Chip 1996 September/CHIP 1996 szeptember (CD07).zip/CHIP_CD07.ISO/drivers/asus/amiscu/amiscu.hlp

Text File | 1995-07-15 | 53KB | 1,023 lines

Table of Contents=
{               Table of Contents

        Introduction
            {Using Help}
            {About AMI SCU}

        Menus and Submenus
            {Main Menu}
            {Step 1}
            {Step 2}
            {Step 3}
            {Step 4}
            {Step 5}
            {Step 6}

        Supplemental Information
            {Advanced Options}
            {Utilities}
            {CFG Files}
            {CMS File}
            {INF File}
            {Slot Numbers}
            {Nonvolatile RAM}
}

Using Help=
{                   Using Help

The help window may be accessed at any time by
pressing the F1 key.  While in the help system
you may scroll the window up and down using the
up and down cursor keys or the PGUP or PGDN keys.

The help window includes a menu with three
buttons at the bottom of the window:

Back      Press F2 to redisplay the last help
          topic that was shown.

Contents  Press F3 to display the table of
          contents for the help system.

Quit      Press ESC to exit from the help system
          and return to the SCU.

}

About AMI SCU=
{     About System Configuration and AMI SCU

The System Configuration Utility from American
Megatrends, Inc.  configures ISA, EISA, PnPISA,
and PCI computer systems.

EISA systems and adapter cards are much more
complex and flexible than the older ISA designs.
Furthermore, PnPISA and PCI systems possess
registers on the cards that contain pertinent
information about the resources a card requires.
The System Configuration Utility was created to
automate the configuration process for all of
these systems, to maintain system parameters,
and to store those parameters in Nonvolatile
RAM. The SCU guarantees that there will be no
conflicts or contention issues between adapter
cards, since it assigns all necessary system
resources.

The SCU must be executed every time ISA or EISA
adapter cards are physically added, removed, or
moved (running the SCU is optional for PnP and
PCI cards). The SCU operates on the information
provided by the CFG (configuration) files,
configuration registers on PCI and PnP cards,
and NVRAM in the system's memory.

When a system is powered on, the system BIOS
reads the system configuration information
from Nonvolatile RAM and initializes all
adapter cards in the system.

Important Terms

.CFG  The DOS file extension for a standard EISA
      configuration file (CFG File) that provides
      configuration information for a specific
      EISA Adapter Card.
SCU   System Configuration Utility
EISA  Extended Industry Standard Architecture
ISA   Industry Standard Architecture
PnP   Plug and Play
PCI   Peripheral Component Interconnect
.OVL  The standard DOS file extension for an
      EISA CFG file extension (Overlay file).

In EISA systems, configuration is accomplished
through software - CFG files, rather than the
hardware switches used by an ISA system. With
PCI and PnP systems, the cards contain
configuration registers that replace the CFG
files used by EISA. The SCU interprets the CFG
files or configuration registers to determine
resource allocation.

EISA is a superset of ISA; whereas, PnPISA is
an ISA device with a configuration register
(requiring its own BIOS support). PCI operates
on its own separate bus system. As far as speed
is concerned, PCI is faster than EISA, and EISA
is faster than ISA/PnPISA.

See also: {CFG Files}   {Nonvolatile RAM}
          {CMS File}    {Slot Numbers}
          {INF File}    {Main Menu}
          {Using Help}
}

Main Menu=
{                    Main Menu

This is the main menu of the AMI System
Configuration Utility.  For general information
on this utility see {About AMI SCU}.

The main menu outlines the six steps involved in
configuring a system.  Steps 1, 2, and 3 are
optional.  To select a step, use the up and down
cursor keys to move to a step and then press
ENTER.  You may also select a step by pressing
its number.

{Step 1}: About System Configuration
        This step displays information for users
        who are new to expansion device
        configuration.

{Step 2}: Add and Remove Boards
        This step is optional.  Use this step to
        manually add or delete boards.  Most
        boards are automatically detected and
        added by the SCU.

{Step 3}: Change Configuration Settings
        This step is optional.  Use this step to
        change configuration settings for any
        board in the system.  If you skip this
        step, all settings will remain set to
        their default state.

