Biostar TA55A User guide

TA55A / A55A 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.
Dichiarazione di co nformità
sintetica
Ai sensi dell’art. 2 comma 3 del D.M.
275 del 30/10/2002
Si dichiara che questo prodotto è
conforme alle normative vigenti e
soddisfa i requisiti essenziali richiesti
dalle direttive
2004/108/CE, 2006/95/CE e
1999/05/CE
quando ad esso applicabili
Short Declaration of conf ormity
We declare this product is complying
with the laws in force and meeting all
the essential requirements as specified
by the directives
2004/108/CE, 2006/95/CE and
1999/05/CE
whenever these laws may be applied

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........................................... 13
3.1 How to Setup Jumpers .........................................................................13
3.2 Detail Settings......................................................................................13
Chapter 4: AMD DUAL Graphics Technology.................................. 17
4.1 AMD Dual Graphics Technology Introduction .....................................17
4.2 AMD Dual Graphics Requirement.......................................................17
4.3 AMD Dual Graphics Setup...................................................................18
Chapter 5: RAID Functions.......................................................... 19
5.1 Operating System................................................................................19
5.2 Raid Arrays..........................................................................................19
5.3 How RAID Works .................................................................................19
Chapter 6: Useful Help................................................................ 22
6.1 Driver Installation Note.......................................................................22
6.2 Software...............................................................................................23
6.3 Extra Information................................................................................27
6.4 AMI BIOS Beep Code............................................................................29
6.5 Troubleshooting...................................................................................30
Appendix: SPEC In Other Languages............................................ 32
German ....................................................................................................................32
French.......................................................................................................................34
Italian.......................................................................................................................36
Spanish .....................................................................................................................38
Portuguese ...............................................................................................................40
Polish........................................................................................................................42
Russian.....................................................................................................................44
Arabic.......................................................................................................................46
Japanese...................................................................................................................48

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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.
The operating temperatures of the computer should be
0 to 45 degrees Celsius.
1.2 PACKAGE CHECKLIST
Serial ATA Cable X2
Rear I/O Panel for ATX Case X1
User’s Manual X1
Fully Setup Driver DVD X1
Note: The package contents may be different due to area or your motherboard version.

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1.3 MOTHERBOARD FEATURES
SPEC
CPU Socket FM1
AMD A-Series / E2-Series processors
AMD 64 Architecture enables 32 and 64 bit
comput ing
Chipset AMD A55
Super I/O
ITE 8728
Provides the most commonly used legacy
Super I/O functionality
Low Pin Count Interface
Env ironm ent Cont rol in it iat ives
H/W Mon itor
Fan Sp eed Contro ller
ITE's "Smart Guardian " funct ion
Main
Memory
DDR3 DIMM Slots x 4
Max Memory Capacity 32GB
Each DIMM supports 512MB/
1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB DDR3
Dual Channel Mode DDR3 memory modu le
Supports DDR3 800/1066/1333/1600/1866
Registered D IMM and ECC DIMM is not supported
SATA II Integrated Serial ATA Controller
Data transfer rates up to 3 Gb/s.
SATA Version 2.0 specific at ion co mp liant.
RAID 0,1,10 support
LAN RTL8111E / RTL8111F
10 / 100 Mb/s / 1Gb/s auto negotiation
Half / Full duplex capability
Sound VT1708B / ALC662
5.1channels audio out
Supports HD Audio
PCI Express Gen2 x16 Slot x2 Supports PCI-E Gen2 x16, x4 expansion cards
PCI Express Gen2 x1 Slot x2 Supports PCI-E Gen2 x1 expansion cards
Slots
PCI S lot x2 Supports PCI expansion cards
SATA Connector x6 Each connector supports 1 SATA device
Front Panel Connector x1 Supports front panel facilities
Front Audio Connector x1 Supports front panel audio 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 x2 System Fan Power supply
On Board
Connectors
CMOS clear Header x1 Restore CMOS data to factory default

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SPEC
USB2.0 Connector x2 Each connector supports 2 front panel USB2.0 ports
Printer Port Connector x1 Each connector supports 1 Printer port
Power Connector (24-Pin) x1 Connects to Power supply
Power Connector (4-Pin) x1 Connects to Power supply
Back Panel
I/O
PS/2 Keyboard x1
PS/2 Mouse x1
Serial Port x1
VGA Port x1
DVI-D Port x1
LAN port x1
USB2.0 Port x4
Audio Jack x3
Connects to PS/2 Keyboard
Connects to PS/2 Mouse
Connects to RS-232 Port
Connect to D-SUB monitor
Connect to DVI monitor
Connect to RJ-45 ethernet cable
Connect to USB2.0 devices
Provide Audio-In/Out and Mic. connection
Board Size 220 mm (W) x 305 mm (L) ATX
OS Support
Windows XP / Vista / 7
Biostar reserves the right to add or remove support
for any OS With or without notice.
1.4 REAR PANEL CONNECTORS
DV I-D
V G A
PS/2
Mouse
P S/2
Keyboard
COM1 US B2 .0 X2USB 2.0 X2
LAN Line In/
Surround
Line Out
Mic In 1/
Bass/Center

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1.5 MOTHERBOARD LAYOUT
KBMS1
COM1
VGA
DVI
USB1
RJ45USB1
AUDIO1
ATXPWR2
LAN
Super
I/O
Codec
SYS_FAN2
PEX16_1
PEX1_1
PEX1_2
PEX16_2
PCI1
PCI2
F_AUDIO1
JSPDIFOUT1
J_PRINT1
SYS_FAN1
F_USB2 F_USB1 PA N EL1
BIOS
JCMOS1
SATA2
SATA1
SATA3
AMD
A55
BAT1
ATXPWR1
DDR3_A1 DDR3_A2 DB2DR3_ DDR3_B1
CPU_FAN1
Note: represents the 1■st pin.

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

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Step 3: Hold the CPU down firmly, and then close the lever toward direct
B to complete the installation.
Step 4: Put the CPU Fan on the CPU and buckle it. Connect the CPU
FAN power cable to the CPU_FAN1. 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.
CPU_FAN1: CPU Fan Header
Pin
Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
3 FAN R PM rate
sense
41
4 Smart Fan
Control (By Fan)
SYS_FAN1: System Fan Header
SYS_FAN2: NorthBridge Fan Header
Pin Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
SYS_FAN2
SYS_FAN1
1
3
13
3 FAN R PM
rate sense
Note:
CPU_FAN1, SYS_FAN1/2 support 4-pin and 3-pin head connectors. 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. DDR3 Modules
DDR3_A1 DDR3_A2 DDR3_B1 DB2DR 3_
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 DDR3 Module Total Mem ory Size
DDR3_A1 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB
DDR3_A2 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB
DDR3_B1 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB
DDR3_B2 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB
Max is 32GB.
C. Dual Channel Memory Installation
Please refer to the following requirements to activate Dual Channel function:
Install memory module of the same density in pairs, shown in the table.
Dual Channel Status DDR3_A1 DDR3_A2 DDR3_B1 DDR3_B2
Enabled O X O X
Enabled X O X O
Enabled O O 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. DDR Speed Support
Please refer to the following table for DDR speed reference:
# of DIMM per Channel # of Ranks per DIMM Max DDR Speed Grade
for 1.50V DIMM
1 of 1 UDIMM xR DDR3-1866
1 of 2 UDIMMs xR DDR3-1600
2 of 2 UDIMMs 1R, 1R DDR3-1600
2 of 2 UDIMMs 2R, xR DDR3-1333
Note:
xR: Single or double side memory moudule
1R: Single side memory moudule
2R: Double side memory moudule

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2.4 CONNECTORS AND SLOTS
SATA1~SATA6: Serial ATA Connectors
The motherboard has a PCI to SATA Controller with 6 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+
SATA1 SATA3
2SATA
7 Ground
ATXPWR2: AT X Power Source Connector
This connector provides +12V to CPU power circuit.
Pin Assignment
1 +12V
2 +12V
3 Ground
1
23
4
4 Ground

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ATXPWR1: AT X 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
Note:
Before you power on the system, please make sure that both ATXPWR1 and ATXPWR2
connectors have been plugged-in.
PCI1/PCI2: Peripheral Component Interconnect Slots
This motherboard is equipped with 2 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.
PCI 1
PCI 2

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PEX16_1: PCI-Express Gen2 x16 Slot
-PCI-Express 2.0 compliant.
-Maximum theoretical realized bandwidth of 8GB/s simultaneously per
direction, for an aggregate of 16GB/s totally.
-PCI-Express Gen2 supports a raw bit-rate of 5.0Gb/s on the data pins.
-2X bandwidth over the PCI-Express 1.1 architecture.
PEX1_1/PEX1_2: PCI-Express Gen2 x1 Slots
-PCI-Express 2.0 compliant.
-Data transfer bandwidth up to 500MB/s per direction; 1GB/s in total.
-PCI-Express supports a raw bit-rate of 2.5Gb/s on the data pins.
PEX16_2: PCI-Express Gen2 x4 Slot
-PCI-Express 2.0 compliant.
-Data transfer bandwidth up to 2GB/s per direction; 4GB/s in total.
-PCI-Express supports a raw bit-rate of 2.5Gb/s on the data pins.
PEX16_1
PEX1_1
PEX16_2
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
PANEL1: 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.
PWR_LED
RST
HLED
SPK
++
+
-
-
1
916
8
On/Off
Pin Assignment Function Pin Assignment Function
1 +5V 9 N/A
2 N/A 10 N/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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JCMOS1: Clear CMOS Header
Placing the jumper on pin2-3 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. Load Optimal Defaults and save settings in CMOS.
F_USB1/F_USB2: Headers for USB 2.0 Ports at Front Panel
These headers allow 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
F_ USB1USB2 F_
10 NC

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F_AUDIO1: Front Panel Audio Header
This header allows user to connect the front audio output cable with the PC front
panel. This header supports HD and AC’97 audio front panel connector.
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
10 Jack Sense
1
2
9
10
JSPDIFOUT1: Digital Audio-out Connector
This connector allows user to connect the PCI bracket SPDIF output header.
Pin Assignment
1 +5V
2 SPDIF_OUT
31
3 Ground

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J_PRINT1: Printer Port Connector
This header allows you to connector printer on the PC.
1
2
25
26
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: AMD DUAL GRAPHICS TECHNOLOGY
4.1 AMD DUAL GRAPHICS TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCTION
When user adds a PCIE display adapter, it can be integrated with IGD
to show better performance. To make the two video devices work
simultaneously and normally, please refer to the following setting.
4.2 AMD DUAL GRAPHICS REQUIREMENT
Operating System: Windows Vista / Windows 7
Supported DUAL Graphics Combinations:
APU
GFX
A4-Series
HD 6410D
A6-Series
HD 6530D
A8-Series”
HD 6550D
HD 6670 Attach Only (No DG) YY
HD 6570 Attach Only (No DG) YY
HD 6450 Y Y Y
HD 6350 Y Attach Only (No DG) Attach Only (No DG)
Note:
“Attach Only (No DG)” indicates supported discrete graphics attachment
without Dual Graphics.
E-Series CPU do not support Dual Graphics.
Notice:
Single Channel or unbalanced memory does not support Dual Graphic function.
Please use at least DDR3-1333 4G (2G+2G).
NOTE
The information described above in this manual is for your reference only and
the actual information and settings on board may be different from this manual.
For further AMD Dual Graphics information, please visit the following website:
http://www.amd.com

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4.3 AMD DUAL GRAPHICS SETUP
Step 1: Insert Dual Graphics-Ready graphics card into PEX16_1 slot.
Step 2: Set the BIOS setting as follows:
[Chipset]→[North Bridge]→[Surround View]→[Enabled]
Step 3: Install Driver CD Chipset Driver, and reboot the system. Activate AMD
VISION Engine Control Center to make sure CrossFire has been
enabled.