ECS NFORCE6M-A User Manual
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ECS NFORCE6M-A User Manual

ECS NFORCE6M-A User Manual

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  • Page 3 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. Version 3.0B Disclaimer The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

  • Page 4: Declaration Of Conformity

    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 This class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference- causing Equipment Regulations.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    T T T T T ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS Preface Chapter 1 Introducing the Motherboard Introduction..................1 Feature ....................2 Motherboard Components.............4 7 7 7 7 7 Chapter 2 Installing the Motherboard Safety Precautions................7 Choosing a Computer Case............7 Installing the Motherboard in a Case..........7...
  • Page 6 Integrated Peripherals............39 Power Management Setup..........43 PnP/PCI Configurations............45 PC Health Status..............46 Load Fail-Safe Defaults.............47 Load Optimized Default ...........47 Set Supervisor Password..........47 Set User Password............47 Save & Exit Setup..............48 Exit Without Saving............48 Chapter 4 49 49 49 49 Using the Motherboard Software About the Software CD-ROM............49 Auto-installing under Windows 2000/XP/Vista......49 Running Setup..............50...

  • Page 7: Introducing The Motherboard

    Chapter 1 Introducing the Motherboard Introduction Thank you for choosing this motherboard. This motherboard is a high performance, ™ enhanced function motherboard that supports socket for AMD Phenom processor (socket AM2+)/AMD Athlon ™ 64 X2 Dual-Core/Athlon ™ 64/Sempron ™ processors for high-end business or personal desktop markets.

  • Page 8: Feature

    Feature Processor This motherboard uses a socket AM2+/AM2 that carries the following features: • Accommodates AMD Phenom™ processor (socket AM2+) AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core/Athlon™ 64/Sempron™ processors • Supports up to 2000 MT/s HyperTransport (HT) interface Speeds HyperTransport Technology 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.
  • Page 9 Onboard LAN (Optional) The onboard LAN provides the following features: • Integrated Gigabit Ethernet Controller for PCI Express Applications • Integrated 10/100/1000 transceiver • Wake-on-LAN and remote wake-up support Expansion Options The motherboard comes with the following expansion options: • One PCI Express x16 for Graphics Interface •...

  • Page 10: Motherboard Components

    Motherboard Components Introducing the Motherboard...
  • Page 11 Table of Motherboard Components LABEL COMPONENTS Socket for AMD Phenom processor (socket AM2+)/AMD Athlon 1.CPU Socket 64 X2 Dual-Core/Althlon 64/Sempron processors CPU cooling fan connector 2.CPU_FAN Power Fan connector 3.PWR_FAN* 240-pin DDR2 SDRAM slots 4.DDR2_1~4 5.ATX_POWER Standard 24-pin ATX power connector 6.IDE Primary IDE connector Serial ATA connectors...
  • Page 12 Memo Introducing the Motherboard...

  • Page 13: 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 working on the motherboard •...

  • Page 14: Checking Jumper Settings

    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.

  • Page 15: Checking Jumper Settings

    Checking Jumper Settings The following illustration shows the location of the motherboard jumpers. Pin 1 is labeled. Jumper Settings Jumper Type Description Setting (default) 1-2: NORMAL 2-3: CLEAR CLR_CMOS 3-pin CLEAR CMOS Before clearing the CLR_CMOS CMOS, make sure to turn the system off.

  • Page 16: Connecting Case Components

    Connecting Case Components After you have installed the motherboard into a case, you can begin connecting the motherboard components. Refer to the following: Connect the CPU cooling fan cable to CPU_FAN. Connect the power cooling fan connector to PWR_FAN (optional). Connect the system cooling fan connector to SYS_FAN.

  • Page 17: Atx 24-Pin Power Connector

    CPU_FAN: CPU Cooling FAN Power Connector Signal Name Function Ground System Ground +12V Power +12V SENSE Sensor CONTROL CPU FAN control Users please note that the fan connector supports the CPU cooling fan of 1.1A~2.2A (26.4W max.) at +12V. PWR_FAN (optional)/SYS_FAN: Cooling FAN Power Connectors Signal Name Function System Ground...

