This user’s manual contains all the information you may
need for settin
manual of PDF format (readable by Adobe Reader), place
the “Driver & Utility CD” into the CD-ROM drive in your
system. The auto-run screen will appear, click the
“Manual” tab to enter its submenu. If not, browse the
root directory of the CD-ROM via the File Mana
double click the “AUTORUN” file.
up this motherboard. To read the user’s
er, and
Intel 965 / ICH8R (AB9 Pro)
1066MHz FSB
Dual DDR2 800
Dual GbE LAN (AB9 Pro)
IEEE 1394
10x SATA 3Gb/s (AB9 Pro)
HD 7.1
Silent OTES™ Technology
uGuru™ Technology
AB9 Pro, AB9
User’s Manual
English, 2
August, 2006
nd
Edition
Copyright and Warranty Notice
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on part of the vendor, who assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors that may
appear in this manual.
No warranty or representation, either expressed or implied, is made with respect to the quality,
accuracy or fitness for any particular part of this document. In no event shall the manufacturer be
liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising from any defect or
error in this manual or product.
Product names appearing in this manual are for identification purpose only and trademarks and
product names or brand names appearing in this document are the property of their respective
owners.
This document contains materials protected under International Copyright Laws. All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be reproduced, transmitted or transcribed without the expressed written
permission of the manufacturer and authors of this manual.
If you do not properly set the motherboard settings, causing the motherboard to malfunction or fail,
we cannot guarantee any responsibility.
• 6x SATA 3Gb/s offered by Intel ICH8R supports Intel Matrix Storage Tech (AHCI &
RAID 0/1/5/10) (AB9 Pro)
• 4x SATA 3Gb/s offered by Intel ICH8 (AB9)
• 2x SATA 3Gb/s offered by JMicron JMB363 supports up to 0, 1, JBOD RAID function
• 2x SATA 3Gb/s offered by Silicon Image 3132 (AB9 Pro)
ABIT Engineered
• ABIT SoftMenu™ Technology
• ABIT uGuru
ABIT Silent OTES™ Technology
•
™
Technology
RoHS Compliancy
• 100% Lead-free process and RoHS compliancy
Miscellaneous
• ATX form factor (305mm x 245mm)
※ Specifications and information contained herein are subject to change without
notice.
1-2 AB9 Pro, AB9
1.2 Motherboard Layout
Introduction
1.2.1 AB9 Pro
AB9 Pro, AB9 1-3
1.2.2 AB9
1-4 AB9 Pro, AB9
2. Hardware Setup
In this chapter we will elaborate all the information you need upon installing this motherboard
to your computer system.
※ Always power off the computer and unplug the AC power cord before adding or
removing any peripheral or component. Failing to so may cause severe damage
to your motherboard and/or peripherals. Plug in the AC power cord only after
you have carefully checked everything.
2.1 Choosing a Computer Chassis
• This motherboard carries an ATX form factor of 305 x 245 mm. Choose a chassis big
enough to install this motherboard.
• As some features for this motherboard are implemented by cabling connectors on the
motherboard to indicators and switches or buttons on the chassis, make sure your chassis
supports all the features required.
• If there is possibility of adopting some more hard drives, make sure your chassis has
sufficient power and space for them.
• Most chassis have alternatives for I/O shield located at the rear panel. Make sure the I/O
shield of the chassis matches the I/O port configuration of this motherboard. You can find
an I/O shield specifically designed for this motherboard in its package.
2.2 Installing Motherboard
Hardware Setup
Most computer chassis have a base with
many mounting holes to allow the
motherboard to be securely attached, and at
the same time, prevent the system from
short circuits. There are two ways to attach
the motherboard to the chassis base:
1. With studs,
2. Or with spacers
In principle, the best way to attach the board
is with use studs. Only if you are unable to
do this should you attach the board with
spacers. Line up the holes on the board with the mounting holes on the chassis. If the holes
line up and there are screw holes, you can attach the board with studs. If the holes line up and
there are only slots, you can only attach with spacers. Take the tip of the spacers and insert
them into the slots. After doing this to all the slots, you can slide the board into position aligned
with slots. After the board has been positioned, check to make sure everything is OK before
putting the chassis back on.
AB9 Pro, AB9 2-1
r
To install this motherboard:
1. Locate all the screw holes on
the motherboard and the
chassis base.
