This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment ge nerates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not i nstalled and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. There is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
The vendor makes no representations or warranties with respect to the
contents here and specially disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability
or fitness for any purpose. Further the vendor reserves the right to revise this
publication and to make changes to the contents here without obligation to
notify any party beforehand.
Duplication of this publication, in part or in whole, is not allowed without first
obtaining the vendor’s approval in writing.
The content of this user’s manual is subject to be changed without notice and
we will not be responsible for any mistakes found in this user’s manual. All the
brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
Japanese ................................................................................................................ 44
Page 3
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
A780L3B
1.1 B
EFORE YOU START
Thank you for choosing our product. Before you start installing the
motherboard, please make sure you follow the instructions below:
Prepare a dry and stable working environment with
sufficient lighting.
Always disconnect the computer from power outlet
before operation.
Before you take the motherboard out from anti-static
bag, ground yourself properly by touching any safely
grounded appliance, or use grounded wrist strap to
remove the static charge.
Avoid touching the components on motherboard or the
rear side of the board unless necessary. Hold the board
on the edge, do not try to bend or flex the board.
Do not leave any unfastened small parts inside the
case after installation. Loose parts will cause short
circuits which may damage the equipment.
Keep the computer from dangerous area, such as heat
source, humid air and water.
1.2PACKAGE CHECKLIST
Serial ATA Cable X 2 Rear I/O Panel for ATX Case X 1 Installation Guide X 1 Fully Setup Driver CD X 1 (full version manual files inside) USB 2.0 Cable X1 (optional) Serial ATA Power Cable X 1 (optional)
Note: The package contents may be different due to area or your motherboard version.
1
Page 4
Motherboard Manual
1.3 MOTHERBOARD FEATURES
Socket AM3
CPU
AMD Sempron / Phenom II / Athlon II
processo rs (Max imum Watt: 95W)
SPEC
AMD 64 Architecture enables 32 and 64 bit
computing
Supports Hyper Transport 2.0
FSB
Chipset
Super I/O
Main
Memory
Graphics
SATA II
LAN
Sound
Support Hyper Transport 3.0
Supports up to 3.2 GT/s Bandwidth
AMD 760G
AMD SB710
Low Pin Count Interface
ITE 8728
En v ironm en t Cont r o l in it iatives
Prov ides the most commonly us ed legacy
H/W Mon ito r
Super I/O functionality
ITE's "S mart Guardian " funct ion
DDR3 DIMM Slots x 2
Dual Channel Mode DDR3 me mory mod u le
Max Memory Capacity 16GB
Supports DDR3 800/1066/1333/1600(OC)
Each DIMM supports 512MB/1GB/
Register ed D IMM and ECC D IMM is not supported
2GB/4GB/8GB DDR3
Integrated in AMD 760G Chipset Max Shared Video Memory is 512MB
SATA Connector x4 Each conne ctor s upports 1 S ATA device
Front Panel Connector x1 Supports front panel facilities
Front Audio Connector x1 Supports front panel audio function
CPU Fan Header x1 CPU Fan power supply (with Smart Fan function)
System Fan Header x1 System Fan Power supply
2
Page 5
A780L3B
SPEC
CMOS Clear Jumper x1 Restore CMOS data to factory default sett ing
USB Connector x2 Each conne cto r supports 2 front panel USB ports
Power Connector (24pin) x1 Connects to Power supp ly
Power Connector (4pin) x1 Connects to Power supply
Printer Port Connector x1 Each connector supports 1 Printer port
PS/2 Keyboard x1
PS/2 Mous e x1
Back Panel
I/O
Board Size
Special
Features
OS Support
VGA port x1
LAN port x1
USB Port x4
Audio Jack x3
182 mm(W) x 225 mm(L)
RAID 0 / 1 / 10 support
Windows XP / Vista / 7
1.4REAR PANEL CONNECTORS
PS/2
Mouse
Connects to PS/2 Keyboard
Connects to PS/2 Mouse
Connect to D-SUB monitor
Connect to RJ-45 Ethernet cable
Connect to USB devices
Provide Audio-In/Out and microphone connection
Biostar reserves the right to add or remove support
for any OS With or without notice.
