ECS A890GXM-A manual

Preface Preface Copyright This publication, including all photographs, illustrations and software, is protected under international copyright laws, with all rights reserved. Neither this manual, nor any of the material contained herein, may be reproduced without written consent of the author . V ersion 1.0 Disclaimer The information in this documen[...]

ii Preface Declaration of Conformity This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • This device must accept any interference received, including interfer- ence that may cause undesired operation. Canadian Department of Communications T[...]

iii T T T T T ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS Preface i Chapter 1 1 Introducing the Motherboard 1 Introduction............................................................................................1 Features.....................................................................................[...]

iv Load Default Settings....................................................................42 Supervisor Pa sswor d.....................................................................42 User Pa sswor d...............................................................................43 Save & Exit Setup ...........................................[...]

1 Introducing the Motherboard Chapter 1 Introducing the Motherboard Introduction Tha nk you for choosing the A890GXM-A motherboard. This motherboard is a high performa nce, enha nced function motherboard that supports socket for AMD Phenom TM II/Athlon TM II/Sempron TM processors (socket AM3) for high-end business or personal desktop markets. There[...]

2 Introducing the Motherboard Feature Processor HyperT ra nsport TM T echnology is a point-to-point link between two devices, it enables integrated circuits to exchange information at much higher speeds than currently available interconnect technologies. • Accommodates AMD Phenom TM II/Athlon TM II/Sempron TM processors (socket AM3) • Supports [...]

3 Introducing the Motherboard This motherboard supports Ultra DMA bus mastering with transfer rates of 133/100/66/33 MB/s. Expansion Options The motherboard comes with the following expansion options: • T wo PCI Express x16 slots f or Gra phics Interface • One PCI Express x4 slot(the PCI-e x16 slot with blue color) • T wo PCI Express x1 slots[...]

4 Introducing the Motherboard • NB: AMD 890GX SB: SB850 • AMD Phenom TM II/Athlon TM II/Sempron TM processors (socket AM3) • Supports “Hyper-Threading” technology CPU • Dual-cha nnel DDR3 memory architecture • 4 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets support up to 32 GB • Supports DDR3 1600 (OC)/1333/1066/800 DDR3 SDRAM • 2 x PCI Express Gen[...]

5 Introducing the Motherboard Motherboard Components The above image is for reference only; please take the actual motherboard for detailed parts.[...]

6 Introducing the Motherboard T a ble of Motherboard Components L AB EL C OMP ONENT S 1. CPU Socket Socket for AMD Phenom TM I I proce ssor ( socket AM3) 2. CPU_F AN CPU cool ing fan connect or 3. DDR3_ 1~4 240-pin DD R3 SDRAM slots 4. ATX _P OW E R St and ard 24- pin ATX power connect or 5. PW R_FAN Pow er coo ling fan con nector 6. CASE CA SE ope[...]

7 Installing the Motherboard Chapter 2 Installing the Motherboard Safety Precautions • Follow these safety precautions when installing the motherboard • Wear a grounding strap attached to a grounded device to avoid dam- age from static electricity • Discharge static electricity by touching the metal case of a safely grounded object before wor[...]

8 Installing the Motherboard Do not over-tighten the screws as this can stress the motherboard. Installing Hardware Installing the Processor Caution: When installing a CPU heatsink and cooling fan make sure that you DO NOT scratch the motherboard or any of the surface-mount resis- tors with the clip of the cooling fan. If the clip of the cooling fa[...]

9 Installing the Motherboard This motherboard ha s a socket AM3 p rocessor socket. When choosing a processor, consider the performance requirements of the system. Performance is based on the processor design, the clock speed and system bus frequency of the processor, and the qua ntity of internal cache me mory a nd external cache me mory . Before i[...]

10 Installing the Motherboard 1 Install your CPU. Pull up the lever away from the socket and lift up to 90-degree angle. 2 Locate the CPU cut edge (the corner with the pin hold noticeably missing). Align and insert the CPU correctly . 3 Press the lever down and apply thermal grease on top of the CPU. 4 Put the CPU Fan down on the retention mod- ule[...]

