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Intel SE7210-TP1-E Motherboard BIOS Configuration
Documentation of the BIOS configuration steps, as done to the new SLP.NYC server built on March 14, 2006
This server was built without hard drives yet installed.
The case is an Antec Sonata II with a 450 watt power supply and Antec's new Antech Chassis Air Guide (ACAG). The ACAG is a passive black plastic chimney to bring air from the back of the chassis to on top of the CPU. The other distinguishing characteristic about this case is that the 80mm rear fan on the power supply does not operate unless needed. There is a separate 80mm fan on the front of the power supply which does operate all the time; it is visible when the chasis is open.
When the server is first turned on, press [F2] to go into the BIOS Setup Utility. This server's BIOS is version 06.00, Build Date 09/08/2004, ID: SE7210TP10.86B.P.06.00.0035. These are the options available during booting:
<F2> to run Setup
<F12> for Network Boot
<ESC> for BBS Popup
The BIOS Setup Utility has five sections and each section has options as shown below. Where changes from the factory BIOS settings are necessary, it is noted in the table with bold text and enumerated below. The Exit menu also has several options, but primarily we will use: Save Changes and Exit, or Discard Changes and Exit.
| Main | Advanced | Boot | Security | Server |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| System Overview BIOS information shown above | CPU Configuration Max CPUID Value Limit: [Disabled] Hyper Threading Technology [Disabled] | Boot Settings Configuration Quiet Boot [Disabled] AddOn ROM Display Mode [Keep Current] Bootup Num-Lock [On] PS/2 Mouse Support [Auto] POST Error Pause [Enabled] Hit <F2> Message Display [Enabled] Extended Memory Test [Every Location] changed from Disabled while everything is new; OK to Disable after the machine has proven to be reliable. Scan User Flash Area [Disabled] | Change Supervisor Password | System Management (slow to respond, this option lists technical information about the motherboard but does not offer any changes) |
Processor description: | IDE Configuration [Config PATA & SATA] SATA Controller Enhanced Mode [Disabled] | Boot Device Priority (changes may be made after the hard drives are installed.) | Change User Password | Serial Console Features Baud Rate [19.2K] Flow Control [CTS/RTS] Terminal Type [VT100+] |
| System Memory, Size: 1024MB | Floppy Configuration (totally disabled) | Clear User Password | Event Log Configuration Clear All Event Logs [Disabled] Event Logging [Enabled] Critical Event Logging [Enabled] ECC Event Logging [Enabled] PCI Error Logging [Enabled] | |
System Date | SuperIO Configuration (serial port info) | Boot Sector Virus Protection [Disabled] | Assert NMI on PERR [Enabled] | |
| System Time | USB Configuration (recognized my folding keyboard OK, Legacy USB Support [Enabled]) | Diskette Write Protect [Disabled] | Assert NMI on SERR [Enabled] | |
| PCI Configuration (onboard video, NICs, all [Enabled] | NMI Control [Disabled] | Power Link [Power On] (this is the command to make sure the server reboots after a prolonged power failure which drains the UPS) | ||
| Platform Event Filtering [Enabled] | ||||
| FRB-2 Policy [Retry on Next Boot] | ||||
| Late POST Timeout [Disable] | ||||
| Hard Disk OS Boot Timeout [Disable] | ||||
| PXE OS Boot Timeout [Disable] | ||||
| FRB-4 Policy [Stay On] |
These are the modifications I made to the factory BIOS settings:
- Main: Set the date and time.
- IDE Configuration [Config PATA & SATA] ; SATA Controller Enhanced Mode [Disabled]
- Advanced: IDE Configuration: {update these after Eric installs the hard drives}
- Quick Boot [Disabled] disabled while everything is new; OK to [Enable] after the machine has proven to be reliable.
- Quiet Boot [Disabled] disabled while everything is new; OK to [Enable] after the machine has proven to be reliable.
- Extended Memory Test [Every Location] changed from Disabled while everything is new; OK to Disable after the machine has proven to be reliable.
Scan User Flash Area [Disabled]. - Power Link [Power On]
(this is the command to make sure the server reboots after a prolonged power failure which drains the UPS)
Errata
The server was not able to boot properly with the IDE Configuration set to LEGACY; it would not recognize the secondary controller. The notes above have been updated to reflect the now correct settings.
Eric also disabled Hyperthreading thinking that it might be causing the USB related problems that were actually caused by his motherboard having SCSI.