Biostar TZ68A+ Owner's Manual

TZ68A+ Setup Manual

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 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.

Dichiar azione di conf orm ità
sintetica

Ai sensi dell’art. 2 comma 3 del D.M.
275 del 30/10/2002

Si dichiara che questo prodotto è
conforme alle normative vigenti e
soddisfa i requisiti essenziali richiesti
dalle direttive

2004/108/CE, 2006/95/CE e
1999/05/CE

quando ad esso applicabili

Short De cla ra tion of conf ormity

We declare this product is complying
with the laws in force and meeting all
the essential requirements as specified
by the directives

2004/108/CE, 2006/95/CE and
1999/05/CE

whenever these laws may be applied

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction ........................................ 1

1.1 Before You Start......................................................................................... 1

1.2 Package Checklist..................................................................................... 1

1.3 Motherboard Features.............................................................................. 2

1.4 Rear Panel Connectors.............................................................................. 3

1.5 Motherboard Layout................................................................................. 4

Chapter 2: Hardware Installation .......................... 5

2.1 Installing Central Processing Unit (CPU) ............................................... 5

2.2 FAN Headers.............................................................................................. 7

2.3 Installing System Memory ........................................................................ 8

2.4 Connectors and Slots................................................................................ 10

Chapter 3: Headers & Jumpers Setup .................. 13

3.1 How to Setup Jumpers............................................................................. 13

3.2 Detail Settings .......................................................................................... 13

Chapter 4: RAID Functions .................................. 18

4.1 Operating System.................................................................................... 18

4.2 Raid Arrays............................................................................................... 18

4.3 How RAID Works ..................................................................................... 18

4.4 Smart Storage Caching ........................................................................... 22

Chapter 5: T-Series BIOS & Software................... 23

5.1 T-Series UEFI BIOS ................................................................................... 23

5.2 T-Series Software...................................................................................... 26

Chapter 6: Useful Help ........................................ 36

6.1 Driver Installation Note.......................................................................... 36

6.2 Extra Information.................................................................................... 37

6.3 Troubleshooting....................................................................................... 38

Appendix: SPEC In Other Languages ................... 40

German.................................................................................................................. 40

French .................................................................................................................... 42

Italian..................................................................................................................... 44

Spanish ................................................................................................................... 46

Portuguese ............................................................................................................ 48

Polish...................................................................................................................... 50

Russian ................................................................................................................... 52

Arabic..................................................................................................................... 54

Japanese ................................................................................................................ 56

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

TZ68A+

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

Serial ATA Cable X 3
Rear I/O Panel for ATX Case X 1
User’s Manual X 1
Fully Setup Driver CD X 1
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.

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Motherboard Manual

1.3 MOTHERBOARD FEATURES

Socket 1155

CPU

Chipset

Super I/O

Main

Memory

SATA 2 & 3

LAN

Sound

Codec

USB3.0

Slots

On Board

Connectors

Int e l Co re i7 / i5 / i3 / Pent iu m / Ce le ro n

processor

Intel Z68

IT8728

Prov ides the most commonly used leg ac y

Super I/O functionality.

Low Pin Count Interface

DDR3 DIMM Slots x 4

Max Memory Capacity 32GB

Each DIMM supports 512MB/

1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB DDR3

Integrated Serial ATA Controller

Realtek RTL 8111E

ALC892

ASM1042 Data transfer rates up to 600 MB/s

PCI slot x2 Supports PCI expansion card

PCI-E Gen2 x16 @ x16 s lot x1 Supports PCI-E Gen2 x16 expansion card

PCI-E Gen2 x16 @ x4 slot x1 Supports PCI-E Gen2 x4 expansion card

PCI-E Gen2 x1 slot x1 Supports PCI-E Gen2 x1 expansion card

SATA3 Connector x2 Each connector supports 1 SATA3 device

SATA2 Connector x4 Each connector supports 1 SATA2 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 x2 System Fan Power supply

SPEC

Supports Execute D isab le Bit / Enh anced Inte l

SpeedStep® / Intel Architecture-64 / Ex tended

Memory 64 Technology / V irtualization Technology /

Hyp er Thread ing

En v ironm ent C o ntro l in iti at i ves,

Hardware Monitor Controller

Fan Sp eed Contro ller

ITE's "S mart Guardian " funct ion

Dual Channel Mode DDR3 me mo ry modu le

Supports DDR3 1066/1333/1600(OC)

Supports DDR3 1866(OC)/2133(OC)/2200(OC)

Register ed DIMM and ECC D IMM is not supported

Data transfer rates up to 3.0 Gb/s / 6.0 Gb/s.

