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.
4. Never run the processor without the heatsink properly and firmly
attached. PERMANENT DAMAGE WILL RESULT!
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
Save and Exit Setup ....................................................................... 3-22
Exit without Saving ........................................................................ 3-22
ii
Page 5
Overview
Chapter 1
Overview
The new microATX, 478-pin 1stMainboard® VC35 supports a full range of the
latest generation Intel® Pentium® 4 processors. The leading edge chipset
Intel® 845 MCH was designed for coworking with Pentium® 4 (up to 2GHz)
and Northwood® processor (min 2GHz) in the 478-pin package based on the
VRM 9.0 spec and 400MHz.Built using the leading edge technology the Intel
Pentium® 4 processors provide a significant performance over previous
Pentium® III processors. Two (DDR 266MHz) PC-2100 SDRAM sockets allow
for up to 2GB memory capacity. Support for the Ultra DMA/100protocol and its
high-speed interface further ensures that data transfer speeds are improved,
especially for long sequential transfers required by audio/visual applications.
The board also features onboard audio and optional onboard LAN function.
The 1stMainboard VC35 comes with a versatile range of I/O features such as
2 serial ports, 1 parallel port, 1 optional LAN, 1 PS/2 mouse and keyboard
connector, 4 USB connectors, 1 media connector (front audio, Line-in, Line-
out and Mic-in, game/MIDI port). Ample expansion is available through 3 PCI,
1AGP 4X (only 1.5V cards allowed) and 1 CNR to meet the requirement for
enjoying the P4 CPU benefits in internet applicatons, video/3D graphics per-
formance, and so forth. Other key features are Remote On/Off, Auto Power
Failure Recovery, integrated temperature monitoring and system fan control.
Included also is CD Pro with enhanced drivers and the new CD Plus package
containing a few bundled soft-ware solutions such as Norton® AntiVirus,
Norton Ghost, Norton Virtual Drive.
Package Checklist
If you discover any item below was damaged or lost, please contact your
vendor.
þ The mainboardþ This user manual
þ One FDD cableþ One HDD cable
þ One A T A/100 cable þ Two software CDs (CD Pro, CD Plus)
1 - 1
Page 6
VC35 Mainboard Manual
NOTE: CD Pro that contains patch files, onboard video/audio chip
drivers, related online help and other useful information can be
found in your mainboard package.
Please install it right after your Windows operating system installation is done.
appears in your monitor. Please select
matically detect which software tools (patch files, drivers) that the
mainboard needs. Press OK button to go through the whole installation procedure in a very straight forward and easy way. It also
provides you with a custom way to select wanted patch files and
software drivers that for onboard chips use.
Place your CDPro in the drive, an operating menu will
The VC35 Mainboard
Auto Installation
. It will auto-
1 - 2
Page 7
Overview
Main Features
n Easy Installation
||BIOS with support for Plug and Play, auto detection of IDE hard drives,
||LS-120|drives, IDE ZIP drives, Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows
||NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and OS/2.
n Leading Edge Chipset
Intel® 845 provides integrated DRAM controllers with new Dynamic
Power Management Architecture (DPMA), concurrent PCI, AGP and USB.
The built-in audio and vedio features of the Intel chipset 845 (MCH +
ICH2) provide better visual performance with the Dynamic Video Memory
Technology (DVMT) properties.
n Versatile Main Memory Support
Accepts up to 2 GB DDR SDRAM using two memory sockets for allowing
that from 64, 128, 256, 512MB with support for lightenning-fast PC-2100
An IrDA port integrated with front panel block connector for wireless
infrared connections is available.
n CNR, AGP, and PCI Expansion Slots
One CNR, one AGP Bus expansion slot (only 1.5V card allowed), and three
PCI Bus expansion slots provided the room to install a full range of add-on
cards.
n Super Multi Input/Output (I/O) Support
Integrated Plug and Play multi-I/O chipset features two high-speed UART
16550 compatible serial ports, one parallel port, one game port, and one
FDD connector.
