Gigabyte Ga7n400 Manual

							Technical Reference- 67 -
English
@BIOS™ Introduction
Have you ever updated BIOS by yourself? Or like
many other people, you just know what BIOS is,
but always hesitate to update it? Because you think
updating newest BIOS is unnecessary and actually
you dont know how to update it.
Maybe not like others, you are very experienced in BIOS updating and spend quite a lot of time
to do it. But of course you dont like to do it too much. First, download different BIOS from website
and then switch the operating system to DOS mode. Secondly, use different flash utility to update
BIOS. The above process is not a interesting job. Besides, always be carefully to store the BIOS
source code correctly in your disks as if you update the wrong BIOS, it will be a nightmare.
Certainly, you wonder why motherboard vendors could not just do something right to save your
time and effort and save you from the lousy BIOS updating work? Here it comes! Now Gigabyte
announces @BIOS -- the first Windows BIOS live update utility. This is a smart BIOS update software.
It could help you to download the BIOS from internetand update it. Not like the other BIOS update
software, its a Windows utility. With the help of @BIOS, BIOS updating is no more than a click.
Besides, no matter which mainboard you are using, if its a Gigabytes product*, @BIOS help
you to maintain the BIOS. This utility could detect your correct mainboard model and help you to
choose the BIOS accordingly. It then downloads the BIOS from the nearest Gigabyte ftp site
automatically. There are several different choices; you could use Internet Update to download and
update your BIOS directly. Or you may want to keep a backup for your current BIOS, just choose
Save Current BIOS to save it first. You make a wise choice to use Gigabyte, and @BIOS update
your BIOS smartly. You are now worry free from updating wrong BIOS, and capable to maintain and
manage your BIOS easily. Again, Gigabytes innovative product erects a milestone in motherboard
industries.
For such a wonderful software, how much it costs? Impossible! Its free! Now, if you buy a
Gigabytes motherboard, you could find this amazing software in the attached driver CD. But please
remember, connected to internet at first, then you could have a internet BIOS update from your
Gigabyte @BIOS.

	



	@BIOS

				
Chapter 4  Technical Reference
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CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2003 Award Software

Standard CMOS Features

Advanced BIOS Features

Advanced Chipset Features

Integrated Peripherals

Power Management Setup

PnP/PCI Configurations

PC Health Status
Frequency/Voltage Control
Load Fail-Safe Defaults
Load Optimized Defaults
Set Supervisor Password
Set User Password
Save & Exit Setup
Exit Without Saving
ESC: Quit: Select Item
F8: Dual BIOS / Q-Flash F10: Save & Exit Setup
A. What is Dual BIOS Technology?
Dual BIOS means that there are two system BIOS (ROM) on the motherboard, one is the
Main BIOS and the other is Backup BIOS. Under the normal circumstances, the system works on
the Main BIOS. If the Main BIOS is corrupted or damaged, the Backup BIOS can take over while
the system is powered on. This means that your PC will still be able to run stably as if nothing has
happened in your BIOS.
B. How to use Dual BIOS and Q-Flash Utility?
1.) After power on the computer, pressing  immediately during POST (Power On Self Test) it
will allow you to enter Award BIOS CMOS SETUP, then press  to enter Flash utility.
Flash BIOS Method Introduction
 Method 1 : Dual BIOS (
) / Q-Flash
Enter Dual BIOS / Q-Flash Utility (Y/N)? Y

