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 ............................................................................................................. 46
Page 3
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
MCP6P3
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.
The operating temperatures of the computer should be
0 to 45 degrees Celsius.
1.2 PACKAGE CHECKLIST
IDE Cable X 1(optional)
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)
FDD Cable X 1 (optional)
Serial ATA Power Cable X 1 (optional)
USB 2.0 Cable X1 (optional)
S/PDIF out Cable X 1 (optional)
Note: The package contents may be different due to area or your motherboard version.
3
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Motherboard Manual
1.3 MOTHERBOARD FEATURES
SPEC
Socket AM3
CPU
FSB
Chipset GeForce 6150 SE/nForce 430
Super I/O
Main
Memory
Graphics GeForce 6150 SE/nForce 430 Max Shared Video Memory is 512MB (under OS)
Floppy Connector x1 Each connector supports 2 Floppy drives
Printer Port Connector x1 Each connector supports 1 Printer port
IDE Conn ector x1 Each conne ctor s upports 2 IDE device
SATA Connector x4 Each conne ctor s upports 1 SATA devices
Front Panel Connector x1 Supports front panel facilities
Front Audio Connector x1 Supports front panel audio function
S/PDIF out Connector x1 Supports digital audio out function
AMD 64 Architecture enables 32 and 64 b it computing
Supports Hyper Transport 2.0
En v ironm en t Cont rol init iatives ,
H/W Mon it or
Fan Sp eed Controller
ITE's "S mart Guard ian" function
Dual Channel Mode DDR3 me mory mo du le
Supports DDR3 800 / 1066 / 1333
Register ed DIMM and ECC D IMM is not supported
Ultra DMA 33 / 66 / 100 / 133 Bus Master Mode
supports PIO Mode 0~4,
Data transfer rates up to 3 Gb/s.
SATA Version 2.0 s p e c if icat ion co mpliant .
10 / 100 Mb/s auto negot iation
Half / Full duplex capability
5.1 channels audio out
High Definition Audio
4
Page 5
SPEC
Back Pan el
I/O
Board Size 190 mm(W) x 244 mm(L)
Special
Features
OS Support Windows XP / Vista / 7
CPU Fan Header x1 CPU Fan power supply (with Smart Fan function)
System Fan Header x1 System Fan Power supply
CMOS clear Header x1 Restore CMOS data to factory default
USB Connecto r x3 Each connecto r supports 2 front panel USB ports
Power Connector (24pin) x1 Connects to Power supp ly
Power Connector (4pin) x1 Connects to Power supply
PS/2 Keyboard x1
PS/2 Mous e x1
VGA port x1
Serial Port x1
LAN port x1
USB Port x4
Audio Jack x3
RAID 0 / 1 / 0+1 / 5 support
MCP6P3
Connects to PS/2 Keyboard
Connects to PS/2 Mouse
Connect to D-SUB monitor
Provide RS-232 Serial connection
Connect to RJ- 45 ethe rnet cab le
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.
1.4 R
PS/2
Mouse
PS/2
Keyboard
EAR PANEL CONNECTORS
COM1VGA
USBX2USBX2
LAN
Line In/
Surround
Line Out
Mic In 1/
Bass/ Center
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Motherboard Manual
1.5 MOTHERBOARD LAYOUT
KBM S1
COM1
VGA 1
USB1
RJ45USB1
AUDI O1
F_ AUDIO 1
JKB_ PWR
LAN
BAT1
AT XP WR 2
JUSBV1
ATXPWR 1
PEX16_1
PCI1
GeForce
6150 SE/
nForce430
CPU_FAN1
Socket AM3
DDR3_A1
DDR3_B1
IDE1
JUSBV2
F_ USB2
F_ USB1
BIOS
JCMOS1
SATA4SATA2
6
JSPDIFOUT1
Note: represents the 1■
Codec
JPRI NT1
PCI2
FDD1
st
pin.
Super I/O
SATA1 SATA3
SYS_FAN1
PA NE L 1
Page 7
CHAPTER 2: HARDWARE INSTALLATION
MCP6P3
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.
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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.
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MCP6P3
2.2 FAN HEADERS
These fan headers support cooling-fans built in the computer. The fan
cable and connector may be different according to the fan manufacturer.
Connect the fan cable to the connector while matching the black wire to
pin#1.
CPU_FAN1: CPU Fan Header
14
SYS_FAN1: System Fan Header
13
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
Note:
CPU_FAN1 supports 4-pin head connector. SYS_FAN1 supports 3-pin head connector.
