Related Manuals for AOpen AX4B PRO
Summary of Contents for AOpen AX4B PRO
-
Page 1: W H A T S I N T H I S M A N U A L
AX4B / AX4B Pro DOC. NO.: AX4BP-OL-E0201B... -
Page 2: Table Of Contents
About “Optional” and “Upgrade Optional”… ........................20 JP14 Clear CMOS Data ..............................21 CPU Installation................................22 CPU Jumper-less Design...............................25 Full-range Adjustable CPU Core Voltage (AX4B Pro Only) ....................27 CPU and System Fan Connector (with H/W Monitoring) ....................29 JP28 Keyboard/Mouse Wake-up Enable/Disable Jumper ....................30... - Page 3 DIMM Sockets ................................31 Front Panel Connector ..............................33 ATX Power Connector ..............................34 AC Power Auto Recovery ..............................35 IDE and Floppy Connector ............................36 IrDA Connector ................................38 AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port) Expansion Slot ......................39 AGP Protection Technology ............................40 WOM (Zero Voltage Wake on Modem) Connector ......................41 WOM by External BOX Modem............................42 WOM by Internal Modem Card ............................43 WOL (Wake on LAN) ..............................44...
- Page 4 GPO (General Purpose Output) Connector ........................53 Front Audio Connector..............................54 Die-Hard BIOS (AX4B Pro only, Upgrade optional)......................55 Dr. LED Connector ................................57 Dr. Voice (AX4B Pro only) .............................59 JP1 Buzzer and JP2 Speaker Enable/Disable Jumper....................60 Battery-less and Long Life Design ..........................61 Over-current Protection ..............................62 Hardware Monitoring ..............................63...
- Page 5 Glossary ............................89 AC97 .....................................89 ACPI (Advanced Configuration & Power Interface)......................89 AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port) ............................89 AMR (Audio/Modem Riser) ............................90 AOpen Bonus Pack CD ..............................90 APM (Advanced Power Management) ...........................90 ATA (AT Attachment)..............................90 ATA/66 ...................................90 ATA/100 ..................................91 BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) ..........................91...
- Page 6 Bus Master IDE (DMA mode)............................91 CNR (Communication and Networking Riser) ........................92 CODEC (Coding and Decoding) ............................92 DDR (Double Data Rated) SDRAM..........................92 DIMM (Dual In Line Memory Module) ..........................92 DMA (Direct Memory Access) ............................93 ECC (Error Checking and Correction)..........................93 EDO (Extended Data Output) Memory...........................93 EEPROM (Electronic Erasable Programmable ROM) ....................93 EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) ........................93 EV6 Bus ..................................94...
-
Page 7: Troubleshooting
PC-100 DIMM ................................97 PC-133 DIMM ................................97 PC-1600 or PC-2100 DDR DRAM ..........................97 PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) Bus........................97 PDF Format ...................................97 PnP (Plug and Play) ..............................98 POST (Power-On Self Test) ............................98 RDRAM (Rambus DRAM)..............................98 RIMM (Rambus Inline Memory Module).........................98 SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) ............................99 Shadow E PROM ................................99 SIMM (Single In Line Memory Module) ..........................99... - Page 8 Technical Support........................106 Product Registration........................109 How to Contact Us........................110...
-
Page 9: You Must Notice
All of the specifications and information contained in this manual are subject to change without notice. AOpen reserves the right to revise this publication and to make reasonable changes. AOpen assumes no responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual, including the products and software described in it. -
Page 10: Before You Start
This Online Manual will introduce to the user how this product is installed. All useful information will be described in later chapters. Please keep this manual carefully for future upgrades or system configuration changes. This Online Manual is saved format, we recommend using Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 for online viewing, it is included in Bonus CD disc or you can get free download from... -
Page 11: Overview
® Thank you for choosing AOpen AX4B / AX4B Pro motherboard. The AX4B / AX4B Pro is Intel Socket 478 motherboard (M/B) ® based on the ATX form factor featuring the Intel 845 (Brookdale) chipset. As high performance chipset built in the M/B, the ®... -
Page 12: Feature Highlight
1056MB/s. AX4B / AX4B Pro motherboard includes one 1.5V AGP expansion slot with 4x SBA/Data Transfer and 2x/4x Fast Write capability. For AD and SBA signaling, AX4B / AX4B Pro motherboard can support 4X mode. - Page 13 Provides “1MHz Stepping Frequency Adjustment” function in the BIOS. This magic function allows you adjust CPU frequency from 100~248 by 1MHz stepping adjustment, and lets your system can get maximum performance. Watch Dog Timer Includes AOpen “Watch Dog Timer” function that can auto-reset system in 4.8 seconds when you fail to system overclocking.
