FREE ENGLISH NVIDIA NFORCE 680I LT SLI (01) PDF USER GUIDE
FREE ENGLISH NVIDIA NFORCE 680I LT SLI (01) PDF USER MANUAL
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NVIDIA NFORCE 680I LT SLI (01) PDF SUMMARY:
What should I do when working with the system due to the delicate IC chips inside the mainboard?
Always use a grounded wrist strap when working with the system.
What should I avoid touching when handling the mainboard?
Do not touch any IC chip, lead, connector, or other components.
What should I do before installing or removing any device on the mainboard or when configuring pins and switches?
Always unplug the AC power.
What do the symbols in the manual indicate?
- Attention- Important Information
- Follow the procedures below
- Troubleshooting Tips
How do I install a CPU Processor?
- Locate the CPU socket 775 on your mainboard and nudge the lever away from the socket. Then lift the lever to a 140-degree angle. Next, lift up the iron cover.
- There are 2 distinctive marks located near the corners of the socket on the same side as the lever. Match these marks with the marks on the CPU and carefully lower the CPU down onto the socket.
- Replace the iron cover and then lower the lever until it snaps back into position. This will lock down the CPU.
- Smear thermal grease on the top of the CPU. Lower the CPU fan onto the CPU/CPU socket and secure it using the attachments or screws provided on the fan. Finally, attach the fan power cord to the CPU FAN header.
What should I be careful of during CPU installation?
- Do not touch the CPU pins in case they are damaged.
- Make sure that you have completed all installation steps before powered on the system.
- Double-check that the cooling fan is properly installed and the CPU fan power cord is securely attached, in case your CPU and other sensitive components are damaged because of high temperatures.
Where should the CPU cooling fan be attached?
The CPUFAN header.
What is the function of cooling fans on the mainboard?
The cooling fans play an important role in maintaining ambient temperatures in your system.
What should I do to install memory?
- Pull the white plastic tabs at both ends of the slot away from the slot.
- Match the notch on the RAM module with the corresponding pattern in the DIMM slot. This will ensure that the module will be inserted with the proper orientation.
- Lower the RAM module into the DIMM Slot and press firmly using both thumbs until the module snaps into place.
- Repeat steps 1, 2 & 3 for the remaining RAM modules.
How do I enable Dual-Channel DDRII?
- These mainboards provide Dual-Channel functionality for the four DIMM sockets. Enabling Dual-Channel will significantly increase your data access rate than the before. DIMM0 and DIMM1 share one channel, and DIMM2 and DIMM3 share another channel.
- To enable Dual-Channel, you need to install memories in different channels of DIMM sockets. According to the definition by Intel, once one channel of the memory capacity is the same with the other channel, the Dual-Channel will be enabled then. For example, if you install one 256 MB memory in DIMM0 and another in DIMM1 (256MB x 2 = 512MB), you must install a total of 512 MB memory in DIMM2 or DIMM3, so that the Dual-Channel can be enabled.
- If you only need to install one memory, it is recommended to install it in DIMM0 or DIMM1.
What is the function of the S/PDIF output port?
The S/PDIF output is capable of providing digital audio to external speakers or compressed AC3 data to an external Dolby digital decoder. Use this feature only when your stereo system has digital input function.
What is the function of the USB ports?
These USB ports are used to attach with USB devices, such as keyboard, mice, and other USB supported devices.
What is the function of the Line-In (blue) audio port?
This port is for audio input and connects to external audio devices such as CD player, tape player or other audio devices when the 8/6/4/2 channel audio effects driver is enabled.
What is the function of the Line-Out/Front Speaker-out (green) audio port?
This port is an output audio port used for connecting to speakers or a headset. A dual channel audio system is to provide basic audio functionality. When the 8/6/4/2 channel audio system is enabled, this port will output audio for the front speakers.
What is the function of the Mic-In (pink) audio port?
This port is for connecting to a microphone. When the 8/6/4/2 channel audio system is enabled, this port will be the input of your microphone.
What is the function of the Center/Subwoofer (orange) audio port?
