MSI X99s Gaming 7 Manual

							- 61 -
 &EHCI Hand-off
 Determines whether to enable EHCI Hand-off feature for an operating system without EHCI Hand-off 
support.	(Default:	Disabled)
 &USB Storage Devices
 Displays a list of connected USB mass storage devices. This item appears only when a USB storage device 
is installed.
 &Two Layer KVM Switch
 Set to Enabled	to	 ensure	 proper	device	functionality	 when	chaining	 two	KVM	 switches.	 (Default:	Disabled)
 `Intel(R) Ethernet Network Connection (LAN2)
	 This	sub-menu	provides	information	on	 LAN	configuration	and	related	configuration	options.
BIOS Setup  
						

							- 62 -
 `PCH	sSATA	Configuration	(sSATA3	0~3	Connectors)
 &sSATA Controller
	 Enables	 or	disables	 the	integrated	 SATA	controllers	 that	control	 the	sSATA3	 0~3	connectors.	 (Default:	
Enabled)
 &Configure	sSATA 	as	
	 Allows	you	to	decide	whether	to	configure	the	SATA 	controllers	to	AHCI	mode.
 IDE	 	 	 Configures	the	SATA 	controllers	to	IDE	mode.
 AHCI	 	 		
Configures	the	SATA 	controllers	 to	AHCI	 mode.	 Advanced	 Host	Controller	 Interface	
(AHCI)	is	an	 interface	 specification	 that	allows	 the	storage	 driver	to	enable	 advanced	
Serial	ATA	features	such	as	Native	Command	Queuing	and	hot	plug.	(Default)
2-7 Chipset
BIOS Setup  
						

							- 63 -
 `SATA Mode options
	 This	sub-menu	provides	SATA-related	configuration	options.
 &sSATA Port 0/1/2/3
	 Enables	or	disables	each	SATA	port.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Hot plug
	 Enables	or	disable	the	hot	plug	capability	for	each	SATA 	port.	(Default:	Disabled)
 &sSATA Device Type
	 Allows	you	to	select	the	type	of	the	device	connected	to	the	SATA 	port.	(Default:	Hard	Disk	Drive)
 `PCH	SATA	Configuration	(SATA3	0~5	Connectors)
 &SATA Controller
	 Enables 	or	 disables	 the	integrated	 SATA	controllers	 that	control 	the	 SATA3	 0~5	connectors.	 (Default:	
Enabled)
 &Configure	SATA 	as
	 Enables	or	disables	RAID	for	the	SATA 	controllers	or	configures	the	SATA	controllers	to	AHCI	mode.
 IDE	 	 	 Configures	the	SATA 	controller	to	IDE	mode.
 RAID     Enables RAID for the SATA controller.
 AHCI	 	 		
Configures	the	SATA 	controllers	 to	AHCI	 mode.	 Advanced	 Host	Controller	 Interface	
(AHCI)	is	an	 interface	 specification	 that	allows	 the	storage	 driver	to	enable	 advanced	
Serial	ATA	features	such	as	Native	Command	Queuing	and	hot	plug.	(Default)
 &SATA Mode options
	 This	sub-menu	provides	SATA-related	configuration	options.
 &SATA Port 0/1/2/3/4/5
	 Enables	or	disables	each	SATA 	port.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Hot plug
 Enables	or	disable	the	hot	plug	capability	for	each	SATA 	port.	(Default:	Disabled)
BIOS Setup  
						

							- 64 -
 &XHCI Mode
 Allows you to determine the operating mode for the xHCI controller in OS.
 Smart Auto     This mode is available only when the BIOS supports the xHCI controller in the pre-boot 
environment. This mode is similar to Auto, but it adds the capability to route the ports 
to	xHCI	 or	EHCI	 according	 to	setting	 used	in	previous	 boots	(for	non-G3	 boot)	in	the	
pre-boot environment. This allows the use of USB 3.0 devices prior to OS boot. xHCI 
controller enabling and rerouting should follow the steps in Auto, when previous boot 
routs ports to EHCI. Note: This is the recommended mode when BIOS has xHCI pre-
boot	support.	(Default)
 Auto        BIOS routes the sharable ports to EHCI controller. Then it uses ACPI protocols to 
provide an option to enable the xHCI controller and reroute the sharable ports. Note: 
This is the recommended mode when BIOS does NOT have xHCI pre-boot support.
 Enabled      All shared ports are eventually routed to the xHCI controller during the\
 BIOS boot process. 
If BIOS does not have pre-boot support for the xHCI controller, it should initially route 
the sharable ports to the EHCI controller and then prior to OS boot it should route the 
ports to xHCI controller. Note: OS has to provide support for the xHCI controller in this 
mode. If the OS does not provide support, all sharable ports won't work.\
 Disabled      The USB 3.0 ports are routed to the EHCI controller and the xHCI controller is turned 
off. All USB 3.0 devices function as High Speed devices regardless of xHCI software 
support/availability.
 Manual      Allows you to determine whether to rout the USB 3.0 ports to the xHCI or\
 EHCI controller 
before booting to OS, and also provides you with options to manually rout each USB 
3.0/2.0 port to xHCI or EHCI.
 &Audio Controller
	 Enables	or	disables	the	onboard	audio	function.	(Default:	 Auto)
 &PCH DMI ASPM
	 Allows	you	to	configure	the	ASPM	mode	for	Chipset	DMI	link.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &PCH Internal LAN (Intel® GbE LAN Chip, LAN2)
 Enables or disables the Intel®	GbE	LAN	function.	(Default:	Enabled)	
 If you wish to install a 3rd party add-in network card instead of using \
the onboard LAN, set this item to 
Disabled.
 &Wake on LAN
	 Enables	or	disables	the	wake	on	LAN	function.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Intel VT for Directed I/O (VT-d) (Note)
 Enables or disables Intel®	Virtualization	 Technology	for	Directed	I/O.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Execute Disable Bit (Note)
 Enables or disables Intel® Execute Disable Bit function. This function may enhance protection for the 
computer,	 reducing	exposure	 to	viruses	 and	malicious	 buffer	overflow	 attacks	when	working	 with	its	
supporting	software	and	system.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &SATA Device Type
	 Allows	you	to	select	the	type	of	the	device	connected	to	the	SATA 	port.	(Default:	Hard	Disk	Drive)
(Note)	 This	item	is	present	 only	when	 you	install	 a	CPU 	that	 supports	 this	feature.	 For	more	 information	 about	
Intel® CPUs' unique features, please visit Intel's website.
BIOS Setup  
						

