Asus M4A78 User Manual - Page 43

Chapter 2: BIOS setup

2-3

2.1.3

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility

The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS file

when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can update a corrupted BIOS

file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash disk that contains the updated BIOS

file.

•

Prepare the motherboard support DVD or the USB flash disk containing the updated

motherboard BIOS before using this utility.

•

Always connect the SATA cable to the SATA1, 2, 3, 5, 6 connectors. Otherwise, the

utility will not function.

Bad BIOS checksum. Starting BIOS recovery...

Checking for CD-ROM...

CD-ROM not found!

Checking for USB Device...

Recovering the BIOS

To recover the BIOS:

1.

Turn on the system.

2.

Insert the support DVD or USB flash disk containing the BIOS file to the optical drive or

USB port.

3.

The utility displays the following message and automatically checks the support DVD

or USB flash disk for the BIOS file.

When found, the utility reads the BIOS file and starts erasing the corrupted BIOS file.

Bad BIOS checksum. Starting BIOS recovery...

Checking for USB Device...

USB Device found.

Reading file “M4A78.ROM”. Completed.

Start Erasing...\

•

Only a USB flash disk with FAT 32/16 format and single partition can support ASUS

CrashFree BIOS 3. The device size should be smaller than 8GB.

•

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so can cause

system boot failure!

4.

Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process.

The recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this motherboard. Download

the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com.

Section	Page
M4A78 specifications summary	9
Chapter 1	11
1.1 Welcome!	11
1.2 Package contents	11
1.3 Special features	11
1.3.1 Product highlights	11
1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features	13
1.4 Before you proceed	15
Onboard LED	15
1.5 Motherboard overview	16
1.5.1 Placement direction	16
1.5.2 Screw holes	16
1.5.3 Motherboard layout	17
1.5.4 Layout contents	17
1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)	18
1.6.1 Installing the CPU	18
1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan	20
1.7 System memory	21
1.7.1 Overview	21
1.7.2 Memory configurations	22
1.7.3 Installing a DIMM	27
1.7.4 Removing a DIMM	27
1.8 Expansion slots	28
1.8.1 Installing an expansion card	28
1.8.2 Configuring an expansion card	28
1.8.3 PCI slots	28
1.8.4 PCI Express x1 slot	28
1.8.5 PCI Express x16 slot	28
1.9 Jumpers	29
1.10 Connectors	31
1.10.1 Rear panel connectors	31
1.10.2 Internal connectors	33
1.11 Software support	40
1.11.1 Installing an operating system	40
1.11.2 Support DVD information	40
Chapter 2	41
2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS	41
2.1.1 ASUS Update utility	41
2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility	42
2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility	43
2.2 BIOS setup program	44
2.2.1 BIOS menu screen	45
2.2.2 Menu bar	45
2.2.3 Navigation keys	46
2.2.4 Menu items	46
2.2.5 Submenu items	46
2.2.6 Configuration fields	46
2.2.7 General help	46
2.2.8 Pop-up window	46
2.2.9 Scroll bar	46
2.3 Main menu	47
2.3.1 System Time	47
2.3.2 System Date	47
2.3.3 Primary IDE Master/Slave	47
2.3.4 SATA 1, SATA 2, SATA 3, SATA 5, SATA 6, and ESATA	48
2.3.5 SATA Configuration	49
2.3.6 System Information	49
2.4 Advanced menu	49
2.4.1 JumperFree Configuration	50
2.4.2 CPU Configuration	52
2.4.3 Chipset	53
2.4.4 Onboard Devices Configuration	54
2.4.5 PCI PnP	54
2.4.6 USB Configuration	55
2.5 Power menu	56
2.5.1 Suspend Mode	56
2.5.2 ACPI Support	56
2.5.3 ACPI APIC Support	56
2.5.4 APM Configuration	56
2.5.5 HW Monitor Configuration	57
2.6 Boot menu	58
2.6.1 Boot Device Priority	58
2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration	58
2.6.3 Security	59
2.7 Tools menu	60
2.7.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2	60
2.7.2 Express Gate [Enabled]	61
2.7.3 AI NET 2	61

Asus M4A78 User Manual - Page 43

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility

Page 43 highlights