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BC 3030
Chapter 3 - Setup Program
BC 3030 Setup program
Getting Started
Standard CMOS Setup
Advanced CMOS Setup
Advanced Chip Set Setup
Change Password
Hard Disk Utility
(The AMI HiFlex BIOS Documentation)
© COPYRIGHT AMERICAN MEGATRENDS, INC. 1991
All rights reserved. This publication contains proprietary information which is protected by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, translated into any language or computer language, or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the prior written consent of the publisher, American Megatrends, Inc.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Buyer agrees if this product proves to be defective, that American Megatrends, Incorporated (hereinafter referred to as AMI) is only obligated to replace or refund the purchase price of this product at AMI's discretion. AMI shall not be liable in tort or contract for any loss or damage, direct, incidental or consequential.
Important Notice
AMI is not responsible for any errors or omissions in writing this manual. AMI reserves the right to change, modify or append any part or section of this manual at any time.
Trademarks
Any reference to a specific chip set is the trademark of the manufacturer referenced. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
This manual was written and edited by Julia H. McDonald, Anindya Mukherjee, and Robert C. Cheng of AMI.
The AMI HiFlex BIOS Setup program provides maximum flexibility in configuring the system. Its various options may be selected for enduser requirements. This was written to document these features. Please review this document before using the program.
Notation Conventions
References to specific keys on the keyboard are enclosed by the symbols < >, for example, <DEL> for the Delete key or <F1> for the Function 1 key.
Running AMI HiFlex BIOS
When the system is powered on, the AMI HiFlex BIOS will enter the PowerOn Self Test (POST) routines. These routines are divided into two phases: System Test and Initialization (test and initialize system boards for normal operations) and System Configuration Verification (compare defined configuration with hardware actually installed).
The AMI HiFlex BIOS performs the various diagnostic checks at the time the system is powered up; if an error is encountered, it will be reported in one of two ways:
* If the error occurs before the display device is initialized, a series of beeps will be transmitted. Beep codes are found in Appendix A.
* If the error occurs after the display device is initialized, the screen will display the error message. BIOS error messages are found in Appendix B. In the case of a nonfatal error, a prompt to press the <F1> key may also appear on the screen.
Normally, the only routine visible on the screen will be the memory test. At the left bottom corner of the screen, below the copyright message, a reference string appears. To display the other two strings, press the <ESC> key during boot. This screen displays the options installed in the AMI HiFlex BIOS.
If a problem occurs with the system, copy these reference numbers down before consulting .
When a problem occurs, freeze the screen by powering on the system and holding a key down on the keyboard. This will cause a Keyboard Error message. Copy the three lines and report this information to . Press <F1> to continue the boot procedure.
* If the option Wait for <F1> If any Error in the Advanced CMOS Setup Program of the HiFlex BIOS Setup program is set to Disabled, you should set it to Enabled prior to using this method to freeze the screen.
After the POST routines are completed, the following message appears:
Hit <DEL> if you want to run SETUP
To access the AMI HiFlex BIOS Setup program, press the <DEL> key. A record of the computer's system parameters (such as amount of memory, disk drives, video displays, and numeric coprocessors) is stored in CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) memory. When the computer is turned off, a backup battery provides power to the CMOS RAM, which retains the system parameters in CMOS memory.
Each time the system is powered on, it is configured with these values, unless the CMOS has been corrupted or is faulty. AMI's Setup program is resident in the ROM BIOS (Read Only Memory Basic Input/Output System) so that it is available each time the computer is turned on.
If, for some reason, the CMOS becomes corrupted, the system is configured with the default values stored in this ROM file. The ROM file stores two sets of BIOS values: the BIOS Setup default values and the PowerOn default values.
The BIOS Setup default values are those which should provide optimum performance for the system. They are the bestcase default values. The PowerOn default values, which are the worstcase defaults, are the stable values for the system. They are to be used if the system is performing erratically because of hardware problems.
Keys
Listed below is an explanation of the keys displayed at the bottom of the screens accessed through the HiFlex BIOS Setup program:
<ESC> Exit to previous screen.
