Chapter 3 Award BIOS This chapter tells how to configure the system parameters. You may update your BIOS via AWARD Flash Utility. Important: Because the BIOS code is the most often changed part of the mainboard design, the BIOS information contained in this chapter (especially the Chipset Setup parameters) may be a little different compared to the actual BIOS that came with your mainboard.
AWARD BIOS 3.1 Entering the Award BIOS Setup Menu The BIOS setup utility is a segment of codes/routines residing in the BIOS Flash ROM. This routine allows you to configure the system parameters and save the configuration into the 128 byte CMOS area, (normally in the RTC chip or directly in the main chipset). To enter the BIOS Setup, press during POST (Power-On Self Test). The BIOS Setup Main Menu appears as follows. Tip: Choose "Load Setup Defaults" for recommended optimal performance.
AWARD BIOS 3.2 Standard CMOS Setup The "Standard CMOS Setup" sets the basic system parameters such as the date, time, and the hard disk type. Use the arrow keys to highlight an item and or to select the value for each item. Standard CMOS à Date To set the date, highlight the Date parameter. Press current date. The date format is month, date, and year. or to set the Standard CMOS à Time To set the time, highlight the Time parameter. Press or to set the current time in hour, minute, and second format.
AWARD BIOS Standard CMOS à Standard CMOS à Standard CMOS à Standard CMOS à Type Auto User None 1 2 ... 45 Primary Master à Type Primary Slave à Type Secondary Master à Type Secondary Slave à Type This item lets you select the IDE hard disk parameters that your system supports. These parameters are Size, Number of Cylinder, Number of Head, Start Cylinder for Pre-compensation, Cylinder number of Head Landing Zone and Number of Sector per Track.
AWARD BIOS Standard CMOS à Drive A Standard CMOS à Drive B Drive A None 360KB 5.25" 1.2MB 5.25" 720KB 3.5" 1.44MB 3.5" 2.88MB 3.5" These items select floppy drive type. The available settings and types supported by the mainboard are listed on the left. Standard CMOS à Video Video EGA/VGA CGA40 CGA80 Mono This item specifies the type of video card in use. The default setting is VGA/EGA. Since current PCs use VGA only, this function is almost useless and may be disregarded in the future.
AWARD BIOS 3.3 BIOS Features Setup This screen appears when you select the option "BIOS Features Setup" from the main menu. BIOS Features à Virus Warning Virus Warning Enabled Disabled Set this parameter to Enabled to activate the warning message. This feature protects the boot sector and partition table of your hard disk from virus intrusion. Any attempt during boot up to write to the boot sector of the hard disk drive stops the system and the following warning message appears on the screen.
AWARD BIOS BIOS Features à External Cache External Cache Enabled Disabled Enabling this parameter activates the secondary cache (currently, PBSRAM cache). Disabling the parameter slows down the system. Therefore, we recommend that you leave it enabled unless you are troubleshooting a problem. BIOS Features à Quick Power On Self Test Quick Power on Self test Enable Disabled This parameter speeds up POST by skipping some items that are normally checked.
AWARD BIOS BIOS Features à Boot Up NumLock Status Boot Up NumLock Status On Off Setting this parameter to On enables the numeric function of the numeric keypad. Set this parameter to Off to disregard the function. Disabling the numeric function allows you to use the numeric keypad for cursor control. BIOS Features à Boot Up System Speed Boot Up System Speed High Low Select High or Low system speed after boot.
AWARD BIOS BIOS Features à Security Option Security Option Setup System The System option limits access to both the System boot and BIOS setup. A prompt asking you to enter your password appears on the screen every time you boot the system. The Setup option limits access only to BIOS setup. To disable the security option, select Password Setting from the main menu, don't type anything and just press .
AWARD BIOS BIOS Features à BIOS Features à BIOS Features à BIOS Features à BIOS Features à BIOS Features à C8000-CBFFF Shadow Enabled Disabled C800-CBFF Shadow CC00-CFFF Shadow D000-D3FF Shadow D400-D7FF Shadow D800-DBFF Shadow DC00-DFFF Shadow These six items are for shadowing ROM code on other expansion cards. Before you set these parameters, you need to know the specific addresses of that ROM code. If you do not know this information, enable all the ROM shadow settings.
AWARD BIOS 3.4 Chipset Features Setup The "Chipset Features Setup" includes settings for the chipset dependent features. These features are related to system performance. Caution: Make sure you fully understand the items contained in this menu before you try to change anything. You may change the parameter settings to improve system performance . However, it may cause system unstable if the setting are not correct for your system configuration.
AWARD BIOS Chipset Features à Auto Configuration Auto Configuration Enabled Disabled When Enabled, the DRAM and cache related timing are set to pre-defined value according to CPU type and clock. Select Disable if you want to specify your own DRAM timing. Chipset Features à DRAM Timing DRAM Timing 60 ns 70 ns There to sets of DRAM timing parameters can be automatically set by BIOS, 60ns and 70ns. Warning: The default memory timing setting is 60ns to get the optimal performance.
