MSI Gaming 7 User Manual
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- 91 - 5-1 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 file 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 first. Embedded in the BIOS, the Q-Flash tool frees you from the hassles of going through complicated BIOS flashing process. What is @BIOS™? @BIOS allows you to update the system BIOS while in the Windows environm\ ent. @BIOS will download the latest BIOS file from the nearest @BIOS server site and update the BIOS. Because BIOS flashing is potentially risky, please do it with caution. Inadequate BIOS flashing may result in system malfunction. 5-1-1 Updating the BIOS with the Q-Flash Utility A. Before You Begin 1. From GIGABYTE's website, download the latest compressed BIOS update file that matches your motherboard model. 2. Extract the file and save the new BIOS file (e.g. Z97XGAMING7.F1) to your USB flash drive, or hard drive. Note: The USB flash drive or hard drive must use FAT32/16/12 file system. 3. Restart the system. During the POST, press the key to enter Q-Flash. Note: You can access Q-Flash by either pressing the key during the POST or pressing the key in BIOS Setup. However, if the BIOS update file is saved to a hard drive in RAID/AHCI mode or a hard drive attached to an independent SATA controller, use the key during the POST to access Q-Flash. Chapter 5 Unique Features Unique Features
- 92 - B. Updating the BIOS In the main menu of Q-Flash, use the keyboard or mouse to select an item\ to execute. When updating the BIOS, choose the location where the BIOS file is saved. The following procedure assumes that you save the BIOS file to a USB flash drive. Step 1: 1. Insert the USB flash drive containing the BIOS file into the computer. In the main menu of Q-Flash, select Update BIOS From Drive. Step 2: The process of the system reading the BIOS file from the USB flash drive is displayed on the screen. When the message "Are you sure to update BIOS?" appears, select Yes to begin the BIOS update. The monitor will display the update process. Step 3: The system will restart after the update process is complete. 2. Select USB Flash Drive. 3. Select the BIOS update file. •The Save BIOS to Drive option allows you to save the current BIOS file. •Q-Flash only supports USB flash drive or hard drives using FAT32/16/12 file system. •If the BIOS update file is saved to a hard drive in RAID/AHCI mode or a hard drive attached to an independent SATA controller, use the key during the POST to access Q-Flash. Make sure the BIOS update file matches your motherboard model. •Do not turn off or restart the system when the system is reading/updating the BIOS. •Do not remove the USB flash drive or hard drive when the system is updating the BIOS. Q-Flash Utility v1.05Model Name : Z97X-Gaming 7BIOS Version : F1jBIOS Date : 03/09/2014Flash Type/Size : MXIC 25L Series 16MB Update BIOS From DriveSave BIOS to DriveReturn to BIOS setupSelect Device USB Flash Drive Unique Features
- 93 - Step 4: During the POST, press to enter BIOS Setup. Select Load Optimized Defaults on the Save & Exit screen and press to load BIOS defaults. System will re-detect al\ l peripheral devices after a BIOS update, so we recommend that you reload BIOS defaults. Step 5: Select Save & Exit Setup and press . And then select Yes to save settings to CMOS and exit BIOS Setup. The procedure is complete after the system restarts. Select Yes to load BIOS defaults Unique Features
- 94 - 5-1-2 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. If the BIOS is being updated via the Internet, 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. GIGABYTE product warranty does not cover any BIOS damage or system failure resulting from an inadequate BIOS flashing. B. Using @BIOS •Make sure that the BIOS file to be flashed matches your motherboard model. Updating the BIOS with an incorrect BIOS file could cause your system not to boot. •Do not turn off the system or remove the power during the BIOS update process, or the BIOS may corrupt and the system may not boot. If the BIOS update file for your motherboard is not present on the @BIOS server site, please manually download the BIOS update file from GIGABYTE's website and follow the instructions in "Update the BIOS without Using the Internet Update Function" below. Supported image formats include jpg, bmp, and gif. C. After Updating the BIOS Restart your system after updating the BIOS. 1. Update the BIOS Using the Internet Update Function:Click Update from Server, select the @BIOS server site closest to your location and then download the BIOS file that matches your motherboard model. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete. 2. Update the BIOS without Using the Internet Update Function: Click Update from File, then select the location where you save the BIOS update file obtained from the Internet or through other source. Follow the on-screen instruct\ ions to complete. 3. Save the Current BIOS File: Click Save to File to save the current BIOS file. 4. Change the Boot-up Logo: Click Upload new image in Face-Wizard and you will be able to change the boot-up logo with your own picture, creating a personalized boot-up screen. Click Backup current image to save the currently used boot-up logo. Unique Features
- 95 - 5-2 APP Center GIGABYTE App Center gives you easy access to a wealth of GIGABYTE apps that help you get the most from your GIGABYTE motherboard (Note). Using a simple, unified user interface, GIGABYTE App Center allows you to easily launch all GIGABYTE apps installed on your system, check related updates online, and download the apps, drivers, and BIOS. Running the APP Center Insert the motherboard driver disk. On the Autorun screen, go to Application Software\Install GIGABYTE Utilities to install GIGABYTE App Center and the selected apps. Restart your computer after the installation is complete. In Desktop mode, click the App Center icon in the notification area to launch the App Center utility (Figure 1). On the main menu, you can select an app to run or click Live Update to update an app online. If the App Center is closed, you can restart it by clicking the App Center icon on the Apps menu (Figure 2). Figure 2 Figure 1 (Note) Available applications in APP Center may differ by motherboard model. Supported functions of each application may also differ depending on motherboard specifications. Unique Features
