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MODULAR 2000 TX ™ AWARD ™ BIOS CMOS SETUP UTILITY Version 4.51G (C) Copyright 1995 Award Software International, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Introduction
This manual discusses Award's 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/Cyrix/AMD processors in a standard IBM-AT compatible input/output system. The BIOS provides critical low-level support for standard devices such as disk drives and serial and parallel ports. The Award BIOS has been customized by adding important, but non-standard, 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. Starting Setup
The Award BIOS is immediately activated when you first power on the computer. The BIOS reads the system information contained in the CMOS and begins the process of checking out the system and configuring it. When it finishes, the BIOS will seek an operating system on one of the disks and then launch and turn control over to the operating system. While the BIOS is in control, the Setup program can be activated in one of two ways:
Using Setup
In general, you use the arrow keys to highlight items, press <Enter> to select, use the PageUp and PageDown 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 using the keyboard. Up arrow Move to previous item
Down arrow Move to next item
Left arrow Move to the item in the left hand
Right arrow Move to the item in the right hand
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
PgUp key Increase the numeric value or make changes
PgDn key Decrease the numeric value or make changes
+ key Increase the numberic value or make changes
- key Decrease the numberic value or make changes
F1 key General help, only for Status Page Setup Menu and
Option Page Setup Menu
(Shift)F2 Change color from total 16 colors. F2 to select
key color forward, (Shift) F2 to select color backward
F3 key Calendar, only for Status Page Setup Menu
F4 key Reserved
F5 key Restore the previous CMOS value from CMOS, only
for Option Page Setup Menu
F6 key Load the default CMOS value from BIOS default
table, only for Option Page Setup Menu
F7 key Load the default
F8 key Reserved
F9 key Reserved
F10 key Save all the CMOS changes, only for Main Menu
Getting Help
Press F1 to pop up a small help window that describes the appropriate keys to use and the possible selections for the highlighted item. To exit the Help Window press <Esc> or the F1 key again. In Case of Problems
If, after making and saving system changes with Setup, you discover that your computer no longer is able to boot, the Award BIOS supports an override to the CMOS settings which resets your system to its defaults. You can invoke this override by immediately pressing <Insert> when you restart your computer. You can restart by either using the ON/OFF switch, the RESET button or by pressing <Ctrl>, <Alt> and <Delete> at the same time. The best advice is to only alter settings which you thoroughly understand. To this end, we strongly recommend that you avoid making any changes to the chipset defaults. These defaults have been carefully chosen by both Award and your systems manufacturer to provide the absolute maximum performance and reliability. Even a seemingly small change to the chipset setup has the potential for causing you to use the override. A Final Note About Setup
Not all systems have the same Setup. While the basic look and function of the Setup program remains the same for all systems, individual motherboard and chipset combinations require custom configurations. For example, you may find that your Setup main menu has a different number of entries from the main menu displayed in this manual. These are simply features not supported (or not user configurable) on your system. The final appearance of the Setup program also depends on the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) who built your system. If your OEM has decided that certain items should only be available to their technicians, those items may very well be removed from the Setup program.
