Intel(R) Corporation
Intel® Desktop Board AL440LX

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Software and drivers
Bios and drivers

Product Documentation
icon Technical Product Specification
icon Specification Update

Compatibility
Supported processors
Warning: Processors not specifically listed by type and rated speed may have requirements that are not supported by the motherboard's design. Use of unsupported processors may result in improper operation, damage to the motherboard or processor, or reduced product life.

Processor family Internal Processor Speed Supported Notes
Pentium® II processors 333 MHz
300 MHz
266 MHz
233 MHz 		 
Intel® Celeron® processors 433 MHz requires BIOS P13
or later
400 MHz
366 MHz
333 MHz
300A MHz		 requires BIOS P10
or later
300 MHz
266 MHz 		requires BIOS P08
or later
Pentium® III processors Not supported see note

Note: The Pentium® III processor is not supported on this motherboard and attempting to use it may result in damage to the processor and/or motherboard.



Tested memory

Important Notes

System Memory Combinations
The motherboard has three, dual inline memory module (DIMM) sockets. Minimum memory size is 8 MB; maximum memory size is 384 MB. The BIOS automatically detects memory type, size, and speed.

The motherboard supports the following memory features:

  • 168-pin DIMMs with gold-plated contacts
  • 66 MHz SDRAM only
  • Non-ECC (64-bit) and ECC (72-bit) memory
  • 3.3 V memory only
  • Single- or double-sided DIMMs in the following sizes:

DIMM Size Non-ECC Configuration ECC Configuration
8 MB 1M x 64 1M x 72
16 MB 2M x 64 2M x 72
32 MB 4M x 64 4M x 72
64 MB 8M x 64 8M x 72
128 MB 16M x 64 16M x 72

Memory can be installed in one, two, or three sockets. Memory size and speed can vary between sockets.

DIMM Vendors - Web Sites
The list below contains vendors that have tested their memory for Intel® AL440LX Motherboards, and that have their products listed on their own website. Please visit their sites to obtain information on their products.


DIMM Vendors - SDRAM Non-ECC DIMMs
Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) improves memory performance through memory access that is synchronous with the memory clock. This simplifies the timing design and increases memory speed because all timing is dependent on the number of memory clock cycles.
Note To function properly, SDRAM DIMMs must meet the Intel 4-clock, 66 MHz, unbuffered SDRAM specification for either 64-bit or 72-bit SDRAM.

The following tables list DIMMs that have been tested. DIMMs that are not listed should also function properly as long as their specifications are compatible with the devices listed below. In general, DIMM devices that are faster than those specified for a given platform will work, although no extra performance will be realized.

Vendor Test Vendor Part Number Comments
1M x 64 (8 MB), Unbuffered SDRAM, Non-ECC - 66MHz
TANISYS BASIC 23-1189-03  
2M x 64 (16 MB), Unbuffered SDRAM, Non-ECC - 66MHz
Micron FULL MT8LSDT264AG-662C1  
Micron FULL MT8LSDT264AG-66CL2 Revision B only
NEC FULL MC452AB645F-A10  
NEC FULL MC-452AB644F-A67  
4M x 64 (32 MB), Unbuffered SDRAM, Non-ECC - 66MHz
Micron FULL MT16LSDT464AG-662C1  
Micron FULL MT16LSDT464AG-66CL2 Revision B only
NEC FULL MC-454AD644F-A10  
NEC FULL MC-454AD644F-A67  
Toshiba FULL THMY644041A1AEG-12A  
8M x 64 (64 MB), Unbuffered SDRAM, Non-ECC - 66MHz
Micron FULL MT8LSDT864AG-662D3  
NEC FULL MC458CB644F-A10  
NEC FULL MC458CB645FAA10  
Samsung FULL KMM366823ATL-G2  
Samsung FULL KMM366S823ATL-G0  
Samsung FULL KMM366S823BTL-G0  
16M x 64 (128 MB), Unbuffered SDRAM, Non-ECC - 66MHz
NEC FULL MC4516AD644F-A10  


DIMM Vendors - SDRAM ECC DIMMs
Error checking and correcting (ECC) memory detects multiple-bit errors and corrects single-bit errors. When ECC memory is installed, the BIOS supports both ECC and non-ECC mode. ECC mode is enabled in the Setup program. The BIOS automatically detects if ECC memory is installed and provides the Setup option for selecting ECC mode. If any non-ECC memory is installed, the Setup option for ECC configuration does not appear and ECC operation is not available.

The following table describes the effect of using Setup to put each memory type in each supported mode. Whenever ECC mode is selected in Setup, some performance loss occurs.