1 - 3
Page 8
VC35 Mainboard Manual
n LAN Support (optional)
Onboard optional LAN controller with one optional RJ45 jack integrated
with other rear panel I/O connectors pvovides users with a convenient
connection with network environment.
n Integrated Audio Subsystem
Embedded audio features in the ICH2 with an integrated PCI audio con-
troller, DOS games compatible engine. The subsystem utilizes line-out,
line-in, and MIC external jacks, one joystick port with MIDI interface.
n Convenient Rear Panel USB Connection Support
Two USB ports integrated in the rear I/O panel and two extra USB ports for
either front or rear panel connection allow convenient and high-speed
Plug and Play connections to the growing number of USB compliant
peripheral devices on the market.
n Enhanced PCI Bus Master IDE Controller with Ultra DMA 33/66/100
Support
Integrated Enhanced PCI Bus Master IDE controller features two dual-
channel connectors that up to four Enhanced IDE devices, including CD-
ROM and Tape Backup Drives, as well as Hard Disk Drives supporting
the new Ultra DMA 100 protocol. Standard PIO Mode 3, PIO Mode 4,
DMA Mode 2, DMA Mode 4, UltraDMA-100 Mode 5 devices are also
supported.
n Onboard Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)
The motherboard is installed one 32-bit AGP bus with a dedicated path
from the graphics card to the system memory offering much greater band-
width than the 32-bit PCI bus does. AGP enabled 3D graphics cards can
directly access main memory across this fast path instead of using local
memory.
1 - 4
Page 9
Overview
FIC Unique Innovation for Users (NOVUS) -
Enhanced Mainboard Features and System Support
n LogoGenie
A user friendly GUI supporting Windows 95/98/98SE (not Windows 2000/
NT/ME), LogoGenie allows you to customize, create or select a Logo
which will be displayed when the system is booting.
NOTE:
1. LogoGenie supports Award BIOS only.
2. If you create a Logo file (.bmp) by LogoGenie, the file size must
||||be 640 x 464 x 256 colors.
To enable this utility, please proceed as follows:
1.Insert CD Pro. Select LogoGenie from the Menu and
follow the installation instructions.
2.After LogoGenie has been installed, go to Windows Start Box.
In Programs Menu, select LogoGenie (ver.), then select LogoGenie.
3.Press F1 to read Help file to understand how to use this software if
it is new to you.
n BIOS Guardian
BIOS Guardian by default is enabled. It must be disabled in order to
reflash BIOS, thus effectively acts as a fire-wall against viruses that can
attack the BIOS while the system is running.
WARNING: While excute Step3 below, please do not turn off the
sytsem power in order to avoid BIOS damage.
BIOS Guardian can be disabled as follows:
1.Go to BIOS Set Up Menu. (Press Del key while booting.)
2.Go to Advanced BIOS Features Set Up Submenu.
3.Disable BIOS Guardian.
4.Save the setting, and restart system.
1 - 5
Page 10
VC35 Mainboard Manual
NOTE: However, if it is disabled and while boot the system, the
POST screen will be held and shows you the message to let you
know the current status of BIOS Guardian. To press G key will enable the BIOS Guardian again; or simply to press the space bar
will continue the booting process.
n Easy Key
Instead of completing the multi-layered BIOS setup process these 3 Easy
Key functions provide direct access to Sub-Menus when completing
BIOS settings adjustments.
Easy-Keys are as follows:
Ctrl + c:To enter clock settings menu.
Ctrl + p:To load Performance Default settings and restart.
Ctrl + f:To load Fail-Safe Default settings and restart.
n Overclock Partner
Should the system not start because clock speed settings have been
increased to a speed incompatible with the system, the Overclock Partner
allows you to reboot at system default settings, protecting hardware from
any damages.
Complete the following steps:
1.Turn the system off.
2.Restart while holding down the Insert key. It is important that the
Insert key is held down until the default clock speed is shown on
the POST screen.
3.Enter BIOS settings menu, and re-set clock speed desired or default.
1 - 6
Page 11
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/switches
■ Step 2 - Install memory 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
■ Step 7 - Install 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 sensitive components, you should follow the following 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.
