AOpen AP43 User manual

AP43
User’s Guide

Copyright
ii
Copyright

1995 by this company. All rights reserved. No part of
this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in
a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer
language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of this company.

Disclaimer
iii
This company makes no representations or warranties, either
expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and
specifically disclaims any warranties, merchantability or fitness for any
particular purpose. Any software described in this manual is sold or
licensed "as is". Should the programs prove defective following their
purchase, the buyer (and not this company, its distributor, or its
dealer) assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair, and
any incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect in
the software. Further, this company reserves the right to revise this
publication and to make changes from time to time in the contents
hereof without obligation to notify any person of such revision or
changes.
AMI is a registered trademark of American Megatrends Inc.
AMD is a registered trademark of Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
Cyrix is a registered trademark of Cyrix Corporation.
Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
PC XT/AT is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Other brand and product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.

FCC Statement
iv
FCC Class B Radio Frequency
Interference Statement
Note:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for
help.
Notice 1:
The changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate
the equipment.
Notice 2:
Shielded interface cables, if any, must be used in order to comply with
emission limits.

About this Manual
v
Purpose and Scope
This manual tells how to install and configure the system board.
Organization
This manual consists of three chapters and two apendices:
Chapter 1, Features, covers the specifications, layout, and components of
the system board.
Chapter 2, Hardware Setup, tells how to set the jumpers, upgrade the CPU
and the system memory, install the system board and add expansion cards.
Chapter 3, AMI BIOS, explains the system BIOS and tells how to configure
the system by setting the BIOS parameters.
Appendix A, Jumper Summary, gives you a tabular summary of the jumper
settings discussed in Chapter 2.
Appendix B, SiS Drivers, tells how to install the drivers supported by SiS.

About this Manual
vi
Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
Text entered by user,
default settings
Represent text input by the user,
default settings and recommended
selections
message displayed
Denotes actual messages that appear
on screen
a, e, s, etc
Represent the actual keys that you
have to press on the keyboard.
NOTE
Gives bits and pieces of additional
information related to the current topic.
WARNING
Alerts you to any damage that might
result from doing or not doing specific
actions.
CAUTION
Suggests precautionary measures to
avoid potential hardware or software
problems.
IMPORTANT
Reminds you to take specific action
relevant to the accomplishment of the
procedure at hand.
TIP
Tells how to accomplish a procedure
with minimum steps through little
shortcuts.

Table of Contents
vii
1 Features
Specifications..................................................... 1-2
Board Layout...................................................... 1-3
System Board Parts........................................... 1-4
Microprocessor.......................................... 1-4
ASICs........................................................ 1-4
AMI BIOS .................................................. 1-4
Expansion Slots......................................... 1-5
DRAM Sockets.......................................... 1-5
Two-channel PCI Mode 4 IDE................... 1-5
Super I/O Controller .................................. 1-6
Keyboard Connector ................................. 1-6
SRAM........................................................ 1-6
Power Management .................................. 1-6
2 Hardware Setup
CPU Options...................................................... 2-1
5V CPU Options........................................ 2-1
3.45 V CPU Options.................................. 2-2
ESD Precautions................................................ 2-2
Installing a Microprocessor ................................ 2-3
Upgrading the Microprocessor........................... 2-4
Jumper Settings................................................. 2-5

Table of Contents
viii
Changing the CPU Type............................ 2-7
Setting the Oscillator Frequency ............. 2-13
Setting the Flash ROM Type................... 2-13
Selecting the ECP DMA Channel............ 2-14
Enabling the FDC and Super I/O Chip .... 2-14
Selecting the Cache Size ........................ 2-15
Clearing the CMOS ................................. 2-17
Memory Configuration...................................... 2-17
Installing a SIMM..................................... 2-18
Removing a SIMM................................... 2-19
Connectors....................................................... 2-20
Multifunction Connector........................... 2-20
Keyboard Connector ............................... 2-22
Power Connector..................................... 2-23
Break/Suspend Connector ...................... 2-23
Fan Power Connectors............................ 2-24
External Battery Connector ..................... 2-25
Installation........................................................ 2-26
Installing the System Board..................... 2-26
Installing Expansion Boards.................... 2-27

Table of Contents
ix
3 AMI BIOS
AMI BIOS Setup Main Menu.............................. 3-1
Standard CMOS Setup ...................................... 3-2
Date/Time.................................................. 3-2
Floppy Drives A and B............................... 3-3
Hard Disk Drives........................................ 3-4
Advanced CMOS Setup..................................... 3-5
Typematic Rate (Chars./Sec.)................... 3-7
System Keyboard...................................... 3-7
Primary Display ......................................... 3-7
Above 1 MB Memory Test......................... 3-8
Memory Test Tick Sound .......................... 3-8
Hit “Del” Message Display ......................... 3-8
Extended BIOS RAM Area........................ 3-8
Wait for F1 If Any Error.............................. 3-8
System Boot-up Num Lock........................ 3-9
Numeric Processor Test............................ 3-9
Floppy Drive Seek at Boot......................... 3-9
Floppy Drive Swapping.............................. 3-9
System Boot-up Sequence........................ 3-9
System Boot-up CPU Speed................... 3-10
Turbo Switch Function............................. 3-10
Password Checking................................. 3-10

