MSI 770 C45 - AM3 AMD 770 HDMI Motherboard, K8N NEO4-F - Motherboard - ATX, G52-M7125X4 User Manual

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K8N Neo4 Series

MS-7125 (v1.X) ATX Mainboard

G52-M7125X4

Manual Rev: 1.1 Release Date: January 2005

FCC-B Radio Frequency Interference Statement

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 when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Notice 1

The changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Notice 2

Shielded interface cables and A.C. power cord, if any, must be used in order to comply with the emission limits.

VOIR LA NOTICE D’INSTALLATION AVANT DE RACCORDER AU RESEAU.

Micro-Star International MS-7125

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation

The material in this document is the intellectual property of MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL. We take every care in the preparation of this document, but no

guarantee is given as to the correctness of its contents. Our products are under continual improvement and we reserve the right to make changes without notice.

Trademarks

All trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. AMD, Athlon™, Athlon™ XP, Thoroughbred™, and Duron™ are registered

trademarks of AMD Corporation. Intel® and Pentium® are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. PS/2 and OS®/2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Windows® 98/2000/NT/ XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. NVIDIA, the NVIDIA logo, DualNet, and nForce are registered trademarks or trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Netware® is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc. Award® is a registered trademark of Phoenix Technologies Ltd. AMI® is a registered trademark of American Megatrends Inc. Kensington and MicroSaver are registered trademarks of the Kensington Technology Group. PCMCIA and CardBus are registered trademarks of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association.

Revision History

Revision Revision History Date

V1.0 First release for PCB 1.X December 2004

V1.1 First release for PCB 1.X January 2005

with nVidia nForce4 Ultra

with nVidia nForce4 Ultra/Standard

iii

Technical Support

If a problem arises with your system and no solution can be obtained from the user’s manual, please contact your place of purchase or local distributor. Alternatively, please try the following help resources for further guidance. † Visit the MSI homepage & FAQ site for technical guide, BIOS updates, driver

updates, and other information: http://www.msi.com.tw & http://www.msi.

com.tw/program/service/faq/faq/esc_faq_list.php

† Contact our technical staff at: support@msi.com.tw

Safety Instructions

1. Always read the safety instructions carefully.

2. Keep this User’s Manual for future reference.

3. Keep this equipment away from humidity.

4. Lay this equipment on a reliable flat surface before setting it up.

5. The openings on the enclosure are for air convection hence protects the equipment from overheating. Do not cover the openings.

6. Make sure the voltage of the power source and adjust properly 110/220V before connecting the equipment to the power inlet.

7. Place the power cord such a way that people can not step on it. Do not place anything over the power cord.

8. Always Unplug the Power Cord before inserting any add-on card or module.

9. All cautions and warnings on the equipment should be noted.

10. Never pour any liquid into the opening that could damage or cause electrical shock.

11. If any of the following situations arises, get the equipment checked by a service personnel:

† The power cord or plug is damaged. † Liquid has penetrated into the equipment. † The equipment has been exposed to moisture. † The equipment has not work well or you can not get it work according to

User’s Manual.

† The equipment has dropped and damaged. † The equipment has obvious sign of breakage.

12. Do not leave this equipment in an environment unconditioned, storage temperature above 600 C (1400F), it may damage the equipment.

CAUTION: Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced.

Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1. Getting Started....................................................................................1-1

Mainboard Specifications...................................................................................1-2

Mainboard Layout................................................................................................1-5

Packing Contents.................................................................................................1-6

Chapter 2. Hardware Setup..................................................................................2-1

Quick Components Guide...................................................................................2-2

Central Processing Unit: CPU.............................................................................2-3

CPU Installation Procedures for Socket 939.............................................2-4

Installing AMD Athlon64 CPU Cooler Set....................................................2-5

Memory.................................................................................................................2-7

Introduction to DDR SDRAM.......................................................................2-7

DIMM Module Combination...........................................................................2-7

Recommended Memory Combination List..................................................2-8

Installing DDR Modules................................................................................2-9

Power Supply....................................................................................................2-10

ATX 20-Pin Power Connector: ATX1.......................................................2-10

ATX 12V Power Connector: JPW1..........................................................2-10

Important Notification about Power Issue.................................................2-11

Back Panel.........................................................................................................2-12

Mouse Connector (Green) / Keyboard Connector (Purple)..................2-12

IEEE1394 Port (Optional)...........................................................................2-13

Serial Port Connector................................................................................2-13

USB Connectors........................................................................................2-13

LAN (RJ-45) Jack......................................................................................2-14

Audio Port Connectors..............................................................................2-14

Parallel Port Connector: LPT1...................................................................2-15

Connectors........................................................................................................2-16

Floppy Disk Drive Connector: FDD1.........................................................2-16

Fan Power Connectors: CPUFAN1 / SFAN1 / SFAN2 / NBFAN1...........2-16

Hard Disk Connectors: IDE1/IDE2.............................................................2-17

Chassis Intrusion Switch Connectors: JCI1............................................2-17

Serial ATA/Serial ATA RAID Connectors controlled by

nForce4 Ultra/Standard: SATA1/SATA2/SATA3/SATA4.........................2-18

CD-In Connector: JCD1.............................................................................2-18

Front Panel Connectors: JFP1 / JFP2......................................................2-19

Front USB Connectors: JUSB1/JUSB2/JUSB3........................................2-19

Front Panel Audio Connector: JAUD1......................................................2-20

IrDA Infrared Module Header: JIR1...........................................................2-20

IEEE 1394 Connectors: J1394_1 (Optional)............................................2-21

D-BracketTM 2 Connector: JDB1...............................................................2-22

Buuton................................................................................................................2-24

Clear CMOS Button: SW1..........................................................................2-25

Slots....................................................................................................................2-26

PCI Express Slots......................................................................................2-26

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Slots......................................2-26

PCI Interrupt Request Routing...................................................................2-27

Chapter 3. BIOS Setup............................................................................................3-1

Entering Setup.....................................................................................................3-2

Selecting the First Boot Device..................................................................3-2

Control Keys................................................................................................3-3

Getting Help..................................................................................................3-3

The Main Menu.....................................................................................................3-4

Standard CMOS Features...................................................................................3-6

Advanced BIOS Features...................................................................................3-8

Advanced Chipset Features.............................................................................3-11

Integrated Peripherals.......................................................................................3-12

Power Management Setup...............................................................................3-17

PNP/PCI Configurations.....................................................................................3-20

H/W Monitor........................................................................................................3-22

Cell Menu............................................................................................................3-23

Load Fail-Safe/Optimized Defaults..................................................................3-30

BIOS Setting Password....................................................................................3-31

Chapter 4. Introduction to DigiCell.....................................................................4-1

Main......................................................................................................................4-2

H/W Diagnostic....................................................................................................4-4

Communication.....................................................................................................4-5

Software Access Point.......................................................................................4-6

Terminology..................................................................................................4-6

Access Point Mode.....................................................................................4-7

WLAN Card Mode........................................................................................4-8

Live Update..........................................................................................................4-9

MEGA STICK.......................................................................................................4-10

Basic Function...........................................................................................4-10

Non-Unicode programs supported...........................................................4-12

Core Center (for AMD K8 Processor).............................................................4-14

Audio Speaker Setting......................................................................................4-16

Power on Agent.................................................................................................4-18

Power On...................................................................................................4-18

Power Off / Restart...................................................................................4-19

Start With....................................................................................................4-19

Auto Login..................................................................................................4-20

Chapter 5. nVIDIA RAID Introduction..................................................................5-1

Introduction..........................................................................................................5-2

System Requirement...................................................................................5-2

RAID Arrays.................................................................................................5-2

Summary of RAID Configurations..............................................................5-2

RAID Configuration..............................................................................................5-3

Basic Configuration Instructions................................................................5-3

Setting Up the NVRAID BIOS......................................................................5-3

NVIDIA RAID Untility Installation..........................................................................5-7

Installing the RAID Driver (for bootable RAID Array)...............................5-7

Installing the NVIDIA RAID Software Under Windows

(for Non-bootable RAID Array).................................................................5-9

Initializing and Using the Disk Array.........................................................5-10

RAID Drives Management.................................................................................5-12

Viewing RAID Array Configurations........................................................5-12

Setting Up a Spare RAID Disk...................................................................5-14

Rebuilding a RAID Mirrored Array............................................................5-20

Chapter 6. Installation of Driver & Utility..........................................................6-1

Driver Installation.................................................................................................6-2

NVIDIA nForce4 System Driver..................................................................6-2

Realtek AC97 Audio Driver.........................................................................6-5

Utility Installation..................................................................................................6-6

vii

viii

Getting Started

Chapter 1. Getting Started

Getting Started

Thank you for choosing the K8N Neo4 series (MS-7125) v1.

X ATX mainboard. The K8N Neo4 series mainboard is based on nVIDIA® nForce™4 Ultra/Standard chipset for optimal system efficiency. Designed to fit the advanced AMD® K8 Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 processor, the K8N Neo4 series mainboard delivers a high performance and professional desktop platform solution.

1-1

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Mainboard Specifications

CPU

† Supports Socket-939 for AMD K8 Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 (Socket939) processor † Supports up to Athlon64 3500+, 3800+, or higher CPU

(For the latest information about CPU, please visit http://www.msi.com.tw/program/ products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_cpu_support.php)

Chipset

† nVIDIA nForce4 Ultra/Standard

- HyperTransport link to the AMD Athlon 64/Athlon 64 FX CPU

- HyperTransport supporting speed up to 1GHz (2000MT/s)

- Supports PCI Express x16/x1/x2 interface

- Two independent SATA controllers, for four drives

- Dual Fast ATA-133 IDE controllers

- IEEE802.3 nVIDIA MAC for 1000BASE-T

Main Memory

† Supports dual channel, eight memory banks DDR 266/333/400, using four 184-

pin DDR DIMMs

† Supports a maximum memory size up to 4GB † Supports 2.5v DDR SDRAM DIMM

(For the updated supporting memory modules, please visit http://www.msi.com.tw/ program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_trp_list.php.)

Slots

† One PCI Express x16 slot (supports PCI Express Bus specification v1.0a

compliant)

† One PCI Express x1 slots (supports PCI Express Bus specification v1.0a

compliant)

† One PCI Express x4 slots (supports PCI Express x2 device only ) † Four 32-bit Master PCI Bus slots, includes one orange slot which is reserved as

a communication slot.

† Support 3.3V/5V PCI bus Interface

On-Board IDE

† An IDE controller on the nVIDIA® nForce4 Ultra/Standard chipset provides IDE

HDD/CD-ROM with PIO, Bus Master and Ultra DMA 66/100/133 operation modes

† Can connect up to 4 IDE devices

On-Board SATA

† nForce4 Standard supports 4 SATA ports. Transfer rate is up to 150MB/s. † nForce4 Ultra supports 4 SATA II ports. Transfer rate is up to 300MB/s.

1-2

Getting Started

USB Interface

† 10 USB ports

- Controlled by nForce4 Ultra chipset

- 4 ports in the rear I/O, 6 ports via the external bracket

NV RAID (Software)

† Supports up to 4 SATA and 4 ATA133 Hard drives

-RAID 0 or 1, 0+1, JBOD is supported

-RAID function available for PATA+SATA H/D drives

Gigabit LAN

† Supports one LAN jacks

-Supports 10/100/1000 Fast Ethernet by Marvell 88E1111

IEEE 1394 (Optional)

† Supports up to two 1394 ports (rear panel x 1, pinheader x 1). Transfer rate is

up to 400Mbps

Audio

† Chip integrated by Realtek ALC850

-Direct Sound AC97 audio

-7.1 Channel output

On-Board Peripherals

† On-Board Peripherals include:

-1 floppy port supports 1 FDD with 360K, 720K, 1.2M, 1.44M and 2.88Mbytes

-1 serial port

-1 parallel port supporting SPP/EPP/ECP mode

-1 Audio jack(5-in-1) and fiber SPDIF out

-1 coaxial SPDIF out

-1 IrDA pinheader

-1 CD-In pinheader

-1 D-Bracket2 pinheader

-2 IEEE1394 ports (Rear * 1 / Front * 1)(Optional)

-10 USB1.1/2.0 ports (Rear * 4 / Front * 6)

BIOS

† The mainboard BIOS provides “Plug & Play” BIOS which detects the peripheral

devices and expansion cards of the board automatically.

† The mainboard provides a Desktop Management Interface (DMI) function which

records your mainboard specifications.

† Supports boot from LAN, USB Device 1.1 & 2.0, and SATA HDD.

1-3

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

† Supports boot from LAN, USB Device 1.1 & 2.0, and SATA HDD.

Dimension

† ATX Form Factor (30.4 cm X 24.4 cm)

Mounting

† 9 mounting holes

MSI Reminds You...

