XFX nForce 750a User manual

User Guide
XFX nForce 750a
SLI Motherboard

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 3
1.1 Package Checklist ...............................................................................................................
3
1.2 Specications ...................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Motherboard Layout ...............................................................................................................
5
1.4 Connecting Rear Panel I/O Devices ............................................................................. 6
Chapter 2 Hardware Setup ...................................................................................... 7
2.1 Choosing a Computer Chassis .............................................................................................. 7
2.2 Installing Motherboard ............................................................................................................
7
2.3 Installation of the CPU and CPU Cooler................................................................................ 8
2.3.1 Installation of the CPU ............................................................................................................ 8
2.3.2 Installation of the CPU Cooler .................................................................................................. 8
2.4 Installation of Memory Modules............................................................................................
9
2.5 Connecting Peripheral Devices............................................................................................. 10
2.5.1 Floppy and IDE Disk Drive Connectors ...................................................................................... 10
2.5.2 Serial ATA Connectors ............................................................................................................. 10
2.5.3 PCI and PCI Express slots ........................................................................................................ 10
Chapter 3 Jumpers & Headers Setup .................................................................... 11
3.1 Checking Jumper Settings ..................................................................................................
11
3.2 CMOS Memory Clearing Header .......................................................................................... 11
3.3 Keyboard Power Function(JKB) ........................................................................................... 11
3.4 FAN Power Connectors ....................................................................................................... 12
3.5 Front Panel Switches & Indicators Headers ......................................................................... . 12
3.6 Additional USB Port Headers .............................................................................................. . 13
3.7 Front Panel Audio Connection Header................................................................................... . 13
3.8 Serial Port Header(JCOM1).................................................................................................. 1 4
3.9 JDVI_HDMI Jumper Setting................................................................................................. 14
3.10 ATX Power Input Connectors ............................................................................................ . 15
3.11 RCA_SLC Jumper.............................................................................................................. . 15
3.12 SLI Jumper....................................................................................................................... . 16
Chapter 4 BIOS Setup Utility ................................................................................. 17
4.1 About BIOS Setup ............................................................................................................. 17
4.2 To Run BIOS Setup ........................................................................................................... 17
4.3 About CMOS...................................................................................................................... 17
4.4 The POST (Power On Self Test)........................................................................................... 17
4.5 BIOS Setup — CMOS Setup Utility..................................................................................... .. 18
4.5.1 CMOS Setup Utility ............................................................................................................. . .. 18
4.5.2 Control Keys ........................................................................................................................ 19
4.5.3 Advanced Setting ................................................................................................................. 20
4.5.4 Boot Setting.......................................................................................................................... 21
4.5.5 Security Setting...................................................................................................................... 23
4.5.6 JUSTw00t!(Overclock) Setting............................................................................................... ... 23
4.5.7 Power Setting........................................................................................................................ . 24
4.5.8 Exit Options........................................................................................................................... . 26
APPENDIX 1 (AMIBIOS easy code list only for your reference)...........................
28

