Biostar N4SLI-A9 User manual

N4SLI-A9
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FCC Information and Copyright
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of 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 installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. There
is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
The vendor makes no representations or warranties with respect to the
contents here and specially disclaims any implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for any purpose. Further the vendor reserves the
right to revise this publication and to make changes to the contents here
without obligation to notify any party beforehand.
Duplication of this publication, in part or in whole, is not allowed without first
obtaining the vendor’s approval in writing.
The content of this user’s manual is subject to be changed without notice and
we will not be responsible for any mistakes found in this user’s manual. All the
brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

Table of Contents
ii
Chapter 1: Introduction.....................................................1
1.1 Motherboard Features..............................................................1
1.2 Package Checklist...................................................................... 6
1.3 Layout & Components.............................................................7
Chapter 2: Hardware Installation.....................................8
2.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU)................................................ 8
2.2 Fan Headers............................................................................... 9
2.3 Memory Modules Installation...............................................10
2.4 Connectors & Slots..................................................................11
Chapter 3: Headers & Jumpers Setup...........................13
3.1 How to setup Jumpers............................................................13
3.2 Detail Settings..........................................................................13
Chapter 4: Useful Help....................................................20
4.1 Award BIOS Beep Code......................................................... 20
4.2 Extra Information....................................................................20
4.3 Troubleshooting......................................................................22
Chapter 5: NVIDIA SLI Function.....................................23
5.1 Requirements........................................................................... 23
5.2 Placing the SLI-NF4 Selector Card........................................23
5.3 Things to Notice......................................................................25
5.4 Installing SLI-Ready Graphics Cards................................... 25
5.5 Enabling Multi-GPU Feature in Windows ..........................27
Chapter 6: NVIDIA RAID Functions................................29
6.1 Operation System.................................................................... 29
6.2 Raid Arrays.............................................................................. 29
6.3 How RAID Works...................................................................29
Chapter 7: WarpSpeeder™.............................................32
7.1 Introduction.............................................................................32
7.2 System Requirement...............................................................32
7.3 Installation................................................................................33
7.4 [WarpSpeeder™] includes 1 tray icon and 5 panels ..........34

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 MOTHERBOARD FEATURES
A. Hardware
CPU
λSupports Socket 939.
λSupports AMD Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 processor.
λHyperTransport™ technology up to 2000MHz Full duplex
λAMD 64 architecture enables simultaneous 32 and 64 bit
computing.
λSupports HyperTransport™ and AMD Cool’n’Quiet™
Technology
Chipset
λNVIDIA nForce4 CK8-04 SLI:
- Supports NVIDIA Firewall.
- Supports Gigabit Ethernet.
- Supports 10 USB 2.0 ports.
- Supports NVIDIA nTune Utility.
- Supports NVIDIA Secure Networking Processor.
- Supports 2 PCI-Express x16 interface graphics cards.
- Supports 4 SATA 2.0 ports, each channel up to 3Gb/s.
- Supports NVIDIA RAID functions, including RAID 0, RAID 1
and RAID 0+1.
- Supports 4 IDE disk drives with PIO Mode 5, Bride Mode
and Ultra DMA 33/66/100/133 Bus Master Mode.
- Compliant with AC’97 version2.3 specification.
- Complaints with PCI-Express Version 1.a specification.
Operating Systems
λSupports Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Note: Do not support Windows 98SE and Windows ME.
Dimensions
λATX Form Factor: 29.4cm (L) x 24.35cm (W)
On-board IDE
λ2 on-board connectors support 4 IDE disk drives.
λSupports PIO mode 5, Block Mode and Ultra DMA
33/66/100/133 bus master mode.

