ECS NFORCE6M-A2

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 2.0
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, 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 NFORCE6M-A2 Specifications

General

Form Factor	ATX
Socket Type	AM2
Memory Type	DDR2
Memory Slots	4
Maximum RAM	8 GB
PCI Express x16 Slots	1
PCI Express x1 Slots	1
PCI Slots	2
USB Ports	8
Audio Chipset	Realtek ALC662
Audio Channels	6
LAN Chipset	Realtek RTL8201CL
LAN Speed	10/100 Mbps
VGA (D-Sub)	Yes
IDE	1 x IDE
SATA	4

Summary

Preface

Copyright

Copyright notice protecting the publication content, including text, images, and software.

Disclaimer

States that information is subject to change and disclaims implied warranties.

Trademark Recognition

Acknowledges registered trademarks of various companies like Microsoft and AMD.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Details FCC compliance for Class B digital devices, including interference guidelines.

Introducing the Motherboard

Introduction

Welcomes the user and introduces the NFORCE6M-A2 motherboard's features.

Motherboard Features and Components

Details the motherboard's processor, chipset, memory, audio, LAN, expansion, and I/O features.

Installing the Motherboard

Installation Safety and Preparation

Covers safety precautions, case selection, and motherboard mounting procedures.

Jumper Settings

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

Installing Hardware

Processor and Memory Installation

Guides on installing the CPU, cooler, and DDR3 RAM modules.

RAM Configuration Recommendations

Offers recommendations for optimal RAM module placement for performance.

Expansion Slots

Installing Add-on Cards

Explains how to install expansion cards into PCI and PCI Express slots.

Connecting Optional Devices

Front Panel Audio and SATA Connectors

Details headers for front panel audio and Serial ATA connectors.

Front Panel USB, CDIN, SPDIF Headers

Describes pinouts for front USB, analog audio input, and SPDIF output headers.

Optional Parallel and Serial Port Headers

Details pinouts for optional onboard parallel and serial port headers.

Installing Storage Devices

IDE and SATA Device Basics

Explains IDE channels, connectors, and SATA connector basics.

Floppy Drive Installation

Provides instructions for connecting a floppy diskette drive.

Connecting IO Devices

Rear Panel IO Port Usage

Explains the function of PS/2, Serial, LAN, USB, and Audio ports.

Connecting Case Components

Power Cable Connections

Instructions for connecting the ATX 24-pin and 4-pin power cables.

Front Panel Header Connections

LEDs and Switches

Details connections for Hard Drive LEDs, Power/Sleep LEDs, Reset, and Power switches.

Using BIOS

BIOS Utility Overview and Navigation

Introduces the BIOS Setup Utility, navigation keys, and basic configuration concepts.

System Configuration Settings

Covers Standard CMOS, Advanced, Chipset, Peripherals, Power Management, PCI/PnP, and Frequency/Voltage controls.

Hardware Monitoring and Security

Monitors hardware health, sets fan speeds, and manages BIOS passwords.

Saving and Exiting BIOS

Describes how to load defaults, save changes, or exit without saving.

Updating the BIOS

BIOS Update Procedure

Step-by-step guide for downloading and installing updated BIOS for the motherboard.

Using Motherboard Software

Software Installation

Covers automatic and manual installation of drivers and utilities from the support disc.

Setting Up NVIDIA RAID Configuration

RAID Configuration in BIOS

Guides on setting SATA mode to RAID and configuring RAID arrays via BIOS.

Installing RAID Drivers

Steps for installing NVIDIA RAID drivers during Windows setup.

Setting Up eJIFFY

eJIFFY Introduction and Setup

Introduces eJIFFY, its features, and guides through installation and configuration.

eJIFFY Usage and Language Settings

Explains eJIFFY feature icons, usage, and language settings.

Trouble Shooting

Start-up and Assembly Issues

Addresses common start-up problems during PC assembly and after prolonged use.

Maintenance and Care Tips

Provides basic care tips to prolong motherboard life and ensure optimal performance.

Troubleshooting Flowchart

A visual guide to diagnose and resolve common PC boot and display issues.