Corvalent Gator Mini-ITX User manual

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Gator Mini-IT
X
Motherboard
Installation Guide

Introduction
Table of Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................ IV
Chapter 1 Pre-Configuration ....................................................1
Step 1 Setting the Jumpers 2
Jumper Locations............................................................................................................................... 3
CMOS Reset ........................................................................................................................................ 4
ATA-Disk Connector Voltage Selection ...........................................................................................4
RS422/RS485 Termination Resistors (optional).............................................................................. 4
Audio Jack Output Selection ............................................................................................................ 4
Backlight Logic Voltage Selection.................................................................................................... 4
Inverter Voltage Selection ................................................................................................................. 5
Step 2 SDRAM, CPU, and Cables Installation 5
Gator Mini-ITX Memory Configuration .............................................................................................5
CPU Installation .................................................................................................................................. 5
Installing Cables................................................................................................................................. 6
Power and Control Panel Cables ...................................................................................................... 6
Installing Peripheral Cables .............................................................................................................. 7
Index of Connectors........................................................................................................................... 9
Chapter 2 AMIBIOS8 Setup....................................................11
Main Setup ........................................................................................................................................ 14
Advanced BIOS Setup ..................................................................................................................... 14
PCI/PnP Setup................................................................................................................................... 22
Boot Setup ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Security Setup .................................................................................................................................. 26
Chipset Setup ................................................................................................................................... 27
Power Management Setup............................................................................................................... 29
Exit Menu........................................................................................................................................... 30
Chapter 3 Upgrading ..................................................................31
Upgrading the Microprocessor ....................................................................................................... 31
Upgrading the System Memory ...................................................................................................... 31
Appendix A Technical Specifications................................32
Chipsets ............................................................................................................................................ 32
BIOS................................................................................................................................................... 32
Embedded I/O ................................................................................................................................... 32
Industrial Devices............................................................................................................................. 34
Miscellaneous ................................................................................................................................... 34
Memory Map...................................................................................................................................... 35
DMA Channels .................................................................................................................................. 35
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Gator Mini-ITX – Installation Guide
I/O Map............................................................................................................................................... 35
PCI Configuration Space Map ......................................................................................................... 36
Interrupts........................................................................................................................................... 37
SMBUS............................................................................................................................................... 37
PCI Interrupt Routing Map............................................................................................................... 37
Connectors Pin-out .......................................................................................................................... 38
Appendix B Flash BIOS programming and codes .....45
Troubleshooting POST .................................................................................................................... 45
Critical Error BEEP Codes............................................................................................................... 49
Appendix C On-Board Industrial Devices.......................51
DC power brick connector............................................................................................................... 51
On-board Ethernet............................................................................................................................ 51
Serial Ports........................................................................................................................................ 51
Watchdog Timer ............................................................................................................................... 56
Appendix On-Board Video Controller ...............................57
II

Introduction
Notice
The company reserves the right to revise this publication or to change its contents without notice. Information
contained herein is for reference only and does not constitute a commitment on the part of the manufacturer or any
subsequent vendor. They are in no way responsible for any loss or damage resulting from the use (or misuse) of this
publication.
This publication and any accompanying software may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, translated or
reduced to any machine readable form without prior consent from the vendor, manufacturer or creators of this
publication, except for copies kept by the user for backup purposes.
Brand and product names mentioned in this publication may or may not be copyrights and/or registered trademarks
of their respective companies. They are mentioned for identification purposes only and are not intended as an
endorsement of that product or its manufacturer.
First Edition.
December 2005
III

