Biostar 945P-A7A User guide

945P-A7A BIOS Manual
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BIOS Setup ...............................................................................1
1 Main Menu.........................................................................................3
2 Standard CMOS Features................................................................6
3 Advanced BIOS Features ................................................................. 9
4 Advanced Chipset Features............................................................16
5 Integrated Peripherals....................................................................19
6 Power Management Setup..............................................................26
7 PnP/PCI Configurations.................................................................32
8 PC Health Status ............................................................................. 34
9 Frequency Control .......................................................................... 36

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BIOS Setup
Introduction
This manual discussed Award™ Setup program built into the ROM BIOS. The Setup
program allows users to modify the basic system configuration. This special information is
then stored in battery-backed RAM so that it retains the Setup information when the power
is turned off.
The Award BIOS™ installed in your computer system’s ROM (Read Only Memory) is a
custom version of an industry standard BIOS. This means that it supports Intel Pentium ®4
processor input/output system. The BIOS provides critical low-level support for standard
devices such as disk drives and serial and parallel ports.
Adding important has customized the Award BIOS™, but nonstandard, features such as
virus and password protection as well as special support for detailed fine-tuning of the
chipset controlling the entire system.
The rest of this manual is intended to guide you through the process of configuring your
system using Setup.
Plug and Play Support
These AWARD BIOS supports the Plug and Play Version 1.0A specification. ESCD
(Extended System Configuration Data) write is supported.
EPA Green PC Support
This AWARD BIOS supports Version 1.03 of the EPA Green PC specification.
APM Support
These AWARD BIOS supports Version 1.1&1.2 of the Advanced Power Management
(APM) specification. Power management features are implemented via the System
Management Interrupt (SMI). Sleep and Suspend power management modes are supported.
Power to the hard disk drives and video monitors can be managed by this AWARD BIOS.
ACPI Support
Award ACPI BIOS support Version 1.0 of Advanced Configuration and Power interface
specification (ACPI). It provides ASL code for power management and device
configuration capabilities as defined in the ACPI specification, developed by Microsoft,
Intel and Toshiba.

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PCI Bus Support
This AWARD BIOS also supports Version 2.1 of the Intel PCI (Peripheral Component
Interconnect) local bus specification.
DRAM Support
DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous DRAM) are supported.
Supported CPUs
This AWARD BIOS supports the Intel CPU.
Using Setup
In general, you use the arrow keys to highlight items, press <Enter> to select, use the
<PgUp> and <PgDn> keys to change entries, press <F1> for help and press <Esc> to quit.
The following table provides more detail about how to navigate in the Setup program by
using the keyboard.
Keystroke Function
Up arrow Move to previous item
Down arrow Move to next item
Left arrow Move to the item on the left (menu bar)
Right arrow Move to the item on the right (menu bar)
Move Enter Move to the item you desired
PgUp key Increase the numeric value or make changes
PgDn key Decrease the numeric value or make changes
+ Key Increase the numeric value or make changes
- Key Decrease the numeric value or make changes
Esc key Main Menu – Quit and not save changes into CMOS
Status Page Setup Menu and Option Page Setup Menu – Exit
Current page and return to Main Menu
F1 key General help on Setup navigation keys
F5 key Load previous values from CMOS
F7 key Load the optimized defaults
F10 key Save all the CMOS changes and exit

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1 Main Menu
Once you enter Award BIOS™ CMOS Setup Utility, the Main Menu will appear on the
screen. The Main Menu allows you to select from several setup functions. Use the arrow
keys to select among the items and press <Enter> to accept and enter the sub-menu.
Figure 1. Main Menu
Standard CMOS Features
This submenu contains industry standard configurable options.
Advanced BIOS Features
This submenu allows you to configure enhanced features of the BIOS.
!! WARNING !!
For better system performance, the BIOS firmware is being
continuously updated. The BIOS information described in this
manual (Figure 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) is for your reference only.
The actual BIOS information and settings on board may be slightly
different from this manual.

