ASRock B75M-DGS: 2. Installation

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2.  Installation

This is a Micro ATX form factor (8.9” x 7.2”, 22.6 x 18.3 cm) motherboard. Before 

you install the motherboard, study the con

fi

 guration of your chassis to ensure that 

the motherboard 

fi

 ts into it.

Make sure to unplug the power cord before installing or removing the  

motherboard. Failure to do so may cause physical injuries to you and  

damages to motherboard components.

2.1  Screw Holes

Place screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the 

chassis.  

Do not over-tighten the screws!  Doing so may damage the motherboard.

2.2  Pre-installation Precautions

Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components 

or change any motherboard settings.

1.   Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any 

components.

2.   To avoid damaging the motherboard’s components due to static 

electricity, NEVER place your motherboard directly on the carpet 

or the like. Also remember to use a grounded wrist strap or touch a 

safety grounded object before you handle the components. 

3.   Hold components by the edges and do not touch the ICs. 

4.   Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded anti-

static pad or in the bag that comes with the component.

5. 

When placing screws into the screw holes to secure the mother-

board to the chassis, please do not over-tighten the screws! Doing 

so may damage the motherboard. 

      Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the power is 

      switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do 

      so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, and/or 

      components.

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2.3  CPU Installation 

For the installation of Intel 1155-Pin CPU, 

please follow the steps below.

Before you insert the 1155-Pin CPU into the socket, please check if the 

CPU surface is unclean or if there are any bent pins in the socket. Do 

not force to insert the CPU into the socket if above situation is found. 

Otherwise, the CPU will be seriously damaged.

Step 1.  Open the socket:

Step 1-1.  Disengage the lever by pressing it 

down and sliding it out of the hook.

Step 1-2.  Keep the lever positioned at about 

135 degrees in order to flip up the 

load plate.

Step 2.  Remove the PnP Cap (Pick and Place Cap).

1. It is recommended to use the cap tab to handle and avoid kicking  

    off the PnP cap.

2. This cap must be placed if returning the motherboard for after  

    service.

1155-Pin Socket Overview

Contact Array

Socket Body

Load Lever

Load Plate

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Pin1

alignment  key 

alignment  key 

Pin1

1155-Pin CPU

Step 3.  Insert the 1155-Pin CPU:

Step 3-1.  Hold the CPU by the edge which is 

marked with a black line.

Step 3-2.  Orient the CPU with the IHS (Inte-

grated Heat Sink) up. Locate Pin1 

and the two orientation key notches.

For proper inserting, please ensure to match the two orientation key 

notches of the CPU with the two alignment keys of the socket.

Step 3-3.  Carefully place the CPU into the 

socket by using a purely vertical mo-

tion.

Step 3-4.  Verify that the CPU is within the sock-

et and properly mated to the orient 

keys.

Step 4.  Close the socket:

Step 4-1.  Flip the load plate onto the IHS.

Step 4-2.  Press down the load lever, and se-

cure it with the load plate tab under 

the retention tab.

black  line

orientation  key  notch

orientation  key  notch

1155-Pin  Socket

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2.4  Installation of CPU Fan and Heatsink 

This motherboard is equipped with 1155-Pin socket that supports Intel 1155-Pin 

CPUs. Please adopt the type of heatsink and cooling fan compliant with Intel 1155-

Pin CPU to dissipate heat. Before you install the heatsink, you need to spray ther-

mal interface material between the CPU and the heatsink to improve heat dissipa-

tion. Ensure that the CPU and the heatsink are securely fastened and in good con-

tact with each other. Then connect the CPU fan to the CPU_FAN connector (CPU_

FAN1, see page 2, No. 2).  

For proper installation, please kindly refer to the instruction manuals of your 

CPU fan and heatsink.

Below is an example to illustrate the installation of the heatsink for 1155-Pin CPUs.

Step 1.  Apply thermal interface material onto the cen-

ter of the IHS on the socket’s surface.