2. Place all the studs or spacers
needed on the chassis base
and have them tightened.
3. Face the motherboard’s I/O
ports toward the chassis’s rear
panel.
4. Line up all the motherboard’s
screw holes with those studs o
spacers on the chassis.
5. Install the motherboard with
screws and have them
tightened.
※ To prevent shorting the PCB circuit, please REMOVE the metal studs or spacers if
they are already fastened on the chassis base and are without mounting-holes
on the motherboard to align with.
Face the chassis’s rear panel.
2.3 Checking Jumper Settings
For a 2-pin jumper, plug the jumper cap on both pins will make it CLOSE (SHORT). Remove the
jumper cap, or plug it on either pin (reserved for future use) will leave it at OPEN position.
SHORT OPEN OPEN
For 3-pin jumper, pin 1~2 or pin 2~3 can be shorted by plugging the jumper cap in.
Pin 1~2 SHORT Pin 2~3 SHORT
2-2 AB9 Pro, AB9
2.3.1 CMOS Memory Clearing Header and Backup Battery
The time to clear the CMOS memory occurs when (a) the CMOS data becomes corrupted, (b)
you forgot the supervisor or user password preset in the BIOS menu, (c) you are unable to
boot-up the system because the CPU ratio/clock was incorrectly set in the BIOS menu, or (d)
whenever there is modification on the CPU or memory modules.
This header uses a jumper cap to clear the CMOS memory and have it reconfigured to the
default values stored in BIOS.
• Pins 1 and 2 shorted (Default): Normal operation.
• Pins 2 and 3 shorted: Clear CMOS memory.
To clear the CMOS memory and load in the default values:
1. Power off the system.
2. Set pin 2 and pin 3 shorted by the jumper cap. Wait for a few seconds. Set the jumper cap
back to its default settings --- pin 1 and pin 2 shorted.
3. Power on the system.
4. For incorrect CPU ratio/clock settings in the BIOS, press <Del> key to enter the BIOS setup
menu right after powering on system.
5. Set the CPU operating speed back to its default or an appropriate value.
6. Save and exit the BIOS setup menu.
Hardware Setup
AB9 Pro, AB9 2-3
CMOS Backup Battery:
An onboard battery saves the CMOS memory to keep the BIOS information stays on even after
disconnected your system with power source. Nevertheless, this backup battery exhausts after
some five years. Once the error message like “CMOS BATTERY HAS FAILED” or “CMOS checksum error” displays on monitor, this backup battery is no longer functional and has to
be renewed.
To renew the backup battery:
1. Power off the system and disconnect with AC power source.
2. Remove the exhausted battery.
3. Insert a new CR2032 or equivalent battery. Pay attention to its polarity. The “+” side is its
positive polarity.
4. Connect AC power source and power on the system.
5. Enter the BIOS setup menu. Reconfigure the setup parameters if necessary.
CAUTION:
※ Danger of explosion may arise if the battery is incorrectly renewed.
※ Renew only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the battery
manufacturer.
※ Dispose of used batteries according to the battery manufacturer’s instructions.
2-4 AB9 Pro, AB9
2.3.2 Wake-up Header
These headers use a jumper cap to enable/disable the wake-up function.
• USB-PWR1:
Pin 1-2 shorted (Default): Disable wake-up function support at USB1 port.
Pin 2-3 shorted: Enable wake-up function support at USB1 port.
• USB-PWR2:
Pin 1-2 shorted (Default): Disable wake-up function support at USB2 port.
Pin 2-3 shorted: Enable wake-up function support at USB2 port
Hardware Setup
AB9 Pro, AB9 2-5
2.4 Connecting Chassis Components
2.4.1 ATX Power Connectors
These connectors provide the connection from an ATX power supply. As the plugs from the
power supply fit in only one orientation, find the correct one and push firmly down into these
connectors.
ATX 24-Pin Power Connector:
The power supply with 20-pin or 24-pin cables can both be connected to this 24-pin connector.
Connect from pin-1 for either type. However, a 20-pin power supply may cause the system
unstable or even unbootable for the sake of insufficient electricity. A minimum power of 300W
or higher is recommended.
ATX 12V 4-Pin Power Connector:
This connector supplies power to CPU. The system will not start without connecting power to
this one.
