This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for
a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment
off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help.
Notice:
1. The changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
2. Shielded interface cables must be used in order to comply with the
emission limits.
The manufacturer makes no warranties with respect to this documentation and disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability, quality, or
fitness for any particular purpose. The information in this document is
subject to change without notice. The manufacturer reserves the right to
make revisions to this publication and to make changes to any and/or
all parts of its content, at any time, without obligation to notify any person or entity of such changes. Further, the manufacturer assumes no
responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
Caution:
Danger of explosion if battery incorrectly replaced.
Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the
manufacturer.
Dispose of used batteries according to the battery manufacturer’s
instructions.
Appendix G: Award BIOS Hard Disk Table ..................................60
4
Chapter 1
Introduction
The G486VPC system board is an Energy Star compliant system board
that reduces energy consumption by automatically turning off peripherals when not in use.
The G486VPC system board is equipped with a 237-pin Zero Insertion
Force (ZIF) CPU socket that allows users to easily upgrade their processor with Intel, AMD, Cyrix or SGS-Thomson CPUs.
The G486VPC system board uses Award BIOS (Windows 95 Plug and
Play compatible) that supports Enhanced IDE HDDs larger than 528MB.
The G486VPC can support 1MB to 64MB of system memory using x32
or x36 DRAM. It also supports 128KB or 256KB Level 1 and Level 2
write-back/write-through cache.
Equipped with one built-in VL-bus IDE connector and one ISA IDE connector, the G486VPC system board can control four drives and supports fast Mode 3 and Mode 4 HDDs. This system board is also
equipped with two NS16C550A-compatible serial ports, an ECP/EPP
parallel port, a floppy disk drive controller, one PS/2 mouse port and
one AT or optional PS/2 keyboard connector.
The G486VPC design is based on the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) local bus and Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) standards. It is equipped with 6 dedicated ISA slots, and 1 shared PCI/8-bit
ISA slot.
5
Features and Specifications
Processor
•5V CPUs - Intel, Cyrix and SGS-Thomson
•3.3V CPUs - Intel, AMD, Cyrix and SGS-Thomson
Chipset
•VIA VT82C496 - system and cache controller
•VIA VT82C505 - PCI bridge
•VIA VT82C416 - peripheral chip
Cache Memory
•128KB or 256KB
•Supports Level 1 and Level 2 write-back/write-through cache
System Memory
•1MB to 128MB
•Three 72-pin SIMM sockets
•Supports memory parity-check function
•256KBx36/x32, 1MBx36/x32, 4MBx36/x32, and 16MBx36/x32 (SM1SM3)
•512KBx36/x32, 2MBx36/x32, and 8MBx36/x32 (SM1 or SM3)
BIOS
•Award BIOS, Windows 95 Plug and Play compatible (Flash EPROM
or EPROM)
•Supports Enhanced IDE HDDs larger than 528MB
•System and EGA/VGA BIOS shadow
Energy Efficient Design
•Supports SMM mode and CPU stopped clock
•Hardware supports flexible event-driven power management
scheme and easy CPU state transition: Ready, Doze and Suspend
•Microsoft APM 1.1 compliant
•EPA Energy Star compliant design
6
Integrated I/O
•Uses UMC super I/O controller
•Two NS16C550A-compatible enhanced serial ports
•One ECP/EPP parallel port
•Supports 360KB, 720KB, 1.2MB, 1.44MB, and 2.88MB floppy
drives
•Two fast IDE connectors:
- Primary IDE is a VL-Bus IDE to support Mode 3 and Mode 4
HDDs
- Secondary IDE is an ISA IDE to support one tape drive and one
ATAPI CD-ROM drive
ZIF Socket
•237-pin ZIF socket (Intel Socket 3)
Connectors
•2 serial ports
•1 parallel port
•2 IDE connectors
•1 floppy connector
•1 PS/2 mouse port
•1 AT keyboard connector or optional mini-DIN-6 PS/2 keyboard
port
Expansion Slots
•6 dedicated 16-bit ISA slots
•1 shared PCI/8-bit ISA slot
PCB
•Four layers, Baby AT form factor
•25cm (9.84") x 22cm (8.66")
7
Package Checklist
The G486VPC package contains the following items:
•The G486VPC system board
•The G486VPC user’s manual
•One 40-pin IDE hard disk cable
•One 34-pin floppy disk drive cable
•Serial, mouse and printer port cables
Option 1:
- One card-edge bracket with a 9-pin and 25-pin serial port cables
- One card-edge bracket with a 25-pin printer port cable and a PS/
2 mouse port cable
Option 2:
- One card-edge bracket with two 9-pin serial port cables and a
PS/2 mouse port cable
- One 25-pin printer port cable for chassis mounting
Option 3:
- One 25-pin printer port cable for chassis mounting
- Two 9-pin serial port cables for chassis mountign
- One PS/2 mouse port cable for chassis mounting
•Five jumper caps
If any of these items are missing or damaged, please contact your
dealer or sales representative for assistance.
8
Chapter 2
Hardware Installation
This chapter summarizes the steps to install the G486VPC system
board into your system unit. It also includes a description of the area in
which you must work and directions for memory installation. Before installing the system board, obtain the memory you plan to install. Please
refer to the memory chart on pages 14 and 15 for the number and type
of SIM modules needed for the amount of memory you require.
Preparing the Area
Before unpacking the system board, make sure the location you have
selected is relatively free of dust and static electricity. Excessive exposure to dust, static electricity, direct sunlight, excessive humidity, extreme cold, and water can damage the operational capabilities of your
system board. Avoid placing the unit on surfaces such as carpeted
floors. These areas also attract static electricity which can damage
some circuits on your system board.