{Step 4}: Save Configuration
        This step saves the configuration
        settings to {Nonvolatile RAM} and into a
        backup file (the {CMS File}).

{Step 5}: View Switch/Jumper Settings
        This step displays how to set DIP
        switches and jumpers on any board that is
        switch or jumper configurable.

{Step 6}: Exit
        This step exits to the operating system.
        If any configuration settings were
        changed, you are given the option of
        rebooting the system so that the new
        settings will take effect.

You may access the {Utilities} menu by pressing
F9 from the main menu.
}

Step 1=
{          Step 1: About System Configuration

This step is optional.  Use this step to provide
general information about the Configuration
Utility.
}

Step 2=
{          Step 2: Add and Remove Boards

This step is optional.  Use this step to manually
add or delete boards.  Most boards are
automatically detected and added by the SCU.
This step is also used to move a board from one
slot to another.

If the SCU did not detect your EISA boards
properly, you may add a board manually by
pressing INSERT and choosing the board's CFG
file (PCI, PnP, and most ISA boards have no
CFG files).

You may delete a board by moving to that board
and pressing DEL.

You may move a board from one slot to another by
moving to that board and pressing F7.

Most ISA boards cannot be automatically detected
by the SCU, but most of these boards do not need
to be configured anyway.  In some rare cases it
may be necessary to define an ISA board so it's
resources will not be allocated to another board.
For more information on this subject see
{Define ISA Board}.

}

Step 3=
{      Step 3: Change Configuration Settings

This step is optional, to skip it, press ESC to
return to the main menu.  Use this step to change
configuration settings on any board that is
installed.  To view or change a board's settings,
use the cursor keys to move to the board and then
press ENTER.

When you are satisfied with the current settings
press ESC to return to the main menu.

Pressing F9 will display the {Advanced Options}
menu.
}

Step 4=
{
This step is used to save the existing configur-
ation to the system {Nonvolatile RAM}.  This step
must be performed to permanently preserve the con-
figuration information.

This step will also create a .CMS backup file
which may be renamed and used at a later time to
restore the system configuration using the
{Utilities} menu.
}

Step 5=
{       Step 5: View Switch/Jumper Settings

Use this step to verify that all DIP switches and
jumpers on the installed boards are set
correctly.  Some boards have switches and jumpers
that have to be set manually.

The following screens also display any software
statements.  Software statements are generated by
boards that require special drivers or other
software to be loaded.

The screens also display other information about
the configuration that may be useful.  All of
this information can be printed or saved on disk
by pressing F7.
}

Step 6=
{                  Step 6: Exit

Press ENTER to end the AMI System Configuration
Utility and return to DOS.  Pressing ESC will
return to the main menu.

If the contents of this system's {Nonvolatile RAM}
has been changed during this configuration
session, the changes will not take effect until
the system is rebooted.  If this is the case, you
have the option of rebooting now by pressing F10.
}

Copy CFG File=
{
                  Copy CFG File

If your system has an EISA bus, before your
computer can be configured, the SCU needs a CFG
file for each EISA board in the system (including
the system board).  {CFG Files} are included on
a diskette that comes with each EISA product.
CFG files have filenames that start with an
exclamation point (!) and have an extension of
".CFG".

Place the diskette containing the CFG file into
drive A.  If the file can be found in a different
drive or directory, enter a new path to the
file.

Pressing ENTER will copy the file into the
current directory so it can be used by the SCU.

Pressing ESC will skip this CFG file and leave
the corresponding board unconfigured.
}

Slot Selection=
{                 Slot Selection

You must select a slot for the card that is being
configured.  There may be several choices
available, they are listed in the order of
preference.

See Also: {Slot Numbers}
}

Edit Board=
{               Edit Board Settings

This menu contains a list of all functions for
one board.  Each function has a "choice" setting
and may have one or more resource settings.

To change a function's choice setting, use the up
and down cursor keys to highlight a function and
then press ENTER.  Some functions may only have
one choice setting and therefore cannot be
changed.

To change a function's resource settings, use the
up and down cursor keys to highlight a function
and then press F6.  Not all functions have
resource settings.

