Asus Motherboard P5GC-MX Product Manual
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Asus Motherboard P5GC-MX Product Manual

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Frequently Asked Questions (19)

  • How to access the BIOS settings on an Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?
    To access the BIOS settings, turn on your computer and press the `[Del]` key during the Power-On Self-Test (POST). If you miss the POST and the operating system starts, you can restart the system by pressing `[Ctrl+Alt+Delete]`, pressing the reset button on the system chassis, or turning the system off and then back on.
    For more information, see page 55 of the manual.
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  • What should I do if my Asus P5GC-MX motherboard is not turning on?

    If your Asus P5GC-MX motherboard is not turning on, ensure that the 4-pin ATX +12V power plug is connected; otherwise, the system will not boot. Additionally, ensure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the minimum power required by your system. If you are using a PSU with 20-pin and 4-pin power plugs, the 20-pin power plug must provide at least 15A on +12V and the PSU must have a minimum power rating of 350W. An inadequate power supply can cause the system to become unstable or not boot up.


    For more information, see page 40 of the manual.
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  • Why is my Asus P5GC-MX motherboard not displaying video?

    If your Asus P5GC-MX motherboard is not displaying video after installing a PCI graphics card, it is recommended that you remove the onboard graphics card driver. During a BIOS recovery process using ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2, the display monitor will turn off and the system will beep once while updating, then beep again when finished, and the display will return after restart.

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  • What type of RAM is compatible with the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    The Asus P5GC-MX motherboard supports DDR2 DIMMs. It has two 240-pin DIMM sockets and can support up to 2GB of unbuffered non-ECC 533/400 MHz DDR2 DIMMs. For dual-channel configuration, the total size of memory module(s) installed per channel must be the same (DIMM_A1 = DIMM_B1). It is recommended to install DIMMs with the same CAS latency and to obtain memory modules from the same vendor for optimum compatibility. This motherboard does not support memory modules made up of 128 Mb chips or double-sided x16 memory modules. A DDR2 module is keyed with a notch to ensure it fits in only one direction.


    For more information, see pages 10, 15, 27 and 29 of the manual.
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  • How to troubleshoot a 'no power' issue with the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    If you are experiencing a 'no power' issue, ensure that the 4-pin ATX +12V power plug is connected to the motherboard, as the system will not boot otherwise. Also, verify that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the minimum power required by your system. An inadequate power supply can lead to system instability or failure to boot. If using a PSU with 20-pin and 4-pin power plugs, the 20-pin plug must supply at least 15A on +12V, and the PSU must have a minimum rating of 350W.


    For more information, see page 40 of the manual.
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  • What do the indicator lights on the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard mean?

    The Asus P5GC-MX motherboard has several indicator lights:

    • Onboard LED (SB_PWR): This standby power LED lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-off mode. It serves as a reminder to shut down the system and unplug the power cable before removing or plugging in any motherboard component.
    • LAN port LEDs: These indicate the status of the network connection:
      • ACT/LINK LED:
        • OFF: No link
        • ORANGE: Linked
        • BLINKING: Data activity
      • SPEED LED:
        • OFF: 10 Mbps connection
        • ORANGE: 100 Mbps connection
        • GREEN: 1 Gbps connection
    • System power LED (2-pin PWRLED): This lights up when the system power is turned on and blinks when the system is in sleep mode.
    • Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin HDLED): This lights up or flashes when data is read from or written to the HDD.
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  • Where can I download drivers for the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    You can find drivers for the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard on the ASUS motherboard support CD that came with your motherboard package. For updates and the latest BIOS file, you should visit the ASUS website.


    For more information, see pages 3, 8, 15, 47, 53, 55 and 82 of the manual.
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  • What are the maximum supported specifications for the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    The maximum supported specifications for the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard are:

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  • What graphics cards are compatible with the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    The Asus P5GC-MX motherboard has one PCI Express x16 slot for graphics cards, one PCI Express x1 slot, and two PCI 2.2 slots. It also features Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 onboard. If you install a PCI graphics card, it is recommended to remove the onboard graphics card driver.


