ECS A55F-M3 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. • This device must accept any interference received, including interfer- ence that may cause undesired operation. Canadian Department of Communications This [...]

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 Feature......................................................................................[...]

iv Chapter 4 49 49 49 49 49 Using the Motherboard Software 4 9 About the Software DVD-ROM/CD-ROM.......................................49 Auto-installing under W indows XP/V ista/7.....................................49 Running Setup...............................................................................50 Manual Installation................[...]

1 Introducing the Motherboard Chapter 1 Introducing the Motherboard Introduction Thank you for choosing the A55F-M3 motherboard. This motherboard is a high performance, enhanced function motherboard that supports socket for FM1 for AMD A series processor for high-end business or personal desktop markets. There is an full set of I/O ports in the rea[...]

2 Feature Processor • Accommodates AMD A series processors • Supports CPU up to 100W TDP This motherboard uses a socket FM1 that carries the following features: The AMD A55 (Hudson D2) chipset is based on an innovative and scalable architecture with proven reliability and performance. Chipset Memor y • Supports DDR3 1866 * 1 /1600/1333 DDR3 S[...]

3 Expansion Options • One PCI Express x16 slot for Graphics Interface • One PCI Express x1 slot • One 32-bit PCI v2.3 compliant slot • Four 7-pin SA T A connectors Integrated I/O The motherboard has a full set of I/O ports and connectors: • PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse connectors • Four USB 2.0 ports • One D-sub (VGA) port • One LAN[...]

4 Introducing the Motherboard Specifications *1. Due to the limitation of chipset spec, it supports up to 1866 MHz for motherboard with a single DIMM per channel. • AMD A55 (Hudson D2) • FM1 for AM D A series processors • Supports CPU up to 100W TDP • Dual-channel DDR3 memory architecture • 2 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets support up to 32 G[...]

5 Introducing the Motherboard Motherboard Components[...]

6 Introducing the Motherboard T able of Motherboard Components This concludes Chapter 1. The next chapter explains how to install the motherboard. LABEL COMPO NENTS 1. CPU Socket FM1 for AMD A seri es proce ss ors 2. S Y S _F AN S yst em cool ing f an connec tor 3. CP U_ F AN CPU cool ing f a n connec tor 4. D D R3_1~ 2 240-pi n D D R3 S D RAM sl o[...]

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. Checking Jumper Settings This section explains how to set jumpers for correct configuration of the motherboard. Setting Jumpers Use the motherboard jumpers to set system configuration options. Jumpers with more than one pin are numbered. When setting the[...]

9 Installing the Motherboard Checking Jumper Settings The following illustration shows the location of the motherboard jumpers. Pin 1 is labeled. Jumper Settings 1. T o avoid the system unstability after clearing CMOS, we recommend users to enter the main BIOS setting page to “Load Optimal Defaults” and then “Save Changes and Exit”. 2. Make[...]

10 Installing 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 fan scrapes across the motherboard, you may cause serious damage to [...]

11 Installing the Motherboard CPU Installation Procedure The following illustration shows CPU installation components. T o achieve better airflow rates and heat dissipation, we suggest that you use a high quality fan with 4800 rpm at least. CPU fan and heatsink installation procedures may vary with the type of CPU fan/heatsink sup- plied. The form [...]

12 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[...]

13 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 features and capabilities. W ith these ef ficient facilities, you can in- crease the motherboard’s capab[...]

14 Installing the Motherboard 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 seated in the slot. 3 Secure the metal bracket of the c[...]

15 Installing the Motherboard Connecting Optional Devices Refer to the following for information on connecting the motherboard’s optional devices: SA T A1~4: Serial A T A connectors 1 Ground 2 TX+ 3 TX- 4 Ground 5 RX- 6 RX+ 7 Ground - - Pin Signal Name Pin Signal Name These connectors are used to support the Serial A T A II devices, simpler disk [...]

16 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_USB1~2: Front Panel USB 2.0 headers The motherboard has four USB 2.0 ports installed on the rear edge I/O port array . Additionally , some computer cases have USB 2.0 por[...]

