N68PV-GS

User Manual
Version 1.0 Published September 2008 Copyright2008 ASRock INC. All rights reserved.

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

Contents

1. Introduction... 5
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Package Contents... Specifications... Minimum Hardware Requirement for 1080p Blu-ray (BD) / HD-DVD Playback Support.. 1080p Blu-ray (BD) / HD-DVD Films Which Pass Our Lab Test. Motherboard Layout.. I/O Panel... 15 16

2. Installation... 14

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 and PCI Express Slots).. 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14
17 Dual Monitor and Surround Display Features.. 18 HDMI Audio Function Operation Guide.. 21 Jumpers Setup... 22 Onboard Headers and Connectors.. 23 SATAII Hard Disk Setup Guide... 27 Serial ATA (SATA) / Serial ATAII (SATAII) Hard Disks Installation... 28 Hot Plug and Hot Swap Functions for SATA / SATAII HDDs. 28 SATA / SATAII HDD Hot Plug Feature and Operation Guide. 29 Driver Installation Guide... 31 Installing Windows 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit Without RAID Functions.. 31 2.14.1 Installing Windows 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit Without RAID Functions... 31 2.14.2 Installing Windows VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit Without RAID Functions... 32 Installing Windows 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit With RAID Functions.. 33 2.15.1 Installing Windows 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit With RAID Functions... 34 2.15.2 Installing Windows VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit With RAID Functions... 35 Untied Overclocking Technology.. 35
SETUP 3. BIOS S ETUP UTILITY.. 36
3.1 Introduction... 3.1.1 BIOS Menu Bar... 3.1.2 Navigation Keys.. Main Screen... Smart Screen... Advanced Screen... 3.4.1 CPU Configuration... 3.4.2 Chipset Configuration.. 3.4.3 ACPI Configuration... 3.4.4 IDE Configuration... 3.4.5 PCIPnP Configuration.. 3.4.6 Floppy Configuration... 3.4.7 Super IO Configuration.. 3.4.8 USB Configuration... Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen.. Boot Screen... 3.6.1 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... 57

3.2 3.3 3.4

3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 4.1 4.2
4. Software Support... 57

1. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing ASRock N68PV-GS motherboard, a reliable motherboard produced under ASRocks consistently stringent quality control. It delivers excellent performance with robust design conforming to ASRocks commitment to quality and endurance. In this manual, chapter 1 and 2 contain introduction of the motherboard and step-by-step guide to the hardware installation. Chapter 3 and 4 contain the configuration guide to BIOS setup and information of the Support CD.

Graphics

Rear Panel I/O

Connector

BIOS Feature

Support CD Unique Feature

Hardware Monitor

OS Certifications
- 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED LED) - HD Audio Jack: Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone - 4 x Serial ATAII 3.0Gb/s connectors, support RAID (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5, JBOD), NCQ, AHCI and Hot Plug functions (see CAUTION 9) - 1 x ATA133 IDE connector (supports 2 x IDE devices) - 1 x Floppy connector - 1 x COM port header - 1 x Print port header - CPU/Chassis FAN connector - 24 pin ATX power connector - 4 pin 12V power connector - CD in header - Front panel audio header - 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports) (see CAUTION 10) - 4Mb AMI BIOS - AMI Legal BIOS - Supports Plug and Play - ACPI 1.1 Compliance Wake Up Events - Supports jumperfree - SMBIOS 2.3.1 Support - Supports Smart BIOS - Drivers, Utilities, AntiVirus Software (Trial Version) - ASRock OC Tuner (see CAUTION 11) - Intelligent Energy Saver (see CAUTION 12) - Hybrid Booster: - CPU Frequency Stepless Control (see CAUTION 13) - ASRock U-COP (see CAUTION 14) - Boot Failure Guard (B.F.G.) - ASRock AM2 Boost: ASRock Patented Technology to boost memory performance up to 12.5% (see CAUTION 15) - 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 - FCC, CE
* For detailed product information, please visit our website: http://www.asrock.com
WARNING 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.

CAUTION!

