FIC SD11 SD11 User Manual

SD11

MAINBOARD

MANUAL

DOC No.: M99701
Rev. : A3
Date : 9, 1999
Part No. : 25-11012-24

Notice

Handling Precautions

Warning:

1. Static electricity may cause damage to the integrated circuits on

the motherboard. Before handling any motherboard outside of its
protective packaging, ensure that there is no static electric charge
in your body.

2. There is a danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly
replaced. Replace only with the same or an equivalent type
recommended by the manufacturer.

3. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer’ s
instructions.

Observe the following basic precautions when handling the motherboard

or other computer components:

n Wear a static wrist strap which fits around your wrist and is

connected to a natural earth ground.

n Touch a grounded or anti-static surface or a metal fixture such as a

water pipe.

n Avoid contacting the components on add-on cards, motherboards,

and modules with the golden fingers connectors plugged into the

expansion slot. It is best to handle system components by their

monting brackets.

The above methods prevent static build-up and cause it to be discharged

properly.

Trademark

All trademarks mentioned in this manual are registered properly of

the respective owners.

Handling Precautions

This manual may not, in whole or in part, be photocopied, reproduced,

transcribed, translated, or transmitted in whatever form without the

written consent of the manufacturer, except for copies retained by the

purchaser for personal archival purposes.

T able of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Overview

Package Checklist .......................................................................... 1-2

The SD11Mainboard ................................................................. 1-3

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

ACPI Ready ................................................................................... 1-6

Chapter 2 Installation Procedures

Quick Reference ............................................................................. 2-2

Mainboard Layout ......................................................................... 2-6

1). Set System Jumper ................................................................... 2-8

CMOS Clearance Function: CMOS JPR ............................ 2-8

2). Install RAM Modules .............................................................. 2-9

RAM Module Configuration ..................................................... 2-9

Install and Remove DIMMs ...................................................... 2-9

3). Install the CPU .......................................................................... 2-10

4). Install Expansion Cards ............................................................. 2-12

5). Connect Devices ....................................................................... 2-14

Floppy Diskette Drive Connector: Floppy Disk ................ 2-14

IDE HDD Device Connectors:

Primarey IDE, Secondary IDE ............................................ 2-14

ATX Power Connector: J8 ................................................. 2-15

CPU Fan Connector: J9 ..................................................... 2-16

System Case Fan Connector: Sys Fan ............................... 2-16

Front Panel Block Connector: Button Board ..................... 2-17

Universal Serial Bus Connectors: USB0, USB1, J4 ............ 2-18

PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse Connector: KB, MS ............... 2-18

Printer Connector: Parallel Port ......................................... 2-19

Serial Port Connectors: Serial Port ..................................... 2-19

Chapter 3 BIOS Setup

Main Setup .................................................................................... 3-1

Advanced Setup ............................................................................ 3-2

Security Setup ............................................................................... 3-3

Exit Setup ....................................................................................... 3-4

Chapter 4 FAQs

General FAQs ................................................................................. 4-1

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

BIOS FAQs .................................................................................... 4-4

Windows 98/98 SE FAQs ............................................................... 4-6

Windows 95 FAQs ......................................................................... 4-7

ii

Overview

Chapter 1

Overview

The 1stMainboard SD11 supports the next generation AMD Athlon proces-

sor at impressive speeds of 500/550/600/650 MHz, and eventually further.

Equipped with the AMD Athlon system bus that speeds effectively reach a

staggering 200 MHz. The ATX sized 1stMainboard SD11 utilizes AMDs

enhanced 3DNow! technology, bringing unprecedented levels of power and

performance to 3D graphics applications. Furthermore, the AMD Athlon pro-

cessor offers high-performance cache technology, including 128KB of on-

chip level one (L1) cache and a programmable, high-performance backside L2

cache interface.

Based around the advanced architecture of a chipset comprising of the AMD-

751 system controller for the North Bridge, and the VIA Super South (686A)

for the South Bridge, the 1stMainboard SD11 benefits from superb levels of

stability. With support for UDMA 66 and its high-speed interface, data trans-

fer speeds and data integrity are significantly enhanced. This is especially the

case for long sequential transfers that are typically associated with audio/

visual applications.

