Foxconn A7DA 3.0 Series User Manual
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Foxconn A7DA 3.0 Series User Manual

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A7DA 3.0 Series Motherboard
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  • Page 1 A7DA 3.0 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 A7DA-S 3.0/A7DA 3.0 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 Model Name: A7DA-S 3.0/A7DA 3.0 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 ...................20...
  • Page 7 About & Help ..................66 FOX LOGO .....................67 FOX DMI ....................68 FOX Energy Management Create New Power Plan ..............70 Delete Power Plan................71 Turbo Function .................72 Chapter 5 RAID Configuration RAID Configuration Introduction.............75 Option ROM Utility ..................77 Create a RAID Driver Diskette ...............79 RAID Enable in BIOS ................81 Select a RAID Array for Use ..............81 Install a New Windows XP ..............96...
  • Page 8 With advanced overclocking capability and a range of connectivity features for today multi-media computing requirements, A7DA- S 3.0/A7DA 3.0 enables you to unleash more power from your computer. This chapter includes the following information: ■...

  • Page 9: Product Specifications

    1-1 Product Specifications Support the AMD Phenom, AMD Athlon, AMD Sempron processor families, AM3 socket processors HyperTransport Up to 5200MT/s (HT3.0) for AM3 CPU Chipset North Bridge: RS780D South Bridge: SB750 Memory 4 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets Support up to 8GB of system memory Dual channel DDR3 1333/1066/800 MHz architecture Audio Realtek 8-channel audio chip...
  • Page 10 1 x AUX Power connector Back Panel 1 x PS/2 port Connectors 1 x Optical S/PDIF_OUT port 1 x VGA port 1 x HDMI port 1 x DVI-D port 6 x USB 2.0 ports 1 x RJ-45 LAN port 1 x 1394a port ( only for A7DA-S 3.0) 8-channel Audio ports Hardware Monitor System voltage detection...

  • Page 11: Layout

    1-2 layout 15. Front Panel Connector NB_FAN Header 16. SATA Connectors 2. AUX Power Connector 17. Clear CMOS Button 3. PCI Express x16 Slots 18. COM1 Connector 4. PCI Express x1 Slots 19. Chassis Intrusion Alarm Header 5. PCI Slots 20.

  • Page 12: Back Panel Connectors

    1-3 back Panel Connectors PS/2 Port VGA Port Optical S/PDIF LAN Port Out Port Line Out 1394a Port Line In Rear Speaker Subwoofer Side Speaker Microphone USB Ports DVI-D Port HDMI Port USB Ports Audio Ports 1. PS/2 Port Use the PS/2 port (purple) to connect a PS/2 keyboard or mouse. 2.
  • Page 13 9. Audio Ports For the definition of each audio port, please refer to the table below : Port 2-channel 4-channel 5.1-channel 7.1-channel Blue Line In Line In Line In Line In Green Line Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Pink Microphone In...
  • 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 DDR3 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 Connect a 4-pin power plug We recommend you using an 8-pin ATX 12V power supply. If you are using a 4-pin power supply, you need to align the ATX power connector according to the picture on the right. Exclusive Graphics power Connector : +12V PWR3 This connector is an auxiliary power for graphics card.
  • Page 22 front Panel Connector : fP1 This motherboard includes one connector for connecting the front panel switch and LED Indicators. Hard Disk leD Connector (HDD-leD) HDD-LED PWR-LED Connect to the chassis front panel IDE indicator LED. It RESET-SW PWR-SW indicates the active status of the hard disks. This 2-pin EMPTY connector is directional with +/- sign.
  • Page 23 Audio Connector : f_AUDIo CD_L GND CD_R The audio connector supports HD Audio standard. It provides the Front Audio output choice. CD_IN Audio Connector : CD_IN PORT1_L AUD_GND CD_IN is a Sony standard audio connector, it can be PORT1_R PRESENCE_J connected to a CD/DVD-ROM drive through a CD/DVD PORT2_R SENSE1_RETURN...

  • 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: Onboard Button

    2-6 onboard button Power on button: PoWeR_oN Push the power on button to power on the system. Reset button: ReSeT Push the reset button to reboot the system. POWER_ON RESET...
  • Page 26 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 27: 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 28 ► Integrated Peripherals All onboard peripherals can be set up through this menu. There are IDE devices, Super I/O devices such as Serial I/O and other USB devices... etc. ► BIOS Security Features The Supervisor/User password can be set up through this menu to prevent unauthorized use of your computer.

  • Page 29: System Information

    System Information This sub-menu is used to set up the standard BIOS features, such as the date, time, floppy drive and so on. Use the arrow up/down keys to select an item, then use the <+> or <-> keys to change the setting.
  • Page 30 It can be [360KB, 5 "], [1.2MB, 5 "], [720KB, 3 "], [1.44MB, 3 "], [2.88 MB, 3 "] and [Disabled]. ► Halt On This category determines whether or not the computer will stop if an error is detected during powering up.

