Zotac nForce 750a User Manual

1

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with instructions
contained in this manual, may cause harmful interference to radio and television communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

- REORIENT OR RELOCATE THE RECEIVING ANTENNA

- INCREASE THE SEPARATION BETWEEN THE EQUIPMENT AND THE RECEIVER

- CONNECT THE EQUIPMENT INTO AN OUTLET ON A CIRCUIT DIFFERENT FROM
THAT OF THE RECEIVER

- CONSULT THE DEALER OR AN EXPERIENCED AUDIO/TELEVISION TECHNICIAN

NOTE:

Connecting this device to peripheral devices that do not comply with Class B requirements, or
using an unshielded peripheral data cable, could also result in harmful interference to radio or
television reception.

The user is cautioned that any changes or modications not expressly approved by the party

responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

To ensure that the use of this product does not contribute to interference, it is necessary to use
shielded I/O cables.

Copyright

This manual is copyrighted with all rights reserved. No portion of this manual may be copied or
reproduced by any means.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, no responsibility for
errors or omissions is assumed. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the
use of the information contained herein.

Trademarks

All brand names, logos and registered trademarks mentioned are property of their respective
owners.

Electronic Emission Notices

WARNING!

2

NForce 750a series Motherboard

Table of Contents

Motherboard Specications ------------------------------------------------------------------- 4

Motherboard Layout------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6

Hardware Installation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8

Safety Instructions ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8

Preparing The Motherboard ------------------------------------------------------------------- 8

Installing the CPU ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8

Installing the CPU Fan ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10

Installing Memory DIMMs -------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

Installing the Motherboard ------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

Installing the I/O Shield ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

Connecting Cables And Setting Switches ------------------------------------------------ 12

24-pin ATX Power (PW1) --------------------------------------------------------------------- 13

8-pin ATX 12V Power (PW2) ---------------------------------------------------------------- 14

AUX Power (optional) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14

Speaker Connector-SPK --------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

Serial Port connector-COM ----------------------------------------------------------------- 15

Case Open Detect Connector J1H4 ------------------------------------------------------ 15

IEEE1394 Connector - CN4(optional) ---------------------------------------------------- 16

Connecting Serial ATA Cables -------------------------------------------------------------- 17

Connecting Internal Headers ---------------------------------------------------------------- 18

Front Panel Header ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18

USB Headers------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19

FP Audio Connector --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20

Fan Connections ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21

Expansion Slots -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22

PCI Slots ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22

PCI Express x16 Slots ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22

PCI Express x1 Slots -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22

Jumper Settings -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23

Hoppy Disk Drive Connector-FDD---------------------------------------------------------- 24

Hard Disk Connector-IDE--------------------------------------------------------------------- 24

Conguring the BIOS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25

About the Setup Utility------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25

3

Main Menu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26
Flash Update Procedure ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 30

Installing Drivers And Software -------------------------------------------------------------- 31

HDMI Setup ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32

Realtek HD Audio Driver Setup -------------------------------------------------------------- 34

Getting Started ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34

Sound Effect ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34

Environment Simulation ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 34

Equalizer Selection --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35

Frequently Used Equalizer Setting -------------------------------------------------------- 35

Karaoke Mode ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35

Mixer----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36

Playback control --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36
Recording control -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37
Audio I/O ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38
Speaker Conguration ------------------------------------------------------------------- 39
Global Connector Settings -------------------------------------------------------------- 40
S/PDIF --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40
Speaker Calibration ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 41
Microphone---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42
Noise Suppression ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 42
Beam Forming ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42
Acoustic Echo Cancellation ------------------------------------------------------------- 42
Audio Demo --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43
Information --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43

Setup of SLI Conguration--------------------------------------------------------------------- 44

SATA RAID User Manual ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 46

Setting up the BIOS --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46
Entering the RAID BIOS Setup ------------------------------------------------------------- 48
Installing the RAID Drives -------------------------------------------------------------------- 51

Table of Contents

4

NForce 750a series Motherboard

Motherboard Specications

q Chipset

NVIDIA MCP72 Series

q Size

ATX form factor of 12 inch x 8.6 inch

q Microprocessor support

Phenom/Athlon/Sempron with socket AM2/AM2+

q Operating systems:

Supports Windows XP 32bit/64bit and Windows Vista 32bit/64bit

q System Memory support

Supports DDRII533/667/800/1066. Supports up to 8GBs DDRII

memorys with 4 slots and 4GBs with 2 slots.

q USB 2.0 Ports

v Supports hot plug and play

v Twelve USB 2.0 ports (four rear panel ports, eight from onboard USB headers)

v Supports wake-up from S1

v Supports USB 2.0 protocol up to 480 Mbps transmission rate

q Onboard Serial ATA II

v Independent DMA operation on six ports (optional).

v Data transfer rates of 300Mb/s.

q Onboard LAN

v LAN interface built-in onboard

v Supports 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet, 1000Mbps Ethernet is optional.

q Onboard Audio(optional)

v Azalia High-Denition audio

v Supports 6-channel/8-channel audio

v Supports Jack-Sensing function

q PCI Express Support

v Supports PCI Express 2.0

v Supports two PCIEx16 slot with 8-1an bandwidth and two PCIEx1

slot(optional)

v Low power consumption and power management features

v Supports 8+8 SLI technology

q Green Function

5

v RTC timer to power-on the system

v AC power failure recovery

q Onboard IEEE1394(optional)

v One 1394 port on back panel,one on pin header

v Compliant with IEEE1394 OHCI specications v1.0 and v1.1

v Integrated 400Mb 2-port PHY

q Onboard display Support

v Integrates 750a SLI engine core.

v Support Hybrid SLI to increase graphics performance with GeForce® Boost

and provide intelligent power management with HybridPower

TM

v DVI/HDMI output support(optional)

q Expansion Slots

v Two PCI Express x1 slot(optional)

v Two PCI Express x16 Graphics slot

v Two PCI bus master slots - ver.2.3 compliant

Before You Begin

6

NForce 750a series Motherboard

Motherboard Layout

Figure 1 shows the motherboard and Figures 2 shows the back panel connectors.

