Page 1
GA-8I915GV-MF/ GA-8I915GVM Intel Pentium 4 LGA775 Processor Motherboard ® ® User's Manual Rev. 1202 12ME-I915GVMF-1202 * The WEEE marking on the product indicates this product must not be disposed of with user's other household waste and must be handed over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment!! * The WEEE marking applies only in European Union's member states.
Page 3
Gigabyte's prior written permission. Specifications and features are subject to change without prior notice. Product Manual Classification In order to assist in the use of this product, Gigabyte has categorized the user manual in the following: For detailed product information and specifications, please carefully read the "Product User Manual".
Table of Content GA-8I915GV-MF/GA-8I915GVM Motherboard Layout ........... 6 Block Diagram ........................ 7 Chapter 1 Hardware Installation ..................9 Considerations Prior to Installation ..............9 Feature Summary ..................10 Installation of the CPU and Heatsink .............. 12 1-3-1 Installation of the CPU ..................12 1-3-2 Installation of the Heatsink ..................
2. Damage as a result of violating the conditions recommended in the user manual. 3. Damage due to improper installation. 4. Damage due to use of uncertified components. 5. Damage due to use exceeding the permitted parameters. 6. Product determined to be an unofficial Gigabyte product. - 9 - Hardware Installation...
Feature Summary Supports the latest Intel Pentium 4 LGA775 CPU ® ® Supports 800/533MHz FSB L2 cache varies with CPU Chipset Northbridge: Intel 915GV Express chipset ® Southbridge: Intel ICH6 ® Memory 4 DDR DIMM memory slots (supports up to 4GB memory) (Note 1) Supports dual channel DDR400/333/266 DIMM Supports 2.5V DDR DIMM...
Page 11
I/O Control IT8712 Hardware Monitor System voltage detection CPU temperature detection CPU / System fan speed detection CPU warning temperature CPU / System fan failure warning CPU smart fan control BIOS Use of licensed AWARD BIOS Supports Q-Flash Additional Features Supports @BIOS Supports EasyTune 5 (only supports Hardware Monitor function) Overclocking...
Installation of the CPU and Heatsink Before installing the CPU, please comply with the following conditions: Please make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU. Please take note of the one indented corner of the CPU. If you install the CPU in the wrong direction, the CPU will not insert properly.
1-3-2 Installation of the Heatsink Male Push Pin The top of Female Push Pin Female Push Pin Fig. 2 Fig.1 Please apply an even layer of heatsink paste on (Turning the push pin along the direction of arrow the surface of the installed CPU. is to remove the heatsink, on the contrary, is to install.)Please note the direction of arrow sign on the male push pin doesn't face inwards before...
Installation of Memory Before installing the memory modules, please comply with the following conditions: 1. Please make sure that the memory used is supported by the motherboard. It is recommended that memory of similar capacity, specifications and brand be used. 2.
Page 15
GA-8I915GV-MF/GA-8I915GVM supports the Dual Channel Technology. After operating the Dual Channel Technology, the bandwidth of Memory Bus will double. GA-8I915GV-MF/GA-8I915GVM includes 4 DIMM sockets, and each Channel has two DIMM sockets as following: Channel A : DDR 1, DDR 2 Channel B : DDR 3, DDR 4 If you want to operate the Dual Channel Technology, please note the following explanations due to the limitation of Intel chipset specifications.
Install expansion cards You can install your expansion card by following the steps outlined below: Read the related expansion card's instruction document before install the expansion card into the computer. Remove your computer's chassis cover, screws and slot bracket from the computer. Press the expansion card firmly into expansion slot in motherboard.
I/O Back Panel Introduction PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Connector To install a PS/2 port keyboard and mouse, plug the mouse to the upper port (green) and the keyboard o the lower port (purple). Parallel Port The parallel port allows connection of a printer, scanner and other peripheral devices. SPDIF_O (SPDIF Out) The SPDIF output is capable of providing digital audio to external speakers or compressed AC3 data to an external Dolby Digital Decoder.
Rear Speaker Out Connect the rear surround speakers to this connector. Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out Connect the Center/Subwoofer speakers to this connector. Side Speaker Out Connect the side surround speakers to this connector. You can use audio software to configure 2-/4-/6-/8-channel audio functioning. Connectors Introduction ATX_12V AZALIA_FP...
Page 19
1/2) ATX_12V/ATX (Power Connector) With the use of the power connector, the power supply can supply enough stable power to all the components on the motherboard. Before connecting the power connector, please make sure that all components and devices are properly installed. Align the power connector with its proper location on the motherboard and connect tightly.
Page 20
3/4) CPU_FAN / SYS_FAN (Cooler Fan Power Connector) The cooler fan power connector supplies a +12V power voltage via a 3-pin/4-pin (only for CPU_FAN) power connector and possesses a foolproof connection design. Most coolers are designed with color-coded power connector wires. A red power connector wire indicates a positive connection and requires a +12V power voltage.