  • Page 18: Front Panel Header

    Front Panel Header The front panel header (F_PANEL) provides a standard set of switch and LED headers commonly found on ATX or Micro ATX cases. Refer to the table below for Pin Signal Name Function Pin Signal Name Function HD_LED_P Hard disk LED(+) 2 FP PWR/SLP *MSG LED(+) HD_LED_N Hard disk LED(-)

  • Page 19: Installing Hardware

    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 resistors with the clip of the cooling fan. If the clip of the cooling fan scrapes across the motherboard, you may cause serious damage to the motherboard or its components.

  • Page 20: Installing Memory Modules

    CPU Installation Procedure The following illustration shows CPU installation components. Install your CPU. Pull up the lever away from the socket and lift up to 90-degree angle. Locate the CPU cut edge (the corner with the pin hold noticeably missing). Align and insert the CPU correctly.

  • Page 21: Installation Procedure

    Installation Procedure Refer to the following to install the memory modules. This motherboard supports unbuffered DDR2 SDRAM only. Push the latches on each side of the DIMM slot down. Align the memory module with the slot. The DIMM slots are keyed with notches and the DIMMs are keyed with cutouts so that they can only be installed correctly.
  • Page 22 Table A: DDR2 (memory module) QVL (Qualified Vendor List) The following DDR2 memory modules have been tested and qualified for use with this motherboard. Type Size Vendor Module Name SAMSUNG K4T51083QB-GCCC DDR2 400 512 MB TwinMos K4T51083QB-GCCC A-DATA M2GXX2F3H4140A1B0E AENEON AET93F370A98Z AENEON AET94F370A98U...
  • Page 23 Type Size Vendor Module Name A-DATA E2508AB-GE-E 512MB Kingmax NT5TU64M8BE-25C APACER AM4B5708BPJS8E0634E DDR2 800 CORSAIR CM2X1024-6400 Kingbox EPD264082200-3P Kingston K4T510830C Kintell KTL5PS12821B FP-S5 Transcend HY5PS12821AFP-S5 Installing the Motherboard...

  • Page 24: Installing A Hard Disk Drive/Cd-Rom/Sata Hard Drive

    Installing a Hard Disk Drive/CD-ROM/SATA Hard Drive This section describes how to install IDE devices such as a hard disk drive and a CD- ROM drive. About IDE Devices Your motherboard has one IDE channel interface. An IDE ribbon cable supporting two IDE devices is bundled with the motherboard.

  • Page 25: Installing A Floppy Diskette Drive

    Refer to the illustration below for proper installation: Attach either cable end to the connector on the motherboard. Attach the other cable end to the SATA hard drive. Attach the SATA power cable to the SATA hard drive and connect the other end to the power supply.

  • Page 26: Installing Add-On Cards

    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. With these efficient facilities, you can in- crease the motherboard’s capabilities by adding hardware that performs tasks that are not part of the basic system.
  • Page 27 Follow these instructions to install an add-on card: Remove a blanking plate from the system case corresponding to the slot you are going to use. Install the edge connector of the add-on card into the expansion slot. Ensure that the edge connector is correctly seated in the slot. Secure the metal bracket of the card to the system case with a screw.

  • Page 28: Connecting Optional Devices

    Connecting Optional Devices Refer to the following for information on connecting the motherboard’s optional devices: F_AUDIO: Front Panel Audio header (Optional) This header allows the user to install auxiliary front-oriented microphone and 6/8- Signal Name channel (optional) line-out ports for easier access. Signal Name Signal Name PORT 1L...
  • Page 29 F_USB1~2: Front Panel USB headers The motherboard has four USB ports installed on the rear edge I/O port array. Additionally, some computer cases have USB ports at the front of the case. If you have this kind of case, use auxiliary USB connector to connect the front-mounted ports to the motherboard.
  • Page 30 TPM: TPM Module Header (Optional) Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a published specification detailing a microcontroller that can store secured information, and implementations of that specification. Pin Signal Name Signal Name TPM_CLK LAD0 LFRAME# RESERVE0 RESERVE1 LREST# VCC3_DUAL VCC5 SERIRQ LAD3 LAD2 CLKRUN#...
  • Page 31 LPT: Onboard parallel port header This is a header that can be used to connect to the printer, scanner or other devices. Signal Name Signal Name STROBE ERROR INIT SLCTIN Ground Ground Ground Ground Ground Ground BUSK Ground Ground SLCT COM2: Onboard serial port header Connect a serial port extension bracket to this header to add a second serial port to your system.