1.Now the nVidia nForce4 system driver is only available for Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

2.To create a bootable RAID volume for a Windows 2000 environment, Microsoft’s Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4) is required. As the end user cannot boot without SP4, a combination installation CD must be created before attempting to install the operating system onto the bootable RAID volume. To create the combination installation CD, please refer to the following website:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/ servicepacks/sp4/HFdeploy.htm

1-4

CPUFAN1

SATA3

SATA4

SATA1

SATA2

JCD1

Winbond W83

627

THF

IMM

SFAN1

PCI Slot 3

PCI Slot 2

PCI Slot 1

JUSB3

J1394_1

(Optional)

Top : mouse

MSI

CoreCell

PCI Slot 4

NForce4

Ultra/Standard

Bottom: keyboard

Top : Parallel Port Bottom:

COM Port 1394 Port (Optional) SPDIF OUT

T: LAN jack B: USB ports

USB ports

Line-In

Line-Out

Mic T:RS-Out M:CS

-Out

B:SPDIF Out

88E1111-RCJ

PCI _E3

Mainboard Layout

1 W

P J

Getting Started

JCI1

JIR1JIR1

PCI _E2

PCI _E1

VIA

VT6307

(Optional)

S O

Codec

JAUD1

JDB1

SFAN2

JUSB1

JUSB2

I B

JLPC1

K8N Neo4 Series (MS-7125 v1.X) ATX Mainboard

NBFAN1

S1W

JFP2

JFP1

1-5

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

MSI motherboard

Packing Contents

MSI Driver/Utility CD

SATA RAID Driver

Diskette

SATA Cable (Optional)

Power Cable

Round Cable of

Floppy Disk (Optional)

D-Bracket 2 (Optional)

1394 Cable (Optional)

Round Cable of

IDE Devices (Optional)

Back IO Shield

User’s Guide

1-6

Hardware Setup

Chapter 2. Hardware Setup

Hardware Setup

This chapter tells you how to install the CPU, memory modules, and expansion cards, as well as how to setup the jumpers on the mainboard. Also, it provides the instructions on connecting the peripheral devices, such as the mouse, keyboard, etc.

While doing the installation, be careful in holding the components and follow the installation procedures.

2-1

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Quick Components Guide

Back Panel I/ O,(Optional)

p.2-12

PCI_E3, p.2-26

PCI_E2, p.2-26

PCI_E1, p.2-26

J1394_1, p.2-21

(Optional)

PCI Slots 1~4,

CPUFAN1, p.2-16

p.2-26

CPU, p.2-3

JPW1, p.2-10

SFAN1, p.2-16

DDR DIMMs, p.2-7

JCI1, p.2-7

ATX1, p.2-10 JIR1, p.2-20

FDD1, p.2-16

IDE1/2, p.2-17

NBFAN1,

p.2-16

SATA1~4,

p.2-18

SW1, p.2-25

JAUD1, p.2-20

JCD1, p.2-18

2-2

JDB1, p.2-22

SFAN2,

p.2-16

JFP2, p.2-19

JFP1, p.2-19

JUSB1~3, p.2-19

Hardware Setup

Central Processing Unit: CPU

The mainboard supports AMD® Athlon64 processor. The mainboard uses a CPU socket called Socket-939 for easy CPU installation. When you are installing the CPU, make

sure the CPU has a heat sink and a cooling fan attached on the top to prevent overheating. If you do not have the heat sink and cooling fan, contact your

dealer to purchase and install them before turning on the computer. For the latest information about CPU, please visit http://www.msi.com.tw/program/ products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_cpu_support.php.

MSI Reminds You...

Overheating

Overheating will seriously damage the CPU and system, always make sure the cooling fan can work properly to protect the CPU from overheating.

Replacing the CPU

While replacing the CPU, always turn off the ATX power supply or unplug the power supply’s power cord from grounded outlet first to ensure the safety of CPU.

Overclocking

This motherboard is designed to support overclocking. However, please make sure your components are able to tolerate such abnormal setting, while doing overclocking. Any attempt to operate beyond product specifications is not recommended. We do not guarantee the damages

or risks caused by inadequate operation or beyond product specifications.

2-3

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Gold arrow

Correct CPU placement

CPU Installation Procedures for Socket 939

1. Please turn off the power and

unplug the power cord before installing the CPU.

2. Pull the lever sideways away

from the socket. Make sure to raise the lever up to a 90-degree angle.

3.Look for the gold arrow on the CPU. The gold arrow should point as shown in the picture. The CPU can only fit in the correct orientation.Lower the CPU down onto the socket.

4.If the CPU is correctly installed, the pins should be completely embedded into the socket and can not be seen. Please note that any violation of the correct installation procedures may cause permanent damages to your mainboard.

Sliding

Plate

Open Lever

90 degree

5. Press the CPU down firmly into

the socket and close the lever. As the CPU is likely to move while the lever is being closed, always close the lever with your fingers pressing tightly on top of the CPU to make sure the CPU is properly and completely embedded into the socket.

2-4

Hardware Setup

Installing AMD Athlon64 CPU Cooler Set

When you are installing the CPU, make sure the CPU has a heat sink and a cooling fan attached on the top to prevent overheating. If you do not have the

heat sink and cooling fan, contact your dealer to purchase and install them before turning on the computer.

1.Detach the shield of the backplate’s paster.

2.Turn over the mainboard, and install the backplate to the proper position.

3.Turn over the mainboard again, and place the mainboard on the flat surface.

Locate the two screw holes of the mainboard.

4.Align the retention mechanism and the backplate.

Fix the retention mechanism and the backplate with two screws.

retention mechanism

2-5

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

5.Position the cooling set onto the retention mechanism.

Hook one end of the clip to hook first, and then press down the other end of the clip to fasten the cooling set on the top of the retention mechanism.

6.Locate the Fix Lever, Safety Hook

and the Fixed Bolt.

7.Fasten down the lever.

8.Make sure the safety hook completely clasps the fixed bolt of the retention mechanism.

Lift up the intensive fixed lever.

9.Attach the CPU Fan cable to the CPU

fan connector on the mainboard.

Safety Hook

Fixed Lever

Fixed Bolt

MSI Reminds You...

While disconnecting the Safety Hook from the fixed bolt, it is necessary to keep an eye on your fingers, because once the Safety Hook is

disconnected from the fixed bolt, the fixed lever will spring back instantly.

2-6

Hardware Setup

Memory

The mainboard provides 4 slots for 184-pin DDR SDRAM DIMM (Double In-Line Memory Module) modules and supports the memory size up to 4GB. You can install DDR266/ 333/400 modules on the DDR DIMM slots (DDR 1~4). For the updated supporting memory modules, please visit http://www.msi.com.tw/ program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_trp_list.php.

DIMM1~4

(from bottom to top)

Introduction to DDR SDRAM

DDR (Double Data Rate) SDRAM is similar to conventional SDRAM, but doubles the rate by transferring data twice per cycle. It uses 2.5 volts as opposed to 3.3 volts used in SDR SDRAM, and requires 184-pin DIMM modules rather than 168-pin DIMM modules used by SDR SDRAM. High memory bandwidth makes DDR an ideal solution for high performance PC, workstations and servers.

DIMM Module Combination

Install at least one DIMM module on the slots. Each DIMM slot supports up to a maximum size of 1GB. Users can install either single- or double-sided modules to meet their own needs. Please note that each DIMM can work respectively for single- channel DDR, but there are some rules while using dual-channel DDR (Please refer to the suggested DDR population table below). Users may install memory modules of different type and density on different-channel DDR DIMMs. However, the same type and density memory modules are necessary while using dual-channel DDR, or instability may happen. Please refer to the following table for detailed dual-channel DDR. Other combination not listed below will function as single-channel DDR.

2-7

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

GREEN

DIMM1 (Ch A) DIMM2 (Ch B) DIMM3 (Ch A) DIMM4 (Ch B) System Density 128MB~1GB 128MB~1GB 256MB~2GB

128MB~1GB 128MB~1GB 128MB~1GB 128MB~1GB 512MB~4GB

MSI Reminds You...

-Dual-channel DDR works ONLY in the 3 combinations listed in the table as below.

-Please select the identical memory modules to install on the dual channel, and DO NOT install three memory modules on three DIMMs, or it may cause some failure.

-Always insert the memory modules into the GREEN slots first, and it is strongly recommended not to insert the memory modules into the PURPLE slots while the GREEN slots are left empty.

-This mainboard DO NOT support the memory module installed with more than 18 pieces of IC (integrated circuit).

PURPLE

GREEN

128MB~1GB 128MB~1GB 256MB~2GB

PURPLE

Recommended Memory Combination List

DIMM Slots

Green Green

DIMM1

S D S

Purple

DIMM2 DIMM3 DIMM4

- -

DS -

D -

- - S S

D D

- -

S D

S: Single Side D: Double Side

- D D S

Purple

Max Speed

DDR 400 DDR 400 DDR 400 DDR 400 DDR 400 DDR 333 DDR 400 DDR 400 DDR 400 DDR 400 DDR 400 DDR 333

2-8

Hardware Setup

MSI Reminds You...

1. The maximum memory speed decreases when the following two Memory Combination is selected (you can also refer to the Recommended Memory Combination list shown in the previous page:

-Each channel is installed with two double-sided memory mod-

ules

-Both DIMM1 and DIMM3 slots are installed with double-sided

memory module.

2. Due to the South Bridge resource deployment, the system density will only be detected up to 3+GB (not full 4GB) when each DIMM is installed with an 1GB memory module.

Installing DDR Modules

1. The DDR DIMM has only one notch on the center of module. The module will only fit in the right orientation.

2. Insert the DIMM memory module vertically into the DIMM slot. Then push it in until the golden finger on the memory module is deeply inserted in the socket.

3. The plastic clip at each side of the DIMM slot will automatically close.

MSI Reminds You...

You can barely see the golden finger if the module is properly inserted in the socket.

Volt

Notch

2-9

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Power Supply

The mainboard supports ATX power supply for the power system. Before inserting the power supply connector, always make sure that all components are installed properly to ensure that no damage will be caused.

ATX 24-Pin Power Connector: ATX1

This connector allows you to connect an SSI power supply. To connect the SSI power supply, make sure the plug of the power supply is inserted in the proper orientation and the pins are aligned. Then push down the power supply firmly into the connector.

You may use the 20-pin ATX power supply or 24-pin SSI power supply as you like. If you’d like to use the ATX power supply, please plug your power supply along with pin 1 & pin 13 (refer to the image at the right hand). There is also a foolproof design on pin 11, 12, 23 & 24 to avoid wrong installation.

Pin Definition

pin 13

pin 12

PIN SIGNAL

13 +3.3V 14 -12V 15 GND 16 PS-ON# 17 GND 18 GND 19 GND 20 Res 21 +5V 22 +5V 23 +5V 24 GND

ATX1

1 13

PIN SIGNAL

1 +3.3V 2 +3.3V 3 GND 4 +5V 5 GND 6 +5V 7 GND 8 PWR OK 9 5VSB 10 +12V 11 +12V 12 NC

ATX 12V Power Connector: JPW1

This 12V power connector is used to provide power to the CPU.

JPW1 Pin Definition

3 4 1

JPW1

PIN SIGNAL

1 GND 2 GND 3 12V 4 12V

MSI Reminds You...

1. These two connectors connect to the ATX power supply and have to work together to ensure stable operation of the mainboard.

2. Power supply of 350 watts (and above) is highly recommended for system stability.

3. For ATX 12V power connection, it should be greater than 18A.

2-10

Hardware Setup

Important Notification about Power Issue

NForce chipset is very sensitive to ESD (Electrostatic Discharge), therefore this issue mostly happens while the users intensively swap memory modules under S5 (power-off) states, and the power code is plugged while installing modules. Due to several pins are very sensitive to ESD, so this kind of memory-replacement actions might cause system chipset unable to boot. Please follow the following solution to avoid this situation.

Unplug the AC power cable (shown in figure 1) or unplug the ATX1 & JPW1 power connectors (shown in figure 2 & figure 3) before the 1st installation or during system upgrade procedure.

Figure 1:

Unplug the AC power cable

Figure 2:

Unplug the ATX1 power connector

Figure 3:

Unplug the JPW1 power connector

2-11

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Back Panel

The back panel provides the following connectors:

Mouse

Keyboard

COM Port

Parallel

1394 Port

(Optional)

SPDIF Out (Coaxial)

LAN

USB Ports

L-In

L-Out

Mic

RS-Out

CS-Out SPDIF Out (Optical)

Mouse Connector (Green) / Keyboard Connector (Purple)

The mainboard provides a standard PS/2® mouse/keyboard mini DIN connector for attaching a PS/2® mouse/keyboard. You can plug a PS/2® mouse/keyboard directly into this connector. The connector location and pin assignments are as follows:

PS/2 Mouse / Keyboard

(6-pin Female)

2-12

Pin Definition

PIN SIGNAL DESCRIPTION

1 Mouse/Keyboard Data Mouse/Keyboard data 2 NC No connection 3 GND Ground 4 VCC +5V 5 Mouse/Keyboard Clock Mouse/Keyboard clock 6 NC No connection

Hardware Setup

IEEE1394 Port (Optional)

The back panel provides one standard IEEE 1394 port. The standard IEEE1394 port connects to IEEE1394 devices without external power. The IEEE1394 high-speed serial bus complements USB by providing enhanced PC connectivity for a wide range of devices, including consumer electronics audio/video (A/V) appliances, storage peripherals, other PCs, and portable devices.