1. Front Panel Connector 12. PCI Express x16 slots 23. SYS fan Connectors

2. USB Connectors 13. AUX power Connector (optional) 24. SATA connectors

3. Speaker Connector 14. 8-pin Power connector

4. IEEE1394 Connector(optional) 15. Backpanel connectors

5. Clear CMOS jumper 16. DDRII DIMM Sockets(optional)

6. J1H4-case open detection connector(optional) 17. 24-pin ATX power connector

7. COM connector(optional) 18. CPU Socket

8. Floppy Disk Drive Connector 19. IDE Connector

9. PCI Slots 20. CPU fan Connector

10. Front Panel audio Connector 21. Chip fan Connector

11. PCI Express x1 slot(optional) 22. Chipset

Figure 1. Board Layout

Chi pse t

SPE AKE

R

FP
1

CCM OS

CO

M

PS2

USB /LA

N

PW

1

120 240

121

120 240

121

120 240

121

120 240

121

SA

TA

4

SA

TA

5

IDE

SA

TA

6

SA

TA

1

SA

TA

3

SA

TA

2

US
B 3

-

US
B 4

-

US
B 1

-

US
B 2

-

139 4

CPU S oc ket

VGA DVI/

SPD IF OU T

HDM I

CPU _FAN

J
1H4

CHI

P F

AN

DDR II

1

-

DDR II

2

-

DDR II

3

-

DDR II

4

-

SYS F AN 1-

SY
S F

AN 2

-

FDD

PC
I

PC
I

USB 1 394/

Aud io

PW2

AUX P OWE R_

PCI

Exp res

s x
1

PCI

Exp res

s x
1

FP

S1

_

10

11

16 17

18

19

20 23

21 22

2
3

4

5
6

7

8

24

912

13

14

15

PCI

Exp res s

x16

slo t

1

-

PCI

Exp res s

x16

slo t

2

-

7

1. PS/2 Mouse Port 4. HDMI Port(optional)

2. PS/2 Keyboard Port 5. VGA Port

3. SPDIF OUT 6. USB Port

7. Port 2-Channel 4-Channel 6-Channel 8-Channel

Blue Line-In Line-In Line-In Line-In

Green Line-Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out

Pink Mic In Mic In Mic In Mic In

Orange -- -- Center/Subwoofer Center/Subwoofer
Black -- Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out
Grey -- -- -- Side Speaker Out

8. DVI Out Port(optional)

9. IEEE1394 Port(optional)

10. Lan Port with LEDs to indicate status.

· Yellow/Light Up/Blink = 10 Mbps/Link/Activity

· Yellow and Green/Light Up/Blink = 100 Mbps/Link/Activity

· Orange and Red /Light UP/Blink = 1000 Mbps/Link/Activity

11. Port 2-Channel 4-Channel 6-Channe

Blue Line-In Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out

Green Line-Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out

Pink Mic In Mic In Center/Subwoofer

Figure 2: Backpanel connectors

With 8-Channel audio output

With 6-Channel audio output

Rear Panel

2

3

4 5 6 7

8

9

10

6

11

8

NForce 750a series Motherboard

Hardware Installation

This section will guide you through the installation of the motherboard. The topics
covered in this section are:

q Preparing the motherboard

v Installing the CPU

v Installing the CPU fan

v Installing the memory

q Installing the motherboard

q Connecting cables and setting switches

Safety Instructions

To reduce the risk of re, electric shock, and injury, always follow basic safety precations.

Remember to remove power from your computer by disconnecting the AC main source
before removing or installing any equipment from/to the computer chassis.

Preparing the Motherboard

The motherboard shipped in the box does not contain a CPU and memory. You need

to purchase these to complete this installation.

Installing the CPU

Be very careful when handling the CPU. Make sure not to bend or break any pins on
the back. Hold the processor only by the edges and do not touch the bottom of the
processor.
Use the following procedure to install the CPU onto the motherboard.

9

Hardware Installation

1. Please turn off the power and unplug the power
cord before installing the CPU. Pull the lever up and
away from the socket until it is at a 90 degree angle

to the motherboard.

2. Look for the gold arrow on the CPU. The gold arrow
should point away from the lever pivot. The CPU can
only sit properly in the socket in the correct orientation.

3. If the CPU is correctly seated, the pins should be
completely embedded in the socket and can not be
seen (Please note that any deviation from the correct
installation procedures may cause permanent damage
to your motherboard).

4. Press the CPU down rmly 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 ngers pressing tightly on top of the CPU to

make sure the CPU is properly and completely seated
in the socket.

5. 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.

10

NForce 750a series Motherboard

Installing the CPU Fan

There are many different fan types that can be used with this motherboard. Follow the
instruction that came with your fan assembly. Be sure that the fan orientation is correct
for your chassis type and your fan assembly.

