Page 2
Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.
Contents Notices ....................vi Safety information ................vii About this guide .................viii Typography ..................ix P4RD1-MX specifications summary ............x Chapter 1: Product introduction Welcome! ................1-2 Package contents ..............1-2 Special features ..............1-3 1.3.1 Product highlights ........... 1-3 1.3.2...
Page 4
Managing and updating your BIOS ........2-2 2.1.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk ......2-2 2.1.2 AFUDOS utility ............2-3 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ........ 2-6 2.1.4 ASUS EZ Flash utility ..........2-8 2.1.5 ASUS Update utility ..........2-9 BIOS setup program ............2-12 2.2.1...
Page 5
Installing an operating system ..........3-2 Support CD information ............3-2 3.2.1 Running the support CD .......... 3-2 3.2.2 Drivers menu ............3-3 3.2.3 Utilities menu ............3-4 3.2.4 Make Disk menu ............3-5 3.2.5 Manuals menu ............3-6 3.2.5 ASUS Contact information ........3-6...
Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Safety information Electrical safety • To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system. • When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected.
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. Optional documentation Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer.
Conventions used in this guide To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task. CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to complete a task.
High Definition Audio Support Jack-sensing and enumeration technology Supports S/PDIF out RLC8201CL 10/100 Mbps PCI LAN controller ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) Overclocking features Stepless Frequency Selection(SFS) from 100 MHz up to 400 MHz at 1 MHz increment Adjustable FSB/DDR/PCIe ratio with fixed PCI frequencies Supports up to 8 USB 2.0 ports...
Page 11
P4RD1-MX specifications summary Rear panel 1 x Parallel port 1 x VGA port 1 x LAN (RJ-45) port 4 x USB 2.0 ports 1 x Serial (COM) port 1 x PS/2 keyboard port 1 x PS/2 mouse port 6-channel audio ports...
P4RD1-MX motherboard! The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards! Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in your package with the list below.
Serial ATA technology The motherboard supports the Serial ATA technology through the Serial ATA interfaces. The SATA specification allows for thinner, more flexible cables with lower pin count, reduced voltage requirement, and up to 150 MB/s data transfer rate. ASUS P4RD1-MX...
Page 16
6-channel audio support The motherboard comes with the ADI AD1986A high-definition audio CODEC that lets you enjoy high-quality 6-channel audio without having to buy advanced sound cards. S/PDIF digital sound ready The motherboard supports the S/PDIF Out function through the S/PDIF interfaces on the rear panel and at midboard.
1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features CrashFree BIOS 2 This feature allows you to restore the original BIOS data from the support CD in case when the BIOS codes and data are corrupted. This protection eliminates the need to buy a replacement ROM chip. See details on page 2-6.
This is a reminder that you should shut down the system and unplug the power cable before removing or plugging in any motherboard component. The illustration below shows the location of the onboard LED. SB_PWR P4RD1-MX ® Standby Powered P4RD1-MX Onboard LED Power Chapter 1: Product introduction...
Place six (6) screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis. Do not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard. Place this side towards the rear of the chassis P4RD1-MX ® ASUS P4RD1-MX...
Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard. Gold Arrow P4RD1-MX ® P4RD1-MX CPU Socket 478 Before installing the CPU, make sure that the socket box is facing towards you and the load lever is on your left. Unlock the socket by pressing the lever sideways, then lift it up to a 90°-100°...
Page 22
Position the CPU above the socket such that its marked Gold Mark corner matches the base of the socket lever. Carefully insert the CPU into the socket until it fits in place. The CPU fits only in one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the pins and damaging the CPU!
The motherboard comes with two 184-pin Double Data Rate (DDR) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. The motherboard supports dual channel memory architechture. The following figure illustrates the location of the sockets: P4RD1-MX ® P4RD1-MX 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets ASUS P4RD1-MX 1-11...
Due to chipset limitation, DIMM modules with double-sided x16 memory chips are not supported in this motherboard. • Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR 400 MHz (FSB 800/533) Qualified Vendors Lists. Table 1 Recommended memory configurations For dual-channel configuration, the total size of memory module(s) installed per channel must be the same to ensure optimum performance.
