AOpen MX59 Pro User Manual

Chapter 1

Overview

MX59 Pro is an all-in-one Pentium-based motherboard that features VIA
MVP4 chipset with onchip high performance 2D/3D AGP graphics
controller and a 16-bit sound processor. This motherboard utilizes the

PCI/ISA architecture and Micro ATX form factor and integrates Super I/O
controller, a PCI mode 4 enhanced IDE controller with bus master and Ultra
DMA/66 to enhance system performance. It has 512KB pipelined-burst
second-level cache onboard and supports two Dual in-line memory module
(DIMM) slots that allow the installation of SDRAM memory and expansion up to
a maximum of 512MB.

In addition to the above features, MX59 Pro also implements plenty of special
features.

Full-range CPU core voltage This motherboard supports the CPU core
voltage from 1.3V to 3.5V, that can be applied to various CPU type in future.

High Efficient Synchronous Switching Power Regulator Most of the current
switching designs are asynchronous mode, which from the technical point of
view, still consumes very high power as well as heat. This motherboard
implements high efficient Synchronous switching design that the temperature of
MOS FET is less than 36 degree C comparing with 57 degree Schottky diode
of Asynchronous design.

Zero Voltage Wake on Modem In conjunction with ATX soft power On/Off, it
is possible to have system totally power off and wakeup to automatically
answer a phone call such as answering machine or to send/receive fax. The
most important break through is not only external box modem but also internal
modem card can be used to support 0V Wake On Modem. The MX59 Pro and
FM56-P internal modem card implement special circuit (patent applied) to make
sure the modem card work properly without any power.

Wake on LAN This feature is very similar as 0V Wake On Modem, but it is
through local area network. To use Wake on LAN function, you must have a
network card that supports this feature and also need to install a network
management software.

1-1

Overview

Wake on RTC Timer The Wake Up Timer is more like an alarm, which wakes
up and power on your system at a pre-defined time for specific application. It
can be set to wake up everyday or on specific date within a month. The
date/time accuracy is second.

Over Current Protection Circuit The Over Current Protection was very
popular implemented on the Baby AT or ATX +5V/+12V switching power supply.
It is very useful to prevent accidental short circuit when you install the
motherboard, HDD, add-on cards into housing. But unfortunately, the new
generation CPU and chipset use 3.3V/2.8V Voltage which has regulator to
transfer 5V to 3.3V (Vcpuio, chipset, PBSRAM, SDRAM) and 2.8V (CPU
Vcore), and makes 5V Over Current Protection useless. AOpen MX59 Pro
supports 3.3V and 2.8V Over Current Protection, in conjunction with 5V/12V
power supply provide the full line Over Current Protection.

CPU Thermal Protection MX59 Pro has a special thermal detection circuit to
have warning through application software when the temperature is higher than
a predefined value.

CPU and Housing Fan Monitoring MX59 Pro has one more "fan monitoring"
function to prevent system overheat. There are two fan connectors, one is for
CPU and the other can be an extra housing fan. The system will report and
alarm fan malfunction though utility software such as Hardware Monitor utility
(named AOhw100, where 100 means version number).

System Voltage Monitoring Furthermore, MX59 Pro implements a voltage
monitoring system, As you turn on your system, this smart design will continue
to monitor your system working voltage. If any of the system voltage is over the
component's standard. There will be alarm though software such as Hardware
Monitor utility for a warning to user.

Resetable Fuse MX59 Pro implements resetable fuses to prevent any
accidental short circuit caused by keyboard or USB devices hot plug.

FCC DoC Certificate MX59 Pro has passed FCC DoC test. The radiation is
very low, you can use any kind of housing.

Powerful Utility Software Included AOpen Bonus Pack CD disc contains
many useful utilities, such as Norton Antivirus, AOchip, Hardware Monitoring
Utility, and Suspend to Hard Drive utility.

Multi-language BIOS This breakthrough will help you set BIOS items without
the language barrier.

1-2

1.1 Specifications

Overview

Form Factor
Board Size
CPU

System Memory
Second-level Cache
Chipset
Expansion Slots
VGA (AGP)

Serial Port
Parallel Port

Floppy Interface

IDE Interface

USB Interface

PS/2 Mouse
Keyboard
RTC and Battery
BIOS

Micro ATX
220 mm x 245 mm
Intel Pentium Processor P54C, PP/MT (P55C), AMD

K5/ K6/K6-2/K6-III, Cyrix 6x86/M2 and IDT C6.
DIMM 168-pin x2, maximum 512MB.
512KB pipelined-burst cache onboard
VIA MVP4
ISA x1 and PCI x4
High performance 2D/3D graphics controller onchip in

VIA MVP4
Two serial ports UART 16C550 compatible
One parallel port supports standard parallel port (SPP),

enhanced parallel port (EPP) or extended capabilities
port (ECP).

Floppy interface supports 3.5 inches drives with
720KB, 1.44MB or 2.88MB format or 5.25 inches
drives with 360KB, 1.2MB format

Dual-channel IDE interface support maximum 4 IDE
hard disks or CDROM, mode 4, bus master hard disk
drives and Ultra DMA/66 mode hard drives are also
supported.

Two USB ports supported by USB bracket, the BIOS
also supports USB driver to simulate legacy keyboard.

Mini-Din PS/2 mouse connector onboard.
Mini-Din PS/2 keyboard connector onboard.
RTC build in chipset, Lithium (CR-2032) battery.
AWARD Plug-and-Play, 2M bit Flash ROM BIOS.
Multi-language versions supported.

1-3

Overview

InternalModemCardWake

Up(su

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sFM56

)

E

xte

o

dem

Externa

lModemWake

COM

ineTE

LLi

-

P

1.2 Zero Voltage Wake on Modem

The Wake on Modem discussed here is to wakeup from true power off
(identified by fan of power supply is off), This motherboard still supports
traditional green PC suspend mode but it is not discussed here.

With the help ATX soft power On/Off, it is possible to have system totally power
off (The traditional suspend mode of power management function does not
really turn off the system power supply), and wakeup to automatically answer a
phone call such as answering machine or to send/receive fax. You may identify
the true power off by checking fan of your power supply. Both external box
modem and internal modem card can be used to support 0V Wake On Modem,
but if you use external modem, you have to keep the box modem always
power-on. AOpen MX59 Pro and internal modem card implement special circuit
(patent applied) and make sure the modem card works properly without any
power. We recommend you choose AOpen modem card (For example, FM56-P,
FM56-H, etc.) for 0V Wake On Modem applications.

ne

port

rnalBox

M

1-4

Up

TELL

Overview

For Internal Modem Card (AOpen FM56-P):

1. Go into BIOS setup, Power Management à 0V Wake On Modem, select
Enabled.

2. Setup your application, put into Windows 95.

3. Turn system power off by soft power switch.

4. Connect 4-pin Modem Ring-On cable from FM56-P RING connector to
MX59 Pro connector WKUP.

5. Connect telephone line to FM56-P. You are now ready to use Wake On
Modem.

For External Box Modem:

1. Go into BIOS setup, Power Management à 0V Wake On Modem, select
Enabled.

2. Setup your application, put into Windows 95 Start Up.

3. Turn system power off by soft power switch.

4. Connect RS232 cable of external box Modem to COM1 or COM2.

5. Connect telephone line to external box Modem. Turn on Modem power (you
must keep Modem power always on). You are now ready to use Wake On
Modem.

Tip: External 0V Wake On Modem signal is detected
through COM1 or COM2. Internal modem card wake up
signal is detected through cable from connector RING (on
modem card) to WKUP (on mainboard).

Note: If you use external modem, the power of external
modem must be kept on to receive signal from telephone
line. Internal modem card has no such limitation.

1-5

Overview

1.3 System Voltage Monitoring

This motherboard implements a voltage monitoring system. As you turn on your
system, this smart design will continue to monitor your system working voltage.
If any of the system voltage is over the component's standard. There will be
alarm through application software such as Hardware Monitor utility for a
warning to user. System voltage monitoring function monitors CPU core voltage.
It is automatically implemented by BIOS and Hardware Monitor utility (the file
name is like aohw100.exe, where 100 means the version number, no hardware
installation is needed.

1.4 Fan Monitoring

There are three fan connectors, two is for CPU, the other can be a housing fan.
The fan monitoring function is implemented by connecting fan to 3-pin fan
connector CPUFAN1 and FAN, and installing Hardware Monitoring Utility.

Note: You need 3-pin fan that supports SENSE
signal for fan monitoring function to work properly.

1-6

Overview

1.5 CPU Thermal Protection

This motherboard implements special thermal protection circuit below the CPU.
When temperature is higher than a predefined value, the CPU speed will
automatically slow down and there will be warning from BIOS and also
Hardware Monitoring Utility software.

CPU Thermal Protection is automatically implemented by BIOS and utility
software, no extra hardware installation is needed.

1-7

Chapter 2

Hardware Installation

This chapter gives you a step-by-step procedure on how to install your system.
Follow each section accordingly.

Caution: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can
damage your processor, disk drives, expansion
boards, and other components. Always
observe the following precautions before you
install a system component.

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

2. Wear a wrist ground strap and attach it to
a metal part of the system unit before
handling a component. If a wrist strap is
not available, maintain contact with the
system unit throughout any procedure
requiring ESD protection.

