Gigabyte GA-MA790GPT-UD3H: Chapter 4 Unique Features

Chapter 4 Unique Features: Gigabyte GA-MA790GPT-UD3H

Chapter 4 Unique Features

4-1 Xpress Recovery2

Xpress Recovery2 is a utility that allows you to quickly compress and

back up your system data and perform restoration of it. Supporting NTFS,

FAT32, and FAT16 le systems, Xpress Recovery2 can back up data on

PATA and SATA hard drives and restore it.

Before You Begin:

(Note)

• Xpress Recovery2 will check the rst physical hard drive

for the operating system. Xpress Recovery2

can only back up/restore the rst physical hard drive that has the operating system installed.

• As Xpress Recovery2 will save the backup le at the end of the hard drive, make sure to leave enough un-

allocated space in advanced (10 GB or more is recommended; actual size requirements vary, depending

on the amount of data).

• It is recommended to back up your system soon after the operating system and drivers are installed.

• The amount of data and hard drive access speed may affect the speed at which the data is backed up/

restored.

• It takes longer to back up a hard drive than to restore it.

System Requirements:

• At least 512 MB of system memory

• VESA compatible graphics card

• Windows XP with SP1 or later, Windows Vista

• Xpress Recovery and Xpress Recovery2 are different utilities. For example, a backup le created

with Xpress Recovery cannot be restored using Xpress Recovery2.

• USB hard drives are not supported.

• Hard drives in RAID/AHCI mode are not supported.

Installation and Conguration:

Turn on your system to boot from the Windows Vista setup disk.

A. Installing Windows Vista and Partitioning the Hard Drive

Step 1:

Step 2:

Click Drive options.

Click New.

(Note) Xpress Recovery2 checks the rst physical hard drive in the following sequence: The rst PATA IDE connector, the

second PATA IDE connector, the rst SATA connector, the second SATA connector and so forth. For example, when hard

drives are attached to the rst IDE and the rst SATA connectors, the hard drive on the rst IDE connector is the rst physical

drive. When hard drives are attached to the rst and second SATA connectors, the hard drive on the rst SATA connector is

the rst physical drive.

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Step 3:

Step 4:

When partitioning your hard drive, make sure to

After the operating system is installed, right-click

leave unallocated space (10 GB or more is recom-

the Computer icon on your desktop and select

mended; actual size requirements vary, depending

Manage. Go to Disk Management to check disk

on the amount of data) and begin the installation of

allocation.

the operating system.

Step 5:

Xpress Recovery2 will save the backup le to the unallocated

space (black stripe along the top). Please note that if there is no

enough unallocated space, Xpress Recovery2 cannot save the

backup le.

B. Accessing Xpress Recovery2

1. Boot from the motherboard driver disk to access Xpress Recovery2 for the rst time. When you see the

following message:

Press any key to startup Xpress Recovery2

, press any key

to enter Xpress Recovery2.

2. After you use the backup function in Xpress Recovery2 for the rst time, Xpress Recovery2 will stay

permanent in your hard drive. If you wish to enter Xpress Recovery2 later, simply press <F9> during the

POST.

C. Using the Backup Function in Xpress Recovery2

Xpress Recovery2 will automatically create a

new partition to store the backup image le.

Step 1:

Step 2:

Select BACKUP to start backing up your hard drive

When nished, go to Disk Management to check

data.

disk allocation.

Unique Features - 66 -

D. Using the Restore Function in Xpress Recovery2

Select RESTORE to restore the backup to your hard drive in

case the system breaks down. The RESTORE option will not be

present if no backup is created before.

E. Removing the Backup

Step 1:

Step 2:

If you wish to remove the backup le, select

After the backup le is removed, no backup image

REMOVE.

le will be present in Disk Management and hard

drive space will be freed up.

F. Exiting Xpress Recovery2

Select REBOOT to exit Xpress Recovery2.

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4-2 BIOS Update Utilities

GIGABYTE motherboards provide two unique BIOS update tools, Q-Flash

and @BIOS

. GIGABYTE

Q-Flash and @BIOS are easy-to-use and allow you to update the BIOS without the need to enter MS-DOS

mode. Additionally, this motherboard features the DualBIOS

design, which enhances protection for the

safety and stability of your computer by adding one more physical BIOS chip.

What is DualBIOS

?

Motherboards that support DualBIOS have two BIOS onboard, a main BIOS and

a backup BIOS. Normally, the system works on the main BIOS. However, if the

main BIOS is corrupted or damaged, the backup BIOS will take over on the next system boot and copy the

BIOS le to the main BIOS to ensure normal system operation. For the sake of system safety, users cannot

update the backup BIOS manually.

What is Q-Flash

?