This port connects with the center/subwoofer speakers. It will be functional when the 8/6 channel audio system is driven for center/subwoofer output.
What is the function of the Rear Speaker Out (black) audio port?
This port is only functional for the output of the surround sound rear speakers when the 8/6/4/2 channel audio driver is installed and enabled.
What is the function of the Side Speaker Out (gray) audio port?
This port will be effective for the output of side surround speakers when the 8 channel audio system is set.
What kind of floppy disk drives do these mainboards support?
These mainboards provide a standard floppy disk drive connector (FDD) that supports 360KB/ 720KB/ 1.2MB/ 1.44MB/ 2.88 MB floppy disk drives using a FDD ribbon cable.
How many IDE devices can I attach to the IDE connector?
You can attach a maximum of two IDE devices, such as hard disk drive (HOD), CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc. using an IDE ribbon cable.
How should I configure the IDE hard drives if I attach two of them?
If you attach two IDE HDDs, you must configure one drive as the master and the other one as the slave.
What transmit rate do the SATA II connectors support?
The six SATA II connectors support 3 Gbps transmit rate, and one SATA connector only can attach one SATA HOD of each time using SATA cables.
What should I do if my case front panel has a hard drive LED cable?
If your case front panel has a hard drive LED cable, attach it to this header. The LED will flicker when there is hard disk drive activity.
What is the function of the reset switch header?
This header can be attached to a momentary SPST switch (reset button) cable on your case front panel. The switch is normally left open. When the switch closed, it will cause the mainboard to reset and run the POST (Power-On Self Test).
What is the function of the power LED header?
If there is a 2-pin power LED cord on your case front panel, you can attach it to the 2-pin power LED header. Then the power LED will illuminate while the system is powered on.
What is the function of the power switch header?
This header can be attached to a power switch cable on your case front panel. You can turn your system on or off by pressing the button attached to this power switch cable.
What is the function of the case open warning header?
This header is used to warn the user when the computer case has been previously opened. Please connect the header with a cable to your case directly. (Make sure that your computer case provides this “case open” cable).
What is the function of the serial interface header?
These mainboards provide one COM 1 header for you to connect an external serial connector on the back panel of your case. Attaching the serial connector by a cable (Optional) onto this header, then you can use the serial connector to attach with a mic, modem or other peripheral device.
How can I get more USB ports?
There are two additional USB headers that can be connected by cables to four more USB ports on the front panel of your case giving you a possible ten (or eight) USB ports.
What should I do if I am using a USB 2.0 device with Windows® XP?
If you are using a USB 2.0 device with Windows® XP, you will need to install the USB 2.0 driver from the Microsoft® website. If you are using Service pack 1 (or higher) for Windows® XP, you will not have to install the driver.
What is the function of the IEEE1394 header?
These mainboards provide one onboard IEEE1394 port on the back panel of your case. One additional IEEE1394 header on the mainboard for one more port on the front panel is allowed. Please connect the header by a cable for use with compatible devices.
What is the “Clear CMOS” function used for?
The “Clear CMOS” function is used when you are unable boot your system and need to reset the BIOS settings (CMOS settings) back to the manufacturer’s original settings. This is also a way to reset the system password if you have forgotten it.
How do I reset my CMOS configurations when I forgot a system password?
- Turn off your system and disconnect the AC power cable.
- Set CLR_CMOS header to OFF (1-2 Closed).
- Wait several seconds.
- Set CLR_CMOS header to ON (2-3 closed).
- Connect the AC power cable and turn on your system.
- Reset your new password.
What audio output choices does the front audio header support?
The audio header supports High Definition Audio standard and provides two kinds of audio output choices, the Front Audio and the Rear Audio.
What is the function of the PCI-Express x16 interface slot?
These mainboards provide two PCI-Express x16 slots which support one-way bandwidth up to 4 GB/s. They are also allowed to install two identical SLI-ready PCI-Express graphics cards to enable SLI Technology for better graphics performance.
What is the function of the PCI-Express x8 interface slot?
