This document is a user guide for the XPC BIOS, specifically for the DL10J Series. It provides comprehensive instructions on how to navigate and configure the BIOS setup utility, as well as information regarding driver and software installation.
Function Description
The XPC BIOS User Guide serves as a detailed manual for managing the basic input/output system (BIOS) of Shuttle DL10J Series motherboards. The BIOS is a crucial firmware that initializes and tests hardware components during the boot process, and then loads the operating system. This guide explains how to access and modify various settings within the BIOS setup utility to optimize system performance, manage power, configure hardware, and enhance security. It covers the AMIBIOS8 BIOS setup utility, which is a common BIOS interface used in many motherboards. The guide outlines the navigation system, hotkeys, and the structure of the BIOS setup menus, including Main, Advanced, Security, Boot, and Exit.
The driver and software installation section details the process of installing necessary drivers and utilities from the provided Motherboard Driver DVD. This ensures that the Shuttle Xvision system operates optimally with a Windows® OS. The DVD includes an AutoRun feature for easy installation, and the guide provides instructions for manual access if AutoRun does not initiate automatically. It also points to other resources on the DVD, such as user manuals and links to the Shuttle website.
Usage Features
The guide provides clear instructions for entering the BIOS setup utility, which typically involves pressing the key during system startup. It introduces the main BIOS setup menu, which is the entry point to all other configuration screens. The navigation system relies on hotkeys, including arrow keys for selection, for accessing sub-menus or changing options, / for adjusting field values, for moving between fields, for general help, for previous values, for optimized defaults, for saving and exiting, and for discarding changes and exiting.
Within the Main Setup screen, users can view system overview information such as AMIBIOS version, build date, processor details (e.g., Intel(R) Celeron(R) J4005 CPU @ 2.00GHz), and total system memory (e.g., 8192 MB). A key feature here is the ability to set the System Time/System Date in MM/DD/YY and HH:MM:SS (24-hour format) formats, which is essential for accurate system operation and logging.
The Advanced tab offers a wide array of configuration options, organized into sub-menus:
- TPM Configuration: This allows users to enable or disable the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) function, which is critical for hardware-based security features.
- Power Management Configuration: This section includes settings for power-related events.
- Wake Up By USB (S3): Enables or disables the system's ability to wake up from S3 (suspend-to-RAM) state via USB device events.
- EuP Function: Controls the EuP (Energy-using Products) function in S4/S5 (hibernate/soft off) states, promoting energy efficiency.
- Power-On after Power-Fail: Configures how the system behaves after AC power is restored, with options like immediate power-on, returning to the former state, remaining off, powering on by LAN, or powering on by RTC alarm.
- Wake Up By LAN: Enables or disables the system's ability to wake up via a Local Area Network (LAN) signal (Wake-on-LAN).
- PowerOn by RTC Alarm: Allows scheduling a specific time (hr::min::sec) for the system to power on automatically using the Real-Time Clock.
- Hardware Health Configuration: This read-only section displays real-time monitoring data for various hardware components, such as CPU temperature, system temperature, and voltage readings for CPU Core, DRAM, +12V, +5V, and Graphic. This feature is useful for monitoring system stability and identifying potential issues.
- CPU Configuration: This menu provides options to configure CPU-specific settings. It displays CPU details like CPU Signature, Microcode Patch, Max/Min CPU Speed, Processor Cores, Intel HT Technology, Intel VT-x Technology, and cache information (L1 Data, L1 Code, L2, L3).
- EIST (Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology): Allows enabling or disabling this power-saving feature that dynamically adjusts CPU voltage and frequency.
- Turbo Mode (Intel® Turbo Boost Technology): Enables or disables Intel's Turbo Boost technology, which dynamically increases the processor's frequency above its operating frequency when conditions allow.
- C State Support: Enables or disables CPU C State, another power-saving feature that allows the CPU to enter lower power states when idle.
- Intel (R) V. T. (Virtualization Technology): Enables or disables Intel Virtualization Technology, which allows a Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) to utilize additional hardware capabilities for virtualization.
- Active Processor Cores: Allows users to determine how many processor cores are enabled, with options like All, 1, 2, or 3.
- USB Configuration: This section displays information about enabled USB devices, such as the number of drives and keyboards detected.
