Biostar NF4 Ultra-A9 User manual

NF4 Ultra-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 toPart15 oftheFCC 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 andspecially disclaims any impliedwarrantiesofmerchantability
or fitness for any purpose. Further the vendor reserves the right to revise this
publication and to make changes to the contents here withoutobligation 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 subjectto 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..................................................................10
2.3 Memory Modules Installation ........................................11
2.4 Connectors, & Slots .......................................................12
Chapter 3: Headers & Jumpers Setup...............................13
3.1 How to setup Jumpers...................................................13
3.2 Detail Settings...............................................................13
Chapter 4: Useful Help...........................................................19
4.1 Award BIOS Beep Code.................................................19
4.2 Troubleshooting............................................................19
Chapter 5: NVIDIA RAID Functions ....................................20
5.1 Operation System..........................................................20
5.2 Raid Arrays..................................................................20
5.3 How RAID Works.........................................................21
Chapter 6: WarpSpeeder™...................................................25
6.1 Introduction..................................................................25
6.2 System Requirement......................................................25
6.3 Installation....................................................................26
6.4 [WarpSpeeder™] includes 1 tray icon and 5panels..........27

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 MOTHERBOARD FEATURES
A. Hardware
CPU
SupportsSocket 939.
SupportsAMDAthlon 64 FX processor.
SupportsAMDAthlon 64 processor.
SupportsAMD Sempronprocessor.
AMD 64 architecture enablessimultaneous32 and64bit
computing.
SupportsHyperTransportTechnology.
SupportsAMD Cool’n’QuietTechnology.
Chipset
NVIDIAnForce4 CK8-04 Ultra:
-SupportsNVIDIAFirewall.
-SupportsGigabit Ethernet.
-Supports10 USB2.0 ports.
-SupportsNVIDIAnTune Utility.
-Supports NVIDIA Secure Networking Processor.
-Supports4 SATAports, each channel upto3Gb/s.
-Supports1 PCI-Expressx16 interface graphicsslot.
-SupportsNVIDIARAID functions, including RAID 0, RAID 1
andRAID 0+1.
-Supports4 IDEdiskdriveswith PIOMode5, Bride Mode
and Ultra DMA33/66/100/133BusMaster Mode.
-Compliant withAC’97 version2.3 specification.
-Complaintswith PCI-ExpressVersion 1.a specification.
Operating Systems
SupportsWindows2000 and WindowsXP.
Note: Do not support Windows 98SE and Windows ME.
SupportsSCO UNIX.

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Dimensions
ATXForm Factor:23.4cm (W) x 29.35cm (L)
Main Memory
Supports Dual Channel DDR.
Supports8 banksin total.
SupportsDDR333 and DDR400.
Maximummemory sizeis4GB.
DIMM Socket
Location DDR Module To tal Memo r y 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 4GB.
DDR Installation Notice:
Please followthe table below to install your DDR memory
module,or the system maynotbootup or may notfunction
properly.
“SS” represents Single Side DDR memory module.
“DS” represents Double Side DDR memory module.
Star sign “*” representsleave the DIMM socket empty.
DIMM1 SS/DS * SS/DS SS/DS
DIMM2 * * * SS/DS
DIMM3 * SS/DS SS/DS SS/DS
DIMM4 * * * SS/DS
On-board IDE
2 on-board connectorssupport 4IDEdiskdrives.
SupportsPIOmode 5,BlockMode and Ultra DMA
33/66/100/133busmastermode.
Serial ATA
4 on-board Serial ATAconnectorssupport 4serial ATA(SATA)
ports.
Compliant with SATA2.0 specification.
Data transfer ratesup to 3Gb/s.

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Slots
Three 32bitPCIbusmaster slots.
Two PCI-Expressx1 slots:
-PCI Express1.0a compliant.
-Bandwidth 250MB/s per direction.
OnePCI-Expressx16 slot.
-PCI Express1.0a compliant.
-Maximum theoretical realizedbandwidth of 4GB/s
simultaneouslyper direction,foran aggregateof8GB/s
totally.
OneXtremeGraphicsPort slot. (Seep.12 for detail information)
Super I/O
Chip: ITEIT8712F.
Low Pin Count Interface.
Providesthemost commonly usedlegacySuper I/O
functionality.
Environment Controlinitiatives,
-H/W Monitor
-FanSpeed Controller
-ITE's"Smart Guardian" function
On-board AC’97AudioSoundCodec
Chip: ALC850:
¾Compliant withAC’97 version2.3 specification.
¾Supports8 channelsaudio output
Chip:ALC655(optional):
¾Compliant withAC’97 version2.3 specification.
¾Supports6 channelsaudio output.
IEEE 1394A Chip(optional)
Chip: VIAVT6307.
Supports2 portswith transfer up to 400Mb/s.