DIMM. DDR DIMM notch Support the DIMM lightly with your fingers when pressing the retaining clips. The DIMM might get damaged when it flips out with extra force. Remove the DIMM from the socket. ASUS P4RD1-MX 1-13...
Expansion slots In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support. Make sure to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.
When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Share IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conflicts will arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card inoperable. ASUS P4RD1-MX 1-15...
1.8.4 PCI slots The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specifications. The figure shows a LAN card installed on a PCI slot. 1.8.5 PCI Express x16 slot This motherboard supports PCI Express x16 graphic cards that comply with the PCI Express...
P4RD1-MX ® Normal Clear CMOS P4RD1-MX Clear RTC RAM (Default) You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to overclocking. For system failure due to overclocking, use the C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) feature. Shut down and reboot the system so the BIOS can automatically reset parameter settings to default values.
Page 30
(Default) USBPW56 USBPW78 P4RD1-MX ® +5VSB P4RD1-MX USB device wake-up (Default) • The USB device wake-up feature requires a power supply that can provide 500mA on the +5VSB lead for each USB port; otherwise, the system would not power up.
Page 31
(the default is the Space Bar). This feature requires an ATX power supply that can supply at least 1A on the +5VSB lead, and a corresponding setting in the BIOS. KBPWR +5VSB (Default) P4RD1-MX ® P4RD1-MX Keyboard power setting ASUS P4RD1-MX 1-19...
1.10 Connectors 1.10.1 Rear panel connectors PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse. Parallel port. This 25-pin port connects a parallel printer, a scanner, or other devices. LAN (RJ-45) port. This port allows 10/100Mbps connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub.
Pin 5 on the connector is removed to prevent incorrect cable connection when using an FDD cable with a covered Pin 5. FLOPPY NOTE: Orient the red markings on the floppy ribbon cable to PIN 1. P4RD1-MX ® PIN 1 P4RD1-MX Floppy disk drive connector ASUS P4RD1-MX 1-21...
Page 34
IDE cable. • Use the 80-conductor IDE cable for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 IDE devices. P4RD1-MX ® NOTE: Orient the red markings (usually zigzag) on the IDE ribbon cable to PIN 1. P4RD1-MX IDE connector 1-22 Chapter 1: Product introduction...
Connect one end of the TV-out cable to this connector and the other end to the TV-out module. P4RD1-MX ® TV_C P4RD1-MX TV out connector The TV-out module is purchased separately. ASUS P4RD1-MX 1-23...
Page 36
P4RD1-MX ® USB78 USB56 P4RD1-MX USB 2.0 connectors The USB/Game module is purchased separately. 1-24 Chapter 1: Product introduction...
Page 37
+5V Standby +5 Volts +12 Volts +5 Volts +12 Volts P4RD1-MX ATX power connectors Ground +3 Volts Optical drive audio connector (4-pin CD) This connector is for the 4-pin audio cable that connects to the audio connector at the back of the optical drive.
Page 38
CHASSIS P4RD1-MX ® (Default) P4RD1-MX Chassis intrusion connector 10. Digital Audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) This connector is for the S/PDIF audio module to allow digital sound output. Connect one end of the S/PDIF audio cable to this connector and the other end to the S/PDIF module.
Page 39
Legacy AC 97 compliant definition compliant definition P4RD1-MX ® P4RD1-MX Analog front panel connector • Connect a high-definiton front panel audio module to this connector to avail the high-definition audio features of the motherboard. • By default, this connector is set to legacy ACʼ97 audio. If you want to connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this...
Page 40
PANEL P4RD1-MX ® RESET IDE LED P4RD1-MX System panel connector The sytem panel connector is color-coded for easy connection. Refer to the connector description below for details. • System power LED (Green 3-pin PLED) This 3-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector.
This chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided. BIOS setup ASUS P4RD1-MX...
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 (Updates the BIOS using a bootable floppy disk or the motherboard support CD when the BIOS file fails or gets corrupted.) ASUS EZ Flash (Updates the BIOS in DOS using a floppy disk or the motherboard support CD.) ®...