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Advanced Chipset Features
This submenu allows you to configure special chipset features.
Integrated Peripherals
This submenu allows you to configure certain IDE hard drive options and Programmed
Input/ Output features.
Power Management Setup
This submenu allows you to configure the power management features.
PnP/PCI Configurations
This submenu allows you to configure certain “Plug and Play” and PCI options.
PC Health Status
This submenu allows you to monitor the hardware of your system.
Frequency/ Voltage Control
This submenu allows you to change CPU Vcore Voltage and CPU/PCI clock. (However,
this function is strongly recommended not to use. Not properly change the voltage
and clock may cause the CPU or M/B damage!)
Load Optimized Defaults
This selection allows you to reload the BIOS when the system is having problems
particularly with the boot sequence. These configurations are factory settings optimized
for this system. A confirmation message will be displayed before defaults are set.
Set Supervisor Password
Setting the supervisor password will prohibit everyone except the supervisor from making
changes using the CMOS Setup Utility.You will be prompted with to enter a password.

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Set User Password
If the Supervisor Password is not set, then the User Password will function in the same way
as the Supervisor Password. If the Supervisor Password is set and the User Password is
set, the “User” will only be able to view configurations but will not be able to change them.
Save & Exit Setup
Save all configuration changes to CMOS(memory) and exit setup. Confirmation message
will be displayed before proceeding.
Exit Without Saving
Abandon all changes made during the current session and exit setup. confirmation message
will be displayed before proceeding.
Upgrade BIOS
This submenu allows you to upgrade bios.

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2 Standard CMOS Features
The items in Standard CMOS Setup Menu are divided into 10 categories. Each category
includes no, one or more than one setup items. Use the arrow keys to highlight the item and
then use the<PgUp> or <PgDn> keys to select the value you want in each item.
Figure 2. Standard CMOS Setup

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Main Menu Selections
This table shows the selections that you can make on the Main Menu.
Item Options Description
Date mm : dd : yy Set the system date. Note
that the ‘Day’ automatically
changes when you set the
date.
Time hh : mm : ss Set the system internal
clock.
IDE Primary Master Options are in its sub
menu. Press <Enter> to enter the sub menu of detailed
options
IDE Primary Slave Options are in its sub
menu. Press <Enter> to enter the sub menu of detailed
options.
IDE Secondary Master Options are in its sub
menu. Press <Enter> to enter the sub menu of detailed
options.
IDE Secondary Slave Options are in its sub
menu. Press <Enter> to enter the sub menu of detailed
options.
Drive A
Drive B 360K, 5.25 in 1.2M, 5.25 in
720K, 3.5 in
1.44M, 3.5 in
2.88M, 3.5 in
None
Select the type of floppy
disk drive installed in your
system.
Video EGA/VGA
CGA 40
CGA 80
MONO
Select the default video
device.

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Item Options Description
Halt On All Errors
No Errors
All, but Keyboard
All, but Diskette
All, but Disk/ Key
Select the situation in which
you want the BIOS to stop
the POST process and
notify you.
Base Memory N/A Displays the amount of
conventional memory
detected during boot up.
Extended Memory N/A Displays the amount of
extended memory detected
during boot up.
Total Memory N/A Displays the total memory
available in the system.

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3 Advanced BIOS Features
Figure 3. Advanced BIOS Setup

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CPU FEATURE
Delay Prior to Thermal
Set this item to enable the CPU Thermal function to engage after the specified time.
The Choices: 4Min, 8Min, 16Min (default), 32Min.
Thermal Management
Allow you to choose the thermal management method of your monitor.
The Choices: Thermal Monitor 1 (default), Thermal Monitor2.
Notes: The choices will be different according to your CPU features.
TM2 Bus Ratio
Represents the frequency. Bus ratio of the throttled performance state that will be
initiated when the on-die sensor goes from not hot to hot.
Min= 0, Max= 255, Key in a DEC number.
The Choices: 0X (default).
TM2 Bus VID
Represents the voltage of the throttled performance state that will be
initiated when the on-die sensor goes from not hot to hot.
Min= 0.8375V, Max= 1.6000, Key in a DEC number.
The Choices: 0.8375V (default).
Limit CPU ID MaxVal
Set limit CPU ID maximum vale to 3, it should be disabled for Win XP.
The Choices: Disabled (default), Enabled.