- Page 14 Dr. LED (Upgrade Optional) Dr. LED has 8 LEDs on this AX4B / AX4B Pro M/B to easily show what kind of problems you may encounter. AGP Protection Technology With AGP Protection Technology implemented, this motherboard will automatically detect the voltage of AGP card and prevent your chipsets from being burnt out.
- Page 15 Power Management/Plug and Play Supports the power management function that confirms to the power-saving standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star program. It also offers Plug-and-Play, which helps save users from configuration problems, thus making the system much user-friendlier. Hardware Monitoring Management Supports CPU or system fans status, temperature and voltage monitoring and alert, through the on-board hardware monitor module.
-
Page 16: Quick Installation Procedure
This page gives you a quick procedure on how to install your system. Follow each step accordingly. Installing CPU and Fan Installing System Memory (DIMM) Connecting Front Panel Cable Connecting IDE and Floppy Cable Connecting ATX Power Cable Connecting Back Panel Cable Power-on and Load BIOS Setup Default Setting CPU Frequency Reboot... -
Page 17: Motherboard Map
2 GB JP2 Jumper (Speaker) WOM Connector Front Panel Connector WOL Connector JP1 Jumper (Buzzer) ATA/33/66/100 IDE Connector x2 FAN3 Connector ATX Power Connector GPO1 Connector JP15 & 16 Dr. Voice Language Select Jumper (AX4B Pro only) FDD Connector... -
Page 18: Block Diagram
PC-200/266 DDR SDRAM Up to 2GB 32-bit PCI Slot x5 DIMM Socket x3 Socket 478 400MHz System Intel Pentium 4 Intel 845 PCI Bus RG82845 Primary 33/66100 Channel IDE Drive x4 Secondary AGP 4X Slot Channel Intel AC97 FW82801BA CODEC ICH2 AC Link CNR Slot... -
Page 19: Hardware Installation
This chapter describes jumpers, connectors and hardware devices of this motherboard. Note: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage your processor, disk drives, expansion boards, and other components. Always observe the following precautions before you install a system component. Do not remove a component from its protective packaging until you are ready to install it. Wear a wrist ground strap and attach it to a metal part of the system unit before handling a component. -
Page 20: About "Optional" And "Upgrade Optional
“Optional” for you to choose. Some optional functions that can be upgraded by users, we call them “Upgrade Optional”. As for those optional functions that can’t be upgraded by ourselves, we call them “Optional”. If needed, you can contact our local distributors or resellers for purchasing “Upgrade Optional” components, and again you can visit AOpen official web site: www.aopen.com... -
Page 21: Jp14 Clear Cmos Data
You can clear CMOS to restore system default setting. To clear the CMOS, follow the procedure below. Turn off the system and unplug the AC power. Remove ATX power cable from connector PWR2. Locate JP14 and short pins 2-3 for a few seconds. Return JP14 to its normal setting by shorting pins 1 &... - Page 22 ® This motherboard supports Intel Pentium 4 Socket 478 series CPU (Brookdale). Be careful of CPU orientation when you plug it into CPU socket. 2. Locate Pin 1 in the socket and look for a cut edge on the CPU upper 1.
-
Page 23: Cpu Installation
3. Press down the CPU socket lever and finish CPU installation. CPU cut edge Note: If you do not match the CPU socket Pin 1 and CPU cut edge well, it may damage the CPU. Note: This socket supports Micro-FC-PGA2 package CPU, which is the latest CPU package developed by Intel. - Page 24 This motherboard comes with a retention module attached on the CPU socket when shipped, we strongly recommend you to install AOpen special designed CPU Fan as shown below on the retention module for better heat dissipation. Please install the CPU Fan correctly as the following pictures shown.