Boot the system in DOS mode, then at the prompt type: afudos /o[filename] where the [filename] is any user-assigned filename not more than eight alphanumeric characters for the main filename and three alphanumeric characters for the extension name. A:\>afudos /oOLDBIOS1.ROM Main filename Extension name ASUS P4RD1-MX...
Updating the BIOS file To update the BIOS file using the AFUDOS utility: Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download the latest BIOS file for the motherboard. Save the BIOS file to a bootable floppy disk. Write the BIOS filename on a piece of paper. You need to type the exact BIOS filename at the DOS prompt.
Page 45
The utility reads the file and starts updating the BIOS. A:\>afudos /iP4RD1MX.ROM AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.24BB)) Copyright (C) 2003 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved. WARNING!! Do not turn off power during flash BIOS Reading file ..done Reading flash ..
2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can update a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support CD or the floppy disk that contains the updated BIOS file.
Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process. The recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this motherboard. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS file. ASUS P4RD1-MX...
2.1.4 ASUS EZ Flash utility The ASUS EZ Flash feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to go through the long process of booting from a floppy disk and using a DOS-based utility. The EZ Flash utility is built-in the BIOS chip so it is accessible by pressing <Alt>...
2.1.5 ASUS Update utility The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update ® the motherboard BIOS in Windows environment. The ASUS Update utility allows you to: • Save the current BIOS file • Download the latest BIOS file from the Internet •...
To update the BIOS through the Internet: ® Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows desktop by clicking Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update main window appears. Select Update BIOS from Select the ASUS FTP site...
To update the BIOS through a BIOS file: Launch the ASUS Update utility ® from the Windows desktop by clicking Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update main window appears. Select Update BIOS from a file option from the drop-down menu, then click Next.
The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen. • Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS file for this motherboard. 2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS setup...
At the bottom right corner of a menu screen are the navigation keys for that particular menu. Use the navigation keys to select items in the menu and change the settings. Some of the navigation keys differ from one screen to another. ASUS P4RD1-MX 2-13...
[English] Use [+] or [-] to menu. For example, selecting Main Primary IDE Master :[ST320413A] configure system time. Primary IDE Slave :[ASUS CD-S340] Secondary IDE Master :[Not Detected] Secondary IDE Slave :[Not Detected] Third IDE Master :[Not Detected] shows the Main menu items.
Allows you to set the system date. 2.3.3 Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.] Sets the type of floppy drive installed. Configuration options: [Disabled] [360K, 5.25 in.] [1.2M , 5.25 in.] [720K , 3.5 in.] [1.44M, 3.5 in.] [2.88M, 3.5 in.] ASUS P4RD1-MX 2-15...
2.3.4 Primary, Secondary, Third and Fourth IDE Master/Slave While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of IDE devices. There is a separate sub-menu for each IDE device. Select a device item then press <Enter> to display the IDE device information. Primary IDE Master Device : Hard Disk...
Processor Type : Genuine Intel(R) CPU 2.80GHz Speed : 2800 MHz Count System Memory Size : 512MB AMI BIOS Displays the auto-detected BIOS information Processor Displays the auto-detected CPU specification System Memory Displays the auto-detected system memory ASUS P4RD1-MX 2-17...
Advanced menu The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. Take caution when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction. Configure CPU. USB Configuration JumperFree Configuration CPU Configuration...
Sets the PCI Express frequency. Use the plus (+) or minus (-) keys to adjust the frequency values. Configuration options: [100] ~ [255] Spread Spectrum Setting [0.2%] Sets the clock generator spread spectrum. Configuration options: [Disabled] [0.1%] [0.2%] ~ [1.0%] ASUS P4RD1-MX 2-19...
Page 60
DDR Voltage [Auto] Allows selection of the DDR SDRAM operating voltage. Set to Auto for safe mode. Configuration options: [Auto] [2.50V] [2.60V] [2.70V] [2.80V] Refer to the DDR documentation before setting the memory voltage. Setting a very high memory voltage may damage the memory module(s)! The following item appears only when the AI Overclocking item is set to [Manual].
Enable this item to boot legacy operating systems that cannot support CPUs with extended CPUID functions. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] CPU Internal Thermal Control [Auto] Disables or sets the CPU internal thermal control. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] ASUS P4RD1-MX 2-21...