							- 65 -
 &AC BACK
 Determines the state of the system after the return of power from an AC power loss.
 Always	Off	 	 	
The	system	stays	off	upon	the	return	of	the	 AC	power.	(Default)
 Always On   The system is turned on upon the return of the AC power.
 Memory   The system returns to its last known awake state upon the return of the \
AC power.
 &Power On By Keyboard
 Allows the system to be turned on by a PS/2 keyboard wake-up event.
 Note: To use this function, you need an ATX power supply providing at least 1A on the +5VSB lead.
 Disabled	 	 Disables	this	function.	(Default)
 Any Key    Press any key to turn on the system.
 Keyboard 98 Press POWER button on the Windows 98 keyboard to turn on the system.
 Password	 	 Set	a	password	with	1~5	characters	to	turn	on	the	system.
 &Power On Password
 Set the password when Power On By Keyboard is set to Password.
 Press  on this item and set a password with up to 5 characters and then press  to accept. 
To turn on the system, enter the password and press .
 Note: To cancel the password, press  on this item. When prompted for the password, press  
again without entering the password to clear the password settings.
 &Power On By Mouse
 Allows the system to be turned on by a PS/2 mouse wake-up event.
 Note: To use this function, you need an ATX power supply providing at least 1A on the +5VSB lead.
 Disabled	 	 Disables	this	function.	(Default)
 Move      Move the mouse to turn on the system.
 Double Click Double click on left button on the mouse to turn on the system.
2-8 Power Management
BIOS Setup  
						

							- 66 -
 &ErP
	 Determines	whether	to	let	the	system	consume	least	power	in	S5	(shutdown)	state.	(Default:	Disabled)
 Note: When this item is set to Enabled, the following functions will become unavailable: Resume by Alarm, 
PME event wake up, power on by mouse, power on by keyboard, and wake on \
LAN.
 &Soft-Off by PWR-BTTN
	 Configures	the	way	to	turn	off	the	computer	in	MS-DOS	mode	using	the	power	button.
 Instant-Off	 	 Press	the	power	button	and	then	the	system	will	be	turned	off	instantly.	(Default)
 Delay 4 Sec.    Press and hold the power button for 4 seconds to turn off the system. If the power 
button is pressed for less than 4 seconds, the system will enter suspend\
 mode.
 &Power Loading 
 Enables or disables dummy load. When the power supply is at low load, a \
self-protection will activate causing 
it to shutdown or fail. If this occurs, please set to Enabled. Auto	lets	 the	BIOS	 automatically	 configure	this	
setting.	(Default:	 Auto)
 &USB DAC Power 
 Enables or disables the power for the USB DAC connector on the back panel. For a USB DAC that has 
independent power, set this item to Disabled.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Resume by Alarm
	 Determines	whether	to	power	on	the	system	at	a	desired	time.	(Default:	Disabled)	
 If enabled, set the date and time as following:
 Wake	up	day:	 Turn	on	the	system	at	a	specific	time	on	each	day	or	on	a	specific	day	in	a	month.
 Wake up hour/minute/second: Set the time at which the system will be powe\
red on automatically.
 Note: When using this function, avoid inadequate shutdown from the operating system or removal of the 
AC power, or the settings may not be effective.
BIOS Setup  
						