    For more information, see pages 10, 30 and 32 of the manual.
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  • How do I clear the CMOS on an Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    To clear the CMOS (Real Time Clock RAM) on your Asus P5GC-MX motherboard:

    1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.
    2. Remove the onboard battery.
    3. Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 (default) to pins 2-3. Keep the cap on pins 2-3 for about 5-10 seconds, then move the cap back to pins 1-2.
    4. Re-install the battery.
    5. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.
    6. Hold down the key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to re-enter data.

    Except when clearing the RTC RAM, never remove the cap on CLRTC jumper default position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure!


    For more information, see page 33 of the manual.
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  • How do I connect the front panel connectors to the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    The Asus P5GC-MX motherboard has a Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) for chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O modules, supporting HD Audio or legacy AC'97 audio standards. It is recommended to connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector to utilize the motherboard's high-definition audio capability. By default, this connector is set to AC97 Audio; if connecting a High Definition front panel audio module, you must set the [Front Panel Support Type item in the BIOS to [HD Audio]].

    Additionally, the System panel connector (20-8 pin F_PANEL) supports several chassis-mounted functions:

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  • What CPU socket type does the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard use?

    The Asus P5GC-MX motherboard uses an LGA775 socket.


    For more information, see pages 10 and 20 of the manual.
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  • What type of power connector does the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard require?

    The Asus P5GC-MX motherboard requires ATX power connectors, specifically a 24-pin EATXPWR and a 4-pin ATX12V plug. These plugs are designed to fit in only one orientation, so find the proper orientation and push down firmly until the connectors completely fit. It is crucial to connect the 4-pin ATX +12V power plug as the system will not boot without it.


    For more information, see pages 11 and 40 of the manual.
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  • How to reset the BIOS settings on an Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    To reset the BIOS settings to their default values, navigate to the Exit menu in the BIOS Setup program. Select the Load Setup Defaults option. A confirmation window will appear; select Ok to load the default values.


    For more information, see pages 55, 79 and 80 of the manual.
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  • Does the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard support Windows 7 or Windows XP?

    The Asus P5GC-MX motherboard supports Windows® 2000/XP operating systems (OS). It is recommended to install Windows® 2000 Service Pack 4 or the Windows® XP Service Pack 1 or later versions for better compatibility and system stability.


    For more information, see page 82 of the manual.
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  • How do I install a new CPU on the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    To install a new CPU on the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard:

    1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard. Ensure the socket box is facing towards you and the load lever is on your left.
    2. Press the load lever with your thumb (A) and move it to the left (B) until it is released from the retention tab.
    3. Lift the load lever in the direction of the arrow to a 135° angle.
    4. Lift the load plate with your thumb and forefinger to a 100° angle (A), then push the PnP cap from the load plate window to remove (B).
    5. Position the CPU over the socket, making sure that the gold triangle is on the bottom-left corner of the socket. The socket alignment key should fit into the CPU notch.
    6. Close the load plate (A), then push the load lever (B) until it snaps into the retention tab.

    DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the socket and damaging the CPU!

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  • How do I enable or disable integrated graphics on the Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    To enable or disable integrated graphics, access the Chipset menu in the BIOS Setup. From there, you can configure the Boot Graphic Adapter Priority to select the primary boot device, and the Internal Graphics Mode Select to set the internal graphics mode and memory allocation (e.g., Enabled, 8MB).

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  • How can I improve the boot speed of my Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    To improve the boot speed of your Asus P5GC-MX motherboard, you can enable the Quick Boot option in the Boot Settings Configuration within the BIOS. Enabling this feature allows the BIOS to skip certain power-on self-tests (POST), which decreases the time needed to boot the system.


    For more information, see page 76 of the manual.
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  • How can I perform a factory reset on an Asus P5GC-MX motherboard?

