User Manual
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.... Motherboard Cables Accessories Application DVD Documentations ASUS M4A78 PLUS motherboard 2 x Serial ATA cables 1 x 2in1 SATA power cable 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable 1 x I/O shield ASUS motherboard support DVD User manual 1.3 1.3.1 If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your package with less power consumption. Special features Product highlights AMD® Phenom™ II / Athlon™ X4 / Athlon™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 (AM3 CPU) This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM3 multi-core processors with...
.... Motherboard Cables Accessories Application DVD Documentations ASUS M4A78 PLUS motherboard 2 x Serial ATA cables 1 x 2in1 SATA power cable 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable 1 x I/O shield ASUS motherboard support DVD User manual 1.3 1.3.1 If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your package with less power consumption. Special features Product highlights AMD® Phenom™ II / Athlon™ X4 / Athlon™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 (AM3 CPU) This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM3 multi-core processors with...
User Manual
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... graphics and other memory demanding applications. 1-2 ASUS M4A78 PLUS Adjust your display configurations, experiment with your advanced 3D settings, and check the effect with the higher antialiasing, anisotropic filtering, shading, and texture settings you want. This motherboard provides excellent compatibility and flexibility by supporting either 64-bit or 32-bit architecture. Dual channel DDR2 1066 This motherboard supports native DDR2 1066. The onboard 8-channel HD audio (High Definition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC enables high...
... graphics and other memory demanding applications. 1-2 ASUS M4A78 PLUS Adjust your display configurations, experiment with your advanced 3D settings, and check the effect with the higher antialiasing, anisotropic filtering, shading, and texture settings you want. This motherboard provides excellent compatibility and flexibility by supporting either 64-bit or 32-bit architecture. Dual channel DDR2 1066 This motherboard supports native DDR2 1066. The onboard 8-channel HD audio (High Definition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC enables high...
User Manual
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... up to 40 times faster at www.asus.com for system stability. Serial ATA 3Gb/s technology The motherboard supports next-generation SATA hard drives based on back I /O provides smart setup and hot-plug functions. • DDR2 1066 is supported by default for the supported CPU models. • Due to AM2+/AM3 CPU limitation, only one DDR2 1066 DIMM is supported per channel. The external SATA port located at 800MHz frequency by AM2+/AM3...
... up to 40 times faster at www.asus.com for system stability. Serial ATA 3Gb/s technology The motherboard supports next-generation SATA hard drives based on back I /O provides smart setup and hot-plug functions. • DDR2 1066 is supported by default for the supported CPU models. • Due to AM2+/AM3 CPU limitation, only one DDR2 1066 DIMM is supported per channel. The external SATA port located at 800MHz frequency by AM2+/AM3...
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... the button. ASUS MyLogo2™ Turn your system. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is a utility that allows you can access the Internet without entering Windows® or hard devices. ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 is an auto-recovery tool that contains the BIOS file. Turbo Key ASUS Turbo Key allows you to turn the PC power button into an overclocking button. After the easy setup, Turbo Key boosts performances without using the bundled support DVD, or USB disk that allows you to restore a corrupted BIOS file using...
... the button. ASUS MyLogo2™ Turn your system. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is a utility that allows you can access the Internet without entering Windows® or hard devices. ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 is an auto-recovery tool that contains the BIOS file. Turbo Key ASUS Turbo Key allows you to turn the PC power button into an overclocking button. After the easy setup, Turbo Key boosts performances without using the bundled support DVD, or USB disk that allows you to restore a corrupted BIOS file using...
User Manual
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... BIOS setup. 2. Align the card connector with it by adjusting the software settings. 1. Install the software drivers for later use . Remove the bracket opposite the slot that the cards do so may need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conflicts will arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card inoperable. 1.8.3 PCI slots The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specifications. 1.8.4 PCI Express x1 slot This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards...
... BIOS setup. 2. Align the card connector with it by adjusting the software settings. 1. Install the software drivers for later use . Remove the bracket opposite the slot that the cards do so may need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conflicts will arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card inoperable. 1.8.3 PCI slots The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specifications. 1.8.4 PCI Express x1 slot This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards...
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... Rear Speaker Out - 8-channel Line In Front Speaker Out Mic In Center/Subwoofer Rear Speaker Out Side Speaker Out Ensure the audio device of the audio ports in 2, 4, 6 or 8-channel configuration. This port connects an external audio output device via a optical S/PDIF cable. 16. This port connects to the audio configuration table below for the function of sound playback is for connecting USB 2.0 devices. 13. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for a PS/2 keyboard. 1-22 ASUS M4A78 PLUS USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4. USB 2.0 ports...
