MSI A320M-A PRO, A520M-A PRO - Motherboard Manual

Specifications

Package contents

Please check the contents of your motherboard package. It should contain:

• Motherboard
• Driver DVD
• Quick Installation Guide
• I/O Shielding
• SATA 6G Cable
• Case Badge
• Product Registration Card

If any of the above items are damaged or missing, please contact your retailer.

Rear I/O Panel

LAN Port LED Status Table

Audio 7.1-channel Configuration

To configure 7.1-channel audio, you have to connect front audio I/O module to JAUD1 connector and follow the below steps.

1. Click on the Realtek HD Audio Manager > Advanced Settings to open the dialog below.
   
2. Select Mute the rear output device, when a front headphone plugged in.
3. Plug your speakers to audio jacks on rear and front I/O panel. When you plug into a device at an audio jack, a dialogue window will pop up asking you which device is current connected.

Overview of Components

* Distance from the center of the CPU to the nearest DIMM slot.

CPU Socket

Please install the CPU into the CPU socket as shown below.

• Always unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing or removing the CPU.
• Please retain the CPU protective cap after installing the processor. MSI will deal with Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requests if only the motherboard comes with the protective cap on the CPU socket.
• When installing a CPU, always remember to install a CPU heatsink. A CPU heatsink is necessary to prevent overheating and maintain system stability.
• Confirm that the CPU heatsink has formed a tight seal with the CPU before booting your system.
• Overheating can seriously damage the CPU and motherboard. Always make sure the cooling fans work properly to protect the CPU from overheating. Be sure to apply an even layer of thermal paste (or thermal tape) between the CPU and the heatsink to enhance heat dissipation.
• If you purchased a separate CPU and heatsink/ cooler, Please refer to the documentation in the heatsink/ cooler package for more details about installation.

DIMM Slots

Please install the memory module into the DIMM slot as shown below.

• Due to chipset resource usage, the available capacity of memory will be a little less than the amount of installed.
• Please note that the maximum capacity of addressable memory is 4GB or less for 32-bit Windows OS due to the memory address limitation. Therefore, we recommended that you to install 64-bit Windows OS if you want to install more than 4GB memory on the motherboard.

PCI_E1~2: PCIe Expansion Slots

• If you install a large and heavy graphics card, you need to use a tool such as MSI Gaming Series Graphics Card Bolster to support its weight to prevent deformation of the slot.
• When adding or removing expansion cards, always turn off the power supply and unplug the power supply power cable from the power outlet. Read the expansion card's documentation to check for any necessary additional hardware or software changes.

JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors

These connectors connect to the switches and LEDs on the front panel.

	1	HDD LED +	2	Power LED +
	3	HDD LED -	4	Power LED -
	5	Reset Switch	6	Power Switch
	7	Reset Switch	8	Power Switch
	9	Reserved	10	No Pin

	1	Speaker -	2	Buzzer +
	3	Buzzer -	4	Speaker +

SATA1~4: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors

These connectors are SATA 6Gb/s interface ports. Each connector can connect to one SATA device.

• Please do not fold the SATA cable at a 90-degree angle. Data loss may result during transmission otherwise.
• SATA cables have identical plugs on either sides of the cable. However, it is recommended that the flat connector be connected to the motherboard for space saving purposes.

ATX_PWR1, CPU_PWR1: Power Connectors

These connectors allow you to connect an ATX power supply.

	1	+3.3V	13	+3.3V
	2	+3.3V	14	-12V
	3	Ground	15	Ground
	4	+5V	16	PS-ON#
	5	Ground	17	Ground
	6	+5V	18	Ground
	7	Ground	19	Ground
	8	PWR OK	20	Res
	9	5VSB	21	+5V
	10	+12V	22	+5V
	11	+12V	23	+5V
	12	+3.3V	24	Ground
	1	Ground	3	+12V
	2	Ground	4	+12V

Make sure that all the power cables are securely connected to a proper ATX power supply to ensure stable operation of the motherboard.

CPU_FAN1, SYS_FAN1: PWM Fan Connectors

PWM Mode fan connectors provide constant 12V output and adjust fan speed with speed control signal. When you plug a 3-pin (Non-PWM) fan to a fan connector in PWM mode, the fan speed will always maintain at 100%, which might create a lot of noise.

You can adjust fan speed in BIOS > Advanced > Hardware Monitor.

JUSB1, JUSB2: USB 2.0 Connectors

These connectors allow you to connect USB 2.0 ports on the front panel.

	1	VCC	2	VCC
	3	USB0-	4	USB1-
	5	USB0+	6	USB1+
	7	Ground	8	Ground
	9	No Pin	10	NC

• Note that the VCC and Ground pins must be connected correctly to avoid possible damage.
• In order to recharge your iPad, iPhone and iPod through USB ports, please install MSI® SUPER CHARGER software.

JUSB3: USB 3.2 Gen1 Connector

These connectors allow you to connect USB 3.2 Gen1 ports on the front panel.

	1	Power	11	USB2.0+
	2	USB3_RX_DN	12	USB2.0-
	3	USB3_RX_DP	13	Ground
	4	Ground	14	USB3_TX_C_DP
	5	USB3_TX_C_DN	15	USB3_TX_C_DN
	6	USB3_TX_C_DP	16	Ground
	7	Ground	17	USB3_RX_DP
	8	USB2.0-	18	USB3_RX_DN
	9	USB2.0+	19	Power
	10	NC	20	No Pin

Note that the Power and Ground pins must be connected correctly to avoid possible damage.

JAUD1: Front Audio Connector

This connector allow you to connect audio jacks on the front panel.

