Abit AB-BF6, Manual

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3-10 Chapter3
BF6
Figure 3-4. IDE Primary Master Setup Screen Shot
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IDE HDD Auto-Detection:
Press the Enter key for the BIOS to auto detect all detailed parameters of the hard disk
drivers (HDD). If auto detection is successful, the correct values will be shown in the
remaining items of this menu.
Note
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A new IDE HDD must be first formatted, otherwise it can not read/write. The basic
step in using a HDD is to make a HDD low-level format , then run FDISK, and then
FORMAT the drive. Most current HDDs have already been subjected to low-level
format at the factory, so you can probably skip this operation. Remember though, the
primary IDE HDD must have its partition set to active within the FDISK procedure.
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If you are using an old HDD that is already formatted, auto detection can not detect
the correct parameters. You may need to do a low-level format or set the parameters
manually, and then check if the HDD is working.
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IDE Primary Master:
Three settings are available: Auto, Manual and None. If you choose Auto, the BIOS will
automatically check what kind hard disk you are using. If you want to set the HDD
parameters yourself, make sure you fully understand the meaning of the parameters, and be
sure to refer to the manual provided by the HDD manufacture to get the settings right.
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Access Mode:
Since old operating systems were only able to support HDDs with capacities no bigger than
528MB, any hard disk with more than 528MB was unusable. AWARD BIOS features a