User manual ASUS M4A78 PRO

[. . . ] Motherboard M4A78 PRO E4341 First Edition V1 December 2008 Copyright © 2008 ASUSTeK Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing. ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, 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 USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT. [. . . ] These USB connectors comply with USB 2. 0 specification that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78, USB910, USB1112) Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. The USB 2. 0 module is purchased separately. 8. This connector is for a Floppy Disk Drive (FDD) signal cable. Insert one end of the cable to this connector, then connect the other end to the signal connector at the back of the floppy disk drive. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY) · Pin 5 on the connector is removed to prevent incorrect cable connection when using an FDD cable with a covered Pin 5. · The Floppy Disk Drive signal cable is purchased separately. Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-27 9. This connector allows you to receive stereo audio input from sound sources such as a CD-ROM, TV tuner, or MPEG card. Optical drive audio in connector (4-pin CD) 10. This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) ports. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) The S/PDIF module is purchased separately. 1-28 ASUS M4A78 PRO 11. This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports either High Definition Audio or AC`97 audio standard. Connect one end of the front panel audio I/O module cable to this connector. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) · We recommend that you connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector to avail of the motherboard high-definition audio capability. · If you want to connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector, ensure that the Front Panel Select item in the BIOS is set to [HD]. If you want to connect an AC'97 front panel audio module to this connector, set the item to [AC97]. See page 2-20 for details. 12. The connector is for a serial (COM) port. Connect the serial port module cable to the connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM1) The serial port bracket (COM1) is purchased separately. Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-29 ASUS Q-Connector (system panel) You can use the ASUS Q-Connector to connect/disconnect chassis front panel cables in a few steps. Refer to the labels on the Q-Connector to know the detailed pin definitions, then match them to the respective front panel cable labels. The labels of the front panel cables may differ from chassis made by different manufacturers. 2. Install the ASUS Q-Connector to the system panel connector, making sure the orientation matches the labels on the motherboard. 3. The front panel functions are now enabled. The figure shows the Q-Connector properly installed on the motherboard. 1-30 ASUS M4A78 PRO 1. 11 1. 11. 1 Software support Installing an operating system This motherboard supports Windows® XP/Vista Operating Systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to maximize the features of your hardware. · Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Use the setup procedures presented in this chapter for reference only. · Ensure that you install Windows® XP Service Pack 1 or later versions before installing the drivers for better compatibility and system stability. 1. 11. 2 The Support DVD that comes with the motherboard package contains the drivers, software applications, and utilities that you can install to avail all motherboard features. · The contents of the Support DVD are subject to change at any time without notice. · For detailed software instructions, see the Manual menu in the Support DVD or download the latest software manual from the ASUS website at www. asus. com. Support DVD information To run the Support DVD Place the Support DVD to the optical drive. The DVD automatically displays the Drivers menu if Autorun is enabled in your computer. The screen on the next page is used for reference only. Click an icon to display Support DVD/ motherboard information Click an item to install If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the Support DVD to locate the file ASSETUP. EXE from the BIN folder. Double-click the ASSETUP. EXE to run the DVD. Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-31 1-32 ASUS M4A78 PRO Chapter 2 BIOS information 2. 1 Managing and updating your BIOS Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a bootable floppy disk or a USB flash disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities. 2. 1. 1 1. 2. Creating a bootable floppy disk To create a bootable floppy disk Insert a formatted, high density 1. 44MB floppy disk to the floppy disk drive. At the DOS prompt, type formatA:/S then press <Enter>. DOS environment a. Select Create an MS-DOS startup disk from the format options field, then click Start. Windows® XP environment Windows® Vista environment a. Right-click Floppy Disk Drive then click Format to display the Format 3 1/2 Floppy dialog box. [. . . ] The ASUS Express Gate feature is a unique instant-on environment that provides quick access to the Internet browser and Skype. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Express Gate [Enabled] Enter OS Timer [10 Seconds] Sets countdown duration that the system waits at the Express Gate's first screen before starting Windows or other installed OS. Choose [Prompt User] to stay at the first screen of Express Gate for user action. Configuration options: [Prompt User] [1 second] [3 seconds] [5 seconds] [10 seconds] [15 seconds] [20 seconds] [30 seconds] 2-26 ASUS M4A78 PRO Reset User Data [No] Allows you to clear Express Gate's user data. [. . . ]