Arrow Keys Use arrow keys to move cursor to desired selection.
<PgUp>, <PgDn>, Modify the default value of the
<CTRL> <PgUp>, options for the highlighted feature.
<CTRL> <Pg Dn> If there are less than 10 available options, the Ctrl PgUp and Ctrl PgDn keys function the same as the PgUp and PgDn keys.
<F1> Displays help screen for selected feature.
<F2> and <F3> Change background and foreground colors.
<F5> Retrieves the values which were resident when the current setup session was started. These values will be CMOS values if the CMOS was uncorrupted at the start of the session, or they will be the BIOS Setup default values.
<F6> Loads all features in the Advanced CMOS Setup/Advanced Chip Set Setup with the BIOS Setup defaults.
<F7> Loads all features in the Advanced CMOS Setup/Advanced Chip Set Setup with the PowerOn defaults.
<F10> Saves all changes made to Setup and exits program.
When <F5>, <F6>, or <F7> is pressed, the default prompt value is always N (No). To execute these options, change the N to Y (Yes) and press <ENTER>.
A warning message is displayed each time one of the first three options (Standard CMOS Setup, Advanced CMOS Setup, and Advanced Chip Set Setup) is selected, before any changes are allowed to any of the setup parameters.
Auto Configuration With BIOS Defaults
The Auto Configuration With BIOS Defaults feature uses the default system values before the user has changed any CMOS values. If the CMOS is corrupted, the BIOS defaults will automatically be loaded.
To use the BIOS defaults, change the prompt to Y and press <ENTER>. The following message will appear on the screen:
Default values loaded. Press any key to continue.
Auto Configuration With PowerOn Defaults
This feature uses the default PowerOn values. Use this option as a diagnostic aid if the system is behaving erratically.
To use the PowerOn defaults, change the prompt to Y and press <ENTER>. The following message will appear on the screen:
Default values loaded. Press any key to continue.
Write to CMOS and Exit
The features selected and configured in the Standard Setup, Advanced CMOS Setup, Advanced Chip Set Setup, and the New Password Setup will be stored in the CMOS when this option is selected. The CMOS checksum is calculated and written to the CMOS. Control is then passed back to BIOS.
Pressing <N> (No) and <ENTER> will return the user to the Main Menu. Pressing <Y> (Yes) and <ENTER> will save the system parameters and continue with the booting process.
Do Not Write to CMOS and Exit
This option passes control back to BIOS without writing any changes to the CMOS. Pressing <N> (No) and <ENTER> will return the user to the Main Menu. Pressing <Y> (Yes) and <ENTER> will continue with the booting process without saving any system parameters.
Standard CMOS Setup is the first option on the main setup menu. Press <ENTER> at the highlighted selection to access this option.
Configuration Options
The Standard CMOS Setup utility is used to configure the following options:
Date Month, Date, and Year. Ranges for each value are listed in the prompt box in the lower left corner of the CMOS Setup Screen.
Time Hour, Minute, and Second. Uses 24 hour clock format (for PM numbers, add 12 to the hour). For example, to set the clock time to 4:30 P.M., enter 16:30:00.
Daylight Savings Leave Disabled (function not supported)
Hard Disk C and Hard disk types from 1 to 46 are
Hard Disk D standard ones; type 47 is user definable. The user must enter the hard disk parameters for each drive. The USER definition entry lets the user enter the drive parameters for a disk drive not previously defined in ROM.
Drive Type Characteristics
The drive types are identified by the following characteristics:
Type This is the number designation for a drive with certain identification parameters.
Cyl This is the number of cylinders found in the specified drive type.
Heads This is the number of heads found in the specified drive type.
WPcom This is the read delay circuitry that takes into account the timing differences between the inner and outer edges of the surface of the disk platter. The number designates the starting cylinder of the signal.
Lzone Lzone is the landing zone of the heads. This number determines the cylinder location where the heads will normally park when the system is shut down.
Sectors Every track is normally divided into 17 sectors.