    To perform a factory reset on your Asus P5GC-MX motherboard, you can load the default values for each of the parameters in the BIOS Setup menus. Navigate to the Exit menu and select Load Setup Defaults. A confirmation window will appear; select Ok to load the default values. Alternatively, you can clear the CMOS RTC RAM by following the steps for clearing the RTC RAM jumper.

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Summary of Contents for Asus Motherboard P5GC-MX

  • Page 1 P5GC-MX...
  • 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.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Welcome! ... 1-2 Package contents ... 1-2 Special features ... 1-2 1.3.1 Product highlights ... 1-2 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ... 1-4 Before you proceed ... 1-5 Motherboard overview ... 1-6 1.5.1 Placement direction ... 1-6 1.5.2 Screw holes ... 1-6 1.5.3...
  • Page 4 Creating a bootable floppy disk ... 2-2 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash utility ... 2-3 2.1.3 AFUDOS utility ... 2-4 2.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ... 2-6 2.1.5 ASUS Update utility ... 2-8 BIOS setup program ... 2-11 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen ... 2-12 2.2.2...
  • Page 5 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 ASUS Contact information ... 3-5 Appendix: CPU features Intel EM64T ... A-2 ® Using the Intel ® Enhanced Intel SpeedStep A.2.1...

  • Page 6: Canadian Department Of Communications Statement

    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.

  • Page 7: Electrical Safety

    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.

  • Page 8: About This Guide

    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.

  • Page 9: Conventions Used In This Guide

    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.

  • Page 10: Specifications

    06/05B/05A processors ® Supports Intel Enhanced Memory 64 Technology (EM64T), ® Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Intel Hyper-Threading Technology ® * Refer to www.asus.com for Intel CPU support list Northbridge: Intel 945GC ® Southbridge: Intel ICH7 ® 800/533 MHz Dual-channel memory architecture...
  • Page 11 P5GC-MX specifications summary Special features ASUS EZ Flash ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 ASUS MyLogo™ ASUS Q-Fan Manageability WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME Internal 2 x USB 2.0 connectors for 4 additional USB 2.0 ports connectors...

  • Page 13: Chapter 1: Product Introduction

    This chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports. Product introduction...

  • Page 14: Welcome

    T h a n k y o u f o r b u y i n g a n A S U S 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.

  • Page 15: Intel ® 945Gc Chipset

    The motherboard supports the Serial ATA technology through the Serial ATA interfaces and the Intel for thinner, more flexible cables with lower pin count, reduced voltage requirement, and up to 300 MB/s data transfer rate. ASUS P5GC-MX ICH7 chipset. The SATA specification allows ®...

  • Page 16: 1.3.2 Innovative Asus Features

    ASUS EZ Flash With the ASUS EZ Flash, you can easily update the system BIOS even before loading the operating system. No need to use a DOS-based utility or boot from a floppy disk. See page 2-3 for details.

  • Page 17: Onboard Led

    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. P5GC-MX Onboard LED ASUS P5GC-MX SB_PWR Standby Powered Power...

  • Page 18: Motherboard Overview

    Motherboard overview Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard fits into it. Make sure to unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.

  • Page 19: Motherboard Layout

    Motherboard layout PS/2KBMS T: Mouse B: Keyboard ATX12V USB34 LAN_USB12 RTM876-660 AUDIO PCIEX1_1 Super I/O ALC883 SPDIF_OUT FLOPPY AAFP ASUS P5GC-MX 18.3cm(7.2in) LGA775 Intel MCH 945GC CR2032 3V Lithium Cell CMOS Power PCIEX1_16 SB_PWR PCI1 Intel ICH7 PCI2 PS2_USBPWR USB56...

