Gigabyte GA-7VRX User manual

The author assumes no responsibility for any errors
or omissions that may appear in this document nor
does the author make a commitment to up
date the information contained herein.
Third-party brands and names are the property of
their respective owners.
Please do not remove any labels on motherboard, this
may void the warranty of this motherboard.
Due to rapid change in technology, some of the
specifications might be out of date before publication
of this booklet.
BeforeyouinstallPCIcards,pleaseremovetheDual
BIOS label from PCI slots if there is one.

Declaration of Conformity
We, Manufacturer/Importer
(full address)
G.B.T. Technology Träding GMbH
Ausschlager Weg 41, 1F, 20537 Hamburg, Germany
declare that the product
( description of the apparatus, system, installation to which it refers)
Mother Board
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP
is in conformity with
(reference to the specification under which conformity is declared)
in accordance with 89/336 EEC-EMC Directive
EN 55011 Limits and methods of measurement
of radio disturbance characteristics of
industrial,scientific and medical (ISM
high frequency equipment
EN 61000-3-2*
EN 60555-2 Disturbances in supply systems cause by household appliances and similar
electrical equipment “Harmonics”
EN 55013 Limits and methods of measurement
of radio disturbance characteristics of
broadcast receivers and associated
equipment
EN 61000-3-3* Disturbances in supply systems cause
by household appliances and similar
electrical equipment “Voltage fluctuations”
EN 55014 Limits and methods of measurement
of radio disturbance characteristics of
household electrical appliances,
portable tools and similar electrical
apparatus
EN 50081-1 Generic emission standard Part 1:
Residual commercial and light industry
EN 50082-1 Generic immunity standard Part 1:
Residual commercial and light industry
EN 55015 Limits and methods of measurement
of radio disturbance characteristics of
fluorescent lamps and luminaries
Generic emission standard Part 2:
Industrial environment
EN 55081-2
Immunity from radio interference of
broadcast receivers and associated
equipment
Generic emission standard Part 2:
Industrial environment
EN 55082-2
EN 55022 Limits and methods of measurement
of radio disturbance characteristics of
information technology equipment
lmmunity requirements for household
appliances tools and similar apparatus
ENV 55104
Cabled distribution systems; Equipment
for receiving and/or distribution from
sound and television signals
EMC requirements for uninterruptible
power systems (UPS)
EN50091-2
EN 55020
DIN VDE 0855
part 10
part 12
(EC conformity marking)
CE marking
The manufacturer also declares the conformity of above mentioned product
with the actual required safety standards in accordance with LVD 73/23 EEC
Safety requirements for mains operated
electronic and related apparatus for
household and similar general use
EN 60950
EN 60065
Safety of household and similar
electrical appliances
EN 60335
Manufacturer/Importer
Signature:
Name:
(Stamp) Date : Feb. 08, 2002
EN 60555-3
Timmy Huang
EN 50091-1
Timmy Huang

FCCPart15,SubpartB,Section15.107(a)and Section
15.109(a),ClassBDigitalDevice
DECLARATIONOFCONFORMITY
PerFCCPart2Section 2.1077(a)
ResponsiblePartyName:
Address:
Phone/FaxNo:
hereby declares that the product
ProductName:
Conforms to the following specifications:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not
causeharmful and(2)this device must acceptany inferencereceived,
including that may cause undesired operation.
Representative Person’s
Name: Signature: Eric Lu
SupplementaryInformation:
ModelNumber:
17358RailroadStreet
CityofIndustry,CA91748
G.B.T.INC.(U.S.A.)
[phone]/ [phone]
Motherboard
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP
Date:
ERIC LU
Feb.08,2002

USER’S MANUAL
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP
AMD SocketAProcessor Motherboard
AMDAthlon™ /Athlon™ XP/Duron™ SocketAProcessorMotherboard
Rev.1101
12ME-7VRX-1101

6
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP Motherboard
Table Of Content
Item Checklist .........................................................................................8
WARNING!...............................................................................................8
Chapter1Introduction.............................................................................9
Summary of Features ..................................................................................9
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP Motherboard Layout............................................... 11
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation Process..............................................12
Step 1: Install the Central Processing Unit (CPU).....................................13
Step1-1:CPUSpeedSetup ............................................................................................ 13
Step1-2:CPUInstallation ................................................................................................ 14
Step1-3:CPUHeatSinkInstallation................................................................................. 15
Step 2: Install memory modules................................................................16
Step 3: Install expansion cards .................................................................18
Step 4: Connect ribbon cables, cabinet wires, and power supply ...........19
Step4-1:I/OBackPanelIntroduction ................................................................................ 19
Step4-2:ConnectorsIntroduction ..................................................................................... 21
Chapter 3 BIOS Setup ..........................................................................26
The Main Menu (For example: BIOS Ver. :F4).........................................27
Standard CMOS Features.........................................................................29
BIOS Features Setup.................................................................................32
Chipset Features Setup.............................................................................35
Power Management Setup .......................................................................39
PNP/PCI Configuration..............................................................................42
Load Fail-Safe Defaults.............................................................................44

