EPOX EP-3VCA2 User manual

TRADEMARK
All products and company names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.
These specifications are subject to change without notice.
Manual Revision 1.1
June 29, 2000
EP-3VEP-3V
EP-3VEP-3V
EP-3VCA2CA2
CA2CA2
CA2
A SocA Soc
A SocA Soc
A Sockk
kk
ket 370 Pret 370 Pr
et 370 Pret 370 Pr
et 370 Processor based 4Xocessor based 4X
ocessor based 4Xocessor based 4X
ocessor based 4X AA
AA
AGPGP
GPGP
GP
mainboard (133/100/66MHz)mainboard (133/100/66MHz)
mainboard (133/100/66MHz)mainboard (133/100/66MHz)
mainboard (133/100/66MHz)
SupporSuppor
SupporSuppor
Supports PC-133 SDRAM Modulets PC-133 SDRAM Module
ts PC-133 SDRAM Modulets PC-133 SDRAM Module
ts PC-133 SDRAM Module

EP-3VCA2
User Notice
No part of this product, including the product and software may be reproduced,
transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language
in any form without the express written permission of EPoX Computer Company
(hereinafter referred to as EPoX) except for documentation kept by the purchaser
for backup purposes.
We provide this manual as is without warranty of any kind, either expressed or
implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties or conditions of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall EPoX be liable
for any loss of profits, loss of business, loss of use or data, interruption of busi-
ness or for indirect, special incidental, or consequential damages of any kind, even
if EPoX has been advised of the possibility of such damages arising from any
defect or error in the manual or product. EPoX may revise this manual from time
to time without notice. For updated BIOS, drivers, or product release information
you may visit our websites at http://www.epox.com or http://www.epox.com.tw.
Products mentioned in this manual are mentioned for identification purposes only.
Product names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks
or copyrights of their respective companies. The product name and revision
number are both printed on the mainboard itself.
Handling Procedures
Static electricity can severely damage your equipment. Handle the EP-3VCA2 and
any other device in your system with extreme care and avoid unnecessary contact
with system components on the mainboard. Always work on an antistatic surface to
avoid possible damage to the mainboard from static discharge. Always have the
power supply unplugged and powered off when inserting and removing devices
within the computer chassis. EPoX assumes no responsibility for any damage to
the EP-3VCA2 mainboard that results from failure to follow instruction or failure
to observe safety precautions.
CAUTION
The EP-3VCA2 mainboard is subject to
damage by static electricity. Always
observe the handling procedures.

EP-3VCA2
Technical Support Services
If you need additional information, help during installation or normal use of this
product, please contact your retailer. Your retailer will have the most current
information about your configuration. If your retailer cannot help, you may visit
our online technical support website and/or contact our support technicians at the
locations listed below.
Record your serial number before installing your EP-3VCA2 mainboard. (The
serial number is located near the ISA slots at the edge of the board.)
EP-3VCA2 serial number: ____________________________
Contacting Technical Support
EPoX technical support is working hard to answer all of your questions online.
From our website you can find answers to many common questions, drivers, BIOS
updates, tech notes, and important technical bulletins. If you are still unable to
locate the solution you are seeking, you always have the option to contact our
support technicians directly.
North American website (English language)
http://www.epox.com
[email protected]
[email protected]
European website (Multi-language)
http://www.epox.nl
[email protected]
[email protected]
Taiwan website (Chinese language)
http://www.epox.com.tw
[email protected]
[email protected]
Thank you for using EPoX mainboards!
Copyright 2000 EPoX Computer Company. All rights reserved.

