ASRock. ASRock assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions that may appear in this manual. With respect to the contents of this manual, ASRock does not provide warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warran- ties or conditions of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
In case any modifications of this manual occur, the updated ver- sion will be available on ASRock website without further notice. You may find the latest VGA cards and CPU support lists on ASRock website as well. ASRock website http://www.asrock.com...
1.2 Specifications Platform - ATX Form Factor: 12.0-in x 8.8-in, 30.5 cm x 22.4 cm - All Solid Capacitor design - Support for Socket FM2 100W processors - 4 + 2 Power Phase Design - Supports AMD’s Cool ‘n’ Quiet Technology - UMI-Link GEN2 Chipset...
Page 7
- Supports HDCP function with DVI and HDMI ports - Supports Full HD 1080p Blu-ray (BD) / HD-DVD playback with DVI and HDMI ports Audio - 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC892 Audio Codec) - Premium Blu-ray audio support - Supports THX TruStudio - PCIE x1 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s - Realtek RTL8111E...
Page 8
- Voltage Monitoring: +12V, +5V, +3.3V, Vcore ® ® - Microsoft Windows 7 / 7 64-bit / Vista / Vista 64-bit compliant Certifications - FCC, CE, WHQL - ErP/EuP Ready (ErP/EuP ready power supply is required) * For detailed product information, please visit our website: http://www.asrock.com...
Page 9
® ® under Windows 7 / Vista . For Windows 64-bit OS with 64- bit CPU, there is no such limitation. You can use ASRock XFast ® RAM to utilize the memory that Windows cannot use. ® 3. xvYCC and Deep Color are only supported under Windows 64-bit / 7.
OS 32-bit CPU. ASRock Instant Boot ASRock Instant Boot allows you to turn on your PC in just a few seconds, provides a much more efficient way to save energy, time, money, and improves system running speed for your sys- tem.
Page 11
ASRock XFast RAM ASRock XFast RAM is a new function that is included into AS- Rock Extreme Tuning Utility (AXTU). It fully utilizes the memory ® space that cannot be used under Windows OS 32-bit CPU.
Page 12
DHCP configured computer in order to enable this function. ASRock UEFI System Browser ASRock UEFI system browser is a useful tool included in graphical UEFI. It can detect the devices and configurations that users are currently using in their PC. With the UEFI system browser, you can easily examine the current system configura- tion in UEFI setup.
Page 13
S4/S5 state. ASRock Easy RAID Installer ASRock Easy RAID Installer can help you to copy the RAID driver from a support CD to your USB storage device. After copying the RAID driver to your USB storage device, please change “SATA Mode”...
1.5 I/O Panel PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard Port (Green/Purple) *** 10 Front Speaker (Lime) D-Sub Port (VGA1) Microphone (Pink) Etron USB 3.0 Ports (USB34) Etron USB 3.0 Ports (USB56) USB 2.0 Ports (USB01) **** 13 eSATA3 Connector (eSATA1) ** 5 LAN RJ-45 Port Clear CMOS Switch (CLRCBTN) Central / Bass (Orange) HDMI Port (HDMI1)
Page 16
To enable Multi-Streaming function, you need to connect a front panel audio cable to the front panel audio header. After restarting your computer, you will find “Mixer” tool on your system. Please select “Mixer ToolBox” , click “Enable playback multi-streaming”, and click “ok”. Choose “2CH”, “4CH”, “6CH”, or “8CH”...
2. Installation This is an ATX form factor (12.0-in x 8.8-in, 30.5 cm x 22.4 cm) motherboard. Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard fits into it. Pre-installation Precautions Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings.
2.1 CPU Installation Step 1. Unlock the socket by lifting the lever up to a 90 angle. Step 2. Position the CPU directly above the socket such that the CPU corner with the golden triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle. Step 3.
2.3 Installation of Memory Modules (DIMM) This motherboard provides four 240-pin DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) DIMM slots, and supports Dual Channel Memory Technology. For dual channel con- figuration, you always need to install identical (the same brand, speed, size and chip-type) DDR3 DIMM pair in the slots of the same color.
Installing a DIMM Please make sure to disconnect power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or the system components. Step 1. Unlock a DIMM slot by pressing the retaining clips outward. Step 2. Align a DIMM on the slot such that the notch on the DIMM matches the break on the slot.
2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots) There are 3 PCI slots and 4 PCI Express slots on this motherboard. PCI Slots: PCI slots are used to install expansion cards that have the 32-bit PCI interface. PCIE Slots: PCIE1 / PCIE3 (PCIE x1 slot) is used for PCI Express cards with x1 lane width cards, such as Gigabit LAN card and SATA2 card.
