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User’s Manual About this Manual: This user’s manual contains all the information you may need for setting up this motherboard. To read the user’s manual of PDF format (readable by Adobe the “Driver & Utility CD” into the CD-ROM drive in your system.
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No part of this manual may be reproduced, transmitted or transcribed without the expressed written permission of the manufacturer and authors of this manual. If you do not properly set the motherboard settings, causing the motherboard to malfunction or fail, we cannot guarantee any responsibility.
2.7.1 POST Code Displayer... 2-24 2.7.2 Power Source Indicators ... 2-25 2.8 Connecting I/O Devices... 2-26 3. BIOS Setup... 3-1 ™ 3.1 µGuru Utility...3-2 3.1.1 OC Guru ...3-2 3.1.2 ABIT EQ ...3-4 3.2 Standard CMOS Features... 3-11 3.3 Advanced BIOS Features ... 3-14 AW8D...
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5. Appendix ... 5-1 5.1 POST Code Definitions ...5-1 5.1.1 AWARD POST Code Definitions...5-1 5.1.2 AC2005 POST Code Definitions...5-4 5.2 Troubleshooting (How to Get Technical Support?) ...5-5 5.2.1 Q & A ...5-5 5.2.2 Technical Support Form ...5-8 5.2.3 ABIT Contact Information ...5-9 AW8D...
2.1 Choosing a Computer Chassis • This motherboard carries an ATX form factor of 305 x 245 mm. Choose a chassis big enough to install this motherboard. • As some features for this motherboard are implemented by cabling connectors on the motherboard to indicators and switches or buttons on the chassis, make sure your chassis supports all the features required.
3. Face the motherboard’s I/O ports toward the chassis’s rear panel. 4. Line up all the motherboard’s screw holes with those studs or spacers on the chassis. 5. Install the motherboard with screws have tightened.
2.3.1 CMOS Memory Clearing Header and Backup Battery The time to clear the CMOS memory occurs when (a) the CMOS data becomes corrupted, (b) you forgot the supervisor or user password preset in the BIOS menu, (c) you are unable to boot-up the system because the CPU ratio/clock was incorrectly set in the BIOS menu.
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CMOS Backup Battery: An onboard battery saves the CMOS memory to keep the BIOS information stays on even after disconnected your system with power source. Nevertheless, this backup battery exhausts after some five years. Once the error message like “CMOS BATTERY HAS FAILED” or “CMOS checksum error”...
2.3.2 Wake-up Header These headers use a jumper cap to enable/disable the wake-up function. • USB-PWR1: Pin 1-2 shorted (default): Disable wake-up function support at USB1 port. Pin 2-3 shorted: Enable wake-up function support at USB1 port. • USB-PWR2: Pin 1-2 shorted (default): Disable wake-up function support at USB2 port. Pin 2-3 shorted: Enable wake-up function support at USB2 port AW8D...
2.4 Connecting Chassis Components 2.4.1 ATX Power Connectors These connectors provide the connection from an ATX power supply. As the plugs from the power supply fit in only one orientation, find the correct one and push firmly down into these connectors.
2.4.2 Front Panel Switches & Indicators Headers This header is used for connecting switches and LED indicators on the chassis front panel. Watch the power LED pin position and orientation. The mark “+” align to the pin in the figure below stands for positive polarity for the LED connection.
2.4.3 FAN Power Connectors These connectors each provide power to the cooling fans installed in your system. • CPUFAN1: CPU Fan Power Connector • NBFAN1: Chipset Fan Power Connector • SYSFAN1: System Fan Power Connector • AUXFAN1~5: Auxiliary Fan Power Connector ※...
2.5 Installing Hardware ※ DO NOT scratch the motherboard when installing hardware. An accidentally scratch of a tiny surface-mount component may seriously damage the motherboard. ※ In order to protect the contact pins, please pay attention to these notices: 1. A maximum 20 cycles of CPU installation is recommended.
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4. Visually inspect if the CPU is seated well into the socket. The alignment key must be located in the notch of package. 5. Use your left hand to hold the load plate, and use your right thumb to peel the cap off.
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8. Place the heatsink and fan assembly onto the socket. Align the four fasteners toward the four mounting holes on the motherboard. 9. Press each of the four fasteners down into the mounting holes. Rotate the fastener clock-wise to lock the heatsink and fan assembly into position.
