V5C Technical Manual
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Compatible ROM BIOS
The V5C uses a ROM BIOS produced by AWARD to ensure that the BIOS is
compatible with PC99 and existing Pentium systems without infringing on copyrights.
The BIOS provides low-level machine dependent software functions, relieving
the operating system from dealing with hardware directly. A substantial number
of software programs use BIOS calls rather than Operating System calls, so it is
important to have a BIOS that works exactly like the original PC99 compatible BIOS.
Compatible I/O
The V5C incorporates the I/O capabilities of a PC99 compatible system by
using the ALi 1543C Southbridge chip with its built-in super I/O controller.
These capabilities include two RS-232 serial communications ports, a parallel
printer port, and a keyboard /mouse port. The COM-2 serial port is enhanced for
selectable RS-232, RS-422 or RS-485 operation.
System Memory
The V5C default onboard memory is
256
MB SDRAM, but can be customized to
512MB. There is a standard 144-pin SODIMM expansion socket
onboard for
memory upgrade. An SODIMM with a minimun PC100 rating, and
maximum
of 512MB can be accomodated. The socket “foot-print” size is
expanded from
the industry standard to allow 2 in. deep modules.
Compact Flash
The V5C has an on-board Compact Flash Drive slot, compatible with standard units
such as Sandisk© ATA Flashdrive. Currently available memory sizes are supported.
Floppy Controller
The ALI 1543C Southbridge chip also includes a fully PC99 compatible floppy
disk controller onboard the V5C. It can control one 3.5” 1.44M floppy disk drive.
The floppy control signals are provided through the P2 connector for simple
connection to an SBS Embedded Computers VME-6200 series disk drive mod-
ule, or to an external disk drive setup using SBS Embedded Computers’ VME-
TB21 transition board, or VME-TB51 for VME64 5-row expansion.
Primary Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) Controller
The onboard Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE) controller provided
by the ALi chip set is an industry standard IDE interface for disk drives or other
IDE peripherals. IDE control signals are provided through the P2 connector for
easy connection to VME-6200
series disk drive modules, or to an
external disk
drive setup using a VME-TB21/VMETB-51.
Secondary Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) Controller
The secondary IDE can operate from a TB51 with 5-row P2, or is shared with
on board Compact Flash Interface. If Compact Flash IDE is used, the second IDE
drive must be a slave device.
Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) Controller
The Symbios 53C875E Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) controller
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