American Megatrends SX-10 User manual

AMERICAN MEGATRENDS INC.
AMI 386SX
MOTHERBOARD
(Intel Chipset)
PRELIMINARY MANUAL
S10C
05/14/90
American Megatrends, Inc.
Ph. [phone]
1346 Oakbrook Drive, Suite 120
Norcross, GA 30093

Introduction ........................ iii
Section 1 UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS
1.1Unpacking the AMI 386SX
Motherboard
.................................
............ 1-1
1.2Video Display Select Switch Setting
....... 1-3
1.3Installing the AMI 386SX
Motherboard
.................................
............ 1-4
1.4Connecting the AMI 386SX
Motherboard
.................................
............ 1-5
1.5Installing Input/Output Cards
................ 1-9
Section 2 POWERING UP YOUR MOTHERBOARD
2.1Before Power-Up Checklist
.................... 2-1
2.2Initial Power-Up
.................................
...... 2-1
2.3Memory Test
.................................
............ 2-3
2.4Run System Setup (SETUP) Utility
........ 2-4
2.5SETUP Screen Display
........................... 2-5

2.6Summary of SETUP Screen
.................. 2-12
2.7Errors Reported by BIOS
...................... 2-12
2.8User Selectable Options Through
Keyboard Key
.................................
........ 2-14
Section 3 SYSTEM OVERVIEW
3.1The Microprocessor
.................................
3-2
3.2System Performance
................................
3-3
Section 4 ADVANCED ROM DIAGNOSTICS
4.1 Selecting the various Advanced
Diagnostics Options
.............................. 4-
1
4.2 Diagnostics Menu
.................................
. 4-2
4.3 Hard Disk Diagnostics
........................... 4-3
4.4 Floppy Diagnostics
................................
4-9
4.5 Keyboard Diagnostics
.......................... 4-11
4.6 Video Diagnostics
.................................

4-11
4.7 Miscellaneous Diagnostics
................... 4-12
Section 5 INSTALLING MOTHERBOARD DRAM
5.1 Installing SIMM modules
....................... 5-1
Section 6 INSTALLING A 387SX COPROCESSOR
6.1 Installing the 387SX
...............................
6-1
Appendix A HARD DISK DRIVE TYPES

Congratulations.
You have purchased a AMI 386SX System Motherboard.
This manual was written to assist you in insuring that your board works the
first time. Please take a few minutes and read section 1 on Unpacking and
Installation Instructions before installing your new motherboard.
After integrating the whole system, if it does not function properly or behaves
erratically after it is powered on, give our Technical Support a call. Please
have the following information available:
1.Serial Number ....................................................
2.Rev Number .......................................................
3.Memory Configuration Type ..............................
Speed .........................
4.System BIOS reference number ........................
(Bottom of Opening Screen)
5.Input/Output cards installed ............................
.........................................................................
.....
.........................................................................
.....
6.A description of the malfunction and what procedures you have already
taken.
Our number is 1-800-U-BUY-AMI (1-800-828-9264)
or 1-404-263-8181
THANK YOU from
AMERICAN MEGATRENDS, INCORPORATED
1346 Oakbrook Drive, Suite 120
Norcross, GA 30093
(C) COPYRIGHT AMERICAN MEGATRENDS, INC. 1990
All rights reserved. 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,
Incorporated (hereafter referred to as AMI) is only obligated to replace or
refund the purchase price of this product at AMI's discretion. AMI shall not
be liable in tort or contract for any loss or damage, direct, incidental or
consequential. Please read enclosed warranty card.
Important Notice
AMI is not responsible for any errors or omissions in writing this manual. AMI
reserves the right to change, modify or append any part or section of this
manual at any time.
TRADEMARKS
Intel, 286, 80286, 386, 80386, 486, 80486, 387, and 80387 are all trademarks of
Intel Corporation.
IBM and AT are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.
WEITEK is a trademark of WEITEK Corporation.

AMI 386SX
S10C USER MANUAL
This manual edited and designed by James C. Helman.
Release date May 14, 1990.

