MSI Z97 Gaming 9 Manual

							
Chapter 1
1-27Getting Started

Voltage Checkpoints
These voltage checkpoints are used to measure the current system voltages. A multimeter (not included) will be required to check voltages. 
FV1: V-Check Connectors
To check the voltage, please use the optional voltage checkpoint cables included in the motherboard package. Attach the positive lead of the multimeter to the voltage checkpoint cable and the negative lead to the ground connector.
GFX
GND
1
9
RING
CORE
DDR
VCCIN
C_SA
GND
GND
ConnectorDescription
GND (pin 7~9)Ground
C_SA (pin 6)The CPU_SA (CPU System Agent) voltage is the voltage supplied to the integrated memory controller inside the CPU.
RING (pin 5)The CPU Ring is an interface for integrated controllers inside the CPU. The CPU Ring voltage can affect the CPU overclocking performance.
GFX (pin 4)The CPU_GFX voltage is the voltage supplied to the integrated graphics processor located on the CPU. 
CORE (pin 3)CPU core0 voltage. The CPU voltage is the voltage supplied to the CPU core. Higher overclocks may require higher CPU core voltages to maintain stability.
DDR (pin 2)Memory voltage. The DDR memory voltage is the voltage supplied to the DDR memory modules on the motherboard. Lower memory timings may require higher voltages to maintain system stability.
VCCIN (pin1)The CPU VCCIN voltage is the CPU power source that is shared with components of the CPU. 
						

							
Chapter 1
1-28Getting Started

Buttons
The motherboard has numerous on-board buttons to control various functions. This section will explain how to change your motherboard’s functions through the use of these on-board buttons. 
OC1: OC Genie Button 
This button is used to automatically overclock the system. To enable OC Genie, Set this button to ON while the system is in power off mode. On the next boot, the processor will be automatically overclock for optimal performance. To disable OC Genie, Set this button to OFF while the system is in power off mode and the configuration parameters will return to its normal values. 
 Video Demonstration
Watch the video to learn how to use the OC Genie button.
http://youtu.be/nIpRvWkUazg
O CG E N IEO CG E N IE
OnOff
 Important
This motherboard provides two ways to enable OC Genie: press the physical OC Genie button on the motherboard, or click the virtual OC Genie button in BIOS. You can specify how OC Genie to be enabled by using the "OC Genie Function Control" item in BIOS.  
Please install DDR3 1333 or faster memory and equip a better heatsink/cooler to use the OC Genie function.
We do not guarantee the OC Genie overclocking range or the damages/risks caused by overclocking behavior.
It is possible to disable the OC Genie function in the BIOS setup. Please refer to the BIOS section of the manual for instructions on how to turn off OC Genie from the BIOS.
The usage of OC Genie is at the user’s own risk. Overclocking is never guaranteed by MSI.
To ensure successfully OC Genie usage, MSI components are recommended.
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Chapter 1
1-29Getting Started

POWER1: Power Button
This button is used to turn-on and turn-off the system. Press the button once to turn-on or turn-off the system.
RESET1: Reset Button
This reset button is used to reset the system. Press the button to reset the system.
Re s e t 
						

							
Chapter 1
1-30Getting Started

Jumper
JBAT1: Clear CMOS Jumper
There is CMOS RAM onboard that is external powered from a battery located on the motherboard to save system configuration data. With the CMOS RAM, the system can automatically boot into the operating system (OS) every time it is turned on.  If you want to clear the system configuration, set the jumpers to clear the CMOS RAM.
Keep DataClear Data
11
 Important
You can clear the CMOS RAM by shorting this jumper while the system is off. Afterwards, open the jumper . Do not clear the CMOS RAM while the system is on because it will damage the motherboard. 
						