Memory Error Detection Mode Established in Setup Program

  ECC Disabled ECC Enabled
Non-ECC DIMM No error detection N/A
ECC DIMM No error detection Single-bit error correction,
multiple-bit error detection

The following table lists DIMMs that have been tested. DIMMs that are not listed should also function properly as long as their specifications are compatible with the devices listed below. In general, DIMM devices that are faster than those specified for a given platform will work, although no extra performance will be realized.

Vendor Test Vendor Part Number Comments
2M x 72 (16 MB), Unbuffered SDRAM, ECC - 66MHz
Micron FULL MT9LSDT272AG-662C1  
Micron FULL MT9LSDT272AG-66CL2 Revision B only
4M x 72 (32 MB), Unbuffered SDRAM, ECC - 66MHz
Micron FULL MT18LSDT472AG-662C1  
NEC FULL MC-454AC72F-A10  
8M x 72 (64 MB), Unbuffered SDRAM, ECC - 66MHz
Micron FULL MT9LSDTAG-662D3  
16M x 72 (128 MB), Unbuffered SDRAM, ECC - 66MHz
NEC FULL MC4516CC724F-A10  


Installation and use
Technical information

Contents
  • Booting from large IDE hard drives
    Large IDE hard drives may fail to initialize before the system boots. Starting with BIOS version 4A4LL0X0.86A.0015.P05, a "Hard Disk Pre-Delay" option was added to the Main menu in BIOS CMOS Setup. This option allows you to modify the time that the BIOS waits for the IDE hard drive to initialize.

  • Conflict with PCI bridge and AGP video controller
    A conflict with a "PCI standard PCI-to-PCI Bridge" and the AGP video controller in the Windows* 95 Device Manager does not affect the functionality of AGP with Windows 95. The "PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge" is actually the Intel 82443LX Pentium II Processor to AGP Controller, which Windows 95 cannot properly identify.

  • System hangs with S3-based video adapter
    Some video adapters that use early revisions of some S3 graphics controllers (Trio64V+*/V2*/DX*/GX*, Virge* and Virge/DX*/GX*) conflict with the PIIX4 chipset and can cause the AL440LX motherboard to lock up. This is due to a conflict with the device that is used to configure the SMBus, which can connect to a hardware monitor. Contact the video card manufacturer for more information or use a newer graphics device.

  • USB device cannot be disabled
    It is not possible to disable the USB Device in the PIIX4 IDE Controller. This device always will appear in the Windows 95 Configuration Manager. The resources cannot be released for use by other devices.

  • Motherboard will not power up
    If the motherboard won't power up, or the fan turns on for one second then shuts down, ensure you are using a momentary switch for the sleep/resume feature. The result may be the board getting stuck in sleep mode. Use the correct type of switch and remove the battery for 20 minutes to clear the flip-flop that controls sleep mode.

  • Turning power off during POST
    Turning your system power off may take up to four seconds while the BIOS is performing the Power On Self Test (POST). Simply depress and hold the power on/off button until the system powers down.

  • IRQ9 not available
    IRQ9 is not available to assign to ISA add-in cards because it is dedicated to the power management function of the PIIX4 controller on the motherboard. This is true for other motherboards which use the 82371AB PIIX4 component.



Last known issues

Latest BIOS and drivers
The current BIOS and current audio drivers for the Intel® AL440LX Motherboard can be found on the Software & Drivers page.

Contact your system provider for any bus mastering drivers specific to your configuration. Additional Intel® Bus Master IDE information can be found on the developer.intel.com site.

Windows* 95 Power-Down Issues
Intel has received reports from users who have experienced system hangs or long delays when shutting down from Windows 95*.

Securing the Processor to the Board
The processor is held onto the motherboard using an appropriate retention mechanism. Several steps must be observed when installing the retention mechanism to ensure it, and the processor, stay securely attached to the board.

1-3-3-1 Beep Code
The 1-3-3-1 beep code indicates that a failure was detected during POST memory testing. Try performing a BIOS recovery using the latest BIOS to see if it resolves your problem. If this does not resolve the problem, try replacing the DIMMs with memory listed on the tested memory list.

Windows* 95 With CD-ROM or Second Hard Drive
Having problems with Windows 95 and a CD-ROM or second hard drive? There are two known issues that may be affecting your system: you may need to update Windows* 95 to recognize the Intel® 82371AB PIIX4 IDE Controller, or your IDE CD-ROM may not comply with the ATAPI specification.

