Asus I-P55SP3AV User Manual

Copyright

This Product, Including Any Software And Documentation, May Not, In
Whole Or In Part, Be Copied, Photocopied, Translated Or Reduced To
Any Electronic Or Machine-Readable Form Without Prior Written Consent
From ASUSTek Computer Inc., Except For Copies Retained By The
Purchaser For Backup Purposes.

No Warranty Or Representation, Either Expressed Or Implied, Is Made
With Respect To This Documentation, Its Quality, Performance, Merchant

ability, Or Fitness For A Particular Purpose. As A Result, The Documenta

tion Is Licensed ''As Is," And The Licensee Will Assume The Entire Risk

As To Its Quality And Performance. This Work's Content Is Copyrighted
And Licensed To ASUSTek By Its Documentation Vendor And All Rights
Are Reserved. ASUSTek Reserves The Right To Revise This Work And
Any Accompanying Software And Documentation And To Make Changes
In The Content Without Obligation To Notify Any Person Or Organization
Of The Revision Or Change.

In No Event Will ASUSTek Be Liable For Direct, Indirect, Special, Inciden
tal, Or Consequential Damages Arising Out Of The Use Or Inability To
Use This Product Or Documentation Even If Advised Of The Possibility
Of Such Damages. In Particular, ASUSTek Shall Not Have Liability For
Any Hardware, Software, Or Data Stored Or Used With The Product,
Including The Costs Of Repairing, Replacing, Or Recovering Such

Hardware, Software Or Data.

Products Mentioned In This Manual Are Mentioned For Identification
Purposes Only. Product Names Appearing In This Manual May Or May
Not Be Registered Trademarks Or Copyrights Of Their Respective
Companies.

© Copyright 1995

User's Manual Rev 1.01
Related Mainboard: P/I-P55SP4 P.C.B. Rev 1.2 and up

Related BIOS: #401AO-0201 or up (# appears in upper left-hand
corner of screen at beginning of Power-On Boot-up)
Date: November 1995 ASUSTek Computer Inc.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Feature Guide............................................1-1

The P/I-P55SP3AV Package.................................................................1-2

Bundled Software......................................................................... 1-3

Main Features........................................................................................1-4

Static Electricity Precautions...............................................................1-5

Mainboard Layout................................................................................ 1-6

Using Your Mainboard

Hardware Settings..........................................................................1-8

The System Configuration Record

System IRQs.................................................................................. 1-11

BIOS-Supported Enhanced ГОЕ Features.................................1-12

Other IDE Devices..................................................................1-13

Faster Data Transfer...............................................................1-13

Power Conservation.....................................................................1-13

Audio Features..............................................................................1-13

On-Board Video Display..............................................................1-14

SCSI BIOS Firmware & The SC-200 Controller Card

........................................................................

.............................................

...............

1-8

1-10

1-14

Chapter 2: Upgrade Guide

Installing Expansion Cards..................................................................2-2

Installation Procedure....................................................................2-2

Assigning System IRQs for Expansion Cards.............................2-4

Upgrading System Memory................................................................2-6

Configuring System Memory........................................................2-7

Installing SIMMs.............................................................................2-8

Updating the Flash BIOS....................................................................2-10

.........................................

2-1

Chapter 3: Software Guide.........................................3-1

Award BIOS Setup................................................................................3-1

Standard CMOS Setup

BIOS Features Setup..................................................................... 3-8

Chipset Features Setup.................................................................3-12

Power Management Setup...........................................................3-14

PCI/PNP & Onboard I/O Setup

Load BIOS Defaults

Load Setup Defaults
Setting Supervisor & User Passwords

...................................................................

..................................................

......................................................................

.....................................................................

.......................................

3-3

3-18
3-23
3-24

3-25

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

IDE HDD Auto Detection
Save And Exit Setup

Exit Without Saving......................................................................3-28

NCR SCSI BIOS & Drivers.................................................................3-29

Flash Memory Writer Utility.............................................................3-30

Chapter 4: Technical Summary

Jumper Setting Summary.....................................................................4-1

Level 2 Cache Size: JP6 & JP8

PS/2 Mouse Port Selector: JP12..................................................... 4-2

Onboard Audio Selector: JP13.......................................................4-2

CPU Internal Clock Ext. Mulitple Selector: JP14 & JP15.... 4-3

Voltage Regulator Output Selector: JP19 & JP21

Flash EPROM Boot Block Write Selector: JP24

CPU External Clock Speed Selector: JP26& JP27

UART2/IR Selection: JP35 & JP36..................................................4-7

SMC I/O Selector: JP37....................................................................4-7

Level 2 Cache Options..........................................................................4-8

External Connections..........................................................................4-10

Port & Controller Cables..............................................................4-12

Connecting A Power Supply.......................................................4-13

The PCI-SC200 SCSI Interface Card

Setting Up the PCI-SC200

SCSI ID Numbers

..........................................................................

............................................................

.....................................................................

................................

.........................................................

........................

...........................

........................

.................................................

............................................................

3-26
3-28

4-1

4-1

4-4
4-5
4-6

4-15
4-15
4-17

IV

Feature Guide

This manual explains how to use this system mainboard and in

stall upgrades. It has an overview of the design and features of the
board and provides useful information if you want to change the
configuration of the board, or a system it is installed in.

How The Manual Is Organized

This manual is divided into four chapters:
Feature Guide - an overview of the board features

Upgrade Guide - upgrades for the board or system
Software Guide - the Setup Utility and other software & firmware
Technical Summary - technical reference

The manual assumes that your mainboard is already installed in
a computer system, so we've organized the contents to reflect this.
The first chapter introduces the mainboard's features and shows
where things are on the board in case you want to install an upgrade.

Chapter 2 explains how to install upgrades.
Chapter 3 explains the Award BIOS Setup Utility, SCSI BIOS and

the Flash Memory Writer BIOS update utility.

Chapter 4 lists settings and specifications and has instructions for

adding cache memory and the optional SCSI interface card.

1-1

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

Since we are assuming that your mainboard is already installed
in a system, it was most likely set up by your system dealer accord
ing to the design specifications of your computer. This could mean
that your mainboard's current settings are not the same as the de
faults shown in this manual. Your system manual may have addi
tional information on how the mainboard should be set up.

If you want to change the existing configuration, consult all of
your system documentation. Also be certain that opening up and
working on the system yourself won't violate your system warranty.
Most system vendors do allow you to open the system to install ex
pansion cards or additional peripheral equipment.

This manual provides all the information you need to upgrade
or change the setup of the board. If you don't feel confident of your
ability to work on the computer yourself, ask your dealer or a quali
fied technician to do it for you.

The P/I-P55SP3AV Package

Your mainboard package comes with the following:

• The P/I-P55SP3AV Mainboard & User's Manual

• AV689 Audio/VGA port card (optional VGA-only card)

• 1 IDE Device & 1 Floppy Disk Drive ribbon cable

• External Parallel port with cable

• External Serial port with cable

• External Game port with cable

1-2

• Support, Driver and bundled software

• Optional External PS/2 mouse port with cable

• Optional External Infrared Module

Feature Guide

If you purchased your mainboard as an upgrade, make sure
all of the items listed are present and undamaged. If you dis
cover a problem, contact your vendor immediately.

If the mainboard came installed in a system, you should have
received the support floppy disks and this manual. In this case, the
drivers needed to support your particular system configuration may
already be installed on the system hard disk drive. If not, you should
install the ones you need.

Bundled Software

This mainboard comes with a variety of software, including Sup
port software to update the BIOS, SIS PCI Enhanced IDE device driv
ers for multiple operating systems and SIS VGA display drivers and
utilities. In addition, there is software for the ESS audio hardware.

The PCI IDE driver disk has 'readme' files that explain how to install
and use the drivers.

The software includes:

Support:

• PFlash Flash Memory Writer — updates the system BIOS with

a new BIOS file.

• SIS 5513 PCI ГОЕ Drivers for various operating systems (for on

board PCI IDE).

Video & Audio:

• SIS Video Display Drivers & Utilities with printable User's

*

Manual file

• ESS Audio Package with User's Manual

1-3

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Main Features

The P/I-P55SP3AV has many performance and system features

integrated onto the mainboard, including the following:

• Supports 75, 90,100,120,133,150 or 166MHz P54C/CS/CQS
Pentium CPUs in a ZIP (Zero Insertion Force) Socket 7.

• SIS 551X chipset

• Uses 72-pin SIMM DRAM modules of 1MB to 128MB in mul
tiple configurations up to 512MB, with support for both Fast
Page Mode and Extended Data Output (EDO) SIMMs.

• Write-back "Level 2" external static RAM cache with two cache

options, SRAM DIP sockets and a cache module socket. Sock
eted SRAM allows installation of 256KB, 512KB or 1MB of
Asynchronous 15ns SRAM.

With a cache module in the cache socket, the SRAM DIP sock
ets are disabled. Cache module options include 256KB or
512KB Pipelined SRAM.

• On-board SIS 6205 Super VGA video display chip supports
mulitple resolutions and color depths using system DRAM.

• On-board ESS 1788 AudioDrive audio chip supports 16-bit
soimd card features.

• AV689 Audio/Display port card with audio jacks, volume con
trol, Wave Table daughter-card connector and CD-ROM drive
audio connectors. Standard 15-pin VGA display card port.

• Four 16-bit ISA, three 32-bit PCI expansion slots, with one
shared PCI/ISA slot position. The PCI slots are Bus Master

capable. Additional connector for the AV689 Audio/Display
port card.

1-4

Feature Guide

• BIOS support for Power management, "Plug and Play" fea
tures and Enhanced IDE, including support for up to four IDE
hard disks or other IDE devices and hard disks larger than
528MB, up to 8.4GB. Auto detection of installed ГОЕ hard disk
drives via BIOS Setup Utility.

• On-board "Multi-I/O' with: 2 serial ports - 16550 Fast UART
compatible - the second UART can support an IrDA-compat­ible infrared port module via the 5-pin onboard connector, in
stead of the COM2 port; 1 parallel port with EPP and ECP ca
pabilities; one standard Game port; floppy disk drive controller
with 2.88MB support.

• On-board PCI Bus Master IDE controller with two connectors
supports four IDE devices in two channels, faster data trans
fer rates and supports Enhanced IDE devices such as Tape
Backup and CD-ROM drives. The controller supports PIO

Modes 3 and 4 at a maximum transfer rate of ITMB/second

and Bus Master ГОЕ DMA Mode 2 at maximum ITMB/second.

• Optional IrDA-compatible infrared port module and external

PS/2 port/cable.

• On-board NCR SCSI BIOS firmware supports the optional PCI
SC-200 SCSI controller card.

Static Electricity Precautions

Under the right conditions, static electricity will build up. If you
touch the mainboard or other sensitive components, the buHd-up will
discharge into the components and circuitry. Computer components
are sensitive to damage from static electric discharge. They can be
damaged or destroyed if the discharge is powerful enough. Static

build-up is most likely to occur in dryer and cooler conditions, but
it is always important to be cautious.

1-5

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

To protect the mainboard and other components against damage
from static electric discharge, you should follow some basic precau
tions whenever you handle them:

1. Use a grounding wrist strap. The strap will have an 'alligator'
'dip at the end of a shielded wire lead. Clip it to a grounded

object. Any static electricity will then harmlessly discharge
through the strap. Put on and connect the strap before you

handle the components.

2. Use an anti-static pad. Put any components on the pad when
ever you work on them outside the computer. If you don't have

a pad, put the components on the anti-static bag they came in.

Both the wrist strap and pad are inexpensive and are generally

available from computer supply companies.

Mainboard Layout

The diagram on the next page shows the location of important
components on the mainboard. There are other small diagrams later
in the manual that point out the location of the topic being explained.