IEEE1394 Port

Serial Port Connector

The mainboard offers one 9-pin male DIN connector as the serial port. The port is a 16550A high speed communication port that sends/receives 16 bytes FIFOs. You can attach a serial mouse or other serial devices directly to the connector.

Pin Definition

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9

9-Pin Male DIN Connector

PIN SIGNAL DESCRIPTION

1 DCD Data Carry Detect 2 SIN Serial In or Receive Data 3 SOUT Serial Out or Transmit Data 4 DTR Data Terminal Ready) 5 GND Ground 6 DSR Data Set Ready 7 RTS Request To Send 8 CTS Clear To Send 9 RI Ring Indicate

USB Connectors

The mainboard provides two OHCI (Open Host Controller Interface) Universal Serial Bus roots for attaching USB devices such as keyboard, mouse or other USB-compatible devices. You can plug the USB device directly into the connector.

USB Port Description

PIN SIGNAL DESCRIPTION

1 VCC +5V

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

USB Ports

2 -Data 0 Negative Data Channel 0 3 +Data0 Positive Data Channel 0 4 GND Ground 5 VCC +5V 6 -Data 1 Negative Data Channel 1 7 +Data 1 Positive Data Channel 1 8 GND Ground

2-13

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

LAN (RJ-45) Jack

The mainboard provides one standard RJ-45 jacks for connection to single Local Area Network (LAN). This Giga-bit LAN enables data to be transferred at 1000, 100 or 10Mbps. You can connect a network cable to either LAN jack.

Giga-bit LAN Pin Definition

PIN SIGNAL DESCRIPTION

1 D0P Differential Pair 0+ 2 D0N Differential Pair 03 D1P Differential Pair 1+

RJ-45 LAN Jack

4 D2P Differential Pair 2+ 5 D2N Differential Pair 26 D1N Differential Pair 17 D3P Differential Pair 3+ 8 D3N Differential Pair 3-

Audio Port Connectors

The left 3 audio jacks are for 2-channel mode for stereo speaker output: Line Out is a connector for Speakers or Headphones. Line In is used for external CD player, Tape player, or other audio devices. Mic is a connector for microphones. However, there is an advanced audio application provided by Realtek ALC850 to offer support for 7.1-channel audio operation and can turn rear audio connectors from 2-channel to 4-/5.1-/7.1 channel audio.

S/PDIF Out-Coaxial

Line In

( in 7.1CH / 6CH)

Line Out

MIC

Rear Speaker Out

(in 7.1CH / 6CH / 4CH)

Center/Subwoofer

Speaker Out

( in 7.1CH / 6CH)

S/PDIF Out-Optical

(in 7.1CH / 6CH)

2-14

Hardware Setup

Parallel Port Connector: LPT1

The mainboard provides a 25-pin female centronic connector as LPT. A parallel port is a standard printer port that supports Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) and Extended Capabilities Parallel Port (ECP) mode.

13 1

Pin Definition

PIN SIGNAL DESCRIPTION

1 STROBE Strobe 2 DATA0 Data0 3 DATA1 Data1 4 DATA2 Data2 5 DATA3 Data3 6 DATA4 Data4 7 DATA5 Data5 8 DATA6 Data6 9 DATA7 Data7 10 ACK# Acknowledge 11 BUSY Busy 12 PE Paper End 13 SELECT Select 14 AUTO FEED# Automatic Feed 15 ERR# Error 16 INIT# Initialize Printer 17 SLIN# Select In 18 GND Ground 19 GND Ground 20 GND Ground 21 GND Ground 22 GND Ground 23 GND Ground 24 GND Ground 25 GND Ground

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Connectors

The mainboard provides connectors to connect to FDD, IDE HDD, case, LAN, USB Ports, IR module and CPU/System FAN.

Floppy Disk Drive Connector: FDD1

The mainboard provides a standard floppy disk drive connector that supports 360K, 720K, 1.2M, 1.44M and 2.88M floppy disk types.

FDD1

Fan Power Connectors: CPUFAN1 / SFAN1 / SFAN2 / NBFAN1

The CPUFAN1 (processor fan), SFAN1 (system fan 1), SFAN2 (system fan 2) and NBFAN1 (NorthBridge Chipset fan) support system cooling fan with +12V. It supports three-pin head connector. When connecting the wire to the connectors, always take note that the red wire is the positive and should be connected to the +12V, the black wire is Ground and should be connected to GND. If the mainboard has a System Hardware Monitor chipset on-board, you must use a specially designed fan with speed sensor to take advantage of the CPU fan control.

+12V

GND

+12V

SENSOR

CPUFAN1

GND +12V SENSOR

SFAN1

MSI Reminds You...

1.Always consult the vendors for proper CPU cooling fan.

2.CPUFAN1 supports fan control. You can install Core Center utility that will automatically control the CPU fan speed according to the actual CPU temperature.

3. Please refer to the recommended CPU fans at AMD® official website.

GND +12V Sensor

SFAN2 NBFAN1

2-16

Hardware Setup

Hard Disk Connectors: IDE1 / IDE2

The mainboard has a 32-bit Enhanced PCI IDE and Ultra DMA 33/66/100/133 controller that provides PIO mode 0~4, Bus Master, and Ultra DMA 33/66/100/133 function. You can connect up to four hard disk drives, CD-ROM, or other devices.

IDE1IDE2

IDE1 (Primary IDE Connector)

The first hard drive should always be connected to IDE1. IDE1 can connect a Master and a Slave drive. You must configure second hard drive to Slave mode by setting the jumper accordingly.

IDE2 (Secondary IDE Connector) IDE2 can also connect a Master and a Slave drive.

MSI Reminds You...

If you install two hard disks on cable, you must configure the second drive to Slave mode by setting its jumper. Refer to the hard disk documentation supplied by hard disk vendors for jumper setting instructions.

Chassis Intrusion Switch Connector: JCI1

This connector is connected to a 2-pin chassis switch. If the chassis is opened, the switch will be short. The system will record this status and show a warning message on the screen. To clear the warning, you must enter the BIOS utility and clear the record.

GND

CINTRU

2 1

JCI1

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Serial ATA/Serial ATA RAID Connectors controlled by nForce4 Ultra: SATA1 / SATA2 / SATA3 / SATA4

The Southbridge of this mainboard is nForce4 Ultra which supports four serial

ATA connectors SATA1~SATA4.

SATA1~SATA4 support 1st generation serial ATA data rates of 150MB/s. Each Serial ATA connector can connect to 1 serial ATA device. Please refer to the nVidia RAID Introduction for detailed software installation procedure.

SATA2

SATA1

SATA1~ SATA4 Pin Definition

PIN SIGNAL PIN SIGNAL

1 GND 2 TXP 3 TXN 4 GND

5 RXN 6 RXP 7 GND

SATA4

SATA3

Serial ATA cable

(Optional)

Connect to serial ATA ports

MSI Reminds You...

Please do not fold the serial ATA cable in a 90-degree angle, which will cause the loss of data during the transmission.

Take out the dust cover and connect to the hard disk devices

CD-In Connector: JCD1

The connector is for CD-ROM audio connector.

2-18

JCD1

GND

Hardware Setup

Front Panel Connectors: JFP1 / JFP2

The mainboard provides two front panel connectors for electrical connection to the front panel switches and LEDs. JFP1 is compliant with Intel® Front Panel I/O Connectivity Design Guide.

JFP1 Pin Definition

PIN SIGNAL DESCRIPTION

1 HD_LED_P Hard disk LED pull-up 2 FP PWR/SLP MSG LED pull-up 3 HD_LED_N Hard disk active LED

4 FP PWR/SLP MSG LED pull-up 5 RST_SW_N Reset Switch low reference pull-down to GND 6 PWR_SW_P Power Switch high reference pull-up 7 RST_SW_P Reset Switch high reference pull-up 8 PWR_SW_N Power Switch low reference pull-down to GND 9 RSVD_DNU Reserved. Do not use.

JFP2 Pin Definition

PIN SIGNAL PIN SIGNAL

1 GND 2 SPK3 SLED 4 BUZ+

5 PLED 6 BUZ7 NC 8 SPK+

JFP1

JFP2

2 1

Power LED

HDD LED

Speaker

Power LED

Power Switch

Reset Switch

8 7

Front USB Connectors: JUSB1 / JUSB2 / JUSB3

The mainboard provides three standard USB 2.0 pin headers JUSB1 & JUSB2 & JUSB3. USB 2.0 technology increases data transfer rate up to a maximum throughput of 480Mbps, which is 40 times faster than USB 1.1, and is ideal for connecting highspeed USB interface peripherals such as USB HDD, digital cameras, MP3 players, printers, modems and the like.

2 10

JUSB1, JUSB2, JUSB3

(USB 2.0)

Connected to JUSB1, JUSB2, or JUSB3 (the USB pinheader in YELLOW color)

JUSB1 & JUSB2 & JUSB3 Pin Definition

PIN SIGNAL PIN SIGNAL

1 VCC 2 VCC 3 USB0- 4 USB15 USB0+ 6 USB1+ 7 GND 8 GND 9 Key (no pin) 10 USBOC

USB 2.0 Bracket

(Optional)

MSI Reminds You...

Note that the pins of VCC and GND must be connected correctly, or it may cause some damage.

2-19

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Front Panel Audio Connector: JAUD1

The JAUD1 front panel audio connector allows you to connect to the front panel audio and is compliant with Intel® Front Panel I/O Connectivity Design Guide.

Pin Definition

PIN SIGNAL DESCRIPTION

1 AUD_MIC Front panel microphone input signal 2 AUD_GND Ground used by analog audio circuits 3 AUD_MIC_BIAS Microphone power

4 AUD_VCC Filtered +5V used by analog audio circuits

5 AUD_FPOUT_R Right channel audio signal to front panel 6 AUD_RET_R Right channel audio signal return from front panel 7 HP_ON Reserved for future use to control headphone amplifier 8 KEY No pin 9 AUD_FPOUT_L Left channel audio signal to front panel 10 AUD_RET_L Left channel audio signal return from front panel

2 1

JAUD1

MSI Reminds You...

If you don’t want to connect to the front audio header, pins 5 & 6, 9 & 10 have to be jumpered in order to have signal output directed to the rear audio ports. Otherwise, the Line-Out connector on the back panel will not function.

IrDA Infrared Module Header: JIR1

The connector allows you to connect to IrDA Infrared module. You must configure the setting through the BIOS setup to use the IR function. JIR1 is compliant with Intel® Front Panel I/O Connectivity Design Guide.

JIR1 Pin Definition

6 5

JIR1

2 1

2-20

Pin Signal Pin Signal

1 NC 2 NC 3 VCC5 4 GND 5 IRTX 6 IRRX

IEEE 1394 Connectors: J1394_1 (Optional)

The mainboard provides another 1394 pin header that allows you to connect IEEE 1394 ports via an external IEEE1394 bracket (optional).

Pin Definition

PIN SIGNAL PIN SIGNAL

J1394_1

Connected to J1394 (the 1394 pinheader in GREEN color)

10 9

1 TPA+ 2 TPA3 Ground 4 Ground 5 TPB+ 6 TPB7 Cable power 8 Cable power 9 Key (no pin) 10 Ground

Hardware Setup

Foolproof

design

IEEE1394 Bracket (Optional)

2-21

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

D-Bracket™ 2 Connector: JDB1

The mainboard comes with a JDB1 connector for you to connect to D-Bracket™ 2. DBracket™ 2 is a USB Bracket that supports both USB1.1 & 2.0 spec. It integrates four LEDs and allows users to identify system problem through 16 various combinations of LED signals.

Pin Definition

Pin Signal

1 DBG1 (high for green color) 2 DBR1 (high for red color) 3 DBG2 (high for green color) 4 DBR2 (high for red color) 5 DBG3 (high for green color) 6 DBR3 (high for red color) 7 DBG4 (high for green color) 8 DBR4 (high for red color) 9 Key 10 NC

10 9

JDB1

Connected to JDB1

Connected to JUSB1, JUSB2 or JUSB3 (the USB pinheader in YELLOW color)

D-Bracket™ 2

(Optional)

LEDs

2-22

Hardware Setup

D-Bracket™ 2 is an external USB bracket integrating four Diagnostic LEDs, which use graphic signal display to help users understand their system. The LEDs provide up to 16 combinations of signals to debug the system. The 4 LEDs can debug all problems that fail the system, such as VGA, RAM or other failures. This special feature is very useful for the overclocking users. These users can use the feature to detect if there are any problems or failures.

