Biostar N4SLI-A9 Owner's Manual
N4SLI-A9
FCC Information and Copyright
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 generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful i nterference 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.
i
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction................................................... 1
1.1 Motherboard Features............................................................... 1
1.2 Package Checklist ...................................................................... 5
1.3 Layout & Components.............................................................. 6
Chapter 2: Hardware Installation.................................... 7
2.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................ 7
2.2 Fan Headers................................................................................ 8
2.3 Memory Modules Installation.................................................. 9
2.4 Connectors & Slots................................................................... 10
Chapter 3: Headers & Jumpers Setup .......................... 12
3.1 How to setup Jumpers ............................................................ 12
3.2 Detail Settings........................................................................... 12
Chapter 4: Useful Help.................................................. 19
4.1 Award BIOS Beep Code.......................................................... 19
4.2 Extra Information..................................................................... 19
4.3 Troubleshooting....................................................................... 21
Chapter 5: NVIDIA SLI Function ................................... 22
5.1 Requirements............................................................................ 22
5.2 Placing the SLI-NF4 Selector Card........................................ 22
5.3 Things to Notice....................................................................... 24
5.4 Installing SLI-Ready Graphics Cards.................................... 24
5.5 Enabling Multi-GPU Feature in Windows........................... 26
Chapter 6: NVIDIA RAID Functions .............................. 28
6.1 Operation System..................................................................... 28
6.2 Raid Arrays............................................................................... 28
6.3 How RAID Works.................................................................... 28
Chapter 7: WarpSpeeder™........................................... 31
7.1 Introduction.............................................................................. 31
7.2 System Requirement................................................................ 31
7.3 Installation ................................................................................ 32
7.4 [WarpSpeeder™] includes 1 tray icon and 5 panels........... 33
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N4SLI-A9
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 MOTHERBOARD FEATURES
A. Hardware
CPU
Supports Socket 939.
Supports AMD Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 processor.
HyperTransport™ technology up to 2000MHz Full duplex
AMD 64 architecture enables simultaneous 32 and 64 bit
computing.
Supports HyperTransport™ and AMD Cool’n’Quiet™
Technology
Chipset
NVIDIA nForce4 CK8-04 SLI:
- Supports NVIDIA Firewall.
- Supports Gigabit Ethernet.
- Supports 10 USB 2.0 ports.
- Supports NVIDIA nTune Utility.
- Supports NVIDIA Secure Networking Processor.
- Supports 2 PCI-Express x16 interface graphics cards.
- Supports 4 SATA 2.0 ports, each channel up to 3Gb/s.
- Supports NVIDIA RAID functions, including RAID 0, RAID 1
and RAID 0+1.
- Supports 4 IDE disk drives with PIO Mode 5, Bride Mode
and Ultra DMA 33/66/100/133 Bus Master Mode.
- Compliant with AC’97 versio n2.3 specification.
- Complaints with PCI-Express Version 1.a specificatio n.
Operating Systems
Supports Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Note: Do not support Windows 98SE and Windows ME.
Dimensions
ATX Form Factor: 29.4cm (L) x 24.35cm (W)
On-board IDE
2 on-board connectors support 4 IDE disk drives.
Supports PIO mode 5, Block Mode and Ultra DMA
33/66/100/133 bus master mode.
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N4SLI-A9
System Memory
Supports Dual Channel DDR.
Supports 8 banks in total.
Supports DDR333 and DDR400.
Maximum me mory size is 4GB.
DIMM Socket
Location
DIMM1 128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB *1
DIMM2 128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB *1
DIMM3 128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB *1
DIMM4 128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB *1
DDR Module
Total Mem ory
Max is 4 GB.
Expansion Slots
Three 32bit PCI bus master slots.
Normal Mode PCI-Express slots:
- One PCI-Express x16 slot: PEX16-1.
- Three PCI-Express x1 slots: PEX16-2, PEX1-1 and
PEX1-2 slots
SLI Mode PCI-Express slots:
- Two PCI-Express x8 slots: PEX16-1 and PEX16-2.
- Two PCI-Express x1 slots. PEX1-1 and PEX1-2.