Table of Contents
x
CPU Selection......................................... 3-10
Cache...................................................... 3-10
Shadow C800, D000, D800, 32K ............ 3-12
Video Shadow......................................... 3-12
Main BIOS Cacheable............................. 3-12
Cacheable C800, D000, D800, 32 K....... 3-12
Video Shadow Cacheable....................... 3-13
Secondary IDE Drives Present................ 3-13
Primary 1st IDE Block Mode.................... 3-13
Primary 2nd IDE Block Mode .................. 3-13
Secondary 1st IDE Block Mode............... 3-14
Secondary 2nd IDE Block Mode.............. 3-14
Chipset Setup Mode................................ 3-15
Chipset Features Setup ................................... 3-15
Memory Speed (DRAM).......................... 3-17
Cache Speed (SRAM)............................. 3-17
CPU-to-PCI Memory Post Write Buffer ... 3-18
CPU-to-PCI Memory Burst Write............. 3-18
DRAM Type (Refresh)............................. 3-18
Power Management Setup .............................. 3-22
BIOS Power Management Mode............. 3-22
Advanced Power Management ............... 3-24
Doze Timer.............................................. 3-24

Table of Contents
xi
Standby Timer......................................... 3-24
Suspend Timer........................................ 3-24
Wake-up Events...................................... 3-25
Monitor Type ........................................... 3-25
Display Off After...................................... 3-25
HDD Off After.......................................... 3-25
Deturbo After........................................... 3-26
Break Switch ........................................... 3-26
Peripheral Setup.............................................. 3-26
Programming Mode................................. 3-27
Onboard FDC.......................................... 3-27
Serial Port 1............................................. 3-27
Serial Port 2............................................. 3-27
Parallel Port............................................. 3-28
IRQ Active ............................................... 3-28
Parallel Port Mode................................... 3-28
Parallel Port Extended Mode................... 3-28
Utility Setup...................................................... 3-29
Detect Master and Detect Slave.............. 3-29
Color Set ................................................. 3-30
Default Setup................................................... 3-30
Original.................................................... 3-30
Optimal.................................................... 3-31

Table of Contents
xii
Fail-safe................................................... 3-31
Security Setup.................................................. 3-32
Password................................................. 3-32
Anti-virus ................................................. 3-34
Exit Setup......................................................... 3-35
NCR SCSI BIOS and Drivers........................... 3-36
Appendix A Jumper Summary
Appendix B SiS Drivers

Chapter
Features 1
User’s Guide 1-1
The AP43 is a 486-based system board that utilizes the PCI/ISA
architecture. It supports the 486SX, DX, DX2, and DX4 series
microprocessors. It has four ISA-AT and three PCI slots for future
expansion. The system memory is expandable to 128 MB by adding
single in-line memory modules (SIMMs). The second-level cache is
upgradable to 512 KB and supports both the write-back and write-
through modes.
Two SiS application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chipsets with
built-in two-channel, PCI mode 4 IDE controller and a super I/O
controller are also incorporated in the design to further enhance
system performance. The board measures 220 mm x 250 mm (baby-
AT size).

Features
1-2 User’s Guide
Specifications
Microprocessor
5V CPUs
Intel SL-enhanced
Intel SX/DX/DX2
AMD DX/DX2
Cyrix DX/DX2
Intel P24D
Intel P24T
3.45V CPUs
Intel DX4
AMD DX2
AMD DX4/DX4-S/Am5x86
Cyrix DX2/DX4/5X86
TI DX2/DX4
Maximum Memory
128 MB
SIMM Sockets
Four 72-pin, 32-bit
ASIC Chips
SiS85C496
SiS85C497
Bus Architecture
ISA, PCI
Expansion Slots
Four ISA slots, Three PCI slots
Ports
One parallel port (ECP/EPP)
Two serial ports (UART 16C550)
Two-channel PCI mode 4 IDE
One floppy-disk connector
(1.2/1.44/2.88 MB)
Onboard Battery
CR2032 3.0V lithium battery
RTC
146818 built-in 85C497
Secondary Cache
128 KB/256 KB/512 KB
BIOS
AMI Plug-and-Play WinBIOS
Board Size
220 mm x 250 mm (baby-AT)