The 1stMainboard SD11 has three DIMMs, for up to 768 MB SDRAM, use

PC100 SDRAM technology and are equipped with ECC memory support. With

one AGP, five PCI and one ISA slot (optional) there is plenty of room for

expansion. In addition, the 1stMainboard SD11 is equipped with two dual

channeled enhanced PCI bus master IDE connectors. Standard I/O connec-

tions include a serial port, parallel port, PS/2 mouse and keyboard connector

and two USB connectors.

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

Package Checklist

If you discover any item below was damaged or lost, please contact your

vendor.

Ö The mainboard

Ö This user manual
Ö One floppy disk drive cable
Ö One HDD cable
Ö One I/O Shading
Ö Software utilities

1 - 2

The SD11 Mainboard

Overview

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

Main Features

■ Easy Installation

||BIOS with support for Plug and Play, auto detection of IDE hard drives,

||LS-120|drives, IDE ZIP drives, Windows 95, Windows 98/98 SE, Windows

||NT, and OS/2.

■ Leading Edge Chipset

AMD-751 chip includes a CPU interface controller, integrated memory

controller, concurrent PCI (PCI v.2.0, 2.1, 2.2), 3D video. VIA 686A chip

includes integrated power management unit, IDE and ISA bus controller.

■ Flexible Processor Support

Onboard CPU Slot supports leading-edge AMD Athlon processors:

500/550/600/650 MHz.

|

■ Various External Bus and CPU/Bus Frequency Ratio Support

The board comes with AMI BIOS that automatically detects Bus and

CPU/Bus Frequency Ratio you use.

■ Versatile Main Memory Support

Accepts up to 768MB RAM using three DIMMs of 8, 16, 32, 64, 128,

256MB with support for lightning-fast SDRAM (100MHz).

■ ISA and PCI Expansion Slots

Five 32-bit PCI Bus expansion slots and one optional 16-bit ISA Bus and

provide the room to install a full range of add-on cards.

■ Enhanced PCI Bus Master IDE Controller with Ultra DMA/33 and

Ultra DMA/66 Support

Integrated Enhanced PCI Bus Master IDE controller features two dual-

channel connectors that accept up to four Enhanced IDE devices, includ-

ing CD-ROM and Tape Backup Drives, as well as Hard Disk Drives sup-

porting the new Ultra DMA/66 protocol. Standard PIO Mode 3, PIO Mode

4, DMA Mode 2, DMA Mode 4 devices are also supported.

1 - 4

Overview

■■

■ Convenient Rear Panel USB Connection Support

■■

Two USB ports integrated in the rear I/O panel allow convenient and

high-speed Plug and Play connections to the growing number of USB

compliant peripheral devices on the market.

■■

■ Super Multi Input/Output (I/O) Support

■■

Integrated Plug and Play multi-I/O chipset features one high-speed UART

16550 compatible serial ports, one EPP/ECP capable parallel port, and one

FDD connector.

■■

■ Optimized AMD AthlonÔ Processor Performance

■■

The mainboard utilizes the advanced features of the AMD-751 system

controller for the North Bridge and the VIA Super South (686A) for the

South Bridge to optimize the unrivaled performance of the AMD AthlonÔ
processor with 3D/NOWÔ technology allow you to enjoy a richer video,

audio, digital imaging and communications experience from the latest gen-

eration of multimedia software.

■ Onboard Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)

The motherboard is installed one 32-bit AGP bus with a dedicated 66MHz/

133MHz path from the graphics card to the system memory (in 2x mode)

offering much greater bandwidth than the 32-bit PCI bus does. The board

is fully compliant with the AGP 1.0 specification. AGP enabled 3D graph-

ics cards can directly access main memory across this fast path instead of

using local memory. To make use of the improved AGP performance, the

motherboard should be installed with SDRAM type memory and the VGA

card and drivers should also be fully AGP compliant. Using Microsofts

Windows 98 and Windows 2000 which implement DirectDraw will allow

the system to take full use of AGPs benefits without the need to install

additional drivers.

