Contents
For technical support, contact your place of purchase, and they will have the most current information about your specific product or configuration. You also can check this list of frequently asked questions:
Processor
Memory
ATX Chassis
Power Supply
Connectors/Jumpers
Video
Audio
Input/Output
Installation/Configuration
Processor:
What processors are supported on the Intel® BI440ZX Motherboard?
The Intel BI440ZX Motherboard supports Intel® Celeron® processor in the PPGA package at speeds of 533 MHz, 500 MHz, 466 MHz and 433 MHz (See note below), 400 MHz, 366 MHz, 333 MHz or 300 MHz.
Note: The 466 MHz and 433 MHz Intel Celeron processors are supported when the motherboard contains BIOS version 4B4IZ0XA.0007.P04, or later. The 500 MHz Intel Celeron processors are supported when the motherboard contains BIOS version 4B4IZ0XA.86A.0010.P07, or later. The 533 MHz Intel Celeron processor is supported when the motherboard contains BIOS version 4B4IZ0XA.86A.0010.P07, or later and the motherboard AA number is one of the following: (AA 725662-208 or later, AA 725665-208 or later, or AA 729695-208 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.
What processor heat sink solution do I need for the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard?
It is recommended that an active (fan) heatsink be used with the processor for proper cooling.
Caution: System cooling requirements vary depending on the particular system configuration, and it is the responsibility of the system designer/integrator to ensure that the system's maximum case temperature (at thermal plate) is not exceeded.
What processors not listed above are supported on the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard?
No other announced processors are supported on the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard at this time.
Memory:
What types of memory modules can I install on the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard?
The Intel BI440ZX Motherboard supports dynamic memory detection for one or two 3.3V, 168-pin (64 bit, 72 bit), 4 clock, 66MHz or 100MHz, unbuffered SDRAM DIMMs.
Note: BIOS will support non-SPD, 66MHz SDRAM DIMMs. 100MHz DIMMs must use SPD. SDRAM SPD information must be programmed by the memory manufacturer in accordance with the JEDEC MO-161 specification.
What memory configurations are supported on the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard?
The Intel BI440ZX Motherboard has two dual in-line memory module (DIMM) sockets that support SDRAM DIMMs. Memory can be installed in one or two of the DIMM sockets. Intel BI440ZX Motherboard can support memory sizes of 16MB, or 32MB using 16Mbit technology and 32MB, 64MB, or 128MB using 64Mbit technology.
Memory size and speed can vary between sockets. This means 100-MHz DIMMs and 66-MHz DIMMs can be installed on the same motherboard.
Note: Processors with 66-MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) may be paired with either 66-MHz or 100-MHz SDRAM DIMMs. Processors with 100-MHz FSB should only be paired with 100-MHz SDRAM DIMMS.
What kind of problems might occur in an SDRAM-based system that uses non-compliant DIMMs?
The most extreme example of memory failure causes the system to hang while booting the operating system. 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.
I am getting a repeating 6 beep error code and my motherboard does not boot or show any video. What does this mean?
This beep code indicates that there was a problem during DRAM memory device detection. Check to ensure system memory is properly installed, and ensure the DIMMs you are using are on the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard tested memory list.
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.
What is SDRAM memory?
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 used on this motherboard must meet the Intel 4-clock, 66 MHz, unbuffered SDRAM specification (version 1.0) and support CAS Latency 2 for 72-bit SDRAM.
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.
ATX Chassis:
Do I need a special chassis for microATX motherboards?
The microATX motherboards can be integrated into micro tower chassis and powered by lower wattage power supplies. However, standard ATX 2.01 compliant chassis can be used.
Power Supply:
What special power supply requirements does the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard have?
The Intel BI440ZX Motherboard is designed to operate with at least a 145 Watt power supply for typical system configurations. A higher-wattage supply may be required for heavily-loaded configurations. The power supply must provide +5VSB (voltage stand by) with 720mA of current (see the ATX2.01 specification, section 4.2.2). If the power supply does not supply sufficient current, some system configurations with the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard may not power up. Additionally, if the power supply can not supply sufficient current, and does not have overload protection, the power supply may be damaged.
What power supply requirements does the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard have if a WOL (Wake on LAN*) capable Network Interface Card (NIC) is installed?