With Q-Flash you can update the system BIOS without having to enter operating

systems like MS-DOS or Window rst. Embedded in the BIOS, the Q-Flash tool

frees you from the hassles of going through complicated BIOS ashing process.

What is @BIOS

?

@BIOS allows you to update the system BIOS while in the Windows environ-

ment. @BIOS will download the latest BIOS le from the nearest @BIOS server

site and update the BIOS.

4-2-1 Updating the BIOS with the Q-Flash Utility

A. Before You Begin

1. From GIGABYTE's website, download the latest compressed BIOS update le that matches your moth-

erboard model.

2. Extract the le and save the new BIOS le (e.g. 79GPTUD3.F1) to your oppy disk, USB ash drive, or

hard drive. Note: The USB ash drive or hard drive must use FAT32/16/12 le system.

3. Restart the system. During the POST, press the <End> key to enter Q-Flash. Note: You can access

Q-Flash by either pressing the <End> key during the POST or pressing the <F8> key in BIOS Setup.

However, if the BIOS update le is saved to a hard drive in RAID/AHCI mode or a hard drive attached to

an independent IDE/SATA controller, use the <End> key during the POST to access Q-Flash.

Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG, An Energy Star Ally

Copyright (C) 1984-2009, Award Software, Inc.

GA-MA790GPT-UD3H F1b

.

.

.

.

<DEL>: BIOS Setup <F9>: XpressRecovery2 <F12>: Boot Menu <End>: Qash

06/19/2009-RS780D-SB750-7A66AG0EC-00

Because BIOS ashing is potentially risky, please do it with caution. Inadequate BIOS ashing may

result in system malfunction.

Unique Features - 68 -

B. Updating the BIOS

When updating the BIOS, choose the location where the BIOS le is saved. The following procedure as-

sumes that you save the BIOS le to a oppy disk.

Step 1:

1. Insert the oppy disk containing the BIOS le into the oppy disk drive. In the main menu of Q-Flash, use

the up or down arrow key to select Update BIOS from Drive and press <Enter>.

The Save Main BIOS to Drive option allows you to save the current BIOS le.

Q-Flash only supports USB ash drive or hard drives using FAT32/16/12 le system.

If the BIOS update le is saved to a hard drive in RAID/AHCI mode or a hard drive attached to

an independent IDE/SATA controller, use the <End> key during the POST to access Q-Flash.

2. Select Floppy A and press <Enter>.

Q-Flash Utility v2.13

Flash Type/Size................................. MXIC 25L8005 1M

0le(s)found

Keep DMI Data Enable

Load CMOS Default Enable

Floppy A <Drive>

Update BIOS from Drive

HDD 1-0 <Drive>

Save BIOS to Drive

Enter : Run

hi

:Move ESC:Reset F10:Power Off

Total size : 0 Free size : 0

3. Select the BIOS update le and press <Enter>.

Make sure the BIOS update le matches your motherboard model.

Step 2:

The process of the system reading the BIOS le from the oppy disk is displayed on the screen. When the

message "Are you sure to update BIOS?" appears, press <Enter> to begin the BIOS update. The monitor will

display the update process.

Do not turn off or restart the system when the system is reading/updating the BIOS.

Do not remove the oppy disk, USB ash drive, or hard drive when the system is updat-

ing the BIOS.

Step 3:

When the update process is complete, press any key to return to the main menu.

Q-Flash Utility v2.13

Flash Type/Size................................. MXIC 25L8005 1M

Keep DMI Data Enable

Load CMOS Default Enable

!! Copy BIOS completed - Pass !!

Update BIOS from Drive

Save BIOS to Drive

Please press any key to continue

Enter : Run

hi

:Move ESC:Reset F10:Power Off

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Step 4:

Press <Esc> and then <Enter> to exit Q-Flash and reboot the system. As the system boots, you should see

the new BIOS version is present on the POST screen.

Step 5:

During the POST, press <Delete> to enter BIOS Setup. Select Load Optimized Defaults and press <Enter>

to load BIOS defaults. System will re-detect all peripheral devices after a BIOS update, so we recommend

that you reload BIOS defaults.

CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2009 Award Software

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)

Load Fail-Safe Defaults

Standard CMOS Features

Load Optimized Defaults

Advanced BIOS Features

Set Supervisor Password

Integrated Peripherals

Set User Password

Power Management Setup

Save & Exit Setup

Load Optimized Defaults (Y/N)? Y

PnP/PCICongurations

Exit Without Saving

PC Health Status

ESC: Quit

higf

: Select Item F11: Save CMOS to BIOS

F8: Q-Flash F10: Save & Exit Setup F12: Load CMOS from BIOS

Load Optimized Defaults

Press <Y> to load BIOS defaults

Step 6:

Select Save & Exit Setup and then press <Y> to save settings to CMOS and exit BIOS Setup. The proce-

dure is complete after the system restarts.