- OnBoard Device Configuration: This menu manages integrated devices on the motherboard.
- High Definition Audio: Enables or disables the onboard High Definition Audio function.
- Onboard i211 LAN Function: Enables or disables the onboard i211 LAN controller.
- Onboard LAN BOOT ROM: Enables or disables the Boot ROM for the onboard LAN, allowing network booting.
- IGD Memory Size Select: Allows selection of the amount of system memory allocated to the integrated graphics device (e.g., 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB).
- M.2 Select: Configures the M.2 slot for either PCIE or SATA modules.
- E-KEY Device Select: Configures the E-KEY slot for USB, PCIE, or CNVI devices.
- Intel (R) VT-d: Enables or disables Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d).
- Serial Port Configuration: Provides a sub-menu for configuring serial ports, including enabling/disabling Serial Port 1 and Serial Port 2, setting their addresses (e.g., 3F8h, 2F8h), and mode (e.g., RS232).
- SATA Configuration: This section displays the detection status of SATA devices, such as SATA 1 and M.2.
The Security tab is dedicated to system security settings:
- Supervisor Password: Indicates whether a supervisor password is set (Installed/Not Installed). This password grants full access to the BIOS setup utility.
- User Password: Indicates whether a user password is set (Installed/Not Installed). This password typically grants limited access to the BIOS.
- Change Supervisor Password/Change User Password: Allows setting or changing these passwords. The guide emphasizes that passwords are not displayed during entry and are stored in NVRAM.
- Password Login control: Adjusts when the password is required (Setup, Boot, Both).
- Flash Write Protection: Enables or disables write protection for the BIOS flash memory to prevent unauthorized modifications or virus attacks. It must be disabled to flash the BIOS.
- Secure Boot: Enables or disables the Secure Boot feature, which helps prevent malicious software from loading during startup.
The Boot tab manages the system's boot behavior:
- Bootup Num-Lock: Selects the NumLock state (Enabled/Disabled) after system bootup.
- Fast Boot Function: Enables or disables Fast Boot, which can speed up the boot process.
- Boot from USB device: Enables or disables booting from USB devices.
- Boot from Card-Reader: Enables or disables booting from a card reader device.
- Boot Device Priority (Boot Option #1/2/3/....): Specifies the boot sequence from available devices (e.g., Hard Disk, CD/DVD, USB Hard Disk, USB CD/DVD, USB Key: UEFI, USB Floppy, USB Lan, Network). Devices enclosed in parenthesis are disabled in their corresponding type menus.
- UEFI USB Key Drive BBS Priorities: A sub-menu for configuring boot priorities specifically for UEFI USB key drives.
Finally, the Exit tab provides options for concluding the BIOS setup:
- Save Changes and Exit: Saves all modified settings and reboots the computer, applying the new configuration.
- Exit Without Saving Changes: Exits the BIOS setup without saving any modifications.
- Load Defaults Settings: Loads the optimal default values for all BIOS settings, which can be useful for troubleshooting or resetting configurations.
Maintenance Features
The guide includes important safety information and installation notices to ensure the longevity and proper functioning of the Shuttle XPC. It warns against incorrect battery replacement, advising users to replace it only with the same or equivalent type recommended by Shuttle and to dispose of used batteries according to manufacturer instructions.
Installation notices emphasize environmental considerations:
- Avoid placing the device under heavy loads or in unstable positions.
- Do not expose the device to direct sunlight, high humidity, or wet conditions.
- Keep the device away from strong magnetic fields, as they can affect performance.
- Ensure that air vents are not blocked to maintain proper airflow and prevent overheating.
The manual itself serves as a key maintenance feature by providing detailed instructions for configuring the BIOS, which is essential for system stability and performance. It also ensures that users can properly install drivers and software, which are critical for the system's functionality. The "Hardware Health Configuration" section, while read-only, is a diagnostic tool that allows users to monitor critical system parameters like temperature and voltage, helping to identify potential hardware issues before they become severe. The ability to load default settings from the "Exit" menu is a valuable troubleshooting feature, allowing users to revert to a known stable configuration if custom settings cause problems. The "Flash Write Protection" feature under the Security tab is a preventative measure against malicious BIOS modifications, contributing to system integrity.
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