ECS A78F2P-M2 User Manual
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
Preface
Copyright
This publication, including all photographs, illustrations and software, is protected
under international copyright laws, with all rights reserved. Neither this manual, nor
any of the material contained herein, may be reproduced without written consent of
the author.
Version 1.0
Disclaimer
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. The manufacturer makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents hereof
and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for
any particular purpose. The manufacturer reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes from time to time in the content hereof without obligation
of the manufacturer to notify any person of such revision or changes.
Trademark Recognition
Microsoft, MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
AMD, Phenom, Athlon, Sempron, Turion, and Duron are registered trademarks of AMD
Corporation.
Other product names used in this manual are the properties of their respective owners
and are acknowledged.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for 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
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
• Connect the equipment onto an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
Shielded interconnect cables and a shielded AC power cable must be employed with
this equipment to ensure compliance with the pertinent RF emission limits governing this device. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the system’s
manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
Declaration of Conformity
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Canadian Department of Communications
This class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interferencecausing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Réglement
sur le matériel brouilieur du Canada.
The manual consists of the following:
Describes features of the
motherboard.
page 1
Describes installation of
motherboard components.
page 7
page 25
page 49
Installing the Motherboard
Introducing the Motherboard
Provides information on using the BIOS Setup Utility.
Describes the motherboard
software.
Limits and methods of mesurement of radio disturbance characteristics of information technology equipment
EN 55022
EN 61000-3-2
Disturbances in supply systems caused
EN 61000-3-3
Disturbances in supply systems caused by household appliances and similar electrical equipment “ Voltage fluctuations”
EN 55024
Information technology equipment-Immunity characteristicsLimits and methods of measurement
EN 60950
Safety for information technology equipment including electrical business equipment
CE marking
About the Manual
This device is in conformity with the following EC/EMC directives:
Chapter 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Using BIOS
Using the Motherboard Software
Chapter 5
Trouble Shooting
Provides basic trouble
shooting tips.
page 53
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
Chapter 2 7
Installing the Motherboard 7
Safety Precautions..............................................................................7
Installing the Motherboard in a Chassis.......................................7
Checking Jumper Settings..................................................................8
Installing Hardware...........................................................................9
Installing the Processor............................................................9
Installing the CPU Cooler........................................................10
Installing Memory Modules...................................................11
Installing Add-on Cards..........................................................12
Connecting Optional Devices.................................................14
Installing a SATA Hard Drive...................................................20
Connecting Case Components........................................................21
Front Panel Header................................................................23
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface i
Chapter 1 1
Introducing the Motherboard 1
Introduction...........................................................................................1
Pakage Contents..................................................................................1
Specifications......................................................................................2
Motherboard Components................................................................4
I/O Ports...............................................................................................6
Chapter 3 25
Using BIOS 25
About the Setup Utility......................................................................25
The Standard Configuration........................ ...........................25
Entering the Setup Utility.......................................................25
Resetting the Default CMOS Values.....................................26
Using BIOS.........................................................................................26
BIOS Navigation Keys..............................................................27
Main Menu.............................................................................28
Advanced Menu......................................................................29
Chipset Menu..........................................................................41
M.I.B III(MB Intelligent BIOS III) Menu....................................43
Boot Menu...............................................................................45
Security Menu.........................................................................46
Exit Menu...............................................................................47
Updating the BIOS......................................................................48
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
Chapter 4 49
Using the Motherboard Software 49
Auto-installing under Windows 7/8/8.1.......................................49
Running Setup........................................................................49
Manual Installation..........................................................................51
ECS Utility Software (Intelligent EZ Utility).....................................51
Chapter 6 53
Trouble Shooting 53
Start up problems during assembly..............................................53
Start up problems after prolong use............................................54
Maintenance and care tips..............................................................54
Basic Troubleshooting Flowchart.....................................................55
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the A78F2P-M2 motherboard. This motherboard is a high
performance, enhanced function motherboard that supports socket FM2+ 906P
Kaveri/FM2 904P Richland for AMD processors for high-end business or personal
desktop markets.
The motherboard is based on AMD A78 Bolton express chipset for best desktop
platform. The memory controller supports DDR3 memory DIMM frequencies of
2133MHz (FM2+)
*1
/1866MHz (FM2)*1. It supports two DDR3 slots with maximum
memory size of 32 GB. One PCI Express x16 slot, intended for Graphics Interface, is
fully compliant to the PCI Express Gen3 (version 3.0)*2. In addition, two PCI Express
x1 slots and one v2.3 PCI slot are supported.