							
Chapter 1
1-31Getting Started

Switch
BIOS_SW1: Multi-BIOS Switch
This motherboard has two built-in BIOS ROMs (Labeled A and B, default BIOS ROM is A). If one is crashed, you can shift to the other for booting by sliding the switch. In addition, these two BIOS ROMs do not have the Auto Recovery feature, you need to maintain or update the BIOS version by yourself. 
AB
Blue LEDGreen LED
BIOS recovery with AFUDOS command
When BIOS updating fails or causes the computer non-bootable, you can recover the failed BIOS by the steps below.
Preparation:
1. Prepare a bootable USB flash drive.
2.  Download the latest BIOS file from the MSI official website at www.m si.com, and 
then decompress the file.
3.   Copy the AFUDE238.exe and the BIOS file to the bootable USB flash drive
BIOS recovery steps: 
1.  Power off the computer.
2.   Set the Multi-BIOS switch to the functional BIOS ROM.
3.   Insert the bootable USB flash drive you have made to the USB port.
4.   Boot the computer into the bootable USB flash drive.
5.   Set the Multi-BIOS switch to the failed BIOS ROM.
6.   Execute the below command to flash the BIOS:
  For example: AFUDE238 EXXXXIMS.XXX
7.   Restart the computer after the BIOS flashing is complete.
 Important
Do not use the Multi-BIOS switch when system is booting up. 
						

							
Chapter 1
1-32Getting Started

SLOW_1: Slow Mode Booting Switch
This switch is used for LN2 cooling solution, that provides the extreme overclocking conditions, to boot at a stable processor frequency and to prevent the system from crashing.
Normal
(Default)
Enabled
 Important
Users will try extreme low temperature overclocking at their own risks. The overclocking results will vary according to the CPU version.
AUD_SW1: Audio Power Switch
This switch specifies the power mode for back panel audio ports. 
Direct Power mode
Onboard Power mode
(Default)
 Important
Before switching to "Direct Power mode", please make sure the "Direct Audio Power Connector” (AUDPWR1) has been connected to the power supply.
Do not use the audio power switch while the system is on because it may damage the motherboard.
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Chapter 1
1-33Getting Started

LED Status Indicators
Debug  LED
LED Status Table
The following table describes the status of LED indicators.
LEDLED StatusDescription
MSIOnDebug
HDDBlinkingHDD activity
BIOS A LEDBlueBIOS A in operation
BIOS B LEDGreenBIOS B in operation
BIOS A LED
BIOS B LED
HDD LED
MSI LED 
						

							
Chapter 1
1-34Getting Started

Debug Code LED Table
Please refer to the table below to get more information about the Debug Code LED message.
PostStatus
02,07Power on CPU Initialization
03,08Power on North Bridge Initialization
04,09Power on South Bridge Initialization
0BPower on Cache Initialization
11~14,32~36,56~5AEarly CPU Initialization
15~18,37~3AEarly North Bridge Initialization
19~1C,3B~3EEarly South Bridge Initialization
1D~2F,31,3F~4E,50~55Early Memory Initialization
63~67,D0Late CPU Initialization
69~6F,D1Late North Bridge Initialization
70~77,D2Late South Bridge Initialization
92~96,B5,D4PCI bus Initialization
97,98,99,B2,D5~D7Console Output/Input devices/Console initialization and  Load Option ROM (VGA, RAID, parallel ports, serial ports……)
9A~A7,B4Onboard devices Initialize and Detect (USB/ SATA/ SCSI……)
A8,A9,ABStart of Setup. BIOS setup if needed/ requested.
AD/AEReady To Boot event/Legacy Boot event
CPU temperatureFully boot 
						

							
Chapter 1
1-35Getting Started

Drivers and Utilities
After you install the operating system you will need to install drivers to maximize the performance of the new computer you just built. MSI motherboard comes with a Driver Disc. Drivers allow the computer to utilize your motherboard more efficiently and take advantage of any special features we provide.
You can protect your computer from viruses by installing the bundled security program. The bundle also includes a variety of powerful and creative utilities.
Driver/ Utilities Installation
Please follow the steps below to install drivers and utilities for your new computer.
Insert MSI Driver Disc into the optical drive. The installer will automatically appear if autorun is enabled in OS. 
Installer will automatically find and list all necessary drivers. 
Click Install button.
1.
2.
3.
The software installation will then be in progress, after it has finished it will prompt you to restart.
Click OK button to finish.
Restart your computer.
You can also use the same method to install the utilities.
4.
5.
6.
Click here