Gigabyte Socket A Motherboard GA-7ZXE Quick PC Installation Guide

Introduction

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing the Gigabyte Socket A Motherboard GA-7ZXE. Please ensure you have all the necessary accessories before proceeding.

Note: The peripheral devices contained herein depend on your actual system configuration. Third-party trademarks and names are the properties of their respective owners. The information contained herein relevant to software and hardware are for reference only and in accordance with actual system configuration. All information are subject to change without notice.

Warning! Computer motherboards and expansion cards contain very delicate Integrated Circuit (IC) chips. To protect them against damage from static electricity, please follow these precautions before you set up your computer:

• Turn off the AC power and unplug your computer.
• Hold the motherboard by the edges and try not to touch metal objects.
• Use a grounded wrist strap before handling computer components and IC chips (such as CPU and RAM).
• Place components on a grounded antistatic pad or on the bag that came with the components whenever the components are separated from the system.
• Ensure the ATX power supply is switched off before you remove the ATX power connector from the motherboard.

Check List

• The GA-7ZXE motherboard
• IDE Cable x1
• Floppy Cable x1
• CD for motherboard driver & Utility (VUCD)
• GA-7ZXE Series user manual
• Quick PC Installation Guide

Installation Steps

Step 1: Installing The CPU

1-1. Ensure the CPU is supported by the motherboard. Pull up the CPU socket lever to a 90-degree angle. Locate Pin 1 in the socket and the golden cut edge on the CPU upper corner. Insert the CPU into the socket. Ensure the CPU is properly installed, then press the CPU evenly by hand and pull down the lever to lock the CPU in place.

FYI footnote: The notched corner should be oriented toward the blank space on the socket nearest the lever. The CPU will only fit in the orientation as shown. If you do not match the CPU socket Pin 1 and CPU cut edge, it will cause improper installation, and may damage the CPU.

Step 2: Installing The CPU Cooling Fan

2-1. Use an Intel approved cooling fan. Ensure the CPU fan is plugged to the CPU retention module in the correct direction. Make sure the CPU fan power cable is connected to the CPU_FAN connector. Refer to your CPU fan user's manual for more detailed installation procedures.

FYI footnote: We recommend you to put thermal gel between the CPU and cooling fan to protect your CPU. CPU Heat Sink Installation: Beware: Please check that the heat sink is in good contact with the CPU before you turn on your system. Poor contact will cause overheating and might cause damage to your processor!

Step 3: Installing A DIMM Module

This motherboard has three 168-Pin DIMM sockets. The BIOS will automatically detect memory type and size. To install the memory module, please insert and push it vertically into the DIMM slot.

• Open the two whitelocking levers on the DIMM socket.
• Align the DIMM to the DIMM socket. Press firmly down on the DIMM.
• Push each lever locking towards the DIMM.

FYI footnote: Please note that the DIMM module can only fit in one direction due to the two keyed notches. The wrong orientation will cause improper installation, and may damage the DIMM socket.

Step 4: Chassis Introduction

4-1 Front panel introduction: The case design differs between manufacturers. Please install according to your case user's manual. This installation guide is for reference only.

4-2 Rear panel introduction: (Please refer to Step 7 if your power supply is not already installed in the case)

Step 5: Removing The Side Panel Board

• Undo the screws from the chassis.
• Pull out the PC's metal chassis side panel.
• Be careful not to cut yourself by the panel.

Step 6: Installing The Motherboard

• According to your system configuration, discharge the power supply from your motherboard if needed.
• When the risers are in position, place the motherboard over the risers so that the mounting holes and the risers are aligned. Fasten the Motherboard to the risers with the provided screws. (Motherboard mounting holes must line up with the case's mounting holes accordingly.)
• Affix your new motherboard in the case properly.

FYI footnote: According to your actual requirements, the risers may be used to keep the motherboard from touching the metal computer case and causing a short.

Step 7: Installing The Power Supply

• An Intel approved ATX 12V power supply is recommended.
• Gently fasten the power supply to your PC's chassis with screws.