When you are satisfied with the current settings
press ESC to return to the previous menu.
}

Edit Function=
{            Function Choice Selection

This menu shows the choice settings available for
a function.  The current setting is indicated by
a mark beside that setting.  You may change the
current setting by selecting a different choice.
If a setting causes a conflict with other
functions or boards, you will not be allowed
select that choice.  Press ENTER to change the
function's choice setting and return to the
previous screen, or press ESC to ignore any
changes that you have just made.

See {Function Help} for help on the settings
available for this function.
}

Edit Resource=
{                Resource Editing

This screen is used to edit a function's resource
settings If you create any conflicts while
changing resources, you will be warned and the
setting that caused the conflict will not be
allowed.  Press ENTER to return to the previous
screen.

See {Function Help} for help on the settings
available for this function.
}

Print Config=
{                  Confirm Print

This screen is used to print the configuration
information or to save it in a file.

To print the information, select "Printer" and
then press ENTER.

To save the information in a file, select "File",
then press TAB and enter a filename, then press
ENTER.

Pressing ESC will return to the previous screen
without printing.
}

Advanced Options=
{              Advanced Options Menu

This is a menu of options for use by an advanced
user.  There are four choices available.  Press
ESC to return to the previous screen.

Global {Resource Map}
     This option displays a list of allocated
     resources (DMA, IRQ, Ports, and Memory).

{Board Details}
     Use this option to display details on
     individual boards.

{System Details}
     This option displays information on the
     entire system and its present state of
     configuration.

Physical Board {ID Map}
     Displays the ID's of boards that are
     physically present in the system.
}

Resource Map=
{               Global Resource Map

This screen shows which system resources are
currently used in this configuration.  System
resources include DMA channels, IRQ levels, I/O
Ports, and Memory/Address ranges.
}

Board Details=
{                  Board Details

This screen shows the details on one board in the
system.  Use the up and down arrow keys to scroll
the screen.  Use PGUP and PGDN to see details on
other boards.  Press ENTER to return to the
previous menu.
}

System Details=
{                System Details

This screen shows details about the system being
configured.  Use the up and down arrow keys to
scroll the screen.  Press ENTER to return to the
previous menu.
}

ID Map=
{              Physical Board ID Map

This chart shows which boards have been
physically plugged into your system or devices
that are embedded in your system.  Only boards
with readable IDs are shown.  This means that
most ISA boards will not be displayed on this
screen.
}

Select CMS=
{              Selecting a CMS File

You are running the SCU in remote mode.  You may
select a {CMS File} to modify.  CMS files each
contain a saved configuration for a system.  If
you wish to start a new remote configuration,
press ESC and you will be asked to select CFG
files one by one.

For more information on how to select a file from
this menu see: {File Selection}
}

Select System CFG=
{         Selecting System Board CFG File

When adding boards one by one, you must first
select the system board CFG file.

For more information on how to select a file from
this menu see: {File Selection}

See Also: {CFG Files}
}

Select CFG=
{            Selecting a Board to Add

Select the CFG File for the board that you want
to add.

For more information on how to select a file from
this menu see: {File Selection}

See Also: {CFG Files}

If you do not have a CFG file for an ISA board,
you may add a user-defined ISA board by selecting
"Add ISA".  You must define ISA boards before you
begin configuration.  To do this, select the
{Define ISA Board} command from the {Utilities}
menu.
}

Write NVRAM Select=
{    Selecting CMS File to Write to NVRAM

More than one {CMS File} has been found in the
current directory, you must choose which one to
write to {Nonvolatile RAM}.

For more information on how to select a file from
this menu see: {File Selection}
}

Select INF=
{        Selecting the INF file to Display

You are in remote mode so you must select an
{INF File} to display.  The INF file contains
information about a saved configuration.  The
names of the INF files correspond to the names of
the system board {CFG Files} that were used in
the configurations.

For more information on how to select a file from
this menu see: {File Selection}
}

File Selection=
{                 File Selection

Use the up and down cursor keys to move the
highlight bar over a file and press ENTER.