D-Bracket™ 2 supports both USB 1.1 & 2.0 specification.

D-Bracket™ 2

Red

D-Bracket™ 2

1 2

3 4

1 2 3 4

Green

Description

System Power ON The D-LED will hang here if the processor is damaged or not installed properly.

Early Chipset Initialization

Memory Detection Test Testing onboard memory size. The D-LED will hang if the memory module is damaged or not installed properly.

Decompressing BIOS image to RAM for fast booting.

Initializing Keyboard Controller.

Testing VGA BIOS This will start writing VGA sign-on message to the screen.

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

D-Bracket™ 2

1 2 3 4

Description

Processor Initialization This will show information regarding the processor (like brand name, system bus, etc...)

Testing RTC (Real Time Clock)

Initializing Video Interface This will start detecting CPU clock, checking type of video onboard. Then, detect and initialize the video adapter.

BIOS Sign On This will start showing information about logo, processor brand name, etc...

Testing Base and Extended Memory Testing base memory from 240K to 640K and extended memory above 1MB using various patterns.

Assign Resources to all ISA.

Initializing Hard Drive Controller This will initialize IDE drive and controller.

Initializing Floppy Drive Controller This will initialize Floppy Drive and controller.

Boot Attempt This will set low stack and boot via INT 19h.

Operating System Booting

2-24

Hardware Setup

Button

The motherboard provides the following button for you to set the computer’s function. This section will explain how to change your motherboard’s function through the use of button.

Clear CMOS Button: SW1

There is a CMOS RAM on board that has a power supply from external battery to keep the system configuration data. With the CMOS RAM, the system can automatically boot OS every time it is turned on. If you want to clear the system configuration, use the SW1 (Clear CMOS Button ) to clear data. Press the button in the middle of the connector top side to clear the data.

SW1

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Slots

The mainboard provides one PCI Express x16 slot, one PCI Express x1 slots, one PCI Express x4 slots and four 32-bit PCI bus slots.

PCI Express Slots

The PCI Express slots, as a high-bandwidth, low pin count, serial, interconnect technology. You can insert the expansion cards to meet your needs. When adding or removing expansion cards, make sure that you unplug the power supply first.

PCI Express architecture provides a high performance I/O infrastructure for Desktop Platforms with transfer rates starting at 2.5 Giga transfers per second over a PCI Express x1 lane for Gigabit Ethernet, TV Tuners, 1394 controllers, and general purpose I/O. Also, desktop platforms with PCI Express Architecture will be designed to deliver highest performance in video, graphics, multimedia and other sophisticated applications. Moreover, PCI Express architecture provides a high performance graphics infrastructure for Desktop Platforms doubling the capability of existing AGP8x designs with transfer rates of 4.0 GB/s over a PCI Express x16 lane for graphics controllers, while PCI Express x1 supports transfer rate of 250 MB/s.

PCI Express x16 slot

PCI Express x1 slot

PCI Express x4 slot (supports PCI-E x2 device only)

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Slots

The PCI slots allow you to insert the expansion cards to meet your needs. When adding or removing expansion cards, make sure that you unplug the power supply first. Meanwhile, read the documentation for the expansion card to make any necessary hardware or software settings for the expansion card, such as jumpers, switches or BIOS configuration.

The orange PCI slot (PCI4) also works as a communcation slot, which allows you to insert the communcation card.

PCI Slots

2-26

Hardware Setup

PCI Interrupt Request Routing

The IRQ, acronym of interrupt request line and pronounced I-R-Q, are hardware lines over which devices can send interrupt signals to the microprocessor. The PCI IRQ pins are typically connected to the PCI bus INT A# ~ INT D# pins as follows:

Order 1 Order 2 Order 3 Order 4 PCI Slot 1 INT A# INT B# INT C# INT D# PCI Slot 2 INT B# INT C# INT D# INT A# PCI Slot 3 INT C# INT D# INT A# INT B# PCI Slot 4 INT D# INT A# INT B# INT C#

2-27

3-1

BIOS Setup

Chapter 3. BIOS Setup

This chapter provides information on the BIOS Setup program and allows you to configure the system for optimum use.

You may need to run the Setup program when:

 An error message appears on the screen during the system

booting up, and requests you to run SETUP.

 You want to change the default settings for customized

features.

BIOS Setup

MSI Reminds You...

1. The items under each BIOS category described in this chapter are under continuous update for better system performance. Therefore, the description may be slightly different from the latest BIOS and should be held for reference only.

2. While booting up, the BIOS version is shown in the 1st line appearing after the memory counting. It is usually in the format: example: W7125NMS V1.0B32 061704

where:

1st digit refers to BIOS maker as A=AMI(R); W=AWARD(R) 2nd - 5th digit refers to the model number. 6th digit refers to nVIDIA chipset. 7th - 8th digit refers to the customer, MS=all standard customers. V1.0 refers to the BIOS version. 061704 refers to the date this BIOS is released.

3-2

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Entering Setup

Power on the computer and the system will start POST (Power On Self Test) process. When the message below appears on the screen, press <DEL> key to enter Setup.

Press DEL to enter SETUP

If the message disappears before you respond and you still wish to enter Setup, restart the system by turning it OFF and On or pressing the RESET button. You may also restart the system by simultaneously pressing <Ctrl>, <Alt>, and <Delete> keys.

MSI Reminds You...

The items under each BIOS category described in this chapter are under continuous update for better system performance. Therefore, the description may be slightly different from the latest BIOS and should be held for reference only.

Selecting the First Boot Device

You are allowed to select the 1st boot device without entering the BIOS setup utility by pressing <F11>. When the same message as listed above appears on the screen, press <F11> to trigger the boot menu.

The POST messages might pass by too quickly for you to respond in time. If so, restart the system and press <F11> after around 2 or 3 seconds to activate the boot menu similar to the following.

The boot menu will list all the bootable devices. Select the one you want to boot from by using arrow keys, then press <Enter>. The system will boot from the selected device. The selection will not make changes to the settings in the BIOS setup utility, so next time when you power on the system, it will still use the original first boot device to boot up.

Select First Boot Device

Floppy : 1st Floppy IDE-0 : IBM-DTLA-307038 CDROM : ATAPI CD-ROM DRIVE 40X M

[Up/Dn] Select [RETURN] Boot [ESC] cancel

3-3

BIOS Setup

Control Keys

Getting Help

After entering the Setup menu, the first menu you will see is the Main Menu.

Main Menu

The main menu lists the setup functions you can make changes to. You can use the arrow keys ( ↑↓ ) to select the item. The on-line description of the highlighted setup function is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Sub-Menu

If you find a right pointer symbol (as shown in the right view) appears to the left of certain fields that means a sub-menu can be launched from this field. A submenu contains additional options for a field parameter. You can use arrow keys ( ↑↓ ) to highlight the field and press <Enter> to call up the sub-menu. Then you can use the control keys to enter values and move from field to field within a sub-menu. If you want to return to the main menu, just press the <Esc >.

General Help <F1>

The BIOS setup program provides a General Help screen. You can call up this screen from any menu by simply pressing <F1>. The Help screen lists the appropriate keys to use and the possible selections for the highlighted item. Press <Esc> to exit the Help screen.

<↑> Move to the previous item <↓> Move to the next item <←> Move to the item in the left hand <→> Move to the item in the right hand <Enter> Select the item <Esc> Jumps to the Exit menu or returns to the main menu from a

submenu <+/PU> Increase the numeric value or make changes <-/PD> Decrease the numeric value or make changes <F5> Previous Values <F7> Load Optimized Defaults <F10> Save all the CMOS changes and exit

3-4

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

The Main Menu

Standard CMOS Features

Use this menu for basic system configurations, such as time, date etc.

Advanced BIOS Features

Use this menu to setup the items of AWARD® special enhanced features.

Advanced Chipset Features

Use this menu to change the values in the chipset registers and optimize your system’s performance.

Integrated Peripherals

Use this menu to specify your settings for integrated peripherals.

Power Management Setup

Use this menu to specify your settings for power management.

PNP/PCI Configurations

This entry appears if your system supports PnP/PCI.

H/W Monitor

Use this menu to specify your settings for hardware.

Cell Menu

Use this menu to specify your settings for CPU/AGP frequency/voltage control and overclocking.

Once you enter Phoenix-Award® BIOS CMOS Setup Utility, the Main Menu will appear on the screen. The Main Menu allows you to select from twelve setup functions and two exit choices. Use arrow keys to select among the items and press <Enter> to accept or enter the sub-menu.

3-5

BIOS Setup

Load Optimized Defaults

Use this menu to load the BIOS values for the best system performance, but the system stability may be affected.

BIOS Setting Password

Use this menu to set the password for BIOS.

Save & Exit Setup

Save changes to CMOS and exit setup.

Exit Without Saving

Abandon all changes and exit setup.

3-6

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Standard CMOS Features

Date

This allows you to set the system to the date that you want (usually the current date). The format is <day><month> <date> <year>.

day Day of the week, from Sun to Sat, determined by

BIOS. Read-only.

month The month from Jan. through Dec. date The date from 1 to 31 can be keyed by numeric

function keys.

year The year can be adjusted by users.

Time

This allows you to set the system time that you want (usually the current time). The time format is <hour> <minute> <second>.

IDE Primary/Secondary Master/Slave

Press PgUp/<+> or PgDn/<-> to select [Manual], [None] or [Auto] type. Note that the specifications of your drive must match with the drive table. The hard disk will not work properly if you enter improper information for this category. If your hard disk drive type is not matched or listed, you can use [Manual] to define your own drive type manually.

If you select [Manual], related information is asked to be entered to the following items. Enter the information directly from the keyboard. This information should be provided in the documentation from your hard disk vendor or the system manufacturer.

Access Mode The settings are CHS, LBA, Large, Auto. Capacity The formatted size of the storage device. Cylinder Number of cylinders.

The items in Standard CMOS Features Menu includes some basic setup items. Use the arrow keys to highlight the item and then use the <PgUp> or <PgDn> keys to select the value you want in each item.

3-7

BIOS Setup

Head Number of heads. Precomp Write precompensation. Landing Zone Cylinder location of the landing zone. Sector Number of sectors.

Drive A

This item allows you to set the type of floppy drive installed. Available options: [None], [360K, 5.25 in.], [1.2M, 5.25 in.], [720K, 3.5 in.], [1.44M, 3.5 in.], [2.88M, 3.5 in.].

Halt On

The setting determines whether the system will stop if an error is detected at boot. Available options are:

[All Errors] The system stops when any error is detected. [No Errors] The system doesn’t stop for any detected error. [All, But Keyboard] The system doesn’t stop for a keyboard error. [All, But Diskette] The system doesn’t stop for a disk error. [All, But Disk/Key] The system doesn’t stop for either a disk or a key-

board error.

System Information

Press <Enter> to enter the sub-menu and the following screen appears:

CPU Type/BIOS Version/System Memory/Total Memory

The items show the CPU type, BIOS version and memory status of your system (read only).

3-8

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Advanced BIOS Features

Quick Boot

Setting the item to [Enabled] allows the system to boot within 5 seconds since it will skip some check items. Available options: [Enabled], [Disabled].

Boot To OS/2

This allows you to run the OS/2® operating system with DRAM larger than 64MB. When you choose [No], you cannot run the OS/2® operating system with DRAM larger than 64MB. But it is possible if you choose [Yes].

IOAPIC Function

This field is used to enable or disable the APIC (Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller). Due to compliance with PC2001 design guide, the system is able to run in APIC mode. Enabling APIC mode will expand available IRQ resources for the system. Settings: [Enabled], [Disabled].

MPS Table Version

This field allows you to select which MPS (Multi-Processor Specification) version to be used for the operating system. You need to select the MPS version supported by your operating system. To find out which version to use, consult the vendor of your operating system. Settings: [1.4], [1.1].

Full Screen LOGO Display

This item enables you to show the company logo on the bootup screen. Settings are:

[Enabled] Shows a still image (logo) on the full screen at boot. [Disabled] Shows the POST messages at boot.

3-9

BIOS Setup

1st/2nd/3rd Boot Device

The items allow you to set the sequence of boot devices where BIOS attempts to load the disk operating system.

Boot Other Device

Setting the option to [Enabled] allows the system to try to boot from other device if the system fails to boot from the 1st/2nd/3rd boot device.

Hard Disk Boot Priority

Press <Enter> to enter the sub-menu. Then you may use the arrow keys ( ↑↓ ) to select the desired device, then press <+>, <-> or <PageUp>, <PageDown> key to move it up/down in this hard disk boot priority list.