PAGE
INTENTIONALLY

WARNING !!!
The AMI 386SX motherboard contains static sensitive components. Follow
instructions to prevent damage to these components by static electricity.
1.1 Unpacking the AMI 386SX Motherboard
Please read this section carefully to ensure that you do not damage the AMI 386
SX through a commonly ignored hazard: electro-static discharge (ESD). Use a
pencil and check off each step as you go. AMI wishes you to have a trouble-
free installation and be using your system to its full potential in the least
amount of time.
CAUTION !!!
Do not remove the AMI 386SX motherboard from its protective anti-static bag
until you are ready to install it in the system. Unpacking should be done on
an anti-static mat grounded to a good earth ground point. You should also be
wearing an anti-static wristband, grounded at the same point as the anti-static
mat. (An alternative is to use a sheet of conductive aluminum foil grounded
through a 1 Meg-ohm resistor to ground. Similarly, a strip of conductive
aluminum foil wrapped around the wrist and grounded through a 1 Meg-ohm
resister will serve the purpose of a wristband.)
1) Inspect the shipping container for obvious damage. If there is any
damage to the shipping container, keep it, do not throw it away. In the
event of damage to the motherboard, caused by handling, the shipping
container is required to file a claim against the carrier. NOTE: Save
the original AMI Motherboard box, two pieces of foam, and the anti-static
bag. These will be needed if you return the motherboard to the
distributor for any reason.
2) The motherboard is packaged in an anti-static bag inserted between two
sheets of foam. Remove the top layer of foam and carefully remove the
anti-static bag. DO NOT remove the motherboard from the anti-static bag
until it is placed on the grounded mat. Place the anti-static bag on the
grounded mat with the component side up. With your wrist strap on, grasp
the end of the motherboard and slowly withdraw the motherboard from the
anti-static bag, being careful not to snag any components. Place the
motherboard on the grounded mat with the component side up. Inspect the
motherboard for visible damage.
NOTE
If there is any apparent damage at this time do not proceed any further.
Place all pieces back in the box and immediately contact the distributor
you purchased the motherboard from.
3) It is possible that during shipment the socketed Integrated Circuits
(IC's) may have vibrated loose in their sockets. Ensure that the
motherboard is positioned component side up, flat with nothing under the

motherboard, then firmly and gently press down on all socketed IC's to
ensure they are properly seated.
4) Inspect all the connectors for foreign material and ensure that all the
pins on the berg-pins are straight. Use a pressurized spray to remove
the foreign material, do not use any metal tools in the connectors. If
the material cannot be removed using pressurized spray, contact your
distributor. Straighten berg-pins using a small pair of straight long-
tipped needle nose pliers. Slowly reshape the pin, do not bend back and
forth.
1.2 Video Display Select Switch Setting
In the vicinity of PS8 and PS9 you will see a 2 position DIP switch marked SW1.
Inspect the switch and pay note to the numbering of the two slide switchs.
Also note the direction to slide the switch to turn it OFF or ON. Switch 1
will always be in the OFF position, it is used for factory testing only.
Switch 2 is used to set the type of video display adapter card installed in the
system. The shipped position of this switch in normally OFF position for a
MONOCHROME DISPLAY (MDA, HERC, etc). Set this switch to ON position if you
want to use a COLOR DISPLAY (CGA). The setting of this switch has no effect if
the display adapter is an EGA or a VGA.
1.3 Installing the AMI 386SX Motherboard
Before proceeding, familiarize yourself with the layout of the AMI 386SX
motherboard using Figure 1.1.
1) When you purchased your AMI 386SX motherboard, it was configured as you
requested. If the SIMM (Single In line Memory Module) modules are not
installed or you are adding SIMM modules to increase memory size proceed
to section 5 at this time.
2) If you purchased a Intel 80387SX and it is not installed, proceed to

