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In no event shall ASUS be liable for any loss or profits, loss of business, loss of use or data, interruption of business, or for indirect, special, inci-...
Item Checklist .................. 7 II. FEATURES ..................8 Features of the ASUS TX97 Motherboard ........8 Introduction to ASUS TX97 Series of motherboards ... 9 Parts of the ASUS TX97 Motherboard ..........11 III. INSTALLATION ................12 Map of the ASUS TX97 Motherboard ..........12 Installation Steps ................
Unpacking and Handling Precautions ........63 Layout and Connectors .............. 64 Connectors ................64 CD-Audio Connector Pin Definitions ........64 The Following Sections are Available with ASUS Audio Bundle Only Audio Driver Installation ..............3 Manual Information ..............3 Installation CD ................3 Installation CD Contents ............
Canadian Department of Communications Statement This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications. ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
• Flash Memory Writer utility to update the FLASH BIOS • Desktop Management Interface (DMI) utility • Audio drivers and utilities (included with ASUS I-A16C CD bundle only) • Readme files for descriptions and use of the files • Technical Support Form √...
II. FEATURES Features of the ASUS TX97 Motherboard The ASUS TX97 is carefully designed for the demanding PC user who wants many intelligent features in a small package. This motherboard: • Intel Chipset: Features Intel's 430TX PCIset with I/O subsystems.
OS such as in the next release of Windows 95 must be used. • PC ’97 Compliant - Both the BIOS and hardware levels of ASUS TX97 series of motherboards meet PC ’97 compliancy. The new PC 97 requirements for...
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MO. Some new-generation viruses will not only destroy data on storage media, but also clear BIOS data which is usually unprotected. ASUS TX97 series of motherboards were designed to co- operate with BIOS, chipset, and flash EPROM to disable write permission when the system’s initialization stage is completed upon boot-up.
II. FEATURES Parts of the ASUS TX97 Motherboard PS/2 Mouse, USB, IrDA Parallel & Serial Ports Super Multi-I/O 4 ISA Slots 3 PCI Slots IDE / Floppy Connectors PCI 4 or ASUS MediaBus 3 DIMM Sockets Programmable Flash ROM Intel’s 430TX...
III. INSTALLATION Map of the ASUS TX97 Motherboard Key- board PS/2 Mouse, USB, IrDA Serial Ports COM 1 Parallel (Printer) Port COM 2 Board Power Input Power Fan ATX Power Switch Clock Freq Intel PIIX4 PCIset CR2032 3Volts Lithium Cell...
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29 Keyboard Lock Switch Lead (5-pins) 15) SPEAKER (PANEL) p. 29 Speaker Output Connector (4-pins) 16) PS2MOUSE/USB/IR p. 30 PS/2 Mouse/USB/IR Combo-Connector (18-pin Block) 17) IR p. 30 Second Infrared Port Module Connector (5-pin Block) ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
3. Use a grounded wrist strap before handling computer components. 4. Place components on a grounded antistatic pad or on the bag that came with the component whenever the components are separated from the system. ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
ROM to allow programming in the Enabled position. This is required only if prompted by the Flash Memory Writer Utility as shown in BIOS SOFTWARE. Programming BBLKW Disabled [1-2] (Default) Enabled [2-3] BBLKW BBLKW Disabled/Protect Enabled (Default) Boot Block Programming (Disable / Enable) ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
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You should enter BIOS to “Load Setup Defaults” and re-enter any user information after removing and reapplying this jumper. RTC RAM RTCLR Operation [2-3] (Default) Clear Data [1-2] (momentarily) RTCLR RTCLR Battery Test Clear Data Operation (Default) RTC RAM (Operation / Clear Data) ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
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[1-2] [2-3] *NOTE: Only Cyrix Revision 2.7 or later is supported on this motherboard. See next page for revision identification. Bootup screen will show 6x86-P166+ -S CPU at 133MHz with the Cyrix 166+ installed on this motherboard. ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
Maximum memory size is 256MB total for all sockets. • Socket 3 will not support 64MB or 128MB DIMMs with 64Mbit SDRAM cells. • If Socket 1 and/or Socket 2 has 64MB or 128MB DIMM’s with 64Mbit SDRAM cells, Socket 3 must be empty. ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
DIMM slot on the motherboard. You must ask your retailer for the specifications before purchasing. 4 clock signals are supported on this motherboard. ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
IMPORTANT: You must set jumpers for "CPU to BUS Frequency Ratio" and jumpers for "BUS Frequency Selection" depending on the CPU that you install. White Dot Lever Lock Blank ZIF Socket 7 with Pentium Processor ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
Some expansion cards need to use an IRQ to operate. Generally an IRQ must be exclusively assigned to one use. In an standard design there are 16 IRQs available but most of them are already in use by parts of the system which leaves 6 free for expansion cards. ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
IMPORTANT: Choose "Yes" for those IRQ's and DMA's you wish to reserve for Legacy (Non-PnP) ISA expansion cards in “IRQ xx Used By ISA” and “DMA x Used By ISA” of the PNP and PCI Setup in the BIOS SOFTWARE section, otherwise conflicts may occur. ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
5. External Connectors WARNING: Some pins are used for connectors or power sources. These are clearly separated from jumpers in "Map of the ASUS Motherboard." Placing jumper caps over these will cause damage to your motherboard. IMPORTANT: Ribbon cables should always be connected with the red stripe on the Pin 1 side of the connector.
