Foxconn A85GM Series User Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Foxconn Manuals
  4. Motherboard
  5. A85GM Series
  6. User manual
Foxconn A85GM Series User Manual

Foxconn A85GM Series User Manual

English manual.
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

A85GM Series Motherboard
User's Manual

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the A85GM Series and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for Foxconn A85GM Series

Summary of Contents for Foxconn A85GM Series

  • Page 1 A85GM 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 A85GM 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 A85GM 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 About & Help ..................64 FOX LOGO .....................65 FOX DMI ....................66 Chapter 5 RAID Configuration RAID Configuration Introduction.............69 Option ROM Utility ..................71 Create a RAID Driver Diskette ...............73 RAID Enable in BIOS ................75 Select a RAID Array for Use ..............75 Install a New Windows XP ..............88 Setting Up a Non-Bootable RAID Array..........92 Technical Support : Support...
  • Page 8 A85GM Thank you for buying Foxconn Series motherboard. Foxconn products are engineered to maximize computing power, providing only what you need for break-through performance. With advanced overclocking capability and a range of connectivity A85GM features for today multi-media computing requirements, enables you to unleash more power from your computer.

  • Page 9: Product Specifications

    1-1 Product Specifications Support the AMD PhenomII, Phenom, AMD Athlon II, Athlon, AMD Sempron processor families, AM2/AM2+/AM3 socket processors HyperTransport Up to 5200MT/s (HT3.0) Chipset North Bridge: AMD 785G South Bridge: AMD SB750 Memory 4 x 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets Support up to 8GB of system memory Dual channel DDR2 1066/800/667MHz architecture Integrated Graphics...
  • Page 10 1 x Front Audio connector 1 x IrDA connector 1 x Chassis intrusion alarm header (INTR) 1 x Speaker connector 1 x COM1 connector Back Panel 1 x PS/2 Mouse port Connectors 1 x PS/2 Keyboard port 1 x VGA port 1 x HDMI port 1 x DVI-D port 6 x USB 2.0 ports...

  • Page 11: Layout

    1-2 layout 4-pin ATX 12V Power Connector 14. System Fan Header 2. PCI Express x1 Slot 15. COM1 Connector 3. PCI Express x16 Slot 16. ESATA Connector 4. PCI Slots 17. IDE Connector 5. Front Audio Connector 18. 24-pin ATX Power Connector 6.

  • Page 12: Back Panel Connectors

    1-3 back Panel Connectors PS/2 Mouse Port VGA Port LAN Port Line Out Line In Rear Speaker Subwoofer Side Speaker Microphone PS/2 Keyboard Port DVI-D Port HDMI Port USB Ports Audio Ports 1. PS/2 Mouse Port Use the upper port (green) to connect a PS/2 mouse. 2.
  • Page 13 8. 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 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 HDD-LED PWR-LED the front panel switch and LED Indicators. RESET-SW PWR-SW EMPTY Hard Disk leD Connector (HDD-leD) Connect to the chassis front panel IDE indicator LED. It indicates the active status of the hard disks. This 2-pin connector is directional with +/- sign.
  • Page 22 CoM Connector : CoM1 This motherboard supports one serial RS232 COM port for RLSD legacy compatibility. User must purchase another RS232 SOUT cable with a 9-pin D-sub connector at one end to connect with the external RS232 device and another end with 10- pin female connector to connect with COM1 connector in EMPTY the motherboard.
  • Page 23 Audio Connector : f_AUDIo The audio connector supports HD Audio standard. PORT1_L AUD_GND PORT1_R It provides the Front Audio output choice. PRESENCE_J PORT2_R SENSE1_RETURN SENSE_SEND EMPTY SENSE2_RETURN PORT2_L F_AUDIO CD_L GND CD_R Audio Connector : CD_IN CD_IN is a Sony standard audio connector, it can be CD_IN connected to a CD/DVD-ROM drive through a CD/DVD audio cable.

  • 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

    Floppy A [1.44 MB 3 Halt On [All Errors, But ...] Keyboard [Disabled] Mouse [Disabled] Floppy [Disabled] Model Name : A85GM BIOS ID :933F1D06 ↑↓←→:Move Enter:Select +/-/:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help F9:Optimized Defaults ► Date (mm:dd:yy) <weekday><month><date> <year> format. Day—weekday from Sun. to Sat., this message is automatically displayed by BIOS (Read Only).
  • Page 29 halt condition can be enabled/disabled in the next three settings. ► Keyboard The system boot will not stop for a keyboard error if you enabled this item. ► Mouse The system boot will not stop for a mouse error if you enabled this item. ►...

  • 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 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 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 Super BIOS Protect [Disabled] Help Item [Disabled] Auto Detect PCI Clock [Disabled] Options ► Smart BIOS [Press Enter] ► Fox Intelligent Stepping [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 System 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 Stop Blinking Condition...
  • Page 34 contains important information about the module’s speed, size, addressing mode and various other parameters, so that the motherboard memory controller (chipset) can better access the memory device. Select [Auto] for SPD enable mode.Select [Limit], the DRAM speed will not exceed the specified value listed in the “Memory Speed Adjust” item. If SPD value is faster than “Memory Speed Adjust”...

