User manual AOPEN AK778X

[. . . ] Overview Hardware Installation Troubleshooting & Technical Support Drivers & Utilities AWARD BIOS Setup Glossary Online Manual DOC. NO. : AK778XN-OL-E0210C AK77-8X / AK77-8XN AK77-8X / AK77-8XN 1 AK77-8X / AK77-8XN What's in this manual Online Manual AK77-8X / AK77-8XN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What's in this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 You Must Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] AOpen cannot guaranty the protection circuit will always work perfectly. 59 AK77-8X / AK77-8XN AOConf i g Uti li ty Online Manual AOpen always dedicated to provide users a much friendlier computer environment. We now bring you a comprehensive system detective utility. AOconfig is a Windows based utility with user-friendly interface that allows users to obtain information of the operation system and hardware such as motherboard, CPU, memory, PCI devices and IDE devices. The powerful utility also displays the version of BIOS and firmware for your convenience of maintenance. Moreover, AOconfig allows users to save information in *. BMP or *. TXT format which users may collect the system information in detail and send them to AOpen directly for technical support or further diagnosis of system problem. 1. The system page shows the detail information of the motherboard, the operating system, the processor, and BIOS version. 2. The PCI device page shows the configurations of all PCI devices installed on your motherboard. 60 AK77-8X / AK77-8XN 3. This page presents the IDE devices information, such as the serial number, the manufacturer, the firmware version, and capacity. Online Manual 4. From this page, users may obtain the technical support information of AOpen. Moreover, detailed information could be saved in . bmp or . txt format. NOTE: AOconfig can be used in Windows 98SE/ME, NT4. 0/2000, or even the latest Windows XP. Please be informed that AOconfig can only be operated in a system equipped with an AOpen motherboard. Meanwhile, all applications must be closed before starting AOconfig. 61 AK77-8X / AK77-8XN R e s e t a bl e F u s e Online Manual Traditional motherboard has fuse for Keyboard and USB port to prevent over-current or shortage. These fuses are soldered onboard that user cannot replace it when it is damaged (did the job to protect motherboard), and the motherboard remains malfunction. With expensive Resetable Fuse, the motherboard can resume back to normal function after fuse had done its protection job. Resetable Fuse 62 AK77-8X / AK77-8XN 220 0 F L o w ES R Ca p a c it o r Online Manual The quality of low ESR capacitor (Low Equivalent Series Resistance) during high frequency operation is very important for the stability of CPU power. The idea of where to put these capacitors is another know-how that requires experience and detail calculation. Not only that, this motherboard implements 2200F capacitor, which is much larger than normal capacitor (1000 or 1500F) and it provides better stability for CPU power. 63 AK77-8X / AK77-8XN Online Manual The power circuit of the CPU core voltage must be checked to ensure system stability for high speed CPUs (such as the new Pentium III, or when overclocking). A typical CPU core voltage is 2. 0V, so a good design should control voltage between 1. 860V and 2. 140V. That is, the transient must be below 280mV. Below is a timing diagram captured by a Digital Storage Scope, it shows the voltage transient is only 143mv even when maximum 60 current is applied. Note: This diagram for example only, it may not exactly be the same motherboard. 64 AK77-8X / AK77-8XN Layout (Frequency Isolation Wall) Online Manual For high frequency operation, especially overclocking, layout is the most important factor to make sure chipset and CPU working in stable condition. The layout of this motherboard implements AOpen's unique design called " Frequency Isolation Wall". Separating each critical portion of motherboard into regions where each region operates in a same or similar frequency range to avoid cross talk and frequency interference between each region's operations and condition. The trace length and route must be calculated carefully. For example, the clock trace must be equal length (not necessarily as short as possible) so that clock skew will be controlled 12 within few a pico second (1/10 Sec) Note: This diagram is for example only, it may not exactly be the same diagram of this motherboard. 65 AK77-8X / AK77-8XN Enlarged Aluminum Heatsink Online Manual Cool down CPU and Chipset is important for system reliability. [. . . ] For example: Part No. Serial No. Part No. Serial No. P/N: 91. 88110. 201 is part number, S/N: 91949378KN73 is serial number. 112 AK77-8X / AK77-8XN Mo de l na m e a n d B IO S v ers i o n Online Manual Model name and BIOS version can be found on upper left corner of first boot screen (POST screen). 01. 2002 AOpen Inc. Award Plug and Play BIOS Extension v1. 0A Copyright © 1998, Award Software, Inc. AK77-8X is model name of motherboard, R1. 02 is BIOS version. 113 AK77-8X / AK77-8XN Online Manual Pr o d uc t R e g is t r at i o n Thank you for choosing AOpen product. AOpen encourages you to spend few minutes in completing the following product registration. To register your product will ensure the high quality of services from AOpen. [. . . ]