 For GA-7N400 Pro2 only.   For GA-7N400 only.  For GA-7N400-L only.
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English2.) Award Dual BIOS Flash ROM Programming Utility
Dual BIOS Utility V1.30
Boot From....................................................... Main Bios
Main ROM Type/Size......................................SST 49LF003A 512K
Backup ROM Type/Size..................................SST 49LF003A 512K
Wide Range Protection Disable
Boot From Main Bios
Auto Recovery Enable
Halt On Error Disable
Keep DMI Data Enable
Copy Main ROM Data to Backup
Load Default Settings
Save Settings to CMOS
Q-Flash Utility
Update Main BIOS from Floppy
Update Backup BIOS from Floppy
Save Main BIOS to Floppy
Save Backup BIOS to Floppy
PgDn/PgUp: Modify: Move ESC: Reset F10: Power Off
3.) Dual BIOS Item explanation:
 Wide Range Protection: Disable(Default), Enable
Status 1:
If any failure (ex. Update ESCD failure, checksum error or reset…) occurs in the Main BIOS, just
before the Operating System is loaded and after the power is on, and that the Wide Range
Protection is set to Enable, the PC will boot from Backup BIOS automatically.
Status 2:
If the ROM BIOS on peripherals cards(ex. SCSI Cards, LAN Cards,..) emits signals torequest
restart of the system after the user make any alteration on it, the boot up BIOS will not be changed
to the Backup BIOS.
 Boot From : Main BIOS(Default), Backup BIOS
Status 1:
The user can set to boot from main BIOS or Backup BIOS.
Status 2:
If one of the main BIOS or the Backup BIOS fails, this item Boot From : Main BIOS(Default)  will
become gray and will not be changed by user.
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 Auto Recovery : Enable(Default), Disable
When one of the Main BIOS or Backup BIOS occurs checksum failure, the working BIOS will
automatically recover the BIOS of checksum failure.
(In the Power Management Setup of the BIOS Setting, if ACPI Suspend  Type is set to Suspend
to RAM, the Auto Recovery will be set to Enable automatically.)
(If you want to enter the BIOS setting, please pressDel key when the boot screen appears.)
 Halt On Error : Disable(Default), Enable
If the BIOS occurs a checksum error or the Main BIOS occurs a WIDE RANGE PROTECTION
error and Halt On Error set to Enable, the PC will show messages on the boot screen, and the
system will pause and wait for the users  instruction.
     If Auto Recovery :Disable, it will show 
If Auto Recovery :Enable, it will show 
 Keep DMI Data : Enable(Default), Disable
Enable: The DMI data wont be replaced by flashing new BIOS.(recommend)
Disable: The DMI data will be replaced by flashing new BIOS.
 Copy Main ROM Data to Backup
(If you boot from Backup ROM, this item will change to Copy Backup ROM Data to Main)
Auto recovery message:
BIOS Recovery: Main to Backup
The means that the Main BIOS works normally and could automatically recover the Backup
BIOS.
BIOS Recovery: Backup to Main
The means that the Backup BIOS works normally and could automatically recover the Main
BIOS. (This auto recovery utility is set by system automatically and cant be changed by user.)
 Load Default Settings
Load dual BIOS default value.
 Save Settings to CMOS
Save revised setting.
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English
D. How to use Q-Flash?
Update Main BIOS from Floppy / Update Backup BIOS from Floppy C. What is Q-Flash Utility?
Q-Flash utility is a pre-O.S. BIOS flash utility enables users to update its BIOS within BIOS
mode, no more fooling around any OS.
Congratulation! You have completed the flashed and now can restart system.
Press Enter to Run.
Are you sure to update BIOS?
[Enter] to contiune Or [ESC] ot abort...
!! COPY BIOS Completed -Pass !!
Please press any key to continue 
Press Enter to Run.

In the A: drive, insert the BIOS diskette, then Press Enter to Run.
XXXX.XX                          256K
Total Size: 1.39M Free Size: 1.14M
F5: Refresh DEL: Delete ESC: Return Main
1 File(s) found
Where XXXX.XX is name of the BIOS file.
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Save Main BIOS to Floppy / Save Backup BIOS to Floppy

