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The vendor assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be contained in this document,
makes no commitment to update or to keep current the information in this manual, or to notify any
person or organization of the updates. Please Note: For the most up-to-date version of this
manual, please see our web site.
We reserve the right to make changes to the product described in this manual at any time and
without notice. This product, including software, if any, and documentation may not, in whole or in
part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any medium or machine without
prior written consent.
IN NO EVENT WILL THE MANUFACTURER BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO
USE THIS PRODUCT OR DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
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all claims will not exceed the price paid for the hardware product.
Manual Revision 1.0a
Release Date: November 10, 2006
Unless you request and receive written permission from the Manufacturer, you may not copy any
part of this document.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies
referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark
holders.
• Onboard voltage monitors for two CPU cores, HyperTransport (1.2V), two
memory banks (2.6V), chipset (1.5V)
• Fan status monitor with fi rmware/software on/off and speed control
• Watch Dog
• Environmental temperature monitoring via BIOS
• Power-up mode control for recovery from AC power loss
• System resource alert (via included utility program)
• Auto-switching voltage regulator for the CPU core
*A dual processor confi guration is required for correct PCI-X slot operation.
1-6
Chapter 1: Introduction
ACPI Features
• Microsoft OnNow
• Slow blinking LED for suspend state indicator
• BIOS support for USB keyboard
• Main switch override mechanism
• Internal/external modem ring-on
Onboard I/O
• On-chip SATA controller supporting four (4) SATA ports (RAID 0, 1, 0+1, and
JBOD*)
• Adaptec AIC-9410W SAS controller (RAID 0, 1 and JBOD; H8DCR-3 only)
• Two (2) UltraDMA (ATA) 133/100 IDE ports
• One (1) fl oppy port interface (up to 2.88 MB)
• Two (2) Fast UART 16550 compatible serial ports
• Two (2) Broadcom BCM5721 controllers support two Gb LAN (Ethernet) ports
• PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard ports
• Four (4) USB (Universal Serial Bus) 2.0 ports/headers
Other
• Wake-on-Ring (JWOR1)
• Wake-on-LAN (JWOL)
• Onboard +3.3V standby power LED (DP1)
• SAS activity LEDs (H8DCR-3 only)
• Chassis intrusion detection
CD Utilities
• BIOS fl ash upgrade utility
Dimensions
• Extended ATX form factor, 12" x 13.05" (305 x 332 mm)
*RAID level 5 also supported with Media Shield (see Section 2-10).
1-7
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User’s Manual
DDR400/333/266
128-bit data + 16-bit ECC
DIMM 1B
DIMM 2B
DIMM 3B
DIMM 4B
PCI-X 133 (Slot 6)
PCI-X 100 (Slot 7): ZCR
AMD Opteron
Processor (CPU2)
CH B
CH A
AIC-9410WSAS Ports (8)
AMD-8132
16 x 16 HT l ink ( 1 GHz)
TM
16 x 16 HT l ink ( 1 GHz)
128-bit data + 16-bit ECC
AMD Opteron
TM
Processor (CPU1)
nVidia
nForce Pro
2200
LPC
DDR400/333/266
DIMM 1A
DIMM 2A
DIMM 3A
DIMM 4A
8x PCI Express Slot
8x PCI Express Slot
BCM5721 (LAN1)
BCM5721 (LAN2)
SATA Ports (4)
IDE (ATA133)
USB Por ts (4)
ATI Rage XL
S I/OBIOS
Kybd/
Mouse
Floppy
COM
Ports
Figure 1-3. nVidia nForce Pro 2200/AMD-8132 Chipset:
System Block Diagram
Note: This is a general block diagram and may not exactly represent
the features on your serverboard. See the previous pages for the
actual specifi cations of your serverboard.
1-8
Chapter 1: Introduction
1-2 Chipset Overview
The H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i serverboard is based on the nVidia nForce Pro 2200 and
the AMD-8132 chipset. The nVidia nForce Pro 2200 functions as a Media and
Communications Processor and the AMD-8132 as a PCI-X Tunnel. Controllers for
the system memory are integrated directly into the AMD Opteron processors.
nForce Pro 2200 Media and Communications Processor
This MCP is a single-chip, high-performance HyperTransport peripheral controller.
The nForce Pro 2200 includes a 20-lane PCI Express interface, an AMD Opteron
16-bit Hyper Transport interface link, a four-port Serial ATA interface, a dual ATA133
bus master interface and a USB 2.0 interface. This hub connects directly to CPU#1.
The two GLAN (Ethernet) controllers connect directly to the nForce Pro 2200.
8132 HyperTransport PCI-X Tunnel
This hub includes AMD-specifi c technology that provides two PCI-X bridges with
each bridge supporting a 64-bit data bus as well as separate PCI-X operational
modes and independent transfer rates. Each bridge supports PCI masters that
include clock, request and grant signals. This hub connects to the processors
and through them to system memory. It also interfaces directly with the Serial ATA
controller.
HyperTransport Technology
HyperTransport technology is a high-speed, low latency point to point link that was
designed to increase the communication speed by a factor of up to 48x between
integrated circuits. This is done partly by reducing the number of buses in the
chipset to reduce bottlenecks and by enabling a more effi cient use of memory in
multi-processor systems. The end result is a signifi cant increase in bandwidth
within the chipset.
1-9
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User’s Manual
1-3 PC Health Monitoring
This section describes the PC health monitoring features of the H8DCR-3/H8DCR-
i. The serverboard has an onboard System Hardware Monitor chip that supports
PC health monitoring.
Onboard Voltage Monitors for two CPU cores, Hyper Transport
(1.2V), two memory banks (2.5V), chipset (1.5V)
The onboard voltage monitor will scan these voltages continuously. Once a voltage
becomes unstable, it will give a warning or send an error message to the screen.
Users can adjust the voltage thresholds to defi ne the sensitivity of the voltage moni-
tor. Real time readings of these voltage levels are all displayed in BIOS.
Fan Status Monitor with Firmware/Software Speed Control
The PC health monitor can check the RPM status of the cooling fans. The onboard
fans are controlled by thermal management via BIOS.
CPU Overheat/Fan Fail LED and Control
This feature is available when the user enables the CPU overheat/Fan Fail warning
function in the BIOS. This allows the user to defi ne an overheat temperature. When
this temperature is exceeded or when a fan failure occurs, then, the Overheat/Fan
Fail warning LED is triggered.
Auto-Switching Voltage Regulator for the CPU Core
The 3-phase-switching voltage regulator for the CPU core can support up to 80A and
auto-sense voltage IDs ranging from 0.875 V to 1.6V. This will allow the regulator
to run cooler and thus make the system more stable.
1-10
Chapter 1: Introduction
1-4 Power Confi guration Settings
This section describes the features of your serverboard that deal with power and
power settings.
Microsoft OnNow
The OnNow design initiative is a comprehensive, system-wide approach to system
and device power control. OnNow is a term for a PC that is always on but appears
to be off and responds immediately to user or other requests.
Slow Blinking LED for Suspend-State Indicator
When the CPU goes into a suspend state, the chassis power LED will start blinking
to indicate that the CPU is in suspend mode. When the user presses any key, the
CPU will wake-up and the LED will automatically stop blinking and remain on.
BIOS Support for USB Keyboard
If a USB keyboard is the only keyboard in the system, it will function like a normal
keyboard during system boot-up.