Installing Memory DIMMs

Your new motherboard has four 1.8V 240-pin slots for DDR2 memory DDRII 1 and
DDRII 2 are optional. These slots support 256 Mb, 512 Mb, 1Gb and 2Gb DDR2.
There must be at least one memory bank populated to ensure normal operation. Use
the following the recommendations for installing memory. (See Figure 1 on page 6 for
the location of the memory slots.)

q One DIMM: You can install the DIMM into any slot.

q Two DIMMs: Install into slots 1 and 2,or 3 and 4. The idea is to run on dual

channel mode.

q Four DIMMs: Install into slots 1,2,3 and 4. The idea is to run on dual channel

mode.

Use the following procedure to install memory DIMMs into the slots on the
motherboard. Note that there is only one gap near the center of the DIMM slot. This
slot matches the slot on the memory DIMM to ensure the component is installed
properly.

1. Unlock a DIMM slot by pressing the module clips outward.

DDRII-1

DDRII-2

DDRII-3

DDRII-4

11

2. Align the memory module to the DIMM slot, and insert the module vertically into
the DIMM slot. The plastic clips at both sides of the DIMM slot automatically lock
the DIMM into the connector.

Installing the Motherboard

The sequence of installing the motherboard into the chassis depends on the chassis

you are using and if you are replacing an existing motherboard or working with an

empty chassis. Determine if it would be easier to make all the connections prior to this
step or to secure the motherboard and then make all the connections. It is normally

easier to secure the motherboard rst.

Use the following procedure to install the I/O shield and secure the motherboard into
the chassis.

Note: Be sure that the CPU fan assembly has enough clearance for the
chassis covers to lock into place and for the expansion cards. Also
make sure the CPU Fan assembly is aligned with the vents on the
covers.

Installing the I/O Shield

The motherboard kit comes with an I/O shield that is used to block radio frequency
transmissions, protects internal components from dust and foreign objects, and

promotes correct airow within the chassis.

Before installing the motherboard, install the I/O shield from the inside of the chassis.

Press the I/O shield into place and make sure it ts securely. If the I/O shield does
not t into the chassis, you would need to obtain the proper size from the chassis

supplier.

Hardware Installation

12

NForce 750a series Motherboard

Connecting Cables and Setting Switches

This section takes you through all the connections and switch settings necessary on
the motherboard.

See Figure 1 to locate the connectors and jumpers referenced in the following
procedure.

13

24-pin ATX Power (PW1)

PW1 is the main power supply connector located along the edge of the board next to

the DIMM slots. Make sure that the power supply cable and pins are properly aligned
with the connector on the motherboard. Firmly plug the power supply cable into the
connector and make sure it is secure.

Table 1. PW1 Pin Assignments

Connector Pin Signal Pin Signal

1 +3.3V 13 +3.3V

2 +3.3V 14 -12V

3 GND 15 GND

4 +5V 16 PS_ON

5 GND 17 GND

6 +5V 18 GND

7 GND 19 GND

8 PWROK 20 -5V

9 +5V_AUX 21 +5V

10 +12V 22 +5V

11 +12V 23 +5V

12 +3.3V 24 GND

1

12

1324

Hardware Installation

14

NForce 750a series Motherboard

8-pin ATX 12V Power (PW2)

PW2, the 8-pin ATX 12V power connection, is used to provide power to the CPU. Align

the pins to the connector and press rmly until seated.

PIN Assignment

1 GND

2 GND

3 GND

4 GND

5 +12V

6 +12V

7 +12V

8 +12V

PW2 - Pin Denition

AUX Power(Optional)

PIN Assignment

1 +12V

2 GND

3 GND

4 +5V

AUX Power - Pin Denition

14

1

15

SPK

1

PIN Assignment

1 VCC

2 NC

3 NC

4 SPK-

SPK - Pin Denition

Speaker Connector - SPK

Serial Port Connector - COM

1

2

9

10

COM

Case Open Detect Connector - J1H4

COM - Pin Denition

PIN Assignment

1 DCD

2 RXD

3 TXD

4 DTR

5 GND

6 DSR

7 RTS

8 CTS

9 RI

10 NC

J1H4

1

16

NForce 750a series Motherboard

IEEE 1394 Connector: CN4 (optional)

The motherboard provides one 1394 pin headers that allow you to connect IEEE 1394
ports. Certainly, you can connect to real panel directly.

1

2

9

10

CN4- Pin Denition

PIN Assignment

1 TPA+

2 TPA-

3 Ground

4 Ground

5 TPB+

6 TPB-

7 Cable power

8 Cable power

9 Key (no pin)

10 Ground

IEEE 1394 Cable (optional)

Hardware Installation

17

PIN SIGNAL

1 GND

2 TXP

3 TXN

4 GND

5 RXN

6 RXP

7 GND

SATA-1/SATA-2/SATA3/SATA4/SATA5/SATA6 - Pin Denition

Connecting Serial ATA Cables(SATA-1~SATA-6 Optional)

The Serial ATA II connector is used to connect the Serial ATA II device to the motherboard.
These connectors support the thin Serial ATA II cables for primary storage devices.

The current Serial ATA II interface allows up to 3Gb/s data transfer rate. There are six
serial ATA connectors on the motherboard that support AHCI and RAID congurations

.(SATA5,&SATA6 does not support IDE mode.)

SATA-6

SATA-5

SATA-4

1

1

1

SATA-1

1

SATA-2

1

SATA-2

1

18

NForce 750a series Motherboard

Connecting Internal Headers

Front Panel Header

The front panel header on this motherboard is one connector used

to connect the following four cables (see Table 2 for pin denitions):

q PWRLED
Attach the front panel power LED cable to these two pins of the
connector. The Power LED indicates the system’s status.