AWARD BIOS Chipset Features à DRAM Read Burst (EDO/FP) DRAM Read Burst (EDO/FP) x444/x444 x333/x444 x222/x333 Read Burst means to read four continuous memory cycles on four predefined addresses from the DRAM. The default value is x222/x333 for 60ns EDO or FPM (Fast Page Mode) DRAM. Which means the 2nd,3rd and 4th memory cycles are 2 CPU clocks for EDO and 3 clocks for FPM. The value of x is the timing of first memory cycle and depends on the "DRAM Leadoff Timing" setting.
AWARD BIOS Chipset Features à DRAM Page Idle Timer DRAM Page Idle Timer 2 Clks 4 Clks 6 Clks 8 Clks This item determines the amount of time in CPU clocks that DRAM page will be close after CPU becomes idle. Chipset Features à DRAM Enhance Paging DRAM Enhance Paging Enabled Disabled When Enabled, TX chipset will keep DRAM page open as long as possible according to enhanced method.
AWARD BIOS Chipset Features à Video BIOS Cacheable Video BIOS Cacheable Enabled Disabled Allows the video BIOS to be cached to allow faster video performance. Chipset Features à 8 Bit I/O Recovery Time 8 Bit I/O Recovery Time 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 NA For some old I/O chips, after the execution of an I/O command, the device requires a certain amount of time (recovery time) before the execution of the next I/O command.
AWARD BIOS Chipset Features à Memory Hole At 15M-16M Memory Hole At 15M-16M Enabled Disabled This option lets you reserve system memory area for special ISA cards. The chipset accesses code/data of these areas from the ISA bus directly. Normally, these areas are reserved for memory mapped I/O card. Chipset Features à PCI Passive Release PCI Passive Release Enabled Disabled This item lets you control the Passive Release function of the PIIX4 chipset (Intel PCI to ISA bridge).
AWARD BIOS 3.5 Power Management Setup The Power Management Setup screen enables you to control the mainboard’s green features. See the following screen. Power Management à Power Management Power Management Max Saving Mix Saving User Defined Disabled Mode Min Saving Max Saving Doze 1 hour 1 min This function allows you to set the default parameters of power-saving modes. Set to Disable to turn off power management function. Set to User Defined to choose your own parameters.
AWARD BIOS Power Management à PM Controlled by APM PM Controlled by APM Yes No If "Max Saving" is selected, you can turn on this item, transfer power management control to APM (Advanced Power Management) and enhance power saving function. For example, stop CPU internal clock. Power Management à Video Off After Video Off After N/A Doze Standby Suspend To turn off video monitor at which power down mode.
AWARD BIOS Power Management à Standby Mode Standby Mode Disabled 1 Min 2 Min 4 Min 8 Min 12 Min 20 Min 30 Min 40 Min 1 Hour This item lets you set the period of time after which the system enters into Standby mode. In this mode, CPU clock slows down, hard disk will be shut off and the monitor power-saving feature activates. Any activity detected returns the system to full power. The system activity (or event) is detected by monitoring the IRQ signals.
AWARD BIOS Power Management à Suspend Mode Option Suspend Mode Option Power On Suspend Suspend to Hard Drive You can select suspend mode by this item. Power On Suspend is the traditional Green PC suspend mode, the CPU clock is stop, all other devices are shut off. But power must be kept On to detect activities from modem, keyboard/mouse and returns the system to full power. The system activities is detected by monitoring the IRQ signals.
AWARD BIOS Power Management à IRQ 8 Clock Event IRQ 8 Clock Event Enabled Disabled To enable or disable the detection of IRQ8 (RTC) event for power down state transition. OS2 has periodically IRQ8 (RTC) interruptions, If IRQ8 is not set to Disabled, OS/2 may fail to go into Doze/Standby/Suspend mode. Power Management à IRQ [3-7,9-15], NMI IRQ [3-7,9-15], NMI Enabled Disabled To enable or disable the detection of IRQ3-7, IRQ915 or NMI interrupt events for power down state transition.
AWARD BIOS 3.6 PNP/PCI Configuration Setup The PNP/PCI Configuration Setup allows you to configure the ISA and PCI devices installed in your system. The following screen appears if you select the option "PNP/PCI Configuration Setup" from the main menu. PNP/PCI Configuration à PnP OS Installed PnP OS Installed Yes No 3-22 Normally, the PnP resources are allocated by BIOS during POST (Power-On Self Test).
AWARD BIOS PNP/PCI Configuration à Resources Controlled By Resources Controlled by Auto Manual Setting this option to Manual allows you to individually assign the IRQs and DMAs to the ISA and PCI devices. Set this to Auto to enable the autoconfiguration function.
AWARD BIOS PNP/PCI Configuration à PNP/PCI Configuration à PNP/PCI Configuration à PNP/PCI Configuration à PNP/PCI Configuration à PNP/PCI Configuration à DMA 0 DMA 1 DMA 3 DMA 5 DMA 6 DMA 7 If your ISA card is not PnP compatible and requires a special DMA channel to support its function, set the selected DMA channel to Legacy ISA. This setting informs the PnP BIOS to reserve the selected DMA channel for the installed legacy ISA card. The default is PCI/ISA PnP.
