ECS Z77H2-A4 User Manual

Summary of Z77H2-A4

  • Page 1

    Z77h2-a4 user manual 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 a...

  • Page 2

    Ii z77h2-a4 user manual declaration of conformity this device complies with part 15 of the fcc rules. Operation is subject to the follow- ing conditions: • this device may not cause harmful interference. • this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undes...

  • Page 3: Chapter 2

    Iii z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 2 7 installing the motherboard 7 safety precautions.............................................................................7 installing the motherboard in a chassis......................................7 checking jumper settings.....................................

  • Page 4: Chapter 4

    Iv z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 4 57 using the motherboard software 57 auto-installing under windows xp/vista/7.................................57 running setup.............................................. ...... .....................57 manual installation..............................................

  • Page 5: Chapter 1

    1 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 1 chapter 1 introducing the motherboard introduction thank you for choosing the z77h2-a4 motherboard. This motherboard is a high per- formance, enhanced function motherboard designed to support the lga1155 socket for latest new sandy bridge and ivy bridge high-end desk...

  • Page 6: Chapter 1

    Chapter 1 2 z77h2-a4 user manual cpu specifications • intel ® z77 chipset chipset • dual-channel ddr3 memory architecture • 4 x 240-pin ddr3 dimm sockets support up to 32 gb • supports ddr3 2800+(oc)/2667(oc)/2600(oc)/2400(oc)/ 2200(oc)/2133(oc)/1866(oc)/1600/1333 sdram memory • 2 x pci express x16 ...

  • Page 7: Chapter 1

    3 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 1 • ami bios with 64mb spi flash rom • supports plug and play, s1/ str (s3)/ std(s4), hardware moni- tor • audio, lan, can be disabled in bios • f7 hot key for boot up devices option • supports acpi 3.0 revision & dmi • supports pgup clear cmos hotkey (has ps2 kb model...

  • Page 8: Chapter 1

    Chapter 1 4 z77h2-a4 user manual motherboard components.

  • Page 9: Chapter 1

    5 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 1 table of motherboard components label components 1. Cpu socket lga1155 socket 2. Cpu_fan 4-pin cpu cooling fan connector 3. Ddr3_1~4 240-pin ddr3 module slots 4. Atx_power standard 24-pin atx power connector 5. Pwr_fan power cooling fan connector 6. Usb3f front panel...

  • Page 10: Chapter 1

    Chapter 1 6 z77h2-a4 user manual i/o ports 1. Ps/2 combo port use the ps/2 combo port to connect the ps/2 keyboard or ps/2 mouse. 2. Usb 2.0 ports use the usb 2.0 ports to connect usb 2.0 devices. 3. Vga port connect your monitor to the vga port. 4. Dvi port connect your monitor to the dvi port. 5. ...

  • Page 11: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 7 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 2 installing the motherboard 2-1. Safety precautions 2-2. Installing the motherboard in a chassis this motherboard carries an atx form factor of 305 x 210 mm. Choose a chassis that accommodates this from factor. Make sure that the i/o template in the chassis ...

  • Page 12: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 8 z77h2-a4 user manual the following illustration shows the location of the motherboard jumpers. Pin 1 is labeled. To avoid the system instability after clearing cmos, we recommend users to enter the main bios setting page to “load default settings” and then “save and exit setup”. 2-3. Che...

  • Page 13: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 9 z77h2-a4 user manual 2-4. Installing hardware 2-4-1. Installing the processor • this motherboard has an lga1155 socket. • when choosing a processor, consider the performance requirements of the system. Performance is based on the processor design, the clock speed and system bus frequency...

  • Page 14: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 10 z77h2-a4 user manual d. Rotate the load plate onto the package ihs (intergraded heat spreader). Engage the load lever while pressing down lightly onto the load plate. Secure the load lever with the hook under retention tab. Then the cover will flick automatically. Please save and replac...

  • Page 15: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 11 z77h2-a4 user manual a. Apply some thermal grease onto the contacted area between the heatsink and the cpu, and make it to be a thin layer. B. Fasten the cooling fan supporting base onto the cpu socket on the motherboard. And make sure the cpu fan is plugged to the cpu fan connector. C....

