American Megatrends 43 Series User manual

American Megatrends, Inc.
Series 43
80386SX CAT Motherboard
User's uide

MAN-643
9/23/92

© Copyright 1992 American Megatrends, Inc.
All rights reserved.
American Megatrends, Inc.
6145F Northbelt Parkway
Norcross, A 30071
This publication contains proprietary information which is protected by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transcribed, stored in a retrieval
system, translated into any language or computer language, or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the prior written consent of the publisher, American
Megatrends, Inc.
Limited Warranty
Buyer agrees if this product proves to be defective, that American Megatrends, Inc. is only obligated to replace or refund the purchase price of this product at
American Megatrend's discretion according to the terms of the warranty card accompanying this product. American Megatrends shall not be liable in tort or
contract for any loss or damage, direct, incidental or consequential. Please see the Warranty Registration Card shipped with this product for full warranty details.
Limitations of Liability
In no event shall American Megatrends be held liable for any loss, expenses, or damages of any kind whatsoever, whether direct, indirect, incidental, or
consequential, arising from the design or use of this product or the support materials provided with the product.
Trademarks
American Megatrends acknowledges the following trademarks:
C&T, Chips and Technologies, SCATSX, 82C386, and 82C711 are trademarks of Chips and Technologies, Incorporated.
Intel and i386 are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.
MS-DOS and Microsoft are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
IBM, AT, V A, OS/2, and E A are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. XT and C A are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.
Revision History
6/91 Initial printing
9/9/91 Incorporated corrections to minor errors.
9/92 Incorporated corrections to minor errors.
American Megatrends SX CAT 80386SX Motherboard User's uide

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
Features 1
Microprocessor Speeds 1
Built-in I/O 2
CMOS RAM 2
System Expansion I/O Slots 2
Simple Memory Expansion 3
Dimensions 3
SX CAT Specifications 4
Chapter 2 Installation 5
Step 1 Set Initial Switch Settings 7
Step 2 Install Math Coprocessor (Optional) 8
Step 3 Install SIMM Memory 8
Step 4 Install the Motherboard 9
Step 5 Install and Connect Power Supply 10
Step 6 Install External Battery (Optional) 10
Step 7 Connect Cables 11
Step 8 Install Adapter Cards (Optional) 11
Step 9 Install Floppy Disk Drives 14
Step 10 Connect the Hard Disk Drive 15
Step 11 Perform Initial Test and Configuration 15
Chapter AMIBIOS Power-On Self Test 17
POST Phases 17
BIOS Error Reporting 17
BIOS Beep Codes 18
AMIBIOS Beep Codes 18
AMIBIOS Non-Fatal Error Messages 19
POST Memory Test 21
Chapter 4 AMIBIOS Setup 2
Section 1 Running AMIBIOS Setup 25
Setup Key Usage 26
Main Menu Setup Options 27
Auto Configuration With BIOS Defaults 27
Auto Configuration With Power-On Defaults 28
Write to CMOS and Exit 28
Do Not Write to CMOS RAM and Exit 28
Section 2 STANDARD CMOS SETUP 29
Date And Day Configuration 29
Hard Disk Configuration 30
Hard Disk Parameter Table 31
Floppy Drive A and B: 32
Monitor 32
Preface