In the A:drive, insert the floppy disk, then Press Enter to Run.
File name: XXXX.XX
Total Size: 1.39M Free Size: 1.39M
F5: Refresh DEL: Delete TAB: Switch
TYPE FILE NAME
To name the file.
Congratulate you have accomplished the saving.
 Make changes
 Move to previous item
 Move to next item
 Run
 Reset
 Power Off
CONTROLKEYS
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English
I. Q: What is DualBIOS™ technology?
Answer:
DualBIOS technology is a patented technology from Giga-Byte Technology. The concept of this
technology is based on the redundancy and fault tolerance theory. DualBIOS
™ technology simply
means there are two system BIOSes (ROM) integrated onto the motherboard. One is a main BIOS,
and the other is a backup BIOS. The mainboard will operate normally with the main BIOS, however,
if the main BIOS is corrupt or damaged for various reasons, the backup BIOS will be automatically
used when the system powered-On. Your PC will operate as before the main BIOS was damaged,
and is completely transparent to the user.
DualBIOS™ Technology FAQ
GIGABYTE Technology is pleased to introduce DualBIOS technology, a hot spare for your
system BIOS. This newest Value-added feature, in a long series of innovations from GIGABYTE,
is available on this motherboard. Future GIGABYTE motherboards will also incorporate this innovation.
Whats DualBIOS™?
On GIGABYTE motherboards with DualBIOS there are physically two BIOS chips. For simplicity
well call one your Main BIOS and the other well call your Backup BIOS (your hot spare). If your
Main BIOS fails, the Backup BIOS almost automatically takes over on your next system boot.
Almost automatically and with virtually zero down time!  Whether the problem is a failure in flashing
your BIOS or a virus or a catastrophic failure of the Main BIOS chip, the result is the same - the
Backup BIOS backs you up, almost automatically.
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II. Q: Why does anyone need a motherboard with DualBIOS™ technology?
Answer:
In todays systems there are more and more BIOS failures. The most common reasons are virus
attacks, BIOS upgrade failures, and/or deterioration of the BIOS (ROM) chip itself.
1. New computer viruses are being found that attack and destroy the system BIOS. They may
corrupt your BIOS code, causing your PC to be unstable or even not boot normally.
2. BIOS data will be corrupted if a power loss/surge occurs, or if a user resets the system, or if the
power button is pressed during the process of performing a system BIOS upgrade.
3. If a user mistakenly updates their mainboard with the incorrect BIOS file, then the system may
not be able to boot correctly. This may cause the PC system hang in operation or during boot.
4. A flash ROMs life cycle is limited according to electronic characteristics. The modern PC
utilizes the Plug and Play BIOS, and is updated regularly. If a user changes peripherals often,
there is a slight chance of damage to the flash ROM.
With Giga-Byte Technologys patented DualBIOS
™ technology you can reduce the possibility
of hangs during system boot up, and/or loss BIOS data due to above reasons.
This new technology will eliminate valuable system down time and costly repair bills cause by
BIOS failures.
III. Q: How does DualBIOS™ technology work?
Answer:
This new technology will eliminate valuable system down time and costly repair bills cause by
BIOS failures.
1. DualBIOS
™ technology provides a wide range of protection during the boot up procedure. It
protects your BIOS during system POST, ESCD update, and even all the way to PNP detec-
tion/assignment.
2. DualBIOS
™ provides automatic recovery for the BIOS. When the first BIOS used during boot
up does not complete or if a BIOS checksum error occurs, boot-up is still possible. In the
DualBIOS
™ utility, the Auto Recovery option will guarantee that if either the main BIOS or
backup BIOS is corrupted, the DualBIOS
™ technology will use the good BIOS and correct the
wrong BIOS automatically.
3. DualBIOS
™ provides manual recovery for the BIOS. DualBIOS™ technology contains a built-in
flash utility, which can flash your system BIOS from backup to main and/or visa versa. There is
no need for an OS-dependent flash utility program.
4. DualBIOS
™ contains a one-way flash utility. The built-in one-way flash utility will ensure that the
corrupt BIOS is not mistaken as the good BIOS during recovery and that the correct BIOS
(main vs. backup) will be flashed. This will prevent the good BIOS from being flashed.
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							Technical Reference- 75 -
EnglishIV. Q: Who Needs DualBIOS™ technology?
Answer:
This new technology will eliminate valuable system down time and costly repair bills cause by
BIOS failures.
1. Every user should have DualBIOS
™ technology due to the advancement of computer viruses.
Everyday, there are new BIOS-type viruses discovered that will destroy your system BIOS.
Most commercial products on the market do not have solutions to guard against this type of
virus intrusion. The DualBIOS
™ technology will provide a state-of-the-art solution to protect
your PC:
Case I.) Vicious computer viruses may wipe out your entire system BIOS. With a conven-
tional single system BIOS PC, the PC will not be functional until it is sent for repairs.
Case II.) If the Auto Recovery option is enabled in the DualBIOS
™ utility, and if a virus
corrupts your system BIOS, the backup BIOS will automatically reboot the system
and correct the main BIOS.
Case III.) A user may override booting from the main system BIOS. The DualBIOS
™ utility may
be entered to manually change the boot sequence to boot from the backup BIOS.
2. During or after a BIOS upgrade, if DualBIOS
™ detects that the main BIOS is corrupt, the backup
BIOS will take over the boot-up process automatically. Moreover, it will verify the main and
backup BIOS checksums when booting-up. DualBIOS
™ technology examines the checksum of
the main and backup BIOS while the system is powered on to guarantee your BIOS
operates properly.
3. Power Users will have the advantage of having two BIOS versions on their mainboard. The
benefit is being able to select either version BIOS to suit the performance system needs.
4. Flexibility for high-end desktop PCs and workstation/servers. In the DualBIOS
™ utility, the
option can be set, Halt On When BIOS Defects to be enabled to halt your system with awarning
message that the main BIOS has been corrupted. Most workstation/servers require constant
operation to guarantee services have not been interrupted. In this situation, the Halt On When
BIOS Defects message may be disabled to avoid system pauses during normal booting.
Another advantage you gain from Giga-Bytes DualBIOS
™ technology is the ability to upgrade
from dual 2 Mbit BIOS to dual 4 Mbit BIOS in the future if extra BIOS storage is need.
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If you dont have DOS boot disk, we recommend that you used Gigabyte @BIOS™ program to flash
BIOS.
 Method 2 : @BIOS™ Utility
Methods and steps:
    I. Update BIOS through Internet
a. Click Internet Update icon
b. Click Update New BIOS icon
c. Select @BIOS
™ sever
d. Select the exact model name on your motherboard
e. System will automatically download and update the BIOS.(3)(1)
3.Click 
.
(4)
(2)
1. Click @BIOS item.
Press here.2. Click Start/ Programs/ GIGABYTE/
    @BIOS.
Click here
4. Please select @BIOS sever site,
    then Click OK.
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