-
Page 25: Cpu Jumper-Less Design
CPU VID signal and SMbus clock generator provide CPU voltage auto-detection and allows the user to set the CPU frequency through the BIOS setup, therefore no jumpers or switches are used. The disadvantages of the Pentium based jumper-less designs are eliminated. There will be no worry of wrong CPU voltage detection. Clock Generator ®... - Page 26 ” “ ” With this motherboard, AOpen provides a very special, useful feature for overclockers. When you power-on the system, the BIOS will check last system POST status. If it succeeded, the BIOS will enable “Watch Dog Timer” function immediately, and set the CPU frequency by user’s setting that stored in the BIOS.
-
Page 27: Full-Range Adjustable Cpu Core Voltage (Ax4B Pro Only)
Tip: If your system hangs or fails to boot because of Home overclocking, simply use <Home> key to restore the default setting or you can wait the AOpen “Watch Dog Timer” reset the system after five seconds and system will auto-detect hardware again. - Page 28 Core Frequency = CPU Clock * CPU Ratio PCI Clock = CPU FSB Clock / Clock Ratio ® Warning: Intel 845 chipset supports Clock = PCI Clock x 2 maximum 400MHz (100MHz*4) system CPU Core System bus and 66MHz AGP clock; higher clock Ratio Frequenc Clock...
-
Page 29: Cpu And System Fan Connector (With H/W Monitoring)
Plug in the CPU fan cable to the 3-pin CPU FAN connector. If you have chassis fan, you can also plug it on System Fan (FAN2) or FAN3 (AUX Fan) connector. +12V SENSOR FAN2 Connector +12V SENSOR CPU Fan Connector +12V SENSOR Note: Some CPU fans do not have... -
Page 30: Jp28 Keyboard/Mouse Wake-Up Enable/Disable Jumper
This motherboard provides keyboard / mouse wake-up function. You can use JP28 to enable or disable this function, which could resume your system from suspend mode with keyboard or mouse installed. The factory default setting is set to “Disable”(1-2), and you may enable this function by setting the jumper to 2-3. JP28 KB/Mouse Wake-up Disable... -
Page 31: Dimm Sockets
This motherboard has three 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets that allow you to install PC200 PC266 memory up to 2 GB. Both ECC and Non-ECC DDR SDRAM are supported, but you can’t install them both on DIMM. Otherwise, it will cause serious damage on memory sockets or SDRAM module. - Page 32 Please follow the procedure as shown below to finish memory installation. Make sure the DIMM module’s pin face down and match the socket’s size as depicted below. 40 pins 52 pins Insert the module straight down to the DIMM slot with both hands and press down firmly until the DIMM module is securely in place.
-
Page 33: Front Panel Connector
Attach the power LED, Keylock, speaker, power and reset switch connectors to the corresponding pins. If you enable “Suspend Mode” item in BIOS Setup, the ACPI & Power LED will keep flashing while the system is in suspend mode. Locate the power switch cable from your ATX housing. It is 2-pin female connector from the housing front panel. -
Page 34: Atx Power Connector
This motherboard comes with a 20-pin and 4-pin ATX power connector. Make sure you plug in the right direction. We strongly recommend you to connect the 4-pin 12V ATX connector before connecting the 20-pin ATX power connector and use standard power supply specially designed for Pentium 4 system. -
Page 35: Ac Power Auto Recovery
A traditional ATX system should remain at power off stage when AC power resumes from power failure. This design is inconvenient for a network server or workstation, without an UPS, that needs to keep power-on. This motherboard implements an AC Power Auto Recovery function to solve this problem. -
Page 36: Ide And Floppy Connector
Connect 34-pin floppy cable and 40-pin IDE cable to floppy connector FDC and IDE connector. The blue connector is IDE1 for clear identification. Be careful of the pin1 orientation. Wrong orientation may cause system damage. Secondary Secondary Master (3rd) Slave (4th) IDE 2 (Secondary) IDE 1 (Primary) Pin 1... - Page 37 IDE1 is also known as the primary channel and IDE2 as the secondary channel. Each channel supports two IDE devices that make a total of four devices. In order to work together, the two devices on each channel must be set differently to Master and Slave mode.