... Rear Speaker Out - 8-channel Line In Front Speaker Out Mic In Center/Subwoofer Rear Speaker Out Side Speaker Out Ensure the audio device of the audio ports in 2, 4, 6 or 8-channel configuration. This port connects an external audio output device via a optical S/PDIF cable. 16. This port connects to the audio configuration table below for the function of sound playback is for connecting USB 2.0 devices. 13. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for a PS/2 keyboard. 1-22 ASUS M4A78 PLUS USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4. USB 2.0 ports...
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... OFF. • Reset button (2-pin RESET) This 2-pin connector is for system reboot without turning off the system power. 1-26 ASUS M4A78 PLUS PWR Ground Reset Ground PANEL PIN 1 M4A78 PLUS IDE_LED PWRSW RESET * Requires an ATX power supply M4A78 PLUS System panel connector • System power LED (2-pin PLED) This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for the system power LED. Pressing the power button turns the system on the BIOS settings. Connect the chassis power LED cable to the HDD. • System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER) This 4-pin connector is for...
... OFF. • Reset button (2-pin RESET) This 2-pin connector is for system reboot without turning off the system power. 1-26 ASUS M4A78 PLUS PWR Ground Reset Ground PANEL PIN 1 M4A78 PLUS IDE_LED PWRSW RESET * Requires an ATX power supply M4A78 PLUS System panel connector • System power LED (2-pin PLED) This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for the system power LED. Pressing the power button turns the system on the BIOS settings. Connect the chassis power LED cable to the HDD. • System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER) This 4-pin connector is for...
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... updates to the optical drive. Use the setup procedures presented in your OS documentation for detailed information. • Ensure that you install Windows® XP Service Pack 3 or later versions/ Windows® Vista Service Pack 1 or later versions before installing the drivers for better compatibility and system stability. 1.11.2 Support DVD information The Support DVD that comes with the motherboard package contains the drivers, software applications, and utilities that you can install to change...
... updates to the optical drive. Use the setup procedures presented in your OS documentation for detailed information. • Ensure that you install Windows® XP Service Pack 3 or later versions/ Windows® Vista Service Pack 1 or later versions before installing the drivers for better compatibility and system stability. 1.11.2 Support DVD information The Support DVD that comes with the motherboard package contains the drivers, software applications, and utilities that you can install to change...
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... Drivers menu appears. 2. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation. b. From the FTP site, select the BIOS version that comes with the motherboard package. Place the support DVD in the future. Select Update BIOS from the Internet a. Always update the utility to avail all Windows® applications before you update the BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities. 2.1.1 ASUS Update utility The ASUS Update is available in Windows® environment. • ASUS Update requires an Internet connection...
... Drivers menu appears. 2. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation. b. From the FTP site, select the BIOS version that comes with the motherboard package. Place the support DVD in the future. Select Update BIOS from the Internet a. Always update the utility to avail all Windows® applications before you update the BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities. 2.1.1 ASUS Update utility The ASUS Update is available in Windows® environment. • ASUS Update requires an Internet connection...
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... system boot failure! 2-2 ASUS M4A78 PLUS com. Insert the USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS file to display the following: ASUSTek EZ Flash 2 BIOS ROM Utility V3.06 FLASH TYPE: MXIC 25L8005 Current ROM BOARD: M4A78 PLUS VER: 0205 DATE: 02/10/2009 Update ROM BOARD: Unknown VER: Unknown DATE: Unknown PATH: A:\ A: Note [Enter] Select or Load [Tab] Switch [Up/Down/Home/End] Move [B] Backup [V] Drive Info [ESC] Exit • Enter the BIOS setup program. You can support devices such as USB flash disk...
... system boot failure! 2-2 ASUS M4A78 PLUS com. Insert the USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS file to display the following: ASUSTek EZ Flash 2 BIOS ROM Utility V3.06 FLASH TYPE: MXIC 25L8005 Current ROM BOARD: M4A78 PLUS VER: 0205 DATE: 02/10/2009 Update ROM BOARD: Unknown VER: Unknown DATE: Unknown PATH: A:\ A: Note [Enter] Select or Load [Tab] Switch [Up/Down/Home/End] Move [B] Backup [V] Drive Info [ESC] Exit • Enter the BIOS setup program. You can support devices such as USB flash disk...
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... BIOS SETUP UTILITY Power Boot Tools Exit Suspend Mode ACPI 2.0 Support ACPI APIC support APM Configuration Hardware Monitor [Auto] [Disabled] [EDniOsapabtbilloendesd] Enabled Use [ENTER], [TAB] or [SHIFT-TAB] to display a list of options. Use [+] or [-] to configure system Time. 2.2.9 Scroll bar A scroll bar appears on the right side of a menu screen when there are the navigation keys for that the item has a submenu. Use the navigation keys to display a pop-up window Scroll bar 2-6 ASUS M4A78 PLUS For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu...
