Foxconn A74MX-K User Manual
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Foxconn A74MX-K User Manual

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A74MX Series Motherboard
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  • Page 1 A74MX Series Motherboard User’s Manual...
  • Page 2 Statement: This manual is the intellectual property of Foxconn, Inc. Although the information in this manual may be changed or modified at any time, Foxconn does not obligate itself to inform the user of these changes. Trademark: All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

  • Page 3: Declaration Of Conformity

    HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY COMPANY LTD 66 , CHUNG SHAN RD., TU-CHENG INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT, TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C. declares that the product Motherboard A74MX-S/A74MX-K is in conformity with (reference to the specification under which conformity is declared in accordance with 89/336 EEC-EMC Directive) ■...
  • Page 4 Declaration of conformity Trade Name: FOXCONN A74MX-S/A74MX-K Model Name: Responsible Party: PCE Industry Inc. Address: 458 E. Lambert Rd. Fullerton, CA 92835 Telephone: 714-738-8868 Facsimile: 714-738-8838 Equipment Classification: FCC Class B Subassembly Type of Product: Motherboard Manufacturer: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY...

  • Page 5: Installation Precautions

    Installation Precautions ■ Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the sudden and momentary electric current that flows between two objects at different electrical potentials. Normally it comes out as a spark which will quickly damage your electronic equipment. Please wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap when handling components such as a motherboard, CPU or memory.

  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    TAble of CoNTeNTS Chapter 1 Product Introduction Product Specifications ................2 Layout.......................4 Back Panel Connectors ................5 Chapter 2 Hardware Install Install the CPU and CPU Cooler ..............8 Install the Memory ..................10 Install an Expansion Card ..............12 Install other Internal Connectors ............13 Jumpers ....................17 Chapter 3 bIoS Setup Enter BIOS Setup ...................19...
  • Page 7 Configure ..................63 About & Help ..................65 FOX LOGO .....................66 FOX DMI ....................67 Chapter 5 RAID Configuration RAID Configuration Introduction.............70 FastBuild Driver ..................72 Create a RAID Driver Diskette ...............74 RAID Enable in BIOS ................76 Select a RAID Array for Use ..............76 Install a New Windows XP ..............89 Setting Up a Non-Bootable RAID Array..........93 Technical Support :...
  • Page 8 With advanced overclocking capability and a range of connectivity features for today multi-media computing requirements, A74MX- S/A74MX-K enables you to unleash more power from your com- puter. This chapter includes the following information: ■...

  • Page 9: Product Specifications

    2 x 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets Support up to 4GB of system memory Dual channel DDR2 800/667/533MHz architecture Audio Realtek 8-channel audio chip (A74MX-S) Realtek 6-channel audio chip (A74MX-K) High Definition Audio 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel Support for S/PDIF Out Support Jack-Sensing function...
  • Page 10 Parallel port port 1 x DVI-D port 4 x USB 2.0 ports 1 x RJ-45 LAN port 8-channel Audio ports (A74MX-S) 6-channel Audio ports (A74MX-K) Hardware Monitor System voltage detection CPU/System temperature detection CPU/System fan speed detection CPU/System overheating warning...

  • Page 11: Layout

    1-2 layout 1. 4-pin ATX 12V Power Connector 13. SATA Connectors 2. SYS_FAN Header 14. Clear CMOS Jumper 3. North Bridge: AMD 740G 15. 24-pin ATX Power Connector 4. PCI Express x1 Slot 16. IDE Connector 5. PCI Express x16 Slot 17.

  • Page 12: Back Panel Connectors

    Side Speaker Microphone PS/2 Keyboard Port VGA Port DVI-D Port USB Ports Audio Ports Back panel of A74MX-K : Line In Line Out Microphone Audio Ports 1. PS/2 Mouse Port Use the upper port (green) to connect a PS/2 mouse.
  • Page 13 Microphone In Orange Center/Subwoofer Out Center/Subwoofer Out Black Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out Grey Side Speaker Out Audio ports of A74MX-K : Port 2-channel 4-channel 5.1-channel Blue Line In Rear Speaker Out* Rear Speaker Out* Green...
  • Page 14 This chapter introduces the hardware installation process, including the installation of the CPU, memory, power supply, slots, pin headers and the mounting of jumpers. Caution should be exercised during the installation of these modules. Please refer to the motherboard layout prior to any installation and read the contents in this chapter carefully.

