Albatron PM945GC User manual

PM945GC (V2.0)
Copyright
All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored
in a retrieval system or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the company. Brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies.
The vendor makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents herein and especially
disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any purpose. Further the vendor
reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes to the contents herein without
obligation to notify any party beforehand. Duplication of this publication, in part or in whole, is not
allowed without first obtaining the vendor’s approval in writing.
Trademark
All the trademarks or brands in this document are registered by their respective owner.
Disclaimer
We make no warranty of any kind with regard to the content of this user’s manual. The content is
subject to change without notice and we will not be responsible for any mistakes found in this user’s
manual. All the brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
FCC Compliance Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of a Class B digital device, pursuant
to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
CE Mark
The device is in accordance with 89/336 ECC-ENC Directive.
Ver: EG100

PM945GC (V2.0)
Intel®945GC & ICH7
Support Socket 775 Intel®CoreTM 2 Duo/ Pentium®D/
Pentium®4/ Celeron®D/ Celeron®Processor
(The power consumption for the aforementioned
processors must be rated at 65W or less.)
User Manual
Enabling the Hyper-Threading Technology, your computer system is
required to have components as the following:
CPU: An Intel®Pentium®4 Processor with HT Technology
Chipset: An Intel®Chipset that supports HT Technology
BIOS: A BIOS that supports HT Technology must be enabled
OS: An operating system that supports HT Technology
For more information on Hyper-Threading Technology, go to:
http://www.intel.com/info/hyperthreading
Dimensions (Micro-ATX form-factor):
180mm x 244mm ( W x L )
Operating System:
Windows®Vista/ XP/ 2000

Attention- Im
p
ortant Information
Follow the procedures below…
Troubleshooting Tips
Refer to other sections in this manual…
Things You Have To Know
0The images and pictures in this manual are for reference only and may vary from the
product you received depending on specific hardware models, third party components
and software versions.
0This mainboard contains very delicate IC chips. Always use a grounded wrist strap
when working with the system.
0Do not touch any IC chip, lead, connector or other components.
0Always unplug the AC power when you install or remove any device on the mainboard
or when confuguring pins and switches.
Packing List
PM945GC(V2.0) Mainboard
IDE Cable
SATA Cable
I/O Bracket
Mainboard Setup Driver & User Manual CD
Mainboard Quick Installation Guide
Symbols

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED .................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................... 1
SPECIFICATION ....................................................................................................... 2
CONFIGURATION .................................................................................................... 5
Layout of PM945GC (V2.0)............................................................................ 5
HARDWARE INSTALLATION ................................................................................... 6
CPU Processor Installation.............................................................................. 6
Memory Installation: DIMM1/DIMM2........................................................... 7
Back Panel Configuration................................................................................ 9
Front Panel Headers: JW_FP, PWRLED, SPEAK ........................................ 10
Connectors..................................................................................................... 11
Headers & Jumpers........................................................................................ 12
Audio Configuration...................................................................................... 14
Slots ............................................................................................................... 15
Power Supply Attachments............................................................................ 16
CHAPTER 2. BIOS SETUP ........................................................... 17
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... 17
MAIN MENU ......................................................................................................... 18
CHAPTER 3: SOFTWARE SETUP................................................... 20
SOFTWARE LIST ................................................................................................... 20
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION ................................................................................... 20
CHAPTER 4: TROUBLESHOOTING................................................. 24
APPENDIX I: 6/4/2 CHANNEL AUDIO EFFECT SETUP............................................ 27