Step 2.  Place the heatsink onto the socket. Ensure 

that the fan cables are oriented on side closest 

to the CPU fan connector on the motherboard 

(CPU_FAN1, see page 2, No. 2).

Step 3.  Align fasteners with the motherboard through-

holes.

Step 4.  Rotate the fastener clockwise, then press 

down on fastener caps with thumb to install 

and lock. Repeat with remaining fasteners.

If you press down the fasteners without rotating them clockwise, the 

heatsink cannot be secured on the motherboard.

Step 5.  Connect fan header with the CPU fan connector on the motherboard.

Step 6.  Secure redundant cable with tie-wrap to ensure the cable does not 

interfere with fan operation or contact other components.

Apply Thermal

Interface Material

Fan cables on side

closest to MB header

Fastener slots

pointing straight out

Press Down

(4 Places)

Please be noticed that this motherboard supports Combo Cooler 

Option (C.C.O.), which provides 

fl

 exible options to adopt three dif-

ferent CPU cooler types, Socket LGA 775, LGA 1155 and LGA 1156. 

The white throughholes are for Socket LGA 

1155/1156 CPU fan.

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2.5  Installation of Memory Modules (DIMM)

This motherboard provides two 240-pin DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) DIMM slots, 

and supports Dual Channel Memory Technology. For dual channel configuration, 

you always need to install two identical (the same brand, speed, size and chip-

type) memory modules in the DDR3 DIMM slots to activate Dual Channel Memory 

Technology. Otherwise, it will operate at single channel mode.

1. 

It is not allowed to install a DDR or DDR2 memory module into a 

DDR3 slot; otherwise, this motherboard and DIMM may be 

 damaged.

2. 

If you install only one memory module or two non-identical 

memory modules, it is unable to activate Dual Channel 

 Memory 

Technology.

3. 

Some DDR3 1GB double-sided DIMMs with 16 chips may not 

work on this motherboard. It is not recommended to install them 

on this motherboard.

Installing a DIMM

Please make sure to disconnect power supply before adding or 

removing DIMMs or the system components.

Step 1.  Unlock a DIMM slot by pressing the retaining clips outward.

Step 2.  Align a DIMM on the slot such that the notch on the DIMM matches the 

break on the slot.

The DIMM only 

fi

 ts in one correct orientation. It will cause permanent 

damage to the motherboard and the DIMM if you force the DIMM into 

the slot at incorrect orientation.

Step 3.  Firmly insert the DIMM into the slot until the retaining clips at both ends 

fully snap back in place and the DIMM is properly seated.

notch

break

notch

break

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2.6  Expansion Slots (PCI Express Slots)

There are 2 PCI Express slots on this motherboard.

PCIE slots: 

PCIE1 (PCIE 3.0 x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x16 lane width 

graphics cards.

PCIE2 (PCIE 2.0 x1 slot) is used for a PCI Express x1 lane width card, 

such as a Gigabit LAN card, SATA2 card, etc.

Only PCIE1 slot supports Gen 3 speed. To run the PCI Express in Gen 3 

speed, please install an Ivy Bridge CPU. If you install a Sandy Bridge CPU, 

the PCI Express will run only at PCI Express Gen 2 speed.

Installing an expansion card

Step 1. 

Before installing an expansion card, please make sure that the power 

supply is switched off or the power cord is unplugged. Please read the 

documentation of the expansion card and make necessary hardware 

settings for the card before you start the installation.

Step 2. 

Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed 

in a chassis).

Step 3. 

Remove the bracket facing the slot that you intend to use. Keep the 

screws for later use.

Step 4. 

Align the card connector with the slot and press 

fi

 rmly until the card is 

completely seated on the slot.

Step 5. 

Fasten the card to the chassis with screws.

Step 6.  

Replace the system cover

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2. If you have installed onboard VGA driver from our support CD to your system        

    already, you can freely enjoy the bene

fi

 ts of dual monitor function after your        

    system boots. If you haven’t installed onboard VGA driver yet, please install        

    onboard VGA driver from our support CD to your system and restart your  

    computer.