2.4.4 Chipset The Chipset menu allows you to change the advanced chipset settings. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu. NorthBridge Configuration SouthBridge Configuration NorthBridge configuration The NorthBridge configuration submenu allows you to change the NorthBridge settings. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu items.
SouthBridge configuration The SouthBridge configuration submenu allows you to change the SouthBridge settings. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu items. Azalia Controller [Enabled] Serial ATA Controller [Enabled] SATA Mode Controller [SATA Mode] Ethernet Controller [Enabled] OnBoard LAN Boot ROM [Disabled] Azalia Controller [Enabled] Enable or disable Azalia Controller.
Set IRQ for the Parallel Port. Configuration options: [IRQ5] [IRQ7] Onboard Game Port [Enabled] Enables or disables the onboard Game port. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Onboard MIDI Port [330] Enables or disables the onboard MIDI port. Configuration options: [Disabled] [300] [330] ASUS P4RD1-MX 2-25...
MIDI IRQ Select [IRQ5] Allows you to set the MIDI port IRQ address. Configuration options: [IRQ5] [IRQ7] [IRQ10] [IRQ11] 2.4.6 PCI PnP The PCI PnP menu items allow you to change the advanced settings for PCI/PnP devices. The menu includes setting IRQ and DMA channel resources for either PCI/PnP or legacy ISA devices, and setting the memory size block for legacy ISA devices.
Page 67
IRQ-xx assigned to, DMA Channel x [PCI Device] When set to [PCI Device], the specific IRQ is free for use of PCI/PnP devices. When set to [Reserved], the IRQ is reserved for legacy ISA devices. Configuration options: [PCI Device] [Reserved] ASUS P4RD1-MX 2-27...
Power menu The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an item then press <Enter> to display the configuration options. Suspend Mode [Auto] Repost Video on S3 Resume [No] ACPI 2.0 Support...
Power On By External Modems [Disabled] This allows either settings of [Enabled] or [Disabled] for powering up the computer when the external modem receives a call while the computer is in Soft-off mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] ASUS P4RD1-MX 2-29...
The computer cannot receive or transmit data until the computer and applications are fully running. Thus, connection cannot be made on the first try. Turning an external modem off and then back on while the computer is off causes an initialization string that turns the system power on.
This allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Set this item to [Enabled] to use the ASUS MyLogo™ feature. Add On ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS] Sets the display mode for option ROM.
<Enter>. The message “Password Uninstalled” appears. If you forget your BIOS password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM. See section “1.9 Jumpers” for information on how to erase the RTC RAM. ASUS P4RD1-MX 2-33...
After you have set a supervisor password, the other items appear to allow you to change other security settings. Security Settings Supervisor Password : Installed User Password : Not Installed Change Supervisor Password User Access Level [Full Access] Change User Password Clear User Password Password Check [Setup]...
Select this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the Setup program. If you made changes to fields other than System Date, System Time, and Password, the BIOS asks for a confirmation before exiting. ASUS P4RD1-MX 2-35...
Discard Changes This option allows you to discard the selections you made and restore the previously saved values. After selecting this option, a confirmation appears. Select Ok to discard any changes and load the previously saved values. Load Setup Defaults This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the Setup menus.
The contents of the support CD are subject to change at any time without notice. Visit the ASUS website(www.asus.com) for updates. 3.2.1 Running the support CD Place the support CD to the optical drive.
The drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install the necessary drivers to activate the devices. ASUS Install-Installation Wizard for Drivers Installs the ASUS Driver Installation Wizard. ULI Chipset Driver ® Installs the ULI chipset drivers.
This utility helps you keep your computer in healthy operating condition. ASUS Update The ASUS Update utility allows you to update the motherboard BIOS in a ® Windows environment. This utility requires an Internet connection either through a network or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
The Make Disk menu allows you to create a driver disk for the onboard SATA RAID controller. Make ULI 32bit SATA Driver Disk ® Allows you to create a RAID driver disk for the ULI SATA RAID configuration. ASUS P4RD1-MX...
Some user manuals listed in this menu may not be applicable for this motherboard model. 3.2.6 ASUS Contact information Click the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information. You can also find this information on the inside front cover of this user guide. Chapter 3: Software support...