The nForce 680i SLI allows you to install an external graphics card, which the PCI-Express x8 interface, supporting one-way bandwidth up to 2 GB/s, is compatible to this PCIE x16_3 slot.
What can I do if there is no power to the system, the power light does not illuminate, the fan inside the power supply does not turn on, and the indicator lights on the keyboard are not lit?
- Make sure the power cable is securely plugged in.
- Replace the cable.
- Contact technical support.
- Use a different socket, repair outlet, reset circuit breaker or replace fuse.
What can I do if the system is inoperative, the keyboard lights are on, the power indicator lights are lit, the hard drive is active but the system seems “hung?”
- Power Down
- Using even pressure on both ends of the DIMM, press down firmly until the module snaps into place.
What can I do if the system does not boot from the hard disk drive but can be booted from the CD-ROM drive?
- Check the cable running from the disk to the disk controller board. Make sure both ends are securely attached. Check the drive type in the standard CMOS setup.
- Contact technical support.
- Backing up the hard drive is extremely important. Make sure you periodically perform backups to avoid untimely disk crashes.
What can I do if the system only boots from the CD-ROM, the hard disk can be read and applications can be used but booting from the hard disk is impossible?
Back up data and applications files. Reformat the hard drive. Re-install applications and data using backup disks.
What can I do if the error message reading “SECTOR NOT FOUND” displays and the system does not allow certain data to be accessed?
Back up any salvageable data. Then performs low level format, partition, and then a high level format the hard drive. Re-install all saved data when completed.
What can I do if the screen message says “Invalid Configuration” or “CMOS Failure?”
Review the system’s equipment. Reconfigure the system.
What can I do if the Screen is blank?
Check the power connectors to the monitor and to the system.
What can I do if the screen is blank?
- Reboot computer. Reinstall memory. Make sure that all memory modules are securely installed.
- Use anti-virus programs to detect and clean viruses.
What can I do if the screen goes blank periodically?
Disable screen saver.
What can I do if there is a keyboard failure?
Reconnect keyboard. Replace keyboard if you continue to experience problems.
What can I do if there is no color on the screen?
- If possible, connect monitor to another system. If no color appears, replace monitor.
- Call technical support.
What can I do if the screen displays “C: drive failure?”
Check hard drive cable.
What can I do if I cannot boot the system after installing a second hard drive?
- Set master/slave jumpers correctly.
- Run SETUP program and select the correct drive types. Call drive manufacturers for possible compatibility problems with other drives.
What can I do if the operating system is missing on the hard drive?
Run setup and select the correct drive type.
What can I do if certain keys do not function?
Replace keyboard.
How do I set up channels for Windows Vista?
- After entering the system, click the audio icon from the Windows Vista screen.
- When your audio device is plugged, the system will detect it and show the “Speakers” tab automatically.
- You can choose “Stereo”, “Quadraphonic”, “5.1 Speaker” or “7.1 Speaker” by your speakers in the “Speaker Configuration” item.
- You can click the “Auto test” button to test your audio devices.
How do I set up channels for Windows XP?
- After into the system, click the audio icon from the Windows XP screen.
- Click “Audio 1/0” button, you can see the screen like the picture below.
- You can choose 2, 4, 6 or 8 channels by your speakers.
- You can click the “Auto test” button to test your audio devices.
To take advantage of 7.1 Channel Audio Effects, you must use audio software that supports this functionality. You must also make sure your software is specifically configured for 7.1 Channel Audio Effect support.
How do I enable the “RAID” option in the BIOS Setup Utility before creating a RAID Array?
Integrated Peripherals » RAID Config » RAID Enable » Save & Exit Setup
What are the steps to configure the RAID array?
- When the screen below displays, press <Delete> to enter the BIOS setup screen.
- Move the arrow keys to the “Integrated Peripherals” item and press <Enter>.
- After entering the sub-menu, arrow down to the "RAID Config"item. Press <Enter>.
- Enable the “RAID Enable” item and then select the SATA ports with disks that you want to use for RAID. Press <Esc> to exit this screen.
- At the main screen arrow over to the “Save & Exit Setup” item. Press <Enter>.