  • Page 20: Central Processing Unit (Cpu)

    Contact your retailer immediately if the PnP cap is missing, or if you see any damage to the PnP cap/socket pins/motherboard components. ASUS will shoulder the cost of repair only if the damage is shipment/ transit-related. •...
  • Page 21 The socket alignment key should fit into the CPU notch. ASUS P5GC-MX This side of the cam box should face you. Load plate Alignment key Gold triangle mark...
  • Page 22 Close the load plate (A), then push the load lever (B) until it snaps into the retention tab. The CPU fits in only one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the socket and damaging the CPU! The motherboard supports Intel Enhanced Memory 64 Technology (EM64T), Enhanced Intel SpeedStep...

  • Page 23: Installling The Cpu Heatsink And Fan

    CPU, making sure that the four fasteners match the holes on the motherboard. Motherboard hole Make sure each fastener is oriented as shown, with the narrow groove directed outward. ASUS P5GC-MX D/Pentium 4 and Celeron ® ® Core™2 Duo/Pentium ®...
  • Page 24 Push down two fasteners at a time in a diagonal sequence to secure the heatsink and fan assembly in place. When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN. P5GC-MX CPU Fan Connector •...

  • Page 25: Uninstalling The Cpu Heatsink And Fan

    To uninstall the CPU heatsink and fan: Disconnect the CPU fan cable from the connector on the motherboard. Rotate each fastener counterclockwise. Pull up two fasteners at a time in a diagonal sequence to disengage the heatsink and fan assembly from the motherboard. ASUS P5GC-MX 1-13...
  • Page 26 Remove the heatsink and fan assembly from the motherboard. Rotate each fastener clockwise to reset the orientation. The narrow end of the groove should point outward after resetting. (The photo shows the groove shaded for emphasis.) 1-14 Narrow end of the groove Chapter 1: Product introduction...

  • Page 27: Memory Configurations

    Refer to the DDR2 Qualified Vendors List on next page for details. • This motherboard does not support memory modules made up of 128 Mb chips or double-sided x16 memory modules. . ASUS P5GC-MX Sockets DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 1-15...

  • Page 28: Ddr2 Qualified Vendors List

    DDR2 Qualified Vendors List The following table lists the memory modules that have been tested and qualified for use with this motherboard. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus. com) for the latest DDR2 DIMM modules for this motherboard. DDR2 533 Qualified Vendors List...

  • Page 29: Installing A Dimm

    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 P5GC-MX DDR2 DIMM notch Unlocked retaining clip DDR2 DIMM notch 1-17...

  • Page 30: Expansion Slots

    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.

  • Page 31: Interrupt Assignments

    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 P5GC-MX — shared —...

  • Page 32: Pci Slots

    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. If you install a PCI graphics card, we recommend that you remove the onboard graphics card driver.

  • Page 33: Clear Rtc Ram

    Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to re-enter data. Except when clearing the RTC RAM, never remove the cap on CLRTC jumper default position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure! Clear RTC RAM P5GC-MX ASUS P5GC-MX CLRTC Normal Clear RTC (Default) 1-21...
  • Page 34 USB device wake-up (3-pin PS2_USBPWR) This jumper allows you to enable or disable the keyboard wake-up feature. Set this jumper to pins 2-3 (+5VSB) to wake up the computer when you press a key on the keyboard (the default is the Space Bar). This feature requires an ATX power supply that can supply at least 500 mA on the +5VSB lead, and a corresponding setting in the BIOS.

  • Page 35: 1.10 Connectors

    Front Speaker Out. Microphone port (pink). This port connects a microphone. Refer to the audio configuration table on the next page for the function of the audio ports in 2, 4, or 6-channel configuration. ASUS P5GC-MX SPEED LED Status Description...

  • Page 36: 1.10.2 Internal Connectors

    Audio 2, 4, or 6-channel configuration Port Light Blue Lime Pink USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.

  • Page 37: Ide Connector

    IDE cable. • Use the 80-conductor IDE cable for Ultra DMA 100/66/33 IDE devices. If any device jumper is set as “Cable-Select,” make sure all other device jumpers have the same setting. ASUS P5GC-MX Mode Cable of device(s) connector Black...