AWARD BIOS Slot 1 Slot 2 Slot 3 Slot 4 Slot 5 (if any) INTA INTB INTC INTD INTD INTB INTC INTD INTA INTA INTC INTD INTA INTB INTB INTD INTA INTB INTC INTC PNP/PCI Configuration à Used MEM Base Addr Used MEM base addr N/A C800 CC00 D000 D400 D800 DC00 This item, in conjunction with the "Used MEM Length", lets you set a memory space for non-PnP compatible ISA card. This item specifies the memory base (start address) of the reserved memory space. The memory size is specified in the "Used MEM Length".
AWARD BIOS 3.7 Load Setup Defaults The "Load Setup Defaults" option loads optimized settings for optimum system performance. Optimal settings are relatively safer than the Turbo settings. We recommend you to use the Optimal settings if your system has large memory size and fully loaded with add-on card (for example, a file server using double-sided 8MB SIMM x4 and SCSI plus Network card occupying the PCI and ISA slots). Optimal is not the slowest setting for this mainboard.
AWARD BIOS 3.9 Integrated Peripherals The following screen appears if you select the option "Integrated Peripherals" from the main menu. This option allows you to configure the I/O features. Integrated Peripherals à IDE HDD Block Mode IDE HDD Block Mode Enabled Disabled This feature enhances disk performance by allowing multisector data transfers and eliminates the interrupt handling time for each sector. Most IDE drives, except with old designs, can support this feature.
AWARD BIOS Integrated Peripherals à Integrated Peripherals à Integrated Peripherals à Integrated Peripherals à IDE Primary Master PIO Auto Mode 1 Mode 2 Mode 3 Mode 4 IDE Primary Master PIO IDE Primary Slave PIO IDE Secondary Master PIO IDE Secondary Slave PIO Setting this item to Auto activates the HDD speed auto-detect function. The PIO mode specifies the data transfer rate of HDD. For example: mode 0 data transfer rate is 3.3MB/s, mode 1 is 5.2MB/s, mode 2 is 8.3MB/s, mode 3 is 11.
AWARD BIOS Integrated Peripherals à USB Legacy Support USB Legacy Support Enabled Disabled This item lets you enable or disable the USB keyboard driver within the onboard BIOS. The keyboard driver simulates legacy keyboard command and let you use USB keyboard during POST or after boot if you don't have USB driver in the operating system. Caution: You can not use both USB driver and USB legacy keyboard at the same time. Disable "USB Legacy Support" if you have USB driver in the operating system.
AWARD BIOS Integrated Peripherals à Onboard Serial Port 1 Integrated Peripherals à Onboard Serial Port 2 Onboard Serial Port 1 Auto 3F8/IRQ4 2F8/IRQ3 3E8/IRQ4 2E8/IRQ3 Disabled This item allow you to assign address and interrupt for the board serial port. Default is Auto. Note: If you are using an network card, make sure that the interrupt does not conflict.
AWARD BIOS Integrated Peripherals à Onboard Parallel Port Onboard Parallel Port This item controls the onboard parallel port address and interrupt. 3BC/IRQ7 378/IRQ7 278/IRQ5 Disabled Note: If you are using an I/O card with a parallel port, make sure that the addresses and IRQ do not conflict. Integrated Peripherals à Parallel Port Mode Parallel Port Mode SPP EPP ECP ECP + EPP This item lets you set the parallel port mode.
AWARD BIOS 3.10 Password Setting Password prevents unauthorized use of your computer. If you set a password, the system prompts for the correct password before boot or access to Setup. To set a password: 1. At the prompt, type your password. Your password can be up to 8 alphanumeric characters. When you type the characters, they appear as asterisks on the password screen box. 2. After typing the password, press key. 3.
AWARD BIOS 3.13 Exit without Saving Use this function to exit Setup without saving the CMOS value changes. Do not use this option if you want to save the new configuration. 3.14 NCR SCSI BIOS and Drivers The NCR 53C810 SCSI BIOS resides in the same flash memory chip as the system BIOS. The onboard NCR SCSI BIOS is used to support NCR 53C810 SCSI control card without BIOS code. The NCR SCSI BIOS directly supports DOS, Windows 3.1 and OS/2.
AWARD BIOS 3.15 BIOS Flash Utility The BIOS Flash utility allows you upgrade the system BIOS. To get the AOpen Flash utility and the upgrade BIOS file, contact your local distributor or visit our homepage at http://www.aopen.com.tw. Please make sure that you have the correct BIOS ready, the BIOS filename is normally like AP5TC110.BIN, which means model AP5TC BIOS revision 1.10. There are two useful programs, Checksum utility CHECKSUM.EXE and AOpen Flash utility AOFLASH.EXE.
AWARD BIOS 5. DO NOT turn off the power during "FLASHING". 6. Reboot the system by turn off the power after "FLASHING". 7. Press "DEL" key to enter BIOS setup during POST. 8. Reload the "BIOS SETUP DEFAULT" and reconfigure other items as previous set. 9. Save & Exit. Done! Warning: DO NOT turn off the power during "FLASHING". If the BIOS programming is not successfully finished, the system will not be boot again, and you may need to physically replace the BIOS chip.