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
1.2 Specications
CPU
- Supports AMD® Socket AM2+/ AM2 processors:
- AMD Phenom™FX / Phenom™ / Athlon™ 64 FX / Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-
Core/ Athlon™ 64 / Sempron™ /Cool 'n' Quiet Technology
- Supports Hyper Transport Bus 5200/2000 MT/s (HT 3.0/1.0)
Chipset - nVIDIA 750a MCP chipset
VGA - Integrated nVIDIA GeForce 8300
Main Memory
- Supports 4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 8 GB of
system memory
- Supports Dual channel memory architecture
- Supports for DDR2 1066/800/667 MHz memory modules
BIOS
- 2 x 8Mbit AMI BIOS, Supports Plug&Play
- Supports Advanced Power Management ACPI,STR
- Supports 2x SYS FAN, 1x CPU FAN
I/O Chipset - Winbond W83627
Integrated Ports
- 1 x PS/2 Keyboard port, 1 x PS/2 Mouse Port
- 1 x S/PDIF IN port, 1 x S/PDIF OUT port
- 1 x DVI port
- 1 x HDMI port
- 1 x VGA port
- 1 x RJ45 port
- 10 x USB 2.0 ports, USB 1.1 is compliant
- 6 x SATA ports by BGA , Maximum Speed to 3GB/s, supports
SATA RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 0+1,5. SATA ports 5 & 6 will either
support AHCI or Raid mode.
- 1 x IDE connector, supports 2 IDE devices, supports ATA
133/100/66/33
- 1 x Floppy Drive, supports 360K/720K/1.2M/1.44M/2.88M oppy disk
Sound
- Supports Realtek® ALC 888 codec
- Supports 8 channel HD Audio,24 bit Audio Codec
- High Denition Audio
- Front Panel Jumper, provides stereo MIC port on front panel
Onboard LAN - Onboard Marvell® 88E8056 PCIe LAN(10/100/1000 Mbit)
Expansion Slots
- 2 x PCI Express x16 slot (Single slot at x16, or dual slot in x8
speed.)
- 2 x PCI Express x1 slot
- 3 x PCI slots
- Support PCI Bus interface v2.2 compliant
OS Supports - Microsoft Windows Vista/XP
Form Factor - ATX (305* 244mm)
Remark
- Supports GeForce® Boost
- Supports SmartPower
- Supports HybridSLI
- Suports HybridPOWER
- Supports PureVideoHD

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
1.3 Motherboard Layout
(This picture is only for reference)

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
1.4 Rear I/O Panel
(This picture is only for reference)
• PS/2 Keyboard: Connects to PS/2 keyboard.
• PS/2 Mouse: Connects to PS/2 mouse.
• HDMI:Connects to multimedia devices with an HDMI port.
• SPDIF IN:This connector provides an S/PDIF-IN connection.
• SPDIF OUT:Connects to digital audio device.
• DVI: Connects to monitor input.
• VGA: Connects to monitor input.
• eSATA:Connects to peripherial SATA devices. The SATA cable one side insert ESTA1 connect,
another side can insert SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4.
• USB: Connects to USB devices such as scanner, digital speakers, monitor, mouse, keyboard,
hub, digital camera, joystick etc.
• LAN: Connects to Local Area Network.
• AUDIO1:
Cen./Sub. (Center / Subwoofer): Connects to the center and subwoofer channel in the 7.1
channel audio system.
R.L./R.R. (Rear Left / Rear Right): Connects to the rear left and rear right channel in the 7.1
channel audio system.
S.L./S.R. (Surround Left / Surround Right): Connects to the surround left and surround right
channel in the 7.1 channel audio system.
Line-In: Connects to the line out from external audio sources.
Line-Out: Connects to the front left and front right channel in the 7.1-channel or regular
2-channel audio system.
Mic-In: Connects to the plug from external microphone.

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
Chapter 2 Hardware Setup
2.1 Choosing a Computer Chassis
• Choose a chassis big enough to install this motherboard.
• As some features for this motherboard are implemented by cabling connectors on the
motherboard to indicators and switches or buttons on the chassis, make sure your chassis
supports all the features required.
• If there is possibility of adopting some more hard drives, make sure your chassis has
sufcient power and space for them.
• Most chassis have alternatives for I/O shield located at the rear panel. Make sure the I/O
shield of the chassis matches the I/O port conguration of this motherboard. You can nd
an I/O shield specically designed for this motherboard in its package.
2.2 Installing Motherboard
Most computer chassis have a base with many mounting holes to allow the motherboard to
be securely attached, and at the same time, prevent the system from short circuits. There
are two ways to attach the motherboard to the
chassis base: (1) with studs, or (2) with spacers.
Basically, the best way to attach the board is with
studs. Only if you are unable to do this should you
attach the board with spacers. Line up the holes on
the board with the mounting holes on the chassis.
If the holes line up and there are screw holes, you
can attach the board with studs. If the holes line
up and there are only slots, you can only attach with
spacers. Take the tip of the spacers and insert them
into the slots. After doing this to all the slots, you can slide the board into position aligned
with slots. After the board has been positioned, check to make sure everything is OK before
putting the chassis back on.
To install this motherboard:
1. Locate all the screw holes on the motherboard and the chassis base.
2. Place all the studs or spacers needed on the chassis base and have them tightened.
3. Face the motherboard’s I/O ports toward the chassis’s rear panel.
4. Line up all the motherboard’s screw holes with those studs or spacers on the chassis.
5. Install the motherboard with screws and have them tightened.
The motherboard and its component layouts illustrated in this chapter are only for
reference.
Always power off the computer and unplug the AC power cord before adding or removing
any peripheral or component. Failing to do so may cause severe damage to your
motherboard and/or peripherals. Plug in the AC power cord only after you have carefully
checked everything.
To prevent shorting the motherboard, REMOVE the any unused metal studs or spacers from
the chassis.