It integrates USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 interface, supporting up to ten USB 2.0 ports (six
USB 2.0 ports at the rear panel and two USB 2.0 headers support additional four USB
2.0 ports) and four USB 3.0 ports (two USB 3.0 ports at the rear panel and one USB 3.0
header supports additional two USB 3.0 ports). The gray USB 2.0 header provides EZ
char
g
er technology, please refer to Front Panel USB 2.0 headers of chapter 2 for
more details. This motherboard integrates a Serial ATA host controller, supporting
six SATA ports with maximum transfer rate up to 6Gb/s each.
There is an full set of I/O ports in the rear panel, including PS/2 mouse and keyboard
combo connectors, one D-sub (VGA) port, one DVI port, one HDMI port (Co-lay with
DP port), six USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, one LAN port, three audio jacks for
microphone, line-in and 6-ch line-out.
Your motherboard package ships with the following items:
Package Contents
A78F2P-M2 Motherboard
Quick Installation Guide
User Manual
DVD
I/O Shield
2 SATA 6Gb/s Cables
The package contents above are for reference only, please take the actual
package items as standard.
*1. Due to the limitation of chipset spec, it supports up to 2133/1866 MHz,
1.5V memory with a single DIMM per channel.
*2. FM2+ APU supports PCI Express Gen3, FM2 APU supports PCI Express Gen2.
Chapter 1
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
CPU
Specifications
• AMD A78 Bolton Chipset
Chipset
• Dual-channel DDR3 memory architecture
• 2 x 240-pin DDR3 UDIMM sockets support up to 32 GB
• Supports DDR3 2133MHz (FM2+)*/1866MHz (FM2)* DDR3
SDRAM
Memory
• 1 x PCI Express x16 Gen3* slot
• 2 x PCI Express x1 slots
• 1 x PCI slot
• Supported by AMD A78 Bolton
- 6 x Serial ATA 6Gb/s connectors
Expansion
Slots
Storage
• 1 x PS/2 keyboard and mouse combo connector
• 1 x D-Sub port (VGA)
• 1 x DVI port
• 1 x HDMI port (Co-lay with DP port)
• 6 x USB 2.0 ports
• 2 x USB 3.0 ports
• 1 x RJ45 LAN connector
• 1 x Audio port (Line in, Line out, Mic_in Rear)
Rear Panel I/O
• Socket FM2+906P Kaveri/FM2 904P Richland for AMD
processors
• Supports CPU up to 125W TDP
Note: Please go to ECS website for the latest CPU support list.
• 1 x 24-pin ATX Power Supply connector
• 1 x 4-pin 12V Power connector
• 1 x 4-pin CPU_FAN connector
• 2 x 4-pin SYS_FAN connectors
• 2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional four USB 2.0 ports
(F_USB1 supports EZ Charger function)
• 1 x USB 3.0 header supports additional two USB 3.0 ports
• 6 x Serial SATA 6Gb/s connectors
• 1 x COM header
• 1 x Case open header
• 1 x SPDIF out header
• 1 x TPM header
• 1 x Front Panel audio header
• 1 x Front Panel switch/LED header
Internal I/O
Connectors &
Headers
• Realtek ALC662 48P 6-Ch High Definition audio CODEC
- Compliant with HD audio specification
Audio
LAN
•
Realtek RTL8111G
Note: *Due to the limitation of chipset spec, it supports up to
2133/1866 MHz, 1.5V memor
y with a single DIMM per channel.
Please go to ECS website for the latest CPU support list.
Note: *FM2+ APU supports PCI Express Gen3, FM2 APU supports PCI
Express Gen2.
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
Chapter 1
• AMI BIOS with 32Mb SPI Flash ROM
- Supports Plug and Play, STR (S3)/STD (S4)
- Supports ACPI & DMI
- Supports Hardware Monitor
- Audio, LAN, can be disabled in BIOS
- F7 hot key for boot up devices option
- Supports PaUp clear CMOS Hotkey (Has PS2 KB Model only)
System BIOS
Form Factor
• Micro-ATX Size, 244mm x 210mm
• Supports eBLU*1/eDLU/eSF*1/EZ Charger
• 3rd Party Bundled Software: Cyberlink Media Suite*2/Norton
Anti Virus*2/Muzee*2/MAGIX*
2
AP/Bundled
Software
Support
Note: *1Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 is required.
