Language Support, Boot Options, Flash Logo Area

Motherboard BIOS and Setup Utility

3.10 Language Support

The BIOS setup screen and help messages are supported in 32 languages. There are 5 languages available at this time: American English, German, Italian, French, and Spanish. Translation to other languages may become available at a later date.

3.11 Boot Options

Booting from CD-ROM is supported in adherence to the “El Torito” v. 1.0 bootable CD-ROM format specification developed by Phoenix Technologies and IBM. Under the Boot Options field in Setup, CD-ROMis one of four possible boot devices which are defined in priority order. The default setting is for floppy to be the primary boot device and hard drive to be the secondary boot device. If CD-ROM is selected, it must be the first device. The third and fourth devices are set to disabled in the default configuration. The user can add also select network as a boot device. The network option allows booting from a network add-in card with a remote boot ROM installed.

✏NOTE

A copy of “El Torito” v. 1.0 is available on the Phoenix Web page (http://www.ptltd.com/techs/specs.html).

3.12 Flash LOGO Area

The motherboard supports a 4 KB programmable flash user area located at E8000-E8FFF. An OEM may use this area to display a custom logo. The BIOS accesses the user area just after completing POST. A utility is available from Intel to assist with installing a logo into flash for display during POST. Contact your local Intel Sales office or authorized distributor for further information.

3.13 Setup Enable Jumper

A motherboard configuration jumper controls access to the BIOS Setup utility. By setting the jumper to the disable position, the user is prevented from accessing the Setup utility during the POST or at any other time. The message prompting the user to press <F1> to enter Setup is also disabled.

3.14 Overview of the Setup Menu Screens

The Setup program initially displays the Main menu screen. In each screen there are options for modifying the computer’s configuration. Select a menu screen by pressing the left <←> or right <→> arrow keys. Use the up <−> or down <↓> arrow keys to select items in a screen. Use the <Enter> key to select an item for modification. For certain items, pressing <Enter> brings up a subscreen. After you have selected an item, use the arrow keys to modify the setting.

AP440FX specifications

The Intel AP440FX is a pivotal motherboard that was released in the late 1990s, designed to support the Intel Pentium II and Pentium III processors. Known for its robust performance and versatile functionalities, the AP440FX became a popular choice among computer enthusiasts and system builders during its time.

One of the defining features of the Intel AP440FX is its support for the Intel 440FX chipset. This chipset provided improved system performance through its use of a 66 MHz front-side bus, which allowed for faster data transfer between the CPU and the memory. The motherboard was equipped with two DIMM slots capable of supporting a maximum of 512 MB of SDRAM, providing users with the flexibility to choose the amount of memory they required for their applications.

Another notable characteristic of the AP440FX motherboard is its integrated support for various peripheral interfaces. It comes equipped with multiple ISA and PCI slots, allowing users to expand their system capabilities through the addition of various cards. The presence of two USB ports, which were relatively new at the time of its release, gave users access to a wider range of peripherals and external devices.

The Intel AP440FX also features an integrated IDE controller, enabling connection for hard drives and optical drives without the need for additional controller cards. This integrated solution simplified storage management for users and contributed to the overall efficiency of the system. The motherboard also supported SCSI through optional daughter cards, catering to users who required high-speed data transfer and reliable disk storage solutions.

Moreover, the AP440FX was designed with future upgrades in mind. Its BIOS supported plug-and-play installations, allowing users to easily configure new hardware components without extensive troubleshooting. Additionally, the ATX form factor of the motherboard contributed to its compatibility with a wide range of cases and power supplies.

In terms of power management, the Intel AP440FX incorporated advanced features such as ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface), which allowed for better power efficiency and management of power states. This feature was particularly beneficial for users looking to reduce energy consumption and improve the overall longevity of their systems.

All in all, the Intel AP440FX represented a significant advancement in motherboard technology during its era. Its combination of robust performance, upgradeability, and support for new technologies made it a popular choice for users looking to build powerful and efficient computing systems.