2.5.2 DDR2 Memory Slots This motherboard provides four 240-pin DIMM slots for Dual Channel DDR2 800/667/533 memory modules with memory expansion size up to 8GB. • To reach the optimum performance in dual-channel configurations, install identical DDR2 DIMM pairs for each channel.
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• [Dual Channel Asymmetric]: both channels are populated, but each channel has a different amount of total memory. (Channel A≠Channel B) Channel A Method DIMM1 512MB 512MB 256MB 256MB 256MB 256MB 256MB • [Dual Channel Symmetric]: both channels are populated where each channel has the same amount of total memory.
2.5.3 Floppy and IDE Disk Drive Connectors The FDC1 connector connects up to two floppy drives with a 34-wire, 2-connector floppy cable. Connect the single end at the longer length of ribbon cable to the FDC1 on the board, the two connectors on the other end to the floppy disk drives connector.
2.5.4 PCI Express X16 Add-on Slots These slots support the connections of graphics cards that comply with PCI Express specifications. This motherboard provides dual PCI-Express X16 slots for one or two graphics cards installation: One PCIE graphics card installation (Normal Mode): Install one PCIE graphics card into [Master] slot (the PCIEXP1 slot on this motherboard).
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6. Connect the video output to your monitor from the remaining DVI-I Female-end. ※ The motherboard in this illustration is served for demonstration only, may not be the same type or model as the one described in this user’s manual. 2-16 Edition graphics card and one CrossFire ™...
2.5.5 Serial ATA Connectors Each SATA connector serves as one single channel to connect one SATA device by a thin SATA cable. The disk array for RAID configuration is also provided through these SATA connectors: • SATA1~SATA4: Available for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 10 configuration by the utility “Intel Matrix Storage Manager”.
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To connect SATA device: 1. Attach either end of the signal cable to the SATA connector on motherboard. Attach the other end to SATA device. 2. Attach the SATA power cable to the SATA device and connect the other end from the power supply.
2.5.6 AudioMAX Connection Slot This slot provides the audio input/output connection over the rear I/O part through an add-on daughter-card. Find your “AudioMAX” daughter-card and its driver in the motherboard package. • S/PDIF Out: This connector provides an S/PDIF-Out connection through optical fiber to digital multimedia devices.
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• FP-AUDIO1: This header provides the connection to audio connector at front panel. S/PDIF Connection: In the motherboard package you can find one audio daughter-card and one optical-fiber cable. • S/PDIF Input Connection: 1. Remove the rubber protection-cap. Attach one end of the optical cable with the 3.5mm Optical-to-Stereo adapter, and have it plugged into the [Line-In] jack on this daughter-card.
2.5.7 PCI Express X1 Add-on Slots These slots provide the connection of add-on cards that comply with PCI Express specifications. 2.5.8 PCI Add-on Slot This motherboard remains one standard PCI slot for the add-on card of PCI compliant. AW8D 2-21...
2.6 Connecting Optional Devices 2.6.1 Additional USB 2.0 Port Headers Besides the 4x USB 2.0 ports located at rear I/O part, this motherboard also features 2x more USB 2.0 headers onboard. Each header supports 2x additional USB 2.0 ports by connecting bracket or cable to the rear I/O panel or the front-mounted USB ports of your chassis.
2.6.2 Additional IEEE1394 Port Header Besides the 1x IEEE1394 port located at rear I/O part, this motherboard also features 1x more IEEE1394 header onboard. Each header supports 1x additional IEEE1394 port by connecting bracket or cable to the rear I/O panel or the front-mounted IEEE1394 port of your chassis.
POST Code in address 80h to find out where the problem lies. This LED device also displays the “POST” Code of AC2005, an “uGuru” chipset developed exclusively by ABIT computer. ※ The decimal point lights up during the AC2005 POST action.
2.7.2 Power Source Indicators These indicators work as a reminding device to display the power status of this motherboard with power source connected. • 5VSB: This LED lights up when the power supply is connected with power source. • VCC: This LED lights up when the system power is on.
2.8 Connecting I/O Devices The rear I/O part of this motherboard provides the following I/O ports: • Silent OTES: The Silent OTES (Silent Outside Thermal Exhaust System) is a device specifically designed to silently cool the motherboard's North Bridge chipset.