  • Page 16: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 12 z77h2-a4 user manual 2-4-3. Installing memory modules • this motherboard accommodates four memory modules. It can support four 240-pin ddr3 2800+(oc)/2600+(oc)/2400+(oc)/2200+(oc)/2133/ 1866/1600/1333. • do not remove any memory module from its antistatic packaging until you are ready t...

  • Page 17: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 13 z77h2-a4 user manual recommend memory configuration model sockets ddr3_1 ddr3_2 ddr3_3 ddr3_4 1 dimm ~ populated ~ ~ 1 dimm ~ ~ ~ populated 2 dimms ~ populated ~ populated 3 dimms populated populated ~ populated 3 dimms ~ populated populated populated 4 dimms populated populated populat...

  • Page 18: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 14 z77h2-a4 user manual 2-4-4. Installing add-on cards the slots on this motherboard are designed to hold expansion cards and connect them to the system bus. Expansion slots are a means of adding or enhancing the motherboard’s features and capabilities. With these efficient facilities, you...

  • Page 19: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 15 z77h2-a4 user manual install the vga card in the pcie x16 slot 1 remove a blanking plate from the system case corresponding to the slot you are going to use. 2 install the edge connector of the add-on card into the expansion slot. Ensure that the edge connector is correctly seated in th...

  • Page 20: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 16 z77h2-a4 user manual follow these instructions to install a wireless card: 1 remove a blanking plate from the system case, and insert the wireless card into the minipcie slot rightwards, then tighten the two screws (please refer to picture 1). 2 press the metal connector of the cable in...

  • Page 21: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 17 z77h2-a4 user manual 2-4-5. Connecting optional devices refer to the following for information on connecting the motherboard’s optional devices: no. Components no. Components 1 usb3f 6 f_usb(ez)/ f_usb2 2 sata1~6 7 com 3 case 8 lpt 4 me_unlock 9 spdifo 5 cir 10 f_audio.

  • Page 22: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 18 z77h2-a4 user manual please make sure that the usb cable has the same pin assignment as indi- cated above. A different pin assignment may cause damage or system hang- up. This motherboard implements one usb 3.0 header supporting 2 extra front usb 3.0 ports, which delivers 5gb/s transfer...

  • Page 23: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 19 z77h2-a4 user manual 4. Me_unlock: me unlock header 3. Case: chassis intrusion detect header this detects if the chassis cover has been removed. This function needs a chassis equipped with instrusion detection switch and needs to be enabled in bios..

  • Page 24: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 20 z77h2-a4 user manual unlike f_usb2 in this mainboard, f_usb(ez) supports ez charger technology, pro- vides 3 times current than general usb port in off mode for usb devices. It is useful and excellent, especially for the iphone, ipad and ipod touch devices that need a large amount of cu...

  • Page 25: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 21 z77h2-a4 user manual this is a header that can be used to connect to the printer, scanner or other devices. 8. Lpt: onboard parallel port header 7. Com: onboard serial port header connect a serial port extension bracket to this header to add a serial port to your system..

  • Page 26: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 22 z77h2-a4 user manual the front panel audio header allows the user to install auxiliary front-oriented mi- crophone and line-out ports for easier access. This header supports hd audio by default. If you want connect an ac ’ 97 front panel audio to hd onboard headers, please set as below ...

  • Page 27: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 23 z77h2-a4 user manual if you use ac ’ 97 front panel, please t ick off the option of “ disabled front panel detect ” . If you use hd audio front panel, please don ’ t t ick off “ disabled front panel detect ” . * for reference only ac ’ 97 audio configuration: to enable the front panel a...

  • Page 28: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 24 z77h2-a4 user manual 2-4-6. Installing a sata hard drive about sata connectors your motherboard features six sata connectors supporting a total of six drives. Sata refers to serial ata (advanced technology attachment) is the standard interface for the ide hard drives which are currently...