Only files matching the filespec shown at the top
of the screen are shown in the window.  You may
change the filespec to select files from other
drives/directories by pressing SHIFT TAB.
}

Utilities=
{                 Utilities Menu

This screen controls how a configuration is
produced.  Several options are available, each
one can be enabled or disabled by pressing SPACE
when an option is highlighted.

Remote Mode
    Turn off remote mode if the configuration
    that you are working on is for this computer.
    If you want to produce a configuration for a
    computer other than this one, turn on remote
    mode.  If remote mode is off, configuration
    information will be stored in this computer's
    {Nonvolatile RAM} as well as a {CMS File} and
    {INF File}.  If remote mode is on, the
    configuration will be stored in the files
    only.  These files can be copied to another
    computer and the configuration can be copied
    into that system's NVRAM using the
    "Restore configuration from backup" option on
    this screen.

Advanced/Dealer Mode
    Some EISA boards have CFG files that contain
    options that are not ordinarily configured by
    end users.  If this mode is turned on, any
    functions that are marked as EXP (expert)
    will be visible and can be changed.

Force new configuration
    When turned on, this mode will ignore any
    existing configuration settings in NVRAM for
    PCI devices.  Information for all PCI devices
    are generated from the configuration
    registers only.

Load CFG files manually from directory list
    When this mode is turned on, the SCU will
    not automatically detect and add boards to
    the configuration.  You will be prompted to
    select boards one by one.

Load CFG files listed in CFGLIST.DAT
    If you prefer to specify a list of CFG files
    to load, you may create a file called
    CFGLIST.DAT that contains the filenames of
    the CFG files to be added.  Turning this
    option on causes the SCU to use this file.

Ignore ID mismatches
    Normally the SCU will only configure boards
    that are physically present in the system.
    If a board was present in a previous
    configuration but was then physically
    removed, the SCU will normally not load the
    CFG file for this board.  Turning this
    option on causes the SCU to load CFG files
    for all boards that were in the previous
    configuration regardless of whether or not
    they are physically installed.

Press F5 to restore a configuration from a CMS
file.  See {Write EISA CMOS} for more information
on this option.

Press F6 to display the physical board {ID Map}.

Press F7 to {Define ISA Board}.
}

Write EISA CMOS=
{         Write EISA CMOS from CMS File

This option will copy the contents of a {CMS File}
into this system's {Nonvolatile RAM} which is main
tained when the system is turned off.  Doing this
will erase any previous configuration information
stored in Nonvolatile RAM.  If there is more than
one CMS File in the current directory, you will
be asked which one to use.
}

Define ISA Board=
{              ISA Board Definition

If you have an ISA board with no CFG file, you
may use this screen to define the board.  It is
only necessary to define an ISA board when you
want to prevent other boards in the system from
using the same IRQ levels, DMA channels, I/O Port
addresses, or Memory addresses that your ISA
board uses.  To define an ISA board, you must:

  1. Enter a description of the board in the
     "Board Name" box.
  2. Enter the board manufacturer's name in the
     next box.
  3. Select a board type in the "Board Type" box.
  4. Select a slot type in the "Slot Type" box.
  5. Define up to 4 DMA channels needed by the
     board by selecting one of the DMA boxes.
  6. Define up to 7 IRQ levels used by the board
     by selecting one of the IRQ boxes.
  7. Define up to 8 ranges of I/O ports used by
     the board by selecting one of the Port
     boxes.
  8. Define up to 8 memory/address ranges used by
     the board by selecting one of the Memory
     boxes.
  9. Press F10 to save your ISA board definition
     for use in a later configuration session.

The following additional options are available at
any time:

Load (Press F9)
     Loads an ISA board definition that was
     created before.  The definition can be
     modified and then resaved.

New (Press F2)
     Starts a new ISA board definition.

Delete (Press F4)
     Removes an ISA board definition from the
     SCU's internal ISA board database.

Quit (Press ESC)
     Returns to the main menu without saving any
     changes.
}

ISA DMA=
{               ISA DMA Definition

Use this screen to define a DMA channel used by
the ISA board.  Select the DMA channel, transfer
size, and timing, and then press ENTER to return
to the main ISA definition screen.

