Specifications

PP 41x/03x 10-1
10 PC BIOS
The PP 41x/03x board is fitted with PC BIOS firmware that performs many of the functions of a
standard desktop PC. It also includes additional features specifically tailored for the CompactPCI
bus environment. In addition to the core BIOS firmware, the board is fitted with BIOS Extensions
for remote boot-load capability via any of the on-board Ethernet channels. To improve the flexibility
of the board, some of these features may be selectively enabled or disabled by an operator using
BIOS setup menus. Many of the features provided by the PC BIOS are unlikely to be adjusted by
the user, but there are several options that many users will find helpful. Some of these are already
referenced in other sections of this manual, but the remainder of this chapter will describe some
other commonly used options. More information about each of the options available is provided in
the Help box of the BIOS setup menus.
10.1 Entering the PC BIOS
The startup mode of the board may be selected using the Boot Mode switch, but can be either of
the following:- PC BIOS mode (the factory default setting), which generally follows the behavior of a
desktop PC, or CPSA mode (a flexible testing mode primarily for use at the factory), which can be
used for system or board testing. CPSA mode operation and features are not described in this
manual. Figure 10-1 shows the location of the Boot Mode switch on the board and its settings.
Figure 10-1 Boot Mode Switch
CPSA mode may be exited either by operator command, or by allowing the board to proceed
through the CPSA startup sequence without intervention. In either case, the board will enter PC
BIOS mode and continue as if this mode had been selected with the option switch. When the
board is reset, it will generally restart in the operating mode selected by the Boot Mode option
switch. However, a reset caused by a keyboard <CTRL-ALT-DEL> keystroke combination, or by a
programmed reset using one of several different I/O access sequences, will only cause a PC BIOS
restart. A complete board or system reset (using the front panel switch or through the CompactPCI
bus PCI_RST signal) will cause the board to restart in the mode selected by the Boot Mode option
switch setting.