1. 2. 3. This motherboard supports CPU up to 95W. Please refer to our website for CPU support list. ASRock website http://www.asrock.com This motherboard supports Untied Overclocking Technology. Please read Untied Overclocking Technology on page 35 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 16 for proper 4. installation. Whether 1066MHz memory speed is supported depends on the AM2+ CPU you adopt. If you want to adopt DDRmemory module on this motherboard, please refer to the memory support list on our website for the compatible memory modules. ASRock website http://www.asrock.com 5. 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 64bit with 64-bit CPU, there is no such limitation. 6. The maximum shared memory size is defined by the chipset vendor and is subject to change. Please check NVIDIA website for the latest information. 1080p Blu-ray (BD) / HD-DVD playback support on this motherboard requires the proper hardware configuration. Please refer to page10 and 11 for the minimum hardware requirement and the passed 1080p Blu-ray 8. (BD) / HD-DVD films in our lab test. This DVI-D port for the chipset adopted on this motherboard can support DVI/HDCP and HDMI format signal. You may use the DVI to HDMI adapter to convert this DVI-D port to HDMI interface. DVI to HDMI adapter is not bundled 9. with our product, please refer to the adapter vendor for further information. Before installing SATAII hard disk to SATAII connector, please read the SATAII Hard Disk Setup Guide on page 27 to adjust your SATAII hard disk drive to SATAII mode. You can also connect SATA hard disk to SATAII connector directly. 10. Power Management for USB 2.0 works fine under Microsoft Windows VistaTM 64-bit / VistaTM / XP 64-bit / XP SP1 or SP2 / 2000 SP4.

HD-D -DVD Films Lab Passed 1080p Blu-ray (BD) / HD -DVD F ilms in Our Lab T est
DVD Film Name Format VC-1 MPEG-2 MPEG-2 MPEG-4-AVC MPEG-4-AVC Producer WB FOX SONY WALT DISNEY FOX UNIVERSAL PARAMOUNT UNIVERSAL WBHIDEF WEA WEA TERWILLIGER UNIVERSAL
Type Blu-ray SWORDFISH DVD THE TRANSPORTER UNDERWORLD EVOLUTION GLORY ROAD THE LEAGUE OF HDDVD
EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN KING KONG VC-1 MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III VC-1 THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK VC-1 THE LAST SAMURAI A VIEW FROM SPACE NEW ORLEANS CONCERT ONE SIX RIGHT THE INTERPRETER VC-1 MPEG-2 MPEG-2 MPEG-2 MPEG-4-AVC
* MPEG-4-AVC mentioned above refers to the same format of H.264. * Above passed films are tested under below configuration. Items CPU VGA Memory OS Playback Software DVD Player Configurations AMD Phenom XOnboard VGA with DVI-D port Dual Channel DDR2 800, 1GB x 2 Windows VistaTM or Windows VistaTM 64 CyberLink PowerDVD Ultra Pioneer BDR-101A / LG GBW-H10N (BD) HP HD100 (HD-DVD)

1.5 Motherboard Layout

18.3cm (7.2-in)

ATXPWR1

USB 2.0 T: USB0 B: USB1

Top: RJ-45

SATAII_1 (PORT 0) SATAII_2 (PORT 1) SATAII_3 (PORT 2) SATAII_4 (PORT 3)

Super I/O

24.4cm (9.6-in)

PS2 Keyboard

PS2 Mouse

PS2_USB_PW1

DDRII_2 (64 bit, 240-pin module)

FSB800

DDRII_1 (64 bit, 240-pin module)

DVI_CON1

DDR2 1066

CPU_FAN1

Dual Channel AM2+

SOCKET AM2

USB 2.0 T: USB2 B: USB3
Bottom: MIC IN Top: LINE IN

LAN PHY

ATX12V1
NVIDIA GeForce 7050 / nForce 630A MCP

Center: FRONT

4Mb BIOS

CMOS BATTERY

AUDIO CODEC

CHA_FAN1

HD_AUDIO1

PANEL 1

PLED PWRBTN

USB4_5

CLRCMOS1

SPEAKER1

FLOPPY1

USB6_7

PS2_USB_PW1 Jumper 16 CPU Fan Connector (CPU_FAN1) x 240-pin DDR2 DIMM Slots 18 (Dual Channel: DDRII_1, DDRII_2; Yellow) 19 ATX Power Connector (ATXPWR1) 20 Secondary SATAII Connector (SATAII_2 (PORT1)) Primary SATAII Connector (SATAII_1 (PORT0)) 21 Primary IDE Connector (IDE1, Blue) 22 Fourth SATAII Connector (SATAII_4 (PORT3)) 23 Third SATAII Connector (SATAII_3 (PORT2)) 24 SPI Flash Memory (4Mb) 25 NVIDIA GeForce 7050 / nForce 630A MCP 26 USB 2.0 Header (USB4_5, Blue) 27 Chassis Fan Connector (CHA_FAN1) 28 Clear CMOS Jumper (CLRCMOS1) Chassis Speaker Header (SPEAKER 1, Purple)