SATA Version 2.0 / 3.0 specification compliant

10 / 100 Mb/s / 1Gb/s auto negot iation

Half / Full duplex capability

5.1 channels audio out

High Definition Audio

2

Back Panel

I/O

Board Size

OS Support

TZ68A+

SPEC

Clear CMOS Head er x1 Restore CMOS dat a to factory default

USB2.0 Connector x3 Each connect or supports 2 front panel USB 2.0 ports

Consumer IR Connector x1 Supports infrared funct ion

Printer Port Connector x1 Each connector supports 1 Printer port

Serial Port Connector x1 Connects to RS-232 Port

S/PDIF out Connector x1 Supports digital audio out function

Power Connector (24pin) x 1 Connects to Power supp ly

Power Connector (8pin) x1 Connects to Power supply

PS/2 Keybo ard / Mous e x1

HDMI Port x1

VGA Port x1

DVI-D Port x1

LAN port x1

USB2.0 Port x2

USB3.0 Port x2

Audio Jack x3

230 (W) x 305 (L) mm

Windows XP / Vista / 7

Connects to PS/2 Keyboard / Mouse

Connects to HDMI cable

Connect to D-SUB monitor

Connect to DVI monitor

Connect to RJ- 45 ethernet cab le

Connect to USB2.0 devices

Connect to USB3.0 devices (by ASM1042) and

USB2.0/USB1.X devices (by Z68)

Provide Audio-In/Out and Mic. connection

Biostar reserves the r ight to add or remove support

for any OS with or without notice

1.4 REAR PANEL CONNECTORS

PS/2

Keyboard / Mouse

USB2.0X2

HDMI VGADVI-D

NOTE: Any of 2 HDMI / DVI-D / VGA can provide video signals o ut-put function.

NOTE: USB3.0 ports are backward compatible with USB2.0/USB1.X devices. USB3.0 is

controlled by ASM1042, but, USB2.0/USB1.X is controlled by Z68.

LAN

USB3.0X2

Line In/
Surround

Line Out

Mic In 1/
Bass/ Center

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Motherboard Manual

1.5 MOTHERBOARD LAYOUT

USB_KBMS1

HDMI1

DVI1

VGA1

RJ45U SB1

AUDIO1

CODEC

PHS
PH3
PH2
PH1
VTT _LED1

ATXPW R2

SYS_FA N2

PEX1_1

PEX16_1

LAN

PEX16_2

Socket 1155

CPU1

CPU_FAN1

DDR3_A1

Z68

DDR3_A2

DB2DR3_

DDR3_B1

ATXP WR1

BIOS

SATA2 SATA 1

4

F_AUDIO 1

Super

I/O

JSPDIFOUT1

Note: represents the 1■

J_PRINT1

PCI1

PCI2

J_COM1

BAT1

SYS_FA N1

CIR1

st

pin.

F_USB3 F_USB2 F_USB1

PAN EL1

SATA4 SATA3SAT A6 SAT A5

LED_D2
LED_D1

SW_PWR1

JCMOS1

SW_RST1

CHAPTER 2: HARDWARE INSTALLATION

TZ68A+

2.1 I

NSTALLING CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

Special Notice:

Remove Pin Cap before installation, and make good preservation
for future use. When the CPU is removed, cover the Pin Cap on the
empty socket to ensure pin legs won’t be damaged.

Step 1: Pull the socket locking lever out from the socket and then raise

the lever up.

Step 2: Remove the Pin Cap.

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Motherboard Manual

Step 3: Look for the triangular cut edge on socket, and the golden dot on

CPU should point forwards this triangular cut edge. The CPU will
fit only in the correct orientation.

Step 4: Hold the CPU down firmly, and then lower the lever to locked

position to complete the installation.

Step 5: Put the CPU Fan and heatsink assembly on the CPU and buckle it

on the retention frame. Connect the CPU FAN power cable into
the CPU_FAN1 to complete the installation.

6

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

Pin

41

SYS_FAN1/SYS_FAN2: System Fan Headers

SYS_FAN2

13

SYS_FAN1

Note:

The SYS_FAN1/SYS_FAN2 support 3-pin head connectors; the CPU_FAN1 supports
4-pin head connector. When connecting with wires onto connectors, please note that the
red wire is the positive a nd should be connected to pin#2, and the black wire is Ground
and should be co nnected to GND.

Assignment

1 Ground
2 +12V
3

FAN RPM r ate
sense

4 Smart Fan

Control

Pin

Assignment

1 Ground
2 +12V
3 FAN RPM rate

sense

TZ68A+

7

Motherboard Manual

2.3 INSTALLING SYSTEM MEMORY

A. Memory Modules

DDR3_A1

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.

DDR3_B1

DDR3_A2

DDR3_B2

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

TZ68A+

B. Memory Capacity

DIMM Socket

Location

DDR3_A1 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB

DDR3_A2 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB

DDR3_B1 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB

DDR3_B2 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB

DDR3 Module

Total Me m ory

Size

Max is 32GB.

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 DDR3_A1 DDR3_A2 DDR3_B1 DDR3_B2

Enabled X O X O

Enabled O O 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)

Note:

Memory mod ule must be installed in DDR3-A2 or DDR3-B2 to boot the
system.