Capacity This is the formatted capacity of the drive based on the following formula: (# of heads) X (# of cylinders) X (17 secs/cyl) X (512 bytes/sec)
Floppy Drive A and The options are 360 KB 5-1/4",
Floppy Drive B 1.2 MB 5-1/4", 720 KB 3-1/2", 1.44 MB 3-1/2", and Not Installed. Not Installed could be used as an option for diskless workstations.
Primary Display Options are Monochrome, Color 40x25, VGA/PGA/EGA, Color 80x25, and Not Installed. The Not Installed option could be used for network file servers.
Keyboard Options are Installed or Not Installed.
Table 31 lists the attributes for disk types 1 through 46.
Not Installed is available for use as an option. This option could be used for diskless workstations and SCSI hard disks. Type 47 may be used for both hard disks C: and D:.
The parameters for type 47 under Hard Disk C: and Hard Disk D: may be different, which effectively allows 2 different userdefinable hard disk types.
Table 3 - 1
Disk Types 1 Through 46
Type Cyl Heads Wpcom Lzone Secs Size
1 1024 12 65535 1023 17 102MB
2 755 16 65535 755 17 100MB
3 615 6 300 615 17 31MB
4 940 8 512 940 17 62MB
5 940 6 512 940 17 47MB
6 615 4 65535 615 17 20MB
7 462 8 256 511 17 31MB
8 733 5 65535 733 17 30MB
9 900 15 65535 901 17 112MB
10 820 3 65535 820 17 20MB
11 855 5 65535 855 17 35MB
12 855 7 65535 855 17 50MB
13 306 80 128 319 17 20MB
14 733 7 65535 733 17 43MB
15 0 0 0 0 0 0MB
16 612 4 0 663 17 20MB
17 977 5 300 977 17 41MB
18 977 7 65535 977 17 57MB
19 1024 7 512 1023 17 60MB
20 733 5 300 732 17 30MB
21 733 7 300 732 17 43MB
22 733 5 300 733 17 30MB
23 306 4 0 336 17 10MB
24 925 7 0 925 17 54MB
25 925 9 65535 925 17 69MB
26 754 7 754 754 17 44MB
27 754 11 65535 754 17 69MB
28 699 7 256 699 17 41MB
29 823 10 65535 823 17 68MB
30 918 7 918 918 17 53MB
31 1024 11 65535 1024 17 94MB
32 1024 15 65535 1024 17 128MB
34 612 2 128 612 17 10MB
35 1024 9 65535 1024 17 77MB
36 1024 8 512 1024 17 68MB
37 615 8 128 615 17 41MB
38 987 3 987 987 17 25MB
39 987 7 987 987 17 57MB
40 820 6 820 820 17 41MB
41 977 5 977 977 17 41MB
42 981 5 981 981 17 41MB
43 830 7 512 830 17 48MB
44 830 10 65535 830 17 69MB
45 917 15 65535 918 17 114MB
46 1224 15 65535 1223 17 152MB
The Advanced CMOS Setup program is equipped with a series of help screens, accessed by the <F1> key, which will display the options available for a particular configuration feature and special help for some of the options.
The options for the following features of the Advanced CMOS setup are either Disabled or Enabled:
* Typematic Rate Programming
* Above 1MB Memory Test
* Memory Test Tick Sound
* Memory Parity Error Check
* Hit <DEL> Message Display
* Wait for <F1> If Any Error
* Numeric Processor Test
* Fast Gate A20 Option *
* Video or Adapter ROM Shadow *
* Denotes chip set specific option
The options for Weitek Processor are either Present or Absent.
The options for PowerOn Up Num Lock are On or Off.
The options for System Boot Up Speed are High or Low.
Setup Screen Options
Typematic Rate Programming
By enabling this option, the user can adjust the rate at which a keystroke is repeated. The options Typematic Rate Delay and Typematic Rate affect this rate. When a key is pressed and held down, the character appears on the screen and after a delay set by the Typematic Rate Delay, it keeps on repeating at a rate set by the Typematic Rate value. When two or more keys are pressed and held down simultaneously, only the last key pressed will be repeated at the typematic rate. This stops when the last key pressed is released, even if other keys are depressed.