Unique Features - 70 -

4-2-2 Updating the BIOS with the @BIOS Utility

A. Before You Begin

1. In Windows, close all applications and TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) programs. This helps prevent

unexpected failures when performing a BIOS update.

2. During the BIOS update process, ensure the Internet connection is stable and do NOT interrupt the

Internet connection (for example, avoid a power loss or switching off the Internet). Failure to do so may

result in a corrupted BIOS or a system that is unable to start.

3. Do not use the G.O.M. (GIGABYTE Online Management) function when using @BIOS.

4. GIGABYTE product warranty does not cover any BIOS damage or system failure resulting from an inad-

equate BIOS ashing.

B. Using @BIOS

1. Update the BIOS Using the Internet Update Function:

Click Update BIOS from GIGABYTE Server, select the @BIOS server site closest to your location and

then download the BIOS le that matches your motherboard model. Follow the on-screen instructions to

complete.

If the BIOS update le for your motherboard is not present on the @BIOS server site, please

manually download the BIOS update le from GIGABYTE's website and follow the instructions in

"Update the BIOS without Using the Internet Update Function" below.

2. Update the BIOS without Using the Internet Update Function:

Click Update BIOS from File, then select the location where you save the BIOS update le obtained

from the Internet or through other source. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete.

3. Save the Current BIOS File:

Click Save Current BIOS to File to save the current BIOS le.

4. Load BIOS Defaults after BIOS Update:

Select the Load CMOS default after BIOS update check box and then the system will automatically

load BIOS defaults after BIOS update and after the system restarts.

C. After Updating the BIOS

Restart your system after updating the BIOS.

Make sure that the BIOS le to be ashed matches your motherboard model. Updating the

BIOS with an incorrect BIOS le could cause your system not to boot.

- 71 - Unique Features

4-3 EasyTune 6

GIGABYTE's EasyTune 6 is a simple and easy-to-use interface that allows users to ne-tune their system

settings or do overclock/overvoltage in Windows environment. The user-friendly EasyTune 6 interface also

includes tabbed pages for CPU and memory information, letting users read their system-related information

without the need to install additional software.

The EasyTune 6 Interface

Tabs Information

Tab Function

The CPU tab provides information on the installed CPU and motherboard.

The Memory tab provides information on the installed memory module(s). You can select memory

module on a specic slot to see its information.

The Tuner tab allows you to change system clock settings and voltages.

Easy mode allows you to adjust the CPU FSB only.

Advanced mode allows you to individually change system clock settings and voltages settings

using the sliders.

(Note)

Easy Boost is an easy-to-use auto-overclocking function

. When activated, the system

automatically experiments all sorts of overclocking congurations till it hangs. After restart, the

system will operate with the optimum congurations tested to let the CPU reach the best

overclocking performance.

Save allows you to save the current settings to a new prole (.txt le).

Load allows you to load previous settings from a prole.

After making changes in Easy mode/Advanced mode, be sure to click Set for these changes to take

effect or click Default to restore to default values.

The Graphics tab allows you to change the core clock and memory clock for your ATI or NVIDIA

graphics card.

The Smart tab allows you to specify a C.I.A.2 level and a Smart Fan mode. Smart Fan Advance Mode

allows the CPU fan speed to be changed linearly based on the CPU temperature thresholds you set.

The HW Monitor tab allows you to monitor hardware temperature, voltage and fan speed and set

temperature/fan speed alarm. You can choose the alert sound from the buzzer or use your own sound

le (.wav le).

(Note) Before enabling Easy Boost, right-click the EasyTune 6 icon in the notication area. Select Auto overclock

last tune on the next reboot to allow the system to work with the optimum overclocking conguration after restart.

Available functions in EasyTune 6 may differ by motherboard model. Grayed-out area(s) indicates that the item is

not congurable or the function is not supported.

Incorrectly doing overclock/overvoltage may result in damage to the hardware components such as CPU, chipset,

and memory and reduce the useful life of these components. Before you do the overclock/overvoltage, make sure

that you fully know each function of EasyTune 6, or system instability or other unexpected results may occur.

Unique Features - 72 -

4-4 Easy Energy Saver

GIGABYTE Easy Energy Saver is a revolutionary technology that delivers unparalleled power savings with

a click of the button. Featuring an advanced proprietary software design, GIGABYTE Easy Energy Saver is

able to provide exceptional power savings and enhanced power efciency without sacricing computing per-

formance.

The Easy Energy Saver Interface

A. Meter Mode

In Meter Mode, GIGABYTE Easy Energy Saver shows how much power they have saved in a set period of

time.

