Gigabyte GA-M68SM-S2L User manual

GA-M68SM-S2L
AM2 socket motherboard for
AMDAthlonTM 64 FX processor/
AMDAthlonTM 64 X2 Dual-Core processor/
AMD AthlonTM 64 processor/AMD SempronTM processor
User's Manual
Rev.1003
12ME-M68SMS2L-1003R

Oct. 2, 2007
Motherboard
GA-M68SM-S2L
Motherboard
GA-M68SM-S2L
Oct. 2, 2007

Copyright
©2008 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-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD as the exclu-
siveglobaldistributorofGIGABYTEbrandedmotherboards.
Disclaimer
Informationinthis manualisprotected bycopyrightlaws andistheproperty ofGIGABYTE.
ChangestothespecificationsandfeaturesinthismanualmaybemadebyGIGABYTEwithoutprior
notice. Nopartofthismanualmaybereproduced,copied,translated,transmitted,orpublishedinany
formorbyanymeanswithoutGIGABYTE'spriorwrittenpermission.
Documentation Classifications
Inordertoassistintheuseofthisproduct,GIGABYTEprovidesthefollowingtypesofdocumentations:
Fordetailedproductinformation,carefullyreadtheUser'sManual.
For instructions on how to use GIGABYTE's unique features, read or download the
informationon/fromtheSupport\Motherboard\TechnologyGuidepageonourwebsite.
Forproduct-relatedinformation,checkonourwebsiteat:
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw
Identifying Your Motherboard Revision
The revision number on your motherboard looks like this: "REV: X.X." For example, "REV: 1.0"
means the revision of the motherboard is 1.0. Check your motherboard revision before updating
motherboardBIOS,drivers,orwhenlookingfortechnicalinformation.
Example:

- 4 -
Table of Contents
BoxContents ................................................................................................................. 6
OptionalItems................................................................................................................. 6
GA-M68SM-S2LMotherboardLayout ........................................................................... 7
BlockDiagram................................................................................................................ 8
Chapter 1 HardwareInstallation .................................................................................... 9
1-1 InstallationPrecautions ..................................................................................... 9
1-2 ProductSpecifications .................................................................................... 10
1-3 Installing the CPU and CPU Cooler.............................................................. 12
1-3-1 Installing the CPU ................................................................................................ 12
1-3-2 Installing the CPU Cooler ................................................................................... 14
1-4 InstallingtheMemory ..................................................................................... 15
1-4-1 Dual Channel Memory Configuration................................................................ 15
1-4-2 Installing a Memory............................................................................................. 16
1-5 Installingan ExpansionCard ......................................................................... 17
1-6 BackPanel Connectors ................................................................................. 18
1-7 InternalConnectors ........................................................................................ 20
Chapter 2 BIOSSetup................................................................................................. 31
2-1 StartupScreen................................................................................................ 32
2-2 TheMainMenu .............................................................................................. 33
2-3 StandardCMOSFeatures ............................................................................. 35
2-4 Advanced BIOS Features.............................................................................. 37
2-5 IntegratedPeripherals ..................................................................................... 39
2-6 PowerManagementSetup............................................................................. 43
2-7 PnP/PCIConfigurations................................................................................. 45
2-8 PCHealthStatus ........................................................................................... 46
2-9 LoadFail-SafeDefaults................................................................................... 48
2-10 LoadOptimizedDefaults ................................................................................. 48
2-11 Set Supervisor/User Password..................................................................... 49
2-12 Save & Exit Setup......................................................................................... 50
2-13 ExitWithoutSaving ....................................................................................... 50

- 5 -
Chapter 3 DriversInstallation ...................................................................................... 51
3-1 InstallingChipsetDrivers ............................................................................... 51
3-2 SoftwareApplications ..................................................................................... 52
3-3 DriverCDInformation .................................................................................... 52
3-4 HardwareInformation ..................................................................................... 53
3-5 Contact Us..................................................................................................... 53
Chapter 4 UniqueFeatures......................................................................................... 55
4-1 XpressRecovery2 ......................................................................................... 55
4-2 BIOS Update Utilities..................................................................................... 60
4-2-1 Updating the BIOS with the Q-Flash Utility...................................................... 60
4-2-2 Updating the BIOS with the @BIOS Utility ....................................................... 63
4-3 EasyTune5.................................................................................................... 65
4-4 WindowsVista ReadyBoost........................................................................... 66
Chapter 5 Appendix .................................................................................................... 67
5-1 ConfiguringSATAHardDrive(s) .................................................................... 67
5-1-1 Configuring the Onboard SATA Controller......................................................... 67
5-1-2 Making a SATA RAID/AHCI Driver Diskette ..................................................... 72
5-1-3 Installing the SATA RAID/AHCI Driver and Operating System ...................... 73
5-2 ConfiguringAudioInputandOutput................................................................. 78
5-2-1 Configuring 2/4/5.1-Channel Audio................................................................... 78
5-2-2 Installing the S/PDIF Out Cable (Optional) ....................................................... 81
5-2-3 Configuring Microphone Recording ................................................................... 83
5-2-4 Using the Sound Recorder................................................................................. 85
5-3 Troubleshooting............................................................................................... 86
5-3-1 Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................. 86
5-3-2 Troubleshooting Procedure ................................................................................ 87
RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 89