Main Switch Override Mechanism
When an ATX power supply is used, the power button can function as a system
suspend button. When the user depresses the power button, the system will enter
a SoftOff state. The monitor will be suspended and the hard drive will spin down.
Depressing the power button again will cause the whole system to wake-up. Dur-
ing the SoftOff state, the ATX power supply provides power to keep the required
circuitry in the system alive. In case the system malfunctions and you want to turn
off the power, just depress and hold the power button for 4 seconds. The power
will turn off and no power will be provided to the serverboard.
Wake-On-LAN (JWOL)
Wake-On-LAN is defi ned as the ability of a management application to remotely
power up a computer that is powered off. Remote PC setup, up-dates and access
tracking can occur after hours and on weekends so that daily LAN traffi c is kept
to a minimum and users are not interrupted. The serverboard has a 3-pin header
(JWOL) to connect to the 3-pin header on a Network Interface Card (NIC) that has
WOL capability. Wake-On-LAN must be enabled in BIOS. Note that Wake-On-LAN
can only be used with an ATX 2.01 (or above) compliant power supply.
1-11
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User’s Manual
Wake-On-Ring Header (JWOR1)
Wake-up events can be triggered by a device such as the external modem ringing
when the system is in the SoftOff state. Note that external modem ring-on can only
be used with an ATX 2.01 (or above) compliant power supply.
1-5 Power Supply
As with all computer products, a stable power source is necessary for proper and
reliable operation. It is even more important for processors that have high CPU
clock rates of 1 GHz and faster.
The H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i accommodates 12V ATX power supplies. Although most
power supplies generally meet the specifi cations required by the CPU, some
are inadequate. A 2 amp current supply on a 5V Standby rail is strongly recom-
mended.
It is strongly recommended that you use a high quality power supply that meets
12V ATX power supply Specifi cation 1.1 or above. Additionally, in areas where
noisy power transmission is present, you may choose to install a line fi lter to shield
the computer from noise. It is recommended that you also install a power surge
protector to help avoid problems caused by power surges.
Warning: To prevent the possibility of explosion, do not use the wrong type of
onboard CMOS battery or install it upside down.
1-12
Chapter 1: Introduction
1-6 Super I/O
The disk drive adapter functions of the Super I/O chip include a fl oppy disk drive
controller that is compatible with industry standard 82077/765, a data separator,
write pre-compensation circuitry, decode logic, data rate selection, a clock genera-
tor, drive interface control logic and interrupt and DMA logic. The wide range of
functions integrated onto the Super I/O greatly reduces the number of components
required for interfacing with fl oppy disk drives. The Super I/O supports two 360
K, 720 K, 1.2 M, 1.44 M or 2.88 M disk drives and data transfer rates of 250 Kb/s,
500 Kb/s or 1 Mb/s.
It also provides two high-speed, 16550 compatible serial communication ports
(UARTs), one of which supports serial infrared communication. Each UART in-
cludes a 16-byte send/receive FIFO, a programmable baud rate generator, complete
modem control capability and a processor interrupt system. Both UARTs provide
legacy speed with baud rate of up to 115.2 Kbps as well as an advanced speed
with baud rates of 250 K, 500 K, or 1 Mb/s, which support higher speed modems.
The Super I/O supports one PC-compatible printer port (SPP), Bi-directional Printer
Port (BPP) , Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) or Extended Capabilities Port (ECP).
The Super I/O provides functions that comply with ACPI (Advanced Confi guration
and Power Interface), which includes support of legacy and ACPI power manage-
ment through a SMI or SCI function pin. It also features auto power management
to reduce power consumption.
The IRQs, DMAs and I/O space resources of the Super I/O can be fl exibly adjusted
to meet ISA PnP requirements, which support ACPI and APM (Advanced Power
Management).
1-13
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User’s Manual
Notes
1-14
Chapter 2: Installation
Chapter 2
Installation
2-1 Static-Sensitive Devices
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can damage electronic com ponents. To prevent dam-
age to your system board, it is important to handle it very carefully. The following
measures are generally suffi cient to protect your equipment from ESD.
Precautions
• Use a grounded wrist strap designed to prevent static discharge.
• Touch a grounded metal object before removing the board from the antistatic
bag.
• Handle the board by its edges only; do not touch its components, peripheral
chips, memory modules or gold contacts.
• When handling chips or modules, avoid touching their pins.
• Put the serverboard and peripherals back into their antistatic bags when not in
use.
• For grounding purposes, make sure your computer chassis provides excellent
conductivity between the power supply, the case, the mounting fasteners and
the serverboard.
• Use only the correct type of CMOS onboard battery as specifi ed by the manufac-
turer. Do not install the CMOS onboard battery upside down, which may result
in a possible explosion.
Unpacking
The serverboard is shipped in antistatic packaging to avoid static damage. When
unpacking the board, make sure the person handling it is static protected.
Installation Procedures
Follow the procedures as listed below to install the serverboard into a chassis:
1. Install the processor(s) and the heatsink(s).
2. Install the serverboard in the chassis.
3. Install the memory and add-on cards.
4. Finally, connect the cables and install the drivers.
2-1
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
2-2 Mounting the Serverboard into a Chassis
All serverboards and motherboards have standard mounting holes to fi t different
types of chassis. Make sure that the locations of all the mounting holes for both
the serverboard and the chassis match. Although a chassis may have both plastic
and metal mounting fasteners, metal ones are highly recommended because they
ground the serverboard to the chassis. Make sure that the metal standoffs click in
or are screwed in tightly.
1. Check the compatibility of the serverboard ports and the I/O shield
The H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i serverboard requires a chassis that can support extended
ATX boards of 12" x 13.05" in size. Make sure that the I/O ports on the serverboard
align with their respective holes in the I/O shield at the rear of the chassis.
2. Mounting the serverboard onto the mainboard tray in the chassis
Carefully mount the serverboard onto the mainboard tray by aligning the serverboard
mounting holes with the raised metal standoffs in the tray. Insert screws into all
the mounting holes in the serverboard that line up with the standoffs. Then use a
screwdriver to secure the serverboard to the mainboard tray - tighten until just snug
(if too tight you might strip the threads). Metal screws provide an electrical contact
to the serverboard ground to provide a continuous ground for the system.
2-3 Processor and Heatsink Installation
Exercise extreme caution when handling and installing the proces-
!
Installing the CPU Backplates
sor. Always connect the power cord last and always remove it be-
fore adding, removing or changing any hardware components.
Two CPU backplates (BKT-0004) are included in the retail box. The backplates
prevent the CPU area of the serverboard from bending and provide a base for at-
taching the heatsink retention modules. To install, begin by peeling off the release
paper to expose the adhesive. On the underside of the serverboard, locate the two
holes on either side of the CPU socket. Attach the adhesive side of the backplate
to the board by inserting the standoffs into the two holes and applying light pressure
so that the backplate sticks to the underside of the board. Repeat for the second
CPU socket. See Figure 2-1.
2-2
Installing the Processors
1. Lift the lever on CPU socket #1 until
it points straight up.
2. Use your thumb and your index fi n-
ger to hold the CPU. Locate pin 1 on
the CPU socket and pin 1 on the CPU.
Both are marked with a triangle.
Chapter 2: Installation
Triangles
3. Align pin 1 of the CPU with pin 1
of the socket. Once aligned, carefully
place the CPU into the socket. Do not
drop the CPU on the socket, move the
CPU horizontally or vertically or rub the
CPU against the socket or against any
pins of the socket, which may damage
the CPU and/or the socket.