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

ACPI Ready

This mainboard fully implements the new ACPI (Advanced Configuration and

Power Interface) 1.0 Hardware and BIOS requirement. If you install ACPI aware

operating system, such as Windows 98, you fully utilized the power saving

under ACPI.

It is compatible with all other none ACPI operating systems. If you want to

setup ACPI feature under Windows 98, please follow the description below:

Run Windows 98 setup by using setup/p j on the command line for installing

Windows 98 with the ACPI control feature.

If you type setup without the parameter /p j, Windows 98 will be installed as

APM, PnP mode, no ACPI will be used.

For more detail information, please visit the web site of Microsoft. Its address

is: www.microsoft.com/hwtest/.

CD-Pro Software Utilities

This mainboard came with software utilities for fully supporting your system

performance. The software tools are suitable for Windows 95/98/98 SE/NT.

These tools are necessary for your operating system to recognize some new

chipset that equipped on this mainboard.

To install this software utilities are very easy. Right after your operating sys-

tem is installed, start to run the CD-Pro immediately. It will detect the chipset

on your mainboard automatically; then install the patch files contained in the

CD-Pro for notifying your operating system about the chipset information.

Please also refer to Chapter 4, Windows 98/98 SE FAQs, for more details.

1 - 6

Installation Procedures

Chapter 2

Installation Procedures

The mainboard has several user-adjustable jumpers on the board that allow you to

configure your system to suit your requirements. This chapter contains information

on the various jumper settings on your mainboard.

To set up your computer, you must complete the following steps:

■ Step 1 - Set system jumpers

■ Step 2 - Install system RAM modules

■ Step 3 - Install the Central Processing Unit (CPU)

■ Step 4 - Install expansion cards

■ Step 5 - Connect ribbon cables, cabinet wires, and power supply

■ Step 6 - Set up BIOS software (see Chapter Three)

■ Step 7 - Set up supporting software tools

WARNING: Excessive torque may damage the mainboard. When
using an electric screwdriver on the mainboard, make sure that
the torque is set to the allowable range of 5.0 ~ 8.0kg/cm.

Mainboard components contain very delicate Integrated Circuit
(IC) chips. To prevent static electricity from harming any of the
mainboard’s sensitive components, you should follow some
precautions whenever working on the computer:

1. Unplug the computer when working on the inside.

2. Hold components by the edges and try not to touch the IC

||||chips, leads, or circuitry.

3. Wear an anti-static wrist strap which fits around the wrist.

4. Place components on a grounded anti-static pad or on the bag
that came with the component whenever the components are
separated from the system.

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

2 - 2

This Chapter is intended to aid quick and easy installation.

In the event that more detailed information is required, please

consult the Installation Procedures Chapter.

Installation Procedures

2 - 3

SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

1). CPU Fan Installation

This connector is linked to the CPU fan. When the system is in suspend mode, the

CPU fan will turn off; when it reverts back to full on mode, the fan will turn back on.

Without sufficient air circulation, theCPU may overheat and cause damage to

both the CPU and the mainboard.

Damage may occur to the mainboard and/or the CPU fan if these pins are

incorrectly used. These are not jumpers, do not place jumper caps over these

pins.

2). Front Panel Block
Cable Connection

3). Load BIOS Setup Default

Load Fail-Safe Defaults

BIOS defaults contain the most appropriate values of the system parameters

that allow minimum system performance. The OEM manufacturer may change

the defaults through MODBIN before the binary image burns into the ROM.

Load Optimized Defaults

Selecting this field loads the factory defaults for BIOS and Chipset Features

which the system automatically detects.

