ECS A880GM-M7 - 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 A880GM-M7 Specifications

General

Form Factor	Micro ATX
Socket Type	AM3
Chipset	AMD 760G
Memory Slots	4
Maximum Memory	16GB
Storage Interface	6 x SATA 3Gb/s
LAN	Realtek RTL8111DL Gigabit LAN
PS/2	1 x PS/2 Keyboard, 1 x PS/2 Mouse
IDE	1 x IDE
Supported Memory Types	DDR3
Expansion Slots	1 x PCIe x16
Video Outputs	VGA, DVI
RAID Support	RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10

Summary

Introducing the Motherboard

Introduction to the Motherboard

Welcome and overview of the A880GM-M7 motherboard's features.

Processor Features

Details the AM3 socket and supported AMD Phenom™ II processors.

Chipset Overview

Explains the AMD 880G Northbridge and SB710 Southbridge chipsets.

Memory Support

Covers DDR3 SDRAM support, including speeds and capacity.

Audio Capabilities

Describes the onboard audio features and codec.

Onboard LAN Details

Details the features of the onboard LAN controller.

Expansion Slots and Options

Lists the available expansion slots like PCI Express and PCI.

Integrated I;O Ports

Describes the rear panel I/O ports and internal connectors.

BIOS Firmware Features

Explains the AMI BIOS features for system configuration.

Motherboard Specifications

Provides a comprehensive list of motherboard hardware specifications.

Installing the Motherboard

Safety Precautions

Essential safety guidelines to follow before and during motherboard installation.

Choosing a Computer Case

Guidance on selecting a compatible computer case for the motherboard.

Installing the Motherboard in a Case

Step-by-step instructions for physically mounting the motherboard in a PC case.

Setting and Checking Jumpers

Explains how to set and check motherboard jumpers for system configuration.

Installing the Processor

Detailed guide for installing the CPU into the motherboard socket.

Installing Memory Modules

Instructions for installing DDR3 SDRAM modules into the motherboard slots.

Installing Add-on Cards

Details on installing add-on cards into PCI Express and PCI slots.

Connecting Optional Devices

Information on connecting front panel audio and SPDIF out headers.

Other Connector Descriptions

Details on Serial ATA, USB headers, audio input, and chassis intrusion connectors.

Installing Storage Drives

Guide for installing hard drives and CD-ROM drives using IDE and SATA connectors.

Connecting I;O Devices

Explains how to connect external devices to the motherboard's I/O ports.

Connecting Case Components

Instructions for connecting power supply, fans, and front panel connectors.

Using BIOS

About the Setup Utility

Overview of the BIOS Setup Utility and its configuration capabilities.

Standard Configuration Guidelines

Recommendations for using default BIOS settings and when to make changes.

Entering the Setup Utility

Steps to access the BIOS Setup Utility during system startup.

Resetting CMOS Values

Procedure for loading default BIOS settings, often after CMOS clear.

BIOS Navigation Keys

Explanation of keyboard keys used for navigating the BIOS setup menus.

Standard CMOS Setup Options

Details on viewing and configuring basic system information like date, time, and storage devices.

Advanced Setup Options

Configuration options for CPU, chipset, peripherals, and power management in Advanced Setup.

Advanced Chipset Setup

Settings for configuring the motherboard's chipset for optimal performance.

Integrated Peripherals Configuration

Configuration options for onboard peripherals like IDE, SATA, Audio, and LAN.

Power Management Setup

Settings to manage system power states and wake-up events.

PCI;PnP Setup

Configuration for PCI devices and Plug and Play (PnP) functionality.

PC Health Status Monitoring

Monitoring system voltages, temperatures, and fan speeds for hardware health.

Smart Fan Control

Controls and settings for the motherboard's intelligent fan speed management.

Frequency and Voltage Control

Adjustments for CPU and system clock speeds, voltages, and frequencies.

Load Default Settings

Option to load optimized default settings for the BIOS.

Supervisor Password Management

Setting or changing a supervisor password to protect BIOS access.

User Password Management

Setting or changing a user password for limited BIOS access.

Save and Exit BIOS Setup

Saving BIOS changes and exiting the setup utility.

Exit BIOS Without Saving

Discarding BIOS changes and exiting the setup utility.

Updating the BIOS Firmware

Procedure for downloading and installing updated BIOS firmware.

Using the Motherboard Software

Software DVD-ROM Overview

Overview of the support software included on the DVD-ROM/CD-ROM.

Auto-installing Software

Instructions for using the auto-install feature for drivers and software.

Running Software Setup

Step-by-step guide to install device drivers and motherboard software.

Manual Software Installation

Alternative method for installing drivers if the auto-install fails.

Utility Software Reference

Information on the provided utility software and licensing terms.

HDMI Audio Setup (XP)

Procedure for configuring HDMI audio output in Windows XP.

HDMI Audio Setup (Vista)

Steps to configure HDMI audio output settings in Windows Vista.

Hybrid Graphics Technology Support

Hybrid Graphics Technology Explained

Explanation of Hybrid Graphics technology for enhanced display performance.

Enabling Hybrid Graphics

Steps to enable Hybrid Graphics® by inserting a card, configuring BIOS, and using Catalyst Control Center.

Setting Up eJIFFY

eJIFFY Introduction

Overview of eJIFFY, a fast boot Linux program for quick access.

eJIFFY Installation and BIOS Setup

Steps for installing eJIFFY via DVD and activating it in the BIOS.

Language and Keyboard Setup

How to switch eJIFFY display and keyboard languages.

Entering eJIFFY OS

How to access the eJIFFY operating system during boot-up.

eJIFFY Feature Icons

Description of the main feature icons available in the eJIFFY menu.

eJIFFY Usage FAQ

Frequently asked questions and tips for using eJIFFY features.

Trouble Shooting

Start-up Problems During Assembly

Troubleshooting steps for issues encountered when first assembling the PC.

System No Power;Fans Not Running

Steps to diagnose issues when the system shows no power and fans are inactive.

No Display with Power On

Troubleshooting steps for no video output despite power and fan activity.

Sudden Shutdown During Boot

Diagnosing and resolving sudden system shutdowns during the boot process.

Start-up Problems After Prolonged Use

Resolving boot issues that may arise after the PC has been used for a period.

Maintenance and Care Tips

Basic tips for maintaining the motherboard to ensure longevity and performance.

Basic Troubleshooting Flowchart

A visual guide to diagnose and solve common PC startup problems.