EP-3VCA2
Table of Contents
Section 1 Introduction
Components Checklist ........................................ 1-1
Overview
EP-3VCA2 Form-Factor ..................................... 1-2
I/O Shield Connector .......................................... 1-3
Power-On/Off (Remote)..................................... 1-3
System Block Diagram........................................ 1-4
Section 2 Features
EP-3VCA2 Features ............................................ 2-1
Section 3 Installation
EP-3VCA2 Detailed Layout ................................ 3-2
Easy Installation Procedure
CPU Insertion ...................................................... 3-3
Jumper Settings ................................................... 3-5
System Memory Configuration .......................... 3-7
Device Connectors .............................................. 3-9
External Modem Ring-in Power ON and
Keyboard Power ON Function (KBPO) ............. 3-12
STR (Suspend To RAM) Function ....................... 3-13
Section 4 Award BIOS Setup
BIOS Instructions ................................................ 4-1
Standard CMOS Setup ......................................... 4-2
BIOS Features Setup ........................................... 4-3
Chipset Features Setup ........................................ 4-8
Power Management Setup ................................... 4-11
PNP/PCI Configuration ...................................... 4-14
Load Setup Defaults ............................................ 4-16
Integrated Peripherals ......................................... 4-16
Sensor and CPU Speed Setup .............................. 4-20
Change Supervisor or User Password................. 4-22
IDE HDD Auto Detection ................................... 4-23
Page

EP-3VCA2
Save & Exit Setup ................................................ 4-25
Exit Without Saving ............................................. 4-25
Appendix
Appendix A
Memory Map ....................................................... A-1
I/O Map ................................................................ A-1
Timer & DMA Channels Map ............................. A-2
Interrupt Map ....................................................... A-2
RTC & CMOS RAM Map .................................... A-3
Appendix B
POST Codes......................................................... A-5
Unexpected Errors............................................... A-8
Appendix C
Load Setup Defaults ............................................ A-9
Appendix D
GHOST 5.1 Quick Users Guide......................... A-11

EP-3VCA2
Page Left Blank

IntroductionEP-3VCA2
Page 1-1
Section 1
INTRODUCTION
Components Checklist
üü
üü
üA. (1) EP-3VCA2 mainboard
üü
üü
üB. (1) EP-3VCA2 users manual
üü
üü
üC. (1) Floppy ribbon cable
üü
üü
üD. (1) ATA-66 Hard drive ribbon cable
E. (1) PS/2 to AT keyboard connector adapter (Optional)
F. (1) USB Cable (Optional)
üü
üü
üG. (1) Driver and utility
A
E
B
USERS
MANUAL
EP-3VCA2
G
or
D
C
F

Introduction EP-3VCA2
Page 1-2
EP-3VCA2 Form-Factor
The EP-3VCA2 is designed with ATX form factor - the new industry standard of
chassis. ATX form factor is essentially a Baby-AT baseboard rotated 90 degrees
within the chassis enclosure and a new mounting configuration for the power
supply. With these changes the processor is relocated away from the expansion
slots, allowing them all to hold full length add-in cards. ATX defines a double
height aperture to the rear of the chassis which can be used to host a wide range of
onboard I/O. Only the size and position of this aperture is defined, allowing PC
manufacturers to add new I/O features (e.g.; TV input, TV output, joystick, modem,
LAN, etc.) to systems. This will help systems integrators differentiate their
products in the marketplace, and better meet your needs.
 By integrating more I/O down onto the board and better positioning the hard
drive and floppy connectors material cost of cables and add-in cards is
reduced.
 By reducing the number of cables and components in the system, manufactur-
ing time and inventory holding costs are reduced and reliability will increase.
 By using an optimized power supply, it's possible to reduce cooling costs and
lower acoustical noise. An ATX power supply, which has a side-mounted fan,
allows direct cooling of the processor and add-in cards making a secondary
fan or active heatsink unnecessary in most system applications.
Full length
slots
Expandable I/O
5 1/4"
Bay
3 1/2"
Bay
Figure 2: Summary of ATX chassis features
CPU located near
Power Supply
Single chassis
fan for system
ATX
Power
Supply
ATX power connector
Floppy / IDE
connectors
close to
peripheral
bays

IntroductionEP-3VCA2
Page 1-3
Power-On/Off (Remote)
The EP-3VCA2 has a single 20-pin connector for ATX power supplies. For ATX
power supplies that support the Remote On/Off feature, this should be connected
to the systems front panel for system Power On/Off button. The systems power
On/Off button should be a momentary button that is normally open.
The EP-3VCA2 has been designed with Soft Off" functions. You can turn Off the
system from one of two sources: The first is the front panel Power On/Off
button, and the other is the "Soft Off" function (coming from the EP-3VCA2s
onboard circuit controller) that can be controlled by the operating system such as
Windows 95/98. System will be turn off automatically after your click the START
button and resume the Shutdown selection.
Figure 4: Simple ATX Power ON/OFF Controller
J 3
ATX
POWER SUPPLY
Case (chassis) Power
ON/OFF button (J 3)
I/O Shield Connector
The EP-3VCA2 is equipped with an I/O back panel. Please use the appropriate I/
O shield (figure 3).
Figure 3: I/O back panel layout
PS/2 Mouse
PS/2
KEYBOARD
USB port
COM1 COM2
parallel port
Speaker
Line_in
MIC
Joystick/Midi

