DFI 648FX-ALE User manual

648FX-AL
648FX-ALE
Rev. A+
System Board
User’s Manual
73300323

Copyright
This publication contains information that is protected by copy-
right. No part of it may be reproduced in any form or by any
means or used to make any transformation/adaptation without
the prior written permission from the copyright holders.
This publication is provided for informational purposes only. The
manufacturer makes no representations or warranties with respect to
the contents or use of this manual and specifically disclaims any
express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any
particular purpose.The user will assume the entire risk of the use or
the results of the use of this document. Further, the manufacturer
reserves the right to revise this publication and make changes to its
contents at any time, without obligation to notify any person or
entity of such revisions or changes.
© 2003. All Rights Reserved.
Trademarks
Windows®98, Windows®98 SE, Windows®ME, Windows®2000,
Windows NT®4.0 and Windows®XP are registered trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation. Intel®and Pentium®4 are registered
trademarks of Intel Corporation. Award is a registered trademark
of Award Software, Inc. Other trademarks and registered trade-
marks of products appearing in this manual are the properties of
their respective holders.
Caution
To avoid damage to the system:
• Use the correct AC input voltage range.....
To reduce the risk of electric shock:
• Unplug the power cord before removing the system chassis
cover for installation or servicing. After installation or servicing,
cover the system chassis before plugging the power cord.

Battery:
• Danger of explosion if battery incorrectly replaced.
• Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommend by
the manufacturer.
• Dispose of used batteries according to the battery
manufacturer’s instructions.
Joystick or MIDI port:
• Do not use any joystick or MIDI device that requires more than
10A current at 5V DC. There is a risk of fire for devices that
exceed this limit.
FCC and DOC Statement on Class B
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instruction manual, 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:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV 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.
2. Shielded interface cables must be used in order to comply with
the emission limits.

Notice
This user’s manual contains detailed information about the system
board. If, in some cases, some information doesn’t match those
shown in the multilingual manual, the multilingual manual should
always be regarded as the most updated version. The multilingual
manual is included in the system board package.
To view the user’s manual, insert the CD into a CD-ROM drive. The
autorun screen (Mainboard Utility CD) will appear. Click the
“TOOLS” icon then click “Manual” on the main menu.
System Board
This user’s manual is for the 648FX-AL and 648FX-ALE system
boards. The only difference between these boards is the 648FX-
AL system board supports onboard IEEE 1394A.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Introduction
1.1 Features and Specifications..............................................................................
1.2 Hyper-Threading Technology Functionality Require-
ments.........................................................................................................................................
1.3 Package Checklist.....................................................................................................
Chapter 2 - Hardware Installation
2.1 System Board Layout .........................................................................................
2.2 System Memory..........................................................................................................
2.3 CPU...........................................................................................................................................
2.4 Jumper Settings............................................................................................................
2.5 Rear Panel I/O Ports.............................................................................................
2.6 I/O Connectors...........................................................................................................
Chapter 3 - BIOS Setup
3.1 Award BIOS Setup Utility..................................................................................
3.2 Updating the BIOS.....................................................................................................
Chapter 4 - Supported Softwares
4.1 Desktop Management Interface..................................................................
4.2 Drivers, Utilities and Software Applications.................................
4.3 3D Audio Configuration......................................................................................
4.4 Installation Notes.........................................................................................................
7
14
14
15
17
19
24
26
37
51
93
95
98
108
111

Introduction
1
6
Appendix A - Enabling the Hyper-Threading
Technology
A.1 Enabling the Hyper-Threading Technology...................................
Appendix B - Using the Suspend to RAM
Function
B.1 Using the Suspend to RAM Function...............................................
Appendix C - System Error Messages
C.1 POST Beep..................................................................................................................
C.2 Error Messages..........................................................................................................
Appendix D - Troubleshooting
D.1 Troubleshooting Checklist..............................................................................
112
115
119
119
121

1
Introduction
7
1.1 Features and Specifications
1.1.1 Features
Chipset
• 648FX-AL
- North bridge: SiS®648FX
- South bridge: SiS®963
• 648FX-ALE
- North bridge: SiS®648FX
- South bridge: SiS®963L
Processor
The system board is equipped with Socket 478 for installing one
of the following supported processors.
• Intel®Pentium®4 Processor with Hyper-Threading Technology
- 800MHz/533MHz system data bus
• Intel®Pentium®4 Northwood processor
- 533MHz/400MHz system data bus
• Intel®Celeron®Northwood processor
- 400MHz system data bus
Note:
Refer to section 1.2 and appendix A for more information on
the Hyper-Threading Technology.
System Memory
• Three 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets
• Supports 6 banks up to 3GB using PC1600 (DDR200),
PC2100 (DDR266), PC2700 (DDR333) or PC3200 (DDR400)
unbuffered DDR SDRAM DIMM, 2.6V type
• 16Mb, 64Mb, 128Mb, 256Mb and 512Mb SDRAM technology
with page size from 2KB up to 16KB
Chapter 1 - Introduction

