Biostar P31-A7 User guide

P31-A7 Setup Manual
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
Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................... 1
1.1 Before You Start.........................................................................................1
1.2 Package Checklist .....................................................................................1
1.3 Motherboard Features..............................................................................2
1.4 Rear Panel Connectors..............................................................................3
1.5 Motherboard Layout.................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Hardware Installation ........................................... 5
2.1 Installing Central Processing Unit (CPU) ...............................................5
2.2 FAN Headers..............................................................................................7
2.3 Installing System Memory ........................................................................8
2.4 Connectors and Slots................................................................................10
Chapter 3: Headers & Jumpers Setup ................................... 12
3.1 How to Setup Jumpers ............................................................................12
3.2 Detail Settings..........................................................................................12
Chapter 4: Useful Help .......................................................... 18
4.1 Driver Installation Note..........................................................................18
4.2 Award BIOS Beep Code ..........................................................................19
4.3 Extra Information....................................................................................19
4.4 Troubleshooting.......................................................................................20
Appendencies: SPEC In Other Language ............................... 22
German .................................................................................................................22
France....................................................................................................................24
Italian ....................................................................................................................26
Spanish ..................................................................................................................28
Portuguese............................................................................................................30
Polish .....................................................................................................................32
Russian ..................................................................................................................34
Arabic ....................................................................................................................36
Japanese................................................................................................................38

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 BEFORE YOU START
Thank you for choosing our product. Before you start installing the
motherboard, please make sure you follow the instructions below:
Prepare a dry and stable working environment with
sufficient lighting.
Always disconnect the computer from power outlet
before operation.
Before you take the motherboard out from anti-static
bag, ground yourself properly by touching any safely
grounded appliance, or use grounded wrist strap to
remove the static charge.
Avoid touching the components on motherboard or the
rear side of the board unless necessary. Hold the board
on the edge, do not try to bend or flex the board.
Do not leave any unfastened small parts inside the
case after installation.
Loose parts will cause short circuits which may
damage the equipment.
Keep the computer from dangerous area, such as heat
source, humid air and water.
1.2 PACKAGE CHECKLIST
HDD Cable X 1
Serial ATA Cable X 1
Rear I/O Panel for ATX Case X 1
User’s Manual X 1
Fully Setup Driver CD X 1
FDD Cable X 1 (optional)
USB 2.0 Cable X1 (optional)
S/PDIF Cable X 1 (optional)
Note: The package contents may differ by area or your motherboard version.

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1.3 MOTHERBOARD FEATURES
SPEC
CPU
LGA 775
Intel Core2Duo / Core2Quad / Celeron 4xx
/ Pentium D / Pentium 4 / Celeron D
processor
Supports Hyper-Threading / Execute Disable Bit /
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® / Intel Architecture-64 /
Extended Memory 64 Technology / Virtualization
Technology
FSB Support 533 / 800 / 1066 / 1333 MHz
Chipset
Intel P31
Intel ICH7
Super I/O
ITE 8712F
Provides the most commonly used legacy
Super I/O functionality.
Low Pin Count Interface
Environment Control initiatives,
Hardware Monitor Controller
Fan Speed Controller
ITE's "Smart Guardian" function
Main
Memory
DIMM Slots x 2
Each DIMM supports 256MB / 512MB /
1GB / 2GB DDR2
Max Memory Capicity 4GB
Dual Channel Mode DDR2 memory module
Supports DDR2 800/667
Supports DDR2 533 (with FSB 533/1066 CPU)
Registered DIMM and ECC DIMM is not supported
IDE Integrated IDE Controller
Ultra DMA 33 / 66 / 100 Bus Master Mode
supports PIO Mode 0~4
SATA 2 Integrated Serial ATA Controller
Data transfer rates up to 3.0 Gb/s.
SATA Version 2.0 specification compliant
LAN Realtek RTL 8111C / 8101E (optional)
10 / 100 Mb/s / 1Gb/s auto negotiation (Gigabit
bandwidth is for RTL 8111C only)
Half / Full duplex capability
Sound
Codec
ALC662
5.1 channels audio out
High Definition Audio
PCI slot x3 Supports PCI expansion cards
PCI Express x 16 slot x1 Supports PCI-E x16 expansion cards
Slots
PCI Express x 1 slot x2 Supports PCI-E x1 expansion cards
Floppy connector x1 Each connector supports 2 Floppy drives
Printer Port Connector x1 Each connector supports 1 Printer port
On Board
Connector
IDE Connector x1 Each connector supports 2 IDE device

