Asus M3A76-CM manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    Motherboard M3A76-CM[...]

  • Page 2

    ii Copyright © 2009 ASUST eK Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without [...]

  • Page 3

    iii Contents Notices ......................................................................................................... vi Safety information ..................................................................................... vii About this guide ........................................................................................ vii M[...]

  • Page 4

    iv Contents 1.1 1 Software support ........................................................................ 1-27 1.1 1.1 Installing an operating system ...................................... 1-2 7 1.1 1.2 Support DVD information .............................................. 1-2 7 Chapter 2: BIOS information 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ....[...]

  • Page 5

    v Contents 2.5.4 APM Conguration ........................................................ 2-1 5 2.5.5 HW Monitor Conguration ............................................. 2-1 6 2.6 Boot menu .................................................................................. 2-17 2.6.1 Boot Device Priority ......................................[...]

  • Page 6

    vi Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has b[...]

  • Page 7

    vii Safety information Electrical safety • T o prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system. • When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect al[...]

  • Page 8

    viii Conventions used in this guide T o ensure that you perform certain tasks properly , take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. DANGER/W ARNING : Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task. CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to complete a task. NOTE: T ips and [...]

  • Page 9

    ix M3A76-CM specications summary (continued on the next page) CPU AMD ® Socket AM2+ / AM2 for AMD Phenom™ FX / Phenom™ / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processor AMD64 architecture enables simultaneous 32-bit and 64-bit computing Supports up to 125W CPU AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ T echnology Chipset AMD 760G / SB710 System bus Up to 5200 MT/s HyperT[...]

  • Page 10

    x M3A76-CM specications summary Internal I/O connectors 3 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 6 USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 x IDE connector 1 x COM connector 6 x SA T A connectors 1 x High denition front panel audio connector 1 x system panel connector 1 x CD audio-in connector 1 x S/PDIF output connector 1 x Printer port 1 x chassis intrusion co[...]

  • Page 11

    1.2 Package contents Check your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard ASUS M3A76-CM motherboard Cables 1 x Serial A T A cable 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33 cable Accessories 1 x I/O shield Application DVD ASUS motherboard support DVD Documentations User manual If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer .[...]

  • Page 12

    AMD ® Socket AM2 Athlon™ / Sempron™ CPU support The motherboard supports AMD ® Socket AM2 Athlon™ processors. It features 2000 / 1600 MT/s HyperT ransport™-based system bus, dual- channel un-buffered DDR2 800 memory support and AMD™ Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ T echnology . MT /s 5 200 HyperT ransport™ 3.0 support HyperT ransport™ 3.0 tec[...]

  • Page 13

    AMD 760G The AMD 760G Northbridge is the latest AMD chipset designed for 5200MT/s HyperT ransport™ 3.0 (HT 3.0) interface speed and external graphics in PCI Express™ 2.0 standard. It features the integrated A TI HD3000 graphics and fully DirectX 10.0 compliant. DVI Interface DVI (Digital Visual Interface) provides high visual quality of digital[...]

  • Page 14

    ASUS Express Gate With on 5 seconds boot-up time, the ASUS Express Gate allows you to instantly surf the Internet without entering Windows or the Hard Disk. Y ou can now enjoy Skype, IM, Y ouT ube, webmail and internet le downloads and sharing whenever and whatever you want. • ASUS Express Gate supports le uploading from SA T A HDDs, ODDs a[...]

  • Page 15

    1.4 Before you proceed T ake note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. • Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. • Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal object, such as the power s[...]

  • Page 16

    1.5 Motherboard overview 1.5.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as indicated in the image below . 1.5.2 Screw holes Place eight screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboa[...]

  • Page 17

    1.5.3 Motherboard layout 1.5.4 Layout contents Connectors/Jumpers/Slots Page Connectors/Jumpers/Slots Page 1. A TX power connectors (24-pin EA TXPWR, 4-pin A TX12V) 1-21 9. LPT connector (26-1 pin LPT) 1-22 2. AM2/AM2+ CPU socket 1-8 10. System panel connector (20-8 pin P ANEL) 1-23 3. CPU, CHASSIS fan connectors (4-pin CPU_F AN, 3-pin CHA_FAN) 1-2[...]