  • Page 32: Connecting I/O Devices

    Connecting I/O Devices The backplane of the motherboard has the following I/O ports: PS2 Mouse Use the upper PS/2 port to connect a PS/2 pointing device. PS2 Keyboard Use the lower PS/2 port to connect a PS/2 keyboard. ESATA Port Use this port to connect to an external SATA box or a (Optional) Serial ATA portmultiplier...

  • Page 33: Using Bios

    Chapter 3 Using BIOS About the Setup Utility The computer uses the latest Award BIOS with support for Windows Plug and Play. The CMOS chip on the motherboard contains the ROM setup instructions for con- figuring the motherboard BIOS. The BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) Setup Utility displays the system’s configuration status and provides you with options to set system parameters.

  • Page 34: Bios Navigation Keys

    Press DEL to enter SETUP Pressing the delete key accesses the BIOS Setup Utility: Phoenix-Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility: Standard CMOS Features Load Fail-Safe Defaults Advanced BIOS Features Load optimized Defaults Advanced Chipset Features Set Supervisor Password Integrated Peripherals Set User Password Power Management Setup Save &...

  • Page 35: Updating The Bios

    Updating the BIOS You can download and install updated BIOS for this motherboard from the manufacturer’s Web site. New BIOS provides support for new peripherals, improve- ments in performance, or fixes for known bugs. Install new BIOS as follows: If your motherboard has a BIOS protection jumper, change the setting to allow BIOS flashing.

  • Page 36: Standard Cmos Features

    Standard CMOS Features This option displays basic information about your system. Phoenix-Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility Standard CMOS Features Date (mm:dd:yy) Wed, Jan.1 2006 Item Help Time (hh:mm:ss) 0 : 54 : 28 Menu Level IDE Channel 0 Master [PIONEER DVD-ROM DVD] IDE Channel 0 Slave [None] Change the day, month,...
  • Page 37 IDE HDD Auto-Detection Press <Enter> while this item is highlighted to prompt the Setup Utility to automati- cally detect and configure an IDE device on the IDE channel. If you are setting up a new hard disk drive that supports LBA mode, more than one line will appear in the parameter box.

  • Page 38: Advanced Bios Features

    Advanced BIOS Features This option defines advanced information about your system. Phoenix-Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility Advanced BIOS Features CPU Feature [Press Enter] Item Help Removable Device Priority [Press Enter] Hard Disk Boot Priority [Press Enter] Menu Level CD-ROM Boot Priority [Press Enter] Network Boot Priority [Press Enter]...
  • Page 39 Removable Device Priority (Press Enter) Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen: Phoenix-Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility Removable Device Priority Item Help 1. Floppy Disks Menu Level Use < > or < > to select a device, then press <+>...
  • Page 40 CD-ROM Boot Priority (Press Enter) Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen: Phoenix-Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility CD-ROM Boot Priority Item Help 1. Ch0 M. : PIONEER DVD-ROM DVD-126P Menu Level Use < > or < >...
  • Page 41 Boot Other Device (Enabled) When enabled, the system searches all other possible locations for an operating system if it fails to find one in the devices specified under the First, Second, and Third boot devices. Boot Up Floppy Seek (Disabled) If this item is enabled, it checks the size of the floppy disk drives at start-up time.