Features
User’s Guide 1-3
Board Layout
1. Power connector 13. External battery connector
2. Printer connector 14. Battery
3. SIMM sockets 15. SiS 85C497 ASIC
4. IDE1 connector 16. ISA slots
5. IDE2 connector 17. AMI BIOS
6. SiS 85C496 ASIC 18. PCI slots
7. Second-level cache 19. Keyboard controller
8. CPU socket 20. Super I/O chip
9. Two-pin fan connector 21. FDC connector
10. Four-pin fan connector 22. COM2 connector
11. HDD LED connector 23. COM1 connector
12. Multifunction connector 24. AT-keyboard connector

Features
1-4 User’s Guide
System Board Parts
Microprocessor
The AP43 system board supports the Intel SL-enhanced, Intel
486SX/DX/DX2/DX4, AMD 486DX/DX2/DX4/DX4-S/Am5x86, Cyrix
Cx486DX/DX2/DX4/5X86 and TI 486DX2/DX4 series
microprocessors. Chapter 2 tells how to upgrade the processor.
ASICs
The two ASICs onboard are the SiS85C496 and SiS85C497. The
SiS85C496 acts as the PCI and CPU memory controller (PCM). It
integrates the host bridge, the cache and main memory DRAM
controller, the PCI bridge, the built-in IDE controller and the Fast Slow
Link (FS-Link) bus.
The SiS85C497 is the AT-bus controller and megacell (ATM)
component that acts as an interface the PCI/CPU/memory bus and
the ISA bus.
AMI BIOS
The AMI BIOS (basic input-output system) resides in the flash ROM
chip. This contains the program that performs the power-on self-tests
(POST) upon booting. During POST, this program activates the
peripheral devices, tests onboard memory, and prepares the system
for operation. Chapter 3 gives more information on the AMI BIOS.

Features
User’s Guide 1-5
Expansion Slots
The board expansion slots consist of four ISA-AT and three PCI slots.
These expansion slots are the parallel bars on the system board.
There are rows of golden pins inside each slot that serve as a clutch
to secure the contacts of expansion boards. Chapter 2 tells how to
install expansion boards.
DRAM Sockets
The system board has four 72-pin DRAM sockets that expand system
memory from 1 MB to a maximum of 128 MB. These sockets accept
single- and double-density SIMMs. Chapter 2 tells how to install
memory modules.
Two-channel PCI Mode 4 IDE
The board utilizes the enhanced-integrated drive electronics (E-IDE)
interface that improves the data transfer rate. It also allows the
system to support four E-IDE devices, including hard disks with more
than 528-MB capacity. This feature offers users increased data
storage capacity.

Features
1-6 User’s Guide
Super I/O Controller
The onboard super I/O controller chip supports two UART
16450/16550-compatible serial ports and a parallel port (SPP, EPP,
ECP)
1
. It also accommodates 1.2-/1.44-/2.88-MB disk drives allowing
full-range access to 5.25-inch drives with 360-KB or 1.2-MB format
and 3.5-inch drives with 720-KB, 1.44-MB or 2.88-MB format.
Keyboard Connector
The keyboard connector at the rear of the system board allows you to
connect any AT-compatible keyboard. See Chapter 2 for directions
on how to install a keyboard.
SRAM
The system board supports 128-KB, 256-KB and 512-KB second-
level, write-back and write-through cache.
Power Management
The AP43 conforms to the power-saving standards of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star program. The
system board features four power-saving modes that reduce power
consumption. For more information on the power-saving modes, see
Chapter 3.
1
SPP: Standard Parallel Port
EPP: Enhanced Parallel Port (IEEE 1284 compliant)
ECP: Extended Capabilities Port (IEEE 1284 compliant)

Chapter
Hardware Setup 2
User’s Guide 2-1
This chapter discusses the CPU options, tells how to set jumpers,
upgrade system memory, add expansion boards, and install the
system board.
Install the CPU, memory, and set the jumpers before you install the
board inside a housing. You may add the other components after
installing the board. Read this chapter to learn about the components
before you install them.
CPU Options
The system board supports both 5V and 3.45V CPUs. The following
tables list the CPU options for this system board.
5V CPU Options
5V CPU Type
Speed (MHz)
Intel series
(SL-enhanced)
486SX
486DX
486DX2
P24D
P24T
25/33
33
50/66
50/66
63/83
AMD series
486DX
486DX2
33/40
50/66/80
Cyrix
486DX
486DX2
33/40
50/66

Hardware Setup
2-2 User’s Guide
3.45 V CPU Options
3.45V CPU Type
Speed (MHz)
Intel
486DX4
75/100
AMD series
486DX2
486DX4
Am5x86
66/80
100/120
133
Cyrix series
486DX2
486DX4
5X86
V50/V66/V80
100
100/120
TI series
486DX2
486DX4
66/80
100
ESD Precautions
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage your CPU, disk drives,
expansion boards, and other components. Always observe the
following precautions before you install a system component.
1. Do not remove a component from its protective packaging until
you are ready to install it.
2. Wear a wrist grounding strap and attach it to a metal part of the
system unit before handling components. If a wrist strap is not
available, maintain contact with the system unit throughout any
procedure requiring ESD protection.