SUPER MICRO Computer X7DBU Acpi Features, System Resource Alert, Main Switch Override Mechanism

Chapter 1: Introduction

System Resource Alert

This feature is available when used with Supero Doctor III in the Windows OS environment or used with Supero Doctor II in Linux. Supero Doctor is used to notify the user of certain system events. For example, if the system is running low on virtual memory and there is insufficient hard drive space for saving the data, you can be alerted of the potential problem. You can also configure Supero Doctor to provide you with warnings when the system temperature goes beyond a pre- defined range.

1-5 ACPI Features

ACPI stands for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface. The ACPI specifi- cation defines a flexible and abstract hardware interface that provides a standard way to integrate power management features throughout a PC system, including its hardware, operating system and application software. This enables the system to automatically turn on and off peripherals such as CD-ROMs, network cards, hard disk drives and printers. This also includes consumer devices connected to the PC such as VCRs, TVs, telephones and stereos.

In addition to enabling operating system-directed power management, ACPI provides a generic system event mechanism for Plug and Play and an operating system-independent interface for configuration control. ACPI leverages the Plug and Play BIOS data structures while providing a processor architecture-independent implementation that is compatible with Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server Operating Systems.

Slow Blinking LED for Suspend-State Indicator

When the CPU goes into a suspend state, the chassis power LED will start blinking to indicate that the CPU is in suspend mode. When the user presses any key, the CPU will wake-up and the LED will automatically stop blinking and remain on.

Main Switch Override Mechanism

When an ATX power supply is used, the power button can function as a system sus- pend button to make the system enter a SoftOff state. The monitor will be suspended and the hard drive will spin down. Pressing the power button again to "wake-up" the whole system. During the SoftOff state, the ATX power supply provides power to keep the required circuitry in the system "alive." In case the system malfunctions and you want to turn off the power, just press and hold the power button for 4 seconds. This option can be set in the Power section of the BIOS Setup routine.

1-11