  • Page 29: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 25 z77h2-a4 user manual 1. Cpu_fan (cpu cooling fan power connector) & 6. Sys_fan (system cool- ing fan power connector) & 3. Pwr_fan (power cooling fan power connec- tor) after you have installed the motherboard into a case, you can begin connecting the motherboard components. Refer to th...

  • Page 30: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 26 z77h2-a4 user manual 2. Atx_power (atx 24-pin power connector) & 7. Atx12v (atx 12v power connector) the atx 24-pin connector allows you to connect to atx v2.X power supply. With atx v2.X power supply, users please note that when installing 24-pin power cable, the latches of power cable...

  • Page 31: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 27 z77h2-a4 user manual hard drive activity led connecting pins 1 and 3 to a front panel mounted led provides visual indication that data is being read from or written to the hard drive. For the led to function properly, an ide drive should be connected to the onboard ide interface. The le...

  • Page 32: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 28 z77h2-a4 user manual connect the case speaker cable to spk. 5. Spk: speaker this concludes chapter 2. The next chapter covers the bios..

  • Page 33: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 29 about the setup utility the computer uses the latest “american megatrends inc. ” bios with support for windows plug and play. The cmos chip on the motherboard contains the rom setup instructions for configuring the motherboard bios. The bios (basic input and output ...

  • Page 34: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 30 press the delete key to access bios setup utility. Using bios when you start the setup utility, the main menu appears. The main menu of the setup utility displays a list of the options that are available. A highlight indicates which option is currently selected. Use...

  • Page 35: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 31 the default bios setting for this motherboard apply for most conditions with optimum performance. We do not suggest users change the default values in the bios setup and take no responsibility to any damage caused by changing the bios settings. Bios navigation keys ...

  • Page 36: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 32 main menu system date & time the date and time items show the current date and time on the computer. If you are running a windows os, these items are automatically updated whenever you make changes to the windows date and time properties utility. System language (en...

  • Page 37: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 33 launch storage oprom (enabled) use this item to enable or disable the storage oprom. The advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the cpu and other system. Advanced menu launch pxe oprom (disabled) the item enables or disables launch pxe option rom. ...

  • Page 38: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 34 onboard lan controller (enabled) use this item to enable or disable the onboard lan. Lan configuration the item in the menu shows the lan-related information that the bios automatically detects. Press to return to the advanced menu page. Enabled/disabled onboard lan...

  • Page 39: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 35 pc health status on motherboards support hardware monitoring, this item lets you monitor the parameters for critical voltages, temperatures and fan speeds. Scroll to this item and press to view the following screen: fsmart fan function main advanced chipset m.I.B ii...

  • Page 40: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 36 smart fan mode (normal) this item allows you to select the fan mode (normal, quiet, silent, or manual) for a better operation environment. If you choose normal mode, the fan speed will be auto adjusted depending on the cpu temperature. If you choose quite mode, the ...

  • Page 41: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 37 power management setup this page sets up some parameters for system power management operation. Resume by pme (disabled) the system can be turned off with a software command. If you enable this item, the system can automatically resume if there is an incoming call o...

  • Page 42: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 38 acpi configuration the item in the menu shows the highest acpi sleep state when the system enters suspend. Acpi sleep state [s3(suspend to ram)] this item allows user to enter the acpi s3 (suspend to ram) sleep state (default). Press to return to the advanced menu p...

  • Page 43: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 39 cpu configuration the item in the menu shows the cpu. Number of cores to enable in each processor package. Main advanced chipset m.I.B iii boot security exit enter/dbl click : select intel(r) core(tm) i5-2500s cpu @ 2.70ghz this is display-only field and displays th...

  • Page 44: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 40 execute disable bit (enabled) this item allows the processor to classify areas in memory by where application code can execute and where it cannot. When a malicious worm attempts to insert code in the buffer, the processor disables code execution, preventing damage ...

  • Page 45: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 41 sata configuration use this item to show the mode of serial sata configuration options. Press to return to the advanced menu page. Sata mode (ide mode) use this item to select sata mode. Sata port 1~6 (not present) this motherboard supports six sata channels and eac...

