Preface
Copyright
This publication, including all photographs, illustrations and software, is protected
under international copyright laws, with all rights reserved. Neither this manual, nor
any of the material contained herein, may be reproduced without written consent of
the author.
Version 3.0
Disclaimer
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. The manufac-
turer makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents hereof
and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for
any particular purpose. The manufacturer reserves the right to revise this publica-
tion and to make changes from time to time in the content hereof without obligation
of the manufacturer to notify any person of such revision or changes.
Trademark Recognition
Microsoft, MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
AMD, Phenom, Athlon, Sempron, Turion, and Duron are registered trademarks of AMD
Corporation.
Other product names used in this manual are the properties of their respective owners
and are acknowledged.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential instal-
lation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and,
if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interfer-
ence will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
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Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
Connect the equipment onto an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
Shielded interconnect cables and a shielded AC power cable must be employed with
this equipment to ensure compliance with the pertinent RF emission limits govern-
ing this device. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the system’s
manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
A55F-M4 USER MANUAL
Declaration of Conformity
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the follow-
ing conditions:
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This device may not cause harmful interference.
This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
This device is in conformity with the following EC/EMC directives:
Limits and methods of mesurement of radio disturbance char-
acteristics of information technology equipment
EN 55022
EN 61000-3-2 Disturbances in supply systems caused
EN 61000-3-3 Disturbances in supply systems caused by household appli-
ances and similar electrical equipment “ Voltage fluctuations”
Information technology equipment-Immunity characteristics-
Limits and methods of measurement
Safety for information technology equipment including electri-
cal business equipment
EN 60950
EN 55024
CE marking
page 1
Canadian Department of Communications
This class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-
causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Réglement
sur le matériel brouilieur du Canada.
About the Manual
The manual consists of the following:
Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
Chapter 2
Installing the Motherboard
Chapter 3
Using BIOS
Chapter 4
Using the Motherboard Software
Chapter 5
CrossFireTM Technology (AMD
Dual Graphics) Support
Chapter 6
Setting Up AMD A55 RAID
Configuration
Chapter 7
Trouble Shooting
Describes features of the
motherboard.
Describes
motherboard components.
Provides information on us-
ing the BIOS Setup Utility.
Describes the motherboard
software.
Describes the ATI CrossfireTM
Technology
Provides information about
SATA RAID Setup
Provides
shooting tips.
installation of
basic
trouble
page 7
page 57
page 25
page 53
page 61
page 69
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A55F-M4 USER MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
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Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
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Introduction...........................................................................................1
Pakage Contents..................................................................................1
Specifications......................................................................................2
Motherboard Components................................................................4
I/O Ports...............................................................................................6
Chapter 2
7
Installing the Motherboard 7
Safety Precautions..............................................................................7
Installing the Motherboard in a Chassis.......................................7
Checking Jumper Settings..................................................................8
Installing Hardware...........................................................................9
Installing the Processor............................................................9
Installing the CPU Cooler........................................................10
Installing Memory Modules...................................................11
Installing Add-on Cards..........................................................12
Connecting Optional Devices.................................................14
Installing a SATA Hard Drive...................................................19
Connecting Case Components........................................................20
Front Panel Header................................................................23
Chapter 3
Using BIOS
25
25
About the Setup Utility......................................................................25
The Standard Configuration........................ ...........................25
Entering the Setup Utility.......................................................25
Resetting the Default CMOS Values.....................................26
Using BIOS.........................................................................................26
BIOS Navigation Keys..............................................................27
Main Menu.............................................................................28
Advanced Menu......................................................................29
Chipset Menu..........................................................................42
M.I.B III(MB Intelligent Bios III) Menu....................................44
Boot Menu...............................................................................45
Security Menu.........................................................................47
Exit Menu...............................................................................50
Updating the BIOS......................................................................51
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Chapter 4
Using the Motherboard Software
53
53
Auto-installing under Windows XP/7/8.......................................53
Running Setup........................................................................53
Manual Installation..........................................................................55
ECS Utility Software (Intelligent EZ Utility).....................................55
Chapter 5
CrossFireTM Technology [AMD Dual Graphics] Support
57
57
CrossFireTM Technology...................................................................57
Chapter 6
Setting Up AMD A55 RAID Configuration
61
61
Setting Up a Bootable RAID Array..................................................61
Chapter 7
Trouble Shooting
69
69
Start up problems during assembly..............................................69
Start up problems after prolong use............................................70
Maintenance and care tips..............................................................70
Basic Troubleshooting Flowchart.....................................................71
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Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the A55F-M4 motherboard. This motherboard is a high per-
formance, enhanced function motherboard that supports socket FM1 for AMD A
series processor for high-end business or personal desktop markets.