  • Page 42: Advanced Chipset Features

    Advanced Chipset Features These items define critical timing parameters of the motherboard. You should leave the items on this page at their default values unless you are very familiar with the technical specifications of your system hardware. If you change the values incor- rectly, you may introduce fatal errors or recurring instability into your system.
  • Page 43 DRAM Configuration (Press Enter) Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen: Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility DRAM Configuration Item Help Timing Mode [Auto] Memclock index value or Limi DDR2 400 Menu Level SPD Checksum Restart [Ignore] DCTs mode [Ganged] CKE base power down mode [Disabled]...
  • Page 44 Memory Hole Remapping (Enabled) This item allows users to enable or disable memory hole remapping. Auto Optimize Bottom IO (Enabled) This item is used to set the Auto Optimized Bottom IO. Bottom of [31:24] IO space (E0) This item is used to select the memory that will be remapped higher than 00E0. Press <Esc>...

  • Page 45: Integrated Peripherals

    Integrated Peripherals These options display items that define the operation of peripheral components on the system’s input/output ports. Phoenix-Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility Integrated Peripherals Item Help IDE Function Setup [Press Enter] RAID Config [Press Enter] Menu Level Onboard Device Setup [Press Enter] Super IO Device [Press Enter]...
  • Page 46 Primary /Secondary Master/Slave UDMA (Auto) Each IDE channel supports a master device and a slave device. This motherboard supports UltraDMA technology, which provides faster access to IDE devices. If you install a device that supports UltraDMA, change the appropriate item on this list to Auto.
  • Page 47 Press <Esc> to return to the Integrated Peripherals page. Onboard Device Setup (Press Enter) Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen: Phoenix-Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility Onboard Device Setup Item Help Onchip USB [V1.1 + V2.0] USB Keyboard Support [Enabled] Menu Level...
  • Page 48 SuperIO Device (Press Enter) Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen: Phoenix-Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility Super IO Device Item Help Onboard FDC Controller [Enabled] Onboard Serial Port 1 [3F8/IRQ4] Menu Level Onboard Serial Port 2 [2F8/IRQ3] Onboard Parellel Port [378/IRQ7]...

  • Page 49: Power Management Setup

    Power Management Setup This option lets you control system power management. The system has various power-saving modes including powering down the hard disk, turning off the video, suspending to RAM, and software power down that allows the system to be automatically resumed by certain events. Phoenix-Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility Power Management Setup Item Help...
  • Page 50 Resume by PCI PME (Disabled) This system can be turned off with a software command. If you enable this item, the system can automatically resume if there is an incoming call on the PCI Modem card or PCI LAN card. You must use an ATX power supply inorder to use this feature.

  • Page 51: Pnp/Pci Configurations

    PnP/PCI Configurations These options configure how PnP (Plug and Play) and PCI expansion cards operate in your system. Both the the ISA and PCI buses on the motherboard use system IRQs (Interrup ReQuests) and DMAs (Direct Memory Access). You must set up the IRQ and DMA assignments correctly through the PnP/PCI Configurations Setup utility for the motherboard to work properly.

  • Page 52: Pc Health Status

    PC Health Status On motherboards that support hardware monitoring, this item lets you monitor the parameters for critical voltages, temperatures and fan speeds. Phoenix-Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility PC Health Status Item Help Shutdown Temperature [Disabled] Warning Temperature [Disabled] Menu Level System Temperature 29°C CPU Tcontrol...

  • Page 53: Load Fail-Safe Defaults

    Load Fail-Safe Defaults This option opens a dialog box that lets you install fail-safe defaults for all appropri- ate items in the Setup Utility: Press <Y> and then <Enter> to install the defaults. Press <N> and then <Enter> to not install the defaults. The fail-safe defaults place no great demands on the system and are generally stable.

  • Page 54: Save & Exit Setup

    Save & Exit Setup Highlight this item and press <Enter> to save the changes that you have made in the Setup Utility and exit the Setup Utility. When the Save and Exit dialog box appears, press <Y> to save and exit, or press <N> to return to the main menu. Exit Without Saving Highlight this item and press <Enter>...

  • Page 55: Using The Motherboard Software

    Chapter 4 Using the Motherboard Software About the Software CD-ROM The support software CD-ROM that is included in the motherboard package contains all the drivers and utility programs needed to properly run the bundled products. Below you can find a brief description of each software program, and the location for your motherboard version.

