Acer ACERMATE 960, ACERBASIC II User Manual

& K DSWHU



System Board

The V56LA is a high-performance system board with a 64-bit
architecture. It supports the Intel P54C and P55C CPUs running at
100/120/133/150/166/200 MHz. It also supports 6x86/6x86L
Cyrix/IBM and AMD K5/K6 CPUs. The system board utilizes the
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) local bus architecture that
maximizes the system performance by enabling high-speed
peripherals to match the speed of the microproces sor with its 120 MB
or 132 MB per second transfer rate in burst mode.

A 1-MB or 2-MB SGRAM comes mounted onboard. Two DRAM
banks composed of four 72-pin sockets come with the board to
support single- and double-density SIMMs for a maximum system
memory of 128 MB. The SIMM sockets accommodate both the
standard page mode and extended data output (EDO) type SIMMs.
The board supports a 256-KB or 512-KB pipeline burst second-level
cache.

The system board includes a 188-pin connector f or the slot board that
contains the PCI and ISA bus slots. The two onboard PCI- enhanced
IDE interfaces with a zero-wait state and 16.6 MB per second transfer
rate support up to four IDE devices. Onboar d I/O interfaces c omprise
of two UART 16550 serial ports, a parallel port with ECP/EPP feature,
and PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports.

As added enhancements, the board also incorporates a Sound Blaster
Pro-compatible audio subsystem plus plug-and-play (PnP), power
management, and software shutdown features.

System Board 1-1

1.1 Major Components

The system board has the following major components:

A zero-insertion force (ZIF) socket for Intel Pentium and

•

Pentium/MMX, 6x86/6x86L Cyrix/IBM, and AMD K5/K6
Two DRAM banks composed of four 72-pin SIMM sockets that

•

support 4/8/16/32-MB 60/70ns SIMMs
256/512-KB write-back pipeline burst second-level cache

•

128/256-KB boot block mode Flash RO M for system BIOS, VGA

•

BIOS, and PnP ESCD
Two PCI-enhanced IDE interfaces that support up to four IDE

•

devices
System clock/calendar with 256-byte CMOS RAM

•

Standard 1-MB SGRAM onboard

•

188-pin connector for PCI/ISA slot board

•

Feature socket for multimedia or Ethernet solution

•

168-pin cache module socket for cache upgrade

•

External ports:

•

PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports

•

Two buffered high-speed serial ports

•

One ECP/EPP high-speed parallel port

•

Video port

•

RJ-45 connector (optional)

•

1-2 User’s Guide

1.1.1 System Board

23456

715

6

4

Figure 1-1 shows the locations of the system board major
components.

13

1

12

1

1

1 RJ-45 connector (optional)
2 Keyboard port
3 Mouse port
4 Serial port 1
5 Serial port 2
6 Parallel port
7 Video port
8 Tag SRAM
9 SIMM sockets

Figure 1-1 System Board Layout

10

9

8

10 CPU socket
11 Pipeline burst second-level

cache upgrade socket (optional)
12 Second-level cache onboard
13 CPU voltage regulators
14 Battery
15 Power connector
16 BIOS

11

System Board 1-3

1.1.2 Slot Boards

The system board comes with a slot board already installed. The slot
board carries the PCI and ISA bus slots for system enhanc ements and
future expansion.

The slot board may vary in size and layout depending on your system
housing. Figures 1-2 to 1-6 show the slot board types.

Figure 1-2 2 -PCI/3-ISA Slot Board (for desktop systems)

Figure 1-3 3-PCI/4-ISA Slot Board (for minitower systems)

1-4 User’s Guide

Figure 1-4 2 -PCI/3-ISA Slot Board (for Aspire desktop systems)

Figure 1-5 3-PCI/4-ISA Slot Board

(for Aspire minitower systems)

System Board 1-5

Figure 1-6 3-ISA Slot Board (for AcerBasic system)

Refer to the corresponding housing manual
for slot board installation instructions.

1-6 User’s Guide

1.2 Jumpers and Connectors

1.2.1 Jumper and Connector Locations

Figure 1-7 shows the jumper and connector locations on the s yst em
board.

Figure 1-7 System Board Jumper and Connector Locations

The blackened pin of a jumper represents
pin 1.

System Board 1-7

1.2.2 Jumper Settings

Table 1-1 lists the system board jumpers with their corresponding
settings and functions.