Make sure the power source has a properly grounded, three-pronged
socket. It is essential that the power connection be properly grounded
for correct functioning of your system board. For further protection, we
recommend that you use a surge suppressor. This will protect the system board from damage that may result from a power surge on the
electrical line.
Move items that generate magnetic fields away from your system board
since magnetic fields can also damage your system board. Once you
have selected the ideal location, unpack the G486VPC system board
carefully.
Handling the System Board
It is quite easy to inadvertently damage your system board even before
installing it in your system unit. Static electrical discharge can damage
computer components without causing any signs of physical damage.
You must take extra care in handling the system board to ensure
against electrostatic build-up.
9
Static Electricity Precautions
1. To prevent electrostatic build-up, leave the board in its anti-static
bag until you are ready to install it.
2. Wear an antistatic wrist strap.
3. Do all preparation work on a static-free surface with system board
components facing up.
4. Hold the system board only by its edges. Be careful not to touch
any of the components, contacts or connections, especially gold
contacts, on the board.
5. Avoid touching the pins or contacts on all modules and connectors.
Hold modules and connectors by their ends.
Warning:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage your processor, disk drives,
add-in boards, and other components. Perform the upgrade instruction
procedures described at an ESD workstation only. If such a station is
not available, you can provide some ESD protection by wearing an antistatic wrist strap and attaching it to a metal part of the system chassis.
If a wrist strap is unavailable, establish and maintain contact with the
system chassis throughout any procedures requiring ESD protection.
Installing the System Board
If you are installing the G486VPC system board, the following outlines
the basic installation steps. Before installing the system board into your
system unit, you should prepare the tools you will need.
You will need:
•One medium size, flat-bladed screwdriver
•One medium Phillips screwdriver
•One needle-nosed pliers
1. Unlock your system unit. Turn off the power and disconnect all
power cords and cables.
10
2. Remove the system unit cover. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions if necessary.
3. Remove expansion cards seated in any of the expansion slots and
detach all connectors from the old system board.
4. Loosen the screws holding the original system board and remove
the board from the system. Save the screws.
5. Remove the G486VPC from its original packing box. Be careful to
avoid touching all connectors and pins on the board. Please refer to
the handling instructions on pages 9-10 for proper handling techniques.
6. Insert the SIMMs into the SIMM sockets on the G486VPC. The
quantity and location of the SIMMs depends on the memory configuration and type of modules you intend to use.
7. Install the CPU. Be sure pin 1 of the CPU is aligned with pin 1 of
the socket.
8. Set the corresponding jumpers.
9. Install the prepared G486VPC system board into the case and replace the screws.
10. Reinstall all cards and connectors and replace the system unit
cover. Reconnect all power cords and cables.
11
Board Layout
JP19
EPROM
Pin 1
VIA
VT82C416
Battery
JC1
JC2
JP11JP14
J7
J1
J2
JP1
JP25
VIA
VT82C505
JP12
JP17
JP13
J3
JP21
J4
VIA
VT82C496
JP4
JP3
CN2
J12 J13
C
OM A
CN1
COM B
J10: Printer
Power Connector
J11: FDC
8-bit ISA Slot
PCI Slot
J9: Secondary IDE
J8: Primary IDE
UM8669
UMC
JP20
Pin 1
JP15
JP9
JP23
JP24
JP22
SM1
SM2SM3
U17
JP18
JP16
JRN2
JRN1
JP10
JP5
U7
J6J5
U8
JP8JP7JP6
U1
U9
U2
12
System Memory
The G486VPC system board can support 1MB to 128MB of memory
using 72-pin SIMMs (Single In-line Memory Module).
The G486VPC system board uses 256KBx36/x32, 1MBx36/x32,
4MBx36/x32, and 16MBx36/x32 HSIM modules installed in SM1-SM3
SIMM sockets or 512KBx36/x32, 2MBx36/x32, and 8MBx36/x32 installed in SM1 or SM3 SIMM sockets. You will need 1 to 3 pieces of
SIM modules, depending on the amount of memory you intend to install.
Refer to page 12 for the locations of the SIMM sockets.
Note:
The G486VPC system board supports fast page mode DRAM only.
Installing a SIM Module
A SIM module simply snaps into a socket on the system board. Pin 1 of
the SIM module must correspond with Pin 1 of the socket.
notch
key
1. Position the SIMM above the socket with the “notch” in the module
aligned with the “key” on the socket.
2. Seat the module at a 45° angle into the bank. Make sure it is completely seated. Tilt the module upright until it locks in place in the
socket.
13
Memory Configuration
The table below summarizes the bank locations and modules needed
for the corresponding memory sizes.
The G486VPC system board can be configured to two different cache
sizes: 128KB and 256KB. Regardless of the amount of cache memory
installed, one 32Kx8 is needed for tag RAM (U7) to store the cacheable
addresses. Refer to page 12 for the locations of the SRAM sockets.
Jumper Settings for Cache Memory
Jumpers JP6-JP8
Cache Memory Selection
Cache Size
256KB
128KB
Data SRAM
(U1, U2, U8, & U9)
64Kx8x4
32Kx8x4
3
2
1
1-2 On
Tag SRAM
(U7)
32Kx8
32Kx8
3
2-3 On
JP6
2-3 On
1-2 On
12
JP7
1-2 On
2-3 On
CPU Installation
The G486VPC allows for easy installation of CPUs. Make sure all jumpers are set correctly before applying power or you may damage the
CPU or system board. Please see the jumper settings on the following
pages.
JP8
2-3 On
1-2 On
16
Jumper Settings for CPU
Jumpers JRN1, JRN2, JP16, JP18, JP20, JP22, and JP23
Please check your CPU dealer or sales representative whether your
Cyrix DX4 or SGS Thomson DX4 CPU is designed in accordance to the
Intel pin-out or Cyrix pin-out.