Booting From Large IDE Hard Drives
Large IDE hard drives may fail to initialize before the system boots. Starting with BIOS version 4A4LL0X0.86A.0015.P05, a "Hard Disk Pre-Delay" option was added to the Main menu in BIOS CMOS Setup. This option allows you to modify the time that the BIOS waits for the IDE hard drive to initialize.

Yellow Question Marks in Configuration Manager
Seeing yellow question marks in the Windows 95 Configuration Manager next to the entries for the PCI-ISA bridge and the Power Management PIIX4 device? This suggests you may need to run the Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility to update Windows 95 to recognize the IDE Controller.

Conflict with PCI Bridge and AGP Video Controller
A conflict with a "PCI standard PCI-to-PCI Bridge" and the AGP video controller in the Windows 95 Device Manager does not affect the functionality of AGP with Windows 95. The "PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge" is actually the Intel® 82443LX Pentium® II Processor to AGP Controller, which Windows 95 cannot properly identify.

System Hangs With S3-based Video Adapter
Some video adapters that use early revisions of some S3 graphics controllers (Trio64V+*/V2*/DX*/GX*, Virge* and Virge/DX*/GX*) conflict with the Intel® PIIX4 chipset and can cause the AL440LX motherboard to lock up. This is due to a conflict with the device that is used to configure the SMBus, which can connect to a hardware monitor. Contact the video card manufacturer for more information or use a newer graphics device.

USB Device Cannot Be Disabled
It is not possible to disable the USB Device in the PIIX4 IDE Controller. This device always will appear in the Windows 95 Configuration Manager. The resources cannot be released for use by other devices.

Motherboard Won't Power Up
If the motherboard won't power up, or the fan turns on for one second then shuts down, ensure you are using a momentary switch for the sleep/resume feature. The result may be the board getting stuck in sleep mode. Use the correct type of switch and remove the battery for 20 minutes to clear the flip-flop that controls sleep mode.

Turning Power Off During POST
Turning your system power off may take up to four seconds while the BIOS is performing the Power On Self Test (POST). Simply depress and hold the power on/off button until the system powers down.

IRQ9 Not Available
IRQ9 is not available to assign to ISA add-in cards because it is dedicated to the power management function of the PIIX4 controller on the motherboard. This is true for other motherboards which use the 82371AB PIIX4 component.

Will My ATA-66 Hard Drive Work on the Intel® AL440LX Motherboard?
The IDE controller integrated into the AL440LX motherboard supports Ultra DMA modes 0,1, and 2. Ultra DMA mode 2, also known as ATA-33 or Ultra DAM 33, is the highest speed transfer mode supported by the AL440LX. The motherboard hardware cannot support the maximum transfer rate of the ATA-66 drives. A drive that complies with the ATA-66 specification will run timings up to Ultra ATA-33 on the Intel AL440LX motherboard.



Windows* 95 shutdown issues

If you are experiencing system hangs or long delays when shutting down from Windows* 95, please try the following:

  1. Verify that you are using the latest system BIOS.
  2. Go into BIOS Setup, press [F9] and select 'Yes' to reset the default BIOS values
  3. Change other Setup options as needed
  4. Go to the Advanced menu and change the "Reset Configuration Data" entry to 'Yes'
  5. Press [F10] and select 'Yes' to save these changes

If you are using Windows 95, you should also verify that you have installed the Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility into your system. A description of the need for this utility is available.

Intel's PIIX Bus Master IDE driver also may be a factor in this issue. Contact your place of purchase to find out if this driver is installed on your system. To determine if your problem is related to the Intel PIIX Bus Master IDE driver, remove the driver. This removal capability is provided beginning with Bus Master IDE driver v3.02. Depending on your system settings and configuration, a re-install of your operating system may be required.

If you discover that the Intel BMIDE driver is the source of the hang or delay, there is a workaround for those using Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2.x. To confirm that your version of the operating system contains this workaround, check your version of Windows 95 using Control Panel -> System -> General. Versions 4.00.950 B or 4.00.950 C (but not 4.00.950 or 4.00.950 A) have their own built-in Bus Master IDE driver. To enable the built-in Windows 95 driver, perform the following steps:

  1. Under Windows 95 System Properties/Device Manager, select the appropriate bus master capable IDE device (example: Disk drives, then GENERIC IDE DISK TYPE01)
  2. Click on the "Settings" tab
  3. Check the DMA box
  4. Click on OK to save this setting, then OK to close the Device Manager
Using the BIOS CMOS Setup, manually configure any installed ATAPI IDE devices. Common ATAPI IDE devices are IDE CD-ROMs, LS-120 floppy drives,and IOmega* ZIP drives.