7
Table of Content
Load Optimized Defaults...........................................................................45
Integrated Peripherals ...............................................................................46
Hardware Monitor & MISC Setup..............................................................51
Set Supervisor / User Password ................................................................53
IDE HDDAuto Detection............................................................................54
Save&ExitSetup.......................................................................................55
Exit Without Saving ....................................................................................56
Chapter 4 Technical Reference ............................................................57
Block Diagram...........................................................................................57
Dual BIOS & Q-Flash Utility Introduction ..................................................58
SPDIF Introduction (For GA-7VRXP Only)................................................67
@ BIOS Introduction..................................................................................69
Easy TuneIIITM Introduction .......................................................................70
RAID Introduction.......................................................................................71
Chapter 5 Appendix..............................................................................89

8
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP Motherboard
ComputermotherboardsandexpansioncardscontainverydelicateIntegratedCircuit(IC)chips.To
protectthemagainstdamagefromstaticelectricity,youshouldfollowsomeprecautionswheneveryou
workonyourcomputer.
1. Unplugyourcomputerwhenworkingontheinside.
2. Useagroundedwriststrapbeforehandlingcomputercomponents.Ifyoudonothave
one,touchbothofyourhandstoasafelygroundedobjectortoametalobject,suchas
thepowersupplycase.
3. HoldcomponentsbytheedgesandtrynottouchtheICchips,leadsorconnectors,or
othercomponents.
4. Placecomponentsonagroundedantistaticpadoronthebagthatcamewiththe
componentswheneverthecomponentsareseparatedfromthesystem.
5. EnsurethattheATXpowersupplyisswitchedoffbeforeyoupluginorremovetheATX
powerconnectoronthemotherboard.
Ifthemotherboardhasmountingholes,buttheydon’tlineupwiththeholesonthebaseandthere
arenoslotstoattachthespacers,donotbecomealarmedyoucanstillattachthespacerstothemounting
holes.Justcutthebottomportionofthespacers(thespacermaybealittlehardtocutoff,sobecareful
ofyourhands).Inthiswayyoucanstillattachthemotherboardtothebasewithoutworryingaboutshort
circuits.Sometimesyoumayneedtousetheplasticspringstoisolatethescrewfromthemotherboard
PCBsurface,becausethecircuitwiremaybenearbythehole.Becareful,don’tletthescrewcontact
anyprintedcircuitwriteorpartsonthePCBthatarenearthefixinghole,otherwiseitmaydamagethe
boardorcauseboardmalfunctioning.
Installing the motherboard to the chassis…
WARNING!
TheGA-7VRX/GA-7VRXPmotherboard
IDE cable x 1/ Floppy cable x 1(7VRX)
IDE cable x 3/ Floppy cable x 1(7VRXP)
Item Checklist
CDformotherboarddriver&utility
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXPuser’smanual
USB Cable (only for GA-7VRXP)

9
Introduction
FormFactor 30.5cmx23.5cmATXsizeformfactor,4layersPCB.
Motherboard GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP Motherboard
CPU Socket Aprocessor
AMDAthlonTM/AthlonTM XP/DuronTM (K7)
128KL1&256K/64KL2cacheondie
200/266MHzFSBandDDRbusspeeds
Supports1.4GHzandfaster
Chipset VIA KT333 Memory/AGP/PCI Controller (PAC)
VIAVT8233A(CE) IntegratedPeripheralController(PSIPC)
Memory 3184-pinDDRsockets
SupportsDDRDRAMPC1600/PC2100/PC2700<Note1>
Supportsupto3.0GBDDR(Max)
Supports only 2.5V DDR DIMM
I/OControl IT8705
Slots 1AGPslotsupports4X/2Xmode&AGP2.0Compliant
5PCI slots supports 33MHz &PCI 2.2 compliant
On-BoardIDE 2 IDE controllers provides IDE HDD/CD-ROM (IDE1, IDE2) with
PIO,BusMaster(UltraDMA33/ATA66/ATA100/ATA133)
operationmodes.
IDE3andIDE4CompatiblewithRAID,UltraATA133/100,EIDE
On-BoardPeripherals 1Floppyportsupports2FDDwith360K,720K,1.2M,1.44M
and 2.88Mbytes.
1ParallelportsupportsNormal/EPP/ECPmode
2 Serial port (COMA & COMB)
4 x USB 2.0 by cable , 2 x USB 1.1 by cable and 2 x USB 1.1
onboard
1IrDAconnectorforIR
Chapter 1 Introduction
tobecontinued......
Summary of Features
"*"OnlyforGA-7VRXP.
<Note1>BecausethequalityofPC2700moduleisvaried,wedon’trecommendyoutouse
3pcsofPC2700moduleatthesametime.