Boot Sequence

Press <Enter> to enter the sub-menu and the following screen appears:

3-10

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Advanced Chipset Features

DRAM Configuration

Press <Enter> to enter the sub-menu and the following screen appears:

Timing Mode

This field has the capacity to automatically detect all of the DRAM timing. If you set this field to [Manual], the following fields will be selectable. The settings are: [Auto], [Manual].

Memclock index value (Mhz)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], user can place an artificial memory clock on the system. Please note that memory is prevented from running faster than this frequency. Setting options: [100], [120], [133], [140], [150], [166], [180] [200].

3-11

BIOS Setup

CAS# Latency (Tcl)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable.This controls the CAS latency, which determines the timing delay (in clock cycles) before SDRAM starts a read command after receiving it. Settings: [Auto], [CL=2.0], [CL=2.5], [CL=3.0]. [CL=2.0] increases the system performance the most while [CL=3.0] provides the most stable performance.

Min RAS# Active Time (Tras)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. This setting determines the time RAS takes to read from and write to a memory cell. Setting options: [Auto], [5T], [6T], [7T], [8T], [9T], [10T], [11T], [12T], [13T], [14T], [15 T].

RAS# to CAS# delay (Trcd)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. When DRAM is refreshed, both rows and columns are addressed separately. This setup item allows you to determine the timing of the transition from RAS (row address strobe) to CAS (column address strobe). The less the clock cycles, the faster the DRAM performance. Setting options: [Auto], [2T], [3T], [4T], [5T], [6T], [7T].

Row Precharge Time (Trp)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. This item controls the number of cycles for Row Address Strobe (RAS) to be allowed to precharge. If insufficient time is allowed for the RAS to accumulate its charge before DRAM refresh, refreshing may be incomplete and DRAM may fail to retain data. This item applies only when synchronous DRAM is installed in the system. Available settings: [Auto], [2T], [3T], [4T], [5T], [6T], [7T].

Row cycle time (Trc)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. The row cycle time determines the minimum number of clock cycles a memory row takes to complete a full cycle, from row activation up to the precharging of the active row. Available settings: [Auto], [7T]~[22T].

Row refresh cyc time (Trfc)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. Auto-refresh

-active to RAS#-active or RAS# auto-refresh. Available settings: [Auto], [9T], [10T] ~ [24T].

3-12

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Row to Row delay (Trrd)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. Specifies the active-to-active delay of different banks. Available settings: [Auto], [2T], [3T], [4T].

Write recovery time (Twr)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. It specifies the amount of delay (in clock cycles) that must elapse after the completion of a valid write operation, before an active bank can be precharged. This delay is required to guarantee that data in the write buffers can be written to the memory cells before precharge occurs. Available settings: [Auto], [2T], [3T].

Write to Read delay (Twtr)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. This item controls the Write Data In to Read Command Delay memory timing. This constitutes the minimum number of clock cycles that must occur between the last valid write operation and the next read command to the same internal bank of the DDR device. Available settings: [Auto], [1T], [2T].

Read to Write delay (Trwt)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. This is not a DRAM-specified timing parameter, but must be considered due to routing latencies on the clock forwarded bus. It is counted from the first address bus slot that was not associated with part of the read burst. Available settings: [Auto], [1T], [2T], [3T], [4T], [5T], [6T].

Refresh period (Tref)

When the Timing Mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. Specifies the refresh rate of the DIMM requiring the most frequent refresh. Available settings: [Auto], [1x1552], [1x2064], [1x2592], [1x3120], [1x3632], [1x4128], [1x4672], [2x1552], [2x2064], [2x2592], [2x3120], [2x3632], [2x4128], [2x4672], [4x1552], [4x2064], [4x2592], [4x3120], [4x3632], [4x4128], [4x4672], [128].

User Config mode

This field has the capacity to automatically detect all of the following 4 fields default value.. If you set this field to [Manual], the following fields will be selectable. The settings are: [Auto], [Manual].

Bottom of 32-bit [ 31:24] IO

When the User Config mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. This field specifies the memory which could be remapped to another address higher than 00E0. (This item only activities in 64-bit OS) The settings are: [0000~00E0].

1T/ 2T Memory Timing

When the User Config mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. This field controls the SDRAM command rate. Selecting [1T] makes SDRAM signal controller to run at 1T (T=clock cycles) rate. Selecting [2T] makes SDRAM signal controller run at 2T rate. Setting options: [1T], [2T].

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BIOS Setup

Read Preamble value

When the User Config mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. The time prior to the max-read DQS-return when the DQS receiver should be turned on.

This is specified in units of 0.5ns. The controller needs to know when to enbale its DQS receiver in anticipation of the DRAM DQS driver truning on for a read. The controller will disable its DQS receiver until the read preamble time and then enable its DQS receiver while the DRAM asserts DQS. Setting options: [2ns], [2. 5ns], [3ns], [3.5ns], [4ns], [4.5ns], [5ns], [5.5ns], [6ns], [6.5ns], [7ns], [7.5ns], [8ns], [8.5ns], [9ns], [9.5ns].

Async Latency value

When the User Config mode is set to [Manual], the field is adjustable. This field should be loaded with 4-bit value equal to th e maximum asynchronous latency in the DRAM read round-trip loop. Setting options: [2ns], [3ns], [4ns], [5ns], [6ns], [7ns], [8ns], [9ns], [10ns], [11ns].

S/W memory hole Remapping

This field enables software to remap the physical memory to the address higher than 00E0. (This item only activities in 64-bit OS) Setting options: [Disabled], [Enabled].

H/W memory hole Remapping

This field enables hardware to remap the physical memory to the address higher than 00E0. (This item only activities in 64-bit OS) Setting options: [Disabled], [Enabled].

MTRR Mapping Mode

This field allows you to control the MTRR mapping Mode. Setting options: [Discrete], [Continuous].

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

USB Controller

This setting allows you to enable/disable the onboard USB controller. Selecting [V1.1+V2.0] enables the system to support both USB 1.1 and 2.0 spec. Setting options: [Disabled], [V1.1], [V1.1+V2.0].

USB KB/Storage Support

Select [Enabled] if you need to use a USB-interfaced keyboard or storage device in the operating system. Setting options: [Enabled], [Disabled].

Onboard LAN Control

This setting controls the onboard LAN controller. Setting options: [Enabled], [Disabled].

OnBoard LAN Option ROM

This setting is used to enable/disable the onboard LAN Option ROM. Setting options: [Enabled], [Disabled].

OnBoard IEEE1394 Controller

This setting is used to enable/disable the onboard IEEE 1394 controller. Setting options: [Disabled], [Enabled].

OnBoard Sil3114 RAID

This setting controls the onboard Sil3114 RAID chip. Setting options: [Enabled], [Disabled].

Integrated Peripherals

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BIOS Setup

I/O Device Configuration

Press <Enter> to enter the sub-menu and the following screen appears:

Onboard GigaBit LAN

Setting to [Enabled] allows the BIOS to detect the Marvell LAN controller and enable it. Setting options: [Enabled] and [Disabled].

Onboard GigaBit LAN ROM

This setting controls the onboard Marvell LAN Boot ROM. Setting options: [Enabled], [Disabled].

AC97 Controller

[Auto] allows the mainboard to detect whether an audio device is used. If an audio device is detected, the onboard AC’97 (Audio Codec’97) controller will be enabled; if not, it is disabled. Disable the controller if you want to use other controller cards to connect an audio device. The settings are: [Auto], [Disabled].

Onboard FDC Controller

Select [Enabled] if your system has a floppy disk controller (FDD) installed on the system board and you wish to use it. If you install add-on FDC or the system has no floppy drive, select [Disabled] in this field. The settings are: [Enabled], [Disabled].

COM Port 1

Select an address and corresponding interrupt for the first serial port. The settings are: [3F8/IRQ4], [2E8/IRQ3], [3E8/IRQ4], [2F8/IRQ3], [Disabled], [Auto].

IR Function Select

This setting allows you to specify the operation mode for serial port 2. Setting options: [IrDA], [ASKIR], [Disable].

[Disable] RS-232C Serial Port [IrDA] IrDA-compliant Serial Infrared Port [ASKIR] Amplitude Shift Keyed Infrared Port

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

RxD, TxD Active

This setting controls the receiving and transmitting speed of the IR peripheral in use. Setting options: [Hi,Hi], [Hi,Lo], [Lo,Hi], [Lo,Lo].

IR Transmission Delay

This setting determines whether the IR transmission rate will be delayed while converting to receiving mode. Setting options: [Disabled], [Enabled].

UR2 Duplex Mode

This setting controls the operating mode of IR transmission/reception. Setting options: [Full], [Half]. Under [Full] Duplex mode, synchronous, bi-directional transmission/reception is allowed. Under [Half] Duplex mode, only asynchronous, bidirectional transmission/reception is allowed.

Use IR Pins

Please consult your IR peripheral documentation to select the correct setting of the TxD and RxD signals. Setting options: [RxD2/TxD2], [IR-Rx2Tx2].

Parallel Port

There is a built-in parallel port on the on-board Super I/O chipset that provides Standard, ECP, and EPP features. It has the following options:

[Disabled] [3BC/IRQ7] Line Printer port 0 [278/IRQ5] Line Printer port 2 [378/IRQ7] Line Printer port 1

Parallel Port Mode

SPP : Standard Parallel Port EPP : Enhanced Parallel Port ECP : Extended Capability Port ECP + EPP: Extended Capability Port + Enhanced Parallel Port Normal

SPP/EPP/ECP/ECP+EPP

To operate the onboard parallel port as Standard Parallel Port only, choose [SPP]. To operate the onboard parallel port in the EPP mode simultaneously, choose [EPP]. By choosing [ECP], the onboard parallel port will operate in ECP mode only. Choosing [ECP + EPP] will allow the onboard parallel port to support both the ECP and EPP modes simultaneously. Choose [Normal] to use Standard Parallel Port + Bi-Directional Mode simultaneously.

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BIOS Setup

IDE Function Setup

Press <Enter> to enter the sub-menu and the following screen appears:

OnChip IDE Channel 0

The integrated peripheral controller contains an IDE interface with support for two IDE channels. Choose [Enabled] to activate each channel separately. Settings: [Enabled], [Disabled]. both support Ultra DMA/33, Ultra DMA/66 and Ultra DMA/100 select Auto to enable BIOS support. The settings are: [Auto], [Disabled].

OnChip IDE Channel 1

The integrated peripheral controller contains an IDE interface with support for two IDE channels. Choose [Enabled] to activate each channel separately. Settings: [Enabled], [Disabled].

IDE DMA Transfer Access

This item is used to enable or disable the DMA transfer function of the IDE Hard Drive. The settings are: [Enabled], [Disabled].

SATA1/SATA2 & SATA3/SATA4

This item is used to enable or disable onchip SATA controller. The settings are: [Enabled], [Disabled].

EPP Mode Select

The onboard parallel port is EPP Spec. compliant, so after the user chooses the onboard parallel port with the EPP function, the following message will be displayed on the screen: “EPP Mode Select.” At this time either [EPP 1.7] spec or [EPP 1.9] spec can be chosen.

ECP Mode Use DMA

The ECP mode has to use the DMA channel, so choose the onboard parallel port with the ECP feature. After selecting it, the following message will appear: “ECP Mode Use DMA.” At this time, the user can choose between DMA channel [3] or [1].

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

SATA Devices Configuration

Press <Enter> to enter the sub-menu and the following screen appears:

RAID Enabled

This item is used to enable/disable the onchip RAID function. When you set to enable and the following fields will be selectabled. Setting options: [Enabled], [Disabled].

IDE Primary/Secondary Master/Slave RAID

This feature allows users to enable or disable the RAID function for each IDE hard disk drive. Settings: [Enabled], [Disabled].

SATA 1/2/3/4 RAID

This feature allows users to enable or disable the RAID function for each SATA hard disk drive. The settings are: [Enabled], [Disabled].

IR Function Select

This setting allows you to specify the operation mode for serial port 2. Setting options: [IrDA], [ASKIR], [Disable].

[Disable] RS-232C Serial Port [IrDA] IrDA-compliant Serial Infrared Port [ASKIR] Amplitude Shift Keyed Infrared Port

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BIOS Setup

Power Management Setup

ACPI Standby State

This item specifies the power saving modes for ACPI function. If your operating system supports ACPI, such as Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP, you can choose to enter the Standby mode in S1(POS) or S3(STR) fashion through the setting of this field. Options are:

[S1 (POS)] The S1 sleep mode is a low power state. In this state, no

system context is lost (CPU or chipset) and hardware maintains all system context.

[S3 (STR)] The S3 sleep mode is a lower power state where the in

formation of system configuration and open applications/files is saved to main memory that remains powered while most other hardware components turn off to save energy. The information stored in memory will be used to restore the system when a “wake up” event occurs.

Video Off Method

This determines the manner in which the monitor is blanked.