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System Memory
λSupports Dual Channel DDR.
λSupports 8 banks in total.
λSupports DDR333 and DDR400.
λMaximum memory size is 4GB.
DIMM Socket
Location DDR Module Total Memory Size (MB)
DIMM1 128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB *1
DIMM2 128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB *1
DIMM3 128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB *1
DIMM4 128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB *1
Max is 4 GB.
Expansion Slots
λThree 32bit PCI bus master slots.
λNormal Mode PCI-Express slots:
- One PCI-Express x16 slot: PEX16-1.
- Three PCI-Express x1 slots: PEX16-2, PEX1-1 and
PEX1-2 slots
λSLI Mode PCI-Express slots:
- Two PCI-Express x8 slots: PEX16-1 and PEX16-2.
- Two PCI-Express x1 slots. PEX1-1 and PEX1-2.
Notice:
Normal Mode and SLI Mode are switched by SLI-NF4 selector card.
(Please read Chapter 5 for detail information.)
Gigabit Ethernet LAN
λNVIDIA Gigabit MAC + VITESSE Gigabit PHY VSC8201.
λSupports 10Mb/s, 100Mb/s and 1GB/s auto-negotiation.
λHalf/Full duplex capability.
λSupports personal Firewall setup.
λSupports ACPI power management.
On-board AC’97 Audio Sound Codec
λChip: ALC850:
λCompliant with AC’97 version2.3 specification.
λSupports 8 channels audio output.
IEEE 1394A Chip (optional)
λChip: VIA VT6307.
λSupports 2 ports with transfer up to 400Mb/s.

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Super I/O
λChip: ITE IT8712F.
λLow Pin Count Interface.
λProvides the most commonly used legacy Super I/O
functionality.
λEnvironment Control initiatives,
- H/W Monitor
- Fan Speed Controller
- ITE's "Smart Guardian" function
Serial ATA
λ4 on-board Serial ATA connectors support 4 serial ATA (SATA)
ports.
λSupports data transfer rates 1.5Gb/s or 3Gb/s.
λCompliant with SATA2.0 specification.
RAID Controller
λIntegrated in nForce4 CK8-04 SLI:
λNVIDIA RAID Technology:
- RAID 0 disk striping for highest system and application
performance
- RAID 1 disk mirroring support for fault tolerance
Support for both SATA and ATA-133 disk controller
standards
- RAID 0+1 disk striping and mirroring for highest
performance with fault tolerance
Security
λNVIDIA Network Management:
- Remote access, configuration, monitoring
- Command line interface (CLI)
- WMI scripts.
λNVIDIA Firewall technology:
- Native firewall solution, protects the PC from intruders by
filtering unauthorized traffic.
Internal On-board Connectors and Headers
λ1 audio-out header supports audio-out facilities.
λ1 front panel header supports front panel facilities.
λ1 CD-in connector supports CD-ROM audio-in function.
λ1 SPDIF-out connector supports digital audio-out function.

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λ1 IEEE1394A header supports 1 1394A Firewire port (optional).

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λ1 SPDIF-in connector supports digital audio-in function
(optional).
λ1 floppy connector supports 2 FDD devices with 360K, 720K,
1.2M, 1.44M and 2.88Mbytes.
λ2 IDE connectors support 4 IDE disk drives.
λ3 USB headers support 6 USB 2.0 ports at front panel.
λ4 Serial ATA connectors support 4 SATA 2.0 devices.
Rear (Back Panel) Side Connectors
λ1 Printer Port.
λ1 PS/2 Mouse Port.
λ1 PS/2 Keyboard Port.
λ1 Serial Port. (COM2 is optional.)
λ1 1394A Firewire Port (optional).
λ1 RJ-45 LAN jack.
λ4 USB 2.0 Ports.
λ6 audio ports support 8 channels audio-out facilities.
PS/2
Mouse
PS/2
Keyboard
Printer Port
COM1 COM2
(optional)
1394 Port
(optional)
USB *2
LAN
Connector
USB *2
Center/Left
Rear
Side
Line-in
Line-out
MIC-in
B. BIOS & Software
BIOS
λAward legal BIOS.
λSupports APM1.2.
λSupports ACPI.
λSupports USB Function.
Bundled Software
λSupports 9th Touch™, WINFLASHER™ and FLASHER™.