Section 1
Main Menu Once you enter the Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility, the Main Menu will appear on the screen. The Main Menu allows you to select from several setup functions and two exit choices. Use the arrow keys to select among the items and press <Enter> to accept and enter the sub-menu. Note that a brief description of each highlighted selection appears at the bottom of the screen. Setup Items
The main menu includes the following main setup categories. Recall that some systems may not include all entries. Standard CMOS Setup
This setup page includes all the items in a standard, AT-compatible BIOS. See Section 2 for details. BIOS Features Setup
This setup page includes all the items of Award special enhanced features. See Section 3 for details. Password Setting
Change, set, or disable password. It allows you to limit access to the system and Setup, or just to Setup. See Section 4. Chipset Features Setup
This setup page includes all the items of chipset special features. See Section 5 for details. Power Management Setup
This entry only appears if your system supports Power Management, "Green PC", standards. See Section 6 for setup details. PCI Configuration Setup
This entry only appears if your system supports PCI. See Section 8, if your system supports Power Management, otherwise see Section 7. Load BIOS Defaults
The BIOS defaults have been set by the manufacturer and represent settings which provide the minimum requirements for your system to operate. Load Setup Defaults
The chipset defaults are settings which provide for maximum system performance. While Award has designed the custom BIOS to maximize performance, the manufacturer has the right to change these defaults to meet their needs. IDE HDD Auto Detection
Automatically detect and configure hard disk parameters. The Award BIOS includes this ability in the event you are uncertain of your hard disk's paramenters. See also Section 2, "Standard CMOS Setup". HDD Low Level Format
If supported by your system, this provides a hard disk low level format utility. See Appendix D for details. Save & Exit Setup
Save CMOS value changes to CMOS and exit setup. Exit Without Save
Abandon all CMOS value changes and exit setup. | Section 2
Standard CMOS Setup 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. Date
The date format is <day>, <date> <month> <year>. Press <F3> to show the calendar. day The day, from Sun to Sat, determined by the BIOS and
is display-only
date The date, from 1 to 31 (or the maximum allowed in the
month)
month The month, Jan through Dec
year The year, from 1900 through 2099
Time
The time format is <hour> <minute> <second>. The time is calculated based on the 24-hour military-time clock. For example, 1 p.m. is 13:00:00. Daylight saving
The category adds one hour to the clock when daylight-saving time begins. It also subtracts one hour when standard time returns. Enabled Enable daylight-saving Disabled Disable daylight-saving
Drive C Type/Drive D Type
The categories identify the types of hard disk drive C or drive D that have been installed in the computer. There are 46 predefined types and a user definable type. Type 1 to Type 46 are predefined. Type "User" is user-definable. Press PgUp or PgDn to select a numbered hard disk type or type the number and press <Enter>. Note that the specifications of your drive must match with the drive table. The hard disk will not work properly if you enter improper information for this category. If your hard disk drive type is not matched or listed, you can use Type "User" to define your own drive type manually. If you select Type "User", you will need to know the information listed below. Enter the information directly from the keyboard and press <Enter>. This information should be included in the documentation from your hard disk vendor or the system manufacturer. CYLS. number of cylinders HEADS number of heads PRECOMP write precom LANDZONE landing zone SECTORS number of sectors
If a hard disk has not been installed select NONE and press <Enter>. Drive A Type / Drive B Type
The category identifies the types of floppy disk drive A or drive B that have been installed in the computer. None No floppy drive installed
360K, 5.25 in 5-1/4 inch PC-type standard drive; 360 kilobyte
capacity
1.2M, 5.25 in 5-1/4 inch AT-type high-density drive; 1.2
megabyte capacity
720K, 3.5 in 3-1/2 inch double-sided drive; 720 kilobyte
capacity
1.44M, 3.5 in 3-1/2 inch double-sided drive; 1.44 megabyte
capacity
2.88M, 3.5 in 3-1/2 inch double-sided drive; 2.88 megabyte
capacity
Video
The category selects the type of video adapter used for the primary system monitor. Although secondary monitors are supported, you do not have to select the type in Setup. EGA/VGA Enhanced Graphics Adapter/Video Graphics Array.
For EGA, VGA, SEGA, SVGA or PGA monitor adapters.
CGA 40 Color Graphics Adapter, power up in 40 column mode
CGA 80 Color Graphics Adapter, power up in 80 column mode
MONO Monochrome adapter, includes high resolution
monochrome adapters
Error Halt
The category determines whether the computer will stop if an error is detected during power up. No errors Whenever the BIOS detects a non-fatal error the
system will be stopped and you will be
prompted.
All errors The system boot will not be stopped for any
error that may be detected.
All, The system boot will not stop for a keyboard
But Keyboard error; it will stop for all other errors.
All, But The system boot will not stop for a disk error;
Diskette it will stop for all other errors.
All, But The system boot will not stop for a keyboard or
Disk/Key disk error; it will stop for all other errors.
