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17
Enhanced IDE Interface
The ICH5’s IDE interface handles the exchange of information between the processor and
peripheral devices like hard disks, CD-ROM drives, and Iomega Zip* drives inside the computer.
The interface supports:
•
Up to four IDE devices (such as hard drives)
•
ATAPI-style devices (such as CD-ROM drives)
•
Older PIO Mode devices
•
Ultra DMA-33 and ATA-66/100 protocols
•
Laser Servo (LS-120) drives
BIOS
The BIOS provides the Power-On Self-Test (POST), the BIOS Setup program, the PCI and IDE
auto-configuration utilities, and the video BIOS. The BIOS is stored in the Firmware Hub.
The BIOS can be updated by following the instructions in Chapter 3 on page 47.
PCI Auto Configuration
If you install a PCI add-in card in your computer, the PCI auto-configuration utility in the BIOS
automatically detects and configures the resources (IRQs, DMA channels, and I/O space) for that
add-in card. You do not need to run the BIOS Setup program after you install a PCI add-in card.
SATA/IDE Auto Configuration
If you install a SATA or IDE device (such as a hard drive) in your computer, the SATA/IDE auto-
configuration utility in the BIOS automatically detects and configures the device for your computer.
You do not need to run the BIOS Setup program after installing a SATA/IDE device. You can
override the auto-configuration options by specifying manual configuration in the BIOS Setup
program.
To use ATA-66/100 features, the following items are required:
• An ATA-66/100 peripheral device
• An ATA-66/100 compatible cable
• ATA-66/100 operating system device drivers
Security Passwords
The BIOS includes security features that restrict whether the BIOS Setup program can be accessed
and who can boot the computer. A supervisor password and a user password can be set for the
Setup and for booting the computer, with the following restrictions:
• The supervisor password gives unrestricted access to view and change all Setup options. If
only the supervisor password is set, pressing <Enter> at the password prompt of Setup gives the
user restricted access to Setup.
• If both the supervisor and user passwords are set, you must enter either the supervisor password
or the user password to access Setup. Setup options are then available for viewing and
changing depending on whether the supervisor or user password was entered.