1. Pentium in ZIP Socket?

2. L2 Cache module socket & chip sockets

3. External Feature connectors & Battery

4. ISA expansion slots

5. VGA Feature (L), AV689 Port Card (R) connectors

6. PCI expansion slots

7. I/O, Floppy & IDE connectors

1-6

8. SIMM memory banks

9. PS/2 Mouse connector (or port option)

10. Keyboard connector

11. Power Supply connector

P/I-P55SP3AV Layout

Feature Guide

o

■ ■

™

.........

WKm

1-7

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Using Your Mainboard

In addition to the operating instructions in your system manual,

there are a few additional things specific to the mainboard you will
need to know. These have to do with the hardware settings on the
mainboard and the system configuration record.

Hardware Settings

There are a number of hardware settings on the board. They
specify configuration options for various features. The settings are
made using something called a 'jumper'. A jumper is a set of two or
more metal pins in a plastic base attached to the mainboard. A plas
tic jumper 'cap' with a metal plate inside fits over two pins to create
an electrical contact between them. The contact establishes a hard
ware setting.

Some jumpers have two pins, others have three or more. The

jumpers are sometimes combined into sets called jumper 'blocks',

where all the jumpers in the block must be set together to establish a

hardware setting. The next figures show how this looks.

Jumpers and caps

1-8

Jumper cap 3-pin jumper 2-pin jumper Jumper block

Feature Guide

Setting options for most jumpers are printed on the board in a

stylized bird's-eye view, with which pins to connect for each setting

marked by a bar connecting two pins. For example, if a jumper has

three pins, connecting, or 'shorting', the first and second pins creates
one setting and shorting the second and third pins creates another.
The same type of diagrams are used in this manual. The jumpers are
always shown from the scime point of view as shown in the whole-

board diagram in this chapter. The next figures show what the

manual diagrams look like and what they represent.

Jumper diagrams

Jumpers are shown like this

O O

Jumper caps like this Jumper settings like this

O O O

O 0-0

O 0-0
O 0-0

0-0 o

Jumpers in
a 'block'

Some jumpers are oriented

9

vertically; if the pin

4

position needs to be

o

shown. Pin 1 is marked.

1-9

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

The System Configuration Record

All personal computers use a BIOS (Basic Input Output System)
as the basic software that tells the computer how to function. In or
der for the BIOS to function, there has to be a record of the computer's

hardware and configuration settings for it to refer to. This record is

created by using a software program that is permanently stored in
the BIOS ROM chip on the mainboard. The program is called the

Setup Utility.

The system configuration record the utility creates is also stored

on the mainboard. Unlike the utility program, the record is not re
corded permanently. The memory it gets stored in must be main
tained by battery power when the computer is turned off. If battery
support fails, the record will be lost and you will have to recreate it.

When you buy your computer, the system configuration record

will already be set. The settings will be optimized for your computer

hardware and may vary from the basic defaults. You should run the

Setup Utility when you first use your computer. Write down the set
tings. The Setup Utility is explained in Chapter 3.

Important:

In some circumstances it is possible the configuration record may
be corrupted or lost. If this happens, your computer will not work
properly the next time you turn it on. This is not a serious problem.
To fix it, run the Setup Utility and re-enter your configuration from
your written record. Many of the entries will be set automatically

using defaults. Check your record against the defaults and make any
changes needed. You can use the IDE HDD Auto Detection feature
to enter IDE hard disk information. When you restart the computer,

it should work normally.

1-10

Feature Guide

System IRQs

In this manual you'll see something called an "IRQ" mentioned.
If you're not familiar with these, this is a short explanation of what
they are and why you may need to know about them if you upgrade
your system. If you are running Windows 95, your system should,
in principle, be able to deal with any IRQ requirements that occur in
the process of changing or upgrading your system configuration and
you will probably not need to concern yourself with them. Windows

3.x or other users, will need to be aware of IRQ use in the system
configuration.

An IRQ, or interrupt request, is the process whereby an input or
output device tells the CPU to temporarily interrupt whatever it is
doing and immediately process something from the source of the
interrupt. When finished the CPU goes back to what it was already
processing. This happens very quickly. There are 16 IRQs, IRQ 0
through IRQ 15. Devices that need an IRQ line to operate sometimes
must have the use of that line exclusively Some IRQs are already in
use by parts of your system. This is a design standard common to
IBM-compatible personal computer.

Some expansion cards require the use of an IRQ line, for example,

network interface cards and sound cards. When you install a card that
uses an IRQ, it probably will have a default IRQ setting that you
might need to change if that IRQ is already in use and cannot be
shared. There are different ways of setting an IRQ assignment in hard
ware, with jumpers being the most common.

"Plug and Play" expansion cards have their IRQ assigned by the

system under Windows 95, or, without Windows 95, can be config
ured using an ISA configuration utility.

There is some IRQ setup to do in the BIOS Setup utility. This is

explained in detail in Chapter 3.

1-11

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

BIOS-Supported Enhanced IDE Features

The BIOS has several feature enhancements for IDE hard disk

drives and support for other IDE devices.

The original IDE implementation was limited to two hard disk

drives with relatively slower data transfer rates. While this solution

is simple and reliable, it has some limitations that have become more

significant as the performance level of other system components and
overall system performance have increased dramatically with the
advent of new microprocessor, expansion bus and operating system
technologies.

In response to these demands, the IDE specification has been

updated to increase its capabilities and provide improved perfor

mance. Together these are referred to as 'Enhanced IDE'. Enhanced

IDE features comprise the following:

• Support for IDE hard disk drives larger than the former 528MB
limit imposed by various technical factors. Both Large and LBA
modes are supported.

• Support for IDE devices other than hard disk drives, includ
ing IDE Tape Backup and CD-ROM drives.

• Support for two IDE channels with two devices per channel,
allowing the use of four IDE devices in one system.

• Support for faster data transfer rates, particularly with IDE
controllers that have a PCI local bus interface.

This mainboard supports the use of these new features. The fea
tures work with the on-board PCI EIDE controller which has two con
nectors built onto the board. With this controller you can use one or

both connectors to connect up to four IDE devices.

1-12

Feature Guide

Other IDE Devices

Enhanced IDE allows the use of IDE devices other than hard
disks. Two devices such devices are Tape Backup and CD-ROM
drives. To use ГОЕ devices other than hard disks with this mainboard

you may need to install a device driver in your system software con
figuration. Under Windows 95, you may only need to use the stan

dard procedure to add a device to the system. Refer to the documen

tation that comes with any device you will install for instructions
about this and any other installation requirements.

Faster Data Transfer

Enhanced IDE includes a scheme to support a significant increase
in the rate of data transfer from the ГОЕ device to the rest of the sys
tem compared to the previous standard. One aspect of this scheme
is support for fast PIO timing modes. If you use both the on-board

controller and hard disks that support fast timing, you can increase

the data transfer rate significantly.

Power Conservation

This mainboard incorporates the power conservation technology,
which you can set up in the BIOS Setup Utility, where the Power
Management Setup section controls the board's power management
scheme. The power management features include hard disk and
video controls. For more information see the section on Power Man
agement Setup in Chapter 3.

Audio Features

This mainboard includes full 16-bit sound card capabilities and

comes with a suite of Windows audio utilities. Refer to the documen
tation that comes with the software for further information.

1-13

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

There are external Speaker, Microphone and Line-in jacks as well
as the volume control in the mounting bracket of the AV689 audio/
display port card that comes with the mainboard. CD-ROM audio
and Wave Table daughter-card connectors are moxmted on the AV689.
The,ESS AudioDrive chip supports third-party Wave Table cards from
several vendors, including Turtle Beach and Creative Labs.

On-Board Video Display

The onboard SIS video display uses a either 1MB or 2MB of sys

tem DRAM as display memory to support multiple resolutions and
color depths. You set the display memory size from the ChipSet Fea
tures section of the BIOS Setup utility. See that section in Chapter 3
for more information. A standard 15-pin VGA port is mounted on the
AV689 audio/display port card that comes with the mainboard. The
port card plugs into the connector between ISA slots Slotl and Slot2.
An optional VGA port-only card is also available.

SCSI BIOS Firmware & The Optional SC-200 Controller Card

This mainboard has on-board NCR SCSI firmware recorded in the
BIOS flash ROM chip that supports the NCR 53C810 PCI Fast SCSI­2 controller. There is an optional SCSI controller card, the SC-200 that
uses this firmware. The NCR SCSI controller is a full 32-bit PCI DMA

bus master and supports the ASPI and CAM standards.

You can connect a chain of up to seven devices to the SCSI inter
face. The SC-200 SCSI interface card provides both internal and ex
ternal connectors. There are details on this card and how to connect

SCSI devices to it at the end of Chapter 4.

Two floppy disks with support drivers come with the SC-200
card. There is detailed information about the drivers in "ReadMe"
files on the disks. There is more information about these disks in the
section on "SCSI BIOS & Drivers" in Chapter 3.

1-14

Upgrade Guide

This section explains how to install options on your mainboard.
It covers the most likely and technically accessible upgrades you
might want to do, including adding expansion cards, increasing sys
tem memory and upgrading the BIOS.

Installing upgrades will either improve the performance of your
computer, or add some additional capabilities to it. You can install
upgrades yourself, or have your dealer or a qualified computer tech
nician do it for you.

It is also possible to increase the size of the Level 2 cache, but since
this is a much more technically demanding upgrade that you are both
less likely to undertake, and in most cases would probably require
at least partially disassembling your system, the technical reference
information about this is in Chapter 4. It is probably best to have a
qualified technician perform the upgrade for you if you want to up
grade the socketed cache.

2-1

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

InstalUng Expansion Cards

There are many ISA and PCI expansion cards you can install in
your system to expand its capabilities. Any card you get will come
with instructions on how to configure and install it. For your refer
ence, we have included a brief decsription here of how to install a card
in your system case. This is followed by an explanation of some is

sues regarding the installation of expansion cards that use an IRQ.

If you are running Windows 95, which supports Tlug and Play'
configuration, the Windows 95 configuration process will handle the

assignment of available system resources during the installation pro

cess. Refer to your Windows 95 documentation for more information

about this. If you are running previous version of Windows, you will

need to configure any new expansion cards yourself.

Installation Procedure

Expansion cards often require pre-installation configuration and

sometimes post-installation software setup. Check your card docu
mentation for instructions on this. Once you have configured an ex
pansion card you want to install, the installation procedure is fairly
simple. Your system manual should have instructions for installing
expansion cards specific to the design of your system housing. The
procedure here covers the basics for your reference.

Before you start, always make sure the computer is turned off.
You should also make sure to carefully observe static electricity dis
charge precautions. You can damage your expansion card, the
mainboard, or both by not being careful about this.

The basic procedure for instaUing expansion cards is the same for

both ISA and PCI cards. Please note that the PCI Slot3 and ISA Slot

1 share the same mounting bracket position, so you can only use
one of these slots at a time.

2-2

upgrade Guide

The basic procedure is as follows:

1. Open the system case to gain access to the expansion slots.

2. Remove the slot-cover corresponding to the slot you want plan
to use. Put the slot-cover retaining screw aside and store the
slot cover in case you need it later.

3. Remove the card from its protective packaging if you haven't
already.

4. Align the card's slot connectors to the slot. Keep the card at a
90° angle to the mainboard. Insert the card into the slot by

pressing it firmly downward. If there is a lot of resistance, make
sure the slot connectors are lined up correctly. PCI cards require
little pressure to insert. ISA cards may need a bit more force.

5. Attach the card's mounting bracket to the case using the slot

cover screw you put aside in Step 2.