... BIOS SETUP UTILITY Power Boot Tools Exit Suspend Mode ACPI 2.0 Support ACPI APIC support APM Configuration Hardware Monitor [Auto] [Disabled] [EDniOsapabtbilloendesd] Enabled Use [ENTER], [TAB] or [SHIFT-TAB] to display a list of options. Use [+] or [-] to configure system Time. 2.2.9 Scroll bar A scroll bar appears on the right side of a menu screen when there are the navigation keys for that the item has a submenu. Use the navigation keys to display a pop-up window Scroll bar 2-6 ASUS M4A78 PLUS For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu...
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... MO drive. Select [ARMD] (ATAPI Removable Media Device) if your device is installed in the system. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-7 UUssee [[++]] oorr [[--]] ttoo ccoonnffiigguurree ssyysstteemm TTiimmee.. There is a separate submenu for information on the menu screen items and how to set the system date. 2.3.3 Primary IDE Master/Slave While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of the appropriate IDE device type. Setting to display the IDE device information. Main Advanced Power BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot Tools...
... MO drive. Select [ARMD] (ATAPI Removable Media Device) if your device is installed in the system. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-7 UUssee [[++]] oorr [[--]] ttoo ccoonnffiigguurree ssyysstteemm TTiimmee.. There is a separate submenu for information on the menu screen items and how to set the system date. 2.3.3 Primary IDE Master/Slave While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of the appropriate IDE device type. Setting to display the IDE device information. Main Advanced Power BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot Tools...
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... options: [Auto] SMART Monitoring [Auto] Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. Setting to display the SATA device information. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2-8 ASUS M4A78 PLUS Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] PIO Mode [Auto] Selects the PIO mode. Configuration options: [Auto] SMART Monitoring [Auto] Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.3.4 SATA 1, SATA 2, SATA 3, SATA 5, SATA 6, and ESATA While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of Serial...
... options: [Auto] SMART Monitoring [Auto] Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. Setting to display the SATA device information. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2-8 ASUS M4A78 PLUS Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] PIO Mode [Auto] Selects the PIO mode. Configuration options: [Auto] SMART Monitoring [Auto] Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.3.4 SATA 1, SATA 2, SATA 3, SATA 5, SATA 6, and ESATA While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of Serial...
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... Processor Displays the auto-detected CPU specification. Main Advanced Power BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot Tools Exit JumperFree Configuration CPU Configuration Chipset Onboard Devices Configuration PCIPnP USB Configuration Adjust System Frequency/Voltage etc. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] OnChip SATA Type [SATA] Allows you to configure the SATA devices. Configuration options: [SATA] [RAID] [AHCI] When SATA is configured as [AHCI] in BIOS, only SATA port 1-3 can cause the system to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. 2.3.5 SATA Configuration This menu...
... Processor Displays the auto-detected CPU specification. Main Advanced Power BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot Tools Exit JumperFree Configuration CPU Configuration Chipset Onboard Devices Configuration PCIPnP USB Configuration Adjust System Frequency/Voltage etc. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] OnChip SATA Type [SATA] Allows you to configure the SATA devices. Configuration options: [SATA] [RAID] [AHCI] When SATA is configured as [AHCI] in BIOS, only SATA port 1-3 can cause the system to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. 2.3.5 SATA Configuration This menu...
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... it for the normal operation. Memory Over Voltage [Auto] Allows you to set the chipset over voltage. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] 2-12 ASUS M4A78 PLUS Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] C1E Configuration [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the AMD Secure Virtual Machine mode. The value ranges from 1.85000V to enable or disable the CPU prefetching. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] CPU Prefetching [Enabled] Allows you to set the memory over voltage. Configuration options: [Auto] Chipset Over Voltage [Auto] Allows you to 2.24375V with...
... it for the normal operation. Memory Over Voltage [Auto] Allows you to set the chipset over voltage. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] 2-12 ASUS M4A78 PLUS Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] C1E Configuration [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the AMD Secure Virtual Machine mode. The value ranges from 1.85000V to enable or disable the CPU prefetching. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] CPU Prefetching [Enabled] Allows you to set the memory over voltage. Configuration options: [Auto] Chipset Over Voltage [Auto] Allows you to 2.24375V with...
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...Down Enable [Enabled] Enables or disables the DDR power down mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Basic] [Good] [Super] [Max] [User] Alternate VID [Auto] Allows you to change the advanced chipset settings. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] ECC Configuration ECC Mode [Disabled] Enables or disables the DRAM ECC that allows the hardware to enable the channel memory interleaving. Configuration options: [GFX-GPP-PCI] [GPPGFX-PCI] [PCI-GFX-GPP] Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-13 Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] Channel Interleaving [Disabled] Allows you to display the...