11 Installing the Motherboard Installation Procedure Refer to the following to install the memory modules. 1 This motherboard supports unbuffered DDR3 SDRAM only . 2 Push the latches on each side of the DIMM slot down. 3 Align the memory module with the slot. The DIMM slots are keyed with notches and the DIMMs are keyed with cutouts so that they ca[...]

12 Installing the Motherboard T able A: DDR3 (me mory module) QVL (Qualified V endor List) The following DDR3 me mory modules have been tested a nd qualified for use with this motherboard. Type Siz e Ve ndor Modu le Na m e Hy nix HM T112U6A F P8C- G 7N0 A A Kingston KV R1066D3N7 M icron M T 8JT F12864A Z -1G 1F1 Ram ax el RM R1810NA 48E7F -1066-LF [...]

13 Installing the Motherboard Typ e Siz e Ve ndor M odule Na m e A -dat a A D3U1333B 2G 9-B A pacer 78. A 1G C6. 9L1 M 2F2 G64CB 8HA 4N-CG 0903. T W M 2Y 2G 64CB8HC9N- CG EBJ21 UE8 BD F0-DJ-F/J110 8BD SE-D J-F M 2Y 2G 64CB8HA 9N- CG 09 20. T W F 3-10666 CL9D-4G BRL F 3-10666CL8 D-4G BECO F 3-10666 CL9D-4G BNQ Hy nix HM T 125U6A FP 8C-H9N0 A A FL FE[...]

14 Installing the Motherboard Expansion Slots Installing Add-on Cards The slots on this motherboard are designed to hold expansion cards and connect them to the system bus. Expansion slots are a means of adding or enhancing the motherboard’s f eatures a nd capa bilities. W ith these efficient fa cilities, you ca n in- crea se the motherboard’s [...]

15 Installing the Motherboard DP HDMI D VI D-Sub HDMI O X O D P O D VI O X O D-Sub O Follow these instructions to install an add-on card: 1 Remove a blanking plate from the system case corresponding to the slot you are going to use. 2 Install the edge connector of the add-on card into the expansion slot. Ensure that the edge connector is correctly [...]

16 Installing the Motherboard SPDIFO: SPDIF out header This is an optional header that provides an S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) output to digital multi media device through optical fiber or coaxi al connector. Connecting Optional Devices Refer to the following for inf ormation on connecting the motherboard’s optional devices: SA T A1~5[...]

17 Installing the Motherboard F_AUDIO: Front Panel Audio header This header allows the user to install auxiliary front-oriented microphone and line- out ports for easier access. F_USB1~4: Front Panel USB headers The motherboard ha s six USB ports installed on the rear edge I/O port array . Addi- tionally , some computer cases have USB ports at the [...]

18 Installing the Motherboard Refer to the illustration below for proper installation: This motherboard supports the “Hot-Plug” function. 1 Attach either cable end to the connector on the motherboard. 2 Atta ch the other cable end to the SA T A hard drive. 3 Atta ch the SA T A power cable to the SA T A hard drive a nd connect the other end to t[...]

19 Installing the Motherboard Connecting I/O Devices The backplane of the motherboard has the following I/O ports: USB Ports Use the USB ports to connect USB devices. LAN Port Connect an RJ-45 jack to the LAN port to connect your computer to the network. VGA Port Connect your monitor to the VGA port. DVI Port Use the D VI port to connect the monito[...]

20 Installing the Motherboard Connecting Case Components After you have installed the motherboard into a case, you can begin connecting the motherboard components. Refer to the following: 1 Connect the CPU cooling fa n cable to CPU_F AN . 2 Connect the sta ndard power supply connector to A TX_POWER . 3 Connect the case speaker cable to SPK . 4 Conn[...]