Memory
The category is display-only which is determined by POST (Power On Self Test) of the BIOS. Base Memory
The POST will determine the amount of base (or conventional) memory installed in the system. The value of the base memory is typically 512K for systems with 512K memory installed on the motherboard, or 640K for systems with 640K or more memory installed on the motherboard. Extended Memory
The BIOS determines how much extended memory is present during the POST. This is the amount of memory located above 1MB in the CPU's memory address map. Expanded Memory
Expanded Memory is memory defined by the Lotus/Intel/Microsoft (LIM) standard as EMS. While most standard DOS applications cannot access memory above 640K, the Expanded Memory Specification (EMS) provides an interface allowing access to all system memory. While still in use by some DOS applications, EMS is rapidly declining in importance since new processors and operating systems prefer extended memory. A special, expanded memory device driver is required to use memory as Expanded Memory. Other Memory
This refers to the memory located in the 640K to 1024K address space. This is memory that can be used for different applications. DOS uses this area to load device drivers in an effort to keep as much base memory free for application programs. The BIOS is the most frequent user of this RAM area since this is where it shadows RAM. | BIOS Features Setup
This section allows you to configure your system for basic operation. You have the opportunity to select the system's default speed, boot-up sequence, keyboard operation, shadowing and security. Virus Warning
When this item is enabled, the Award BIOS will monitor the boot sector and partition table of the hard disk drive for any attempt at modification. If an attempt is made, the BIOS will halt the system and the following error message will appear. Afterwards, if necessary, you will be able to run an anti-virus program to locate and remove the problem before any damage is done. ! WARNING !
Disk boot sector is to be modified
Type "Y" to accept write or "N" to
abort write
Award Software, Inc.
Enabled Activates automatically when the system boots up
causing a warning message to appear when anything
attempts to access the boot sector or hard disk
partition table.
Disabled No warning message will appear when anything attempts
to access the boot sector or hard disk partition
table.
NOTE: Many disk diagnostic programs which attempt to access the boot sector table can cause the above warning message. If you will be running such a program, we recommend that you first disable Virus Protection beforehand. CPU Internal Cache/External Cache
These two categories speed up memory access. However, it depends on CPU/chipset design. The default value is disable. Enabled Enable cache Disabled Disable cache
Quick Power On Self Test
This category speeds up Power On Self Test (POST) after you power up the computer. If it is set to Enable, BIOS will shorten or skip some check items during POST. Enabled Enable quick POST Disabled Normal POST
Boot Sequence
This category determines which drive to search first for the disk operating system (i.e., DOS). Default value is A,C. C,A System will first search for hard disk drive then
floppy disk drive.
A,C System will first search for floppy disk drive then
hard disk drive.
Boot Up Floppy Seek
During POST, BIOS will determine if the floppy disk drive installed is 40 or 80 tracks. 360K type is 40 tracks while 760K, 1.2M and 1.44M are all 80 tracks. Enabled BIOS searches for floppy disk drive to determine
if it is 40 or 80 tracks. Note that BIOS can not
tell from 720K, 1.2M or 1.44M drive type as they
are all 80 tracks.
Disabled BIOS will not search for the type of floppy disk
drive by track number. Note that there will not
be any warning message if the drive installed is
360K.
Boot Up NumLock Status
This allows you to determine the default state of the numeric keypad. By default, the system boots up with NumLock on. On Keypad is number keys Off Keypad is arrow keys
Boot Up System Speed
Selects the default system speed -- the normal operating speed at power up. High Set the speed to high Low Set the speed to low
IDE HDD Block Mode
By enabling block mode for your IDE hard disk drive (HDD), you allow your system to read and write to the drive using large blocks of data instead of individual bytes. Enabled Enable IDE HDD Block Mode Disabled Disable IDE HDD Block Mode
Gate A20 Option
This entry allows you to select how the gate A20 is handled. The gate A20 is a device used to address memory above 1 Mbyte. Initially, the gate A20 was handled via a pin on the keyboard. Today, while keyboards still provide this support, it is more common, and much faster, for the system chipset to provide support for gate A20. Normal keyboard Fast chipset
Memory Parity Check