Gator Mini-ITX – Installation Guide
Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of the Gator Mini-ITX industrial embedded motherboard. The Gator Mini-ITX design
was based on the Intel 855GME chipset providing the ideal platform to industrial applications. The Gator Mini-ITX
design is based on the Intel Pentium M and Celeron M (µFC-PGA 478) processors.
With proper installation and maintenance, your Gator Mini-ITX will provide years of high performance and trouble
free operation.
This manual provides a detailed explanation into the installation and use of the Gator Mini-ITX industrial embedded
motherboard. This manual is written for the novice PC user/installer. However, as with any major computer
component installation, previous experience is helpful and should you not have prior experience, it would be prudent
to have someone assist you in the installation. This manual is broken down into 3 chapters and 4 appendixes.
Chapter 1 - System Board Pre-Configuration
This chapter provides all the necessary information for installing the Gator Mini-ITX. Topics discussed
include: installing the CPU (if necessary), DRAM installation and jumper settings. Connecting all the
cables from the system board to the chassis and peripherals is also explained.
Chapter 2 - BIOS Configuration
This chapter shows the final step in getting your system firmware setup.
Chapter 3 - Upgrading
The Gator Mini-ITX provides a number of expansion options including memory. All aspects of the upgrade
possibilities are covered.
Appendix A - Technical Specifications
A complete listing of all the major technical specifications of the Gator Mini-ITX is provided.
Appendix B - Flash BIOS Programming and Codes
Provides all information necessary to program your AMIBIOS8 Flash BIOS. POST Codes and beep codes
are described in details.
Appendix C – On-Board Industrial Devices
Two on-board 10/100 (10/100/1000 optional) Ethernet controllers (second Ethernet optional), six serial
ports (one optional RS422/485), watchdog timer and DC power connector for brick power supply
(optional).
Appendix D - On-Board Video Controller
On-board CRT and LVDS (optional) video controller.
IV

Introduction
Static Electricity Warning!
The Gator Mini-ITX has been designed as rugged as possible but can still be damaged if jarred sharply or struck.
Handle the motherboard with care.
The Gator Mini-ITX also contains delicate electronic circuits that can be damaged or weakened by static electricity.
Before removing the Gator Mini-ITX from its protective packaging, it is strongly recommended that you use a
grounding wrist strap. The grounding strap will safely discharge any static electricity build up in your body and will
avoid damaging the motherboard. Do not walk across a carpet or linoleum floor with the bare board in hand.
Warranty
This product is warranted against material and manufacturing defects for two years from the date of delivery. Buyer
agrees that if this product proves defective the manufacturer is only obligated to repair, replace or refund the
purchase price of this product at manufacturer's discretion. The warranty is void if the product has been subjected to
alteration, misuse or abuse; if any repairs have been attempted by anyone other than the manufacturer; or if failure is
caused by accident, acts of God, or other causes beyond the manufacturer's control.
Gator Mini-ITX - An Overview
The Gator Mini-ITX represents the ultimate in industrial embedded motherboard technology. No other system
board available today provides such impressive list of features:
CPU Support
• Supports low power/low profile series of Intel Pentium M and Celeron M 400MHz PSB processors
featuring next-generation Intel SpeedStep® technology on the µFC-PGA 478 package.
Supported Bus Clocks
• 400MHz.
Memory
• Two DIMM sockets up to 2GB (unbuffered, ECC & non-ECC) DDR SDRAM, PC1600 (DDR 200MHz),
PC2100 (DDR 266MHz) and PC2700 (DDR 333MHz). Please, refer to chapter 3 for memory details.
On-Board I/O
• 2 Floppies up to 2.88 MB.
• Dual channel PCI 32-bit EIDE controller – UDMA 66/100 supported. One standard 40-pin header and one
mini-Header 44-pin for Solid State IDE disk or any 44-pin IDE device support.
• Dual independent Serial ATA ports with transfer rates up to 150 MB/s per port.
• Six high speed RS-232 serial ports 16 Bytes FIFO (16550). COM2 optional RS-232 IrDA and COM1
optional RS-422/485.
• One bi-directional parallel port. EPP/ECP mode compatible.
• One PS/2 mouse/keyboard connector.
• Six Universal Serial Bus connectors, USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 compliant.
V

