Asus M3A78-EMH HDMI User Manual Page 1

MotherboardM3A78-EMH HDMI

xM3A78-EMH HDMI specications summary(continued on the next page)CPU AMD® Socket AM2+ Phenom™FX / Phenom / Athlon™ 64 / Sempron™ processor AMD Sock

3-8 Chapter 3: Software support

xiM3A78-EMH HDMI specications summaryStorage / RAID 1 x UltraDMA 133/100 connector 6 x Serial ATA 3Gb/s connectors support RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID

xiiInternal I/O connectors 4 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 8 USB 2.0 ports 1 x LPT connector 1 x Floppy disk drive connector 1 x IDE con

1Product introductionThis chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports.

1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.1 Welcome!Thank you for buying an ASUS® M3A78-EMH HDMI motherboard!The motherboard delivers a host of new featur

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-3AMD® 780G and ATI SB700 chipsets AMD 780G Northbridge is the latest AMD chipset designed for both HT1.0 and 5200MT/s HyperTran

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introductionDVI Interface DVI (Digital Visual Interface) provides high visual quality of digital display devices such as LCD

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-5Serial ATA 3Gb/s technology The motherboard supports next-generation SATA hard drives based on the new SATA 3Gb/s storage sp

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ASUS Q-Fan technology The ASUS Q-Fan technology smartly adjusts the CPU fan s

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-7Onboard LEDThe motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or i

iiCopyright © 2008 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be repro

1-8 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.5.1 Motherboard layout1.5 Motherboard overview23cm (9.0in)24.5cm (9.6in)Super I/OFLOPPYSATA3SATA2SATA1SATA6SATA

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-9Do not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.1.5.2 Placement directionWhen installing the motherboard, m

1-10 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)The motherboard comes with an AM2+/AM2 socket designed for AMD® Socket AM2+ Phen

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-113. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with a small

1-12 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fanThe AMD Phenom™ FX / Phenom / Athlon™ 64 / Sempron™ / Athlon 64X2 / Athlon 6

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-132. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base.3. Align the other end of the retention bracket (ne

1-14 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.7 System memory1.7.1 OverviewThe motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modu

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-15• When using only one memory module, start installing the DDR2 DIMM from slot DIMM_A1 or DIMM_B1 for better overclocking capa

1-16 Chapter 1: Product introductionM3A78-EMH HDMI Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR2-1066 MHz capabilitySize Vendor Model CL BrandSS/DSCom

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-17DDR2-800 MHz capabilitySize Vendor Model CL BrandSS/DSComponentDIMM SupportA* B* C* 1G Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G N/A Samsung DS K

iiiContentsNotices ... viSafety information ...

1-18 Chapter 1: Product introductionDDR2-667MHz capability Size Vendor Model CL BrandSS/DSComponentDIMM supportA* B* C* 256MB Kingston KVR667D2N5/256

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-19Size Vendor Model CL BrandSS/DSComponentDIMM supportA* B* C* 512MB ADATA M20EL5G3H3160B1C0Z N/A Elpida SS E5108AE-6E-E . . . 5

1-20 Chapter 1: Product introductionDDR-533MHz capabilitySize Vendor Model CL BrandSS/DSComponentDIMM support A* B* C* 256MBKingston KVR533D2N4/256 N/

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-211.7.3 Installing a DIMM1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing the retaining clips outward.2. Align a DIMM on the socket such t

1-22 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.8 Expansion slotsIn the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe th

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-23* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.Interrupt assignmentsIRQ Standard function0 System timer1 Standard 1

1-24 Chapter 1: Product introductionIRQ assignments for this motherboardA B C D E F G H IPCIEX1 Slot shared – – – – – – – –PCIEX16 Slot – – shared – –

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-251.8.3 PCI slotsThe PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI spec

1-26 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.9 Jumpers1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC)This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You c

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-272. USB device wake-up (3-pin USBPW1-4, USBPW5-8, USBPW9-12)Set these jumpers to +5V to wake up the computer from S1 sleep mod

ivContentsChapter 2: BIOS setup2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ... 2-22.1.1 Creating a bootable oppy d

1-28 Chapter 1: Product introduction3. HDJ1 Setting This jumper allows you to twitch between the HDMI and the DVI features. Set this jumper to pins

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-291.10 Connectors1.10.1 Rear panel connectors1. PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse.2. Video Graphics Ada

1-30 Chapter 1: Product introductionRefer to the audio conguration table for the function of the audio ports in 2, 4, 6, or 8-channel conguration.Au

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-3114. PS/2 keyboard port (purple). This port is for a PS/2 keyboard.Playback of HD DVD and Blu-Ray Discs The speed and bandwidt

1-32 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.10.2 Internal connectors1. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY)This connector is for the provided op

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-333. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE)The onboard IDE connector is for an Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable. There are three con

1-34 Chapter 1: Product introduction4. Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4, SATA5, SATA6)These connectors are for the S

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-355. CPU and Chassis Fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FAN)The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350mA~740mA (8.88W

1-36 Chapter 1: Product introductionNever connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard!7. USB connectors (10-1 pi

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-379. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) por

vContents2.5 Power menu ... 2-302.5.1 Suspend Mode ...