10
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP Motherboard
On-BoardSound CreativeCT5880SoundChipset*
Sigmatel9721TCODEC
LineIn/LineOut/MicIn/CDIn/GamePort
On-BoardRAID* OnbardPromisePDC20276
Supportsdatastriping(RAID0)ormirroring(RAID1)
SupportsconcurrentdualIDEcontrolleroperation
SupportsIDEbusmasteroperation
Displaysstatusanderrorcheckingmessagesduringboot-up
Mirroringsupportsautomaticbackgroundrebuilds
FeaturesLBAandExtendedInterrupt13drivetranslationin
controlleronboardBIOS
On-BoardLAN* RealTek TRL8100BL
On-Board USB 2.0 VIAVT6202
On-Board MS,SD,SC* WinbondSMART@I/OChipset(MemoryStick,SecurityDigitaland
SCheader)
PS/2Connector PS/2KeyboardinterfaceandPS/2Mouseinterace
BIOS LicensedAMI BIOS, 2M bit flash ROM
SupportsDualBIOS
SupportsQ-Flash
AdditionalFeatures WakeonLAN(WOL)
Supports @BIOSTM
SupportsEasyTuneIIITM
PleasesettheCPUhostfrequencyinaccordancewithyourprocessor’s specifications.
Wedon’trecommendyoutosetthesystembusfrequencyovertheCPU’sspecification
becausethesespecificbusfrequenciesarenotthestandardspecificationsforCPU,
chipsetandmostoftheperipherals.Whetheryoursystemcanrununder these
specific busfrequenciesproperlywilldepend onyourhardware
configurations,includingCPU, Chipsets,SDRAM,Cards….etc.
"*"OnlyforGA-7VRXP.
HardwareMonitor CPU/SystemFanRevolutiondetect
CPU/Systemtemperaturedetect
SystemVoltageDetect

11
Hardware Installation Process
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP Motherboard Layout
"*"OnlyforGA-7VRXP. "**"OnlyforGA-7VRX.
"#"OnlyforGA-7VRX/GA-7VRXPPCBVer.1.1use.
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP
KB_MS
CK_RATIO
COMA
LPT
GAME
LINE_OUT
MIC_IN USB
IT8705
AC97**
CT5880*
BATTERY
Backup
BIOS
SYS
FAN
VT8233ACE
KT333
SOCKETA
CPU
FAN
ATX
FLOPPY
IDE1
IDE2
PCI1
PCI2
PCI3
RTL
8100BL*
PCI4
DDR1
AGP
SW1
F_USB1
LINE_IN
LAN*
COMB
CD_IN
PCI5
IR
MAIN
BIOS
DDR2
DDR3
WOL
F_AUDIO
F_USB3F_USB4
#CI(Optional)
PDC20276*
IDE4*
IDE3*
SD*
MS*
SC*
W83
L518D
VIA VT6202
USB 2.0
NB_FAN
F_PANEL
SC**
#CLR_CMOS

12
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP Motherboard
Tosetupyourcomputer,youmustcompletethefollowingsetps:
Step1-SetDipSwitch(CK_RATIO)andsystemSwitch(SW1)
Step2-InstalltheCentralProcessingUnit(CPU)
Step3-Installmemorymodules
Step4-Installexpansioncards
Step5-Connectribboncables,cabinetwires,andpowersupply
Step6-SetupBIOSsoftware
Step7-Installsupportingsoftwaretools
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation Process
Step 1
Step 4
Step 5
Step 5
Step 5
Step 1
Step 2 Step 3 Step 5