-
Page 38: Irda Connector
The IrDA connector can be configured to support wireless infrared module, with this module and application software such as Laplink or Windows 95 Direct Cable Connection, the user can transfer files to or from laptops, notebooks, PDA devices and printers. This connector supports HPSIR (115.2Kbps, 2 meters) and ASK-IR (56Kbps). Install the infrared module onto the IrDA connector and enable the infrared function from BIOS Setup, UART Mode, make sure to have the correct orientation when you plug in the IrDA connector. -
Page 39: Agp (Accelerated Graphic Port) Expansion Slot
The AX4B / AX4B Pro provides an 4x slot. The AGP 1x2x4x is a bus interface targeted for high-performance 3D graphic. AGP supports only memory read/write operation and single-master single-slave one-to-one only. AGP uses both rising and falling edge of the 66MHz clock, for 2X AGP, the data transfer rate is 66MHz x 4bytes x 2 = 528MB/s. AGP is now moving... -
Page 40: Agp Protection Technology
With the outstanding R&D ability of AOpen and its specially developed circuit, AX4B / AX4B Pro implements an all new technology to protect your motherboard from being damaged by over-voltaging of AGP card. With AGP Protection Technology implemented, this motherboard will automatically detect the voltage of AGP card and prevent your chipsets from being burnt out. -
Page 41: Wom (Zero Voltage Wake On Modem) Connector
Pin 1 WOM Connector +5VSB... -
Page 42: Wom By External Box Modem
Serial Port (Modem Side) Pin 1 Serial Port (Motherboard Side) Note: This picture is for example only, it may not be exactly the same as this motherboard. -
Page 43: Wom By Internal Modem Card
Note: This picture is for example only, it may not be exactly the same as this motherboard. -
Page 44: Wol (Wake On Lan)
This feature is very similar as Wake On Modem, but it goes through local area network. To use Wake On LAN function, you must have a network card with chipset that supports this feature, and connect a cable from LAN card to motherboard WOL connector. The system identification information (probably IP address) is stored on network card and because there is a lot of traffic on the Ethernet, you need to install network management software, such as ADM, for the checking of how to wake up the system. - Page 45 WOL Connector (Ethernet Card Side) WOL Connector (Motherboard Side) Note: This picture is for example only, it may not exactly be the same motherboard.
-
Page 46: Cnr (Communication And Network Riser) Expansion Slot
is a riser card specification to replace the AMR (Audio/Modem Riser) that supports V.90 analog modem, multi-channel audio, and phone-line based networking. Owing to CPU computing power getting stronger, the digital processing job can be implemented in main chipset and share CPU power. The analogy conversion (CODEC) circuit requires a different and separate circuit design, which is put on CNR card. -
Page 47: Pc99 Color Coded Back Panel
The onboard I/O devices are PS/2 Keyboard, PS/2 Mouse, COM1 and COM2, Printer, four USB, AC97 sound and game ports. The view angle of drawing shown here is from the back panel of the housing. SPP/EPP/ECP MIDI/Game Port PS/2 Mouse Parallel Port Connector PS/2 Keyboard... -
Page 48: Support 2 Nd Usb Port
This motherboard provides four connectors to connect USB devices, such as mouse, keyboard, modem, printer, etc. There are two connectors on the PC99 back panel. You can use proper cable to connect the other USB connector to the back panel or front panel of chassis. -
Page 49: Chassis Intrusion Connector
The “CASE OPEN” header provides chassis intrusion-monitoring function. To make this function works, you have to enable it in the system BIOS, connect this header to a sensor somewhere on the chassis. So, whenever the sensor is triggered by lights or the opening of the chassis, the system will send out beep sound to inform you. -
Page 50: Cd Audio Connector
This connector is used to connect CD Audio cable from CDROM or DVD drive to onboard sound. CD-IN... -
Page 51: Modem Audio Connector
This connector is used to connect Mono In/MIC Out cable from internal modem card to onboard sound circuit. The pin 1-2 is Mono In, and the pin 3-4 is MIC Out. Please note that there is no standard for this kind of connector yet, only some internal modem cards implement this connector. -
Page 52: Aux-In Connector
This connector is used to connect MPEG Audio cable from MPEG card to onboard sound. AUX-IN... -
Page 53: Gpo (General Purpose Output) Connector
GPO (General Purpose Output) is an advanced specification developed by AOpen for power users to define the further function by oneself. For example, you can design a daughter board to provide additional capabilities, such as an alarm, a buzzer, a timekeeper, etc. -
Page 54: Front Audio Connector
If the housing has been designed with an audio port on the front panel, you’ll be able to connect onboard audio to front panel through this connector. By the way, please remove the jumper cap from the Front Audio Connector before you connect the cable. -
Page 55: Die-Hard Bios (Ax4B Pro Only, Upgrade Optional)
BIOS ROM by setting JP30 to pin 2-3 if it fails to act normally. This motherboard comes with one BIOS ROM, you may contact our local distributor or reseller for purchasing the extra BIOS ROM. Please visit our website: www.aopen.com for details. Rescue... - Page 56 External Controller provides you a better and convenience way to switch the BIOS status between “Rescue” and “Normal” without opening the case of your computer. You have to plug the jumper cable to the connector pin (JP30) on the motherboard. Be careful of the orientation when you connect, the red wire should correspond to Pin1.