2 - 1
Page 12
VC35 Mainboard Manual
Quick Reference (from Page 2-2 to 2-4)
Mainboard Layout
2 - 2
Page 13
Installation Procedures
1).Clear CMOS, Clear Password,
FSB Speed Select
2).Front Panel Block Cable Connection
2 - 3
Page 14
VC35 Mainboard Manual
3).CPU Fan Installation
This connector is linked to the CPU fan. When the system is in some power saving
mode, the CPU fan will turn off; when it reverts back to full on mode, the fan will turn
back on.
damage to both the CPU and the mainboard.
Damage may occur to the mainboard and/or the CPU fan if these pins are
used incorrectly. These are not jumpers, do not place jumper caps over these
pins.
Without sufficient air circulation, the CPU may overheat resulting in
1). Set System Jumpers/Switches
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. A 1 is written besides pin 1 on jumpers with three pins. 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 types of jumpers
used in this manual are shown below:
NOTE: Users are not encouraged to change the jumper settings
not listed in this manual. Changing the jumper settings improperly
may adversely affect system performance.
Clear CMOS: SW1-1
The CMOS RAM is powered by the onboard button cell battery. To clear the
RTC data: (1) Turn off your computer. (2) Move the CMOS Clear switch SW1-
1 to On (Enabled). (3) Turn on your computer to display CMOS checksum
error. (4) Turn off your computer. (5) Move the CMOS Clear switch SW1-1 to
Off (Disabled). (6) Turn on your computer. (7) Hold down the Delete key when
boots. (8) Enter the BIOS Setup to re-enter user preferences.
2 - 4
Page 15
Installation Procedures
Clear Password: SW1-2
This switch allows you to enable or disable the password configuration. You
may need to enable this switch by moving it to the On (Enabled) position if
you forget your password. To clear the password setting: (1) Turn off your
computer. (2) Move the Clear Password switch SW1-2 to On (Enabled). (3)
Turn on your computer. (4) Hold down the Delete key during bootup and enter
BIOS Setup to re-enter user preferences. (5) Turn off your computer, (6) Move
the Clear Password switch SW1-2 to Off (Disabled). (7) Turn on your com-
puter for the new settings to take effect.
2 - 5
Page 16
VC35 Mainboard Manual
FSB Speed Select: JP1
This jumper allows you to select the FSB speed of your mainboard.
2). Install Memory Modules
1. Locate the DIMM slots on the mainboard.
2.Install the DIMM straight down into the DIMM slot using both hands.
3. The clip on both ends of the DIMM slot will close up to hold the DIMM
in place when the DIMM reaches the slot bottom.
Press the clips with both hands to remove the DIMM.
2 - 6
Page 17
Installation Procedures
3). Install the CPU
The mainboard has built-in Switching Voltage Regulator to support CPU Vcore
autodetection. That is, It has the ability to detect and recognize the CPU
voltage, clock, ratio and enables users to set up the CPU frequency from the
BIOS Setup Screen. Users can adjust the frequency through Frequency /
Voltage Control of the BIOS Setup Screen.
When you install your Pentium® 4 CPU on this mainboard, please use a power
supply that designed and manufactured only for Pentium® 4 CPUs use. Your
CPU fansink combined with its retention module must be completely closed
and firmly attached on the top of the processor.
To install the CPU, do the following:
1.Lift the lever on the side of the CPU socket.
2.Handle the chip by its edges and try not to touch any of the pins.
3.Place the CPU in the socket. Do not force the chip. The CPU should slide
easily into the socket.
4.Swing the lever to the down position to lock the CPU in place.
5.Place the cooling fan with heatsink on top of the installed CPU.
NOTE: Users The CPU installing procedures should be:
1. Insert the CPU (with its fansink and retention module) on the
socket.
2. Connect the 20-pin plug of the power supply
3. Connect the 6-pin plug of the power supply.
4. Connect the 4-pin plug of the power supply.
To remove the processor, please do it in reverse order.
2 - 7
Page 18
VC35 Mainboard Manual
4). Install Expansion Cards
This section describes how to connect an expansion card to one of your
system 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 one CNR, one AGP, and three PCI bus expansion slots.
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.
This mainboard supports 1.5V AGP 2X/4X card only; other type
cards may damage card and mainboard.
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.
2 - 8
Page 19
Installation Procedures
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.