Press ESC to ignore any changes and return to the
previous screen.

Press F4 to remove the DMA channel from the ISA
board's definition.
}

ISA IRQ=
{               ISA IRQ Definition

Use this screen to define an IRQ level used by
the ISA board.  Select the IRQ level and trigger
type, and then press ENTER to return to the main
ISA definition screen.

Press ESC to ignore any changes and return to the
previous screen.

Press F4 to remove the IRQ level from the ISA
board's definition.
}

ISA Port=
{               ISA Port Definition

Use this screen to define a range of I/O ports
used by the ISA board.  Enter the starting and
ending ports, select the size, and then press
ENTER to return to the main ISA definition
screen.

Press ESC to ignore any changes and return to the
previous screen.

Press F4 to remove the Port range from the ISA
board's definition.
}

ISA Memory=
{              ISA Memory Definition

Use this screen to define a memory address range
used by the ISA board.  Enter the size of the
block of memory in kilobytes (1k = 1024), and
enter the start address of the block in hex
(Note: Use an absolute address, instead of
C000:0000 use 000C0000).  Also select RAM or ROM,
Cacheable or Non-cacheable, the memory type,
width,and decode width.  If you are not sure about
any of these options, just use the default (which
is always at the top of each box).  When you are
finished, press ENTER to return to the main ISA
definition screen.

Press ESC to ignore any changes and return to the
previous screen.

Press F4 to remove the Memory range from the ISA
board's definition.
}

ISA Board Delete=
{           Delete ISA Board Definition

Choose an ISA board definition to delete.  Use
this option to remove an existing ISA board
definition from the SCU's internal ISA board
database.

Press ESC to abort and return to the previous
screen.
}

ISA Board Load=
{            Load ISA Board Definition

Choose an ISA board definition to load.  Use this
option to modify an existing ISA board
definition.

Press ESC to abort and return to the previous
screen.
}

Add ISA Board=
{                  Add ISA Board

Select an ISA board to add to the current
configuration.  You must define ISA boards using
the utilities menu (F9 from the main menu).

Press ESC to abort and return to the previous
screen.
}

Confirm Remove=
{
Press ENTER to remove the board from the
configuration.

Press ESC to keep the board in the current
configuration.
}

Confirm Restart=
{
Once you have saved the configuration, you cannot
add or remove boards or make changes to the
settings without restarting the SCU.

Press ENTER to restart the SCU.

Press ESC to return to the main menu without
restarting.
}

Amperage Warning=
{
The SCU keeps track of how much current is drawn
by each board that is configured.  The total
amount of current needed by all boards in your
system currently exceeds the capacity of your
system board.  If the system is powered on with
all of these boards installed, physical damage
may occur.
}

Swap File=
{
The amount of free memory in this system is low.
The SCU must page some data to the disk to free
up more memory.  This data may be needed at any
time so do not remove the diskette from the
drive.
}

SUBCHOICE conflict=
{              SUBCHOICE conflict

The SUBCHOICE that you selected contained
request(s) for resource(s) already allocated to
some other function.  Selecting this subchoice
will result in an irresolvable conflict.  So this
subchoice has been ignored, and the previous
subchoice has been restored.
}

CHOICE conflict=
{                CHOICE conflict

The CHOICE that you selected contained request(s)
for resource(s) already allocated to some other
function.  Selecting this choice will result in
an irresolvable conflict.  So this choice has
been ignored, and the previous choice has been
restored.
}

IRQ conflict=
{               IRQ level conflict

The IRQ level that you selected has already been
allocated to some other function.  Selecting this
IRQ will result in a irresolvable conflict.  So
this selection has been ignored, and the previous
selection has been restored.
}

DMA conflict=
{              DMA channel conflict

The DMA channel that you selected has already
been allocated to some other function.  Selecting
this DMA channel will result in a irresolvable
conflict.  So this selection has been ignored,
and the previous selection has been restored.
}

MEMORY conflict=
{             MEMORY block conflict

The MEMORY block that you selected has already
been allocated to some other function.  Selecting
this MEMORY block will result in a irresolvable
conflict.  So this selection has been ignored,
and the previous selection has been restored.
}