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
1
Chapter 1. Getting Started
Introduction
Thanks for choosing PM945GC(V2.0) Mainboard. It is based on Intel®945GC Northbridge
chipset and Intel®ICH7 Southbridge chipset. In addition, it also supports integrated Graphics
Media Accelerator 950 for onboard graphics feature. It supports Intel®CoreTM 2 Duo/
Pentium®D/ Pentium®4/ Celeron®D/ Celeron®Processors (The power consumption for the
aforementioned processors must be rated at 65W or less) with FSB (Front Side Bus) frequencies of
1333 MHz (by overclocking)/ 1066 MHz (by overclocking)/ 800 MHz/ 533 MHz.
The PM945GC(V2.0) provides two DIMM (Dual In-Line Memory Modules) sockets which
allowing you to install 240-pin, unbuffered non-ECC, DDRII 667 (by overclocking)/ DDRII 533
SDRAMs. It also supports Dual Channel Technology and allows you installing a total memory
capacity of 4 GB.
This mainboard provides one PCI-Express interface slot up to x16 mode which is
recommended that insert a graphics card onto the PCI-Espress x16 slot. In addition, two
standard PCI slots for use with standard PCI expansion cards are also allowed.
The PM945GC(V2.0) provides one floppy disk drive connector that can be used with
360KB/720KB/1.2MB/1.44MB/2.88MB drives. It also has one IDE connector for IDE hard drives
supporting Ultra ATA 100/66/33. Moreover, this mainboard comes with Serial ATA II support
with four SATA II connectors which provide up to 3 Gbps data transfer rates.
The onboard High Definition Audio CODEC (ALC662) supports high quality performance
6-channel audio play <See Appendix I>. The mainboard also supports the Sony/Philips
Digital Interfaces (S/PDIF) output function (optional).
The PM945GC(V2.0) also comes with an onboard 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN chip. There is a
LAN port on the back panel of your case that you can directly plug into an Internet cable.
There are maximal eight USB2.0/ 1.1 ports which can be set up on this mainboard.
All the information (including hardware installation and software installation) in this manual
are for reference only. The contents in this manual may be updated without notice. The
company will not assume any responsibility for any errors or mistakes within.

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
2
Specification
CPU:
Support Socket 775
Support Intel®CoreTM 2 Duo/ Pentium®D/ Pentium®4/ Celeron®D/ Celeron®
Processors (The power consumption for the aforementioned processors must be
rated at 65W or less.)
Support Hyper-Threading Technology
Support 1333 MHz (by overclocking)/ 1066 MHz (by overclocking)/ 800 MHz/ 533 MHz
FSB (Front Side Bus) Frequencies
Chipset:
Northbridge Chipset – Intel®945GC
Southbridge Chipset – Intel®ICH7
I/O Controller –Fintek®F71872FG
High Definition Audio Codec – Realtek®ALC662
LAN Controller – Marvell®88E8042
Memory:
Two DIMM sockets
Supports unbuffered & non-ECC DDRII 667 (by overclocking)/ DDRII 533 SDRAM
Supports a total memory capacity of up to 4 GB
Supports Dual Channel data bus
Onboard HD Audio Codec (ALC 662):
High performance Codec with high S/N ratio (>90 db)
Supports 6/4/2 channel playback capability
Supports jack sensing and re-tasking function
Built-in Dolby Digital Live Technology
Supports Sony/ Philips Digital Interfaces (S/PDIF) output function (Optional)
Slots:
One PCI-Express x16 interface slot for graphics card or expansion card
Two standard PCI slots for PCI standard expansion cards

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
3
FDD Connector:
Supports one FDD connector to set up to two floppy disk drives
Supports 360KB/ 720KB/ 1.2MB/ 1.44MB/ 2.88MB
IDE Connector:
One IDE connector
Supports up to two IDE devices
Supports Ultra ATA 33/66/100
Supports high capacity hard disk drives
Serial ATA II Connector:
Four SATA II connectors
Supports SATA 2.0 specification and with transmit rate up to 3 Gbps
One SATA connector can only support one SATA HDD
Onboard LAN Chip:
10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN supported
I/O facility Connectors
Supports one PS/2 mouse port and one PS/2 keyboard port
Supports one serial port
Supports one VGA port (=D-Sub)
Supports one parallel port（PARALLEL）header and one HDMI-SPDIF OUT (HDMI-SPDIF)
header with external devices connected
Universal Serial Bus:
Four onboard USB 2.0/ 1.1 ports
Two front USB headers come with this mainboard for additional four USB ports
Support a maximum of eight USB ports to connect USB compliant devices
BIOS:
Phoenix-Award™ BIOS
Support APM1.2
Support ACPI 2.0 power management

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
4
Green Function:
Supports Phoenix-Award™ BIOS power management function
Supports system-wake-from-power-saving-mode by keyboard or mouse touching
Shadow RAM:
Integrated memory controller provides shadow RAM functionality and supports ROM
BIOS
Flash Memory:
Supports flash memory functionality
Supports ESCD functionality
Hardware Monitor Function:
Monitors CPU/ Chassis Fan Speed
Monitors CPU and system temperature
Monitors system voltages

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
5
Configuration
Layout of PM945GC (V2.0)

