AM2NF6G-VSTA User Manual Version 2.2 Published December 2006 Copyright©2006 ASRock INC. All rights reserved. 1 Copyright Notice: No part of this manual may be reproduced, transcribed, transmitted, or translated in any language, in any form or by any means, except duplication of documentation by the purchaser for backup purpose, without written consent of ASRock Inc. Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or explanation and to the owners' benefit, without intent to infringe. Disclaimer: Specifications and information contained in this manual are furnished for informational use only and subject to change without notice, and should not be constructed as a commitment by 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 warranties or conditions of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall ASRock, its directors, officers, employees, or agents be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including damages for loss of profits, loss of business, loss of data, interruption of business and the like), even if ASRock has been advised of the possibility of such damages arising from any defect or error in the manual or product. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. CALIFORNIA, USA ONLY The Lithium battery adopted on this motherboard contains Perchlorate, a toxic substance controlled in Perchlorate Best Management Practices (BMP) regulations passed by the California Legislature. When you discard the Lithium battery in California, USA, please follow the related regulations in advance. "Perchlorate Material-special handling may apply, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate" ASRock Website: http://www.asrock.com 2 Contents 1 . Introduction ............................................................ 5 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Package Contents ..................................................................... Specifications ........................................................................... Minimum Hardware Requirement Table for Windows® VistaTM Premium and Basic Logo .......................................................... Motherboard Layout ................................................................. HD 8CH I/O ................................................................................ 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 13 14 16 17 18 19 23 24 24 24 25 25 25 26 26 27 28 28 29 29 29 30 33 2 . Installation .............................................................. 12 Pre-installation Precautions ............................................................... 2.1 CPU Installation ......................................................................... 2.2 Installation of CPU Fan and Heatsink ....................................... 2.3 Installation of Memory Modules (DIMM) .................................... 2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI Express, PCI, and HDMR Slots) .................... 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 Easy Multi Monitor Feature ........................................................ Jumpers Setup .......................................................................... Onboard Headers and Connectors .......................................... SATAII Hard Disk Setup Guide .................................................. Serial ATA (SATA) / Serial ATAII (SATAII) Hard Disks Installation ................................................................................. Hot Plug and Hot Swap Functions for SATA / SATAII HDDs .... Driver Installation Guide ............................................................ HDMR Card and Driver Installation ............................................ Installing Windows® 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit Without RAID Functions ..................................... Installing Windows® 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit With RAID Functions ........................................... 2.14.1 Installing Windows® 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit With RAID Functions ...................................................................... 2.14.2 Installing Windows® VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit With RAID Functions ...................................................................... Untied Overclocking Technology .............................................. Introduction ............................................................................... 3.1.1 BIOS Menu Bar ............................................................... 3.1.2 Navigation Keys ............................................................. Main Screen .............................................................................. Advanced Screen .................................................................... 3.3.1 CPU Configuration .......................................................... 3.3.2 Chipset Configuration ..................................................... 2.15 3.1 SETUP 3 . BIOS S ETUP UTILITY ................................................... 28 3.2 3.3 3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 4.1 4.2 3.3.3 ACPI Configuration ......................................................... 3.3.4 IDE Configuration ............................................................ 3.3.5 PCIPnP Configuration ...................................................... 3.3.6 Floppy Configuration ...................................................... 3.3.7 Super IO Configuration ................................................... 3.3.8 USB Configuration .......................................................... Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen ............................. Boot Screen .............................................................................. 3.5.1 Boot Settings Configuration ........................................... Security Screen ........................................................................ Exit Screen ............................................................................... Install Operating System ........................................................... Support CD Information ............................................................. 