PORT conflict=
{              PORT block conflict

The PORT block that you selected has already been
allocated to some other function.  Selecting this
PORT block will result in a irresolvable
conflict.  So this selection has been ignored,
and the previous selection has been restored.
}

No resources=
{
The current choice setting for this function is
not using any system resources (IRQ, DMA, Ports,
or Memory).
}

Insert Source=
{            Insert Source Diskette

Insert the diskette that contains the {CFG Files}
to be copied.
}

Insert Destination=
{          Insert Destination Diskette

Insert the SCU diskette so the {CFG files} can be
copied onto it.
}

ISA Definition Changed=
{
The ISA definition that you are editing has been
changed since it was last saved.  Press ENTER if
you do not want to save the changes.  Press ESC
to abort the command and return to the editing
screen.
}

ISA Definition Saved=
{
The ISA definition that you are editing has been
saved in the SCU's internal ISA board database.
}

CFG Version=
{
This CFG file contains a statement that indicates
that the CFG file is not compatible with this
version of the SCU.  The SCU may behave
unpredictably if this CFG file is loaded.
}

Save before view=
{
You have made changes to the configuration, but
have not saved it using Step 4. Any switch/jumper
settings that are displayed before saving may be
inaccurate.
}

CFG Files=
{                CFG Files

The CFG file describes the adapter card
characteristics and the system resources that it
requires.  Configuration information for the
motherboard and each adapter card in an EISA
system is provided in a configuration file (CFG
file) read by the System Configuration Utility
(SCU).  The CFG file should be on a floppy disk
provided with the EISA motherboard or EISA
adapter card.

ISA cards can also have CFG files.  Older ISA
adapter cards will not. PCI and PnPISA have
configuration registers instead of CFG files.

The SCU reads all CFG files and optimally
configures the computer so there are no
resource conflicts between the system and any
adapter card.  This configuration information is
saved in {Nonvolatile RAM}.

See also: {CMS File}
          {INF File}
}

CMS File=
{                   CMS File

The CMS file contains a copy of the configuration
information that is written into the system's
{Nonvolatile RAM}.  The default name for a CMS fil
matches the ID of the system board that was used
in the configuration.  Each CMS file should have
a corresponding INF file.

See also: {CFG Files}
          {INF File}
}

INF File=
{                   INF File

The INF file contains detailed information about
a configuration such as switch and jumper
settings, software statements, connection
statements, and resource allocation.  The INF
file is used by {Step 5} to recall information on
a saved configuration.  Each INF file should have
a corresponding CMS file.

See also: {CFG Files}
          {CMS File}
}

Slot Numbers=
{               Slot Numbers

Each EISA, ISA or PnPISA adapter card is installed
in an EISA or ISA expansion slot (connector) on
the motherboard.  The slots are numbered from
1 to n (n can be 1 through 15).  The motherboard
is always slot 0.

Each slot is given a unique I/O address space of
1024 bytes (1 KB).  The BIOS uses the I/O ports
and associated registers and the information
written to {Nonvolatile RAM} to initialize the EIS
slot devices during POST.  If the slot device is
an ISA adapter card, the I/O space is limited to
100h - 3FFh.  The SCU displays the proper switch
and jumper settings for the ISA device if a CFG
file is provided with the device.

PCI devices are placed in slots 16 to 64, but like
ISA and PnP ISA the slots are not limited to one
particular physical slot (as is the case with
EISA).
}

Nonvolatile RAM=
{                 Nonvolatile RAM

Initialization and configuration information is
read by the SCU and stored in Nonvolatile RAM. A
backup of NVRAM configuration data is also
stored on disk.  When the system is rebooted, the
BIOS reads the NVRAM configuration data and
executes the initialization instructions during
POST.  The initialization usually consists of
writing to the I/O ports assigned to the slot
device.

Configuration information is stored in NVRAM
so that the BIOS can initialize the system
(including adapter cards) at power up.  The
contents of NVRAM is maintained by a
battery.  If the battery runs down, the contents
of NVRAM may be lost. It is then necessary
to either reconfigure the system or copy a backed
up configuration into NVRAM using the
{Utilities} menu.
}