-
Page 57: Dr. Led Connector
In conjunction with Dr. LED (Upgrade Optional), which can easily shows what kind of problems may occur on your system during assembly. It can clearly indicate whether there is a component issue or an installed issue by the 8 LEDs on the front panel of Dr. LED. - Page 58 Dr. LED is a CD disc storage box with 8 LEDs on its front panel, the size of Dr. LED is exactly the same as 5.25 in floppy drive, so that it can be mount into normal 5.25 in drive bay of any housing. Boot O.K.
-
Page 59: Dr. Voice (Ax4B Pro Only)
The Dr. Voice is a great feature of AX4B Pro motherboard, which can identifies what kind of problems had occurred in the operating system. It can even clearly “tell” whether there is a component issue or an installed issue, such as CPU, memory module, VGA, PCI add-on card, FDD, HDD or keyboard by voice. -
Page 60: Jp1 Buzzer And Jp2 Speaker Enable/Disable Jumper
This motherboard comes with another considerate function, which allows you to turn off the voice coming out from buzzer and speaker, if Dr. Voice detects any errors that occurred in the operating system. If you want to disable this function, you may also set JP1 and JP2 to pin 2-3 to disable the buzzer and speaker from making out voices respectively. -
Page 61: Battery-Less And Long Life Design
This Motherboard implements Flash ROM and a special circuit that allows you to save your current CPU and CMOS Setup configurations without the need of a battery. The RTC (real time clock) can also keep running as long as the power cord is plugged. -
Page 62: Over-Current Protection
CPU, memory, HDD, add-on cards installed on this motherboard may be damaged because of component failure, human operating error or unknown nature reason. AOpen cannot guaranty the protection circuit will always work perfectly. -
Page 63: Hardware Monitoring
CPU temperature. If any of these systems’ status goes wrong, there will be an alarm through the chassis external speaker or buzzer of motherboard (if existed) to warn the user. Fan Speed AOpen H/W Detection Monitoring... -
Page 64: Resettable Fuse
Traditional motherboard has fuse for Keyboard and port to prevent over-current or shortage. These fuses are soldered onboard that when it is broken (function as protecting the motherboard), user still cannot replace it and the motherboard is still malfunctioning. With expensive Resettable Fuse, the motherboard can be resumed back to normal function after the fuse had done its protection job. -
Page 65: 2200Μf Low Esr Capacitor
CPU power. The idea of where to put these capacitors is another know-how that requires experience and detail calculation. Not only that, AX4B / AX4B Pro implements 2200μF capacitors, which is much larger than normal capacitor (1000 and 1500μf) and it provides better stability for CPU power. -
Page 66: Layout (Frequency Isolation Wall)
For high frequency operation, especially overclocking, layout is the most important factor to make sure chipset and CPU working in stable condition. The layout of this motherboard implements AOpen’s unique design called “ Frequency Isolation Wall”. Separating each critical portion of motherboard into... -
Page 67: Enlarged Aluminum Heatsink
Cool down CPU and Chipset is important for system reliability. Enlarged aluminum heat sink provides better heat consumption especially when you are trying to over clocking the CPU. -
Page 68: Driver And Utility
There are motherboard drivers and utilities included in AOpen Bonus CD disc. You don’t need to install all of them in order to boot your system. But after you finish the hardware installation, you have to install your operation system first (such as Windows 98) before you can install any drivers or utilities. -
Page 69: Auto-Run Menu From Bonus Cd Disc
You can use the auto-run menu of Bonus CD disc. Choose the utility and driver and select model name. -
Page 70: Installing Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility
® ® Windows 95/98 cannot recognize this chipset, because it was released before the Intel 845 chipset. You can install the Intel INF Update Utility from the Bonus Pack CD disc auto-run menu to eliminate the “?” marks. -
Page 71: Installing Intel Iaa Driver
You can install Intel IAA Driver to increase the performance of software applications and reduce PC boot times. You can find it in AOpen Bonus Pack CD disc. -
Page 72: Installing Onboard Sound Driver
This motherboard comes with AD1885 AC97 CODEC. You can find the audio driver from the Bonus Pack CD disc auto-run menu. -
Page 73: Acpi Suspend To Hard Drive