Note: Some chassis do not have all four cables. Be sure to match the name on
the connectors to the corresponding pins.

q PWR SW
Attach the power button cable from the case to these two pins. Pressing the
power button on the front panel turns the system on and off rather than using the
power supply button.
q HDD LED
Attach the hard disk drive indicator LED cable to these two pins. The HDD
indicator LED indicates the activity status of the hard disks.

q RST SW

Attach the Reset switch cable from the front panel of the case to these two pins.
The system restarts when the RESET switch is pressed.

Hardware Installation

RESET
GND

HDD_LED­HDD_LED+

FP1

NC

PWR_SW

KEY

PW_LED+

7

9

5
3

1

6

8

10

2

4

GND

PW_LED-

Front Panel Header Pins

19

PIN Assignment

1 VCC
2 VCC
3 USBP0­4 USBP1­5 USBP0+
6 USBP1+
7 GND
8 GND
9 KEY
10 OC#

F_USB1/F_USB2/F_USB3/F_USB4

-Pin Denition

USB Headers

This motherboard contains four USB 2.0 ports that are exposed on the rear panel of
the chassis(Figure 2). The motherboard also contains four 10-pin internal header con­nectors onboard.

1. Secure the bracket to either the front or rear panel of your chassis (not all chassis
are equipped with the front panel option).

1

2

9

10

USB2 USB1 USB4 USB3

20

NForce 750a series Motherboard

1

2

9

10

FP Audio Connector

The audio connector supports HD audio standard and provides two kinds of audio
output choices: the Front Audio, the Rear Audio. The front Audio supports re-tasking
function.

Note:

In order to utilize the front audio header, your chassis must have front audio con-

nector. Also please make sure the pin assignment on the cable is the same as the
pin assignment on the mainboard header. To nd out if the chassis you are buying
supports a front audio connector, please contract your dealer.

PIN Assignment

1 MIC2(L)
2 GND
3 MIC(R)
4 -ACZ-DET
5 Front Audio(R)
6 Reserved
7 FAVDIO - JD
8 Key (No pin)
9 Front Audio(L)
10 Reserved

FP - SOUND Pin Denition

Hardware Installation

21

Fan Connections

There are four fan connections on the motherboard. The fan speed can be detected
and viewed in the PC Health Status section of the CMOS Setup.

SYS FAN2 Connector

Sense

+12V

GND

CPU FAN Connector

GND
+12V
Sense

Control

SYS FAN1 Connector

Sense

+12V

GND

CHIP FAN Connector

+12V

GND

22

NForce 750a series Motherboard

Expansion Slots

The motherboard contains six expansion slots, four PCI Express slots and two PCI
slots. For a full list of PCI Express x16 graphics card supported by this motherboard.

PCI Slots

The two PCI slots support many expansion cards such as a LAN card, USB card,
SCSI card and other cards that comply with PCI specications. When installing a card

into the PCI slot, be sure that it is fully seated. Secure the card’s metal bracket to the
chassis back panel with the screw used to hold the blank cover.

PCI Express x16 Slots

There are two PCI Express x16 slot reserved for graphics or video cards. The band­width of the x16 slot is up to 8GB/sec complianting with PCIE 2.0 specication.

PCI Express x1 Slots(optional)

There are two PCI Express x1 slot that is designed to accommodate less bandwidth­intensive cards, such as a modem or LAN card. The x1 slot provides 500 MB/sec

bandwidth.

PCI slot

PCIE x16 slot2

PCI slot

PCIE x1 slot

Hardware Installation

PCIE x16 slot1

PCIE x1 slot

23

When installing a PCI Express x16 card, be sure the retention clip snaps and locks

the card into place. If the card is not seated properly, it could cause a short across the
pins. Secure the card’s metal bracket to the chassis back panel with the screw used
to hold the blank cover.

Jumper Setting

This chapter explains how to congure the motherboard’s hardware. Before using your

computer, make sure all jumpers and DRAM modules are set correctly. Refer to this
chapter whenever in doubt.

Notice:

1. Be sure to save the CMOS setting when exit the CMOS.

2. If the CPU is frequency multiplier locked, no CPU speed change will be

seen even if the frequency multiplier setting in CMOS setup is changed.

If you want to clear the system conguration, use the CCMOS (Clear CMOS Jumper)

to clear data.

CCMOS-CMOS Clear

CCMOS Selection

1-2* Normal*

2-3 CMOS Clear

Close Open * Default setting.

24

NForce 750a series Motherboard

Hard Disk Connector - IDE

The motherboard has a 32-bit Enhanced PCI IDE and Ultra DMA 66/100/133 control­ler that provides PIO mode 0~4, Bus Master, and Ultra DMA 66/100/133 function. You
can connect up to two hard disk drives, CD-ROM, 120MB Floppy (reserved for future
BIOS) and other devices.

Floppy Disk Drive Connector - FDD

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

1

1

25

Conguring the BIOS

Conguring the BIOS

About the Setup Utility

The motherboard uses the latest Award BIOS with support for Windows Plug and
Play. The CMOS chip on the motherboard contains the ROM setup instructions for

conguring the motherboard BIOS.

The BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) Setup Utility displays the system’s congu-

ration status and provides you with options to set system parameters. The parameters
are stored in battery-backed-up CMOS RAM that saves this information when the

power is turned off. When the system is turned back on, the system is congured with

the values you stored in CMOS.

