup, you must try turning the system on a few times (3~4 times) or press

“INSERT“ key when turning on and the system will automatically use its standard

parameters to boot. You can then enter BIOS SETUP again and set up the new parameters.

ZH6

Introduction of the BIOS 3-7

When you change your CPU:

This motherboard has been designed in such a way that you can turn the system on after

having inserted a CPU in the socket without having to configure any jumpers or DIP

switches. But if you change your CPU, normally you just have to turn off the power supply,

change the CPU and then, set up the CPU parameters through

SOFT MENU

™

II. However,

if the new CPU is slower than the old one (and is same brand and type), we offer you two

methods to successfully complete the CPU change operation.

Method 1: Setup up the CPU for the lowest speed for its brand. Turn the power supply off

and change the CPU. Then turn the system on again, and set up the CPU

parameters through

SOFT MENU

™

.

II

Method 2: Since you have to open the computer case when you change the CPU, it could be

a good idea to use the CCMOS jumper to erase the parameters of the original

CPU and to enter BIOS Setup to set up CPU parameters again.

Attention

After setting up the parameters and leaving the BIOS SETUP, and having verified that

the system can be booted, do not press the Reset button or turn off the power supply.

Otherwise the BIOS will not read correctly, the parameters will fail and you must enter

SOFT MENU™ II

again to set up the parameters all over again.

CPU Power Supply:

This option allows you to switch between CPU default and user defined voltages.

➤➤➤➤

CPU Default:

The system will detect the CPU type and select the proper voltage

automatically. When it is enabled, the option “

Core Voltage

the current voltage setting that is defined by the CPU and this will not be

changeable. We recommend using this CPU default setting and not

changing it unless the current CPU type and voltage setting can not be

detected or is not correct.

➤➤➤➤

User Define:

This option lets the user select the voltage manually. You can change

values of the “

Core Voltage

” option lists by using the Page Up and Page

Down keys.

User’s Manual

” will show

3-8 Chapter3

3-2. Standard CMOS Setup Menu

This contains the basic configuration parameters of the BIOS. These parameters include the

settings of date, hour, VGA card, FDD and HDD.

Figure 3-3. Standard CMOS Setup Menu

Date (mm:dd:yy):

You can set the date information in this item, month (mm), date (dd) and year (yy).

Time (hh:mm:ss):

You can set time information in this item, hour (hh), minute (mm) and second (ss).

Setup of the HDD operating mode [NORMAL, LBA, LARGE]

Since old operating systems were only able to support HDDs whose capacity was not bigger

than 528MB, any hard disk with more than 528MB was unusable. AWARD BIOS features a

solution to this problem: you can, according to your operating system, choose three

operating modes: NORMAL, LBA or LARGE.

The HDD auto detection option in the Main Menu will automatically detect the parameters

of your hard disk and the mode supported.

ZH6

Introduction of the BIOS 3-9

➤➤➤➤

Normal mode:

Standard normal mode supports hard disks of 528MB or less. This mode directly uses

positions indicated by Cylinders (CYLS), Heads, and Sectors to access data.

➤➤➤➤

LBA (Logical Block Addressing) mode:

The earlier LBA mode can support HDDs capacity of up to 8.4GB, and this mode uses a

different method to calculate the position of disk data to be accessed. It translates

Cylinders (CYLS), Heads and Sectors into a logical address where data are located. The

Cylinders, Heads, and Sectors displayed in this menu do not reflect the actual structure

of the hard disk, they are just reference values used to calculate actual positions.

Currently, all high capacity hard disks support this mode, that’s why we recommend you

use this mode. Currently, the BIOS can support the INT 13h extension function,

enabling the LBA mode to support hard disk drive capacities exceeding 8.4GB.

➤➤➤➤

LARGE Mode:

When the number of cylinders (CYLs) of the hard disk exceeds 1024 and DOS is not

able to support it, or if your operating system does not support LBA mode, you should

select this mode.

Drive A:

If you have installed the floppy disk drive here, then you can select the type of floppy drive

it can support. Six options are available: None'360K, 5.25 in. ' 1.2M, 5.25in. ' 720K,

3.5 in. ' 1.44M, 3.5 in. ' 2.88M, 3.5 in. ' Back to None.

Drive B:

If you have installed the floppy disk drive here, then you can select the type of floppy drive

it can support. Six options are available: None'360K, 5.25 in. ' 1.2M, 5.25in. ' 720K,

3.5 in. ' 1.44M, 3.5 in. ' 2.88M, 3.5 in. ' Back to None.

FDD supporting 3 Mode:

3 Mode floppy disk drives (FDD) are 3 1/2” drives used in Japanese computer systems. If

you need to access data stored in this kind of floppy, you must select this mode, and of

course you must have a 3 Mode floppy drive.

User’s Manual

3-10 Chapter3

Video:

You can select the VGA modes for your video adapter, four options are available: MONO

EGA/VGA ' CGA 40 ' CGA 80 ' Back to MONO. The default setting is

'

EGA/VGA.

Halt On:

You can select which type of error will cause the system to halt. Five options are available:

All Errors ' No Errors ' All, But Keyboard ' All, But Diskette ' All, But Disk/Key

Back to All Errors.

'

You can see your system memory list in the lower right box, it shows the

Extended Memory

and o

ther Memory

size configuration in your system.

Base Memory

,

ZH6

Introduction of the BIOS 3-11

3-3. BIOS Features Setup Menu

In each item, you can press <F1> at any time to display all the options for this item.

Attention

BIOS Features Setup Menu has already been set for maximum operation. If you do not

really understand each of the options in this menu, we recommend you use default

values.

Figure 3-4. BIOS Features Setup

Virus Warning:

This item can be set as Enable or Disable.

When this feature is enabled, if there is any attempt from a software or an application to

access the boot sector or the partition table, the BIOS will warn you that a boot virus is

attempting to access to the hard disk.

CPU Level 1 Cache:

This item is used to Enable or to Disable the CPU level 1 cache. When the cache is set at

Disable, it is much slower, so the default setting for this item is Enable. Some old and very

poorly written programs will make the computer malfunction or crash if the system speed is

too high. In that case, you should Disable this feature.

User’s Manual

3-12 Chapter3

CPU Level 2 Cache:

This item is used to enable or to disable the CPU level 2 cache. When the external cache is

enabled, the system works faster. The default is Enable.

CPU Level 2 Cache ECC Checking:

This item is used to enable or to disable the CPU level 2 cache ECC checking function.

Quick Power On Self Test:

After the computer has been powered on, the BIOS of the motherboard will run a series of

tests in order to check the system and its peripherals. If the Quick power on self-test feature

is Enable, the BIOS will simplify the test procedures in order to speed up the boot process.

The default is Enable.

Boot Sequence:

When the computer boots up, it can load the operating system from the floppy drive A, hard

drive, SCSI drive or CD-ROM. There are many options for the boot sequence:

A, C, SCSI

➤

C, A, SCSI

➤

C, CD-ROM, A

➤

CD-ROM, C, A

➤

D, A, SCSI (At least 2 IDE HDD can be used)

➤

E, A, SCSI (At least 3 IDE HDD can be used)

➤

F, A, SCSI (At least 4 IDE HDD can be used)

➤

SCSI, A, C

➤

SCSI, C, A

➤

A, SCSI, C

➤

LS/ZIP, C

➤

Swap Floppy Drive:

This item can be set as Enable or Disable.