LAN
Line In/
Surroun d
Line Out
Mic In 1/
Bass/ Center
PS/2
Keyboard
VGA
USBX2USBX2
3
Page 6
Motherboard Manual
1.5MOTHERBOARD LAYOUT
KBMS1
AT X PW R 2
VGA1
USB1
RJ45USB 1
AUDIO1
F_AUDIO1
PEX16_1
AMD
760G
CPU_FAN1
Socket AM 3
ATXPW R1
DR B
D3_1DR A
D3_1
BIOS
4
LAN
Codec
Note: represents the 1■
Super
I/O
J_PRINT1
BAT
PCI1
SYS_FAN1
JCMOS1
st
pin.
PANE L1
F_USB1
F_USB2
SATA1SATA2
AMD
SB70 0/
SB710
SATA4
SATA3
Page 7
CHAPTER 2: HARDWARE INSTALLATION
A780L3B
2.1 I
NSTALLING CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
Step 1: Pull the lever toward direction A from the socket and then raise the
lever up to a 90-degree angle.
Step 2: Look for the white triangle on socket, and the gold triangle on
CPU should point towards this white triangle. The CPU will fit only
in the correct orientation.
5
Page 8
Motherboard Manual
Step 3: Hold the CPU down firmly, and then close the lever toward direct
B to complete the installation.
Step 4: Put the CPU Fan on the CPU and buckle it. Connect the CPU
FAN power cable to the CPU_FAN1. This completes the
installation.
6
Page 9
A780L3B
2.2 FANHEADERS
These fan headers support cooling-fans built in the computer. The fan
cable and connector may be different due to the fan manufacturer.
Connect the fan cable to the connector while matching the black wire to
pin#1.
CPU_FAN1: CPU Fan Header
4
1
SYS_FAN1: System Fan Header
Pin
Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
3
FAN RPM r ate
sense
4 Smart Fan
Control (By Fan)
Pin
Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
3 FAN RPM rate
sense
13
Note:
The CPU_FAN1 supports 4-pin head connector. The SYS_FAN1 supports 3-pin head
connector. When connecting with wires onto connectors, please note that the red wire is
the positive and should be connected to pin#2, and the black wire is Ground and should
be connected to GND.
7
Page 10
Motherboard Manual
2.3 INSTALLING SYSTEM MEMORY
A. Memory Modules
D3_B1DR
D3_1DRA
1. Unlock a DIMM slot by pressing the retaining clips outward. Align a
DIMM on the slot such that the notch on the DIMM matches the
break on the Slot.
2. Insert the DIMM vertically and firmly into the slot until the retaining
chip snap back in place and the DIMM is properly seated.
8
Page 11
B. Memory Capacity
DIMM Socket
Location
DDR3_A1 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB
DDR3_B1 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB
DDR3 Module
C. Dual Channel Memory installation
Please refer to the following requirements to activate Dual Channel function:
Install memory module of the same density in pairs, shown in the table.
Dual Channel Status
Disabled O X
Disabled X O
Enabled O O
(O means memory installed, X means memory not installed.)
The DRAM bus width of the memory module must be the same (x8 or
x16)
DDR3_A1
A780L3B
Total Me m o ry
Size
Max is 16GB.
DDR3_B1
9
Page 12
Motherboard Manual
2.4 CONNECTORS AND SLOTS
SATA1~SATA4: Serial ATA Connectors
The motherboard has a PCI to SATA Controller with 4channels SATA interface, it
satisfies the SATA 2.0 spec and with transfer rate of 3Gb/s.
SATA4
SATA3
SATA1 S ATA 2
Pin Assignment
1 Ground
2 TX+
3 TX4 Ground
5 RX6 RX+
7 Ground
ATXP W R2: AT X P ower Source Connector
This connector provides +12V to CPU power circuit.
1
3
2
41
74
Pin
Assignment
1 +12V
2 +12V
3 Ground
4 Ground
10
Page 13
ATXP W R1: AT X P ower Source Connector
This connector allows user to connect 24-pin power connector on the AT X
power supply.