  • Page 15: Install The Cpu And Cpu Cooler

    2-1 Install the CPU and CPU Cooler Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the CPU : ■ Make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU. ■ Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power supply before installing the CPU to prevent hardware damage.

  • Page 16: Install The Cpu Cooler

    CPU socket lever back to its locked position. Install the CPU Cooler Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU cooler. (The following procedures use Foxconn cooler as the example.) 2. Buckle the heatsink firmly at one 1.

  • Page 17: Install The Memory

    2-2 Install the Memory Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the memory : ■ Make sure that the motherboard supports the memory. It is recommended that memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used. ■...

  • Page 18: Installing A Memory

    Installing a Memory Before installing a memory module, make sure to turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the memory module. Be sure to install DDR2 DIMMs on this motherboard. Notch If you take a look at front side of memory module, it has asymmetric pin counts on both sides separated by a notch in the middle, so it can only fit in one direction.

  • Page 19: Install An Expansion Card

    2-3 Install an expansion Card ■ Make sure the motherboard supports the expansion card. Carefully read the manual that came with your expansion card. ■ Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing an expansion card to prevent hardware damage.

  • Page 20: Install Other Internal Connectors

    2-4 Install other Internal Connectors Power Connectors This motherboard uses an ATX power supply. In order not to damage any device, make sure all the devices have been installed properly before applying the power supply. 24-pin ATX power connector : PWR1 PWR1 is the ATX power supply connector.
  • Page 21 front Panel Connector : fP1 This motherboard includes one connector for connecting the front panel switch and LED Indicators. HDD-LED PWR-LED Hard Disk leD Connector (HDD-leD) RESET-SW PWR-SW Connect to the chassis front panel IDE indicator LED. It EMPTY indicates the active status of the hard disks. This 2-pin connector is directional with +/- sign.
  • Page 22 PORT1_L AUD_GND Audio Connector : f_AUDIo PORT1_R PRESENCE_J The audio connector supports HD Audio standard. PORT2_R SENSE1_RETURN It provides the Front Audio output choice. SENSE_SEND EMPTY PORT2_L SENSE2_RETURN F_AUDIO CD_L GND CD_R Audio Connector : CD_IN CD_IN is a Sony standard audio connector, it can be connected to a CD/DVD-ROM drive through a CD/DVD audio cable.
  • Page 23 Fan Connectors : CPU_FAN, SYS_FAN There are two main fan headers on this motherboard. The fan speed can be controlled and monitored in “PC Health Status” section of the BIOS Setup. These fans can be automatically turned off after the system enters S3, S4 and S5 sleeping states.

  • Page 24: Jumpers

    2-5 Jumpers For some features needed, users can change the jumper settings on this motherboard to modify them. This section explains how to use the various functions of this motherboard by changing the jumper settings. Users should read the following content carefully prior to modifying any jumper setting. Description of Jumpers 1.
  • Page 25 This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided. You have to run the Setup Program when the following cases oc- cur: 1. An error message appears on the screen during the system Power On Self Test (POST) process.

  • Page 26: Enter Bios Setup

    enter bIoS Setup The BIOS is the communication bridge between hardware and software, correctly setting up the BIOS parameters is critical to maintain optimal system performance. Power on the computer, when the message "Press <Del> to enter Setup, <eSC> to boot menu". appears at the bottom of the screen, you can press <DEL>...
  • Page 27 ► Power Management Setup All the items related with Green function features can be set up through this menu. ► PC Health Status This setup enables you to read/change Fan speeds, and displays temperatures and voltages of your CPU/System. ► BIOS Security Features The Supervisor/User password can be set up through this menu to prevent unauthorized use of your computer.

  • Page 28: System Information

    Keyboard Keyboard [Disabled] [Disabled] Mouse Mouse [Disabled] [Disabled] Floppy Floppy [Disabled] [Disabled] Model Name :A74MX-S/A74MX-K BIOS ID :813F1P01 BIOS Version :08.00.14 CPU Name :AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+ ↑↓←→:Move Enter:Select +/-/:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help F9:Optimized Defaults ►...
  • Page 29 ► Mouse The system boot will not stop for a mouse error if you enabled this item. ► Floppy The system boot will not stop for a floppy error if you enabled this item. ► Model Name Model name of this product. ►...