Auxiliary 12V Power Connector:
This connector provides an auxiliary power source for devices added on PCI
Express slots.
2-6 AB9 Pro, AB9
2.4.2 Front Panel Switches & Indicators Headers
This header is used for connecting switches and LED indicators on the chassis front panel.
Watch the power LED pin position and orientation. The mark “+” align to the pin in the figure
below stands for positive polarity for the LED connection. Please pay attention when connecting
these headers. A wrong orientation will only cause the LED not lighting, but a wrong connection
of the switches could cause system malfunction.
• HLED (Pin 1, 3):
Connects to the HDD LED cable of chassis front panel.
• RST (Pin 5, 7):
Connects to the Reset Switch cable of chassis front panel.
• SPKR (Pin 13, 15, 17, 19):
Connects to the System Speaker cable of chassis.
• SLED (Pin 2, 4):
Connects to the Suspend LED cable (if there is one) of chassis front panel.
• PWR (Pin 6, 8):
Connects to the Power Switch cable of chassis front panel.
• PLED (Pin 16, 18, 20):
Connects to the Power LED cable of chassis front panel.
Hardware Setup
AB9 Pro, AB9 2-7
2.4.3 FAN Power Connectors
These connectors each provide power to the cooling fans installed in your system.
• CPUFAN1: CPU Fan Power Connector
• NBFAN1: Chipset Fan Power Connector
• SYSFAN1: System Fan Power Connector
• AUXFAN1~3: Auxiliary Fan Power Connector
※ These fan connectors are not jumpers. DO NOT place jumper caps on these
connectors.
2-8 AB9 Pro, AB9
2.5 Installing Hardware
※ DO NOT scratch the motherboard when installing hardware. An accidentally
scratch of a tiny surface-mount component may seriously damage the
motherboard.
※ In order to protect the contact pins, please pay attention to these notices:
1. A maximum 20 cycles of CPU installation is recommended.
2. Never touch the contact pins with fingers or any object.
3. Always put on the cap when the CPU is not in use.
2.5.1 CPU Socket 775
1. Place the board so as to let the
lever-hook of the socket is on your left
side. Use your left thumb and forefinger
to hold the lever hook, pull it away from
the retention tab. Rotate the lever to
fully open position.
2. Use your right thumb on the
bottom-right side of the load plate and
lift it up to fully open position.
Hardware Setup
3. Use your right thumb and forefinger to
grasp the CPU package. Be sure to
grasp on the edge of the substrate, and
face the Pin-1 indicator toward the
bottom-left side. Aim at the socket and
place the CPU package vertical down
into the socket.
AB9 Pro, AB9 2-9
4. Visually inspect if the CPU is seated well
into the socket. The alignment key must
be located in the notch of package.
5. Use your left hand to hold the load
plate, and use your right thumb to peel
the cap off.
※ The cap plays an important role in
protecting contact pins. In order to
prevent bent pin, PUT ON the cap
after operation or testing.
6. Lower the plate onto the CPU package.
Engage the load lever while gently
pressing down the load plate.
7. Secure the lever with the hook under
retention tab.
2-10 AB9 Pro, AB9
8. Place the heatsink and fan assembly
onto the socket. Align the four fasteners
toward the four mounting holes on the
motherboard.
9. Press each of the four fasteners down
into the mounting holes. Rotate the
fastener clock-wise to lock the heatsink
and fan assembly into position.
10. Attach the four-pin power plug from the
heatsink and fan assembly to the CPU
FAN connector.
Hardware Setup
※ The installation procedures vary with different types of CPU fan-and-heatsink
assembly. The one shown here is served for demo only. For detailed information
on how to install the one you bought, refer to its installation guidelines.
※ A higher fan speed will be helpful for better airflow and heat-dissipation.
Nevertheless, stay alert to touch any heatsink since the high temperature
generated by the working system is still possible.
AB9 Pro, AB9 2-11
2.5.2 DDR2 Memory Slots
This motherboard provides four 240-pin DIMM slots for Dual Channel DDR2 800/667/533
memory modules with memory expansion size up to 8GB.
• To reach the optimum performance in dual-channel configurations, install identical DDR2
DIMM pairs for each channel.
• Install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. To reach the optimum compatibility, obtain
memory modules from the same vendor.