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 cover.
7.Setup the BIOS if necessary.
8.Install the necessary software drivers for the expansion card.
5). Connect Devices
Floppy Diskette Drive Connector
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.
2 - 9
Page 20
VC35 Mainboard Manual
IDE Device Connectors
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.
Power Connectors
The 20-pin male block connector is connected to the ATX power supply. The
4-pin male block connector is for the 12V power use. The connectors are linked
with your ATX power supply. The plug from the power supply will only insert
in one orientation because of the different hole sizes. Find the proper orienta-
tion and push down firmly making sure that the pins are aligned.
2 - 10
Page 21
Installation Procedures
Fan Connectors
The two connectors, CPU_FAN, SYS_FAN are linked to the CPU fan, case fan,
respectively. CHIP_FAN can be used either with the case fan or North Bridge
chip fan. For preventing the system and chip from overheat damage, the fans
on this board will keep running when the system in suspend mode.
Wake-On-Lan Connector
This 3-pin connector allows the remove servers to manage the system that
installed this mainboard via your network adapter which also supports WOL.
2 - 11
Page 22
VC35 Mainboard Manual
CD Audio-In Connectors
The connectors are for CD-ROM drive audio input use.
Front Panel Block, Power LED and Speaker Connector
This block connector includes the connectors for linking with HDD LED,
power LED (2 and 3 pins), dual power LED, power button, suspend button,
reset button, and IR on the front panel of the system case. Please identify
polarities of plug wires for the case speaker and LEDs. Please ask vendor
about this information when you buy them and install the system by yourself.
The plug wires polarities of these buttons will not affect the function.
2 - 12
Page 23
Installation Procedures
1. Power LED (2-Pin) is connected with the system power indicator to indicate
whether the system is on/off. It will blink when the system enters suspend
mode. There is a 3-Pin Power LED connector on board for some cases that with
a 3-pin plug.
2. Reset Button is connected to the reset button. Push this switch to reboot
the system instead of turning the power button off and on.
3. HDD LED is connected to the IDE device indicator. This LED will blink
when the hard disk drives are activated.
4. Dual Power LED it is in green light when the system in power on status.
It is in yellow light when the system in suspend mode.
5. Power Button is connected with power button. Push this switch allows the
system to be turned on and off rather than using the power supply button.
6. Suspend Button is connected with suspend button. To enter the system
into power saving mode, simply press this button when the system is in full-
on mode.
Speaker is connected with the case speaker.
PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse Connector
These two 6-pin female (PS/2 keyboard is purple color and PS/2 mouse is
green color) connectors are used for your PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse.
2 - 13
Page 24
VC35 Mainboard Manual
Universal Serial Bus Connectors
These two black connectors integrated on the edge of the board are used for
linking with USB peripheral devices. This board also provides a connector
USB2/3 for linking with the two extra USB connections. They can link with
front panels of some system cases.
The figure below is the pin assignment
of the USB2/3.
Serial Port Connectors
COM1/2 (9-pin D-sub male connector with teal color) allow you to connect
with your devices that use serial ports, such as a serial mouse or an external
modem.
2 - 14
Page 25
Installation Procedures
Printer Connector
This 25-pin D-Sub female burgundy-colored connector is attached to your
printer.
Audio I/O Jacks
LINE_OUT (lime) can be connected to headphones or preferably powered
speakers. LINE_IN (light blue) allows tape players or other audio sources to
be recorded by your computer or played through the LINE_OUT. MIC_IN
(pink) allows microphones to be connected for voice input. The mainboard
also provides you with a front panel audio port connector, FNT_AUDIO,
when needed. Its pin definitions were presented below.
2 - 15
Page 26
VC35 Mainboard Manual
Game/MIDI Connector
This 15-pin female gold-colored connector allows you to connect game joy-
sticks or game pads. Connect MIDI devices for playing or editing audio.
Optional LAN Connector
The optional RJ45 LAN jack is used for the LAN cable plug.
2 - 16
Page 27
BIOS Setup
Chapter 3
BIOS Setup
The mainboard comes with the chip that Award BIOS that contains the ROM
Setup information of your system. (This chip serves as an interface between
the processor and the rest of the mainboard components.) This section ex-
plains the information contained in the Setup program and tells you how to
modify the settings according to your system configuration.
