FIC AZ31 Motherboard

[BigBlue66]

Hey Gang,

Hope you can provide some assistance with this one.

I just now installed the motherboard in my wife's machine. I am typing this on it. I decided to upgrade her system to a 200Mhz FSB mobo and 750Mhz Duron processor. For those of you who have been following along for the last three or so months, I decided to use the MiTAC 5114VU motherboard and K6-2 550Mhz processor in the sytem that I will eventually build for my granddaughter. Yep, finding excuses. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Anyway, I apparently purchased the UWAVE OEM version of the board. Half the BIOS options are not there. I assume since it's the OEM version, the BIOS has been scaled down. No big deal, except I don't have the option to disable the OnChip IDE Channel0 so that I can use my Promise Ultra 100 controller card. The board provides UDMA66, but I would like to use the full capacity of my UA100 harddrive.

The BIOS date is August 27, 2001. My question is: If I can find a BIOS update for the AZ31, will it work with my UWAVE OEM version of the board?

Thanks for any and all opinions.

Big Blue 66


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Life = Karma, or is it, Karma = Life?

[Paleo Pete]

Not sure, it's pretty much out of my areas of expertise, but I would think if you want a BIOS upgrade you would need to go with the one designed for the OEM not the standard...

I wouldn't chance it if it were me.

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[mjc]

I would say it would be a big definite maybe...(lot of help, huh?),

I saw a device that plugs into the chip socket and allows you to basically have two versions of a BIOS (it includes a second chip) that would be perfect for something like this...BIOS Savior (http://direct.mwave.com/mwave/doSearch.hmx?bop=and&scriteria=bios+savior&UID=&CID=&Back=&n=1). I don't think I would try it otherwise and if the chip is soldered on then I wouldn't try it at all.

PS...I checked the motherboard list here (http://www.ioss.com.tw/eg/rd1/list.html) and didn't see yours, so maybe not....

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mjc
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[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 10-13-2001).]

[BigBlue66]

Thanks, guys. So basically what you're saying is, if it ain't broke....

I really can't tell that much difference between the motherboard provided UDMA66 and the Promise Ultra 100 controller card. I think it might be somewhat of a wash, because of the PCI interface limitation.

I'm sure I will find other uses for the card, probably in the granddaughter's system, since the 5114VU only provides ATA33, I think.

Have a great weekend. It's raining here. Good day to stay inside and tinker. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Big Blue 66


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Life = Karma, or is it, Karma = Life?

[BigBlue66]

One More Question.

When I had the old MiTAC motherboard in, and even with the Micronics C200, the CPU would shut down by itself, after choosing Shut Down from the Start/Shutdown menu.

With this new AZ31, it gets to the screen with orange lettering, "It's Now Safe to Shut Off Your Computer". I have just been hitting the power bar button to do this. There doesn't seem to be any detrimental effects from doing this.

However, is there a way to make it shut down automatically? I cannot see any listings under Power Management in the BIOS that would provide this feature.

I think I have the front panel wires connected correctly. The power button works, so does the reset button and the HDD LED works. Only thing that it might be is the Remote Power Switch wire. If I had this backwards, would that cause this problem?

Thanks.

Big Blue 66


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Life = Karma, or is it, Karma = Life?