3 Motherboard BIOS and Setup Utility

3.1 Introduction

The AP440FX motherboard uses an Intel BIOS, which is stored in flash memory and easily upgraded using a floppy disk-based program. In addition to the Intel BIOS, the flash memory also contains the Setup utility, Power-On Self Tests (POST), APM 1.2, the PCI auto-configuration utility, and Windows 95 ready Plug and Play 1.0a. This motherboard also supports BIOS shadowing, allowing the BIOS to execute from 64-bit onboard write-protected DRAM.

The BIOS displays a sign-on message during POST identifying the type of BIOS and a five-digit revision code. The initial production BIOS in the motherboard is identified as 1.00.01.CT1.

3.2 BIOS Flash Memory Organization

The Intel PA28FB002BX 2 MB flash component is organized as 256K x 8 (256 KB). The flash device is divided into seven areas, as described in Table 33.

Table 33. Flash Memory Organization

Address

FFFF0000H

FFFEC000H

FFFEA000H

FFFE9000H

FFFE8000H

FFFE0000H

FFFD0000H

FFFC0000H

FFFFFFFFH

FFFEFFFFH

FFFEBFFFH

FFFE9FFFH

FFFE8FFFH

FFFE7FFFH

FFFDFFFFH

FFFCFFFFH

Flash Memory Area

64 KB Main BIOS

16 KB Boot block (Not flash erasable)

8 KB ESCD Area (Plug and Play data storage area)

4 KB Reserved for BIOS

4 KB OEM Logo Area

32 KB Reserved for BIOS

64 KB Reserved for BIOS

64 KB Reserved for BIOS

3.3 BIOS Upgrades

Flash memory makes distributing BIOS upgrades easy. A new version of the BIOS can be installed from a diskette. BIOS upgrades are available to be down loaded from the Intel Applications Support web site at http://www-cs.intel.com/oem_developer/motherbd/, or from Intel’s FTP site at ftp://ftp.intel.com/pub/bios/. Be sure to have the BIOS identification that applies to this motherboard.

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Intel AP440FX specifications Introduction, Bios Flash Memory Organization, Bios Upgrades

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.