[V/H SYNC+Blank] This selection will cause the system to turn off the

vertical and horizontal synchronization ports and write

blanks to the video buffer. [Blank Screen] This option only writes blanks to the video buffer. [DPMS Support] Initial display power management signalling.

MSI Reminds You...

S3-related functions described in this section are available only when your BIOS supports S3 sleep mode.

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Power Button Function

This feature sets the function of the power button. Settings are:

[Power Off] The power button functions as normal power off button. [Suspend] When you press the power button, the computer enters the

suspend/sleep mode, but if the button is pressed for more than four seconds, the computer is turned off.

Restore On AC Power Loss

This item specifies whether your system will reboot after a power failure or interrupt occurs. Available settings are:

[Off] Always leaves the computer in the power off state. [On] Always leaves the computer in the power on state. [Last State] Restores the system to the status before power failure

or interrupt occurred.

Wake-Up Event Activity

Press <Enter> and the following sub-menu appears.

Resume S3 by PS2/Keyboard, Resume S3 by PS2/Mouse

These fields allow the activity of the PS2 (keyboard and mouse) to wake up the system from S3 sleep state. Settings: [Enabled], [Disabled].

Resume By PCI Device PME#

When set to [Enabled], the feature allows your system to be awakened from the power saving modes through any event on PME (Power Management Event). Settings: [Enabled], [Disabled].

Resume By RTC Alarm

The field is used to enable or disable the feature of booting up the system on a scheduled time/date. Settings: [Enabled], [Disabled].

Date

The field specifies the date for Resume By RTC Alarm. Settings: [0]~[31].

HH:MM:SS

The field specifies the time for Resume By RTC Alarm. Format is <hour> <minute><second>.

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BIOS Setup

PNP/PCI Configurations

This section describes configuring the PCI bus system and PnP (Plug & Play) feature. PCI, or Peripheral Component Interconnect, is a system which allows I/O devices to operate at speeds nearing the speed the CPU itself uses when communicating with its special components. This section covers some very technical items and it is strongly recommended that only experienced users should make any changes to the default settings.

Resource Controlled By

The Award Plug and Play BIOS has the capacity to automatically configure all of the boot and Plug and Play compatible devices. However, this capability means absolutely nothing unless you are using a Plug and Play operating system such as Windows® 95/98. If you set this field to [Manual], choose specific resources by going into each of the sub menu that follows this field (a sub menu is preceded by a “` ”). The settings are: [Auto (ESCD)], [Manual].

IRQ Resources

The items are adjustable only when Resources Controlled By is set to [Manual]. Press <Enter> and you will enter the sub-menu of the items. IRQ Resources list IRQ 3/4/5/7/9/10/11/12/14/15 for users to set each IRQ a type depending on the type of device using the IRQ. Settings are:

[PCI Device] For Plug & Play compatible devices designed for PCI bus

architecture.

[Reserved] The IRQ will be reserved for further request.

Primary Graphic’s Adapter

This item specifies which graphic card is your primary graphics adapter. Settings: [First PCIE], [PCI Slot].

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

MSI Reminds You...

IRQ (Interrupt Request) lines are system resources allocated to I/O devices. When an I/O device needs to gain attention of the operating system, it signals this by causing an IRQ to occur. After receiving the signal, when the operating system is ready, the system will interrupt itself and perform the service required by the I/O device.

** PCI Express relative items ** Maximum Payload Size

This item allows you to set the PCI Express Maximum payload size per time . Settings: [4096], [128], [256], [512], [1024], [2048].

3-23

BIOS Setup

H/W Monitor

This section shows the status of your CPU, fan, overall system status, etc. Monitor function is available only if there is hardware monitoring mechanism onboard.

Chassis Intrusion Detect

The field enables or disables the feature of recording the chassis intrusion status and issuing a warning message if the chassis is once opened. To clear the warning message, set the field to [Reset]. The setting of the field will automatically return to [Enabled] later. Setting options: [Enabled], [Reset], [Disabled].

Smart CPU Fan Target

There are 2 pairs of Temperature/FAN Speed control: System Temperature with System Fan, and CPU Temperature with CPU Fan. W83627THF provides the Smart Fan system which can control the fan speed automatically depending on the current temperature to keep it with in a specific range. Settings: [40oC/104oF], [40oC/104oF], [40oC/104oF], [Disabled].

PC Health Status

Press <Enter> and the following sub-menu appears.

Current System/CPU Temperature, System Fan/CPU Fan Speed, Vcore, +12.0V, +3.3V, +5.0V, Battery, +5VSB

These items display the current status of all of the monitored hardware devices/components such as CPU voltage, temperatures and all fans’ speeds.

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Cell Menu

The items in Cell Menu includes some important settings of CPU, AGP, DRAM

and overclocking functions.

Current CPU / DDR Clock

These two items show the current clocks of CPU & DDR. Read-only.

MSI Reminds You...

Change these settings only if you are familiar with the chipset.

High Performance Mode

This field allows you to select the DDR timing setting. Setting options: [Manual], [Optimized].

Aggressive timing

This item allows you to enable or disable the memory clock. When [Enabled] is selected, the timing delay of memory will be shorten to increase the performance. Setting options: [Enabled], [Disabled].

3-25

BIOS Setup

Dynamic Overclocking

Dynamic Overclocking Technology is the automatic overclocking function, included in the MSITM’s newly developed CoreCell

Technology. It is designed to detect the load balance of CPU while running programs, and to adjust the best CPU frequency automatically. When the motherboard detects CPU is running programs, it will speed up CPU automatically to make the program run smoothly and faster. When the CPU is temporarily suspending or staying in the low load balance, it will restore the default settings instead. Usually the Dynamic Overclocking Technology will be powered only when users' PC need to run huge amount of data like 3D games or the video process, and the CPU frequency need to be boosted up to enhance the overall performance. Setting options:

[Disabled] Disable Dynamic Overclocking function. [Private] 1st level of overclocking, increasing the CPU frequency by 1%. [Sergeant] 2nd level of overclocking, increasing the CPU frequency by 3%. [Captain] 3rd level of overclocking, also the default value of "Load High

Performance Defaults", increasing the CPU frequency by 5%. [Colonel] 4th level of overclocking, increasing the CPU frequency by 7%. [General] 5th level of overclocking, increasing the CPU frequency by 9%. [Commander] 6th level of overclocking, increasing the CPU frequency by 11%.

MSI Reminds You...

Even though the Dynamic Overclocking Technology is more stable than manual overclocking, basically, it is still risky. We suggest user to make sure that your CPU can afford to overclocking regularly first. If you find the PC appears to be unstable or reboot incidentally, it's better to disable the Dynamic Overclocking or to lower the level of overclocking options. By the way, if you need to conduct overclocking manually, you also need to disable the D.O.T Ranger first.

Adjust CPU FSB Frequency

This item allows you to select the CPU Front Side Bus clock frequency (in MHz). Select the number between [200]~[400] for needed frequency.

HT Frequency

This setting specifies the maximum operating frequency of the link’s transmitter clock. Setting options: [1x], [1.5x], [2x], [2.5x], [3x], [4x], [5x].

HT Width

This field allows you to set the HT Width between CPU & Chip.↑ mark means Chip to CPU HT Width. And ↓ mark means CPU to Chip HT Width. Setting options: [ ↓ 8 ↑ 8], [ ↓ 16 ↑ 8], [↓ 8 ↑16], [ ↓16 ↑16].

CPU Spread Spectrum

This setting is used to enable or disable the CPU Spread Spectrum feature. When overclocking the CPU, always set it to [Disabled]. Setting options: [Center Spread], [Disabled].

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

SATA Spread Spectrum

This setting is used to enable or disable the SATA Spread Spectrum feature. Setting options: [Disabled], [Down Spread].

PCIE Spread Spectrum

This setting is used to enable or disable the CPU Spread Spectrum feature. When overclocking the CPU, always set it to [Disabled]. Setting options: [Disabled], [Down Spread].

PCIE Clock

The system board designer selects whether the PCIE clock is tightly synchronized with the CPU clock or is asynchronous. Setting options: [100MHz]~[145MHz].

SSE/ SSE2 Instructions

This setting disables/enables the SSE/SSE2 Instructions. The Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE) were introduced in the Pentium III processor. The SSE extensions consist of a new set of instructions and a new set of registers. These instructions and registers are designed to allow Single-Instruction Multiple-Data (SIMD) computations to be made on single-precision floating-point numbers. The Streaming SIMD Extensions 2 (SSE2) were introduced in the Pentium 4 and Intel Xeon processors. They consist of a new set of instructions that operate on the XXM and MXCSR registers and perform SIMD operations on double-precision floatingpoint values and on integer values.Several of these new SSE/SSE2 instructions also operate in the MMX registers. Setting options: [Enabled], [Disabled].

Cool’n’Quiet control

This feature is especially designed for AMD Athlon processor, which provides a CPU temperature detecting function to prevent your CPU’s from overheating due to the heavy working loading. Setting options: [Disabled], [Enabled].

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BIOS Setup

Adjust CPU Ratio

This item lets you adjust the CPU ratio. Setting to [Startup] enables the CPU running at the fastest speed which is detected by system. Setting options are: [Startup], [x4]~ [x12].

Adjust CPU VID

This item lets you adjust the CPU VID. Setting to [Startup] enables the CPU running at the default VID which is detected by system. Setting options are: [Startup], [0.825V], [0.850V],[0.875V],~, [1.550V].

CPU Voltage

This feature allows you to trim the voltage of CPU. Setting options are: [By CPU VID], [Over VID 3.3%], [Over VID 5.0%],[Over VID 8.3%].

Memory Voltage

Adjusting the DDR voltage can increase the DDR speed. Any changes made to this setting may cause a stability issue, so changing the DDR voltage for long-term purpose is NOT recommended. Setting options are: [Auto], [2.50V]~[2.85V].

NF4 Voltage

NV4 voltage is adjustable in the field. Setting options are: [1.50V]~[1.85V].

MSI Reminds You...

The settings shown in different color in CPU Voltage, Memory Voltage and NF4 Voltage help to verify if your setting is proper for your

system.

Gray: Default setting. Yellow: High performance setting. Red: Not recommended setting and the system may be

unstable.

Changing CPU VID, CPU Voltage, Memory Voltage and NF4 Volt- age may result in the instability of the system; therefore, it is NOT

recommended to change the default setting for long-term usage.

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Optimized Defaults

The two options on the main menu allow users to restore all of the BIOS settings to the default Optimized values. The Optimized Defaults are the default values set by the mainboard manufacturer specifically for optimal performance of the mainboard. The Fail-Safe Defaults are the default values set by the BIOS vendor for stable system performance.

When you select Load Optimized Defaults, a message as below appears:

Pressing Y loads the default factory settings for optimal system performance.

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BIOS Setup

BIOS Setting Password

When you select this function, a message as below will appear on the screen:

Type the password, up to eight characters in length, and press <Enter>. The password typed now will replace any previously set password from CMOS memory. You will be prompted to confirm the password. Retype the password and press <Enter>. You may also press <Esc> to abort the selection and not enter a password. To clear a set password, just press <Enter> when you are prompted to enter the password. A message will show up confirming the password will be disabled. Once the password is disabled, the system will boot and you can enter Setup without entering any password. When a password has been set, you will be prompted to enter it every time you try to enter Setup. This prevents an unauthorized person from changing any part of your system configuration.

Introduction to DigiCell

4-1

Chapter 4. Introduction to DigiCell

Introduction to DigiCell

Chapter 2. Hardware Setup

short-cut icon in the system tray

short-cut path in the start-up menu (path: Start-->Programs-->MSI-->DigiCell)

DigiCell, the most useful and powerful utility that MSI has spent much research and efforts to develop, helps users to monitor and configure all the integrated peripherals of the system, such as audio program, power management, MP3 files management and communication / 802.11g WLAN settings. Moreover, with this unique utility, you will be able to activate the MSI well-known features, Live Update and Core Center, which makes it easier to update the BIOS/drivers online, and to monitor the system hardware status (CPU/Fan temperature and speed) or to overclock the CPU/ memory.

Once you have your DigiCell installed (locate the setup source file in the setup CD accompanying with your mainboard, path: Utility --> MSI Util- ity --> MSI DigiCell), it will have an icon in the system tray, a short cut icon on the desktop, and a short cut path in your “Start-up” menu. You may double-click on each icon to enable DigiCell.

MSI Feature

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

4-2

Before using this utility, it is required to have all the integrated peripherals/cards (LAN card, Wireless LAN card, MegaStick... etc.) and all the necessary drivers (onboard LAN driver, audio driver, CoreCenter, Live Update... etc.) installed correctly.

The icon representing each item will be lit up if it is inserted/installed correctly and properly. Otherwise, the icon will remain gray and user is not able to view the functionality/connection of that item.

Main

Introduction:

Click on each icon appearing above to enter the sub-menu to make further configuration.