							- 67 -
2-9 Save & Exit
 &Save & Exit Setup
 Press  on this item and select Yes. This saves the changes to the CMOS and exits the BIOS Setup 
program. Select No or press  to return to the BIOS Setup Main Menu.
 &Exit Without Saving
 Press  on this item and select Yes. This exits the BIOS Setup without saving the changes made 
in BIOS Setup to the CMOS. Select No or press  to return to the BIOS Setup Main Menu.
 &Load Optimized Defaults
 Press  on this item and select Yes to load the optimal BIOS default settings. The BIOS defaults 
settings	 help	the	system	 to	operate	 in	optimum	 state.	Always	 load	the	Optimized	 defaults	after	updating	
the BIOS or after clearing the CMOS values.
 &Boot Override
 Allows you to select a device to boot immediately. Press  on the device you select and select Yes 
to	confirm.	 Your	system	will	restart	automatically	and	boot	from	that	device.
 &Save	Profiles
	 This	function	allows	you	to	save	 the	current	 BIOS	settings	 to	a	profile.	 You	can	create	 up	to	8	profiles	 and	
save	as	Setup	 Profile	 1~	Setup	 Profile	 8.	Press	 	 to	complete.	 Or	you	 can	select	Select File in 
HDD/USB/FDD	to	save	the	profile	to	your	storage	device.
 &Load	Profiles
  If your system becomes unstable and you have loaded the BIOS default set\
tings, you can use this function 
to	load	 the	BIOS	 settings	 from	a	profile	 created	 before,	without	 the	hassles	 of	reconfiguring	 the	BIOS	
settings.	 First	select	 the	profile	 you	wish	 to	load	 and	then	 press	 	 to	complete.	 You	can	select	Select 
File in HDD/USB/FDD	to	 input	 the	profile	 previously	 created	from	your	storage	 device	or	load	 the	profile	
automatically created by the BIOS, such as reverting the BIOS settings to the last settings that worked 
properly	(last	known	good	record).
BIOS Setup  
						

							- 68 -
BIOS Setup  
						

							- 69 -
Chapter	3	 Configuring	SATA	Hard	Drive(s)
To	configure	SATA 	hard	drive(s),	follow	the	steps	below:
A. Install	SATA	hard	drive(s)	in	your	computer.	
B. Configure	SATA 	controller	mode	in	BIOS	Setup.
C. Configure	a	RAID	array	in	RAID	BIOS.	(Note	1)
D. Install the SATA RAID/AHCI driver and operating system. (Note	2)
Before you begin, please prepare the following items:
 •At	least	 two	SATA 	hard	 drives	 (to	ensure	 optimal	 performance,	 it	is	 recommended	 that	you	use	two	hard	 drives 	
with	identical	 model	and	capacity).	 If	you	 do	not	 want	 to	create	 RAID,	you	may	 prepare	 only	one	hard	 drive.
 •A Windows setup disk.
 •Motherboard driver disk.
 •A USB thumb drive.
RAID Levels
3-1	 Configuring	SATA 	Controllers
A. Installing SATA hard drive(s) in your computer
Attach one end of the SATA signal cable to the rear of the SATA hard drive and the other end to available 
SATA	port	on	the	 motherboard.	 If	you	 want	 to	configure	 a	RAID	 set,	make	 sure	to	connect	 the	hard	 drives	 to	
the	SATA3	0~5	ports.	Then	connect	the	power	connector	from	your	power	supply	to	the	hard	drive.
RAID 0RAID 1RAID 5RAID 10Minimum Number of Hard Drives≥22≥3≥4
Array CapacityNumber of hard drives	*	Size	of	the	smallest drive 
Size	of	the	smallest	drive(Number	of	hard	drives	-1)	*	Size	of	the smallest drive
(Number	of	hard	drives/2)	 *	Size	 of	the	smallest drive
Fault ToleranceNoYe sYe sYe s
(Note	1)	 Skip	this	step	if	you	do	not	want	to	 create	RAID	array	on	the	SATA	controller.
(Note	2)	 Required	when	the	SATA 	controller	is	set	to	AHCI	or	RAID	mode.
Con
						

							- 70 -
The BIOS Setup menus described in this section may differ from the exact settings for your motherboard. 
The actual BIOS Setup menu options you will see shall depend on the moth\
erboard you have and 
the BIOS version.
B.	Configuring	SATA	controller	mode	in	BIOS	Setup
Make	sure	to	configure	the	SATA 	controller	mode	correctly	in	system	BIOS	Setup.
Step 1: 
Turn	on	your	 computer	 and	press	 	 to	enter	 BIOS	 Setup	 during	 the	POST 	(Power-On	 Self-Test).	Go	to	
Chipset\PCH	 SATA	Configuration, make sure SATA Controller is enabled. To create RAID, set Configure	
S ATA a s to RAID	(Figure	1).	If	you	do	not	want	to	create	RAID,	set	this	item	to	IDE or AHCI.
Step 2: 
If	 you	 want	 to	configure	 UEFI	RAID,	 follow	the	steps	 in	"C-1."	 To	enter	 the	legacy	 RAID	ROM,	 save	the	settings	
and exit BIOS Setup. Refer to "C-2" for more information. 
Figure 1
Con