2 - 4

Installation Procedures

5). System Jumper

The CMOS RAM is powered by the onboard button cell battery. To clear the

RTC data:

1. Turn off your computer.

2. Move this jumper cap to CLEAR (figure below right).

3. Move the jumper cap to NORMAL after a few seconds (figure below left).

4. Turn on your computer.

5. Hit Delete key during boot.

6. After BIOS Setup menu appears, re-enter user prefereneces.

6). How to Upgrade BIOS

1. Format a bootable system floppy diskette by typing the command format

a:/s in command mode.

2. Visit the the web site of the vendor and visit the BIOS Update page in the

related Technical Support section.

3. Select the BIOS file you need and download it to your bootable floppy

diskette.

4. Insert the bootable diskette containing the BIOS file into the floppy dis-

kette drive.

5. Assuming that the floppy diskette drive is A, reboot the system by using

the A: drive. At the A: > prompt, run the BIOS upgraded file by executing

the Flash BIOS utility and the BIOS file with its appropriate extension.

Do not turn off or reset the computer during the flash process or if there is

a problem.

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

Mainboard Layout

2 - 6

Installation Procedures

ONBOARD MARK MEANING P AGE

Jumpers

CMOS JPR Clear CMOS Data 2 - 8

Slots

S1/2/3 DIMM Memory Module Support 2 - 11

SLOT A Slot for AMD Athlon Processors 2 - 10

PCI Slot 1/2/3/4/5 PCI Bus Expansion Slot (32-bit) 2 - 12

J21 (optional) ISA Bus Expansion Slot (16-bit) 2 - 12

AGP Slot Slot for AGP Add-On Card 2 - 12

Connectors

Floppy Disk Floppy Diskette Drive Connector 2 - 14

Primary IDE Primary IDE Device Connectors 2 - 14

Secondary IDE Secondary IDE Device Connectors 2 - 14

J8 ATX Power Connector 2 - 15

J9 CPU Fan Connector 2 - 16

Sys Fan System Case Fan Connector 2 - 16

Button Board Block Connector of Front Panel 2 - 17

Switches and Indicators

USB0/1, J4 Universal Serial Bus Connector 2 - 18

KB/MS PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Connector 2 - 18

Parallel Port Printer Connector 2 - 19

Serial Port Seiral Port Connector 2 - 19

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

1). Set System Jumper

Jumpers are used to select the operation modes for your system. Some jump-

ers on the board have three metal pins with each pin representing a different

function. To set a jumper, a black cap containing metal contacts is placed over

the jumper pin/s according to the required configuration. A jumper is said to

be shorted when the black cap has been placed on one or two of its pins. The

figure of jumper setting that used in this page is shown below:

CMOS Clearance Function: CMOS JPR

The CMOS RAM is powered by the onboard button cell battery. To clear the

RTC data: (1) Turn off your computer, (2) Move this jumper to CLEAR, (3)

Move the jumper back to NORMAL, (4) Turn on your computer, (5) Hold

down the <Delete> key during bootup and enter BIOS Setup to re-enter user

preferences.

2 - 8

Installation Procedures

2). Install RAM Modules

RAM Module Configuration

The mainboard provides three onboard DIMM sockets allowing 3.3V (unbuf-

fered) SDRAM DIMM modules. Either 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, or 256MB DIMM can

be installed on these three sockets. The maximum total memory supported is

up to 768MB.

NOTE: This mainboard supports DIMMs with access speeds of
12ns, 10ns, or faster.

Install and Remove DIMMs

SDRAM DIMM modules have different pin contact on each side and there-

fore have a higher pin density. Complete the following procedures when in-

stalling DIMMs:

NOTE: Do not use memory modules with more than 18 chips per
module. Modules with more than 18 chips exceed the design speci­fications of the memory subsystem and will be unstable.
The notch on the DIMM module will shift between left, center, or
right to identify the type and also to prevent the wrong type from
being inserted into the DIMM slot on the mainboard. Ask your re­tailer for the specifications before purchasing.

2 - 9

SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

1. Locate the DIMM slots on the mainboard.

2. Install the DIMM straight down into the DIMM slot with both hands.

3. The clip on both ends of the DIMM slot will close up to hold the DIMM

in place when the DIMM touches the slots bottom.