2-1

Hardware Installation

CPU FAN1

COM1

PRINTER

VGA

CDIN

JP14

JP4

COM2

JP7

JP12

2.1 Jumper and Connector Locations

The following figure shows the locations of the jumpers and connectors on the
system board:

MODEM CN

KB2

I
S

A

PANEL

WOL

P

P

P

C

C

I

I

3

4

P

C

I

2

IrDA

C

I

1

USB

DIMM1
DIMM2

PS/2 MS

2-2

WOM

FAN

BIOS

FDC

IDE2

IDE1

JP6

JP5

Hardware Installation

Jumpers:

SW1: DIP Switch for CPU voltage and clock ratio
JP4, JP5, CPU external clock
JP6, JP7
JP12: CPU I/O Voltage
JP14: Clear CMOS

Connectors:

PS2: PS/2 mouse connector
KB: PS/2 keyboard connector
COM1: COM1 connector
COM2: COM2 connector
PRINTER: Printer connector
PWR2: ATX power connector
USB: USB connector
FDC: Floppy drive connector
IDE1: IDE1 primary channel
IDE2: IDE2 secondary channel
VGA: VGA connector
CPUFAN1: CPU fan connector
CDUFAN2: CPU fan connector
FAN: Fan connector
IrDA: IrDA (Infrared) connector
PANEL: Front panel (Multifunction) connector
CD-IN: CD-audio connector
MODEM-CN: Mono in (Pin 1-2) and Mic out (Pin 3-4)
WOM: 0V Wake On Modem connector
WOL: Wake On LAN connector

2-3

Hardware Installation

3

3

2.2 Jumpers

Jumpers are made by pin headers and plastic connecting caps for the purpose
of customizing your hardware. Doing so requires basic knowledge of computer
hardware, be sure you understand the meaning of the jumpers before you
change any setting. The onboard jumpers are normally set to their default with
optimized settings.

On the mainboard, normally there is a bold line marked beside pin 1 of the
jumper, sometimes, there are numbers also. If we connect (short) plastic cap to
pin 1 and 2, we will say set it at 1-2, and when we say jumper is open, that
means no plastic cap connected to jumper pins.

Open

1
2

Short

1
2

Jumper set at 1-2

1
2

Jumper set at 2-3

1
2

For your convenience to install a CPU, this motherboard also use a DIP switch
to set CPU voltage and frequency ratio. The following figure simply shows you
how to set this DIP switch, please see also to next sections for more details.

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

OFF ON

2-4

Hardware Installation

2.2.1 Setting the CPU Voltage

S4

ON
OFF
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
OFF

S5

ON
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
ON

S6

ON
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF

S7

ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
OFF
OFF

OFF

S8

OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF

Vcore

3.52V

3.45V

3.2V

2.9V

2.8V

2.4V

2.3V

2.2V

SW1 is used to select CPU
core voltage (Vcore) and ratio,
there are totally eight switches
on the DIP. After installing
CPU, remember to set the
switch 4-8 to specify a proper
Vcore.

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

3.2V

K6-233

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2.9V

K6-166/200 or M2

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

3.52V

6x86 or K5

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

3.45V

P54C

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

3.3V

IDT C6

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2.8V

P55C (MMX)

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2.4V

K6-2 400/450 and K6-III

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2.2V

K6-266/300 or K6-2

2-5

Hardware Installation

The following table lists possible settings of current CPU available on the
market. Note that the correct setting may vary because of new CPU product,
please see to your CPU specification for more details.

CPU Type Vcore S4 S5 S6 S7 S8

INTEL P54C Single Voltage 3.45V OFF ON ON ON OFF
INTEL P55C Dual Voltage 2.8V OFF OFF OFF ON OFF
AMD K5 Single Voltage 3.52V ON ON ON ON OFF
AMD K6-166/200 Dual Voltage 2.9V ON OFF OFF ON OFF
AMD K6-233 Dual Voltage 3.2V OFF OFF ON ON OFF
AMD K6-266/300 Dual Voltage 2.2V OFF ON OFF OFF OFF
AMD K6-2 Dual Voltage 2.2V OFF ON OFF OFF OFF
AMD K6-2 400/450 Dual Voltage 2.4V OFF OFF ON OFF OFF
AMD K6-III Dual Voltage 2.4V OFF OFF ON OFF OFF
Cyrix 6x86 Single Voltage 3.52V ON ON ON ON OFF
Cyrix 6x86L Dual Voltage 2.8V OFF OFF OFF ON OFF
Cyrix M2 Dual Voltage 2.9V ON OFF OFF ON OFF
IDT C6 Single Voltage 3.52V

3.3VONONONOFFONONONON

Warning: This high performance MX59 Pro motherboard
that AOpen presented to you has a capability to overclock to
124MHz external clock while still conforming the design
guide from VIA. This overclock scheme is accomplished by
AOpen's technical expertise as well as manufacturing
capabilities. However, please understand that some of the
add-on cards might not work with this board properly when
overclock scheme is engaged. Please use designated
speed when you encountered such a problem.

Warning: Note that overclocking may cause thermal
problem. Please make sure that the cooling fan and the
heatsink were adequate to dissipate excessive heat that's
generated by overclocking the CPU.

OFF
OFF

2-6

Tip: Normally, for single voltage CPU, Vcpuio (CPU I/O

Voltage) is equal to Vcore, but for CPU that needs dual
voltage such as PP/MT (P55C) or Cyrix 6x86L, Vcpuio is
different from Vcore and must be set to Vio (PBSRAM and
Chipset Voltage). The single or dual voltage CPU is
automatically detected by hardware circuit.

Tip: For supporting more different CPUs in future, this
motherboard uses five switches to specify Vcore. There are

Hardware Installation

32 settings totally, and the range is from 1.3V to 3.5V.

This motherboard supports the CPU core voltage from 1.3V to 3.5V, that can
be applied to various CPUs in the future. For your reference, all settings are
listed in the following table.

Vcore

1.30V

1.35V

1.40V

1.45V

1.50V

1.55V

1.60V

1.65V

1.70V

1.75V

1.80V

1.85V

1.90V

1.95V

2.00V

2.05V

2.1V

2.2V

2.3V

2.4V

2.5V

2.6V

2.7V

2.8V

2.9V

3.0V

3.1V

3.2V

3.3V

3.4V

3.5V

S4

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON
ON
OFF

ON
OFF

ON
OFF

ON
OFF

ON
OFF

ON
OFF

ON
OFF

ON

S5

OFF
OFF

ON

ON
OFF
OFF

ON

ON
OFF
OFF

ON

ON
OFF
OFF

ON

ON

OFF

ON

ON
OFF
OFF

ON

ON
OFF
OFF

ON

ON
OFF
OFF

ON

ON

S6

OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF

ON
ON
ON

ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF

ON

ON

ON

ON

OFF

OFF
OFF

ON

ON

ON

ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF

ON

ON

ON

ON

S7

OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF

ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON

OFF

OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF

ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON

S8

ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON

ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF

2-7

Hardware Installation

2.2.2 Selecting the CPU Frequency

S1

OFF
ON
ON
OFF
ON
ON
OFF
OFF

S2

OFF
OFF
ON
ON
OFF
ON
ON
OFF

S3

CPU Frequency Ratio

OFF

1.5x (3.5x)

OFF

2x (6x, 3.33x)

OFF

2.5x (1.75x)

OFF

3x

ON

4x

ON

4.5x

ON

5x (2.33x)

ON

5.5x (2.66x)

Intel Pentium, Cyrix 6x86 and
AMD K5/K6 CPU are
designed to have different
Internal (Core) and External
(Bus) frequency. The ratio of
Core/Bus frequency is
selected by the switch 1-3 of
SW1.

Note: Intel PP/MT MMX 233MHz is using 1.5x jumper setting
for 3.5x frequency ratio, and AMD PR166 is using 2.5x setting
for 1.75x frequency ratio.

Core frequency = Ratio * External bus clock

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

3x

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

4x

2-8

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1.5x (3.5x)

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2x (6x, 3.33x)

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2.5x (1.75x)

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

4.5x

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

5x (2.33x)

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

5.5x (2.66x)

Hardware Installation

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

CPU

2-3

2-3

2-3

1-2

60MHz

1-2

2-3

2-3

1-2

66.8MHz

2-3

1-2

2-3

1-2

70MHz

1-2

1-2

2-3

1-2

75MHz

2-3

2-3

2-3

2-3

75MHz

2-3

2-3

1-2

1-2

80MHz

1-2

2-3

2-3

2-3

80MHz

1-2

2-3

1-2

1-2

83.3MHz

2-3

1-2

2-3

2-3

83.3MHz

2-3

1-2

1-2

1-2

95.3MHz

1-2

1-2

1-2

1-2

100MHz

1-2

1-2

2-3

2-3

105MHz

2-3

2-3

1-2

2-3

110MHz

1-2

2-3

1-2

2-3

115MHz

2-3

1-2

1-2

2-3

120MHz

1-2

1-2

1-2

2-3

124MHz

JP4, JP5, JP6 and JP7 are the selections of CPU external clock (bus clock)
and PCI Clock.

PCI

30MHz

33.4MHz
35MHz
25MHz

37.5MHz

28.7MHz
40MHz

27.7MHz

41.7MHz

31.6MHz

33.3MHz
35MHz

36.7MHz

38.3MHz
40MHz

41.3MHz

JP4, JP5 and JP6 are
the selections of CPU
external clock (bus
clock), which is actually
the clock from clock
generator.

CPU:60MHz;

PCI:30MHz

CPU:66.8MHz;

PCI:33.4MHz

CPU:70MHz;

PCI:35MHz

CPU:75MHz;

PCI:25MHz

CPU:75MHz;

PCI:37.5MHz

CPU:80MHz;

PCI:28.5MHz

2-9

Hardware Installation

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

JP4

JP5

JP6

JP7

CPU:80MHz;

PCI:40MHz

CPU:83.3MHz;

PCI:27.7MHz

CPU:83.3MHz;

PCI:41.7MHz

CPU:95.3MHz;

PCI:31.6MHz

CPU:100MHz;

PCI:33.3MHz

CPU:105MHz;

PCI:35MHz

CPU:110MHz;

PCI:36.7MHz

CPU:115MHz;

PCI:38.3MHz

CPU:120MHz;

PCI:40MHz

CPU:124MHz;

PCI:41.3MHz

2-10

Warning: VIA MVP4 chipset supports maximum 100MHz

external CPU bus clock, the higher settings are for internal test
only, selecting these settings exceeds the specification of

MVP4 chipset, which may cause serious system damage.
Warning: While 100/105/110/112/115/120/124MHz is selected,

we strongly recommend choosing PC100 SDRAM for system
stability.

