IBM Aptiva Personal Computer
(250-0451A) System Information Faxback Doc. # 33171
Use the System Information feature to view information about the hardware
installed on your computer. You cannot use this screen to change
information. The Setup Utility will automatically update this screen when
you:
Add or change an option on your computer.
Make changes to other screens in the Setup Utility and save those
changes.
The System Information screen contains information about the processor,
system memory, video memory, cache memory, and the diskette, hard drives,
and CD-ROM drive installed on your system. This screen also shows if the
mouse is installed.
Video and Monitor
The Video and Monitor screen shows the video controller and the amount of
video memory installed on your computer. It also allows you to change your
monitor's setup, which includes refresh rates. The refresh rate is the
rate in hertz (kHz) at which the entire image is drawn on the screen.
Monitor Setup.
The monitor setup options you can choose to change the monitor's refresh
rates are Set Frequency (the monitor horizontal frequency will be
highlighted), Plug and Play/DDC, and Set Refresh Rates (the Refresh rates
option will be highlighted).
Note: Super VGA (SVGA) and multifrequency monitors can Refresh the screen
faster than other types of monitors. You must make sure the refresh
rate is set correctly for your monitor.
Set Frequency.
This option allows you to choose the monitor horizontal frequency for your
computer. The monitor horizontal frequency you specify will automatically
set the fresh rates for your computer. Horizontal frequency is the rate
in kilohertz (kHz) at which each line is drawn on the screen.
Select the frequency range that includes your monitor's maximum horizontal
frequency. See the documentation that came with your monitor to determine
your monitor's maximum horizontal frequency.
Plug and Play/DDC.
If you have a monitor that supports DDC (Display Data Channel), this option
allows your computer to automatically set the best refresh rates for your
monitor.
Set Refresh Rates (resolution). This option allows you to select a refresh
rate for each resolution supported by your monitor.
The resolution is the size of the image on the screen expressed in picture
elements or pels (for example, 800 x 600).
Before you select refresh rates, read the documentation that came with your
monitor. The documentation should include the horizontal frequency and
refresh rates that work best with your monitor. You can also experiment
with different settings to find which settings produce the best image.
Warning! Do not select a setting that exceeds the capabilities of your
monitor. If you do, your monitor will not function properly. If
this happens, turn off your system unit and restart the Setup
Utility.
Disk Drives
The Disk Drives Setup screen shows you the size of the drives installed in
your computer and what additional drives can be installed. The following
paragraphs describe each of these options:
Diskette Drive (A: or B:). This option shows you an entry for each
diskette drive on your computer. If you add or change a diskette drive,
you must select the correct diskette drive type on the Disk Drives screen.
Hard Disk Drive and CD-ROM Drive: These options show you entries for each
hard disk drive and the CD-ROM drive that are already installed, or that
can be installed in your computer. You can have a maximum of four IDE
drives installed on your system.
The Disk Drives Setup screen lists four IDE drive selections:
Hard Disk Drive 1 is attached to Local Bus connector 1 on the system
board and set as the Master device. This is the hard disk that comes
preinstalled with your computer.
Hard Disk Drive 2 (if installed) is attached to Local Bus connector 1
on the system board and set as the Slave device.
CD-ROM Drive 3 (if installed) is attached to Local Bus connector 2 on
the system board and set as the Master device. If your computer does
not have a CD-ROM drive, this selection will read Hard Disk Drive 3.
Hard Disk Drive 4 (if installed is attached to Local Bus connector 2
on the system board and set as the Slave device.
When you choose one of the four IDE drive selections from the Disk Drives
Setup screen, the screen for that drive appears. That screen shows the
size of the hard disk installed and allows you to choose the IDE
Performance mode for each drive. It may also allow you to make changes to
the following:
Local Bus IDE Mode. This option allows you to set the speed (performance)
at which the drive will transfer data. To get the best disk performance,
run IDE drives (such as a hard disk or CD-ROM drive) in High Performance
mode.
Read Prefetch. If the local Bus IDE mode is set for High Performance, you
can enable this option for maximum hard disk performance.
Note: A CD-ROM drive connected at the Drive 1 location may require this
option to be disabled. Some operating systems, such as Windows NT**
and OS/2**, may also require this option to be disabled.
Disk BIOS Translation. This option allows your computer to use IDE hard
disks larger than 528 MB with most operating systems.
Note: You may need to use Standard tables with the UNIX** operating
system.
Input/Output Ports
The Input/Output Ports feature contains options relating to serial and
parallel ports, the mouse, and keyboard. The following paragraphs describe
each of these options.
Serial Port Addresses (A or B). Your computer has two serial ports:
Serial Port A and Serial Port B. Each serial port has a special address
(identifying location) assigned to it. If you add adapter cards to your
computer that have additional serial ports, you must make sure that each
serial port has a different address.