Parity is a measure of the consistency of your system's RAM, memory chips. Plus, there is both parity and non-parity memory. At boot, the Award BIOS both sizes and tests all memory. Normally, when a parity error is detected, the BIOS will display a message describing the problem as well as the problem's location, if possible. The boot process will then terminate and you will not be able to continue until the bad chip or SIMM is located and replaced. Disabling the Memory Parity Check allows the system to by-pass the test and allow your system to boot. You then have a choice of continuing to operate your system or attempting the remedying the problem. Enabled Normal memory parity check Disabled Ignore memory parity check
Typematic Rate Setting
This determines if the typematic rate is to be used. When disabled, continually holding down a key on your keyboard will generate only one instance. In other words, the BIOS will only report that the key is down. When the typematic rate is enabled, the BIOS will report as before, but it will then wait a moment, and, if the key is still down, it will begin the report that the key has been depressed repeatedly. For example, you would use such a feature to accelerate cursor movements with the arrow keys. Enabled Enable typematic rate Disabled Disable typematic rate
Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec)
When the typematic rate is enabled, this selection allows you select the rate at which the keys are accelerated. 6 6 characters per second 8 8 characters per second 10 10 characters per second 12 12 characters per second 15 15 characters per second 20 20 characters per second 24 24 characters per second 30 30 characters per second
Typematic Delay (Msec)
When the typematic rate is enabled, this selection allows you to select the delay between when the key was first depressed and when the acceleration begins. 250 250 msec 500 500 msec 750 750 msec 1000 1000 msec
Security Option
This category allows you to limit access to the system and Setup, or just to Setup. System The system will not boot and access to Setup will be
denied if the correct password is not entered at the
prompt.
Setup The system will boot, but access to Setup will be
denied if the correct password is not entered at the
prompt.
Note: To disable security, select PASSWORD SETTING at Main Menu and then you will be asked to enter password. Do not type anything and just press <Enter>, it will disable security. Once the security is disabled, the system will boot and you can enter Setup freely. System BIOS Shadow
It determines whether the system BIOS will be copied to RAM, for faster access. However, it is optional depending on chipset design. System Shadow will improve system performance. Enabled System shadow is enabled Disabled System shadow is disabled
Video BIOS Shadow
Determines whether video BIOS will be copied to RAM. However, it is optional depending on chipset design. Video Shadow will increase the video speed. Enabled Video shadow is enabled Disabled Video shadow is disabled
C8000 - CFFFF Shadow/E8000 - EFFFF Shadow These categories determine whether option ROMs will be copied to RAM. An example of such option ROM would be support of on-board SCSI. Enabled Optional shadow is enabled Disabled Optional shadow is disabled
Section 4
Password Setting When you select this function, the following message will appear at the center of the screen to assist you in creating a password. ENTER PASSWORD: Type the password, up to eight characters in length, and press <Enter>. The password typed now will clear any previously entered password from CMOS memory. You will be asked to confirm the password. Type the password again and press <Enter>. You may also press <Esc> to abort the selection and not enter a password. To disable a password, just press <Enter> when you are prompted to enter the password. A message will confirm the password will be disabled. Once the password is disabled, the system will boot and you can enter Setup freely. PASSWORD DISABLED. When a password has been enabled, you will be prompted to enter it every time you try to enter Setup. This prevents an unauthorized person from changing any part of your system configuration. Additionally, when a password is enabled, you can also require the BIOS to request a password every time your system is rebooted. This would prevent unauthorized use of your computer. You determine when the password is required within the BIOS Features Setup Menu and its Security option (see Section 4). If the Security option is set to "System", the password will be required both at boot and at entry to Setup. If set to "Setup", prompting only occurs when trying to enter Setup.
Section 5
Chipset Features Setup/Power Management Setup/PCI Configuration Setup These three sections, if applicable, are specific to individual systems and are not included with this document. Auto Configuration The "Auto Configuration" default is "Enabled".This automatically setting up your system at optimum performance. You cannot change the setting with the "Auto configuration enabled".You are not reccomended to change the setting Unless you know what are the functions of the item. Power managment setup Power management is the master control for the power saving features, including HDD power down, Doze Standby and suspend Modes and the I/O Device Timer, that together form the hard-ware power conservation scheme.