Hardware Installation

Caution: The following table lists possible settings of current
CPU available on the market. The correct setting may vary
because of new CPU product, refer to your CPU specification for
more details.

INTEL
Pentium

P54C 100 100MHz = 1.5x 66MHz OFF OFF OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
P54C 133 133MHz = 2x 66MHz ON OFF OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
P54C 166 166MHz = 2.5x 66MHz ON ON OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
P54C 200 200MHz = 3x 66MHz OFF ON OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2

INTEL
Pentium
MMX

PP/MT 166 166MHz = 2.5x 66MHz ON ON OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
PP/MT 200 200MHz = 3x 66MHz OFF ON OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
PP/MT 233 233MHz = 3.5x 66MHz OFF OFF OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2

Cyrix 6x86
& 6x86L

P166+ 133MHz = 2x 66MHz ON OFF OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
P200+ 150MHz = 2x 75MHz ON OFF OFF 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2

Cyrix M2 CPU Core

MX-PR200 166MHz =

MX-PR233 200MHz =

MX-PR266 233MHz = 3.5x 66MHz OFF OFF OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
MX-PR300 225MHz=

CPU Core
Frequency

CPU Core
Frequency

CPU Core
Frequency

Frequency

150MHz=

166MHz=3x2x

233MHz=3x3.5x

Ratio External

Ratio External

Ratio External

Ratio External

2.5x2x66MHz

Bus Clock

Bus Clock

Bus Clock

Bus Clock

75MHz
66MHz

83.3MHz

75MHz
66MHz

S1 S2 S3 JP4,JP5,JP6,JP7

S1 S2 S3 JP4,JP5,JP6,JP7

S1 S2 S3 JP4,JP5,JP6,JP7

S1 S2 S3 JP4,JP5,JP6,JP7

ONONON

OFFONON

OFF
OFFONOFF

OFF

OFF

OFF

1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2

OFF

1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2

OFF

1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2

OFF

1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 & 1-2

OFF

1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2

OFF

1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2

IDT C6 CPU Core

Frequency

C6-150 150MHz = 2x 75MHz ON OFF OFF 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2
C6-200 200MHz = 3x 66MHz OFF ON OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2

AMD K5 CPU Core Ratio External S1 S2 S3 JP4,JP5,JP6,JP7

Ratio External

Bus Clock

S1 S2 S3 JP4,JP5,JP6,JP7

2-11

Hardware Installation

Frequency Bus Clock

PR100 100MHz = 1.5x 66MHz OFF OFF OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
PR133 100MHz = 1.5x 66MHz OFF OFF OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
PR166 116MHz = 1.75x 66MHz ON ON OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2

AMD K6 CPU Core

Frequency

K6-166 166MHz = 2.5x 66MHz ON ON OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
K6-200 200MHz = 3x 66MHz OFF ON OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
K6-233 233MHz = 3.5x 66MHz OFF OFF OFF 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
K6-266 266MHz= 4x 66MHz ON OFF ON 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
K6-300 300MHz= 4.5x 66MHz ON ON ON 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2

AMD K6-2 CPU Core

Frequency

K6-2 300 300MHz 3x 100MHz OFF ON OFF 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2
K6-2 333 333MHz 3.5x 95MHz OFF OFF OFF 2-3 & 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2
K6-2 350 350MHz 3.5x 100MHz OFF OFF OFF 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2
K6-2 366 366MHz 5.5x 66MHz OFF OFF ON 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2
K6-2 380 380MHz 4x 95MHz ON OFF ON 2-3 & 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2
K6-2 400 400MHz 4x 100MHz ON OFF ON 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2
K6-2 450 450MHz 4.5x 100MHz ON ON ON 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2
K6-2 475 475MHz 5x 95MHz OFF ON ON 2-3 & 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2
K6-III 400 400MHz 4x 100MHz ON OFF ON 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2
K6-III 450 450MHz 4.5 100MHz ON ON ON 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2

Ratio External

Bus Clock

Ratio External

Bus Clock

S1 S2 S3 JP4,JP5,JP6,JP7

S1 S2 S3 JP4,JP5,JP6,JP7

Note: Cyrix 6x86, 6x86MX (M2) and AMD K5 CPU use P-rating for
the reference of CPU benchmark compared with INTEL P54C, their
internal core frequency is not exactly equal to P-rating marked on
the CPU. For example, Cyrix P166+ is 133MHz but performance is
almost equal to P54C 166MHz and AMD PR133 is 100MHz but
performance is almost equal to INTEL P54C 133MHz.

2-12

2.2.3 Clearing the CMOS

Hardware Installation

JP14

1-2
2-3

The procedure to clear CMOS:

1. Turn off the system and unplug the AC power.

2. Remove ATX power cable from connector PWR2.

3. Locate JP14 and short pins 2-3 for a few seconds.

4. Return JP14 to its normal setting by shorting pins 1-2.

5. Connect ATX power cable back to connector PWR2.

6. Turn on the system power.

7. Press during bootup to enter the BIOS Setup Utility and specify a

Clear CMOS

Normal operation (default)
Clear CMOS

new password, if needed.

You need to clear CMOS if you forget
your system password. To clear the
CMOS, follow the procedures listed
below:

JP14

1
2

Normal Operation

(default)

JP14

1
2

Clear CMOS

2-13

Hardware Installation

2.2.4 I/O Voltage

JP12

1-2
2-3

I/O Voltage

3.32V

3.45V

JP12 is reserved for testing purposes only. This
jumper enables you to set the voltage of the onboard
chipset and PBSRAM (Vio). For dual-voltage CPU,
JP12 also functions as CPU I/O voltage (Vcpuio)
controller.

JP12

1 2 3

3.32V

JP12

1 2 3

3.45 V

2-14

Hardware Installation

+5V

5V SB

3.3V

+12V

SENSE

GND

+12V

2.3 Connectors

2.3.1 Power Cable

The ATX power supply uses 20-pin connector shown below. Make sure you
plug in the right direction.

Caution: Make sure that the power supply is off before
connecting or disconnecting the power cable.

+5V

3.3V

PWR2

2.3.2 Fan Connectors

The CPU fan connectors are marked as CPUFAN1 and CPUFAN2 on the
system board. You can plug the CPU fan cable to both the 2-pin fan
connector CPUFAN2 and the 3-pin fan connector CPUFAN1. And FAN
connector can be used to connect housing fan. Note that only CPUFAN1 and
FAN support the fan monitoring function, because 3-pin fan has an extra pin
called SENSE, which periodically sends fan signal out.

CPUFAN1 & FAN

GND

CPUFAN2

2-15

Hardware Installation

PS/2 Mouse

PS/2 KB

2.3.3 PS/2 Mouse

The onboard PS/2 mouse connector is a 6-pin Mini-Din connector marked
PS2. The view angle of drawing shown here is from back panel of the
housing.

PCB

2.3.4 Keyboard

The onboard PS/2 keyboard connector is a 6-pin Mini-Din connector marked
KB2. The view angle of drawing shown here is from back panel of the
housing.

2-16

PCB

Hardware Installation

COM1

1

2.3.5 VGA (AGP)

2.3.5 Serial Devices (COM1)

The onboard serial connector COM1 is a 9-pin D-type connector on the back
panel of the mainboard.

PCB

2.3.6 Serial Devices (COM2)

Plug in the 10-pin flat cable to the COM2 connectors.

2

COM2

10

9

2.3.7 Printer

The onboard printer connector is a 25-pin D-type connector marked PRINTER.
The view angle of drawing shown here is from back panel of the housing.

2-17

Hardware Installation

PRINTER

USB

34

33

PCB

2.3.8 USB Device

You can attach USB devices to the USB connector. The motherboard
contains two USB connectors, which are marked as USB.

PCB

2.3.9 Floppy Drive

Connect the 34-pin floppy drive cable to the floppy drive connector marked as

FDC on the system board.

2

1

FDC

2-18

Hardware Installation

1

40

2

39

1

40

2

39

2.3.10 IDE Hard Disk and CD ROM

This mainboard supports two 40 pin IDE connectors marked as IDE1 and
IDE2. IDE1 is also known as primary channel and IDE2 as secondary channel,

each channel supports two IDE devices that makes total of four devices.
In order to work together, the two devices on each channel must be set

differently to master and slave mode, either one can be hard disk or CDROM.
The setting as master or slave mode depends on the jumper on your IDE
device, please refer to your hard disk and CDROM manual accordingly.

Connect your first IDE hard disk to master mode of the primary channel. If you
have second IDE device to install in your system, connect it as slave mode on
the same channel, and the third and fourth device can be connected on
secondary channel as master and slave mode respectively.

IDE2

IDE1

Caution: The specification of IDE cable is
maximum 46cm (18 inches), make sure your
cable does not excess this length.

Caution: For better signal quality, it is
recommended to set far end side device to
master mode and follow the suggested
sequence to install your new device. Please
refer to the following figure.

2-19

Hardware Installation

(3rd)

(4th)

1

11

10

20

+++

+

+

+

IDE2 (Secondary Channel)

2.3.11 Panel Connector

The Panel (multifunction) connector is
a 20-pin connector marked as PANEL
on the board. Attach the power LED,
keylock, speaker, SPWR, IDE LED and
reset switch to the corresponding pins
as shown in the figure.