Press the clips with both hands to remove the DIMM.

3). Install the CPU

The AMD Athlon CPU module resides in the SLOT A socket on the

motherboard. The Retention Mechanism Assembly that is foldable for saving

space when shipping and packing had been installed on the board by the

manufacturer. Please following the steps introduced below to complete the

CPU installation.

2 - 10

Installation Procedures

CAUTION:

1. Always turn the system power off before installing or removing

any device.

2. Always observe static electricity precautions. See “Handling Pre­cautions” at the start of this manual.

3. Inserting the chip incorrectly may damage the chip.

1. Locate SLOT A on the mainboard.

2. Pull out two columns of the Retention Mechanism Assembly upward to

the right position.

3. Place the CPU module downward along with the columns of the Retention

Mechanism Assembly until it is inserted the SLOT A firmly.

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

4. Pull the buttons outwards until click to the right positions.

5. Hook the Heatsink Top Support to the Heatsink Support Base to affix the

CPU module.

4). Install Expansion Cards

This section describes how to connect an expansion card to one of your

systems expansion slots. Expansion cards are printed circuit boards that,

when connected to the mainboard, increase the capabilities of your system.

For example, expansion cards can provide video and sound capabilities. The

mainboard features five PCI bus, one ISA bus and, and one optional ISA bus

expansion slots.

2 - 12

Installation Procedures

CAUTION: Make sure to unplug the power supply when adding or
removing expansion cards or other system components. Failure to
do so may cause severe damage to both the mainboard and
expansioncards.
Always observe static electricity precautions.
Please read “Handling Precautions” at the start of this manual.

To install an expansion card, follow the steps below:

1. Remove the computer chassis cover and select an empty expansion

slot.

2. Remove the corresponding slot cover from the computer chassis.

Unscrew the mounting screw that secures the slot cover and pull

the slot cover out from the computer chassis. Keep the slot cover

mounting screw nearby.

3. Holding the edge of the peripheral card, carefully align the edge

connector with the expansion slot.

4. Push the card firmly into the slot. Push down on one end of the

expansion card, then the other. Use this rocking motion until the

addon card is firmly seated inside the expansion slot.

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

5. Secure the board with the mounting screw removed in Step 2. Make

sure that the card has been placed evenly and completely into the

expansion slot.

6. Replace the computer systems cover.

7. Setup the BIOS if necessary.

8. Install the necessary software drivers for the expansion card.

5). Connect Devices

Floppy Diskette Drive Connector: Floppy Disk

This connector provides the connection with your floppy disk drive.

The red stripe of the ribbon cable must be the same side with the Pin 1.

IDE HDD Device Connectors: Primary IDE, Secondary IDE

These two connectors are used for your IDE hard disk drives, CD drives, LS-

120|drives, or IDE ZIP drives. The red stripe of the ribbon cable must be the

same side with the Pin 1.

2 - 14

Installation Procedures

ATX Power Connector: J8

This 20-pin male block connector is connected to the ATX power supply. The

plug from the power supply will only insert in one orientation because of the

different hole sizes. Find the proper orientation and push down firmly making

sure that the pins are aligned.

NOTE: This motherboard requires the use of a recommended power
supply. Failure to use a recommended power supply may result in
damage to the motherboard and will void your warranty. Please
refer to the following web page for the latest recommended power
supplies. http://www1.amd.com/athlon/config

The list on the next page are some recommended power supplies
at the time of this printing:

2 - 15

SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

CPU Fan Connector: J9

This connector is linked to the CPU fan. When the system is in sleep mode, the

CPU fan will turn off; when it reverts back to fullon mode, the fan will turn

back on.

System Case Fan Connector: Sys Fan

This connector is linked with the cooling fan on your system case to lower the

system temperature.

2 - 16

Installation Procedures

Front Panel Block Connector: Button Board

This block connector concludes the connectors for linking with hard drive

LED, power LED, power switch, speaker, sleep LED, and sleep switch on the

front panel of the system case. Please identify polarities of plug wires for the

LEDs. Please ask vendor about this information when you buy them and

install the system by yourself. The polarities of plug wire about these buttons

will not affect the function.