Before power on the system, please make sure that both ATXPWR1 and ATXPWR2
connectors have been plugged-in.
11
Page 14
Motherboard Manual
PEX16_1: PCI-Express X16 Slot
- PCI-Express 2.0 compliant.
- Maximum theoretical realized bandwidth of 4GB/s simultaneously per
direction, for an aggregate of 8GB/s totally.
- PCI-Express supports a raw bit-rate of 2.5Gb/s on the data pins.
PCI1: Peripheral Component Interconnect Slot
This motherboard is equipped with 1 standard PCI slot. PCI stands for
Peripheral Component Interconnect, and it is a bus standard for expansion
cards. This PCI slot is designated as 32 bits.
PEX16_1
12
PCI1
Page 15
CHAPTER 3: HEADERS & JUMPERS SETUP
A780L3B
3.1 H
OW TO SETUP JUMPERS
The illustration shows how to set up jumpers. When the jumper cap is
placed on pins, the jumper is “close”, if not, that means the jumper is
“open”.
Pin opened Pin closed Pin1-2 closed
3.2 DETAIL SETTINGS
PANEL1: Front Panel Header
This 16-pin connector includes Power-on, Reset, HDD LED, Power LED, and
speaker connection. It allows user to connect the PC case’s front panel switch
functions.
PWR _LED
On/Off
-
SPK
++
HLED
-
+
RST
9
1
16
8
Pin Assignment Function Pin Assignment Function
1 +5V 9 N/A
2 N/A 10 N/A
3 N/ A 1 1 N/ A N/A
4 Speaker
5 HDD LED (+) 13 Power LED (+)
6 HDD LED (-)
7 Ground 15 Power button
8 Reset control
Speaker
Connector
Hard drive
LED
Reset button
12 Power LED (+)
14 Power LED (-)
16 Ground
N/A
Power LED
Power-on button
13
Page 16
Motherboard Manual
F_USB1/F_USB2: Headers for USB 2.0 Ports at Front Panel
These headers allow user to connect additional USB cable on the PC front panel,
and also can be connected with internal USB devices, like USB card reader.
FUSB_1
FUSB_2
210
19
F_AUDIO1: Front Panel Audio Header
This header allows user to connect the front audio output cable with the PC front
panel. This header allows only HD audio front panel connector; AC’97 connector
is not acceptable.
1 Mic Left in
2 Ground
3 Mic Right in
4 GPIO
5 Right line in
6 Jack Sense
7 Front Sense
8 Key
9 Left line in
10 Jack Sense
14
Page 17
J_PRINT1: Printer Port Connector
This header allows you to connector printer on the PC.
A780L3B
2
125
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 -Strobe 14 Ground
2 -ALF 15 Data 6
3 Data 0 16 Ground
4 -Error 17 Data 7
5 Data 1 18 Ground
6 -Init 19 -ACK
7 Data 2 20 Ground
8 -Scltin 21 Busy
9 Data 3 22 Ground
10 Ground 23 PE
11 Data 4 24 Ground
12 Ground 25 SCLT
13 Data 5 26 Key
26
15
Page 18
Motherboard Manual
JCMOS1: Clear CMOS Jumper
Placing the jumper on pin2-3 allows user to restore BIOS safe setting and
CMOS data. Pease carefully follow the procedures to avoid damaging the
motherboard.
Clear CMOS Procedures:※
1. Remove AC power line.
2. Set the jumper to “Pin 2-3 close”.
3. Wait for five seconds.
4. Set the jumper to “Pin 1-2 close”.
5. Power on the AC.
6. Load Optimal Defaults and save settings in CMOS.
13
13
Pin 1-2 Close:
Normal Operation
(default).
13
Pin 2-3 Close:
Clear CMOS data.
16
Page 19
CHAPTER 4: RAID FUNCTIONS
A780L3B
4.1 O
z Supports Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.
PERATING SYSTEM
4.2 RAID ARRAYS
RAID supports the following types of RAID arrays:
RAID 0: RAID 0 defines a disk striping scheme that improves disk read and write times for
many applicat ions.