  • Page 31: Green System Mode

    Green System Mode CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2005, American Megatrends, Inc. Green System Mode System Mode [Normal System] Help Item [Normal System] ACPI Suspend Type [S3(STR)] Power On after Power Fail [Power Off] System Mode Select: Resume by LAN [Enabled] Normal System/ Resume by PCI Card...
  • Page 32 ► System Mode This item allows you to select a power-saving function for your system, setting values are: [Normal System] and [Green System]. When you select [Green System], then your PC will enter energy saving mode. In this mode, the system does not support S3 state. CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2005, American Megatrends, Inc.
  • Page 33 The CPU/System temperature are automatically detected and displayed by the system. ► CPU Fan/System Fan Speed The CPU fan/System fan speed are automatically detected and displayed by the system. ► CPU Core/DRAM Voltage/NB Core Voltage/+ 3.3V/+5.0V/+12.0V The current voltages are automatically detected and displayed by the system. ►...

  • Page 34: Advanced Bios Features

    Advanced BIOS Features CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Advanced BIOS Features IDE Detect Time Out Help Item MPS Revision [1.1] PCI Latency Timer [64] Select the time out Quiet Boot [Enabled] value for detecting Quick Boot [Enabled] ATA/ATAPI device(s) Bootup Num-Lock...
  • Page 35 [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 36: Fox Central Control Unit

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

  • Page 37: Smart Bios

    Smart bIoS CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Smart BIOS [Enabled] Smart Power LED [Enabled] Help Item Smart Boot Menu [Enabled] Options Current CPU Speed : 2800MHz Current NB Speed : 2000MHz Current FSB/HTT Speed : 200MHz Current FSB Multiplier : 14x Disabled...

  • Page 38: Fox Intelligent Stepping

    Fox Intelligent Stepping CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Fox Intelligent Stepping CPU Clock [200] Help Item Memory Speed Mode [Auto] GFX Engine Clock Override [Disabled] PCI Express Clock [100] CPU Multiplier Adjust [Auto] Spread Spectrum [Enabled] CPU-NB HT Link Speed [Auto]...
  • Page 39 If you enabled this function, it can significantly reduce the EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) generated by the system, so to comply with FCC regulation. But if overclocking is activated, you had better disable it. ► CPU-NB HT Link Speed HT stands for HyperTransport bus. The CPU<->NB HT Speed option controls the physical speed of the CPU to Northbridge HT link using multipliers ranging 1x to 13x.
  • Page 40 Voltage Options CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Voltage Options CPU Voltage Control [Disabled] Help Item [Disabled] Memory Voltage Control [Disabled] Options NB Voltage Control [Disabled] HT/SB Voltage Control [Disabled] Disabled +25mV +50mV +75mV +100mV +125mV +150mV +175mV +200mV...

  • Page 41: Cpu Configuration

    CPU Configuration CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc. CPU Configuration CPU Configuration Help Item AGESA Version : 6.0.9.0 Physical Count : 1 Enable/disable the Logical Count : 3 generation of ACPI _PPC, _PSS, and _PCT objects. AMD AMD Engineer Sample Cache L1 : 384KB Cache L2 : 1536KB...

  • Page 42: Advanced Chipset Features

    Advanced Chipset Features CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc. Advanced Chipset Features Northbridge Chipset Configuration Help Item ► Memory Configuration [Press Enter] [Press Enter] ► DRAM Timing Configuration [Press Enter] CAS Latency :6 ClK , N/A RAS/CAS Delay :6 ClK , N/A Row Precharge Time...
  • Page 43 within the BIOS. [UMA+SIDEPORT]-The SidePort is a 32-bit DDR memory interface that the integrated graph- ics can use either instead of or alongside the Athlon 64’s memory controller. In this mode, the integrated graphics cores will request data from both the UMA space and SidePort memory. ►...

  • Page 44: Memory Configuration

    Memory Configuration CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Memory Configuration Memory Configuration Help Item [Always] DCT Unganged Mode Enable memory Power Down Enable [Enabled] remapping around Power Down Mode [Channel] memory hole ↑↓←→:Move Enter:Select +/-/:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help F9:Optimized Defaults...

  • Page 45: Integrated Peripherals

    ► IDE Configuration / USB Configuration / SuperIO Configuration Press <Enter> to go to relative submenu. ► OnBoard 1394 Controller (only appears in A7DA 3.0-S) This item is used to enable or disable the onboard 1394 controller. ► OnBoard LAN This item is used to enable or disable the onboard LAN controller.

  • Page 46: Ide Configuration

    IDE Configuration CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc. IDE Configuration IDE Configuration Help Item OnBoard PCI IDE Controller [Enabled] [Enabled] Disabled: Disable the OnChip SATA Channel [Enabled] I IDE controller. OnChip SATA Type [Native IDE] Enabled: Enable the SATA IDE Combined Mode [Enabled] IDE controller.