Gator Mini-ITX – Installation Guide
• One (1) 32-bit PCI slot (supports 2 devices via optional riser card) One (1) Mini-PCI slot (PCI 2.2
33/32MHz connector Type III).
• Two RJ45 Ethernet connectors (second optional, both optional 10/100/1000).
• Power Button – advanced management support.
• Automatic CPU voltage & temperature monitoring device.
• On-board Buzzer.
• Audio (AD1981B) AC97 compliant. Microphone In, Stereo Line In and Out, Stereo Headphone Out and
CD In.
• On-board watchdog timer.
ROM BIOS
• American Megatrends AMIBIOS8 with FLASH ROM.
On-Board CRT & LVDS video controller
• Standard CRT video controller (Intel 855GME chipset).
• Optional dedicated Local Flat Panel (LFP) LVDS interface.
Conventions Used in this Manual

Notes - Such as a brief discussion of memory types.
Important Information - such as static warnings, o
r
very important instructions.
8
When instructed to enter keyboard keystrokes, the
text will be noted by this graphic.

VI

Chapter 1: Pre-Configuration
Chapter 1 Pre-Configuration
This chapter provides all the necessary information for installing the Gator Mini-ITX into a standard PC chassis.
Topics discussed include: installing the CPU (if necessary), DRAM installation and jumper settings.
Handling Precautions
The Gator Mini-ITX has been designed to be as rugged as possible but it can be damaged if dropped, jarred sharply
or struck. Damage may also occur by using excessive force in performing certain installation procedures such as
forcing the system board into the chassis or placing too much torque on a mounting screw.
Take special care when installing or removing the system memory DIMMs. Never force a DIMM into a socket.
Screwdrivers slipping off a screw and scraping the board can break a trace or component leads, rendering the board
unusable. Always handle the Gator Mini-ITX with care.
Special Warranty Note:
Products returned for warranty repair will be
inspected for damage caused by imprope
r
installation and misuse as described in the
p
revious section and the static warning below.
Should the board show signs of abuse, the
warranty will become void and the customer wil
l
be billed for all repairs and shipping an
d
handling costs.
Static Warning
The Gator Mini-ITX contains delicate electronic semiconductors that are highly sensitive to static electricity. These
components, if subjected to a static electricity discharge, can be weakened thereby reducing the serviceable life of
the system board. BEFORE THE BOARD IS REMOVED FROM ITS PROTECTIVE ANTISTATIC
PACKAGING, TAKE PROPER PRECAUTIONS! Work on a conductive surface that is connected to the ground.
Before touching any electronic device, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal object or, and highly
recommended, use a grounding strap.
1

Gator Mini-ITX – Installation Guide
Step 1 Setting the Jumpers
Your Gator Mini-ITX is equipped with a large number of peripherals. As such, there are a large number of
configuration jumpers on the board. Taken step by step, setting these jumpers is easy. We suggest you review each
section and follow the instructions.

Special note about operating frequency:
The Gator Mini-ITX has the ability to run at a
variety of speeds without the need to change an
y
crystal, oscillator or jumper.
Jumper Types
Jumpers are small copper pins attached to the system board. Covering two pins with a shunt closes the connection
between them. The Gator Mini-ITX examines these jumpers to determine specific configuration information. There
are two different categories of jumpers on the Gator Mini-ITX.
A. Two pin jumpers are used for binary selections such as enable, disable. Instructions for this type of jumper are
open, for no shunt over the pins or closed, when the shunt covers the pins.
B. Three or four pin jumpers are used for multiple selections. Instructions for these jumpers will indicate which two
pins to cover. For example: for JPx2-3 the shunt will be covering pins 2 and 3 leaving pins 1 and 4 exposed.
How to identify pin number 1 on Figure 1-1: Looking to the solder side (The board side with fewer components) of
the PCB (Printed Circuit Board), pin number 1 will have a squared pad J. Other pins will have a circular pad Q.
They are numbered sequentially.
Double row jumpers are numbered alternately, i.e. pin number 2 is in the other row, but in the same column of pin
number 1. Pin number 3 is in the same row of pin 1, but in the next column and so forth.
2