ECS A55F-M2 User Manual

Preface
Preface
Copyright
This publication, including all photographs, illustrations and software, is protected
under international copyright laws, with all rights reserved. Neither this manual, nor
any of the material contained herein, may be reproduced without written consent of
the author.
Version 1.0
Disclaimer
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. The manufac-
turer makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents hereof and
specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any
particular purpose. The manufacturer reserves the right to revise this publication and
to make changes from time to time in the content hereof without obligation of the
manufacturer to notify any person of such revision or changes.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installa-
tion. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful inter-
ference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
• Connect the equipment onto an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Shielded interconnect cables and a shielded AC power cable must be employed with
this equipment to ensure compliance with the pertinent RF emission limits govern-
ing this device. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the system’s
manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Trademark Recognition
Microsoft, MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
AMD, Phenom, Athlon, Sempron and Duron are registered trademarks of AMD
Corporation.
Other product names used in this manual are the properties of their respective
owners and are acknowledged.

ECS A55F-M2 Specifications

General

Brand	ECS
Model	A55F-M2
Category	Motherboard
Language	English

Summary

Chapter 1 Introducing the Motherboard

Introduction

Provides a basic overview of the motherboard and its target market.

Specifications

Details technical specifications of the motherboard's components.

Feature

Highlights key features like processor, chipset, memory, audio, and LAN.

Expansion Options

Describes PCI and PCI Express slots for add-on cards.

Integrated I/O

Lists and explains the rear panel ports and connectors.

BIOS Firmware

Overview of the system BIOS and its configurable features.

Motherboard Components

Visual identification of key motherboard components.

Chapter 2 Installing the Motherboard

Safety Precautions

Crucial guidelines to prevent damage during installation.

Choosing a Computer Case

Advice on selecting a compatible and suitable computer case.

Installing the Motherboard in a Case

Step-by-step instructions for physically mounting the motherboard.

Checking Jumper Settings

Explains how to correctly set motherboard jumpers for configuration.

Installing Hardware

General guidance on installing hardware components.

Installing the Processor

Detailed procedure for installing the CPU onto the motherboard.

CPU Installation Procedure

Step-by-step guide for CPU installation and cooler attachment.

Installing Memory Modules

Instructions for installing DDR3 SDRAM modules.

Installation Procedure Memory Modules

Detailed steps for inserting memory modules into DIMM slots.

Expansion Slots

Information on PCI and PCI Express slots for add-on cards.

Connecting Optional Devices

Guide to connecting SATA, USB, COM, and LPT headers.

Installing a SATA Hard Drive

Instructions for installing SATA hard drives and cables.

Connecting I/O Devices

Connecting external peripherals to rear I/O ports.

Connecting Case Components

Connecting internal case switches, LEDs, and fans to motherboard.

Chapter 3 Using BIOS

About the Setup Utility

Overview of the BIOS Setup Utility and its configuration capabilities.

Resetting the Default CMOS Values

Procedure for resetting BIOS settings to factory defaults.

BIOS Navigation Keys

Lists keyboard shortcuts for navigating the BIOS interface.

Main Menu

Explains the primary BIOS screen and system information.

Advanced Menu

Contains settings for CPU, power management, and other system options.

LAN Configuration

BIOS settings for the onboard LAN controller.

PC Health Status

Monitors system voltages, temperatures, and fan speeds.

Power Management Setup

Configures system power saving features and wake-up events.

ACPI Configuration

Settings for ACPI sleep states and power management.

CPU Configuration

Detailed settings related to the CPU, including clock speed and cache.

SATA Configuration

BIOS settings for the Serial ATA controller and ports.

USB Configuration

Settings for enabling/disabling USB devices and legacy support.

Super IO Configuration

Configuration for serial and parallel ports.

Chipset Menu

Settings for North and South Bridge chipsets.

M.I.B.III (MB Intelligent BIOS III) Menu

BIOS section for adjusting CPU ratio and memory timings.

Boot Menu

Configures boot device order and NumLock state.

Security Menu

Sets administrator and user passwords for BIOS access.

Save & Exit Menu

Options to save changes, exit, or reset BIOS settings.

Updating the BIOS

Procedure for downloading and installing new BIOS versions.

Chapter 4 Using the Motherboard Software

About the Software DVD-ROM CD-ROM

Introduction to the included software and drivers.

Auto-installing under Windows XP Vista 7

Guide to using the CD/DVD auto-install feature.

Manual Installation

Steps for manually installing drivers from the disk.

Utility Software Reference

Information on available utility software and their terms.

Chapter 5 CrossFire Technology AMD Dual Graphics Support

CrossFire Technology

Explains AMD CrossFire for enhanced graphics performance.

Supported DUAL Graphics Combinations

Lists compatible discrete GPUs and APUs for Dual Graphics.

Recommendation

Advice on optimal hardware configurations for CrossFire.

Chapter 6 Setting Up AMD A55 RAID Configuration

Setting Up the BIOS

Configuring BIOS SATA settings for RAID.

Configuring the AMD RAID BIOS Windows XP Installation

Setting up RAID array types and drives within BIOS.

Installing the RAID Drivers

Procedure for installing AMD RAID drivers during OS setup.

Chapter 7 Trouble Shooting

Start up problems during assembly

Addresses common issues encountered during initial PC assembly.

Start up problems after prolong use

Solutions for startup issues that may arise after extended use.

Maintenance and care tips

Provides advice for proper care and upkeep of the motherboard.

Basic Troubleshooting Flowchart

A visual guide to diagnose and resolve common PC problems.