17 Installing the Motherboard COM: Onboard serial port header Connect a serial port extension bracket to this header to add a serial port to your system. 1 DCDB Data Carrier Detect 2 SINB Serial Input 3 SOUTB U ART B Serial Output 4 DTRB U ART B Data T er minal R eady 5 GND Ground 6 DSRB Data Set Ready 7 RTSB RART B Request to Send 8 CTSB Clear to [...]

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 Attach the other cable end to the SA T A hard drive. 3 Attach the SA T A power cable to the SAT A hard drive and connect the other end to the p[...]

19 Installing the Motherboard Connecting I/O Devices The backplane of the motherboard has the following I/O ports: 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. Audio Ports Use the three audio ports to connect audio devices. The first jack is for stereo line-in[...]

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 fan cable to CPU_F AN . 2 Connect the standard power supply connector to A TX_POWER . 3 Connect the case switches and indicator LEDs to [...]

21 Installing the Motherboard SYS_F AN: F AN Power Connector Pi n Signal Name Function 1 GND System Ground 2 +12V Power +12V 3 Sense Sensor CPU_F AN: Cooling FAN Power Connector Users please note that the fan connector supports the CPU cooling fan of 1.1A~2.2A (26.4W max.) at +12V . 1 G ND System Ground 2 +12V Power +12V 3 Sense Sensor 4 PW M CPU F[...]

22 Installing the Motherboard A TX12V : A TX 12V Power Connector Pi n Signal Name 4 +12V 3 +12V 2 Ground 1 Ground SPK: Internal speaker Pi n Signal Name 1 VCC 2 Key 3 GND 4 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 About the Setup Utility The computer uses the latest “American Megatrends Inc. ” BIOS with support for W indows Plug and Play. The CMOS chip on the motherboard contains the ROM setup instructions for configuring the motherboard BIOS. The BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) Setup Utility displays the system’s configuration statu[...]

26 Using BIOS Press the delete key to access BIOS Setup Utility . Using BIOS When you start the Setup Utility , the main menu appears. The main menu of the Setup Utility displays a list of the options that are available. A highlight indicates which option is currently selected. Use the cursor arrow keys to move the highlight to other options. When [...]

2 7 Using BIOS The default BIO S set ting for this mothe rboard apply for most con ditions with o ptim um pe rfor manc e. W e do n ot su gges t user s chan ge th e defa ult v a l u e s i n t h e B I O S s e t u p a n d t a k e n o r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o a n y d a m a g e ca us ed b y c ha ng in g t he BI OS s et ti ng s. BIOS Navigation Ke[...]

28 Using BIOS Date & Time The Date and T ime items show the current date and time on the computer . If you are running a Windows OS, these items are automatically updated whenever you make changes to the W indows Date and T ime Properties utility . System Language (English) This item is used to set system language.[...]

29 Using BIOS The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system. Advanced Menu Legacy OpROM Support Launch PXE OpROM [Disabled] LAN Configuration PC Health Status Power Management Setup ACPI Settings CPU Configuration SA T A Configuration USB Configuration Super IO Configuration LAN Configuration Parameters Aptio[...]

30 Using BIOS PC Health Status On motherboards support hardware monitoring, this item lets you monitor the parameters for critical voltages, temperatures and fan speeds. Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen:  Smart Fan Function This item enables you to define the CPU temperature by smartly adjusting the CPU Fa[...]

31 Using BIOS • CPU T ct1 • CPU F AN • SYS FAN • CPU Vcore • DIMM V oltage • SB V oltage 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. Press <Esc> to return to the A[...]

32 Using BIOS Power Management Setup Resume By RING [Disabled] Resume By PME [Disabled] Resume By USB 1.x/2.0 (S3) [Disabled] Resume By PS2 KB (S3) [Disabled] Resume By PS2 MS (S3) [Disabled] EUP Function [Enabled] Power LED Type [Dual Color LED] Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2011 American Megatrends, Inc. About Resume by RING Power Managemen[...]

33 Using BIOS ACPI Configuration The item in the menu shows the highest ACPI sleep state when the system enters suspend. ACPI Sleep State (S3(Suspend to RAM)) This item allows user to enter the ACPI S3 (Suspend to RAM) Sleep State(default). Press <Esc> to return to the Advanced Menu page. ACPI Setting ACPI Sleep State [S3 (Suspend to RAM)] Ap[...]

