• IDE HDD Block Mode

First Comments page posted

• Boot Sequence EXT Means
• MPS Version Control For OS
• Processor Number Feature
• PCI 2.1 Compliance
• Auto Detect DIMM/PCI Clk

4th Comments page posted

• IDE HDD Block Mode
• Video BIOS Shadowing
• Shadowing Address Ranges
• PNP OS Installed
• CPU L2 Cache ECC Checking

5th Comments page posted

• Video BIOS Shadowing

6th Comments page posted

• PIRQ_0 Use IRQ No. ~ PIRQ_3 Use IRQ No.
• MPS Version Control For OS
• Shadowing Address Ranges

• AGP Aperture Size (MB)
• Master/Slave Drive Ultra DMA

7th & 8th Comments pages posted

• MPS Version Control For OS
• PNP OS Installed

9th Comments page posted

• Video BIOS Shadowing
• Parallel Port Mode

10th Comments page posted

• AGP Aperture Size

• SDRAM RAS-to-CAS Delay
• SDRAM Precharge Time
• SDRAM Leadoff Command
• UltraDMA 66 IDE Controller

Updated the following BIOS functions :-

• SDRAM Precharge Control

• AGP Aperture Size
• IDE HDD Block Mode
• HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability
• Auto Detect DIMM/PCI Clk

• Read Around Write
• 32-bit Disk Access
• PCI IRQ Activated By
• USWC Write Posting
• AGP 2X Mode
• AGP Master 1WS Write
• AGP Master 1WS Read
• SDRAM Cycle Length
• SDRAM Bank Interleave

Revamped descriptions of practically every BIOS feature in the guide!

• First Boot Device
• Second Boot Device
• Third Boot Device
• Boot Other Device

Descriptions of other BIOS functions were also updated.

• SDRAM Cycle Time Tras/Trc

Descriptions of other BIOS functions were also updated.

Changed the revision numbering. Now, the scheme is as follows :-

• Truly major changes like the addition of a new section will receive a full number upgrade (i.e. from rev. 3.0 to rev. 4.0)
• Additions of new BIOS functions will increase the revision number by 0.1 (i.e. from rev. 3.0 to 3.1)
• Updates of previously added BIOS functions will only receive an increase in the revision number of 0.01 (i.e. from rev. 3.0 to 3.01)

Added the following new BIOS functions :-

• DRAM Read Latch Delay
• DRAM Interleave Time
• Byte Merge
• PCI Pipeline / PCI Pipelining

Added fresh information about the risk of data loss if IDE Block Mode or 32-bit Disk Access was enabled in a WinNT machine.

• PnP OS Installed
• IDE HDD Block Mode
• 32-bit Disk Access

• Fast R-W Turn Around
• CPU to PCI Write Buffer
• PCI Dynamic Bursting
• PCI Master 0 WS Write
• PCI Delay Transaction

Also corrected the spacing between each BIOS function so that the descriptions will be easier to read.

• PCI#2 Access #1 Retry
• Master Priority Rotation
• AGP 4X Mode

• AGP Driving Control
• AGP Driving Value

• SDRAM Bank Interleave
• Fast R-W Turn Around
• PCI Dynamic Bursting
• PCI#2 Access #1 Retry

• Delay DRAM Read Latch
• MD Driving Strength
• SDRAM Page Closing Policy

• CPU Drive Strength
• Force 4-Way Interleave

Rewritten the following BIOS options with new details :-

• EPP Mode Select

• PCI Latency Timer

Rewritten the following BIOS options with new details :-

• AGP Aperture Size
• Spread Spectrum
• SDRAM CAS Latency Time
• SDRAM Cycle Time Tras/Trc
• SDRAM Cycle Length

Rewritten the following BIOS options with new details :-

• Memory Hole At 15M-16M
• Byte Merge
• HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability
• EPP Mode Select
• PIRQ_0 Use IRQ No. ~ PIRQ_3 Use IRQ No.

• AGP 4X Drive Strength
• AGP Drive Strength P or N Ctrl

Rewritten the following BIOS option with new details :-

• Boot Other Device

• PCI Master Read Caching
• USB Mouse Support
• USB Mouse Support Via

Rewritten the following BIOS option with new details :-

• Read-Around-Write
• Passive Release
• OS Select For DRAM > 64MB
• PNP OS Installed

• Refresh Interval
• Refresh Mode Select
• SDRAM Idle Limit

Added IBM's recommendation for the PNP OS Installed option.

Added a note about disabling PNP OS Installed when using the ABIT BP6 with Windows 2000.

Updated the Video BIOS Shadowing feature with reasons why the video BIOS should still be updated even if it's apparently only useful for DOS functions.

Added a note on why Award recommends that SDRAM Bank Interleave be disabled for 16Mbit SDRAM DIMMs.

The BIOS options are now arranged in alphabetical order to allow for quicker searches and easier access.

Every BIOS option was completely rewritten to correct mistakes and provide additional information. They were also given separate pages to allow for quicker access and easier management.

Added the following new BIOS options :-

• Act Bank A to B CMD Delay
• AGP Clock/CPU FSB Clock
• AGPCLK/CPUCLK
• Anti-Virus Protection
• APIC Function
• DRAM Act to PreChrg CMD
• DRAM PreChrg to Act CMD
• Floppy 3 Mode Support
• In-Order Queue Depth
• ISA 14.318MHz Clock
• Level 2 Cache Latency
• PCI Clock/CPU FSB Clock
• Reset Configuration Data
• Speed Error Hold
• Super Bypass Mode
• Super Bypass Wait State
• Write Data In to Read Delay
• Write Recovery Time
• SDRAM Trc Timing Value
• SDRAM Trp Timing Value
• SDRAM Tras Timing Value
• SDRAM Trcd Timing Value

Notes :-

1. Because this is a massive revamp, the new revision will be released in several phases. Therefore, not all the BIOS options will be available right away. They will be released gradually as I write them up.
    
2. If you have downloaded the BIOS Optimization e-Guide, I highly recommend that you discard it and use this new revision instead. This is because the details on every BIOS function in the guide have been completely rewritten in greater detail and with more accurate information.