If your ATX housing supports ACPI
specification, the ACPI & Power the
LED will keep flashing if you have
enabled “suspend mode” item in the
BIOS Setup.

Slave

IDE1 (Primary Channel)

Slave
(2nd)

1

GND

NC

+5V
IDE LED
IDE LED

+5V

+5V

GND

NC

SPEAKER

10 20

Master

Master

(1st)

11

SPWR
GND
ACPI & POWER LED
GND

+5V

NC
NC
GND
RESET
GND

PANEL

2-20

Keylock

IDE LED

Speaker

SPWR

ACPI &
Power LED

Reset

PANEL

Hardware Installation

2.3.12 IrDA Connector

The IrDA connector can be configured to support wireless infrared module,
with this module and application software such as Laplink or Win95 Direct
Cable Connection, user can transfer files to or from laptops, notebooks, PDA
and printers. This connector supports HPSIR (115.2Kbps, 2 meters), ASK-IR
(56Kbps) and Fast IR (4Mbps, 2 meters).

Install infrared module onto IrDA
connector and enable infrared function
from BIOS setup, make sure to have
correct orientation when you plug onto
IrDA connector.

Pin

1
2
3
4
5
6

IrDA

2.3.13 CD Audio Connector

This connector is used to connect CD audio cable.

1
2
3
4

Description

+5V
NC
IRRX
GND
IRTX
NC

1
2
3
4
5
6

CDIN

2-21

Hardware Installation

2.3.14 Mono In/Mic Out Connector

This connector is used to connect Mono In/Mic Out
connector of an internal modem card. The pin 1-2 is
Mono In, and the pin 3-4 is Mic Out. Please note
that there is no standard for this kind of connector
yet, only some internal modem cards implement this
connector.

Please see the pin definitions to connect the cable.

1
2
3
4

Mono In/Mic Out

2.3.15 Wake on Modem Connector

This mainboard implements special circuit to support
Wake on Modem, both Internal Modem Card (AOpen
MP56) and external box Modem are supported. Since
Internal Modem card consumes no power when system
power is off, it is recommended to use Internal Modem.
To use AOpen MP56, connect 4-pin cable from RING
connector of MP56 to WOM connector on the
mainboard.

Pin

1
2
3
4

Description

Mono In
GND
GND
Mic Out

Pin

1
2
3
4

Description

+5V SB
NC
RING
GND

2-22

1
2
3
4

WOM

Hardware Installation

2.3.16 Wake on LAN Connector

This mainboard implements a WOL connector. To
implement Wake on LAN, you need a network card that
supports this feature. In addition, you also need to install
a network management software.

1
2
3

WOL

Pin

1
2
3

Description

+5V SB
GND
LID

2-23

Hardware Installation

Pin 1

168

2.4 Configuring the System Memory

This mainboard has two 168 pin
DIMM sockets (Dual-in-line
Memory Module) that allow you to
install system memory up to
512MB.

The DIMM supported by this motherboard are always 64-bit wide SDRAM,
which can be identified by the following factors:

I. Size: single side, 1Mx64 (8MB), 2Mx64 (16MB), 4Mx64 (32MB), 8Mx64

(64MB), 16Mx64 (128MB), and double side, 1Mx64x2 (16MB), 2Mx64x2
(32MB), 4Mx64x2 (64MB), 8Mx64x2 (128MB).

Tip: Here is a trick to check if your DIMM is
single-side or double-side -- if there are traces
connected to golden finger pin 114 and pin 129 of
the DIMM, the DIMM is probably double-side;
otherwise, it is single-side. The following figure is
for your reference.

Pin 129

II. Speed: Normally marked as -12, which means the clock cycle time is 12ns

and maximum clock of this SDRAM is 83MHz. Sometimes you can also find
the SDRAM marked as -67, which means maximum clock is 67MHz.

III. Buffered and non-buffered: This motherboard supports non-buffered

DIMMs. You can identify non-buffered DIMMs and buffered DIMMs
according to the position of the notch, the following figure is for your
reference:

2-24

Pin 114

Hardware Installation

Reserved

non-buffered

buffered

Because the positions are different, only non-buffered DIMMs can be
inserted into the DIMM sockets on this motherboard. Although most of
DIMMs on current market are non-buffered, we still suggest you to ask your
dealer for the correct type.

IV. 2-clock and 4-clock signals: Although both of 2-clock and 4-clock signals

are supported by this motherboard, we strongly recommend choosing a 4­clock SDRAM in consideration of reliability.

Tip: To identify 2-clock and 4-clock SDRAM, you
may check if there are traces connected to golden
finger pin 79 and pin 163 of the SDRAM. If there are
traces, the SDRAM is probably 4-clock; Otherwise, it
is 2-clock.

V. Parity: This motherboard supports standard 64 bit wide (without parity) and

72-bit wide (with parity) DIMM modules.

There is no jumper setting required for the memory size or type. It is
automatically detected by the system BIOS. This motherboard supports
maximum 512MB system memory.

DIMM1 Size of DIMM1 DIMM2 Size of DIMM2

None 0MB None 0MB
8MB 8MB 8MB 8MB
16MB 16MB 16MB 16MB
32MB 32MB 32MB 32MB
64MB 64MB 64MB 64MB
128MB 128MB 128MB 128MB

Total Memory Size = Size of DIMM1 + Size of DIMM2

Caution: There are some old DIMMs made by EDO or
FPM memory chip, they can only accept 5V power and
probably can not fit into the DIMM socket, make sure you
have 3.3V true SDRAM DIMM before your insert it.

2-25

Hardware Installation

The driving capability of new generation chipset is limited because the lack of
memory buffer (to improve performance). This makes DRAM chip count an
important factor to be taking into consideration when you install SIMM.
Unfortunately, there is no way that BIOS can identified the correct chip count,
you need to calculate the chip count by yourself. The simple rule is: By visual
inspection, use only SIMM with chip count less than 24 chips.

There is an important parameter affects SDRAM performance, CAS Latency
Time. It is similar as CAS Access Time of EDO DRAM and is calculated as
number of clock state. The SDRAM that AOpen had tested are listed below. If
your SDRAM has unstable problem, go into BIOS "Chipset Features Setup",
change CAS Latency Time to 3 clocks.

Manufacturer Model Suggested CAS

Latency Time

Samsung KM416511220AT-G12 2 Yes
NEC D4S16162G5-A12-7JF 2 No
Hitachi HM5216805TT10 2 No
Fujitsu 81117822A-100FN 2 No
TI TMX626812DGE-12 2 Yes
TI TMS626812DGE-15 3 Yes
TI TMS626162DGE-15 3 Yes
TI TMS626162DGE-M67 3 Yes

5V Tolerance

2-26

Hardware Installation

The following table lists the recommended DRAM combinations:

DIMM
Data chip

1M by 16 1Mx64 x1 4 8MB Yes
1M by 16 1Mx64 x2 8 16MB Yes
2M by 8 2Mx64 x1 8 16MB Yes
2M by 8 2Mx64 x2 16 32MB Yes
4M by 16 4Mx64 x2 8 64MB Yes
4M by 16 4Mx64 x1 4 32MB Yes
8M by 8 8Mx64 x1 8 64MB Yes
8M by 8 8Mx64 x2 16 128MB Yes

DIMM
Data chip

2M by 32 2Mx64 x1 2 16MB Yes, but not

2M by 32 2Mx64 x2 4 32MB Yes, but not

Bit size
per side

Bit size
per side

Single/
Double side

Single/
Double side

Chip count DIMM size Recommended

Chip count DIMM size Recommended

tested.

tested.

The following table lists possible DRAM combinations that is NOT
recommended:

DIMM
Data chip

4M by 4 4Mx64 x1 16 32MB No
4M by 4 4Mx64 x2 32 64MB No
16M by 4 16Mx64 x1 16 128MB No

Bit size
per side

Single/
Double side

Chip count DIMM size Recommended

2-27

Chapter 3

Software Installation

This chapter gives you a step-by-step procedure on how to install the driver and
utility of this motherboard. Because chipset and technology improvement is
faster than operating system, sometimes we need certain procedures to
successfully install necessary software. Please follow each section accordingly.

3-1

Software Installation

3.1 Software Installation in Windows 95

For installing Windows 95, please make sure you have followed below
procedures.

1. First, don’t install any add-on card.

2. Install Window 95 into your system.

3. Install Windows 95 OSR2 v2.1, 1212 or 1214 version and later with USB
support. Otherwise, you need to install USBSUPP.EXE.

4. Install the VIA 4 in 1 driver, which includes VIA Bus Master IDE Driver,
AGP Vxd driver, IRQ routing driver, and VIA chipset function registry
program.

5. Install the onchip AGP driver.

6. Install the onchip audio driver.

7. Finally, Install other add-on cards.

In the AOpen Bonus Pack CD disc, you can find above drivers in the path
X:\Mx59pro\Driver (Where X: represents your CDROM drive).

3-2

Note: Make sure you have set the display mode to the

default setting (640 x 480, 16 colors) prior to uninstalling
the VIA 4 in 1 driver.

Note: Both VIA AGP driver and audio driver don’t support
Windows NT.

Software Installation

3.2 Software Installation in Windows 98

For installing Windows 98, please make sure you have followed below
procedures.

1. First, don’t install any add-on card.

2. Enable USB Controller in BIOS Setup menu to make BIOS fully capable
of controlling IRQ assignment.

3. Install Window 98 into your system.

4. Install the VIA 4 in 1 driver, which includes VIA Bus Master IDE Driver,
AGP Vxd driver, IRQ routing driver, and VIA chipset function registry
program.