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
6
Hardware Installation
This section will assist you in quickly installing your system hardware. Wear a wrist ground strap before
handling components. Electrostatic discharge may damage the system’s components.
CPU Processor Installation
This mainboard supports Intel®CoreTM 2 Duo/ Pentium®D/ Pentium®4/ Celeron®D/ Celeron®Processors
using a Socket 775. Before building your system, we suggest you to visit the Intel website and review the
processor installation procedures. http://www.intel.com
CPU Socket 775 Configuration Steps:
1. Locate the CPU socket 775 on your
mainboard and nudge the lever away
from the socket as shown. Then lift the
lever to a 140-degree angle (A). Next,
lift up the iron cover (B).
2. There are 2 distinctive marks located
near the corners of the socket on the
same side as the lever as shown (C).
Match these marks with the marks on the
CPU and carefully lower the CPU down
onto the socket (D).
3. Replace the iron cover and then lower
the lever until it snaps back into position
(E). This will lock down the CPU (F).
4. Smear thermal grease on the top of the CPU. Lower the CPU fan
onto the CPU/CPU socket and secure it using the attachments or
screws provided on the fan. Finally, attach the fan power cord
to the CPUFAN header.
A
B
D
C
F
E
Attention
DO NOT touch the CPU pins in case they are damaged. Also, make sure
that you have completed all installation steps before powered on the
system. Finally, double-check that the cooling fan is properly installed
and the CPU fan power cord is securely attached, in case your CPU and
other sensitive components are damaged because of high temperatures.

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
7
CPUFAN SYSFAN1/ SYSFAN2
FAN Headers: CPUFAN, SYSFAN1, SYSFAN2
There are three fan headers available for cooling fans. The cooling fans play an important role in
maintaining ambient temperatures in your system. The CPUFAN header is attached with a CPU cooling
fan. The SYSFAN1 and SYSFAN2 headers are attached with other cooling fans.
Memory Installation: DIMM1/DIMM2
The PM945GC(V2.0) provides two DIMM (Dual In-Line Memory Modules) sockets which allowing you to
install 240-pin, unbuffered non-ECC, DDRII 667 (by overclocking)/ DDRII 533 SDRAMs. It also supports
Dual Channel Technology and allows you installing a total memory capacity of 4 GB.
Attention
It is recommended that to install memories which are identical
specifications (same timing specifications and same DDRII speed) to achieve
the best effects. It may cause the failure of power-on or lower memory
speed if installing different type, SPD (series presence detects) memories.
Attention
You can avoid damaging your CPU due to high temperatures with proper cooling
equipment. It is recommended that attach a cooling fan on top of your CPU. Use
the CPUFAN header to attach the fan cord.
On most fan power cord, the black wire of the fan cable is the “ground” and
should be attached to pin-1 of the header.

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
8
How to enable Dual-Channel DDRII:
1. These mainboards provide Dual-Channel functionality for the two DIMM sockets. Enabling
Dual-Channel can significantly increase your data access rates. DIMM1 and DIMM2 share one
channel.
2. For enabling Dual-Channel, you have to install two memories in the DIMM sockets at the same time;
according to the definition by Intel, once one channel of the memory capacity is the same with the
other channel, then Dual-Channel will be enabled.
3. For example, if you install one 256 MB memory in DIMM1 and the other one in DIMM2 (256MB x 2 =
512MB), so that the Dual-Channel can be enabled.
4. If you only install one memory, then the Dual-Channel won’t be enabled.
Memory Installation Steps:
1. Pull the white plastic tabs at both ends of the slot away from the slot.
2. Match the notch on the RAM module with the corresponding pattern in the DIMM slot. This will
ensure that the module will be inserted with the proper orientation.
3. Lower the RAM module into the DIMM Slot and press firmly using both thumbs until the module
snaps into place.
4. Repeat steps 1, 2 & 3 for the remaining RAM modules.
＊ The pictures above are for reference only. Your actual
installation may vary slightly from the pictures.