RAID 1: RAID 1 defines techniques for mirroring data.
RAID 10: RAID 10 combines the techniques used in RAID 0 and RAID 1.
4.3 HOW RAIDWORKS
RAID 0:
The controller “str ipes” data across multip le drives in a RAID 0 array system. It breaks
up a large file into smaller blocks and performs disk reads and writes across multiple
drives in para llel. The size of each block is determined by the stripe size parameter,
which you set during the creation of the RAID set based on the system environment.
This technique reduces overall disk access time and offers high bandwidth.
Features and Benefits
- Drives: Minimum 1, and maximum is up to 6 or 8. Depending on the
platform.
- Uses: Intended for non-critical data requiring high data throughput, or any
environment that does not require fault tolerance.
- Benefits: provides increased data throughput, especially for large files.
No capcity loss penalty for parity.
- Drawbacks: Does not deliver any fault tolerance. If any drive in the array
fails, all data is lost.
- Fault Tolerance: No.
Block 1
Block 3
Block 5
Block 2
Block 4
Block 6
17
Page 20
Motherboard Manual
RAID 1:
Every read and write is actually carried out in parallel across 2 disk drives in a RAID 1
array system. The mirrored (backup) copy of the data can reside on the same disk or on
a second redundant drive in the array. RAID 1 provides a hot-standby copy of data if
the active volume or drive is corrupted or becomes unavailable because of a hardware
failure.
RAID techniques can be applied for high-availability solutions, or as a form of
automatic backup that eliminates tedious manual backups to more expensive and less
reliable media.
Features and Benefits
- Drives: Minimum 2, and maximum is 2.
- Uses: RAID 1 is ideal for small databases or any other application that
requires fault tolerance and minimal capacity.
- Benefits: Provides 100% data redundancy. Should one drive fail, the
controller switches to the other drive.
- Drawbacks: Requires 2 drives for the storage space of one drive.
Performance is impaired during drive rebuilds.
- Fault Tolerance: Yes.
18
Block 1
Block 2
Block 3
Block 1
Block 2
Block 3
Page 21
A780L3B
RAID 10:
RAID 1 drives can be stripped using RAID 0 techniques. Resulting in a RAID 10
solution for improved resiliency, performance and rebuild performance.
Features and Benefits
- Drives: Minimum 4, and maximum is 6 or 8, depending on the platform.
- Benefits: Optimizes for both fault tolerance and performance, allowing for
automatic redundancy. May be si multaneously used with other RAID
levels in an array, and allows for spare disks.
- Drawbacks: Requires twice the available disk space for data redundancy,
the same as RAID level 1.
- Fault Tolerance: Yes.
Block 1
Block 3
Block 5
Block 1
Block 3
Block 5
Block 2
Block 4
Block 6
Block 2
Block 4
Block 6
19
Page 22
Motherboard Manual
CHAPTER 5: USEFUL HELP
5.1 D
RIVER INSTALLATION NOTE
After you installed your operating system, please insert the Fully Setup
Driver CD into your optical drive and install the driver for better system
performance.
You will see the following window after you insert the CD
The setup guide will auto detect your motherboard and operating system.
Note:
If this window didn’t show up after you insert the Driver CD, please use file browser to
locate and execute the file SETUP.EXE under your optical drive.
A. Driver Installation
To install the driver, please click on the Driver icon. The setup guide will
list the compatible driver for your motherboard and operating system.
Click on each device driver to launch the installation program.
B. Software Installation
To install the software, please click on the Software icon. The setup guide
will list the software available for your system, click on each software title
to launch the installation program.
C. Manual
Aside from the paperback manual, we also provide manual in the Driver
CD. Click on the Manual icon to browse for available manual.
Note:
You will need Acrobat Reader to open the manual file. Please download the latest version
of Acrobat Reader so ftware from
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
20
Page 23
A780L3B
e
5.2 SOFTWARE
Installing Software
1. Insert the Setup CD to the optical drive. The drivers installation program
would appear if the Autorun function has been enabled.
