This procedure describes the steps required to configure a motherboard for installation. You will normally use this procedure when building a new PC or performing a motherboard upgrade. Configuring the motherboard is traditionally done using jumpers, which are small pieces of plastic and metal that are used to change how the circuitry on the motherboard functions. Some newer boards today are called jumperless, because they use not jumpers but rather a special group of BIOS settings to set most of the configuration options that are set with jumpers on conventional boards (they do still have some jumpers so the name isn't entirely accurate). These boards reduce this particular procedure a great deal (but add an additional step later on in the build process). You still need to look through this procedure however since as I say, these boards do have some jumpers.
Note that this procedure covers configuration only; installation is addressed in this procedure.
Procedure Overview:
Difficulty Level: 3 (Moderate). Motherboards can be quite confusing to figure out and it can be hard to find where all the jumpers are.
Risk Factor: 4 (High). Setting the incorrect jumpers on the motherboard can lead to permanent hardware damage or data loss. If you are careful this won't happen but it is a possibility.
Hardware Required: Needle-nose pliers, or another tool for grasping small objects (jumpers are very small). Long fingernails will do for some people.
Software Required: None.
Time to Perform: 10-15 minutes, as long as you know what the jumper settings need to be or your manual contains the necessary information.
Preparation / Warnings:
If you have not already done so, please read the section on general installation and assembly tips.
This procedure lists the most common jumper settings, and is not an exhaustive list. Always set and/or check every jumper that your board has. Similarly, some of the settings discussed here may not apply to your particular board.
Some motherboards aggregate two or more of the individual jumper settings listed in this procedure into a "processor type" group setting that changes several functions at once. For example, some boards instead of spelling out the jumper settings for processor core voltage, I/O voltage, system bus speed and multiplier, just list every one of the common CPUs and tell you how to set a block of different jumpers. Some manuals actually show it both ways. It doesn't really make much difference, although you should realize that if the individual jumpers are not listed, and you are using a newer CPU that wasn't around when the manual was printed, you will have to contact the manufacturer to find out what the jumper settings are for it. This procedure shows only the individual settings.
Always check all the jumper settings. Many motherboards have some jumper settings that are almost never changed from their defaults. Do not be lulled into not checking these, as sometimes the manufacturer will not correctly set defaults. Incorrect jumper settings can cause bizarre problems later on that are very hard to trace back to their actual cause.
Similarly, some vendors will considerately pre-jumper the board to match the CPU and other hardware you are using, if you buy this other material with the motherboard. This is a nice service, but you should still double-check the settings. Vendors are human too, and it's your hardware.
Jumpers are most often labeled with a "JP" prefix, such as "JP20", however many boards label them differently. Watch out for boards that use "JP" for jumpers" and "J" for pin connectors (such as the hard disk LED, speaker, etc.) It can be easy to mix up "J16" and "JP16". I've seen boards that even mixed "J" and "JP" for both jumpers and connectors! I'd like to smack some of these designers around sometimes. :^)
Be careful to jumper the processor based on the true bus speed and multiplier settings required for it, and do not be fooled by the "P" rating on some CPUs. For example, the Cyrix 6x86L-PR166 runs at 133 MHz, not 166. See the reference section on processor families if you need to look up the specifics for any processor, but this information is normally in a good motherboard manual.
Some newer CPUs interpret multiplier settings differently from what they are specified as in the motherboard manual. In particular, since most standard Pentium motherboards do not have a 3.5x multiplier, processors like the K6-233 interpret 1.5x as 3.5x, and should be jumpered using the 1.5x setting.
If necessary, first carefully unpack the motherboard from its packaging and inspect it for damage.
Always exercise care in the handling of the motherboard. Watch out for ESD. I normally place the motherboard on top of the anti-static bag in which it came while working on it, and then on top of something soft to cushion the metal pins that stick through the bottom of the board. Do not put the board directly on a work surface or you could damage the bottom of the board. Always work on a flat surface.
Note that this procedure covers configuration only; installation is addressed in this procedure.
Procedure Overview:
Difficulty Level: 3 (Moderate). Motherboards can be quite confusing to figure out and it can be hard to find where all the jumpers are.
Risk Factor: 4 (High). Setting the incorrect jumpers on the motherboard can lead to permanent hardware damage or data loss. If you are careful this won't happen but it is a possibility.
Hardware Required: Needle-nose pliers, or another tool for grasping small objects (jumpers are very small). Long fingernails will do for some people.
Software Required: None.
Time to Perform: 10-15 minutes, as long as you know what the jumper settings need to be or your manual contains the necessary information.
Preparation / Warnings:
If you have not already done so, please read the section on general installation and assembly tips.
This procedure lists the most common jumper settings, and is not an exhaustive list. Always set and/or check every jumper that your board has. Similarly, some of the settings discussed here may not apply to your particular board.
Some motherboards aggregate two or more of the individual jumper settings listed in this procedure into a "processor type" group setting that changes several functions at once. For example, some boards instead of spelling out the jumper settings for processor core voltage, I/O voltage, system bus speed and multiplier, just list every one of the common CPUs and tell you how to set a block of different jumpers. Some manuals actually show it both ways. It doesn't really make much difference, although you should realize that if the individual jumpers are not listed, and you are using a newer CPU that wasn't around when the manual was printed, you will have to contact the manufacturer to find out what the jumper settings are for it. This procedure shows only the individual settings.
Always check all the jumper settings. Many motherboards have some jumper settings that are almost never changed from their defaults. Do not be lulled into not checking these, as sometimes the manufacturer will not correctly set defaults. Incorrect jumper settings can cause bizarre problems later on that are very hard to trace back to their actual cause.
Similarly, some vendors will considerately pre-jumper the board to match the CPU and other hardware you are using, if you buy this other material with the motherboard. This is a nice service, but you should still double-check the settings. Vendors are human too, and it's your hardware.
Jumpers are most often labeled with a "JP" prefix, such as "JP20", however many boards label them differently. Watch out for boards that use "JP" for jumpers" and "J" for pin connectors (such as the hard disk LED, speaker, etc.) It can be easy to mix up "J16" and "JP16". I've seen boards that even mixed "J" and "JP" for both jumpers and connectors! I'd like to smack some of these designers around sometimes. :^)
Be careful to jumper the processor based on the true bus speed and multiplier settings required for it, and do not be fooled by the "P" rating on some CPUs. For example, the Cyrix 6x86L-PR166 runs at 133 MHz, not 166. See the reference section on processor families if you need to look up the specifics for any processor, but this information is normally in a good motherboard manual.
Some newer CPUs interpret multiplier settings differently from what they are specified as in the motherboard manual. In particular, since most standard Pentium motherboards do not have a 3.5x multiplier, processors like the K6-233 interpret 1.5x as 3.5x, and should be jumpered using the 1.5x setting.
If necessary, first carefully unpack the motherboard from its packaging and inspect it for damage.
Always exercise care in the handling of the motherboard. Watch out for ESD. I normally place the motherboard on top of the anti-static bag in which it came while working on it, and then on top of something soft to cushion the metal pins that stick through the bottom of the board. Do not put the board directly on a work surface or you could damage the bottom of the board. Always work on a flat surface.
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