MSI

Click on this button to link to MSI website: http://www.msi.com.tw.

Quick Guide

Click on this button and the quick guide of DigiCell will be displayed for you to review.

H/W Diagnostic

In this sub-menu, it provides the information of each DigiCell button for you to check if the representing peripherals/cards/drivers are correctly installed.

Comm.

In this sub-menu, you can see the configuration details for communication products, including the status, strength, speed and channel of the connection of the Ethernet LAN & Wireless LAN.

Software Access Point

In this sub-menu, you can change your connection mode to different ones, and configure the advanced settings for each mode, such as the authentication encryption... etc.

Introduction to DigiCell

4-3

Live Update

You can take advantage of Live Update to detect and update BIOS and drivers online.

Core Center

You can take advantage of Core Center to monitor the health status of your system and to overclock under Windows OS if your system supports overclocking function.

MEGA STICK

If you have your MEGA STICK connected to your system, this icon will be lit up. Click this blue icon to turn DigiCell into a MP3 player, and then you can load media files from your MEGA STICK or the system, and edit the preferred playlist.

Audio Speaker Setting

In this sub-menu, you can configure and test the multi-channel audio function, speakers, sound effect and environment.

Power on Agent

In this sub-menu, you can configure date, time and auto-executed programs of the power-on, power-off and restarting features.

MSI Reminds You...

Click on back button in every sub-menu and it will bring you back to the main menu.

MSI Feature

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

4-4

H/W Diagnostic

In the H/W Diagnostic sub-menu, you can see the information, status and note of each DigiCell. You may double check the connection and installation of the item marked as gray.

You may also click on the Mail to MSI button to send your questions or suggestions to MSI’s technical support staff.

Introduction to DigiCell

4-5

Communication

In the Communication sub-menu, you can see the status of all the LAN / WLAN / Bluetooth on the screen if the hardware is installed. The first icon indicates the onboard LAN on your system, the second icon indicates the wireless LAN status, and the third one is the information about the bluetooth on your system. Click on each item for details.

This icon indicates the information and connection status of onboard LAN, which is read-only.

The second icon indicates the wireless connection. You may click this icon to configure the advanced settings in the WLAN Card Mode dialogue box (see the image on p.4-8). Please note that it is only available when the Software Access Point is set to WLAN Card Mode.

The third icon indicates the connection using bluetooth devices. If your system is connected to the bluetooth device, the icon will light up.

MSI Feature

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

4-6

Software Access Point

In the Software Access Point sub-menu, you can see the communication status on your system and choose the desired software access point mode by clicking on the desired icon, in which the default settings are configured for your usage. The default software access point mode is set to WLAN Card Mode. For more advanced security settings and channels switching, click on “Setting” button to enter its submenu.

Terminology

Here are the introduction of WLAN / AP communication terminology.

WEP Key

In the wireless network environment, the administrator can set up password (Network Key) to protect the network from being attacked or unauthorized access. When building the network, you can set up 4 sets of WEP keys, which can be 5 characters (10 hex-adecimal digital) or 13 characters (26 hex-adecimal digital) and specify one of them to use.

Ad-hoc Mode

An Ad-hoc network is a local area network or other small network, especially one with wireless or temporary plug-in connections, in which some of the network devices are part of the network only for the duration of a communications session. Users in the network can share files, print to a shared printer, and access the Internet with a shared modem. In this kind of network, new devices can be quickly added; however, users can only communicate with other wireless LAN computers that are in this wireless LAN workgroup, and are within range.

Infrastructure Mode

The difference between Infrastructure network and Ad-hoc network is that the former one includes an Access Point. In an Infrastructure network, the Access Point can manage the bandwidth to maximize bandwidth utilization. Additionally, the Access Point enables users on a wireless LAN to access an existing wired network, allowing wireless users to take advantage of the wired networks resources, such as Internet, email, file transfer, and printer sharing. The scale and range of the Infrastructure networking are larger and wider than that of the Ad-hoc networking.

Introduction to DigiCell

4-7

Access Point Mode

Click on “Setting” button of the Access Point Mode and the following screen will display.

IP Sharing

Click on this icon to enable/disable the IP sharing. The default of this setting is disabled.

Enabling/disabling IP sharing depends on the different situation. For example:

1. If your family and you are getting on Internet at home with multi computers, and your ISP only provides one IP for you, you may need to enable IP Sharing function in order to use this one IP to get on Internet with multi computers simultaneously.

2. If you are getting on Internet in office, usually the LAN card will automatically get the IP this computer uses. In this case you don’t have to enable this function.

SSID

Means Service Set Identifier, a unique name shared among all points in a wireless network. It must be identical for all points in the network. Then the card will be able to connect to an access point with the same SSID.

Channel

Specifies the operating radio frequency channel in Infrastructure mode, which should be set to an available one (ex: with less traffic to ensure the stable and better connection).

Associated Client List

This option is to display information of stations that are currently associated to your wireless gateway.

Association Control

This option allows you to control which PC can connect to the wireless LAN. If you

Disabled. Enabled.

MSI Feature

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

4-8

WLAN Card Mode

Click on “Setting” button of the WLAN Card Mode for the WEP status of your APs. If the AP you are selecting (the highlighted one) is not encrypted (Disabled shown in

the Encryption column), the screen will display as below. You can click “Connect” to make connection to that AP, click “Cancel” to close this dialogue box, or click “Refresh” button to update the available WLAN connections.

If the network you are selecting is encrypted (WEP shown in the Encryption column), the screen will display as below. You need to enter the correct WEP key defined by AP in the specified WEP Key 1~4 fields to make the connection.

enable this feature, only PCs with MAC address located in Association Control List can connect to the wireless LAN.

MAC Address

MAC stands for Media Access Control. A MAC address is the hardware address of a device connected to a network.

Security

This option allows you to enable/disable the authentication function.

Authentication

Open: Communicates the key across the network. Shared: Devices must have identical WEP settings to communicate.

Introduction to DigiCell

4-9

Live Update

Click on the Live Update icon in the main menu and the Live Update program will be enabled.

The Live Update 3™ is a tool used to detect and update your BIOS/ drivers/VGA BIOS/VGA Driver/OSD/Utility online so that you don’t need to search for the correct BIOS/driver version throughout the whole Web site. To use the function, you need to install the “MSI Live Update 3” application. After the installation, the “MSI Live Update 3” icon (as shown on the right) will appear on the screen. Double click the “MSI Live Update 3” icon, and the following screen will appear:

Six buttons are placed on the left column of the screen. Click the desired button to start the update process.

Live BIOS – Updates the BIOS online. Live Driver – Updates the drivers online. Live VGA BIOS – Updates the VGA BIOS online. Live VGA Driver – Updates the VGA driver online. Live OSD – Updates the firmware of the OSD products online. Live Utility – Updates the utilities online.

If the product you purchased does not support any of the functions listed above, a “sorry” message is displayed. For more information on the update instructions, insert the companion CD and refer to the “Live Update Guide” under the “Manual” Tab.

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MEGA STICK

In the MEGA STICK sub-menu, you can configure the settings of MSI MEGA STICK and the media files (*.m3u, *.mp3, *.wav, *.cda, *.wma) on your system.

Basic Function

Here you can edit your own play list with the buttons “load”, “save”, “delete”, “shuttle”, “repeat” & “print”.

Load To load media files or the playlist of mp3 files (*.m3u) on your system or

on your MEGA STICK.

Save To save a loaded playlist of mp3 files (*.m3u) on your system or on

your MEGA STICK.

Delete Click on the media files in the Play List: field and use “Delete” button

to remove the media file from the play list. You may remove multi media files simultaneously by using “Ctrl” to select multi files.

Shuffle To play the media file in the Play List: in a random order. Repeat To repeat the selected files in the Play List:. Print This button has 2 functions:

1.To print out the details of current play list through your printer with the following information: Song title --- Song length --- Singer name

2.To save the details of current play list and save the file in the plain text file format in the \\Program files\MSI\DigiCell\MyMusic.txt for your reference. The MyMusic.txt file is with the following information: Song title --- Song length --- Singer name

Introduction to DigiCell

4-11

There is also a toolbar for you to execute some basic function, like play, stop, pause, previous/next song, song info and volume adjust. There is also a scroll bar on the top for you to forward/rewind.

Right-click on the MP3 file and choose “Info”, a MP3 Info dialogue will pop up to show the information of the file, including the title, artist, album, release year and others. You may also add your own comment in the comment field. Then click “Save” to save the change, click “Cancel” to discard the change, or click “Remove” to remove all this information.

play

forward/rewind bar

song’s informationstop

pause

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Non-Unicode programs supported

If you are using an operating system in European languages, and you’d like to play the media files in MEGA STICK with East-Asian languages (such as Chinese, Japanese... etc.), it is possible that the file names display incorrectly. However, you can install the Supplemental Language Support provided by Microsoft to solve this problem. You need to have your Microsoft Setup CD prepared in the CD-ROM. The system will start to install the necessary components after the settings are configured here. Follow the steps described below.

1.Go to [Control Panel] and choose [Regional and Languages Options].

2.Go to the [Languages] tab and enable the check box of [Install files for East Asian languages]. A dialogue box will pop up to remind you the above selection is chosen.

Introduction to DigiCell

4-13

3. Then go to the [Advanced] tab and select the language you want to be supported (the language of the filename in the MegaStick) from the drop-

down list in the [Language for non-Unicode programs], then click [Apply]. The system will install the necessary components from your Microsoft Setup CD immediately.

MSI Feature

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

4-14

Core Center (for AMD K8 Processor)

Click on the Core Center icon in the main menu and the Core Center program will be enabled.

Cool’n’Quiet

This utility provides a CPU temperature detection function called Cool’n’Quiet. Cool’n’Quiet is a special feature designed only for AMD® Athlon64 processor, and

with Cool’n’Quiet, the system will be capable of detecting the temperature of the CPU according to the CPU’s working loading. When the CPU temperature climbs up to a certain degree, the speed of the system cooling fan will be risen automatically. On the other hand, the speed of the system cooling fan will slow down instantly when the CPU temperature descends to its normal degree.

Here the current system status (including Vcore, 3.3V, +5V and 12V) and the current PC hardware status (such as the CPU & system temperatures and all fans speeds) are shown on the left and right sides for you to monitor.

When you click the red triangles in the left and right sides, two sub-menus will open for users to overclock, overspec or to adjust the thresholds of system to send out the warning messages.

Introduction to DigiCell

4-15

Left-side: Current system status

In the left sub-menu, you can configure the settings of FSB, PCI-E, Memory Voltage and CPU Voltage by clicking the radio button in front of each item and make it available (the radio button will be lighted as yellow when selected), use the “+” and “-” buttons to adjust, then click “OK” to apply the changes. Then you can click “Save” to save the desired FSB you just configured. Or you may click “Default” to restore the default values.

Right-side: PC hardware status during real time operation

In the right sub-menu, here you can configure the PC hardware status such as CPU & system temperatures and fan speeds. You may use the scroll bars to adjust each item, then click “OK” to apply the changes. The values you set for the temperatures are the maximum thresholds for the system warnings, and the values for fan speeds are the minimum thresholds.

Center-side: Cool’n’Quiet / User mode

Here you may adjust the CPU fan speed. If you choose User mode, you may adjust the CPU fan speed in 8 different modes, from High Speed to Low speed. If you choose Cool’n’Quiet, the system will automatically configure an optimal setting for you.

MSI Reminds You...

To ensure that Cool’n’Quiet function is activated and will be working properly, it is required to double confirm that:

1. Run BIOS Setup, and select Cell Menu. Under Cell

Menu, find Cool’n’Quiet Support, and set this item

to “Enable.”

2. Enter Windows, and select [Start]->[Settings]-> [Control Pannel]->[Power Options]. Enter Power Options Properties tag, and select Minimal Power Management under Power schemes.

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4-16

Audio Speaker Setting

In the Audio Speaker Setting sub-menu, you can configure the multi-channel audio operation, perform speaker test, and choose the environment you prefer while enjoying the music.

You can scroll the bar of each equalizer to regulate the current playing digital sound source. Also you may click on the “on” button to enable/disable the equalizer function. Once the equalizer function is enabled, you can choose several preset equalizers for your preference. You may also right-click anywhere to execute this function. After you have chosen one equalizer, it will be indicated next to the “on” button in yellow.

The Environment setting lets you select the environment you like, such as

Cave or Convert Hall.

Introduction to DigiCell

4-17

Click on the “Speaker test” button and the following dialogue box will appear:

In this Speaker Configuration dialogue box, select the audio configuration which is identical to the audio jack on your mainboard. Once the correct audio configuration is selected, click “Apply” to save the changes. Then the following screen will appear. In this Speaker Configuration dialogue box, first select the correct item from the Speaker mode drop-down list, and then click on each connected speaker to ensure if Headphone, 2-, 4-, 5.1-, or 7.1- channel audio operation is working properly. If any speaker fails to make sound, then check whether the cable is inserted firmly to the connector, or replace the bad speakers with good ones.