6. Close the case, reconnect aU devices, turn on the computer and

check to see if the card is working properly, as well as do any
software set up required. If rurming Windows 95, follow the
configuration procedure.

Use the screw to
secure the card to

Remove the slot
retaining screw
& slot cover

the case

The component side of the card should face right (or

up) for an ISA card and left (or down) for a PCI card

2-3

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Assigning System IRQs for Expansion Cards

Some expansion cards need to use an IRQ to operate. Generally
an IRQ must be exclusively assigned to one use. As mentioned in
Chapter 1, there are 16 IRQs available. In a normal system design,

some' of them are already in use. Expansion cards that need to use
an IRQ then draw from the unused group of System IRQs.

Both ISA and PCI expansion cards may need to use IRQs. Sys
tem IRQs are available to cards installed in the ISA expansion bus
first, and any remaining can be used by cards installed on the PCI bus.
Currently, there are two types of ISA cards. The original ISA expan

sion card design, now referred to as "Legacy" ISA cards, requires that
you configure the card hardware manually and then install it in any
available slot on the ISA bus. Under this scheme, you must ensure
that the installed cards do not conflict with each other by using the
same IRQ. This process requires careful manual system configuration
to avoid conflicts that prevent the system from working properly.

To address this problem, the Plug and Play specification was
developed to allow automatic system configuration whenever a Plug
and Play-compliant card is added to the system. For Plug and Play
(PNP) cards, IRQs are assigned automatcally from those available.

If the system has both Legacy and PNP ISA cards installed, IRQs
are assigned to PNP cards from the IRQs not already hardware as
signed to the Legacy cards. In this case, you can establish the system
confguration in one of two ways. If you have an ISA Configuration
Utility, you can use it to indicate which IRQs are in use by Legacy
cards. If you do not have an ICU program, you can use the "PCI/PNP
& Onboard I/O Setup" section of the BIOS Setup utility to indicate
which IRQs are being used by Legacy cards. Refer to Chapter 3 for

information on how to do this.

2-4

upgrade Guide

Any PCI expansion cards that need to use an IRQ have one au
tomatically assigned from the IRQs remaining after Legacy and PNP
ISA cards have had theirs assigned. In the PCI bus design, the BIOS
automatically assigns an IRQ to a PCI slot that has a card installed
which requires an IRQ. When installing a PCI card, you need to set
something called the "INT" assignment. Since all the PCI slots on this
mainboard use "INTA#", you only need to make sure that any PCI
card you install is set to INT A.

Assigning DMA Channels For ISA Cards

Some ISA cards, both Legacy and PNP may also need to use a
DMA (Direct Memory Access) channel. DMA assignments for this
mainboard are handled the same way as the IRQ assignment process
described above. If you don't use an ICU program, you can select a
DMA channel in the "PCI/PNP & Onboard I/O Setup" section of
the BIOS Setup utility.

2-5

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

Upgrading System Memory

This section explains how to install system memory. There are
instructions on how to configure and install memory and an expla
nation of the technical specifications required.

System DRAM is the main source of data for the CPU. Data re
mains stored in DRAM as long as the system is turned on, and is lost
when you turn it off. The Level 2 cache memory is Static RAM
(SRAM), which is faster than DRAM memory. When the CPU looks
for data, it first searches the cache. If the information is not there, the
search continues in the DRAM. With this design, the CPU looks in
the fastest source of data first, which lets it operate as fast as possible.

The DRAM subsystem uses memory chips permanently mounted
on small circuit boards to form "SIMMs"' (Single In-line Memory
Modules). The memory chips have a speed rating that is measured
in nanoseconds (ns). This mainboard requires either Fast Page Mode
(FPM) DRAM or Extended Data Output (EDO) DRAM with a speed
of at least 70ns.

This mainboard can use 72-pin SIMMs in four sizes from 1MB up
to 128MB (megabytes). Depending on the combination of modules
you use, you can install between 2MB and512MB. The 32-bit mod
ules used for this board come with memory chips on either one or

both sides of the module.

IMPORTANT: Do not use SIMM modules with more than 24 chips
per module with this mainboard. Modules with more than 24 chips

exceed the design specifications of the memory subsystem and will
cause unreliable operation. DO NOT use 32 or 36-chip modules with

this mainboard.

2-6

upgrade Guide

Configuring System Memory

If you want to add system memory, you should use the configu

ration options and specifications shown in this section.

Memory Combinations

You can configure the system memory in a variety of ways, us
ing different combinations of SIMM modules. Using the 4 SIMM
sockets there are many configuration options.

Please note:

• Modules must be installed in pairs, in sequence, i.e. SIMM 1
& 2, SIMM 3 & 4, or all four sockets.

• Modules pairs must be the same size.

• Required Specifications:

Module Size:

Single-sided SIMMS: 1MB, 4MB, 16MB, 64MB
Double-sided SIMMS: 2MB, 8MB, 32MB, 128MB

DRAM Type: Fast Page Mode, Asymmetric or EDO (Extended
Data Output)

DRAM Speed: 70ns or faster for 50, 60 or 66MHz external
clock. EDO DRAM requires 60ns or faster for a 66MHz exter
nal clock setting.

RAS access time [Trac]: 60ns - 70ns
CAS access time [Tcac]: 10ns - 25ns

Parity: Either parity or non-parity

2-7

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

Installing SIMMs

To install SIMMs follow these instructions:

1. The modules will only insert in a socket in one orientation. An
orientation cut-out will prevent you from inserting them the
wrong way See the figures at right.

2. Press the module edge connector into the socket at a moder
ate angle to the board. See the figures below.

3. Press the module forward onto the socket's vertical posts, so
that the alignment pins at the top of each post go into the cir
cular holes at each end of the module.

4. The module should click into place, as the retaining clips at
each end of the socket grip the module to secure it.

5. Repeat this procedure for each module you install.

Installing a Memory Module

Insert the SIMM
into the socket at
an angle.

Press it forward
onto the position
ing pins.

2-8

The retaining clips
should fit over the

edge and hold the
SIMM in place.

Module Sockets & Orientation

Cut-out

SIMMs have a cut-out at one end that matches an
extension on one of the vertical posts of each socket.

Upgrade Guide

SIMM# 4 3

I

2 1

r? 1^

!'

1

1

■

t

I

rli

Put orientation cut-out at this end.

Remember: Modules must be installed in pairs, in sequence and
must meet all the required specifications and be the same speed,

2-9

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

Updating the Flash BIOS

This mainboard has two programmable BIOS Flash EPROM op
tions. One has a "boot block" feature, the other doesn't. You can up
date either of them when BIOS upgrades are available.

Jumper JP24 enables programming for the BIOS EPROM boot

block. There are two settings. The default setting. Boot Block Protect,

with pins 1&2 shorted, prevents boot block programming. The other
setting. Boot Block Programmable, with pins 2&3 shorted, allows pro
gramming to install a new BIOS including a boot block area.

Note: The Flash EPROM with no boot block area does not require
the use of jumper JP24 to allow programming the Flash BIOS.

BIOS With Boot Block Update Procedure

1. Set JP24 to the Boot Block
Programmable setting.

2. Refer to Chapter 3 for instruc

tions on using the Flash Memory
Writer Utility to install a new

BIOS file in the flash chip.

3. When you have successfully
installed the new BIOS, set JP24
back to the Boot Block Protect
setting.

2-10

Software Guide

This chapter explains the Setup Utility for the Award BIOS, the
SCSI BIOS and drivers, and the system BIOS flash memory update
utility.

Award BIOS Setup

All computer mainboards of this type have a 'Setup' utility pro
gram stored in the BIOS ROM that is used to create a record of the
system configuration and settings. If you received your mainboard
installed as part of a system, the proper entries have probably already
been made. If so, you might want to call up the Setup Utility, as de
scribed later, to take a look at them, and perhaps record them for fu
ture reference, particularly the hard disk specifications.

If you are installing the board or reconfiguring your system,
you'll need to enter new setup information. This section explains how
to use the program and make the appropriate entries.

The Setup Utility is stored in the BIOS ROM. When you turn the
computer on, a screen message appears to give you an opportunity
to call up the Setup Utility. It displays during the POST (Power On
Self Test). If you don't have a chance to respond, reset the system by
simultaneously typing the <Ctrl>, <Alt> and <Delete> keys, or by

pushing the 'Reset' button on the system cabinet. You can also restart

by turning the system OFF then ON.

This message will then reappear:

TO ENTER SETUP BEFORE BOOT PRESS CTRL - ALT - ESC OR DEL KEY

3-1

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

After you press the <Del> key the main program screen will ap

pear, displaying the following choices.

Main Program Screen

ROM PCI/rSA BIOS(PI-55SP3AV)

CMOS SETUP UTILITY

AWARD SOFTWARE,INC.

STANDARD CMOS SETUP

BIOS FEATURES SETUP
CHIPSET FEATURES SETUP
POWER MANAGEMENT SETUP
PCI/PNP & ONBOARD I/O SETUP
LOAD BIOS DEFAULTS
LOAD SETUP DEFAULTS

ESC : Quit
FIO : Save & Exit Setup

Time, Date, Hard Disk Type...

SUPERVISOR PASSWORD
USER PASSWORD
IDE HDD AUTO DETECTION
SAVE Sl EXIT SETUP
EXIT WITHOUT SAVING

: Select Item

(SHIFT}F2 : Change Color

This screen provides access to the utility's various functions.
Note: The 'BIOS Defaults' are minimized settings for trou

bleshooting. Use the 'Setup Defaults' to load optimized defaults for

regular use. If you choose defaults at this level, it modifies all appli
cable settings.

A section at the bottom of the screen explains the controls for this

screen. Use the arrow keys to move between items, <Shift>+<F2> to
change the color scheme of the display and <Esc> to exit the utility.
If you want to save changes, press the <F10> key to save the changes
you made and exit the utility. Another section at the bottom of the

screen displays a brief explanation of the item highlighted in the list.

3-2

Software Guide

Standard CMOS Setup

"STANDARD CMOS SETUP" records some basic system hard
ware information and sets the system clock and error handling. If
your mainboard is already installed in a working system you will not

need to do this. If the configuration record which gets stored in the
CMOS memory on the board is lost or corrupted, or if you change
your system hardware configuration, you will need to recreate the

record. The configuration record can be lost or corrupted if the on

board battery that maintains it weakens or fails.

Standard CMOS Setup Screen

ROM PCI/ISA BIOS(PI-55SP3AV)

AWARD SOFTWARE, INC.

Date (mm:dd:yy) : Tue, Sep 26 1995
Time (hh:mm:ss) : 10: 00: 00

HARD DISKS

Primary Master : User
Primary Slave : None
Secondary Master
Secondary Slave

Drive A : 1.44M,
Drive B

Video
Halt On

ESC : Quit
FI :Help

None

EGA/VGA
All Errors

TYPE SIZE

547 530

: None
: None

3.5 in.

(SHIFT)F2

STANDARD CMOS SETUP

HEADS PRECOMP

CYLS

32 0 1059
0
0 0
0

0

0

Select Item
Change Color

0 0
0 0
0

Extended Memory: 15360K

LANDZ SECTOR

0 0
0

0

Base Memory: 640K

Other Memory: 384K

Total Memory: 16384K

0 0

PU/PD/+/- : Modify

63

LBA

0

3-3

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

"STANDARD CMOS SETUP" displays a screen with a list of en
tries. Follow the on-screen instructions to move around the screen.
Instructions at the bottom of the screen list the controls for this screen.
Use the arrow keys to move between fields, and the <Page Up>
(TU')/ <Page Down> (TD') or plus and minus keys to change the op
tion shown in the selected field. Pressing <Shift>+<F2> changes the
color scheme of the display, and <Esc> exits this level and returns to
the main screen.