4. With the CPU inserted into the
socket, inspect the four corners of the
CPU to make sure that it is properly
installed and fl ush with the socket.
5. Gently press the CPU socket lever
down until it locks in the plastic tab.
Repeat these steps to install another
CPU into the CPU#2 socket.
Note: using a single processor only is
not recommended.
2-3
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
Installing the Heatsink Retention Modules
Two heatsink retention modules (BKT-0005) and four screws are included in the
retail box. Once installed, these are used to help attach the heatsinks to the CPUs.
To install, position the module so that the CPU backplate standoffs insert through the
holes on the heatsink retention module and the four feet on the module contact the
serverboard. Secure the retention module to the backplate with two of the screws
provided. See Figure 2-1. Repeat for the second CPU socket.
Note: BKT-0005 is included for use with non-proprietary (third-party) heatsinks only.
When installing Supermicro heatsinks, only BKT-0004 (CPU backplate) is needed.
The BKT-0005 retention module was designed to provide compatibility with clip-
and-cam type heatsinks from third parties.
Figure 2-1. CPU Backplate/Heatsink Retention Module Installation
Installing the Heatsink
We recommend the use of active type heatsinks (except for 1U systems). To install
the heatsinks, please follow the installation instructions included with your heatsink
package (not included).
2-4
Chapter 2: Installation
2-4 Installing Memory
CAUTION
Exercise extreme care when installing or removing memory modules
to prevent any possible damage.
1. Insert each memory module vertically into its slot, paying attention to the notch
along the bottom of the module to prevent inserting the module incorrectly (see
Figure 2-2). See support information below.
2. Gently press down on the memory module until it snaps into place.
Note: each processor has its own built-in memory controller. 128 MB, 256 MB,
512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB* and 4 GB* memory modules are supported. It is highly
recommended that you remove the power cord from the system before installing
or changing any memory modules.
*With Opteron 246 C-stepping CPUs and above.
Support
The H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i supports single or dual-channel, registered ECC
DDR400/333/266 SDRAM.
Both interleaved and non-interleaved memory are supported, so you may populate
any number of DIMM slots. However, populating two adjacent slots at a time
with memory modules of the same size and type will result in interleaved (128-
bit) memory, which is faster than non-interleaved (64-bit) memory. See charts on
page 2-7.
Optimizing memory performance
With two processors installed, it is better to stagger pairs of DIMMs across both
sets of CPU DIMM slots, e.g. fi rst populate CPU1 slots 1A and 1B, then CPU2 slots
1A, and 1B, then the next two CPU1 slots, etc. This balances the load over both
CPUs to optimize performance.
Maximum memory (two CPUs)
32 GB for DDR266 and 16 GB for DDR400/333.
2-5
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
Figure 2-2. Side and Top Views of DDR Installation
To Install:
Insert module vertically
and press down until it
snaps into place. The
release tabs should
close - if they do not
you should close them
yourself.
To Remove:
Use your thumbs to
gently push each release tab outward to
release the DIMM from
the slot.
Note the notch in the slot and on the bottom of the DIMM.
These prevent the DIMM from being installed incorrectly.
2-6
Chapter 2: Installation
Populating Memory Banks for 128-bit Operation
CPU1
DIMM1A
XX
XXXX
XXXX
XXXXXX
XXXX
XXXXXX
XXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
CPU1
DIMM1B
CPU1
DIMM2A
XX
XXXX
XXXX
XXXXXX
CPU1
DIMM2B
CPU2
DIMM1A
CPU2
DIMM1B
CPU2
DIMM2A
CPU2
DIMM2B
Notes: X indicates a populated DIMM slot. If adding at least four DIMMs, the confi gurations with DIMMs spread over both CPUs (and not like the confi guration in row 5) will
result in optimized performance. Note that the fi rst two DIMMs must be installed in the
CPU1 memory slots.
Populating Memory Banks for 64-bit Operation
CPU1
DIMM1A
X
XX
XX
XX
CPU1
DIMM1B
CPU1
DIMM2A
X
XX
XX
CPU1
DIMM2B
CPU2
DIMM1A
CPU2
DIMM1B
CPU2
DIMM2A
CPU2
DIMM2B
2-7
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
2-5 I/O Port and Control Panel Connections
The I/O ports are color coded in conformance with the PC99 specifi cation to make
setting up your system easier. See Figure 2-3 below for the colors and locations
of the various I/O ports.
Figure 2-3. I/O Port Locations and Defi nitions
Front Control Panel
JF1 contains header pins for various front control panel connectors. See Figure 2-4
for the pin defi nitions of the various connectors. Refer to Section 2-6 for details.
Figure 2-4. JF1: Front Control Panel Header (JF1)
20 19
Ground
x (key)
Power LED
HDD LED
NIC1
NIC2
OH/Fan Fail LED
x (key)
Ground
Ground
2 1
NMI
x (key)
Vcc
Vcc
Vcc
Vcc
Vcc
x (key)
Reset Button
Power Button
2-8
Chapter 2: Installation
2-6 Connecting Cables
ATX Power Connector
The primary ATX power supply con-
nector (J1B4) meets the SSI (Super-
set ATX) 24-pin specifi cation. Refer to
the table on the right for the pin defi ni-
tions of the ATX 24-pin power connec-
tor. This connection supplies power to
the chipset, fans and memory.
Note: You must also connect the 8-
pin (JPW1) and 4-pin (PW3) power
connectors to your power supply (see
below).
Processor Power Connector
In addition to the primary ATX power
connector (above), the 12v, 8-pin
processor power connector at JPW2
must also be connected to your power
supply. This connection supplies
power to the CPUs. See the table on
the right for pin defi nitions.
ATX Power 20-pin Connector
Pin Defi nitions (J1B4)
Pin# Defi nition Pin # Defi nition
11+3.3V1+3.3V
12-12V2+3.3V
13COM3COM
14PS_ON4+5V
15COM5COM
16COM6+5V
17COM7COM
18Res (NC)8PWR_OK
19+5V95V stby
20+5V10+12V
Processor Power
Connector
Pin Defi nitions (JPW2)
Pins Defi nition
1 through 4Ground
5 through 8+12V
Required Connection
Auxiliary Power Connector
The 4-pin auxiliary power connector at
J32 must also be connected to your
power supply. This connection sup-
plies extra power that may be needed
for high loads. See the table on the
right for pin defi nitions.
NMI Button
The non-maskable interrupt button
header is located on pins 19 and 20
of JF1. Refer to the table on the right
for pin defi nitions.
Auxiliary Power
Connector
Pin Defi nitions (J32)
Pins Defi nition
1 & 2Ground
3 & 4+12V
Required Connection
NMI Button
Pin Defi nitions (JF1)
Pin# Defi nition
19Control
20Ground
2-9
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
Power LED
The Power LED connection is located
on pins 15 and 16 of JF1. Refer to the
table on the right for pin defi nitions.
HDD LED
The HDD (IDE Hard Disk Drive) LED
connection is located on pins 13 and
14 of JF1. Attach the IDE hard drive
LED cable to display disk activity.
Refer to the table on the right for pin
defi nitions.
NIC1 LED
The NIC1 (Network Interface Control-
ler) LED connection is located on pins
11 and 12 of JF1. Attach the NIC1
LED cable to display network activity.