Table 1-1 System Board Jumper Settings

Jumper Setting Function

JP1 1-2

*

2-3

JP3 1-2*

2-3

JP4 1-2

2-3*

JP6 1-2*

2-3

JP7 1-2*

2-3

JP18 1-2

2-3*

JP19 1-2*

2-3

JP20 1-2 and 4-5*

2-3 and 5-6

Onboard VGA

Disabled
Enabled

BIOS Type

Acer BIOS
OEM BIOS

Password Security

Check password
Bypass password

Cache Size

256 KB
512 KB

BIOS ROM Type

Block ROM (2 Mbit)
Flash ROM (Intel 28F001)

LED Functions

IDE and FDD LED
IDE LED only

External Switch

Suspend button
Reset button

Software Shutdown

Software shutdown
Appears off

See Table 1-2 for the specif ic settings of j umpers JP8-J P15 and JP17
when selecting the CPU type and speed.

*

Default setting

1-8 User’s Guide

Table 1-2 CPU Type Selection

Jumper

CPU

Pentium

P-100 3-6 ON 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2
P-120 2-5 ON 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3
P-133 3-6 ON 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3
P-150 2-5 ON 1-2 1-2 2-3 2-3
P-166 3-6 ON 1-2 1-2 2-3 2-3
P-200 3-6 ON 1-2 1-2 2-3 1-2

Pentium ODP/MMX

166 3-6 OFF 1-2 1-2 2-3 2-3
200 3-6 OFF 1-2 1-2 2-3 1-2

AMD K5

PR120 2-5 ON 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2
PR133 3-6 ON 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2
PR150 2-5 ON 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3
PR166 3-6 ON 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3

Cyrix/IBM 6x86

P120+ 1-4 ON 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3
P150+ 2-5 ON 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3
P166+ 3-6 ON 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3

Cyrix/IBM 6x86L

P120+ 1-4 OFF 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3
P150+ 2-5 OFF 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3
P166+ 3-6 OFF 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3

JP8 JP9 JP13 JP14 JP15 JP17

System Board 1-9

1.2.3 Connector Functions

Table 1-3 lists the differ ent connectors on the system board and their
respective functions.

Table 1-3 Connector Functions

Connector Function

CN1 Video port
CN3 Fax/modem/voice-in connector
CN4 Audio I/O board connector
CN5 Line-in for AMC connector
CN6 Slot board connector
CN7 ATI media connector

CN8 CD-in connector
CN10 WaveTable connector
CN11 IDE 1 connector
CN12 IDE 2 connector
CN13 Power connector
CN14 Software shutdown connector
CN15 Active/LED connector
CN17 Reset/LED connector
CN18 IrDA connector (optional)
CN20 FDD/HDD LED connector
CN21 Power switch connector

FD1 Diskette drive connector

FN1 CPU fan connector

1-10 User’s Guide

Figure 1-8 shows the cables you can connect to the multifunction
connector CN17.

Suspend Switch

Power LED

Figure 1-8 20-pin Reset/LED Connector (CN17)

1.3 ESD Precautions

Always observe the following electrostatic discharge (ESD)
precautions before installing a system component:

1. Do not remove a component from its antistatic packaging until
you are ready to install it.

2. Wear a wrist grounding strap before handling electronic
components. Wrist grounding straps are available at most
electronic component stores.

Do not attempt the procedures described in
the following sections unless you are a
qualified technician.

System Board 1-11

1.4 Memory Upgrade

The system board comes with four 72-pin SIMM soc kets that support
4-MB and 16-MB single-density SIMMs and 8-MB and 32-MB double­density SIMMs. Table 1-4 lists the possible 64-bit memory
configurations.

Table 1-4 Memory Configurations (64-bit)

Bank 0 Bank 1 Total

SIMM-1 SIMM-2 SIMM-3 SIMM-4 Memory

4 MB 4 MB 8 MB

4 MB 4 MB 8 MB

8 MB 8 MB 16 MB

8 MB 8 MB 16 MB
4 MB 4 MB 4 MB 4 MB 16 MB
4 MB 4 MB 8 MB 8 MB 24 MB
8 MB 8 MB 4 MB 4 MB 24 MB
8 MB 8 MB 8 MB 8 MB 32 MB

16 MB 16 MB 32 MB

16 MB 16 MB 32 MB

4 MB 4 MB 16 MB 16 MB 40 MB

16 MB 16 MB 4 MB 4 MB 40 MB

8 MB 8 MB 16 MB 16 MB 48 MB

16 MB 16 MB 8 MB 8 MB 48 MB
16 MB 16 MB 16 MB 16 MB 64 MB
32 MB 32 MB 64 MB

32 MB 32 MB 64 MB

4 MB 4 MB 32 MB 32 MB 72 MB

32 MB 32 MB 4 MB 4 MB 72 MB

8 MB 8 MB 32 MB 32 MB 80 MB

32 MB 32 MB 8 MB 8 MB 80 MB
16 MB 16 MB 32 MB 32 MB 96 MB
32 MB 32 MB 16 MB 16 MB 96 MB
32 MB 32 MB 32 MB 32 MB 128 MB

1-12 User’s Guide

The system also supports 32-bit m emory configurations . This feature
allows you to install only one SIMM in a bank or in a configuration.
Table 1-5 shows the 32-bit configurations.