- 6 -
Box Contents
GA-M68SM-S2Lmotherboard
Motherboarddriverdisk
User'sManual
QuickInstallationGuide
OneIDE cable
Two SATA3Gb/s cables
I/O Shield
Theboxcontentsaboveare for reference only andtheactualitemsshalldepend on product package youobtain.
Thebox contentsare subject tochange withoutnotice.
Optional Items
2-portUSB2.0bracket (Part No. 12CR1-1UB030-51R)
2-portSATApower cable (PartNo.12CF1-2SERPW-01R)
COM port cable (Part No. 12CF1-1CM001-32R)
S/PDIF out cable (Part No. 12CR1-1SPOUT-02R)

- 7 -
GA-M68SM-S2L Motherboard Layout
KB_MS
Socket AM2
ATX
GA-M68SM-S2L
USB LAN
CD_IN
F_AUDIO
AUDIO
BIOS
FDD
PCIE_1
IDE
DDRII_1
DDRII_2
PCIE_16
PCI1
BATTERY
F_PANEL
CI
CODEC
ATX_12V
USB
COM
DVI
LPT
PWR_LED
F_USB1
CLR_CMOS
RTL
8211BL
CPU_FAN
SATAII0
SATAII3
SATAII1
F_USB2
F_USB3
PCI2
SPDIF_O SYS_FAN
nVIDIA®
GeForce 7025/
nForce 630a
SATAII2
VGA
IT8716

- 8 -
Block Diagram
PCI CLK
(33 MHz)
AMD
Socket AM2
CPU
CPU CLK+/-(200 MHz)
Hyper Transport
2 PCI
PCI Bus
1 PCI Express x1
PCI Express Bus
DDR2 800/667/533 MHzDIMM
Dual Channel Memory
4 SATA 3Gb/s
10 USB
Ports
ATA-133/100/66/33
IDE Channel
PCIe CLK
(100 MHz)
PCIe CLK
(100 MHz)
PCI Express x16
LPC BUS
Floppy
LPT Port
COM Port
PS/2 KB/Mouse
LAN
RJ45
RTL
8211BL
x1
D-Sub
DVI-D
IT8716
BIOS
Line-Out (Front Speaker Out)
MIC (Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out)
CODEC
Line-In (Rear Speaker Out)
SPDIF Out
nVIDIA®
GeForce 7025/
nForce 630a

Hardware Installation- 9 -
1-1 Installation Precautions
Themotherboardcontainsnumerousdelicateelectroniccircuitsandcomponentswhichcanbecome
damagedasaresult of electrostatic discharge(ESD).Priortoinstallation,carefully read the user's
manualandfollowtheseprocedures:
•Priortoinstallation,donotremoveorbreakmotherboardS/N(SerialNumber)stickeror
warrantystickerprovidedbyyourdealer.Thesestickersarerequiredforwarrantyvalidation.
•AlwaysremovetheACpowerby unpluggingthepowercordfromthepoweroutlet before
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-M68SM-S2L Motherboard - 10 -
1-2 Product Specifications
CPU Support for Socket AM2 processors:
AMD AthlonTM 64 FX processor/AMD AthlonTM 64 X2 Dual-Core processor/
AMD AthlonTM 64 processor/AMD SempronTM processor
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
Hyper Transport Bus 2000 MT/s
Chipset nVIDIA®GeForce 7025/nForce 630a chipset
Memory 2 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 8 GB of system memory (Note 1)
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for DDR2 800/667/533 MHz memory modules
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest memory support list.)
Audio Realtek AL662 codec
High Definition Audio
2/4/5.1-channel
Support for S/PDIF Out
Support for CD In
LAN RTL 8211BL chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Expansion Slots 1 x PCI Express x16 slot
1 x PCI Express x1 slot
2 x PCI slots
Storage Interface nVIDIA®GeForce 7025/nForce 630a chipset:
- 1 x IDE connector supportingATA-133/100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices
- 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors supporting up to 4 SATA 3Gb/s devices
- Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 , RAID 5 and JBOD
iTE IT8716 chip:
- 1 x floppy disk drive connector supporting up to 1 floppy disk drive
USB Integrated in the nVIDIA®GeForce 7025/nForce 630a chipset
Up to 10 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 on the back panel, 6 via the USB brackets
connected to the internal USB headers)
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
3 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
1 x serial port header
1 x chassis intrusion header
1 x power LED header

Hardware Installation- 11 -
Back Panel 1 x PS/2 keyboard port
Connectors 1 x PS/2 mouse port
1 x parallel port
1 x DVI-D 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 IT8716 chip
Hardware Monitor System voltage detection
CPU/System temperature detection
CPU/System fan speed detection
CPU/System overheating warning
CPU/System fan fail warning
CPU fan speed control(Note 2)
BIOS 1 x 4 Mbit flash
Use of licensed AWARD BIOS
PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI 1.0b
Unique Features Support for @BIOS
Support for Download Center
Support for Q-Flash
Support for EasyTune(Note 3)
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/2000
Form Factor Micro ATX form factor; 24.4cm x 22.5cm
(Note 1) Due to Windows Vista/XP 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical
memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than 4 GB.
(Note 2) Whether the CPU fan speed control function is supported will depend on the CPU you install.
(Note 3) Available functions in EasyTune may differ by motherboard model.

