MSI X99s Gaming 7 Manual

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3-2 Installing the SATA RAID/AHCI Driver and Operating System
With the correct BIOS settings, you are ready to install Windows 8.1/8/7\
.
A. Installing Windows 
As some operating systems already include Intel® SATA RAID/AHCI driver, you do not need to install separate 
RAID/AHCI driver during the Windows installation process. After the operating system is installed, we recommend 
that you install all required drivers from the motherboard driver disk using "Xpress Install" to ensure system 
performance and compatibility. If the operating system to be installed requires that you provide additional SATA 
RAID/AHCI driver during the OS installation process, please refer to the\
 steps below:
Step 1: 
Copy the IRST folder under BootDrv in the driver disk to your USB thumb drive.
Step 2: 
Boot from the Windows setup disk and perform standard OS installation steps. When the screen requesting you 
to load the driver appears, select Browse.
Step 3: 
Insert the USB thumb drive and then browse to the location of the driver. The locations of the drivers are as follows:
Windows 32-bit: \iRST\32Bit
Windows 64-bit: \iRST\64Bit
Step 4: 
When a screen as shown in Figure 1 appears, select Intel(R) Desktop/Workstation/Server Express Chipset 
SATA RAID Controller and click Next to load the driver and continue the OS installation.
Figure 1
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B. Rebuilding an ArrayRebuilding is the process of restoring data to a hard drive from other drives in the array. Rebuilding applies only to fault-tolerant arrays such as RAID 1, RAID 5 or RAID 10 arrays. The procedures below assume a new drive is	added	 to	replace	 a	failed	 drive	to	rebuild	 a	RAID	 1	array.	 (Note:	 The	new	 drive	 must	have	 equal	 or	greater	capacity	than	the	old	one.)
Turn off your computer and replace the failed hard drive with a new one. Restar\
t your computer.
 •Enabling Automatic Rebuild
Step 1:When	 the	message	 "Press		 to	enter	 Configuration	 Utility"	appears,	 press		 +		 to	enter	 the	RAID	Configuration	Utility.	 The	following	screen	appears	after	you	enter	the	RAID	Configuration	Utility.
Step 2:Select the new hard drive to add into the array to be rebuilt and press \
. The following screen appears, indicating that an automatic rebuild will be performed after you enter the operating system. If you do not enable automatic	rebuild	on	this	 stage,	 you	have	 to	manually	 rebuild	the	array	 in	the	 operating	 system	(see	the	next	
page	for	more	details).
Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology - Option ROM - 13.1.0.2126Copyright (C)  Intel Corporation.   All Rights Reserved.
3.  Reset Disks to Non-RAID4. Exit
RAID Volumes :None defined.
Physical Disks :ID    Drive Model    Serial #   Size Type/Status(Vol ID)0   Hitachi HDS72105  JP1532FR3BWV7K 465.7GB Member Disk (0)1   Hitachi HDS72105  JP1532FR3ABMPK 465.7GB Non-RAID Disk
  [hi]-Select   [ESC]-Exit [ENTER]-Select  Menu
[ DISK/VOLUME INFORMATION ]
[ MAIN MENU ]
1. Create RAID Volume2. Delete RAID Volume[ DEGRADED VOLUME DETECTED ]
 [hi]-Previous/Next  [ENTER]-Select  [ESC]-Exit
"Degraded volume and disk available for rebuilding detected. Selecting a disk initiates a rebuild. Rebuild completes in the operating system.
Select the port of the destination disk for rebuilding (ESC to exit):
 ID  Drive Model    Serial #         Size 1  Hitachi HDS721050CLA    JP1532FR3ABMPK    465.7GB
Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology - Option ROM - 13.1.0.2126Copyright (C)  Intel Corporation.   All Rights Reserved.
RAID Volumes :ID   Name     Level    Strip Size Status Bootable0  Volume0    RAID1(Mirror)  N/A  465.7GB Rebuild Ye s
Physical Devices :ID    Devices Model    Serial #   Size Type/Status(Vol ID)0   Hitachi HDS72105  JP1532FR3BWV7K 465.7GB Member Disk (0)1   Hitachi HDS72105  JP1532FR3ABMPK 465.7GB Member Disk (0)
  [hi]-Select   [ESC]-Exit [ENTER]-Select  Menu
[ DISK/VOLUME INFORMATION ]
Volumes with "Rebuild" status will be rebuilt within the operating system\
.
[ MAIN MENU ]4. Recovery Volume Options5. Acceleration Options6. Exit
1. Create RAID Volume2. Delete RAID Volume3. Reset Disks to Non-RAID
Configuring	SATA	Hard	Drive(s)  
						

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 •Performing the Rebuild in the Operating System
While in the operating system, make sure the chipset driver has been ins\
talled from the motherboard driver 
disk. Then launch the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility from the desktop.
Step 1:
Go to the Manage menu and click Rebuild to 
another disk in Manage Volume. 
The Status item on the left of the screen displays 
the rebuild progress.
Step 2:
Select a new drive to rebuild the RAID and click 
Rebuild. 
Step 3:
After the RAID 1 volume rebuilding, the Status will 
display as Normal.
&RQ
						