21 Installing the Motherboard CPU_F AN: Cooling F AN Power Connector Users please note that the fan connector supports the CPU cooling fa n of 1.1A~2.2A (26.4W max.) at +12V . 1 G N D System Ground 2 +12V Power +12V 3 Sense Sensor 4 PWM CPU F AN control Function Pin Signal Name A TX_POWER: A TX 24-pin Power Connector 1 +3.3V 13 +3.3V 2 +3.3V 14 -12[...]

22 Installing the Motherboard SPK: Internal speaker Pi n Signal Name 1 VCC 2 Key 3 NC 4 Signal SYS_F AN: F AN Power Connector Pi n Signal Name Function 1 GND System Ground 2 +12V Power +12V 3 Sense Sensor A TX4P: Auxliary Power Connector f or Gra phics Interfa ce. 4 +12V 3 GND 2 GND 1 NC Pin Signal Name A TX12V : A TX 12V Power Connector Pin Signal[...]

23 Installing the Motherboard Reset Switch Supporting the reset function requires connecting pin 5 and 7 to a momentary- contact switch that is normally open. When the switch is closed, the board resets and runs POST . Power Switch Supporting the power on/off function requires connecting pins 6 and 8 to a momen- tary-contact switch that is normally[...]

24 Installing the Motherboard Memo[...]

25 Using BIOS Chapter 3 Using BIOS About the Setup Utility The computer uses the latest “American Megatrends Inc. ” BIOS with support for Windows Plug a nd Play . The CMOS chip on the motherboard contains the ROM setup instructions for configuring the motherboard BIOS. The BIOS (Ba sic Input a nd Output System) Setup Utility displays the system[...]

26 Using BIOS Press the delete key to a ccess the BIOS Setup Utility . CMOS Setup Utility -- Copyright (C) 1985-2005, American Megatrends, Inc. f f f f v02.62 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Mega trends, Inc. f : Move F10: Save ESC: Exit +/-/: V alue Enter : Select F9: Optimized Defaults F1:General Help f f f Standard CMOS Setup Advanced Setup Adv[...]

27 Using BIOS BIOS Navigation Keys The BIOS navigation keys are listed below: Enter Select K E Y FUNCTION Scrolls through the items on a menu +/-/ Modifies the selected field’s values F10 Saves the current configuration and exits setup F1 Displays a screen that describes all key functions F9 Load a default optimized setting ESC Exits the current [...]

28 Using BIOS For the purpose of better product maintenance, the manufacture reserves the right to change the BIOS items presented in this manual. The BIOS setup screens shown in this chapter are for reference only and may differ fr om the a ctual BIOS. Plea se visit the ma nufactur e’s website for updated manual. Sta ndard CMOS Setup This option[...]

29 Using BIOS Press <Esc> to return to the Standard CMOS Setup page. IDE BusMaster (Enabled) This item ena bles or disables the DMA under DOS mode. W e recommend you to leave this item at the default value. Press <Esc> to return to the main menu setting page. Block (Multi-Sector Transfer) (Auto) If the feature is enabled, it will enhanc[...]

30 Using BIOS Boot Up Numlock Status (On) This item defines if the keyboard Num Lock key is active when your system is started. Quick Power on Self T est (En abled) Enable this item to shorten the power on testing (POST) and have your system start up fa ster . Y ou might like to enable this ite m after you are confident that your system hardware is[...]

31 Using BIOS Boot Other Device (Ye s) When ena bled, the system searches all other possible locations f or a n operating system if it fails to find one in the devices specified under the First, Second and Third boot devices. Scroll to this ite m a nd press < Enter > to view the following screen: CMOS SETUP UTILITY Hard Disk Drive Priority He[...]

32 Using BIOS Advanced Chipset Setup This page sets up more advanced information about your system. Handle this page with caution. Any cha nges ca n affect the operation of your computer . CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2005, American Megatrends, Inc. Advanced Chipset Setup Internal Graphics Mode UMA+SIDEPORT Share Memory Size Auto SIDEPOR[...]