Additional product information

For technical support, contact your place of purchase -- which will have the most current information about your specific product or configuration. You also can check the Intel FAQ for that product.

Additional Information: Intel AL440LX Motherboard

  • What processors are supported on the Intel AL440LX Motherboard?
    The motherboard supports Pentium II processors at 233, 266, 300, or 333 MHz with 512KB of integrated L2 cache. The Intel Celeron processors 433 MHz, 400 MHz, 366 MHz, 333 MHz, 300A MHz, 300 MHz and 266 MHz are also supported.

    Note: The Intel Celeron processors 433 MHz are supported when the motherboard contains BIOS version 4A4LL0X0.86A.0030.P13, or later. The Intel Celeron processors 400 MHz, 366 MHz, 333 MHz and 300A MHz are supported when the motherboard contains BIOS version 4A4LL0X0.86A.0027.P10, or later. The Intel Celeron processors 300 MHz and 266 MHz are supported when the motherboard contains BIOS version 4A4LL0X0.86A.0023.P08, or later.

    Warning: Processors not specifically listed by type and rated speed may have requirements that are not supported by the motherboard's design. Use of these processors may result in improper operation, damage to the motherboard or processor, or reduced product life.

  • Why can't I find speed settings in my BIOS configuration mode?
    The processor speed option previously available in configuration mode is not displayed with newer Intel® processors, and will not effect the processor speed. Newer Intel processors boot with the ratio preset and tested during manufacturing. The fixed pre-selected ratios are reflected in the EBL_CR_POWERON register.

  • If I disable Wake On LAN (WOL) in the BIOS CMOS setup does my power supply still need to provide 720 mA on 5VSB?
    Yes, the BIOS option only programs the chipset to recognize a WOL interrupt or to ignore this interrupt. It cannot prevent a WOL capable Network Interface Card (NIC) from attempting to draw power from the 5VSB pin at system boot. A power supply that provides at least 720mA on 5VSB must be used when building a WOL capable system.

    If your power supply is not capable of meeting the 720 mA current requirement, your system may not power up. Also you could experience damage to your power supply if it does not have any overcurrent protection. Please contact your system integrator to see if your power supply meets the 720 mA current requirement.

    If you are using a WOL capable NIC but are not using the WOL capability you can remove the cable from the NIC to the WOL header on the motherboard. This will prevent the NIC from drawing additional current from the 5VSB.

  • Does the Intel AL440LX Motherboard support the 333 MHz Pentium® II processor?
    The Intel AL440LX Motherboard with BIOS version 4A4LL0X0.86A.0015.P05, and future revisions, supports the 333 MHz Pentium II processor. Processor speed is set using the system configuration jumper (J8B2) to access maintenance mode.

    Function Jumper J8B2 Configuration Mode
    Normal pins 1-2 use current configuration
    Configure pins 2-3 access maintenance mode after POST (set processor speed)
    Recover none use to recover BIOS from floppy

    Note:The Intel AL440LX Motherboard carries a Declaration of Conformity label certifying that it complies with open chassis emission standards specified in FCC rules. The following PBA revision levels have successfully completed open chassis emission testing with the 333 MHz Pentium II processor:

    Product Code PBA Number
    Intel® BOXAL440LX 696925-308 and higher
    Intel® BLKAL440LX 696925-308 and higher
    Intel® BOXAL440LXNA 696926-308 and higher
    Intel® BLKAL440LXNA 696926-308 and higher

    For other PBAs, conformity with FCC open chassis emission standards was verified with processor speeds up to 300 MHz, the highest processor speed available at the time the motherboard was introduced.

    Higher speed processors may increase system electromagnetic emissions. It is the responsibility of the system integrator to verify that a system based on the combination of any Intel AL440LX Motherboard not listed above and any new higher speed processor, including the 333 MHz Pentium II processor, complies with EMC emission standards.

  • What hardware is needed to integrate an Intel Celeron processor with the Intel AL440LX Motherboard?
    The correct retention mechanism and heatsink supports are required to integrate the Intel Celeron processor on the Intel AL440LX Motherboard.

    Retention Mechanism:
    To integrate a Celeron processor on the motherboard, a Single Edge Processor Package (SEPP) retention mechanism is used. The retention mechanism must be compatible with metal fasteners.

    The motherboard has a Retention Mechanism Attach Mount (RMAM) with metal fasteners. The holes in the motherboard are .140" (.35560 cm) and are only compatible with the metal fastener SEPP retention mechanism. Plastic Push Pin fasteners made for .159" (.40386 cm) motherboard holes will not work with the holes on the motherboard.