USB 2.0 Header (USB6_7, Blue) System Panel Header (PANEL1, Orange) Serial Port Connector (COM1) Floppy Connector (FLOPPY1) Front Panel Audio Header (HD_AUDIO1, Lime) Internal Audio Connector: CD1 (Black) PCI Slots (PCI1- 2) PCI Express x16 Slot (PCIE2) PCI Express x1 Slot (PCIE1) ATX 12V Power Connector (ATX12V1) CPU Heatsink Retention Module AM2 940-Pin CPU Socket Print Port Header (LPT1, Purple)

Panel I/O Panel

1 *4 ** 5
PS/2 Mouse Port (Green) RJ-45 Port Line In (Light Blue) Front Speaker (Lime) Microphone (Pink)
USB 2.0 Ports (USB23) USB 2.0 Ports (USB01) VGA/D-Sub Port VGA/DVI-D Port PS/2 Keyboard Port (Purple)
* There are two LED next to the LAN port. Please refer to the table below for the LAN port LED indications.

LAN Port LED Indications

Activity/Link LED Status Description Status SPEED LED Description

ACT/LINK SPEED LED LED

Off No Activity Blinking Data Activity

Off Orange Green

10Mbps connection 100Mbps connection 1Gbps connection

LAN Port

** To enable Multi-Streaming function, you need to connect a front panel audio cable to the front panel audio header. Please refer to below steps for the software setting of MultiStreaming. For Windows XP: 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 or
4CH and then you are allowed to select Realtek HDA Primary output to use Rear Speaker and Front Speaker, or select Realtek HDA Audio 2nd output to use front panel audio. Then reboot your system. For Windows VistaTM: After restarting your computer, please double-click Realtek HD Audio Manager on the system tray. Set Speaker Configuration to Quadraphonic or Stereo. Click Device advanced settings, choose Make front and rear output devices playbacks two different audio streams simultaneously, and click ok. Then reboot your system.

2. Installation

This is a Micro ATX form factor (9.6-in x 7.2-in, 24.4 cm x 18.3 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.
Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the power is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, and/or components.

3. 4. 5.

Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. To avoid damaging the motherboard components due to static electricity, NEVER place your motherboard directly on the carpet or the like. Also remember to use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safety grounded object before you handle components. Hold components by the edges and do not touch the ICs. Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in the bag that comes with the component. When placing screws into the screw holes to secure the motherboard to the chassis, please do not over-tighten the screws! Doing so may damage the motherboard.

notch break

The DIMM only fits in one correct orientation. It will cause permanent damage to the motherboard and the DIMM if you force the DIMM into the slot at incorrect orientation.

Step 3.

Firmly insert the DIMM into the slot until the retaining clips at both ends fully snap back in place and the DIMM is properly seated.
2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots)
There are 2 PCI slots and 2 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 (PCIE x1 slot) is used for PCI Express cards with x1 lane width cards, such as Gigabit LAN card, SATA2 card, etc. PCIE2 (PCIE x16 slot) is used for PCI Express cards with x16 lane width graphics cards.
Installing an expansion card
Step 1. Before installing the expansion card, please make sure that the power supply is switched off or the power cord is unplugged. Please read the documentation of the expansion card and make necessary hardware settings for the card before you start the installation. Remove the bracket facing the slot that you intend to use. Keep the screws for later use. Align the card connector with the slot and press firmly until the card is completely seated on the slot. Fasten the card to the chassis with screws.

Step 2. Step 3. Step 4.

2.5 Dual Monitor and Surround Display Features
Dual Monitor Feature This motherboard supports dual monitor feature. With the internal dual VGA output support (DVI-D and D-Sub), you can easily enjoy the benefits of dual monitor feature without installing any add-on VGA card to this motherboard. This motherboard also provides independent display controllers for DVI-D and D-Sub to support dual VGA output so that DVI-D and D-sub can drive same or different display contents. To enable dual monitor feature, please follow the below steps: 1. Connect the DVI-D monitor cable to the VGA/DVI-D port on the I/O panel of this motherboard. Connect the D-Sub monitor cable to the VGA/D-Sub port on the I/O panel of this motherboard.