Above 1MB Memory Test
This feature, when enabled, will execute the POST memory routines on the RAM above 1 MB (if present on the system). If disabled, the BIOS will only check the first 1 MB of RAM.
Memory Test Tick Sound
This option will enable (turn on) or disable (turn off) the ticking sound during the memory test.
Memory Parity Error Check
The user may disable the memory parity error checking routines in the BIOS.
Hit <DEL> Message Display
Disabling this option will prevent the message
Hit <DEL> if you want to run Setup
from appearing on the screen when the system boots.
Hard Disk Type 47 Data Area
The AMI HiFlex BIOS Setup features two userdefinable hard disk types. Normally, the data for these disk types are stored at 0:300 in lower system RAM. If a problem occurs with other software, this data can be located at the upper limit of the DOS conventional memory area (640 KB). If the option is set to DOS 1 KB, the DOS conventional memory area is shortened to 639 KB, and the top 1 KB is used for the hard disk data storage.
Wait for F1 If Any Error
Before the system boots, the BIOS will execute the POST routines, a series of system diagnostic routines. If any of these tests fail, but a nonfatal error has occurred and the system can still function, the BIOS will respond with an appropriate error message followed by the following statement:
Press <F1> to continue.
If this option is disabled, any nonfatal error which occurs will not generate the above statement, but the BIOS will still display the appropriate error message. This will eliminate the need for any user response to a nonfatal error condition message. Appendix B has a list of error messages and their corresponding explanations.
System Boot Up Num Lock
The user may turn off the Num Lock option on his Enhanced Keyboard when the system is powered on. This will allow him to use the arrow keys on the numeric keypad as well as the other set of arrow keys on the Enhanced Keyboard. The BIOS will default to turning the Num Lock on.
Numeric Processor Test
The default for this option is Disabled to avoid any problems which might occur when there is no numeric processor on the board and the option is enabled.
Weitek Processor
The option allows the user to mark the Weitek numeric processor (WTL3167 or 4167) as present or absent.
Floppy Drive Seek At Boot
The default for this option is Disabled to allow a fast boot and to decrease the possibility of damage to the heads.
System Boot Up Sequence
The AMI BIOS will normally attempt to boot from floppy drive A: (if present), and if unsuccessful, it will attempt to boot from hard disk C:. This sequence can be switched using this option. If the option is set to C:, A:, the system will attempt to boot from the hard drive C:, and then A:. If the option is set to A:, C:, the sequence is reversed.
System Boot Up CPU Speed
The speed at which the system will boot is determined with this option. Choices for this option are high or low. The default speed is low.
Password Check Option
Controlled by the system manufacturer's preferences, the password feature can be used to prevent unauthorized system boot or unauthorized use of HiFlex BIOS Setup. The option in the HiFlex BIOS Setup only allows the user to enable the password check option every time the system boots or upon entering Setup. A third option is to disable the password option entirely.
The default option is Disabled. The prompt for the password will not appear when the system is rebooted.
If the Always option is chosen at Setup, each time the system is turned on, the prompt for user password will appear.
If the Setup option is chosen at Setup, the password prompt will not appear when the system is turned on, but will appear if the user attempts to enter the Setup program. The program allows three attempts to enter the correct password. After each incorrect attempt, the prompt to enter the current password will appear, followed by an X. After the third incorrect attempt, the system will lock and it will be necessary to reboot. The screen will not display the characters entered.
See the Change Password Section for instructions on changing the user password.
The Internal Cache Memory and External Cache Memory options should appear on 486TM systems. On 386TM systems, the option appearing on the screen will be Cache Memory.
Internal Cache Memory
This option will appear only on 486 systems which use CPUs (Central Processing Units) with an internal cache structure. With this option, the user may enable or disable the internal cache of the system CPU.
External Cache Memory
This option appears only on 486 systems that can have a caching scheme external to the CPU. With this option, the user may specify whether the external cache is present or absent.
Fast Gate A20
This option uses the fast gate A20 line, supported in some chip sets, to access any memory above 1 MB. Normally, all RAM access above 1 MB is handled through the keyboard controller chip. Using this option will make the access faster than the normal method. This option is useful in networking operating systems.