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SPEC
SATA Connector x4 Each connector supports 1 SATA devices
Front Panel Connector x1 Supports front panel facilities
Front Audio Connector x1 Supports front panel audio function
CD-in Connector x1 Supports CD audio-in function
S/PDIF out connector x1 Supports digital audio out function
CPU Fan header x1 CPU Fan power supply (with Smart Fan function)
System Fan header x1 System Fan Power supply
Clear CMOS header x1 Restore CMOS data to factory default
USB connector x2 Each connector supports 2 front panel USB ports
Power Connector (24pin) x1 Connects to Power supply
Power Connector (4pin) x1 Connects to Power supply
Back Panel
I/O
PS/2 Keyboard x1
PS/2 Mouse x1
Serial Port x1
LAN port x1
USB Port x4
Audio Jack x3
Connects to PS/2 Keyboard
Connects to PS/2 Mouse
Provide RS-232 Serial connection
Connect to RJ-45 ethernet cable
Connect to USB devices
Provide Audio-In/Out and microphone connection
Board Size 190 (W) x 305 (L) mm
OS Support Windows 2000 / XP / VISTA Biostar Reserves the right to add or remove support for
any OS with or without notice
1.4 REAR PANEL CONNECTORS
PS/2
Mouse
PS/2
Keyboard
USBX2USBX2
LAN
COM1
Line In/
Surround
Line Out
Mic In 1/
Bass/ Center
Since the audio chip supports High Definition Audio Specification, the function of each audio
jack can be defined by software. The input / output function of each audio jack listed above
represents the default setting. However, when connecting external microphone to the audio
port, please use the Line In (blue) and Mic In (Pink) audio jack.

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1.5 MOTHERBOARD LAYOUT
BIOS
DDR2_A1 DDR2_B1
FDD1
PEX16_1
PCI1
PCI2
JATXPWR2
JCFAN1
JATXPWR1
SATA1 SATA3
CODEC
JSFAN1
BAT1
LGA775
CPU1
JKBMS1
JRJ45USB1
JSPDIF_OUT1
IDE1
SATA2 SATA4
Super
I/O
JUSB1
PEX1_1
PCI3
JCMOS1
JPRNT1
JUSB4
JCDIN1
JAUDIOF1
JUSB3
JPANEL1
Intel
P31
Intel
ICH7
JAUDIO2
JCOM1
LAN
PEX1_2
JUSBV1
JUSBV2
Note: represents the 1■st pin.

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CHAPTER 2: HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2.1 INSTALLING CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
Special Notice:
Remove Pin Cap before installation, and make good preservation
for future use. When the CPU is removed, cover the Pin Cap on the
empty socket to ensure pin legs won’t be damaged.
Pin Cap
Step 1: Pull the socket locking lever out from the socket and then raise
the lever up to a 90-degree angle.

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Step 2: Look for the triangular cut edge on socket, and the golden dot on
CPU should point forwards this triangular cut edge. The CPU will
fit only in the correct orientation.
Step 2-1:
Step 2-2:
Step 3: Hold the CPU down firmly, and then lower the lever to locked
position to complete the installation.
Step 4: Put the CPU Fan and heatsink assembly on the CPU and buckle it
on the retention frame. Connect the CPU FAN power cable into
the JCFAN1. This completes the installation.