Table 1-5 Memory Configurations (32-bit)

Bank 0 Bank 1 Total

SIMM-1 SIMM-2 SIMM-3 SIMM-4 Memory

*

4 MB

4 MB 4 MB 4 MB 12 MB
4 MB 4 MB 8 MB 16 MB
4 MB 4 MB 16 MB 24 MB
4 MB 4 MB 32 MB 40 MB

8 MB* 8 MB

8 MB 8 MB 4 MB 20 MB
8 MB 8 MB 8 MB 24 MB
8 MB 8 MB 16 MB 32 MB
8 MB 8 MB 32 MB 48 MB

16 MB* 16 MB

16 MB 16 MB 4 MB 36 MB
16 MB 16 MB 8 MB 40 MB
16 MB 16 MB 16 MB 48 MB
16 MB 16 MB 32 MB 64 MB

32 MB* 32 MB

32 MB 32 MB 4 MB 68 MB
32 MB 32 MB 8 MB 72 MB
32 MB 32 MB 16 MB 80 MB
32 MB 32 MB 32 MB 96 MB

4 MB

*

May also be installed in SIMM-2, SI MM-3, or SIMM-4.

System Board 1-13

1.4.1 Installing a SIMM

Follow these steps to install a SIMM:

1. Carefully slip a SIMM at a 45° angle into a socket making sure
that the curved edge indicating the pin 1 of the SIMM matches
pin 1 of the socket.

A SIMM fits only in one direction. If you slip
in a SIMM but would not completely fit, you
may have inserted it the wrong way. Reverse
the orientation of the SIMM.

2. Gently push the SIMM to a vertical position until the pegs of the
socket slip into the holes on the SIMM, and the holding clips lock
the SIMM into position. The SIMM should be at a 90° angle when
installed.

1

Pin 1 Indicator
(curved edge)

Figure 1-8 Installing a SIMM

1-14 User’s Guide

2

Peg

Hole

1.4.2 Removing a SIMM

Follow these steps to remove a SIMM:

1. Press the holding clips on both sides of the SIMM outward to
release it.

2. Move the SIMM to a 45° angle.

3. Pull the SIMM out of the socket.

Holding Clip

1

3

2

Figure 1-9 Removing a SIMM

Always remove SIMMs from the socket
labeled SIMM-4, then SIMM-3, and so on.

System Board 1-15

1.4.3 SIMM Type Selection

When selecting SIMMs to install, mak e sure to take note of the height
limitations of the slot board installed in the system.

Table 1-6 shows the SIMM height limitations for the different slot
boards.

Table 1-6 SIMM Height Limitations

Slot Board SIMM Height Limit

Aspire Desktop and AcerBasic 23.3 mm
Aspire Minitower 28.8 mm
ID2PN and ID2M 21.8 mm
IDABN 26.8 mm

1-16 User’s Guide

1.4.4 Reconfiguring the System

You must enter Setup after installing or removing SIMMs to
reconfigure the system.

Follow these steps to reconfigure the system:

1. Turn the system on. A memory error message appears,
indicating that the total memory does not match the value stored
in CMOS.

2. Press
appears indicating an incorrect memory configuration.

3. Press

The system boots with the new memory configuration.

+ + to enter Setup. A warning message

twice to exit and reboot the system.

1.5 IDE Hard Disk Support

The system board supports four IDE hard disks, or any other IDE
devices, through the two onboard PCI IDE interfaces. See Figure 1-1
for the location.

Follow the instructions in the housing installation manual on how to
install a hard disk in the system. Connect the c ables according to the
IDE hard disk configuration in Table 1-7.

Table 1-7 IDE Hard Disk Configuration

IDE Connector Master Slave

Channel 1 Hard disk 0 Hard disk 1
Channel 2 Hard disk 2 Hard disk 3

System Board 1-17

1.6 CPU Installation

The system board com es with a zero-insertion for ce ( ZIF) CPU s ock et
for easy installation.

Follow these steps to install a Pentium CPU:

1. Lift up the socket lever.

2. Insert the CPU to the socket. Mak e sure that the notched corner
of the CPU matches the pin 1 indicator on the socket.