2.7 Dual Monitor and Surround Display Features

Dual Monitor Feature

This motherboard supports dual monitor feature. With the internal VGA output sup-

port (DVI-D and D-Sub), you can easily enjoy the bene

fi

 ts of dual monitor feature 

without installing any add-on VGA card to this motherboard. This motherboard also 

provides independent display controllers for DVI-D and D-Sub to support dual VGA 

output so that DVI-D and D-sub can drive same or different display contents.

To enable dual monitor feature, please follow the below steps:

1. Connect DVI-D monitor cable to DVI-D port on the I/O panel, and connect D-Sub 

    monitor cable to D-Sub port on the I/O panel.

D-Sub port

DVI-D port

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Surround Display Feature

This motherboard supports surround display upgrade. With the internal VGA output 

support (DVI-D and D-Sub) and external add-on PCI Express VGA cards, you can 

easily enjoy the bene

fi

 ts of surround display feature. 

Please refer to the following steps to set up a surround display environment:

1. Install the PCI Express VGA card on PCIE1 slot. Please refer to page 17 for 

    proper expansion card installation procedures for details.

2. Connect DVI-D monitor cable to DVI-D port on the I/O panel, and connect 

    D-Sub monitor cable to D-Sub port on the I/O panel. Then connect other 

    monitor cables to the corresponding connectors of the add-on PCI Express VGA 

    card on PCIE1 slot.

3. Boot your system. Press <F2> or <Del> to enter UEFI setup. Enter “Onboard  

    VGA Share Memory” option to adjust the memory capability to [32MB], [64MB],  

    [128MB], [256MB] or [512MB] to enable the function of D-sub. Please make sure 

    that the value you select is less than the total capability of the system memory. 

    If you do not adjust the UEFI setup, the default value of “Onboard VGA Share 

    Memory”, [Auto], will disable D-Sub function when the add-on VGA card is 

    inserted to this motherboard.

4. Install the onboard VGA driver and the add-on PCI Express VGA card driver to  

    your system. If you have installed the drivers already, there is no need to install  

    them again. 

5. Set up a multi-monitor display. 

    For Windows

®

 XP / XP 64-bit OS:

Right click the desktop, choose “Properties”, and select the “Settings” tab  

so that you can adjust the parameters of the multi-monitor according to  

the steps below. 

A. Click the “Identify” button to display a large number on each monitor. 

B. Right-click the display icon in the Display Properties dialog that you   

    wish to be your primary monitor, and then select “Primary”. When 

    you use multiple monitors with your card, one monitor will always be   

    Primary, and all additional monitors will be designated as Secondary.

C. Select the display icon identi

fi

 ed by the number 2. 

D. Click “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor”. 

E. Right-click the display icon and select “Attached”, if necessary. 

F. Set the “Screen Resolution” and “Color Quality” as appropriate for the      

    second monitor. Click “Apply” or “OK” to apply these new values. 

G. Repeat steps C through E for the diaplay icon identi

fi

 ed by the number  

     one, two, three and four.

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    For Windows

®

 7 / 7 64-bit / Vista

TM

 / Vista

TM

 64-bit OS:

Right click the desktop, choose “Personalize”, and select the “Display    

Settings” tab so that you can adjust the parameters of the multi-monitor  

according to the steps below. 

A. Click the number ”2” icon. 

B. Click the items “This is my main monitor” and “Extend the desktop onto      

    this monitor”. 

C. Click “OK” to save your change. 

D. Repeat steps A through C for the display icon identi

fi

 ed by the number      

     three and four.

6. Use Surround Display. Click and drag the display icons to positions representing  

    the physical setup of your monitors that you would like to use. The placement        

    of display icons determines how you move items from one monitor to another.

HDCP Function 

HDCP function is supported on this motherboard. To use HDCP  

function with this motherboard, you need to adopt the monitor  

that supports HDCP function as well. Therefore, you can enjoy  

the superior display quality with high-de

fi

 nition HDCP 

encryption contents. Please refer to below instruction for more  

details about HDCP function.

