2.8 Serial ATA (SATA) / Serial ATAII (SATAII) Hard Disks Installation

This motherboard adopts Intel® NM10 Express chipset that supports Serial ATA (SATA) / Serial ATAII (SATAII) hard disks. You may install SATA / SATAII hard disks on this motherboard for internal storage devices. This section will guide you to install the SATA / SATAII hard disks.

STEP 1: Install the SATA / SATAII hard disks into the drive bays of your chassis.

STEP 2: Connect the SATA power cable to the SATA / SATAII hard disk.

STEP 3: Connect one end of the SATA data cable to the motherboard’s SATAII con- nector.

STEP 4: Connect the other end of the SATA data cable to the SATA / SATAII hard disk.

2.9 Hot Plug Function for SATA / SATAII HDDs

This motherboard supports Hot Plug function for SATA / SATAII in AHCI mode. Intel® NM10 Express chipset provides hardware support for Advanced Host controller Interface (AHCI), a new programming interface for SATA host controllers developed thru a joint industry effort.

NOTE

What is Hot Plug Function?

If the SATA / SATAII HDDs are NOT set for RAID configuration, it is called “Hot Plug” for the action to insert and remove the SATA / SATAII HDDs while the system is still power-on and in working condition.

However, please note that it cannot perform Hot Plug if the OS has been installed into the SATA / SATAII HDD.

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ASRock AD2550B-ITX manual Hot Plug Function for Sata / Sataii HDDs, What is Hot Plug Function?

AD2550B-ITX specifications

The ASRock AD2550B-ITX is a compact yet powerful mini-ITX motherboard intended for a variety of applications, particularly in home theater PCs (HTPCs), embedded systems, and compact computing setups. Built around the Intel Atom dual-core processor, the AD2550B-ITX showcases a balance of performance and energy efficiency, making it an excellent choice for energy-conscious users.

One of the standout features of the AD2550B-ITX is its support for the Intel Atom D2550 CPU, which operates at a base frequency of 1.86 GHz. This processor is built on a 32nm manufacturing process, which not only enhances performance but also reduces power consumption. The board supports 2 DDR3 SO-DIMM slots that accommodate up to 8 GB of RAM, allowing for efficient multitasking and processing capabilities, all while maintaining a low thermal footprint.

In terms of connectivity, the ASRock AD2550B-ITX is equipped with two USB 3.0 ports and four USB 2.0 ports, providing support for modern peripherals and ensuring speedy data transfers. The integrated HDMI and VGA outputs allow for versatile video output options, ideal for connecting to various display devices. The board also features a Gigabit Ethernet port, which offers high-speed internet access for online streaming and browsing.

On the storage front, the AD2550B-ITX provides several options with support for SATA3 and SATA2 interfaces, enabling the connection of SSDs and HDDs for storage expansion. Additionally, the motherboard includes an mSATA slot for ultra-fast storage solutions, which can significantly enhance the overall system performance.

The ASRock AD2550B-ITX incorporates advanced technologies, such as ASRock's Instant Boot and Instant Flash, which enhance the user experience through quicker boot times and easy BIOS updates, respectively. The board also features a half-size PCIe slot for additional expansion cards, allowing users to customize their setups according to specific needs.

In summary, the ASRock AD2550B-ITX is a robust mini-ITX motherboard that combines efficiency, versatility, and performance in a small form factor. Whether for home media applications, lightweight computing tasks, or embedded projects, the AD2550B-ITX is designed to meet the demands of various users while keeping power consumption to a minimum. Its array of features and connectivity options make it a compelling choice in the mini-ITX market.