Notice:
Normal Mode and SLI Mode are switched by SLI-NF4 selector card.
(Please read Chapter 5 for detail information.)
Size (MB)
Gigabit Ethernet LAN
NVIDIA Gigabit MAC + VITESSE Gigabit PHY VSC8201.
Supports 10Mb/s, 100Mb/s and 1GB/s auto-negotiation.
Half/Full duplex capability.
Supports personal Firewall setup.
Supports ACPI power management.
On-board AC’97 Audio Sound Codec
Chip: ALC850:
Compliant with AC’97 versio n2.3 specification.
Supports 8 channels audio output.
IEEE 1394A Chip (optional)
Chip: VIA VT6307.
Supports 2 ports with transfer up to 400Mb/s.
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N4SLI-A9
Super I/O
Chip: ITE IT8712F.
Low Pin Count Interface.
Provides the most commonly used legacy Super I/O
functionality.
Environment Control initiatives,
- H/W Monitor
- Fan Speed Controller
- ITE's "Smart Guardian" function
Serial ATA
4 on-board Serial ATA connectors support 4 serial ATA (SATA)
ports.
Supports data transfer rates 1.5Gb/s or 3Gb/s.
Compliant with SATA2.0 specificatio n.
RAID Controller
Integrated in nForce4 CK8-04 SLI:
NVIDIA RAID Technology:
- RAID 0 disk striping for highest system and application
performance
- RAID 1 disk mirroring support for fault tolerance
Support for both SATA and ATA-133 disk controller
standards
- RAID 0+1 disk striping and mirroring for highest
performance with fault tolerance
Security
NVIDIA Network Management:
- Remote access, configuration, monitoring
- Command line interface (CLI)
- WMI scripts.
NVIDIA Firewall technology:
- Native firewall solution, protects the PC from intruders by
filtering unauthorized traffic.
Internal On-board Connectors and Headers
1 audio-out header supports audio-out facilities.
1 front panel header supports front panel facilities.
1 CD-in connector supports CD-ROM audio-in function.
1 SPDIF-out connector supports digital audio-out function.
1 IEEE1394A header supports 1 1394A Firewire port (optional).
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N4SLI-A9
N
1 SPDIF-in connector supports digital audio-in function
(optional).
1 floppy connector supports 2 FDD devices with 360K, 720K,
1.2M, 1.44M and 2.88Mbytes.
2 IDE connectors support 4 IDE disk drives.
3 USB headers support 6 USB 2.0 ports at front panel.
4 Serial ATA connectors support 4 SATA 2.0 devices.
Rear (Back Panel) Side Connectors
1 Printer Port.
1 PS/2 Mouse Port.
1 PS/2 Keyboard Port.
1 Serial Port. (COM2 is optional.)
1 1394A Firewire Port (optional).
1 RJ-45 LAN jack.
4 USB 2.0 Ports.
6 audio ports support 8 channels audio-out facilities.
LA
Connector
PS/2
Mouse
Pri nter P ort
1394 Port
(opti onal)
PS/2
Keyboard
COM1
Center/Left
Rear
Si d e
COM2
(optional)
Line-in
Line-out
MIC-in
USB *2
USB *2
B. BIOS & Software
BIOS
Award legal BIOS.
Supports APM1.2.
Supports ACPI.
Supports USB Function.
Bundled Software
Supports 9th Touch™, WINFLASHER™ and FLASHER™.
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N4SLI-A9
1.2 PACKAGE CHECKLIST
FDD Cable x 1
HDD Cable x 1
User’s Manual x 1
Serial ATA Cable x 1
BRI-2 SLI Bridge x 1
Fully Setup Driver CD x 1
Rear I/O Panel for ATX Case x 1
SLI-NF4 Selector Card x 1 (pre-installed)
SPDIF Cable x 1 (optional)
USB 2.0 Cable x 1 (optional)
Retention Bracket x 1 (optional)
IEEE 1394A Cable x 1 (optional)
Serial ATA Power Switch Cable x 1 (optional)
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N4SLI-A9
1.3 LAY OUT & COMPONENTS
JKB MS1
JCOM 1
C
O
M
1
JPRNT1
C
O
M
2
JCOM2
(opti onal)
J1394_ US B1
JUS BLA N1
JATXPWR2
JKBMSV1
CP U1
J1394_USBV1
JCFAN1
JATXPWR1
Socket 939
DIMM2
DIMM1
DIMM4
DIMM3
IDE2
IDE1
EARPHONEJACK1
Giga LAN
JCDIN1
JAUDIO2
Cod ec
JP EXPW R1
PEX16-1
PE X1 - 1
PEX1-2
PEX16-2
PCI1
JSPDIF_OUT
Super I/O
JCI2
(opt io na l)
PCI2
PCI3
JSPDIF_IN1
(optional)
Note: ■ represents the 1st pin.