  • Page 47: Usb Configuration

    USB Configuration CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc. USB Configuration USB Configuration Help Item Module Version - 2.24.3-13.4 Enables support for legacy USB. USB Devices Enabled : Auto option disables None legacy support if no USB devices are Legacy USB Support [Enabled] connected.

  • Page 48: Superio Configuration

    SuperIO Configuration CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc. SuperIO Configuration SuperIO Configuration Help Item OnBoard Floppy Controller [Enabled] [Enabled] Allows BIOS to Enable Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4] or disable floppy Serial Port2 Address [2F8/IRQ3] controller. Serial Port2 Mode [IrDA] Serial Port2 Duplex Mode [Half Duplex]...

  • Page 49: Bios Security Features

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

  • Page 50: Load Optimal Defaults

    load optimal Defaults Optimal defaults are the best settings of this motherboard. Always load Load Optimal Defaults? the Optimal defaults after updating the BIOS or after clearing the CMOS values. [OK] [OK] [Cancel] Select this option and press Enter, it will pop out a dialogue box to let you load the defaults.
  • Page 51 The utility CD that came with the motherboard contains useful software and several utility drivers that enhance the mother- board features. This chapter includes the following information: ■ Utility CD content ■ Install driver and utility ■ FOX ONE ■ FOX LiveUpdate ■...

  • Page 52: 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 53: Install Driver And Utility

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

  • Page 54: 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 55: 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 56 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 57 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 be displayed on Simple Mode screen. Minimum value is 1 second. 2). Simple Mode : To select which message of system settings are to be displayed in the Simple Mode.
  • Page 58 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 59: 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 60 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 61: 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 62: 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 63 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 64: 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 65: 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 66: 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 67 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 68: 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 69 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 70 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 71: 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 72 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 73: 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 74: 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 75: 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 76: Fox Energy Management

    FOX Energy Management FOX Energy Management is a windows application which can help managing your CPU and System power more easily. When this utility is running, you can see the current power management settings. At the same time, you also can establish a new power management setting for the system. FOX Energy Management features Turbo function.

  • Page 77: Create New Power Plan

    1. Create New Power Plan When you click "+" button, a menu will show below. Key in a new power plan name, then select the parameters of "CPU Control", "Turn off display", "Turn off hard disks". In this example, we name it as "Power Plan 1", remain the default values, then click "next"...

  • Page 78: Delete Power Plan

    2. Delete Power Plan After you create a power plan, the "Delete Power Plan" button is becoming active. You can delete the power plan through this function. Delete Power Plan Button Click on "Delete Power Plan" button, a message appears asking you to confirm the deletion, select "Yes"...

  • Page 79: Turbo Function

    3. Turbo function Turbo Function is disabled in default status. You can enable the feature by clicking "Turbo Fuc- tion" button. Turbo Function button Click “Turbo Function“ button, the very first time you click the button, a message pops out to tell you the system will be overclocking by itself, click "OK"...
  • Page 80 This chapter will cover two topics : ■ Creating a Bootable Array - Installing a new Windows XP (or Vista) in a brand new RAID system. ■ Creating a Non-Bootable Array - Existing Windows XP (or Vista) system with new RAID built as data storage. It includes the following information : ■...

  • Page 81: 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 82: 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 83 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 84: Option Rom Utility

    option RoM Utility The Option ROM Utility supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID5 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 85 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 86: 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 87 6. You can input a volume label for this diskette, click on "Start" to format. 7. Click on "OK" to go through this warning message. 8. Format finished. Click "OK" to continue copying of RAID driver into this diskette. 9. Check if the diskette contains the driver files.

  • Page 88: 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 89: 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. Option ROM Utility (c) 2008 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 90 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> <Press any other key to ignore this option> 6.
  • Page 91 8. When LD2 is selected, press [Enter] to continue. Option ROM Utility (c) 2008 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 92 10. A message prompts. Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. Option ROM Utility (c) 2008 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No RAID Mode Total Drv LD 2 RAID 0 Stripe Block: 64 KB Fast Init:...
  • Page 93 Create RAID 1 (Mirror) 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. Option ROM Utility (c) 2008 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 94 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> <Press any other key to ignore this option> 6.
  • Page 95 Create RAID 5 (Parity) Here, we will show you how to create one Mirrored Logical Drives (LD) by using three hard disks. 1. Select [2] from the main menu, "Define LD Menu" appears. Option ROM Utility (c) 2008 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 96 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> <Press any other key to ignore this option> 6.
  • Page 97 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. Option ROM Utility (c) 2008 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 98 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> <Press any other key to ignore this option> 6.
  • Page 99 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 100 5. A message prompts. Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. Option ROM Utility (c) 2008 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 101 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. Option ROM Utility (c) 2008 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 102 5. A message prompts. Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. Option ROM Utility (c) 2008 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 103: 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 104 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 105 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 106 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 107: 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 108 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 Option ROM Utility and configure the mirrored RAID array as described in the 5-3 section.
  • Page 109 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 110 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 111 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 112 17. The format of disk array (Disk1) is in processing. 18. Format completed, now you can start using your RAID array.

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