Introduction
1
8
Expansion Slots
The system board is equipped with 1 AGP slot and 5 PCI slots.
AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
AGP is an interface designed to support high performance 3D
graphics cards. It utilizes a dedicated pipeline to access system
memory for texturing, z-buffering and alpha blending. The univer-
sal AGP slot supports AGP 8x with up to 2132MB/sec. bandwidth
and AGP 4x with up to 1066MB/sec. bandwidth for 3D graphics
applications. AGP in this system board will deliver faster and bet-
ter graphics to your PC.
Onboard Audio Features
• AC'97 2.2 extension compliant codec
• Supports Microsoft®DirectSound/DirectSound 3D
• AC’97 supported with full duplex, independent sample rate
converter for audio recording and playback
• S/PDIF-in/out interface
• 6-channel audio output
S/PDIF
S/PDIF is a standard audio file transfer format that transfers digital
audio signals to a device without having to be converted first to
an analog format. This prevents the quality of the audio signal
from degrading whenever it is converted to analog. S/PDIF is usu-
ally found on digital audio equipment such as a DAT machine or
audio processing device. The S/PDIF connector on the system
board sends surround sound and 3D audio signal outputs to am-
plifiers and speakers and to digital recording devices like CD re-
corders.
6-channel Audio
The 6-channel audio output function is supported by using the
surround connector, the audio jacks at the rear panel and
configuring the audio driver. Please refer to chapters 2 and 4

1
Introduction
9
Onboard LAN Features
• Uses Phy fast ethernet controller
• Integrated IEEE 802.3, 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX compatible
PHY
• 32-bit PCI master interface
• Integrated power management functions
• Full duplex support at both 10 and 100 Mbps
• Supports IEEE 802.3u auto-negotiation
• Supports wire for management
IEEE 1394A Interface (648FX-AL only)
IEEE 1394A is fully compliant with the 1394A OHCI (Open Host
Controller Interface) 1.1 specification. It supports up to 63 de-
vices that can run simultaneously on a system. 1394A is a fast
external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of up to
400Mbps. In addition to its high speed, it also supports iso-
chronous data transfer which is ideal for video devices that need
to transfer high levels of data in real-time. 1394A supports both
Plug-and-Play and hot plugging.
• Uses Agere FW803 chip
• Supports three 100/200/400 Mb/sec ports
PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
• Two PCI IDE interfaces support up to four IDE devices
• Supports ATA/33, ATA/66, ATA/100 and ATA/133 hard drives
• UDMA Modes 3, 4, 5 and 6 Enhanced IDE (data transfer rate
up to 133MB/sec.)
• Bus mastering reduces CPU utilization during disk transfer
• Supports ATAPI CD-ROM, LS-120 and ZIP
IrDA Interface
The system board is equipped with an IrDA connector for wire-
less connectivity between your computer and peripheral devices.
The IRDA (Infrared Data Association) specification supports data
transfers of 115K baud at a distance of 1 meter.

Introduction
1
10
USB Ports
The system board supports USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 ports. USB 1.1
supports 12Mb/second bandwidth while USB 2.0 supports
480Mb/second bandwidth providing a marked improvement in
device transfer speeds between your computer and a wide range
of simultaneously accessible external Plug and Play peripherals.
BIOS
• Award BIOS, Windows®98/2000/ME/XP Plug and Play
compatible
• Supports SCSI sequential boot-up
• Flash EPROM for easy BIOS upgrades
• Supports DMI 2.0 function
• 2Mbit flash memory
Desktop Management Interface (DMI)
The system board comes with a DMI 2.0 built into the BIOS. The
DMI utility in the BIOS automatically records various information
about your system configuration and stores these information in
the DMI pool, which is a part of the system board's Plug and Play
BIOS. DMI, along with the appropriately networked software, is
designed to make inventory, maintenance and troubleshooting of
computer systems easier.
Rear Panel I/O Ports (PC 99 color-coded connectors)
• 2 USB 2.0/1.1 ports
• 1 RJ45 LAN port
• 2 DB-9 serial ports
• 1 DB-25 parallel port
• 1 mini-DIN-6 PS/2 mouse port
• 1 mini-DIN-6 PS/2 keyboard port
• 1 game/MIDI port
• 3 audio jacks: line-out, line-in and mic-in