3. BIOS Setup This motherboard provides a programmable EEPROM that you can update the BIOS utility. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a program that deals with the basic level of communication between processor and peripherals. Use the BIOS Setup program only when installing motherboard, reconfiguring system, or prompted to “Run Setup”.
This item displays the CPU model name installed on this motherboard. Frequency This item displays the processor speed of the CPU installed on this motherboard. CPU Operating Speed This item displays the CPU operating speed according to the type and speed of your CPU. You can also select the [User Define] option to enter the manual option.
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External Clock This item selects the external clock frequency. Due to the specification limit of the CPU you installed, the speed you set over its standard bus speed is supported, but not guaranteed. Multiplier Factor This item displays the multiplier factor for the CPU you installed. Estimated New CPU Clock This item displays an estimated CPU processor speed.
These items display the power cycle statistics for each element. 3.1.2 ABIT EQ Click right-arrow <→> key to switch from OC Guru setup menu to ABIT EQ setup menu: ABIT EQ Beep Control This item allows you to enable or disable ABIT EQ Beep Control function.
Temperature Monitoring Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu: CPU Temperature/SYS Temperature/PWM1~4 Temperature These items display the temperature of CPU, System, and Power Module. Shutdown Enable Use <Space> key to enable system shutdown function. If the CPU/System/PWM’s temperature exceeds the shutdown temperature limit, the system would shutdown automatically. Shutdown Temp.
Voltage Monitoring Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu: All Voltages These items display the voltage of each element. Shutdown Enable Use <Space> key to enable system shutdown function. If the voltage of corresponding element is higher/lower than the high/low limit, the system would automatically shutdown. Beep Enable Use <Space>...
Fan Speed Monitoring Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu: CPU/NB/SYS/AUX FAN Speed These items display the speed of the fans connected to CPU, NB, SYS, and AUX1~5 FAN headers. Shutdown Enable Use <Space> key to enable system shutdown function. Once the system has detected that the fan speed is lower than the low limit value, system will shutdown automatically.
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FanEQ Control Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu (1 CPU/NB/SYS FanEQ Control When set to [Enabled], these items control the CPU, NB, and/or SYS fan speed by the following setting combinations. Reference Temperature This item selects the reference point for taking temperature among the available options of CPU, SYS, and PWM Temperature, but there is only one “CPU Temperature”...
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Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu (2 AUX1~3 FanEQ Control When set to [Enabled], these items control the AUX fan speed by the following setting combinations. Reference Temperature This item selects the reference point for taking temperature among the available options of CPU, SYS, and PWM Temperature, but there is only one “CPU Temperature”...
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Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu (3 AUX4~AUX5 FanEQ Control When set to [Enabled], these items control the AUX4/AUX5 fan speed by the following setting combinations. Reference Temperature This item selects the reference point for taking temperature among the available options of CPU, SYS, and PWM Temperature, but there is only one “CPU Temperature”...
3.2 Standard CMOS Features Date (mm:dd:yy) This item sets the date you specify (usually the current date) in the format of [Month], [Date], and [Year]. Time (hh:mm:ss) This item sets the time you specify (usually the current time) in the format of [Hour], [Minute], and [Second].
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IDE HDD Auto-Detection This item allows you to detect the parameters of IDE drives by pressing <Enter> key. The parameters will be shown on the screen automatically. IDE Channel 1 Master/Slave, IDE Channel 2 Master/Slave, Extended IDE Drive When set to [Auto], the BIOS will automatically check what kind of IDE drive you are using. If you want to define your own drive by yourself, set it to [Manual] and make sure you fully understand the meaning of the parameters.
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This item displays the amount of base memory installed in the system. The value of the base memory is typically 640K for system with 640K or more memory size installed on the motherboard. Extended Memory This item displays the amount of extended memory detected during system boot-up.
3.3 Advanced BIOS Features CPU L3 Cache This item is used to enable the L3 cache (default setting), and appears only for certain CPU (Intel Pentium 4 processor with HT Technology Extreme Edition) that possesses L3 cache. Hyper-Threading Technology This item is used to enable the functionality of the processor with Hyper-Threading Technology and will appear only when using such processor.
CPU Feature Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu: Thermal Management This item selects the type of thermal monitoring. TM2 Bus Ratio This item represents the frequency (bus ratio) of the throttled performance state that will be initiated when the on-die sensor goes from not hot to hot. TM2 Bus VID This item represents the voltage of the throttled performance state that will be initiated when the on-die sensor goes from not hot to hot.
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EIST Function This item appears only for certain processors with the EIST (Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology) Function. When set to [Enabled], EIST will dynamically switch between multiple frequency and voltage points to optimize the power and performance balance of the processor and system based on demand.
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MPS Version Ctrl For OS This item specifies which version of MPS (Multi-Processor Specification) this motherboard will use. Leave this item to its default setting. Report No FDD For OS When set to [Yes], this item allows you to run some older operating system without floppy disk drive.
3.4 Advanced Chipset Features DRAM Timing Selectable This item sets the optimal timings for the following four items, depending on the memory module you are using. The default setting “By SPD” configures these four items by reading the contents in the SPD (Serial Presence Detect) device. The EEPROM on the memory module stores critical parameter information about the module, such as memory type, size, speed, voltage interface, and module banks.
PCI Express Root Port Func Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu: PCI Express Slot 1 / PCI Express Slot 2 This option enables or disables the PCI Express port function. PCI-E Compliancy Mode This item selects the mode for PCI Express add-on card. Back to Advanced Chipset Features Setup Menu PEG Force X1 When set to [Enabled], this item forces the PEG port down to x1 mode.
3.5 Integrated Peripherals On-Chip IDE Device Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu: IDE Bus Master This option enables or disables the IDE bus mastering capability under the DOS environment. On-Chip IDE-1 Controller This item selects whether to enable or disable the IDE-1 controller. On-Chip SATA Mode This item determines the mode for on-chip Serial ATA.
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SATA RAID ROM This item allows you to use the boot ROM of on-chip Serial ATA RAID to boot up system. On-Chip SATA This item determines the function for on-chip Serial ATA. [Disabled]: Disable the Serial ATA controller. [Auto]: Allows the Serial ATA controller to be arranged by BIOS automatically. [Combined Mode]: Parallel ATA and Serial ATA are combined together.
SATA Mode This item displays the variety modes for SATA Mode. On-Chip PCI Device Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu: On-Chip USB Controller This option enables or disables the USB controller. USB 2.0 Controller This option enables or disables the USB 2.0 controller. USB Keyboard Support via Select [BIOS] (the default setting) for the legacy operating system (such as DOS) that does not support USB keyboard.
Floppy Disk Controller This option enables or disables the floppy disk controller. Onboard PCI Device Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu: IEEE 1394 Controller This option enables or disables the IEEE 1394 controller. Serial ATA Controller This option enables or disables the Serial ATA controller. SATA RAID Mode This item determines to enable or disable the RAID mode for onboard SATA controller.
3.6 Power Management Setup ACPI Suspend Type This item selects the type of Suspend mode. [S1(PowerOn Suspend)]: Enables the Power On Suspend function. [S3(Suspend To RAM)]: Enables the Suspend to RAM function. Resume by USB From S3 When set to [Enabled], this item allows you to use a USB device to wake up a system that is in the S3 (STR - Suspend To RAM) state.
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Wake Up by Onboard LAN2 When set to [Enabled], access through the onboard LAN2 port can remotely wake up the system that was in Soft-Off condition. Wake Up by Onboard 1394 When set to [Enabled], access through the onboard IEEE 1394 device can remotely wake up the system that was in Soft-Off condition.
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※ The mouse wake up function can only be used with the PS/2 mouse, not with the COM port or USB type. Some PS/2 mice cannot wake up the system because of compatible problems. If the specs of your keyboard are too old, it may fail to power on.
3.7 PnP/PCI Configurations Resources Controlled By This item configures all of the boot and Plug-and-Play compatible devices. [Auto]: The system will automatically detect the settings. [Manual]: Choose the specific IRQ resources in the “IRQ Resources” menu. IRQ Resources Click <Enter> key to enter its submenu: This item sets each system interrupt to either [PCI Device] or [Reserved].
improve the effective PCI bandwidth. For better PCI performance, you should set the item to higher values. Maximum Payload Size This item sets the maximum TLP payload size for the PCI Express devices. 3.8 Load Fail-Safe Defaults This option loads the BIOS default values for the most stable, minimal-performance system operations.
[Manual]: Click to enter the user’s manual menu. • [Utility]: Click to enter the utilities installation menu. • [ABIT Utility]: Click to enter the installation menu of utilities exclusively developed by ABIT. • Browse CD]: Click to browse the contents of this “Driver & Utility CD”.
4.1 Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility This utility installs Windows [INF] files to the target system. These files outline to the operating system how to configure the Intel chipset components in order to ensure all the features function properly. To install this utility: Click on the [Drivers] tab in the installation menu screen.
4.2 Intel Matrix Storage Technology Driver This driver provides functionality for the on-chip SATA Controller. To install this driver: Click on the [Drivers] tab in the installation menu screen. Click the [Intel Matrix Storage Technology Driver] item under the [Drivers] tab. The following screen appears: Follow the prompts on the screen to complete installation.
4.3 Realtek Audio Driver This driver provides functionality for the onboard High Definition Audio Codec. ※ The installation of this driver is necessary only after having installed the “AudioMAX” daughter-card. To install this driver: Click on the [Drivers] tab in the installation menu screen. Click the [Audio Driver] item under the [Drivers] tab.
4.4 Realtek LAN Driver This driver provides functionality for the onboard PCIE Gigabit and Fast Ethernet NIC Controller. To install this driver: Click on the [Drivers] tab in the installation menu screen. Click the [LAN Driver] item under the [Drivers] tab. The following screen appears: Follow the prompts on the screen to complete installation.
4.5 Silicon Image 3132 SATA Driver This driver provides functionality for the onboard SATA Controller. To install this driver: Click on the [Drivers] tab in the installation menu screen. Click the [Sil3132 SATA Driver] item under the [Drivers] tab. The following screen appears: Follow the prompts on the screen to complete installation.
4.6 Silicon Image 3132 SATA RAID Driver This driver provides functionality for the onboard SATA RAID Controller. ※ The installation of this driver is necessary only after having enabled the RAID function in the BIOS setup menu. To install this driver: Click on the [Drivers] tab in the installation menu screen.
To install this utility: Click on the [ABIT Utility] tab in the installation menu screen. Click the [ABIT Guru] item under the [ABIT Utility] tab. The following screen appears: Follow the prompts on the screen to complete installation. Restart the system for the driver to take effect.
5. Appendix 5.1 POST Code Definitions 5.1.1 AWARD POST Code Definitions POST Description (hex) Test CMOS R/W functionality Early chipset initialization: -Disable shadow RAM -Disable L2 cache (socket 7 or below) -Program basic chipset registers Detect memory -Auto-detection of DRAM size, type and ECC -Auto-detection of L2 cache (socket 7 or below) Expand compressed BIOS code to DRAM Call chipset hook to copy BIOS back to E000 &...
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Early PCI Initialization: -Enumerate PCI bus number. -Assign memory & I/O resource -Search for a valid VGA device & VGA BIOS, and put it into C000:0 1. If Early_Init_Onboard_Generator is not defined Onboard clock generator initialization. Disable respective clock resource to empty PCI & DIMM slots. 2.
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Program chipset registers according to items described in Setup & Auto-configuration table 1. Assign resources to all ISA PnP devices 2. Auto assign ports to onboard COM ports if the corresponding item in Setup is set to “AUTO” 1. Initialize floppy controller 2.
5.1.2 AC2005 POST Code Definitions POST Description (hex) 8.1. Start power on sequence 8.2. Enable ATX power supply 8.3. ATX power supply ready 8.4. DDR voltage ready 8.5. Setup PWM for CPU core voltage 8.6. Assert PWM for CPU core voltage 8.7.
5.2 Troubleshooting (How to Get Technical Support?) 5.2.1 Q & A Q: Do I need to clear the CMOS before I use a new motherboard to assemble my new computer system? A: Yes, we highly recommend that you clear the CMOS before installing a new motherboard.
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Motherboard: Type in the model name and revision number of your motherboard. Example: AA8XE REV: 1.00 • BIOS Version: Type in the BIOS version of your motherboard. (You can find it on the screen during the POST sequence.) • CPU: Type in the brand name and the speed (MHz) of your CPU. (Illustrate the over-clocking status if you had done so.)
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See the next page for a blank Technical Support Form, or visit our website to fill in the form on line (http://www.abit.com.tw/page/en/contact/technical.php). Q. Is the motherboard dead? Do I need to return it to where I bought from or go through an RMA process? A: After you had gone through the troubleshooting procedures, yet the problem still exists, or you find an evident damage on the motherboard.
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