Technical data

Adding Option Boards

Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), non-compliant PCI, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA),

and Plug-n-Play (PnP) option boards may be installed in the system. A general description of the

types of boards is provided below.

PCI boards contain configuration registers that define resource information to the system during

startup. PCI boards do not require manual system configuration when installing the board. The

system BIOS detects the board’s presence during startup and reads information from the board’s

configuration registers to assign the necessary system resources. The system’s PCI slots are

limited to 25 Watts power dissipation per the Peripheral Component Interconnect Specification,

2.1. Installed PCI boards must draw less than 25 Watts of power. Also, the total power

consumed by all PCI boards in the system should be less than 180 Watts.

NOTE All PCI option boards sold by Intergraph fully comply with the

Peripheral Component Interconnect

Specification, 2.1.

Non-compliant PCI boards mechanically comply with the Peripheral Component Interconnect

Specification 2.1, but do not contain configuration registers that allow the system to

automatically assign the necessary resources. These boards install in PCI slots, but you assign

system resources manually using the System Configuration Utility (SCU) before installing the

board. In this regard, they are like ISA boards, as described below.

ISA boards do not contain registers that define the resource information to the system during

startup. Therefore, you must run the SCU to define the board to the system before installing the

ISA board. This reserves system resources for the board and prevents conflicts with ISA option

boards already installed. Refer to the section, “Assigning System Resources” later in this

chapter.

PnP boards are ISA boards that contain configuration registers like PCI boards. During startup,

the system BIOS automatically detects the installed board and assigns the necessary system

resources. Since PnP boards are ISA-based boards, they must be installed in the ISA slots.

PCI slots are on Side One of the riser card; ISA slots are on Side Two.

NOTE Assign system resources for ISA and non-compliant PCI boards before installation. Refer to the

section, “Assigning System Resources” later in this chapter.

Installing an Option Board

To install option boards:

1. Open the base unit as described in Chapter 1. If installing an ISA card, the internal disk drive

bay must be removed to access ISA slots. Refer to “Internal Bay Disk Drives” in Chapter 2 for

instructions on removing the internal disk drive bay.

2. Using a quarter-inch nutdriver, remove the blanking plate from an available slot. If installing a

PCI card, loosen the two screws securing the board clip to the PCI card guide (just behind the

power supply), and slide the board clip forward.

3. Install the option board. Press firmly to ensure the board seats completely into the slot.

4. Secure the board to the chassis using the screw removed previously. If installing a PCI card,

slide the board clip back and tighten the two screws.

5. Connect any cables to the board as required by the manufacturer.

6. Close the base unit and restart the system.