section 6 at this time.
CAUTION
Before proceeding, attach a ground wire from any bare metal area on the main
chassis to the same grounding point as you wrist strap. This will protect the
motherboard from electro-static discharge.
NOTE
If you are replacing an existing motherboard with the AMI 386SX motherboard
remove the I/O cards, power connectors, and berg connectors. Then placing the
old board next to the AMI 386SX, transfer the standoffs. Then proceed to step
4.
3) The AMI 386SX will fit into any standard XT/AT board chassis. All
required mounting hardware should have been supplied with your chassis.
No hardware is supplied with the motherboard. Remove the chassis cover
and position the chassis beside the board. Carefully position the board
inside the case where it is to be mounted. Determine the position of the
holes to insert the plastic standoffs. Placing the motherboard on a
piece of the shipping foam, firmly press the standoffs into the required
holes until the locking pins snap. On the chassis, install the plastic
edge supports in the required holes. Now install the metal standoffs in
the drilled screw holes on the chassis, be careful not to strip the
threads.
4) Carefully slide the motherboard into the chassis, making sure that the
stand-offs go into the slots provided for them. Ensure that the
motherboard is level with the chassis. The edge of the motherboard should
fit into the slots of the chassis mounted plastic clips. In case the
motherboard is not sitting properly, remove it carefully and try again.
Put the two motherboard mounting screws in the holes provided for them
and tighten them, do not over-torque or you may possibly damage the
board. (Note: You may have to shift the motherboard slightly to align the
screw mounting holes on the motherboard with those on the chassis.)
1.4 Connecting the AMI 386SX Motherboard.
The connectors supplied with the chassis must be connected properly before the
system is powered on. Refer to Figure 1-1 for location of the connectors PS8
and PS9 on the motherboard before continuing.
CAUTION
When hooking up chassis connectors to the motherboard, ensure you are hooking
up the right connector end. Most connector wires are color-coded, you may look
at the color of the wires leaving the switch or LED and match the connector
end. It is possible to have more than one connector with the same color-coded
wires, so it is good to check by following the wire to the switch or LED.

J1: Keyboard Connector - 5 pin DIN socket. Connect an IBM AT compatible
keyboard.
Pin Assignments
1 Keyboard clock
2 Keyboard data
3 Not used
4 Ground
5 VCC
J2: Keyboard Reset Disable Jumper - 2 pin single-in-line BERG. When jumpered
normal operation of soft reset is enabled, if opened the keyboard reset is
disabled.
J5: Battery Connector - 4 pin single-in-line BERG. This is an optional
connector You may connect a 6 Volt Battery pack to this connector. This
allows the Real Time Clock (RTC) and CMOS memory to retain its contents during
power off.
CAUTION
Ensure that the positive (+) terminal, normally indicated by a red wire, is
connected to the pin marked "+" on J5.
Pin Assignments
1 6V dc
2 Not used
3 Not used
4 Ground
NOTE
There is a factory installed Lithium battery holder on your motherboard, part
number is Duracell DL2016. It is highly recommended you use only one battery
configuration.
J8 and J9: Memory Speed Selection Jumpers - 2, 3 pin single-in-line BERG
connectors. Use to select operating speed of DRAM as follows:
J8 J9 Speed of DRAM
1-2 1-2 100 ns Fast Page Mode DRAM
2-3 1-2 Other 100 ns DRAM
2-3 2-3 120 ns DRAM
J10: Audio Connector - 4 pin single-in-line BERG. This is an optional
connector, there is a factory installed piezo speaker on the motherboard.