SLI 1
J1394PWR1
(opt i o nal )
IEEE 139 4
Chip
(optional)
BI OS
JUSB1
J1394A1
(optional)
nForce4
CK8-04
SLI
JU SB3
JU SB2
JUSBV1
JP AN E L 1
FDD1
JCMOS1
JNBFAN1
BAT1
JSATA1
JSATA2
JSATA3
JSATA4
JCI1
JSFAN1
(optional)
6
N4SLI-A9
CHAPTER 2: HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2.1 CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
Step 1: Remove the socket protection cap.
Step 2: Pull the lever toward direction A from the socket and then raise
the lever up to a 90-degree angle.
90
A
Step 3: Look for the white triangle on socket, and the gold triangle on
CPU should point forwards this white triangle. The CPU will fit
only in the correct orientation.
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N4SLI-A9
Step 4: Hold the CPU down firmly, and then close the lever toward direct
B to complete the installation.
Step 5: Put the CPU Fan on the CPU and buckle it. Connect the CPU
FAN power cable to the JCFAN1. This completes the installation.
2.2 FAN HEADERS
JCFAN1: CPU FAN Power Header
JSFAN1: System Fan Power Header (optional)
JNBFAN1: Northbridge Fan Power Header
JCFAN1
13
JNBFAN1 JSFAN1
31
1
3
Note:
The JCFAN1 and JSFAN1 support system cooling fan with Smart Fan Control
utility. It 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.
Assignment
Pin
1 Ground
2 +12V
3 FAN RPM rate sense
(Only for JCFAN1 and
JSFA N1. )
B
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N4SLI-A9
2.3 MEMORY MODULES INSTALLATION
2.2.1 DDR Module installation
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.
DIMM1
DIMM2
DIMM4
DIMM3
2.2.2 DDR Installation Notice
Please follow the table below to install your DDR memory module, or
the system may not boot up or may not function properly.
“SS” represents Single Sid e DDR memory module.
“DS” represents Double Side DDR memory module.
Star sign “*” represents leave the DIMM socket empty.
DIMM1 SS/DS * SS/DS * SS/DS
DIMM2 * * SS/DS * SS/DS
DIMM3 * SS/DS * SS/DS SS/DS
DIMM4 * * * SS/DS SS/DS
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N4SLI-A9
2.4 CONNECTORS & 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.
2
1
34
33
IDE1/IDE2: Hard Disk Connectors
The motherboard has two 32-bit Enhanced PCI IDE Controller that
provides PIO Mode 0~5, Bus Master, and Ultra DMA 33/66/100/133
functionality. It has two HDD connectors IDE1 (primary) and IDE2
(secondary). The IDE connectors can connect a master and a slave
drive, so you can connect up to four hard disk drives. The first hard
drive should always be connected to IDE1.
IDE2 IDE1
3940
12
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N4SLI-A9
PCI1~PCI3: Peripheral Component Interconnect Slots
This motherboard is equipped with 3 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.
PCI1
PCI2
PCI3
PEX16-1/PEX16-2/PEX1-1/PEX1-2:PCI-Express Slots
PEX16-1 (Normal Mode):
- PCI Express 1.0a compliant.
- Maximum bandwidth is up to 4GB/s per direction.
PEX16-1/PEX1-1/PEX1-2 (Normal Mode):
- PCI Express 1.0a compliant.
- Maximum bandwidth is up to 250MB/s per direction.