13
Hardware Installation Process
Step 1: Install the Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Step1-1:CPUSpeedSetup
TheclockratiocanbeswitchedbyCK_RATIOandreferto belowtable.
Thesystembusfrequencycanbeswitchedat100/
133MHzbyadjustingsystemswitch(SW1).
(TheinternalfrequencydependonCPU.)
DefaultSetting:Auto
(X X X X O)
O: ON / X :OFF
RATIO 1 2 3 4 5
AUTO(Default) X X X X O
5x O O X O X
5.5x X O X O X
6x O X X O X
6.5x X X X O X
7x O O O X X
7.5x X O O X X
8x O X O X X
8.5x X X O X X
9x O O X X X
9.5x X O X X X
10x O X X X X
10.5x X X X X X
11x O O O O X
11.5x X O O O X
12x O X O O X
>=12.5x X X O O X
O: ON / X :OFF
CLK_RATIO
1
ON
234
CK_RATIO
5
SW1 1:CPU CLOCK
1:ON 100MHz(Default)
1:OFF 133MHz
SW1
1
ON

14
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP Motherboard
Step1-2:CPUInstallation
CPU Top View CPU Bottom View
Socket ActuationLever
1. Pullup the CPUsocket lever
andupto90-degreeangle.
Pin1 indicator
2. LocatePin1inthesocketandlook
fora(golden)cutedgeontheCPU
uppercorner.TheninserttheCPU
intothesocket.
Please make sure the CPU type is supported by the motherboard.
If you do not match the CPU socket Pin 1 and CPU cut edge well, it will cause
improper installation. Please change the insert orientation.

15
Hardware Installation Process
Step1-3:CPUHeatSinkInstallation
3. Fastentheheatsinksupporting-base
ontotheCPUsocketonthemain-
board.
2. UsequalifiedfanapprovedbyAMD.
4. Makesure theCPU fan is
pluggedtotheCPUfan con-
nector,
thaninstallcomplete.
1. Press down the CPU socket
leverandfinishCPUinstallation.
Please use AMD approved cooling fan.
We recommend you to apply the thermal paste to provide better heat
conduction between your CPU and heatsink.
Make sure the CPU fan power cable is plugged in to the CPU fan connector,
this completes the installation.
Please refer to CPU heat sink user’s manual for more detail installation
procedure.

16
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP Motherboard
Step 2: Install memory modules
TotalMemorySizesWithRegisteredDDRDIMM
Devices used on DIMM 1 DIMMx64/x72 2 DIMMsx64/x72 3 DIMMsx64/x72
64Mbit(4Mx4x4banks) 256 MBytes 512 MBytes 768 MBytes
64Mbit(2Mx8x4banks) 128 MBytes 256 MBytes 384 MBytes
64Mbit(1Mx16x4banks) 64 MBytes 128 MBytes 192 MBytes
128Mbit(8Mx4x4banks) 512 MBytes 1 GBytes 1.5 GBytes
128Mbit(4Mx8x4banks) 256 MBytes 512 MBytes 768 MBytes
128Mbit(2Mx16x4banks) 128 MBytes 256 MBytes 384 MBytes
256Mbit(16Mx4x4banks) 1 GBytes 2 GBytes 3 GBytes
256Mbit(8Mx8x4banks) 512 MBytes 1 GBytes 1.5 GBytes
256Mbit(4Mx16x4banks) 256 MBytes 512 MBytes 768 MBytes
512Mbit(16Mx8x4banks) 1 GBytes 2 GBytes 3 GBytes
512Mbit(8Mx16x4banks) 512 MBytes 1 GBytes 1.5 GBytes
TotalMemorySizesWithUnbufferedDDRDIMM
Devices used on DIMM 1 DIMMx64/x72 2 DIMMsx64/x72 3 DIMMsx64/x72
64Mbit(2Mx8x4banks) 128 MBytes 256 MBytes 384 MBytes
64Mbit(1Mx16x4banks) 64 MBytes 128 MBytes 192 MBytes
128Mbit(4Mx8x4banks) 256 MBytes 512 MBytes 768 MBytes
128Mbit(2Mx16x4banks) 128 MBytes 256 MBytes 384 MBytes
256Mbit(8Mx8x4banks) 512 MBytes 1 GBytes 1.5 GBytes
256Mbit(4Mx16x4banks) 256 MBytes 512 MBytes 768 MBytes
512Mbit(16Mx8x4banks) 1 GBytes 2 GBytes 3 GBytes
512Mbit(8Mx16x4banks) 512 MBytes 1 GBytes 1.5 GBytes
Themotherboardhas3dualinlinememorymodule(DIMM)sockets.TheBIOSwillautomatically
detectsmemorytypeandsize.Toinstallthememorymodule,justpushitverticallyintotheDIMMSlot.
TheDIMMmodulecanonlyfitinonedirectionduetothenotch.Memorysizecanvarybetween
sockets.