*2Free bundle software is including ECS DVD: Cyberlink Media
Suite/Norton Anti Virus/Muzee/MAGIX
• 1 x Speaker header
• 1 x Parallel port header(LPT)
• 1 x Clear CMOS jumper
Chapter 1
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
Motherboard Components
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
Chapter 1
Table of Motherboard Components
LABEL COMPONENTS
1. CPU Socket FM2+ 906P Kaveri/FM2 904P Richland for AMD processors
2. SYS_FAN2 4-pin System cooling fan connector
3. CPU_FAN 4-pin CPU cooling fan connector
4. DDR3_1~2 240-pin DDR3 SDRAM slots
5. ATX_POWER Standard 24-pin ATX power connector
6. SATA1~6 Serial ATA 6Gb/s connectors
7. F_PANEL Front panel switch/LED header
Front panel USB 2.0 headers
(F_USB1 supports EZ Charger function)
9. USB3F Front panel USB 3.0 header
10. SYS_FAN1 4-pin System cooling fan connector
11. SPK Speaker header
12. CLR_CMOS Clear CMOS jumper
13. LPT Parallel port header
14. COM Serial port header
15. TPM Trusted Platform Module header
16. CASE Case open header
17. PCIE1~2 PCI Express x1 slots
18. SPDIFO SPDIF out header
19. PCI 32-bit PCI add-on card slot
20. PCIEX16 PCI Express slot for graphics interface
21. F_AUDIO Front panel audio header
22. ATX12V 4-pin +12V power connector
8. F_USB1~2
Chapter 1
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
I/O Ports
1. PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse combo connector
Use the PS/2 port to connect a PS/2 mouse or a PS2 keyboard.
2. USB 2.0 Ports
Use the USB 2.0 ports to connect USB 2.0 devices.
3. VGA Port
Connect VGA display device to the VGA port.
4. DVI Port
Connect DVI display device to the DVI port.
5. HDMI Port (Co-lay with DP port)
Connect HDMI or DP display device to the HDMI or DP port.
6. USB 3.0 Ports
Use the USB 3.0 ports to connect USB 3.0 devices.
7. LAN Port
Connect an RJ-45 jack to the LAN port to connect your computer to the Network.
8. Line-in(blue)
It can be connected to an external CD/DVD player, tape player or other audio
devices for audio input.
9. Line-out(lime)
It is used to connect to speakers or headphones.
10. Microphone(pink)
It is used to connect to a microphone.
LAN LED Status Description
OFF No data
Orange blinking Active
OFF No link
Green Link
Activity LED
Link LED
Link LED
LAN Port
Or
Chapter 2
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
Chapter 2
Installing the Motherboard
2-1. Safety Precautions
2-2. Installing the motherboard in a Chassis
This motherboard carries a Micro ATX form factor of 244 x 210 mm. Choose a chassis
that accommodates this form factor. Make sure that the I/O template in the chassis
matches the I/O ports installed on the rear edge of the motherboard. Most system
chassis have mounting brackets installed in the chassis, which corresponds to the
holes in the motherboard. Place the motherboard over the mounting brackets and
secure the motherboard onto the mounting brackets with screws.
Follow these safety precautions when installing the motherboard:
• Wear a grounding strap attached to a grounded device to avoid damage
from static electricity.
• Discharge static electricity by touching the metal case of a safely grounded
object before working on the motherboard.
• Leave components in the static-proof bags.
• Always remove the AC power by unplugging the power cord from the power
outlet before installing or removing the motherboard or other hardware
components.
Do not over-tighten the screws as this can damage the motherboard.
Chapter 2
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
The following illustration shows the location of the motherboard jumpers. Pin 1 is
labeled.
2-3. Checking Jumper Settings
To avoid the system instability after clearing CMOS, we recommend users to
enter the main BIOS setting page to “Load Default Settings” and then “Save
and Exit Setup”
Chapter 2
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
2-4. Installing Hardware
2-4-1. Installing the Processor
• This motherboard has an FM2+ socket.
• When choosing a processor, consider the performance requirements of
the system. Performance is based on the processor design, the clock speed
and system bus frequency of the processor, and the quantity of internal
cache memory and external cache memory.
• You may be able to change the settings in the system Setup Utility. We
strongly recommend you do not over-clock processor or other
components to run faster than their rated speed.
• The following illustration shows CPU installation components.