• Due to chipset resource allocation, the system may detect less than 4GB of system memory
in the installation of four 1GB DDR2 memory modules.
※ Usually there is no hardware or BIOS setup requiredafter adding or removing
memory modules, but you will have to clear the CMOS memory first if any
memory module related problem occurs.
There are several methods of different DDR2 configurations depending on how the DIMMs are
populated on each system memory channel:
• [Single Channel]: only one channel is populated.
1. Power off the computer and unplug the AC power cord before installing or removing
memory modules.
2. Locate the DIMM slot on the board.
3. Hold two edges of the DIMM module
carefully, keep away from touching its
connectors.
4. Align the notch key on the module with
the rib on the slot.
5. Firmly press the module into the slots
until the ejector tabs at both sides of the
slot automatically snap into the mounting
notch. Do not force the DIMM module in
with extra force as the DIMM module only fits in one direction.
6. To remove the DIMM modules, push the two ejector tabs on the slot outward
simultaneously, and then pull out the DIMM module.
※ Static electricity can damage the electronic components of the computer or
optional boards. Before starting these procedures, ensure that you are
discharged of static electricity by touching a grounded metal object briefly.
DIMM1 DIMM2 DIMM3 DIMM4
DIMM1 DIMM2 DIMM3 DIMM4
Channel A Channel B
Channel A Channel B
Hardware Setup
AB9 Pro, AB9 2-13
2.6 Connecting Peripheral Devices
2.6.1 Floppy and IDE Disk Drive Connectors
The FDC1 connector connects up to two floppy drives with a 34-wire, 2-connector floppy cable.
Connect the single end at the longer length of ribbon cable to the FDC1 on the board, the two
connectors on the other end to the floppy disk drives connector. Generally you need only one
floppy disk drive in your system.
※ The red line on the ribbon cable must be aligned with pin-1 on both the FDC1
port and the floppy connector.
Each of the IDE port connects up to two IDE drives
at Ultra ATA/100 mode by one 40-pin, 80-conductor,
and 3-connector Ultra ATA/66 ribbon cables.
Connect the single end (blue connector) at the
longer length of ribbon cable to the IDE port of this
board, the other two ends (gray and black connector)
at the shorter length of the ribbon cable to the
connectors of your hard drives.
※ Make sure to configure the “Master” and
“Slave” relation before connecting two
drives by one single ribbon cable. The red line on the ribbon cable must be
aligned with pin-1 on both the IDE port and the hard-drive connector.
※ During the OS installation, you will have to install the third-party driver for
devices connected to “SATA8”, “SATA9”, and “IDE1” connector. Press <F6> key,
and then insert its driver disk into floppy disk drive when the screen instruction
prompts you to install a third-party SCSI or RAID driver.
2-14 AB9 Pro, AB9
A
A
2.6.2 Serial ATA Connectors
Each SATA connector serves as one single channel to connect one SATA device by SATA cable.
The disk array for RAID configuration is also provided:
• SATA1~SATA6: Available for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 10 configuration.
(Supports up to 4 disks for RAID 0/10/5, or up to 2 disks for RAID 1) (For model “AB9 Pro”)
• SATA8~SATA9: Available for RAID 0, RAID 1, or JBOD configuration.
• SATA7, eSATA1: Available for RAID 0 or RAID 1 configuration. (For model “AB9 Pro”)
For more information on how to configure the function mode for SATA, please refer to the item
“On-Chip SATA” in the BIOS menu of “On-Chip IDE Device”.
Hardware Setup
To connect SATA device:
ttach either end of the signal cable to
1.
the SATA connector on motherboard.
Attach the other end to SATA device.
2.
ttach the SATA power cable to the
SATA device and connect the other end
from the power supply.
AB9 Pro, AB9 2-15
2.6.3 Additional USB 2.0 Port Headers
Besides the 4x USB 2.0 ports located at rear I/O part, this motherboard also features 2x more
USB 2.0 headers onboard. Each header supports 2x additional USB 2.0 ports by connecting
bracket or cable to the rear I/O panel or the front-mounted USB ports of your chassis.
※ Make sure the connecting cable bears the same pin assignment.
2.6.4 Additional IEEE1394 Port Header
Each header supports 1x additional IEEE1394 port by connecting bracket or cable to the rear
I/O panel or the front-mounted IEEE1394 port of your chassis.