VGA/DVI-D port

VGA/D-Sub port
2. If you have installed onboard VGA driver from our support CD to your system already, you can freely enjoy the benefits of dual monitor function provided by VGA/DVI-D and VGA/D-Sub ports with this motherboard after your system boots. If you havent installed onboard VGA driver yet, please install onboard VGA driver from our support CD to your system and restart your computer. Then you can start to use dual monitor function provided by VGA/DVI-D and VGA/D-Sub ports with this motherboard.

When you playback HDCP-protected video from Blu-ray (BD) or HD-DVD disc, the content will be displayed only in one of the two monitors instead of both monitors.
Surround Display Feature This motherboard supports surround display upgrade. With the internal dual VGA output support (DVI-D and D-Sub) and the external add-on PCI Express VGA card, you can easily enjoy the benefits of surround display feature. Please refer to the following steps to set up a surround display environment: 1. Install the NVIDIA PCI Express VGA card to PCI Express slot. Please refer to page 17 for proper expansion card installation procedures for details. 2. Connect the DVI-D monitor cable to the VGA/DVI-D port on the I/O panel of this motherboard. Connect the D-Sub monitor cable to the VGA/D-Sub port on the I/O panel of this motherboard. 3. Boot your system. Press <F2> to enter BIOS setup. Enter Share Memory option to adjust the memory capability to [32MB], [64MB], [128MB] or [256MB] to enable the function of VGA/D-sub. Please make sure that the value you select is less than the total capability of the system memory. If you do not adjust the BIOS setup, the default value of Share Memory, [Auto], will disable VGA/D-Sub function when the add-on VGA card is inserted to this motherboard. 4. Install the onboard VGA driver and the add-on PCI Express VGA card driver to your system. If you have installed the onboard VGA driver and the add-on PCI Express VGA card driver already, there is no need to install them again. 5. Set up a multi-monitor display. For Windows 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit OS: Right click the desktop, choose Properties, and select the Settings tab so that you can adjust the parameters of the multi-monitor according to the steps below. A. Click the Identify button to display a large number on each monitor. B. Right-click the display icon in the Display Properties dialog that you wish to be your primary monitor, and then select Primary. When you use multiple monitors with your card, one monitor will always be Primary, and all additional monitors will be designated as Secondary. C. Select the display icon identified by the number 2. D. Click Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor. E. Right-click the display icon and select Attached, if necessary. F. Set the Screen Resolution and Color Quality as appropriate for the second monitor. Click Apply or OK to apply these new values. G. Repeat steps C through E for the diaplay icon identified by the number one, two, three and four. For Windows VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit OS: Right click the desktop, choose Personalize, and select the Display Settings tab so that you can adjust the parameters of the multi-monitor according to the steps below.
A. Click the number 2 icon. B. Click the items This is my main monitor and Extend the desktop onto this monitor. C. Click OK to save your change. D. Repeat steps A through C for the display icon identified by the number three and four. 6. Use Surround Display. Click and drag the display icons to positions representing the physical setup of your monitors that you would like to use. The placement of display icons determines how you move items from one monitor to another.

These four Serial ATAII (SATAII) connectors support SATAII or SATA hard disk for internal storage devices. The current SATAII interface allows up to 3.0 Gb/s data transfer rate.
Serial ATA (SATA) Data Cable

(Optional)

Either end of the SATA data cable can be connected to the SATA / SATAII hard disk or the SATAII connector on the motherboard. Please connect the black end of SATA power cable to the power connector on each drive. Then connect the white end of SATA power cable to the power connector of the power supply.
Serial ATA (SATA) Power Cable
connect to the SATA HDD power connector connect to the power supply

USB 2.0 Headers

(9-pin USB6_7) (see p.12 No. 16)
USB_PWR P-7 P+7 GND DUMMY

GND P+6 P-6 USB_PWR

Besides four default USB 2.0 ports on the I/O panel, there are two USB 2.0 headers on this motherboard. Each USB 2.0 header can support two USB 2.0 ports.
(9-pin USB4_5) (see p.12 No. 12)
USB_PWR P-5 P+5 GND DUMMY 1 GND P+4 P-4 USB_PWR