Be careful not to bend any pins.

3. Pull down the socket lever.

STEP 1

Notched Corner

STEP 2

STEP 3

Pin 1 Indicator

Figure 1-10 Installing a Pentium CPU

4. Set the CPU jumpers accordingly. Refer to Table 1-1.

1-18 User’s Guide

1.7 Video Memory Upgrade

Larger video memory allows you to display higher resolutions and
more colors. The system board comes with a 1-MB video memory
onboard upgradable to 2 MB.

1.8 Second-level Cache Configuration

The system board supports 256-KB or 512-KB pipeline bur st second­level cache. Table 1-8 shows the sec ond-level cache configurations.
Note that the cache is mounted onboard and not user-upgradable.

Table 1-8 Second-level Cache Configurations

Cache Size Data SRAM Type Tag SRAM Type

256 KB onboard 7 ns 32K * 32 x 2 15 ns 32K * 32 x 1
512 KB onboard 7 ns 32K * 32 x 2 15 ns * 8K 15 ns x 1

System Board 1-19

1.9 Audio Features

4

The system board supports a audio features compatible with Sound
Blaster, Sound Blaster Pro, and Windows Sound System. It has
connectors onboard to accommodate the audio-I/O board,
WaveTable, CD-ROM, and fax-voice modem.

You may disable the audio feature in the
BIOS Utility.

1.9.1 Installing the Audio-I/O Board

The connector CN4 on the system board acc ommodates the audio- I/O
board. Figure 1-11 shows how to install the board.

CN

Figure 1-11 Installing the Audio-I/O Board

1-20 User’s Guide

1.9.2 Audio-I/O Board Features

The audio-I/O board consists of microphone port, line-in port, line-out
port, and MIDI/game port. These ports accommodate the external
audio devices.

Microphone Port

Line-in Port

Line-out Port

MIDI/Game Port

Figure 1-12 Audio-I/O Board

The internal connectors on the audio-I/O boar d are useful for s ystem
housings with built-in speakers, microphone, amplifier, or auxiliary
devices. With the internal audio c onnectors func tioning exactly as the
external audio ports, you can utilize all the sound features supported
by the system board.

Since external speakers, microphone, and other audio devices give
better sound quality, the external audio ports take higher priority than
the internal connectors. When you attach external audio devices to
the ports, the internal audio devices are automatically disabled.

System Board 1-21

1.9.3 WaveTable Daughterboard (Optional)

4

0

The system board supports a WableTable
daughterboard as option. The WaveTable
does not come with the basic system.

The WaveTable daughterboard supports the same external
connectors as the audio-I/O board but comes with enhanced audio
features. It bundles chipsets that work together to produce better
sound quality.

Figure 1-13 shows the WaveTable installation.

CN1

CN

Figure 1-13 WaveTable Daughterboard

1-22 User’s Guide

1.9.4 Audio-I/O Devices

Figure 1-14 shows the various devices that you can connect to the
audio-I/O board.

Joystick

Synthesizer

MIDI Adapter

Speakers

Microphone

Figure 1-14 Audio I/O External Devices

Head phones

Stereo Amplifier

CD Player

System Board 1-23

1.10 QuickStart Power Saving Feature

(for Aspire models only)

The system board supports a special power saving feature called
QuickStart mode. QuickStart turns off the hard disk, monitor,
keyboard, and mouse once you press the power switch for less than
four seconds while the system is on.

This feature requires the Power Saving
Operation Mode parameter in the BIOS to be

QuickStart

set to
information on the setting description.

1.10.1 QuickStart Mode Operation

At any time while the system is running, enter the Quick Start mode by
simply pressing the power switch for less the four seconds. This
action causes the system to rest ( Quick Start state 1) by turning off the
keyboard, mouse, and monitor. After the specified time in the
QuickStart State Timer parameter in BIOS, the system sleeps
(QuickStart state 2) and turns off the hard disk.

Once the system enters Quick Star t mode, the hard disk/m es sage LED
and keyboard LED go off, while the power and monitor LEDs start
blinking.

. See Chapter 2 for more

When a mess age comes, the hard disk/message LED star ts blinking
orange, then green when the hard disk reads the message. After
getting the message, the hard disk and the LED go off again.

Press the power switch again for less than f our seconds to return to
the normal mode.

To enter or exit the QuickStart mode, make
sure to press the power switch within four
seconds. Pressing it for more than four
seconds turns off the system.