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Step 2:Go to the Manage menu of the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility and click Recover data in Manage Volume.
The Status item on the left of the screen displays 
the rebuild progress. 
Step 3:
Click Yes to begin the data recovery. 
Step 4:
After the recovery volume is completed, the Status 
will display as Normal.
 •Restoring the Master Drive to a Previous State (for Recovery Volume only)When two hard drives are set to Recovery Volume in Update on Request mode, you can restore the master drive data to the last backup state when needed. For example, in case th\
e master drive detects a virus, you can restore the recovery drive data to the master drive. 
Step 1:Select 4. Recovery Volume Options in the MAIN MENU of the Intel®	RAID	 Configuration	 Utility.	On	the	RECOVERY VOLUMES OPTIONS menu, select Enable Only Recovery Disk to show the recovery drive in the	operating	system.	Follow	the	on-screen	instructions	to	complete	and	exit	the	RAID	Configuration	Utility.Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology - Option ROM - 13.1.0.2126Copyright (C)  Intel Corporation.   All Rights Reserved.
Choose the RAID level:RAID0: Stripes data (performance).RAID1: Mirrors data (redundancy).Recovery: Copies data between a master and a recovery disk.RAID10: Mirrors data and stripes the mirror.RAID5: Stripes data and parity.
   [hi]-select  [ESC]-Previous Menu  [ENTER]-Select
[ HELP ]
[ RECOVERY VOLUME OPTIONS ]    1. Enable Only Recovery Disk    2. Enable Only Master Disk [ SELECT RECOVERY VOLUME ]
[hi]-Up/Down   [SPACE]-Selects  [ENTER]-Done
    Name    Level   Capacity    Status Bootable`	Volume0  Recovery(OnReq) 465.7GB    NeedsUpdate Yes 
                                
          Select a Recovery volume to do the operation.
&RQ
						

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4-1 Chipset Drivers
Chapter 4  Drivers Installation
 •Before	installing 	the 	drivers, 	first 	install 	the 	operating 	system. 	(The 	following 	instructions 	use 	
Windows	8.1	as	the	example	operating	system.)
 •After installing the operating system, insert the motherboard driver disk into your optical drive. 
Click on the message "Tap to choose what happens with this disc" on the top-right corner of the 
screen and select "Run Run.exe."	 (Or	go	to	My	 Computer,	 double-click	 the	optical	 drive	and	ex-
ecute	the	Run.exe	program.)
"Xpress Install" will automatically scan your system and then list all of the drivers that are recommended t\
o 
install. You can click the Xpress Install button and "Xpress Install" will install all of the selected drivers. Or 
click the arrow icon to individually install the drivers you need.
 •Please 	ignore 	the 	popup 	dialog 	box(es) 	(e.g. 	the 	Found New Hardware Wizard)	 displayed 	
when "Xpress Install" is installing the drivers. Failure to do so may af\
fect the driver installation.
 •Some device drivers will restart your system automatically during the driver installation. After the 
system restart, "Xpress Install" will continue to install other drivers.\
Drivers Installation  
						

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4-2 Application Software
This page displays the apps that GIGABYTE develops and some free softwar\
e. You can select the apps you 
want and click the Install  icon to begin the installation.
4-3 Information
This page provides detailed information on the drivers on the driver dis\
k. The Contact page provides contact 
information of the GIGABYTE Taiwan headquarter. You can click the URL on this page to link to the GIGA-
BYTE	website	to	check	more	information	on	the	GIGABYTE	headquarter	or	worldwide	branch	offices.
Drivers Installation   
						

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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 and supports Q-Flash Plus, providing multiple 
protection for the safety and stability of your computer.
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 Plus?
Q-Flash Plus is a new solution derived from DualBIOS™. When both the main and backup BIOS fail during 
system	boot,	Q-Flash	 Plus	will	be	automatically	 launched	and	then	 recover	 BIOS	data	from	 the	USB	 flash	 drive	
connected	to	a	specific	USB	port.
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.	X99Gaming7WIFI.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
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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.
2. Select USB Flash Drive.
 •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.
Step 2:
The	process	 of	the	 system	 reading	 the	BIOS	 file	from	 the	USB	 flash	 drive	 is	displayed	 on	the	 screen.	 Depending	
on	the	 BIOS	 update	 file,	there	 will	be	Quick	 Update	 and/or	Normal	 Update	 for	you	 to	select.	 The	update	 will	
begin after you make the selection. The monitor will display the update process.
Step 3:
The system will restart after the update process is complete.
3.		Select	the	BIOS	update	file.
Make	sure	the	BIOS	update	file	matches	your	motherboard	model.
 •Do not turn off or restart the system when the system is reading/updatin\
g the BIOS.
 •Do	not	remove	the	USB	flash	drive	or	hard	drive	when	the	system	is	updating	the	BIOS.
Model Name : X99-Gaming 7 WIFIBIOS Version : F1cBIOS Date : 08/04/2014Flash Type/Size : MXIC 25L/U Series    16MB
Q-Flash
Update BIOS From DriveSave BIOS to DriveExit Q-FLASH
Please select drvice
Update BIOS From Drive
USB Flash Drive
Close
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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  
						

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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