Modifiable fields appear in a different color. If you need infor
mation about what changes to make, press the <F1> key. The help
menu will then give you information on the item highlighted. The
display of available memory at the lower right-hand side of the screen

functions automatically.

Date & Time

The first two lines on the screen are the date and time settings for
the system clock.

Hard Drive Type

You must enter the specifications of aU non-SCSI hard disk drives
installed in your system. MFM, ESDI and IDE hard disks all need to

have their specifications recorded here. The on-board PCI IDE con
nectors provide two channels. Primary and Secondary for connect

ing up to four IDE hard disks or other IDE devices, two to each chan

nel. Only hard disks need to be entered here.

If you have any SCSI hard disks installed in your system, do not
enter their specifications here. SCSI drives are not supported directly

by the PC BIOS. If your mainboard has the SCSI controller card op

tion, and you will use it, see the SCSI instructions that follow later in
this section. If you have some other SCSI controller, follow the instruc

tions that came with it on how to install any required SCSI drivers.

3-4

Software Guide

The are four hard disks listed "Primary Master", "Primary Slave"

"Secondary Master" and "Secondary Slave". For each IDE channel,

the first device is the 'master' and the second device the 'slave'.

To enter the specifications for an MFM or ESDI hard disk drive,
you must first select a 'type'. You can select the "User" option and
enter the specifications yourself manually or there are 45 pre-defined
drive specifications which you can look through to see if the specifi

cations for your drive are assigned a type number. Do this by using

the <Page Up> or <Page Down> key to change the option listed af
ter the drive letter.

For an IDE hard drive, you should set the entry to "Auto" and

the BIOS will automatically detect all drive information needed. You
can use the IDE HDD Auto Detection utility described later to super
vise the auto-detection process. If you want to do this, leave the drive
set to "None". You can also enter specifications manually by using
the "User" option.

There are six categories of information you must enter: "Cyls"
(number of cylinders), "Heads" (number of read/write heads),
"Precomp" (write precompensation), "LandZ" (landing zone), "Sec
tor" (number of sectors) and "Mode". The "Size" entry is automati
cally determined by the other specifications. Your hard disk vendor's
or system manufacturer's documentation should provide you with
the drive specifications. If you have an IDE drive, unless your drive
is already formatted with specifications different from those auto­detected, the easiest thing to do is use the "Auto" setting to auto­detect the drive specifications.

3-5

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Mode Setting For Hard Disk Drives Larger Than 528MB

The last of the specification entries. Mode, requires additional
explanation. The Mode settings are for IDE hard disks only. You can
ignore this item for MEM and ESDI drives. There are three entries you
can select from in the Mode field, "Normal", "Large" and "LBA".

Set Mode to the Normal setting for IDE hard disk drives smaller

than 528MB. Use the LBA setting for drives over 528MB that use Logi

cal Block Addressing mode to allow larger IDE hard disks. The Large
setting is for drives over 528MB that do not use the LBA mode. This
type of drive can only be used with MS-DOS and is uncommon. The
majority of IDE drives over 528MB use the LBA mode.

Note: Entering incorrect drive specifications will result in a hard
disk drive functioning improperly or not at all.

Floppy Disk Drives

The next two lines record the types of floppy disk drive present.

The options for drives A and B are:

360KB, 5.25 in.

1.2MB, 5.25 in.

720KB, 3.5 in.

1.44MB, 3.5 in.

2.88MB, 3.5 in.

None

priate entry.

3-6

Highlight the listing after each drive name and select the appro

Software Guide

Video Display Types

"Video" refers to the type of video display card your system has.

The options are:

EGA/VGA
Mono (for Hercules or MDA)
CGA 40
CGA 80

You should select the setting that matches your video display
card. If you have a VGA or any higher resolution card, choose the
EGA/VGA setting.

Error Handling

The last line "Halt On" controls whether the system stops in case
of an error. The options are:

All Errors

No Errors

All, But Keyboard

All, But Diskette

All, But Disk/Key

For most purposes, we suggest that you leave the setting on the

default, "All Errors", unless you know why you want to use a. dif
ferent setting.

When you have made your selections, exit to the main program

screen by pressing the <Esc> key.

3-7

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

BIOS Features Setup

"BIOS FEATURES SETUP" is a list of system configuration op
tions. Some entries are defaults required by the mainboard's design.
Others will improve your system's performance if enabled, or let you
set Up some system features according to your preference.

BIOS Features Setup Screen

ROM PCI/ISA BIOSÌPI-55SP3AV)

BIOS FEATURES SETUP
AWARD SOFTWARE INC.

virus Warning

CPU Internal Cache Enabled
External Cache
Quick Power On Self Test
Boot Sequence
Swap Floppy Drive Disabled
Boot Up Floppy seek Disabled DCOOO-DFFFF Shadow
Boot Up NuinLock Status
Boot Up System Speed

IDE HDD Block Mode Enabled
TVpanatic Rate Setting Disabled
TVpaiiatic Rate (Chars/Sec)

lypertatic Delay (Msec) 250

Security Option

PS/2 mouse function control

Disabled Video BIOS Shadow Enabled

C8000-CBFFF Shadow Disabled
Enabled CCOOO-CFFFF Shadow Disabled
Disabled DOOOO-D3FFF Shadow Disabled
C,A D4000-D7FFF Shadow Disabled

D8000-DBFFF Shadow

On
High

6

System
Enabled

ESC : Quit : Select Item
FI : Help PU/PD/ + /- ; Modify
F5 : Old Values (SHIFT)F2 : Color
F6 : Load BIOS Defaults
F7 ; Load Setup Defaults

Disabled
Disabled

A section at the lower right of the screen explains how to navi

gate and make changes. The controls are the same as for the Standard

CMOS Setup.

If you need information about what changes to make, highlight
an entry and press the <F1> key. A pop-up help menu will display
information about the highlighted item. Press the <F5> key to recall
the last set of values saved for this page. Pressing the <F6> key loads
the BIOS default values for this page and <F7> loads the Setup de
fault values.

The following explains the options for each entry and indicates

the default settings (Setup Defaults) for this screen.

3-8

Software Guide

Virus Protection

The "Virus Warning" default setting is "Disabled". This feature

protects the boot sector and partition table of your hard disk. Any

attempt to write to them will halt the system and cause a warning
message to appear. If this happens, you can either allow the opera
tion to continue or stop it and use an anti-virus utility on a virus-free

bootable floppy disk to reboot and investigate your system.

Cache Control

The "CPU Internal Cache" and "External Cache" default settings
are "Enabled". These settings enable CPU's 'Level V built-in cache
and the 'Level 2' secondary cache. The BIOS Default settings will dis
able the L2 cache. Leave both enabled unless you are troubleshoot
ing a problem.

Boot Up Features

The "Quick Power On Self Test" default setting is "Disabled".

This feature speeds up the Power On Self Test (POST) by skipping

some items that are normally checked during the full POST If your
system is functioning normally, you can use this feature to speed the

boot up process.

The "Boot Sequence" default setting is "C:, A:"; the other option

is "A:, C:", The setting determines where the computer looks first for
an operating system, the hard disk or the floppy drive.

The "Swap Floppy Drive" default setting is "Disabled". When

enabled, the BIOS will swap floppy drive assignments so that Drive
A will function as Drive B: and Drive B: as Drive A: under DOS.

The "Boot Up Floppy Seek" default setting is "Disabled". When

enabled, the BIOS will check if there is a 360KB floppy disk drive
installed. Don't change this unless there is a 360KB drive installed.

I

L

3-9

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

The default "Boot Up NumLock Status" setting is "On". When
the computer boots, the numbers on the numeric keypad of an IBM­compatible extended keyboard will be active. If you turn this off the
keypad cursor controls will be active.

' "Boot Up System Speed" sets the CPU speed at boot up. The de

fault setting is "High".

IDE Block Mode

The "IDE HDD Block Mode" default setting is "Enabled". This
feature enhances hard disk performance by making multi-sector
transfers instead of one sector per transfer. Most IDE drives, except
very early designs, can use this feature.

Keyboard Interface

The "Typematic Rate Setting" default setting is "Disabled'
enabled, you can set the typematic controls that follow.

The "Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec)" controls the speed at which
the system registers repeated keystrokes. The choices range from 6
to 30 characters per second (default is 6).

The "Typematic Delay (Msec)" controls the time between the
display of the first and second characters. There are four delay rate
choices: 250ms, 500ms, 750ms and 1000ms (default is 250ms).

Security Option Password Control

The "Security Option" controls the Password Setting in the main

If

screen. The default setting, "System", uses the User Password feature
every time you boot up. The other setting is "Setup". This uses the
Supervisor Password only to protect the Setup Utility settings. You
create a password by using the Supervisor or User Password com
mand from the main screen as explained later in this chapter.

3-10

Software Guide

PS/2 Mouse

The "PS/2 mouse function control" default setting is "Enabled".

When enabled and a device is connected to it, the PS/2 port uses IRQ

12. If no device is attached to the port, IRQ 12 is not used.

Shadow Controls

The default setting for the "Video BIOS Shadow" is "Enabled".

This copies the video display card BIOS into system DRAM to im

prove performance.

The next lines, "C8000-CBFFF Shadow" to "DCOOO-DFFFF
Shadow" are for shadowing other expansion card ROMs. The default
setting for these areas is "Disabled". If you have other expansion

cards with ROMs on them, you will need to know which addresses
the ROMs use to shadow them specifically. When you shadow a ROM
it reduces the memory available between 640KB and 1024KB by the
amount used for shadowing.

After you have made your selections in BIOS Features Setup,

press the <Esc> key to go back to the main screen. The next item is
Chipset Features Setup.

3-11

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Chipset Features Setup

This screen controls the settings for the board's chip set. Naviga
tion and controls for this screen are the same as for the previous
screen.

Chipset Features Screen

ROM PCI/ISA BIOS(PI-55SP3AV)

CHIPSET FEATURES SETUP

AWARD SOFTWARE INC.

Auto Configuration
L2 (WB) Tag Bit Length
Async SRAM Leadoff
Async SRAM Burst Timing

FP CAS Precharge IT Video BIOS Cacheable Enabled
RAS To CAS delay time
FP RAS Precharge time

RAS active when refresh

CAS delay in post-write
EDO CAS pulse Width
EIX) CAS Precharge time
EDO RAS Precharge time
L2 Cache Update Mode

Next Address (NA#)

CPU to PCI Burst Write
CPU to PCI Post Write
CPU-PCl Post Write Rate
Snoop PCI Master Write
Snoop PCI Master Read
Slow Refresh (1:4)

Enabled ISA Bus Clock Frequency PCICLK/3
7bits 16-bit ISA Wait State 1 Wait
3/4
2T

4T
4T
5T

IT

R1/W2 Hole Start Address OFCOOOOH

IT
4T
WB
Disabled
Enabled
Enabled
4T
Enabled
Enabled
Disabled

16-bit I/O Recory Time
8-bit I/O Recory Time 8 BUSCLK

Onboard VGA Mem Size
Onboard VGA Mem Frequency Normal

Allocate Memory Hole

Hole Size

ESC Quit Ti—><— : Select
Fl

Help
F5 Old Values (SHIFT)F2 : Color
F6 Load BIOS Defaults
F7

Load Setup Defaults

PU/PD/+/- : Modi fy

5 BUSCLK

1MB

Disabled

256KB

Item

3-12

Software Guide

The first eleven lines after "Auto Configuration", which should

be set to "Enabled", are optimal settings for this mainboard that are

defined by the Auto Configuration feature, which configures the set
tings based on the CPU clock speed. All the other settings up to "Al
locate Memory Hole", with the exception of "Slow DRAM Refresh
(1:4)", are the recommended settings for this mainboard. You should

not change them unless you know what you are doing.