  What 

is 

HDCP?

HDCP stands for High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection, 

  a 

speci

fi

 cation developed by Intel

®

 for protecting digital 

entertainment content that uses the DVI interface. HDCP is a

copy protection scheme to eliminate the possibility of 

intercepting digital data midstream between the video source, 

or transmitter - such as a computer, DVD player or set-top box - 

and the digital display, or receiver - such as a monitor, television 

or projector. In other words, HDCP speci

fi

 cation is designed to 

protect the integrity of content as it is being transmitted.

Products compatible with the HDCP scheme such as DVD 

players, satellite and cable HDTV set-top-boxes, as well as few 

entertainment PCs requires a secure connection to a compliant 

display. Due to the increase in manufacturers employing HDCP  

in their equipment, it is highly recommended that the HDTV or  

LCD monitor you purchase is compatible. 

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2.8  Jumpers Setup

The illustration shows how jumpers are 

setup. When the jumper cap is placed on 

pins, the jumper is “Short”. If no jumper cap 

is placed on pins, the jumper is “Open”. The 

illustration shows a 3-pin jumper whose 

pin1 and  pin2 are “Short” when jumper cap 

is placed on these 2 pins.

Jumper Setting 

Description

Clear CMOS Jumper

(CLRCMOS1)

(see p.2,  No. 25)

Note:  CLRCMOS1 allows you to clear the data in CMOS. To clear and reset the 

system parameters to default setup, please turn off the computer and unplug 

the power cord from the power supply. After waiting for 15 seconds, use a 

jumper cap to short pin2 and pin3 on CLRCMOS1 for 5 seconds. However, 

please do not clear the CMOS right after you update the BIOS. If you need 

to clear the CMOS when you just 

fi

 nish updating the BIOS, you must boot 

up the system 

fi

 rst, and then shut it down before you do the clear-CMOS ac-

tion. Please be noted that the password, date, time, user default pro

fi

 le, 1394 

GUID and MAC address will be cleared only if the CMOS battery is removed.

Clear CMOS

Default

If you clear the CMOS, the case open may be detected. Please adjust

the BIOS option “Clear Status” to clear the record of previous chassis

 intrusion 

status.

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2.9  Onboard Headers and Connectors

Onboard headers and connectors are NOT jumpers. Do NOT place 

jumper caps over these headers and connectors. Placing jumper caps 

over the headers and connectors will cause permanent damage of the 

motherboard!

Serial ATA2 Connectors 

These three Serial ATA2  

(SATA2_1: see p.2,  No. 11)

(SATA2) connectors support   

(SATA2_2: see p.2,  No. 13)

SATA data cables for internal  

(SATA2_3: see p.2,  No. 14)

storage devices. The current   

SATA2 interface allows up to 

3.0 Gb/s data transfer rate.

Serial ATA3 Connector 

This Serial ATA3 (SATA3) 

(SATA3_0: see p.2,  No. 12)

connector supports SATA data 

cables for internal storage 

devices. The current SATA3   

interface allows up to 6.0 Gb/s  

data transfer rate.

Serial ATA (SATA) 

Either end of the SATA data 

Data Cable 

cable can be connected to the 

(Optional)

SATA / SATA2 / SATA3 hard 

disk or the SATA2 / SATA3 

connector on this motherboard.

SATA2_3       SATA2_1

SATA2_2

Print Port Header 

This is an interface for print port 

(25-pin LPT1)

cable that allows convenient 

(see p.2,  No. 20)

connection of printer devices.

1

AFD#

ERROR#

PINIT#

GND

SLIN#

STB#

SPD0

SPD1

SPD2

SPD3

SPD4

SPD5

SPD6

SPD7

ACK#

BUSY

PE

SLCT

SATA3_0

USB 2.0 Headers 

Besides four default USB 2.0 

(9-pin USB4_5)

ports on the I/O panel, there are 

(see p.2,  No. 18)

two USB 2.0 headers on this 

motherboard. Each USB 2.0

header can support two USB 2.0 

 ports.