The pin connections of this button board block connector are shown in the

diagram below:

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

Universal Serial Bus Connectors: USB0, USB1, J4

These two connectors, USB0 (bottom)/USB1 (top), that integrated on the

edge of the board are used for linking with USB peripheral devices; moreover,

a pinhead, J4, was equipped for you to connect USB devices on the front

panel. Your operating system must support USB features, such as MS Win-

dows 98, MS Windows 95 OSR2.5 with USB Supplement.

PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse Connector:KB, MS

These two 6-pin female connectors are used for your PS/2 keyboard and PS/2

mouse.

2 - 18

Installation Procedures

Printer Connector: Parallel Port

This 25-pin D-Sub female connector is attached to your printer.

Serial Port Connector: Serial Port

The 9-pin D-sub male connector allows you to connect with your devices that

use serial ports, such as a serial mouse or a modem.

2 - 19

SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

This Page Left Blank for Note

2 - 20

BIOS Setup

Chapter 3

BIOS Setup

The mainboard comes with an AMI BIOS chip that contains the ROM Setup

information of your system. This chip serves as an interface between the

processor and the rest of the mainboards components. This chapter explains

the information contained in the Setup program and tells you how to modify

the settings according to your system configuration.

Main Setup

The Main Setup screen is displayed above. Each item may have one or more

option settings. It allows you to change the system Date and Time, IDE hard

disk, floppy disk drive types for drive A: and B:.

Auto-Detect Hard Disks

Allows the system BIOS to detect all hard disk parameters automatically.

3 - 1

SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

Boot Sector Virus Protection

When Enabled, a warning will be giver when any program or virus sends a

Disk Format command or tries to write to the boot sector of a hard disk

drive.

Advanced Setup

Advanced Setup options are displayed by choosing item from the AMI BIOS

Setup main menu. All Advanced Setup options are described in their corre-

sponding opeating menus by brief Setup Helps.

3 - 2

BIOS Setup

Security Setup

Set Supervisor and User Passwords: You can set either a Supervisor pass-

word or a User password. If you do not use a password, Just press Enter when

the password prompt appears. The password check option is enabled in Ad-

vanced Setup by choosing either Always (the password prompt appears ev-

ery time the system is powered on) or Setup (the password prompt appears

only when AMI BIOS is run). You can enter a password by typing the pass-

word on the keyboard. When you select Supervisor or User, AMI BIOS prompts

for a password. You must set the Supervisor password before you can set the

User password. Enter a 1 to 6 character password. The password does not

appear when typed.

Change a Password: Enter the password and press Enter. After the new

password is entered, retype the new password as prompted and press Enter.

If the password confirmation is incorrect, an error message appears. If the new

password is entered without error, press to return to the AMI BIOS Main

Menu.

3 - 3

SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

Exit Setup

Exit Saving Changes allows you to write the current settings to CMOS and

exit.

Exit Discarding Changes allows you to exit without writing the current set-

tings to CMOS.

Load Optimal Settings is selected for settings which provide the best system

performance.

Load Fail Safe Settings is for settings that provide a more efficient computer.

If the computer will not boot, select this option and try to diagnose the prob-

lem after the computer boots. These settings do not give optimal performance.

Load Original Values recalls your last set of previous settings. This option is

convenient if you change settings and decide you wish to return to the previ-

ous settings.

3 - 4

Chapter 4

FAQs

General FAQs

How do I know my BIOS version?

Spot it on the boot screen, click [Pause/Break] button to write it down.

How to install a PS/2 mouse?

Enable PS/2 in Advanced Setup (AMI BIOS).There is a label on the board

which points to pin number one when connecting the PS/2 mouse adapter

on the board. The Pin number two is not connected because the female

connector (on PS/2 Mouse adapter) doesn't have wire on number two slot.

The PS/2 mouse port is a 5 pins pin header which is located beside key-

board socket.

