3.1 AT/ATX mode selection (JP1)
NuPRO-A301 works by default in ATX mode (JP1 pins 1-2 OPEN). If you need to use a traditional AT power supply (direct power on), you need to short-circuit pins 1-2 of JP1 (ALWAYS_SON), and the system will automatically start when powered on, without the need for a front panel switch.
3.2 Clearing CMOS (JP2)
When BIOS settings are incorrect and prevent startup, use JP2 to clear CMOS data:
Shut down and unplug the power cord
Move the jump cap from 1-2 (Normal) to 2-3 (Clear CMOS)
After powering on for a few seconds, power off and restore the jump cap to 1-2
Power on again and enter BIOS to reset
Manual prompt: "Setting a value of 65535 means no hard disk" - When manually setting IDE hard disk parameters, if Precomp/Landing Zone is set to 65535, this function is not available.
3.3 COM2 Serial Port Mode Switching (JPB2)
COM2 supports multiple modes of RS-232/422/485 (with/without terminal resistors), configured through JPB2 jumper group (8 pins in total):
Mode 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8
RS-232 OFF OFF OFF ON
RS-422 with terminal ON ON OFF
RS-485 with terminal ON ON OFF
RS-422 no terminal OFF OFF OFF OFF
RS-485 no terminal OFF OFF OFF OFF
Attention: In RS-232 mode, 7-8 must be short circuited (ON); In RS-422/485 mode, 7-8 is OFF. The DB-9 baffle of COM2 supports both RS-232 (J1) and RS-422/485 (J2) outputs, and the corresponding pins should be selected according to the actual mode when wiring.
3.4 Key precautions for power connection
NuPRO-A301 needs to be connected to CN4 (ATX 12V 4-pin power interface) to provide+12V auxiliary power supply for the CPU. The manual emphasizes that "The ATX 12V power connector must be connected to provide efficient power to the SBC in either ATX or AT modes." If the connection is missed, the system will not start.
The front panel connector (JPB1) integrates power indicator light, hard drive indicator light, reset, power switch, and buzzer. Attention: By default, short-circuit pins 2-4 to output audio to the onboard buzzer; If you need to use the chassis speaker, you need to connect pins 2, 4, 6, and 8. Short circuiting the ATX power switch signal (pin 15 ATX_PWRON #) to ground (pin 20) can trigger a soft power on.
Chapter 4: BIOS Deep Configuration - From Basic to Advanced Tuning
NuPRO-A301 uses Phoenix AwardBIOS, press the "Del" key to enter when booting up. The following are key configuration items that directly affect system stability and functionality.
4.1 Standard CMOS Features
IDE Channel Master/Slave and SATA Channels 0-3: IDE/SATA devices for each channel can be configured separately. Support IDE HDD Auto detection to automatically detect hard disk parameters. Access Mode can be selected as CHS/LBA/Large/Auto, it is recommended to keep Auto.
Drive A: Configure the floppy drive type (if using a floppy drive, it cannot be set to None).
Halt On: can be set to "All, But Keyboard", etc., to control the pause behavior when POST encounters errors.
4.2 Advanced BIOS Features
CPU Feature submenu: Includes Delay Prior to Thermal (optional 4/8/16/32 minutes), Limit CPUID MaxVal (recommended disabled to support WinXP), Execute Disable Bit (hardware antivirus, recommended enabled).
Hard Disk Boot Priority: Set the hard disk boot priority (specific hard disk or USB-HDD can be specified).
Virus Warning: When enabled, write operations to the hard disk boot sector will issue a warning, effectively defending against boot viruses.
Quick Power On Self Test: Skip some POST tests and shorten startup time when enabled.
Boot Device Priority: Set the first/second/third boot device (such as Hard Disk, CDROM, LS120, etc.).
Security Option: When set to System, a password is required for both booting and entering the BIOS; If set to Setup, only a password is required to enter BIOS.
MPS Version Control for OS: It is recommended to set it to 1.4 for multiprocessor systems.
4.3 Advanced Chipset Features
DRAM Timing Selectable: It is recommended to set it to By SPD, where the memory SPD automatically determines the timing; If set to Manual, parameters such as CAS and RAS can be manually adjusted.
SLP_S4 # Attribute Width: Control the sleep signal width and keep it at default (1-2 seconds).
System BIOS Cacheable/Video BIOS Cacheable: It is recommended to set both to Enabled to improve performance, but they can be temporarily disabled if a system exception occurs.
Memory Hold at 15M-16M: Only enabled when using an old ISA card (which requires this address space), usually kept disabled.
VGA Settings:
PEG/OChip VGA Control: Optional Auto, Onchip VGA (onboard), or PEG Port (external PCIe graphics card).
On Chip Frame Buffer Size: can be set to 1MB or 8MB, recommended 8MB.
DVMT Mode: Optional Fixed, DVMT, or Both. DVMT mode dynamically allocates video memory (up to 224MB), recommended for use.
Boot Display: Auto or CRT can be selected. If using a VGA display, keep Auto on.
4.4 Integrated Peripherals Settings
PCI Express LAN submenu
82574L Giga LAN_1: Enable/disable onboard gigabit network card.
PCI Express PME: Enable power management event wake-up function.
82574L PXE ROM: Supports network boot (PXE) when enabled, suitable for diskless workstations.