2. Select Software Installation, and then click on the respective software
title.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Launching Software
After the installation process, you will see the software icon “eHOT Line” /
“BIOS Update” appears on the desktop. Double-click the icon to launch the
utility.
eHot-Line (Optional)
eHot-Line is a convenient utility that helps you to contact with our
Tech-Support system. This utility will collect the system information which is
useful for analyzing the problem you may have encountered, and then send
these information to our tech-support department to help you fix the problem.
Before you use this uti lity, please set Outlook Express as your default e-mail c lient app li cation progra m.
re pr es ent s im por ta nt
*
information that you
must provide. Without
this inf ormation, you may
not be able to send out
the mail.
This block will show
the information which
would be collected in
the mail.
Describe conditi on
*
of your system.
Select your area or
*
the area cl os e t o you.
Provide the e-mail
address t hat you would
like to s end the copy to.
Pr ovid e the na me of
*
the memor y module
manufacturer.
Provide the name of
th e powe r su ppl y
manufacturer and the
model no.
Se nd th e mai l out .
Sav e thes e in forma tion to a .txt fi l
Exit this dialog.
21
Page 24
Motherboard Manual
After filling up this information, click “Send”
to send the mail out. A warning dialog would
appear asking for your confirmation; click
“Send” to confirm or “Do Not Send” to cancel.
If you want to save this information to a .txt file, click “Save As…” and then you
will see a saving dialog appears asking you to enter file name.
Enter the file name and then click
“Save”. Your system information
will be saved to a .txt file.
22
Open the saved .txt file, you will see
your system information including
motherboard/BIOS/CPU/video/
device/OS information. This
information is also concluded in the
sent mail.
We will not share customer’s data with any other third parties,
so please feel free to provide your system information while using
eHot-Line service.
If you are not using Outlook Express as your default e-mail client
application, you may need to save the system information to a .txt file
and send the file to our tech support with other e-mail application.
Go to the following web
http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en-us/about/contact.php for getting
our contact information.
Page 25
BIOS Update
n
BIOS Update is a convenient utility which allows you to update your
motherboard BIOS under Windows system.
Sh ow cur rent BIO S inf ormatio
Update BIOS
from the Internet
with a BIOS fil e
Update BIOS
Save current BIOS
to a .bin file
A780L3B
<Backup BIOS>
Once click on this button, the saving
dialog will show. Choose the
position to save file a nd enter file
name. (We recommend that the file
name should be English/number
and no longer than 7 characters.)
Then click Save.
23
Page 26
Motherboard Manual
<Update BIOS>
Before doing this, please download the proper BIOS file from the website.
Then click Update BIOS button, a
dialog will show for asking you backup
current BIOS. Click Yes for BIOS
backup and refer to the Backup BIOS
procedure; or click No to skip this
procedure.
After the BIOS Backup procedure, the
open dialog will show for requesting the
BIOS file which is going to be updated.
Please choose the proper BIOS file for
updating, then click on Open.
The utility will update BIOS with the
proper BIOS file, and this process may
take minutes. Please do not open any
other applications during this process.
After the BIOS Update process, click on
OK to restart the system.
While the system boots up and the full screen logo shows, press <Delete>
key to enter BIOS setup.
In the BIOS setup, use the Load Optimized Defaults function and then Save and Exit Setup to exit BIOS setup. BIOS Update is completed.
All the information and content above about the software are subject to be changed
without notice. For better performance, the software is being co ntinuously updated.
The information and pictures described above are for your reference only. The actual
information and settings on board may be slightly different from this manual.
24
Page 27
5.3 EXTRA INFORMATION
CPU Overheated
If the system shutdown automatically after power on system for
seconds, that means the CPU protection function has been activated.
When the CPU is over heated, the motherboard will shutdow n
automatically to avoid a damage of the CPU, and the system may not
power on again.
In this case, please double check:
1. The CPU cooler surface is placed evenly with the CPU surface.
2. CPU fan is rotated normally.
3. CPU fan speed is fulfilling with the CPU speed.
After confirmed, please follow steps below to relief the CPU protection
function.