If you install SIMMs that use Slow Refresh DRAM, you should

set "Slow DRAM Refresh (1:4)" to "Enabled ".

There are two settings for "Onboard VGA Mem Size", "1MB"
and "2MB". With 2MB of display memory, higher resolutions and
with more colors can be displayed. See the documentation file for the
SIS 6205 Super VGA for more information on this.

The settings for "Onboard VGA Mem Frequency" are "Normal"
"Fast" and "Fastest". You must have 60ns or EDO system DRAM to
use the "Fastest" setting. The default setting is "Fast"

You can enable "Allocate Memory Hole" if you need it for an
expansion card that requires this feature. The documentation for the
card should have instructions regarding the required Hole Start Ad
dress and Hole Size settings.

When you are done with this section, press the <Esc> key to go

back to the main screen. The next section covers Power Management

Setup.

3-13

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

Power Management Setup

Power Management Setup controls the mainboard's "green" fea
tures. The features shut down the video display and hard disk to save
energy.

The Power Management Setup Screen

ROM PCI/ISA BIOS (PI-55SP3AV)

POWER MANAGEMENT SETUP

AWARD SOFTWARE INC.

Power Management
Video Off Option
Video Off Method
Suspend Switch
Doze Speed (div by)
Stdby Speed(div by)

** PM Timers **
HDD Power Down
Doze Mode
Standby Mode
Suspend Mode

** PM Events **
COM Ports Activity
LPT Ports Activity
HDD Ports Activity
PCI/ISA Master Act.
IRQl-15 Activity

VGA Activity

User Define
Susp,Stdby->Off
V/H SYNC+Blank
Enable

8

32

Disable
Disable
Disable
Disable

Enable
Enable
Enable
Enable
Enable

Disable

IRQ3
IRQ4
IRQ5
IRQ 6
IRQ7
IRQS
IRQ 9

IRQ 10
IRQll
1RQ12
IRQ13
IRQ14
IRQ15

(COM 2)
(COM 1)
(LPT 2)
(Floppy Disk)

(LPT 1)
(RTC Alarm)
(IRQ2 Redir)
(Reserved)
(Reserved)
(PS/2 Mouse)
(Coprocessor)
(Hard Disk 1)
(Hard Disk 2)

ESC

Quit Ti ^ :Select Item

FI

Help PU/PD/+/- : Modify

F5

Old Values (SHIFT)F2 : Color

F6

Load BIOS Defaults

F7

Load Setup Defaults

Enable
Enable
Enable
Enable
Enable
Disable
Enable
Enable
Enable
Enable
Enable
Enable
Enable

Power Management

"Power Management" is the master control for the power sav
ing modes. Display Turn off and HDD Power Down that together
form the hardware power conservation scheme. There are four set
tings:

Max Saving

Sets the power conservation options to maxi
mize power saving by putting the system into
power saving mode after a brief period of sys
tem inactivity

3-14

Software Guide

Min Saving

Disable
User Defined

Max Saving

The "Max Saving" defaults are "1 Min" and "20 Sec".

Min Saving

The "Min Saving" defaults are "20Min" and "40 Min".

t^ideo Off

Another set of power saving assignments
which activate each after a moderate period
of system inactivity.

Turns off all power saving

Allows you to set power saving options ac
cording to your requirements.

The "Video Off Option" default is "Susp,Stby-> Off". This line

defines when the video off features activate. The next line sets how.

The "Video Off Method" default is "V/H SYNC+Blank". The
other options are "DPMS"and "Blank Only". When power manage
ment blanks the monitor screen, the default setting blanks the screen
and turns off vertical and horizontal scanning. The DPMS (Display
Power Management System) setting allows the BIOS to control the
video display card if it has the DPMS feature. If you don't have a
"Green" monitor, use the Blank Only option.

Note: "Screen Saver" software does not work with this feature.
Screen savers are to prevent burning in a static image on the CRT
while the monitor is on. A screen saver cannot display while the
monitor is shut down to save both electricity and the screen.

3-15

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Suspend Switch

The "Suspend Switch" default is "Enable". This enables the SMI
connector on the mainboard. The SMI connector connects to the lead
from a Suspend switch mounted on the system case.

Doze & Standby Speeds

The next two lines set the speed the CPU will operate at during
each mode. The number indicates what the normal CPU speed is di
vided by.

PM Timers

The next lines control the time-out settings for the Power Man

agement scheme. The features are "HDD Power Down", which puts
the hard disk into its lowest power consumption mode, and the Doze,
Standby and Suspend system inactivation modes.

The system automatically recovers from any power saving mode

when there is system activity, as, for example, when you type any key,
or when there is an IRQ wake-up event such as moving the mouse
or a modem ring.

"HDD Power Down" shuts down any IDE hard disk drives in
the system if they are not accessed for the specified period. The time
settings range from "1 Min" to "20 Min", or "Disable".

HDD Power Down does not affect SCSI hard disks.
The "Doze Mode", "Standby Mode" and "Suspend Mode" lines

set the period of time after which each of these modes activate. At

'Max Saving' they activate sequentially after one minute each, at 'Min

Saving' after one hour.

3-16

Software Guide

PM Events

If there is any activity from any part of the the system listed in

this group while the system is suspended, the system will wake up
if that item is Enabled. You can set IRQs 3-15 individually in the list
at the right of the screen.

Note: Normally, a Microsoft serial mouse or compatible will use

either COMl (IRQ4) or COM2 (IRQ3) and a PS/2-type mouse will
use IRQ12. If you know which IRQ your mouse is using, you can
make sure the Wake-up Event for that IRQ is turned on here and the

system will wake up when you move the mouse or click a button.

IRQ3 to IRQ1S Individual Settings

You can set IRQs 3-15 individually. Activity on any enabled IRQ

will wake up the system.

When you are done here, press the <Esc> key to go back to the

main screen.

3-17

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

PCVPNP & Onboard I/O Setup

This screeivconfigures the PCI Bus slots. Plug and Play, and the

onboard I/O features.

PCI/PNP & Onboard I/O Setup Screen

ROM PCI/ISA BIOS(PI-55SP3AV)

PCI/PNP & ONBOARD I/O SETUP

AWARD SOFTWARE INC.

SLOT 1 (RIGHT) IRQ
SLOT 2 IRQ
SLOT 3 (LEFT) IRQ

PCI Latency Timer

IRQ 3 Used By ISA
IRQ 4 Used By ISA
IRQ 5 Used By ISA
IRQ 9 Used By ISA
IRQ 10 Used By ISA
IRQ 11 Used By ISA
IRQ 15 Used By ISA

Auto

Auto

Auto

80 PCI Clock

No/lCU
No/ICU
No/ICU
No/ICU
No/ICU
No/ICU

No/ICU

Onboard FDC Controller
Onboard FDC Swap A & B
Onboard Serial Port 1
Onboard Serial Port 2
Onboard Parallel Port
Parallel Port Mode
ECP DMA Select
UART2 Use Infrared
Internal PCI/IDE
IDE Primary Master PIO
IDE Primary Slave PIO
IDE Secondary Master PIO
IDE Secondary Slave PIO

Enabled
No Swap
COMI,3F8H
COM2,2F8H
378H/IRQ7
Normal
Disabled
Disabled
Enabled
Auto
Auto
Auto
Auto

DMA 1 Used By ISA
DMA 3 Used By ISA
DMA 5 Used By ISA

ISA MEM Block BASE

No/ICU
No/ICU
No/ICU

No/ICU

ESC : Quit
FI : Help PU/PD/+/­F5 : Old Values (SHIFT)F2
F6 ; Load BIOS Defaults
F7 : Load Setup Defaults

: Select Item

Modify
Color

The first three lines on the screen set how PCI slot IRQ use is de
termined. All the PCI slots use INTA#, so any cards you install should
be set to INTA#. The default setting for each line is "Auto", which
will use auto-routing to detemine IRQ use. Use the options "14" or
"14&15" if you install a separate Enhanced IDE controller card. A one­channel card uses the "14" setting and a two-channel card the
"14&15" setting. If you use one or both of these IRQs here, they are

not available to the on-board PCI IDE controller, which uses IRQ 14

for the Primary and IRQ 15 for the Secondary channel.

The next line is the "PCI Latency Timer" setting. Do not change

the "80 PCI Clock" setting. This default setting enables maximum PCI

performance for this mainboard.

3-18

Software Guide

PNP (Plug And Play)

The seven "IRQ ... Used By ISA" lines indicate whether or not
the IRQ indicated for each line is being used by a 'legacy'(non-PNP)
ISA card. The default setting "No/ICU" indicates either that the IRQ

is not in use by the ISA Bus or that ctn ISA Configuration Utility (ICU)
is being used to determine if an ISA card is using that IRQ. If you
install a legacy ISA card that needs a specific IRQ, and you are not
using an ICU, you must set the line for that IRQ to "Yes".

For example, if you install a PNP ISA card that needs to use IRQ
3, you would set the "IRQ 3 Used By ISA" line to "No/ICU". If, how
ever, you install a legacy ISA card that needs to use IRQ 3, and you

are not using an ICU, set the "IRQ 3 Used By ISA" line to "Yes".

The three "DMA ... Used By ISA" lines indicate whether or not
the DMA chanel listed is being used by a legacy ISA card. The de
fault setting "No/ICU" indicates either that the DMA channel is not
in use by the ISA Bus or that an ICU is being used to determine if an
ISA card is using that IRQ. If you install a legacy ISA card that needs
to use a specific DMA channel, and you are not using an ICU, you
must set the line for that charmel to "Yes".

If you have a legacy ISA card that uses ciny memory segment in
the C800h to DFFFh address range and you have not used an ICU to
specify the range it uses, you should set the base address and block
size by using the "ISA MEM Block BASE" line. When you select a
base address from the six options, the "ISA MEM Block SIZE" line
will appear and you can select a block size from the four options. If
you use an ICU to accomplish the same thing, leave "ISA MEM
Block BASE" on the default "No/ICU" setting. If you have more than
one legacy ISA card that needs to use this address range, you can
increase the block size as necessary.

3-19

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Controller Settings

The default setting for the "Onboard FDC Controller" is "En
abled". This setting activates the onboard floppy disk controller and
connector. Choose the "Disabled" setting if you want to use a sepa
rate controller card.

The default setting for the "Onboard FDC Swap A: B:" is "No
Swap". If you want to reverse the drive letter assignments of two
floppy disk drives you can set this to "Swap AB" and the swap will

be controlled in hardware. This feature is the same as physically

changing the floppy disk drive cable connector positions. It is sepa
rate from the BIOS Features Setup "Swap Floppy Drive" feature.

Serial Ports

The "Onboard Serial Port 1" and "Onboard Serial Port 2" lines
control the assignments for the mainboard's two onboard serial con
nectors. They can be assigned as follows:

COMl address is 3F8H (Onboard Serial Port 1 default)

COM2 address is 2F8H (Onboard Serial Port 2 default)

COM3 default address is 3E8H

COM4 default address is 2E8H

Disabled turns off the on-board port

Make sure both ports have different COM assignments. It should

be unnecessary to change the default settings.

3-20

Software Guide

Parallel Port

The options for "Onboard Parallel Port" are:
3BCH/IRQ7

378H/IRQ7
278H/IRQ5
Disabled

This line controls the on-board parallel port and connector, set
ting the port address and IRQ assignment or disabling the port. It
should be unnecessary to change the default setting.

Parallel Port Mode

The options for "Parallel Port Mode" are:

Normal

EPP

ECP

ECP&EPP

If you want to use one of the parallel port enhancements listed,
set this line for the enhanced mode your peripheral supports. "ECP"

Default setting

Default setting

default DMA 3

automatically sets the "ECP DMA Select" line to "3", where it is oth

erwise set to "Disabled", and cannot be set independently.