  • Page 56: Running Setup

    Setup Tab 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 al- lows you to open Windows Explorer and show the contents of the support CD.
  • Page 57 Click Next. The following screen appears: Check the box next to the items you want to install. The default options are recom- mended. Click Next run the Installation Wizard. An item installation screen appears: Follow the instructions on the screen to install the items. 1.
  • Page 58 Method 1. Run Reboot Setup Windows Vista will block startup programs by default when installing drivers after the system restart. You must select taskbar icon Run Blocked Program and run Reboot Setup to install the next driver, until you finish all drivers installation. Method 2.
  • Page 59 Select Classic View. Set User Account. Select Turn User Account Control on or off and press Continue. Using the Motherboard Software...

  • Page 60: Manual Installation

    These software(s) are subject to change at anytime without prior notice. Please refer to the support CD for available software. 2. Please go to ECS website to download AMD Cool‘n’Quiet technology. This concludes Chapter 4. Using the Motherboard Software...

  • Page 61: Setting Up Nvidia Raid Configuration

    Chapter 5 Setting Up NVIDIA RAID Configuration Setting Up a Non-Bootable RAID Array RAID arrays can be created/deleted using both MediaShield RAID BIOS and the MediaShield RAID Manager from Windows. This section only covers basic BIOS setup required for non-bootable array. See the section "Setting Up a Bootable RAID Array”...
  • Page 62 Use the arrow keys to select the RAID Config (see Figure 2.2), then press Enter. The RAID Config window appears. Figure 2.3 RAID Config Window From the RAID Config window, globally enable RAID, then enable the SATA ports with disks that you want to use for RAID. If RAID is enabled globally but not enabled on the individual SATA port, disks on that port can only be used for non-RAID applications.
  • Page 63 Select the modules that you want to install. Make sure that the “NVIDIA IDE Driver” is selected. You must install the NVIDIA IDE driver in order to enable NVIDIA RAID. If you do not install the NVIDIA IDE driver, NVIDIA RAID will not be enabled.

  • Page 64: Setting Up A Bootable Raid Array

    Setting Up a Bootable RAID Array This section explains how to configure a bootable NVIDIA RAID array. Setting Up the BIOS Start your computer, then press Delete to enter the BIOS setup. The BIOS CMOS Setup Utility screen appears. Figure 2.5 BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Screen Use the arrow keys to select Integrated Peripherals (see Figure 2.5), then press Enter.
  • Page 65 The RAID Config window appears. Figure 2.7 RAID Config Screen From the RAID Config window, globally enable RAID, then enable the SATA ports with disks that you want to use for RAID. If RAID is enabled globally but not enabled on the individual SATA port, disks on that port can only be used for non-RAID applications.
  • Page 66 The NVIDIA RAID Utility—Define a New Array screen appears (Figure 2.8). Figure 2.8 NVIDIA RAID Utility By default, RAID Mode is set to Mirroring and Striping Block is set to Optimal. 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.
  • Page 67 Figure 2.9 illustrates the Define a New Array screen after two disks have been assigned as RAID1 array disks. Figure 2.9 MediaShield Utility—Array Disks Assigned Completing the RAID BIOS Setup After assigning your RAID array disks, press F7. The Clear disk array prompt appears. Figure 2.10 Clear Disk Data Prompt NVIDIA RAID Configuration...
  • Page 68 Press Y to clear the disk data. The Array List screen appears, where you can review the RAID arrays that you have set up. Figure 2.11 Array List Window Use the arrow keys to select the array that you want to set up, then press B to specify the array as bootable.
  • Page 69 Installing the RAID Drivers Your system may come with a Windows install CD that already includes NVIDIA RAID drivers. If so, then this section is not relevant. If that is not the case (or you are trying to install a new version of Windows), then you will need an NVIDIA RAID driver F6 install floppy.
  • Page 70 Select “NVIDIA RAID CLASS DRIVER (required)” and then press Enter. Press S again at the Specify Devices screen, then press Enter. Select “NVIDIA NForce Storage Controller (required)” and then press Enter. The following Windows Setup screen appears listing both drivers:. Figure 2.15 Windows Setup—NVIDIA drives listed Press Enter to continue with Windows XP Installation.

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