17
Hardware Installation Process
DDR
When STR/DIMM LED is ON, do not install/remove DDR from socket.
1. TheDIMMslothasanotch,sothe
DIMMmemorymodulecanonlyfitinonedirection.
2. InserttheDIMMmemorymoduleverticallyintothe
DIMMslot.Thenpushitdown.
3. ClosetheplasticclipatbothedgesoftheDIMMslots
tolocktheDIMMmodule.
Reversetheinstallation stepswhenyouwish
to removetheDIMMmodule.
EstablishedontheexistingSDRAMindustryinfrastructure,DDR(DoubleDataRate)memoryisa
highperformanceandcost-effectivesolutionthatallowseasyadoptionformemoryvendors,OEMsand
systemintegrators.
DDR memory is a sensible evolutionary solution for the PC industry that builds on the existing
SDRAMinfrastructure,yetmakesawesomeadvancesinsolvingthesystemperformancebottleneckby
doublingthememorybandwidth.DDRSDRAMwillofferasuperiorsolutionandmigrationpathfrom
existing SDRAM designs due to its availability, pricing and overall market support. PC2100 DDR
memory(DDR266)doublesthedataratethroughreadingandwritingatboththerisingandfallingedgeof
theclock,achievingdatabandwidth2XgreaterthanPC133whenrunningwiththesameDRAMclock
frequency.Withpeakbandwidthof2.1GBpersecond,DDRmemoryenablessystemOEMstobuild
highperformanceandlowlatencyDRAMsubsystemsthataresuitableforservers,workstations,high-
end PC's and value desktop SMA systems. With a core voltage of only 2.5 Volts compared to
conventionalSDRAM's3.3volts,DDRmemoryisacompellingsolutionforsmallformfactordesktops
andnotebookapplications.
DDR Introduction

18
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP Motherboard
Step 3: Install expansion cards
1. Readtherelatedexpansioncard’sinstructiondocumentbeforeinstalltheexpansioncardinto
thecomputer.
2. Removeyourcomputer’schassiscover,screwsandslotbracketfromthecomputer.
3. Presstheexpansioncardfirmlyintoexpansionslotinmotherboard.
4. Besurethemetalcontactsonthecardareindeedseatedintheslot.
5. Replacethescrewtosecuretheslotbracketoftheexpansioncard.
6. Replaceyourcomputer’schassiscover.
7. Poweronthecomputer,ifnecessary,setupBIOSutilityofexpansioncardfromBIOS.
8. Installrelateddriverfromtheoperatingsystem.
AGP Card
Pleasecarefullypulloutthesmall white-
drawablebarattheendoftheAGPslotwhen
youtrytoinstall/UninstalltheAGPcard.
PleasealigntheAGPcardtotheonboard
AGPslotandpressfirmlydownontheslot
.Makesure yourAGPcard is locked bythe
smallwhite-drawablebar.

19
Hardware Installation Process
Step 4: Connect ribbon cables, cabinet wires, and power
supply
Step4-1:I/OBack PanelIntroduction
PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Connector
ThisconnectorsupportsstandardPS/2keyboard
andPS/2mouse.


USB & LAN Connector Beforeyouconnectyourdevice(s)intoUSB
connector(s),pleasemakesureyourdevice(s)
suchasUSBkeyboard,mouse,scanner,zip,
speaker..etc.HaveastandardUSBinterface.Also
make sure your OS (Win 95 with USB supple-
ment, Win98,Windows2000,Win-
dows ME, Win NT with SP 6) sup-
portsUSBcontroller.IfyourOS does
notsupportUSBcontroller,pleasecontact
OSvendorforpossiblepatchordriverupgrade.
FormoreinformationpleasecontactyourOSor
device(s)vendors.
USB 0
USB 1
LAN*
PS/2MouseConnector
(6pinFemale)
PS/2KeyboardConnector
(6pinFemale)
"*"OnlyforGA-7VRXP.

20
GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP Motherboard
Game /MIDI Ports
Audio Connectors
Thisconnectorsupportsjoystick,MIDIkeyboard
andotherrelateaudiodevices.
Afterinstallonboardaudiodriver, youmay
connectspeakertoLineOutjack,microphoneto
MICInjack.DevicelikeCD-ROM,walkmanetc
canbeconnectedtoLine-Injack.
LineIn
MIC In
LineOut
Parallel Port , Serial Ports (COMA / COMB)
Thisconnectorsupports2standardCOM ports
,1Parallelport.Devicelikeprintercanbecon
nectedtoParallelport;mouseandmodemetc
canbeconnectedtoSerialports.
Joystick/MIDI(15pinFemale)
ParallelPort
(25pinFemale)
COMA
SerialPort (9pinMale)
COMB