5. Install the onchip AGP driver.

6. Install the onchip audio driver.

7. Finally, Install other add-on cards.

In the AOpen Bonus Pack CD disc, you can find above drivers in the path
X:\Mx59pro\Driver (Where X: represents your CDROM drive).

Note: Make sure you have set the display mode to the
default setting (640 x 480, 16 colors) prior to uninstalling
the VIA 4 in 1 driver.

Note: Both VIA AGP driver and audio driver don’t support
Windows NT.

3-3

Software Installation

3.3 Install Hardware Monitoring Utility

There are four high-valued "Hardware Monitoring" features being implemented
on this motherboard.

1. Over Current Protection: Providing over current protection for CPU

Vcore. In conjunction with the over current protection provided by ATX
power supply on 3.3V/5V/12V, it gives the full line over current protection.

2. System Voltage Monitoring: As you turn your system on, this smart

design will continue to monitor your system working voltage. If any of the
system voltage is over the component's standard, there will be warning
alarm from PC speaker when Hardware Monitoring Utility installed.

3. Thermal Protection: The higher speed of CPU, the more heat dissipation

ability is needed to be taken into consideration. If the user does not use a
correct fan for the CPU cooling, it is highly possible the CPU will be
overheating and cause system unstable. AOpen motherboard monitors
CPU temperature by using a thermal sensor.

4. Fan Monitoring: There are two three-pin fan connectors, one is for CPU

and the other one can be connected to the housing fan. The system will
report the rotational speed of the fan and alarm fan malfunction though
Hardware Monitoring Utility.

The hardware monitoring function is automatically implemented by the BIOS
and utility software (such as Hardware Monitoring Utility), no hardware
installation is needed.

Hardware Monitoring Utility (the program’s file name is like aohwxxx.exe, where
xxx means the version number) is developed by AOpen which monitors the
status of system voltage, thermal, & fan. This utility is especially designed for
personal user. You may install it on your AOpen motherboard based system
which comes with Hardware Monitoring features. To install Hardware
Monitoring Utility, please follow the procedure below.

Choose “Hardware Monitoring Utility” from the autorun menu of AOpen Bonus
Pack CD disc.

~ 0r ~
Run \HwMon\95\aohw140.exe

3-4

Software Installation

3-5

Software Installation

3.4 Install Norton AntiVirus

You can install this antivirus software from AOpen Bonus Pack CD disc, please
follow the procedure below.

To install Norton Antivirus, please follow the procedure below.
To run AOchip, please follow the procedure below.

1. Choose “Norton Antivirus” from the autorun menu of AOpen Bonus Pack CD

disc.

2. Choose one language version accordingly and click “OK” button.

~ 0r ~
Brazilian version: Run \Nav\Brazilian\Setup.exe
Simple Chinese version: Run \Nav\China\Setup.exe
Traditional Chinese version: Run \Nav\Chinese\Setup.exe
Dutch version: Run \Nav\Dutch\Setup.exe
English version: Run \Nav\English\Setup.exe
French version: Run \Nav\French\Setup.exe
German version: Run \Nav\German\Setup.exe
Italian version: Run \Nav\Italian\Setup.exe
Japanese version: Run \Nav\Japanese\Setup.exe
Korean version: Run \Nav\Korean\Disk1\Setup.exe
Spanish version: Run \Nav\Spanish\Setup.exe

3-6

Software Installation

3-7

Software Installation

3.5 Install Docucom Reader

The AOpen Bonus Pack CD disc includes an online manual of this
motherboard, which is PDF file format. You must use Docucom Reader to read
these PDF files.

To install Docucom Reader, please follow the procedure below.
Choose “Docucom Reader” from the autorun menu of AOpen Bonus Pack CD

disc.
~ 0r ~
Run \Utility\Docucom\Setup\Setup.exe

3-8

Chapter 4

Award BIOS

This chapter tells how to configure the system parameters. You may update
your BIOS via AWARD Flash Utility.

Important: Because the BIOS code is the most
often changed part of the mainboard design, the
BIOS information contained in this chapter
(especially the Chipset Setup parameters) may be
a little different compared to the actual BIOS that
came with your mainboard.

3-1

AWARD BIOS

4.1 Entering the Award BIOS Setup Menu

The BIOS setup utility is a segment of codes/routines residing in the BIOS
Flash ROM. This routine allows you to configure the system parameters and
save the configuration into the 128 byte CMOS area, (normally in the RTC chip

or directly in the main chipset). To enter the BIOS Setup, press during
POST (Power-On Self Test). The BIOS Setup Main Menu appears as follows.

Tip: Choose "Load Setup Defaults" for
recommended optimal performance. Choose
"Load Turbo Defaults" for best performance
with light system loading. Refer to section 3.7.

The section at the bottom of the screen tells how to control the screen. Use the
arrow keys to move between items, F9 to change language, ESC to exit, and
F10 to save the changes before exit. Another section at the bottom of the
screen displays a brief description of the highlighted item.

After selecting an item, press Enter to select or enter a submenu.

3-2

AWARD BIOS

4.2 Standard CMOS Setup

The "Standard CMOS Setup" sets the basic system parameters such as the
date, time, and the hard disk type. Use the arrow keys to highlight an item and

or to select the value for each item.

Standard CMOS à Date

To set the date, highlight the Date parameter. Press or to set the
current date. The date format is month, date, and year.

Standard CMOS à Time

To set the time, highlight the Time parameter. Press or to set the
current time in hour, minute, and second format. The time is based on the 24
hour military clock.

3-3

AWARD BIOS

Standard CMOS à Primary Master à Type
Standard CMOS à Primary Slave à Type
Standard CMOS à Secondary Master à Type
Standard CMOS à Secondary Slave à Type

Type

Auto
User
None

This item lets you select the IDE hard disk parameters
that your system supports. These parameters are Size,
Number of Cylinder, Number of Head, Start Cylinder for
Pre-compensation, Cylinder number of Head Landing
Zone and Number of Sector per Track. The default
setting is Auto, which enables BIOS to automatically
detect the parameters of installed HDD at POST (Power­On Self Test). If you prefer to enter HDD parameters
manually, select User. Select None if no HDD is
connected to the system.

The IDE CDROM is always automatically detected.

Tip: For an IDE hard disk, we recommend that
you use the "IDE HDD Auto Detection" to enter
the drive specifications automatically. See the
section "IDE HDD Auto Detection".

Standard CMOS à Primary Master à Mode
Standard CMOS à Primary Slave à Mode
Standard CMOS à Secondary Master à Mode
Standard CMOS à Secondary Slave à Mode

Mode

Auto
Normal
LBA
Large

The enhanced IDE feature allows the system to use a
hard disk with a capacity of more than 528MB. This is
made possible through the Logical Block Address (LBA)
mode translation. The LBA is now considered as a
standard feature of current IDE hard disk on the market
because of its capability to support capacity larger than
528MB. Note that if HDD is formatted with LBA On, it will
not be able to boot with LBA Off.

3-4

Standard CMOS à Drive A
Standard CMOS à Drive B

AWARD BIOS

Drive A

None
360KB 5.25"

1.2MB 5.25"
720KB 3.5"

1.44MB 3.5"

2.88MB 3.5"

These items select floppy drive type. The available settings
and types supported by the mainboard are listed on the left.

Standard CMOS à Video

Video

EGA/VGA
CGA40
CGA80
Mono

This item specifies the type of video card in use. The
default setting is VGA/EGA. Since current PCs use VGA
only, this function is almost useless and may be
disregarded in the future.

Standard CMOS à Halt On

Halt On

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

This parameter enables you to control the system stops in
case of Power-On Self Test (POST) error.

3-5

AWARD BIOS

4.3 BIOS Features Setup

This screen appears when you select the option "BIOS Features Setup" from
the main menu.

BIOS Features à Virus Warning

Virus Warning

Enabled
Disabled

Type "Y" to accept write, or "N" to abort write

3-6

Set this parameter to Enabled to activate the warning
message. This feature protects the boot sector and
partition table of your hard disk from virus intrusion.

Any attempt during boot up to write to the boot sector of
the hard disk drive stops the system and the following
warning message appears on the screen. Run an anti­virus program to locate the problem.

! WARNING !

Disk Boot Sector is to be modified

Award Software, Inc.

BIOS Features à CPU Internal Cache

AWARD BIOS

External Cache

Enabled
Disabled

Enabling this parameter activates CPU internal cache.
Disabling the parameter slows down the system.
Therefore, we recommend that you leave it enabled
unless you are troubleshooting a problem.

BIOS Features à External Cache

External Cache

Enabled
Disabled

Enabling this parameter activates the secondary cache
(currently, PBSRAM cache). Disabling the parameter
slows down the system. Therefore, we recommend
that you leave it enabled unless you are
troubleshooting a problem.

BIOS Features à Quick Power On Self Test

Quick Power-on
Self-test

Enable
Disabled

This parameter speeds up POST by skipping some
items that are normally checked.

BIOS Features à Boot Sequence

Boot Sequence

A,C,SCSI
C,A,SCSI
C,CDROM,A
CDROM,C,A
CDROM,A,C
D,A,SCSI
E,A,SCSI
F,A,SCSI
SCSI,A,C
SCSI,C,A
C only
LS/ZIP,C

This parameter allows you to specify the system boot
up search sequence. The hard disk ID are listed below:

C: Primary master
D: Primary slave
E: Secondary master
F: Secondary slave
LS: LS120 drive
ZIP: IOMEGA ZIP drive

3-7

AWARD BIOS

BIOS Features à Swap Floppy Drive

Swap Floppy Drive

Enabled
Disabled

This item allows you to swap floppy drives. For
example, if you have two floppy drives (A and B), you
can assign the first drive as drive B and the second
drive as drive A or vice-versa.