ACPI Suspend to Hard Drive is basically controlled by Windows operation system. It saves your current work (system status, memory and screen image) into hard disk, and then the system can be totally power off. Next time, when power is on, you can resume your original work directly from hard disk within few seconds without go through the Windows booting process and run your application again. -
Page 74: System Requirement
System Requirement AOZVHDD.EXE 1.30b or later. Delete config.sys and autoexec.bat. Fresh installation of Windows 98 on a new system 1. Execute "Setup.exe /p j" to install Windows 98 2. After Windows 98's installation is complete, go to the Control Panel > Power Management. a. - Page 75 memory size the longer this process will take.
- Page 76 Changing from APM to ACPI (Windows 98 only) 1. Run "Regedit.exe" a. Go through the following path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE MICROSOFT WINDOWS CURRENT VERSION DETECT b. Select "ADD Binary" and name it as "ACPIOPTION". c. Right click and select Modify, add "01" after "0000" to make it "0000 01". d.
- Page 77 4. Run "Add New Hardware" again and it will find "Advanced Power Management Resource". 5. Click "OK". Tip: Currently we found only ATI 3D Rage Pro AGP card would support ACPI suspend to disk. Please refer to AOpen web site for latest update...
-
Page 78: Acpi Suspend To Ram (Str)
This motherboard supports ACPI Suspend to RAM function. With this function, you can resume your original work directly from DRAM without going through the Windows 98 booting process and run your application again. Suspend to DRAM saves your current work in the system memory, it is faster than Suspend to Hard Drive but requires power supplied to DRAM, while Suspend to Hard Drive requires no power. - Page 79 To implement ACPI Suspend to DRAM, please follow the procedures as below: System Requirement An ACPI OS is required. Currently, except Windows 95 and Windows NT, all other Windows Systems support ACPI. ® The Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility must have been installed properly. Procedures Changed the following BIOS settings.
-
Page 80: Award Bios
BIOS provides critical low-level support for standard devices such as hard disk drives, serial and parallel ports. Most BIOS setting of AX4B / AX4B Pro had been optimized by AOpen’s R&D engineering team. But, the default setting of BIOS still can’t fine-tune the chipset controlling entire system. Hence, the rest of this chapter is intended to guide you through the process of configuring your system using setup. -
Page 81: About Bios Function Description
… AOpen always dedicates to give users a more friendly computer system. Now, we include all function descriptions of BIOS setup program into the BIOS Flash ROM. When you select one function of BIOS setup program, the function description will appeared at right side of screen. -
Page 82: How To Use Award™ Bios Setup Program
Award™ BIOS setup program. The following table provides details about how to use keyboard in the Award™ BIOS setup program. By the way, all products of AOpen also provides a special function in the BIOS setup, you can press <F3> key selecting preferred menu language to display. - Page 83 Description Load fail-save setting value from CMOS. Load turbo setting value from CMOS. Save changed setting and exit setup program.
-
Page 84: How To Enter Bios Setup
After you finish the setting of jumpers and connect correct cables. Power on and enter the BIOS Setup, press <Del> during POST (Power-On Self Test). Choose "Load Setup Defaults" for recommended optimal performance. Warning: Please avoid of using "Load Turbo Defaults", unless you are sure your system components (CPU, DRAM, HDD, etc.) are good enough for turbo setting. -
Page 85: Bios Upgrade
By doing so, you are taking a risk of BIOS flash failure. If you indeed intent on upgrading, PLEASE BE SURE to use the right BIOS revision for the right motherboard model. AOpen Easy Flash is a little different than traditional flash method. The BIOS binary file and flash routine are linked together and you simply run a single commend to complete the flash process. - Page 86 Below are the steps for easy flashing procedures: (applies for Award BIOS ONLY) 1. Download new BIOS upgrade file from AOpen's web site. For example, AX4BP102.ZIP. 2. Run shareware PKUNZIP (http://www.pkware.com/) which supports miscellaneous operation systems to extract the binary BIOS file and the flash utility. Or Winzip (http://www.winzip.com/) in Windows environment.