Appendix A
POST Messages During the Power On Self Test (POST), if the BIOS detects an error requiring you to do something to fix, it will either sound a beep code or display a message. If a message is displayed, it will be accompanied by: PRESS F1 TO CONTINUE, CTRL-ALT-ESC OR DEL TO ENTER SETUP POST Beep
Currently there is only one beep code in BIOS. This code indicates that a video error has occurred and the BIOS cannot initialize the video screen to display any additional information. This beep code consists of a single long beep followed by two short beeps. Error Messages
One or more of the following messages may be displayed if the BIOS detects an error during the POST. This list includes messages for both the ISA and the EISA BIOS. CMOS BATTERY HAS FAILED
CMOS battery is no longer functional. It should be replaced. CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR
Checksum of CMOS is incorrect. This can indicate that CMOS has become corrupt. This error may have been caused by a weak battery. Check the battery and replace if necessary. DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER
No boot device was found. This could mean that either a boot drive was not detected or the drive does not contain proper system boot files. Insert a system disk into Drive A: and press <Enter>. If you assumed the system would boot from the hard drive, make sure the controller is inserted correctly and all cables are properly attached. Also be sure the disk is formatted as a boot device. Then reboot the system. DISKETTE DRIVES OR TYPES MISMATCH ERROR - RUN SETUP
Type of diskette drive installed in the system is different from the CMOS definition. Run Setup to reconfigure the drive type correctly. DISPLAY SWITCH IS SET INCORRECTLY
Display switch on the motherboard can be set to either monochrome or color. This indicates the switch is set to a different setting than indicated in Setup. Determine which setting is correct,and then either turn off the system and change the jumper, or enter Setup and change the VIDEO selection. DISPLAY TYPE HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST BOOT
Since last powering off the system, the display adapter has been changed. You must configure the system for the new display type.
ERROR ENCOUNTERED INITIALIZING HARD DRIVE
Hard drive cannot be initialized. Be sure the adapter is installed correctly and all cables are correctly and firmly attached. Also be sure the correct hard drive type is selected in Setup. ERROR INITIALIZING HARD DISK CONTROLLER
Cannot initialize controller. Make sure the cord is correctly and firmly installed in the bus. Be sure the correct hard drive type is selected in Setup. Also check to see if any jumper needs to be set correctly on the hard drive. FLOPPY DISK CNTRLR ERROR OR NO CNTRLR PRESENT
Cannot find or initialize the floppy drive controller. make sure the controller is installed correctly and firmly. If there are no floppy drives installed, be sure the Diskette Drive selection in Setup is set to NONE. KEYBOARD ERROR OR NO KEYBOARD PRESENT
Cannot initialize the keyboard. Make sure the keyboard is attached correctly and no keys are being pressed during the boot. If you are purposely configurating the system without a keyboard, set the error halt condition in Setup to HALT ON ALL, BUT KEYBOARD. This will cause the BIOS to ignore the missing keyboard and continue the boot. Memory Address Error at ...
Indicates a memory address error at a specific location. You can use this location along with the memory map for your system to find and replace the bad memory chips. Memory parity Error at ...
Indicates a memory parity error at a specific location. You can use this location along with the memory map for your system to find and replace the bad memory chips. MEMORY SIZE HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST BOOT
Memory has been added or removed since the last boot. In EISA mode use Configuration Utility to reconfigure the memory configuration. In ISA mode enter Setup and enter the new memory size in the memory fields. Memory Verify Error at ...
Indicates an error verifying a value already written to memory. Use the location along with your system's memory map to locate the bad chip. OFFENDING ADDRESS NOT FOUND
This message is used in conjunction with the I/O CHANNEL CHECK and RAM PARITY ERROR messages when the segment that has caused the problem cannot be isolated. OFFENDING SEGMENT:
This message is used in conjunction with the I/O CHANNEL CHECK and RAM PARITY ERROR messages when the segment that has caused the problem has been isolated. PRESS A KEY TO REBOOT
This will be displayed at the bottom screen when an error occurs that requires you to reboot. Press any key and the system will reboot. PRESS F1 TO DISABLE NMI, F2 TO REBOOT
When BIOS detects a Non-maskable Interrupt condition during boot, this will allow you to disable the NMI and continue to boot, or you can reboot the system with the NMI enabled. RAM PARITY ERROR - CHECKING FOR SEGMENT ...
Indicates a parity error in Random Access Memory. Should Have EISA Board But Not Found
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