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Front Panel Audio Header 

This is an interface for front 

(9-pin HD_AUDIO1)

panel audio cable that allows 

(see p.2,  No. 21)

convenient connection and 

control of audio devices.

1. High De

fi

 nition Audio supports Jack Sensing, but the panel wire on the 

    chassis must support HDA to function correctly. Please follow the 

    instruction in our manual and chassis manual to install your system.

2. If you use AC’97 audio panel, please install it to the front panel audio 

    header as below:

    A. Connect Mic_IN (MIC) to MIC2_L.

    B. Connect Audio_R (RIN) to OUT2_R and Audio_L (LIN) to OUT2_L.

    C. Connect Ground (GND) to Ground (GND).

    D. MIC_RET and OUT_RET are for HD audio panel only. You don’t need 

         to connect them for AC’97 audio panel.

(9-pin USB6_7)

(see p.2,  No. 17)

USB 3.0 Header 

Besides two default USB 3.0 

(19-pin USB3_2_3)

ports on the I/O panel, there is 

(see p.2,  No. 6)

one USB 3.0 header on this 

motherboard. This USB 3.0 

header can support two USB 3.0 

 ports.

1

DUMMY

IntA_P1_D+

IntA_P1_D-

GND

IntA_P1_SSTX+

IntA_P1_SSTX-

GND

IntA_P1_SSRX+

IntA_P1_SSRX-

Vbus

IntA_P0_D+

IntA_P0_D-

GND

IntA_P0_SSTX+

IntA_P0_SSTX-

GND

IntA_P0_SSRX+

IntA_P0_SSRX-

Vbus

Infrared Module Header 

This header supports an 

(5-pin IR1)

optional wireless transmitting 

(see p.2,  No. 23)

and receiving infrared module.

1

IRTX

+5VSB

DUMMY

IRRX

GND

J_SENSE

OUT2_L

1

MIC_RET

PRESENCE#

GND

OUT2_R

MIC2_R

MIC2_L

OUT_RET

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    E. To activate the front mic.

         For Windows

®

 XP / XP 64-bit OS:

         Select “Mixer”. Select “Recorder”. Then click “FrontMic”.

         For Windows

®

 7 / 7 64-bit / Vista

TM

 / Vista

TM

 64-bit OS:

         Go to the “FrontMic” Tab in the Realtek Control panel. Adjust 

         “Recording Volume”.

System Panel Header 

This header accommodates 

(9-pin PANEL1)

several system front panel 

(see p.2,  No. 15)

 functions.

Connect the power switch, reset switch and system status indicator on the 

chassis to this header according to the pin assignments below. Note the 

positive and negative pins before connecting the cables.

PWRBTN (Power Switch):

Connect to the power switch on the chassis front panel. You may con

fi

 gure 

the way to turn off your system using the power switch.

RESET (Reset Switch):

Connect to the reset switch on the chassis front panel. Press the reset 

switch to restart the computer if the computer freezes and fails to perform a 

normal restart.

PLED (System Power LED):

Connect to the power status indicator on the chassis front panel. The LED 

is on when the system is operating. The LED keeps blinking when the sys-

tem is in S1/S3 sleep state. The LED is off when the system is in S4 sleep 

state or powered off (S5).

HDLED (Hard Drive Activity LED):

Connect to the hard drive activity LED on the chassis front panel. The LED 

is on when the hard drive is reading or writing data.

The front panel design may differ by chassis. A front panel module mainly 

consists of power switch, reset switch, power LED, hard drive activity LED, 

speaker and etc. When connecting your chassis front panel module to this 

header, make sure the wire assignments and the pin assign-ments are 

matched correctly.

Chassis Speaker Header   

Please connect the chassis 

(4-pin SPEAKER 1)

speaker to this header.