Page 21
6) IDE (IDE Connector) An IDE device connects to the computer via an IDE connector. One IDE connector can connect to one IDE cable, and the single IDE cable can then connect to two IDE devices (hard drive or optical drive). If you wish to connect two IDE devices, please set the jumper on one IDE device as Master and the other as Slave (for information on settings, please refer to the instructions located on the IDE device).
8) F_PANEL (Front Panel Jumper) Please connect the power LED, PC peaker, reset switch and power switch etc of your chassis front panel to the F_PANEL connector according to the pin assignment below. Power Message LED/ Switch Speaker Connector Power/ Sleep LED IDE Hard Disk Reset Switch...
Page 23
9) PWR_LED PWR_LED is connect with the system power indicator to indicate whether the system is on/off. It will blink when the system enters suspend mode. Pin No. Definition MPD+ MPD- MPD- 10) AZALIA_FP(Front Audio Panel Connector) This connector is supported to connect HD(High Definition) Audio and AC'97 Audio. Check the pin assignment carefully while you connect the audio panel cable, incorrect connection between the cable and connector will make the device unable to work or even damage it.
Page 24
11) CD_IN (CD IN) Connect CD-ROM or DVD-ROM audio out to the connector. Pin No. Definition CD-L CD -R 12) F_ USB1 / F_USB2 (Front USB Connector) Be careful with the polarity of the front USB connector. Check the pin assignment carefully while you connect the front USB cable, incorrect connection between the cable and connector will make the device unable to work or even damage it.
Page 25
13) F1_1394/F2_1394 (IEEE 1394 Connector) Serial interface standard set by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, which has features like high speed, high bandwidth and hot plug. Be careful with the polarity of the IEEE1394 connector. Check the pin assignment carefully while you connect the IEEE1394 cable, incorrect connection between the cable and connector will make the device unable to work or even damage it.
Page 26
15) COMA/COMB (Serial Port Connector) Be careful with the polarity of the COM connector. Check the pin assignment carefully while you connect the COM cable, incorrect connection between the cable and connector will make the device unable to work or even damage it. For optional COM cable, please contact your local dealer.
Page 27
17) BAT(Battery) Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you want to erase CMOS... 1.Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord. 2.Remove the battery, wait for 30 second.
BIOS needs to be reset to its original settings. If you wish to upgrade to a new BIOS, either Gigabyte's Q-Flash or @BIOS utility can be used. Q-Flash allows the user to quickly and easily update or backup BIOS without entering the operating system.
The Main Menu (For example: BIOS Ver. : E2) Once you enter Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility, the Main Menu (as figure below) will appear on the screen. Use arrow keys to select among the items and press <Enter> to accept or enter the sub-menu. CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Standard CMOS Features Load Fail-Safe Defaults...
Page 31
Set User Password Change, set, or disable password. It allows you to limit access to the system. Save & Exit Setup Save CMOS value settings to CMOS and exit setup. Exit Without Saving Abandon all CMOS value changes and exit setup. - 31 - BIOS Setup...
Standard CMOS Features CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Standard CMOS Features Date (mm:dd:yy) Thu, Apr 29 2004 Item Help Time (hh:mm:ss) 22:31:24 Menu Level IDE Channel 0 Master [None] Change the day, month, IDE Channel 0 Slave [None] year IDE Channel 2 Master [None]...
Page 33
Drive A / Drive B The category identifies the types of floppy disk drive A or drive B that has been installed in the computer. None No floppy drive installed 360K, 5.25" 5.25 inch PC-type standard drive; 360K byte capacity. 1.2M, 5.25"...
Advanced BIOS Features CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Advanced BIOS Features Hard Disk Boot Priority [Press Enter] Item Help First Boot Device [Floppy] Menu Level Second Boot Device [Hard Disk] Third Boot Device [CDROM] Select Hard Disk Boot Password Check [Setup] Device Priority...
Page 35
Password Check Setup The system will boot but will not access to Setup page if the correct password is not entered at the prompt. (Default value) System The system will not boot and will not access to Setup page if the correct password is not entered at the prompt.
Integrated Peripherals CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Integrated Peripherals On-Chip Primary PCI IDE [Enabled] Item Help On-Chip SATA Mode [Auto] Menu Level x PATA IDE Set to Ch.1 Master/Slave SATA Port 0/2 Set to Ch.2 Master/Slave SATA Port 1/3 Set to Ch.3 Master/Slave USB Controller [Enabled]...