  • Page 38: Serial Ata Connectors

    Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4) These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives. P5GC-MX SATA Connectors When using the connectors in Standard IDE mode, connect the primary (boot) hard disk drive to the SATA1/2 connector. Refer to the table below for the recommended SATA hard disk drive connections.

  • Page 39: Cpu And Chassis Fan Connectors

    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. P5GC-MX Digital Audio Connector The S/PDIF out module is purchased separately. ASUS P5GC-MX CPU_FAN CHA_FAN CPU FAN PWR +12V...

  • Page 40: Atx Power Connectors

    ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR and 4-pin ATX12V) These connectors are for ATX power supply plugs. The power supply plugs are designed to fit these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper orientation and push down firmly until the connectors completely fit.

  • Page 41: Optical Drive Audio Connector (4-Pin Cd)

    USB 2.0 specification that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed. P5GC-MX USB 2.0 Connectors Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard! The USB module is purchased separately. ASUS P5GC-MX (black) USB56 USB78 1-29...

  • Page 42: Chassis Intrusion Connector

    Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports either HD Audio or legacy AC’97 audio standard. P5GC-MX Front Panel Audio Connector • We recommend that you connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector to avail of the motherboard’s high- definition audio capability.

  • Page 43: System Panel Connector

    ON turns the system OFF. • Reset button (2-pin RESET) This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system reboot without turning off the system power. ASUS P5GC-MX F_PANEL Reset Ground PLED-...
  • Page 44 1-32 Chapter 1: Product introduction...

  • Page 45: Chapter 2: Bios Setup

    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...

  • Page 46: Managing And Updating Your Bios

    The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup. ASUS EZ Flash (Updates the BIOS in DOS using a floppy disk or the motherboard support CD.) ASUS AFUDOS (Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable floppy disk.)

  • Page 47: To Update Bios Using Ez Flash

    2.1.2 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>...

  • Page 48: Copying Current Bios

    Press <Enter>. The utility copies the current BIOS file to the floppy disk. A:\>afudos /oOLDBIOS1.rom AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.24BB)) Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading flash ... done Write to file... ok A:\>...

  • Page 49: Updating The Bios File

    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 50: Asus Crashfree Bios 2 Utility

    2.1.4 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.

  • Page 51: Recovering The Bios From The Support Cd

    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 P5GC-MX...

  • Page 52: Asus Update Utility

    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 allows you to: • Save the current BIOS file • Download the latest BIOS file from the Internet •...

  • Page 53: Updating The Bios Through The Internet

    Updating the BIOS through the Internet To update the BIOS through the Internet: Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update main window appears. Select Update BIOS from...

  • Page 54: Updating The Bios Through A Bios File

    Updating the BIOS through a BIOS file To update the BIOS through a BIOS file: Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows 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.

  • Page 55: Bios Setup Program

    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. ASUS P5GC-MX 2-11...

  • Page 56: Bios Menu Screen

    2.2.1 BIOS menu screen Menu items Menu bar System Time System Date Legacy Diskette A Primary IDE Master Primary IDE Slave Third IDE Master Third IDE Slave Fourth IDE Master Fourth IDE Slave IDE Configuration System Information Sub-menu items 2.2.2 Menu bar The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items: Main...

  • Page 57: Menu Items

    2.2.9 General help At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected item. ASUS P5GC-MX System Time [11:10:19] Use [ENTER], [TAB] System Date [Thu 03/27/2003] or [SHIFT-TAB] to Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in]...

  • Page 58: Main Menu

    Main menu When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic system information. Refer to section “2.2.1 BIOS menu screen” for information on the menu screen items and how to navigate through them. System Time System Date Legacy Diskette A...

  • Page 59: Primary, Third And Fourth Ide Master/Slave

    When set to [Disabled], the data transfer from and to the device occurs one sector at a time. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] ASUS P5GC-MX [Auto] [Auto] [Auto]...

