Who is ready to discuss Intel data sheets?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Intel data sheets, particularly focusing on Intel chips such as CPUs and bridges. Participants raise questions about the shutdown process of computers, the role of ACPI, and the interaction between hardware and operating systems, with a specific emphasis on the Pentium III platform.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance with Intel software developer data sheets and expresses interest in Intel chips.
  • Another participant suggests that the initial question is too broad and encourages posting specific questions.
  • A participant inquires about the shutdown process of a computer, specifically referencing the Pentium III and ATX power connector PSON#.
  • Another participant questions whether the shutdown process involves hardware protocols and expresses skepticism about finding detailed information.
  • One participant proposes that pressing the shutdown switch sends an interrupt to the OS, which then manages the shutdown process, allowing for orderly termination of processes.
  • Another participant clarifies that the first press of the power switch does not use the interrupt process but instead triggers the BIOS and starts the CPU fan, indicating a need for a block diagram of the power switch's connections.
  • A participant asks about ACPI and the role of BIOS in preparing ACPI tables and data structures, questioning how the operating system utilizes them.
  • One participant shares their experience with device drivers and suggests examining the Linux kernel's shutdown code for insights into hardware interaction during shutdown.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the shutdown process and the role of ACPI, with no consensus reached on the specifics of the hardware interactions or the effectiveness of the shutdown protocols discussed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the knowledge of participants regarding hardware protocols and the specifics of ACPI, which may not be universally understood. There are also unresolved questions about the availability of block diagrams or schematics related to the power switch connections.

logicman112
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I am studying Intel software developer data sheet and some questions come to the mind. Who can help me? Is there anybody interested in Intel chips like CPU and bridges?
 
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logicman112 said:
I am studying Intel software developer data sheet and some questions come to the mind. Who can help me? Is there anybody interested in Intel chips like CPU and bridges?

Post a question and see what people respond to. It's too broad and vague a question otherwise.
 
How a computer is shut down? (Pentium III, 815/ICH2). ATX power connector has PSON#. Sometimes I press the shut down button when the system is up and running but nothing happens.
I am actually looking for some block diagram to show the shut down process of a computer.
 
logicman112 said:
How a computer is shut down? (Pentium III, 815/ICH2). ATX power connector has PSON#. Sometimes I press the shut down button when the system is up and running but nothing happens.
I am actually looking for some block diagram to show the shut down process of a computer.

Are you talking about the protocol involved in the hardware? Good luck in finding that.
 
We are going to explain exactly what happens when pressing the shut down switch. I have written the platform of our discussion(Pentium III, 815 and ICH2), All are ICs made by Intel. We want to find out if there is any power control IC on a motherboard? Or an auxiliary circuit? and probably the result of shut down is de-asserting PSON# for the power supply?
 
Usually the power switch, when the computer is already on, sends an interrupt to the OS and then OS decides when it's ready to actually shutdown. This allows it to flush files to disk, shutdown daemon processes in an orderly fashion, etc. This takes time so it doesn't shutdown right away.
 
But the process of interrupt is not used after pressing the power switch for the first time. The first time it causes CPU fetches the instructions of BIOS and in the platform mentioned it causes the CPU fan starts working too.
That's why we need a block diagram to show the connection of the power switch and other ICs on a motherboard. It is very welcome if anybody finds a circuit or schematic for it.
 
OK the first question was not answered but I ask the second one. Who knows about ACPI? BIOS prepares some ACPI tables and data structures. What does the operating system do with them?
 
logicman112 said:
OK the first question was not answered but I ask the second one. Who knows about ACPI? BIOS prepares some ACPI tables and data structures. What does the operating system do with them?

I used to write simple device drivers for DOS a very long time ago and what I'm about to say stems from that experience.

Typically the way you deal directly with the hardware is to either directly write to memory that is used by the hardware, or to write data to hardware ports. Interrupts could also be used, but I didn't do much with them when it came to restart/shutdown.

One idea that I think you should check out is to download the linux kernel and see its shutdown code (or any other relevant open source OS).
 

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