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1.2 PACKAGE CHECKLIST
λFDD Cable x 1
λHDD Cable x 1
λUser’s Manual x 1
λSerial ATA Cable x 1
λBRI-2 SLI Bridge x 1
λFully Setup Driver CD x 1
λRear I/O Panel for ATX Case x 1
λSLI-NF4 Selector Card x 1 (pre-installed)
λSPDIF Cable x 1 (optional)
λUSB 2.0 Cable x 1 (optional)
λRetention Bracket x 1 (optional)
λIEEE 1394A Cable x 1 (optional)
λSerial ATA Power Switch Cable x 1 (optional)

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1.3 LAYOUT & COMPONENTS
Socket 939
JKBMS1
JUSBLAN1
COM1
JCOM1
COM2
JCOM2
(o pt io nal )
JPRNT1
J1394_USB1
EARPHONEJ ACK1 JAUDI O2
JKBMSV1
J1394_USBV1
JATXPWR2
JATXPWR1
PEX16-2
PCI1
PCI3
PCI2
BIOS
DIMM2 DIMM4
DIMM1
DIMM3
IDE2 IDE1
JSATA1
JSATA2
JSATA3 JSATA4
FDD1
JCMOS1
JUSBV1
JCI1
JCFAN1
JNBFAN1
PEX1-1
PEX1-2
JUSB3
JUSB2
JUSB1
J1394A1
(optional)
JSPDIF_OUT
JSPDIF_IN1
(optional)
JCDIN1
BAT1
JPANEL1
Codec
nForce4
CK8-04
SLI
Giga LAN
IEEE 1394
Chip
(optional)
Super I/O
CPU1
JSFAN1 (optional)
JCI2
(optional)
J1394PWR1
(optional)
PEX16-1
SL I1
JPEXPWR1
Note: ■represents the 1st pin.

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CHAPTER 2: HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2.1 CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
Step 1: Remove the socket protection cap.
Step 2: Pull the lever toward direction A from the socket and then raise
the lever up to a 90-degree angle.
A
90
Step 3: Look for the white triangle on socket, and the gold triangle on
CPU should point forwards this white triangle. The CPU will fit
only in the correct orientation.

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Step 4: Hold the CPU down firmly, and then close the lever toward direct
B to complete the installation.
B
Step 5: Put the CPU Fan on the CPU and buckle it. Connect the CPU
FAN power cable to the JCFAN1. This completes the installation.
2.2 FAN HEADERS
JCFAN1: CPU FAN Power Header
JSFAN1: System Fan Power Header (optional)
JNBFAN1: Northbridge Fan Power Header
Pin Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
JCFAN1
JNBFAN1 JSFAN1
13
1
31
3
3 FAN RPM rate sense
(Only for JCFAN1 and
JSFAN1.)
Note:
The JCFAN1 and JSFAN1 support system cooling fan with Smart Fan Control
utility. It supports 3 pin head connector. When connecting with wires onto
connectors, please note that the red wire is the positive and should be connected
to pin#2, and the black wire is Ground and should be connected to GND.

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2.3 MEMORY MODULES INSTALLATION
DIMM2 DIMM 4
DIMM1
DIMM 3
2.2.1 DDR Module installation
1. Unlock a DIMM slot by pressing the
retaining clips outward. Align a DIMM on
the slot such that the notch on the DIMM
matches the break on the Slot.
2. Insert the DIMM vertically and firmly into
the slot until the retaining chip snap back
in place and the DIMM is properly seated.
2.2.2 DDR Installation Notice
λPlease follow the table below to install your DDR memory module, or
the system may not boot up or may not function properly.
λ“SS” represents Single Side DDR memory module.
λ“DS” represents Double Side DDR memory module.
λStar sign “*” represents leave the DIMM socket empty.
DIMM1 SS/DS * SS/DS * SS/DS
DIMM2 * * SS/DS * SS/DS
DIMM3 * SS/DS * SS/DS SS/DS
DIMM4 * * * SS/DS SS/DS