  • Page 30: Advanced Bios Features

    Advanced BIOS Features CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Advanced BIOS Features IDE Detect Time Out [35] [35] Help Item MPS Revision MPS Revision [1.4] [1.4] PCI Latency Timer [64] Select the time out Select the time out Select the time out Quiet Boot [Enabled]...
  • Page 31 [Disabled] : Displays the normal POST messages. [Enabled] : Displays OEM customer logo instead of POST messages. ► Quick Boot While Enabled, this option allows BIOS to skip certain tests while booting, this will shorten the time needed to boot the system. ►...

  • Page 32: Fox Central Control Unit

    fox Central Control Unit CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Fox Central Control Unit [Disabled] Super BIOS Protect [Disabled] [Disabled] Help Item Help Item Help Item Auto Detect PCI Clock [Disabled] [Disabled] Options ► Smart BIOS [Press Enter] ►...

  • Page 33: Fox Intelligent Stepping

    ► Smart Power LED Smart Power LED is a feature built on your motherboard to indicate different states during Power-On Self-Test (POST). The LED is located at the front panel, and it displays POST state by different long-short blinking intervals. You can always leave this state enabled. System Status Power LED Status Normal...

  • Page 34: Spread Spectrum

    ► PCI Express Clock This option is used to adjust the speed of PCI Express slot. It may enhance the graphics card speed. ► CPU Multiplier Adjust (Optional only if CPU supports) This option is used to adjust the CPU Clock Ratio. Multiply CPU clock with this ratio, you can get the CPU speed.

  • Page 35: Cpu Configuration

    CPU Configuration CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. CPU Configuration CPU Configuration CPU Configuration Help Item Module Version : 13.28 AGESA Version : 3.1.7.0 Enable/disable the Physical Count : 1 generation of ACPI Logical Count : 2 _PPC, _PSS, and _PCT objects.

  • Page 36: Advanced Chipset Features Advanced Chipset Features

    Advanced Chipset Features CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Advanced Chipset Features Northbridge Chipset Configuration Northbridge Chipset Configuration Help Item ► Memory Configuration [Press Enter] [Press Enter] ► DRAM Timing Configuration ► DRAM Timing Configuration [Press Enter] CAS Latency :4.0 RAS/CAS Delay...

  • Page 37: Memory Configuration

    It allows you to change the clock rate of graphics engine. ► Surround View SurroundView is the ATI technology that provides multi-graphics controller display capability for both the ATI PCIe-based graphics card and the ATI integrated graphics processor (IGP). Enabling SurroundView does not impact display modes (resolution and color depth) or performance.
  • Page 38 When disabled, the system will turn off clock on the empty DIMM slots and to reduce EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference). ► MemClk Tristate C3/ATLVID Enables the DDR memory clocks to be tristated when alternate VID mode is enabled. ► Memory Hole Remapping This item is used to enable/disable memory remapping around memory hole.

  • Page 39: Dram Timing Configuration

    CKE pins per DRAM channel. For each channel : [Channel] CKE control. The DRAM channel is placed in power down when all chip selects associated with the channel are idle. [Chip Select] CKE control. A chip select or pair of chip selects is placed in power down when no transactions are pending for the chip select(s).

  • Page 40: Integrated Peripherals

    Integrated Peripherals CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Integrated Peripherals ► IDE Configuration ► IDE Configuration [Press Enter] [Press Enter] Help Item ► USB Configuration ► USB Configuration [Press Enter] ► SuperIO Configuration ► SuperIO Configuration [Press Enter] ►...

  • Page 41: Ide Configuration

    IDE Configuration CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. IDE Configuration IDE Configuration IDE Configuration Help Item OnBoard PCI IDE Controller [Enabled] [Enabled] Disabled: Disable the OnChip SATA Channel OnChip SATA Channel [Enabled] [Enabled] IDE controller. IDE controller. OnChip SATA Type OnChip SATA Type [Native IDE]...

  • Page 42: Usb Configuration

    USB Configuration CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. USB Configuration USB Configuration USB Configuration Help Item Module Version - 2.24.3-13.4 Enables support for legacy USB. USB Devices Enabled : USB Devices Enabled : Auto option disables option disables 1 Drive legacy support if...

  • Page 43: Superio Configuration

    SuperIO Configuration CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. SuperIO Configuration SuperIO Configuration Help Item OnBoard Floppy Controller [Enabled] Allows BIOS to Enable [Enabled] Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4] [3F8/IRQ4] or Disable Floppy or Disable Floppy or Disable Floppy IR Address [2F8/IRQ3] Controller.