Can I use ECC memory?

Yes, provided your chipset supports it. Check your manual (Overview

section) or consult the chipset manufacturer's Web site (Intel or VIA).

FAQ

How do I know which FLASH chip I have?

Partially remove the sticker from the chip and see the name of the manufac-

turer. Usually the jumper setting is set correctly in the factory.

How can I get the USB drivers?

Download Microsoft USB Supplement and a set of generic USB Drivers

from Drivers and Utilities Page. You must have Windows 950B (Service

Release II, "Windows97") to install these.These drivers resolve the yellow

exclamation mark problem (Unknown Devices, USB) in Device Manager.

It is recommended to install Windows 98/98 SE; because that it provides

built-in USB drivers.

4 - 1

SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

What the DMI utility is used for?

DMI Configuration Utility can be used to maintain the Management infor-

mation Format database (MIFD). DMI is also able to auto-detect and record

information pertinent to a computers system such as the CPU type, CPU

speed and internal/external frequencies and memory size. The onboard

BIOS detects as much system information as possible and stores it in a

4KB Block in the motherboards Flash EPROM and allows the DMI to

retrieve data from this database. The DMI utility also allows the system

integrator or end user to add additional information into the MIFD such as

serial numbers, housing configuration and vendor information. Those in-

formation cannot be detected by the motherboards BIOS and has to manu-

ally entered through the DMI Configuration utility and updated into the

MIFD.

Where can I get the drivers for PCI set motherboards?

To download drivers you need, visit the chipset vendor s website Drivers

and Utilities Page. There you will see links to FAQs and other Web sites

that explain in detail how to install the drivers.

How do I use DMI Utility?

Very carefully, because otherwise your system can become totally unus-

able after altering and saving some configuration on DMI. DMI Utility

should not be run from Windows or DOS version higher than v6.22.

If you accidentally alter some settings using DMI Utility under Windows95

(or MS-DOS that comes with it), flash the system BIOS immediately, do not

reboot. In some cases, using Win95 as operating system (for applying

DMI Utility) shows insufficient error message while trying to load the

Flash utility, that's why we recommend to use DOS 6.22. In that case, the

other option is to use the Boot Block feature on the BIOS. Use an ISA VGA

card for the system to allow them to boot at least on drive "A" (using DOS

6.22 of course) so you will be able to flash the BIOS at least. If you use DMI

from Windows95 DOS prompt or Restart in MS-DOS mode, you will not be

able to restart the PC.

4 - 2

Why not update BIOS?

In 90% of cases, a BIOS update is released to address a problem with a

particular piece of hardware or software.Therefore, the new BIOS gives the

system some new (different) parameters to work with. Newer BIOS'es con-

tain all fixes from previous versions. If the fix list of a new BIOS does NOT

address any of problems that you may have, it is unreasonable to update

BIOS only for sake of it, because you may be using a combination of

hardware/software that is incompatible and yet-untested with the BIOS

version you're upgrading to.

It is recommended to refrain from updating BIOS without a good reason. If

you don't see your problem listed in the fix list, do not update BIOS - better

go to a shareware Web site (winfiles.com, shareware.com, tucows.com)

and update your software or do something les dangerous.

And finally, some 10% of BIOS updates contain new CPU ID strings and

code enhancements (ACPI, etc.). For those an update is recommended

only when it is necessary (i.e. the processor ID does not display properly,

the system must have ACPI, etc.).

A typical situation occurs when a user wants to update BIOS because the

new version supports a CPU he/she "plans" to buy sometime in the future.

With some bad luck, the user ends up with a wrong BIOS (wrong PCB, or

chipset, or I/O or all of them) and a fried BIOS.

FAQ

4 - 3

SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

BIOS FAQs

How do I flash a new BIOS?

The mainboard package provides BIOS flash software tool in the software

utility CD-ROM. This software feature is provided for upgrading BIOS

use. Play the CD-ROM, click on Browse CD, select Flash, then choose the

BIOS vendor that provided the BIOS this board came with. Please print the

relating README file and read it first. For more information about, please

visit FIC Online at www.fic.com.tw.

