Gigabyte GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 user manual Whats DualBIOS?, What is DualBIOS technology? Answer

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DualBIOSTechnology FAQ

GIGABYTE Technology is pleased to introduce DualBIOS technology, a hot spare for your system BIOS. This newest "Value-added" feature, in a long series of innovations from GIGABYTE, is available on this motherboard. Future GIGABYTE motherboards will also incorpo- rate this innovation.

What's DualBIOS?

On GIGABYTE motherboards with DualBIOS there are physically two BIOS chips. For simplicity we'll call one your "Main BIOS" and the other we'll call your "Backup BIOS" (your "hot spare"). If your Main BIOS fails, the Backup BIOS almost automatically takes over on your next system boot. Almost automatically and with virtually zero down time! Whether the problem is a failure in flashing your BIOS or a virus or a catastrophic failure of the Main BIOS chip, the result is the same - the Backup BIOS backs you up, almost automatically.

I.Q: What is DualBIOStechnology? Answer:

DualBIOS technology is a patented technology from Giga-Byte Technology. The concept of this technology is based on the redundancy and fault tolerance theory. DualBIOStechnology simply means there are two system BIOSes (ROM) integrated onto the motherboard. One is a main BIOS, and the other is a backup BIOS. The mainboard will operate normally with the main BIOS, however, if the main BIOS is corrupt or damaged for various reasons, the backup BIOS will be automatically used when the system pow- ered-On. Your PC will operate as before the main BIOS was damaged, and is completely transparent to the user.

II.Q: Why does anyone need a motherboard with DualBIOStechnology? Answer:

In today's systems there are more and more BIOS failures. The most common reasons are virus attacks, BIOS upgrade failures, and/or deterioration of the BIOS (ROM) chip itself.

1.New computer viruses are being found that attack and destroy the system BIOS. They may corrupt your BIOS code, causing your PC to be unstable or even not boot normally.

2.BIOS data will be corrupted if a power loss/surge occurs, or if a user resets the system, or if the power button is pressed during the process of performing a system BIOS upgrade.

3.If a user mistakenly updates their mainboard with the incorrect BIOS file, then the system may not be able to boot correctly. This may cause the PC system hang in operation or during boot.

4.A flash ROM's life cycle is limited according to electronic characteristics. The modern PC utilizes the Plug and Play BIOS, and is updated regularly. If a user changes peripherals often, there is a slight

chance of damage to the flash ROM.

With Giga-Byte Technology's patented DualBIOStechnology you can reduce the possibility of hangs during system boot up, and/or loss BIOS data due to above reasons.

This new technology will eliminate valuable system down time and costly repair bills cause by BIOS failures.