Step 8: Installing A 5.25" / 3.5" Device

8-1 CD-ROM(DVD-ROM) drive Installation:

• Move the 5.25" Cover Plate.
• Note the location of the CD-ROM(DVD-ROM) drive controller header pins.
• Screw the CD-ROM Device in place.
• Orient the IDE ribbon cable as shown. Note the location of the red stripe on the cable indicating its Pin1 location. Align Pin1 of the ribbon cable to the controller header pin-1, then insert firmly. Wrong orientation will cause improper installation. (Pin1 of cable is normally marked with a red colored stripe.)
• Connect the CD-ROM(DVD-ROM) power cable to the Power connector.
• Connect the CD_IN audio cable to the CD-ROM CD audio connector.

8-2 Floppy disk drive Installation:

• Move the 3.5" Cover Plate.
• Note the location of the floppy disk drive controller header pins.
• Screw the FLOPPY disk device in place.
• Orient the floppy disk cable as shown. Note the location of the red stripe on the cable indicating its Pin1 location. Align Pin1 of the ribbon cable to the controller header pin-1, then insert firmly. Wrong orientation will cause improper installation. (Pin1 of cable is normally marked with a red colored stripe.)
• Connect the floppy disk power cable to the power connector.

8-3 Hard Disk Drive Installation:

• Note the location of the hard disk drive controller header pins.
• Screw the HARD DRIVE disk device in place.
• Orient the IDE cable as shown. Note the location of the red stripe on the cable indicating its Pin1 location. Align Pin1 of the ribbon cable to the controller header pin-1, then insert firmly. Wrong orientation will cause improper installation. (Pin1 of cable is normally marked with a red colored stripe.)
• Connect the IDE power cable to the power connector.

FYI footnote: Please note, install the IDE cable in advance.

Step 9: Connecting Power and Cables

• Connect the power LED, PC speaker, reset switch, and power switch etc. of your chassis front panel to the front panel jumper according to the following pin assignment. Please note, the power LED, PC speaker, reset switch and power switch pin assignments differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.
• Carefully connect all cables, leads, and peripherals to the motherboard. Important Notice: Please connect the first hard disk to IDE1 and connect the CD-ROM to IDE2.
• Connect the ATX power supply cable to the motherboard ATX power connector.
• This motherboard provides a fan failure alarm and CPU temperature alarm if your computer chassis includes a system fan and/or a sensor cable from your power supply. Please connect to the SYS_FAN connectors.
• Connect CD_IN connector.

Step 10: Installing Expansion Cards

• Discharge the rear add-on card panel. Be careful not to scrape the motherboard surface and components.
• Plug in add-on cards. Fasten the add-on card panel to the metal computer case with the provided screws.

Step 11: Installing The Side Panel Board

• Push the chassis forward and close the front panel.
• Fasten the computer case screws.

Step 12: Installing Peripherals and Power

• Refer to Step 4-2 for more details about connecting external peripherals to the PC.
• Turn off the power supply. (Do not connect the power cable to AC if your computer doesn't have a power switch.) Next, connect the power cable to the system and make a final inspection.
• Congratulations, you have accomplished the hardware installation!
• Turn on the power supply or connect the power cable to the power outlet. Continue with the software installation.

Step 13: Power On Screen

You can see the following information from the boot-up screen:

• AMI BIOS Included
• Model Name: 7ZXE, BIOS version: F2
• CPU Frequency: 950MHz (100x9.5)
• Memory Size: 256MB
• HD: FUJITSU MPE3170AT
• CD-ROM: CREATIVE DVD-ROM

You may refer to this information for your system configuration and indicate the IDE device is working properly. If the IDE is undetected, the system will not boot into HD. After powering on the computer, pressing <DEL> immediately during POST (Power On Self Test) will allow you to enter AMI BIOS CMOS SETUP.

Step 14: BIOS Setup (I)

Selecting "Load Optimized Defaults" will load the optimal setting into the BIOS. Move the cursor using the arrow keys on the keyboard to highlight the optimized default and press Enter. Then press "Y" if you wish to load this option.