When this feature is enabled, you don’t need to open the computer case to swap the position

of floppy disk drive connectors. Drive A can be set as drive B and drive B can be set as drive

A.

ZH6

Introduction of the BIOS 3-13

Boot Up Floppy Seek:

When the computer boots up, the BIOS detects if the system has an FDD or not. When this

item is enabled, if the BIOS detects no floppy drive, it will display a floppy disk drive error

message. If this item is disabled, the BIOS will skip this test.

Boot Up NumLock Status:

On: At boot up, the Numeric Keypad is in numeric mode.

➤

Off: At boot up, the Numeric Keypad is in cursor control mode.

➤

IDE HDD Block Mode:

This item can be set as Enable or Disable.

Most of new hard disk drives (IDE drives) support multi-sector transfers. This feature

speeds up hard disk drive access performance and reduces the time necessary to access data.

When this item is enabled, the BIOS will automatically detect if your hard disk drive

supports this feature or not, and will choose the right settings for you. (

)

Disable

Typematic Rate Setting:

The default is

This item allows you to adjust the keystroke repeat rate. When enabled, you can set the two

keyboard typematic controls that follow (Typematic Rate and Typematic Rate Delay). If this

item is disabled, the BIOS will use the default setting.

Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec):

When you press a key continuously, the keyboard will repeat the keystroke according to the

rate you have set. (Unit: characters/second

Typematic Rate Delay (Msec):

When you press a key continuously, if you exceed the delay you have set here, the keyboard

will automatically repeat the keystroke according to a certain rate. (Unit: milliseconds)

Security Option:

This option can be set to

System

or to

Setup

）

.

User’s Manual

3-14 Chapter3

After you have created a password through PASSWORD SETTING, this option will deny

access to your system (System) or modification of computer setup (BIOS Setup) by

unauthorized users.

➤

SYSTEM:

➤

SETUP:

Don’t forget your password. If you forget the password, you will have to open the

computer case and clear all information in the CMOS before you can start up the

system. But by doing this, you will have to reset all the options you had set up before.

PCI /VGA Palette Snoop:

This option allows the BIOS to preview VGA Status, and to modify the information

delivered from the Feature Connector of the VGA card to the MPEG Card. This option can

solve the display inversion to black after you have used the MPEG card.

OS Select For DRAM > 64MB:

When the system memory is bigger than 64MB, the communication method between the

BIOS and the operating system will differ from one operating system to another. If you use

OS/2, select OS2; if you choose another operating system, select Non-OS2.

When you choose System, a password is required each time the computer

boots up. If the correct password is not given, the system will not start.

When you choose Setup, a password is required only when accessing the

BIOS Setup. If you have not set a password in the PASSWORD SETTING

option, this option is not available.

Notice

Report No FDD For WIN 95:

When using Windows 95 without floppy drive, please set this item to Yes.

Delay IDE Initial (Sec):

This item is used to support some old model or special type of hard disks or CD-ROMs,

since the BIOS may not detect those kinds of devices during system booting.

ZH6

Introduction of the BIOS 3-15

Processor Number Feature:

This feature can let the program read the data inside your processor. This feature only works

with Intel

®

Pentium® III processors. When you install a Pentium® III processor into your

motherboard, and when your system boots-up then this item will show up in BIOS.

Two items will be available: Enabled and Disabled. When you choose Enabled, the specific

program can read your processor's serial number. When you choose Disabled it will not

allow the program to read your processor's serial number. The default setting is Disabled.

Video BIOS Shadow:

This option is used to define whether the BIOS on the video card uses the shadow feature or

not. You should set this option to Enabled, otherwise the display performance of the system

will greatly decrease.

Shadowing address ranges:

This option allows you to decide if the ROM BIOS area of an interface card at a specific

address uses the shadow feature or not. If you have no interface card using this memory

block, don’t enable this option.

You have six address ranges you can select:

C8000-CBFFF Shadow, CC000-CFFFF Shadow, D0000-D3FFF Shadow, D4000-D7FFF

Shadow, D8000-DBFFF Shadow, DC000-DFFFF Shadow.

Computer Knowledge: SHADOW

What is the SHADOW? The BIOS of standard video or interface cards is stored in

ROM, and it is often very slow. With the Shadow feature, the CPU reads the BIOS on

the VGA card and copies it into RAM. When the CPU runs this BIOS, the operation is

speeded up.

User’s Manual

3-16 Chapter3

3-4. Chipset Features Setup Menu

The Chipset Features Setup Menu is used to modify the contents of the buffers in the chipset

on the motherboard. Since the parameters of the buffers are closely related to hardware, if

the setup is not correct or is false, the motherboard will become unstable or you will not be

able to boot up. If you don’t know the hardware very well, use default values (i.e. use the

LOAD SETUP DEFAULTS option).

Figure 3-5. Chipset Features Setup

You can use the arrow keys to move between the items. Use

change the values. When you have finished setting up the chipset, press

the main menu.

SDRAM RAS-to-CAS Delay:

This field lets you control the number of DCLKs between a Row Active command and a

read or write command.

SDRAM RAS Precharge Time:

The precharge time is the number of cycles it takes for the RAS to accumulate its charge

before DRAM refresh. If insufficient time is allowed, refresh may be incomplete and the

DRAM may fail to retain data. This field applies only if synchronous DRAM is installed in

the system.

ZH6

PgUP, PgDn, +

to go back to

ESC

or - key to

Introduction of the BIOS 3-17

SDRAM CAS latency Time:

Two options are available: 2 and 3. You can select SDRAM CAS (Column Address Strobe)

latency time according your SDRAM specification.

SDRAM Precharge Control:

Two options are available: Enabled and Disabled. This option specifies the length of the

RAS precharge part of the DRAM system memory access cycle when SDRAM system

memory is installed on the motherboard. The default setting is Disabled.

System BIOS Cacheable:

You can select Enable or Disable. When you select Enabled, you get faster system BIOS

executing speed via the L2 cache.

Video BIOS Cacheable:

You can select Enable or Disable. When you select Enabled, you get faster video BIOS

executing speed via the L2 cache.

Video RAM Cacheable:

You can select Enable or Disable. When you select Enabled, you get faster video RAM

executing speed via the L2 cache. You must check your VGA adapter manual to find out if

any compatibility problems will occur.

8 Bit I/O Recovery Time:

Nine options are available: NA ' 8 ' 1 ' 2 ' 3 ' 4 ' 5 ' 6 ' 7 'Back to NA. This

option specifies the length of a delay inserted between consecutive 8 bit I/O operations. For

an earlier 8 bit Add-on card, sometimes you need to adjust its recovery time to make it work

normally.

16 Bit I/O Recovery Time:

Five options are available: NA ' 4 ' 1 ' 2 ' 3 ' Back to NA. This option specifies

the length of a delay inserted between consecutive 16 bit I/O operations. For an earlier 16 bit

Add-on card, sometimes you need to adjust its recovery time to make it work normally.