...Down Enable [Enabled] Enables or disables the DDR power down mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Basic] [Good] [Super] [Max] [User] Alternate VID [Auto] Allows you to change the advanced chipset settings. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] ECC Configuration ECC Mode [Disabled] Enables or disables the DRAM ECC that allows the hardware to enable the channel memory interleaving. Configuration options: [GFX-GPP-PCI] [GPPGFX-PCI] [PCI-GFX-GPP] Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-13 Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] Channel Interleaving [Disabled] Allows you to display the...
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...], BIOS configures all the devices in the system. Configuration options: [No] [Yes] 2-14 ASUS M4A78 PLUS Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Front Panel Select [HD Audio] Allows you install a Plug and Play operating system, the operating system configures the Plug and Play devices not required for boot. The menu includes setting IRQ and DMA channel resources for either PCI/PnP or legacy ISA devices, and setting the memory size block for PCI/PnP devices. Configuration options: [AC97] [HD Audio] Onboard LAN Controller [Enabled] Allows you to change the advanced settings for...
...], BIOS configures all the devices in the system. Configuration options: [No] [Yes] 2-14 ASUS M4A78 PLUS Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Front Panel Select [HD Audio] Allows you install a Plug and Play operating system, the operating system configures the Plug and Play devices not required for boot. The menu includes setting IRQ and DMA channel resources for either PCI/PnP or legacy ISA devices, and setting the memory size block for PCI/PnP devices. Configuration options: [AC97] [HD Audio] Onboard LAN Controller [Enabled] Allows you to change the advanced settings for...
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... to display the configuration options. USB Mass Stroage Device Configuration USB Mass Stroage Reset Delay [20 Sec] Allows you to enable or disable the USB Functions. Setting to Auto allows the system to change the USB-related features. 2.4.6 USB Configuration The items in HiSpeed (480 Mbps) or Full Speed (12 Mbps). The Module Version and USB Devices Enabled items show the auto-detected values. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Legacy USB Support [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the USB 2.0 Controller. If detected, the USB controller legacy mode is...
... to display the configuration options. USB Mass Stroage Device Configuration USB Mass Stroage Reset Delay [20 Sec] Allows you to enable or disable the USB Functions. Setting to Auto allows the system to change the USB-related features. 2.4.6 USB Configuration The items in HiSpeed (480 Mbps) or Full Speed (12 Mbps). The Module Version and USB Devices Enabled items show the auto-detected values. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Legacy USB Support [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the USB 2.0 Controller. If detected, the USB controller legacy mode is...
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... set to its working state exactly where it was left off state after an AC power loss. Configuration options: [Power On] [Power Off] [Last State] 2-16 ASUS M4A78 PLUS Suspend Mode ACPI 2.0 Features ACPI APIC Support APM Configuration HW Monitor [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled] Select the ACPI state used for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) 2.0 specifications. In S3 sleep state, the system appears to be resumed at any time. [S3 Only] - Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.5.3 ACPI APIC Support [Enabled] Allows you to RAM) sleep state (default...
... set to its working state exactly where it was left off state after an AC power loss. Configuration options: [Power On] [Power Off] [Last State] 2-16 ASUS M4A78 PLUS Suspend Mode ACPI 2.0 Features ACPI APIC Support APM Configuration HW Monitor [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled] Select the ACPI state used for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) 2.0 specifications. In S3 sleep state, the system appears to be resumed at any time. [S3 Only] - Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.5.3 ACPI APIC Support [Enabled] Allows you to RAM) sleep state (default...
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... Screen Select Item Enter Go to display the submenu. Configuration options: [Removable Dev.] [Hard Drive] [ATAPI CDROM ] [Disabled] 2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration Quick Boot [Enabled] Enabling this item to [Enabled] to use the ASUS MyLogo 2™ feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Set this item allows the BIOS to skip some power on self tests (POST) while booting to decrease the time needed to select the power-on the number of devices installed in the system. Configuration options: [Off] [On] Wait for the NumLock. A virtual floppy disk drive (Floppy Drive...
... Screen Select Item Enter Go to display the submenu. Configuration options: [Removable Dev.] [Hard Drive] [ATAPI CDROM ] [Disabled] 2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration Quick Boot [Enabled] Enabling this item to [Enabled] to use the ASUS MyLogo 2™ feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Set this item allows the BIOS to skip some power on self tests (POST) while booting to decrease the time needed to select the power-on the number of devices installed in the system. Configuration options: [Off] [On] Wait for the NumLock. A virtual floppy disk drive (Floppy Drive...