TE430VX MotherboardMotherboard Technical Product Specification

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 secure section on the Intel bulletin board, or Intel’s FTP site.

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; or

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

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

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 will determine the capabilities of each drive and configure them to optimize capacity and performance. For the high capacity hard drives typically available today, the drive will be automatically be 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 is able to 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 the table below.

Table 12. Recommendations for Configuring an ATAPI Device

Primary Cable

Drive 0

ATA

ATA

ATA

ATA

ATAPI

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

ATAPI CD-ROM as only IDE device in the system

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Intel TE430VX manual Bios Upgrades, PCI IDE Support, Recommendations for Configuring an Atapi Device, Primary Cable

TE430VX specifications

The Intel TE430VX was a landmark product in the realm of computing during the early 1990s. This microprocessor, part of Intel's line of Pentium processors, was primarily aimed at the burgeoning market for personal and business computing.

One of the main features of the Intel TE430VX was its 32-bit architecture, which allowed for a significant increase in processing power compared to its predecessors. The 32-bit data bus enabled the handling of larger amounts of data simultaneously, enhancing overall system performance. The TE430VX was capable of executing instructions at clock speeds ranging from 60 MHz to 66 MHz, which was quite impressive for its time. This processing power made it suitable not only for everyday computing tasks but also for more demanding applications such as graphic design and gaming.

The TE430VX also incorporated advanced technologies such as pipelining, which allowed it to execute multiple instructions in a single clock cycle. This feature contributed to improved performance and responsiveness, making the user experience smoother. The microprocessor supported a variety of RAM types, including EDO (Extended Data Out) RAM, which further enhanced its performance by reducing memory access times.

Another characteristic that set the TE430VX apart was its compatibility with a wide range of operating systems, including DOS, Windows, and various UNIX variants. This flexibility ensured that users could run their preferred software without compatibility issues, making it a versatile choice for home and business environments alike.

The integration of a built-in memory controller also simplified motherboard design, reducing the overall cost of systems utilizing the TE430VX. This chip also supported advanced graphics options, allowing users to experience better multimedia performance through dedicated graphics cards.

Power consumption was another consideration in the design of the TE430VX. It was engineered to operate efficiently while maintaining good performance, an important factor for long-term sustainability in computing environments.

In summary, the Intel TE430VX was a significant advancement in microprocessor technology during the early 1990s. Its 32-bit architecture, pipelining capabilities, compatibility with multiple operating systems, and efficient power consumption contributed to its reputation as a reliable choice for both personal and professional use, solidifying Intel's position as a leader in the computing landscape.