User’s Manual

3-18 Chapter3

Memory Hole At 15M-16M:

This option is used to free up the memory block 15M-16M. Some special peripherals need to

use a memory block located between 15M and 16M, and this memory block has a size of 1M.

We recommend that you disable this option.

Passive Release:

Two options are available: Enabled and Disabled. Set the option to enabled or disabled

passive release for the Intel PIIX4 chip (Intel PCI to ISA bridge). This function is used to

meet the latency of the ISA bus master, if you have an ISA card compatibility problem, you

can try to enable or disable this option for optimal result.

Delayed Transaction:

Two options are available: Enabled and Disabled. Set the option to enabled or disabled

delayed transaction for the Intel PIIX4 chip. This function is used to meet the latency of PCI

cycles to or from the ISA bus. This option must be enabled to provide PCI 2.1 compliance. If

you have an ISA card compatibility problem, you can try to enable or disable this option for

optimal results.

AGP Aperture Size (MB):

Seven options are available: 4 ' 8 ' 16 ' 32 ' 64 ' 128 ' 256 ' Back to 4. This

option specifies the amount of system memory that can be used by the AGP device. The

aperture is a portion of the PCI memory address range dedicated for graphics memory

address space.

Spread Spectrum:

Three options are available: Disable'0.25%'0.5%. For EMC (Electro-Magnetic

ompatibility Test) testing you may need to adjust these options for optimal results, we do

C

not recommend you change the default, except for special reasons. Some values you select

may cause system instability under some situations, please be careful.

Temperature Warning:

This item lets you select the temperature that you want the system to send out to the PC

speakers a warning message of when the temperature goes beyond either limit. You can

ZH6

Introduction of the BIOS 3-19

select the temperatures you want, they are any from 30°C / 86°F to 120°C / 248°F. It lets you

increase by one step increments, 1°C / 1.8°F.

Thermal, Fans Speed and Voltages Monitor:

These items list current states of CPU and system temperature as well as fan speed (CPU fan

and chassis fan). It can not be changed by the user.

The following items list the voltage states of the system power. Just like Thermal & Fan

Monitor, it is unchangeable.

Note

The hardware monitoring features for temperature, fans and voltages will occupy the

I/O address from 294H to 297H. If you have a network adapter, sound card or other

add-on cards that might use those I/O addresses, please adjust your add-on card I/O

address, to avoid the use of those addresses.

There are small differences in the chipset feature setup according to different motherboard

models, but this has no influence upon performance. Our default setup should be the best

one.

User’s Manual

3-20 Chapter3

3-5. Power Management Setup Menu

The difference between Green PCs and traditional computers is that Green PCs have a

power management feature. With this feature, when the computer is powered on but inactive,

the power consumption is reduced in order to save energy. When the computer operates

normally, it is in Normal mode. In this mode, the Power Management Program will control

the access to video, parallel ports, serial ports and drives, and the operating status of the

keyboard, mouse and other device. These are referred to as Power Management Events. In

cases where none of these events occur, the system enters the power saving mode. When one

of the controlled events occurs, the system immediately returns to normal mode and

operates at its maximum speed. Power saving modes can be divided into three modes

according to their power consumption: Doze Mode, Standby Mode, and Suspend Mode. The

four modes proceed in the following sequence:

Normal Mode ===> Doze Mode ===> Standby Mode ===> Suspend Mode

The system consumption is reduced according the following sequence:

Normal > Doze > Standby > Suspend

1. In the Main Menu, select "Power Management Setup" and press "Enter". The following

screen is displayed:

ZH6

Figure 3-6. Power Management Setup Menu

Introduction of the BIOS 3-21

2. Use the arrow keys to go to the item you want to configure. To change the settings, use

PgUP, PgDn, +

or - key.

3. After you have configured the Power Management feature, press

to go back to the

Esc

Main Menu.

We are now going to briefly explain the options in this menu:

ACPI Function (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface):

ACPI gives the operating system direct control over the power management and Plug and

Play functions of a computer.

There are two options that can be selected, “Enabled” and “Disabled”. You can select

“Enabled” to enable ACPI functions. If you want ACPI functions to work normally, you

should notice two things. One is your operating system must support ACPI, as of now only

Microsoft

®

Windows® 98 supports these functions. The second thing is that all devices and

add-on cards in your system, must fully support ACPI, both hardware and software (drivers).

If you want to know if your devices or add-on cards support ACPI or not, please contact the

device or add-on card manufacture for more information. If you want to know more about

ACPI specifications, please go to the address below for more detailed information:

http://www.teleport.com/~acpi/acpihtml/home.htm

ACPI requires an ACPI-aware operating system. ACPI features include:

Plug and Play (including bus and device enumeration) and APM functionality normally

!

contained in the BIOS.

Power management control of individual devices, add-in cards (some add-in cards may

!

require an ACPI-aware driver), video displays, and hard disk drives.

A Soft-off feature that enables the operating system to power off the computer.

!

Support for multiple wake up events (see Table 5-1).

!

Support for a front panel power and sleep mode switch. Table 5-2 describes the system

!

states based on how long the power switch is pressed, depending on how ACPI is

configured with an ACPI-aware operating system.

Note

If you enable the ACPI function in the BIOS setup, the SMI switch function will not

work.

User’s Manual

3-22 Chapter3

System States and Power States

Under ACPI, the operating system directs all system and device power state transitions. The

operating system puts devices in and out of low-power states based on user preferences and

knowledge of how devices are being used by applications. Devices that are not being used

can be turned off. The operating system uses information from applications and user settings

to put the system as a whole into a low-power state.

Table 5-1: Wake Up Device and Events

The table below describes which devices or specific events can wake the computer from

specific states.

These device/events can wake up the
computer…… ……from this state

Power switch Sleeping mode or power off mode
RTC alarm Sleeping mode or power off mode
LAN Sleeping mode or power off mode
Modem Sleeping mode or power off mode
IR command Sleeping mode
USB Sleeping mode
PS/2 keyboard Sleeping mode
PS/2 mouse Sleeping mode
Sleep button Sleeping mode

Table 5-2: Effect of Pressing the Power Switch

If the system is in this
state……

Off Less than four seconds Power on
On More than four seconds Soft off/Suspend
On Less than four seconds Fail safe power off
Sleep Less than four seconds Wake up

Power Management:

Four options:

User Define

➤

User Define defines the delay for accessing the power modes.

Min Saving

➤

When the three saving modes are enabled, the system is set up for minimum power

savings.

ZH6

……and the power switch
is pressed for ……the system enters this

state

Introduction of the BIOS 3-23

Doze = 1 hour

Standby = 1 hour

Suspend = 1 hour

Max Saving

➤

When the three saving modes are enabled, the system is set up for maximum power

savings.

Doze = 1 minute

Standby = 1 minute

Suspend = 1 minute

Disable

➤

Disable the power management function.

PM Control by APM:

Power Management is completely controlled by the APM.

APM stands for Advanced Power Management, it is a power management standard set by

Microsoft, Intel and other major manufacturers.

Video Off Method:

Three video off methods are available: "Blank Screen", "V/H SYNC + Blank" and "DPMS".

The default is "V/H SYNC + Blank".