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Technical Reference

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Contents GA-K8NS Ultra-939 Mother Board Motherboard GA-K8NS Ultra-939 Read Me First Prepare your computer Installing the motherboard to the chassisTable of Contents Table of Contents Introduction Features SummaryALC850 Codec UAJ Ultra-939 GA-K8NS Ultra-939 Motherboard LayoutCPU Block DiagramEnglish Step Hardware Installation ProcessInstall the Central Processing Unit CPU English DDR Install Memory ModulesDual Channel Technology DS Double Side, SS Single Side Dual Channel DDRInstall Expansion Cards Parallel Port, Serial Ports Coma / Comb Install I/O Peripherals CablesPS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Connector Please note USB/LAN ConnectorAudio Connectors Connectors Introduction ATX12V / ATX Power Connector Nbfan Chip Fan Connector 5 Cpufan / Sysfan / Pwrfan Cooler Fan Power ConnectorIDE1 / IDE2 IDE Connector FDD Floppy ConnectorBattery SATA0SB / SATA1SB SATA0SII / SATA1SII Serial ATA ConnectorFpanel Front Panel Jumper Pwrled 15 2XLED Faudio Front Audio ConnectorSpdifio Spdif In / Out Connector Surcen Surround Center ConnectorFUSB1 / FUSB2 Front USB Connector Cdin CD In ConnectorIrcir 21 F11394 / F21394 Front IEEE1394 ConnectorInfolink Game Game ConnectorClrcmos Clear Cmos English Bios Setup Main Menu For example Bios Ver. E1 Save & Exit Setup Load Optimized DefaultsSet Supervisor Password Set User PasswordTime Standard Cmos FeaturesDate Memory Floppy 3 Mode Support for Japan AreaDrive a / Drive B Halt onBoot Up Floppy Seek Advanced Bios FeaturesHard Disk Boot Priority First / Second / Third Boot DeviceInit Display First Password CheckFelxible AGP Integrated Peripherals IDE Function SetupIDE Channel 1 Slave RAID IDE Channel 0 Master RAIDIDE Channel 0 Slave RAID IDE Channel 1 Master RAIDOnboard Serial ATA Onboard SiI3512 chipset Onboard LAN Boot ROMParallel Port Mode VIA On-Chip LAN nVIDIAMidi Port Address ECP Mode Use DMAIDE DMA transfer access Game Port AddressModem Ring On Power Management SetupResume by Alarm PME Event Wake UpAC Back Function Power On by MousePower On by Keyboard KB Power on PasswordPCI 1/5 IRQ Assignment PnP/PCI ConfigurationsPCI 3 IRQ Assignment PCI 4 IRQ AssignmentPC Health Status MB Intelligent TweakerM.I.T Select Language Top PerformanceSet Supervisor/User Password Load Optimized DefaultsExit Without Saving Save & Exit SetupEnglish Technical Reference @BIOSTM IntroductionHow to use Dual Bios and Q-Flash Utility? Flash Bios Method IntroductionWhat is Dual Bios Technology? Halt On Error DisableDefault, Enable Wide Range Protection DisableDefault, EnableBoot From Main BIOSDefault, Backup Bios Auto Recovery EnableDefault, DisableSave Main Bios to Floppy / Save Backup Bios to Floppy What is Q-Flash Utility?How to use Q-Flash? What is DualBIOS technology? Answer Whats DualBIOS?IV. Q Who Needs DualBIOS technology? Answer III. Q How does DualBIOS technology work? AnswerMethods and steps Method 2 @BIOS UtilityEnglish 6- / 8- Channel Audio Function Introduction Stereo Speakers Connection and SettingsChannel Analog Audio Output Mode English Channel Audio Setup using Audio Combo Kit, Optional Device English Spdif output device is available on Spdif Output Device Optional DeviceAuto-detecting Introduction of audio connectorsJack-Sensing and UAJ Introduction UAJ Introduction Manual settingEnable UAJ function How to use the Xpress Recovery Xpress Recovery IntroductionWhat is Xpress Recovery ? Press F9 during powering on the computer F9 For Xpress RecoveryExit and Restart Remove Backup Image  Remove backup image. Are you sure? Y/NRAID Levels Serial ATA Bios Setting Utility IntroductionEntering the RAID Bios Setup Configuring the Nvidia RAID BiosSelecting the Striping Block Size Using the Define a New Array WindowCompleting the RAID Bios Setup Selecting the RAID ModeBBS Installing the RAID drivers English English Pictures below are shown in Windows XP Install DriversItem Description Software Application Software Information FAQ Long 2 short Monitor or display card error Troubleshooting END Technical Support/RMA Sheet Acronyms Ioapic English English English Taiwan Headquarters Contact UsChina Shanghai

GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 specifications

The Gigabyte GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 is a high-performance motherboard designed for AMD's Athlon 64 and Opteron processors, which made significant strides in the computing world during the early 2000s. This motherboard harnesses the power of Socket 939, allowing users to unlock the full potential of AMD's 64-bit architecture, delivering enhanced performance and speed for demanding applications and gaming.

One of the standout features of the GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 is its support for dual-channel DDR SDRAM. This motherboard accommodates up to 4GB of memory across its four DIMM slots. With the dual-channel configuration, users experience increased memory bandwidth, allowing for faster data transfer rates essential for modern multitasking and high-performance computing scenarios.

Gigabyte’s proprietary technologies, such as its 8-phase Power Phase Design, significantly improve system stability and reliability by providing clean and steady power to the CPU. This design is particularly beneficial when overclocking, allowing users to push their systems to higher performance levels without compromising stability.

The motherboard features an NForce3 250Gb chipset, known for its impressive capabilities in enhancing system performance and providing support for various peripheral technologies. This chipset enables integrated Gigabit Ethernet, ensuring fast networking speeds suitable for gaming and data-intensive tasks.

Expansion capabilities are another highlight of the GA-K8NS ULTRA-939. It offers several PCI slots along with a PCI Express x16 slot, allowing users to upgrade their graphics cards for enhanced gaming performance. Additionally, the motherboard features 4 SATA connectors, supporting RAID 0, 1, and 0+1 configurations, enabling improved data redundancy and speed for storage solutions.

Connectivity is further enhanced with USB 2.0 support, providing multiple ports for peripherals, and integrated audio solutions, delivering decent sound quality for media consumption and gaming. Moreover, the Realtek ALC850 codec ensures that users can easily connect and enjoy high-quality audio.

The GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 also incorporates Gigabyte’s patented DualBIOS technology, which provides a backup BIOS that safeguards against corruption, ensuring system reliability and extended product longevity. This feature, along with a rich selection of configuration options in the BIOS, gives users the flexibility and control they need to optimize their computing experience.

In conclusion, the Gigabyte GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 represents a solid choice for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich motherboard to complement AMD’s Socket 939 processors. With its robust power design, extensive memory support, and a comprehensive array of features, it remains a memorable piece of hardware that contributed to the evolution of home computing.