- 96 - 5-2-1 EasyTune GIGABYTE's EasyTune is a simple and easy-to-use interface that allows users to fine-tune their system settings or do overclock/overvoltage in Windows environment. The EasyTune Interface Tabs InformationTa bDescription The Smart Quick Boost tab provides you with different levels of CPU frequency to choose to achieve desired system performance. After making changes, be sure to restart your system for these changes to take effect. The Advanced CPU OC tab allows you to set CPU base clock, frequency, and voltages, and integrated graphics frequency. You can save the current settings to a profile. You can create up to 2 profiles. The Advanced DDR OC tab allows you to set the memory clock. The 3D Power tab allows you to change power phase, voltage, and frequency settings. Incorrectly doing overclock/overvoltage may result in damage to the hard\ ware components such as CPU, chipset, and memory and reduce the useful life of these componen\ ts. Before you do the overclock/overvoltage, make sure that you fully know each function of EasyTune, or system instability or other unexpected results may occur. Available functions in EasyTune may differ by motherboard model. Grayed-out area(s) indicates that the item is not configurable or the function is not supported. Unique Features
- 97 - 5-2-2 System Information Viewer GIGABYTE System Information Viewer allows you to monitor and adjust the fan speed in the operating sy\ stem. You can also display the hardware monitor information on the desktop to v\ iew the system status at any time. The System Information Viewer Interface The speed control function requires the use of a fan with fan speed cont\ rol design. Tabs InformationTa bDescription The System Information tab provides information on the installed CPU and motherboard and the BIOS version. The Smart Fan Auto tab allows you to specify a Smart Fan mode The Smart Fan Advance tab allows you to adjust the smart fan speed. The fans will run at different speeds according to system temperatures. Using the Smart Fan option you can adjust the fan's workload according system temperatures or you can fix the fan speeds using the RPM Fixed Mode option. Click the Calibrate button and the fan speed will be shown in relation to overall fan workload after calibration. The Reset button can revert the fan settings back to the last saved values. The System Alerts tab allows you to monitor hardware temperature, voltage and fan speed, and set temperature/fan speed alarm. The Record tab allows you to record changes in system voltages, temperatures, and fan speeds. Please note, the recording will stop if you exit the Record tab during the recording process. Unique Features
- 98 - 5-2-3 EZ Setup The GIGABYTE EZ Setup utility includes the following 'EZ' setups applications that will offer greatly simplified install and configuration procedures: Disk Mode Switch, EZ Smart Response, EZ Rapid Start, EZ Smart Connect, and XHD. Disk Mode Switch Disk Mode Switch allows you to switch the operating mode for your hard d\ rive even after it's been installed with an operating system. Supported operating modes include IDE, AHCI, and RAID. You can select a disk mode and restart your computer after the selection. •Native UEFI mode is not supported. •Be sure to reinstall the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility after you switch the disk mode. Unique Features
- 99 - EZ Smart Response A. System Requirements 1. An Intel® Chipset-based motherboard supporting this feature 2. Intel® Core series processor 3. Intel® SATA controllers set to RAID mode 4. Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility installed (Note 1) 5. A conventional SATA disk and an SSD (Note 2) 6. Windows 7 with SP1/Windows 8/Windows 8.1 (Note 3) B. Using EZ Smart Response Select EZ Smart Response and click Create. To disable this function, click Delete. If you have installed the operating system before configuring the Smart Response Technology, all original data on the SSD will be lost once you enable RAID mode (Note 4). It is recommended that you back up the hard disk before enabling the Smart Response Technology. (Note 1) Before start, make sure you have installed the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility (version 11.5 or above). (Note 2) The SSD works as a cache of the hard disk. The maximum cache memory size is 64 GB. If you use an SSD larger than 64 GB, the space beyond 64 GB can still be used for s\ toring your data. (Note 3) The operating system must be installed to the SATA disk. (Note 4) Regardless of the BIOS settings, be it IDE or AHCI mode, the system will be forced to RAID mode. Unique Features
- 100 - EZ Rapid Start A. System Requirements 1. Intel® Rapid Start Technology enabled in BIOS Setup 2. An SSD with size larger than the total system memory 3. Windows 7 with SP1/Windows 8/Windows 8.1 4. AHCI/RAID mode supported please note if the SSD has been assigned as a member of a RAID array, it cannot be used to set up and Intel® Rapid Start store partition); IDE mode not supported (Note) B. Using EZ Rapid Start Select EZ Rapid Start and click Create. Then install the Intel® Rapid Start Technology utility and restart your computer to complete. To disable this function, click Delete. •The default compressed space is the system memory size plus 2 GB. For example, if the system memory size is 8 GB, the default compressed space is 8 GB plus 2 GB, so the SSD capacity will decrease by 10 GB. If EZ Rapid Start is disabled, the decreased 10 GB will be returned to the SSD. •If you want to upgrade your system memory, disable EZ Rapid Start first and re-install it to ensure it can work normally. (Note) If the motherboard Chipset supports RAID, EZ Rapid Start will force the Intel® SATA controllers into RAID mode. If not, the Intel® SATA controllers will be forced into AHCI mode. Unique Features