If this setting does not shut off the screen, select “Blank Screen”. If your monitor and video

card support DMPS standard, select “DPMS”.

Video Off After:

Select the saving mode in which the video is switched off.

NA

➤

The video will never be switched off in no power saving mode.

Suspend

➤

The video will only be switched off in Suspend mode.

Standby

➤

The video will only be switched off in Standby or Suspend mode.

Doze

➤

The video will be switched off in all power saving modes.

User’s Manual

3-24 Chapter3

CPU Fan Off Option:

CPU fan can be turned off in suspend mode.

Modem Use IRQ:

You can specify the IRQ for modem use.

Doze Mode:

When the setting selected for "Power Management" is "User Define", you can define for this

mode any delay from 1 minute to 1 hour. If no power management event occurs during this

time period, meaning that the computer is inactive during this period, the system will enter

the Doze power saving mode. If this mode is disabled, the system will enter the next mode in

the sequence (Standby or Suspend mode).

Standby Mode:

When the setting selected for "Power Management" is "User Define", you can define for this

mode any delay from 1 minute to 1 hour. If no power management event occurs during this

time period, meaning the computer is inactive during this period, the system will enter the

Standby power saving mode.

If this mode is disabled, the system will enter the next mode in the sequence (Suspend

mode).

Suspend Mode:

When the setting selected for "Power Management" is "User Define", you can define for this

mode any delay from 1 minute to 1 hour. If no power management event occurs during this

time period, meaning the computer is inactive during this period, the system will enter the

Suspend power saving mode. The CPU stops working completely.

If this mode is disabled, the system will not enter the Suspend mode.

ZH6

Introduction of the BIOS 3-25

HDD Power Down:

If the system has not accessed data on the hard disk drive during the specified time period,

the engine of the HDD will stop in order to save electricity. You can set 1 to 15 minutes or

select Disable according to your use of the HDD.

Throttle Duty Cycle:

This is used to specify the CPU speed in power saving mode. Six options are available:

12.5%, 25.0%, 37.5%, 50.0%, 62.5% or 75.0% .

Power Button Override:

It is activated when the user presses the power button for more then four seconds while the

system is in the working state, then the system will transition to the soft-off (Power off by

software). This is called the power button over-ride.

Resume by LAN:

To enable this feature, you must make sure your network software and network adapter

(LAN card) support such a function. This function is also called “ Wake on LAN “ (WOL).

Power on by Ring:

If you connect an external modem to the onboard serial port, the system will be turned on

when a telephone ring-up occurs.

Power on by Alarm:

The RTC alarm can turn on the system. You can set date (of month) and time (hour, minute,

and second).

PM Timer Events:

When one of the specified events occur, the count down made for entry in power saving

mode goes back to zero. Since the computer will enter a power saving mode only after an

inactivity delay specified (time specific for Doze, Standby and Suspend modes) and after it

has no activity, during this time period, any event will cause the computer to re-count the

time elapsed. Resume events are operations or signals that cause the computer to resume

time counting.

User’s Manual

3-26 Chapter3

IRQ [3-7, 9-15], NMI:

➤➤➤➤

If any IRQ or NMI (Non-Mask Interrupt) activities occur, this will cause the computer to

re-count the time elapsed.

VGA Active Monitor:

➤➤➤➤

If there is any VGA data transfer or any I/O activities, this will cause the computer to

re-count the time elapsed.

IRQ8 Break Suspend:

➤➤➤➤

Supports the RTC alarm wake up from suspend function (via IRQ8).

IDE Primary Master:

➤➤➤➤

If any IDE primary master I/O activity occurs, it will cause the computer to re-count the

time elapsed.

IDE Primary Slave:

➤➤➤➤

If any IDE primary slave I/O activity occurs, it will cause the computer to re-count the

time elapsed.

➤ IDE Secondary Master:

If any IDE secondary master I/O activity occurs, it will cause the computer to re-count

the time elapsed.

➤ IDE Secondary Slave:

If any IDE secondary slave I/O activity occurs, it will cause the computer to re-count the

time elapsed.

Floppy Disk:

➤➤➤➤

If any floppy disk I/O activity occurs, it will cause the computer to re-count the time

elapsed.

Serial Port:

➤➤➤➤

If any serial port I/O activity occurs, it will cause the computer to re-count the time

elapsed.

Parallel Port:

➤➤➤➤

If any Parallel port I/O activity occurs, it will cause the computer to re-count the time

elapsed.

Mouse Break Suspend:

➤➤➤➤

Four options are available: Yes'No (COM1) 'No (COM2) 'No (PS/2)

.

Ye s

ZH6

'Back to

Introduction of the BIOS 3-27

3-6. PNP/PCI Configuration

In this menu, you can change the INT# and IRQ of the PCI bus and other hardware settings.

Figure 3-7. PNP/PCI Configuration Menu

PNP OS Installed:

Device resource assigned by PnP OS or BIOS.

Force Update ESCD:

If you want to clear ESCD data next time you boot up, and ask the BIOS to reset the settings

for the Plug & Play ISA Card and the PCI Card, select Enabled. But the next time you boot

up, this option will automatically be set as Disabled.

Computer Knowledge: ESCD (Extended System Configuration Data)

The ESCD contains the IRQ, DMA, I/O port, memory information of the system. This

is a specification and a feature specific to the Plug & Play BIOS.

Resources Controlled By:

When resources are controlled manually, assign each system interrupt as one of the

following types, depending on the type of device using the interrupt:

User’s Manual

3-28 Chapter3

Legacy ISA

devices compliant with the original PC AT bus specification, requiring a specific

interrupt (such as IRQ4 for serial port 1).

PCI/ISA PnP

devices compliant with the Plug and Play standard, whether designed for the

PCI or ISA bus architecture.

Two options are available: Auto or Manual. The Award Plug and Play BIOS has the

capability to automatically configure all of the boot and Plug and Play compatible devices. If

you select Auto, all the interrupt request (IRQ) and DMA assignment fields disappear, as the

BIOS automatically assigns them. But if you have trouble in assigning the interrupt resource

automatically, you can select Manual to set which IRQ and DMA are assigned to PCI/ISA

PnP or legacy ISA cards.

Assign IRQ For VGA :

You can assign an IRQ for the PCI VGA or

Disabled

.

Assigned IRQ For USB:

If you need another IRQ to be freed up, you can choose to disable this item, and you can get

an IRQ. But in some situations in Windows

®

95 it may cause the USB port to malfunction or

have other problems! Two options are available: Enable or Disable.

PIRQ_0 Use IRQ No. ~ PIRQ_3 Use IRQ No:

This item allows you to specify the IRQ number for the device installed on PCI slots. Which

means, you can specific the fixed IRQ number for the device installed on the PCI slots (PCI

slot 1 to PCI slot 5, including the AGP slot). This is a useful function when you want to fix

the IRQ for a specific device.

For example, if you want to remove your hard disk to another computer and don’t want to

re-install the Windows

®

NT 4.0 (and lower versions), then you can specific the IRQ for

device install on the new computer to fit original computer settings.

Note

If you specify the IRQ in this item, then you cannot specify the same IRQ to the ISA

bus, otherwise, it will cause a hardware conflict.