Print Port Header

(25-pin LPT1) (see p.12 No. 28)

AFD# ERROR# PINIT# SLIN#

SPD7 SPD6 ACK# SPD5 BUSY SPD4 PE SPD3 SLCT SPD2 SPD1 SPD0 STB#
This is an interface for print port cable that allows convenient connection of printer devices.
Internal Audio Connectors
(4-pin CD1) (CD1: see p.12 No. 21)
This connector allows you to receive stereo audio input from sound sources such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, TV tuner card, or MPEG card. This is an interface for the front panel audio cable that allows convenient connection and control of audio devices.

Front Panel Audio Header

(9-pin HD_AUDIO1) (see p.12, No. 20)
GND PRESENCE# MIC_RET OUT_RET
OUT2_L J_SENSE OUT2_R MIC2_R MIC2_L
1. High Definition Audio supports Jack Sensing, but the panel wire on the chassis must support HDA to function correctly. Please follow the instruction in our manual and chassis manual to install your system. 2. If you use AC97 audio panel, please install it to the front panel audio header as below: A. Connect Mic_IN (MIC) to MIC2_L. B. Connect Audio_R (RIN) to OUT2_R and Audio_L (LIN) to OUT2_L. C. Connect Ground (GND) to Ground (GND). D. MIC_RET and OUT_RET are for HD audio panel only. You dont need to connect them for AC97 audio panel.

E. Enter BIOS Setup Utility. Enter Advanced Settings, and then select Chipset Configuration. Set the Front Panel Control option from [Auto] to [Enabled]. F. Enter Windows system. Click the icon on the lower right hand taskbar to enter Realtek HD Audio Manager. For Windows 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit OS: Click Audio I/O, select Connector Settings , choose
Disable front panel jack detection, and save the change by clicking OK. For Windows VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit OS: Click the right-top Folder icon , choose Disable front panel jack detection, and save the change by clicking OK. G. To activate the front mic. For Windows 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit OS: Please select Front Mic as default record device. If you want to hear your voice through front mic, please deselect "Mute" icon in Front Mic of Playback portion. For Windows VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit OS: Go to the "Front Mic" Tab in the Realtek Control panel. Click "Set Default Device" to make the Front Mic as the default record device.

System Panel Header

(9-pin PANEL1) (see p.12 No. 17)

PLED+ PLEDPWRBTN# GND

This header accommodates several system front panel functions.
DUMMY RESET# GND HDLEDHDLED+

Chassis Speaker Header

(4-pin SPEAKER 1) (see p.12 No. 15)

SPEAKER DUMMY DUMMY +5V

Please connect the chassis speaker to this header.

Chassis Fan Connector

(3-pin CHA_FAN1) (see p.12 No. 13)

GND +12V CHA_FAN_SPEED

Please connect a chassis fan cable to this connector and match the black wire to the ground pin. Please connect the CPU fan cable to this connector and match the black wire to the ground pin.

CPU Fan Connector

(4-pin CPU_FAN1) (see p.12 No. 2)
FAN_SPEED_CONTROL CPU_FAN_SPEED +12V GND
Though this motherboard provides 4-Pin CPU fan (Quiet Fan) support, the 3-Pin CPU fan still can work successfully even without the fan speed control function. If you plan to connect the 3-Pin CPU fan to the CPU fan connector on this motherboard, please connect it to Pin 1-3. Pin 1-3 Connected

3-Pin Fan Installation

ATX Power Connector
(24-pin ATXPWR1) (see p.12 No. 4)
Please connect an ATX power supply to this connector.
Though this motherboard provides 24-pin ATX power connector, it can still work if you adopt a traditional 20-pin ATX power supply. To use the 20-pin ATX power supply, please plug your power supply along with Pin 1 and Pin 13.
20-Pin ATX Power Supply Installation