Page 37
On-Chip SATA Mode Disabled Disable this function. Auto BIOS will auto detect. (Default value) Combined Set On-Chip SATA mode to Combined, you can use up to 4 HDDs on the motherboard; 2 for SATA and the other for PATA IDE. Enhanced Set On-Chip SATA mode to Enhanced, the motherboard allows up to 6 HDDs to use.
Page 38
Onboard H/W 1394 Enabled Enable onboard IEEE 1394 function.(Default value) Disabled Disable this function. Onboard H/W LAN Enabled Enable Onboard H/W LAN function. (Default value) Disabled Disable this function. Onboard LAN Boot ROM This function decide whether to invoke the boot ROM of the onboard LAN chip. Enabled Enable this function.
Parallel Port Mode Using Parallel port as Standard Parallel Port. (Default value) Using Parallel port as Enhanced Parallel Port. Using Parallel port as Extended Capabilities Port. ECP+EPP Using Parallel port as ECP & EPP mode. ECP Mode Use DMA Set ECP Mode Use DMA to 3. (Default value) Set ECP Mode Use DMA to 1.
Page 40
Resume by Alarm You can set "Resume by Alarm" item to enabled and key in Date/time to power on system. Disabled Disable this function. (Default value) Enabled Enable alarm function to POWER ON system. If RTC Alarm Lead To Power On is Enabled. Date (of Month) Alarm : Everyday, 1~31 Time (hh: mm: ss) Alarm : (0~23) : (0~59) : (0~59)
PC Health Status CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software PC Health Status Vcore Item Help DDR25V Menu Level +3.3V +12V Current CPU Temperature Current CPU FAN Speed 4687 RPM Current SYSTEM FAN Speed CPU Warning Temperature [Disabled] CPU FAN Fail Warning [Disabled] SYSTEM FAN Fail Warning [Disabled]...
CPU Smart FAN Mode This option is available only when CPU Smart FAN Control is enabled. Auto BIOS autodetects the type of CPU fan you installed and sets the optimal CPU Smart FAN control mode for it. (Default Value) Voltage Set to Voltage when you use a CPU fan with a 3-pin fan power cable.
Load Fail-Safe Defaults CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Standard CMOS Features Load Fail-Safe Defaults Advanced BIOS Features Load Optimized Defaults Integrated Peripherals Set Supervisor Password Power Management Setup Set User Password Load Fail-Safe Defaults (Y/N)? N PnP/PCI Configurations Save &...
2-10 Set Supervisor/User Password CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Standard CMOS Features Load Fail-Safe Defaults Advanced BIOS Features Load Optimized Defaults Integrated Peripherals Set Supervisor Password Power Management Setup Set User Password PnP/PCI Configurations Save & Exit Setup Enter Password: PC Health Status Exit Without Saving...
2-11 Save & Exit Setup CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Standard CMOS Features Load Fail-Safe Defaults Advanced BIOS Features Load Optimized Defaults Integrated Peripherals Set Supervisor Password Power Management Setup Set User Password PnP/PCI Configurations Save & Exit Setup PC Health Status Save to CMOS and EXIT (Y/N)? Y Exit Without Saving...
Chapter 3 Install Drivers Pictures below are shown in Windows XP. Insert the driver CD-title that came with your motherboard into your CD-ROM drive, the driver CD-title will auto start and show the installation guide. If not, please double click the CD-ROM device icon in "My computer", and execute the Run.exe.
Software Applications This page displays all the tools that Gigabyte developed and some free software, you can choose anyone you want and press "install" to install them. Driver CD Information This page lists the contents of software and drivers in this CD-title.
Hardware Information This page lists all device you have for this motherboard. Contact Us Please see the last page for details. - 49 - Install Drivers...
Motherboard Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T.) allows user to access and change BIOS feature settings with relative speed and ease. Through GIGABYTE M.I.T. feature the user is no longer required to switch into different modes within BIOS setup in order to change system settings such as the CPU system bus, memory timings or to enabled Gigabyte's unique C.I.A.
Toggles between Easy and Advance Mode Display screen Display panel of CPU frequency Function display LEDs Shows the current functions status GIGABYTE Logo Log on to GIGABYTE website Help button Display EasyTune 5 Help file Exit or Minimize button Quit or Minimize EasyTune...
F9 key during computer power on. Verifying DMI Pool Data Boot from CD: Boot from CD: Xpress Recovery V1.0 (C) Copy Right 2003. GIGABYTE Technology CO. , Ltd. 1. Execute Backup Utility 2. Execute Restore Utility 3. Remove Backup Image 4.
Page 54
F9 For Xpress Recovery Press DEL to enter SETUP / Q-Flash, F9 For Xpress Recovery 08/16/2002-I845GE-6A69YG01C-00 Xpress Recovery V1.0 (C) Copy Right 2003. GIGABYTE Technology CO. , Ltd. 1. Execute Backup Utility 2. Execute Restore Utility 3. Remove Backup Image 4.