  • Page 44: Trusted Computing

    Trusted Computing CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Trusted Computing Trusted Computing Trusted Computing Help Item TCG/TPM Support [No] [No] Enable / Disable TPM TCG (TPM 1.1/1.2) support in BIOS ↑↓←→:Move Enter:Select +/-/:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help F9:Optimized Defaults ►...

  • Page 45: Power Management Setup

    Power Management Setup CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Power Management Setup [S3 (STR)] ACPI Suspend Type ACPI Suspend Type [S3 (STR)] [S3 (STR)] Help Item Help Item Help Item PWRON after PWR-Fail PWRON after PWR-Fail [Power Off] [Power Off] HPET Support...
  • Page 46 ► ACPI Suspend Type This item is used to set the energy saving mode of the ACPI function. When you select “S1 (POS)” mode, the power is always on and computer can be resumed at any time. When you select “S3 (STR)” mode, the power will be down after a period of time. The status of the computer before it entering STR will be saved in memory, and the computer can quickly return to previous state when the STR function wakes.

  • Page 47: Pc Health Status

    PC Health Status CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. PC Health Status Warning Temperature Warning Temperature [Disabled] [Disabled] [Disabled] Help Item Help Item Shut Down Temperature [Disabled] [Disabled] Options Case Open Warning [Disabled] [Disabled] CPU Temperature C/109 System Temperature C/89...

  • Page 48: Bios Security Features

    bIoS Security features CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. BIOS Security Features Security Settings Security Settings Help Item Supervisor Password : Installed Install or change the User Password : Installed password. Change Supervisor Password Change Supervisor Password [Press Enter] [Press Enter] User Access Level...

  • Page 49: Load Optimal Defaults Optimal Defaults Defaults

    load optimal Defaults Optimal defaults are the best settings of this motherboard. Always load the Optimal defaults after updating the BIOS or after clearing the CMOS Load Optimal Defaults? values. Select this option and press Enter, it will pop out a dialogue box to let [OK] [OK] [Cancel]...
  • Page 50 The utility CD that came with the motherboard contains useful software and several utility drivers that enhance the motherboard features. This chapter includes the following information: ■ Utility CD content ■ Install driver and utility ■ FOX ONE ■ FOX LiveUpdate ■...

  • Page 51: Chapter 4 Cd Instruction Utility Cd Content Utility Cd Content

    Utility CD content This motherboard comes with one Utility CD. You can simply put it into your CD/DVD-ROM drive, and the main menu will be displayed on your PC screen to guide you how to install. 1. Install Driver Use these options to install all the drivers for your system. You should install the drivers in order, and you need to restart your computer after all the drivers have been installed.

  • Page 52: Install Driver And Utility

    Step Automatic Installation by One Click. Exit the program Click to visit Select to Browse CD Drop to System Tray Foxconn's Install Drivers Select to website Install Utilities 2. Install Utility You can select the specific utility to install.

  • Page 53: Fox One

    foX oNe FOX ONE is a powerful utility for easily modifying system settings. It also allows users to monitor various temperature values, voltage values, frequencies and fan speeds at any time. With FOX ONE, you can : ■ Modify system performance settings, such as the CPU and memory bus speeds, CPU voltages, fan speeds, and other system performance options.

  • Page 54: Main Page

    1. Main Page Show CPU Toolbar Information Alert Lamp Switch Button Skin Button Exit Minimum Configuration Homepage Monitor Frequency/Voltage/Fan speed/Temperature value Toolbar Use the toolbar to navigate to other pages. Alert lamp When the system is in healthy state, the color of alert lamp is green. When the system is in abnormal state, the alert lamp color is red.
  • Page 55 Click this button to exit the program. Minimum Click this button to drop the FOX ONE to Windows system tray located at the lower right corner of your screen. Homepage Click this button to visit Foxconn motherboard website : http://www.foxconnchannel.com...
  • Page 56 Configuration This menu allows you to configure : 1). Monitor interval (ms) : This is to define the interval of different messages of system settings which are to which are to are to be displayed on Simple Mode screen. Minimum value is 1 second. 2).
  • Page 57 Step 1 : Click Calibration icon, a message pops out to ask for continue. Select Yes. Step 2 : After data is collected, it will ask you to restart your computer now. Later on, when the FOX ONE program is activated, and F.I.S. feature (in CPU Page) is also enabled, FOX ONE will automatically adjust your CPU clock according to your system loadings.