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Gigabit EthernetLAN
NVIDIAGigabitMAC +VITESSE Gigabit PHY VSC8201.
Supports10 Mb/s, 100 Mb/sand 1Gb/sauto-negotiation.
Half/Full duplex capability.
Supportspersonal Firewall setup.
SupportsACPI power management.
Supports NVIDIAStreamThru technology
-Isochronouscontroller paired with HyperTransport results
infastest networkingperformance
Security
NVIDIA Networking Processor.
NVIDIA Firewall technology
-Native firewall solution, protectsthe PCfrom intrudersby
filtering unauthorized traffic.
Advanced features
-Remoteaccess, configuration,monitoring
-Command line interface(CLI)
-WMI scripts.
NVIDIAActive Armor
-Enhance networksecurity, andproviding usersan
environment withbothfast and secure.
Storage
NVIDIA RAIDTechnology
-RAID 0 disk striping for highest system and application
performance
-RAID 1 diskmirroring support for fault tolerance
Support for bothSATAandATA-133 diskcontroller
standards
-RAID 0+1disk striping and mirroring for highest
performance withfault tolerance

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Internal On-board Connectorsand Headers
1 audio-outheader supportsaudio-out facilities.
1 front panel header supportsfrontpanel facilities.
1 CD-in connector supportsCD-ROM audio-in function.
1 SPDIF-out connector supportsdigital audio-out function.
1 SPDIF-in connector supportsdigital audio-infunction
(optional).
1 IEEE1394 header supports1 1394Firewireport (optional).
1 floppy connector supports2 FDD deviceswith360K,720K,
1.2M,1.44M and 2.88Mbytes.
2 IDE connectorssupport 4 IDEdiskdrives.
3 USBheaders support6 USB2.0 portsat frontpanel.
4 Serial ATAconnectorssupport 4SATAdevices.
Rear (Back Panel) Side Connectors
1 PS/2Mouse Port.
1 PS/2 Keyboard Port.
1 Printer Port.
1 Serial Port. (COM2 isoptional.)
1 1394 FirewirePort (optional).
1 RJ-45LANjack.
4 USB2.0 Ports.
6 audioportssupport8 channelsaudio-out facilities(with
ALC850).
PS/2
Mouse
PS/2
Keyboard
Printer Port
COM1 COM2
(optional)
1394 Port
(optional)
USB *2
LAN
Connector
US B *2
Center/Left
Rear
Si de
Line-in
Line-out
MIC-in

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3 audioportssupport6 channelsaudio-out facilities(with
ALC655,optional).
PS/2
Mouse
PS/2
Keyboard
Printer Port
COM1 COM2
(optional)
1394Port
(optional)
USB *2
LA
N
Connector
US B *2
Line-in/Rear
Line-out
MIC-in/
Center/
Left
B. BIOS & Software
BIOS
Awardlegal BIOS.
SupportsAPM1.2.
SupportsACPI.
SupportsUSB Function.
Bundled Software
Supports9thTouch™,WINFLASHER™and FLASHER™.
1.2 PACKAGE CHECKLIST
FDD Cable x 1
HDD Cable x 1
User’s Manual x 1
Serial ATACable x1
Fully Setup Driver CD x 1
Rear I/OPanel forATX Case x 1
S/PDIF Cable x1 (optional)
USB 2.0 Cable x1 (optional)
IEEE1394 Cable x 1 (optional)
Serial ATAPower Switch Cable x 1 (optional)

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1.3 LAYOUT &COMPONENTS
Socket 939
JKB MS1
JUSB LAN1
COM1
JCOM1
COM2
JCOM2
(op tio nal)
JPRNT1
J1394_USB1
EA RPHONEJACK1
JAUDI O2
JKBMSV1
J1394_USBV1
J1394PWR1
(optional)
JATXPWR2
JATXPWR1
PCI-EX16
XGP1
PCI1
PCI3
PCI2
BIOS
DIMM2 DIMM4
DI MM 1
DIMM3
IDE2
IDE1
JSATA1 JSATA2 JSATA3 JSATA4
FDD1
JCMOS1
JUSBV1
JCI1
JCFAN1
JNBFAN1
PCI-EX x1
PEX1-2
PCI-EX x1
PEX1-1
JUSB3JUSB2JUSB1
J1394A1
(optional)
JSFAN1
JS PDIF_OUT
JSPDI F_IN1
JC DIN1
BAT1
JPANEL1
Codec
nForce4
CK8-04
Ultra
GigaLAN
IEEE 1394
Chip
(optional)
Super I/O
CPU1
Note: ■representsthe 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 thelever sidewaysawayfrom the socket and thenraise the
lever up to a 90-degree angle.