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
9
Back Panel Configuration
PS/2 Mouse & PS/2 Keyboard Ports: KB/MS
This mainboard provides a standard PS/2 mouse port and a PS/2 keyboard port.
The Serial Port: COM1
This mainboard provides a serial port COM1 on your back panel, and is used to connect mice, modem and
other peripheral devices. Through this port, you can also transfer data from your computer hard disk
drive to other computers.
The VGA (D-SUB) Connector: VGA
The mainboard provides one VGA connector (= D-Sub connector) on back panel.
VGA connector (= D-Sub connector) delivers the analogy signals, and is able to connect with traditional
CRT display, flat display, or other display device which with the D-Sub interface compatible.
USB Ports/LAN Port: USB1, USB/LAN
There are four onboard USB 2.0/ 1.1 ports on the back panel. These USB ports are used to attach with
USB devices, such as keyboard, mice and other USB supported devices. There is also a 10/100 Mbps
Ethernet LAN port available for you to attach an Internet cable.

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
10
Audio Ports: SOUND
This mainboard provides three audio ports, the Mic, Line-in and Line-out. These are the standard audio
ports that provide basic audio function.
Line-In (Blue)
This port is for audio input and connects to external audio
devices such as CD player, tape player, etc. When the
multi-channel audio system is enabled, this port will output
audio for the rear speakers.
Line-Out (Green)
This port is an output audio port used for connecting to speakers
or a headset. When the multi-channel audio system is enabled,
this port will output audio for the front speakers.
Mic-In (Pink)
This port is for connecting to a microphone. When the multi-channel audio system is enabled, this port
will output audio for your subwoofer/center speakers.
Front Panel Headers: JW_FP, PWRLED, SPEAK
JW_FP
Pin Assignment Function Pin Assignment Function
1 VCC5 (+) 2 VCC5 (+)
3 HDDLE (-)
Hard Drive LED
(HDLED) 4 PWRLED (-)
2-pin Power LED
(PWR LED)
5 GND 6 PWRBTN
7 RSTSW 8 GND
Power-on Button
(PWRBTN)
9 N/C
Reset Switch
(RESET) 10 Key
This mainboard supports Super 5.1 Channel Audio Effect, and you can transfer
2-channel to 6-channel audio. See Appendix I for more information.

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
11
Hard Drive LED Header: HDLED
If your case front panel has a hard drive LED cable, attach it to this header. The LED will flicker when
there is hard disk drive activity.
Reset Switch Header: RESET
This header can be attached to a momentary SPST switch (reset button) cable on your case front panel.
The switch is normally left open. When the switch closed, it will cause the mainboard to reset and run
the POST (Power-On Self Test).
Power-on Switch Header: PWRBTN
This header can be attached to a power switch cable on your case front panel. You can turn your system
on or off by pressing the button attached to this power switch cable.
2-pin Power LED Header: PWR LED
These mainboards provide a 2-pin power LED header. If there is a 2-pin power LED cord on your case
front panel, you can attach it to the 2-pin power LED header. Then the power LED will illuminate while
the system is powered on.
3-pin Power LED Header: PWRLED
These mainboards also provide a 3-pin power LED header. If there is a 3-pin power LED cord on your case
front panel, you can attach it to this 3-pin header instead of attach to the 2-pin one on the SW/LED
header.
Speaker Header: SPEAK
A speaker cable on your case front panel can be attached to this header. When you reboot the computer,
this speaker will issue a short audible (beep). If there are problems during the Power On Self-Test, the
system will issue an irregular pattern of audible beeps through this speaker.
Connectors
Floppy Disk Drive Connector: FLOPPY
These mainboards provide a standard floppy disk drive connector (FDD) that supports 360KB/ 720KB/
1.2MB/ 1.44MB/ 2.88 MB floppy disk drives using a FDD ribbon cable.
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 PWR_LED (+) 2 Key
PWRLED
3 PWR_LED (-)
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 SPK 2 N/C
SPEAK 3 Ground 4 VCC5