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
2.3 Installing CPU and CPU Cooler
Before installing the CPU:
1. Please make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU.
2. Please take note of the indented corners of the CPU. If you install the CPU in the wrong
direction, the CPU will not insert properly. If this occurs, please change the insert direction
of the CPU.
3. Please add an even layer of thermal paste between the CPU and CPU cooler.
4. Please make sure the CPU cooler is installed on the CPU prior to system use, otherwise
overheating and permanent damage of the CPU may occur.
5. Please set the CPU host frequency in accordance with the processor specications. It is not
recommended that the system bus frequency be set beyond hardware specications since
it does not meet the required standards for the peripherals. If you wish to set the frequen-
cy beyond the proper specications, please do so according to your hardware
specications including the CPU, graphics card, memory, hard drive, etc.
2.3.1 Installation of the CPU
1. Unlock the socket by pressing the
lever sideways, then lift it up to a 90
o
.
2. Position the CPU above the socket such
that the CPU corner with the gold
triangle matches the socket corner with
a small triangle.
3. Carefully insert the CPU into the socket
until it ts place.
4. When the CPU is in place, push down
the socket lever to secure the CPU.
The lever clicks on the side tab to
indicate that it is locked.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
2.3.2 Installation of the CPU Cooler
For proper installation, please kindly refer to the instruction manuals of your CPU Cooler.
2.4 Installation of Memory Modules
This motherboard provides four 240-pin DDRII (Double Data Rate) DIMM slots, and supports
Dual Channel Memory Technology. For dual channel conguration, you always need to install
two identical (the same brand, speed, size and chip-type) memory modules in the DDRII
DIMM slots to activate Dual Channel Memory Technology. Otherwise, it will operate at single
channel mode.
To install system memory:
1. Power off the computer and unplug the
AC power cord before installing or
removing memory modules.
2. Locate the DIMM slot on the board.
3. Hold two edges of the DIMM module
carefully, keep away from touching its
connectors.
4. Align the notch key on the module with
the rib on the slot.
5. Firmly press the module into the slots until the ejector tabs at both sides of the slot
automatically snap into the mounting notch. Do not force the DIMM module in with extra
force as the DIMM module only ts in one direction.
6. To remove the DIMM modules, push the two ejector tabs on the slot outward
simultaneously, and then pull out the DIMM module.
Under POWER ON:
• The LED of PWR_LED will light.
• The LED of LED_DIMM1 will light while DIMM1 slocket be installed Memory.
• The LED of LED_DIMM2 will light while DIMM2 slocket be installed Memory.
• The LED of LED_DIMM3 will light while DIMM3 slocket be installed Memory.
• The LED of LED_DIMM4 will light while DIMM4 slocket be installed Memory.
Static electricity can damage the electronic components of the computer or optional
boards. Before starting these procedures, ensure that you are discharged of static
electricity by touching a grounded metal object briey.

