User manual AOPEN MX46U2

[. . . ] Overview Troubleshooting & Technical Support Hardware Installation Drivers & Utilities AWARD BIOS Setup Glossary Online Manual DOC. NO. : MX46U2-OL-E0208A MX46 U2 MX46 U2 1 MX46 U2 What's in this manual Online Manual MX46 U2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What's in this manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 You Must Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Before You Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] These fuses are soldered onboard that when it is broken (function to protect motherboard), user cannot replace them and result in malfunction of motherboard. With expensive Resettable Fuse, the motherboard can be resumed back to normal function even after the fuse had done its protection job. Resettable Fuse 56 MX46 U2 Low ESR Capacitor 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, MX46 U2 implements 3300F capacitors, which is much larger than normal capacitor (1000 & 1500f) and it provides better stability for CPU power. 57 MX46 U2 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 60A current is applied. Note: This diagram for example only, it may not be exactly the same as the motherboard you purchased. 58 MX46 U2 Layout (Frequency Isolation Wall) Online Manual For high frequency operation, especially when overclocking, layout is the most important factor to make sure both chipset and CPU are 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, we can 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 to length (not necessarily as short as possible) so that clock skew will be controlled within few a pico second (1/1012 Sec) Note: This diagram for example only, it may not look exactly the same as the motherboard you purchased. 59 MX46 U2 Enlarged Aluminum Heatsink Online Manual Cool down CPU and Chipset are important for system reliability. Enlarged aluminum heat sink provides better heat consumption especially when you are trying to over-clock the CPU. 60 MX46 U2 Vivid BIOS technology Online Manual Have you been fed up with the conservative and immutable POST screen?Let's rule out the tradition idea that POST screen are stiff and frigid, and let AOpen show you the newly developed VividBIOS to experience the lively vivid colorful POST screen!Unlike earlier graphic POST screen which could occupy the whole screen and mask text information during POST, AOpen VividBIOS deals with graphics and texts separately, and makes them running simultaneously during POST. With this innovative design, VividBios now brings you a beautiful and sleek 256 colors screen without missing any important information shown on POST screen. In addition, the limited space of BIOS ROM is another big issue. When all of the traditional BIOS can only show space-consuming and uncompressed Bitmap, AOpen has considerately tuned the BIOS to next generation, to recognize the smaller-sized GIF format and even dynamic-showing GIF animation. Vivid BIOS shares the same fundamental technology with Open JukeBox CD Player, you may use the same EzSkin utility to change your Vivid BIOS screen or to download your favorite Open JukeBox skin. If you see this little logo shown beside your model name on the BIOS download page, http://english. aopen. com. tw/tech/download/skin, it is assured that your motherboard supports this innovative feature! 61 MX46 U2 Online Manual Driver and Utility There are motherboard drivers and utilities in AOpen Bonus CD. You don't need to install all of them to boot your system. But after you finish the hardware installation, you have to install your operation system first (such as Windows 98) before you install any drivers or utilities. Please refer to your operation system's installation guide. Note: Please follow recommended procedure to install Windows 2000 and Windows XP. 62 MX46 U2 Auto-run Menu from Bonus CD You can use the auto-run menu of Bonus CD. [. . . ] You can find this bar code label on the outside packing, on ISA/CPU slot or on component side of PCB. For example: Part No. Serial No. Part No. P/N: 91. 88110. 201 is part number, S/N: 91949378KN73 is serial number. 108 MX46 U2 Model name and BIOS version Online Manual Model name and BIOS version can be found on upper left corner of first boot screen (POST screen). For example: MX46 U2 R1. 20 Aug. 01. 2002 AOpen Inc. Award Plug and Play BIOS Extension v1. 0A Copyright © 2002, Award Software, Inc. MX46 U2 is model name of motherboard; R1. 20 is BIOS version. 109 MX46 U2 Online Manual Product Registration Thank you for choosing AOpen product. [. . . ]