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C1E Function
CPU C1E Function select.
The Choices: Auto (default),Disabled
Execute Disable Bit
When disabled, forces the XD feature flag to always return 0.
The Choices: Enabled (default), Disabled.
Virtualization Technology
When enabled, a VMM can utilize the additional hardware
Capabilities provided by vanderpool Technology.
The Choices: Enabled (default), Disabled
CACHE SETUP
CPU L3 Cache
Depending on the CPU/chipset in use, you may be able to increase memory access time
with this option.
Enabled (default) Enable cache.
Disabled Disable cache.

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BOOT SEQ & FLOPPY SETUP
Hard Disk Boot Priority
These BIOS attempt to load the operating system from the device in the sequence
selected in these items.
The Choices: Pri. Master, Pri.Slave, Sec.Master, Sec. Slave, USBHDD0, USBHDD1,
USBHDD2 and Bootable Add-in Card.

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First/Second/Third/Boot Other Device
These BIOS attempt to load the operating system from the device in the sequence
selected in these items.
The Choices: Floppy, LS120, HDD-0, SCSI, CDROM, HDD-1, HDD-2, HDD-3,
ZIP100, LAN, HPT370, Disabled, Enabled.
Swap Floppy Drive
For systems with two floppy drives, this option allows you to swap logical
drive assignments.
The Choices: Disabled (default), Enabled.
Boot Up Floppy Seek
Enabling this option will test the floppy drives to determine if they have 40 or 80 tracks.
Disabling this option reduces the time it takes to boot-up.
The Choices: Disabled, Enabled (default).
Report NO FDD for Win95
This item allows you to select YES/NO to Report NO FDD for Win95.
The Choices: NO (default), YES.
VIRUS WARNING
This option allows you to choose the Virus Warning feature that is used to protect
the IDE Hard Disk boot sector. If this function is enabled and an attempt is made to
write to the boot sector, BIOS will display a warning message on the screen and sound an
alarm beep.
Disabled (default) Virus protection is disabled.
Enabled Virus protection is activated.
HYPER-THREADING TECHNOLOGY
This option allows you to enable or disabled CPU Hyper-Threading.
Enabled for Windows XP and Linux 2.4.x (OS optimized for Hyper Threading
Technology. Disabled for other OS (OS not optimized for Hyper Threading Technology.
The Choices: Enabled (default), Disabled.
QUICK POWER ON SELF TEST
Enabling this option will cause an abridged version of the Power On
Self-Test (POST) to execute after you power up the computer.
Disabled Normal POST.
Enabled (default) Enable quick POST.
BOOT UP NUMLOCK STATUS
Selects the NumLock. State after power on.
On (default) Numpad is number keys.
Off Numpad is arrow keys.
GATE A20 OPTION

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Select if chipset or keyboard controller should control Gate A20.
Normal A pin in the keyboard controller controls GateA20.
Fast (default) Lets chipset control Gate A20.
TYPEMATIC RATE SETTING
When a key is held down, the keystroke will repeat at a rate determined by the keyboard
controller. When enabled, the typematic rate and typematic
delay can be configured.
The Choices: Disabled (default), Enabled.
TYPEMATIC RATE (CHARS/SEC)
Sets the rate at which a keystroke is repeated when you hold the keydown.
The Choices: 6 (default), 8,10,12,15,20,24,30
TYPEMATIC DELAY (MSEC)
Sets the delay time after the key is held down before it begins to repeat the keystroke.
The Choices: 250 (default), 500, 750, and 1000.
SECURITY OPTION
This option will enable only individuals with passwords to bring the system online and/or
to use the CMOS Setup Utility.
System A password is required for the system to boot and
is also required to access the Setup Utility.
Setup (default) A password is required to access the Setup Utility only.
This will only apply if passwords are set from the Setup main menu.
APIC MODE
Selecting Enabled enables APIC device mode reporting from the BIOS to the operating
system.
The Choices: Enabled (default), Disabled.
MPS VERSION CONTROL FOR OS
The BIOS supports version 1.1 and 1.4 of the Intel multiprocessor specification.
Select version supported by the operation system running on this computer.
The Choices: 1.4 (default), 1.1.
OS SELECT FOR DRAM > 64MB
A choice other than Non-OS2 is only used for OS2 systems with memory exceeding
64MB.
The Choices: Non-OS2 (default), OS2.