Refer to the table on the right for pin
defi nitions.
Power LED
Pin Defi nitions (JF1)
Pin# Defi nition
15Vcc
16Control
HDD LED
Pin Defi nitions (JF1)
Pin# Defi nition
13Vcc
14HD Active
NIC1 LED
Pin Defi nitions (JF1)
Pin# Defi nition
11Vcc
12NIC1 Active
NIC2 LED
The NIC2 (Network Interface Control-
ler) LED connection is located on pins
9 and 10 of JF1. Attach the NIC2
LED cable to display network activity.
Refer to the table on the right for pin
defi nitions.
Overheat/Fan Fail LED
Connect an LED to the OH connection
on pins 7 and 8 of JF1 to provide ad-
vanced warning of chassis overheat-
ing. Refer to the table on the right for
pin defi nitions and status indicators.
2-10
Pin Defi nitions (JF1)
Pin# Defi nition
9Vcc
10NIC2 Active
OH/Fan Fail LED
Pin Defi nitions (JF1)
Pin# Defi nition
7Vcc
8Control
NIC2 LED
OH/Fan Fail
LED Status
State Indication
SolidOverheat
BlinkingFan fail
Reset Button
The Reset Button connection is lo-
cated on pins 3 and 4 of JF1. Attach
it to the hardware reset switch on the
computer case. Refer to the table on
the right for pin defi nitions.
Power Button
The Power Button connection is
located on pins 1 and 2 of JF1. Mo-
mentarily contacting both pins will
power on/off the system. This button
can also be confi gured to function
as a suspend button (see the Power
Button Mode setting in BIOS). To turn
off the power when set to suspend
mode, depress the button for at least
4 seconds. Refer to the table on the
right for pin defi nitions.
Chapter 2: Installation
Reset Button
Pin Defi nitions (JF1)
Pin# Defi nition
3Reset
4Ground
Power Button
Pin Defi nitions (JF1)
Pin# Defi nition
1PW_ON
2Ground
LAN1/2 (Ethernet Ports)
Two Gigabit Ethernet ports (desig-
nated LAN1 and LAN2) are located
beside the COM1 port. These Ether-
net ports accept RJ45 type cables.
Universal Serial Bus Ports
(USB0/1)
Two Universal Serial Bus ports
(USB2.0) are located beside the key-
board/mouse ports. See the table on
the right for pin defi nitions.
Universal Serial Bus Ports
Pin Defi nitions (USB0/1)
USB0
Pin # Defi nition
1+5V1+5V
2PO-2PO-
3PO+3PO+
4Ground4Ground
USB1
Pin # Defi nition
2-11
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
Extra USB Headers
Two additional USB2.0 head-
ers (USB2/3) are included on the
serverboard. These may be con-
nected to provide front side access.
A USB cable (not included) is needed
for the connection. See the table on
the right for pin defi nitions.
Serial Ports
The COM1 serial port is located be-
side the USB ports and the COM2
header is located by the IDE#1 con-
nector. Refer to Figure 2-3 for loca-
tions and the table on the right for pin
defi nitions.
Extra Universal Serial Bus Headers
Pin Defi nitions (JUSB2)
USB2
Pin # Defi nition
1+5V1+5V
2PO-2PO-
3PO+3PO+
4Ground4Ground
5Key5No connection
Serial Port Pin Defi nitions
Pin # Defi nitionPin # Defi nition
1DCD6DSR
2RXD7RTS
3TXD8CTS
4DTR9 RI
5Ground10NC
USB3/4
Pin # Defi nition
(COM1/COM2)
Fan Headers
The H8DCR-3/H8DR-i has fi ve fan
headers, which are designated FAN1
through FAN5. Fans are Pulse Width
Modulated (PWM) and their speed is
controlled via Thermal Management
with a BIOS setting. See the table on
the right for pin defi nitions.
Chassis Intrusion
A Chassis Intrusion header is located
at JL1. Attach the appropriate cable
to inform you of a chassis intrusion.
Note: Pin 10 is included on the header but not on
the port. NC indicates no connection.
Fan Header
Pin Defi nitions
(FAN1-8)
Pin# Defi nition
1Ground (Black)
2+12V (Red)
3Tachometer
4PWM Control
Chassis Intrusion
Pin Defi nitions (JL1)
Pin# Defi nition
1Battery voltage
2Intrusion signal
2-12
Chapter 2: Installation
Power LED/Speaker
On JD1, pins 1, 2, and 3 are for the
power LED and pins 4 through 7 are
for the speaker. See the tables on the
right for pin defi nitions.
Note: The speaker connector pins are
for use with an external speaker. If
you wish to use the onboard speaker,
you should close pins 6 and 7 with a
jumper.
ATX PS/2 Keyboard and
PS/2 Mouse Ports
The ATX PS/2 keyboard and the
PS/2 mouse ports are located on the
backplane. The mouse is the green
port. See the table on the right for
pin defi nitions.
PWR LED Connector
Pin Defi nitions (JD1)
Pin# Defi nition
1+Vcc
2Control
3Control
Speaker Connector
Pin Defi nitions (JD1)
Pin# Defi nition
4Red wire, +5V
5No connection
6Buzzer signal
7Speaker data
PS/2 Keyboard and
Mouse Port Pin
Defi nitions
Pin# Defi nition
1Data
2NC
3Ground
4VCC
5Clock
6NC
Overheat LED
Connect an LED to the JOH1 header
to provide warning of chassis over-
heating. See the table on the right for
pin defi nitions.
PS_SMBUS
The PS_SMBUS header is for I2C,
which may be used to monitor the
status of the power supply, fans and
system temperature. See the table on
the right for pin defi nitions.
2-13
Overheat LED
Pin Defi nitions (JOH1)
Pin# Defi nition
13.3V
2OH Active
I2C Header
Pin Defi nitions
(PS_SMBUS)
Pin# Defi nition
1Clock
2Data
3PWR Fail
4Gnd
5+3.3V
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
Wake-On-LAN
The Wake-On-LAN header is desig-
nated JWOL. See the table on the
right for pin defi nitions. You must
have a LAN card with a Wake-On-LAN
connector and cable to use the Wake-
On-LAN feature.
(*Note: Wake-On-LAN from S3, S4,
S5 are supported by LAN1. LAN2 sup-
ports Wake-On-LAN from S1 only.)
Wake-On-Ring
Wake-On-LAN
Pin Defi nitions
(JWOL)
Pin# Defi nition
1+5V Standby
2Ground
3Wake-up
The Wake-On-Ring header is desig-
nated JWOR. This function allows
your computer to receive and "wake-
up" by an incoming call to the modem
when in suspend state. See the table
on the right for pin defi nitions. You
must have a Wake-On-Ring card and
cable to use this feature.
SMBus Header
The header at J22 is for the System
Management Bus. Connect the ap-
propriate cable here to utilize SMB on
the system. See the table on the right
for pin defi nitions.
Wake-On-Ring
Pin Defi nitions
(JWOR)
Pin# Defi nition
1Ground (Black)
2Wake-up
SMBus Header
Pin Defi nitions (J22)
Pin# Defi nition
1Data
2Ground
3Clock
4No Connection
Alarm Reset Header
Connect JAR to the alarm reset but-
ton on your chassis (if available) or to
a microswitch to allow you to turn off
the alarm that sounds when a power
supply module fails. See the table on
the right for pin defi nitions.