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 over-current 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.
Connectors/Jumpers:
How should the jumpers be set on my Intel BI440ZX Motherboard?
There is a single configuration jumper on the motherboard which is used to access configuration mode. All configuration options are then available through the BIOS configuration screen, including selection of CPU speed. (Refer to the Technical Product Specification for more information.)
Why is interrupt IRQ9 not available to assign to my ISA add-in card?
IRQ9 is not available to ISA devices because it is dedicated to the power management function on the PIIX4e controller on the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard. This is also true for other motherboards which utilize the PIIX4e controller.
Video:
What is the Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)?
AGP is a dedicated graphics bus with higher bandwidth and which allows texturing from main memory which was not possible with the PCI Bus. 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.
What is AGP 2X?
The PCI bus is a 32bit bus which runs at 33Mhz. Theoretically, the PCI bus can transfer 4 bytes per clock edge at 33MHz or 132MB/sec ideally. Due to bus efficiency overhead, the actual PCI bus transfer rate is somewhat less than the ideal maximum. The AGP bus is a 32bit bus which runs at 66MHz. The AGP bus can transfer 4 bytes per clock edge at 66MHz or 264MB/sec ideally. It easy to see why the APG bus is more than twice as fast as the PCI bus. Because the AGP bus is dedicated to the graphics controller, it is more efficient than the PCI bus making the actual AGP transfer rate is closer to the ideal maximum.
AGP 2X is an advancement in the graphics controller design which takes advantage of a 440BX chipset feature which allows AGP data to be clocked on both the rising and the falling edge of the 66MHz AGP bus clock. Thus AGP 2X is double clocking data effectively doubling the AGP data rate, hence AGP 2X or 528MB/sec ideally.
Audio:
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 or the Technical Product Specification for other setup options.
If audio is disabled, does the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard consume fewer interrupts?
The Creative Sound Blaster* Audio PCI 64 audio solution uses two sharable interrupts. Enabling or Disabling the audio does not affect resource availability.
Is the Creative Sound Blaster* Audio PCI 64 audio solution PC98 Logo compliant?
Yes, the Creative Sound Blaster Audio PCI 64 audio solution on the Standard Intel BI440ZX Motherboard platform is compliant to Microsoft PC97, PC98, the AC97 interface and Multimedia PC Level II and III specifications. The Intel BI440ZX Motherboard reference platform will complete Microsoft PC98 testing with Test suite version 8.0 with all test results validated by Microsoft. Reference to the test results may be verified on the MS Web (URL is www.microsoft.com/hwtest) under Submission Status with Master ID 7680.
Is the Creative Sound Blaster Audio PCI 64 audio solution "full duplex"?
The Creative Sound Blaster Audio PCI 64 audio solution is capable of playing and recording at different sample rates simultaneously. The solution also meets PC97 & PC98 requirements to support videophone operation.
Is the Creative Sound Blaster Audio PCI 64 audio solution Sound Blaster and Sound Blaster Pro compatible?
Yes. Functionally, the Creative Sound Blaster Audio PCI 64 traps on accesses to the Sound Blaster registers and issues appropriate IRQ or SERR commands on the PCI bus. The DMA functionality is handled in a similar fashion.
What is AC97 and why is it needed?
The AC97 (Audio Codec 1997) specification defines a high quality audio architecture which should advance the migration to digital audio while maintaining support for analog interconnects for backward compatibility.
Does the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard support digital audio?
Yes, the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard supports digital wave files and midi files.
Does this audio solution have a hardware wave table? Wave table add-on? Software wave table driver available in standard driver package?
The Creative Sound Blaster Audio PCI 64 audio solution provides a 64 voice polyphony software wave table audio solution, therefore a wave table add-on is not required. It is compatible with the Aureal API for 3D Positional Audio. Over 4000 sounds are stored in main memory.
What is the advantage of having the audio on the PCI bus over the ISA bus on the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard?
ISA DMA memory cycles are replaced with more efficient PCI burst cycles. This allows high bandwidth 3D positional audio with better frame-rates while other PCI bus operations such as LAN, modem or PIIX4E also operate at higher rates. Additionally, the PCI bus requires less system resources and no dedicated resources as does the ISA bus.