Pin Assignments
1 Data out
2 Key
3 Ground
4 VCC
J11: Keyboard Lock Connector - 5 pin single-in-line BERG. This allows the user
to lock-out the keyboard, protecting the system from unauthorized use. This
connector is keyed with a blank hole.
Pin Assignments
1 LED power
2 Key
3 Ground
4 Keyboard Inhibit
5 Ground
J14: TURBO LED Connector - 2 pin single-in-line BERG. The LED will be lit when
board is running at "hi" speed.
Pin Assignment
1 Clock speed
2 LED power
J17: Factory Testing Jumper - 2 pin single-in-line BERG. Do not use, for
factory testing of certain board functions.
J18: Turbo Switch Connector - 2 pin single-in-line BERG. When the button is
pressed, the system will switch to hi or lo CPU speed.
Pin Assignments
1 Ground
2 Mode switch
J19: Reset Button Connector - 2 pin single-in-line BERG. When the button is
pressed, the system will perform a hard reset.
Pin Assignments
1 Hard reset
2 Ground
J26:EPROM Type Selection Jumper - 3 pin single-in-line BERG. Use to select type
of EPROM as follows:
Pin Type EPROM
1-2 64 or 128 (8Kx8. ie;2764)
2-3 256 (32Kx8. ie;27256)

PS8 and PS9: Power Supply Connectors - 6 pin Power Supply Connectors. The
connectors are keyed.
Pin Assignments
PS8 1 Power Good
2 VCC
3 +12 V
4 -12 V
5 Ground
6 Ground
PS9 1 Ground
2 Ground
3 -5 V
4 VCC
5 VCC
6 VCC
1.5 Installing Input/Output Cards.
The AMI 386SX uses standard add-on cards to interface to the real world. The
cards may be any IBM compatible 8-bit or 16-bit Input/Output (I/O) card. These
cards plug into the I/O slots provided on the AMI 386SX.
Information about I/O slot usage follows.
J6/7,J12/13,J15/16,J20/21,J22/23,J24/25: 16-bit Input/Output Card Slots - 62+36
pin I/O slot connectors. Used for either 16-bit or 8-bit I/O cards.
J27 and J28: 8-bit Input/Output Card Slots - 62 pin I/O slot connectors. Used
for 8-bit I/O cards.

PAGE
INTENTIONALLY
LEFT BLANK

The following are HARD DRIVE TYPES as implemented in the AMI BIOS. They are
used in the BIOS Setup and Diagnostics.
Type Cylinders Heads Write- Landing- Capacity
precomp zone
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
306
615
615
940
940
615
462
733
900
820
855
855
306
733
000
612
977
977
1024
733
733
733
306
925
925
754
754
699
823
918
1024
1024
1024
612
1024
1024
615
987
987
820
977
981
830
830
917
4
4
6
8
6
4
8
5
15
3
5
7
8
7
0
4
5
7
7
5
7
5
4
7
9
7
11
7
10
7
11
15
5
2
9
8
8
3
7
6
5
5
7
10
15
128
300
300
512
512
NONE
256
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
128
NONE
000
ALL
300
NONE
512
300
300
300
ALL
ALL
NONE
754
NONE
256
NONE
918
NONE
NONE
1024
128
NONE
512
128
987
987
820
977
981
512
NONE
NONE
305
615
615
940
940
615
511
733
901
820
855
855
319
733
000
663
977
977
1023
732
732
733
336
925
925
754
754
699
823
918
1024
1024
1024
612
1024
1024
615
987
987
820
977
981
830
830
918
10 MB
21 MB
31 MB
64 MB
48 MB
21 MB
31 MB
31 MB
115 MB
21 MB
36 MB
51 MB
21 MB
44 MB
00 MB
21 MB
42 MB
58 MB
61 MB
31 MB
42 MB
31 MB
10 MB
56 MB
72 MB
46 MB
72 MB
42 MB
71 MB
55 MB
98 MB
133 MB
44 MB
10 MB
80 MB
71 MB
42 MB
25 MB
60 MB
42 MB
42 MB
42 MB
50 MB
72 MB
115 MB