  • Page 18

    1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU) The motherboard comes with an AM2+ / AM2 socket designed for AMD ® AM2+ / AM2 Phenom™ FX / Phenom™ / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processor . The AM2/AM2+ socket has a different pinout from the 940-pin socket designed for the AMD Opteron™ processor . Use a CPU that is designed for the AM2/AM2+ socket. 1.6.1 Instal[...]

  • Page 19

    3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle. 4. Carefully insert the CPU into the socket until it ts in place. The CPU ts only in one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the pins and damaging the CPU! Gold triangle[...]

  • Page 20

    1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan Ensure that you use only AMD-certied heatsink and fan assembly . T o install the CPU heatsink and fan: 1. Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, making sure that the heatsink ts properly on the retention module base. • The retention module base is already installed on the motherboard upon purch[...]

  • Page 21

    3. Align the other end of the retention bracket to the retention module base. A clicking sound denotes that the retention bracket is in place. Ensure that the fan and heatsink assembly perfectly ts the retention mechanism module base, otherwise you cannot snap the retention bracket in place. 4. Push down the retention bracket lock on the retenti[...]

  • Page 22

    1.7.2 Memory congurations Y ou may install 512MB, 1GB and 2GB unbuffered ECC/non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. • Y ou may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel conguration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped [...]

  • Page 23

    Size V endor Part No. CL Chip Brand SS/ DS Chip No. DIMM support (Optional) A* B* C* 512MB Kingston KVR667D2N5/512 N/A Hynix SS HY5PS12821EFP-Y5 • • 1G Kingston KVR667D2N5/1G N/A Hynix DS HY5PS12821EFP-Y5 • • 512MB Qimonda HYS64T64000EU-3S-B2 5 Qimonda SS HYB18T512B00B2F3SFSS28171 • • 1G Qimonda HYS64T128020EU-3S-B2 5 Qimonda DS HYB18T5[...]

  • Page 24

    DDR2-533MHz capability SS - Single-sided / DS - Double - sided DIMM support: • A*: Supports one module inserted into any slot as Single-channel memory conguration. • B*: Supports one pair of modules inserted into both the yellow slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory conguration. • C*: Supports four modules inserted into both the yell[...]

  • Page 25

    DDR2 DIMM notch 1 1 2 Unlocked retaining clip 1 DDR2 DIMM notch 2 1 1.7.3 Installing a DIMM Unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other system components. Failure to do so can cause severe damage to both the motherboard and the components. 1. Press the retaining clips outward to unlock a DDR2 DIMM socket. 2. Align a DIMM on the[...]

  • Page 26

    1.8 Expansion slots In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support. Unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 1.8.1 Installing an expansion card T o[...]

  • Page 27

    1.9 Jumpers 1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) This jumper allows you to clear the Real T ime Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. Y ou can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery powers the RAM data in CMOS, which include system setup information such as system passwords. Except [...]

  • Page 28

    1.10 Connectors 1.10.1 Rear panel connectors 1. PS/2 Keyboard port (purple) . This port is for a PS/2 keyboard / mouse. 2. Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) port. This 15-pin port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-compatible devices. 3. LAN (RJ-45) port . This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub. LAN port L[...]

  • Page 29

    Audio 2, 4, 6, 8-channel conguration Ensure that the audio device of Sound playback is VIA High Denition Audio (the name may be different based on the OS) . Go to Start > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Sound Playback to congure the setting. Port Headset 2-channel 4-channel 6-channel 8-channel Light Blue Line In Line in[...]

  • Page 30

    2. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE) The onboard IDE connector is for an Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable. There are three connectors on each Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable: blue, black, and gray . Connect the blue connector to the motherboard’s IDE connector , then select one of the following modes to congure your device(s). • Pin 20 on [...]

  • Page 31

    3. A TX power connectors (24-pin EA TXPWR, 4-pin A TX12V) These connectors are for an A TX power supply . The plugs from the power supply are designed to t these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper orientation and push down rmly until the connectors completely t. • We recommend that you use an A TX 12 V Specication 2.0[...]