Alarm Reset Header
Pin Defi nitions (JAR)
Pin# Defi nition
1Ground
2Reset Signal
2-14
Power Fail Connector
Connect a cable from your power
supply to JPWF to provide you with
warning of a power supply failure.
The warning signal is passed through
the PWR_LED pin to indicate a power
failure. See the table on the right for
pin defi nitions.
Compact Flash Power
Connector
JWF1 is a power connector for a
Compact Flash or DOC (Disk-On-Chip)
device. Connect the appropriate cable
here to provide power to such a device
on your system. See the table on the
right for pin defi nitions.
Chapter 2: Installation
Power Fail Connector
Pin Defi nitions (JPWF)
Pin# Defi nition
1P/S 1 Fail Signal
2P/S 2 Fail Signal
3P/S 3 Fail Signal
4Reset (from MB)
Note: This feature is only available when using
redundant power supplies.
Compact Flash Power
Connector
Pin Defi nitions (JWF1)
Pin# Defi nition
1+5V
2Ground
3Signal
JSLED1 Header
JSLED1 is used to provide LED indica-
tion of SAS drive activity for internal
SAS ports 0-3. Refer to the table on
the right for pin defi nitions. SAS ports
4-7 are external ports and do not have
board level support for activity LEDs.
I2C for SAS Connector
The JS4 connection is used to provide
I2C monitoring for the SAS backplane.
See the table on the right for pin defi -
nitions.
JSLED1 Header Pin Defi nitions
Pin # Defi nitionPin # Defi nition
1SAS Port0 Active6NC
2SAS Port1 Active7NC
3SAS Port2 Active8NC
4SAS Port3 Active9NC
5SAS Port0-3 Signal10No pin
Note: NC indicates no connection.
(JSLED1)
I2C for SAS Connector
Pin Defi nitions (JS4)
Pin# Defi nition
2
1I
2I
3Ground
C Data
2
C Clock
2-15
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
2-7 Jumper Settings
Explanation of
Jumpers
To modify the operation of the
serverboard, jumpers can be used to
choose between optional settings.
Jumpers create shorts between two
pins to change the function of the
connector. Pin 1 is identifi ed with
a square solder pad on the printed
circuit board. See the diagram at
right for an example of jumping pins
1 and 2. Refer to the serverboard
layout page for jumper locations.
Note: O n t w o - p i n j u m p e r s , " C l o s e d "
means the jumper is on and "Open"
means the jumper is off the pins.
CMOS Clear
Connector
321
Pins
Jumper
321
Setting
JBT1 is used to clear CMOS and will also clear any passwords. Instead of pins,
this jumper consists of contact pads to prevent accidentally clearing the contents
of CMOS.
To clear CMOS,
1) First power down the system and unplug the power cord(s).
2) With the power disconnected, short the CMOS pads with a metal object such as
a small screwdriver for at least four seconds.
3) Remove the screwdriver (or shorting device).
4) Reconnect the power cord(s) and power on the system.
Notes:
Do not use the PW_ON connector to clear CMOS.
The onboard battery does not need to be removed when clearing CMOS, however
you must short JBT1 for at least four seconds.
JBT1 contact pads
2-16
3rd Power Supply Fail Signal
Enable/Disable
The system can notify you in the event
of a power supply failure. This feature
assumes that three redundant power
supply units are installed in the chas-
sis. If you only have one or two power
supplies installed, you should disable
the function with the J3P header to pre-
vent false alarms. See the table on the
right for jumper settings.
I2C to PCI Enable/Disable
Chapter 2: Installation
3rd Power Supply Fail Signal
Jumper Settings (J3P)
Jumper Setting Defi nition
OpenDisabled
ClosedEnabled
The JI2C1/2 pair of jumpers allows you
to connect the System Management
Bus to any one of the PCI expansion
slots. The default setting is closed (on)
for both jumpers to enable the connec-
tion. Both connectors must be set the
same (JI
2
C1 is for data and JI2C2 is for
the clock). See the table on right for
jumper settings
Compact Flash Master/Slave
The JCF1 jumper allows you to assign
either master or slave status to an
installed compact fl ash card. See the
table on the right for jumper settings.
I2C to PCI Enable/Disable
Jumper Settings
2
C1/2)
(JI
Jumper Setting Defi nition
ClosedEnabled
OpenDisabled
Compact Flash
Master/Slave
Jumper Settings (JCF1)
Jumper Setting Defi nition
ClosedMaster
OpenSlave
VGA Enable/Disable
JPG1 allows you to enable or disable
the VGA port. The default position is
on pins 1 and 2 to enable VGA. See
the table on the right for jumper set-
tings.
VGA Enable/Disable
Jumper Settings (JPG1)
Jumper Setting Defi nition
Pins 1-2Enabled
Pins 2-3Disabled
2-17
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
Watch Dog Enable/Disable
JWD controls the Watch Dog function.
Watch Dog is a system monitor that
can reboot the system when a software
application hangs. Jumping pins 1-2
will cause WD to reset the system if
an application has frozen. Close pins
2-3 to have Watch Dog generate an
NMI (non-maskable interrupt). See the
table on the right for jumper settings.
Watch Dog must also be enabled in
BIOS.
Onboard Speaker Enable/
Disable
The JD1 header allows you to use
either an external speaker or the in-
ternal (onboard) speaker. To use the
internal onboard speaker, close pins
6 and 7 with a jumper. To use an
external speaker, remove the jumper
and connect the speaker wires to pins
4 (+5V) and 7 (control signal). See the
table on the right for settings and the
table associated with the Power LED/
Keylock/Speaker connection (previ-
ous section) for pin defi nitions.
Watch Dog
Jumper Settings (JWD)
Jumper Setting Defi nition
Pins 1-2Reset
Pins 2-3NMI
Note: When enabled, the user needs to
write their own application software in or-
der to disable the Watch Dog timer.
Onboard Speaker Enable/Disable
Pin Defi nitions (JD1)
Pins Defi nition
6 and 7Jump for onboard speaker
4 and 7Attach external speaker wires
Note: Pins 4-7 are used only for the on-
board speaker.
SAS Controller Enable/
Disable
JPS1 enables or disables the AIC-
9140W Adaptec SAS controller. See
the table on the right for jumper set-
tings. The default setting is enabled.
SAS Controller Enable/Disable
Jumper Settings (JPS1)
Jumper Setting Defi nition
Pins 1-2Enabled
Pins 2-3 Disabled
2-18
PCI-X Slot Frequency Select
Jumpers JPX1A and JPX2A can be
used to change the speed of PCI-X
slots 6 and 7, respectively. See the
table on the right for jumper settings.
Note: JPX1A controls the speed for PCI-X slot #6
and JPX2A controls the speed for PCI-X slot #7.
The default setting for both is Auto.
Chapter 2: Installation
PCI-X Slot Speed Jumper Settings
(JPX1A/JPX2A)
Jumper Setting Defi nition
OpenAuto
Pins 1-2PCI-X 66 MHz
Pins 2-3PCI 66 MHz
LAN1/2 Enable/Disable
Change the setting of jumper JPL1
and JPL2 to enable or disable the
LAN1 and LAN2 ports, respectively.