Page 55
1. Execute Backup Utility: Press B to Backup your System or Esc to Exit The backup utility will automatically scan your system and back up data as a backup image in your hard drive. Not all systems support access to Xpress Recovery by pressing the F9 key during computer power on.
Updating BIOS with Q-Flash Utility on Dual BIOS Motherboards. Some of Gigabyte motherboards are equipped with dual BIOS. In the BIOS menu of the motherboards supporting Q-Flash and Dual BIOS, the Q-Flash utility and Dual BIOS utility are combined in the same screen.
Page 57
Entering the Q-Flash utility: Step1: To use Q-Flash utility, you must press Del in the boot screen to enter BIOS menu. CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Standard CMOS Features Select Language Advanced BIOS Features Load Fail-Safe Defaults Integrated Peripherals Load Optimized Defaults Power Management Setup Set Supervisor Password...
Page 58
Using the Q-Flash utility: This section tells you how to update BIOS using the Q-Flash utility. As described in the "Before you begin" section above, you must prepare a floppy disk having the BIOS file for your motherboard and insert it to your computer.
Page 59
3. Press Y button on your keyboard after you are sure to update BIOS. Then it will begin to update BIOS. The progress of updating BIOS will be displayed. Please do not take out the floppy disk when it begins flashing BIOS. 4.
Page 60
Press Del to enter BIOS menu after system reboots. When you are in BIOS menu, move to Load Fail-Safe Defaults item and press Enter to load BIOS Fail-Safe Defaults. Normally the system redetects all devices after BIOS has been upgraded. Therefore, we highly recommend reloading the BIOS defaults after BIOS has been upgraded.
Page 61
Exploring the Q-Flash utility screen The Q-FlashBIOS utility screen consists of the following key components. Q-Flash utility bar Q-Flash Utility V1.30 Flash Type/Size.........SST 49LF003A 256K Keep DMI Data Enable Task menu for Update BIOS from Floppy Q-Flash utility Save BIOS to Floppy Action bar Enter : Run :Move...
Page 62
Press Y button on your keyboard after you are sure to update BIOS. Then it will begin to update BIOS. The progress of updating BIOS will be shown at the same time. Q-Flash Utility V1.30 Flash Type/Size.........SST 49LF003A 256K Keep DMI Data Enable Do not trun off power or Updating BIOS Now...
Page 63
Windows. Just select the desired @BIOS server to download the latest version of BIOS. Fig 1. Installing the @BIOS utility Fig 2. Installation Complete and Run @BIOS Click Sart/ Programs/ GIGABYTE/@BIOS Select @BIOS item than click Install Fig 3. The @BIOS Utility Fig 4. Select the desired @BIOS server Click "...
Page 64
III. In method I, if the BIOS file you need cannot be found in @BIOSTM server, please go onto Gigabyte's web site for downloading and updating it according to method II. IV. Please note that any interruption during updating will cause system unbooted...
4-1-4 2- / 4- / 6- / 8- Channel Audio Function Introduction This motherboard provide 6 audio connector. You are able to use 2-/ 4-/6-/8-channnels audio feature by audio software selection. Introduction of audio connectors: You may connect CD-ROM/DVD-ROM, walkman or others audio input to Line In.
Page 66
STEP 3: Click "Speaker Configuration" then click on the left selection bar and select "2CH Speaker" to complete 2 channel audio configuration. 4 Channel Audio Setup STEP 1 : Connect the front channels to "Front Speaker Out", Front Speaker Out the rear channels to "Rear Speaker Out".
Page 67
6 Channel Audio Setup STEP 1 : Connect the front channels to "Front Speaker Out", Front Speaker Out the rear channels to "Rear Speaker Out", and the Center/Subwoofer channels to "Center/Subwoofer Rear Speaker Out Speaker Out". Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out STEP 2 : Following installation of the audio driver, you find a Sound Effect icon on the lower right hand taskbar.
Page 68
8 Channel Audio Setup STEP 1 : Connect the front channels to "Front Speaker Out", Front Speaker Out the rear channels to "Rear Speaker Out", the Center/ Subwoofer channels to "Center/Subwoofer Speaker Rear Speaker Out Out", and the side channels to "Side Speaker Out". Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out Side Speaker Out...
Question 6: How do I disable onboard VGA card in order to add an external VGA card? Answer: Gigabyte motherboards will auto-detect the external VGA card after it is plugged in, so you don't need to change any setting manually to disable the onboard VGA.
Page 70
Question 7: Why cannot I use the IDE 2? Answer: Please refer to the user manual and check whether you have connected any cable that is not provided with the motherboard package to the USB Over Current pin in the Front USB Panel. If the cable is your own cable, please remove it from this pin and do not connect any of your own cables to it.