34 Using BIOS CPU Configuration The item in the menu shows the CPU. CPU Configuration Node0: AMD Engineering Sample Max Speed: 2133 MHZ Intended Speed: 2133 MHZ Microcode Patch Level: 300000f --------- Cache per Core --------- L1 Instruction Cache: 64 KB/2-way L1 Data Cache: 64KB/2-way L2 Cache: 1024KB/16-way No L3 Cache Present C6 Mode [Enabled] C[...]

35 Using BIOS SA T A Configuration Use this item to show the mode of serial A T A configuration options. Serial-A T A Controller (Enabled) Use this item to select the Serial-A T A controller options: Disabled, Compatible, Enabled. SA T A Port1~4 (Not Present) This motherboard supports four SA T A channels and each channel allows one SA T A device t[...]

36 Using BIOS USB Configuration All USB Devices [Enabled] Legacy USB Support [Enabled] Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2011 American Megatrends, Inc. Legacy USB Support (Enabled) Use this item to enable or disable support for legacy USB devices. Main Advanced Chipset M.I.B.III Boot Security Save & Exit V ersion 2.13.1216. Copyright (C) 2011[...]

37 Using BIOS Super IO Configuration Use this item to show the information of Super IO configuration. Super IO Configuration Serial Port 0 Configuration Parallel Port Configuration Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2011 American Megatrends, Inc. V ersion 2.13.1216. Copyright (C) 201 1 American Megatrends, Inc. Set Parameters of Serial Port 0 (COM[...]

38 Using BIOS  Parallel Port Configuration Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen: Parallel Port (Enabled) This item allows you to enable or disable parallel port. Device Settings (IO=378h; IRQ=5;) This item shows the information of the device settings. Change Settings (Auto) Use this item to change device setti[...]

39 Using BIOS  North Bridge Scroll to this item and press <Enter> and view the following screen: IGD Memory (Auto) This item shows the information of the IGD(Internal Graphics device) memory . The chipset menu items allow you to change the settings for the North Bridge chipset, South Bridge chipset and other system. Chipset Menu Aptio Setu[...]

40 Using BIOS  South Bridge Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen. Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2011 American Megatrends, Inc. Enabled/Disabled Azalia HD Audio SB Chipset Configuration Azalia HD Audio [Enabled] Azalia Internal HDMI codec [Enabled] Restore AC Power Loss [Power Off] Case Open Warning [Disa[...]

41 Using BIOS 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 installed in your system. M.I.B.III (MB Intelligent BIOS III) Menu Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2011 American Megatrends, Inc. V ersion 2.13.1216. Copyright (C) 201 1 Ameri[...]

42 Using BIOS This page enables you to set the keyboard NumLock state. Boot Menu Boot Configuration This item shows the information of the Boot Configuration. Bootup NumLock State (On) This item enables you to select NumLock state. Set Boot Priority This item enables you to select boot priority for all boot devices. 1st/2nd/3rd/4th/5th/6th/7th/8th [...]

43 Using BIOS Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2011 American Megatrends, Inc. V ersion 2.13.1216. Copyright (C) 201 1 American Megatrends, Inc. Select the keyboard NumLock state Boot Option #1 [SA T A: WDC WD5000AA...] Main Advanced Chipset M.I.B.III Boot Security Save & Exit Network Device Priorities This item enables you to specify the seq[...]

44 Using BIOS This page enables you to set setup administrator password and user password. Security Menu Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2011 American Megatrends, Inc. V ersion 2.13.1216. Copyright (C) 201 1 American Megatrends, Inc. Set Setup Administrator Password Administrator Password Main Advanced Chipset M.I.B.III Boot Security Save &[...]

45 Using BIOS Save Options This item enables you to save the options that you have made. Save Changes This item enables you to save the changes that you have made. Discard Changes This item enables you to discard any changes that you have made. Restore Defaults This item enables you to restore the system defaults. Save as User Defaults This item en[...]

46 Using BIOS Boot Override This item enables you to set the device order . Save Changes and Exit Discard Changes and Exit Save Changes and Reset Discard Changes and Reset Save Options Save Changes Discard Changes Restore Defaults Save as User Defaults Restore User Defaults Boot Override Generic Storage Device 0.00 Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright ([...]