BIOS Features à Boot Up NumLock Status

Boot up NumLock
Status

On
Off

Setting this parameter to On enables the numeric
function of the numeric keypad. Set this parameter to
Off to disregard the function. Disabling the numeric
function allows you to use the numeric keypad for
cursor control.

BIOS Features à Memory Parity/ECC Check

Memory
Parity/ECC Check

Enabled
Disabled

This item is used to enable or disable parity/ECC check
function.

BIOS Features à Typematic Rate Setting

Typematic Rate
Setting

Enabled
Disabled

Set this parameter to Enable/Disable the keyboard
repeat function. When enabled, continually holding
down a key on the keyboard will generate repeatedly
keystrokes.

BIOS Features à Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec)

Typematic Rate

6
8
10
12
15
20
24
30

3-8

This item allows you to control the speed of repeated
keystrokes. The default is 30 characters/sec.

BIOS Features à Typematic Delay (Msec)

AWARD BIOS

Typematic Delay

250
500
750
1000

This parameter allows you to control the delay time
between the first and the second keystroke (where the
repeated keystrokes begin). The typematic delay
settings are 250, 500, 750, and 1000 msec.

BIOS Features à Security Option

Security Option

Setup
System

The System option limits access to both the System
boot and BIOS setup. A prompt asking you to enter
your password appears on the screen every time you
boot the system.

The Setup option limits access only to BIOS setup.
To disable the security option, select Password Setting

from the main menu, don't type anything and just press
<Enter>.

BIOS Features à PCI/VGA Palette Snoop

PCI/VGA Palette
Snoop

Enabled
Disabled

Enabling this item informs the PCI VGA card to keep
silent (and to prevent conflict) when palette register is
updated (i.e., accepts data without responding any
communication signals). This is useful only when two
display cards use the same palette address and
plugged in the PCI bus at the same time (such as
MPEQ or Video capture). In such case, PCI VGA is
silent while MPEQ/Video capture is set to function
normally.

BIOS Features à OS Select for DRAM > 64MB

OS Select for
DRAM > 64MB

OS/2
Non-OS/2

Set to OS/2 if your system is utilizing an OS/2
operating system and has a memory size of more than
64 MB.

3-9

AWARD BIOS

BIOS Features à Show Logo On Screen

Show Logo On
Screen

Enabled
Disabled

This item lets you decide if AOpen logo will appear in
the POST screen.

BIOS Features à Video BIOS Shadow

Video BIOS
Shadow

Enabled
Disabled

VGA BIOS Shadowing means to copy video display
card BIOS into the DRAM area. This enhances
system performance because DRAM access time is
faster than ROM.

BIOS Features à C800-CBFF Shadow
BIOS Features à CC00-CFFF Shadow
BIOS Features à D000-D3FF Shadow
BIOS Features à D400-D7FF Shadow
BIOS Features à D800-DBFF Shadow
BIOS Features à DC00-DFFF Shadow

C8000-CBFFF
Shadow

Enabled
Disabled

These six items are for shadowing ROM code on
other expansion cards. Before you set these
parameters, you need to know the specific addresses
of that ROM code. If you do not know this
information, enable all the ROM shadow settings.

3-10

Note: The F000 and E000 segments are

always shadowed because BIOS code
occupies these areas.

AWARD BIOS

4.4 Chipset Features Setup

The "Chipset Features Setup" includes settings for the chipset dependent
features. These features are related to system performance.

Caution: Make sure you fully understand the
items contained in this menu before you try to
change anything. You may change the
parameter settings to improve system
performance. However, it may cause system
unstable if the settings are not correct for your
system configuration.

3-11

AWARD BIOS

Chipset Features à Bank 0/1 Timing
Chipset Features à Bank 2/3 Timing

DRAM Timing

60 ns
70 ns

This item is used to set DRAM timing parameters
which can be automatically set by BIOS, 60ns and
70ns.

Chipset Features à SDRAM CAS Latency

SDRAM CAS
Latency

2T
3T

This is an important parameter that affects SDRAM
performance, the default setting is 2 clocks. If your
system has unstable problem, change 2T to 3T.

Chipset Features à SDRAM Bank Interleave

SDRAM Bank
Interleave

Enabled
Disabled

This item allows pages of different banks to be active.

Chipset Features à DRAM Read Pipeline

DRAM Read Pipeline

Enabled
Disabled

This item is used to enable or disable DRAM read
pipeline.

Chipset Features à Cache R/W CPU Pipeline

Cache R/W CPU
Pipeline

Enabled
Disabled

This item is used to enable or disable both cache
read and CPU write pipeline.

Chipset Features à Video BIOS Cacheable

Video BIOS
Cacheable

Enabled
Disabled

3-12

Allows the video BIOS to be cached to allow faster
video performance.

Chipset Features à System BIOS Cacheable

AWARD BIOS

System BIOS
Cacheable

Enabled
Disabled

Enabling this item allows you to cache the system
BIOS to further enhance system performance.

Chipset Features à Memory Hole

Memory Hole

Enabled
Disabled

This option lets you reserve system memory area for
special ISA cards. The chipset accesses code/data
of these areas from the ISA bus directly. Normally,
these areas are reserved for memory mapped I/O
card.

Chipset Features à Init Display First

Init Display First

PCI
AGP

If you installed a PCI VGA card and an AGP card at
the same time, this item lets you decide which one is
the initial display card.

Chipset Features à Frame Buffer Size

Frame Buffer Size

2M
4M
8M

The onboard AGP need to share a memory size with
the system memory. You may set a larger size for
getting better performance. The shared memory size
is up to 8MB.

Chipset Features à AGP Aperture Size

AGP Aperture Size

4M
8M
16M
32M
64M
128M
256M

This item lets you determine the effective size of the
AGP Graphic Aperture.

3-13

AWARD BIOS

Chipset Features à Clock Spread Spectrum

Clock Spread
Spectrum

On
Off

This item is used to set clock spread spectrum for
EMI testing. Normally, you don’t need to change the
default setting.

Chipset Features à Y2K CMOS Update

Y2K CMOS Update

Enabled
Disabled

This item is designed for some Y2K testing programs,
for example, Check It 98. If you are using this kind of
program to test your system and fails, enable this
item and redo the test again.

PNP/PCI Configuration à CPU to PCI Write Buffer

CPU to PCI Write
Buffer

Disabled
Enabled

This item is used to enable or disable CPU to PCI
write buffer.

PNP/PCI Configuration à PCI Dynamic Bursting

PCI Dynamic
Bursting

Disabled
Enabled

This item is used to enable or disable PCI dynamic
bursting.

PNP/PCI Configuration à PCI Master 0 WS Write

PCI Master 0 WS
Write

Disabled
Enabled

This item is used to control the PCI master write
cycle. If enabled, there is no wait state. If disabled,
there will be one wait state for PCI master write.

PNP/PCI Configuration à PCI Delay Transaction

PCI Delay
Transaction

Disabled
Enabled

3-14

This item lets you control the Delayed Transaction
function of the VIA 586A chipset (Intel PCI to ISA
bridge). This function is used to meet latency of PCI
cycles to or from ISA bus. Try to enable or disable it,
if you have ISA card compatibility problem.

AWARD BIOS

PNP/PCI Configuration à PCI#2 Access #1 Retry

PCI#2 Access #1
Retry

Disabled
Enabled

This item is used to enable or disable AGP master
retry disconnect. If enabled, AGP master will be
disconnected if max retries are attempted without
success. PCI#2 means AGP.

PNP/PCI Configuration à AGP Master 1 WS Write

AGP Master 1 WS
Write

Disabled
Enabled

This item is used to enable or disable AGP master 1
wait state write.

PNP/PCI Configuration à AGP Master 1 WS Read

AGP Master 1 WS
Read

Disabled
Enabled

This item is used to enable or disable AGP master 1
wait state read.

3-15

AWARD BIOS

4.5 Power Management Setup

The Power Management Setup screen enables you to control the
motherboard’s green features.

Power Management à ACPI Function

ACPI Function

Enabled
Disabled

If your OS is ACPI enabled you have to set this item
to Enabled, or there may be unexpected errors. If
your OS is APM mode, you can remain the Disabled
setting.

Power Management à Power Management

Power Management

Max Saving
Mix Saving
User Defined
Disabled

3-16

This function allows you to set the default parameters
of power-saving modes. Set to Disable to turn off
power management function. Set to User Defined to
choose your own parameters.

AWARD BIOS

Mode Doze Standby Suspend HDD Power Down

Min Saving 1 hour 1 hour 1 hour 15 min
Max Saving 1 min 1 min 1 min 1 min

Power Management à PM Controlled by APM

PM Controlled by
APM

Yes
No

If "Max Saving" is selected, you can turn on this item,
transfer power management control to APM
(Advanced Power Management) and enhance power
saving function. For example, stop CPU internal
clock.

Power Management à Video Off Method

Video Off Method

V/H SYNC + Blank
DPMS
Blank Screen

This determines the way that monitor is off. Blank
Screen writes blanks to video buffer. V/H
SYNC+Blank allows BIOS to control VSYNC and
HSYNC signals. This function applies only for DPMS
(Display Power Management Standard) monitor. The
DPMS mode uses DPMS function provided by VGA
card.

Power Management à Video Off After

Video Off After

N/A
Doze
Standby
Suspend

To turn off video monitor at which power down mode.

