First assemble the computer parts.
For ease of use during Windows installation, Merging recommends that you install security dongles, NET-MSC GBEX1, MT-USBSync board and Pyramix-Ovation keyboard after the Windows Installation.
MassCore users : Pyramix 10.1/ Ovation 6.1 or above required (RTX2014 SP2 Update 2).
The MassCore engine will not work with previous Pyramix or Ovation versions.
Merging highly recommends you "defer feature updates" in Windows 10.
Table of Contents
1.BIOS
Validated BIOS version : 1.30 30 & 2.00 - Please consult support@merging.com for other BIOS support.
First update BIOS if required.
...
!Merging Technologies does not guarantee any issue or instability if any overclocking is enabled!
Only Intel® Core™ i7/i5/i3 6th Generation (Skylake) can be used with Windows 7.
7th Generation Intel® Core™ i7/i5/i3 (Kaby Lake) are NOT compatible with Windows 7, only Windows 10.Merging recommends you use Windows 10 with this motherboard.
If you rather want to install Windows 7, you must first create a compatible installation media, as Windows 7 does not include compatible drivers for this motherboard.
http://asrock.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/Utility/UsbPatcher/Win7UsbPatcher(v2.0.17_200Series).zip
Sealevel GPIO 8206 & 8206FX are NOT compatible with this motherboard, because of their incompatibility with Intel USB chipsets.
Other SeaLevel GPIO are compatible, see our supported controllers table for details on supported models.
BIOS first opens in the EZ mode page, a summary of the system information.
You may adjust date and time.
Please switch to Advance Mode (F6)
...
DRAM Tweaker : No settings to change. Leave default values.
DRAM Frequency : Auto
Primary Timing : No settings to change. Leave default values.
Secondary Timing : No settings to change. Leave default values.
Thrid Third Timing : No settings to change. Leave default values.
Fourth Timing : No settings to change. Leave default values.
Advanced Setting : No settings to change. Leave default values.
...
SATA Controller: Enabled
SATA Controller Speed: Gen3
SATA Mode Selection: AHCI / Intel RST Premium (RAID)
If you plan to use RAID array, you should install Windows with this setting set to Intel RST Premium (RAID)
WARNING: Since PMX V11/ Ovation V7, MassCore users running a RAID configuration must use a dedicated RTX dongle (SSK-HUD-RTX) to authorize MassCore.
This issue only affects the system (Windows ) RAID drives, if you have RAID Data drives, a dedicated dongle is not required.
Launch Storage OpROM Policy : Legacy only
SATA Aggressive Link Power Management : Disabled
Hard Disk S.M.A.R.T. : Enabled
...
After the installation plug Security dongles, NET-MSC-GBEX1 and other Merging hardware.
(not the Ovation-Pyramix Keyboard!)
See dedicated install guide / user manual for further details.
The NET-MSC-GBEX1 card can be fitted in PCIe1x or PCIe4x slot.
RTX64 dongle (SSK-HUD-RTX) users must install the specific HASP HL drive before installing MassCore.
http://sentinelcustomerdownload.safenet-incmerging.com/beta/sentineldownloads/?s=&c=End+User&p=Sentinel+HASP+HL&o=all&t=allAssociatedTools/Sentinel_LDK_Run-time_setup7.63.zip
Select the “Windows GUI” installer
Black Magic Decklink Studio/Decklink Studio 4K & AJA cards should be placed in PCIe slot 4.
Black Magic Mini-Monitor can be placed in PCIe1x or PCIe4x slot.
Black Magic driver has to be installed separately; it is not included in Merging installers.
...