Step 14: BIOS Setup (II)

14-2 Setting date and time: Highlight standard CMOS features, press Enter. Once in standard CMOS features, change the date/time according to your location.

14-3 Save & Exit Setup: To save and exit the BIOS setting screen, press F10, and press "Y" if you want to save the setting. Typing "N" or "ESC" will take you back to the setup screen.

14-3 Disable onboard audio function: Please skip this step if you would like to use on-board AC'97 audio. If you do not wish to use any on-board audio function (AC'97), you may disable it here.

Step 15: Installing Drivers

After your OS is installed correctly and running properly, it is time to install drivers. Insert the driver CD-title that came with your motherboard into your CD-ROM driver. The driver CD-title will auto-start and show the installation guide. If not, please double-click the CD-ROM device icon in "My computer" and execute setup.exe.

• A. VIA KT133/KM133 Chipsets Driver: Click "VIA 4 in 1 Service Pack Driver" Item.
• B. AC'97 Sound Chip Driver: Click "VIA AC'97 Audio Driver" Item.

(Follow the setup shown on the screen to install the Utility)

Step 16: Troubleshooting

If you encounter any trouble during boot up, please follow the troubleshooting procedures.

• START: Turn off the power and unplug the AC power cable, then remove all add-on cards and cables from the motherboard.
• Check if motherboard & chassis are not short. If yes, please isolate the short pin. If no, please make sure all jumper settings (such as CPU system bus speed, frequency ratio, voltage, etc.) are set properly.
• Check if the CPU cooling fan is attached to the CPU properly. Is the CPU cooling fan power connected to CPU_FAN properly? If yes, check if there is display. If no, perhaps your VGA card/VGA slot or monitor is defective. If yes, check if the CPU fan power is connected to the CPU fan connector. Plug in the AC power connector.
• If memory LED is on and CPU fan is running? If yes, failure has been excluded. If no, the problem could be caused by the power supply, CPU, memory, or CPU/memory socket itself.
• Turn off the system. Reboot after keyboard and mouse have been plugged in. If yes, failure has been excluded. If no, it is possible that your keyboard or keyboard connector is defective.
• Check if keyboard is working properly. If yes, failure has been excluded. If no, make sure the jumper setting are correct.
• Press <Del> to enter BIOS setup. Choose "Load Optimized Defaults" and save then exit setup. If yes, failure has been excluded. If no, turn off the system and re-connect the IDE cable. Check if the system can reboot successfully.
• If the problem was caused by the IDE device/connector or cable, failure has been excluded.
• Insert and push the memory module vertically into the DIMM slot. If yes, failure has been excluded. If no, check if the memory is installed properly into the DIMM slot.
• Insert the VGA card. Then plug in the ATX power cable and turn on the system. If yes, failure has been excluded. If no, reinstall Windows OS, and reinstall add-on cards and cables. Then try to reboot the system.
• If the above procedure unable to solve your problem, please contact your local retailer or national distributor for help. Or, you could submit your question to the service mail via Gigabyte website technical support zone (http://www.gigabyte.com.tw). The appropriate response will be provided ASAP.

System Bus Speed

The system bus speed is selectable at 100MHz & 133MHz. The user can select the system bus speed by Jumper "CLK_JP".

Default Value: 100MHz

Motherboard Components Overview

The motherboard features various connectors and components:

• CD-IN, AC'97 Audio, Game and Audio Port
• BIOS, Wake On LAN Connector
• CPU FAN, Socket A, VIA KT133A Chip
• PCI Slot, AGP Slot (Spec. 2.0)
• Battery, VIA 82686B Chip
• USB 2 Connector
• Front Control Panel (2x11 Pin) Jumper, System FAN, CLK_JP Jumper
• IDE 1 Connector, IDE 2 Connector, Floppy Connector
• COM A/COM B/LPT Port, USB Port
• PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse Port, USB Device Wakeup Selection Jumper
• ATX Power Connector, Memory Module Socket (DIMM1, DIMM2, DIMM3)
• STR Selection Jumper, STR LED