  • Page 46: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 42 all usb devices (enabled) use this item to enable or disable all usb devices. Usb configuration use this item to show the information of usb configuration. Legacy usb support (enabled) use this item to enable or disable support for legacy usb devices. Main advanced ...

  • Page 47: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 43 super io configuration use this item to show the information of super io configuration. Press to return to the advanced menu page. Super io chip (it8728) this item shows the information of the super io chip. Fserial port 0 configuration scroll to this item and press...

  • Page 48: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 44 fparallel port configuration scroll to this item and press to view the following screen: parallel port (enabled) this item allows you to enable or disable parallel port. Device settings (io=378h; irq=5) this item shows the information of the device settings. Change ...

  • Page 49: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 45 fcir controller configuration scroll to this item and press to view the following screen: main advanced chipset m.I.B iii boot security exit cir controller configuration cir controller enabled lk : select screen +/- : change opt. Enter/dbl click : select mn f1: gene...

  • Page 50: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 46 igd memory (64m) this item shows the information of the igd (internal graphics device) memory. The chipset menu items allow you to change the settings for the north bridge chipset, south bridge chipset and other system. Chipset menu this item allows you to select gr...

  • Page 51: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 47 f pch configuration scroll to this item and press to view the following screen: restore ac power loss (power off) this item enables your computer to automatically restart or return to its operating status. Audio configuration this item shows the information of the a...

  • Page 52: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 48 f management engine technology configuration scroll to this item and press to view the following screen: me fw version (8.0.2.1410) this item shows the me fw version. Press to return to the chipset menu page. Main advanced chipset m.I.B iii boot security exit +/- : ...

  • Page 53: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 49 this page enables you to set the clock speed and system bus for your system. The clock speed and system bus are determined by the kind of processor you have installed in your system. M.I.B iii (mb intelligent bios iii) menu cpu overclocking configuration main advanc...

  • Page 54: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 50 ia core current (maximum) use this item to control cpu current limit. Igfx core current max (maximum) use this item to control igfx core current limit. Enhanced intel speedstep technology (enabled) this item allows users to enable or disable the eist (enhanced intel...

  • Page 55: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 51 fchipset overclocking configuration scroll to this item to view the following screen: the selection of perfor- mance memory profiles which impacts memory siz- ing behavior. Main advanced chipset m.I.B iii boot security exit +/- : change opt. Enter/dbl click : select...

  • Page 56: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 52 read cas# precharge (trtp) (5) press to return to the m.I.B iii page. When end-users encounter failure after attempting over-clocking, please take the following steps to recover from it. 1. Shut down the computer. 2. Press and hold the “page up key (pgup)” of the ke...

  • Page 57: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 53 this page enables you to set the keyboard numlock state. Boot menu main advanced chipset m.I.B iii boot security exit +/- : change opt. Enter/dbl click : select lk mn : select screen /click: select item f1: general help f2: previous values select the keyboard numloc...

  • Page 58: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 54 this page enables you to set setup administrator password and user password. Security menu administrator password press to setup administrator password. Main advanced chipset m.I.B iii boot security exit +/- : change opt. Enter/dbl click : select lk mn : select scre...

  • Page 59: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 55 boot override use this item to select the boot device. Save options this item enables you to save the options that you have made. Save changes this item enables you to save the changes that you have made. Discard changes this item enables you to discard any changes ...

  • Page 60: Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 z77h2-a4 user manual 56 updating the bios you can download and install updated bios for this motherboard from the manufacturer’s website. New bios provides support for new peripherals, improve- ments in performance, or fixes for known bugs. Install new bios as follows: this concludes chapt...

  • Page 61: Chapter 4

    57 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 4 chapter 4 using the motherboard software the auto-install dvd-rom makes it easy for you to install the drivers and software. The support software dvd-rom disc loads automatically under windows xp/vista/ 7. When you insert the dvd-rom disc in the dvd-rom drive, the a...

  • Page 62: Chapter 4

    58 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 4 windows vista/7 will appear below uac (user account control) message after the system restart. You must select “allow” to install the next driver. Continue this process to complete the drivers installation. 2. Click next. The following screen appears: 3. Check the b...