  • Page 32

    • If you want to do the task as GHOST , we suggest you connect the original disk to the SA T A5 or SA T A6 5. Serial A T A connectors (7-pin SA T A1, SA T A2, SA T A3, SA T A4, SA T A5, SA T A6) These connectors are for the Serial A T A signal cables for Serial A T A 3Gb/s hard disk and optical disk drives. The Serial A T A 3Gb/s is backward comp[...]

  • Page 33

    7. System panel connector (20-8 pin P ANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions. • System power LED (2-pin PLED) This 2-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector . The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system power , and blinks when the system is in sleep m[...]

  • Page 34

    8. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB78, USB910, USB1 1 12) These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specication that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed. Never connect a 139[...]

  • Page 35

    • We recommend that you connect a high-denition front panel audio module to this connector to avail of the motherboard high-denition audio capability . • By default, this connector is set to [HD Audio] . If you want to connect a High Denition front panel audio module to this connector , set the Front Panel Select item in the BIOS to [H[...]

  • Page 36

    12. Optical drive audio in connector (4-pin CD) This connector allows you to receive stereo audio input from sound sources such as a CD-ROM, TV tuner , or MPEG card. 13. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS) This connector is for a chassis-mounted intrusion detection sensor or switch. Connect one end of the chassis intrusion sensor or switc[...]

  • Page 37

    T o run the Support DVD Place the Support DVD to the optical drive. The DVD automatically displays the Drivers menu if Autorun is enabled in your computer . If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer , browse the contents of the Support DVD to locate the le ASSETUP .EXE from the BIN folder . Double-click the ASSETUP .EXE to run the DVD. Click an[...]

  • Page 38

    1-28 ASUS M3A76-CM[...]

  • Page 39

    Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-1 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a USB ash disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities. Chapter 2 BIOS information • ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either thro[...]

  • Page 40

    2-2 ASUS M3A76-CM 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to use a DOS-based utility . Before using this utility , download the latest BIOS le from the ASUS website at www.asus. com. T o update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2: 1. Insert the USB ash disk that contains the latest BIOS [...]

  • Page 41

    Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-3 • Enter the BIOS setup program. Go to the T ools menu to select EZ Flash 2 and press <Enter> to enable it. Press <T ab> to switch between drives until the correct BIOS le is found. 4. When the correct BIOS le is found, EZ Flash 2 performs the BIOS update process and automatically reboots the system when[...]

  • Page 42

    2-4 ASUS M3A76-CM • Only a USB ash disk with F A T 32/16 format and single partition can support ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3. The device size should be smaller than 8GB. • DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so can cause system boot failure! 4. Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process. The[...]

  • Page 43

    Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-5 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen 2.2.2 Menu bar The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items: Main For changing the basic system conguration. Advanced For changing the advanced system settings. Power For changing the advanced power management (APM) conguration. Boot For changing the system boot conguration[...]

  • Page 44

    2-6 ASUS M3A76-CM 2.2.4 Menu items The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu items. The other items (Advanced, Power , Boot, T ools, and Exit) on the menu bar have their respective menu items. 2.2.5 Submenu items A solid triangle before each item on any menu scre[...]

  • Page 45

    Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-7 2.3 Main menu When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic system information. 2.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx] Allows you to set the system time. 2.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] Allows you to set the system date. 2.3.3 Primary IDE Master/Slave and SA T A 1~6 While[...]

  • Page 46

    2-8 ASUS M3A76-CM This item does not appear when you select the SA T A 1/2/3/4/5/6 devices. LBA/Large Mode [Auto] Enables or disables the LBA mode. Setting to [Auto] enables the LBA mode if the device supports this mode, and if the device was not previously formatted with LBA mode disabled. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto] Block (Multi-Sec[...]

  • Page 47

    Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-9 2.4 Advanced menu The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. Be cautious when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect eld values can cause the system to malfunction. v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc. BIOS SETUP UTILITY Main Ad[...]