You must be familiar with the PCI interrupt distribution mechanism to adjust this setting.

This feature is for the operating system which will record and fix the PCI configuration

ZH6

Introduction of the BIOS 3-29

status, if you want to change it.

For the relations between the hardware layout of PIRQ (the signals from the PIIX4 chipset),

INT# (means PCI slot IRQ signals) and devices, please refer to the table below:

Signals

PIRQ_0 INT A INT D INT C INT B
PIRQ_1 INT B INT A INT D INT C
PIRQ_2 INT C INT B INT A INT D
PIRQ_3 INT D INT C INT B INT A

USB used PIRQ_4.

!

Each PCI slot has four INT#s (INT A~INT D), and the AGP slot has two INT# (INTA and

!

INT B).

Although the ZX chipset only supports 4 PCI bus master signals, the ZH6 offers users

an additional PCI slot. Why? Because many Add-on cards such as the Voodoo series of

graphics cards, some PCI-VGA and LAN cards don't occupy the bus master signal. So

ABIT provides our customer better expandability by offering an extra PCI slot.

PCI slot 1

AGP slot

PCI slot 2 PCI slot 3

Note: 5 PCI Slots

PCI slot 4
PCI slot 5

3-7. Load Setup Defaults

Setup defaults are the settings that allow your system to operate at its highest performance.

When you choose this option, the following message is displayed:

“Load Setup Defaults (Y/N)? N”

If you want to use BIOS Setup default values, press “Y”, then <Enter> to complete the

loading of the settings for best performance.

You should first load the best settings, than enter the CPU Soft Menu to set up CPU

parameters, otherwise the BIOS will replace set parameters by default parameters.

User’s Manual

3-30 Chapter3

3-8. Integrated Peripherals

In this menu, you can change the onboard I/O device, I/O port address and other hardware

settings.

Figure 3-8. Integrated Peripherals Menu

Onboard IDE-1 Controller:

The onboard IDE 1 controller can be set as Enabled or Disabled.

Master Drive PIO Mode:

✏✏✏✏

Auto: The BIOS can auto-detect the transfer mode of the IDE devices in order to set

➤➤➤➤

its data transfer rate. (Default)

You can select the PIO mode from 0 to 4 of the IDE devices in order to set its data

transfer rate.

Slave Drive PIO Mode:

✏✏✏✏

Auto: The BIOS can auto-detect the transfer mode of the IDE devices in order to set

➤➤➤➤

its data transfer rate. (Default)

You can select the PIO mode from 0 to 4 of the IDE devices in order to set its data

transfer rate.

Master Drive Ultra DMA:

✏✏✏✏

Ultra DMA is a DMA data transfer protocol that utilizes ATA commands and the ATA

bus to allow DMA commands to transfer data at a maximum burst rate of 33 MB/sec.

ZH6

Introduction of the BIOS 3-31

Auto: When you select

➤

data transfer rate for each IDE device. (Default)

Disabled: If you encounter the problem of using Ultra DMA devices, you can

➤

try to

Disable

Slave Drive Ultra DMA:

✏

Auto: When you select

➤

data transfer rate for each IDE device. (Default)

Disabled: If you encounter the problem of using Ultra DMA devices, you can

➤

try to

Disable

Onboard IDE-2 Controller:

The onboard IDE-2 controller can be set at Enabled or Disabled.

Master Drive PIO Mode:

✏✏✏✏

Auto: The BIOS can auto-detect the transfer mode of the IDE devices in order to set

➤

its data transfer rate. (Default)

You can select the PIO mode from 0 to 4 of the IDE devices in order to set its data

transfer rate.

Slave Drive PIO Mode:

✏✏✏✏

Auto: The BIOS can auto-detect the transfer mode of the IDE devices in order to set

➤

its data transfer rate. (Default)

You can select the PIO mode from 0 to 4 of the IDE devices in order to set its data

transfer rate.

, the system automatically determines the optimal

Auto

this item.

, the system automatically determines the optimal

Auto

this item.

Master Drive Ultra DMA:

✏✏✏✏

Ultra DMA is a DMA data transfer protocol that utilizes ATA commands and the ATA

bus to allow DMA commands to transfer data at a maximum burst rate of 33 MB/sec.

Auto: When you select

➤

data transfer rate for each IDE device. (Default)

Disabled: If you encounter a problem using Ultra DMA devices, you can try to

➤

this item.

Disable

Slave Drive Ultra DMA:

✏✏✏✏

Auto: When you select

➤

data transfer rate for each IDE device. (Default)

Disabled: If you encounter the problem of using Ultra DMA devices, you can try to

➤

this item.

Disable

, the system automatically determines the optimal

Auto

, the system automatically determines the optimal

Auto

User’s Manual

3-32 Chapter3

PIO MODE 0~4 reflects the IDE device data transfer rate. The higher the MODE value is,

the better is the IDE device data transfer rate. But it does not mean that you can select the

highest MODE value just as you like, you first have to be sure that your IDE device supports

this MODE, otherwise the hard disk will not be able to operate normally.

USB Keyboard Support Via:

You can choose either the OS or the BIOS to support the USB keyboard. Depending on the

situation. Two options are available: OS or

option, you can use a USB keyboard under the MS-DOS environment but don’t need to

install a driver.

Init Display First:

When you install more than one display cards, you can choose either a PCI display card or

an AGP display card to activate the display boot-up screen. If you only installed one display

card, the BIOS will detect which slot (AGP or PCI) you installed it, in then everything will

be take care of by the BIOS.

KBC Input Clock Select:

This item allows you to change the keyboard clock, if you have a keyboard problem, like

keyboard failure, slow typing response time, etc. You may try to change the keyboard clock

settings for optimal result.

, OS is the default setting. With the BIOS

BIOS

Power On Function:

This item allows you to select which way you want your system to power on. Five items are

available: Button Only ' Keyboard 98 ' Hot Key ' Mouse Left ' Mouse Right.

Default setting is

The mouse wake up function can only be used with the PS/2 mouse, not with a mouse

that uses the COM port and USB connection.

need to double click the mouse

also need to note the compatibility issue with your PS/2 mouse, some PS/2 mice cannot

wake up the system, because of compatibility problems. If the spec. of your keyboard is

too old, you may fail to power on.

ZH6

Button Only.

left (right

Note

Mouse Left (Mouse Right

) button, for the computer to power on. You

) means, you

Introduction of the BIOS 3-33

Keyboard 98:

✏✏✏✏

If you are using Windows

Windows

®

98 operating system. You can enable this item, and use your keyboard wake

®

98 and you have a keyboard that is designed for the

up key to wake up your computer.

Hot Key Power On:

✏✏✏✏

There are twelve options are available, Ctrl-F1 to Ctrl-F12. You can select this item and

using the Ctrl plus the one of each function key (F1 to F12) to power on the computer.

Onboard FDD Controller:

This is to Enable or Disable the Onboard FDD Controller.

Onboard Serial Port 1:

This is used to specify the I/O address and IRQ of Serial Port 1. Ten options are available:

Disable, 3F8h/IRQ4, 2F8h/IRQ3, 3E8h/IRQ4 or 2E8h/IRQ3, 3F8h/IRQ10, 2F8h/IRQ11,

3E8h/IRQ10, 2E8h/IRQ11, and AUTO.