The BIOS Setup Utility enables you to congure:

Hard drives, diskette drives and peripherals

Video display type and display options

Password protection to prevent unauthorized use

Power Management features

The settings made in the Setup Utility affect how the computer performs. Before using
the Setup Utility, ensure that you understand the Setup Utility options.

This chapter provides explanations for Setup Utility options.

The Standard Conguration

A standard conguration has already been set in the Setup Utility. However, we rec­ommend that you read this chapter in case you need to make any changes in the
future.

This Setup Utility should be used:

- when changing the system conguration

- when a conguration error is detected and you are prompted to make

changes to the Setup Utility

- when trying to resolve IRQ conicts

- when making changes to the Power Management conguration

- when changing the password or making other changes to the Security Setup

Entering the Setup Utility

When you power on the system, BIOS enters the Power-On Self Test (POST) routines.
POST is a series of built-in diagnostics performed by the BIOS. After the POST routines
are completed, the following message appears:

26

NForce 750a series Motherboard

Main Menu

Once you enter the Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility, the Main Menu will appear on the

screen. The Main Menu allows you to select from various setup functions and two exit

choices. Use the arrow keys to select among the items and press <Enter> to accept
and enter the sub-menu.

Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

 Standard CMOS Features  Frequency/Voltage Control
 Advanced BIOS Features Load Fail-Safe Defaults
 Advanced Chipset Features Load Optimized Defaults
 Integrated Peripherals Set Supervisor Password
 Power Management Setup Set User Password
 PnP/PCI Congurations Save & Exit Setup
 PC Health Status Exit Without Saving

Esc : Quit : Select Item

F10 : Save & Exit Setup

Time, Date, Hard Disk Type ... ...

(Note : The sample BIOS Setup Menu included here only shows a typical case,
and may not be exactly the same as the one on your unit.)

Note that a brief description of each highlighted item will appear at the bottom of the screen.

Standard This setup page includes all the items of Award™ special
CMOS Features standard features.

Advanced BIOS This setup page includes all the items of Award™ special

Features enhanced features.

Advanced This setup page includes all the items of chipset special
Chipset Features features.

Integrated This section page includes all the items of IDE hard drive
Peripherals and Programmed Input / Output features.

Power This entry only appears if your system supports Power
Management Management “Green PC” standards.
Setup

PNP/PCI This entry appears if your system supports PNP/PCI.

Congurations

PC Health Status Display CPU and Case Fan Speed etc.

27

Frequency/ CPU speed setting are settings of CPU speed. You should
Voltage Control refer to your CPU marking.

Load Fail-Safe The BIOS defaults have been set by the manufacturer and
Defaults represent settings which provide the minimum requirements

for your sys to operate

Load Optimized The chipset defaults are settings which provide for maximum
Defaults system performance. While Award has designed the

custom BIOS to maximize performance, the manufacturer

has the right to change these defaults to meet its needs.

Set Supervisor/ Changes, sets, or disables password. It allows you to limit
User Password access to the system and the Setup Program.

Save & Exit Saves value changes to CMOS and exits setup.
Setup
Exit Without Abandons all CMOS value changes and exits setup.
Saving

Standard CMOS Features

The items in Standard CMOS Setup Menu are divided into 10 categories. Each category
includes one or more setup items. Use the arrow keys to highlight the item and then
use the <PgUp> or <PgDn> key to select the desired value in each item.

Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Standard CMOS Features

Date (mm :dd :yy) Sat. Jan 01 2005 Item Help
Time (h h :mm :ss) 11 : 1 : 35
Menu Level 
IDE Primary Master [Press Enter 4303 MB]
IDE Primary Slave [None] Change the day, month,
IDE Secondary Master [None] year and century
IDE Secondary Slave [None]

Drive A [1.44M, 3.5 in.]
Drive B [None]

Video [EGA/VGA]
Halt on [All, but keyboard]

Base Memory 640K
Extended Memory 30720K
Total Memory 31744K

Move Enter: Select +/-/PU/PD : Value F10 : Save ESC : Exit F1 :General Help
F5 : Previous Values F6 : Fail-Safe Defaults F7 : Optimized Defaults

Conguring the BIOS

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NForce 750a series Motherboard

Date The date format is <day-of-the-week>. <month> <day> <year>.

Time The time format is <hour> <Minute> <second> displayed in

24-hour military-time clock. For example, 1 p. m. is displayed

as 13:00:00.

Primary These categories identify the types of the two channels that
Master/Primary have been installed in the computer.
Slave/Secondary
Master/Secondary If the controller of the HDD interface is SCSI, the selection shall

be “None”.

Drive A Type / This category identies the drive types which have been installed

Drive B Type in the computer.

Video The default setting is EGA/VGA.

Halt on You can select which type of error will cause the system to halt.

Advanced BIOS Features

This section allows you to congure your system for basic operation. You have the opportunity

to select the system’s default speed, boot-up sequence, keyboard operation, shadowing and
security.

Advanced Chipset Features

The Chipset Features Setup option is used to change the values of the chipset registers. These
registers control most of the system options in the computer.

This section allows you to congure the system based on the specic features of the installed

chipset. This chipset manages bus speeds and access to system memory resources, such as

DRAM and the external cache. It must be stated that these items should not be altered. The default

settings have been chosen because they provide the best operating conditions for your system.

Integrated Peripherals

The Integrated Peripherals Setup allows the user to congure the onboard IDE controller, oppy

disk controller, the printer port and the serial ports.