  • Page 58: Cpu Control

    2. CPU Page - CPU Control This page lets you select (or overclock) CPU clock to meet the current performance level of the system. The fastest and suitable CPU clock running for current system can be calculated by FOX ONE automatically or manually input by yourselves. Manual : You can press the up/down button to adjust your CPU clock.
  • Page 59 You can see the system is raising CPU clock until the system hangs. Push RESET button on the front panel of your system to restart the computer. Run FOX ONE program again, it will inform you the previous test found that 255MHz is the recommended CPU clock for your system.

  • Page 60: Frequency Control

    FOX Intelligent Stepping (F.I.S., Optional) Select FOX Intelligent Stepping will allow your system to automatically adjust your CPU clock rate based on different system loadings. For example, if you select Power Gaming, CPU clock will be driven to run at its maximum speed. While in Energy Saving, CPU will lower down its speed to a minimum.

  • Page 61: Limit Setting

    4. Limit Setting 4.1 Limit Setting - CPU Temperature This page lets you to set CPU high limit temperature and enable the alert function. Go to Limit Show current CPU Setting page temperature value Enable alert function when the CPU temperature is higher than high limit value Show current high...
  • Page 62 4.3 Limit Setting - CPU Fan This page lets you to set CPU fan low limit rpm and enable the alert function. Show current CPU fan rpm value Enable alert function when the CPU fan runs slower than the low limit rpm value Show current low limit rpm value of CPU fan...

  • Page 63: Voltage Control

    4.5 Limit Setting - FAN1 Fan This page lets you to set FAN1 fan low limit rpm and enable the alert function. Show current FAN1 fan rpm value Enable alert function when the FAN1 fan runs slower than low limit rpm value Show current low limit rpm value of FAN1 fan Set low limit rpm by...

  • Page 64: Fan Control

    6. Fan Page - Fan Control This page lets you enable Smart Fan function or set the fan speed by manual. When Smart Fan is selected, you must use a 4-pin CPU cooler in your system. Go to Fan page Enable or disable smart fan function Set fan speed by...

  • Page 65: Fox Liveupdate

    FOX LiveUpdate FOX LiveUpdate is a useful utility to backup and update your system BIOS, drivers and utilities by local or online. Supporting Operating Systems : ■ Windows 2000 ■ Windows XP (32-bit and 64-bit) ■ Windows 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit) ■...
  • Page 66 1-2 local Update - backup This page can backup your system BIOS. You can click “Backup”, and key in a file name, then click “Save” to finish the backup operation. The extension of this backup file is ".BIN" for Award BIOS and ".ROM"...

  • Page 67: Online Update

    2. online Update 2-1 online Update - Update bIoS This page lets you update your system BIOS from Internet. Click “start”, it will search the new BIOS from Internet. Then follow the wizard to finish the update operation. Click here Current information Search new BIOS from Internet...
  • Page 68 Select the driver to update Browse detailed information Install the selected driver Close the window 2-3 online Update - Update Utility This page lets you update utilities from Internet. Click “start”, it will search the new utilities from Internet. Then follow the wizard to finish the update operation. Click here Current information Search new utilities...
  • Page 69 2-4 online Update - Update All This page lets you update your system drivers from Internet. Click “start”, it will search all new BIOS/drivers/utilities from Internet. Then follow the wizard to finish the update operation. Click here Current information Search all new BIOS/ drivers/utilities from Internet Browse detailed...

  • Page 70: Configure

    3. Configure 3-1 Configure - option This page lets you set auto search options. After you enable the auto search function, FOX LiveUpdate will start its searching from Internet and if any qualified item found, it will pop out a message on the task bar to inform you to do the next step.
  • Page 71 When you enable "Auto Search FOX LiveUpdate", if your FOX LiveUpdate version is older, it will auto search from internet and prompt you to install the new version. Prompt you to install the new FOX LiveUpdate 3-2 Configure - System This page lets you set the backup BIOS location and change different skin of the FOX LiveUpdate utility.

  • Page 72: About & Help

    3-3 Configure - Advance This page lets you select to flash BIOS / Boot Block and clear CMOS. If you choose Flash Boot Block, it means BIOS is not protective, and you must make sure the flash process is continuous and without any interruption.