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2.4 CONNECTORS & SLOTS
FDD1: Floppy Disk Connector
The motherboard provides a standard floppy disk connector that
supports 360K, 720K, 1.2M, 1.44M and 2.88M floppy disk types.
This connector supports the provided floppy drive ribbon cables.
1
2
33
34
IDE1/IDE2: Hard Disk Connectors
The motherboard has two 32-bit Enhanced PCI IDE Controller that
provides PIO Mode 0~5, Bus Master, and Ultra DMA 33/66/100/133
functionality. It has two HDD connectors IDE1 (primary) and IDE2
(secondary). The IDE connectors can connect a master and a slave
drive, so you can connect up to four hard disk drives. The first hard
drive should always be connected to IDE1.
12
3940
IDE2 IDE1

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PCI1~PCI3: Peripheral Component Interconnect Slots
This motherboard is equipped with 3 standard PCI slot. PCI stands
for Peripheral Component Interconnect, and it is a bus standard for
expansion cards. This PCI slot is designated as 32 bits.
PCI1
PCI2
PCI3
PEX16-1/PEX16-2/PEX1-1/PEX1-2:PCI-Express Slots
PEX16-1 (Normal Mode):
- PCI Express 1.0a compliant.
- Maximum bandwidth is up to 4GB/s per direction.
PEX16-1/PEX1-1/PEX1-2 (Normal Mode):
- PCI Express 1.0a compliant.
- Maximum bandwidth is up to 250MB/s per direction.
PEX16-1/PEX16-2 (SLI Mode):
- PCI Express 1.0a compliant.
- Maximum bandwidth is up to 2GB/s per direction.
PEX16-1
PEX16-2
PEX1-1
PEX1-2

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CHAPTER 3: HEADERS & JUMPERS SETUP
3.1 HOW TO SETUP JUMPERS
The illustration shows how to set up jumpers. When the jumper cap is
placed on pins, the jumper is “close”, if not, that means the jumper is
“open”.
Pin opened Pin closed Pin1-2 closed
3.2 DETAIL SETTINGS
JATXPWR1/JATXPWR2: ATX Power Source Connectors
This connector allows user to connect 24-pin power connector on the ATX
power supply.
Pin Assignment
1 +3.3V
2 +3.3V
3 Ground
4 +5V
5 Ground
6 +5V
7 Ground
8 PW_OK
9 Standby Voltage+5V
10 +12V
11 +12V
12 Detect
13 +3.3V
14 -12V
15 Ground
16 PS_ON
17 Ground
18 Ground
19 Ground
20 -5V
21 +5V
22 +5V
23 +5V
1
12 24
13
24 Ground

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JATXPWR2: ATX Power Source Connector
By connecting this connector, it will provide +12V to CPU power circuit.
Pin
Assignment
1 +12V
2 +12V
3 Ground
1
2
4
3
4 Ground
JPEXPWR1:
PCI-Express x16 Slot Power
Source Connector
When SLI mode is enabled,
please plug in this PEX power
source connector to make sure
the system is working under a
stable environment. Please read
Chapter 5 for detail information.
JCDIN1: CD-ROM Audio-in Connector
This connector allows user to connect the audio source from the variety
devices, like CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, PCI sound card, PCI TV turner card etc..
Pin Assignment
1 Left channel input
2 Ground
3 Ground
14
4 Right channel input
+12V
Ground
Ground
VCC