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Step 3: Lookfortheblackcutedgeon socket, and thewhitedot on CPU
should pointforwardsthisblackcutedge.The CPU will fit onlyin
the correct orientation.
Step 4: Holdthe CPUdown firmly, and then close the lever tocomplete
theinstallation.
Step 5:Putthe CPU Fan ontheCPUand buckleit. ConnecttheCPU FAN
power cable to the JCFAN1.Thiscompletesthe installation.

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2.2 FAN HEADERS
CPU FAN Power Header: JCFAN1
Pin Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
13
3 FAN RPM rate sense
SystemFanPower Header: JSFAN1
Pin Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
13
3 FAN RPM rate sense
North Bridge Fan Power Header: JNBFAN1
Pin Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
13
3 FAN RPM rate sense
Note:
The JCFAN1, JSFAN1and JNBFAN1 support system coolingfan 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
2.2.1 DDR Moduleinstallation
1. Unlocka DIMM slotbypressing the retaining clipsoutward.Aligna
DIMM on the slotsuch thatthenotchonthe DIMM matchesthebreak
on theSlot.
2. Insert the DIMM verticallyand firmlyinto the slot until the retaining chip
snap backin placeand the DIMM isproperly seated.

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2.4 CONNECTORS,&SLOTS
Floppy Disk Connector: FDD1
The motherboardprovidesa standard floppydiskconnectorthat
supports360K,720K,1.2M,1.44M and 2.88M floppydisktypes. This
connector supportstheprovided floppy drive ribbon cables.
Hard Disk Connectors: IDE1/IDE2
The motherboardhasa32-bitEnhancedPCI IDE Controller that
providesPIOMode0~5, BusMaster, and Ultra DMA33/66/100/133
functionality. It has two HDD connectors IDE1 (primary) and IDE2
(secondary).
The IDEconnectorscan connectamaster and a slave drive, so you can
connectuptofourharddiskdrives. Thefirst harddrive shouldalwaysbe
connected to IDE1.
Peripheral Component Interconnect Slots: PCI1~PCI3
Thismotherboardisequipped with3 standard PCI slot. PCI standsfor
Peripheral Component Interconnect,and itisa busstandard for
expansion cards.ThisPCI slotisdesignated as32bits.
Xtreme GraphicsPort Slot:XGP1
ThisXGP (Xtreme GraphicsPort) slotisa special design thatonly
supportscompatible AGP VGA cards.
To install thesystem withanadd-on AGP VGA card, please make sure
toinstall the driverof add-on AGPVGA cardbefore onboardVGAdriver
installation. If the onboardVGA driver hasalreadybeen installed before
you install theadd-on AGPVGA card,thesystem will automatically set
theonboard VGA asthe primary graphicsadapter.
For theonboard VGAdrivercan’tbe removed completely,and to solve
thisproblem, please followthestepsbelow,
1. Disable onboard VGAutility under the operating system,and reboot
PC. After PC restarts, the system will automatically set theAGP
VGA card asthe graphicsadapter.
2. Re-install youroperating system toensure theAGPVGA card
function can be used.
Note:
Please go to “http://www.biostar.com.tw” for moredetailed information
aboutXGP compatible AGP cards.

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CHAPTER 3: HEADERS & JUMPERS SETUP
3.1 HOW TOSETUP JUMPERS
The illustration showshow to set upjumpers. When the jumper cap is
placed on pins, thejumperis“close”, ifnot, thatmeansthejumperis
“open”.
Pin opened Pin closed Pin1-2 closed
3.2 DETAILSETTINGS
ATXPower Source Connectors: JATXPWR1/JATXPWR2
JATXPWR1:Thisconnector allowsuser to connect 20-pin power
connectoron the ATXpower supply.
JATXPWR2: Byconnecting thisconnector, it will provide +12V to CPU
power circuit.
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 +3.3V 13 +3.3V
2 +3.3V 14 -12V
3 Ground 15 Ground
4 +5V 16 PS_ON
5 Ground 17 Ground
6 +5V 18 Ground
7 Ground 19 Ground
8 PW_OK 20 -5V
9 Standby Voltage +5V 21 +5V
10 +12V 22 +5V
11 +12V 23 +5V
1
12
13
24
JATXPWR1 12 Detect 24 Ground
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 +12V 3 Ground
1
23
4
JATXPWR2 2 +12V 4 Ground

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Power Source He aders for USB Ports: J1394_USBV1/JUSBV1
Assignment Description
1
3
Pin 1-2 close +5V
J1394_USBV1: +5V for USB ports at
J1394_USB1 and JUSBLAN1.
JUSBV1: +5V for front USB headers
(JUSB1/JUSB2/JUSB3).
1
3
Pin 2-3 close
+5V standby
Voltage
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.
Note:
In order tosupportthisfunction “Power-on system via USBdevice,”
“J1394_USBV1/JUSBV1”jumper cap should be placed on Pin2-3
individually.
PowerSource Headerfor PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse: JKBMSV1
Assignment Description
1
3
Pin 1-2 close +5V +5V for keyboard and mouse
1
3
Pin 2-3 close
+5V Standby
Voltage PS/2 keyboard and mouse are powered with +5V standby voltage.
Note:
In order tosupportthisfunction “Power-on system via keyboard and
mouse”, “JKBMSV1”jumper cap shouldbeplacedonPin 2-3.
CD-ROM Audio-in Connector: JCDIN1
Thisconnector allowsuser to connect theaudio 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
JCDIN1
4 Right channel input