3-21

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

UART2 Use Infrared

The default setting for the "UART2 Use Infrared " is "Disabled".
The default setting leaves the second serial port UART set to support
the Serial Port 2 connector. The "Enabled" setting activates the

onboard infrared IrDA feature and sets the second serial UART to
support the JP31 infrared module connector on the mainboard in

stead. Choose this if you want to connect an infrared control mod
ule to the mainboard. If your system already has a second serial port
connected to the onboard COM2 connector, it will no longer work if
you enable the infrared feature.

Internal PCI/IDE, IDE PIO

The default setting for the "Internal PCI/IDE" is "Enabled". This
activates both onboard IDE channels and connectors. The "Disabled"
setting disables the onboard controller and removes the PIO lines that
follow it. The PIO timing mode settings are best left set on "Auto",
which will auto-select the PIO mode for each device. The BIOS will
select the best IDE timing for the device. If the timing selected is too
fast for the device and it doesn't operate properly, you can manually
select from Mode 0 to Mode 4 to find a usable timing speed. Mode 0
is the slowest and Mode 4 is the fastest timing.

When you're finished making settings for this screen, press the
<Esc> key to go back to the main screen.

3-22

Software Guide

Load BIOS Defaults

"LOAD BIOS DEFAULTS" loads the troubleshooting default

values permanently recorded in the BIOS ROM. These settings are

non-optimal and turn off all high performance features.

The Standard CMOS Setup screen is not affected. To use this fea
ture, highlight it on the main screen and press <Enter>. A line will
appear asking if you want to load the BIOS default values. Press the
<Y> key and then <Enter>. The default settings will load. Press <N>
if you don't want to proceed.

Load BIOS Defaults Screen

ROM PCI/ISA BIOS(PI-55SP3AV)

STANDARD CMOS SETUP
BIOS FEATURES SETUP
CHIPSET FEATURES SETUP
POWER MANAGEMENT SETUP
PCI/PNP & ONBOTUIE

LOAD BIOS DEFADLl

LOAD SETUP DEFAUI

ESC ; Quit

FIO : Save & Exit Setup

Load BIOS Defaults except Standard CMOS SETUP

CMOS SETUP UTILITY

AWARD SOFTWARE,INC.

SUPERVISOR PASSWORD

USER PASSWORD

IDE HDD AUTO DETECTION

SAVE & EXIT SETUP

SAVING

Ti—; Select Item

(SHIFT)F2 : Change Color

3-23

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Load Setup Defaults

The "LOAD SETUP DEFAULTS" option loads optimized set

tings from the BIOS ROM. Use this option to load default settings for

normal use.

The Setup Defaults default settings do not affect the Standard
CMOS Setup screen. To use the Setup Defaults, highlight the entry
on the main screen and press <Enter>. A line will appear asking if
you want to load the Setup default values. Press the <Y> key and then
press <Enter>. The Setup Defaults will load. Press <N> if you don't
want to proceed.

Load Setup Defaults Screen

ROM PCI/ISA BIOS(PI-55SP3AV)

STANDARD CMOS SETUP
BIOS FEATURES SETUP
CHIPSET FEATURES SETUP

POWER MANAGEMENT SETUP
PCI/PNP & ONBOARI
LOAD BIOS DEFAULT

LOAD SBTUP DEFADl

ESC ; Quit
FIO : Save & Exit Setup

Load SETUP Defaults except Standard CMOS SETUP

CMOS SETUP UTILITY

AWARD SOFTWARE,INC,

SUPERVISOR PASSWORD

USER PASSWORD

IDE HDD AUTO DETECTION

SAVE St EXIT SETUP

SAVING

Ti-M-: Select Item

(SHIFT)F2 : Change Color

3-24

Software Guide

Setting Supervisor & User Passwords

The "SUPERVISOR PASSWORD" and "USER PASSWORD"

options set passwords. The Supervisor Password is for system and
Setup Utility access. The User Password is for the system only The
mainboard ships with no passwords. To create a password, highlight
the type you want and press the <Enter> key. At the prompt, type
your password. The password is case sensitive, and can be up to 8

alphanumeric characters. Press <Enter> after you have finished typ
ing in the password. At the next prompt, confirm the new password
by re-typing it and pressing <Enter> again. When you're done, the

screen automatically reverts to the main screen. Remember, when you

use this feature, the ""Security Option"" line in BIOS FEATURES

SETUP will determine when entering the password will be required.

To disable either password, press the <Enter> key instead of en
tering a new password when the "Enter Password" dialog box ap
pears. A message confirms the password has been disabled.

Password Setting

3-25

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

IDE HDD Auto Detection

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

Tliis utility will detect as many as four IDE drives if your system
configuration supports that many In sequence, a set of parameters
for each drive will appear in the box. To accept the entries displayed
press the Y key, to skip to the next drive, press the N key. If you ac
cept the values, the parameters will appear listed beside the drive
letter on the screen and the next letter, without parameters will ap
pear and the program will attempt to detect parameters for the next
drive. If you press the N key to skip rather than accept a set of pa
rameters, zeros are entered after that drive letter.

Remember, if you use another IDE controller that does not have
Enhanced IDE support for four devices, you can only install two IDE

hard disk drives. Your IDE controller must support Enhanced IDE

features in order to use Drive E: and Drive F:. The on-board PCI IDE
controller supports Enhanced IDE and has two connectors that sup

port a total of four IDE devices. If you want to use another PCI IDE
controller, you must disable the onboard PCI IDE controller by set

ting the "Internal PCI/IDE" line in the PCI/PNP & Onboard I/O

Setup screen to "Disabled".

When you are finished, any entries you accepted are automati
cally entered on the line for that drive in the Standard CMOS Setup.
Any entries you skipped are ignored and nothing is entered for that
drive in Standard CMOS Setup.

3-26

Software Guide

IDE HDD Auto Detection Screen

ROM PCI/ISA BIOS(PI-55SP3AV)

CMOS SETUP UTILITY

AWARD SOFTWARE,INC.

HARD DISKS

Primary Master:

OPTIONS SIZE CYLS. HEADS PRECOMP LANDZONE SECTORS MODE

liY)

547

TYPE SIZE CYLS HEADS PRECOMP LANDZ SECTOR MODE

Select Primary Master Option (N=Skip)? N

530

32

1059

63

LBA

Note: If you are setting up a hard disk that supports LBA mode,
three lines will appear in the parameter box. Choose the line that lists
LBA for an LBA drive. Do not choose Large or Normal

Important!: This utility will only detect one set of parameters for
an IDE hard drive. Some IDE drives can use more than one set. This
is not a problem if the drive is new and there is nothing on it. If the

hard disk drive is already fully formatted when you install it, and dif

ferent parameters than those detected here were used, you will have
to enter them manually.

If the parameters listed don't match the ones used when the drive
was formatted, the drive won't be readable. If the auto-detected pa
rameters displayed do not match the ones that should be used for
your drive, do not accept them. Press the <N> key to reject the val
ues and enter the correct ones manually from the Standard CMOS
Setup screen.

3-27

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

Save And Exit Setup

The next selection on the Utilities menu is "SAVE AND EXIT
SETUP". If you select this and press the <Enter> key the values en
tered during the current session will be recorded in the CMOS
memory on the mainboard. The system will check it every time you
turn your system on and compare it to what it finds as it checks the
system. This record is required for the system to operate.

Exit Without Saving

The last selection on the main screen is "EXIT WITHOUT SAV
ING". Selecting this option and pressing the <Enter> key lets you exit
the Setup Utility without recording any new values or changing old
ones. If you want to save a new configuration, do not use this option.
If you use it, any new setting information will be lost.

You can now use your system without further reference to this

utility unless you change the system hardware configuration. Re
member, if the system configuration information stored in CMOS

memory gets corrupted, you will have to reenter it.

3-28

Software Guide

NCR SCSI BIOS & Drivers

The NCR 53C810 SCSI BIOS is recorded on the same flash

memory chip as the system BIOS. To use the on-board NCR SCSI

BIOS, the optional SC-200 SCSI controller card must be installed in

your system.

All SCSI devices you connect to your system require driver soft
ware. The NCR SCSI BIOS directly supports SCSI hard disks under
DOS, Windows and OS/2. It also uses device drivers that are on the
DOS-format support floppy disk that comes with the SC-200 control
ler card to support hard disks and other SCSI devices used with DOS,
Windows, Windows 95, Windows NT, Novell NetWare and OS/2.
These drivers provide higher performance than the direct BIOS sup
port. To use these device drivers you must install them on your sys
tem hard disk drive and add them to your system configuration
files.There is also driver support for SCSI devices used with SCO

Unix. A second, SCO Unix-format, support floppy disk has the Unix

drivers on it.

See the "Readme" files that come with the drivers for instructions
on what they are and how to use them. You can print out the Readme

files with any text editor.

3-29

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

Flash Memory Writer Utility

Your mainboard comes with a utility to upgrade the BIOS. The
BIOS is stored on a 'flash' EPROM BIOS ROM chip on the mainboard
that can be erased and reprogrammed. This is what the Flash Memory
Writer (FMW) utility does. The utility is in the "Flash" directory on
the DOS-formatted support floppy disk that comes with the
mainboard. You will find three files in the directory:

PFLASH.EXE

README

SS5IXXXX.AWD

(xxxx = a 4-digit version number)

Flash Memory Writer records (or "programs") a new BIOS file
onto the flash memory chip. The BIOS file on the support disk may

be newer than the BIOS on the mainboard, so you may want to up

date your BIOS right away. Compare the four numbers after "SS5I"
in the new BIOS file name to the last four numbers of the code that
displays in the upper left-hand comer of your screen while the Power­On Self-Test is running. If the number from the support disk file is
larger, then you should reprogram the System BIOS. If they are the
same, don't bother. To reprogram the System BIOS, you must first do
the following:

- the Flash Memory Writer utility

- a text file of instructions

- a BIOS file for this mainboard

1. Set jumper JP24 to the Boot Block Programmable setting. When
you finish updating the BIOS, set JP24 back to the default Boot
Block Protect setting. See Chapter 4 for jumper setting infor

mation.

3-30

Software Guide

2. Make sure the CPU is running in 'real mode'.
FMW will not run if the CPU is operating in protected or vir

tual mode. This means that you can not run it with Windows
rurming or with any memory manager software (including
HIMEM.SYS). You must disable any memory manager soft

ware first. The easiest way to do this is to:
a. Boot your system from a bootable floppy disk with no

config.sys or autoexec.bat files and then run Flash Memory
Writer from a backup copy of your support disk. You can make
your back-up floppy bootable when you format it, and use one
disk for both purposes.

b. If you are using MS-DOS 6.x, you can use the feature that
allows you to confirm or abort each line of these files. You do
this by pressing <F8> while the "Starting MS-DOS..." line is on
the screen. If you are running Windows 95, shut down and

select the shut-down option to restart your computer in MS­DOS mode. You will still need to disable the autoexec.bat and
config.sys files if you have any set to run in DOS-only mode.

There are other ways to accomplish the same result. The main
point is to make sure no memory managers are running. If you aren't
sure, try running FMW. If it runs, you've succeeded. If it displays a

warning message about the CPU mode, you'll have to try again.