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SMALL LOGO (EPA) SHOW
This item allows you to select whether the “Small Logo” shows.
Enabled (default) “Small Logo” shows when system boot up.
Disabled No “Small Logo” shows when system boots up.
SUMMARY SCREEN SHOW
This item allows you to enable/disable the summary screen. Summary
screen means system configuration and PCI device listing.
The choices: Enabled, Disabled (default).

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4 Advanced Chipset Features
This submenu allows you to configure the specific features of the chipset installed on your
system. This chipset manage bus speeds and access to system memory resources, such as
DRAM. It also coordinates communications with the PCI bus. The default settings that came
with your system have been optimized and therefore should not be changed unless you are
suspicious that the settings have been changed incorrectly.
Figure 4. Advanced Chipset Setup
DRAM TIMING SELECTABLE
When synchronous DRAM is installed, the number of clock cycles of CAS latency
depends on the DRAM timing.
The Choices: By SPD (default), Manual.
CAS LATENCY TIME
When synchronous DRAM is installed, the number of clock cycles of CAS latency
depends on the DRAM timing.
The Choices: Auto (default),3,4,5,6.
DRAM RAS# TO CAS# DELAY
This field let you insert a timing delay between the CAS and RAS strobe signals, used
when DRAM is written to, read from, or refreshed. Fast gives faster performance; and
slow gives more stable performance. This field applies only when synchronous DRAM is
installed in the system.
The Choices: Auto (default),2,3,4,5,6.

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DRAM RAS# PRECHARGE
If an insufficient number of cycles is allowed for RAS to accumulate its charge before
DRAM refresh, the refresh may be incomplete, and the DRAM may fail to retain data.
Fast gives faster performance; and Slow gives more stable performance. This field
applies only when synchronous DRAM is installed in the system.
The Choices: Auto (default), 2,3,4,5,6.
PRECHARGE DELAY (TRAS)
This item controls the number of DRAM clocks to activate the precharge delay.
The Choices: Auto (default),4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15.
SYSTEM MEMORY FREQUENCY
This item allows you to select the Memory Frequency.
The Choices: Auto (default), 400Mhz,533Mhz,667Mhz.
SLP S4# ASSERTION WIDTH
This item sets the minimum assertion width of the SLP-S4# signal to guarantee the
DRAM has been safely power-cycled.
The Choices: 4 to 5 Sec (default), 3 to 4 Sec, 2 to 3 Sec ,1 to 2Sec.
SYSTEM BIOS CACHEABLE
Selecting Enabled allows you caching of the system BIOS ROM at F0000h~FFFFFh,
resulting a better system performance. However, if any program writes to this memory
area, a system error may result.
The Choices: Enabled (default), Disabled.
VIDEO BIOS CACHEABLE
Select Enabled allows caching of the video BIOS, resulting a better system performance.
However, if any program writes to this memory area, a system error may result.
The Choices: Disabled (default), Enabled.
MEMORY HOLE AT 15M-16M
You can reserve this area of system memory for ISA adapter ROM. When
this area is reserved it cannot be cached. The user information of
peripherals that need to use this area of system memory usually2
discussed their memory requirements.
The Choices: Disabled (default), Enabled.

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PCI EXPRESS ROOT PORT FUNC
PCI Express Port 1/ 2/3
This item allows you to select the PCI Express Port.
The Choices: Auto (default), Enabled, Disabled.
PCI-E Compliancy Mode
This item allows you to select the PCI-E Compliancy Mode.
The Choices: v1.0a (default), v1.0.

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5 Integrated Peripherals
Figure 5. Integrated Peripherals