- Press <Y>, and then press <Enter> to finish the setup.
How do I enter the NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility?
When the system boots up during the POST (Power-On Self Test), you will be given an opportunity to enter the NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility when the screen prompts you with the following message:
"Press < F10 > to enter RAID setup utility … "
Press the <F10> key to enter the NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility (note that you will only have a short window of time to press <F1 O> before the system continues the next step of the boot process). The NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility main screen will display as shown below. In addition, you will see all the SATA HDDs connected to your computer.
What RAID Modes can I configure?
- RAID 0 (Striped)
- RAID 1 (Mirrored)
- RAID 0+1 (Striped Mirror)
- JBOD (Spanned)
- RAID 5
Your choice depends on the RAID Mode that best fits your needs for either performance, redundancy, or both.
How will stripe block size affect performance?
Stripe block size will directly affect performance when data is written to or read by your system.
What stripe block sizes can I select?
- 4K
- 8K
- 16K
- 32K
- 64K
- 128K
- Optimal
When is the stripe block item unavailable?
This item is not available for RAID 1 and JBOD arrays.
How do I create a new array?
- The screen you will see upon initial configuration is the “Define a New Array” screen. <Tab> over to the “RAID Mode” item and press <Enter>. According to your configuration requirements, select “Mirrored” (RAID 1), “Striped” (RAID 0), “Striped Mirror” (RAID 0+1), “Spanned” (JBOD), or “RAID 5” in the drop-down menu. Then hit <Enter>. The example here is “RAID 0 (Striped)”.
- Next, <Tab> over to the “Stripe Block” item and press <Enter>. You can select the stripe block size for your array which will affect performance. It’s recommended that you select “Optimal”. Press <Enter>.
- <Tab> over to the “Free Disks” selection box, and use the up/down arrow keys to select disks for your RAID array. Use the right-arrow key to move selected disks to the “Array Disks” section (the selected drive will be highlighted). You can use the left-arrow key to reverse your selection.
- After all of the options are properly configured, press <F7>. A confirmation box will display. Hit <Y> to continue the RAID array creation.
- An alert box will appear. Press <Y> to clear the Master Boot Record and complete the RAID array creation.
- In the next page, you will see the “Array List” screen. You can press <Enter> to view the details.
- The “Array Detail” screen provides you all the information of the RAID array you created. You can press <Enter> to go back to the previous page. If you want to exit NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility, press <Enter> and then hit <Ctrl-X> to restart your computer.
- When you see the screen, please confirm the information about the RAID arrays you have created.
What should I do if I select a RAID Mode with the wrong hard disk numbers?
- For example, if you select “Mirrored” configure four hard disks into your array disks, and then you press <F7> go to the next step.
- Then you will see an alert box to notify you that you selected an invalid number of disks. In a mirrored array, you can only configure two disks at one time. You must press <Enter> to go back to the main screen to reconfigure your options again.
How do I delete an array?
- If you want to delete an existing array, go to the "Array Detail screen. Press <D>.
- An alert box will display for your confirmation to delete the array. Press <Y> to delete.
- After the array is deleted successfully, you will return to the main screen where you can re-create a new array.
How do I configure a bootable array?
Use the up/down arrow keys to select an array. Then press <B> to specify the selected array as a bootable array. You will see a special symbol, “✓”, marked in the Boot item of the highlighted array.
What do I do when there is only one RAID array?
When there are two RAID arrays or more, you can only select one.
How do I install Windows® XP OS onto my RAID HDDs?
- Download the NVIDIA RAID driver from the Albatron website.
- Go to the Albatron website: http://www.albatron.com.tw.
- Move your mouse pointer to the “Product Info” menu item and then click the “Mainboard” item in the drop-down menu.
- Select your mainboard. The example used is “NF 680i SLI” mainboard.
- Click “Driver” as shown on the left panel. Click the download icon to download the NVIDIA RAID driver (You should download the RAID driver according to your operating system). The picture illustrates a selection for a system using a “Windows XP 32-bit Operating System”.