1. Remove the power cord from power supply for seconds.
2. Wait for seconds.
3. Plug in the power cord and boot up the system.
Or you can:
1. Clear the CMOS data.
(See “Close CMOS Header: JCMOS1” section)
2. Wait for seconds.
3. Power on the system again.
A780L3B
25
Page 28
Motherboard Manual
BIO-Flasher
BIO-Flasher is a BIOS flashing utility providing you an easy and simple way to
update your BIOS via USB pen drive or floppy disk.
The BIO-Flasher is built in the BIOS chip. To enter the utility, press <F12> during the Power-On Self Tests (POST) procedure while booting up.
Updating BIOS with BIO-Flasher
1. Go to the website to download the latest BIOS file for the motherboard.
2. Then, save the BIOS file into a USB pen drive or a floppy disk.
3. Insert the USB pen drive or the floppy disk that contains the BIOS file to the
USB port or the floppy disk drive.
4. Power on or reset the computer and then
press <F12> during the POST process.
A select dialog as the picture on the right
appears.
Select the device contains the BIOS file and
press <Enter> to enter the utility.
26
5. T he utility will show the BIOS
files and their respective
information. Select the proper
BIOS file and press <Enter>
then <Y> to perform the BIOS
update process.
6. After the update process, the utility will ask you to reboot the system.
Press <Y> to proceed. BIOS update completes.
z This utility only allows storage device with FAT32/16 format and single
parti tion.
z Shutting down or resetting the system while updating the BIOS will lead to
system boot failure.
Page 29
5.4 TROUBLESHOOTING
Probable Solution
1. There is no power in the system.
Power LED does not shine; the
fan of the power supply does not
work
2. Indicator light on keyboard does
not shine.
System is inoperative. Keyboard lights
are on, power indicator lights are lit,
and hard drives are running.
System does not boot from a hard disk
drive, but can be booted from optical
drive.
System only boots from an optical
drive. Hard disks can be read,
applications can be used, but system
fails to boot from a hard disk.
Screen message shows “Invalid
Configuration” or “CMOS Failure.”
System cannot boot after user installs a
second hard drive.
A780L3B
1. Make sure power cable is
securely plugged in.
2. Replace cable.
3. Contact technical support.
Using even pressure on both ends of
the DIMM, press down firmly until the
module snaps into place.
1. Check cable running from disk to
disk controller board. Make sure
both ends are securely plugged
in; check the drive type in the
standard CMOS setup.
2. Backing up the hard drive is
extremely important. All hard
disks are capable of breaking
down at any time.
1. Back up data and applications
files.
2. Reformat the hard drive.
Re-install applications and data
using backup disks.
Review system’s equipment. Make sure
correct information is in setup.
1. Set master/slave jumpers
correctly.
2. Run SETUP program and select
correct drive types. Call the drive
manufacturers for compatibility
with other drives.
27
Page 30
Motherboard Manual
APPENDIX: SPEC IN OTHER LANGUAGES
G
ERMAN
Sp ezif ika tio nen
CPU
FSB
Chipsatz
Super E/A
Arbeitsspeich
er
Grafik
SATA
LAN
HD
Audio-Unters
tützung
Sockel AM3
AMD Sempron / Ph enom II / Athlon II
Prozessoren (Maximales Watt: 95W)
Unterstützt Hyper Transport 3.0 mit einer
Bandbreite von bis zu 3.2 GT/s
AMD 760G
AMD SB710
ITE8728
Biet et die h äufig verwendeten a lten Super
E/A-Funktionen.
DDR3 DIMM-Steckplätze x 2
Max. 16GB Arbeitsspeicher
Jeder DIMM unterstützt 512MB/1GB/
2GB/4GB/8GB DDR3.
Integrierter AMD 760G-Chipsatz Max. 512 MB gemeinsam benutzter Videospeicher
Integrierter Serial ATA-Controller
Realtek RTL 8105T 10 / 100 Mb/s Auto-Negotiation
VT1708B
Die AMD 64-Architektur unterstützt eine 32-Bit- und