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2.2 FAN HEADERS
These fan headers support cooling-fans built in the computer. The fan
cable and connector may be different according to the fan manufacturer.
Connect the fan cable to the connector while matching the black wire to
pin#1.
JCFAN1: CPU Fan Header
Pin
Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
3 FAN RPM rate
sense
1
4
4 Smart Fan
Control
JSFAN1: System Fan Header
Pin
Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
JSFAN1
1
3
3 FAN RPM rate
sense
Note:
The JSFAN1 support 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 INSTALLING SYSTEM MEMORY
A. Memory Modules
DDR2_A1 DDR2_B1
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.

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B. Memory Capacity
DIMM Socket
Location DDR Module Total Memory Size
DDR2_A1 256MB/512MB/1GB/2GB
DDR2_B1 256MB/512MB/1GB/2GB
Max is 4B.
C. Dual Channel Memory installation
To trigger the Dual Channel function of the motherboard, the memory module
must meet the following requirements:
Install memory module of the same density in pairs, shown in the following
table.
Dual Channel Status DDR2_A1 DDR2_B1
Disabled O X
Disabled X O
Enabled O O
(O means memory installed, X means memory not installed.)
The DRAM bus width of the memory module must be the same (x8 or
x16)
D. FSB Supporting Table
According to the FSB frequency of the installed CPU, the motherboard could
support DDR2 533/667/800 modules. Please refer to the table below to find
out the proper RAM module that fits the FSB of the installed CPU.
FSB of CPU
DDR2 Module
FSB 533 FSB 800 FSB 1066 FSB1333
DDR2 533 O X O X
DDR2 667 O O O O
DDR2 800 O O O O
(O means supported, X means not supported.)

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2.4 CONNECTORS AND 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.
34
331
2
IDE1: Hard Disk Connector
The motherboard has a 32-bit Enhanced PCI IDE Controller that provides PIO
Mode 0~4, Bus Master, and Ultra DMA 33/66/100 functionality.
The IDE connector can connect a master and a slave drive, so you can connect
up to two hard disk drives.
1
240
39

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PEX16_1: PCI-Express x16 Slot
-PCI-Express 1.0a compliant.
-Maximum theoretical realized bandwidth of 4GB/s simultaneously per
direction, for an aggregate of 8GB/s totally.
PEX1_1/PEX1_2: PCI-Express x1 Slots
-PCI-Express 1.0a compliant.
-Maximum theoretical realized bandwidth of 250MB/s simultaneously per
direction, for an aggregate of 500MB/s totally.
-PCI-Express supports a raw bit-rate of 2.5GB/s on the data pins.
-2X bandwidth over the traditional PCI architecture.
PEX16_1
PEX1_1
PEX1_2
PCI1~PCI3: Peripheral Component Interconnect Slots
This motherboard is equipped with 3 standard PCI slots. PCI stands for
Peripheral Component Interconnect, and it is a bus standard for expansion
cards. This PCI slot is designated as 32 bits.
PCI3
PCI2
PCI1

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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
JPANEL1: Front Panel Header
This 16-pin connector includes Power-on, Reset, HDD LED, Power LED, and
speaker connection. It allows user to connect the PC case’s front panel switch
functions.
1
9
8
16
PWR_LED
On/Off
RST
HLED
SPK
++
+
-
-
Pin Assignment Function Pin Assignment Function
1 +5V 9 N/A
2N/A 10N/A
N/A
3 N/A 11 N/A N/A
4 Speaker
Speaker
Connector
12 Power LED (+)
5 HDD LED (+) 13 Power LED (+)
6 HDD LED (-)
Hard drive
LED 14 Power LED (-)
Power LED
7 Ground 15 Power button
8 Reset control Reset button 16 Ground Power-on button

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JATXPWR2: ATX Power Source Connector
This connector allows user to connect 24-pin power connector on the ATX
power supply.
1
12
13
24
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
13 +3.3V 1 +3.3V
14 -12V 2 +3.3V
15 Ground 3 Ground
16 PS_ON 4 +5V
17 Ground 5 Ground
18 Ground 6 +5V
19 Ground 7 Ground
20 NC 8 PW_OK
21 +5V 9 Standby Voltage+5V
22 +5V 10 +12V
23 +5V 11 +12V
24 Ground 12 +3.3V
JATXPWR1: 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
23
4
4 Ground

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JUSB3/JUSB4: Headers for USB 2.0 Ports at Front Panel
This header allows user to connect additional USB cable on the 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
1
2
9
10
JUSB3 JUSB4
10 NC
JAUDIOF1: Front Panel Audio Header
This header allows user to connect the front audio output cable with the PC front
panel. This header allows only HD audio front panel connector; AC’97 connector
is not acceptable.
Pin Assignment
1 Mic Left in
2 Ground
3 Mic Right in
4 GPIO
5 Right line in
6 Jack Sense
7 Front Sense
8 Key
9 Left line in
12
910
10 Jack Sense
JCDIN1: CD-ROM Audio-in Connector
This connector allows user to connect the audio source from the variaty devices,
like CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, PCI sound card, PCI TV turner card etc..
Pin
Assignment
1 Left Channel Input
2 Ground
3 Ground
1
4
4 Right Channel Input

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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 Procedures:
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.
SATA1~SATA4: Serial ATA Connectors
The motherboard has a PCI to SATA Controller with 4 channels SATA interface,
it satisfies the SATA 2.0 spec and with transfer rate of 3.0Gb/s.
Pin Assignment
1 Ground
2 TX+
3 TX-
4 Ground
5 RX-
6 RX+
1
4
7
SATA1 SATA2 SATA3 SATA4
7 Ground

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JSPDIF_OUT1: Digital Audio-out Connector (Optional)
This connector allows user to connect the PCI bracket SPDIF output header.
Pin Assignment
1 +5V
2 SPDIF_OUT
13
3 Ground
JUSBV1/JUSBV2: Power Source Headers for USB Ports
Pin 1-2 Close:
JUSBV1: +5V for USB ports at JUSB1/JRJ45USB1.
JUSBV2: +5V for USB ports at front panel (JUSB3/JUSB4).
Pin 2-3 Close:
JUSBV1: USB ports at JUSB1/JRJ45USB1 are powered by +5V standby
voltage.
JUSBV2: USB ports at front panel (JUSB3/JUSB4) are powered by +5V
standby voltage.
1
3
Pin 1-2 close
1
3
JUSBV1
JUSBV2
13
1
3
Pin 2-3 close
Note:
In order to support this function “Power-On system via USB device,” “JUSBV1/ JUSBV2”
jumper cap should be placed on Pin 2-3 individually.

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JPRNT1: Printer Port Connector
This header allows you to connector printer on the PC.
1
2
25
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 -Strobe 14 Ground
2 -ALF 15 Data 6
3 Data 0 16 Ground
4 -Error 17 Data 7
5 Data 1 18 Ground
6 -Init 19 -ACK
7 Data 2 20 Ground
8 -Scltin 21 Busy
9 Data 3 22 Ground
10 Ground 23 PE
11 Data 4 24 Ground
12 Ground 25 SCLT
13 Data 5 26 Key

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CHAPTER 4: USEFUL HELP
4.1 DRIVER INSTALLATION NOTE
After you installed your operating system, please insert the Fully Setup
Driver CD into your optical drive and install the driver for better system
performance.
You will see the following window after you insert the CD
The setup guide will auto detect your motherboard and operating system.
Note:
If this window didn’t show up after you insert the Driver CD, please use file browser to
locate and execute the file SETUP.EXE under your optical drive.
A. Driver Installation
To install the driver, please click on the Driver icon. The setup guide will
list the compatible driver for your motherboard and operating system.
Click on each device driver to launch the installation program.
B. Software Installation
To install the software, please click on the Software icon. The setup guide
will list the software available for your system, click on each software title
to launch the installation program.
C. Manual
Aside from the paperback manual, we also provide manual in the Driver
CD. Click on the Manual icon to browse for available manual.
Note:
You will need Acrobat Reader to open the manual file. Please download the latest version
of Acrobat Reader software from
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html