If you change serial port addresses on the Input/Output Ports screen, you
may also need to make changes to your software. For instructions on
changing your software, see the user's guide or online information that
came with the software.
Parallel Port. This option allows you to change the parallel port address.
Your computer has one parallel port with a special address (identifying
location). If you add adapter cards to your computer that have additional
parallel ports, you must make sure that each parallel port has a different
address assigned to it.
If you change parallel ports on the Devices and I/O Ports screen, you may
also need to make changes to your software. For instructions on changing
your software, see the user's guide or online information that came with
your software.
Parallel Port Mode. This option allows you to choose either the compatible
mode or one of the extended modes (ECP or PS/l2 Bi-directional) for a
parallel port.
The parallel port extended modes will increase the efficiency of your
parallel port, however the extended modes use recent technology and are
only supported by newer hardware (such as a printer). The available
extended modes are:
PS/2 Bidirectional: This mode is used for data transfer to other
PC systems and supported devices.
ECP: The extended Capabilities Port mode (ECP) provides higher speed
data transfers than the compatible mode. It is used for high-speed
printers and other devices.
ECP and EPP 1.7: This mode combines the capabilities of the Extended
Capabilities Port (ECP) and Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) modes. This
mode is not compatible with the ECP and EPP 1.9 mode.
ECP and EPP 1.9: This mode combines the capabilities of the Extended
Capabilities Port (ECP) and Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) modes. This
mode is not compatible with the ECP and EPP 1.7 mode.
If you change the mode of a parallel port, you may need to make changes to
the supported hardware and its software.
Mouse. This option shows if the mouse is installed.
Keyboard NumLock State. This option allows you to set the NumLock function
on the keyboard to turn on automatically each time you turn your computer
on.
Keyboard Speed. This option allows you to choose either the Normal or Fast
keyboard speed. The keyboard speed is the rate at which the keyboard
responds when you hold down a key. The normal rate is 10 characters per
second. The Fast rate is 30 characters per second.
Mwave Adapter. This option shows you if you have an Mwave adapter card
installed in your computer.
If you have an Mwave adapter card installed but this option does not
appear, make sure the card is installed properly. If the card is installed
properly, press F5 to reload the factory settings.
Rapid Resume
Rapid Resume is an exclusive IBM energy-saving feature with many useful
options. Your computer comes with Rapid Resume enabled (turned on).
Rapid Resume:
Saves the current state of your computer when you turn it off. Any
applications, programs, or data files open when you turn off your
computer will be open when you turn it back on.
Automatically turns off your computer when you have not used the mouse,
keyboard, or hard disk for an amount of time you select. If you have
an energysaving monitor, it will also turn off.
Reduces the time your computer takes to start up.
Puts your computer in a Standby mode to conserve energy when you have
not used the mouse, keyboard, or had disk for an amount of time you
select.
Can automatically turn on your computer with Wake Up on Ring when the
phone rings so that your computer can receive a fax.
Can automatically turn on your computer with Scheduler at a date and
time you specify.
The following paragraphs describe each of the Rapid Resume options.
APM BIOS Mode. The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is the machine
language that runs your computer. The APM BIOS Mode option shows you the
advanced power mode (APM) that your operating system's APM driver should
use when it communicates with BIOS.
Rapid Resume. This option allows you to enable (turn on) or disable
(turn off) Rapid Resume.
Automatic Power Off. If Rapid Resume is enabled, this option allows you
to set the amount of time that will pass before your computer turns off
automatically. For example: 30 minutes means that if the mouse, keyboard,
or hard disk are not used for 30 minutes, your computer turns off
autocratically.
Note: Only energy-saving monitors will turn off automatically with
Rapid Resume.
The current state of your computer is saved before it turns off. Any
applications or programs open when your computer turns off will be open
when you turn it back on.
Innitialize Adapter Cards. If you are using the Rapid Resume feature, this
option indicates whether your adapter cards will be restarted (initialized)
when you turn on your computer.
Standby Timer. This option allows you to set the amount of time that will
pass before your computer starts conserving energy. For example:
20 minutes means that if the mouse, keyboard, and hard disk are not used
for 20 minutes, your display goes blank and the hard disk in your computer
starts using less power.
Note: Only energy-saving monitors power down during Standby.
If you are using the Automatic Power Off feature, the time you set for
Standby must be less than the time you set for Automatic Power Off.
Otherwise, your computer will turn off before it enters Standby.
Standby Snapshot. This option allows you to have the state of your
computer saved when it enters Standby. If the electricity goes out or your
computer is turned off while in Standby, your computer resumes at the saved
state when you turn it back on. Any applications or programs open when
your computer is turned off will be open when the power returns.
Monitor Mode. This option allows you to change the power mode used to
blank the monitor during Standby. If you have an energy-saving monitor,
the VESA DPMS setting turns the monitor back on the fastest.
Note: Only energy-saving monitors will power down during Standby.