The motherboard is based on AMD A55 (Hudson D2) express chipset for best desktop
platform. A55 is a single-chip, highly integrated, high performance Hyper-Transport
peripheral controller, unmatched by any other single chip-device controller. The
memory controller supports DDR3 memory DIMM frequencies of 1866*1/1600/1333.
It supports two DDR3 slots with maximum memory size of 16 GB. One PCI Express x16
slot, intended for Graphics Interface, is fully compliant to the PCI Express Gen2 (ver-
sion 2.0). In addition, one PCI Express x1 slot and one PCI slot are supported.
It implements USB 2.0 interface, supporting up to eight USB 2.0 ports (four USB 2.0
ports and two USB 2.0 headers support additional four USB 2.0 ports). This
motherboard integrates a Serial ATA host controller, supporting four SATA ports with
maximum transfer rate up to 3Gb/s each.
There is an full set of I/O ports in the rear panel, including PS/2 mouse and keyboard
connectors, one D-sub (VGA) port, one HDMI(Optional*2), four USB 2.0 ports, one LAN
port, three audio jacks for microphone, line-in and 6-ch line-out.
*1. Due to the limitation of chipset spec, it supports up to 1866 MHz for
motherboard with a single DIMM per channel.
*2. The HDMI port is optional, please take the actual motherboard as stan-
dard. If you have any questions, please contact the sellers.
Package Contents
Your motherboard package ships with the following items:
A55F-M4 Motherboard
Quick Installation Guide
User Manual
DVD
I/O Shield
2 SATA 3Gb/s Cables
The package contents above are for reference only, please take the actual
package items as standard.
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Specifications
CPU
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Socket FM1 for AMD A series processors
Supports CPU up to 100W TDP
Chipset
Memory
Note: Please go to ECS website for the latest CPU support list.
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AMD A55 Chipset
Dual-channel DDR3 memory architecture
2 x 240-pin DDR3 UDIMM sockets support up to 16 GB
Supports DDR3 1866*/1600/1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Expansion
Slots
Storage
Audio
LAN
Rear Panel I/O
Internal I/O
Connectors &
Headers
Note: *Due to the limitation of chipset spec, it supports up to
1866 MHz for motherboard with a single DIMM per channel.
Please go to ECS website for the latest Memory support list.
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1 x PCI Express x16 Gen2 slot
1 x PCI Express x1 Gen2 slot
1 x PCI slot
Supported by AMD A55 (Hudson D2)
- 4 x Serial ATA 3Gb/s devices
VT1705CE 6-Ch High Definition audio CODEC
- 6 Channel High Definiton Audio Codec
- Compliant with HD audio specification
Realtek RTL8111E-VL-CG Giga Lan
1 x PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse connectors
1 x D-Sub port (VGA)
1 x HDMI port (optional)
4 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x RJ45 LAN connector
1 x Audio port (Line in, Line out, Mic_in Rear)
1 x 24-pin ATX Power Supply connector
1 x 4-pin 12V Power connector
1 x 4-pin CPU_FAN connector
1 x 3-pin SYS_FAN connector
2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional four USB 2.0 ports
4 x Serial SATA 3Gb/s connectors
1 x COM header
1 x Case open header
1 x SPDIF out header
1 x Front panel USB power select jumper
1 x Rear USB/PS2 power select jumper
1 x Front Panel audio header
1 x Front Panel switch/LED header
1 x Speaker header
1 x Parallel port header(LPT)
1 x CLR_CMOS header
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A55F-M4 USER MANUAL
System BIOS
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Form Factor
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AMI BIOS with 32Mb SPI Flash ROM
- Supports ECS MIB III Utility
- Supports Plug and Play, STR(S3)/STD(S4)
- Supports Hardware Monitor
- Supports ACPI 3.0 version & DMI
- Audio, LAN, can be disabled in BIOS
- Supports ECS GUI UEFI BIOS
- Supports Graphic Over-Clocking
- Supports Dual-Monitor function
- F7 hot key for boot up devices option
- Supports Pgup clear CMOS Hotkey (Has PS2 KB Model only)
Micro-ATX Size, 230mm x 180mm
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Motherboard Components
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