	1	MIC L	2	Ground
	3	MIC R	4	NC
	5	Head Phone R	6	MIC Detection
	7	SENSE_SEND	8	No Pin
	9	Head Phone L	10	Head Phone Detection

JCOM1: Serial Port Connector

This connector allows you to connect the optional serial port with bracket.

	1	DCD	2	SIN
	3	SOUT	4	DTR
	5	Ground	6	DSR
	7	RTS	8	CTS
	9	RI	10	No Pin

JTPM1: TPM Module Connector

This connector is for TPM (Trusted Platform Module). Please refer to the TPM security platform manual for more details and usages.

	1	LPC Clock	2	3V Standby power
	3	LPC Reset	4	3.3V Power
	5	LPC address & data pin0	6	Serial IRQ
	7	LPC address & data pin1	8	5V Power
	9	LPC address & data pin2	10	No Pin
	11	LPC address & data pin3	12	Ground
	13	LPC Frame	14	Ground

JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector

This connector allows you to connect the chassis intrusion switch cable.

Using chassis intrusion detector

1. Connect the JCI1 connector to the chassis intrusion switch/ sensor on the chassis.
2. Close the chassis cover.
3. Go to BIOS > Security > Chassis Intrusion Configuration.
4. Set Chassis Intrusion to Enabled.
5. Press F10 to save and exit and then press the Enter key to select Yes.
6. Once the chassis cover is opened again, a warning message will be displayed on screen when the computer is turned on.

Resetting the chassis intrusion warning

1. Go to BIOS > Security > Chassis Intrusion Configuration.
2. Set Chassis Intrusion to Reset.
3. Press F10 to save and exit and then press the Enter key to select Yes.

JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper

There is CMOS memory onboard that is external powered from a battery located on the motherboard to save system configuration data. If you want to clear the system configuration, set the jumpers to clear the CMOS memory.

Resetting BIOS to default values

1. Power off the computer and unplug the power cord
2. Use a jumper cap to short JBAT1 for about 5-10 seconds.
3. Remove the jumper cap from JBAT1.
4. Plug the power cord and power on the computer.

BIOS Setup

The default settings offer the optimal performance for system stability in normal conditions. You should always keep the default settings to avoid possible system damage or failure booting unless you are familiar with BIOS.

• BIOS items are continuous update for better system performance. Therefore, the description may be slightly different from the latest BIOS and should be held for reference only. You could also refer to the HELP information panel for BIOS item description.
• The pictures in this chapter are for reference only and may vary from the product you purchased.
• The BIOS items will vary with the processor.

Entering BIOS Setup

Press Delete key, when the Press DEL key to enter Setup Menu, F11 to enter Boot Menu message appears on the screen during the boot process.

Function key

F1: General Help list

F4: Enter CPU Specifications menu

F5: Enter Memory-Z menu

F6: Load optimized defaults

F10: Save Change and Reset*

F12: Take a screenshot and save it to USB flash drive (FAT/ FAT32 format only).

* When you press F10, a confirmation window appears and it provides the modification information. Select between Yes or No to confirm your choice.

Resetting BIOS

You might need to restore the default BIOS setting to solve certain problems. There are several ways to reset BIOS:

• Go to BIOS and press F6 to load optimized defaults.
• Short the Clear CMOS jumper on the motherboard.

Please refer to the Clear CMOS jumper section for resetting BIOS.

Updating BIOS

Updating BIOS with M-FLASH

Before updating:
Please download the latest BIOS file that matches your motherboard model from MSI website. And then save the BIOS file into the USB flash drive.

Updating BIOS:

1. Insert the USB flash drive that contains the update file into the computer.
2. Press Del key to enter the BIOS Setup during POST.
3. Go to BIOS > M-FLASH > Select one file to update BIOS, select a BIOS file to perform the BIOS update process.
4. After the flashing process is 100% completed, the system will reboot automatically.

Updating the BIOS with Live Update 6

Before updating:
Make sure the LAN driver is already installed and the internet connection is set properly.

Updating BIOS:

1. Install and launch MSI LIVE UPDATE 6.
2. Select BIOS Update.
3. Click on Scan button.
4. Click on Download icon to download and install the latest BIOS file.
5. Click Next and choose In Windows mode. And then click Next and Start to start updating BIOS.
6. After the flashing process is 100% completed, the system will restart automatically.

Installing OS, Drivers & Utilities

Please download and update the latest utilities and drivers at www.msi.com

Installing Windows® 10

1. Power on the computer.
2. Insert the Windows® 10 installation disc/USB into your computer.
3. Press the Restart button on the computer case.
4. Press F11 key during the computer POST (Power-On Self Test) to get into Boot Menu.
5. Select the Windows® 10 installation disc/USB from the Boot Menu.
6. Press any key when screen shows Press any key to boot from CD or DVD... message.
7. Follow the instructions on the screen to install Windows® 10.

Installing Drivers

1. Start up your computer in Windows® 10.
2. Insert MSI® Driver Disc into your optical drive.
3. Click the Select to choose what happens with this disc pop-up notification, then select Run DVDSetup.exe to open the installer. If you turn off the AutoPlay feature from the Windows Control Panel, you can still manually execute the DVDSetup.exe from the root path of the MSI Driver Disc.
4. The installer will find and list all necessary drivers in the Drivers/Software tab.
5. Click the Install button in the lower-right corner of the window.
6. The drivers installation will then be in progress, after it has finished it will prompt you to restart.
7. Click OK button to finish.
8. Restart your computer.

Installing Utilities

Before you install utilities, you must complete drivers installation.

1. Open the installer as described above.
2. Click the Utilities tab.
3. Select the utilities you want to install.
4. Click the Install button in the lower-right corner of the window.
5. The utilities installation will then be in progress, after it has finished it will prompt you to restart.
6. Click OK button to finish.
7. Restart your computer.