ATX 12V Power Connector

What is Hot Plug Function?
If the SATA / SATAII HDDs are NOT set for RAID configuration, it is called Hot Plug for the action to insert and remove the SATA / SATAII HDDs while the system is still power-on and in working condition. However, please note that it cannot perform Hot Plug if the OS has been installed into the SATA / SATAII HDD.
What is Hot Swap Function?
If SATA / SATAII HDDs are built as RAID 1 or RAID 5 then it is called Hot Swap for the action to insert and remove the SATA / SATAII HDDs while the system is still power-on and in working condition.
SAT SAT Feature 2.12 SATA / SATAII HDD Hot Plug Feature and Operation Guide
This motherboard supports Hot Plug feature for SATA / SATAII HDD in RAID / AHCI mode. Please read below operation guide of SATA / SATAII HDD Hot Plug feature carefully. Before you process the SATA / SATAII HDD Hot Plug, please check below cable accessories from the motherboard gift box pack. A. 7-pin SATA data cable B. SATA power cable with SATA 15-pin power connector interface A. SATA data cable (Red) B. SATA power cable

SATA 7-pin connector

The SATA 15-pin power connector (Black) connect to SATA / SATAII HDD
1x4-pin conventional power connector (White) connect to power supply

Caution

1. Without SATA 15-pin power connector interface, the SATA / SATAII Hot Plug cannot be processed. 2. Even some SATA / SATAII HDDs provide both SATA 15-pin power connector and IDE 1x4-pin conventional power connector interfaces, the IDE 1x4-pin conventional power connector interface is definitely not able to support Hot Plug and will cause the HDD damage and data loss.
Points of attention, before you process the Hot Plug:
1. Below operation procedure is designed only for our motherboard, which supports SATA / SATAII HDD Hot Plug. * The SATA / SATAII Hot Plug feature might not be supported by the chipset because of its limitation, the SATA / SATAII Hot Plug support information of our motherboard is indicated in the product spec on our website: www.asrock.com 2. Make sure your SATA / SATAII HDD can support Hot Plug function from your dealer or HDD user manual. The SATA / SATAII HDD, which cannot support Hot Plug function, will be damaged under the Hot Plug operation. 3. Please make sure the SATA / SATAII driver is installed into system properly. The latest SATA / SATAII driver is available on our support website: www.asrock.com 4. Make sure to use the SATA power cable & data cable, which are from our motherboard package. 5. Please follow below instructions step by step to reduce the risk of HDD crash or data loss.
How to Hot Plug a SATA / SATAII 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 SATA / SATAII HDD damage and data loss.

Then you will see these messages, Please choose: 1. Generate AHCI Driver diskette for Windows2000/XP 2. Generate RAID Driver diskette for Windows2000/XP 3. Generate AHCI Driver diskette for WindowsXP64 4. Generate RAID Driver diskette for WindowsXP64 5. Exit Reboot system now Press any key to continue Please insert a floppy diskette into the floppy drive. Select your required item on the list according to the mode you choose and the OS you install. Then press any key. E. The system will start to format the floppy diskette and copy SATA / SATAII drivers into the floppy diskette. STEP 3: Install Windows 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit OS on your system. After making a SATA / SATAII driver diskette, you can start to install Windows 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit on your system. At the beginning of Windows setup, press F6 to install a third-party AHCI driver. When prompted, insert the SATA / SATAII driver diskette containing the NVIDIA AHCI driver. After reading the floppy disk, the driver will be presented. Select the driver to install according to the OS you install. The drivers are as below:
A. NVIDIA nForce Storage Controller (required) Windows XP/2000 B. NVIDIA nForce Storage Controller (required) Windows XP64
Please select A for Windows 2000 / XP in AHCI mode. Please select B for Windows XP 64-bit in AHCI mode. Using SATA / SATAII HDDs without NCQ and Hot Plug functions STEP 1: Set Up BIOS. A. Enter BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen IDE Configuration. B. Set the SATA Operation Mode option to [IDE]. STEP 2: Install Windows 2000 / XP / XP 64-bit OS on your system.
2.14.2 Installing Windows Vista TM / Vista TM 64-bit Without Functions RAID Functions
If you want to install Windows VistaTM / Windows VistaTM 64-bit on your SATA / SATAII HDDs without RAID functions, please follow below steps. Using SATA / SATAII HDDs with NCQ and Hot Plug functions
STEP 1: Set Up BIOS. A. Enter BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen IDE Configuration. B. Set the SATA Operation Mode option to [AHCI]. STEP 2: Install Windows Vista TM / VistaTM 64-bit OS on your system. Insert the Windows VistaTM / Windows VistaTM 64-bit optical disk into the optical drive to boot your system, and follow the instruction to install Windows VistaTM / Windows VistaTM 64-bit OS on your system. When you see Where do you want to install Windows? page, please insert the ASRock Support CD into your optical drive, and click the Load Driver button on the left on the bottom to load the NVIDIA AHCI drivers. NVIDIA AHCI drivers are in the following path in our Support CD: (There are two ASRock Support CD in the motherboard gift box pack, please choose the one for Windows VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit.). \ I386 \ AHCI_Vista (For Windows VistaTM OS). \ AMD64\ AHCI_Vista64 (For Windows VistaTM 64-bit OS) After that, please insert Windows VistaTM / Windows VistaTM 64-bit optical disk into the optical drive again to continue the installation. Using SATA / SATAII HDDs without NCQ and Hot Plug functions STEP 1: Set Up BIOS. A. Enter BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen IDE Configuration. B. Set the SATA Operation Mode option to [IDE]. STEP 2: Install Windows Vista TM / VistaTM 64-bit OS on your system. Insert the Windows VistaTM / Windows VistaTM 64-bit optical disk into the optical drive to boot your system, and follow the instruction to install Windows VistaTM / Windows VistaTM 64-bit OS on your system.