2.5 CrossFireX and Quad CrossFireX Operation Guide This motherboard supports CrossFireX and Quad CrossFireX feature. CrossFireX technology offers the most advantageous means available of combining multiple high performance Graphics Processing Units (GPU) in a single PC. Combining a range of different operating modes with intelligent software design and an innovative interconnect mechanism, CrossFireX enables the highest possible level of performance and image quality in any 3D application.
Page 23
Step 2. Connect two Radeon graphics cards by installing CrossFire Bridge on CrossFire Bridge Interconnects on the top of Radeon graphics cards. (CrossFire Bridge is provided with the graphics card you purchase, not bundled with this motherboard. Please refer to your graphics card vendor for details.) CrossFire Bridge Step 3.
2.5.2 Driver Installation and Setup Step 1. Power on your computer and boot into OS. Step 2. Remove the AMD driver if you have any VGA driver installed in your sys- tem. The Catalyst Uninstaller is an optional download. We recommend using this utility to uninstall any previously installed Catalyst drivers prior to installation.
Page 25
Although you have selected the option “Enable CrossFire ”, the Cross- FireX function may not work actually. Your computer will automatically reboot. After restarting your computer, please confirm whether the option “Enable CrossFire ” in “ATI Catalyst Control Center” is selected or not; if not, please select it again, and then you are able to enjoy the benefit of CrossFireX feature.
2.6 AMD Dual Graphics Operation Guide This motherboard supports AMD Dual Graphics feature. AMD Dual Graphics brings multi-GPU performance capabilities by enabling an AMD A75 FCH (Hudson-D3) integrated graphics processor and a discrete graphics processor to operate simultaneously with combined output to a single display for blisteringly-fast frame ®...
Page 27
Step 7. You can also click “AMD VISION Engine Control Center” on your ® Windows taskbar to enter AMD VISION Engine Control Center. AMD VISION Engine Control Center Step 8. In AMD VISION Engine Control Center, please choose “Performance”. Click “AMD CrossFire ”.
2.7 Multi Monitor and Surround Display Features Multi Monitor Feature This motherboard supports multi monitor feature. With the internal VGA output sup- port (DVI-D, D-Sub and HDMI), you can easily enjoy the benefits of multi monitor feature without installing any add-on VGA card to this motherboard. This mother- board also provides independent display controllers for DVI-D, D-Sub and HDMI to support multi VGA output so that DVI-D, D-sub and HDMI can drive same or differ- ent display contents.
Page 29
Surround Display Feature This motherboard supports surround display upgrade. With the internal VGA output support (DVI-D, D-Sub and HDMI) and external add-on PCI Express VGA cards, you can easily enjoy the benefits of surround display feature. Please refer to the following steps to set up a surround display environment: 1.
Page 30
HDCP Function HDCP function is supported on this motherboard. To use HDCP function with this motherboard, you need to adopt the monitor that supports HDCP function as well. Therefore, you can enjoy the superior display quality with high-definition HDCP encryption contents. Please refer to below instruction for more details about HDCP function.
2.8 ASRock Smart Remote Installation Guide ASRock Smart Remote is only used for ASRock motherboard with CIR header. Please refer to below procedures for the quick installation and usage of ASRock Smart Remote. Step1. Find the CIR header located next to the USB 2.0 header on ASRock...
Page 32
The Multi-Angle CIR Receiver does not support Hot-Plug function. Please install it before you boot the system. * ASRock Smart Remote is only supported by some of ASRock motherboards. Please refer to ASRock website for the motherboard support list: http://www.asrock.com...
2.9 Jumpers Setup The illustration shows how jumpers are setup. When the jumper cap is placed on pins, the jumper is “Short”. If no jumper cap is placed on pins, the jumper is “Open”. The illustration shows a 3-pin jumper whose pin1 and pin2 are “Short”...
2.10 Onboard Headers and Connectors Onboard headers and connectors are NOT jumpers. Do NOT place jumper caps over these headers and connectors. Placing jumper caps over the headers and connectors will cause permanent damage of the motherboard! Serial ATA3 Connectors These five Serial ATA3 (SATA3) connectors support (SATA3_1: see p.14, No.