Power Management Setup

The Power Management Setup Menu allows you to congure your system to save the most energy

while operating in a manner consistent with your own style of computer use.

PNP/PCI Congurations

This section describes how to congure the PCI bus system. This section covers some very
technical items and it is recommended that only experienced users should make any changes

to the default settings.

PC Health Status

The PC Health Status displays CPU and Case Fan Speed.

Frequency/Voltage Control

This section allows you to set CPU Speed.

29

Set Supervisor/User Password

When this function is selected, the following message appears at the center of the
screen to assist you in creating a password.

ENTER PASSWORD

Type the password, up to eight characters, and press <Enter>. The password typed
now will clear any previously entered password from CMOS memory. You will be asked

to conrm the password. Type the password again and press <Enter>. You may also

press <Esc> to abort the selection. To disable password, just press <Enter> when you

are prompted to enter password. A message will conrm the password being disabled.

Once the password is disabled, the system will boot and you can enter BIOS Setup
freely.

PASSWORD DISABLED

If you have selected “System” in “Security Option” of “BIOS Features Setup” menu,
you will be prompted for the password every time the system reboots or any time you
try to enter BIOS Setup. If you have selected “Setup” at “Security Option” from “BIOS
Features Setup” menu, you will be prompted for the password only when you enter
BIOS Setup.

Supervisor Password has higher priority than User Password. You can use Supervisor
Password when booting the system or entering BIOS Setup to modify all settings. Also
you can use User Password when booting the system or entering BIOS Setup but can
not modify any setting if Supervisor Password is enabled.

Save & Exit Setup

Navigate to this option and press <Enter> to save the changes that you have made in

the Setup Utility and exit the Setup Utility. When the Save and Exit dialog box appears,
press <Y> to save and exit, or press <N> to return to the main menu.

Exit Without Saving

Navigate to this option and press <Enter> to discard any changes that you have made

in the Setup Utility and exit the Setup Utility. When the Exit Without Saving dialog box
appears, press <Y> to discard changes and exit, or press <N> to return to the main

menu.

Note: If you have made settings that you do not want to save, use the “Exit Without

Saving” item and press <Y> to discard any changes you have

Conguring the BIOS

30

NForce 750a series Motherboard

FLASH Update Procedure

The program AWDFLASH.EXE is included on the driver CD (D:\Utility\

AWDFLASH.EXE). Please follow the recommended procedure to update the ash

BIOS, as listed below.

1. Create a DOS-bootable oppy diskette. Copy the new BIOS le (just obtained or

downloaded) and the utility program AWDFLASH.EXE to the diskette.

2. Allow the PC system to boot from the DOS diskette.

3. At the DOS prompt, type

AWDFLASH<ENTER>

4. Enter the le name of the new BIOS.

5. The question: “Do you want to save BIOS (Y/N)?” is displayed.

Press “N” if there is no need to save the existing BIOS.
Press “Y” if a backup copy of the existing BIOS is needed.
(A le name has to be assigned to the existing BIOS binary
le.)

6. The message : “Press “Y” to program or “N” to exit” is displayed. Type

“Y”<ENTER>

7. Wait until the ash-update is completed.

8. Restart the PC.

Warning : - Do not turn off or RESET the computer during the ash

process.

- If you are not sure how to upgrade the BIOS, please take your com
puter to an Authorized Service Center and have a trained technician
do the work for you.

31

Installing Drivers and Software

Note: It is important to remember that before installing the driver CD that is
shipped in the kit, you need to load your operating system. The
motherboard supports Windows XP 32bit and 64bit and is Vista-capable.

The kit comes with a CD that contains utility drivers and additional software.

Depending on your system setup,the install disk may automatically run the install setp.

exe and pop up a menu. If it does not run,go to My Computer and click on the CD to

open.

Usually,you should install the Nvidia chipset driver rst, then install HDA driver,then

install HDMI driver. After install all drivers, you should restart your computer.

After nish installing driver, you can open below page that provides informa­tion about the harware devices on this motherboard, and check whether

nish your installation.

Installing Drivers and Software

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NForce 750a series Motherboard

HDMI SETUP

1. You can connect HDMI device to the HDMI port directly, or connect to DVI
port by a DVI - HDMI dongle.

2. Enter Control Panel, double click “Sounds and Auddio Devices”, select
“NVIDIA HDMI Audio” as default play back device, then click ok.

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Installing Drivers and Software

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NForce 750a series Motherboard

Realtek HD Audio Driver Setup

Getting Started

After Realtek HD Audio Driver being installed (insert the driverCD and follow the on­screen instructions), “Realtek HD Audio Manager” icon will show in System tray as
below. Double click the icon and the control panel will appear:

Sound Effect

After clicking on the “Sound Effect” tab, 3 sections “Environment”, “Equalizer” and
“Karaoke” are available for selection.

Environment Simulation

You will be able to enjoy different sound experience by pulling down the arrow, totally

23 kinds of sound effect will be shown for selection. Realtek HD Audio Sound Manager

also provides ve popular settings “Stone Corridor”, “Bathroom”, “Sewer pipe”, “Arena”

and “Audio Corridor” for quick enjoyment.

35

Equalizer Selection

The Equalizer section allows you to create your own preferred settings by utilizing
this tool.

In standard 10 bands of equalizer, ranging from 100Hz to 16KHz are available:

Frequently Used Equalizer Setting

Realtek recognizes the needs that you might have. By leveraging our long experience
at audio eld, Realtek HD Audio Sound Manager provides you certain optimized equal-

izer settings that are frequently used for your quick enjoyment.