See the table on the right for jumper
settings. The default setting is en-
abled
LAN Enable/Disable
Jumper Settings (JPL1, JPL2)
Jumper Setting Defi nition
Pins 1-2Enabled
Pins 2-3Disabled
2-19
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
2-8 Onboard Indicators
LAN1/LAN2 LEDs
The Ethernet ports (located beside
the VGA port) have two LEDs. On
each Gb LAN port, one LED blinks
to indicate activity while the other
LED may be green, amber or off to
indicate the speed of the connection.
See the table on the right for the func-
tions associated with the connection
speed LED.
LAN1/2: Left LED
(Connection Speed Indicator)
LED Color Defi nition
Off10 MHz
Green100 MHz
Amber1 GHz
+3.3V Standby LED
When illuminated, the DP1 LED indi-
cates that +3.3V standby power from
the power supply is being supplied to
the serverboard. DP1 should normally
be illuminated when the system is con-
nected to AC power, whether turned
on or not. DP1 will fl ash on and off
when the system is in an S1, S3
(Suspend to RAM) or S4 (Suspend to
Disk) state.See the table on the right
for DP1 LED states.
SAS Activity LEDs
The SAS Activity LED indicators
(DS1-DS8) indicate the activity status
of SAS ports (0-7). See the table on
the right for pin defi nitions.
+3.3V Standby LED
(DP1)
State System Status
OnStandby power present on
serverboard
OffNo power connected
FlashingSystem in standby state
SAS Activity LEDs
(DS1-DS8)
DS# Defi nition DS# Defi nition
DS1SAS0:ActDS5SAS4:Act
DS2SAS1:ActDS6SAS5:Act
DS3SAS2:ActDS7SAS6:Act
DS4SAS3:ActDS8SAS7:Act
2-20
Chapter 2: Installation
2-9 Floppy, IDE, SATA and SAS Drive Connections
Use the following information to connect the fl oppy and hard disk drive cables.
The fl oppy disk drive cable has seven twisted wires.
A red mark on a wire typically designates the location of pin 1.
A single fl oppy disk drive ribbon cable has 34 wires and two connectors to provide
for two fl oppy disk drives. The connector with twisted wires always connects to
drive A, and the connector that does not have twisted wires always connects to
drive B.
The 80-wire ATA133 IDE hard disk drive cable that came with your system has
two connectors to support two drives. This special cable should be used to take
advantage of the speed this new technology offers. The blue connector connects
to the onboard IDE connector interface and the other connector(s) to your hard
drive(s). Consult the documentation that came with your disk drive for details
on actual jumper locations and settings for the hard disk drive.
Floppy Connector
The fl oppy connector is desig-
nated JFDD1. See the table at
right for pin defi nitions.
Floppy Drive Connector
Pin Defi nitions (JFDD1)
Pin# Defi nition Pin # Defi nition
1Ground2FDHDIN
3Ground4Reserved
5Key6FDEDIN
7Ground8Index
9Ground10Motor Enable
11Ground12Drive Select B
13Ground14Drive Select B
15Ground16Motor Enable
17Ground18DIR
19Ground20STEP
21Ground22Write Data
23Ground24Write Gate
25Ground26Track 00
27Ground28Write Protect
29Ground30Read Data
31Ground32Side 1 Select
33Ground34Diskette
2-21
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
IDE Connectors
There are no jumpers to confi g-
ure the onboard IDE#1 and #2
connectors. See the table on
the right for pin defi nitions.
IDE Drive Connectors
Pin Defi nitions (JIDE#1/JIDE#2)
Pin# Defi nition Pin # Defi nition
1Reset IDE2Ground
3Host Data 74Host Data 8
5Host Data 66Host Data 9
7Host Data 58Host Data 10
9Host Data 410Host Data 11
11Host Data 312Host Data 12
13Host Data 214Host Data 13
15Host Data 116Host Data 14
17Host Data 018Host Data 15
19Ground20Key
21DRQ322Ground
23I/O Write24Ground
25I/O Read26Ground
27IOCHRDY28BALE
29DACK330Ground
31IRQ1432IOCS16
33Addr134Ground
35Addr036Addr2
37Chip Select 038Chip Select 1
39Activity40Ground
2-22
Chapter 2: Installation
SATA Ports
There are no jumpers to con-
fi gure the SATA ports, which
are designated SATA0 through
SATA3. See the table on the
right for pin defi nitions.
SAS Ports
There are two SAS ports, one
located on the backplane and
the other on the serverboard
near the fl oppy connector. See
the table on the right for pin
defi nitions.
Note: refer to the FAQ section
in Chapter 3 for details on en-
abling SAS.
Pin Defi nitions (SATA0-SATA3)
SATA Ports
Pin # Defi nition
1Ground
2TXP
3TXN
4Ground
5RXN
6RXP
7Ground
SAS Ports
Pin Defi nitions (JSM1/JSM2)
Pin# Defi nition Pin # Defi nition
1Rx0+2Rx0-
3Rx1+4Rx1-
5Rx2+6Rx2-
7Rx3+8Rx3-
9Tx3-10Tx3+
11Tx2-12Tx2+
13Tx1-14Tx1+
15Tx0-16Tx0+
2-23
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
2-10 Enabling SATA RAID
Now that the hardware is set up, you must now install the operating system and the
SATA RAID drivers, if you wish to use RAID with your SATA drives. The installation
procedure differs depending on whether you wish to have the operating system
installed on a RAID array or on a separate non-RAID drive. See the instructions
below for details.
Serial ATA (SATA)
Serial ATA (SATA) is a physical storage interface that employs a single cable with a
minimum of four wires to create a point-to-point connection between devices. This
connection is a serial link that supports a SATA transfer rate from 150 MBps. The
serial cables used in SATA are thinner than the traditional cables used in Parallel
ATA (PATA) and can extend up to one meter in length, compared to only 40 cm for
PATA cables. Overall, SATA provides better functionality than PATA.
Installing the OS/SATA Driver
Before installing the OS (operating system) and SATA RAID driver, you must decide
if you wish to have the operating system installed as part of a bootable RAID array
or installed to a separate non-RAID hard drive. If on a separate drive, you may
install the driver either during or after the OS installation. If you wish to have the
OS on a SATA RAID array, you must follow the procedure below and install the
driver during the OS installation.
Building a Driver Diskette
You must fi rst build a driver diskette from the Supermicro CD-ROM that was included
with the system. (You will have to create this disk on a computer that is already
running and with the OS installed.) Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive and
start the system. A display as shown in Figure 2-5 will appear. Click on the icon
labeled "Build Driver Diskettes and Manuals" and follow the instructions to create
a fl oppy disk with the driver on it. Once it's been created, remove the fl oppy and
insert the installation CD for the Windows Operating System you wish to install into
the CD-ROM drive of the new system you are about to confi gure.
Enabling SATA RAID in the BIOS
Before installing the Windows Operating System, you must change some settings
in BIOS. Boot up the system and hit the <Del> key to enter the BIOS Setup Utlility.
After the Setup Utility loads,
1. Use the arrow keys to move to the Exit menu. Scroll down with the arrow keys
to the "Load Optimal Defaults setting and press <Enter>. Select "OK" to confi rm,
then <Enter> to load the default settings.
2-24
Chapter 2: Installation
2. Use the arrow keys to move to the "Advanced" menu, then scroll down to "IDE
Confi guration" and press the <Enter> key. Once in the IDE Confi guration submenu,
scroll down to "Confi guration nVidia RAID ROM" and press <Enter> to access that
submenu. Highlight the setting "RAID Option ROM" and press enter, change the
setting to Enabled and hit <Enter> again. A new setting should now be displayed:
"Master SATA as RAID"". Enable this setting.
