AP440FX Motherboard Technical Product Specification

The disk-based Flash upgrade utility, FMUP.EXE, has three options for BIOS upgrades:

The Flash BIOS can be updated from a file on a disk.

The current BIOS code can be copied from the Flash EEPROM to a disk file as a backup in the event that an upgrade cannot be successfully completed.

The BIOS in the Flash device can be compared with a file to ensure the computer has the correct version.

The upgrade utility ensures the upgrade BIOS extension matches the target computer to prevent accidentally installing a BIOS for a different type of computer.

3.4 PCI IDE Support

The two local bus IDE connectors with independent I/O channel support are setup up automatically by the BIOS if the user selects “Autoconfiguration” in Setup. The IDE interface supports PIO Mode 3, and Mode 4 hard drives and recognition of ATAPI CD-ROMs, tape drives, and any other ATAPI devices. The BIOS determines the capabilities of each drive and configures them to optimize capacity and performance. For the high capacity hard drives typically available, the drive is automatically configured for Logical Block Addressing (LBA) for maximum capacity and to PIO Mode 3 or 4 depending on the capability of the drive. The user can override the auto- configuration options by using the manual mode setting. The ATAPI Specification Revision 2.5 recommends that an ATAPI device be configured as shown in Table 34.

Table 34. Recommendations for Configuring an ATAPI Device

Primary Cable

Drive 0

ATA

ATA

ATA

ATA

Drive 1

ATAPI

Secondary Cable

Drive 0

Drive 1

ATAPI

ATAPI

ATAPI

 

 

Normal, no ATAPI

Disk and CD-ROM for enhanced IDE systems

Legacy IDE System with only one cable

Enhanced IDE with CD-ROM and a tape or two CD-ROMs

3.5 PCI Auto-Configuration

The PCI auto-configuration utility operates in conjunction with the Setup utility to allow the insertion and removal of PCI cards without user intervention (Plug and Play). When the computer is turned on after adding a PCI add-in card, the BIOS automatically configures interrupts, I/O space, and other parameters. PCI interrupts are distributed to available ISA interrupts that have not been assigned to an ISA card, or other resources. Those interrupts left set to “available” in Setup are considered free for PCI add-in card use.

The PCI Auto-Configuration function complies with version 2.10 of the PCI BIOS specification. Configuration information is stored in ESCD format. The ESCD data may be cleared (i.e., “write protection” is removed) by setting the CMOS clear jumper to the DOWN (CLR) position.

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Intel AP440FX PCI IDE Support, PCI Auto-Configuration, Recommendations for Configuring an Atapi Device, Primary Cable

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.