1
Introduction
11
I/O Connectors
• 2 connectors for 4 additional external USB 2.0/1.1 ports
• 3 connectors for 3 external IEEE 1394A ports (648FX-AL
only)
• 1 front audio connector for external line-out and mic-in jacks
• 1 CD-in internal audio connector
• 1 S/PDIF-in/out connector
• 1 surround connector
• 1 connector for IrDA interface
• 2 IDE connectors
• 1 floppy drive connector
• 2 ATX power supply connectors
• 1 Wake-On-LAN connector
• CPU fan and chassis fan connectors
1.1.2 Intelligence
Dual Function Power Button
Depending on the setting in the “Soft-Off By PWRBTN” field of
the Power Management Setup, this switch will allow the system to
enter the Soft-Off or Suspend mode.
Wake-On-Ring
This feature allows the system that is in the Suspend mode or Soft
Power Off mode to wake-up/power-on to respond to calls com-
ing from an external modem or respond to calls from a modem
PCI card that uses the PCI PME (Power Management Event) sig-
nal to remotely wake up the PC.
Important:
If you are using a modem add-in card, the 5VSB power source
of your power supply must support a minimum of ≥ 720mA.

Introduction
1
12
Wake-On-LAN
This feature allows the network to remotely wake up a Soft
Power Down (Soft-Off) PC. It is supported via the onboard LAN
port, via a PCI LAN card that uses the PCI PME (Power Manage-
ment Event) signal or via a LAN card that uses the Wake-On-
LAN connector. However, if your system is in the Suspend mode,
you can power-on the system only through an IRQ or DMA
interrupt.
Important:
The 5VSB power source of your power supply must support
≥ 720mA.
Wake-On-Keyboard/Wake-On-Mouse
This function allows you to use the PS/2 keyboard or PS/2
mouse to power-on the system.
Important:
The 5VSB power source of your power supply must support
≥ 720mA.
Wake-On-USB Keyboard/Mouse
This function allows you to use a USB keyboard or USB mouse
to wake up a system from the S3 (STR - Suspend To RAM) state.
Important:
• If you are using the Wake-On-USB Keyboard/Mouse func-
tion for 2 USB ports, the 5VSB power source of your power
supply must support ≥ 1.5A.
• If you are using the Wake-On-USB Keyboard/Mouse func-
tion for 3 or more USB ports, the 5VSB power source of
your power supply must support ≥ 2A.
RTC Timer to Power-on the System
The RTC installed on the system board allows your system to
automatically power-on on the set date and time.

1
Introduction
13
ACPI STR
The system board is designed to meet the ACPI (Advanced Con-
figuration and Power Interface) specification. ACPI has energy sav-
ing features that enables PCs to implement Power Management
and Plug-and-Play with operating systems that support OS Direct
Power Management. Currently, only Windows®®
®®
®98/2000/ME/XP
supports the ACPI function. ACPI when enabled in the Power
Management Setup will allow you to use the Suspend to RAM
function.
With the Suspend to RAM function enabled, you can power-off
the system at once by pressing the power button or selecting
“Standby” when you shut down Windows®®
®®
®98/2000/ME/XP with-
out having to go through the sometimes tiresome process of
closing files, applications and operating system. This is because the
system is capable of storing all programs and data files during the
entire operating session into RAM (Random Access Memory)
when it powers-off. The operating session will resume exactly
where you left off the next time you power-on the system.
Important:
The 5VSB power source of your power supply must support
≥ 1A.
AC Power Failure Recovery
When power returns after an AC power failure, you may choose to
either power-on the system manually, let the system power-on
automatically or return to the state where you left off before power
failure occurs.
Virus Protection
Most viruses today destroy data stored in hard drives. The system
board is designed to protect the boot sector and partition table of
your hard disk drive.

Introduction
1
14
1.2 Hyper-Threading Technology Functionality
Requirements
Enabling the functionality of Hyper-Threading Technology for your
computer system requires ALL of the following platforms.
Components:
• CPU - an Intel®Pentium®4 Processor with HT Technology
• Chipset - an Intel®chipset that supports HT Technology
• BIOS - a BIOS that supports HT Technology and has it enabled
• OS - an operating system that includes optimizations for HT
Technology
Please refer to Appendix A for information about enabling the
functionality of the Hyper-Threading Technology. For more infor-
mation on Hyper-Threading Technology, go to: www.intel.com/
info/hyperthreading.
1.3 Package Checklist
The system board package contains the following items:
;The system board
;A user’s manual
;One IDE cable for ATA/33, ATA/66, ATA/100 or ATA/133 IDE
drives
;One 34-pin floppy disk drive cable
;One “Mainboard Utility” CD
One card-edge bracket mounted with IEEE 1394A port(s)
(648FX-AL only) - optional
If any of these items are missing or damaged, please contact your
dealer or sales representative for assistance.