Once you've satisfied the two requirements mentioned above,
you can run FMW. You can copy the contents of the "Flash" directory
to your hard disk drive, or you can rim the utility from a backup of
the support floppy disk. Make sure the new BIOS file is in the same
directory as the FMW utility. To run FMW, switch to the "Flash" di
rectory if you're not already in it. Type 'PFLASH' at the DOS prompt
and press the <Enter> key. The following screen will appear;

3-31

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

The Flash Memory Writer Utility Screen

ASUSTek PNP BIOS

FLASH MEMORY WRITER VI.0

Copyright (C) 1995, ASUSTek COMPUTER Inc

FAash Type -- SST 29EE010

Current BIOS Revision: #401A0-0201

Choose one of the following:

1. Save Current BIOS To File

2. update BIOS Main Block From File

3. Advanced Features

Enter Choice; [1]

Press ESC To Exit

There are three command options which you invoke by typing

the number of the command and pressing the "Enter" key:

1. Save Current BIOS To File
This command reads the system BIOS already installed on the
mainboard and writes a copy of it to a file in the 'Flash' di
rectory. This leaves you with a backup of your original BIOS

in case you need to re-install it. This option is highly recom
mended.

2. Update BIOS Main Block From File
This updates the BIOS, but not the boot block and ESCD, from
a file on disk. This can be either a new file or the backup file
created by the "Save Current BIOS To File " command.

3. Advanced Features
Selecting this option brings up the Advanced Features screen.

3-32

Software Guide

There is a line at the bottom of the screen "Press ESC To Exit".
If you press the Escape key the program will terminate and re

turn you to the DOS prompt.

If you type a "3" and then press the "Enter" key the Advanced

Features screen will appear.

The Advanced Features Screen

Advanced Features

Flash Type -- SST 29EE010

Current BIOS Revision: #40lA0-0301

Choose one of the following:

1. Clear PNP ESCD Parameter Block

2. Update BIOS Including Boot Block and ESCD

Enter Choice: [2]

Press BSC To Exit

There are two command options which you invoke by typing the

number of the command and pressing the "Enter" key:

1, Clear PNP ESCD Parameter Block

This command erases the Plug and Play configuration record.

2. Update BIOS Including Boot Block and ESCD.
This updates the Boot Block, the BIOS and the Plug and Play
ESCD Parameter Block from a new file in the FLASH directory.

Operation and controls are the same as for the main screen.

3-33

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Follow this procedure to update Plug and Play system BIOS ver

sion 0103 or later:

1. Back up your existing system BIOS by using the "Save Current
BIOS To File" command. Type "1" and press "Enter" to execute

-the command. A second screen will appear.
Type the BIOS file name, e.g. SS5I0201.AWD, press "Enter" and

the program will write a file containing the current BIOS to the
directory you are running FMW from.

2. Install the new BIOS using the "Update BIOS Main Block From
File" command. Type a "2" and press "Enter".

When you type this command a second screen will pop up
instructing you to type in the name of the new BIOS file. Type
in the whole file name, e.g. SS5I0202. AWD and press the "En
ter" key to confirm that you want to program the BIOS. The

utility will then install the new BIOS file.

DO NOT TURN OFF THE SYSTEM IF THERE IS A PROBLEM!

If you have a problem installing the new BIOS file, choose com

mand "2" again and try again. If you can not successfully pro

gram the new BIOS file for whatever reason, press "2" again
and re-install your original BIOS from the backup file you cre
ated in Step 1 above.

3. Once you have successfully installed a new BIOS, exit FMW

and turn your system OFF. Set jumper JP24 to the Boot Block
Protect setting and turn the system ON again. The system

should come on using the new BIOS.

Warning: If you do not successfully install a complete BIOS file,
your system may not be able to boot. If this happens it will require
service by your system vendor. Follow the requirements and instruc
tions in this section precisely to avoid this inconvenience.

3-34

Technical Summary

The first part of this section summarizes the mainboard's speci

fications and explains the L2 external cache. The second part explains

how to set up the optional PCI-SC200 SCSI Interface card.

Jumper Setting Summary

The settings for jumpers JP7 and JP9 are fixed. You can note what they are for
reference, but you should not change them.

Level 2 Cache Size; JP6 & JP8

Set these according to the size of the installed cache.

JP6 JP8

256K
512K
1MB

~o

oo

1 1

O

256KB Cache 512KB Cache 1MB Cache

c_ c_

-D ~0
05 OO

o

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

o

1

c_ c_
"D ~0

CT» Oft

W 0 ^^0

o

o

o

$ $

"U

05

4-1

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

PS/2 Mouse Port Selector: JP12

This jumper controls the on-board PS/2 Mouse lead connector. When set to

Enable, the port is active and uses IRQ12.

JP12

c_

T3

ro

Default

o

(D

Disable
Enable

C­12

ro

1&2

28.3

0

o

Disable

PS/2 Mouse

Onboard Audio Selector: JP13

This jumper controls the onboard audio. When set to Enable, the onboard audio is
active.

JP13

Enable

PS/2 Mouse

Enable

Disable Short

-©O

Enable

Audio

For the Open setting, place jumper cap over one pin

Open Default

JP13 JP13

Disable

Audio

4-2

Technical Summary

CPU Internal Clock External Mulitple Selector: JP14& JP15

These set the factor by which the external bus clock is multiplied to establish the

internal CPU clock speed.

CPU Internal Clock

Int. Clock = 1.5 X Ext. Clock
Int. Clock = 2 X Ext. Clock Short
Int. Clock = 2.5 X Ext. Clock Short Short
Int. Clock = 3 X Ext. Clock

C—

O
O

C—

C—

O

tn

O

1.5xExtClk ZxExtClk

CXI

3

(p

0
o

o

c_

~X)

•PM»

JP14 JP15

Open Open 75/90/100

Open 120/133MHZ

Open Short

C—
“O

0 o

C—

$

CXI

0

2.5 X Ext Clk 3 X Ext Clk

150/166MHZ

“D

o

C-

(7)

3

CXI

0

4-3

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Voltage Regulator Output Selector: JP19 & JP21

Set these jumpers according to the voltage type of the installed CPU.

JP19 JP21

STP/VR

VRE

IMPORTANT: You must set these jumpers correctly for the CPU's voltage type or

your system will operate improperly. An incorrect setting can damage the CPU.

Open Short

Short

"O

ro

O
O

"D

CO

3.3V+5%
STD/VR

Open

"O

ro

o
o

"O

CD

3.45V-3.6V

VRE

4-4

Technical Summary

Flash EPROM Boot Block Write Selector: JP24

This jumper prevents or allows writing to the BIOS flash EPROM boot block.

JP24

Boot Block Protect
Boot Block Programmable

I

O

~o

ro

Boot Block

Protected

1&2 Default
2&3

O

1

~U

ro

Programming

Enabled

4-5

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

CPU External Clock Speed Selector: JP26& JP27

Set these as shown, according to the CPU's internal clock speed.

Int. Clk

166MHz 66Mhz 2&3

150MHz

133MHz

120MHz

100MHz 66Mhz 2&3 1&2

90MHz 60Mhz 1&2 2&3
75MHz

Important CPUs are normally listed by their internal dock speed, as
shown above. You MUST also set JP14 & JP15 for the correct multiple of

the external clock speed.

Ext. Clock JP26

60Mhz 1&2 2&3
66Mhz 2&3 1&2
60Mhz 1&2 2&3

SOMhz
40Mhz 1&2 1&2

o

2&3

o

JP27

1&2

2&3

Int. Clk Multiple

2.5 X Ext. Clock

2.5 X Ext. Clock
2 X Ext. Clock
2 X Ext. Clock

1.5 X Ext. Clock

1.5 X Ext. Clock

1.5 X Ext. Clock

1.5 X Ext. Clock

o o

O

-O "O

ISJ N3

^ 03

66MHz Ext. 60MHz Ext. 50MHz Ext.

o

■ n “D

ro N3

03

C- C—

"O "O

PO PO

03

o o

c_ c_

“D -D

ro ISO

03

40MHz Ext.

4-6

Technical Summary

UARTг/IR Selection: JP35 & JP36

These set UART2 to support either the second serial port and COM 2 connector or
the IR (InfraRed) port and JP31 connector.

JP35

COM2 1&2
IR 2&3

“D

Ca3

CD

■ a

CO

cn

C.
"T?

CO

cn

JP36

1&2

2&3

c_

“O

CO

CJl

o o

i

I

o

o

Enable

COM2

SMC I/O Selector: JP37

This Enables/Disables the onboard SMC Multi-I/O features.

i

Enable

IR

JP37

Enable 1&2
Disabled

C_

"O

CO

2&3

o

Enable

SMC I/O

S3

o

Disable

SMC I/O

4-7

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Level 2 Cache Options

Cache Type & Size: See jumper section for settings, and below for other

specifications. Cache RAM required speed is 15ns,

This mainboard supports standard Asynchronous SRAM in the sockets, or Burst or

PipeTine Burst SRAM on a cache module installed in the cache socket. Refer to

the chart below for specifications. You can upgrade either cache.

Cache Specifications

Cache Type

SRAM Sockets

Cache Module

Size

256KB
512KB 64K8x8pcs

1MB 128K8x8pcs 32K8x1 pc
256KB
512KB

Data Chip Size

32K8x8pcs

Tag Chip Size

8K8,16K8or32K8x1pc
16K8or 32K8x1pc

Important:

Data SRAM mustbe either Mixed Mode or 3.3V SRAM.
Tag SRAM must be either Mixed Mode or -I-5V SRAM.
Note that jumpers JPG and JP8 select the cache size for both types of

cache, so you must set them for the size of the installed cache.

L2 Cache Size

256KB 32MB

Cacheable Memory Size

4-8

512KB 64MB

1MB

This chart shows the maximum amount of
system memory each size option can cache.

128MB

L2 Cache Options

Socketed SRAM cache options

Technical Summary

111

32-pin
64K8
or
128KB

MÎ!":

r

28-pin
8K8 or

32K8
Tag

chip

Cache module installation

28-pin

32K8

Note: 28-pin chips use the 32-in sockets

256KB
cache
32K8x8

Chip

installed

Socket
empty

■

512KB
cache
64K8x8

or

The cache modulesocket is

designed so that the cache module
can only be inserted one way,
preventing incorrect orientation

1MB
cache
128K8x8

4-9

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

External Connections

There are several connectors on the board for switches and indicator lights from
the system case. The connectors are made of the same components as the
jumper switches. There are also connectors for the on-board I/O ports and a

system power supply.
Connector Block:
SMI Switch Connector for a Suspend switch lead.
Reset Switch Connector for a Reset switch lead.

Speaker Connector for a system case speaker lead.

Keylock Connector for a keyboard lock and Power-On LED.
Turbo Switch Connector for a Turbo Switch. No function on this mainboard.
Turbo LED Connector for a Turbo LED.

[Note: The Turbo feature is not supported on this mainboard. A Turbo LED will

light all the time if connected, but a switch will have no effect.]
PS/2 Mouse Connector for a PS/2 mouse port lead.
JP10 SM Out Connector for a power management lead from a green device.
JP17 Fan Power Connector for cooling fan +12V power lead.
JP29 IDE LED
JP30VOI Control
JP31 IR

Fan Power, volt Lithium cell. It has a life expectancy
IDE LEO, M ""I I of approximately 7 years. Replace it by
Case, IR &

Volume Control ^ battery out. Insert a new battery
connectors CMOS Battery with the writing side face up.