Keyboard 32
American Megatrends SX CAT 80386SX Motherboard User's uide

Table of Contents, Continued
Chapter 4 AMIBIOS Setup, cont'd
Section 3 ADVANCED CMOS SETUP 33
Typematic Rate Programming, Rate, and Delay 34
Memory Test Tick Sound 35
Memory Parity Error Check 35
Wait for <F1> If Any Error 37
System Boot Up Num Lock 37
Weitek Processor(s) 37
Floppy Drive Seek At Boot 37
System Boot Up Sequence 38
System Boot UP CPU Speed 38
Password Check Option 38
Fast ate A20 Option 38
Section 4 ADVANCED CHIPSET SETUP 41
Section 5 AMIBIOS Password Support 49
Section 6 Hard Disk Utility 51
When to Use AMIBIOS Hard Disk Utilities 52
Hard Disk Format Utility 53
Auto Interleave Utility 56
Media Analysis Utility 59
Hard Disk Utility Error Messages 61
Chapter 5 Technical Description 6
J1 - J13 ISA Bus Connectors 64
16-Bit ISA Extension Pinout 65
J14 and J15 COM2 and COM1 Serial Port 65
J16 Keyboard Connector 66
J17 Floppy Disk Connector 67
J18 Parallel Port Connector 68
J19 Offboard Battery Connector 69
J20 IDE Connector 70
J21 Reset Connector 71
J22 Speaker Connector 71
J23 Keylock/Front Panel Connector 71
J24 IDE Activity LED Connector 71
J25 Turbo Speed LED Connector 72
J26 Turbo Speed Switch Connector 72
W3 Jumper for 4 MB SIMMs 72
P8 and P9 Power Supply Connectors 73
U15 BIOS Socket 74
U16 Keyboard Controller 74
SW1 Configuration Switch 75
Onboard SIMM Sockets 76
SX CAT Memory Organization/Usage 77
SX CAT Memory Map 78
Preface

Index 79
American Megatrends SX CAT 80386SX Motherboard User's uide

Preface
To the OEM
Thank you for purchasing the SX CAT 80386SX AT- compatible motherboard from American egatrends. This product is a state of the art 80386SX-based
motherboard that includes the famous Hi-Flex A IBIOS. It is assumed that you have also licensed the rights to use the American egatrends SX CAT
documentation.
This manual was written for the OE to assist in the proper installation, use, and operation of the SX CAT motherboard. This manual is not meant to be read by
the computer owner who purchases a computer with the SX CAT motherboard. It is assumed that you, the computer manufacturer, will use this manual as a
sourcebook of information, and that parts of this manual will be included in the computer owner's manual.
Technical Support
If an SX CAT motherboard fails to operate as described or you are in doubt about a configuration option, please call technical support at 404-246-8600.
Acknowledgments
This manual was written by Robert Cheng and Paul Narushoff. The writers gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Uma S. ondal and Vivek Saxena.
Preface

American Megatrends BBS
The American egatrends BBS permits end users, OE s, VARs, and system integrators to access technical information about American egatrends
motherboard, peripheral, and BIOS products. American egatrends Product Engineering Change Notices, Tech Tips, and technical documentation are available
on the BBS. Some parts of the BBS are not accessible to all callers. Call American egatrends Technical Support at 404-246-8600 to find out how to access
additional BBS information.
Data Transmission Rates
The American egatrends BBS automatically handles modems with data transmission rates from 1,200 to 14,400 bps.
If using an HST modem, call 404-246-8780.
If using a non-HST modem, call 404-246-8782.
BBS Phone Numbers
The following table lists the characteristics of the American egatrends BBS phone numbers. The American egatrends BBS requires no parity, 8 data bits, and
1 stop bit.
Phone
Number
Characteristics
404-246-8780 Supports HST and v.42bis.
404-246-8781 Supports HST and v.42bis.
404-246-8782 Dual standard. Can handle 2400 or 9600 bps. Supports v.32bis and
v.42bis. Can handle up to 14,400 baud.
404-246-8783 Supports v.32bis and v.42bis.

Chapter 1
Introduction
Features
The SX CAT is an integrated AT®-compatible computer motherboard that uses the Intel® 80386SX microprocessor. The 80386SX provides the affordability of a
16-bit computer with the power of the 32-bit 80386DX. The SX CAT includes an A IBIOS specifically tailored for the Chips and Technologies® SCAT-SX®
chipset.
On the SX CAT, the control logic necessary for the basic AT computer functions have been compressed into one Chips and Technologies, Inc®. chip, the C&T
82C836. Another chip, the C&T 82C711, handles basic input/output functions such as serial, parallel, floppy disk and IDE hard disk drive control. Fewer
components translates into a more reliable, higher price/performance design.
Microprocessor Speeds
The SX CAT motherboard is available in either 16 Hz or 20 Hz versions depending on the version of the 80386SX processor is installed.
The I/O bus runs at ½ the CPU speed to be compatible with the original AT design. The processor runs at either the normal clock speed or one-half clock speed
for software compatibility.