  • Page 63: Chapter 4

    59 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 4 if the auto-install dvd-rom does not work on your system, you can still install drivers through the file manager for your os (for example, windows explorer). Look for the chipset and motherboard model, and then browse to the directory and path to begin installing th...

  • Page 64: Chapter 4

    60 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 4 eoc ecs eoc utility is a simple over-clocking tool that provides user-friendly windows operation interface for novices and over-clockers. Combining with ecs mib iii tech- nology, eoc challenges the undiscovered over-clocking capability than ever before. Eblu ecs ebl...

  • Page 65: Chapter 5

    61 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 5 chapter 5 intel ® matrix storage manager raid configuration the intel ® matrix storage manager allows you to configure raid 0, and 1 sets on the external serial ata hard disk drives. 1. Install the external serial ata hard disk drive (hdd) on your system. 2. Set the...

  • Page 66: Chapter 5

    62 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 5 2. The main intel ® matrix storage manager raid bios menu appears. Entering intel ® matrix storage manager raid bios utility 1. During post, press to enter the intel ® matrix storage manager raid bios menu. 3. Use the arrow keys to move the color bar and navigate th...

  • Page 67: Chapter 5

    63 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 5 2. When the raid level item is highlighted, use the up/down arrow key to select the raid set that you want to create. Creating a raid set 1. In the main intel ® matrix storage manager raid bios menu, highlight cre- ate raid volume using the up/down arrow key then pr...

  • Page 68: Chapter 5

    64 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 5 pressing deletes all the data in the hdds. 5. The following screen appears, displaying the relevant information about the raid set you created. Users please be noted that raid 0 (stripe) is set to accelerate the data access, and raid 1 (mirror) is set to provide the...

  • Page 69: Chapter 5

    65 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 5 deleting a raid set 1. In the main intel ® matrix storage manager raid bios menu, highlight de- lete raid volume using the up/down arrow key then press . 2. Use the space bar to select the raid set you want to delete. Press the key to delete the set. 3. A dialogue b...

  • Page 70: Chapter 5

    66 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 5 resetting disks to non-raid an hdd that has been previously configured as part of another raid set in another platform is called a broken raid hdd. When you install a bro- ken raid hdd, you cannot select this disk when configuring a raid set through the intel ® matr...

  • Page 71: Chapter 6

    67 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 6 chapter 6 ati crossfirex tm technology support this motherboard supports the ati crossfirex tm technology that allows you to in- stall multi-graphics processing units (gpu) graphics cards. Follow the installation procedures in this section. Requirements 1 two identi...

  • Page 72: Chapter 6

    68 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 6 * for reference only 3. Connect an auxiliary power source from the power supply to the graphics cards. 2. Connect the cable from your monitors to the crossfirex tm ready graphics card installed on the pcie16x slot. Monitor cable.

  • Page 73: Chapter 6

    69 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 6 the catalyst tm control center dialog box to enable crossfirex tm : • install ati graphic card driver. • enter the catalyst tm control center dialog box. • check the “enable crossfirex tm ” item. • click ok to apply..

  • Page 74: Chapter 6

    70 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 6 memo.

  • Page 75: Chapter 7

    71 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 7 chapter 7 trouble shooting start up problems during assembly after assembling the pc for the first time you may experience some start up problems. Before calling for technical support or returning for warranty, this chapter may help to address some of the common que...

  • Page 76: Chapter 7

    72 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 7 your computer, like any electrical appliance, requires proper care and maintenance. Here are some basic pc care tips to help prolong the life of the motherboard and keep it running as best as it can. 1. Keep your computer in a well ventilated area. Leave some space ...

  • Page 77

    U b r e w o p d es s er p si n o .T r at s ot sli af c p t u b s ey yl p p u s r e w o p fi kc e h c ti n u g ni kr o w si ) u s p( no no d n u os p e e b y n a no kc e hc d n a s o m c rl c r e w o p v 2 1 u p c fi d et c e n n oc si c p e ht tr at s e r ? Dr a o b r o u s p hti w m el b or p a m r...

  • Page 78: Chapter 7

    74 z77h2-a4 user manual chapter 7 memo.