Day 16
Main board manuals
&
Troubleshooting
Main Board manuals are set up to help the user better understand how to setup, maintain, and upgrade.
Let's look at A7V266-E Main Board Manual
Contact Info
ASUSTeK Computer INC.
6737 Mowry Ave. , Mowry Business Center, Building 2
Newark, CA. 94560, USA.
Fax: 1-510-608-4555
Email: tmd1@asus.com
WWW: www.asus.com.tw
This Manual is organized as follows
Introduction
Features
Hardware Setup
BIOS Setup
Software
Introduction
The A7V266-E incorporates the VIA KT266A chipset to support AMD® socket A processors, as well as high-bandwidth DDR (double data rate) memory. The result is a motherboard that delivers optimal performance and features to fulfill the performance potential of AMD® socket A processors.
Features
DDR Memory
The A7V266-E supports
up to 3GB of high-speed DDR ( Double Data Rate) PC2100/PC1600 SDRAM for a
peak bandwidth of 2.1 GB/s. The ultra-fast 266 MHz memory bus provides enhanced
system performance for intense gaming and multimedia applications.
6-Channel Onboard
Audio
Experience high-quality 6-channel 3D surround audio with the optional C-Media
CMI8738 audio controller. This unique chip eliminates the cost of an additional
soundcard and adds dynamic realism to your favorite MP3s or DVDs.
Onboard RAID
Enhanced hard disk performance and features such as IDE RAID O (striping)
and RAID 1 (mirror) are enabled via an onboard Promise RAID controller.
High Performance Standards
An AGP Pro/4X slot and an ULTRA-DMA 33/66/100 interface allows support of the most advanced graphics cards and hard drives.
Easy Overclocking
ASUS A7V266-E offers
the most overclocking options available to maximize your system performance.
Easy DIP Switch or
JumperfreeTM overclocking from BIOS
Flexible CPU Core Voltage Adjustments in 0.05V increments over defaults
Accurate 1MHz adjustments of system-bus-frequency
Adjustable VIO memory voltage
Adjustable FSB/PCI/MEM ratio
Rock-solid stability
Specifications
Supports Socket A
Athlon XP/Athlon/Duron processors
200/266MHz Front-Side-Bus (FSB)
VIA KT266A VT8366 North Bridge chipset with VT8233 South Bridge
3 DIMM slots support up to 3GB PC1600/PC2100 DDR SDRAM
Ultra-DMA 33/66/100
AGP Pro slot with AGP 4X support
Up to six USB Ports, five PCI slots, one AMR shared slot, two serial ports,
one parallel port
Optional C-Media CMI8738 6-Channel audio controller
Optional Promise RAID controller
Wake-On-LAN, Wake-On-Ring, Chassis Intrusion support
Smart Card Reader (SCR) interface support
ASUS PC Health MonitoringTM and ASUS PC ProbeTM software
Board Size
ATX Form Factor
9.6" x 12.0" (24.5cm x 30.5cm)
Layout
The layout of the Main Board is such that the user is able to identify the components.
These components include:
CPU Socket
Chip Set locations
ATX Power connection
Memory slots
AGP slot
PCI slots
IDE connectors
Floppy connectors
CMOS
Jumpers
Front Panel connectors
One short beep - no error
Long beeps in loop - DIMM error
One beep followed by three more - Video error
High frequency beeps - CPU is over heating
BIOS Setup
The BIOS setup includes:
How to update your BIOS
Standard CMOS setup
BIOS features
Chipset features
Power management
PnP configuration
Password Setups
&
IDE auto detections
Troubleshooting
Setting up the PC in a cool environment.
Heat is a leading cause for system failure, so find a room that does not get too hot. Also, do be sure that the PC does not receive direct sunlight.
Limit exposure to dusty areas.
Limit tobacco smoke exposure.
Proper grounding of the P/S
POST
If POST fails, you may hear a beep code. There is no standard to these codes, but if beeps are heard, then check RAM and card seating.
If the video card fails, the system will sound a long beep followed by two short beeps.
After all system parts pass, a short beep is sounded and the system boots up.
To fix problems-
Use the Problem Solving Process
Gather data to define the problem clearly
Develop a plan, do research
Carry out the plan, recording your steps
Document the process
Monitor the results
Open class discussion
Researching what to buy.
What do we look for?
How do we gather information?
Troubleshooting
Your diagnoses is that 5 cards are defective in a PC you should_____
a) Recheck for software or I/O conflicts
b) Replace cards all at once
c) Replace cards one at a time
You have a PC with no video on a known good monitor. Pick the best order you should follow in tracking down the problem.
a) replace the video card, replace the monitor, replace the power supply, replace the system board, try a different monitor
b) check that PC and monitor are plugged in, check that monitor brightness is turned up, check that PC fan is running, remove all option cards
c) check PC supply voltages, replace video card, replace CPU
d) check that everything's plugged in, replace system board
e) check that everything's plugged in, replace hard drive, replace ram
Which of the following would be a logical first step in troubleshooting a PC?
a) Check the computer CMOS
b) Define the circumstances of the problem
c) Call the vendor
d) Define what applications are being used
After displaying the directory of a floppy disk, a different floppy is inserted into the drive. The contents of the original floppy continues to display regardless of the director requests on the other floppies placed in the drive. You remove the drive in question and install it into your test system, and it does not exhibit the problem. You should next replace the:
a) System's floppy drive device driver
b) Original IDE controller
c) Floppy drive ribbon cable
d) System's power supply
What questions could be asked to determine if a problem is software or hardware related? (choose all that apply)
a) Does the computer BEEP during the boot phase?
b) Did peripheral devices initialize, i.e. printers?
c) Will hardware components pass diagnostics?
d) Determine how many serial ports are installed in the system.
A keyboard locks up intermittently even when replaced with a new keyboard. What is the LEAST likely cause of the problem?
a) A second bad keyboard
b) The keyboard controller chip
c) The keyboard connector
d) The motherboard