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J1394_USBV1/JUSBV1: Power Source Headers for USB Ports
Pin 1-2 Close:
J1394_USBV1: +5V for USB ports at J1394_USB1 and JUSBLAN1.
JUSBV1: +5V for front USB headers (JUSB1/JUSB2/JUSB3).
Pin 2-3 Close:
J1394_USBV1: USB ports at J1394_USB1 and JUSBLAN1 are powered with
+5V standby voltage.
JUSBV1: Front USB headers (JUSB1/JUSB2/JUSB3) are powered with +5V
standby voltage.
1
3
1
3
Pin 1-2 Close
1
J1394_USBV1
3
JUSBV1
1
3
1
3
1
3
Pin 2-3 Close
Note: In order to support this function “Power-on system via USB device,”
“J1394_USBV1/JUSBV1” jumper cap should be placed on Pin 2-3 individually.
JKBMSV1: Power Source Header for PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse
Pin 1-2 Close: +5V for PS/2 keyboard and mouse..
Pin 2-3 Close: PS/2 keyboard and mouse are powered with +5V standby
voltage.
1
3
Pin 1-2 close
1
3
1
3
Pin 2-3 close
Note: In order to support this function “Power-on system via keyboard and mouse”,
“JKBMSV1” jumper cap should be placed on Pin 2-3.

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JSPDIF_OUT/JSPDIF_IN1: Digital Audio-out Connectors
(JSPDIF_IN1 is optional.)
These connectors allow user to connect the PCI bracket SPDIF output or input
header.
JSPDIF_OUT:
Pin Assignment
1 +5V
2 SPDIF OUT
3 Ground
JSPDIF_IN1:
Pin Assignment
1 +5V
2 SPDIF IN
1
313
13
JSPDIF_OUT
JSPDIF_IN1
3 Ground
JAUDIO2: Front Panel Audio-out Header
This connector will allow user to connect with the front audio out put headers on
the PC case. It will disable the output on back panel audio connectors.
Pin Assignment
1 MIC-in/
Stereo MIC-in R
2 Ground
3 Stereo MIC-in L
4 Audio power
5 Right line-out/
Speaker-out Right.
6 Right line-out/
Speaker-out Right
7 Reserved
8 Key
9 Left line-out/ Speaker-out
Left
10 Left line-out/ Speaker-out
Left
11 Right line-in (optional)
12 Right line-in (optional)
13 Left line-in (optional)
1
13 14
2
14 Left line-in (optional)

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J1394PWR1 (optional): Power Source Header for 1394 Chip
13
1
3
Pin 1-2 Close:
+3.3V for 1394 chipset (default).
1
3
Pin 2-3 Close:
+3.3V SB for 1394 chipset.
J1394A1 (optional): Header for 1394A Firewire Port at Front Panel
This header allows user to connect the front 1394 port for digital image devices.
Pin
Assignment
1 A+
2 A-
3 Ground
4 Ground
5 B+
6 B-
7 +12v
8 +12V
9 Key
19
10 2
10 Ground
JUSB1~JUSB3: Headers for USB Ports at Front Panel
This connector allows user to connect additional USB cables at PC front panel,
and also can be connected with internal USB devices, like USB card reader.
Pin
Assignment
1 +5V (fused)
2 +5V (fused)
3 USB-
4 USB-
5 USB+
6 USB+
7 Ground
8 Ground
9 Key
19
10 2
JUSB1
JUSB3
JUSB2
10 NC

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JCMOS1: Clear CMOS Header
By placing the jumper on pin2-3, it allows user to restore the BIOS safe setting
and the CMOS data, please carefully follow the procedures to avoid damaging
the motherboard.
13
Pin 1-2 close:
Normal Operation (Default).
13
13
Pin 2-3 close:
Clear CMOS data.
Clear CMOS Proced※
※※
※ures:
1. Remove AC power line.
2. Set the jumper to “Pin 2-3 close”.
3. Wait for five seconds.
4. Set the jumper to “Pin 1-2 close”.
5. Power on the AC.
6. Reset your desired password or clear the CMOS data.
JCI1/JCI2: Case Open Headers (JCI2 is optional.)
This connector allows system to monitor PC case open status. If the signal has
been triggered, it will record to the CMOS and show the message on next
boot-up.
Pin
Assignment
1 Case open signal
12
12
JCI1
JCI2
(o pt io na l)
2 Ground