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Pin 1 COM 2 TIP: You may also remove the bracket connectors and mount them directly to the case to save expansion slot space. Pin 1 Onboard Serial Port Connectors ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
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This lead is for an open chassis monitor. A high level signal to the CHASSIS lead will indicate to the system that the chassis has been opened. +5V (PCB 1.20) +5VSB (PCB 1.21) CHASSIS Chassis open alarm lead ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
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Primary or Secondary IDE connectors will cause the LED to light up. TIP: If the case-mounted LED does not light, try reversing the 2-Pin plug. IDE LED Hard Drive LED Lead ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
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AT motherboard, you need an ATX power supply, optional ATX to AT power To AT Power Connector To PWRATX connector adapter, and a momentary switch button. Optional ATX to AT Power ATX Power Switch Lead Connector Adapter ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
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Power LED & LOCK Keyboard Lock SMI Lead ATX Power Speaker Switch* Connector Reset SW SPKR Requires an ATX power supply, optional ATX to AT power connector adapter, and a momentary switch button. System Panel Connectors ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
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View and connect a ribbon cable from the module to the motherboard according to the pin definitions. Front View Back View FIRRX IRRX IRTX IRTX IRRX For the infrared feature to be available, you must connect an optional Infrared module to the motherboard. Infrared Module Connector ASUS TX97 User’s Manual...
Recheck your jumper settings and connections or call your authorized dealer for assistance. 7. During power-on, hold down the <Delete> key to enter BIOS setup. Follow the next section "BIOS SOFTWARE" for instructions. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
This gives you a backup copy of the original motherboard BIOS in case you need to reinstall it. Create a bootable system floppy diskette by typing [FORMAT A:/S] from the DOS environment without creating "AUTOEXEC.BAT" and "CONFIG.SYS" files, then save the PFLASH.EXE and the BIOS to the floppy diskette. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
Block and ESCD" requires that the system is running in real mode. This utility will not operate if the system is under protected mode or virtual mode. You should boot from a system floppy diskette without "AUTOEXEC.BAT" and "CONFIG.SYS" files. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
PnP BIOS and therefore cannot be programmed by the Flash Memory Writer. 1. Download an updated ASUS BIOS file from the internet (WWW), FTP, or a BBS (Bulletin Board Service) and save to the diskette you created above. See ASUS CONTACT INFORMATION on Page II of the User's Manual for details.
But do so only if the first two methods fail. When you invoke Setup, the CMOS SETUP UTILITY main program screen will appear with the following options: ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
<F1> key. The help menu will then appear to provide you with the information you need. The memory display at the lower right-hand side of the screen is read-only and automatically adjusts accordingly. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
BIOS. If you install the optional ASUS SCSI controller card into the motherboard (see section VI for in- structions). If you install other vendor’s SCSI controller card, please refer to their respective documentations on how to install the required SCSI drivers.
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Primary IDE hard disk drives must have its partition set to active (also possible with FDISK). NOTE: SETUP Defaults are noted in parenthesis next to each function heading. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
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If you are using a VGA or any higher resolution card, choose the “EGA/VGA” option. Halt On (All Errors) This field determines which types of errors will cause the system to halt. Choose from : All Errors, No Errors, All, But Keyboard, All, But Diskette, and All, But Disk/ ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
Installation of new operating systems require that you disable this to prevent write errors. External Cache (Enabled) These fields allow you to Enable or Disable the CPU’s “Level 2” secondary cache. Caching allows better performance. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
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This field controls the speed at which the system registers repeated keystrokes. Options range from 6 to 30 characters per second. Setup default setting is 6; other settings are 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 24, and 30. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
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ROMs on them, you will need to know which addresses the ROMs use to shadow them specifically. Shadowing a ROM reduces the memory available between 640KB and 1024KB by the amount used for this purpose. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
70ns DRAM. See section III for DRAM installation information. SDRAM CAS# Latency (3T) If you use ASUS SDRAM DIMM modules, you can set this to 2T for better perfor- mance, otherwise leave on default or check with your vendor for DIMM specs.