How many channels or MIDI voices does this solution have?
The Creative Sound Blaster Audio PCI 64 audio solution provides a 64 voice polyphony wave table audio solution.
Are there drivers available for DOS, Windows* 3.11, Windows NT* 3.51, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95 and now Windows 98?
Drivers are available on the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard Web site for the Creative Sound Blaster Audio PCI 64 audio solution to support Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95, and Windows 98. The DOS drivers will be installed as part of the Windows 9x drivers. At this time, Intel does not plan to make audio drivers available for other operating systems.
Are there drivers available for OS/2?
Intel is not aware of available audio drivers for the Creative Sound Blaster Audio PCI 64 audio solution running with OS/2.
I get a "Windows protection error" at restart, after loading the Beta version 1127 audio drivers. What is the correct procedure for loading the drivers?
The Beta version 1127 audio drivers have a known issue where a "Windows protection error" is encountered during restart after re-loading the drivers, if the drivers had been loaded previously. The error can be ignored without consequence. The system can be restarted and permitted to complete loading the driver and all functions will work as expected. This issue will be fixed in a future driver revision.
Note: This issue is not encountered on the initial installation.
Input/Output:
Does the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard support UltraDMA drives under Windows 95?
Yes, the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard supports DMA and Ultra DMA under Windows 95 OSR2. Consumers can obtain support with Windows 98. More information about Ultra DMA Protocol can be found at the PCIsets FAQ site.
Does the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard have USB legacy support?
Yes. USB legacy support enables USB keyboards and mice to be used when the operating system drivers are not in place (i.e. at boot time to access BIOS Setup). By default, USB legacy support is disabled. USB Legacy support is only for use in accessing BIOS Setup for the installation of USB aware operating systems.
Installation/Configuration:
What type of battery is used in the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard?
Standard (3 volt, CR3032) coin cell is used to supply power to the RTC when no power is available from the power supply.
How do I disable the onboard features?
The onboard features can be disabled through the motherboard BIOS Setup utility.
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.
Why doesn't my Intel BI440ZX Motherboard power-up?
The Intel BI440ZX Motherboard requires 3.3 volts from the power supply. Additionally, there are some specific requirements for the power sequencing and limits. A momentary switch should be used for the power on/off switch and the sleep/resume switch. The power supply chosen must meet the ATX 2.01 specification.
Why are the drivers on Intel 's public web site down revisions of those available on some vendor public web sites?
Intel performs internal testing on all drivers before they are posted on the Intel developer motherboard web site. In many cases, it is not practical to test all drivers on all motherboards. For this reason, application vendors may release drivers which have not been tested by Intel. These drivers may be available on the vendor public site but not on the Intel public site. This does not mean the drivers do not work but it does indicate the drivers have not been validated by Intel.
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 82371EB PIIX4e 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.
- Also, Windows 95 may fail to recognize a CD-ROM drive that does not comply with the ATAPI specification.
Why does the Windows 95 device manager report a conflict with a "PCI standard PCI-to-PCI Bridge" and the AGP video controller?
The "PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge" is really the " Intel 82443BX AGP Controller", which Windows 95 cannot properly identify. This issue will not affect the functionality of Windows 95, with AGP.
Why isn't my IDE device being displayed during power-up POST?
All IDE devices must be ATA4 compliant and cable length is limited to 18 inches. IDE devices that are not selected as auto detect in the BIOS setup are not displayed as part of the POST tests.
Can I use a second floppy on my Intel BI440ZX Motherboard?
No, the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard uses a SMSC 37M707 SIO component to support the floppy disk controller. This component, and equivalent components, can support a single standard legacy type FDD, a 2.88MB Super I/O type FDD, or a three mode type FDD.
Is the Intel BI440ZX Motherboard PC98 Logo compliant?
Yes, the Standard Intel BI440ZX Motherboard platform is compliant to Microsoft PC97, PC98. The Intel BI440ZX Motherboard reference platform will complete Microsoft PC98 testing with Test suite version 8.0 with all test results validated by Microsoft. Reference to the test results may be verified on the MS Web (URL is www.microsoft.com/hwtest) under Submission Status with Master ID 7680.
Updated: Monday, December 28, 1998