PEX16-1/PEX16-2 (SLI Mode):
- PCI Express 1.0a compliant.
- Maximum bandwidth is up to 2GB/s per direction.
11
PEX16-1
PEX1-1
PEX1-2
PEX16-2
N4SLI-A9
CHAPTER 3: HEADERS & JUMPERS SETUP
3.1 HOW 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
JATXPWR1/JATXPWR2: ATX Powe r Source Connectors
This connector allows user to connect 24-pin power connector on the ATX
power supply.
Pin Assignment
1 +3.3V
2 +3.3V
3 Ground
4 +5V
12 24
1
13
5 Ground
6 +5V
7 Ground
8 PW_OK
9 Standby Voltage+5V
10 +12V
11 +12V
12 Detect
13 +3.3V
14 -12V
15 Ground
16 PS_ON
17 Ground
18 Ground
19 Ground
20 -5V
21 +5V
22 +5V
23 +5V
24 Ground
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N4SLI-A9
JATXPWR2: ATX Powe r Source Co nnector
By connecting this connector, it will provide +12V to CPU power circuit.
1
2
4
3
JPEXPWR1:
PCI-Express x16 Slot Power
Source Connector
When SLI mode is enabled,
please plug in this PEX power
source connector to make sure
the system is working under a
stable environment. Please read
Chapter 5 for detail information.
JCDIN1: CD-ROM Audio-in Connector
This connector allows user to connect the audio source from the variety
devices, like CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, PCI sound card, PCI TV turner card etc..
Assignment
Pin
1 +12V
2 +12V
3 Ground
4 Ground
Assignment
Pin
1 Left channel input
2 Ground
3 Ground
4 Right channel input
+12V
Ground
Ground
VCC
13
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N4SLI-A9
J1394_USBV1/JUSBV1: Power Source Headers for USB Ports
Pin 1-2 Close:
J1394_USBV1: +5V for USB ports at J1394_USB1 and JUSBLAN1.
JUSBV1: +5V for front USB headers (JUSB1/JUSB2/JUSB3).
Pin 2-3 Close:
J1394_USBV1: USB ports at J1394_USB1 and JUSBLAN1 are powered with
+5V standby voltage.
JUSBV1: Front USB headers (JUSB1/JUSB2/JUSB3) are powered with +5V
standby voltage.
J1394_USBV1
3
1
JUSBV 1
13
3
1
Pin 1-2 Close
3
1
Pin 2-3 Close
13
13
Note: In order to support this function “Power-on s ystem via USB device,”
“J1394_USBV1/JUSBV1” jumper cap should be placed on Pin 2-3 individually.
JKBMSV1: Power Source Header for PS/2 Keyboard/ Mouse
Pin 1-2 Close: +5V for PS/2 keyboard and mouse..
Pin 2-3 Close: PS/2 keyboard and mouse are powered with +5V standby
voltage.
1
3
1
3
Pin 1-2 close
1
3
Pin 2-3 close
Note: In order to support this function “Power-on s ystem via keyboard and mouse”,
“JKBMSV1” jumper cap should be placed on Pin 2-3.
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N4SLI-A9
JSPDIF_OUT/JSPDIF_IN1: Digital Audio-out Connectors
(JSPDIF_IN1 is optional.)
These connectors allow user to connect the PCI bracket SPDIF output or input
header.
JS PDIF_O UT:
JSPDIF_OUT
1313
JSPDIF_IN1
13
JAUDIO2: Front Panel Audio-out Header
This connector will allow user to connect with the front audio out put headers on
the PC case. It will disable the output on back panel audio connectors.
1
2
13
14
Pin Assignment
1 +5V
2 SPD IF OUT
3 Ground
JS PDIF_I N1:
Pin Assignment
1 +5V
2 SPD IF IN
3 Ground
Pin Assignment
1 MIC-in/
Stereo MIC-in R
2 Ground
3 Stereo MIC-in L
4 Audio power
5 Right line-out/
Speaker-out Right.