    Heatsink:
    There are two versions of heatsink supports depending on whether the heatsink solution is passive or active (with fan). Passive heatsink supports are pre-installed on the motherboard. The motherboard also requires a heatsink support top bar. If you would like to use an active heatsink solution, you will need to remove the bottom passive heatsink support from the motherboard.  

  • Does the Intel AL440LX Motherboard support MMX technology?
    The Intel AL440LX Motherboard is designed for the Pentium II processor. The Pentium II processor delivers the power of the Intel® Pentium® Pro processor plus the capabilities of MMX™ technology for better, smoother, and more realistic media experiences.

  • Why do I get beep codes with my Adaptec SCSI controller card in an Intel AL440LX Motherboard?
    Certain Adaptec SCSI BIOSes (namely versions 1.31 on AHA-3940AU, 3940AUW, 3940AUWD and 1.32 on AHA-2940AU, 2940U, 2940UW) do not accurately calculate a run-time BIOS checksum at the completion of POST. The validation of this checksum is a function that is implemented on many Intel Motherboard System BIOSes which implement the industry-wide "BIOS Boot Specification ". Therefore, an option ROM checksum error (one long and two short beeps) is reported back.

    Note: There are no system functionality problems caused by this error.

    Resolution: Adaptec will be providing a SCSI BIOS upgrade in the mid-May '98 time frame (version 1.34) that will be available on Adaptec's Web site .

    Note: This link will take you off of the Intel website. Intel is not responsible for the content on this site.

  • What is the Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)?
    AGP is a dedicated graphics bus with higher bandwidth and which allows texturing from main memory. By providing high-bandwidth access to memory, AGP enables a new level of sophisticated graphics allowing software developers to create richer, more inviting 3D environments with higher resolutions than ever before.

  • Does the Intel AL440LX Motherboard support AGP?
    Yes. The Intel AL440LX Motherboard supports the AGP bus since it is based on the Intel® 440LX AGPset

  • How do I remove the bottom passive heat sink support from the OEM version of the Intel AL440LX Motherboard without damaging it, or the motherboard?
    After removing the oval headed plastic pins the support is gently rocked back and forth until it comes off the board. A special tool (part number 58982-01) is available through Dexter Design in the United States (503) 648-7000 which will facilitate the safe removal. Email:dxtrdsgn@aol.com. However, we recommend system integrators purchase the boxed Intel AL440LX Motherboard, which is designed without the bottom passive heatsink support and intergrates easily with the boxed Pentium II processes, which uses an active fan heatsink.

  • Are there any special jumpers related to the Pentium II processor selection?
    There is a single configuration jumper to put the board into the configuration mode. All configuration options are then available through the BIOS configuration screen, including selection of CPU speed.

  • Why doesn't my CD-ROM or second IDE hard drive work with Windows* 95?
    There are two known issues involving CD-ROM or secondary hard drives:
    • The retail version of Microsoft Windows 95 may not recognize the Intel®  82371AB PIIX4 IDE controller used on Intel motherboards, causing the BIOS to disable the secondary IDE channel. This can result in IDE devices (such as CD-ROM drives) not being detected or disappearing after the system is rebooted.
    • Windows 95 also may fail to recognize a CD-ROM drive that does not comply with the ATAPI specification.

  • Does the Intel AL440LX Motherboard support EDO memory?
    Only SDRAM memory is supported on the Intel AL440LX Motherboard. EDO memory will not function on the Intel AL440LX Motherboard.

  • How can the onboard audio be disabled?
    The onboard audio can be disabled using the BIOS Setup Utility. Select the Advanced menu, then the Peripheral Configuration screen. The menu will offer options to enable or disable the audio if it is present on the motherboard. Refer to your user's guide on the CD-ROM which ships with the boxed product for other setup options.

  • Does the Intel AL440LX Motherboard have USB legacy support?
    Yes. USB legacy support enables USB keyboards and mice to be used although no operating system drivers are in place. By default, USB legacy support is disabled. USB Legacy support is for use in accessing BIOS Setup and the installation of a USB aware operating system only.

    This sequence describes how USB legacy support operates in the default (disabled) mode.

    1. When you power up the computer, USB legacy support is disabled.
    2. POST begins.
    3. USB legacy support is temporarily enabled by the BIOS. This allows you to use a USB keyboard to enter the Setup program or the maintenance mode.
    4. POST completes and disables USB legacy support (unless it was set to Enabled while in Setup)
    5. The operating system loads. While the operating system is loading, USB keyboards and mice are not recognized. After the operating system loads the USB drivers, the USB devices are recognized.