15
2
Hardware Installation
2.1 System Board Layout
Chapter 2 - Hardware Installation
KB/Mouse
Line-out
Line-in
LAN
USB 1-2
COM 1
COM 2
Parallel
Game
Mic-in
1
+12V power
Socket 478
LAN
Phy
SiS
648FX
1
IrDA
I/O
chip
BIOS
1
Audio
Codec
CD-in
S/PDIF
1
11
Front audio
SURR_CON
1
WOL
DDR 1
DDR 2
DDR 3
1
CPU fan
DIMM LED
1
ATX
power
1
FDD
11
IDE 1IDE 2
Battery
1
Chassis fan
1
Clear
CMOS
SiS
963
Agere
chip
11
USB
3-4
USB
5-6
111
1394-1 1394-2 1394-3
1
SPEAKER
RESET
PWR-LED
ATX-SW
AGP Slot
PCI Slot 1
PCI Slot 2
PCI Slot 3
PCI Slot 4
PCI Slot 5
HD-LED
648FX-AL
(Supports onboard IEEE 1394A)

16
2Hardware Installation
Note:
The illustrations on the following pages are based on the system
board that supports onboard IEEE 1394A.
KB/Mouse
Line-out
Line-in
LAN
USB 1-2
COM 1
COM 2
Parallel
Game
Mic-in
1
+12V power
Socket 478
LAN
Phy
SiS
648FX
1
IrDA
I/O
chip
BIOS
1
Audio
Codec
CD-in
S/PDIF
1
11
Front audio
SURR_CON
1
WOL
DDR 1
DDR 2
DDR 3
1
CPU fan
DIMM LED
1
ATX
power
1
FDD
11
IDE 1IDE 2
Battery
1
Chassis fan
1
Clear
CMOS
SiS
963L
11
USB
3-4
USB
5-6
1
SPEAKER HD-LED RESET
PWR-LED
ATX-SW
AGP Slot
PCI Slot 1
PCI Slot 2
PCI Slot 3
PCI Slot 4
PCI Slot 5
648FX-ALE

17
2
Hardware Installation
2.2 System Memory
Warning:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage your system board,
processor, disk drives, add-in boards, and other components. Perform
the upgrade instruction procedures described at an ESD workstation
only. If such a station is not available, you can provide some ESD
protection by wearing an antistatic wrist strap and attaching it to a
metal part of the system chassis. If a wrist strap is unavailable,
establish and maintain contact with the system chassis throughout
any procedures requiring ESD protection.
The system board supports DDR SDRAM DIMM. Double Data
Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM) is a type of SDRAM that doubles
the data rate through reading and writing at both the rising and
falling edge of each clock. This effectively doubles the speed of
operation therefore doubling the speed of data transfer.
Refer to chapter 1 (System Memory section) for detailed specifi-
cation of the memory supported by the system board.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
DDR 1
DDR 2
DDR 3

18
2Hardware Installation
2.2.1 Installing the DIM Module
A DIM module simply snaps into a DIMM socket on the system
board. Pin 1 of the DIM module must correspond with Pin 1 of the
socket.
1. Pull the “tabs” which are at the ends of the socket to the side.
2. Position the DIMM above the socket with the “notch” in the
module aligned with the “key” on the socket.
3. Seat the module vertically into the socket. Make sure it is
completely seated.The tabs will hold the DIMM in place.
Pin 1
Notch
Key
Tab Tab

19
2
Hardware Installation
2.3 CPU
2.3.1 Overview
The system board is equipped with a surface mount 478-pin CPU
socket. This socket is exclusively designed for installing an Intel
processor.
2.3.2 Installing the CPU
1. Locate Socket 478 on the system board.
2. Unlock the socket by pushing the lever sideways, away from the
socket, then lifting it up to a 90oangle. Make sure the socket is
lifted to at least this angle otherwise the CPU will not fit in properly.
Lever

20
2Hardware Installation
3. Position the CPU above the socket then align the gold mark on
the corner of the CPU (designated as pin 1) with pin 1 of the
socket.
Important:
Handle the CPU by its edges and avoid touching the pins.
Gold mark
4. Insert the CPU into the socket until it is seated in place. The
CPU will fit in only one orientation and can easily be inserted
without exerting any force.
Important:
Do not force the CPU into the socket. Forcing the CPU into
the socket may bend the pins and damage the CPU.
Pin 1