1-38 Chapter 1: Product introduction11. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V)These connectors are for an ATX power supply. The plugs fr

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 1-3912. System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.• System power LED Th

1-40 Chapter 1: Product introduction

2This chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.B

2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.1 Managing and updating your BIOSThe following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-32.1.2 AFUDOS utilityThe AFUDOS utility allows you to update the BIOS le in DOS environment using a bootable oppy disk with t

2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS setupThe utility returns to the DOS prompt after copying the current BIOS le.3. Press <Enter>. The utility copies the curr

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-55. The utility returns to the DOS prompt after the BIOS update process is completed. Reboot the system from the hard disk driv

2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utilityThe ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS l

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-7The recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this motherboard. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download t

viNoticesFederal Communications Commission StatementThis device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two cond

2-8 Chapter 2: BIOS setup• Only the USB ash disk with FAT 32/16 format and single partition can support ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3. The device size shoul

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-9Installing ASUS UpdateTo install ASUS Update:1. Place the support CD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears. 2. Click

2-10 Chapter 2: BIOS setup3. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network trafc, or click Auto Select. Click Next.Updating the BIOS through

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-11Updating the BIOS through a BIOS leTo update the BIOS through a BIOS le:1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows®

2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.2 BIOS setup programThis motherboard supports a programmable Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) chip that you can update u

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-132.2.1 BIOS menu screen2.2.2 Menu barThe menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:Main For changing th

2-14 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.2.4 Menu itemsThe highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting Main

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-152.2.8 Pop-up windowSelect a menu item then press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the conguration options for

2-16 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.3 Main menuWhen you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic syste

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-172.3.4 Primary IDE Master/SlaveWhile entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of IDE devices. There is a s

viiSafety informationElectrical safety• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating th

2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS setupDMA Mode [Auto]Selects the DMA mode. Conguration options: [Auto]SMART Monitoring [Auto]Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-19Block (Multi-sector Transfer) M [Auto]Enables or disables data multi-sectors transfers. When set to [Auto], the data transfer

2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS setupOnChip SATA Type [SATA]This item appears only when you set the OnChip SATA Channel item to [Enabled]. Allows you to set the

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-212.4.1 JumperFree Conguration2.4 Advanced menuThe Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and othe

2-22 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.4.3 CPU CongurationGART Error Reporting [Disabled]This option should remain disabled for the normal operation. The drive

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-23Microcode Updation [Enabled]Enables or disables Microcode Updation. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]Secure Virtual

2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS setupMemory CongurationBank Interleaving [Auto]Allows you to enable the bank memory interleaving. Conguration options: [Disabl

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-25Alternate VID [Auto]This option allows you to specify the alternate VID while in low power states.Conguration options: [1.15

2-26 Chapter 2: BIOS setupInternal Graphics PrimaryVideoController[GFX0-GPP-IGFX-PCI] UMAFrameBuferSize  [Auto]SurroundView  [Disabl

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-272.4.5 Onboard Device CongurationSerial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]Allows you to select the Serial Port1 base address. Congu

viiiAbout this guideThis user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring the motherboard.How this guide is organizedThis g

2-28 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.4.6 PCIPnPThe PCI PnP menu items allow you to change the advanced settings for PCI/PnP devices. The menu includes setting

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-29IRQ-xx assigned to [PCI Device]When set to [PCI Device], the specic IRQ is free for use of PCI/PnP devices. When set to [Res

2-30 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.5 Power menuThe Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface (ACPI

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-312.5.4 APM Conguration Select Screen Select Item+- Change OptionF1 General HelpF10SaveandExitESCExitv02.61

2-32 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.5.5 Hardware Monitorv02.58 (C)Copyright 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc. Select Screen Select Item+- Change Fi

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-332.6 Boot menuThe Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to dis

2-34 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.6.2 Boot Settings CongurationQuick Boot [Enabled]Enabling this item allows the BIOS to skip some power on self tests (PO

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-35Hit ‘DEL’ Message Display [Enabled]When set to Enabled, the system displays the message “Press DEL to run Setup” during POST.

2-36 Chapter 2: BIOS setupChange Supervisor PasswordSelect this item to set or change the supervisor password. The Supervisor Password item on top of

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-37User Access Level [Full Access]This item allows you to select the access restriction to the Setup items. Conguration options:

ixConventions used in this guideTo make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual.

2-38 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.7 Tools menuThe Tools menu items allow you to congure options for special functions. Select an item then press <Enter

ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI 2-392.8 Exit menuPressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options from this menu or <F10>

2-40 Chapter 2: BIOS setup

3Software supportThis chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package.

3-2 Chapter 3: Software supportIf Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support DVD to locate the le ASSETUP.EXE from t

3-3ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI3.2.2 Drivers menuThe drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install the nece

3-4 Chapter 3: Software support3.2.3 Utilities menuThe Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard supports. ASUS I

3-5ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI3.2.4 Make Disk menuThe Make Disk menu allows you to make a RAID driver disk.Make ATI RAID/AHCI Vista32 DriverAllows you to cre

3-6 Chapter 3: Software support3.2.6 ASUS Contact informationClick the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information. You can also nd this inf

3-7ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMITechnical support FormDisplays the ASUS Technical Support Request Form that you have to ll out when requesting technical suppor