      To install a USB aware operating system, enable USB Legacy support in BIOS Setup and follow the operating system's installation instructions. Once the operating system is installed and the USB drivers configured, USB Legacy Support is no longer used. USB Legacy Support can be left enabled in BIOS Setup if needed. Notes on using USB legacy support:

      • If USB legacy support is enabled, don't mix USB and PS/2* keyboards and mice. For example, don't use a PS/2 keyboard with a USB mouse, or a USB keyboard and a PS/2 mouse.
      • It is not recommended to use USB devices with an operating system that does not support USB. USB legacy does not support the use of USB devices in a non USB operating system.
      • USB legacy support is for keyboards and mice only. Hubs and other USB devices are not supported in this special mode.

         

  • I am getting beep code 1-3-3-1 and my motherboard does not boot or show any video. What does this mean?
    This beep code indicates that a failure was detected during POST memory testing. Try doing a BIOS recovery to the latest BIOS to see if it resolves your problem. If this does not resolve the problem, try replacing the DIMMs. See the Intel motherboard web site for a list of tested memory for your motherboard.

  • What kind of problems might occur in an 82440LX-based system that uses non-compliant DIMMs?
    The most extreme example of memory failure causes the system to hang while booting up. This will happen because the system is not able to communicate properly with the memory. In less extreme cases, the memory may generate intermittent errors or fail during stress.

  • Does Intel Qualify memory for use on Intel motherboards?
    No. OEMs and system integrators are solely responsible for qualifying the memory that they include in their systems. Intel will perform only limited testing of a few memory modules to verify functionality of the motherboard's design. Intel does offer a program for 3rd parties to self-test their own memory and to report passing results to Intel for inclusion on our Internet based tested memory list.

  • The 440LX AGPset supports both EDO and SDRAM. Why does the Intel AL440LX Motherboard support only SDRAM?
    Intel made this decision based on AGP performance considerations. The synchronous, high performance architecture of SDRAM is well suited to the burst memory accesses of AGP and advanced 3D applications. Comparative AGP benchmarking of EDO vs. SDRAM has shown that the performance advantage of SDRAM increases with CPU speed. This advantage is already over 5% at 300MHz.

  • Do all SDRAM DIMMs with an SPD EEPROM meet the 4-clock 66 MHz unbuffered SDRAM DIMM Specification?
    No. The SPD device and data structure is only part of the specification. Although the SPD contains data that could be used in configuring the DIMMs into the motherboard, there is no way to determine if this data is valid.

  • Why does the custom "User Logo ", displayed at boot time, get erased when the BIOS is updated? What is the procedure to reprogram the logo is when the BIOS is updated?
    The Phoenix BIOS is designed to always clear the user logo flash area when the BIOS is updated. There are several reasons for this requirement, some of which are related to flash security, manufacturing quality and service return processing.

    Some customers ship configured systems with their own identifying logo (displayed at boot time) installed during system integration in their factory. Once the system has been distributed to the field, it is possible that BIOS updates may be made available from Intel. Updating the system BIOS with only the files distributed by Intel will erase the logo.

    If a customer wants their "User Logo" to be maintained after updating the BIOS (i.e. at the field location), the logo area must be reprogrammed with the custom "User Logo", using the iflash utility. This can be accomplished automatically by executing the iflash utility from an autoexec.bat file on the update boot diskette after the BIOS is updated. The following AUTOEXEC.BAT will automatically update the BIOS followed by programming the "User Logo ". The BIOS files and the user logo file must be present on the boot diskette during the update process.

    Note: Only the executable lines are required, user feedback is not mandatory.

    AUTOEXEC.BAT COMMENTS
    @echo off  
    beep alerts user to activity in progress
    echo Programming system BIOS informs user BIOS is going to be updated
    iflash /P p03-0011.bio updates BIOS
    echo BIOS update complete informs user BIOS update complete
    echo  
    echo Restoring Logo informs user Logo is going to be restored
    pause prompts user to continue
    iflash /p Logodata.usr programs "User Logo"
    echo Update complete informs user Update complete

  • What steps should I take prior to upgrading to Intel AL440LX Motherboard bios version P10?
    Previous versions of the Intel AL440LX Motherboard BIOS did not have support for ACPI, P10 is the first Intel AL440LX Motherboard BIOS that has ACPI support.

    After updating the Intel AL440LX Motherboard bios to P10, Windows 98 will find new device nodes and try to update it's device configuration objects.