(see p.2,  No. 16)

+5V

D

UMM

Y

D

UMM

Y

SPEAKER

1

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Chassis and Power Fan Connectors 

Please connect the fan cables 

(4-pin CHA_FAN1)

to the fan connectors and match 

(see p.2,  No. 10)

the black wire to the ground pin. 

CHA_FAN1 supports Fan 

(3-pin PWR_FAN1)

Control.

(see p.2,  No. 26)

CPU Fan Connector 

Please connect the CPU fan 

(4-pin CPU_FAN1)

cable to the connector and 

(see p.2,  No. 2)

match the black wire to the 

ground 

pin.

       Though this motherboard provides 4-Pin CPU fan (Quiet Fan) support, the 3-Pin 

       CPU fan still can work successfully even without the fan speed control function.

       If you plan to connect the 3-Pin CPU fan to the CPU fan connector on this 

       motherboard, please connect it to Pin 1-3.

3-Pin Fan Installation

Pin 1-3 Connected

ATX Power Connector 

Please connect an ATX power 

(24-pin ATXPWR1)

supply to this connector. 

(see p.2,  No. 5)

ATX 12V Power Connector   

Please connect an ATX 12V 

(4-pin  ATX12V1)

power supply to this connector.

(see p.2,  No. 1)

GND

+12V

PWR_FAN_SPEED

FAN_SPEED_CONTROL

GND

+12V

CHA_FAN_SPEED

12  

 1

24

13

20-Pin ATX Power Supply Installation

Though this motherboard provides 24-pin ATX power connector, 

it can still work if you adopt a traditional 20-pin ATX power supply. 

To use the 20-pin ATX power supply, please plug your 

power supply along with Pin 1 and Pin 13.

12

 1

24

13

GND

+12V

CPU_FAN_SPEED

FAN_SPEED_CONTROL

1  2  3  4

Serial port Header 

This COM1 header supports a 

(9-pin COM1)

serial port module. 

(see p.2,  No. 19)

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2.10  Driver Installation Guide

To install the drivers to your system, please insert the support CD to your optical 

drive 

fi

 rst. Then, the drivers compatible to your system can be auto-detected and 

listed on the support CD driver page. Please follow the order from top to bottom to 

install those required drivers. Therefore, the drivers you install can work properly.

2.11  Installing Windows

®

 7 / 7 64-bit / Vista

TM 

/ Vista

TM 

64-bit / XP /                                

         XP 64-bit Without RAID Functions

If you want to install Windows

®

 7 / 7 64-bit / Vista

TM

 / Vista

TM

 64-bit / XP / XP 64-bit 

OS on your SATA / SATA2 / SATA3 HDDs without RAID functions, please follow the 

procedures below according to the OS you install.

2.11.1  Installing Windows

®

 XP / XP 64-bit Without RAID Functions

If you want to install Windows

®

 XP / XP 64-bit OS on your SATA / SATA2 / SATA3 

HDDs without RAID functions, please follow the steps below.

STEP 1: Set Up UEFI.

A. Enter UEFI SETUP UTILITY        Advanced screen        Storage Con

fi

 guration.

B. Set the option “SATA Mode Selection” to [IDE]. 

STEP 2: Install Windows

®

 XP / XP 64-bit OS on your system.

Using SATA / SATA2 / SATA3 HDDs without NCQ function

AHCI mode is not supported under Windows

®

 XP / XP 64-bit.

2.11.2  Installing Windows

®

 7 / 7 64-bit / Vista

TM 

/ Vista

TM 

64-bit    

            Without RAID Functions

If you want to install Windows

®

 7 / 7 64-bit / Vista

TM

 / Vista

TM

 64-bit OS on your SATA 

/ SATA2 / SATA3 HDDs without RAID functions, please follow the steps below.

Chassis Intrusion Header   

This motherboard supports

(2-pin CI1)

CASE OPEN detection feature

(see p.2,  No. 24)

that detects if the chassis cover

has been removed. This feature

requires a chassis with chassis

intrusion detection design.

1

Signal

GND