4.2.1 Running Support CD ....................................................... 4.2.2 Drivers Menu .................................................................. 4.2.3 Utilities Menu ................................................................... 4.2.4 Contact Information ........................................................ 34 35 37 38 38 39 40 41 41 42 43 44 44 44 44 44 44 4 . Software Support ................................................... 44 Technology APPENDIX: AMD's Cool `n' Quiet TM Technology ...... 45 4 1. Introduction Thank you for purchasing ASRock AM2NF6G-VSTA motherboard, a reliable motherboard produced under ASRock's consistently stringent quality control. It delivers excellent performance with robust design conforming to ASRock's commitment to quality and endurance. In this manual, chapter 1 and 2 contain introduction of the motherboard and step-bystep guide to the hardware installation. Chapter 3 and 4 contain the configuration guide to BIOS setup and information of the Support CD. Because the motherboard specifications and the BIOS software might be updated, the content of this manual will be subject to change without notice. In case any modifications of this manual occur, the updated version 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 1.1 Package Contents 1 x ASRock AM2NF6G-VSTA Motherboard (Micro ATX Form Factor: 9.6-in x 9.6-in, 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm) 1 x ASRock AM2NF6G-VSTA Quick Installation Guide 1 x ASRock AM2NF6G-VSTA Support CD 1 x Ultra ATA 66/100/133 IDE Ribbon Cable (80-conductor) 1 x 3.5-in Floppy Drive Ribbon Cable 1 x Serial ATA (SATA) Data Cable (Optional) 1 x Serial ATA (SATA) HDD Power Cable (Optional) 1 x HD 8CH I/O Shield 1 x COM Port Bracket 1 x HDMR Card (Optional) 5 1.2 Specifications - Micro ATX Form Factor: 9.6-in x 9.6-in, 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm - Socket AM2 for AMD AthlonTM 64FX / 64X2 / 64 and Sempron Processors - Supports AMD's Cool `n' QuietTM Technology (see CAUTION 1) - FSB 1000 MHz (2.0 GT/s) - Supports Untied Overclocking Technology (see CAUTION 2) - Supports Hyper-Transport Technology - NVIDIA® GeForce 6100 / nForce 405 - Dual Channel DDRII Memory Technology (see CAUTION 3) - 4 x DDRII DIMM slots - Support DDRII800/667/533 - Max. capacity: 8GB (see CAUTION 4) - CPU Frequency Stepless Control (see CAUTION 5) - ASRock U-COP (see CAUTION 6) - Boot Failure Guard (B.F.G.) - ASRock AM2 Boost: ASRock Patented Technology to boost memory performance up to 12.5% (see CAUTION 7) - 2 x PCI slots - 1 x PCI Express Graphics slot (see CAUTION 8) - 1 x PCI Express x1 slot - 1 x HDMR slot - Integrated NVIDIA® GeForce6-class graphics DX9.0 VGA - Pixel Shader 3.0 - Max. shared memory 256MB - 7.1 CH Windows® VistaTM Premium Level HD Audio (ALC888 Audio Codec) - Realtek PHY RTL8201CL - Speed: 10/100 Ethernet - Supports Wake-On-LAN HD 8CH I/O - 1 x PS/2 Mouse Port - 1 x PS/2 Keyboard Port - 1 x VGA Port - 1 x Parallel Port (ECP/EPP Support) - 4 x Ready-to-Use USB 2.0 Ports - 1 x RJ-45 Port - HD Audio Jack: Side Speaker/Rear Speaker/Central/Bass/ Line in/Front Speaker/Microphone (see CAUTION 9) Platform CPU Chipset Memory Hybrid Booster Expansion Slot Graphics Audio LAN Rear Panel I/O 6 Connector BIOS Feature Support CD Hardware Monitor OS Certifications WARNING - 2 x Serial ATAII 3.0Gb/s connectors, support RAID (RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD), NCQ, and "Hot Plug" functions (see CAUTION 10) - 1 x ATA133 IDE connector (supports 2 x IDE devices) - 1 x Floppy connector - 1 x IR header - 1 x Game header - 1 x COM port header - CPU/Chassis FAN connector - 20 pin ATX power connector - 4 pin 12V power connector - CD in header - Front panel audio connector - 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports) (see CAUTION 11) - 4Mb AMI BIOS - AMI Legal BIOS - Supports "Plug and Play" - ACPI 1.1 Compliance Wake Up Events - Supports jumperfree - SMBIOS 2.3.1 Support - Drivers, Utilities, AntiVirus Software (Trial Version) - CPU Temperature Sensing - Chassis Temperature Sensing - CPU Fan Tachometer - Chassis Fan Tachometer - CPU Quiet Fan - Voltage Monitoring: +12V, +5V, +3.3V, Vcore - Microsoft® Windows® 2000/XP/XP 64-bit/VistaTM/ VistaTM 64-bit compliant (see CAUTION 12) - FCC, CE, Microsoft® WHQL Certificated Please realize that there is a certain risk involved with overclocking, including adjusting the setting in the BIOS, applying Untied Overclocking Technology, or using the thirdparty overclocking tools. Overclocking may affect your system stability, or even cause damage to the components and devices of your system. It should be done at your own risk and expense. We are not responsible for possible damage caused by overclocking. 7 CAUTION! 1. For power-saving's sake, it is strongly recommended to enable AMD's Cool `n' QuietTM technology under Windows system. See APPENDIX on page 45 to enable AMD's Cool `n' QuietTM technology. 2. 3. This motherboard supports Untied Overclocking Technology. Please read "Untied Overclocking Technology" on page 27 for details. This motherboard supports Dual Channel Memory Technology. Before you implement Dual Channel Memory Technology, make sure to read the installation guide of memory modules on page 14 for proper installation. Due to the operating system limitation, the actual memory size may be less than 4GB for the reservation for system usage under Windows® XP and Windows® VistaTM. For Windows® XP 64-bit and Windows® VistaTM 645. bit with 64-bit CPU, there is no such limitation. Although this motherboard offers stepless control, it is not recommended to perform over-clocking. Frequencies other than the recommended CPU bus frequencies may cause the instability of the system or damage the 6. CPU. While CPU overheat is detected, the system will automatically shutdown. Before you resume the system, please check if the CPU fan on the motherboard functions properly and unplug the power cord, then plug it back again. To improve heat dissipation, remember to spray thermal grease between the CPU and the heatsink when you install the PC system. 7. This motherboard supports ASRock AM2 Boost overclocking technology. If you enable this function in the BIOS setup, the memory performance will im ...