P5B Deluxe, mysterious connector SPI_J1

[Paki]

Hi,
I have just purchased a P5B De, and there is a 7 pins connector SPI_J on it.
Looks like that :
--------
****
***
--------

No mention about it on the manual, nor on the MB layout schematic.
Anybody has an idea of its use ?
TIA
Pat

[daytripper]

For in-system programming of board components, perhaps?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Peripheral_Interface

/daytripper

[Rob]

"Paki" <pl...@plop.plop> wrote in message
news:45b8d1d4$0$2159$426a...@news.free.fr...

Maybe for this?:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Via-s-Easy-BIOS-Flashing-40901.shtml
--
Rob

[Paul]

The ICH8 Southbridge datasheet mentions an SPI interface.

"Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)

The ICH8 implements an SPI Interface as an alternative interface for the
BIOS flash device. An SPI flash device can be used as a replacement for the FWH,
and is required to support Intel Active Management Technology (ICH8DO only) and
the integrated Fan Speed Control (Intel® Quiet System Technology). The ICH8
supports up to two SPI flash devices with speeds up to 33 MHz using two
chip select pins."

But why there'd be a header, is a mystery. The Intel datasheets reveal bits
and pieces of information, but there isn't really a good overall description
of all the options. And since I cannot find a clean high res picture of the
motherboard, it is pretty hard to dream up a theory.

Paul

[Paki]

"Paul" <nos...@needed.com> a écrit dans le message de
news:epavsp$4ml$1...@aioe.org...

======
Thanks a lot for your answers

I guess it is made for service when asus techician have to fix a defective
BIOS or flash hundreds motherboards in one hour ...

Pat