    In the process of Windows 98 updating it's configuration, it must access one of the "CAB " files from the installation CD-ROM. The issue is that for some configurations of systems, the ATAPI-CD-ROM device can not be found, so the Windows device update fails.

    The following procedure should be followed in performing a BIOS update to BIOS P10 while running Windows* 98 on an Intel AL440LX Motherboard based system:

    1. While the previous version of BIOS is still active, copy the file "BASE5.CAB " from the Windows* 98 installation CD-ROM into a temporary directory.

      For example: COPY D:\WIN98\BASE5.CAB to C:\TEMP\BASE5.CAB

    2. Follow the procedure to update the Intel AL440LX Motherboard to BIOS version P10.

    3. When Windows 98 is booted for the first time, direct the Windows 98 new hardware detection prompts to locate the Windows 98 files that would normally be located on the Windows 98 installation CD-ROM to the file "C:\TEMP\BASE5.CAB ".

    4. Reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.

  • I've performed an update to Intel AL440LX Motherboard bios version P10; But Windows 98 did not find all of the installationn files that it needed. Is there some way to make BIOS version P10 features available to Windows 98 without reinstalling Windows 98 from scratch?
    After updating the Intel AL440LX Motherboard bios to P10, Windows 98 will find new device nodes and try to update its device configuration objects to support ACPI.

    In the process of Windows 98 updating it's configuration, it must re-install the ATAPI-CD-ROM device. However, these configuration files are found on the Windows 98 CD-ROM which has been disabled.

    The following is a procedure to synchronize Windows 98 configuration with the new ACPI functions offered with BIOS P10 after BIOS P10 has been already been installed in a Windows 98 system.

    1. Directly after rebooting the system, Go to the control panel. Double click on the "Add new hardware " icon.

    2. In the "Add New Hardware Wizard" screen click on "Next". The wizard will display the message: "Windows will now search for any new Plug and Play devices on your system". Click on "Next ".

    3. The wizard will display the message: "Windows can now search for hardware that is not Plug and Play compatible, or you can select your hardware from a list". "Do you want Windows to search for your new hardware? "

      Select "Yes" and click on "Next ".

    4. The wizard will display the message: "Windows will now search for any new devices that are not Plug and Play compatible". Click on "Next".

    5. The "Add New Hardware Wizard" indicates that it has found some hardware. Click on "Finish ".

    6. A pop-up window will appear with the following message: "To finish setting up your new hardware you must restart your computer. Do you wish to restart now ?"

      <<Click on the entry "No".>>

    7. Windows 98 will now start detecting the baseboard devices. Make sure that you have the Windows 98 installation CD-ROM placed in your CD-ROM drive. When some devices are detected, Windows 98 will ask you for the CD-ROM and will read files from it.

    8. After all devices have been detected, shutdown Windows and reboot.

    The Windows 98 update for BIOS P10 is now complete and is configured for the ACPI enabled BIOS.



Intel® Bus Master IDE driver v3.02

The Intel® Bus Master IDE driver v3.02 is for use with Windows* 95 Retail and OSR1. If you have upgraded to Windows* 98 and are experiencing IDE subsystem problems, the v3.02 installer may be used to remove the Intel driver so the Microsoft* BM-IDE driver can be manually enabled. (See README.TXT for more information.)
Bus Master IDE General Overview
The transfer model for IDE devices has traditionally been PIO (programmed I/O) where data is transferred to and from IDE devices explicitly via CPU instructions. This model is straightforward and simple but requires a relatively large amount of dedicated CPU time, especially when transferring large amounts of data to and from hard disk drives.

Intel® 430 series chipsets and Intel® 440 series chipsets can reduce the CPU time required for retrieving and/or storing data on your hard disk drive (or other IDE device) via Bus Master IDE (BM-IDE) logic contained within the PIIXn IDE controller function. The PIIXn IDE controller acts as a PCI bus master on behalf of IDE DMA slave devices, performing DMA transfers to and from devices on either primary or secondary IDE channels. Additionally, Intel® chipsets incorporating the PIIX3, PIIX4, and PIIX4E devices can perform fast DMA transfers via the Ultra DMA/33 hardware interface.

The table below maps Intel chipsets to PIIXn devices and notes each chipset's IDE hardware interface.