6 Right line-out/
Speaker-out Right
7 Reserved
8 Key
9 Left line-out/ Speaker-out
Left
10 Left line-out/ Speaker-out
Left
11 Right line-in (optional)
12 Right line-in (optional)
13 Left line-in (optional)
14 Left line-in (optional)
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N4SLI-A9
J1394PWR1 (optional): Power Source Header for 1394 Chip
13
Pin 1-2 Close:
+3.3V for 1394 chipset (default).
13
Pin 2-3 Close:
+3.3V SB for 1394 chipset.
13
J1394A1 (optional): Header for 1394A Firewire Port at Front Panel
This header allows user to connect the front 1394 port for digital image devices.
19
Pin
Assignment
1 A+
2 A3 Ground
4 Ground
5 B+
6 B7 +12v
8 +12V
9 Key
10 Ground
10 2
JUSB1~JUSB3: Headers for USB Ports at Front Panel
This connector allows user to connect additional USB cables at PC front panel,
and also can be connected with internal USB devices, like USB card reader.
JUSB3
19
2
JUSB1
16
10
JUSB2
Assignment
Pin
1 +5V (fused)
2 +5V (fused)
3 USB4 USB5 USB+
6 USB+
7 Ground
8 Ground
9 Key
10 NC
N4SLI-A9
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
13
Clear CMOS Proced※ ures:
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.
JCI1/JCI2: Case Open Headers (JCI2 is optional.)
This connector allows system to monitor PC case open status. If the signal has
been triggered, it will record to the CMOS and show the message on next
boot-up.
Pin 2-3 close:
Clear CMOS data.
Assignment
Pin
1 Case open signal
2 Ground
12
12
17
JCI1
JCI2
(o pti ona l)
N4SLI-A9
JSATA1 ~JSATA4: Se rial ATA Connectors
The motherboard has a SATA Controller in nForce4 CK8-04 SLI with 4
channels SATA interface, it satisfies the SATA 2.0 spec and with transfer rate of
3.0Gb/s.
J SAT A17J SAT A2
4
1
7
4
1
J SAT A4J SAT A3
JPANEL1: Header for Front Panel Facilities
This 24-pin connector includes Power-on, Reset, HDD LED, Power LED, Sleep
button, speaker and IrDA Connection. It allows user to connect the PC case’s
front panel switch functions.
Assignment
Pin
1 Ground
2 TX+
3 TX4 Ground
5 RX6 RX+
7 Ground
224
123
Pin Assignment Function Pin Assignment Function
1 +5V 2 Sleep control
3 N/A 4 Ground
5 N/ A 6 N/ A N/A
7 Speaker
9 HDD LED (+) 10 Power LED (+)
11 HDD LED (-)
13 Ground 14 Power button
15 Reset control
17 N/A 18 Key
19 N/A 20 Key
21 +5V 22 Ground
23 IRTX
Speaker
Connector
Hard drive LED
Reset button
IrDA Connector
8 Power LED (+)
12 Power LED (-)
16 Ground
24 IRRX
Sleep button
Power LED
Power-on
button
IrDA Connector
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N4SLI-A9
CHAPTER 4: USEFUL HELP
4.1 AWARD BIOS BEEP CODE
Beep Sound Meaning
One long beep followed by two short
beeps
High-low siren sound CPU overheated
One Short beep when system boot-up No error found during POST
Long beeps every other second No DRAM detected or install
4.2 EXTRA INFORMATION
A. BIOS Update
After you fail to update BIOS or BIOS is invaded by virus, the
Boot-Block function will help to restore BIOS. If the following
message is shown after boot-up the system, it means the BIOS
contents are corrupted.
Video card not found or video card
memory bad
System will shut down automatically
In this Case, please follow the procedure below to restore the BIOS:
1. Make a bootable floppy disk.
2. Download the Flash Utility “AWDFLASH.exe” from the Biostar
website: www.biostar.com.tw
3. Confirm motherboard model and download the respectively
BIOS from Biostar website.
4. Copy “AWDFLASH.exe” and respectively BIOS into floppy disk.
5. Insert the bootable disk into floppy drive and press Enter.
6. System will boo-up to DOS prompt.
7. Type “Awdflash xxxx.bf/sn/py/r” in DOS prompt.
8. System will update BIOS automatically and restart.
9. The BIOS has bee n recovered and will work properly.
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