3-17

AWARD BIOS

Power Management à Suspend Mode Option

Suspend Mode
Option

PowerOn Suspend
Suspend to Disk

You can select suspend mode by this item. Power
On Suspend is the traditional Green PC suspend

mode, the CPU clock is stop, all other devices are
shut off. But power must be kept On to detect
activities from modem, keyboard/mouse and returns
the system to full power. The system activities is
detected by monitoring the IRQ signals or I/O.
Suspend to Disk saves system status, memory and
screen image into hard disk, then the power can be
totally Off. Next time, when power is turned On, the
system goes back to your original work within just few
seconds, which depending on your memory size. You
need utility AOZVHDD to reserve disk space.

Power Management à Operating System

Operating System

DOS
Win 9x

To implement suspend function, you have to specify
an operating system. Currently, only DOS and
Win95/98 support this function.

Power Management à Doze Mode

Doze Mode

Disabled
10 Sec
20 Sec
30 Sec
40 Sec
1 Min
2 Min
4 Min
6 Min
8 Min
10 Min
20 Min
30 Min
40 Min
1 Hour

This item lets you set the period of time after which
the system enters into Doze mode. In this mode, the
CPU clock slows down. The ratio is specified in the
"Throttle Duty Cycle". Any activity detected returns
the system to full power. The system activity (or
event) is detected by monitoring the IRQ signals.

3-18

Power Management à Suspend Mode

AWARD BIOS

Suspend Mode

Disabled
10 Sec
20 Sec
30 Sec
40 Sec
1 Min
2 Min
4 Min
6 Min
8 Min
10 Min
20 Min
30 Min
40 Min
1 Hour

This item lets you set the period of time after which
the system enters into Suspend mode. The Suspend
mode can be Power On Suspend or Suspend to Hard
Drive, selected by "Suspend Mode Option".

Power Management à HDD Power Down

HDD Power Down

Disabled
1 Min

.....

15 Min

This option lets you specify the IDE HDD idle time
before the device enters the power down state. This
item is independent from the power states previously
described in this section (Standby and Suspend).

Power Management à Soft-Off by PWR-BTTN

Soft-Off by PWR­BTTN

Delay 4 sec.
Instant-Off

This is a specification of ACPI and supported by
hardware. When Delay 4 sec. is selected, the soft
power switch on the front panel can be used to control
power On, Suspend and Off. If the switch is pressed
less than 4 sec during power On, the system will go
into Suspend mode. If the switch is pressed longer
than 4 sec, the system will be turned Off. The default
setting is Instant-Off, soft power switch is only used
to control On and Off, there is no need to press 4 sec,
and there is no Suspend.

3-19

AWARD BIOS

Power Management à VGA
Power Management à LPT & COM
Power Management à HDD & FDD
Power Management à DMA/Master

COM Ports Activity

ON
OFF

To enable or disable the detection of COM port, LPT,
HDD, VGA, and DMA activities for power down state
transition.

Power Management à Wake On LAN

Wake On LAN

Enabled
Disabled

This option lets you specify enable or disable Wake
On LAN function.

Power Management à 0V Wake On Modem

0V Wake On Modem

Disabled
Enabled

This motherboard implements AOpen special circuit
to detect modem ring signal and wakeup from soft
power off. The most possible applications are
automatic answering machine and fax send/receive.
It does not like traditional green PC suspend mode,
the system can be true power off, (identified by the
fan of your power supply is off). You can use external
box modem or AOpen MP56/F56 internal modem
card for modem ring-on, but MP56/F56 is
recommended, since MP56/F56 has special circuit to
cooperate with this mainboard and the modem power
and system power can be off together.

Power Management à Wake On RTC Timer

Wake On RTC Timer

Disabled
Enabled

3-20

This option lets you enable or disable the Wake on
RTC Timer function.

Power Management à Date (of Month)

AWARD BIOS

Date (of Month)

0
1

.....

31

This item is displayed when you enable Wake on RTC
Timer option. Here you can specify what date you
want to wake up the system. For Example, setting to
15 will wake up the system on the 15th day of every
month.

Note: Setting this item to 0 will wake up the
system on the specified time (which can be
set in the next item) every day.

Power Management à Timer (hh:mm:ss)

Timer (hh:mm:ss)

hh:mm:ss

This item is displayed when you enable Wake on RTC
Timer option. Here you can specify what time you
want to wake up the system.

Power Management à Primary INTR

Primary

ON
OFF

This item is used to enable or disable the detection
of IRQ3-15 or NMI interrupt events for power down
state transition. Normally, this is applied to network
card.

Power Management à IRQ [3-15]

IRQ [3-15],NMI

Primary
Secondary
Disabled

Select Primary or Disabled option to enable or
disable the detection of specified IRQ. If the
Secondary option was selected, the system will wake
up for 2ms after detecting the interrupt, and then
return to power down status.

3-21

AWARD BIOS

4.6 PNP/PCI Configuration Setup

The PNP/PCI Configuration Setup allows you to configure the ISA and PCI
devices installed in your system. The following screen appears if you select the
option "PNP/PCI Configuration Setup" from the main menu.

PNP/PCI Configuration à PnP OS Installed

PnP OS Installed

Yes
No

3-22

Normally, the PnP resources are allocated by BIOS
during POST (Power-On Self Test). If you are using
a PnP operating system (such as Windows 95), set
this item to Yes to inform BIOS to configure only the
resources needed for booting (VGA/IDE or SCSI).
The rest of system resources will be allocated by PnP
operating system.

AWARD BIOS

PNP/PCI Configuration à Resources Controlled By

Resources Controlled
by

Auto
Manual

Setting this option to Manual allows you to individually
assign the IRQs and DMAs to the ISA and PCI
devices. Set this to Auto to enable the auto­configuration function.

PNP/PCI Configuration à Reset Configuration Data

Reset Configuration
Data

Enabled
Disabled

In case conflict occurs after you assign the IRQs or
after you configure your system, you can enable this
function, allow your system to automatically reset your
configuration and reassign the IRQs.

PNP/PCI Configuration à IRQ3 (COM2)
PNP/PCI Configuration à IRQ4 (COM1)
PNP/PCI Configuration à IRQ5 (Network/Sound or Others)
PNP/PCI Configuration à IRQ7 (Printer or Others)
PNP/PCI Configuration à IRQ9 (Video or Others)
PNP/PCI Configuration à IRQ10 (SCSI or Others)
PNP/PCI Configuration à IRQ11 (SCSI or Others)
PNP/PCI Configuration à IRQ12 (PS/2 Mouse)
PNP/PCI Configuration à IRQ14 (IDE1)
PNP/PCI Configuration à IRQ15 (IDE2)

IRQ 3

Legacy ISA
PCI/ISA PnP

If your ISA card is not PnP compatible and requires a
special IRQ to support its function, set the selected
IRQ to Legacy ISA. This setting informs the PnP
BIOS to reserve the selected IRQ for the installed
legacy ISA card. The default is PCI/ISA PnP. Take
note that PCI cards are always PnP compatible
(except old PCI IDE card).

3-23

AWARD BIOS

PNP/PCI Configuration à DMA 0
PNP/PCI Configuration à DMA 1
PNP/PCI Configuration à DMA 3
PNP/PCI Configuration à DMA 5
PNP/PCI Configuration à DMA 6
PNP/PCI Configuration à DMA 7

DMA 0

Legacy ISA
PCI/ISA PnP

If your ISA card is not PnP compatible and requires a
special DMA channel to support its function, set the
selected DMA channel to Legacy ISA. This setting
informs the PnP BIOS to reserve the selected DMA
channel for the installed legacy ISA card. The default
is PCI/ISA PnP. Take note that PCI card does not
require DMA channel.

Power Management à Modem Use IRQ

Modem Use IRQ

3
4
5
7
9
10
11
N/A

This item lets you set an IRQ for the modem.

3-24

AWARD BIOS

PNP/PCI Configuration à PCI-Slot1 IRQ (Right)
PNP/PCI Configuration à PCI-Slot2 IRQ
PNP/PCI Configuration à PCI-Slot3 IRQ
PNP/PCI Configuration à PCI-Slot4 IRQ (Left)

PCI-Slot1 IRQ

3
4
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
14
15
Auto

This item is reserved for engineering purpose to let
you assign an IRQ manually to the add-on card on
each PCI slot. If you select Auto, system will
automatically assign an available value to the device.

It is suggested to use default setting, which is Auto, in
order to comply with PnP specification completely.

3-25

AWARD BIOS

4.7 Load Setup Defaults

The "Load Setup Defaults" option loads optimized settings for optimum system
performance. Optimal settings are relatively safer than the Turbo settings. All
the product verification, compatibility/reliability test report and manufacture
quality control are based on "Load Setup Defaults". We recommend that you
use this settings for normal operation. "Load Setup Defaults" is not the slowest
setting for this motherboard. If you need to verify an unstable problem, you
may manually set the parameter in the "BIOS Features Setup" and "Chipset
Features Setup" to get slowest and safer setting.

4.8 Load Turbo Defaults

The "Load Turbo Defaults" option gives better performance than "Load Setup
Defaults". It is provided for the convenience of power user who wants to push
the motherboard to get better performance. Turbo setting does not go though
all the detail reliability and compatibility test, it is tested only with limited
configuration and loading (for example, a system that contains only a VGA card
and two DIMMs). Use Turbo setting only when you fully understand the items in
Chipset Setup menu. The performance improvement of Turbo setting is
normally around 3% to 5%, depending on the chipset and the application.

3-26

AWARD BIOS

4.9 Integrated Peripherals

The following screen appears if you select the option "Integrated Peripherals"
from the main menu. This option allows you to configure the I/O features.

Integrated Peripherals à OnChip Primary IDE
Integrated Peripherals à OnChip Secondary IDE

OnChip Primary IDE

Enabled
Disabled

This parameter lets you enable or disable the IDE
device connected to the primary IDE connector.

Integrated Peripherals à IDE Prefetch Mode

IDE Prefetch Mode

Enabled
Disabled

This item is used to enable and disable IDE prefetch
mode.