  • Page 60: Ide Configuration

    PIO Mode [Auto] Selects the PIO mode. Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4] DMA Mode [Auto] Selects the DMA mode. Configuration options: [Auto] SMART Monitoring [Auto] Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled] 32Bit Data Transfer [Disabled] Enables or disables 32-bit data transfer.

  • Page 61: System Information

    : Genuine Intel(R) CPU 3.80GHz Speed : 3800MHz Count System Memory Total : 256MB Appropriated : 8MB Available : 248MB AMI BIOS Displays the auto-detected BIOS information Processor Displays the auto-detected CPU specification System Memory Displays the auto-detected system memory ASUS P5GC-MX 2-17...

  • Page 62: Advanced Menu

    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. USB Configuration CPU Configuration Chipset Onboard Devices Configuration...

  • Page 63: Usb Mass Storage Device Configuration

    USB devices less than 530MB will be emulated as Floppy remaining as hard drive, and forced FDD option can be used to force a HDD formatted drive to boot as FDD. Configuration options: [Auto] [Floppy] [Forced FDD] [Hard Disk] [CDROM] ASUS P5GC-MX [20 Sec] [Auto] 2-19...

  • Page 64: Cpu Configuration

    2.4.2 CPU Configuration The items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS automatically detects. Configure advanced CPU settings Manufacturer: Intel Brand String: Genuine Intel(R) CPU 3.80GHz Frequency : 3800MHz FSB Speed : 1085MHz Cache L1 : 16 KB Cache L2 : 2048 KB Cache L3...

  • Page 65: Chipset

    Graphics memory type Boot Display Device TV Connector HDTV Output TV Standard PEG Buffer Length Link Latency PEG Root Control Slot Power High Priority Port Select ASUS P5GC-MX Technology. When set ® [Auto] [Enabled] [Auto] [Auto] [PCI Express/Int-VG] [Enabled, 8MB] [Auto]...

  • Page 66: Dram Frequency [Auto]

    DRAM Frequency [Auto] Allows you to set the DDR2 operating frequency. Configuration options: [Auto] [400 Mhz] [533 Mhz] Selecting a very high DRAM frequency may cause the system to become unstable! If this happens, revert to the default setting. Configure DRAM Timing by SPD [Enabled] When this item is enabled, the DRAM timing parameters are set according to the DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect).
  • Page 67 Sets PCIEX graphics card buffer length. Configuration options: [Auto] [Long] [Short] Link Latency [Auto] Sets link latency. Configuration options: [Auto] [Slow] [Normal] PEG Root Control [Auto] Enables, disables or set to Auto of the link latency. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled] ASUS P5GC-MX 2-23...

  • Page 68: Onboard Devices Configuration

    Slot Power [Auto] Sets the slot power. Configuration options: [Auto] [Light] [Normal] [Heavy] [Heavier] High Priority Port Select [Disabled] Selects the high priority port. Configuration options: [Disabled] [PCI Express Port 2] 2.4.4 Onboard Devices Configuration Configure Win627DHG Super IO Chipset HD Audio Controller Front Panel Support Type Onboard PCIEX 10/100Mb LAN...

  • Page 69: Serial Port1 Address [3F8/Irq4]

    ECP Mode DMA Channel [DMA3] Appears only when the Parallel Port Mode is set to [ECP]. This item allows you to set the Parallel Port ECP DMA. Configuration options: [DMA0] [DMA1] [DMA3] Parallel Port IRQ [IRQ7] Configuration options: [IRQ5] [IRQ7] ASUS P5GC-MX 2-25...

  • Page 70: Pci Pnp

    2.4.5 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 71: Power Menu

    Allows you to enable or disable the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) support in the Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). When set to Enabled, the ACPI APIC table pointer is included in the RSDT pointer list. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] ASUS P5GC-MX Configure CPU. [Auto] [Disabled]...