Connector for an IDE activity LED.
Connector for a digital volume control module
Connector for an IrDA-compliant infrared port module

PS/2 Mouse
connector (or port)

Please Note:

The battery that supports the onboard

CMOS memory (where the system
configuration record is stored) is a 3-

--------

1 lifting up the retaining clip and pulling

4-10

Technical Summary

Case Feature Connectors

Turbo LED + Eo

SMI Suspend Switch

I o

CO

o
oo
oo
oo

oo

Tv
5

o

O

7^

Keylock

Turbo Switch ^

Reset

Other Feature Connectors

Off-board PS/2 Mouse
port lead connector (some
models have an on-board
PS/2 mouse port instead)

O

o ^

o

c_

m JP29

oo

■ o

CO

ooooo

Fan power lead
connector (+12V)

IDE LED activity

light connector

Infrared port
connector

IRCON

3D

m

CO

o

oo

o
oo
oo

CO

-D

Speaker

feature connector

<
o

r”

o O

o

—1

3D

O

i“

Volume Control

connector

O
O

00

o
c:

SM Out green

Pin Out

- GND

o
o

UP
MUTE

o DOWN

o GND

P30

4-11

PA-P55SP3AV User's Manual

I/O Port Connectors

Serial Port cable connectors,
C0M1 (upper), COM2 (lower)

Game port
cable connector

Floppy Disk Drive

Parallel Port

cable connector

When you connect a ribbon cable, you must orient the cable connector so
that the Pin 1 edge of the cable is at the Pin 1 end of the on-board connec
tor. The Pin 1 edge of the ribbon cable is colored to indentify it.

Port & Controller Cables

The mainboard comes with the following cables. External ports attach to the

cable connector

IDE Hard Disk Drive
cable connectors.
Primary (left),
Secondary (right)

mainboard with ribbon cables that are attched to the port mounting bracket.
External ports:

• 2 serial ports with ribbon cables attached to one mounting bracket

• 1 parallel port

• 1 game port

Internal Controller Cables

• 1 IDE ribbon connector cable

• 1 floppy disk drive ribbon connector cable

4-12

Technical Summary

Connector and Port Cables

Floppy Drive ribbon cable

IDE ribbon cable

Game port & cable

Important Note: IDE ribbon cables must be < 18 in. (46cm), with the

Parallel port & cable

Serial ports & cable

second drive connector no more than 6 in. (15cm) from the first
connector. Any second IDE cable used to attach devices to the
second IDE channel, must meet these required specifications.

Connecting A Power Supply

The system power supply connector on the mainboard is for a standard power
supply. To connect the leads from the power supply, you should first make sure
the power supply is unplugged. Most power supplies have two leads. Each lead
has six wires, two of which are black. Orient the lead plugs so the black wires' are
in the middle when attached to the mainboard.

Align the plastic guide pins on the lead plug to its receptacles on the connector.
You may need to hold the plug at an angle to align the guide pins. Once you have
the guide pins aligned, press the plug onto the connector so that the plastic clips

on the plug snap into place and secure it to the connector.

4-13

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Audio/Display & Display Port Cards

Audio/Display Port Card

CD-ROM -

Wave Table Audio

Connector Connectors

t———1—i—

SONY
Mitsumi
Panasonic

v'-'”' •” ..

■ -.i-; ■ -■ ■vi '' -

lilEiiiiMlIllilllllllpllilillllllll

;

___

Display Port Card

............

.

...

■ ■ ' v

Microphone
Line - In

Volume Control

External Speaker

15-pin Display
Monitor Port

To install, plug either
card into the connector
on the mainboard. The

4-14

VGA-only card only
uses a section of the
connector.

15-pin Display
Monitor Port

Technical Summary

The PCI-SC200 SCSI Interface Card

Your mainboard may have come with an optional SCSI (Small
Computer System Interface) controller card, the PCI-SC200. The card
is also available separately. This card works with the SCSI BIOS on
the mainboard. Together, they provide a complete PCI Fast SCSI-2 in
terface. With the card installed in your system you can connect SCSI
devices installed in your system case to the internal connector on the
card. You also have the additional option of connecting external SCSI
devices to the external SCSI-2 connector on the card.

If you get the PCI-SC200 later on as an option, you will need to
install it yourself. The setup procedure is explained here. The basic

card installation procedure is explained at the end of Chapter 2.

The PCTSC200 SCSI Interface Card

Internal SCSI ribbon cable connector

External SCSI 2 cable connector

PCI edge connector

Setting Up the PCI-SC200

There are two jumper settings you may need to make on the card
to set it up. One setting assigns the PCI INT interrupt, the other sets
the card's termination.

4-15

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Setting the INT Assignment

As explained in Chapter 2, any PCI card you install must use PCI
INT A. On the PCI-SC200, you assign the INT by setting jumper JPl
or JP2. The default setting for the card already is INT A, so you do
not need to change the setting to use the SC-200 with this mainboard.

The INT assignment jumper settings are illustrated below. The

settings are printed on the card for your convenience.

JPl & 2: Interrupt settings

CP

Q_ Q_
“5 —>

C)

CM »—

6
o

o

INT A

(default)

Terminator Settings

SCSI devices are connected together in a "chain" by cables. In
ternal devices connect to the PCI-SC200 with a fifty-pin flat ribbon
cable. External devices connect to the external port with a SCSI-2
cable. If there is more than one internal or external device, additional
devices are connected with cables to form a "daisy chain". The SCSI
chain must be "terminated" at both ends, or the devices in the chain
will not work properly.

1

INTB INTO

o
O'

CM «—

O- Q_

—> —i

o

o

C)

i)

(...)

CM »—

O- O-

—3 “3

n

o

CC)

s

INTD

CM

O-

4-16

Technical Summary

Many SCSI devices use a set of terminating resistors to terminate

the device. The PCTSC200 has "active" termination that you set us

ing jumper JP5. If you need to terminate the PCI-SC200, you do it by

setting the jumper. The are two settings, terminated and
unterminated, as shown below.

JP5: Terminator setting

%

LO

Q_

Termination
Disabled

in

Termination

Enabled

(default)

Decide whether or not you need to terminate the PCI-SC200

based on its position in the SCSI chain. Only the devices at each end

of the chain need to be terminated. If you have only internal or only
external devices connected to the PCI-SC200, then you must termi

nate the PCI-SC200. If you have both internal and external devices

connected, you must not terminate the card. The figures on the next
page illustrate these requirements.

SCSI ID Numbers

All SCSI devices, including the PCI-SC200 interface card must

have a SCSI identification number that is not in use by any other SCSI

O-

( )

L

device. There are eight possible ID numbers, 0 through 7. The PCI­SC200 has a fixed SCSI ID of 7.

You can connect up to seven SCSI devices to the interface card.
You must set a SCSI ID number for each device. SCSI devices vary
in how they set the ID number. Some use jumpers, others have some
kind of selector switch. Refer to the manual for any device you in
stall for details on how to set its ID number.

4-17

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

Example 1: Only internal or only external devices connected

Internal SCSI Cable

SCSI
Device 1

(Termination
Disabled)

SCSI

Device 2

End Device

(Termination

Enabled)

Note: SCSI controller

Beginning Device
(Termination Enabled)

card ID# is "7".

Example 2: Both internal and external devices connected

Internal SCSI Cable

SCSI
Device 3

SCSI
Device 4

(Card Termination Disabled)

4-18

External SCSI Cable

SCSI
Device 2

(Termination
Disabled)

(Termination

Disabled)

Note: SCSI interface

card ID# is still "7 ".

SCSI
Device 1

Beginning Device

(Termination

Enabled)

End Device

(Termination
Enabled)

TECHNICAL UPDATE

Product Number:
Motherboard Revision:

Manual Revision:

P/I-P55SP3AV

1.2 and later

1.02

On page 1-4, the forth feature item should read:

• Write-back "Level 2" external static RAM cache with two cache
options, SRAM sockets and a cache module slot. The SRAM

socket allows installation of 256KB, 512KB, or 1MB of SRAM

cache chips. When a pipeline burst cache module is installed you

must remove the SRAM chips to prevent conflicts.

On page 1-5, the third feature item second sentence should read:

...The controller supports PIO Modes 3 and 4 at a maximum trans
fer rate of 17MB/second and Bus Master IDE DMA Mode 2 at
maximum transfer rate of 22MB/second.

On page 4-6, remove all references to 40MHz Ext Clock

On page 4-11, the Fan power connector in detail:

jp

17

B-

G-

CPU Fan Power Connector

GND
+ 12V
GND

P/I-P55SP3AV User's Manual

TECHNICAL UPDATE

Product Number:

Motherboard Version:
Manual Version:

P/I-P55SP3AV

1.2 and later

1.1

On Page 2~7, the two sentences:

DRAM Speed: 70ns or faster for 50,60 or 66MHz external clock. EDO
DRAM requires 60ns or faster for a 66MHz external clock setting.

Change to:_______________________________

DRAM speed requirements for both FP DRAM & EDO DRAM:

CPU internal clock (speed of the CPU): 75,90,120, 150MHz
CPU external clock: 50 or 60MHz
>Use 70ns or faster (the lower the number, the faster)

CPU internal clock (speed of the CPU) 100,133,167MHz
CPU external clock: 66MHz
>Use 60ns or faster (the lower the number, the faster)

On Page 4~7:

If you have a UMC Super MuIti-I/0, the jumper settings for JP35, JP36,
and JP37 are not used. The default settings for JP35 and JP36 are fixed
on position 1-2 and JP37 is removed.

The Infrared function on the UMC super multi-I/0 chip is enabled
through BIOS setup only, no hardware settings are necessary.

Check to see whether you have a

SMC Super Multi-I/0 or a UMC
Super Multi-I/0. The above ap
plies to UMC only, otherwise re
fer to page 4-7 for UART2/IR Se

lection.

P/I-P55SP3AV User’s Manual

Declaration of Conformity

We, Manufacturer/Importer

(fuil address)

ASUS COMPUTER GmbH

HARKORT STR. 25

40880 RATINGEN, BRD. GERMANY

declare that the product

(description of the apparatus, system,, installation to which it refers)

MOTHERBOARD & AV CARD

P/I-P55SP3AV WITH AV689

is in confirmity with

(reference to the specification under which confirmity is declared)

in accordance with 89/336 EEC-EMC Directive

DECLARE.DOC

n EN 55011 Limits and methods of measurement

of radio disturbance characteristics of
industrial, scientific and medical (ISM)
high frequency equipment

n EN55013 Limits and methods of measurement

of radio disturbance characteristics of
broadcast receivers and associated

equipment

□ EN 55014 Limits and methods of measurement

of radio distrubance characteristics of
household electrical applicances,

portable tools and similar electrical
apparatus

□ EN 55015 Limits and methods of measurement

of radio disturbance characteristics of

fluorescent lamps and luminaires

□ EN 55020 Immunity from radio interference of

broadcast receivers and associated
equipment

m EN 55022 Limits and methods of measurement

of radio disturbance characteristics of
information technology equipment

□ DIN V VDE 0855 Cabled distribution systems: Equipment

EN 61000-3-2^
EN60555-2

□ EN61000-3-3*

EN60555-3

m EN 50081-1

@ EN 50082-1

m prEN 55024-2

EN61000-4-2

@ prEN 55024-3

EN61000-4-3

m prEN 55024-4

EN61000-4-4

□ prENV 50142

□ ENV 50141

□

electrical equipment "Harmonics"

electrical equipment "Voltage fluctuations’

Generic emission standard

Generic immunity standard

“ESD" (lEC 801-2) (IEC1000-4-2)

Radiated, radio frequency electromagnetic
field (lEC 801-3) (IEC1000-4-3)

Electrical fast transient requirements

Surge immunity requirements
(lEC 801-5)

Immunity to conducted disturbances

□ part 10 for receiving and/or distrubution from

G part 12 sound and television signals

11 CE marking (EC conformity marking)

The manufacturer also declares the conformity of above mentioned product

with the actual required safety standards in accordance with LVD 73/23 EEC

Disturbances in supply systems caused
by household appliances and similar

Disturbances in supply systems cause
by household appliances and similar

Electrostatic discharge requirements

■Burst" (lEC 801-4) (IEC1000-4-4)

* Replacement of

EN60555-2/-3

Ref. No. 9511185E