CMOS Setup Utility
A Setup program, built into the system BIOS, is stored in the CMOS. This
Setup utility program allows updates to the mainboard configuration settings.
It is executed when the user changes system configuration; user changes
system backup battery; or the system detects a configuration error and asks
the user to run the Setup program. Use the arrow keys to select and press
Enter to run the selected program.
3 - 1
Page 28
VC35 Mainboard Manual
Standard CMOS Setup
The Standard CMOS Setup screen is displayed above. Each item may have
one or more option settings. The system BIOS automatically detects memory
size, thus no changes are necessary. Use the arrow keys to highlight the item
and then use PgUp or PgDn keys to select the value you want in each item.
Date
To set the date, highlight the Date field and then press Page Up/Page
Down or +/- keys to set the current date. Follow the month, day and year
format.
Time
To set the time, highlight the Time field and then press Page Up/Page Down
or +/- keys to set the current time. Follow the hour, minute, and second
format.
3 - 2
Page 29
BIOS Setup
Hard Disks
This field records the specifications for all non-SCSI hard drives installed
in the system. The onboard PCI IDE connectors provide Primary and Sec-
ondary channels for connecting up to four IDE hard disks or other IDE
devices. Each channel can support up to two hard disks, the first of which
is the Master and the second is the Slave.
Hard Disk Configurations
Capacity:The hard disk size. The unit is Bytes.
Cylinder:The cylinder number of the hard disk.
Head:The read/write head number of hard disk.
Precomp:The cylinder number at which the disk drive
changes the write current.
Landing Zone:The cylinder number that the disk drive heads
(read/write) are seated when the disk drive is
parked.
Sector:The sector number of each track defined on the
hard disk.
Drive A / Drive B
This field records the types of floppy drives installed in the system. To
enter the configuration value for a particular drive, highlight its corre-
sponding field and then select the drive type using the left- or right-arrow
key.
Floppy 3 Mode Support
This is a Japanese standard floppy type drive. The standard stores 1.2MB
in a 3.5 inch diskette.
Video
Set this field to the type of video display card installed in the system.
Halt On
This field determines which types of errors will cause the system to halt.
3 - 3
Page 30
VC35 Mainboard Manual
Advanced BIOS Features
Virus Warning
This feature starts the virus scan tool to detect if boot virus in boot sector
of the first hard disk drive when booting up.
The options are: Enabled, Disabled.
CPU L1 & L2 Cache
When enabled, improves the system performance. Disable this item when
testing or trouble-shooting. The options are: Enabled, Disabled.
Quick Power On Self T est
When enabled, allows the BIOS to bypass the extensive memory test.
The options are: Enabled, Disabled.
Hard Disk Boot Priority
This feature will auto detect all hard disks of bootable device on the sys-
tem. It also allows users to select hard disk device booting priority.
First/Second/Third Boot Device
This feature allows user to select the boot device priority. The options are:
Floppy, LS120, Hard Disk, CDROM, ZIP100, LAN, Disabled.
3 - 4
Page 31
BIOS Setup
Boot Other Device
This feature allows user to select the boot device priority.
The options are: Enabled, Disabled.
Swap Floppy Drive
Allows you to switch the order in which the operating system accesses
the floppy drives during boot up.
The options are: Enabled, Disabled.
Boot Up Floppy Seek
When enabled, assigns the BIOS to perform floppy diskette drive tests by
issuing the time-consuming seek commands.
The options are: Enabled, Disabled.
Boot Up Numlock Status
When set to On, allows the BIOS to automatically enable the Num Lock
Function when the system boots up. The options are: On, Off.
Gate A20 Option
When set at Fast, allows a faster access response under Protected mode.
The options are: Fast, Normal.
Typematic Rate Setting
The term typematic means that when a keyboard key is held down, the
character is repeatedly entered until the key is released.
The options are: Disabled, Enabled.
Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec)
This feature is available only if the above item, Typematic Rate Setting, is
set at Enabled. Sets the rate of a character repeat when the key is held