How to Set Jumpers

Jumpers and Dip switches are used on motherboards to configure settings according to information that is supplied in the motherboard's user manual.

Close-up views of a block of jumpers ( above left) and two blocks of DIP switches ( above right) found on most motherboards.

Below is an image of an individual jumper showing its top and bottom. The wire crosses over the top. The jumper must be fitted so that the flat bottom makes connection with the surface of the motherboard, as shown in item 2.7 below.

A jumper can cover two metal pins. Two uncovered metal pins can clearly be seen protruding vertically from the surface of the motherboard in the image of a block of jumpers on the left.

When a jumper fits over two pins, it shorts a connection and enables an option - as illustrated and explained in the motherboard's user manual. All of the major motherboard manufacturer's make user manuals availableas downloads, usually in the PDF format.

MSI provides excellent user manuals in the PDF format. and look under the motherboards or mainboards products. At the time of writing (December 2006), the motherboards will be shown as Socket LGA775 for Intel processors, or Socket AM2 for AMD processors.

If a jumper is left hanging on one pin, or two pins are left unjumpered, the option is left open and is therefore not enabled.

DIP switch settings have On and Off switches that operate in the same way as a light switch. The On position is marked. The Off position is usually the opposite of the On position. You should use a screwdriver with a small head, or a pair of tweasers to move the switch into the On or Off postition.