Halt CPU When Idle. This option allows you to stop the central processing
unit (CPU) during Standby. This conserves power without affecting the
operation of your computer.
Blink LED in Standby. If you re using the Standby feature, and you enable
the Blink LED in Standby option, the power light will blink to indicate
that your computer is in Standby mode.
Wake Up on Ring. This option allows you to have your computer turn on
automatically when the phone rings. This is useful if you have a fax
modem and use your computer to receive faxes. To use this feature, you
must have an internal modem that supports Wake Up on Ring or an external
modem connected to serial port A.
Indicator. If you are using the Wake Up on Ring feature, and you enable
the Indicator option, the power light will blink to indicate your computer
answered the phone. The indicator resets when you turn your computer on.
Note: With Wake Up on Ring, your computer may turn on automatically when
you dial out on a rotary or pulse telephone. If this occurs,
disable the Wake Up on Ring feature and use it only when you know
you will have incoming fax communications.
Wake Up on Alarm. This option allows you to have your computer turn on
automatically at a date and time you specify. Choose the date and time in
the Alarm Date and Alarm Time fields. If you select Daily Event, you can
set the Alarm Time but not the Date.
Alarm Date and Alarm Time. If you are using the Wake Up on Alarm feature,
these options let you set the date and time you want your computer to turn
on automatically. Enter the date in the format shown on the screen.
Enter the time in 2345-hour format (hours, minutes seconds). For example:
12 midnight is 00:00:00
12 noon is 12:00:00
1 p.m. is 13:00:00
Plug and Play
The Plug and Play (PnP) screen shows the number of ISA Plug and Play
adapter cards you have installed in your computer. It also allows you to
manually configure your computer. It also allows you to manually configure
an ISA legacy (non-Plug and Play or non-PC) adapter card that you
installed.
PnP Cards Detected. This option shows the number of ISA Plug and Play
adapter cards installed in your computer.
ISA Legacy Resources. This feature allows you to set the following legacy
resources typically required by ISA legacy (non-Plug and Play or non-PCI)
adapter cards:
Memory resources
I/O port resources
DMA resources
Interrupt resources
The following paragraphs describe each of these options.
Memory Resources. This option allows you to allocate system Memory regions
for a legacy adapter card. It lists the hexadecimal addresses of the
available memory regions. You allocate Memory to an adapter card by
choosing the Not Available setting for a particular hexadecimal address.
Be sure to read the documentation that came with the adapter card. You may
need to make changes to the card that match the selections you make for
Memory that match the selections you make for Memory Resources. For
example, you may have to move jumpers or switches on the adapter card, or
make changes to the software that came with the adapter card.
Interrupt Resources. This option lists the system interrupt requests
(IRQs) and their functions. You allocate IRQs to an ISA legacy adapter
card by choosing the Not Available setting for a particular IRQ.
Be sure to read the documentation that came with the adapter card. You may
need to make changes to the card that match the selections you make for
Interrupt Resources. For example, you may have to move jumpers or switches
on the adapter card, or make changes to the software that came with the
adapter card.
Startup Options
The Startup Options feature controls a variety of events that occur each
time you turn your computer on. This feature allows you to:
Set how much time your computer will spend testing itself when you
turn it on
Enable your computer to operate without a diskette drive, display, or
keyboard
Enable Virus Detection when your computer is turned on.
The following paragraphs describe each of these options.
Startup Devices (First-Fourth). When you turn your computer on, it
searches for the operating system files. Your computer can search for
these files on a hard disk, a diskette, an adapter card, or a network.
Use the Startup Devices options to tell your computer the devices to search
for the operating system files and the order in which it should search
them. For example, if you select diskette drive A (also called Diskette
Drive 0) as the First Startup Device, and Hard Disk 0 as the Second Startup
Device, your computer will search for the operating system files on
diskette drive A first and hard disk 0 disk 0 second.
Note: Hard disk 1 is the hard disk that came preinstalled in your
computer.
System Memory Test. Each time you turn on your computer, it performs a
series of tests to make sure it is operating properly. This series of
tests is called the power-on self Test (POST).
The system memory test is part of POST. This option allows you to tell
your computer whether or not to run the system Memory test. If you choose
Enabled, your computer tests the system memory and it takes longer for
your operating system or application to become available. If you choose
Disable, your computer does not perform the system Memory test.
Virus Detection. This option allows you to have your computer search for
certain computer viruses each time you turn on your computer.
Model Information
The Model Information feature shows information about your computer,
including model and serial number, the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)
version and date. You cannot change any information that appears on this
screen.
Date and Time
The Date and Time feature allows you to change the date and time on your
computer.
Date and Time. Enter the time in 24-hour format (hours, minutes,
seconds), For example:
12 midnight is 00:00:00
12 noon is 12:00:00
1 p.m. is 13:00:00
Enter the date in the format shown on the screen.
(br-5/30/96)
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