  • Page 73: Fox Logo

    foX loGo FOX LOGO is a simple and useful utility to backup, change and delete the boot time Logo. The boot Logo is the image that appears on screen during POST (Power-On Self-Test). You can prepare a JPG image (1024x768) file, then use FOX LOGO to open it and change the boot time Logo.

  • Page 74: Fox Dmi

    foX DMI FOX DMI is a full Desktop Management Interface viewer, and it provides three DMI data formats : Report, Data Fields and Memory Dump. With DMI information, system maker can easily analyze and troubleshoot your mother- board if there is any problem occurred. Supporting Operating Systems : ■...
  • Page 75 This chapter will cover two topics : ■ Creating a Bootable Array - Installing a new Windows XP Creating a Bootable Array - Installing a new Windows XP Creating a Bootable Array - Installing a new Windows XP (or Vista) in a brand new RAID system. ■...

  • Page 76: Creating A Non-Bootable Array - Existing Windows Xp (Or Vista)

    Creating a Bootable Array - Installing a new Windows XP (or Vista) in a brand new RAID system. 1. Follow 5-1 to create a RAID driver diskette. 2. Follow 5-2 to set RAID enabled in BIOS. 3. Follow 5-3 to select a RAID array for use. 4.

  • Page 77: Raid Configuration Introduction

    RAID Configuration Introduction RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a method for computer data storage schemes that divide and/or replicate data among multiple hard drives. RAID can be designed to provide increased data reliability (fault tolerance) or increased I/O (input/ output) performance, or both.
  • Page 78 RAID 0 (Striped) RAID 0 reads and writes sectors of data interleaved among multiple drives. If any disk member fails, it affects the entire array. The disk array data capacity is equal to the number of drive members times the capacity of the smallest member. RAID 0 does not support fault tolerance.

  • Page 79: Fastbuild Driver

    FastBuild Driver The FastBuild driver supports RAID 0 ,RAID 1 and RAID10 functions. It allows you to get high performance with fault tolerance, big capacity, or data safety provided by different RAID functions. Here, we will use four SATA hard disks as an example to guide you through how to configure your RAID system.
  • Page 80 Two topics will be covered in the following sections : 1). Creating a Bootable Array - Installing a new Windows XP in a brand new RAID system. 2). Creating a Non-Bootable Array - Existing Windows XP system with new RAID built as data storage.

  • Page 81: Create A Raid Driver Diskette

    5-1 Create a RAID Driver Diskette If you want to install a brand new Windows XP on a RAID system, you need to create a RAID driver floppy diskette which will be used during Windows XP installation later. 1. Find a PC, put a diskette into its floppy drive A:, this diskette will be formatted later.
  • Page 82 6. Insert a diskette, click "OK" to continue. 7. You can input a volume label for this diskette, click on "Start" to format. 8. Click on "OK" to go through this warning message. 9. Format finished. Click "O�" to continue copying of RAID driver into this diskette.

  • Page 83: Raid Enable In Bios

    5-2 RAID enable in bIoS 1. Enter the BIOS setup by pressing <DEL> key when boot up. 2. Select the “Integrated Peripherals” from the “Main menu”, then select the “IDE Configuration” menu and press <Enter> to go to the configuration items. 3.

  • Page 84: Hard Disks

    Create RAID 0 (Striped) Here, we will show you how to create two RAID 0 Logical Drives (LD) by using two hard disks. 1. Select [2] from the main menu, "Define LD Menu" appears. FastBuild (tm) Utility (c) 2007 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 85 5. A message prompts. Fast Initialization Option has been selected Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. It will erase the MBR data of the disks, <Press Ctrl-Y Key if you are sure to erase it> <Pres any other key to ignore this option> 6.
  • Page 86 8. When LD2 is selected, press [Enter] to continue. FastBuild (tm) Utility (c) 2007 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No RAID Mode Total Drv Capacity(GB) Status LD 1 RAID 0 79.99 Functional LD 2...
  • Page 87 10. A message prompts. Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. FastBuild (tm) Utility (c) 2007 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No RAID Mode Total Drv LD 1 RAID 0 Stripe Block: 64 KB Fast Init:...