Introduction EP-3VCA2
Page 1-4
Figure 5: System Block Diagram
System Block Diagram
PAC
PCI Bridge
and memory
controller
VT82C694X
133/100/66MHz
133/100/66MHz
66MHz
4X
AGP Bus
AGP Slot
Socket 370
Processor
VT82C686A
I/O Bridge
AC
97
USB 0,1 USB 2,3
AMR Slot

FeaturesEP-3VCA2
Page 2-1
Section 2
FEATURES
EP-3VCA2 Features:
 EP-3VCA2 is based on the Socket 370 Processors including PPGA & FC-
PGA operating at 300 ~ 800MHz.
 Designed with VIA Apollo Pro 133A PCIset.
 Supports up to 768MB of DRAM (minimum of 8 MB) on board (please
see Section 3-2).
 EP-3VCA2 will support Error Checking and Correcting (ECC) when using
parity SDRAM memory modules. This will detect multiple bit errors and
correct 1-bit memory errors.
 Supports (5) 32 bit PCI slots, (1) 4X AGP slot, (1) AMR slot and provides
(2) independent high performance PCI IDE interfaces capable of supporting
PIO Mode 3/4 and Ultra DMA 33/66 devices. The EP-3VCA2 supports (5)
PCI Bus Master slots and a jumperless PCI INT# control scheme which
reduces configuration confusion when plugging in PCI card(s).
 Supports ATAPI (e.g. CD-ROM) devices on both Primary and Secondary
IDE interfaces.
 Designed with on chip Multi I/O: (1) floppy port, (1) parallel port (EPP,
ECP), and (2) serial ports (16550 Fast UART).
Note: Japanese Floppy 3 mode is also supported
 Features Award Plug & Play BIOS. With Flash Memory you can always
upgrade to the current BIOS as they are released. (http://www.epox.com/
please visit our Technical Support section for the latest updates).
 EP-3VCA2 utilizes a Lithium battery which provides environmental
protection and longer battery life.

Features EP-3VCA2
Page 2-2
 4 USB ports are provided, 2 ports are onboard and another 2 USB ports, as
option, need USB an cable on USB2 position. The onboard VT82C686A chip
provides the means for connecting PC peripherals such as; keyboards,
joysticks, telephones, and modems.
 Built-in ATX 20-pin power supply connector.
 Software power-down when using Windows®95/98.
 Supports ring-in feature (remote power-on through external modem,
allows system to be turned on remotely).
 Resume by Alarm - Allows your system to turn on at a preselected time.
 Power Loss Recovery - In the event of a power outtage your system will
automatically turn itself back on without user intervention.
 Supports CPU Hardware sleep and SMM (System Management Mode).
 Supports Keyboard power ON function (KBPO).
 Built-in WOL (Wake-up On Lan) Connector.
 Built-in WOM (Wake-up On Modem) Connector.
 Built-in AC97 PCI Audio.

InstallationEP-3VCA2
Page 3-1
Section 3
INSTALLATION

Installation EP-3VCA2
Page 3-2
EP-3VCA2 Detailed Layout
Figure 1

InstallationEP-3VCA2
Page 3-3
Easy Installation Procedure
The following must be completed before powering on your new system:
3-1. CPU Insertion
3-2. Jumper Settings
3-3. System memory Configuration
3-4. Device Connectors
3-5 External Modem Ring-in Power ON and Keyboard Power ON
Functions (KBPO)
3-6. STR Function
Section 3-1
CPU Insertion
CPU Insertion: (use CuMineTM for reference)
Step 1
Open the socket by raising the actuation
lever.
Figure 2
Step 2
Insert the processor.
Ensure proper pin 1 orientation by aligning
the FC-PGA corner marking with the
socket corner closest to the actuation arm
tip. The pin field is keyed to prevent mis-
oriented insertion.
Dont force processor into socket. If it does
not go in easily, check for mis-orientation and
debris.
Make sure the processor is fully inserted
into the socket on all sides.
Figure 3

