ECS A885GM-A2 Motherboard Review

👤by James Clewer  Comments 📅25-07-10

Driver disc and software

Like all motherboards the A885GM-A2 is supplied with a disk containing the drivers required to fully utilise the board. Also provided are a selection of programs to monitor, overclock and update your new toy.

First up we'll take a look at the disc.

Upon first insertion the disk will autorun. From here you're greeted with the 'Driver' page - simply click the 'setup' button and the program will autodetect the system and install all required drivers. For those wanting to install specific drivers there's a 'browse' function too.

Driver section.

Next is the 'Utilities' tab. Here you find four programs - Adobe Reader, eBLU, eJIFFY and eOC. The first is self explanatory but the others are programs supplied by ECS for use with the motherboard.

Utilities.

I'll look more closely in a little while but for now I'll summarise each:

- eBLU is the 'BIOS Live Update' utility designed to make BIOS flashing a quick, easy and worry free process.

- eJIFFY is a Linux based fast boot application to allow web browsing, photo reviewing and online chat in a flash.

- eOC is an Overclocking utility with a simple and straightforward interface that even novice users can easily use.

The final section on the disk is the 'Information' tab which simply lists the path for all ECS drivers in use on the A885GM-A2.

Driver information.

Now let's take a closer look at the programs...

eBLU (BIOS Live Updater) is designed to save the time involved in finding your boards BIOS file as well as limiting the hassle and danger of flashing the BIOS onto the board. Simply click the 'Check Update' button to let eBLU check the ECS website for a new BIOS file. If one is available the 'Recommended Updates' section will be populated with details about the new Online Version and the 'Install' button will activate allowing you to tell eBLU to download and install the file. Once completed you'll be asked to reboot the system.