Downloading BIOS File

Format a bootable system diskette, visit the FIC website at www.fic.com.tw.

Click BIOS/Drivers Update item under BIOS group, then select the BIOS

file you need. Download it to your bootable diskette.

Upgrading BIOS File

Place the bootable diskette containing the BIOS file in the diskette drive

(Assume the diskette drive is A.), and reboot the system by A drive. At the

A: > prompt, execute the BIOS upgrading procedure by entering the Flash

BIOS utility and the BIOS file with its extension.

Command: {flash tool file}{space}{downloaded BIOS file} <Enter>

The other parameters are listed in the relating README file, please read it

if need.

After press Enter key, type Y to the message Press Y to Continue, N

to Reboot. Press Enter key. When the message Press Any Key to Reboot,

the procedure is completed. Press any key to reboot.

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FAQ

What is "Hardware-based intelligent virus protection"?

This is a new BIOS feature based on anti-virus (AV) softwere that protects

the system from boot-time viruses. It is intellgent in the sense that it uses

rules modeled after virii's behavior. For example, it can tell the difference

between normal writing to HDD boot sector and virus-attempted writing.

It unloads after boot-up so it does not provide total protection and is not

intended to serve as replacement for regular anti-virus software.

This utility includes only Scan funcition and not Virus Delete function. It is

not necessary to "update" virus definition files because there are none.

When I try to flash BIOS I get an error message saying about a wrong
part number. Why?

Flash EPROM ("BIOS") chips used on FIC motherboards vary (Intel, AMD,

Fujitsu, etc.). As far as this problem is concerned, there are two possible

reasons:

a) you may have used a wrong BIOS or flash utility. Verify that both the

BIOS file and the flash utility are the right versions.

b) the flash utility you used did not recognize the type of flash EPROM

installed on your motherboard. Verify that you have the right files and if

you're sure in that, ignore the warning.

I updated my BIOS and am not very much pleased with the result (slower
performance, new bugs, etc.). What now?

Restore the old BIOS or wait until a newer BIOS is available. You should

use the flash utility supplied with the old BIOS and NOT the flash utility

you got with the new BIOS. If you do not know what flash utility it was,

consult the Web support pages or contact technical support.

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

Windows 98/98 SE FAQs

What's the proper install prcedure for VIA-based motherboards?

There are four steps:

1) Go to BIOS Setup and enable USB

2) Install Win98/98 SE on your system

3) Install the patch files and other drivers that contained in the CD-Pro

4) Install your add-on card drivers

NOTE: If your visual performance became unstable after the above
installation completed (especially a VGA card driver was installed
in Step 4). Please execute Step 3 once again. It should solve the
problem. This can be done because, most probably, that the driver
version of the add-on card is earlier than that of the patch files and
drivers contained in the CD-Pro.

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FAQ

Windows 95 FAQs

What is the proper install order of graphics-related VIA drivers?

1)Install Windows, 2) If your motherboard has an AGP port, load Vxd

driver v. 2.9. 4) Load display card driver.

Why does my VIA chipset-based system crash when the system at­tempts to access UDMA HDD?

This problem appears under Windows 95 OSR2 and OSR 2.1. Microsoft

made two updated versions of drivers that cause the problem. Please down-

load them at

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q171/3/53.asp

How can I know if a software (example: WindowsNT) is compatible with
FIC motherboards?

Each FIC motherboard is tested with a variety of operating systems and

applications. Compatibility reports are published every time new model or

updated model of a motherboard is released.Compatibility reports can be

downloaded from individual motherboard support pages or from the FIC

FTP Server (opens in a new window).

Windows95 shows an exclamation mark next to USB device on my
motherboard. Is there any driver that canhelp me?

The only reason why you can see that Exclamation mark on USB serial Bus

& PCI Bridge is that Windows95 didn't support it. You will need to install

its drivers to fix it.

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SD1 1 Mainboard Manual

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