33 Using BIOS Integrated Peripherals This page sets up some parameters for peripheral devices connected to the system. SA T A Conf iguration (IDE) Use this item to show the Seri al A T A Configuration options: Disa bled, Compatible, Enhanced. Onboard AUDIO Function (Enabled) Use this item to ena ble or disable the onboard Audio function. Onboard LA[...]

34 Using BIOS Power Management Setup This page sets up some parameters for system power management operation. CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2005, American Megatrends, Inc. Power Management Setup ACPI Suspend T ype (S3) Use this item to define how your system suspends. In the default, S3, the suspend mode is a suspend to RAM, i.e, the syst[...]

35 Using BIOS PCI / PnP Setup This page sets up some parameters for devices installed on the PCI bus and those utilizing the system plug a nd play capa bility . Help Item CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2005, American Megatrends, Inc. PCI / PnP Setup F10: Save ESC: Exit +/-/: V alue Enter : Select F9: Optimized Defaults F1:General Help : Mo[...]

36 Using BIOS Smart Fan Function f Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen: SMAR T F AN Control (Ena bled) This item allows you to enable/disable the control of the system fan speed by chang- ing the fan voltage. SMART Fan Mode (Normal) This item allows you to select the fan mode (Normal, Quiet, Silent, or Manual) f[...]

37 Using BIOS Press <Esc> to return to the Smart Fan Function page. SMART Fan start PWM value (154) SMAR T Fa n start TEMP . (°C) (27) This item is used to set the start PWM value of the smart fan. This item is used to set the start temperature of the smart fan. DeltaT1 (+3) This item specifies the range that controls CPU temperature and kee[...]

38 Using BIOS System Component Characteristics These items display the monitoring of the overall inboard hardware health events, such as System & CPU temperature, CPU & DIMM voltage, CPU & system fan speed,...etc. • CPU T emperature • NB T emperature • CPU F AN Speed • CPU Vcore • VDIMM • NB V oltage Press <Esc> to ret[...]

39 Using BIOS F10: Save ESC: Exit +/-/: V alue Enter : Select F9: Optimized Defaults F1:General Help : Move mnlk M.I.B. III (MB Intelligent BIOS III) This page enables you to set the clock speed and system bus for your system. The clock speed and system bus are determined by the kind of processor you have in- stalled in your system. CMOS Setup Util[...]

40 Using BIOS CAS Latency (Tcl) (N/A, 9Clk) Memory CLK (N/A, 667MHz) This item is used to set the memory clock mode. RAS/CAS Delay (Trcd) (N/A, 9Clk) This item specifies the Row prechar ge to Active or Auto-Refresh of the same ba nk. Row Precharge Time (Trp) (N/A, 9Clk) This item controls the timing delay (inclockcycles) before the DRAM starts a re[...]

41 Using BIOS NB V oltage (Disabled) This item allows user to adjust NB voltage when enabled. HT V oltage (Disabled) This item allows user to adjust HT voltage when enabled. SIDEPORT V oltage (1.5V) This item allows user to adjust sideport voltage when enabled. AMD Phenom (tm) II X3 750e Processor Speed (2500MHz) This is display-only field and disp[...]

42 Using BIOS Supervisor Pa ssword (Not Installed) This item indicates whether a supervisor password has been set. If the password has been installed, Installed displays. If not, Not Installed displays. Change Supervisor Password (Press Enter) Y ou ca n select this option a nd press <Enter> to access the sub menu. Y ou ca n use the sub menu t[...]

43 Using BIOS Save & Exit Setup Highlight this item and press <Enter> to save the changes that you have made in the Setup Utility a nd exit the Setup Utility . When the Save a nd Exit dialog box a ppears, select [OK] to save and exit, or select [Cancel] to return to the main menu. Exit Without Saving Highlight this item and press <Ente[...]

44 Using BIOS This concludes Chapter 3. Refer to the next chapter for information on the software supplied with the motherboard. Updating the BIOS Y ou ca n downloa d a nd install updated BIOS for this motherboard from the ma nufa cturer’s W eb site. New BIOS provides support for new peri pherals, i mprove- ments in performance, or fixes for know[...]

45 Using the Motherboard Software Chapter 4 Using the Motherboard Software Auto-installing under Windows XP/V ista/7 The Auto-install D V D-ROM/CD-ROM makes it easy f or you to install the drivers and software for your motherboard. If the Auto-install DVD-ROM/CD-ROM does not work on your system, you can still install drivers through the file manage[...]

46 Using the Motherboard Software Drivers Setup Click the Setup button to run the software installation program. Select from the menu which software you want to install. Browse CD The Browse CD button is the standard Windows command that allows you to open Windows Explorer and show the contents of the support disk. Before installing the software fr[...]

47 Using the Motherboard Software 2. Click Next. The following screen appears: 3. Check the box next to the items you want to install. The default options are recom- mended. 4. Click Next run the Installation Wizard. An item installation screen appears: 5. Follow the instructions on the screen to install the items. Drivers a nd software are automat[...]

48 Using the Motherboard Software Ma nual Installation Insert the disk in the D V D-ROM/CD-ROM drive a nd locate the P A TH.DOC file in the root directory . This file contains the information needed to locate the drivers f or your motherboard. Look for the chipset and motherboard model; then browse to the directory and path to begin installing the [...]

49 AMD RAID Configuration Setting Up a boota ble RAID Array This section explains how to configure a boota ble AMD RAID array . Setting Up the BIOS Use the arrow keys to select Integrated Peripherals (see Figure 1.1), then press Enter . The Integrated Peripherals screen (or a screen similar to it) appears. Figure 1.2 Integrated Peripherals Screen U[...]

50 AMD RAID Configuration 5 Enter the RAID BIOS Setup by pressing Ctrl-F when prompted, and proceed to set up the AMD RAID BIOS as described in the next section. The PC reboots. Press F10 to save the configuration and exit. Configuring the AMD RAID BIOS The AMD RAID BIOS set up lets you choose the RAID type a nd which hard drives you wa nt to make [...]

51 AMD RAID Configuration Select [2], then select LD 1 in the following page. 3 The Define LD Menu screen appears (Figure 1.4). Figure 1.4 Define LD Menu Using the Define a New Array Screen If necessary , press the tab key to move from field to field until the a ppropriate field is highlighted. • Selecting the RAID Mode By default, this is set to[...]

52 AMD RAID Configuration Figure 1.5 illustrates the Define a New Array screen after two disks have been assigned as RAID 0 array disks. Figure 1.5 Fa stBuild Utility—Array Disks Assigned Assigning the Disks 1. Select the Assignment to Y to designate a free disk to be used a s a RAID array disk. 2. Press Ctrl-Y to save the configuration and exit.[...]

53 AMD RAID Configuration Figure 1.7 Main Menu Press ESC to exit. 4 Press Y to reboot. 3. The Main Menu screen appears (Figure 1.7). Figure 1.8 The following screen appears (Figure 1.8).[...]

54 AMD RAID Configuration 1 Copy all files in " ...RAIDA TISB750FloppyW in3264" to a floppy disk. After you complete the RAID BIOS setup, boot from the Windows CD. Figure 1.10 Windows Setup—Specify Devices Installing the RAID Drivers Y our system may come with a Windows install CD that alrea dy includes AMD RAID drivers. If so, the[...]

55 AMD RAID Configuration b Select “A TI AHCI Compatible RAID Controller-x86 platf orm” a nd press Enter for 32-bit OS or Select “A TI AHCI Compatible RAID Controller-x64 platform” and press Enter for 64-bit OS. The following Windows Setup screen appears listing both drivers:. Figure 1.12 Windows Setup—AMD drives listed Press Enter to con[...]

56 AMD RAID Configuration Memo[...]

Setting Up eJIFFY 57 Introduction eJIFFY is a fast boot program under Linux. Instead of waiting Windows O.S to start execution, eJIFFY is ready to provide users the instant enjoyment on web browsing, photo review and online chat just within several seconds after boot up. V ersion: 5.0 Note: eJIFFY is ECS optional feature utility corresponding to th[...]

Setting Up eJIFFY 58 Installation and BIOS Setup DVD Activation Finish the DVD utility setup, and then set the BIOS to complete eJIFFY activation. 1. Insert ECS software utility DVD and enter below “Utilities” screen. Click eJIFFY feature item to install. 2. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish eJIFFY setup.[...]

Setting Up eJIFFY 59 3. After setting up eJIFFY under Windows, you ca n switch eJIFFY display/keyboard language from English to your local language. The changes will be applied after rebooting. Note: The keyboard language selection list offers several more regional keyboard setups to switch with the default English typing. Please refer to the usage[...]

Setting Up eJIFFY 60 4. Restart your computer after eJIFFY installation. Press <DEL> or click the BIOS Setup button on the post screen to enter the BIOS setup page after boot up. 5. And then enter the Adva nced Setup page to enable the ite m ECS eJIFFY Func- tion . Press F10 to save the configuration a nd exit. Restart your computer . 2. Plea[...]

Setting Up eJIFFY 61 Entering eJIFFY The post screen appears within several seconds after boot up and it has three buttons on it, Operating system, eJIFFY and BIOS Setup. If you click eJIFFY , the following screen will appear . And If you make no choice it will enter the normal OS automatically after ten seconds. Click to enter the normal OS you ha[...]

Setting Up eJIFFY 62 Feature Icons The following illustration shows the main feature icons that eJIFFY provides on the menu. ePix: Photo viewing. eW eb: Fir efo x for web br owsing/webmail and watching flash video . Shows eP al on-line connection status. Shut Down/Restart: Ends your session and turns off the computer./Ends your session and restart [...]

Setting Up eJIFFY 63 to open the language control panel. Keyboard La nguage Setup Usage F AQ Language Control P anel: Besides setting English as the default interface, eJIFFY offers multi-language displays and keyboard settings for language- switch. Open the language control panel to select a preferable language setting. Step1. Click Step 2: Click [...]

Setting Up eJIFFY 64 Click the language bar here. Move your mouse pointer on the text box and press Ctrl+Space. The language bar will then a ppear a s fol- lows. Select your desired language Click to ena ble all possible la nguage inputs you wa nt to apply , a nd click “Apply”:[...]

Setting Up eJIFFY 65 How to cha nge display la nguage? Open the La nguage Control Pa nel a nd click to show the display la nguage list. Check your desired display la nguage. Y our selected display la nguage will be applied after rebooting. Note: Details a bout eJIFFY plea se refer to eJIFFY in disk.[...]

Setting Up eJIFFY 66 Memo[...]

67 Trouble Shooting Chapter 7 Trouble Shooting Start up problems during assembly After assembling the PC for the first time you may experience some start up problems. Bef ore calling for technical support or returning for warra nty, this cha pter may help to address some of the common questions using some basic troubleshooting tips. a) System does [...]

68 Trouble Shooting c) The PC suddenly shuts down while booting up. 1. The CPU may experience overheating so it will shutdown to protect itself. Ensure the CPU fa n is working properly . 2. From the BIOS setting, try to disable the Smartfan function to let the fan run at default speed. Doing a Load Optimised Default will also disable the Smartfan. [...]

Power Bu on is pre ssed but PC fails to s tart. Y es Check if Power Supply Unit (PSU) is working No No Any Beep sound ？ No CLR CMOS and check if CPU 12V power is connecte d art the PC st Re Problem with PSU or boar d? If board pr oblem -> contact RMA AC power cor d is plu ed g g and PSU switch i s turned o n? Y es oblem r Board p -> cont ac[...]

70 Trouble Shooting Memo[...]