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
2.5 Connecting Peripheral Devices
2.5.1 Floppy and IDE Disk Drive Connectors
The FDD connector connects up to two oppy drives with a 34-wire, 2-connector oppy
cable. Connect the single end at the longer length of ribbon cable to the FDD on the board,
the two connectors on the other end to the oppy disk drives connector. Generally you need
only one oppy disk drive in your system.
2.5.2 Serial ATA Connectors
Each SATA connector serves as one single channel to connect one SATA device by SATA
cable.
2.5.3 PCI and PCI Express slots
Install PCI Express X1 graphics card into slot “PCIE2” or "PCIE3".
Install PCI Express X4 graphics card into slot “PCIE1”.
Install PCI Express X4 graphics card into slot “PCIE4”.
Install PCI card into slots “PCI1” or “PCI2” or "PCI3".
Each of the IDE port connects up to two IDE
drives at Ultra ATA 133/100/66/33 mode by
one 40-pin, 80-conductor,and 3-connector Ultra
ATA/66 ribbon cables.
Connect the single end (blue connector) at the
longer length of ribbon cable to the IDE port of
this board, the other two ends (gray and black
connector) at the shorter length of the ribbon
cable to the connectors of your hard drives.
Make sure to congure the “Master” and “Slave” relation
before connecting two drives by one single ribbon cable.
The red line on the ribbon cable must be aligned with
pin-1 on both the IDE port and the hard-drive connector.
The red line on the ribbon cable must be aligned with pin-1 on both the FDD port and the oppy connector.

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
Chapter 3 Jumpers & Headers Setup
3.1 Checking Jumper Settings
• For a 2-pin jumper, plug the jumper cap on both
pins will make it CLOSE (SHORT). Remove the
jumper cap, or plug it on either pin (reserved for
future use) will leave it at OPEN position.
• For 3-pin jumper, pin 1~2 or pin 2~3 can be
shorted by plugging the jumper cap in.
How to identify the PIN1 jumpers?
Please check the motherboard carefully, the PIN1
is marked by "1" or white thick line.
3.2 CMOS Memory Clearing Header
The time to clear the CMOS memory occurs when (a)
the CMOS data becomes corrupted, (b) you forgot
the supervisor or user password preset in the BIOS
menu, (c) you are unable to boot-up the system
because the CPU ratio/clock was incorrectly set in the
BIOS menu, or (d) whenever there is modication on
the CPU or memory modules.
This header uses a jumper cap to clear the CMOS
memory and have it recongured to the default
values stored in BIOS.
• Pins 1 and 2 shorted
(Default): Normal
operation.
• Pins 2 and 3 shorted:
Clear CMOS memory.
• When the boot is from User BIOS, the "LED A1" LED on board will light up;
if the boot is from Safe BIOS, the "LED B1" LED on board will light up.
To clear the CMOS memory and load in the default values:
1. Power off the system.
2. Set pin 2 and pin 3 shorted by the jumper cap. Wait for a few seconds. Set the jumper
cap back to its default settings --- pin 1 and pin 2 shorted.
3. Power on the system.
4. For incorrect CPU ratio/clock settings in the BIOS, press <Del> key to enter the BIOS
setup menu right after powering on system.
5. Set the CPU operating speed back to its default or an appropriate value.
6. Save and exit the BIOS setup menu.
3.3 Keyboard Power Function(JKB)
Pin 1-2 short: Disabled power on by keyboard
Pin 2-3 short: Support power on by keyboard JKB:
JBIOSSLC
NC Dual_BIOS
1-2 Standard BIOS
2-3 Overclock BIOS