When connecting with wires onto connecto rs, 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.
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Motherboard Manual
2.3 INSTALLING SYSTEM MEMORY
A. Memory Modules
DDR3_A1
DDR3_B1
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.
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Page 11
B. Memory Capacity
DIMM Socket
Location
DDR3_A1 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB
DDR3_B1 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB
DDR3 Module
Total Mem o ry
Size
Max is 8GB.
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
DDR3_B1
MCP6P3
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Motherboard Manual
2.4 CONNECTORS AND SLOTS
FDD1: Floppy Disk Connector
The motherboard provides a standard floppy disk connector that supports 360K,
720K, 1.2M, 1.44M and 2.88M floppy disk types. This connector supports the
provided floppy drive ribbon cables.
234
IDE1: IDE/ATAPI Connector
The motherboard has a 32-bit Enhanced PCI IDE Controller that provides PIO
Mode 0~4, Bus Master, and Ultra DMA 33/66/100/133 functionality.
The IDE connector can connect a master and a slave drive, so you can connect
up to two drives.
133
3
4
9
0
2
1
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MCP6P3
SATA1~SATA4: Serial ATA Connectors
The motherboard has a PCI to SATA Controller with 4 channels SATA interface.
Pin
Assignment
1 Ground
2 TX+
3 TX4 Ground
SATA2
SATA4
SATA1 S ATA3
5 RX6 RX+
7 Ground
ATXP W R1: AT X Power Source Connector
This connector allows user to connect 24-pin power connector on the ATX
power supply.
This motherboard is equipped with 2 standard PCI slots. PCI stands for
Peripheral Component Interconnect, and it is a bus standard for expansion
cards. This PCI slot is designated as 32 bits.
MCP6P3
PCI1
PCI2
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Motherboard Manual
CHAPTER 3: HEADERS & JUMPERS SETUP
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
-
9
1
++
SPK
HLED
16
8
-
+
RST
16
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
Page 17
MCP6P3
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.
Pin Assignment
1 +5V (fused)
2 +5V (fused)
F_USB2
F_USB1
2
10
1
9
3 USB-
4 USB-
5 USB+
6 USB+
7 Ground
8 Ground
9 Key
10 NC
JCMOS1: Clear CMOS Header
By placing the jumper on pin2-3, it allows user to restore the BIOS safe setting
and the CMOS data, please carefully follow the procedures to avoid damaging
the motherboard.
13
Pin 1-2 Close:
Normal Operation
(default).
13
Pin 2-3 Close:
Clear CMOS data.
13
※ 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. Reset your desired password or clear the CMOS data.
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Motherboard Manual
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.
JSPDIFOUT1: Digital Audio-out Connector
This connector allows user to connect the PCI bracket SPDIF output header.
Pin Assignment
1 Mic Left in
2 Ground
3 Mic Right in
4 GPIO
10
2
1
9
5 Right line in
6 Jack Sense
7 Front Sense
8 Key
9 Left line in
10 Jack Sense
Pin
Assignment
1 +5V
2 SPDIF_OUT
3 Ground
18
13
Page 19
J_PRINT1: Printer Port Connector
This header allows you to connector printer on the PC.
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
MCP6P3
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Motherboard Manual
JUSBV1/JUSBV2: Power Source Headers for USB Ports
Pin 1-2 Close:
JUSBV1: +5V for USB ports at USB1/RJ45USB1.
JUSBV2: +5V for USB ports at F_USB1/F_USB2.
Pin 2-3 Close:
JUSBV1: +5V STB for USB ports at USB1/RJ45USB1.
JUSBV2: +5V STB for USB ports at F_USB1/F_USB2.
JUSBV1
3
1
3
1
Pin 1-2 close
3
1
JUSBV2
3
1
Pin 2-3 close
JKB_PWR: Power Source Header for PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse
3
1
+5V for PS/2 keyboard and
mouse.
+5V STB for PS/2 keyboard and
mouse.
3
1
Pin 1-2 close
3
1
Pin 2-3 close
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CHAPTER 4: RAID FUNCTIONS
MCP6P3
4.1 O
Supports Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.
PERATION 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 applications.
RAID 1: RAID 1 defines techniques for mirroring data.
RAID 0+1: RAID 0+1 combines the techniques used in RAID 0 and RAID 1.
RAID 5: RAID 5 provides fault tolerance and better utilization of disk capacity.
