Packaging

FIC has designed a very nice but simple box design. Using a very light green color scheme, it definitely sticks out. On the right it outlines the key features that come with this board. It outlines that this board does in fact use the KT400 chipset, supports 333/266/200 MHz FSB, AGP 8X support, Serial ATA support etc.

The back of the box emphasizes the bundled software and a few BIOS features. Bundled software outlined on the back are Norton Antivirus 2002, Norton Ghost 2002 and Norton Personal Firewall. The BIOS features outlined on the back of the box are BIOS Guardian, which allows you to prevent your BIOS from being infected by viruses, Hotkey which allows you to speed through BIOS settings and finally Logo Genie which allows you to create custom logos to be shown during boot up.

Here is what you see when you first open the motherboard box. FIC has setup a two layer box which is very similar to other motherboard boxes. On the top layer you have everything other then your motherboard. Things like USB add-on panel, manuals, cables etc.

Here is the second layer of the box. It has nothing else but the motherboard packaged in a non-static bag. The motherboard is stored in its own layer to add more security from it being cracked or damaged on the way to your house. We all know how UPS and FedEx take care of their packages, right?

FIC has included a 90 page manual covering basically everything. Things like BIOS settings, jumper settings etc. are included in this manual. It comes with one CD bundled with all the software and drivers you need as well as a quick guide to all the settings on your motherboard (which in fact has a sticky side to it which you can stick anywhere. Inside your case, on your desk etc.).

FIC includes one Ultra ATA 33/66/100/133 cable and a FDD IDE connector. Is it just me or would it be nice for manufacturers to start including better looking and more efficient cables? Rounded perhaps?

Here is what makes Serial ATA happen; the Serial ATA cable. FIC has included one of these with their package. Unfortunately, there are no retail HDD's out to be able to put this nice and small cable to use.

The FIC AN19E has support for up to six USB ports. Four of these USB ports are on the main back panel of the main board and the remaining two are on an add-on panel which FIC has supplied (as you can see above). All these USB ports support USB 2.0.

Just like it was FIC's high priority to include two more USB ports on the main panel, it would be mine too. That meant that there would be no room for a game port on the main panel. Not a lot of people still use there game port to enjoy game devices so it was of low priority. Thankfully, FIC still produced an add-on panel which allows you to use those game port devices.

Since FIC modified the back panel of there motherboard a bit, they needed to include a back panel bracket to allow consumers to install this motherboard in their case. Installation is straightforward, just pop out your old bracket and pop this one in.