How to Use

Other than the buttons “Pop” “Live” “Club” & “Rock” shown on the page, to pull down

the arrow in “Others” , you will nd more optimized settings available to you.

Karaoke Mode

Karaoke mode brings Karaoke fun back home by simply using the music you usually
play, Karaoke mode can help you eliminate the vocal of the song or adjust the key to
accommodate your range.

Vocal Cancellation: Single click on “Voice Cancellation”, the vocals of the songs will
be erased, while the background music is still playing which lets you take over the vocal
part.

Key Adjustment: Using “Up / Down Arrow” to nd a key which better ts your vocal

range.

Installing Drivers and Software

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NForce 750a series Motherboard

Mixer

Realtek HD Audio Sound Manager integrates Microsoft’s “Volume Control” functions

into the Mixer page. This gives you the advantage to you to create your favorite sound

effect in one single tool.

Playback control

Mute

You may choose to mute single or multiple volume controls or to completely mute
sound output.

Tool

√ Show the following volume control

This is to let you freely decide which volume control items to be displayed, total
13 items to be chosen.

√ Advanced controls

√ Enable playback multi-streaming

37

With this function, you will be able to have an audio chat with your friends via headphone
(stream 1 from front panel) while still have music (stream 2 from back panel) playing.

At any given period, you can have maximum 2 streams operating simultaneously.

Recording control

Mute

You may choose to mute single or multiple volume controls or to completely mute
sound input.

Tool

√

Show the following volume controls

This is to let you freely decide which volume control items to be displayed.

√ Advanced controls.

Advanced control is a “Microphone Boost” icon.

Once this item is checked, you will nd “advanced” icon beside “Front Pink In” &

“Mic Volume”. With this, the input signal into “Front Pink In” & “Mic Volume” will
be strengthen.

√ Enable recording multi-streaming

At any given period, you can have maximum 2 streams operating simultaneously.

Installing Drivers and Software

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NForce 750a series Motherboard

Audio I/O

Realtek HD Audio Manager frees you from default speaker settings. Different from
before, for each jack, they are not limited to perform certain functions. Instead, now
each jack is able to be chosen to perform either output (i.e. playback) function or input
(i.e. Recording) function, we call this “Retasking”.

Audio I/O aims to help you setting jacks as you wish. Moreover, other than blue to blue,
pink to pink, the way that you used to do, Audio I/O would guide you to other right jacks
that can also serve as microphone / speaker / headphone.

6-Channel or 8-Channel

39

Speaker Conguration

Step 1: Plug in the device in any available jack.
Step 2: Dialogue “connected device” will pop up for your selection. Please select the

device you are trying to plug in.

* If the device is being plugged into the correct jack, you will be able to nd the icon

beside the jack changed to the one that is same as your device.

* If not correct, Realtek HD Audio Manager will guide you to plug the device into the
correct jack.

6-Channel or 8-Channel

Installing Drivers and Software

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NForce 750a series Motherboard

Global Connector Settings

Click to access global connector settings

√ Mute rear panel when front headphone plugged in

Once this option is checked, whenever front headphone is plugged, the music
that is playing from the back panel, will be stopped.

√ Disable front panel jack detection (option)

Did not nd any function on front panel jacks?

Please check if front jacks on your system are so-called AC’97 jacks. If so,
please check this item to disable front panel jack detection.

√ Enable auto popup dialogue, when device has been plugged in.

Once this item checked, the dialog “Connected device”, would not automatically
pop up when device plugged in.

S/PDIF

Short for Sony/Philips Digital Interface, a

standard audio le transfer format. S/PDIF

allows the transfer of digital audio signals
from one device to another without having to
be converted rst to an analog format. Main­taining the viability of a digital signal prevents
the quality of the signal from degrading when
it is converted to analog.

41

√

Output Sampling Rate

- 44.1KHz: This is recommend while playing CD

- 48KHz: This is recommended while playing DVD or Dolby.

- 96KHz: This is recommended while playing DVD-Audio.

√

Output Source

- Output digital audio source: The digital audio format (such as .wav, .mp3,
.midi etc) will come out through S/PDIF-Out.

Speaker Calibration

After you have successfully plugged in speakers and assigned to the right jacks, you are
only one more step to go to enjoy the intended sound. We provide “Speaker Calibration”

to help you check if the speakers are located in the correct position.

Installing Drivers and Software

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NForce 750a series Motherboard

Microphone

This page is designed to provide you better microphone / recording quality.

Below picture indicates both “Noise Suppression” & “Acoustic Echo
Cancellation” are both enabled.

Noise Suppression

If you feel that the background noise, especially the sound generated from the fan
inside PC, is too loud? Try “Noise Suppression”, which allows you to cut off and sup­press disturbing noise.

Beam Forming

Also known as “directional recording”, this option lets you do the following: Once beam
forming is enabled; only the sound from certain direction will be recorded. You will get
the best quality if you chose 90° position, which we recommend you to use, this ef­fectively means that you speak right into the microphone.

Note: A Stereo Microphone is required when using Beam Forming function.

Acoustic Echo Cancellation

This function prevents playback sound from being recorded by microphone together

with your sound. For example, you might have chance to use VOIP function through

Internet with your friends. The voice of your friend will come out from speakers (play­back). However, the voice of your friend might also be recorded into your microphone
then go back to your friend through Internet. In that case, your friend will hear his/her
own voice again. With AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancellation) enabled at your side, your

friend can enjoy the benet with less echo.