3. BIOS SETUP UTILITY

3.1 Introduction
This section explains how to use the BIOS SETUP UTILITY to configure your system. The Flash Memory on the motherboard stores the BIOS SETUP UTILITY. You may run the BIOS SETUP UTILITY when you start up the computer. Please press <F2> during the Power-On-Self-Test (POST) to enter the BIOS SETUP UTILITY, otherwise, POST will continue with its test routines. If you wish to enter the BIOS SETUP UTILITY after POST, restart the system by pressing <Ctl> + <Alt> + <Delete>, or by pressing the reset button on the system chassis. You may also restart by turning the system off and then back on.
Because the BIOS software is constantly being updated, the following BIOS setup screens and descriptions are for reference purpose only, and they may not exactly match what you see on your screen.

3.1.1 BIOS Menu Bar

The top of the Main Advanced H/W Monitor Boot screen has a menu bar with the following selections: To set up the system time/date information To set up the advanced BIOS features To display current hardware status To set up the default system device to locate and load the Operating System Security To set up the security features Exit To exit the current screen or the BIOS SETUP UTILITY Use < > key or < > key to choose among the selections on the menu bar, and then press <Enter> to get into the sub screen.

3.1.2 Navigation Keys

Please check the following table for the function description of each navigation key. Navigation Key(s) / / + / <Enter> <F1> <F9> <F10> <ESC> 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 To bring up the selected screen To display the General Help Screen To load optimal default values for all the settings To save changes and exit the BIOS SETUP UTILITY To jump to the Exit Screen or exit the current screen

Main Screen

When you enter the BIOS SETUP UTILITY, the Main screen will appear and display the system overview.
BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced H/W Monitor Boot

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 BIOS SETUP UTILITY. Discard Changes and Exit When you select this option, it will pop-out the following message, Discard changes and exit setup? Select [OK] to exit the BIOS SETUP UTILITY without saving any changes. Discard Changes When you select this option, it will pop-out the following message, Discard changes? Select [OK] to discard all changes. Would you like to save current setting user defaults? In this option, you are allowed to load and save three user defaults according to your own requirements.
Support 4. Sof tware Suppor t
4.1 Install Operating System
This motherboard supports various Microsoft Windows operating systems: 2000 / XP / XP Media Center / XP 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit. Because motherboard settings and hardware options vary, use the setup procedures in this chapter for general reference only. Refer to your OS documentation for more information.
4.2 Support CD Information
The Support CD that came with the motherboard contains necessary drivers and useful utilities that enhance the motherboard features.
4.2.1 Running The Support CD
To begin using the support CD, insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. The CD automatically displays the Main Menu if AUTORUN is enabled in your computer. If the Main Menu did not appear automatically, locate and double click on the file ASSETUP.EXE from the BIN folder in the Support CD to display the menus.

4.2.2 Drivers Menu

The Drivers Menu shows the available devices drivers if the system detects the installed devices. Please install the necessary drivers to activate the devices.

4.2.3 Utilities Menu

The Utilities Menu shows the applications software that the motherboard supports. 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 ASRocks website at http://www.asrock.com; or you may contact your dealer for further information.