Chapter 3: Troubleshooting

3-2 Technical Support Procedures

Before contacting Technical Support, please take the following steps. Also, please note that as a motherboard manufacturer, Supermicro does not sell directly to end- users, so it is best to first check with your distributor or reseller for troubleshooting services. They should know of any possible problem(s) with the specific system configuration that was sold to you.

1.Please go through the ‘Troubleshooting Procedures’ and 'Frequently Asked Question' (FAQ) sections in this chapter or see the FAQs on our Web site (http://www.supermicro.com/support/faqs/) before contacting Technical Sup- port.

2.BIOS upgrades can be downloaded from our web site at (http://www. supermicro.com/support/bios/).

3.If you still cannot resolve the problem, include the following information when contacting Supermicro for technical support:

Motherboard model and PCB revision number

BIOS release date/version (this can be seen on the initial display when your system first boots up)

System configuration

An example of a Technical Support form is on our web site at (http://www. supermicro.com/support/contact.cfm).

Distributors: For immediate assistance, please have your account number ready when placing a call to our technical support department. We can be reached by e-mail at support@supermicro.com or by fax at: (408) 503-8000, option 2.

3-3 Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What are the various types of memory that my motherboard can support?

Answer: The X8DA3/X8DAi has 12 240-pin DIMM slots that support DDR3 Regis- tered ECC 1333 MHz/1066 MHz/800 MHz SDRAM modules. It is strongly recom- mended that you do not mix memory modules of different speeds and sizes. Please follow all memory installation instructions given on Section 2-4 in Chapter 2.

Question: How do I update my BIOS?

3-3

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SUPER MICRO Computer X8DA3 Technical Support Procedures, Frequently Asked Questions, Question How do I update my BIOS?

X8DA3 specifications

Super Micro Computer, also known as Supermicro, is a prominent player in the world of computing hardware, particularly known for its high-performance server solutions. One of their noteworthy offerings is the X8DA3 motherboard, which is designed for dual-processor systems and caters to various applications, including data centers, cloud computing, and enterprise-level operations.

The Supermicro X8DA3 motherboard supports Intel's Nehalem and Westmere architectures, accommodating two LGA 1366 sockets for Intel Xeon processors. This setup allows for impressive computational power and scalability. The motherboard can support up to 192GB of DDR3 RAM across six DIMM slots, enabling high memory bandwidth essential for memory-intensive applications.

One of the standout features of the X8DA3 is its robust I/O options. It comes equipped with six SATA II ports and two SAS ports, allowing for flexible storage configurations. Additionally, the board supports a range of RAID levels, including 0, 1, 5, and 10, providing data redundancy and performance optimization. For enhanced connectivity, the motherboard includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, ensuring reliable networking capabilities which are crucial for server environments.

In terms of expandability, the X8DA3 features multiple PCIe slots, providing users with the ability to add various expansion cards such as graphics cards, network cards, or additional storage controllers. This flexibility allows companies to tailor their server setups according to specific needs.

Power management is another critical aspect of the X8DA3. It supports ATX power supplies and features advanced power-saving technologies that help in reducing overall energy consumption. This ecological consideration is particularly important for organizations looking to minimize their carbon footprint while maintaining optimal performance.

For thermal management, Supermicro incorporates a design that allows for efficient airflow and cooling, which is crucial for maintaining system stability during intensive workloads. The motherboard is also equipped with multiple temperature sensors that provide real-time monitoring, ensuring components operate within safe thermal levels.

Overall, the Super Micro Computer X8DA3 motherboard is a reliable and high-performance choice for businesses requiring a versatile and powerful computing platform. Its support for dual processors, extensive memory options, advanced storage capabilities, and solid expandability make it an attractive option for enterprise applications in today’s computationally demanding environments.