Video or Adaptor ROM Shadow
ROM shadow is a technique in which BIOS code is copied from slower ROM to faster RAM. The BIOS is then executed from the RAM. These options are chip set specific and are dependent on the system hardware. They may or may not appear on the Advanced CMOS Setup screen. Each option, when it does appear, allows for a segment of 16 KB to be shadowed from ROM to RAM. If one of these options is enabled, and there is BIOS code present in that particular 16 KB segment, the BIOS will be shadowed.
System ROM Shadow
The same concept applies here as above, except that in this case, the entire system BIOS (64 KB in length) is shadowed.
Turbo Switch Option
If this option is enabled, speed switching through the keyboard will be enabled, if the switch is connected to the keyboard controller.
This portion of the HiFlex BIOS Setup is entirely chip set specific and requires knowledge about the particular chip set in use in this system. This option is used to change the values for the chip set registers. These registers control the operation of many system features.
The HiFlex BIOS Setup program has an optional password feature. Depending on the particular hardware manufacturer or system integrator, the system may be configured so that the user is required to enter a password every time the system boots, or whenever an attempt is made to enter the Setup programs. The password function may also be disabled, which means that the prompt will not appear under any circumstances.
This section describes changing the user password. The password check function is enabled or disabled in Advanced CMOS Setup. The password check function is enabled by choosing either Always or Setup.
F The Change Password option will generate an error message if the Password Checking Option is disabled in the Advanced CMOS Setup. The Password Checking Option MUST be enabled to change the password.
The password, which will be stored in the CMOS, cannot exceed 6 characters in length. A default password, to be used if the CMOS is corrupted, is stored in the ROM. The default password is AMI.
To change the user password, select the Change Password option from the main Setup screen by using the arrow keys to move the cursor to this selection and pressing <ENTER>.
The first time this option is selected, enter the default password AMI, then press <ENTER> to complete the selection.
The screen will not display the characters entered. After the current password has been correctly entered, a prompt for the new password will be displayed.
After the new password is entered, a prompt appears. Rekey the new password and press <ENTER>.
If the password confirmation is miskeyed, an error screen appears. If the new password confirmation is entered without error, the final screen appears. Press <ESC> to return to the Main Setup menu.
Once Setup is completed, the changed values are stored in CMOS memory. When the system next boots, the user will be prompted for the password if the password function is present and has been enabled. When and if the prompt appears is dependent upon the options chosen in Advanced CMOS Setup:
! If the Always option was chosen in Advanced CMOS Setup, the prompt will appear each time the system is powered on.
! If the Setup option was chosen in Advanced CMOS Setup, the prompt will not appear when the system is powered on, but will appear each time an attempt is made to enter the Setup program.
! If the Disabled option was chosen in Advanced CMOS Setup, the password prompt will never appear.
Enter the new password when the password prompt appears, and press the <ENTER> key. If the CMOS is corrupted, for example, the batteries fall out or are loosened, the default ROM password mentioned above should be used instead.
* When the password is changed, it is important that a record of the change be kept in a safe place. In the event the password check has been enabled in Setup and the user forgets or loses the new password, the default password stored in the ROM cannot be used unless the CMOS is disabled. A relatively safe way to do this would be to remove the CMOS battery for at least 20 minutes, then replace it, reboot and reconfigure the system.
* These routines will not support a SCSI Disk Drive.
The Hard Disk Format option performs a low level format of the hard drives. The user should check with the system or hard drive manufacturer to determine if this option should be taken.
The Auto Interleave option determines the optimum interleave factor prior to the format of the hard drives.
The Media Analysis option performs an analysis of each track of the hard drive to determine whether it is usable. If it is not usable, the track is marked as bad so that data cannot be stored there.
A more detailed explanation of the above options is found in the individual sections on the options. See Appendix C for a list of error messages which may occur during these procedures. If a new hard disk drive is being installed, the manufacturer of the hard drive usually provides a list of bad tracks.