  • Page 88: Create Raid 1 (Mirrored)

    Create RAID 1 (Mirrored) Here, we will show you how to create one Mirrored Logical Drives (LD) by using two hard disks. 1. Select [2] from the main menu, "Define LD Menu" appears. FastBuild (tm) Utility (c) 2007 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 89 5. A message prompts. Fast Initialization Option has been selected Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. It will erase the MBR data of the disks, <Press Ctrl-Y Key if you are sure to erase it> <Pres any other key to ignore this option> 6.
  • Page 90 Create RAID 10 (Striped Mirror) Here, we will show you how to create one Striped Mirror Logical Drives (LD) by using four hard disks. 1. Select [2] from the main menu, "Define LD Menu" appears. FastBuild (tm) Utility (c) 2007 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 91 5. A message prompts. Fast Initialization Option has been selected Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. It will erase the MBR data of the disks, <Press Ctrl-Y Key if you are sure to erase it> <Pres any other key to ignore this option> 6.
  • Page 92 Create RAID Ready A "RAID Ready" system is a specific system configuration that, with the addition of a second Serial ATA hard drive, can be seamlessly migrated to a configuration that provides either improved storage performance or data protection from a single hard drive failure.
  • Page 93 5. A message prompts. Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. FastBuild (tm) Utility (c) 2007 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No RAID Mode Total Drv LD 1 RAID READY Stripe Block: Fast Init: Gigabyte Boundary:...
  • Page 94 Create JboD Here, we will show you how to create a JBOD Logical Drives (LD) by using four hard disks. 1. Select [2] from the main menu, "Define LD Menu" appears. FastBuild (tm) Utility (c) 2007 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 95 5. A message prompts. Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. FastBuild (tm) Utility (c) 2007 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No RAID Mode Total Drv LD 1 JBOD Stripe Block: 64 KB Fast Init: Gigabyte Boundary:...

  • Page 96: Install A New Windows Xp

    5-4 Install a New Windows XP Assume a Mirrored array (249.99GB) was created as introduced in section 5-3, after the system restarts : 1. Press <DEL> to enter BIOS Setup during POST. 2. Insert the Windows installation CD into the optical drive. 3.
  • Page 97 5. After some files are copied to your system, the following picture appears, press <S> to continue the specific driver installation. Windows Setup Setup could not determine the type of one or more mass storage devices installed in your system, or you have chosen to manually specify an adapter. Currently, Setup will load support for the following mass storage device(s): <none>...
  • Page 98 7. There are two drivers, for your 32-bit XP system, press [Enter] to select the first driver - "AMD AHCI Compatible RAID Controller-x86 platform". Windows Setup You have chosen to configure a SCSI Adapter for use with Windows, using a device support disk provided by an adapter manufacturer. Select the SCSI Adapter you want from the following list, or press ESC to return to the previous screen.
  • Page 99 9. Windows will display the partition of your system. As we are using a Mirrored RAID array as an example, its size 232.88GB is now displayed as 238410MB. You can press [C] to create partitions as many as you wish, assign them C:, D: or E: logical drive names.

  • Page 100: Setting Up A Non-Bootable Raid Array

    5-5 Setting Up a Non-Bootable RAID Array This section assumes the following setup : ■ Boot Disk with Windows XP installed : One hard disk HDS728090PLAT20 (80GB) is connected to the IDE channel, and set to Master. ■ A Mirrored RAID Array Disk : Two SATA hard disks are configured as a mirrored RAID1 array, they are : Hitachi HDT725025VLA3, (250.05GB) connected to SATA port2 of the motherboard.
  • Page 101 2. Select a RAID array for use (also can refer to section 5-3) After rebooting your computer, you will see the RAID software prompting you to press [Ctrl-F]. Press [Ctrl-F] to enter the FastBuild BIOS setup and configure the mirrored RAID array as described in the 5-3 section.
  • Page 102 5. After the AMD RAID driver is installed, it will ask you to click "Finish" to restart your computer. 6. When Windows starts, a message is prompting you to reboot again. Click "Yes" to restart your computer.
  • Page 103 7. After PC starts, the RAID array is now ready to be initialized under Windows. Launch Computer Management by clicking Start -> (Settings ->) Control Panel then open the Administrative Tools folder and double click on Computer Management. Click Disk Management (under the Storage section). The Initialize and Convert Disk Wizard appears.
  • Page 104 11. The Computer Management window appears. The actual disks listed will depend on your system. In below figure, you can see there is a 232.82 GB unallocated partition. You must format the unallocated disk space before using it. Right click "Unallocated space", select "New Partition…" and follow the Wizard instructions.
  • Page 105 17. The format of disk array (Disk1) is in processing. 18. Format completed, now you can start using your RAID array.

This manual is also suitable for:

A74mx-sA74mx series

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