3. In the Exit Menu in BIOS, select "Save Changes and Exit" and hit <Enter>, then
hit <Enter> again to verify.
4. After exiting the BIOS Setup Utility, the system will reboot. When prompted
during the startup, press the <F10> key when prompted to run the nVidia RAID
Utility program.
Using the nVidia RAID Utility
The nVidia RAID Utility program is where you can defi ne the drives you want to
include in the RAID array and the mode and type of RAID. Two main windows
are shown in the utility. The "Free Disks" window on the left will list all available
drives. Use the arrow keys to select and move drives to the window on the right,
which lists all drives that are to become part of the RAID array.
Once you have fi nished selecting the drives and type of RAID you wish to use for
your RAID array, press the <F7> key. You will be prompted to verify your choice; if
you want to continue with your choices, select "Yes". Note that selecting "Yes" will
clear all previous data from the drives you selected to be a part of the array. You
are then given the choice of making the RAID array bootable by pressing the the
<B> key. After you have fi nshed, press the <Ctrl> and <X> keys simultaneously.
Installing the OS and Drivers
With the Windows OS installation CD in the CD-ROM drive, restart the system.
When you see the prompt, hit the <F6> key to enter Windows setup. Eventually a
blue screen will appear with a message that begins "Windows could not determine
the type of one or more storage devices . . ." When you see the screen, hit the <S>
key to "Specify Additional Device", then insert the driver diskette you just created
into the fl oppy drive. Highlight "Manufuacturer Supplied Hardware Support Disk"
and hit the <Enter> key. Highlight the fi rst "nVidia RAID" driver shown and press
the <Enter> key to install it. Soon a similar blue screen will appear again. Again hit
the <S> key, then highlight the second item, "nForce Storage Controller" and press
the <Enter> key, then <Enter> again to continue with the Windows setup.
2-25
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
Figure 2-5. Driver Installation Display Screen
Using the nVidia Media Shield
The CD that came with your system includes a RAID utility program that can be
used in Windows. This program is installed along with the "nVidia nForce Stand-
alone Kit" on the CD.
After the program is installed, open it by going to Start > Programs > nVidia Cor-
poration > Media Shield. On the left side of the program's main window, click
"Create Array" (under System Tasks). This will launch a Wizard, which will prompt
you through the process of selecting the type of array you wish to build, the stripe
size and the drives to add to the array. You will then be asked to verify clearing
the system data. On doing so, the RAID array will be created.
2-26
Chapter 3: Troubleshooting
Chapter 3
Troubleshooting
3-1 Troubleshooting Procedures
Use the following procedures to troubleshoot your system. If you have followed all
of the procedures below and still need assistance, refer to the ‘Technical Support
Procedures’ and/or ‘Returning Merchandise for Service’ section(s) in this chapter.
Always disconnect the AC power cord before adding, changing or installing any
hardware components.
Before Power On
1. Check that the +3.3V standby power LED is lit (DP1 on the serverboard).
2. Make sure that the main ATX power connector at J1B4, the 8-pin connector at
JPW2 and the 4-pin connecor at J32 are all connected to your power supply.
3. Make sure that no short circuits exist between the serverboard and chassis.
4. Disconnect all ribbon/wire cables from the serverboard, including those for the
keyboard and mouse.
5. Remove all add-on cards.
6. Install a CPU and heatsink (making sure it is fully seated) and connect the in-
ternal (chassis) speaker and the power LED to the serverboard. Check all jumper
settings as well.
7. Use the correct type of onboard CMOS battery as recommended by the manufac-
turer. To avoid possible explosion, do not install the CMOS battery upside down.
No Power
1. Make sure that no short circuits exist between the serverboard and the chas-
sis.
2. Verify that all jumpers are set to their default positions.
3. Check that the 115V/230V switch on the power supply is properly set.
4. Turn the power switch on and off to test the system.
5. The battery on your serverboard may be old. Check to verify that it still supplies
~3VDC. If it does not, replace it with a new one.
No Video
1. If the power is on but you have no video, remove all the add-on cards and
cables.
2. Use the speaker to determine if any beep codes exist. Refer to Appendix A for
details on beep codes.
3-1
H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
NOTE
If you are a system integrator, VAR or OEM, a POST diagnostics
card is recommended. For I/O port 80h codes, refer to App. B.
Memory Errors
1. Make sure that the DIMM modules are properly and fully installed.
2. You should be using registered ECC DDR memory (see next page). Also, it is
recommended that you use the same memory type and speed for all DIMMs in the
system. See Section 2-4 for memory details and limitations.
3. Check for bad DIMM modules or slots by swapping modules between slots and
noting the results.
4. Check the power supply voltage 115V/230V switch.
Losing the System’s Setup Confi guration
1. Make sure that you are using a high quality power supply. A poor quality power
supply may cause the system to lose the CMOS setup information. Refer to Sec-
tion 1-6 for details on recommended power supplies.
2. The battery on your serverboard may be old. Check to verify that it still supplies
~3VDC. If it does not, replace it with a new one.
3. If the above steps do not fi x the setup confi guration problem, contact your vendor
for repairs.
3-2 Technical Support Procedures
Before contacting Technical Support, please take the following steps. Also, note
that as a serverboard manufacturer, we do not sell directly to end-users, so it is
best to fi rst check with your distributor or reseller for troubleshooting services. They
should know of any possible problem(s) with the specifi c system confi guration that
was sold to you.
1. Please review the ‘Troubleshooting Procedures’ and 'Frequently Asked Questions'
(FAQs) sections in this chapter or see the FAQs on our web site before contacting
Technical Support.
2. BIOS upgrades can be downloaded from our web site.
Note: Not all BIOS can be fl ashed depending on the modifi cations to the boot block
code.
3-2
Chapter 3: Troubleshooting
3. If you still cannot resolve the problem, include the following information when
contacting us for technical support:
Serverboard model and PCB revision number
BIOS release date/version (this can be seen on the initial display when your
system fi rst boots up)
System confi guration
An example of a Technical Support form is posted on our web site.
4. Distributors: For immediate assistance, please have your account number ready
when contacting our technical support department by e-mail.
3-3 Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What type of memory does my serverboard support?
Answer: The H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i supports up to 32 GB of registered ECC
DDR333/266 or up to 16 GB of registered ECC DDR400 interleaved or non-inter-
leaved SDRAM with two CPUs installed. See Section 2-4 for details on installing
memory.
Question: How do I update my BIOS?
Answer: It is recommended that you not upgrade your BIOS if you are not experi-
encing problems with your system. Updated BIOS fi les are located on our web site.
Please check our BIOS warning message and the information on how to update
your BIOS on our web site. Also, check the current BIOS revision and make sure
it is newer than your current BIOS before downloading.
Select your mainboard model on the web page and download the corresponding
BIOS fi le to your computer. Unzip the BIOS update fi le, in which you will fi nd the
readme.txt (fl ash instructions), the amifl ash.exe (BIOS fl ash utility) and the BIOS
image (xxx.rom) fi les. Copy these fi les to a bootable fl oppy disk, insert the disk
into drive A and reboot the system. At the DOS prompt after rebooting, enter the
command "amifl ash" (without quotation marks) then type in the BIOS fi le that you
want to update with (xxxx.rom).
Question: What's on the CD that came with my serverboard?