Onboard Serial Port 2:

This is used to specify the I/O address and IRQ of Serial Port 1. Ten options are available:

Disable, 3F8h/IRQ4, 2F8h/IRQ3, 3E8h/IRQ4 or 2E8h/IRQ3, 3F8h/IRQ10, 2F8h/IRQ11,

3E8h/IRQ10, 2E8h/IRQ11, and AUTO.

Onboard IR Function:

✏✏✏✏

Three options are available:

IrDA (HPSIR ) mode.

➤

ASK IR (Amplitude Shift Keyed IR) mode.

➤

Disabled.

➤

RxD , TxD Active:

✏✏✏✏

Set IR transmission/reception polarity as High or Low.

IR Transmission Delay:

✏✏✏✏

Set IR transmission delays 4 character-time(40 bit-time) when SIR is changed from RX

mode to TX mode.

Onboard Parallel Port:

Sets the I/O address and IRQ of the onboard parallel port. Four options are available:

User’s Manual

3-34 Chapter3

Disable, 3BCh/IRQ7, 278h/IRQ5 and 378h/IRQ7. Default is 378h/IRQ7.

Parallel Port Mode:

✏✏✏✏

Can be set as ECP, EPP, ECP+EPP, or Normal (SPP) mode. Default is Normal (SPP)

mode.

ECP Mode Use DMA:

✏✏✏✏

When the mode selected for the onboard parallel port is ECP, the DMA channel selected

can be Channel 1 or Channel 3.

EPP Mode Select:

✏✏✏✏

When the mode selected for the onboard parallel port is EPP, two EPP version options

are available: EPP1.7 and EPP1.9.

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Introduction of the BIOS 3-35

3-9. Password Setting

This option allows you to set a password required to start the system (System) or to access to

the BIOS (Setup).

After you have set a password through the PASSWORD SETTING option, you can enter the

Security Option in the “BIOS Features Setup Menu” to select the security level in order to

prevent any unauthorized access.

Password setting procedure:

When you choose the Password setting option, the following message is displayed:

“Enter Password:“

Type your password. When complete, press <Enter>. The following message is displayed:

“Confirm Password:“

Type your password again. When complete, press <Enter>. The password setting is

completed.

Password clearing procedure:

When you select the Password setting option, the following message is displayed:

“Enter Password:“

Press <Enter>, the message “Password Disable” is displayed. Press a key. The password

clearing procedure is completed.

Notice

Do not forget your password. If you forget it, you will have to open the computer case,

clear the contents of the CMOS, and boot the system up again. By doing this, you must

reset all your parameters.

User’s Manual

3-36 Chapter3

3-10. IDE Hard Disk Detection

After you have installed the hard disk, in old systems, you had to know the hard disk

specifications, such as the number of cylinders, heads and sectors, and to enter the relevant

information into the hard disk information section. If the CMOS data was erased, and you

had forgotten the hard disk specifications, it was a great problem. But now, you can use this

option to auto detect the hard disk type and specifications, and the BIOS will automatically

detect all the relevant information and place them in the Hard Disk data section of the

Standard CMOS Setup Menu

. In order to allow you to use your hard disk.

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Introduction of the BIOS 3-37

3-11. Save & Exit Setup

Figure 3-9. Save & Exit Setup

You can save all your selection to CMOS and exit BIOS to reboot your computer.

3-12. Exit Without Saving

Figure 3-10. Exit Without Saving

You can exit and without saving all your selection to CMOS, then exit BIOS to reboot your

computer.

User’s Manual

3-38 Chapter3

ZH6

BIOS Flashing User Instructions A-1

Appendix A BIOS Flashing User Instructions

When your motherboard needs to be upgraded with new features or to fix some

compatibility problems of the BIOS, you will need to use this BIOS flash utility. This utility

is provided by Award Software, and it’s easy to flash by yourself. But you have to read all

the information within this section before flashing.

Before you can flash the BIOS you need to first go into the

rebooting your system and going directly into DOS. Basically, there are two ways to flash

your BIOS. One is to directly type the full line commands that are described in this section.

The utility will then flash your BIOS. When you finish the flash operation, you will see the

screen as in Figure A-2

The other method is to just type

press enter, the Flash Memory Writer V7.05 screen will show up, please refer to Figure A-

Note A-1

1

. You need to type “NEWBIOS” (the file name or you can use another name if you

choose) into the “File Name to Program”, then press enter. When you finish the flash

operation, you will see the screen as in Figure A-2.

Note A-1

.

(under Award flash BIOS utility directory) then

awdflash

pure DOS environment

by

Figure A-1. Award Flash Memory Writer V7.05 Start Screen

When you have finished updating your BIOS, you will see the screen as in Figure A-2. You

then need to press the F1 key to reset the system, or press the

key to exit the writer.

F10

User’s Manual

A-2 Appendix A

Figure A-2. Award Flash Memory Writer V7.05 Complete Screen

Figure A-3 shows you what commands you can use for the flashing program, you need to go

into the pure DOS environment and type

, then you will see Figure A-3.

awdflash

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Figure A-3. Flash Commands Screen

BIOS Flashing User Instructions A-3

Note A-1

The BIOS file name in the figure shown to you is only an example, you should check

which .bin file is to be used with your motherboard, don’t flash with the wrong .bin file.

Otherwise, you may cause system malfunctions. Even the same models BIOS,

according its release date and according to which problems are fixed, also have

different .bin names. Please read the BIOS file description before you download it.

Example 1: To update the BIOS and create a backup of the current system BIOS execute

this command:

AWDFLASH NEWBIOS /PY SAVEBIOS /SY

Example 2: To update the BIOS, create a backup of current system BIOS, and clear the

CMOS, execute this command:

AWDFLASH NEWBIOS SAVEBIOS /CC

Example 3: To update the BIOS and clear PnP settings execute this command:

AWDFLASH NEWBIOS /SN /CP

Example 4: To make a backup of the current system BIOS execute the following command:

AWDFLASH NEWBIOS /PN SAVEBIOS

Notes A-2

“NEWBIOS” indicates the file name for the new BIOS which can be downloaded from

our web site at http://www.abit.com.tw (the user can choose a different file name in

place of NEWBIOS). “SAVEBIOS” indicates the filename of the old system BIOS (the

user can choose a different file name in place of SAVEBIOS).

Explanation of parameter names:

/CC: Clears CMOS data

/CP: Clears PnP data

/CD: Clears DMI data

Remarks:

1. When executing AWDFLASH.EXE, do not run HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE in the

User’s Manual

A-4 Appendix A

CONFIG.SYS.

2. Please take the following actions to solve problems caused by power shortage or other

non-preventable malfunctions during BIOS updating that lead to update failure. First, it is

strongly suggested that you format a disk that can boot your computer before you update

your BIOS. If the above mentioned problem occurs during BIOS updating you will be

able to use this disk to automatically execute a BIOS update. The content of the disk

should be the following:

(1) Startup system files (COMMAND.COM, MSDOS.SYS, IO.SYS ...)

(2) AWDFLSH.EXE

(3) The NEWBIOS file which can be download from ABIT web site.