Chipset PIIXn Device IDE h/w interface
Intel® 430FX PCIset 82371FB (PIIX) ATA/16
Intel® 430VX PCIset 82371SB (PIIX3) ATA/16
Intel® 430HX PCIset 82371SB (PIIX3) ATA/16
Intel® 430TX PCIset 82371AB (PIIX4) Ultra DMA/33
Intel® 440FX PCIset 82371SB (PIIX3) ATA/16
Intel® 440LX AGPset 82371AB/EB (PIIX4/4E) Ultra DMA/33
Intel® 440EX AGPset 82371EB (PIIX4E) Ultra DMA/33
Intel® 440BX AGPset 82371AB/EB (PIIX4/4E) Ultra DMA/33
Intel® 440GX AGPset 82371EB (PIIX4E) Ultra DMA/33

System Requirements
The following system elements must be present to install the BM-IDE driver:

Hardware Requirements:

  1. BM-IDE-capable Intel chipset
    • includes all Intel chipsets with a PIIXn component (430 and 440 series chipsets)
    • Ultra DMA/33 interface not required, but may enhance performance
  2. DMA-capable IDE device(s)
    • today, most IDE hard disk drives and CD-ROM drives are DMA-capable
    • usually noted in HDD or CD-ROM manual as supporting DMA or UDMA
    • Ultra DMA/33 h/w interface not required, but will enhance performance
Software Requirements:
  1. Operating system with multitasking capability
    • such as Windows* 95 Retail and OSR 1
  2. BM-IDE device driver
    • Windows 95 OSR 1 ships with a BM-IDE device driver
    • Intel provides the BM-IDE driver for Windows 95 Retail and OSR 1

    Which Operating Systems Does the Intel® BM-IDE Driver v3.02 Support?
    To identify which version of Windows you are using, run the Start/Settings/Control Panel/Systems applet. The upper right section of the "General" tab lists the version number. Use the following table to match the version number to the common version name:

    Windows* Version Common Name Intel®
    BM-IDE driver    		 Microsoft*
    BM-IDE driver
    4.00.950  Windows 95 Retail Check  
    4.00.950a  Windows 95 OSR 1 Check  
    4.00.950b  Windows 95 OSR 2.0/2.1   Check
    4.00.950c  Windows 95 OSR 2.5   Check
    4.10.1998  Windows 98 Retail   Check

    If you are using the Windows 95 retail or OSR 1 release, you should download and install the Intel BM-IDE driver for Windows 95.

    If you are using the Windows 95 OSR 2, OSR 2.1, or OSR 2.5 releases, or Windows 98, you should not download the Intel BM-IDE driver, as these operating system versions already contain a BM-IDE driver from Microsoft. If the Intel driver is already installed on Windows 98 systems, the v3.02 installer may be used to replace it with the Microsoft BM-IDE driver.

    Note: Manual intervention is sometimes required to enable the Microsoft driver to perform IDE DMA transfers. Refer to your system manufacturer or this Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information.

    What's New in the v3.02 Release?
    The Intel BM-IDE Driver v3.02 for Windows 95 incorporates the following enhancements:

    1. Installer can now remove Intel BM-IDE driver from Windows 98 systems

      For users who have upgraded to Windows* 98 and are experiencing IDE subsystem problems:
      The Intel BM-IDE driver was not designed for use under Windows 98. The installer program for the Intel BM-IDE driver for Windows 95 precludes installation on a Windows 98-based system.

      However, a problem may occur when upgrading to Windows 98 on a system that already contains the Intel BM-IDE driver, because the driver may remain loaded following the upgrade. To fix this, use the new v3.02 installer to remove the Intel driver so the Microsoft BM-IDE driver can be manually enabled on Windows 98 systems.

      To remove the Intel driver on Windows 98, download the v3.02 driver, run SETUP, and follow the prompts to remove the Intel BM-IDE. Then manually enable the Microsoft driver. See the README.TXT file included in the download package for more information.

    2. Support for CD-R and CD-RW drives
    3. Support for LS-120 SuperDisk drives
    4. Support for >8.4GB hard disk drives
    5. Support for Ultra DMA/33-capable ATAPI CD-ROM drives
    6. Command parser for all ATA/ATAPI commands from ASPI to counteract indeterminate data flow direction
    7. Periodic flushing of hard disk drive write cache during IDE I/O and at system shutdown, to prevent data loss if the HDD loses power before its write cache is flushed to disk
      **For more information on this new feature, refer to this Microsoft Knowledge Base article.
    8. Driver performs multi-block data transfers from ATAPI CD-ROM devices
    9. Driver configures all ATAPI tape drives for fastest PIO modes. (ATAPI tape devices are no longer configured for DMA transfers)
    10. Support for DMA-capable BIOS Int13h routines
    11. Installer program no longer prompts user for location of IDEATAPI.MPD file after system reboot


    ©Intel Corporation