- Press the “Save” button to download the RAID zip file. You must unzip the file and save the files onto media that you can use on an existing storage device on your computer (e.g. floppy disk drive).
- During the Windows® XP installation, a “Windows Setup” screen will prompt you with “Press F6 if you need to install third party SCSI or RAID driver”. Press <F6>.
- Press <S> when setup asks if you want to specify an additional device.
- Insert the media which includes the “RAID Driver” into your computer. Press <Enter> to locate the appropriate OS device driver. You will install two drivers.
- Select the “NVIDIA RAID CLASS DRIVER (required)” and press <Enter> to locate this driver.
- When you see the screen, press <S> to download the second RAID driver.
- Select the “NVIDIA nForce Storage Controller (required)” and also, press <Enter>.
- You have finished RAID drivers installation. Press <Enter> to continue the Windows® XP setup process.
- Follow the setup instructions and select the partition and file system where you want to install the operating system files.
- After setup examines your disks, it will copy files to the Windows® XP installation folders and restart the system. After the system reboots, the setup program will continue with the installation all the way to completion.
- Wait until Windows® XP finishes installing devices, regional settings, networking settings, components, and any other remaining tasks. Reboot the system if you are asked to do so.
How do I install Windows® Vista OS onto my RAID HDDs?
- Download the NVIDIA RAID driver from the Albatron website.
- Go to the Albatron website: http://www.albatron.com.tw.
- Move your mouse pointer to the “Product Info” menu item and then click the “Mainboard” item in the drop-down menu.
- Select your mainboard. The example used is “NF 680i SLI” mainboard.
- Click “Driver” as shown on the left panel. Click the download icon to download the NVIDIA RAID driver (You should download the RAID driver according to the operating system). The picture below illustrates “Windows Vista 32-bit Operating System”.
- Press the “Save” button to download the RAID zip file. You must unzip the file and save the files to media that you can use on an existing storage device on your computer (floppy disk drive, or USB Flash Drive).
- During a Windows® Vista installation, there will be an item “Load Driver”. Click on it and then insert the media containing the RAID Driver files into your computer. You will install two drivers.
- Click on “Browse” to browse into the folders of the media to locate the folder with the files.
- Select the media which includes the RAID Drivers.
- The example here is “floppy disk drive”. Make sure you have inserted the floppy disk including the RAID Drivers. Select “Floppy Disk Drive(A:)”. Click “OK” to load the RAID Drivers. The system will scan for the drivers automatically.
- Select the “NVIDIA nForce RAID Controller” and click “Next” to locate this driver. Please wait until finished.
- When you go back to the screen, click “Load Driver” again to download the second RAID driver.
- Click on “Browse” to browse into the folders of the media to locate the folder with the files.
- Select the media which includes the RAID Drivers.
- Select “Floppy Disk Drive(A:)” and click “OK” to load the RAID Drivers. The system will rescan for the drivers automatically.
- Select the “NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller” and click “Next” to continue. Please wait until finished.
- You will return to the “Install Windows” screen to continue with the installation. Follow the setup instructions and select the partition where you want to install the operating system files.
- After setup examines your disks, it will copy files to the Windows® Vista installation folders and restart the system. After the system is rebooted, the setup program will continue with the installation all the way to completion.
- Wait until Windows® Vista finishes installing devices, regional settings, networking settings, components, and any other remaining tasks. Reboot the system if you are asked to do so.
How do I rebuild a RAID Mirrored Array?
- Before rebuilding an array, you must connect new hard disk(s) onto your computer.
- Power on your computer. When the system boots up during the POST (Power-On Self Test), you will be given an opportunity to enter the NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility when the screen prompts you with the message: "Press < F10 > to enter RAID setup utility … ".
- Press <F10> key to enter the NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility (note that you will only have a short window of time to press <F10> before the system continues the next step of the boot process).
- Go to the screen shown. Press <Enter>.
- You should see the existing RAID array on your system. Press <R> to rebuild the array.
- The next screen will display. Use up/down arrow keys to select a free disk. Press <A> to continue.