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
3.4 FAN Power Connectors
These connectors each provide power to the cooling fans installed in your system.
CFAN or CFAN1: CPU Fan Power Connector
SYSFAN1/2: System Fan Power Connector
3.5 Front Panel Switches & Indicators Headers
1
SPEAKER
HDD_LED (Hard Driver LED Header)
Connect the HDD LED cable to these PINs, in order to see the HDD status
RESET (RST_BT is the reset button)
This connector connects to the case-mounted reset switch for rebooting your computer
without having to turn off your power switch. This is a preferred method of rebooting in
order to prolong the life of the system’s power supply.
PWR-ON (PWT _BT is the power button)
This connector connects to the case-mounted power switch to power ON/OFF the system.
SPEAKER (Speaker)
This 4-pin connector connects to the case-mounted speaker. You should follow the
instruction of the speaker cable.
The CMOS_BT button is use for clearing the CMOS.
These fan connectors are not jumpers. DO NOT place
jumper caps on these connectors.
SYSFAN1/2

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
Pin Pin Assignment Pin Pin Assignment
1 VCC 2 VCC
3 Data 0- 4 Data 0-
5 Data 0+ 6 Data 0+
7 Ground 8 Ground
9 No Pin 10 NC
Audio:
Pin No. Label Denition
1 MIC Mic In
2 GND Ground
3 MIC_PWR Mic Power
4 NC Not Used
5 Line Out_R Rt. Channel Audio
6 NC Not Used
7 NC Not Used
8 No Pin No Pin
9 Line Out-L Lt. Channel Audio
10 NC Not Used
3.6 Additional USB Port Headers
3.7 Front Panel Audio Connection Header
FUSB1/FUSB2/FUSB3

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
3.8 Serial Port Header (Optional)
3.9 HDMI Jumper Setting
Pin No. HDMI Setting
1-2 DVI
2-3 HDMI
Pin Pin Assignment Pin Pin Assignment
1 DCD 2 RXD
3 TXD 4 DTR
5 GND 6 DSR
7 CTS 8 RTS
9 RI
This JCOM1 header supports a serial port module.
This jumper is prepare for HDMI function. When pin 1 & 2 is shorted, DVI port is enabled
and HDMI port is disabled. When pine 2 &3 is shorted, the HDMI port will be enabled and
the DVI port is disabled. HDMI and DVI cannot display simultaneously.

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
3.10 ATX Power Input Connectors
This motherboard provides two power connectors to connect power supplier.
3.11 RCA_SLC Jumper
This jumper is prepare for S/PDIF IN or S/PDIF OUT. When pin 1& 2 shorted, S/PDIF IN
is enabled. If pin 2 & 3 is shorted, S/PDIF OUT is enabled.
Pin No. Function
1-2 RCA_IN
2-3 RCA_OUT

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
3.12 SLI Jumper
The Jumper of JSLI1,JSLI2,JSLI3,JSLI4 are prepare for SLI function, while they are all be
shorted #pin 1-2, this is normal state; but while they are all be shorted #pin 2-3, there will be
support SLI MODE.
Pin No. Function
1-2 Normal
2-3 SLI MODE

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
Chapter 4 BIOS Setup Utility
BIOS stands for Basic Input and Output System. It was once called ROM BIOS when it was
stored in a Read-Only Memory (ROM) chip. Now manufacturers would like to store BIOS in
EEPROM which means Electrically Erasable Programmable Memory. BIOS used in this series
of motherboard is stored in EEPROM, and is the rst program to run when you turn on your
computer.
BIOS performs the following functions:
1. Initializing and testing hardware in your computer (a process called "POST", for Power On
Self Test).
2. Loading and running your operating system.
3. Helping your operating system and application programs manage your PC hardware by
means of a set of routines called BIOS Run-Time Service.
4.1 About BIOS Setup
BIOS Setup is an interactive BIOS program that you need to run when:
1. Changing the hardware of your system. (For example: installing a new Hard Disk etc.)
2. Modifying the behavior of your computer. (For example: changing the system time or date,
or turning special features on or off etc.)
3. Enhancing your computer's behavior. (For example: speeding up performance by turning
on shadowing or cache)
4.2 To Run BIOS Setup
First access BIOS setup menu by pressing <F1> key after “POST” is complete (before OS is
loaded). After the rst BIOS be setupped(or loaded default values) and save, the <DEL> key
will be pressed if you will enter BIOS setup menu.
4.3 About CMOS
CMOS is the memory maintained by a battery. CMOS is used to store the BIOS settings you
have selected in BIOS Setup. CMOS also maintains the internal clock. Every time you turn
on your computer, the BIOS Looks into CMOS for the settings you have selected and
congures your computer accordingly. If the battery runs out of power, the CMOS data will
be lost and POST will issue a “CMOS invalid” or “CMOS checksum invalid” message. If this
happens, you have to replace the battery and check and congure the BIOS Setup for the
new start.
4.4 The POST (Power On Self Test)
POST is an acronym for Power On Self Test. This program will test all things the BIOS does
before the operating system is started. Each of POST routines is assigned a POST code, a
unique number which is sent to I/O port 080h before the routine is executed.