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Motherboard Manual

2.4 CONNECTORS AND SLOTS

SATA1/SATA2: Serial ATA3 Connectors

The motherboard has a PCI to SATA Controller with 2 channels SATA3 interface,
it satisfies the SATA 3.0 spec and with transfer rate of 6.0Gb/s.

SATA3~SATA6: Serial ATA2 Connectors

The motherboard has a PCI to SATA Controller with 4 channels SATA2 interface,
it satisfies the SATA 2.0 spec and with transfer rate of 3.0Gb/s.

Pin

Assignment

1 Ground

SATA1SATA2

7

4

1

2 TX+
3 TX­4 Ground
5 RX­6 RX+
7 Ground

Pin

Assignment

1 Ground
2 TX+

SATA3SAT A5

SATA4SATA6

7

4

1

3 TX­4 Ground
5 RX­6 RX+
7 Ground

10

ATXP W R1: AT X P ower Source Connector

This connector allows user to connect 24-pin power connector on the ATX
power supply.

TZ68A+

12

Pin Assignment Pin Assignment

13 +3.3V 1 +3.3V
14 -12V 2 +3.3V
15 Ground 3 Ground
16 PS_ON 4 +5V
17 Ground 5 Ground
18 Ground 6 +5V
19 Ground 7 Ground
20 NC 8 PW_OK
21 +5V 9 Standby Voltage+5V
22 +5V 10 +12V
23 +5V 11 +12V
24 Ground 12 +3.3V

24

1

13

ATXP W R2: AT X P ower Source Connector

This connector provides +12V to CPU power circuit. If the CPU power plug is

4-pin, please plug it into Pin 1-2-5-6 of ATXPWR2.

85

14

Pin

Assignment

1 +12V
2 +12V
3 +12V
4 +12V
5 Ground
6 Ground
7 Ground
8 Ground

Note:

Before you power on the system, please make sure that both ATXPWR1 and ATXPWR2
connectors have been well plugged-in.

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Motherboard Manual

PEX16_1: PCI-Express Gen2 x16 Slot

- PCI-Express 2.0 compliant.

- Maximum theoretical realized bandwidth of 8GB/s simultaneously per

direction, for an aggregate of 16GB/s totally.

- PCI-Express Gen2 supports a raw bit-rate of 5.0Gb/s on the data pins.

- 2X bandwidth over the PCI-Express 1.1 architecture.

PEX16_2: PCI-Express Gen2 x4 Slot

- PCI-Express 2.0 compliant.

- Maximum theoretical realized bandwidth of 2GB/s simultaneously per

direction, for an aggregate of 4GB/s totally.

PEX1_1: PCI-Express Gen2 x1 Slot

- PCI-Express 2.0 compliant.

- Data transfer bandwidth up to 500MB/s per direction; 1GB/s in total.

- PCI-Express supports a raw bit-rate of 2.5Gb/s on the data pins.

PEX16_1

PEX1_ 1

PEX16_2

PCI1/PCI2: Peripheral Component Interconnect Slot

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.

PCI1

PCI2

12

CHAPTER 3: HEADERS & JUMPERS SETUP

TZ68A+

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 D

PANEL1: Front Panel Header

ETAIL SETTINGS

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.

POW_LED

On/ Off

-

++

9
1

SPK

+

HLED

-

RST

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

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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.

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
5 Right line in
6 Jack Sense
7 Front Sense

2

10

1

9

8 Key
9 Left line in

10 Jack Sense

Pin

Assignment

1 +5V
2 SPDIF_OUT
3 Ground

CIR1: Consumer IR Connector

This header is for infrared remote control and communication.

14

125

31

Pin Assignment

1 IrDA serial input
2 Ground
3 Ground
4 Key
5 IrDA serial output
6 IR Power

6

TZ68A+

JCMOS1: Clear CMOS Header

Placing the jumper on pin2-3 allows user to restore the BIOS safe setting and
the CMOS data. Please carefully follow the procedures to avoid damaging the
motherboard.

13

13

Pin 1-2 Close:

Normal Operation (default).

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. Load Optimal Defaults and save settings in CMOS.

F_USB1/F_USB2/F_USB3: 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.

F_ USB1

USB3 F_

F_USB2

10

129

Assignment

Pin

1 +5V (fused)
2 +5V (fused)
3 USB­4 USB­5 USB+
6 USB+
7 Ground
8 Ground
9 Key

10 NC

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Motherboard Manual

J_PRINT1: Printer Port Connector

This header allows you to connector printer on the PC.

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

J_COM1: Serial Port Connector

The motherboard has a Serial Port Connector for connecting RS-232 Port.

2

1

210

19

26

25

Pin

Assignment

1 Carrier detect
2 Received data
3 Transmitted data
4 Data terminal ready
5 Signal ground
6 Data set ready
7 Request to send
8 Clear to send
9 Ring indicator

10 NC

16