A. Pull up the lever away from the socket and lift up to 90-degree angle.
B. Locate the CPU cut edge (the corner with the pin hold noticeably
missing). Align and insert the CPU correctly.
C. Press the metal lever back into its original position.
Chapter 2
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
A. Apply some thermal grease onto the contacted area between the
heatsink and the CPU, and make it to be a thin layer.
B. Put the CPU Fan down on the retention module and flip the levers
over the heat sink in place.
C. Connect the CPU cooler power connector to the CPU_FAN connector.
2-4-2. Installing the CPU Cooler
• Install the cooling fan in a well-lit work area so that you can clearly see the
motherboard and processor socket.
• Avoid using cooling fans with sharp edges in case the fan casing and the
clips cause serious damage to the motherboard or its components.
• To achieve better airflow rates and heat dissipation, we suggest that you
use a high quality fan with 3800 rpm at least. CPU fan and heat sink
installation procedures may vary with the type of CPU fan/heatsink
supplied. The form and size of fan/heatsink may also vary.
• The following illustration shows how to install CPU fan.
Chapter 2
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
2-4-3. Installing Memory Modules
• This motherboard accommodates two memory modules. It can support
two 240-pin DDR3 2133MHz (FM2+)*/1866MHz (FM2)*.
• Do not remove any memory module from its antistatic packaging until
you are ready to install it on the motherboard. Handle the modules only
by their edges. Do not touch the components or metal parts. Always wear
a grounding strap when you handle the modules.
• You must install at least one module in any of the two slots. Total memory
capacity is 32 GB.
• Refer to the following to install the memory modules.
C. The slot latches are levered upwards and latch on to the edges of the
DIMM.
A. Push the latches on each side of the DIMM slot down.
B. Install the DIMM module into the slot and press it firmly down until it
seats c
orr
ectly. Check that the cutouts on the DIMM module edge
connector match the notches in the DIMM slot.
*Due to the limitation of chipset spec, it supports up to 2133/1866 MHz,
1.5V memory with a single DIMM per channel.
Chapter 2
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
2-4-4. Installing Add-on Cards
The slots on this motherboard are designed to hold expansion cards and connect
them to the system bus. Expansion slots are a means of adding or enhancing the
motherboard’s features and capabilities. With these efficient facilities, you can
increase the motherboard’s capabilities by adding hardware that performs tasks
that are not part of the basic system.
PCIEX16 Slot
The PCI Express x16 slot is used to install an external PCI
Express graphics card that is fully compliant to the PCI Express
Base Specification revision 3.0*.
The PCI Express x1 slots are fully compliant to the PCI Express
Base Specification revision 2.0.
PCIE1~2 Slots
This motherboard is equipped with one standard PCI slot. PCI
stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect and is a bus
standard for expansion cards, which for the most part, is a
supplement of the older ISA bus standard. The PCI slot on this
board is PCI v2.3 compliant.
PCI Slot
* FM2+ APU supports PCI Express Gen3, FM2 APU supports PCI Express Gen2.
Before installing an add-on card, check the documentation for the card
carefully. If the card is not Plug and Play, you may have to manually configure
the card before installation.
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
1 Remove a blanking plate from the system case corresponding to the slot
you are going to use.
2 Install the edge connector of the add-on card into the expansion slot.
Ensure that the edge connector is correctly seated in the slot.
3 Secure the metal bracket of the card to the system case with a screw.
1. For some add-on cards, for example graphics adapters and network adapters, you have to install drivers and software before you can begin using the
add-on card.
2. The onboard PCI interface does not support 64-bit SCSI cards.
Follow these instructions to install an add-on card:
Please refer the following illustrations to install the add-on card:
Install the VGA Card in the PCIE X16 slot
Install the VGA Card in the PCI slot
Install the LAN Card in the PCIE slot
Chapter 2
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A78F2P-M2 USER MANUAL
2-4-5. Connecting Optional Devices
Refer to the following for information on connecting the motherboard’s optional
devices:
SATA1~6 connectors are used to support the new Serial ATA device for the highest
data transfer rates (6.0 Gb/s), simpler disk drive cabling and easier PC assembly. It
eliminates limitations of the current Parallel ATA interface. But maintains register
compatibility and software compatibility with Parallel ATA.
1. SATA1~6: Serial ATA III connectors
No. Components No. Components
1 SATA1~6 6 TPM
2F_USB1~27 CASE
3USB3F 8SPDIFO
4LPT9F_AUDIO
5COM————
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