47 Using BIOS Updating the BIOS Y ou can download and install updated BIOS for this motherboard from the manufacturer’s W eb site. New BIOS provides support for new peripherals, improve- ments in performance, or fixes for known bugs. Install new BIOS as follows: This concludes Chapter 3. Refer to the next chapter for information on the software s[...]

48 Using BIOS Memo[...]

49 Using the Motherboard Software Chapter 4 Using the Motherboard Software Auto-installing under Windows XP/V ista/7 The Auto-install DVD-ROM/CD-ROM makes it easy for 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 manager f[...]

50 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[...]

51 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 and software are automati[...]

52 Using the Motherboard Software Manual Installation Insert the disk in the DVD-ROM/CD-ROM drive and locate the P A TH.DOC file in the root directory . This file contains the information needed to locate the drivers for your motherboard. Look for the chipset and motherboard model; then browse to the directory and path to begin installing the drive[...]

53 CrossFire TM T echnology [ AMD Dual Graphics] Support Chapter 5 CrossFire TM T echnology ( AMD Dual Graphics) Support Cr ossFire TM T echnology The CrossFire TM technology provides significant display performance boost to AMD-based systems by inserting the external PCI Express graphics card and enabling both the discrete GPU and the AMD A55 grap[...]

54 CrossFire TM T echnology [ AMD Dual Graphics] Support 3. Set the CrossFire in Advanced Menu to Enabled . Then press F4 to save the configuration and exit the BIOS. 4. Click with your right mouse button on My Computer , then click the option Manage and choose the Device Manager , finally , click the Display Adapters. The following screen appears.[...]

55 CrossFire TM T echnology [ AMD Dual Graphics] Support 5. Enter AMD VISION Engine Control Center , you can see the option of CrossFir e TM , click it and select Enable CrossFire TM , then CrossFire TM starts. T o disable CrossFir e TM , please make sur e to cancel Enable CrossFir e TM in Catalyst Control Center firstly . Please refer ence latest [...]

56 CrossFire TM T echnology [ AMD Dual Graphics] Support Recommendation 1.The APU in the A55 platform delivers a discrete-class of graphics performance and enables leading GPU compute capability -Adding a discrete GPU is optional to extend graphics and GPU compute capacity 2.For optimal performance uplift, AMD recommends Dual Graphics (CrossFire TM[...]

57 Setting Up AMD A55 RAID Configuration The BIOS CMOS Setup Utility screen appears. Setting Up a bootable RAID Array This section explains how to configure a bootable AMD RAID array . Setting Up the BIOS Use the arrow keys to select Advanced menu (see Figure 1.1), then select SA T A Configuration and press Enter . Figure 1.2 SA T A Configuration S[...]

58 Setting Up AMD A55 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 F4 to save the configuration and exit. Configuring the AMD RAID BIOS (Windows XP Installation) The AMD RAID BIOS set up lets you choose the RAID type a[...]

59 Setting Up AMD A55 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 appropriate field is highlighted. • Selecting the RAID Mode By default, [...]

60 Setting Up AMD A55 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 FastBuild Utility—Array Disks Assigned Assigning the Disks 1. Select the Assignment to Y to designate a free disk to be used as a RAID array disk. 2. Press Ctrl-Y to save the configurat[...]

61 Setting Up AMD A55 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). View Drive Assignments..................[ 1 ] Define LD..........................................[ 2 ] Define LD....................................[...]

62 Setting Up AMD A55 RAID Configuration 1 Copy all files in " ...RAIDA TIA55FloppyW 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 W indows install CD that already includes AMD RAID driver[...]

63 Setting Up AMD A55 RAID Configuration b Select “A T I AHCI Compatible RAID Controller -x86 platform” and 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 Pre[...]

64 Setting Up AMD A55 RAID Configuration Memo[...]

65 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. Before calling for technical support or returning for warranty , this chapter may help to address some of the common questions using some basic troubleshooting tips. a) System does no[...]

66 Trouble Shooting Y our computer , like any electrical appliance, requires proper care and maintenance. Here are some basic PC care tips to help prolong the life of the motherboard and keep it running as best as it can. 1. Keep your computer in a well ventilated area. Leave some space between the PC and the wall for suf ficient airflow. 2. Keep y[...]

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68 Trouble Shooting Memo[...]