  • Page 35: Cpu Voltage Control

    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 36 This menu shows most of the CPU specifications. ► Cool ’N’ Quiet This option helps lowering down the CPU frequency and voltage when system is idling. When the CPU speed is slowing down, the temperature will drop as well. ► C1E Support C1E represents Enhanced HALT State.

  • Page 37: Advanced Chipset Features

    Advanced Chipset Features CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Advanced Chipset Features Northbridge Chipset Configuration Help Item ► Memory Configuration [Press Enter] [Press Enter] ► DRAM Timing Configuration [Press Enter] CAS Latency :5.0 RAS/CAS Delay :5 CLK Row Precharge Time :5 CLK Min Active RAS...

  • Page 38: Memory Configuration

    concept, wherein a static amount of page-locked graphics memory is allocated during driver initialization. This fixed amount of memory will provide the user with a guaranteed graphics memory at all times, and will no longer be available to the OS. ►...

  • Page 39: Dram Timing Configuration

    ■ DCT channels A and B can be ganged as a single logical 128-bit DIMM. ■ Offers highest DDR2 bandwidth. ■ Requires both DIMMs in a logical pair to have identical size and timing parameters, both DCTs programmed identically. Unganged channels ■...
  • Page 40 This item allows you to select the row precharge time (in clock cycles). ► tRTP (Internal Read to Precharge Command Delay) Internal READ Command to PRECHARGE Command delay. ► TRAS (Active-to-Precharge Delay) This item allows you to set the minimum RAS# active time (in clock cycles). ►...

  • Page 41: Integrated Peripherals

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

  • Page 42: Usb Configuration

    [Disabled]: Disable the integrated IDE controller. [Enabled]: Enable both IDE controllers. ► OnChip SATA Channel [Disabled] : Disable SATA ports 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ESATA. [Enabled] : Enable SATA ports 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ESATA. ► OnChip SATA Type This item is used to set the operating mode of your SATA ports.

  • Page 43: Superio Configuration

    This item is used to set the transmission rate mode of USB 2.0. This function only works under DOS mode. The available settings are: [High Speed] in 480Mbps; [Full Speed] in 12Mbps. SuperIO Configuration CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. SuperIO Configuration SuperIO Configuration Help Item...

  • Page 44: Trusted Computing

    Trusted Computing CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. 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 ► TCG/TPM SUPPORT Trusted Computing Group (TCG) members develop and promote open, vendor-neutral, industry standard specifications for trusted computing building blocks and software interfaces across multiple platforms...

  • Page 45: Power Management Setup

    Power Management Setup CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Power Management Setup ACPI Suspend Type [S3 (STR)] Help Item [S3 (STR)] PWRON After PWR- Fail [Power Off] HPET Support [Enabled] Select the ACPI Resume by LAN [Disabled] State used for Resume by PCI Card...
  • Page 46 This item is used to set which state the PC will take with when it resumes after an AC power loss. ► HPET Support HPET stands for High Precision Even Timer. If you have the HPET disabled, then windows does not have access to it and therefore falls back to less accurate timing methods. This item is used to enable or disable the HPET Suppport.

  • Page 47: Pc Health Status

    PC Health Status CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. PC Health Status Warning Temperature [Disabled] Help Item [Disabled] Shut Down Temperature [Disabled] Options Case Open Warning [Disabled] CPU Temperature C/120 System Temperature C/105 Disabled CPU Fan Speed :2242 RPM C/122 System Fan1 Speed...

  • Page 48: Bios Security Features

    bIoS Security features CMOS Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. BIOS Security Features Security Settings Help Item Supervisor Password : Not Installed Install or change the User Password : Not Installed password. [Press Enter] Change Supervisor Password [Press Enter] ↑↓←→:Move Enter:Select +/-/:Value...
  • Page 49 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 Introduction ■ Install driver and utility ■ FOX ONE ■ FOX LiveUpdate ■...

  • Page 50: Utility Cd Introduction

    Utility CD Introduction This motherboard comes with one DVD. You can simply put it into your 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 51: Install Driver And Utility

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

  • Page 52: 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 53: 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 54 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 55 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 56 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 57: 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 58 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 59: 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 60: 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 61 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 62: 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 63: 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 64: 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 XP (32-bit and 64-bit) ■ Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit) Using FOX LiveUpdate : 1.
  • Page 65 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 66: 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 67 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 68 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 69: 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 70 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 71: 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 72: 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 73: 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 74: Chapter 5 Raid Configuration

    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 75: 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 76: 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 77 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 78: Option Rom Utility

    option RoM Utility The Option ROM Utility 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 79 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 80: 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 81 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 82: 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 “SATA Configuration” menu and press <Enter> to go to the configuration items. 3.

  • Page 83: 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) 2009 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 84 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 85 8. When LD2 is selected, press [Enter] to continue. Option ROM Utility (c) 2009 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 86 10. A message prompts. Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. Option ROM Utility (c) 2009 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 87 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) 2009 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 88 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 89 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) 2009 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 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 92 5. A message prompts. Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. Option ROM Utility (c) 2009 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 93 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) 2009 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [ Define LD Menu ] [ Define LD Menu ] LD No...
  • Page 94 5. A message prompts. Press [Ctrl-Y] to erase the RAID array. Option ROM Utility (c) 2009 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 95: 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 96 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 97 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 98 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 99: 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 100 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 101 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 102 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 103 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 104 17. The format of disk array (Disk1) is in processing. 18. Format completed, now you can start using your RAID array.

Table of Contents