-
Page 87: Overclocking
As a leading manufacturer in motherboard industry, AOpen always listens to what customers want and develop products to fit different user's requirements. Reliability, compatibility, leading technology and friendly features are our basic goals when designing motherboards. Other than above mentioned design criteria, there are power users who are always seeking to push the limitation of the system performance by overclocking which we call them "Overclocker". -
Page 88: Vga Card & Hard Disk
VGA and HDD is key components for overclocking, for your reference, the following list are what have been successful overclocked in our lab. Please note that AOpen can not guaranty they can be successful overclocked again. Please check the Available Vendor List (AVL) by link to our official website. -
Page 89: Glossary
AGP uses both rising and falling edge of the 66MHz clock, for 2X AGP, the data transfer rate is 66MHz x 4byte x 2 = 528MB/s. AGP is now moving to 4X mode, 66MHz x 4byte x 4 = 1056MB/s. AOpen is the... -
Page 90: Amr (Audio/Modem Riser)
Unlike ACPI, BIOS controls most APM power management functions. AOpen Suspend to Hard Drive is a good example of APM power management. ATA is the specification of diskette interface. In 80’s, many software and hardware manufacturers instituted the ATA specification together. -
Page 91: Ata/100
ATA/100 is a new IDE specification under developing. ATA/100 uses both rising edge and falling edge as ATA/66 but clock cycle time is reduced to 40ns. The data transfer rate is (1/40ns) x 2 bytes x 2 = 100MB/s. To use ATA/100, you need special 80-wire IDE cable, the same as ATA/66. -
Page 92: Cnr (Communication And Networking Riser)
The CNR specification provides the PC industry the opportunity to deliver a flexible and cost reduced method of implementing LAN, home networking, DSL, USB, wireless, audio and modem subsystems widely used in today's "connected PCs". The CNR specification is an open industry specification and is supported by OEMs, IHV card manufacturers, silicon supplier and Microsoft. -
Page 93: Dma (Direct Memory Access)
Channel for communications between the memory and surrounding devices. The ECC mode needs 8 ECC bits for 64-bit data. Each time memory is accessed; ECC bits are updated and checked by a special algorithm. The ECC algorithm has the ability to detect double-bit error and automatically correct single-bit error while parity mode can only detect single-bit error. -
Page 94: Ev6 Bus
EV6 Bus in the technology of Alpha processor from Digital Equipment Corporation. EV6 bus uses both rising and falling clock edge to transfer data, similar as DDR SDRAM or ATA/66 IDE bus. EV6 Bus Speed = CPU external bus clock x 2. For example, 200 MHz EV6 bus is actually using 100 MHz external bus clock, but the equivalent speed is 200 MHz. -
Page 95: Flash Rom
Flash ROM can be re-programmed by electronic signals. It is easier for BIOS to upgrade by a flash utility, but it is also easier to be infected by virus. Because of increase of new functions, BIOS size is increased from 64KB to 256KB (2M bit). AOpen AX5T is the first board to implement 256KB (2Mbit) Flash ROM. -
Page 96: Ieee 1394
IEEE 1394 is a low-cost digital interface originated by Apple Computer as a desktop LAN and developed by the IEEE 1394 working group. The IEEE 1394 can transport data at 100, 200 or 400 Mbps. One of the solutions to connect digital television devices together at 200 Mbps. -
Page 97: Dimm
SDRAM DIMM that supports 100MHz CPU bus clock. SDRAM DIMM that supports 133MHz CPU bus clock. Based on FSB frequency, the DDR DRAM has 200MHz and 266MHz two type of working frequency. Because of DDR DRAM data bus is 64-bit, it provides data transfer bandwidth up to 200x64/8=1600MB/s, and 266x64/8=2100MB/s. Hence, the PC-1600 DDR DRAM is working with 100MHz and PC-2100 DDR DRAM is working with 133MHz FSB frequency. -
Page 98: Pnp (Plug And Play)
The PnP specification suggests a standard register interface for both BIOS and operating system (such as Windows 95). These registers are used by BIOS and operating system to configure system resource and prevent any conflicts. PnP BIOS or operating system will automatically allocate the IRQ/DMA/Memory. Currently, almost all the PCI cards and most ISA cards are already PnP compliant. -