Page 35
USB 3.0 Header Besides six default USB 3.0 Vbus Vbus ports on the I/O panel, there is (19-pin USB3_7_8) Vbus IntA_P8_SSRX- IntA_P7_SSRX- IntA_P8_SSRX+ one USB 3.0 header on this (see p.14, No. 10) IntA_P7_SSRX+ motherboard. This USB 3.0 IntA_P8_SSTX- IntA_P7_SSTX- IntA_P8_SSTX+ header can support two USB 3.0 IntA_P7_SSTX+...
Page 36
System Panel Header This header accommodates several system front panel (9-pin PANEL1) functions. (see p.14 No. 19) Connect the power switch, reset switch and system status indicator on the chassis to this header according to the pin assignments below. Note the positive and negative pins before connecting the cables. PWRBTN (Power Switch): Connect to the power switch on the chassis front panel.
Page 37
Chassis and Power Fan Connectors Please connect the fan cables to the fan connectors and (4-pin CHA_FAN1) match the black wire to the (see p.14 No. 22) ground pin. CHA_FAN1/2/3 fan speed can be controlled through (3-pin CHA_FAN2) UEFI or AXTU. (see p.14 No.
Page 38
ATX 12V Power Connector Please connect an ATX 12V power supply to this connector. (8-pin ATX12V1) (see p.14 No. 2) Though this motherboard provides 8-pin ATX 12V power connector, it can still work if you adopt a traditional 4-pin ATX 12V power supply. To use the 4-pin ATX power supply, please plug your power supply along with Pin 1 and Pin 5.
2.11 Smart Switches This motherboard has three smart switches: power switch, reset switch and clear CMOS switch, allowing users to quickly turn on/off or reset the system or clear the CMOS values. Power Switch Power Switch is a smart switch, allowing users to quickly turn (PWRBTN) on/off the system.
2.12 Dr. Debug Dr. Debug is used to provide code information, which makes troubleshooting even easier. Please see the diagrams below for reading the Dr. Debug codes. Status Code Description 0x00 Not used 0x01 Power on. Reset type detection (soft/hard) 0x02 AP initialization before microcode loading 0x03...
Page 41
0x37 Post-Memory North Bridge initialization is started 0x38 Post-Memory North Bridge initialization (North Bridge module specific) 0x39 Post-Memory North Bridge initialization (North Bridge module specific) 0x3A Post-Memory North Bridge initialization (North Bridge module specific) 0x3B Post-Memory South Bridge initialization is started 0x3C Post-Memory South Bridge initialization (South Bridge module specific) 0x3D...
Page 42
0x62 Installation of the South Bridge Runtime Services 0x63 CPU DXE initialization is started 0x64 CPU DXE initialization (CPU module specific) 0x65 CPU DXE initialization (CPU module specific) 0x66 CPU DXE initialization (CPU module specific) 0x67 CPU DXE initialization (CPU module specific) 0x68 PCI host bridge initialization 0x69...
Page 43
0xA6 SCSI Detect 0xA7 SCSI Enable 0xA8 Setup Verifying Password 0xA9 Start of Setup 0xAA Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) 0xAB Setup Input Wait 0xAC Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) 0xAD Ready To Boot event 0xAE Legacy Boot event 0xAF...
2.13 Serial ATA3 (SATA3) Hard Disks Installation This motherboard adopts AMD A75 FCH (Hudson-D3) chipset that supports Serial ATA3 (SATA3) hard disks and RAID (RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 10) functions. You may install SATA3 hard disks on this motherboard for internal storage devices. This section will guide you to install the SATA3 hard disks.
* The SATA3 Hot Plug feature might not be supported by the chipset because of its limitation, the SATA3 Hot Plug support information of our motherboard is indicated in the product spec on our website: www.asrock.com 2. Make sure your SATA3 HDD can support Hot Plug function from your dealer or HDD user manual.
How to Hot Plug a SATA3 HDD: Points of attention, before you process the Hot Plug: Please do follow below instruction sequence to process the Hot Plug, improper procedure will cause the SATA3 HDD damage and data loss. Please connect SATA power cable 1x4-pin Step 1 Connect SATA data cable to Step 2...
2.16 Driver Installation Guide To install the drivers to your system, please insert the support CD to your optical drive first. Then, the drivers compatible to your system can be auto-detected and listed on the support CD driver page. Please follow the order from up to bottom side to install those required drivers.
® 2.18 Installing Windows 7 / 7 64-bit / Vista / Vista 64-bit Without RAID Functions ® If you want to install Windows 7 / 7 64-bit / Vista / Vista 64-bit OS on your SATA3 HDDs without RAID functions, please follow below procedures according to the OS you install.