Installation EP-3VCA2
Page 3-4
Step 3
Close the socket by lowering and
locking the actuation lever.
Note: Intels reference design thermal solution is an active heatsink; an extruded alumi-
num heatsink based and a fan attached to the top on the fin array. (See Figure 5)
Figure 4
Figure 5

InstallationEP-3VCA2
Page 3-5
2WS UPC
erocV
1234
56
OTUA
NONONONO
V6.1
NONONONONO
V56.1
NONONO
V7.1
NONONONO
V57.1
NONONONO
V8.1
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V2.2
Section 3-2
Jumper Settings
The EP-3VCA2 motherboard was designed with very few jumpers to make your
installation faster and easier.
123456
ON
1
JP1 CMOS Clear
JP1 = 1-2 Normal (Default)
= 2-3 Clear CMOS
SW2: CPU Vcore Voltage Selection
JP2: VIO (3.3V) Adjust Selection
15
10
6
2PJtsujdA)V3.3(OIV
6-1V0.0+
7-2V50.0+
8-3V1.0+
9-4V51.0+
01-5V2.0+

Installation EP-3VCA2
Page 3-6
JP4 Keyboard Power-ON Function
JP4 = 1-2 Disabled (Default)
= 2-3 Enabled
1
JP5 Power Loss Recovery
JP5 = 1-2 Disabled
= 2-3 Enabled
1
JP6 STR Function
JP6 = 1-2 Disabled
= 2-3 Enabled
1

InstallationEP-3VCA2
Page 3-7
Section 3-3
System Memory Configuration
Memory Layout
The EP-3VCA2 supports (3) PC133 168-pin DIMMs (Dual In-line Memory
Module). The DIMMs is for SDRAM (Synchronized DRAM).
 DIMM SDRAM may be 83MHz (12ns), 100MHz (10ns) or
125MHz (8ns) bus speed.
 If you use both 50ns and 60ns memory you must configure
your BIOS to read 60ns.
 When using Synchronous DRAM we recommend using the
4 clock variety over the 2 clock.
Figure 6 and Table 1 show several possible memory configurations using both
SIMM and DIMM.
* SDRAM only supports 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256MB DIMM modules.
* We recommend to use PC100 Memory Module for bus speed between 66MHz
and 100MHz and PC133 Memory for bus speed over 100MHz.
* Using non-compliant memory with higher bus speed (over clocking) may
severely compromise the integrity of the system.
DIMM 1
DIMM 2
Bank 0/1
Bank 2/3
DIMM 3 Bank 4/5
-Synchronous
yromeMlatoT 1MMID
)1/0knaB(
2MMID
)3/2knaB(
3MMID
)5/4knaB(
BM652=
mumixaM
*MARDS
,BM46,BM23,BM61,BM8
1XBM652,BM821
enoNenoN
BM215=
mumixaM
*MARDS
,BM46,BM23,BM61,BM8
1XBM652,BM821
*MARDS
,BM46,BM23,BM61,BM8
1XBM652,BM821
enoN
BM867=
mumixaM
*MARDS
,BM46,BM23,BM61,BM8
1XBM652,BM821
*MARDS
,BM46,BM23,BM61,BM8
1XBM652,BM821
*MARDS
,BM46,BM23,BM61,BM8
1XBM652,BM821
Figure 6
Table 1

Installation EP-3VCA2
Page 3-8
DIMM Module Installation
Figure 7 displays the notch marks and what they should look like on your DIMM
memory module.
DIMMs have 168-pins and two notches that will match with the onboard DIMM
socket. DIMM modules are installed by placing the chip firmly into the socket at a
90 degree angle and pressing straight down (figure 8) until it fits tightly into the
DIMM socket (figure 9).
Figure 7
Figure 9
DIMM Module clip after installation
To remove the DIMM module simply press down both of the white clips on
either side and the module will be released from the socket.
Figure 8
DIMM Module clip before installation
CENTER KEY ZONE
(3.3 V DRAM)
LEFT KEY ZONE
(UNBUFFERED)