43

Audio Demo

The section “3D Audio Demo” grants you another possibility to enjoy your sound. The

Audio Demo allows you to listen to sound in an extraordinary way.

Information

This section provides information about your current system audio device.

Installing Drivers and Software

44

NForce 750a series Motherboard

Setup of SLI Conguration

NVIDIA nForce 750a offers blistering graphics performance with the ability to bridge

two NVIDIA SLI-ready PCI ExpressTM graphics cards! The SLI design takes advan­tage of the increased bandwidth of the PCI ExpressTM bus architecture, features

hardware and software innovations within NVIDIA GPU (graphics processing unit)
and the NVIDIA nForce SLI chipset. Together, the NVIDIA SLI technolo-gies work
seamlessly to allow two graphics cards to operate in parallel and share the work and

deliver heart-pounding PC performance. This section introduces steps to congure an

SLI system on the motherboard.

Connecting Two Graphics Cards:

1. install two SLI-ready graphics cards

of the same model to the PCIEx16 slot1
and PCIEx16 slot2.

2. Insert the SLI bridge to the SLI gold
edge connector on top of both cards.
Make sure the two mini female slots on

the bridge connector securely t onto the

SLI gold edge connetors of both cards.

3. Plug the display cable into the graph-

ics card which on the PCIEx16 slot1.

PCIEx16 slot2

PCIEx16 slot1

45

Graphics Card Driver Setting:

1. After installing graphics card driver in operating system, right-click the NVIDIA icon
in your system tray and then select NVIDIA Control Panel. The NVIDIA control panel
will appear.

2. Select Set SLI conguration from the side menu and then select the Enable SLI
technology(recommended) checkbox in the SLI multi-GPU dialog box. System will
restart after you click Apply. Then the SLI conguration is completed.

46

NForce 750a series Motherboard

SATA RAID User Manual

Setting up the BIOS

1. Setting your computer, then press Delete to enter the Bios setup. The BIOS
CMOS Setup Utility window appears.

2. Use the arrow keys to select Integrated Peripherals, then press Enter.
TheIntegrated Peripherals window appears.

47

3. Use the arrow keys to select the RAID Cong, then press Enter. The
RAID Cong window appears.

4. From the RAID Cong window,enable RAID, then enable the disks that you want

to use as RAID disks.

5. Press F10 to save the conguration and exit. The PC reboots.

6. Enter the RAID BIOS Setup by pressing F10 when prompted, and proceed to set

up the NVRAID BIOS as described in the next Section.

Installing Drivers and Software

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NForce 750a series Motherboard

Entering the RAID BIOS Setup

1. After rebooting your computer, wait until you see the RAID software promptint

you to press F10.

2. The NVIDIA RAID Utility –Dene a New Array window appears

3. In the RAID Mode eld, use the UP or Down ARROW key to select a RAID Mode.

The supported RAID modes include Mirroring (RAID 1), Striping (RAID 0) and
Stripe Mirroring (RAID 0+1), Spanning(JBOD) and RAID 5. The following is an

example of RAID 0 array creation.

4. If RAID 0(Striping) is selected, you can manually set the striping block size. in the

Striping Block eld, use the UP or DOWN ARROW ey to set the Striping Block

size. The KB is standard unit of Striping Block size. We recommend you leaving
it to the default setting-Optimal(64k). The size range is from 4k to 128k.

5. Select the hard drivers which you wish to be included in the disk array. The Free
Disks section displays the information about the currently installed SATA hard
drives. Press the TAB key to move to the Free Disks section. Select the target
hard drives using the UP or DOWN ARROW key and use the RIGHT ARROW

key to add the hard drives to the Array Disks section.

49

6. Press F7 after selecting the target hard disks. A message which says “Clear disk
data?” will appear. If you are sure to clear the data in the selected hard drives,
press Y. (If the hard drives contain previously created RAID array, you need to
press Y to clear the data from the hard drives.)

7. After that, then Array List screen displaying the RAID array you created will appear.
If you want to set the disk array as boot device, use the UP or DOWN ARROW

key to select the array and press B. The Boot section will show Yes.

Installing Drivers and Software

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NForce 750a series Motherboard

8. To read more information about the RAID array, press ENTER to enter the Array
Detail screen, where you should see detailed information about RAID mode, disk
block size, disk model name, and disk capacity, etc.

9. To delete the array, press D in the Array Detail screen. When the “Delete

this array?” message appears, press Y to conrm or N to cancel. Press
ENTER to return to the Array List screen. To exit the Nvidia RAID utility,

press ESC in the main menu or Ctrl+X in the Array List screen. Now, you
can proceed to install the SATA controller driver and operating system.

51

Installing the RAID Drivers

1. After you complete the RAID BIOS setup, boot from the windowsXP CD. The

Windows Setup program starts.

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

Installing Drivers and Software

52

NForce 750a series Motherboard

3. Specify the NVIDIA drivers.

(1). Insert the oppy that has the RAID driver, press S, then press Enter.

(2). Select “NVIDIA RAID CLASS DRIVER” and then press Enter.

53

(3). Press S again at the Specify Devices screen, then press Enter.

(4). Select “NVDIA Nforce Storage Controller” and then press Enter.

4. Press Enter to continue with Windows XP Installation.

Be sure to leave the oppy disk inserted in the oppy drive until the blue screen
portion of Windows XP installation is completed, then take out the oppy.

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 nish the instal-

lation. This will not be an issue with a signed driver.

Installing Drivers and Software

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NForce 750a series Motherboard

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NForce 750a series Motherboard

191-08AD6-010