- An alert box will display for your confirmation to rebuild array. Press <Enter> to go to the next step.
- A confirmation box will display. Hit <Y> to continue rebuilding the RAID array.
- You have successfully finished the setup of rebuilding an array in the “NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility”. Press <Ctrl-X> to restart your computer.
- During the boot process, you will see the screen. Confirm the “Rebuild” information.
- The Rebuild process is automatic. You can check of the Rebuild. Go to “Start —–> All Programs —–> NVIDIA Corporation —–> NVIDIA Control Panel —–> Storage” under Windows.
- A notification box will display to notify you rebuilding the array is started. Rebuilding the array will take a while. Please wait until finished.
- When the rebuilding is finished, make sure the “Status” item for your Rebuild Array shows “Healthy”. You have now successfully rebuilt the RAID array.
What components do I need to build an NVIDIA SLI system?
- Two NVIDIA SLI-Ready certified PCI Express graphics cards
- An NVIDIA SLI-Ready power supply
- Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system
For a complete list of certified components and a matrix to determine the power supply required for your particular graphic cards, go to: http://www.slizone.com/content/slizone/build.html.
What are the recommended power supplies?
- High-End NVIDIA SLI Configuration: 500W-550W, +12V@ 30A
- Mid-Range NVIDIA SLI Configuration: 420W-480W, +12V@ 25A
- Entry-Level NVIDIA SLI configuration: 350W-420W, +12V@ 20A
If the power supply specifies two 12V windings (i.e. 12V1 and 12V2), add these numbers together to check against the specifications described above.
For systems with the 6800 Ultra or 6800 GT, please make sure the power supply also contains PCI Express auxiliary power supply connectors. If your power supply does not have a PCI Express auxiliary connector (6-pin connector), please contact your graphics board partner for an HDD-to-PCI Express power adaptor.
What are the NVIDIA SLI power supply recommendations based on?
- High-End NVIDIA SLI Configuration:
- Dual GeForce 6800 Ultra Graphics cards
- Athlon 64 939-pin CPU or Intel Xeon
- Two or more HDD, including RAID 0, 1, 0+1 or 5 configurations
- Two optical drives
- PCI sound card
- Mid-Range NVIDIA SLI Configuration:
- Dual GeForce 6800 or GeForce 6800 GT Graphics cards
- Athlon 64 939-pin CPU
- Single HDD
- Two optical drives
- PCI sound card
- Entry-Level NVIDIA SLI configuration:
- Dual GeForce 6600 GT Graphics cards
- Athlon 64 939-pin CPU
- Single HDD
- One optical drive
For a list of certified power supplies, go to: http://www.slizone.com/content/slizone/build.html.
How do I install my NVIDIA SU-Ready Parts?
- Install two SU-Ready graphic cards into the two outer black PCI Express x16 slots on the motherboard. Be sure to seat the graphic cards into the connectors.
- Connect the PCI Express supplementary power connectors from the system power supply to each of the graphic cards.
- Install the NVIDIA SU connector across the two outer graphics cards. Each SU-Ready graphics card has an SU finger on the upper side of the card.
How do I install NVIDIA SLI Software?
- Upon power up, the operating system recognizes the new NVIDIA SU-Ready components and displays the Found New Hardware message.
- Your motherboard shipped with a set of drivers that you must install. Once these drivers are installed, reboot your system.
- Go to http://www.slizone.com/content/slizone/drivers.html and download the latest SLI graphics drivers.
- With the new drivers installed, reboot your system. After this reboot, the following SLI capable system message displays to let you know that your hardware and software components have been installed properly.
How do I enable NVIDIA SLI?
- Enable NVIDIA SLI by clicking on the SLI capable system balloon or by going to the NVIDIA Control Panel.
- To launch the NVIDIA Control Panel, select Start ► All Programs ► NVIDIA Corporation ► NVIDIA Control Panel. Click on the 3D Settings icon.
- Select Set SLI configuration from under Performance.
- Click Enable SLI technology (recommended) and click Apply.
- The system reboots to apply the setting and display the following message upon reboot.
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