Subwoofer

Front Right

Rear Right

Center

Front Left

Rear Left

Main Side Left

Main Side Right

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Power on Agent

In the Power on Agent sub-menu, you can configure setting of power-on, poweroff and restarting status.

In the screen below, you can set the date, time, start-up programs respectively for power-on, power-off and restarting.

Power On

Here are the available settings for Power On function:

Date Use the drop-down list to select the date for power-on. Time Use the arrow keys to select the hour/minute/second for power-on,

power-off and restarting. Then click “Apply” to save the changes. As you click “Apply”, the following dialogue will appear to show you the next power-on schedule, and the system will start to count down to restart. Click “OK” to restart the computer right away or click “Later” to restart your computer later.

MSI Reminds You...

Please note that the new setting will not take effect until you restart your computer.

Introduction to DigiCell

4-19

Power Off / Restart

You may configure the time (in the format hh:mm:ss) for the next power-off / restart.

Start With

Use the button “+Add” to add the start-up programs as DigiCell is activated next time. For example, you may like to have Outlook activated or a specified website linked when you get to the office every morning. Step 1: Click on the Program: field and click “>>”

button to browse for the path of Outlook or

Internet Explorer. Step 2: Click on “OK” to apply the setting. Step 3: For specified file or specified website, you

may enter the file name with the complete

path or the website link in the Parameters: field.

Of course you may use the button “-Delete” to remove the added programs, or you can right-click on the selected program and click Delete.

add the desired startwith program

To activate Outlook as DigiCell is enabled next time

To activate a specified website as DigiCell is enabled next time

delete the added program

MSI Reminds You...

You can also enable the Every turn on function, which will enable the specified program(s) and file(s) every time the Digi Cell utility runs.

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Auto Login

Since the Power On function allows the system to power on automatically, you may have to enable this Auto Login function in the following situations:

1.If you are using a computer belonging to a domain in office, and you need to enter your user name & password everytime when you boot up your computer.

2. If there are multi users using the same computer and you’d like to power on the computer automatically with one specific user.

Enable Auto Login

Enable this setting if you want to use the Auto Login feature. It supports the following operating systems: Win9X, Windows ME, Windows 2000 & Windows XP.

Default User Name

It is only available for Windows 2000 & Windows XP.

- - If you are using a computer belonging to a domain in office, please enter your login user name in this field.

-- If you are using a computer with multi users (for Windows XP operating system), please enter the user name you’d like to auto power-on in this field.

Default Password

It is only available for Windows 2000 & Windows XP.

- - If you are using a computer belonging to a domain in office, please enter your login password in this field.

-- If you are using a computer with multi-users (for Windows XP operating system), please enter the password for the user name you’d like to auto power-on in this field.

5-1

nVIDIA RAID Introduction

Chapter 5. nVidia RAID Introduction

NVIDIA brings Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) technology—which is used by the world’s leading businesses—to the common PC desktop. This technology uses multiple drives to either increase total disk space or to offer data protection. For all levels, RAID techniques optimize storage solutions by using multiple disks grouped together and treating them as a single storage resource.

nVidia RAID Introduction

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Introduction

System Requirement

Operating System Support

NVRAID supports the following operating systems:

Windows XP Home Edition Windows XP Professional Edition Windows 2000 Professional

RAID Arrays

NVRAID supports the following types of RAID arrays described in this section: RAID 0: RAID 0 defines a disk striping scheme that improves the 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 arrays. Spanning (JBOD): JBOD provides a method for combining drives of different sizes into one large disk.

Summary of RAID Configurations

Array Uses Advantages Drawbacks # Hard

Disks

Fault Tolerance

RAID 0 Non-critical data

requiring high performance.

High data throughput. No fault tolerance. m ultiple None

RAID 1 Sm all databases or any

other sma ll capa city environment requir ing fault tolerance.

100% data redundancy.

Requires 2 drives for the storage s pac e of 1 drive.

2 Yes

RAID 0+1 Critical data requiring

high performance.

Optimized for both 100% data redundancy and performance. Allows spare disks.

Requires 2 drives for the storage s pac e of 1 drive—the same as RAID level 1.

4+ Yes

JBOD Combining odd size

drives into one big drive

Comb i nes and uses the capacity of odd size drives.

Decreases performance because of the difficulty in using drives concurrently or to optimize drives fo r different uses.

Multiple No

MSI Reminds You...

Please note that users cannot install OS, either WinME or Win98, in their SATA hard drive. Under these two OSs, SATA can not support.

5-3

nVIDIA RAID Introduction

Basic Configuration Instructions

The following are the basic steps for configuring NVRAID:

Non-Bootable RAID Array

1. Choose the hard disks that are to be RAID enabled in the system BIOS.

2. Specify the RAID level, either Mirroring (RAID 1), Striping (RAID 0), Striping and Mirroring (RAID 0+1), or Spanning (JBOD) and create the desired RAID array.

3. Enter the Windows OS, run the Windows nForce Setup application and install the RAID software. (Check p.5-9 for details.)

4. Initialize the NVRAID Array Disks.

Bootable RAID Array

1. Choose the hard disks that are to be RAID enabled in the system BIOS.

2. Specify the RAID level, either Mirroring (RAID 1), Striping (RAID 0), Striping and Mirroring (RAID 0+1), or Spanning (JBOD) and create the desired RAID array.

3. Boot from the Windows CD, use the floppy disk that has the RAID driver to copy and install the nForce RAID software. (Check p.5-9 for details.)

4. Initialize the NVRAID Array Disks.

Setting Up the NVRAID BIOS

Be sure to enable the IDE RAID or SATA RAID items in RAID Config of Integrated Peripherals in BIOS before configuring the NVRAID BIOS. After that press F10 to

save the configuration and exit. The PC will reboot right away. Then enter the RAID BIOS Setup by pressing F10 when prompted, and follow the procedures described below to set up the NVRAID BIOS. NVRAID BIOS setup lets you choose the RAID array type and which hard drives you want to make part of the array.

Entering the RAID BIOS Setup

1. After rebooting your PC, wait until you see the RAID software prompting you to press F10. The RAID prompt appears as part of the system POST and boot process prior to loading the OS.

2. Press F10, and the NVIDIA RAID Utility

--- Define a New Array window will appear. The default RAID Mode is set to Mir-

roring and Striping Block is set to Optimal.

RAID Configuration

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Understanding the “Define a New Array” Window

Use the Define a New Array window to

• Select the RAID Mode

• Set up the Striping Block

• Specify which disks to use for the RAID Array

Depending on the platform used, the system can have one or more channels. In a typical system there is usually one controller and multiple channels, and each channel has a slave and a master. The channel/controller/master/slave status of each hard disk is given in the Loc (location) columns of the Free Disks and Array Disks lists.

In the example above, 1.0.M means the hard drive is attached to Channel 1, Controller 0, and the drive is set to Master. The following is a list of all possible combinations:

Parallel ATA

0.0.M Channel 0, controller 0, Master

0.0.S Channel 0, controller 0, Slave

0.1.M Channel 0, controller 1, Master

0.1.S Channel 0, controller 1, Slave

Serial ATA

1.0.M Channel 1, controller 0, Master

1.1.M Channel 1, controller 1, Master

2.0.M Channel 2, controller 0, Master

2.1.M Channel 2, controller 1, Master

MSI Reminds You...

There is no such thing as Slave drive in Serial ATA. All drives are considered to be Master since there is a one to one connection between the drive and the controller.

5-5

nVIDIA RAID Introduction

Using the Define a New Array Window

If necessary, press the tab key to move from field to field until the appropriate field is highlighted.

• Selecting the RAID Mode

By default, this is set to [Mirroring]. To change to a different RAID mode, press the down arrow key until the mode that you want appears in the RAID Mode box—either [Mirroring], [Striping], [Spanning], or [Stripe Mirroring].

• Selecting the Striping Block Size

Striping Block size is given in kilobytes, and affects how data is arranged on the

disk. It is recommended to leave this value at the default [Optimal], which is 32KB, but the values can be between [4 KB] and [128 KB].

• Assigning the Disks

The disks that you enabled from the RAID Config BIOS setup page appear in the Free Disks block. These are the drives that are available for use as RAID array disks.

To designate a free disk to be used as a RAID array disk,

1. Tab to the Free Disks section. The first disk in the list is selected.

2. Move it from the Free Disks block to the Array Disks block by pressing the right

arrow key (-->). The first disk in the list is moved, and the next disk in the list is selected and ready to be moved.

3. Continue pressing the right-arrow key (<-- ) until all the disks that you want to use

as RAID array disks appear in the Array Disks block.

It shows that two disks have been assigned as RAID1 array disks in the figure above.

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Completing the RAID BIOS Setup

1.After assigning your RAID array disks, press F7. The Clear disk data prompt appears.

2.Press Y if you want to wipe out all the data from the RAID array, otherwise press N. You must choose Yes if the drives were previously used as RAID drives. The Array List window appears, where you can review the RAID arrays that you have set up.

3. Use the arrow keys to select the array that you want to set up, then press Enter. The Array Detail window appears.

4. If you want to mark this disk as empty and wipe out all its contents then press C.

5. At the prompt, press Y to wipe out all the data, otherwise press N.

6.Press Enter again to go back to the previous window and then press Ctrl-X to exit the RAID setup. Now that the RAID setup has been configured from the RAID BIOS, the next step is to configure and load NVRAID drivers under Windows, as explained in “Installing the NVIDIA RAID Software Under Windows” on p5-9.

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nVIDIA RAID Introduction

Installing the RAID Driver (for bootable RAID Array)

1. After you complete the RAID BIOS setup, boot from the Windows CD, and the

Windows Setup program starts.

2. Press F6 and wait for the Windows Setup screen to appear.

3. Specify the NVIDIA drivers:

(1) Insert the floppy that has the RAID driver, press S, then press Enter. The

Windows Setup screen appears as below:

(2) Select “NVIDIA RAID CLASS DRIVER” and then press Enter. (3) Press S again at the Specify Devices screen, then press Enter. (4) Select “NVIDIA NForce Storage Controller” and then press Enter. The follow-

ing Windows Setup screen appears listing both drivers:

MSI Reminds You...

Please follow the instruction below to make an nVIDIA RAID driver for yourself.

1. Insert the MSI CD into the CD-ROM drive.

2. Ignore the Setup screen and use “Explorer” to browse the CD.

3. Copy all the contents (not including the sub-folders) in the

\\nVidia\System\CK804\IDE\WinXP

or \\nVidia\System\CK804\IDE\Win2k to a formatted floppy disk.

4. The driver disk for nVIDIA RAID driver is done.

NVIDIA RAID Utility Installation

5-8

MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

4.Press Enter to continue with Windows XP Installation. Be sure to leave the floppy disk inserted in the floppy drive until the blue screen portion of Windows XP installation is completed, then take out the floppy.

5. Follow the instructions on how to install Windows XP. During the GUI portion of the install you might be prompted to click Yes to install the RAID driver. Click Yes as many times as needed in order to finish the installation. This will not be an issue with a signed driver.

MSI Reminds You...

Each time you add a new hard drive to a RAID array, the RAID driver will have to be installed under Windows once for that hard drive. After that, the driver will not have to be installed

5-9

nVIDIA RAID Introduction

Installing the NVIDIA RAID Software Under Windows (for Non-bootable RAID Array)

The existing Windows IDE Parallel ATA driver (as well as the Serial ATA driver if SATA is enabled) must be upgraded to use the NVIDIA IDE Parallel ATA driver (as well as the NV Serial ATA driver if SATA is enabled). This section describes how to run the setup application and install the RAID software which will upgrade the Windows IDE driver and install the RAID software.

1. Start the nForce Setup program to open the NVIDIA Windows nForce Drivers page.

2. Select the modules that you want to install. Make sure that the “NVIDIA IDE Driver”

is selected.

3. Click Next and then follow the instructions.

4. After the installation is completed, be sure to reboot the PC.

5. After the reboot, initialize the newly created array.

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MS-7125 ATX Mainboard

Initializing and Using the Disk Array

The RAID array is now ready to be initialized under Windows.

1. Launch Computer Management by clicking “Start” --> “Settings” --> “Control Panel”

--> “Switch to Classic View” then open the “Administrative Tools” folder and double click on “Computer Management”.

2. Click “Disk Management” (under the “Storage” section). The Initialize and Convert

Disk Wizards appears.

3. Click Next. The Select Disks to Initialize window appears. The disks listed depend

on how many arrays you have configured.

4. Click Next. The Select Disks to Convert window appears.

MSI 770 C45 - AM3 AMD 770 HDMI Motherboard, K8N NEO4-F - Motherboard - ATX, G52-M7125X4 User Manual

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