3. UEFI SETUP UTILITY 3.1 Introduction ASRock Interactive UEFI is a blend of system configuration tools, cool sound ef- fects and stunning visuals. Not only will it make BIOS setup less difficult but also a lot more amusing. This section explains how to use the UEFI SETUP UTILITY to configure your system.
3.1.2 Navigation Keys Please check the following table for the function description of each navigation key. Navigation Key(s) Function Description Moves cursor left or right to select Screens Moves cursor up or down to select items + / - To change option for the selected items <Tab>...
3.3 OC Tweaker Screen In the OC Tweaker screen, you can set up overclocking features. EZ OC Mode You can use this option to adjust EZ overclocking setting. Please note that overclocing may cause damage to your components and motherboard. It should be done at your own risk and expense.
Page 52
Multiplier/Voltage Change This item is set to [Auto] by default. If it is set to [Manual], you may adjust the value of Processor Frequency and Processor Voltage. However, it is recommended to keep the default value for system stability. Boost Frequency Multiplier For safety and system stability, it is not recommended to adjust the value of this item.
Page 53
DRAM Timing Control Power Down Enable Use this item to enable or disable DDR power down mode. Bank Interleaving Interleaving allows memory accesses to be spread out over banks on the same node, or accross nodes, decreasing access contention. Channel Interleaving It allows you to enable Channel Memory Interleaving.
Page 54
RAS# Cycle Time (tRC) Use this item to change RAS# Cycle Time (tRC) Auto/Manual setting. The default is [Auto]. Write Recovery Time (tWR) Use this item to change Write Recovery Time (tWR) Auto/Manual setting. The default is [Auto]. Refresh Cyle Time (tRFC) Use this item to change Refresh Cyle Time (tRFC) Auto/Manual setting.
3.4 Advanced Screen In this section, you may set the configurations for the following items: CPU Configu- ration, Nouth Bridge Configuration, South Bridge Configuration, Storage Configura- tion, Super IO Configuration, ACPI Configuration, USB Configuration and Network Configuration. Setting wrong values in this section may cause the system to malfunction.
3.4.1 CPU Configuration Core C6 Mode Use this item to enable or disable Core C6 mode. The default value is [Enabled]. Package C6 Mode This item appears only when you enable the item “Core C6 Mode”. Use this item to enable or disable Package C6 mode. The default value is [Dis- abled].
3.4.2 North Bridge Configuration Primary Graphics Adapter This item will switch the PCI Bus scanning order while searching for video card. It allows you to select the type of Primary VGA in case of multiple video controllers. The default value of this feature is [PCI Express]. Con- figuration options: [Onboard], [PCI] and [PCI Express].
3.4.3 South Bridge Configuration Onboard HD Audio Select [Auto], [Enabled] or [Disabled] for the onboard HD Audio feature. If you select [Auto], the onboard HD Audio will be disabled when PCI Sound Card is plugged. Front Panel Select [Auto] or [Disabled] for the onboard HD Audio Front Panel. On/Off Play Use this item to enable or disable On/Off Play Technology.
3.4.4 Storage Configuration SATA Controller Use this item to enable or disable the “SATA Controller” feature. SATA Mode Use this item to adjust SATA Mode. The default value of this option is [AHCI Mode]. Configuration options: [AHCI Mode], [RAID Mode] and [IDE Mode]. If you set this item to RAID mode, it is suggested to install SATA ODD driver on SATA3_5 and eSATA3 ports.
3.4.5 Super IO Configuration Serial Port Use this item to enable or disable the onboard serial port. Serial Port Address Use this item to set the address for the onboard serial port. Configuration options: [3F8h / IRQ4] and [3E8h / IRQ4]. Infrared Port Use this item to enable or disable the onboard infrared port.
3.4.6 ACPI Configuration Suspend to RAM Use this item to select whether to auto-detect or disable the Suspend-to- RAM feature. Select [Auto] will enable this feature if the OS supports it. Check Ready Bit Use this item to enable or disable the feature Check Ready Bit. Restore on AC/Power Loss This allows you to set the power state after an unexpected AC/power loss.
Page 62
USB Mouse Power On Use this item to enable or disable USB Mouse to power on the system. ACPI HPET table Use this item to enable or disable ACPI HPET Table. The default value is [Enabled]. Please set this option to [Enabled] if you plan to use this moth- ®...
3.4.7 USB Configuration USB 2.0 Controller Use this item to enable or disable the use of USB 2.0 controller. A75 USB 3.0 Controller Use this item to enable or disable the use of USB 3.0 controller. Legacy USB Support Use this option to select legacy support for USB devices. There are four confi guration options: [Enabled], [Auto], [Disabled] and [UEFI Setup Only].