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Front Panel Audio-out Header: JAUDIO2
This connector will allowuser to connect with the front audio out put
headerson the PC case. It will disable the output on back panel audio
connectors.
With ALC850 Audio Sound Codec:
12
13 14
Pin Assignment 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 12 Right line in
13 Left line in 14 Left line in
With ALC655 Audio Sound Codec (optional):
12
13 14
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 Stereo MIC-in R/ Center 2 Ground
3 StereoMIC-in L/ Bass 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/Rear speaker
Right 12 Right line in/Rear speaker
Right
13 Left line in/Rear speaker Left 14 Left line in/Rear speaker Left

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Digital Audio-out Connector: JSPDIF_OUT
This connector will allowuser to connect the PCI bracket SPDIFoutput
header.
Pin Assignment
1 +5V
2 SPDIF OUT
13
JSPDIF_OUT 3 Ground
Digital Audio-in Connector: JSPDIF_IN1 (optional)
This connector will allowuser to connect the PCI bracket SPDIFoutput
header.
Pin Assignment
1 +5V
2 SPDIF In
13
JSPDIF_IN1 3 Ground
PowerSource Headerfor 1394 Chip:J1394PWR1 (optional)
Assignment Description
1
3
Pin 1-2 close +3.3V +3.3V for 1394 chipset.
(Default)
1
3
Pin 2-3 close +3.3V SB +3.3V SB for 1394 chipset.
Headerfor1394 Firewire Portat Front Panel:J1394A1 (optional)
Thisconnector allowsuser to connect the front1394portfor digital
image devices.
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 A+ 2 A-
3 Ground 4 Ground
5 B+ 6 B-
7 +12v 8 +12V
1
210
9 Key 10 Ground

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Header for Front Panel Facilities: JPANEL1
This24-pin connectorincludesPower-on, Reset, HDD LED, PowerLED,
Sleep button, speaker and IrDA Connection.Itallowsuser to connect
thePC case’sfront panel switch functions.
1
2
23
24
JPANEL1
Pin Assignment Function Pin Assignment Function
1 +5V 2 Sleep control
3 N/A 4 Ground Sleep
button
5 N/A 6 N/A N/A
7 Speaker
Speaker
Connector 8 Power LED (+)
9 HDD LED (+) 10 Power LED (+)
11 HDD LED (-) Hard drive
LED 12 Power LED (-) Power LED
13 Ground 14 Power button
15 Reset control Reset
button 16 Ground Power-on button
17 N/A 18 Key
19 N/A 20 Key
21 +5V 22 Ground
23 IRTX
IrDA
Connector 24 IRRX
IrDA
Connector
Headers for USB Ports at Front Panel:JUSB1~JUSB3
Thisconnector allowsuser to connect additional USB cablesatPC front
panel, andalso canbeconnected withinternal USBdevices, like USB
card reader.
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 +5V (fused) 2 +5V (fused)
3 USB- 4 USB-
5 USB+ 6 USB+
7 Ground 8 Ground
1
210
9 Key 10 NC

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Close CMOS Header: JCMOS1
By placing the jumper on pin2-3,it allowsuser to restore the BIOS safe
setting andthe CMOS data, please carefullyfollow theproceduresto
avoiddamaging themotherboard.
JCMOS1 Assignment
1
3
Pin 1-2 close Normal Operation (Default).
1
3
Pin 2-3 close Clear CMOS data.
※Clear CMOS Procedures:
1. Remove AC powerline.
2. Set thejumper to “Pin2-3 close”.
3. Wait for five seconds.
4. Set thejumper to “Pin1-2 close”.
5. Power on the AC.
6. Reset your desiredpassword or clear the CMOSdata.
CaseOpen Header: JCI1
Thisconnector allowssystem to monitorPC case open status. If the
signal hasbeen triggered,it will record to the CMOS andshow the
message on nextboot-up.
Pin Assignment
1 Case open signal 12
JCI1 2 Ground
Serial ATA Connector: JSATA1~JSATA4
The motherboardhasaSATAControllerin nForce4 (CK8-04) with4
channelsSATAinterface,itsatisfiesthe SATA1.0spec and withtransfer
rate of 1.5Gb/s.
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 Ground 2 TX+
3 TX- 4 Ground
5 RX- 6 RX+
147
7 Ground