Answer: The supplied compact disc has quite a few drivers and programs that will
greatly enhance your system. We recommend that you review the CD and install the
applications you need. Applications on the CD include chipset drivers for Windows
and security and audio drivers.
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H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
Question: Why can't I turn off the power using the momentary power on/off
switch?
Answer: The instant power off function is controlled in BIOS by the Power But-
ton Mode setting. When the On/Off feature is enabled, the serverboard will have
instant off capabilities as long as the BIOS has control of the system. When the
Standby or Suspend feature is enabled or when the BIOS is not in control such
as during memory count (the fi rst screen that appears when the system is turned
on), the momentary on/off switch must be held for more than four seconds to shut
down the system. This feature is required to implement the ACPI features on the
serverboard.
Question: How do I connect the ATA133 cable to my IDE device(s)?
Answer: The 80-wire/40-pin high-density ATA133 IDE cable that came with your
system has two connectors to support two drives. This special cable must be used
to take advantage of the speed the ATA133 technology offers. Connect the blue
connector to the onboard IDE header and the other connector(s) to your hard
drive(s). Consult the documentation that came with your disk drive for details on
actual jumper locations and settings.
Question: How do I enable SAS?
Answer: Insert the supplied CD and run the AFU.exe application. This will update
the SAS option ROM. Reboot the system. (During the POST routine, you should
see "SAS HostRAID" at the top of the screen.) When the system reboots, enter the
BIOS setup utility and change the following two settings to "Enabled":
3-4 Returning Merchandise for Service
A receipt or copy of your invoice marked with the date of purchase is required be-
fore any warranty service will be rendered. You can obtain service by calling your
vendor for a Returned Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. When returning
to the manufacturer, the RMA number should be prominently displayed on the
outside of the shipping carton, and mailed prepaid or hand-carried. Shipping and
handling charges will be applied for all orders that must be mailed when service
is complete.
This warranty only covers normal consumer use and does not cover damages in-
curred in shipping or from failure due to the alteration, misuse, abuse or improper
maintenance of products.
During the warranty period, contact your distributor fi rst for any product problems.
3-4
Chapter 4: BIOS
Chapter 4
BIOS
4-1 Introduction
This chapter describes the AMIBIOS™ Setup utility for the H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i.
The AMI ROM BIOS is stored in a fl ash chip and can be easily upgraded using a
fl oppy disk-based program.
Note: Due to periodic changes to the BIOS, some settings may have been added or
deleted and might not yet be recorded in this manual. Please refer to the Manual
Download area of our web site for any changes to BIOS that may not be refl ected
in this manual.
Starting the Setup Utility
To enter the BIOS Setup Utility, hit the <Delete> key while the system is booting-up.
(In most cases, the <Delete> key is used to invoke the BIOS setup screen. There are
a few cases when other keys are used, such as <F1>, <F2>, etc.) Each main BIOS
menu option is described in this manual.
The Main BIOS screen has two main frames. The left frame displays all the options
that can be confi gured. “Grayed-out” options cannot be confi gured. The right frame
displays the key legend. Above the key legend is an area reserved for a text mes-
sage. When an option is selected in the left frame, it is highlighted in white. Often a
text message will accompany it. (Note that BIOS has default text messages built in.
We retain the option to include, omit, or change any of these text messages.) Set-
tings printed in Bold are the default values.
A "
" indicates a submenu. Highlighting such an item and pressing the <Enter>
key will open the list of settings within that submenu.
The BIOS setup utility uses a key-based navigation system called hot keys. Most of
these hot keys (<F1>, <F10>, <Enter>, <ESC>, <Arrow> keys, etc.) can be used at
any time during the setup navigation process.
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H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
4-2 Main Menu
When you fi rst enter AMI BIOS Setup Utility, you will see the Main Menu screen.
You can always return to the Main Menu by selecting the Main tab on the top of
the screen with the arrow keys.
The Main Menu screen provides you with a system overview, which includes the
version, built date and ID of the AMIBIOS, the type, speed and number of the
processors in the system and the amount of memory installed in the system.
System Time/System Date
You can edit this fi eld to change the system time and date. Highlight System Time
or System Date using the <Arrow> keys. Enter new values through the keyboard.
Press the <Tab> key or the <Arrow> keys to move between fi elds. The date must
be entered in DAY/MM/DD/YYYY format. The time is entered in HH:MM:SS format.
Please note that time is in a 24-hour format. For example, 5:30 A.M. appears as
05:30:00 and 5:30 P.M. as 17:30:00.
4-3 Advanced Settings Menu
CPU Confi guration
Opening this sebmenu displays various CPU information and the following two
settings.
GART Error Reporting
This setting is used for testing only.
MTRR Mapping
This determines the method used for programming CPU MTRRs when 4 GB or more
memory is present. The options are Continuous, which makes the PCI hole non-
cacheable, and Discrete, which places the PCI hole below the 4 GB boundary.
IDE Confi guration
Onboard PCI IDE Controller
The following options are available to set the IDE controller status: Disabled will dis-
able the controller. Primary will enable the primary IDE controller only. Secondary
will enable the secondary IDE controller only. Both will enable both the primary
and the secondary IDE controllers.
4-2
Chapter 4: BIOS
Primary/Secondary IDE Master/Slave
Highlight one of the items above and press <Enter> to access the submenu for that
item. The same settings apply to the Secondary through Sixth IDE sevices.
Type
Select the type of device connected to the system. The options are Not Installed,
Auto, CDROM and ARMD.
LBA/Large Mode
LBA (Logical Block Addressing) is a method of addressing data on a disk drive.
In the LBA mode, the maximum drive capacity is 137 GB. For drive capacities of
over 137 GB, your system must be equipped with 48-bit LBA mode addressing.
If not, contact your manufacturer or install an ATA/133 IDE controller card that
supports 48-bit LBA mode. The options are Disabled and Auto.
Block (Multi-Sector Transfer)
Block mode boosts IDE drive performance by increasing the amount of data
transferred. Only 512 bytes of data can be transferred per interrupt if block mode
is not used. Block mode allows transfers of up to 64 KB per interrupt. Select
"Disabled" to allow the data to be transferred from and to the device one sec-
tor at a time. Select "Auto" to allows the data transfer from and to the device
occur multiple sectors at a time if the device supports it. The options are Auto
and Disabled.
PIO Mode
PIO (Programmable I/O) mode programs timing cycles between the IDE drive
and the programmable IDE controller. As the PIO mode increases, the cycle time
decreases. The options are Auto, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Select Auto to allow AMI
BIOS to auto detect the PIO mode. Use this value if the IDE disk drive support
cannot be determined. Select 0 to allow AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 0. It has a
data transfer rate of 3.3 MBs. Select 1 to allow AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 1.
It has a data transfer rate of 5.2 MBs. Select 2 to allow AMI BIOS to use PIO
mode 2. It has a data transfer rate of 8.3 MBs. Select 3 to allow AMI BIOS to
use PIO mode 3. It has a data transfer rate of 11.1 MBs. Select 4 to allow AMI
BIOS to use PIO mode 4. It has a data transfer rate of 16.6 MBs. This setting
generally works with all hard disk drives manufactured after 1999. For other disk
drives, such as IDE CD-ROM drives, check the specifi cations of the drive.
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H8DCR-3/H8DCR-i User's Manual
DMA Mode
Selects the DMA Mode. Options are Auto, SWDMA0, SWDMA1, SWDMA2,