Meter Mode - Button Information Table

Button Description

1 Easy Energy Saver On/Off Switch (Default: Off)

(Note 1)

2 Dynamic CPU Frequency Function On/Off Switch (Default: Off)

3 CPU Throttling Display

4 CPU Voltage Display

(Note 2)

5 3-Level CPU Voltage Switch (Default:1)

6 Current CPU Power Consumption

7 Meter Time

8 Power Saving (Calculate power savings based on time)

9 Meter/Timer Reset Switch

10 Meter Mode Switch

11 Total Mode Switch

12 Close (Application will enter Stealth Mode)

13 Minimize (Application will continue to run in taskbar)

14 INFO/Help

15 Live Utility Update (Check for the latest utility version)

The above data is for reference only. Actual performance may vary depending on motherboard model.

CPU Power and Power Scores are for reference only. Actual results may vary based on testing method.

- 73 - Unique Features

B. Total Mode

In Total Mode, users are able to see how much total power savings they have accumulated in a set period of

(Note 3)

time since activating Easy Energy Saver for the rst time

.

Total Mode - Button Information Table

Button Description

1 Easy Energy Saver On/Off Switch (Default: Off)

(Note 1)

2 Dynamic CPU Frequency Function On/Off Switch (Default: Off)

3 CPU Throttling Display

4 CPU Voltage Display

(Note 2)

5 3-Level CPU Voltage Switch (Default:1)

6 Current CPU Power Consumption

7 Time/Date Easy Energy Saver Enabled

(Note 4)

8 Total Power Savings (Total power saving with Easy Energy Saver enabled)

9 Meter Mode Switch

10 Total Mode Switch

11 Close (Application will enter Stealth Mode)

12 Minimize (Application will continue to run in taskbar)

13 INFO/Help

14 Live Utility Update (Check for the latest utility version)

C. Stealth Mode

In Stealth Mode, the system continues to work with the user-dened power saving settings, even after the

system is restarted. Re-enter the application only if you want to make any changes or completely close the

application.

(Note 1) Maximize system power saving with Dynamic CPU Frequency Function; system performance may

be affected.

(Note 2) 1: Normal Power Saving (default); 2: Advanced Power Saving; 3: Extreme Power Saving.

(Note 3) The total amount of power saved will be recorded until re-activated when only the Easy Energy

Saver is under the enable status, and power savings meter is unable to reset to zero.

(Note 4) Easy Energy Saver Meter will automatically reset when the total power saving reaches 99999999

Watts.

Unique Features - 74 -

4-5 Q-Share

Q-Share is an easy and convenient data sharing tool. After conguring your LAN connection settings and

Q-Share, you are able to share your data with computers on the same network, making full use of Internet

resources.

Directions for using Q-Share

After installing Q-Share from the motherboard driver disk, go to Start>All Programs>GIGABYTE>Q-Share.

exe to launch the Q-Share tool. Find the Q-Share icon in the notication area and right-click on this icon

to congure the data sharing settings.

Figure 1. Data Sharing Disabled Figure 2. Data Sharing Enabled

Options Descriptions

Option Description

Connect ... Displays the computers with data sharing enabled

Enable Incoming Folder ... Enables data sharing

Disable Incoming Folder ... Disables data sharing

Open Incoming Folder : Accesses the shared data folder

C:\Q-ShareFolder

(Note)

Change Incoming Folder : Changes the data folder to be shared

C:\Q-ShareFolder

Update Q-Share ... Updates Q-Share online

About Q-Share ... Displays the current Q-Share version

Exit... Exits Q-Share

(Note) This option is available only when data sharing is NOT enabled.

- 75 - Unique Features

4-6 Time Repair

Based on the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Services technology, Time Repair allows you to quickly back

up and restore your system data in the Windows Vista operating system. Time Repair supports NTFS le

system and can restore system data on PATA and SATA hard drives.

System Restore

Choose a system restore point using the navigation bar on the right or at the bottom of the screen to view the

system data backed up at different time. You can choose le(s)/directory(ies) and click the Copy button to

restore the le(s)/directory(ies) or click Restore to restore the entire system.

Preference Screen

Button Function

ON Automatically creates system restore

points

OFF DO NOT automatically create system restore

points

SCHEDULE Sets a regular interval for creating system

restore points

CAPACITY Sets the percentage of hard drive space used

for saving shadow copies

TRIGGER Creates a system restore point upon the rst

boot up of the day

? Displays the Time Repair help le

• The hard drive used must have more than 1 GB of capacity and over 300 MB of available space.

• Each storage volume can accommodate 64 shadow copies. When this limit is reached, the old-

est shadow copy will be deleted and unable to be restored. Shadow copies are read-only so you

cannot edit the contents of a shadow copy.

Unique Features - 76 -