46 000 00 000 000 00 MB

1) [ ]Visually ensure all connectors are seated.
2) [ ]Visually ensure all cards are seated.
3) [ ]Visually ensure no screws or foreign material are on motherboard.
2.2 Initial Power-Up
After you have completed the "Before power-up checklist", you are ready to
power-up.
NOTE
We recommend you to plug your system into a surge protected power strip.
This will help protect your system in the event of a power surge.
During a lightning storm it is advisable to either unplug your system or
use a UPS (un-interruptable power supply).
Plug in the power cord, switch on the monitor and set the brightness and
contrast to full. Allow the monitor to warm up for a few minutes, then turn on
the system power. The message you will get on the screen should be:
386SX BIOS (C)1990 American Megatrends Inc
▓▓▓▓▓ KB OK
Press <ESC> to bypass MEMORY test
(C) American Megatrends Inc.,
DISX- ▓▓▓▓- ▓▓▓▓▓▓-K ▓
The following conditions may exist at power up and the first display screen may
not be same:
1. The Video Display Adapter used in the system is other than the
standard Monochrome or Color Graphics board. In this case, with some
display adapter cards, the Video Display ROM will place a message on the
screen.
2. The Video Display Monitor is not correct for the video adapter. (e.g,
connecting Color Graphics Monitor with Monochrome Display Adapter card).
3. There is some problem with the motherboard or the display adapter
card. In this case the BIOS will inform the USER of the fault either
through error beeps emitted by the speaker or displaying the error
message on the display screen if the video adapter card is OK. These
errors are considered to be fatal errors and the system ROM BIOS does not
proceed further if this kind of error occurs. Following are the fatal
errors that the BIOS displays on the display screen:

a. KB CONTROLLER ERROR
b. CMOS INOPERATIONAL
c. 8042 GATE-A20 ERROR
d. INVALID SWITCH/ MEMORY FAILURE
e. DMA #1 ERROR
f. DMA #2 ERROR
g. DMA ERROR
h. INTR #1 ERROR
i. NO ROM BASIC
For any of the above mentioned errors the BIOS will not allow the system
proceed booting. It displays the error message and SYSTEM HALTED.
2.3 Memory Test
The BIOS performs a memory diagnostics and displays the size of the memory
being tested on the second line of the screen display. Note that you can
bypass the memory test by pressing the <ESC> key. This option would be quite
useful when the memory on the system is quite large. The memory test is not
performed when a soft reboot is executed through the keyboard or a software
program.
After testing the memory, the BIOS continues to initialize the peripherals
using the SETUP information stored in the SYSTEM CMOS RAM. The following
errors do not cause a RUN SETUP UTILITY request:
a. CH-2 timer error
b. Keyboard error
c. KB/Interface error
d. INTR #2 error
e. Display switch not proper
f. Keyboard is locked ... Unlock it
g. FDD controller failure
h. HDD controller failure
i. C: drive error
j. D: drive error
k. D: drive failure
You will be requested to "Press <F1> to RESUME" to allow you to read the
messages. After pressing F1 the BIOS will proceed by booting from bootable
device. If you wish to modify or check the setup you must reboot and press the
<DEL> key when requested.
2.4 Run System Setup (SETUP) Utility

The BIOS will ask you to RUN SETUP UTILITY when any number of the following
conditions exist:
a. CMOS battery state low
b. CMOS system options not set
c. CMOS checksum failure
d. CMOS memory size mismatch
e. CMOS time & date not set
f. CMOS display type mismatch
g. C:drive failure
If any of these errors are found by the BIOS, a message will appear on the
display:
RUN SETUP UTILITY
Press <F1> to RESUME
in which case pressing F1 key will allow you to select any of the following
options:
EXIT FOR BOOT
RUN CMOS SETUP
RUN DIAGNOSTICS
FOR ANY OF THE ERRORS MENTIONED, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU ALWAYS CHOOSE THE
OPTION TO "RUN CMOS SETUP" BEFORE ANY OTHER OPTION OTHERWISE THE SYSTEM MAY
BEHAVE UNPREDICTABLY.
If you choose the option EXIT FOR BOOT the system will attempt boot from any
bootable (e.g, FLOPPY, HARD DISK) device if the CMOS SETUP will recognize the
device.
Choosing RUN CMOS SETUP will take you through the "SETUP" procedure discussed
in the next section. Choosing RUN DIAGNOSTICS will take you through "DIAGS"
option which is discussed in Section 4 of this manual.