1-24 User’s Guide

1.11 Installing ISA Cards

Both PnP and non-PnP ISA cards require specific IRQs. When
installing ISA cards, mak e sure that the IRQs required by these c ards
are not previously assigned to PCI devices to avoid resource conflicts.

Follow these steps when installing ISA cards:

1. Remove all PnP cards installed in the system, if any.

2. Install non-PnP ISA cards.

3. Turn on the system.

4. Use Windows 95 or ICU to m anually assign the appropriate IRQs
to the cards. This ensures that BIOS will not use the resources
assigned to the non-PnP ISA cards.

BIOS detects and configures only PnP cards.

5. Turn off the system.

6. Install PnP ISA and PCI cards.

7. Turn on the system. This time PnP BIOS automatically configures
the PnP ISA and PCI cards with the remaining free IRQs.

System Board 1-25

1.12 Error Messages

Do not continue using the computer if you receive an error m es sage of
any type. Note the message and take corrective action. This sec tion
explains the different types of error messages and corresponding
corrective measures.

There are two general types of error messages:

Software

•

System

•

1.12.1 Software Error Messages

Software error messages are returned by your operating system or
application. These messages typically occur after you boot the
operating system or when you run your applications. If you receive
this type of message, consult your application or operating system
manual for help.

1.12.2 System Error Messages

A system error message indicates a pr oblem with the computer itself .
A message of this type normally appears during the power-on self-test,
before the operating system prompt appears.

Table 1-9 lists the system error messages.

1-26 User’s Guide

Table 1-9 System Error Messages

Message Action

CMOS Battery Error Replace the RTC chip or

contact your dealer.

CMOS Checksum Error Check the RTC chip and the

necessary jumper. If the

battery is still good, run Setup.
Display Card Mismatch Run Setup
Diskette Drive Controller Error

or Not Installed

Diskette Drive Error Diskette may be defective. If

Diskette Drive A Type
Mismatch

Diskette Drive B Type
Mismatch

Equipment Configuration Error Modify the memory

Hard disk Controller Error Run Setup.
Hard disk 0 Error Check all cable connections.

Hard disk 1 Error Check all cable connections.

Keyboard Error or No
Keyboard Connected

Keyboard Interface Error Replace the keyboard or

Check and connect the control

cable to the diskette

controller.

not, replace the diskette drive.

Run Setup and select the

proper drive type.

Run Setup and select the

proper drive type.

configuration to agree with

one of the options in Tables

1-3 or 1-4.

Replace hard disk.

Replace hard disk.

Check and connect the

keyboard to the system unit.

contact your dealer.

System Board 1-27

Table 1-9 System Error Messages (continued)

Message Action

Memory Error at:
MMMM:SSSS:OOO
(W:XXXX, R:YYYY)

where:
M: MB, S: Segment,
O: Offset, X/Y: write/read
pattern

CPU Clock Mismatch Run Setup. Check if the CPU

Onboard Serial Port 1
Conflict

Onboard Serial Port 2
Conflict

Onboard Parallel Port Conflict Run Setup and disable the

Pointing Device Error Check and connect pointing

Pointing Device Interface
Error

Press key to continue or

+ + for Setup

Real Time Clock Error Check the RTC chip. If it is still

Check SIMMs on the system
board. Contact your dealer.

clock is correct. If correct, exit
Setup and reboot the system.
If the error message reappears,
ask for technical assistance.

Run Setup and disable the
port.

Run Setup and disable the
port.

port.

device.
Replace the pointing device or

contact your dealer.
Press

to enter Setup.

good, run Setup. If not, replace
the RTC chip.

or + +

1-28 User’s Guide

1.12.3 Correcting Error Conditions

As a general rule, if an error message says "Press F1 to continue," it is
caused by a configuration problem, which can be easily corrected. An
equipment malfunction is more likely to cause a fatal error, i.e., an
error that causes complete system failure.

Here are some corrective measures for error conditions:

1. Run Setup. You must know the correct configuration values for
your system before you enter Setup, which is why you should
write them down when the system is correctly configured. An
incorrect configuration is a major cause of power-on error
messages, especially for a new system.

2. Remove the system unit cover. Check that the jumpers on the
system board and any expansion boards are set correctly.

3. If you cannot access a new disk, it m ay be because your disk is
not properly formatted. Format the disk fir st using the FDISK and
FORMAT commands.

4. Check that all connectors and boards are securely plugged in.

If you go through the corrective steps above and still receive an error
message, the cause may be an equipment malfunction.

If you are sure that your configuration values are correct and your
battery is in good condition, the problem may lie in a damaged or
defective chip.

In both cases, contact an authorized service center for assistance.

System Board 1-29