GA-M68SM-S2L Motherboard - 12 -
1-3 Installing the CPU and CPU Cooler
1-3-1 Installing the CPU
A. Locate the pin one (denoted by a small triangle) of the CPU socket and the CPU.
AM2CPU
AM2CPUSocket
A Small Triangle Mark
Denotes Pin One of the
Socket
ASmallTriangleMarking
Denotes CPU Pin One
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.
•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.

Hardware Installation- 13 -
Step 2:
Align the CPU pin one (small triangle marking)
with the triangle mark on the CPU socket and
gently insert the CPU into the socket. Make
sure that the CPU pins fit perfectly into their
holes. Once the CPU is positioned into its
socket, place one finger down on the middle of
the CPU, lowering the locking lever and latch-
ing it into the fully locked position.
Step 1:
Completely lift up the CPU socket locking lever.
CPU Socket Locking
Lever
Do not force the CPU into the CPU socket. The CPU cannot fit in if oriented incorrectly. Adjust
the CPU orientation if this occurs.
B. Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU into the motherboard CPU socket.
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.

GA-M68SM-S2L Motherboard - 14 -
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.
1-3-2 Installing the CPU Cooler
Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU cooler on the CPU. (The following procedure uses
the GIGABYTE cooler as the example.)
Step 1:
Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease
on the surface of the installed CPU.
Step 2:
Place the CPU cooler on the CPU.
Step 4:
Turn the cam handle from the left side to the
right side (as the picture above shows) to lock
into place. (Refer to your CPU cooler installa-
tion manual for instructions on installing the
cooler.)
Step 3:
Hook the CPU cooler clip to the mounting lug on
one side of the retention frame. On the other side,
push straight down on the the CPU cooler clip to
hook it to the mounting lug on the retention frame.
Step 5:
Finally, attach the power connector of the CPU
cooler to the CPU fan header (CPU_FAN) on
the motherboard.

Hardware Installation- 15 -
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 Dual Channel Memory Configuration
This motherboard provides two DDR2 memory sockets and supports Dual Channel
Technology. After the memory is installed, the BIOS will automatically detect the
specifications and capacity of the memory. Enabling Dual Channel memory mode
will double the original memory bandwidth.
The two DDR2 memory sockets are divided into two channels and each channel has two memory
sockets as following:
Channel 0: DDRII_1
Channel 1: DDRII_2
Due to CPU limitation, read the following guidelines before installing the memory in Dual Channel mode.
1. Dual Channel mode cannot be enabled if only one DDR2 memory module is installed.
2. When enabling Dual Channel mode with two memory modules, it is recommended that
memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used.
DDRII_1
DDRII_2

GA-M68SM-S2L Motherboard - 16 -
1-4-2 Installing a Memory
Notch
DDR2 DIMM
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.
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.
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 Installing an Expansion Card
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:
PCI Slot
PCI Express x1 Slot
PCI Express x16 Slot
•Installing a Graphics Card:
Gently push down on the top edge of the card
until it is fully inserted into the PCI Express x16
slot. Make sure the card is securely seated in
the slot and does not rock.
•Removing the Card:
Gently push back on the lever on the slot and then lift the card straight out
from the slot.

GA-M68SM-S2L Motherboard - 18 -
1-6 Back Panel Connectors
•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.
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 Gigabit Ethernet LAN port provides Internet connection at up to 1 Gbps data rate. The following
describes the states of the LAN port LEDs.
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.
DVI Port
The DVI-D port supports DVI-D specifictation. Connect a monitor that supports DVI-D connection to
this port.
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.
•This motherboard provides two ports for video output, DVI and D-Sub, and supports dual
view function.
•Due to an nVIDIA GeForce 7025/nForce 630a chipset limitation, the GA-M68SM-S2L
does not support dual view function via the graphics card installed in the PCI Express
x16 or PCI slot.
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
Orange 1 Gpbs data rate
Green 100 Mpbs data rate
Off 10 Mpbs data rate

Hardware Installation- 19 -
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."
Line In Jack (Blue)
The default line in jack. Use this audio jack for line in devices such as an optical drive, walkman, etc.
Line Out Jack (Front Speaker Out, 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.

GA-M68SM-S2L Motherboard - 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 (Power Connector)
3) CPU_FAN
4) SYS_FAN
5) FDD
6) IDE
7) SATAII0 / 1 / 2 / 3
8) PWR_LED
9) BATTERY
10) F_PANEL
11) F_AUDIO
12) CD_IN
13) SPDIF_O
14) F_USB1 / F_USB2 / F_USB3
15) COM
16) CI
17) CLR_CMOS
1
2
8
3
14
17
13
11
7
6
5
410
16
9
12
15