  • Page 48

    2-10 ASUS M3A76-CM The following item appears only when you set the AI Overclocking item to [Manual] . CPU /HT Reference Clock (MHz) [200] Allows you to manually adjust CPU/HT reference clock. Key in a number between 200 to 550. The following item appears only when you set the AI Overclocking item to [Overclock Prole] . Overclock Options [Auto] [...]

  • Page 49

    Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-1 1 The following item appears only when you set the Memory Clock Mode item to [Manual] . Memclock V alue [266 MHz] Allows you to select the memclock value. Conguration options: [200 MHz] [266 MHz] [333MHz] [400 MHz] [533 MHz] DRAM Timing Mode [Auto] Allows you to set the DRAM timing mode. Conguration options: [Auto] [[...]

  • Page 50

    2-12 ASUS M3A76-CM tRFC0/1/2/3[ Auto] Allows you to specify the T rfc0/1/2/3 time. Conguration options: [Auto] [75ns] [105ns] [127.5ns] [195ns] [327.5ns] Memory Over V oltage [Auto] Allows you to set the Memory Over V oltage. Use +/- to adjust the voltage. The increment is 0.00625V . The standard value is 1.85000V . Conguration options: [Auto[...]

  • Page 51

    Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-13 MemClk T ristate C3/A TL VID [Disabled] Enables or disables the MemClk T ristate C3/AL TVID. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Memory Hole Remapping [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable memory remapping around memory hole. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] DCT Unganged Mode [Auto] DCT Unganged M[...]

  • Page 52

    2-14 ASUS M3A76-CM Parallel Port Mode [Normal] Allows you to select the Parallel Port mode. Conguration options: [Normal] [EPP] [ECP] [EPP+ECP] Parallel Port IRQ [IRQ7] Conguration options: [IRQ5] [IRQ7] HDAudio Controller [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the HD Audio Controller . Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Front Pa[...]

  • Page 53

    Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-15 Legacy USB Support [Auto] Allows you to enable or disable support for USB devices on legacy operating systems (OS). Setting to Auto allows the system to detect the presence of USB devices at startup. If detected, the USB controller legacy mode is enabled. If no USB device is detected, the legacy USB support is disabled. C[...]

  • Page 54

    2-16 ASUS M3A76-CM Power On From S5 By PME# [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable PME wake from sleep state. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Power On From S5 By Ring [Disabled] Enable or disable RI to generate a wake event. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Power On From S5 By PS/2 KB/MS [Disabled] Enable or disable PS/[...]

  • Page 55

    Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-17 Boot Settings Conguration Security Species the Boot Device Priority sequence. BIOS SETUP UTILITY Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Boot Device Priority Boot Settings 2.6.1 Boot Device Priority 1st ~ xxth Boot Device These items specify the boot device priority sequence from the available devices. The number of dev[...]

  • Page 56

    2-18 ASUS M3A76-CM W ait for ‘F1’ If Error [Enabled] When set to Enabled , the system waits for the F1 key to be pressed when error occurs. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Hit ‘DEL’ Message Display [Enabled] When set to Enabled , the system displays the message Press DEL to run Setup during POST . Conguration options: [Disab[...]

  • Page 57

    Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-19 Change User Password Select this item to set or change the user password. The User Password item on top of the screen shows the default Not Installed . After you set a password, this item shows Installed . T o set a User Password: 1. Select the Change User Password item and press <Enter> . 2. On the password box tha[...]

  • Page 58

    2-20 ASUS M3A76-CM 2.7.2 Express Gate [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the ASUS Express Gate feature. The ASUS Express Gate feature is a unique instant-on environment that provides quick access to the Internet browser and Skype. Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Enter OS T imer [10 Seconds] Sets countdown duration that the syste[...]

  • Page 59

    Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-21 Exit Options Exit & Save Changes Exit & Discard Changes Discard Changes Load Setup Defaults Exit system setup after saving the changes. F10 key can be used for this operation. Pressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options from this menu or <F10> from the legend bar to ex[...]

  • Page 60

    2-22 ASUS M3A76-CM[...]