3.4.8 Network Configuration Internet Setting Use this item to set up the internet connection mode. Configuration options: [DHCP (Auto IP)] and [PPPOE]. UEFI Download Server Use this item to select UEFI firmware download server for Internet Flash. Configuration options: [Asia], [Europe], [USA] and [China].
3.5 Tool Sound Effect Enable or disable sound effects in the setup utility. System Browser System Browser can let you easily check your current system configura- tion in UEFI setup. OMG(Online Management Guard) Administrators are able to establish an internet curfew or restrict internet access at specified times via OMG.
Page 66
Internet Flash Internet Flash searches for available UEFI firmware updates from our servers. In other words, the system can auto-detect the latest UEFI from our servers and flash them without entering Windows OS. Please note that you must be running on a DHCP configured computer in order to en- able this function.
3.6 Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen In this section, it allows you to monitor the status of the hardware on your system, including the parameters of the CPU temperature, motherboard temperature, CPU fan speed, chassis fan speed, and the critical voltage. CPU Fan 1 &...
Page 68
Dehumidifier Duration This allows users to configure the duration of the dehumidifying process before it returns to S4/S5 state. Dehumidifier CPU Fan Setting Use this setting to configure CPU fan speed while “Dehumidifier” is en- abled.
3.7 Boot Screen In this section, it will display the available devices on your system for you to config- ure the boot settings and the boot priority. Setup Prompt Timeout This shows the number of seconds to wait for setup activation key. 65535(0xFFFF) means indefi nite waiting.
Page 70
CSM parameters Launch Video OpROM policy Use this to control the execution of UEFI and Legacy Video OpROM. The default value is [Legacy only].
3.8 Security Screen In this section, you may set or change the supervisor/user password for the system. For the user password, you may also clear it. Secure Boot Control Use this to enable or disable Secure Boot Control. The default value is [Enabled].
Page 72
Fixed Media The default value is [Deny Execute]. Key Management...
3.9 Exit Screen Save Changes and Exit When you select this option, it will pop-out the following message, “Save configuration changes and exit setup?” Select [OK] to save the changes and exit the UEFI SETUP UTILITY. Discard Changes and Exit When you select this option, it will pop-out the following message, “Discard changes and exit setup?”...
Click on a specific item then follow the installation wizard to install it. 4.2.4 Contact Information If you need to contact ASRock or want to know more about ASRock, welcome to visit ASRock’s website at http://www.asrock.com; or you may contact your...
Installing OS on a HDD Larger Than 2TB ® This motherboard is adopting UEFI BIOS that allows Windows OS to be installed on a large size HDD (>2TB). Please follow below procedure to install the operating system. ® 1. Please make sure to use Windows Vista 64-bit (with SP1 or above) or ®...
Installing OS on a HDD Larger Than 2TB in RAID Mode ® This motherboard is adopting UEFI BIOS that allows Windows OS to be installed on a large size HDD (>2TB). Please follow below procedure to install the operating system. ®...
Page 77
7. And then key in drvcfg –s [Drv number] [Ctrl number] to enter Raid Utility. For example: key in drvcfg –s 4E B5. 8. Choose Logical Drive Main Menu to set up Raid Drive. 9. Choose Logical Drive Create Menu to create a Raid Drive. 10.
Page 78
11. Press Space on keyboard to toggle checkbox. 12. Choose Ld Size setting, and key in the Raid size. 13. After set up Raid size, please click Start to Create. 14. Press <F10> to exit Utility. 15. During reboot, please press <F11> to enter Boot Manual. Choose UEFI: SCSI CD/DVD Drive.
Page 79
® 16. Follow Windows Installation Guide to install OS. ® If you install Windows 7 64-bit / Vista 64-bit in a large hard disk (ex. Disk ® volume > 2TB), it may take more time to boot into Windows or install driver/ utilities.
Page 80
B. Disable “Volume Shadow Copy” service. a. Type “computer management” in the Start Menu, then press “Enter”. b. Go to “Services and Applications>Services”; Then double click “Volume Shadow Copy”. c. Set “Startup type” to “Disable” then Click “OK”.
Page 81
C. Reboot your system. D. After reboot, please start to install motherboard drivers and utilities. ® Windows 7 64-bit: A. Please request the hotfix KB2505454 thru this link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2505454/ ® B. After installing Windows 7 64-bit, install the hotfix kb2505454. (This may take long time;...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the FM2A75 PRO4 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers