Gigabyte GA-73VM-S2 User manual

GA-73VM-S2
LGA775 socket motherboard for Intel®CoreTM processor family/
Intel®Pentium®processor family/Intel®Celeron®processor family
User's Manual
Rev.1003
12ME-73VMS2-1003R

Nov. 14, 2007
Motherboard
GA-73VM-S2
Motherboard
GA-73VM-S2
Nov. 14, 2007

Copyright
©2007 GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.All rights reserved.
Thetrademarksmentionedinthismanualarelegallyregisteredtotheirrespectiveowners.
The logo is exclusively licensed to GIGABYTE UNITED INC. by GIGA-BYTE
TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
GIGABYTE UNITED INC. is designated by GIGA-BYTETECHNOLOGYCO., LTD as the exclu-
siveglobaldistributorofGIGABYTEbrandedmotherboards.
Disclaimer
Informationinthismanualisprotected bycopyrightlaws andisthe propertyofGIGABYTE.
ChangestothespecificationsandfeaturesinthismanualmaybemadebyGIGABYTEwithoutprior
notice. Nopartofthismanualmaybereproduced,copied,translated,transmitted,orpublishedinany
formorbyanymeanswithout GIGABYTE's prior written permission.
Documentation Classifications
Inordertoassistintheuseofthisproduct,GIGABYTEprovidesthefollowingtypesofdocumentations:
For detailed product information, carefully read the User's Manual.
For instructions on how to use GIGABYTE's unique features, read or download the information
on/from the Support\Motherboard\Technology Guide page on our website.
Forproduct-relatedinformation,checkonourwebsiteat:
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw
Identifying Your Motherboard Revision
Therevisionnumberonyourmotherboardlookslikethis:"REV:X.X."Forexample,"REV:1.0"means
therevisionofthemotherboardis1.0.Checkyourmotherboardrevisionbeforeupdatingmotherboard
BIOS,drivers,orwhenlookingfortechnicalinformation.
Example:

- 4 -
Table of Contents
BoxContents ................................................................................................................. 6
OptionalItems................................................................................................................. 6
GA-73VM-S2Motherboard Layout ................................................................................ 7
BlockDiagram................................................................................................................ 8
Chapter 1 HardwareInstallation .................................................................................... 9
1-1 InstallationPrecautions ..................................................................................... 9
1-2 ProductSpecifications .................................................................................... 10
1-3 Installing the CPU and CPU Cooler.............................................................. 13
1-3-1 Installing the CPU ................................................................................................ 13
1-3-2 Installing the CPU Cooler ................................................................................... 15
1-4 InstallingtheMemory ..................................................................................... 16
1-4-1 Installing a Memory............................................................................................. 16
1-5 InstallinganExpansionCard ......................................................................... 17
1-6 BackPanelConnectors ................................................................................. 18
1-7 InternalConnectors ........................................................................................ 20
Chapter 2 BIOSSetup................................................................................................. 29
2-1 StartupScreen................................................................................................ 30
2-2 TheMainMenu .............................................................................................. 31
2-3 StandardCMOSFeatures ............................................................................. 33
2-4 Advanced BIOS Features.............................................................................. 35
2-5 IntegratedPeripherals ..................................................................................... 38
2-6 PowerManagementSetup ............................................................................. 42
2-7 PnP/PCIConfigurations................................................................................. 44
2-8 PC HealthStatus ........................................................................................... 45
2-9 MBIntelligentTweaker(M.I.T.)....................................................................... 47
2-10 LoadFail-SafeDefaults................................................................................... 50
2-11 LoadOptimizedDefaults ................................................................................. 50
2-12 Set Supervisor/User Password..................................................................... 51
2-13 Save & Exit Setup......................................................................................... 52
2-14 ExitWithoutSaving ....................................................................................... 52

- 5 -
Chapter 3 DriversInstallation ...................................................................................... 53
3-1 InstallingChipsetDrivers ............................................................................... 53
3-2 SoftwareApplications ..................................................................................... 54
3-3 DriverCDInformation .................................................................................... 54
3-4 HardwareInformation ..................................................................................... 55
3-5 Contact Us..................................................................................................... 55
Chapter 4 UniqueFeatures......................................................................................... 57
4-1 XpressRecovery2 ......................................................................................... 57
4-2 BIOS Update Utilities..................................................................................... 62
4-2-1 Updating the BIOS with the Q-Flash Utility...................................................... 62
4-2-2 Updating the BIOS with the @BIOS Utility ....................................................... 65
4-3 EasyTune5.................................................................................................... 67
4-4 WindowsVistaReadyBoost........................................................................... 68
Chapter 5 Appendix .................................................................................................... 69
5-1 ConfiguringSATAHard Drive(s) .................................................................... 69
5-1-1 Configuring the Onboard SATA Controller......................................................... 69
5-1-2 Making a SATA RAID/AHCI Driver Diskette ..................................................... 74
5-1-3 Installing the SATA RAID/AHCI Driver and Operating System ...................... 75
5-2 ConfiguringAudioInputandOutput................................................................. 80
5-2-1 Configuring 2/4/5.1-Channel Audio................................................................... 80
5-2-2 Installing the S/PDIFOut Cable (Optional)......................................................... 83
5-2-3 Configuring Microphone Recording ................................................................... 85
5-2-4 Using the Sound Recorder................................................................................. 87
5-3 Troubleshooting ............................................................................................... 88
5-3-1 Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................. 88
5-3-2 Troubleshooting Procedure ................................................................................ 89
RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 91

- 6 -
•Theboxcontentsaboveare for reference onlyandtheactualitems shall depend onproductpackageyouobtain.
Thebox contentsare subject to change withoutnotice.
•Themotherboardimageisforreferenceonly.
Box Contents
GA-73VM-S2motherboard
Motherboarddriverdisk
User'sManual
Intel®LGA775CPU InstallationGuide
OneIDEcableand one floppy diskdrivecable
TwoSATA3Gb/s cables
I/O Shield
Optional Items
2-portUSB2.0bracket (Part No.12CR1-1UB030-51R)
2-portSATApower cable(PartNo.12CF1-2SERPW-01R)
S/PDIF out cable (Part No. 12CR1-1SPOUT-02R)

- 7 -
GA-73VM-S2 Motherboard Layout
KB_MS CPU_FAN
LGA775
GA-73VM-S2
F_AUDIO
SYS_FAN
PCIE_16
BAT
IT8718
ATX_12V
USB LAN
AUDIO
LPT
R_USB
COMA
CLR_CMOS
FDD
VGA
CI
CD_IN
F_USB1
CODEC
SPDIF_O
BIOS
PCI1
PCI2
F_USB2
PCIE_1
RTL8201N
ATX
IDE
DDRII2
SATAII0
F_PANEL
PWR_LED
SATAII1 SATAII3
DDRII1
NVIDIA®
GeForce 7050/
nForce 610i
SATAII2

- 8 -
Block Diagram
LGA775
Processor
4 SATA 3Gb/s
LPC BUS
8 USB Ports
2 PCI
PCI Bus
LPT Port
BIOS
Floppy
COM Port
PS/2 KB/Mouse
IT8718
Host
Interface
DDR2 800/667/533 MHz
1 PCI Express x1
PCI Express Bus
PCIe CLK
(100 MHz)
x1
CPU CLK+/-
(333/266/200 MHz)
NVIDIA®
GeForce 7050/
nForce 610i
ATA-133/100/66/33
IDE Channel
LAN
RJ45
RTL
8201N
D-Sub
PCIe CLK
(100 MHz)
PCI Express x16
Line-Out(Front Speaker Out)
MIC(Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out)
Line-In(Rear Speaker Out)
SPDIF Out
CODEC
PCI CLK
(33 MHz)

Hardware Installation- 9 -
1-1 Installation Precautions
Themotherboardcontainsnumerousdelicateelectroniccircuitsandcomponentswhichcanbecome
damagedasaresult of electrostaticdischarge(ESD).Priorto installation, carefullyreadtheuser's
manualandfollowtheseprocedures:
•Priortoinstallation,donotremoveorbreakmotherboardS/N(SerialNumber)stickeror
warrantystickerprovidedbyyourdealer.Thesestickersarerequiredforwarrantyvalidation.
•AlwaysremovetheACpowerbyunpluggingthe powercordfrom thepoweroutletbefore
installingorremovingthemotherboardorotherhardwarecomponents.
•Whenconnectinghardwarecomponentstotheinternalconnectorsonthemotherboard,
makesuretheyareconnectedtightlyandsecurely.
•Whenhandlingthemotherboard,avoidtouchinganymetalleadsorconnectors.
•Itisbesttowearanelectrostaticdischarge(ESD)wriststrapwhenhandlingelectronic
componentssuchasamotherboard,CPUormemory.IfyoudonothaveanESDwriststrap,
keepyourhandsdryandfirsttouchametalobjecttoeliminatestaticelectricity.
•Priortoinstallingthemotherboard,pleasehaveitontopofanantistaticpadorwithinan
electrostaticshieldingcontainer.
•Beforeunpluggingthepowersupplycablefromthemotherboard,makesurethepowersupply
hasbeenturnedoff.
•Beforeturningonthepower,makesurethepowersupplyvoltagehasbeensetaccordingto
thelocalvoltagestandard.
•Beforeusingtheproduct,pleaseverifythatallcablesandpowerconnectorsofyourhardware
componentsareconnected.
•Topreventdamagetothemotherboard,donotallowscrewstocomeincontactwiththe
motherboardcircuitoritscomponents.
•Makesuretherearenoleftoverscrewsormetalcomponentsplacedonthemotherboardor
withinthecomputercasing.
•Donotplacethecomputersystemonanunevensurface
.
•Donotplacethecomputersysteminahigh-temperatureenvironment.
•Turningonthecomputerpowerduringtheinstallationprocesscanleadtodamagetosystem
componentsaswell asphysicalharm totheuser.
•Ifyouareuncertainaboutanyinstallationstepsorhaveaproblemrelatedtotheuseofthe
product,pleaseconsultacertifiedcomputertechnician.
Chapter 1 Hardware Installation

GA-73VM-S2 Motherboard - 10 -
1-2 Product Specifications
CPU Support for an Intel®CoreTM 2 Extreme processor/
Intel®CoreTM 2 Quad processor/Intel®CoreTM 2 Duo processor/
Intel®Pentium®processor Extreme Edition/Intel®Pentium®D processor/
Intel®Pentium®4 processor Extreme Edition/Intel®Pentium®4 processor/
Intel®Celeron®processor in the LGA 775 package
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
L2 cache varies with CPU
Front Side Bus 1333/1066/800 MHz FSB
Chipset NVIDIA®GeForce 7050/nForce 610i
Memory 2 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 4 GB of system memory
Support for DDR2 800/667/533 MHz memory modules
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest memory support list.)
Onboard Graphics Integrated in the NVIDIA®GeForce 7050/nForce 610i chipset
Audio Realtek ALC662 codec
High Definition Audio
2/4/5.1-channel
Support for S/PDIF Out
Support for CD In
LAN RTL8201N chip (10/100 Mbit)
Expansion Slots 1 x PCI Express x16 slot
1 x PCI Express x1 slot
2 x PCI slots
Storage Interface NVIDIA®GeForce 7050/nForce 610i chipset:
- 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors supporting up to 4 SATA 3Gb/s devices
- Support for SATARAID 0 and RAID 1
- 1 x IDE connector supportingATA-133/100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices
iTE IT8718 chip:
- 1 x floppy disk drive connector supporting up to 1 floppy disk drive
USB Integrated in the nVIDIA®GeForce 7050/nForce 610i chipset
Up to 8 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 on the back panel, 4 via the USB brackets
connected to the internal USB headers)

Hardware Installation- 11 -
Internal Connectors 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
1 x floppy disk drive connector
1 x IDE connector
4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors
1 x CPU fan header
1 x system fan header
1 x front panel header
1 x front panel audio header
1 x CD In connector
1 x S/PDIF Out header
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
1 x chassis intrusion header
1 x power LED header
Back Panel 1 x PS/2 keyboard port
Connectors 1 x PS/2 mouse port
1 x parallel port
1 x serial port
1 x D-Sub port
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 x RJ-45 port
3 x audio jacks (Line In/Line Out/Microphone)
I/O Controller iTE IT8718 chip
Hardware Monitor System voltage detection
CPU/System temperature detection
CPU/System fan speed detection
CPU overheating warning
CPU/System fan fail warning
CPU fan speed control
BIOS 1 x 4 Mbit flash
Use of licensed AWARD BIOS
PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI 1.0b

GA-73VM-S2 Motherboard - 12 -
Unique Features Support for @BIOS
Support for Download Center
Support for Q-Flash
Support for EasyTune(Note)
Support for Xpress Install
Support for Xpress Recovery2
Support for Virtual Dual BIOS
Bundled Software Norton Internet Security (OEM version)
Operating System Support for Microsoft®Windows®Vista/XP
Form Factor Micro ATX Form Factor; 24.4cm x 19.4cm
(Note) Available functions in Easytune may differ by motherboard model.

Hardware Installation- 13 -
1-3 Installing the CPU and CPU Cooler
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the CPU:
•Make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU.
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
•Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before
installing the CPU to prevent hardware damage.
•Locate the pin one of the CPU. The CPU cannot be inserted if oriented incorrectly. (Or you
may locate the notches on both sides of the CPU and alignment keys on the CPU socket.)
•Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on the surface of the CPU.
•Do not turn on the computer if the CPU cooler is not installed, otherwise overheating and
damage of the CPU may occur.
•Set the CPU host frequency in accordance with the CPU specifications. It is not recom-
mended that the system bus frequency be set beyond hardware specifications since it
does not meet the standard requirements for the peripherals. If you wish to set the fre-
quency beyond the standard specifications, please do so according to your hardware
specifications including the CPU, graphics card, memory, hard drive, etc.
1-3-1 Installing the CPU
A. Locate the alignment keys on the motherboard CPU socket and the notches on the CPU.
NotchNotch
AlignmentKey
AlignmentKey
LGA775CPU
LGA775CPUSocket
Pin One Corner of the CPU Socket
Triangle Pin One Marking on the CPU

GA-73VM-S2 Motherboard - 14 -
B. Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU into the motherboard CPU socket.
Step 2:
Remove the protective socket cover.
Before installing the CPU, make sure to turn off the computer and unplug the power
cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the CPU.
Step 1:
Completely raise the CPU socket lever.
Step 4:
Hold the CPU with your thumb and index
fingers. Align the CPU pin one marking (triangle)
with the pin one corner of the CPU socket (or
you may align the CPU notches with the socket
alignment keys) and gently insert the CPU
into position.
Step 3:
Lift the metal load plate on the CPU socket.
Step 5:
Once the CPU is properly inserted, replace
the load plate and push the CPU socket lever
back into its locked position.
CPU Socket Lever

Hardware Installation- 15 -
1-3-2 Installing the CPU Cooler
Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU cooler on the motherboard. (The following procedure
uses Intel®boxed cooler as the example cooler.)
Step 1:
Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease
on the surface of the installed CPU.
Step 3:
Place the cooler atop the CPU, aligning the
four push pins through the pin holes on the
motherboard. Push down on the push pins
diagonally.
Step 4:
You should hear a "click" when pushing down each
pushpin. Checkthatthe Male andFemale push pins
are joined closely. (Refer to your CPU cooler instal-
lation manual for instructions on installing the cooler.)
Use extreme care when removing the CPU cooler because the thermal grease/tape between
the CPU cooler and CPU may adhere to the CPU. Inadequately removing the CPU cooler may
damage the CPU.
Step 5:
After the installation, check the back of the
motherboard. If the push pin is inserted as the
picture above, the installation is complete.
Step 6:
Finally, attach the power connector of the CPU
cooler to the CPU fan header (CPU_FAN) on
the motherboard.
Male
Push Pin
Female
Push Pin
The Top
of Female
Push Pin
Direction of
the Arrow Sign
on the Male
Push Pin
Step 2:
Before installing the cooler, note the direction
of the arrow sign on the male push pin.
(Turning the push pin along the direction of
arrow is to remove the cooler, on the contrary,
is to install.)

GA-73VM-S2 Motherboard - 16 -
1-4 Installing the Memory
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the memory:
•Make sure that the motherboard supports the memory. It is recommended that memory of
the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used.
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest memory support list.)
•Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before
installing the memory to prevent hardware damage.
•Memory modules have a foolproof design. A memory module can be installed in only one
direction. If you are unable to insert the memory, switch the direction.
1-4-1 Installing a Memory
Notch
DDR2 DIMM
Before installing a memory module , make sure to turn off the computer and unplug
the power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the memory module.
DDR2 DIMMs are not compatible to DDR DIMMs. Be sure to install DDR2 DIMMs on
this motherboard.
A DDR2 memory module has a notch, so it can only fit in one direction. Follow the steps below to
correctly install your memory modules in the memory sockets.
Step 1:
Note the orientation of the memory module. Spread the retaining
clips at both ends of the memory socket. Place the memory
module on the socket. As indicated in the picture on the left,
place your fingers on the top edge of the memory, push down
on the memory and insert it vertically into the memory socket.
Step 2:
The clips at both ends of the socket will snap into place when
the memory module is securely inserted.

Hardware Installation- 17 -
1-5 InstallinganExpansionCard
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install an expansion card:
•Make sure the motherboard supports the expansion card. Carefully read the manual that
came with your expansion card.
•Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before
installing an expansion card to prevent hardware damage.
Follow the steps below to correctly install your expansion card in the expansion slot.
1. Locate an expansion slot that supports your card. Remove the metal slot cover from the chassis back panel.
2. Align the card with the slot, and press down on the card until it is fully seated in the slot.
3. Make sure the metal contacts on the card are completely inserted into the slot.
4. Secure the card's metal bracket to the chassis back panel with a screw.
5. After installing all expansion cards, replace the chassis cover(s).
6. Turn on your computer. If necessary, go to BIOS Setup to make any required BIOS changes for
your expansion card(s).
7. Install the driver provided with the expansion card in your operating system.
Example: Installing and Removing a PCI Express x16 Graphics Card:
•Installing a Graphics Card:
Gently insert the graphics card into the PCI Ex-
press x16 slot. Make sure the graphics card is
locked by the latch at the end of the PCI Ex-
press x16 slot.
•Removing the Card:
Press the white latch at the end of the PCI Express x16 slot to release the
card and then pull the card straight up from the slot.
PCI Express x1 Slot
PCI Slot
PCI Express x16 Slot

GA-73VM-S2 Motherboard - 18 -
1-6 Back Panel Connectors
PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Port
Use the upper port (green) to connect a PS/2 mouse and the lower port (purple) to connect a PS/2
keyboard.
Parallel Port
Use the parallel port to connect devices such as a printer, scanner and etc. The parallel port is also
called a printer port.
Serial Port
Use the serial port to connect devices such as a mouse, modem or other peripherals.
D-Sub Port
The D-Sub port supports a 15-pin D-Sub connector. Connect a monitor that supports D-Sub
connection to this port.
USB Port
The USB port supports the USB 2.0/1.1 specification. Use this port for USB devices such as an
USB keyboard/mouse, USB printer, USB flash drive and etc.
RJ-45 LAN Port
The Fast Ethernet LAN port provides Internet connection at up to 100 Mbps data rate. The following
describes the states of the LAN port LEDs.
•When removing the cable connected to a back panel connector, first remove the cable
from your device and then remove it from the motherboard.
•When removing the cable, pull it straight out from the connector. Do not rock it side to side
to prevent an electrical short inside the cable connector.
ActivityLED
Connection/
Speed LED
LAN Port
ActivityLED:
State Description
Blinking Data transmission or receiving is occurring
Off No data transmission or receiving is occurring
Connection/Speed LED:
State Description
Green 100 Mpbs data rate
Off 10 Mpbs data rate

Hardware Installation- 19 -
Line In Jack (Blue)
The default line in jack. Use this audio jack for line in devices such as an optical drive, walkman, etc.
LineOutJack (Green)
The default line out jack. Use this audio jack for a headphone or 2-channel speaker. This jack can
be used to connect front speakers in a 4/5.1-channel audio configuration.
Mic In Jack (Pink)
The default Mic in jack. Microphones must be connected to this jack.
Refer to the instructions on setting up a 2/4/5.1-channel audio configuration in Chapter 5,
"Configuring 2/4/5.1-Channel Audio."

Hardware Installation- 20 -
1-7 InternalConnectors
Read the following guidelines before connecting external devices:
•First make sure your devices are compliant with the connectors you wish to connect.
•Before installing the devices, be sure to turn off the devices and your computer. Unplug the
power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the devices.
•After installing the device and before turning on the computer, make sure the device cable
has been securely attached to the connector on the motherboard.
1) ATX_12V
2) ATX
3) CPU_FAN
4) SYS_FAN
5) FDD
6) IDE
7) SATAII0 / 1 / 2 / 3
8) PWR_LED
9) BAT
10) F_PANEL
11) F_AUDIO
12) CD_IN
13) SPDIF_O
14) F_USB1 / F_USB2
15) CLR_CMOS
16) CI
516
1
4
13 9
11
12
15 2
3
6
1014
7
8