(4) AUTOEXEC.BAT, which has the following content:

A:\AWDFLASH NEWBIOS /PY /SN /CC /CD

For example, to update the ZH6 BIOS version to FZ (ZH6_LM.BIN), you need to

type:

A:\AWDFLASH ZH6_LM.BIN /PY /SN /CC /CD

3. If you try to flash a version of BIOS that is for the incorrect motherboard model the

following message will appear:

“The program file’s part number does not match with your system!”

ZH6

Install HighPoint XStore Pro Utility B-1

Appendix B Installing the HighPoint XStore Pro

Utility

We provide a useful and powerful utility in our product package,

What does XStore do? The XStore Pro is a hard disk enhancement utility which can improve

system performance. The basic concept is using a read-ahead caching algorithm to improve

the hard disk performance. With a market trend where most system’s standard

configurations are moving towards 48 MBytes memory size or beyond, HighPoint’s XStore

Pro provides higher system performance. XStore Pro is a new generation of XStore MMX

Accelerator for Storage.

XStore Pro utilizes the bigger system memory size to enhance memory management by

working with Windows

read ahead caching after seeking, with large block sizes of hard disks. And best of all,

XStore Pro supports several PCI Bus Master Controllers such as Intel, SiS, Ali, Via and

others.

When you install XStore Pro, you can choose to install CD Xpress at the same time. Why do

you need CD Xpress? We’ll tell you more about it.

CD-ROM technology is growing fast, but its performance is still unacceptable compared to

today's hard drives. The transfer rates of today's hard drives can exceed 18MB/sec with

access times below 12ms. However, transfer rates for the fastest CD-ROM drives on the

market are below 2MB/sec with access times over 100 ms.

CD Xpress was created to accelerate the accessing speed of the CD-ROM drive by utilizing

the hard drive's high performance. CD Xpress reads and buffers data from the CD-ROM to

an area in the hard drive. With CD Xpress, when you access CD-ROM data, you are actually

accessing data from a swap file in the hard drive. This results in a tremendous increase in

CD-ROM performance without penalties.

®

95 and 98. XStore Pro optimizes higher system performance by

HighPoint XStore Pro

.

Before you install this utility, there are several things you need to know.

Important Note

1. You can only install one Bus Master Driver at a time in your system, or the drivers will

result in conflict and cause system hangs. Please make sure you don’t have any Bus

Master Driver installed in your system before you install XStore Pro! You must remove

all components of the previous Bus Master Driver before you install XStore Pro to your

system. For example, you cannot install both the Intel

®

bus master driver and HighPoint

User’s Manual

B-2 Appendix B

XStore Pro in your system, otherwise it will cause system conflict when you install the

second bus master driver!

2. This Windows

®

95/98 driver does not support CD-ROM Changers. If you have an ATAPI

CD-ROM Changer installed in your system, please do not install this driver!

3. We have found that the Windows

®

95 OSR2/Windows® 98 version would fail to load the

driver on some systems using the Bus Master chipset after you install and restart the

system. The following step could solve this problem if it happens:

(1) Go to My Computer and double click Control Panel.

(2) Double click System then go to Device Manger and View Devices by Type.

(3) Go to hard disk controllers.

(4) Double click PCI Bus Master IDE Controller (Ultra DMA supported). (There should

be a yellow mark besides this item)

(5) Click Resources and you should see a box near the bottom of the screen that says “Set

Configuration Manually”.

(6) Click on “Set Configuration Manually” and you will see a check next to “Use

automatic setting”.

(7) Uncheck the box and when the system asks you to reboot click “yes”.

(8) After the system restarts the yellow mark should be gone

4. De-Installation:

To uninstall XStore Pro from your system, run "Uninstall" from the HighPoint XStore Pro

program group. This uninstall utility will: deactivate CD Xpress, if CD Xpress is active,

remove the buffer space, and uninstall XStore Pro and CD Xpress from the system. After

uninstalling XStore Pro, the hard disk will return to its original status. We suggest users to

reboot the system after finishing uninstalling.

5. The ATAPI LS-120 device will be recognized as a removable device in retail Windows

95(4.00.95) and OSR1 Windows 95(4.00.95 A) after the XStore Pro driver is installed.

6. This driver might lock on certain motherboards. Please check HighPoint Technology first

if you encounter problems.

For more detailed information, please check the read me file stored in the

Program Group

. If you want to upgrade to a new version of driver or want to know more

XStore Pro

about XStore Pro products, please go to the HighPoint Technologies Inc’s company WEB

site, the URL is http://www.highpoint-tech.com/.

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Install HighPoint XStore Pro Utility B-3

This CD-ROM (Or floppy diskette) has the HighPoint XStore Pro drivers. (Version 1.2) The

following procedure describes how to install the HighPoint XStore to your system. If you

have a floppy diskette but not the CD-ROM, just insert the diskette and run the

Setup.exe

file to start installation.

Step 1:

In Windows

®

95/98,

place the CD-ROM into the

computer. The main menu will

show up. Click the

XStore Pro Install

HighPoint

button, then

you will see the XStore Pro

installer is preparing the

InstallShield

is done, the

®

Wizard. When it

screen will

We lc o me

show up.

Press the “Next” key,

Step 2:

you will see the screen below.

You then need to choose

whether you want to install

XStore Pro only, or if you want

to install both XStore Pro and

CD Xpress. Press the “Next”

key to continue.

User’s Manual

B-4 Appendix B

Press the “Next” key,

Step 3:

you will see the license screen.

Step 4:

continue screen below.

Step 5:

process is done, you will see the

screen below. This screen will

show up only when you install

both XStore Pro and CD Xpress.

If you want to see the ReadMe

file, you can click on the circle.

Press “Yes” to the

When installation

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Install HighPoint XStore Pro Utility B-5

Choose the “Yes, I want

Step 6:

to restart my computer now.”

button, then system will restart.

Or you can choose the “No, I will

restart my computer later.”.

Note

You must restart your computer after you installed the XStore Pro utility. Otherwise,

software may works not properly.

User’s Manual

B-6 Appendix B

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Hardware Monitoring Function C-1

Appendix C Hardware Monitoring Function

(Installing The Winbond Hardware
Doctor Utility)

Winbond Hardware Doctor is a self-diagnostic system for PCs and must be used with the

Winbond chipset: W83781D/W83782D/W83783S IC series products.

It will protect PC hardware by monitoring several critical items including power supply

voltages, CPU & system fan speeds, and CPU and system temperatures. These items are

important for the operation of the system, errors may result in permanent damage of the PC.

Once any item is out of its normal range, a warning message will pop up and remind the user

to take proper measures.

The following description will tell you how to install the Hardware Doctor and use it. This

CD-ROM (Or floppy diskette) has the Winbond Hardware Doctor utility. If you have a

floppy diskette and not the CD-ROM, just insert diskette 1 and execute the

start installation.

In Windows

Step 1.

the CD-ROM into the computer.

The main menu will show up. Click

the

Hardware Doctor Install

button, then the

screen will show up, please refer the

to figure below.

Setup.exe

HWDoctor Setup

file to

®

95/98, place

Click the “OK” button, then

Step 2.

see the screen below.

