FIC A360 System BIOS, Video Subsystem, System Memory, Video Memory, Video Chip Controller

Hardware Functional Overview

4.8.1System Memory

The notebook offers two 64-bit SODIMM (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module) sockets for main memory configuration. The memory sockets accept any standard 144-pin SODIMM modules at 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB and 256MB sizes. Memory modules are 3.3V SDRAM type.

4.8.2Video Memory

The video memory of the notebook is embedded inside the VGA controller chip (S3 Savage

4)with 8,16 and 32MB SMA video memory that can support display resolutions of up to 1024 x 768 at 32-bit 16M color (TFT LCD).

4.9System BIOS

The notebook utilizes the Phoenix BIOS 4.0 Release 6.0 (Basic I/O System) that contains both the main system BIOS and the VGA BIOS with Shadow BIOS capability. It utilizes Flash EPROM BIOS that allows instant erasing and programming without replacing the EPROM chip.

The BIOS is stored in a 32-pin PLCC package FLASH ROM SST 28SF040A-90/120 or Winbond W29C040P-90 with 4Mbit size and is mounted into the motherboard. While posting the system, the Shadow RAM will be enabled and the ROM will be disabled.

4.10 Video Subsystem

The video subsystem, integrated inside the North Bridge chip and the LCD panel, controls the display output to both the LCD Panel screen and to the external VGA port.

4.10.1 Video Chip Controller

S3 Savage 4 also includes 8, 16 and 32MB of shared architecture memory (SMA) with all of the above in a single BGA package.

Feature Summary of the S3 Savage 4:

•S3 Savage 4 Chip set

•32/64-Bit 8/16/32MB SMA video buffer

•Designed for AGP 4X/2X with side-band addressing and execute modes

•128 bit engine with dual rendering pipelines

•Floating point triangle setup engine Single cycle 3D architecture and trilinear filtering

•True color rendering

•140MHz pixels/sectrilinear fill rate

•8M triangle/sec setup engine Full speed DVD video play back

•VESA-DPMS 2.0 and DDC2

•Support Industry standard S3 Texture Compression

4-10 FIC A360 Service Manual