  • Page 72: Apm Configuration

    2.5.4 APM Configuration APM Configuration Power Button Mode Restore on AC Power Loss Power On By RTC Alarm RTC Alarm Date RTC Alarm Hour RTC Alarm Minute RTC Alarm Second Power On By External Modems Power On By PCI Devices Power On By PCIE Devices Power On By PS/2 Keyboard Power On By PS/2 Mouse...
  • Page 73 When set to [Enabled], this parameter allows you to use the PS/2 mouse to turn on the system. This feature requires an ATX power supply that provides at least 1A on the +5VSB lead. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] ASUS P5GC-MX 2-29...

  • Page 74: Hardware Monitor

    N/A. Configuration options: [Ignored] [xxxRPM] CPU Q-Fan Control [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the ASUS Q-Fan feature that smartly adjusts the fan speeds for more efficient system operation. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Chassis Fan Speed [xxxxRPM] or [N/A] or [Ignored] The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the chassis fan speed in rotations per minute (RPM).

  • Page 75: Boot Menu

    These items specify the boot device priority sequence from the available devices. The number of device items that appears on the screen depends on the number of devices installed in the system. Configuration options: [xxxxx Drive] [Disabled] ASUS P5GC-MX Enter Go to Sub-screen [1st FLOPPY DRIVE] [Hard Drive]...

  • Page 76: Boot Settings Configuration

    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.

  • Page 77: Interrupt 19 Capture [Disabled]

    If you forget your BIOS password, you can clear clear it by erasing the CMOS Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM. See section “2.6 Jumpers” for information on how to erase the RTC RAM. ASUS P5GC-MX <Enter> to change password. <Enter> again to disabled password.

  • Page 78: Change User Password

    After you have set a supervisor password, the other items appear to allow you to change other security settings. Security Settings Supervisor Password User Password Change Supervisor Password User Access Level Change User Password Clear User Password Password Check User Access Level [Full Access] This item allows you to select the access restriction to the Setup items.

  • Page 79: Password Check [Setup]

    If you attempt to exit the Setup program without saving your changes, the program prompts you with a message asking if you want to save your changes before exiting. Press <Enter> to save the changes while exiting. ASUS P5GC-MX Exit system setup after saving the changes.

  • Page 80: Discard Changes

    Exit & Discard Changes 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.

  • Page 81: Chapter 3: Software Support

    This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package. Software support...

  • Page 82: Installing An Operating System

    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.

  • Page 83: Drivers Menu

    Refer to the online help or readme file that came with the utility for details. Intel Graphics Accelerator Driver Installs the Intel Graphics Accelerator driver. Realtek Audio Driver Installs the Realtek Audio driver. Attansic L2 Fast Ethernet Installs the Attansic L2 Fast Ethernet. ASUS P5GC-MX...

  • Page 84: Utilities Menu

    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).

  • Page 85: Asus Contact Information

    Corel Snapfire Plus SE Installs the Corel Snapfire Plus SE software. 3.2.4 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. ASUS P5GC-MX...
  • Page 86 Chapter 3: Software support...

  • Page 87: Cpu Features

    The Appendix describes the CPU features that the motherboard supports. CPU features...

  • Page 88: A.2.1 System Requirements

    32-bit operating systems. • The motherboard comes with a BIOS file that supports EM64T. You can download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website (www.asus. com/support/download/) if you need to update the BIOS file. See Chapter 2 for details.

  • Page 89: Using The Eist

    Click Apply, then click OK. 10. Close the Display Properties window. After you adjust the power scheme, the CPU internal frequency slightly decreases when the CPU loading is low. The screen displays and procedures may vary depending on the operating system. ASUS P5GC-MX...

  • Page 90: Intel ® Hyper-Threading Technology

    Intel • The motherboard supports Intel with Hyper-Threading Technology. • Hyper-Threading Technology is supported under Windows Linux 2.4.x (kernel) and later versions only. Under Linux, use the Hyper-Threading compiler to compile the code. If you are using any other operating systems, disable the Hyper-Threading Techonology item in the BIOS to ensure system stability and performance.

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