Options : Enabled, Disabled

This function enables or disables support for a USB keyboard. Enable it if you are using a USB keyboard. Otherwise, disable it.

Options : OS, BIOS

This option determines whether the USB keyboard is supported via the operating system or the BIOS. Support via OS offers better functionality but at the expense of zero functionality in DOS. So, if you use real mode DOS, set the option to BIOS so that you can use the USB keyboard in DOS without the need to install a driver.

Init Display First

Options : AGP, PCI

If you are using more than one graphics card, this function enables you to select whether to use the AGP graphics card or the PCI graphics card as the primary graphics card. This is useful for users who install more than one graphics card but only use a single monitor. This will enable them to select whether to boot the system using the AGP graphics card or the PCI graphics card.

If you are only using one graphics card, then the BIOS will detect it as such and boot it up as normal, irrespective of what you set the option as. However, there may be a slight reduction in initialization time if you set this function to its proper setting. That means if you only use an AGP graphics card, then setting Init Display First to AGP may reduce boot-up time a little.

KBC Input Clock Select

Options : 8MHz, 12MHz, 16MHz

This function allows you to adjust the keyboard clock for better response or to fix a keyboard problem. You should set it to 16MHz for a better response time. But if the keyboard becomes erratic or fails to initialize, try a lower clockspeed to fix that.

Power On Function

Options : Button Only, Keyboard 98, Hot Key, Mouse Left, Mouse Right

This function allows you to set the method by which your system can be turned on. Normally, it should be set as Button Only so that your system will only start up if you use the button/switch on the casing. Other alternative options including starting up the system using the keyboard (if it supports the Keyboard 98 standard), a keyboard hot key (for other standard keyboards) or the mouse.

Note that only PS/2 mice support this function and then, not all of them. Some PS/2 mice cannot support this function due to some compatibility problem. Mice using the COM port and the USB connection will also not work with this function.

The Keyboard 98 option will only work if you have installed Windows 98 and you have the appropriate keyboard. Then you can use the keyboard's wake-up key to start up the system.

Older keyboards that don't have the special wake-up key can use the Hot Key option instead. There are twelve hot keys available : Ctrl-F1 to Ctrl-F12. Select the hot key you want and you will be able to start up the computer using that hot key. However, if your keyboard is too old, this function may not work.

There is no performance advantage in choosing any one of the options above so choose one that you are comfortable with.

Onboard FDD Controller

Options : Enabled, Disabled

This function allows you to enable or disable the onboard floppy drive controller. If you are using a floppy drive connected to the onboard controller, then leave it at the default setting of Enabled. But if you are using an add-on FDD controller or if you are not using any floppy drive at all, set it to Disabled to save an IRQ.

Onboard Serial Port 1/2

Options : Disabled, 3F8h/IRQ4, 2F8h/IRQ3, 3E8h/IRQ4, 2E8h/IRQ3, 3F8h/IRQ10,
              2F8h/IRQ11, 3E8h/IRQ10, 2E8h/IRQ11, Auto

This feature allows you to disable the onboard serial port or to manually select the I/O address and IRQ for it. Normally, you should leave it as Auto so that the BIOS can select the best settings for it but if you need a particular IRQ that's been taken up by this serial port, you can manually select an alternative IRQ for it. If you are not using this serial port, you can also disable it to save an IRQ.

Onboard IR Function

Options : IrDA (HPSIR) mode, ASK IR (Amplitude Shift Keyed IR) mode, Disabled

This feature is usually found under the Onboard Serial Port 2 option. It's linked to the 2nd serial port so if you disable the 2nd serial port, this feature will disappear from the screen or appear grayed out.

There are two different IR (Infra-Red) modes. Choose the one appropriate for the connection to the external device. Note that this feature requires an IR connector to be plugged into the IR header provided on the motherboard.

Duplex Select

Options : Full-Duplex, Half-Duplex

This feature is usually found under the Onboard Serial Port 2 option. It's linked to the 2nd serial port so if you disable the 2nd serial port, this feature will disappear from the screen or appear grayed out.

This feature allows you to determine the transmission mode of the IR port. Selecting Full-Duplex will permit simultaneous two-way transmission, like a conversation over the phone. However, selecting Half-Duplex permits transmission in one direction at any one time only. Thus, the Full-Duplex mode is faster and much more desirable. However, consult your IR peripheral's manual to determine if Full-Duplex is supported or not.

RxD, TxD Active

Options : High, Low

This feature is usually found under the Onboard Serial Port 2 option. It's linked to the 2nd serial port so if you disable the 2nd serial port, this feature will disappear from the screen or appear grayed out.

This feature enables you to set the IR reception/transmission polarity as High or Low. You'll need to consult your IR peripheral's documentation to determine the correct polarity.