FIC VA-503+ Motherboard

[Camina]

I am running this motherboard with a K6/3-400 and 256MB of RAM on Win95.

Are there any issues with Win98, NT, or
Win2K ?

Also, I have a PS2 connector. Should I use this for the mouse or keyboard ? Would this
free up resources ?

[M1pilot]

I'm running Win98 on a K6-3/450 - VA503+ combo, and the only real issue is the use of the VIA busmaster. You're better off using the native Windows busmaster drivers. Also before you load Win98, make sure the USB function in the BIOS is enabled before you load the new O/S. Then load the VIA miniport, and AGP drivers. Do it in that order and you should'nt have any problems. Can't help you on NT or Win2k, sorry.

I've never used my PS-2 port, so I can't help you out there, but I've had no trouble with the Com1 port for the mouse, or the K/B port as far as resource conflicts or usage goes. Hope this helps.

-M1pilot

[OuTpaTienT]

You should definitely be using the ps/2 port for the mouse!!! Then get PS/2rate and boost the mouse's refresh rate. The mouse refresh rate through the com port is 40hz. (Could you imagine running your video refresh at 40hz? I didn't think so.) And through the ps/2 port it can be up to 200hz, with NO negative affect on system performance. And wow! does the mouse movement become so smooth.

Do it now. You eyes will thank you.

Click here to find PS/2rate. (http://tweakfiles.com/misc/ps2rateplus.html)

BTW, I too have the 503+ and have had no problems with Win98. I could never get the USB working with Win95, but with 98 it's been a breeze. I would stay away from Win98SE though.

[psyklone]

i have this board also and have found that using the PS/2 for the mouse is the best way to go. and if you do encounter any problems with it, you know where to go for help! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif M1pilot fixed my last 503+ problem (thanks by the way!)

just an observation, i noticed that in the above three posts, nobody typed "PS/2" the same way. interesting.
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[M1pilot]

Interesting, OutPaTienT....definitely going to give it a try. I did try using my PS2, er PS-2, ah PS/2 port when I installed my Logitec Trackman Marble a couple of years ago, but could'nt get the software to work properly?? (could'nt program the buttons). Worked fine off the serial port though.....this time I'll spend a little more time at it. Danka!!

-M1pilot

I guess PS/2 is the right way, pysklone, LOL.

[Camina]

My BIOS is 1.15JE37 (4.51PG) with a board version of 1.2A. Maybe this will help me with some of the issues you guys mentioned.

If I use the PS/2 mouse do I keep COM1 enabled in the BIOS ? My COM2 is disabled but I used Add New Hardware to enable my modem.


Do I need to buy an additional adapter to use the USB port ? I thought I read something about an optional riser card.

[M1pilot]

Belkin, and probably a number of other companies, make a generic USB cable and expansion port assy. that is very cheap and usually available at any computer store. Works great......that riser card mentioned in the manual is either out of production, or impossible to obtain.

I would imagine, if you are'nt using your physical serial ports, that you could disable them in the BIOS. That would free up an IRQ or two at least.

I've also got the 1.15JE37 BIOS update, however my Award BIOS is 4.60PG. The M/B is also a rev. 1.2a with a 4503 white sticker number. The only issue in the BIOS may be the "write cache pipeline" option. You may have to leave it disabled. Mine's ok, except when I'm using my webcam....then I have to disable the WCP.

-M1pilot

[Camina]

M1,
Sorry, my BIOS is 4.60PGA. My SiSoft Sandra was reporting the wrong version.

My Write Cache Pipeline is disabled. What would be the consequences if I enable it ?

I am using a ISA NIC using IRQ11. I would like to add another NIC in my PCI slot. The only IRQ that I see that is not used is IRQ12. Can I use IRQ12 or is this used for a PS/2 mouse if I am using one ?
If so, can I use IRQ4 ?

[M1pilot]

You may not have any consequences at all if you leave the "WCP" function enabled. Ideally, you want it on. On my setup, I disable it if I'm going to be using my webcam. If I don't, the camera won't initialize. The rest of the time it is enabled without any troubles. You'll have to experiment a little.

You'll have to experiment with your IRQ's as well. The URL below is a screenshot of the IRQ configuration on my rig.
http://members.home.net/m1.mustang/misc.htm

As you can see my NIC is using 10, 11 is used by the USB controller, and my vid card 12, etc. I have no idea what a PS/2 port normally uses. I had a second NIC for a while, and as I recall it was using 9, but Windows would not see it...I had to configure it manually in the BIOS.

-M1pilot

[Camina]

M1,
Considering the PS/2 mouse is a bus mouse it shouldn't use any IRQ but I thought I saw a reference to PS/2 - IRQ12 somewhere in the BIOS.

Is that the V3 2000 AGP video card you have ?
I'm considering that one or the ATI Xpert 98 or 128 card.

[scotter]

on almost all mobo's the PS/2 mouse uses IRQ 12 http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[M1pilot]

Yup....I'm not too much into gaming. Heaviest load on the vid card is Descent3 and a couple of flight sims once in awhile, works ok.

-M1pilot

[Camina]

Scotter,
If I don't use a PS/2 mouse can I use IRQ12 for my second NIC ?

[1Kahuna]

NICs usually work best when configured to IRQ 10 or IRQ 11