MSI Z97 Gaming 7 User Guide

- 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...

- 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...

- 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...

- 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...

- 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...

- 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...

- 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...

- 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...

- 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...