Acer ALTOS 9100 User Manual

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& K DSWHU
System Board

1.1 Features

The M9N is a dual-processor system board that supports the Intel Pentium II CPU. It contains an exclusive connector for the CPU board that carries two slots for the Pentium II CPU modules.
A 50-pin Fast SCSI-II interface and two 68-pin W ide SCSI interfaces come with the system board to connect SCSI devices. External I/O interfaces include a parallel port and a video port, RJ-45 and USB connectors, and keyboard and mouse ports.
The system board supports two optional features, the ASM Pro and the remote diagnostic management (RDM), that allow better server management. The ASM Pro detects problems in CPU thermal condition, CPU working voltage detection (±12V/±5V/3.3V/1.5V), and PCI bus utilization calculation. It also detects if the CPU fan or the chassis fan malfunctions. The RDM allows execution of the RDM diagnostic program from a remote RDM station to fix detected problems or to reboot the system.
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1.2 Major Components

The system board has the following major components:
CPU board slot
Two ISA and five PCI bus slots (one PCI slot may include an
optional RAID port) 256-KB Flash ROM for system BIOS
System clock/calendar with battery backup
50-pin Fast SCSI-II and two 68-pin Wide SCSI interfaces
Two 24-pin RDM interfaces
IDE hard disk and diskette drive interfaces
Onboard VRAM and VRAM sockets for video memory upgrade
Power connector for both standard 420-watt SPS and redundant
420-watt SPS Super I/O, SCSI, VGA, memory, and Advanced Server
Management (ASM) controller chipsets External ports:
PS/2-compatible keyboard port (optional AT-keyboard port)
PS/2-compatible mouse port
Parallel port
Video port
RJ-45 connector
Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector
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1.3 Layout

3
5
278
9
918
2
4
6
0
Figure 1-1 shows the system board components.
17
1
2
21
2
1
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
1 Keyboard port 2 Mouse port 3 Parallel port 4 Video port 5 RJ-45 connector 6 USB connector 7 CPU board slot 8 PCI slots 9 ISA slots 10 Flash ROM BIOS 11 RAID port (optional)
12 Wide SCSI connector 2 13 Wide SCSI connector 1 14 Narrow SCSI connector 15 Diskette drive connector 16 EIDE connector 17 Battery 18 RDM connectors 19 Power connectors 20 Video RAM 21 Power connector 22 Video RAM upgrade sockets
Figure 1-1 System Board Layout
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1.4 Jumpers and Connectors

1.4.1 Jumper and Connector Locations

Figure 1-2 shows the jumper and connector locations on the s ystem board.
Figure 1-2 System Board Jumper and Connector Locations
Jumpers are prefixed “JP”. Connectors are prefixed “CN”. The blackened pin of a jumper represents pin 1.
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1.4.2 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
Software Shutdown Control for CN4
JP1 1-2
BIOS Type
JP2 1-2
Password Security
JP3 1-2
SCSI Channel 1 High-Byte Termination
JP4 1-2*
VGA Feature
JP5 1-2*
*
2-3
2-3*
2-3*
2-3 Open
2-3
Enabled Disabled
Branded Generic
Check password Bypass password
Terminator always set to ON SCSI terminator set to ON or OFF by software Terminator set to OFF
Normal (Auto) Onboard VGA always disabled
*
Default setting
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1.4.3 Connector Functions

Table 1-2 lists the differ ent connectors on the system board and their respective functions.
Table 1-2 Connector Functions
Connector Function
CN1 COM 1
CN2, U3, U8 Power connectors
CN3 COM 2 CN4 Software shutdown connector for 420-watt SPS CN7 PS/2 mouse (above) / keyboard (below) connectors CN8 Power switch
CN9 Power LED and keylock connector CN10 Monitor signal connector for redundant power supply CN12 Software shutdown connector for redundant power
CN13 Backplane board LED connector CN14 Printer port (above) / video port (below) CN15 IDE connector CN16 LAN connector CN17 Diskette drive connector CN18 Channel 1 narrow SCSI connector CN19 Universal serial bus (USB) ports CN22 Channel 1 wide SCSI connector CN23 Hard disk LED connector CN25 SMM connector CN26 Channel 2 wide SCSI connector
CN27, CN28 RDM connectors
CNN3 Connec tor for chassis intrusion prevention
FA1, FA2, FA3 Fan connectors
supply
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1.5 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.
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1.6 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.
Follow these steps to upgrade the video memory:
1. Locate the video DRAM upgrade sockets labeled U36 and U37 on the system board. See Figure 1-1.
2. Gently insert a video chip into each of the upgrade sockets.
Make sure that the pin 1 indicator on the chip matches the notched corner of the socket.
Pin 1 Indicator
Notched Corner
Figure 1-3 Installing a Video Memory Chip
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1.7 ASM Pro

The ASM Pro is a server management tool based on the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). It detects server problems related to the CPU thermal condition, 5V/3.3V/1.5V detection, or PCI bus utilization calculation.
This feature is designed primarily for server supervisors and management inform ation system (MIS) personnel to help them detect errors or potential trouble spots in their network servers through a single management station.
The ASM Pro consists of two major parts:
ASM-Station - a Windows-based monitoring station that
communicates with the ASM-Agents. ASM-Agent(s) - the individual servers managed by the
ASM-Station.
Refer to the ASM Pro user’s manual for more information.
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1.8 Remote Diagnostic Management

The Remote Diagnostic Management (RDM) is a network management tool that utilizes modems and telephone lines to control a host of servers from a remote station. It monitors and analyzes the server condition, updates the BIOS settings if necessary, or reboots the server in the event of failure and quickly return it to normal operation. This capability to execute the RDM program fr om a rem ote site bridges the distance barrier in fixing server problem s and reduces wasted time due to system failure.

1.8.1 Installing the RDM Module

The system board comes with connectors CN27 and CN28 to accommodate the RDM module.
Follow these steps to install the RDM module and connect the cable:
1. See Figure 1-1 for the location of the RDM connectors.
2. Gently insert the RDM module into CN27 and CN28. The module fits only in one direction. Do not force it into to the connectors.
CN28 CN27
Figure 1-4 Installing the RDM Module
Refer to the RDM User’s Guide for detailed instructions on RDM installation.
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1.9 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

1.9.1 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.

1.9.2 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 1-3 lists the system error messages.
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Table 1-3 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
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.
Modify the memory
configuration to agree with
one of the options in Table
2-x.
Replace hard disk.
Replace hard disk.
Check and connect the
keyboard to the system unit.
contact your dealer.
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Table 1-3 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
Memory Size Mismatch CPU Clock Mismatch
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 F1 key to continue or Ctrl-Alt-Esc for Setup
Real Time Clock Error Check the RTC chip. If it is still
CPU BIOS Code Mismatch Contact your dealer.
Check installed DIMMs. Contact your dealer.
Run Setup. Check if the values shown in the memory parameters are correct. If correct, exit Setup and reboot the system. If the error message reappears, seek 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
Setup.
good, run Setup. If not, replace the RTC chip.
or
+ + to enter
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1.9.3 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 either case, contact an authorized service center for assistance.
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