If the bad tracks and interleave factor are known, it will not be necessary to take the auto interleave and media analysis options. Simply follow the instructions in the Hard Disk Format section below. If a bad track list has been provided but the optimum interleave factor is not known, follow the instructions in the Auto Interleave section.
If installing a used hard disk or reformatting an existing hard disk, perform the Media Analysis and then follow the instructions in the Auto Interleave section.
Use the Arrow Keys to select one of the three options and press <ENTER>.
Hard Disk Format Utility
* This routine will not support a SCSI Disk Drive.
Use the Hard Disk Format option to integrate a new hard disk into the system, or to reformat a used hard disk which has developed bad tracks as a result of aging or poor handling. Select the Media Analysis option to find bad tracks.
When <ENTER> is pressed at the Hard Disk Format option, a screen appears. The box on the left of the screen contains a series of prompts (questions) which must be answered before performing the Hard Disk Format. The first two questions may already have been answered if the value was previously entered for one disk only at the Standard CMOS Setup screen.
The value for Disk Drive is C for a C: Drive or D for a D: Drive. If two disk drives have been previously entered at the Standard CMOS Setup Screen, then the ID (C/D) will appear to the right of the question mark following the Disk Drive field. Choose which drive is to be formatted by selecting the appropriate letter and pressing <ENTER>. If only one drive was selected at the Standard CMOS Setup screen, the cursor will automatically be placed at the interleave prompt.
The Disk Drive Type is read from CMOS. The Interleave factor can be selected manually, or can be determined with the Auto Interleave feature of the Setup program.
The manufacturer of the hard drive usually provides a list of bad tracks. These tracks should be entered with this option. They will then be marked as bad to prevent data from being stored there.
Edit the bad tracks list by changing the prompt to Mark Bad Tracks to Y, and press <ENTER>. Select an option to add, delete, revise, or clear from the Bad Track Edit Menu.
After identifying the bad tracks, a new screen is displayed with a Proceed prompt. Change the Proceed prompt to Y and press <ENTER>. A warning screen is displayed with a Continue prompt.
The default for the Continue prompt is N to prevent accidental formatting of the hard drive and subsequent loss of data.
Once this prompt is changed to Y and the <ENTER> key pressed, any data residing on the hard drive will be irrevocably lost.
AutoInterleave Utility
* This routine will not support a SCSI Disk Drive.
The Auto Interleave utility calculates the optimum interleave value through trial and error by measuring the transfer rate for four different interleave values. To determine the best interleave factor, the system will format a portion of the hard disk for each transfer rate calculated. The cylinders, heads and sectors formatted for each value will be displayed in the activity box on the screen.
To begin the Auto Interleave process, use the arrow keys to select this function on the main Hard Disk Utility Screen. Press <ENTER> to select this option. A new screen appears. The cursor will be placed at the Mark Bad Tracks prompt. The default for this prompt is N. To mark additional bad tracks, change the prompt to Y and press <ENTER>. A new screen appears.
After making the desired selections at the Bad Tracks Edit Menu, press <ESC>. The cursor will be moved to the Proceed prompt.
To proceed with the Auto Interleave process, change the prompt to Y and press <ENTER>. A warning screen appears.
Press <ENTER> to return to the main Hard Disk Utility screen. To proceed, change the warning prompt to Y and press <ENTER>.
Media Analysis Utility
* This routine will not support a SCSI Disk Drive.
The Media Analysis utility performs a series of tests to locate bad or damaged tracks on the hard disk as a result of aging or poor handling. This utility locates all bad tracks and lists them in the Bad Track List Box. Since this test writes to all cylinders and heads on the hard disk to verify any bad tracks, the test may require several minutes to complete. For best results, run this test in its entirety.
To run the Media Analysis utility, use the arrow keys to select the option from the main Hard Disk Utility Menu and press <ENTER>. A new screen appears.
The cursor will appear at the Proceed prompt. When <ENTER> is pressed, a warning screen appears.
Press the <ENTER> key and the main Hard Disk Utility screen appears. To proceed with the analysis, change the prompt to Y and press <ENTER>.
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