Page 99: Sdram (Synchronous Dram)
SDRAM comes in 64-bit 168-pin DIMM and operates at 3.3V. AOpen is the first company to support dual-SDRAM DIMMs onboard (AP5V), from Q1 1996 A memory space in Flash-ROM to simulate E PROM operation, AOpen motherboard uses Shadow E... -
Page 100: Spd (Serial Presence Detect)
SPD is a small ROM or EEPROM device resided on the DIMM or RIMM. SPD stores memory module information such as DRAM timing and chip parameters. SPD can be used by BIOS to decide best timing for this DIMM or RIMM. Ultra DMA (or, more accurately, Ultra DMA/33) is a protocol for transferring data between a hard disk drive through the computer’s data path (or bus) to the computer’s random access memory (RAM). -
Page 101: Vcm (Virtual Channel Memory)
NEC’s Virtual Channel Memory (VCM) is a new DRAM core architecture that dramatically improves the memory system’s ability to service multimedia requirements. VCM increases memory bus efficiency and performance of any DRAM technology by providing a set of fast static registers between the memory core and I/O pins. Using VCM technology results in reduced data access latency and reduced power consumption. -
Page 102: Troubleshooting
If you encounter any trouble to boot you system, follow the procedures accordingly to resolve the problem. Start Turn off the power and unplug the AC power cable, then remove all of the add-on cards and cables, including VGA, IDE, FDD, COM1, COM2 and printer. - Page 103 Continue Install the VGA card. Then connect your monitor and keyboard. Turn on the power and check if the power supply and CPU fan work properly. The problem is probably caused by power supply or motherboard failure. Next Please contact your reseller or local distributor for repairing.
- Page 104 Continue Perhaps your VGA card Check if there is display? or monitor is defective. Press <Ctrl> and <Alt> key at the same time, hold them and then press <Del> to reboot the system. It is very possible that your Check if the system keyboard is defective.
- Page 105 Continue During system rebooting, press <Del> to enter BIOS setup. Choose “Load Setup Default”. Turn off the system and re-connect IDE cable. The problem should be Check if the system can caused reboot successfully? cable or HDD itself. Re-install the operating system such as Windows 98.
- Page 106 Dear Customer, Thanks for choosing AOpen products. To provide the best and fastest service to our customer is our first priority. However, we receive numerous emails and phone-calls worldwide everyday, it is very hard for us to serve everyone on time. We recommend you follow the procedures below and seek help before contact us.
- Page 107 5 5 5 5 News Group: Your problem probably had been answered by our support engineer or professional users on the news group. http://www.aopen.com/tech/newsgrp/default.htm 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 Contact Distributors/Resellers: We sell our products through resellers and integrators. They should know your system configuration very well and should be able to solve your problem more efficiently than us.
- Page 108 Model name and BIOS version can be found on upper left corner of first boot screen (POST screen). For example: AX4B Pro R1.20 Feb.01.2001 AOpen Inc. Award Plug and Play BIOS Extension v1.0A Copyright © 1998, Award Software, Inc. AX4B Pro is model name of motherboard; R1.20 is BIOS version.
-
Page 109: Product Registration
Be able to join the discussions of web-based news groups. AOpen makes sure that the information you provide is encrypted, so that it cannot be read or intercepted by other people or companies. Further, AOpen will not disclose any of information you submitted under any conditions. Please consult our... - Page 110 Please do not hesitate contact us if you have any problem about our products. Any opinion will be appreciated. Pacific Rim Europe America AOpen America Inc. AOpen Inc. AOpen Computer b.v. Tel: 886-2-3789-5888 Tel: 31-73-645-9516 Tel: 1-510-498-8928 Fax: 886-2-3789-5899 Fax: 31-73-645-9604...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the AX4B PRO and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers