Asus M4A78-EM manual

Motherboard M4A78-EM[...]

ii Copyright © 2009 ASUST eK Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without [...]

iii Contents Notices ......................................................................................................... vi Safety information ..................................................................................... vii About this guide ........................................................................................ vii M[...]

iv Contents 1.1 1 Software support ........................................................................ 1-29 1.1 1.1 Installing an operating system ...................................... 1-2 9 1.1 1.2 Support DVD information .............................................. 1-2 9 Chapter 2: BIOS information 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ....[...]

v Contents 2.5 Power menu ................................................................................ 2-15 2.5.1 Suspend Mode .............................................................. 2-1 5 2.5.2 ACPI 2.0 Support .......................................................... 2-1 5 2.5.3 ACPI APIC Support ......................................[...]

vi Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has b[...]

vii Safety information Electrical safety • T o prevent electric shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electric outlet before relocating the system. • When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all po[...]

viii Conventions used in this guide T o ensure that you perform certain tasks properly , take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. DANGER/W ARNING : Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task. CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to complete a task. NOTE: T ips and [...]

ix M4A78-EM specications summary (continued on the next page) CPU AMD ® Socket AM2+ / AM2 for AMD ® Phenom™ x4 / Phenom™ x3 / Athlon™ x2 / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processors Compatible with Phenom™ II / Athlon™ x4 / Athlon™ x3 / Athlon™ x2 processors (AM3 CPU) Supports 45nm CPU AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ 2.0 T echnology (depends on[...]

x M4A78-EM specications summary Storage / RAID AMD SB700 southbridge: - 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 connector - 5 x Serial A T A 3Gb/s connectors support RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 0+1 congurations (for Windows ® Vista only) - 1 x eSA T A 3Gb/s port supports JBOD Audio Realtek ® ALC887 High Denition Audio 8-channel CODEC Supports Jack-detect a[...]

xi *Specications are subject to change without notice. M4A78-EM specications summary Internal I/O connectors 3 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional 6 USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 x IDE connector 1 x COM connector 1 x LPT connector 5 x SA T A connectors 1 x High denition front panel audio connector 1 x System panel connector 1 x CD audio-in c[...]

xii[...]

1.2 Package contents Check your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard ASUS M4A78-EM motherboard Cables 1 x Serial A T A cable 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable Accessories 1 x I/O shield Application DVD ASUS motherboard Support DVD Documentations User Manual If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer . Cha[...]

AMD ® Socket AM2+/AM2 Phenom™ x4 / Phenom™ x3 / Athlon™ x2 / Athlon™ / Sempron™ CPU support This motherboard supports AMD ® Socket AM2+ multi-core processors. It features dual-channel DDR2 1066 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperT ransport™ 3.0-based system bus. It also supports AMD ® Cool ‘n?[...]

64-bit CPU support 64-bit computing, the next generation technology that replaces the current 32-bit architecture, delivers advanced system performance, faster memory access, and increased productivity . This motherboard provides excellent compatibility and exibility by supporting both 64-bit and 32-bit architecture. Gigabit LAN solution The onb[...]

ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 allows you to update the BIOS from a USB ash disk before entering the OS. ASUS Q-Fan ASUS Q-Fan technology intelligently adjusts CPU fan speeds according to system loading to ensure a quiet, cool, and efcient operation. ASUS EPU ASUS EPU is a unique power saving technology that detects the current system loadin[...]

1.4 Before you proceed T ake note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. • Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. • Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal object, such as the power s[...]

1.5 Motherboard overview 1.5.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as indicated in the image below . DO NOT overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard. Place this side towards the [...]

1.5.3 Motherboard layout 1.5.4 Layout contents Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED Page Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED Page 1. CPU, power , and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_F AN, 3-pin PWR_F AN, and 3-pin CHA_FAN) 1-28 9. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS) 1-21 2. A TX power connectors (24-pin EA TXPWR, 4-pin A TX12V) 1-22 10. Clear RTC RAM [...]

1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU) This motherboard comes with an AM2+ / AM2 socket designed for AMD ® Phenom™ x4 / Phenom™ x3 / Athlon™ x2 / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processors. It also supports AM3 CPUs including Phenom™ II / Athlon™ x4 / Athlon™ x3 / Athlon™ x2 processors. 1.6.1 Installing the CPU T o install a CPU: 1. Locate the CPU[...]

5. When the CPU is in place, push down the socket lever to secure the CPU. The lever clicks on the side tab to indicate that it is locked. 6. Install a CPU heatsink and fan following the instructions that comes with the heatsink package. Y ou can also refer to section 1.6.2 Installing heatsink and fan for instructions. 7. Connect the CPU fan cable [...]

1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan Ensure that you use only AMD-certied heatsink and fan assembly . T o install the CPU heatsink and fan: 1. Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, ensuring that the heatsink ts properly on the retention module base. • The retention module base is already installed on the motherboard upon purchase[...]

3. Align the other end of the retention bracket to the retention module base. A clicking sound denotes that the retention bracket is in place. Ensure that the fan and heatsink assembly perfectly ts the retention mechanism module base, otherwise you cannot snap the retention bracket in place. 4. Push down the retention bracket lock on the retenti[...]

1.7.2 Memory congurations Y ou may install 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB unbuffered ECC and non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. • Y ou may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel conguration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is th[...]

DDR2-800MHz capability Size V endor Part No. SS/ DS CL Chip No. Chip Brand DIMM support A* B* C* 1G Kingston KHX6400D2LL/1G DS N/A Heat-Sink Package Kingston · · · 512MB Kingston KHX6400D2LLK2/1GN SS N/A Heat-Sink Package Kingston · · · 512MB Kingston KVR800D2N6/512 SS N/A E5108AJBG-8E-E Elpida · · · 1G Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G DS N/A D6408T[...]

1G T ranscend TS128MLQ64V8U SS 5 E1 108ACBG-8E-E Elpida · · · 2G Transcend JM800QLU-2G DS 5 TQ243PCF8 T ranscend · · · 2G Transcend TS256MLQ64V8U DS 5 E1 108ACBG-8E-E Elpida · · · 1G ADA T A M2OAD6G314170Q1E58 DS N/A AD29608A8A-25EG80810 ADA T A · · · 512MB VDA T A M2GVD6G3H3160Q1E52 SS N/A VD29608A8A-25EG20813 VDA TA · · · 2G PSC AL[...]

SS: Single-sided / DS: Double-sided DIMM support: • A*: Supports one module inserted into any slot as single-channel memory conguration. • B*: Supports one pair of modules inserted into either the yellow slots or the black slots as one pair of dual-channel memory conguration. • C*: Supports two pairs of modules inserted into both the ye[...]

1.7.3 Installing a DIMM Unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other system components. Failure to do so can cause severe damage to both the motherboard and the components. 1. Press the retaining clips outward to unlock a DDR2 DIMM socket. 2. Align a DIMM on the socket such that the notch on the DIMM matches the break on the soc[...]

1.8 Expansion slots In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support. Unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 1.8.1 Installing an expansion card T o[...]

1.9 Jumpers 1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) This jumper allows you to clear the Real T ime Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. Y ou can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery powers the RAM data in CMOS, which include system setup information such as system passwords. Except [...]

1.10 Connectors 1.10.1 Rear panel ports 1. PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Combo port (purple). This port is for a PS/2 keyboard or mouse. 2. Optical S/PDIF_OUT port. This port connects to an external audio output device via an optical S/PDIF cable. 3. VGA port. This 15-pin port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-compatible devices. 4. USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4 . T[...]

12. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are for USB 2.0 devices. 13. eSA T A port. This port connects to an external Serial A T A hard disk drive. T o use hot-plug, set the OnChip SA T A T ype item in the BIOS to [AHCI] . See section 2.3.4 SA T A Conguration for details. Audio 2, 4, 6, or 8-channel congurat[...]

1.10.2 Internal connectors 1. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS) This connector is for a chassis-mounted intrusion detection sensor or switch. Connect one end of the chassis intrusion sensor or switch cable to this connector . The chassis intrusion sensor or switch sends a high-level signal to this connector when a chassis component is r[...]

2. A TX power connectors (24-pin EA TXPWR, 4-pin A TX12V) These connectors are for an A TX power supply . The plugs from the power supply are designed to t these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper orientation and push down rmly until the connectors completely t. • We recommend that you use an A TX 12V Specication 2.0-[...]

3. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE) The onboard IDE connector is for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable. There are three connectors on each Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable: blue, black, and gray . Connect the blue connector to the motherboard’s IDE connector , then select one of the following modes to congure your devices: Drive jumper settin[...]

• For detailed instructions on RAID congurations, refer to the RAID manual in the Support DVD. • If you intend to create a Serial A T A RAID set using these connectors, set the OnChip SA T A T ype item in the BIOS to [RAID] . See 2.3.4 SA T A Conguration for details. 5. Serial A T A connectors (7-pin SA T A1, SA T A2, SA T A3, SA T A5, an[...]

7. System panel connector (20-8 pin F_P ANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions. • System power LED This 2-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector . The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system power , and blinks when the system is in sleep mode. • Ha[...]

8. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB78, USB910, USB1 1 12) These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specication that supports up to 480Mbps connection speed. Never connect a 1394[...]

10. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) ports. Ensure that the audio device of Sound playback is Realtek High Denition Audio (the name may be different based on the OS) . Go to Start > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Sound Playback to congu[...]

12. Power, CPU, and chassis fan connectors (3-pin PWR_F AN, 4-pin CPU_F AN, 3-pin CHA_F AN) The fan co nnector s supp ort coo ling f ans of 350 mA~740 mA (8.8 8W max .) or a total of 1A~2 .22A ( 26.64W max.) at +12V . Conn ect th e fa n cabl es to t he fan connec tors o n the moth erboar d, ensuring that t he blac k wire of ea ch c able m atches th[...]

1.1 1 Software support 1.1 1.1 Installing an operating system This motherboard supports Windows ® XP/Vista Operating Systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to maximize the features of your hardware. • Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Refer to your OS documentation for detailed information. •[...]

Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-30[...]

ASUS M4A78-EM 2-1 Chapter 2 BIOS information 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a USB ash disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities. • ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a ne[...]

2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS information Updating the BIOS T o update the BIOS: 1. From the Windows ® desktop, click Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUS Update > ASUS Update to launch the ASUS Update utility . 2. From the dropdown list, select either of the following methods: Updating from the Internet a. Select Update BIOS from the Internet , then [...]

ASUS M4A78-EM 2-3 T o update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2: 1. Insert the USB ash disk that contains the latest BIOS le to the USB port, then launch EZ Flash 2 in either of these two ways: • Press <Alt> + <F2> during POST to display the following: 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIO[...]

2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS information 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS le when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. Y ou can update a corrupted BIOS le using the motherboard support DVD or a USB ash disk that contains the updated BIOS [...]

ASUS M4A78-EM 2-5 2.2 BIOS setup program This motherboard supports a programmable Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) chip that you can update using the provided utility described in section 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS . Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard, reconguring your system, or prompted to “Run Setup.?[...]

2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS information 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen 2.2.2 Menu bar The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items: Main For changing the basic system conguration Advanced For changing the advanced system settings Power For changing the advanced power management (APM) conguration Boot For changing the system boot congurat[...]

ASUS M4A78-EM 2-7 2.2.4 Menu items The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu items. The other items (Advanced, Power , Boot, T ools, and Exit) on the menu bar have their respective menu items. 2.2.5 Submenu items A solid triangle before each item on a menu screen[...]

2-8 Chapter 2: BIOS information 2.3 Main menu When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic system information. Refer to section 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen for information on the menu screen items and how to navigate through them. 2.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx] Allows you to set the system time. [...]

ASUS M4A78-EM 2-9 LBA/Large Mode [Auto] Enables or disables the LBA mode. Setting this item to [Auto] enables the LBA mode if the device supports this mode, and if the device was not previously formatted with LBA mode disabled. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto] Block (Multi-Sector T ransfer) M [Auto] Enables or disables data multi-sectors t[...]

2-10 Chapter 2: BIOS information 2.4.1 JumperFree Conguration CPU Overclocking [Auto] Allows selection of CPU overclocking options to achieve desired CPU internal frequency . Select either one of the preset overclocking. Conguration options: [Auto] [Manual] [Overclock Prole] [T est Mode] GPU Overclocking [Auto] Allows you to congure ove[...]

ASUS M4A78-EM 2-1 1 Hyper T ransport Width [Auto] Allows you to set the HyperT ransport link width. Conguration options: [Auto] [4 Bit] [8 Bit] [16 Bit] Memory Clock Mode [Auto] Allows you to set the memory clock mode. Conguration options: [Auto] [Manual] DRAM Timing Mode [Auto] Allows you to set the DRAM timing mode. Conguration options: [...]

2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS information ECC Conguration ECC Mode [Disabled] Allows you to set the ECC mode. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Basic] [Good] [Super] [Max] [User] Internal Graphics Primary Video Controller [GFX0-GPP-IGFX-PCI] Conguration options: [GFX0-GPP-IGFX-PCI] [GPP-GFX0-IGFX-PCI] [PCI-GFX0-GPP-IGFX] [IGFX-GFX0-GPP-PCI] UMA Fram[...]

ASUS M4A78-EM 2-13 2.4.4 Onboard Device Conguration Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4] Allows you to select the Serial Port1 base address. Conguration options: [Disabled] [3F8/IRQ4][2F8/IRQ3] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3] Parallel Port Address [378] Allows you to select the Parallel Port base addresses. Conguration options: [Disabled] [378] [278] [3B[...]

2-14 Chapter 2: BIOS information 2.4.6 USB Conguration The items in this menu allows you to change the USB-related features. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the conguration options. The Module V ersion and USB Devices Enabled items show the auto-detected values. If no USB device is detected, the item shows None . USB Functi[...]

ASUS M4A78-EM 2-15 2.5 Power menu The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface (ACPI) and the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an item then press <Enter> to display the conguration options. Select Screen Select Item +- Change Option F1 General Help F10 Save and Exit ESC Ex[...]

2-16 Chapter 2: BIOS information 2.5.5 HW Monitor Conguration CPU T emperature [xxxºC/xxxºF] or [Ignored] MB T emperature [xxxºC/xxxºF] or [Ignored] The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the motherboard and CPU temperatures. Select Ignored if you do not wish to display the detected temperatures. CPU Fan Speed [xxxxR[...]

ASUS M4A78-EM 2-17 2.6 Boot menu The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu. Select Screen Select Item Enter Go to Sub Screen F1 General Help F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc. Boot Settings Conguration Security [...]

2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS information AddOn ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS] Sets the display mode for option ROM. Conguration options: [Force BIOS] [Keep Current] Bootup Num-Lock [On] Allows you to select the power-on state for the NumLock. Conguration options: [Off] [On] W ait for ‘F1’ If Error [Enabled] When set to Enabled, the system waits fo[...]

ASUS M4A78-EM 2-19 Change User Password Select this item to set or change the user password. The User Password item on top of the screen shows the default Not Installed . After you set a password, this item shows Installed . T o set a User Password: 1. Select the Change User Password item and press <Enter> . 2. On the password box that appear[...]

2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS information 2.7.2 Express Gate [Auto] Allows you to enable or disable the ASUS Express Gate feature. ASUS Express Gate is a unique instant-on environment that provides quick access to the Internet and Skype. Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] [Auto] Enter OS T imer [10 Seconds] Sets countdown duration that the system [...]

ASUS M4A78-EM 2-21 Exit & Discard Changes Select this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the Setup program. If you made changes to elds other than System Date, System T ime, and Password, the BIOS asks for a conrmation before exiting. Discard Changes This option allows you to discard the selections you mad[...]

2-22 Chapter 2: BIOS information[...]