3-27

AWARD BIOS

Integrated Peripherals à IDE HDD Block Mode

IDE HDD Block
Mode

Enabled
Disabled

This feature enhances disk performance by allowing
multisector data transfers and eliminates the interrupt
handling time for each sector. Most IDE drives,
except with old designs, can support this feature.

Integrated Peripherals à Primary Master PIO
Integrated Peripherals à Primary Slave PIO
Integrated Peripherals à Secondary Master PIO
Integrated Peripherals à Secondary Slave PIO

IDE Primary Master
PIO

Auto
Mode 1
Mode 2
Mode 3
Mode 4

Setting this item to Auto activates the HDD speed
auto-detect function. The PIO mode specifies the data
transfer rate of HDD. For example: mode 0 data
transfer rate is 3.3MB/s, mode 1 is 5.2MB/s, mode 2
is 8.3MB/s, mode 3 is 11.1MB/s and mode 4 is

16.6MB/s. If your hard disk performance becomes
unstable, you may manually try the slower mode.

Caution: It is recommended that you connect
the first IDE device of each channel to the
endmost connector of the IDE cable. Refer to
section 2.3 "Connectors" for details on how to
connect IDE device(s).

Integrated Peripherals à Primary Master UDMA
Integrated Peripherals à Primary Slave UDMA
Integrated Peripherals à Secondary Master UDMA
Integrated Peripherals à Secondary Slave UDMA

IDE Primary Master
UDMA

Auto
Disabled

3-28

This item allows you to set the Ultra DMA/33 mode
supported by the hard disk drive connected to your
primary IDE connector.

AWARD BIOS

Power Management à AC PWR Auto Recovery

AC PWR Auto
Recovey

Former-Sts
On
Off

A traditional ATX system should remain at power off
stage when AC power resumes from power failure.
This design is inconvenient for a network server or
workstation, without an UPS, that needs to keep
power-on. This item is used to solve this problem.
Selecting On lets the system can automatically
power-on after AC power resumes; in the other hand,
the system will power-off if you select Off. If Former­Sts option is selected, the system will power-on or
power-off based on the original state.

Integrated Peripherals à OnChip Sound

OnChip Sound

Disabled
Enabled

This item is used to enable or disable the onboard
audio.

Integrated Peripherals à OnChip Legacy Audio

OnChip Legacy
Audio

Disabled
Enabled

This motherboard has a Sound Blaster Pro
compatible onchip audio. This item should be set to
Enabled under DOS mode.

Integrated Peripherals à SB I/O Base Address

SB I/O Base Address

220-22fh
240-24fh
260-26fh
280-28fh

This item is used to select SB I/O base address.

Integrated Peripherals à SB IRQ Select

SB IRQ Select

IRQ5
IRQ7
IRQ9
IRQ10

This item is used to select IRQ for the onboard audio.

3-29

AWARD BIOS

Integrated Peripherals à SB DMA Select

SB DMA Select

DMA0
DMA1
DMA2
DMA3

This item is used to select DMA for the onboard
audio.

Integrated Peripherals à MPU-401 I/O Address

MPU-401 I/O
Address

300-303h
310-313h
320-323h
330-333h

This item is used to select I/O base address for the
MIDI port.

Integrated Peripherals à Onboard FDC Controller

Onboard FDC
Controller

Enabled
Disabled

Setting this parameter to Enabled allows you to
connect your floppy disk drives to the onboard floppy
disk connector instead of a separate controller card.
Change the setting to Disabled if you want to use a
separate controller card.

Integrated Peripherals à Onboard Serial Port 1
Integrated Peripherals à Onboard Serial Port 2

Onboard Serial Port 1

Auto
3F8/IRQ4
2F8/IRQ3
3E8/IRQ4
2E8/IRQ3
Disabled

3-30

This item allows you to assign address and interrupt
for the board serial port. The default setting is Auto.

Integrated Peripherals à UART Mode Select

AWARD BIOS

UART Mode Select

Normal
HPSIR
ASKIR

This allows you to specify the mode of serial port2.
The available mode selections are:

• Normal - Sets serial port 2 to operate in normal mode. This is the

default setting.

• HPSIR - Select this setting if you installed an Infrared module in your

system via IrDA connector (refer to section 2.3 "Connectors"). This
setting allows infrared serial communication at a maximum baud rate of
115K baud.

• ASKIR - Select this setting if you installed an Infrared module via IrDA

connector (refer to section 2.3 "Connectors"). This setting allows infrared
serial communication at a maximum baud rate of 19.2K baud.

Integrated Peripherals à IR Function Duplex

IR Function Duplex

Full
Half

This item lets you set the duplex mode for the IR
communication. Full - Allows IR communication in
bidirectional mode. Half - Allows IR communication in
single direction only.

Note: This option appears only if the IR
function is activated and the Onboard UART 2
Mode parameter is NOT set to Standard.

Integrated Peripherals à RxD, TxD Active

RxD, TxD Active

Hi, Lo
Lo, Hi
Lo, Lo
Hi, Hi

This item is used to select RxD (Receive Data) and
TxD (Transmit Data) mode for UART, for instance, IR
device, modem, etc. Normally, we suggest you keep
the default setting. Please see the documentation that
comes with your device.

3-31

AWARD BIOS

Integrated Peripherals à Onboard Parallel Port

Onboard Parallel
Port

3BC/IRQ7
378/IRQ7
278/IRQ7
Disabled

This item controls the onboard parallel port address
and interrupt.

Note: If you are using an I/O card with a
parallel port, make sure that the addresses
and IRQ do not conflict.

Integrated Peripherals à Onboard Parallel Mode

Onboard Parallel
Mode

SPP
ECP

EPP
ECP+EPP

This item lets you set the parallel port mode. The
mode options are SPP (Standard and Bidirection
Parallel Port), EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port) and ECP
(Extended Parallel Port). SPP is the IBM AT and
PS/2 compatible mode. EPP enhances the parallel
port throughput by directly writing/reading data to/from
parallel port without latch. ECP supports DMA and
RLE (Run Length Encoded) compression and
decompression.

Integrated Peripherals à ECP Mode Use DMA

ECP Mode Use DMA

3
1

This item lets you set the DMA channel of ECP mode.

Integrated Peripherals à EPP Mode Select

EPP Mode Select

EPP1.7
EPP1.9

This item lets you select EPP mode.

Integrated Peripherals à OnChip USB

OnChip USB

Disabled
Enabled

3-32

This item lets you enable or disable onboard USB.

AWARD BIOS

Integrated Peripherals à USB Keyboard Support

USB Keyboard
Support

Enabled
Disabled

This item lets you enable or disable the USB
keyboard driver within the onboard BIOS. The
keyboard driver simulates legacy keyboard command
and let you use USB keyboard during POST or after
boot if you don't have USB driver in the operating
system.

Caution: You can not use both USB driver
and USB legacy keyboard at the same time.
Disable "USB Keyboard Support" if you have
USB driver in the operating system.

3-33

AWARD BIOS

4.10 Password Setting

Password prevents unauthorized use of your computer. If you set a password,
the system prompts for the correct password before boot or access to Setup.

To set a password:

1. At the prompt, type your password. Your password can be up to 8

alphanumeric characters. When you type the characters, they appear as
asterisks on the password screen box.

2. After typing the password, press Enter.

3. At the next prompt, re-type your password and press again to confirm the

new password. After the password entry, the screen automatically reverts
to the main screen.

To disable the password, press when prompted to enter the password. The
screen displays a message confirming that the password has been disabled.

4.11 IDE HDD Auto Detection

If your system has an IDE hard drive, you can use this function to detect its
parameters and enter them into the "Standard CMOS Setup" automatically.

This routine only detects one set of parameters for your IDE hard drive. Some
IDE drives can use more than one set of parameters. If your hard disk is
formatted using different parameters than those detected, you have to enter the
parameters manually. If the parameters listed do not match the ones used to
format the disk, the information on that disk will not be accessible. If the auto­detected parameters displayed do not match those that used for your drive,
ignore them. Type N to reject the values and enter the correct ones manually

from the Standard CMOS Setup screen.

4.12 Save & Exit Setup

This function automatically saves all CMOS values before leaving Setup.

3-34

AWARD BIOS

4.13 Exit without Saving

Use this function to exit Setup without saving the CMOS value changes. Do not
use this option if you want to save the new configuration.

4.14 NCR SCSI BIOS and Drivers

The NCR 53C810 SCSI BIOS resides in the same flash memory chip as the
system BIOS. The onboard NCR SCSI BIOS is used to support NCR 53C810
SCSI control card without BIOS code.

The NCR SCSI BIOS directly supports DOS, Windows 3.1 and OS/2. For better
system performance, you may use the drivers that come with the NCR SCSI
card or with your operating system. For details, refer to the installation manual
of your NCR 53C810 SCSI card.

4.15 BIOS Flash Utility

AOpen Easy Flash is more user friendly than traditional flash method. The
BIOS binary file and flash routine are combined together and you simply run a
single file to complete the flash process.

1. Get new BIOS upgrade program from AOpen's web site. For example,

MX59P200.EXE.

2. Reboot the system to DOS mode without loading any memory handler (such as

EMM386) or device driver. It needs around 520K free memory space.

3. Execute A:> MX59P200

DO NOT turn off the power during FLASH PROCESS.

4. Reboot the system by turn off the power after flash is completed.

5. Reload the "BIOS SETUP DEFAULT" and reconfigure other items as

previous set. Save & Exit. Done!

Note: The upgrade of new BIOS will permanently replace your original BIOS
content after flashing. The original BIOS setting and Win95/Win98 PnP
information will be refreshed and you probably need to re-configure your
system.

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