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
4.5 BIOS Setup — CMOS Setup Utility
4.5.1 CMOS Setup Utility
After powering up the system, the BIOS message appears on the screen,when the rst time
or when CMOS setting wrong, there is following message appears on the screen , but if
the rst BIOS be setuped(or loaded default values) and save, the <DEL> key will be
pressed if you will enter BIOS setup menu.
If this message disappears before you respond, restart the system by pressing <Ctrl> +
<Alt>+ <Del> keys, or by pressing the reset button on computer chassis. Only when these
two methods should be fail that you restart the system by powering it off and then back on.
After pressing <F1> or <Del> key, the main menu appears.
Press F1 to Run SETUP
This is the System Overview, The System Time, System Date, Primary IDE information,
SATA port information and Memory size display.
►
IDE Conguration
Click <Press Enter> key to enter its submenu, it will be display IDE conguration, also
you can set the ATA/IDE, SATA function from the options and set the IDE boot order,
or set it as IDE Master, Slave within them.
►
Floppy Conguration
Click <Press Enter> key to enter its submenu, it will be display oppy conguration, and
this item sets the type of oppy drives installed.
• In order to increase system stability and performance, our engineering staff is
constantly improving the BIOS menu. The BIOS setup screens and descriptions
illustrated in this manual are for your reference only, and may not completely
match with what you see on your screen.
• Do not change the BIOS parameters unless you fully understand its function.
BIOS SETUP UTILITY
Main Advanced Boot Security Power JUSTwOOT! Exit
System Overview Use [ENTER] , [TAB]
or [SHIF-TAB] to
select a eld.
Use [+] or [-] to
congure system time.
←
Select Screen
↑↓
Select Item
+- Change Field
Tab Select Field
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit
►
System Information
System Time
System Date
Floppy A
Language
►
Primary IDE Master :
►
Primary IDE Slave :
►
SATA Port 1 :
►
SATA Port 3 :
►
SATA Port 2 :
►
SATA Port 4 :
►
USB Device
[00:42:05]
[Sun 11/04/2007]
[Disabled]
[English]
[Not Detected]
[Not Detected]
[Not Detected]
[Not Detected]
[Not Detected]
[Not Detected]
v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc.

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XFX nForce 750a Motherboard User's Guide
4.5.2 Control Keys
Press F1 to pop up a small help window that describes the appropriate keys to use and the
possible selections for the highlighted item.
Please check the following table for the function description of each control key.
Control Key(s) Function Description
←
/
→
Move cursor left or right to select Screens
↑ / ↓
Move cursor up or down to select items
+/ -/PU/PD To Change option for the selected items
<Enter> To bring up the selected screen
<ESC>
Main Menu - Quit and not save changes into CMOS Status
Page Setup Menu and Option Page Setup Menu - Exit
current page and return to Main Menu
<F1> General help
<F2/F3> Change Colors
<F5> Restore the previous CMOS value from CMOS, only for
Option Page Setup Menu
<F7> Discard Changes
<F8> Load Failsafe Defaults
<F9> Load Optimal Defaults
<F10> Save conguration changes and exit setup