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Onboard Serial Port 1 (3F8H/IRQ4) Settings are 3F8H/IRQ4, 2F8H/IRQ3, 3E8H/IRQ4, 2E8H/IRQ10, and Disabled for the onboard serial connector. Onboard Serial Port 2 (2F8H/IRQ3) Settings are 3F8H/IRQ4, 2F8H/IRQ3, 3E8H/IRQ4, 2E8H/IRQ10, and Disabled for the onboard serial connector. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
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Because each IDE device may have a different Mode timing (0, 1, 2, 3, 4), it is necessary for these to be independent. PIO and DMA timings can be indepen- dently set. The default setting of Auto will allow auto-detection to ensure optimal performance. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
Choose "Advanced" in the Power Management Field. Video Off Option (Susp, Stby->Off ) This field determines when to activate the video off feature for monitor power management. The settings are All Modes->Off; Always On; Suspend->Off; and Susp, Stby->Off . ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
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Speed, and the Power Supply Fan Speed in Rotations Per Minute (RPM). These values refresh upon any key entries in the BIOS setup screen. Set to Ignore if one of these are not used so that error messages will not be given. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
When Plug and Play operating systems (OS) are installed, interrupts may be reas- signed by the OS when Yes is selected. When a non-Plug and Play OS is installed or to prevent reassigning of interrupt settings, select No here. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
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ISA MEM Block BASE to its default setting of No/ICU. SCSI BIOS (Auto) The default uses Auto settings for the onboard SCSI BIOS (see section VI). If you wish not to use the onboard SCSI BIOS, choose Disabled ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
Press the <Y> key and then the <Enter> key to confirm. Press the <N> key and then the <Enter> key to abort. This feature does not affect the fields on the Standard CMOS Setup screen. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
<Enter> key instead of entering a new password when the “Enter Password” prompt appears. A message confirms the password has been disabled. NOTE: If you forget the password, see CMOS RAM in section III for procedures on clearing the CMOS. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
IDE HDD Auto Detection This “IDE HDD Auto Detection” option detects the parameters of an IDE hard disk drive, and automatically enters them into the Standard CMOS Setup screen. ROM PCI/ISA BIOS (<<TX97>>) CMOS SETUP UTILITY AWARD SOFTWARE, INC. HARD DISKS...
Select this option to exit the Setup utility without saving the modifications you specify during the current session. To exit without saving, highlight the “Exit Without Sav- ing” option on the main screen and then press the <Enter> key. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
IV. BusMaster: Installs Intel BusMaster IDE drivers. Browse this CD: Allows you to see the contents of the ASUS support CD. Technical Support Form: View the Technical Support Form with Notepad. Read Me: View additional notes with Notepad.
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10. LDCM Administrator installation requires a network card or else the admin- istrator features will run very slowly. 11. Mouse (Pointer) information does not show when there is mouse activity after Workstation Summary is selected in Windows NT. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
V. SUPPORT SOFTWARE Desktop Management Interface (DMI) Introducing the ASUS DMI Configuration Utility This motherboard supports DMI within the BIOS level and provides a DMI Con- figuration Utility to maintain the Management Information Format Database (MIFD). DMI is able to auto-detect and record information pertinent to a computer’s system such as the CPU type, CPU speed, and internal/external frequencies, and memory size.
V. SUPPORT SOFTWARE Using the ASUS DMI Configuration Utility Edit DMI (or delete) Use the ←→ (left-right) cursors to move the top menu items and the ↑↓ (up-down) cursor to move between the left hand menu items. The bottom of the screen will show the available keys for each screen.
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You can load the BIOS defaults from a MIFD file and can clear all user modified and added data. You must reboot your computer in order for the defaults to be saved back into the Flash BIOS. ASUS TX97 User's Manual...
These drivers are included in the second SCO UNIX floppy disk. Windows 95 support is also available using the device drivers included within the Windows software. The ASUS PCI-SC200 is a Plug and Play adapter that is auto detected by BIOS and current operating systems that support Plug and Play features.
You also have the additional option of connecting external SCSI devices to the external SCSI-2 connector on the card. If you get the ASUS PCI-SC200 later on as an option, you will need to install it yourself. The setup procedure is explained here.
Many SCSI devices use a set of terminating resistors to terminate the device. The ASUS PCI-SC200 has “active” termination that you set using jumper JP5. If you need to terminate the ASUS PCI-SC200, you do it by setting the jumper. The are two settings, "terminated" and "not terminated," as shown below.
SCSI device. There are eight possible ID numbers, 0 through 7. The ASUS PCI-SC200 has a fixed SCSI ID of 7. You can connect up to seven SCSI devices to the interface card. You must set a SCSI ID number for each device.
CAUTION: Keep the ASUS I-A16C stored in its anti-static bag until you are ready to install it in your system. The ASUS I-A16C is easily damaged by static electric- ity. Observe the following precautions while unpacking and handling the board: •...
VII. ASUS I-A16C Audio Card Layout and Connectors Panasonic Audio In Wave Table Upgrade Mitsumi Audio In PC Speaker In Volume Control PC Speaker Out Sony Audio In Speaker Out Line Out Line In Microphone MIDI/Game Connectors The audio input connectors are used when you wish to control software mixer set- tings (bass, treble, volume, etc.) for audio CD's that are played with your CD-ROM.