4.3 HOW RAID WORKS
RAID 0:
The controller “stripes” data across multiple drives in a RAID 0 array system. It breaks
up a large f i le into sma ller blocks an d pe rfo rms disk r ead s and writes acr oss multip le
drives in parallel. 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 2, 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
capacity 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
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Motherboard Manual
RAID 1:
Every read and write is actually carried out in para llel across 2 disk drives in a RAID 1
array system. The mirrored (backup) copy of the data can reside on the same d isk 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.
22
Block 1
Block 2
Block 3
Block 1
Block 2
Block 3
Page 23
MCP6P3
RAID 0+1:
RAID 0 drives can be mirrored using RAID 1 techniques. Resulting in a RAID 0+1
solution for improved performance plus resiliency.
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 simultaneously 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.
GeForce
6150 SE /
nForce 430
Block 1
Block 3
Block 5
Block 2
Block 4
Block 6
Block 1
Block 3
Block 5
Block 2
Block 4
Block 6
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Motherboard Manual
RAID 5:
RAID 5 stripes both data and parity information across three or more drives. It wr ites
data and parity blocks across all the drives in the array. Fault tolerance is maintained by
ensuring that the parity information for any given block of data is placed on a different
drive from those used to store the data itself.
Features and Benefits
Drives: Mini mum 3 .
Uses: RAID 5 is recommended for transaction processing and general
purpose service.
Benefits: An ideal co mbination of good performance, good fault tolerance,
and high capacity and storage efficiency.
Drawbacks: Individual block data transfer rate same as a single disk. Write
performance can be CPU intensive.
Fault Tolerance: Yes.
Disk 1
DATA 1
DATA 3
PARIT Y
DATA 7
DATA 9
PARIT Y
Disk 2
GeForce
6150 SE /
nFo rce 430
DATA 2
PARIT Y
DATA 5
DATA 8
PARIT Y
DATA 11
Disk 3
PARIT Y
DATA 4
DATA 6
PARIT Y
DATA 10
DATA 12
※ For more detailed setup information, please refer to the Driver CD, or go to
http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_28159.html to download the NVIDIA RAID User’s Guide.
24
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CHAPTER 5: USEFUL HELP
MCP6P3
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 Drive r CD, please use file browser to
locate and execute the file SETUP.EXE under your optical dri ve.
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 Dr iver
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 software from
http://www.adobe.com/produ cts/acrobat/readstep2.html
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Motherboard Manual
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.
BIOScreen Utility
This utility allows you to personalize your boot logo easily. You can choose
JPG or BMP as your boot logo so as to customize your computer.
Please follow the following instructions to update boo logo:
1. Load Image:Choose the picture as the boot logo.
2. Transform:Transform the picture for BIOS and preview the result.
3. Update Bios:Write the picture to BIOS Memory to complete the update.
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5.3 AMIBIOS BEEP CODE
Boot Block Beep Codes
Number of Beeps Description
1 No media present. (Insert diskette in floppy drive A:)
2
3 Insert next diskette if multiple diskettes are used for recovery
4 Flash Programming successful
5 File read error
7 No Flash EPROM detected
10 Flash Erase error
11 Flash Program error
12 “AMIBOOT .ROM” file size error
13
POST BIOS Beep Codes
Number of Beeps Description
1 Memory refresh timer error
3 Base memory read/write test error
6 Keyboard controller BAT command failed
7 General exception error (processor exception interrupt error)
8 Display memory error (system video adapter)
“AMIBOOT.ROM” file not found in root directory of diskette in
A:
BIOS ROM image mismatch (file layout does not match
image present in flash device)
MCP6P3
Troubleshooting POST BIOS Beep Codes
Number of Beeps Troubleshooting Action
1, 3 Reseat the memory, or replace with known good modules.
Fatal error indicating a serious problem with the system.
Consult your system manufacturer. Before declaring the
motherboard beyond all hope, eliminate the possibility of
interference by a malfunctioning add-in card. Remove all
expansion cards except the video adapter.
If beep codes are generated when all other expansion
6, 7
8
cards are absent, consult your system manufacturer’s
technical support.
If beep codes are not generated when all other expansion
cards are absent, one of the add-in cards is causing the
malfunction. Insert the cards back into the system one at a
time until the problem happens again. This will reveal the
malfunctioning card.
If the system video adapter is an add-in card, replace or
reseat the
video adapter. If the video adapter is an integrated part of the
system board, the board may be faulty.
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Motherboard Manual
5.4 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.
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5.5 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.
MCP6P3
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.