User’s Manual

C-2 Appendix C

You can specify the

Step 3.

program install path by clicking

“Change Directory” button. Or if

you want to use the default path,

click the icon to continue

the install process. Now the screen

will show you the percentage of

installation progress.

When the progress finishes,

Step 4.

click the “OK” button.

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Go to the Windows toolbar

Step 5.

and click the “Start” button, then

choose the “program”

“HWDoctor” (See the arrow mark

on figure below).

'

Hardware Monitoring Function C-3

Once any item is out of its normal range, a warning message will pop up.

The figure below shows the warning message windows.

Ignore:

Disable:

Shutdown:

Help:

If the warning message pops up due to the wrong warning limit, you can adjust it in the

“Configuration” option. For example if you set the temperature high limit to 40°C, you are

easy to exceed proper temperature.

Please pay attention to two things when you want to make any changes in the

“Configuration” option. Firstly, you have to make sure your new setting is in the proper

range. Secondly, after you finished the configuration, you have to save it. Otherwise, the

program will start with the default value the next time.

If you meet any problems or have any questions about the software settings and adjustments,

please use the Winbond hardware doctor on-line help, it should give you enough

information to answer your questions.

You can ignore the warning message of the item this time, but it will still pop up

when the error of the same item happens again.

The chosen item will be no longer monitored thereafter, unless you activate it in

the "Configuration" page.

Choosing this button will shutdown the computer..

You can read more information and self-diagnose simple problems.

User’s Manual

C-4 Appendix C

ZH6

Troubleshooting (Need Assistance?) D-1

Appendix D Troubleshooting (Need Assistance?)

If you have a problem during operation and in order to help our technical support personnel

to quickly find out what the problem of your motherboard is and to give you the answers you

need, before filling in the technical support form, eliminate any peripheral that is not related

to the problem, and indicate on the form, the key peripherals. Fax this form to your dealer or

to the company where you bought the hardware in order to benefit from our technical

support. (You can refer to the examples given below)

(

Example 1: With a system including: motherboard (with CPU, DRAM, COAST...) HDD,

CD-ROM, FDD, VGA CARD, MPEG CARD, SCSI CARD, SOUND CARD,

etc. After the system is assembled, if you cannot boot up, check the key

components of the system using the procedure described below. First remove

all interface cards except the VGA card and try to reboot.

If you still cannot boot up:

))))

Try installing another brand/model VGA card and see if the system will

start. If it still does not start, note the VGA card model, motherboard model,

Bios identification number, CPU on the technical support form (refer to

main instructions), and describe the problem in the problem description

space provided.

If you can boot up:

))))

Insert back the interface cards you have removed one by one and try to start

the system each time you insert a card, until the system doesn’t start

anymore. Keep the VGA card and the interface card that causes the problem

inserted on the motherboard, remove any other card or peripheral, and start

again. If you still cannot start, note down the information related to both

cards in the add-on Card space provided, and don’t forget to indicate the

motherboard model, version, BIOS identification number, CPU (refer to

main instructions), and give a description of the problem.

(

Example 2: With a system including the motherboard (with CPU, DRAM, COAST...) HDD,

CD-ROM, FDD, VGA CARD, LAN CARD, MPEG CARD, SCSI CARD,

SOUND CARD, after assembly and after having installed the Sound Card

Driver, when you restart the system, when it runs the Sound Card Driver, it

resets automatically. This problem may be due to the Sound Card Driver.

User’s Manual

D-2 Appendix D

During the Starting DOS… procedure, press SHIFT (BY-PASS) key, to skip

CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT; edit CONFIG.SYS with a text editor,

and in function the line that loads the Sound Card Driver, add a remark REM, in

order to disable the Sound Card Driver. See the example below.

CONFIG.SYS:

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS

DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE HIGHSCAN

DOS=HIGH, UMB

FILES=40

BUFFERS=36

REM DEVICEHIGH=C:\PLUGPLAY\DWCFGMG.SYS

LASTDRIVE=Z

Restart the system. If the system starts and does not reset, you can be sure that

the problem is due to the Sound Card Driver. Note down the Sound Card model,

motherboard model, BIOS identification number on the technical support file

(refer to main instructions), and describe the problem in the space provided.

***

++

++

Main instructions...

++++

To fill in this “Technical Support Form”, refer to the step-by-step instructions given below:

*

. MODEL:

1

Note the model number given in your user’s manual.

Example: ZH6, BX6, BH6, etc…

*

2

. Motherboard model number (REV):

the motherboard as “REV:*.**”.

Example: REV: 1.01

*

3

. BIOS ID and Part Number

: See next page example.

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Note the motherboard model number labeled on

Troubleshooting (Need Assistance?) D-3

4. DRIVER REV:

disk (if have) as “Release *.**”. For example:

Note the driver version number indicated on the DEVICE DRIVER

User’s Manual

D-4 Appendix D

5*. OS/APPLICATION:

Indicate what are the operating system and the applications your

are running on the system.

Example: MS-DOS

*

Indicate the brand and the speed (MHz) of your CPU.

.CPU:

6

®

6.22, Windows® 95, Windows® NT....

Example:(A) In the “Brand” space, write “Intel”, in the “Specifications” space, write

“ Pentium

7. HDD:

,

®

II MMX 300MHz”

。

Indicate the brand and specifications of your HDD(s), specify if the HDD is using

IDE1 or ,IDE2. If you know the disk capacity, indicate it and check (“-”) “

case you give no indication, we will consider that your HDD is “.IDE1” Master.

Example: In the “HDD” space, check the box, in the Brand space, write “Seagate”, in the

Specifications space, write “ST31621A (1.6GB)”.

8. CD-ROM Drive:

if it uses , IDE1 or ,IDE2， and check (“-”) “

Indicate the brand and specifications of your CD-ROM drive. Specify

”; in case you give no indication, we

will consider that your CD-ROM is “.IDE2” Master.

Example: In the “CD-ROM drive” space, check the box, in the Brand space, write

“Mitsumi”, in the Specifications space, write “FX-400D”.

9. System Memory (DRAM):

Indicate the brand and specifications (SIMM / DIMM) of

your system memory. For example:

In the Brand space, write “Panasonic”, in the Specifications space, write “SIMM-FP

DRAM 4MB-06”.

”; in

Or, in the Brand, write “NPNX”, in the Specifications space, write “SIMM-EDO DRAM

8MB-06”.

Or, in the Brand space, write “SEC”, in the Specifications space, write “DIMM-S

DRAM 8MB-G12”.

10. ADD-ON CARD:

Indicate which add-on cards you are

absolutely sure

are related to the

problem.

If you cannot identify the problem’s origin, indicate all the add-on cards inserted into

your system.

Note

Items between the “*” are absolutely necessary.

ZH6

Troubleshooting (Need Assistance?) D-5

Technical Support Form

%%%%

Company name:

Contact:

*

Model * BIOS ID # *
Motherboard
Model No.
OS/Application

Hardware name Brand Specifications
CPU *
HDD IDE1

CD­ROM
Drive
System Memory
(DRAM)
ADD-ON CARD

1

Problem Description:

*

IDE2
IDE1
IDE2

DRIVER REV

Phone #:

/

Fax #:

0

User’s Manual

D-6 Appendix D

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