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
12
Hard Disk Drive Connectors: IDE1
The mainboards provide one IDE connector that supports Ultra ATA 33/66/100 IDE devices. You can
attach a maximum of two IDE devices, such as hard disk drive (HDD), CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc. using an
IDE ribbon cable.
In general, two IDE devices can be attached onto one IDE connector. If you attach two IDE HDDs, you
must configure one drive as the master and the other one as the slave. In this case, one optical device
i.e., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM…etc. should be attached to this connector as well.
SATA II Connector: SATA 1/2/3/4
The four SATA II connectors support 3 Gbps transmit rate, and one SATA connector only can attach one
SATA HDD of each time using SATA cables.
Headers & Jumpers
Front USB Headers: USB2/3
These mainboards provide four onboard USB 1.1/2.0 ports (back panel) that attach to USB devices.
There are two additional USB headers that can be connected by cables to four more USB ports on the
front panel of your case giving you a possible eight USB ports.
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 VCC 2 VCC
3 -DATA 4 -DATA
5 +DATA 6 +DATA
7 GND 8 GND
USB2/3
9 Key 10 N/C
Attention
The FDD/ IDE cable is designed and should be attached with a specific
direction. One edge of the cable will usually in color such as red, to
indicate that should line up with the header pin-1.
Attention
If you are using a USB 2.0 device with Windows 2000/XP, you will need to
install the USB 2.0 driver from the Microsoft®website. If you are using
Service pack 2 (or later) for Windows®XP, and using Service pack4 (or
later) for Windows® 2000, you will not have to install the driver.

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
13
Printer Interface Header: PARALLEL (Optional)
This mainboard provides a PARALLEL header for you connecting an additional printer connector on your
case back panel. Attach the cable of printer connector (Optional) onto this header, and then you can use
the printer connector connecting with a printer.
Keyboard/Mouse & USB Power On function Header: JP1
PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse attached to the back panel can awaken the system from sleep mode. In
order to enable this functionality, you must adjust the jumper caps on JP1 header as the table below.
JP1 Assignment
1
Pin 1-2 Closed
KB/MS & USB Power ON Disable (Default)
1
Pin 2-3 Closed
KB/MS & USB Power ON Enabled
Note: Close stands for putting a jumper cap onto two header pins.
USB Power On function Header: JP3
USB devices attached to the back panel USB ports can awaken the system from sleep mode. In order to
enable this functionality, you must adjust the jumper cap on JP3 header for +5V or +5VSB mode
depending on which USB port that the USB device is attached to.
JP3 Assignment Assignment
Pin 1-2 Closed +5V USB Power On Disable (Default)
Pin 2-3 Closed +5VSB USB Power On Enabled
Note: Close stands for putting a jumper cap onto two header pins.

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
14
Clear CMOS Jumper: JBAT
The “Clear CMOS” function is used when you are unable boot your system and need to reset the BIOS
settings (CMOS settings) back to the manufacturer’s original settings. This is also a way to reset the
system password if you have forgotten it.
JBAT Assignment
Pin 1-2 Closed Normal (Default)
Pin 2-3 Closed Clear CMOS Data
Note: Close stands for putting a jumper cap onto two header pins.
1. Turn off your system and disconnect the AC power cable.
2. Set JBAT header to OFF (2-3 Closed).
3. Wait several seconds.
4. Set JBAT header to ON (1-2 closed).
5. Connect the AC power cable and turn on your system.
6. Reset your new password.
Audio Configuration
CD-ROM Audio-In Connector: CDIN
The CD-IN connector is used to attach an audio cable to audio devices such as CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs etc.
HDMI-SPDIF out Header: HDMI_SPDIF (Optional)
The SPDIF output is capable of providing digital audio to external speakers or compressed AC3 data to an
external Dolby digital decoder. Use the feature only when your stereo system has digital input function.
HDMI_SPDIF
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 HDMI_SPDIF_OUT 2 GND
The following steps explain how to reset your CMOS configurations
when you forgot a system password.

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
15
Front Panel Audio Header: AUDIO
If your case front panel has audio ports, you can connect them to the Front Audio Header of this
mainboard.
Slots
Universal PCI-Express Interface slot: PE2
The PE2 slot is the PCI-Express interface slot which can be supported up to PCI-E x16 mode. It is
recommended that you insert a graphics card onto the PE2 slot which the interface is capable for PCI-E
x16 specification.
PCI Interface Slots: PCI1/2
PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect, which is a bus standard for installing expansion cards
such as network card, SCSI card, etc. to these PCI slots.
AUDIO
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 MIC2-L 2 AUD_GND
3 MIC2-R 4 AUD_JD
5 LINEOUT2-R 6 AUD_GND
7 SENSE-FB 8 N/C
9 LINEOUT2-L 10 AUD_GND

Mainboard PM945GC(V2.0)
16
Power Supply Attachments
ATX Power Connector: ATXPWR, ATX12V
These mainboards provide two ATX power connectors, one 24-pin ATXPWR connector and one 4-pin
ATX12V connector. You must use a power supply that has both of these connectors and both connectors
must be attached before the system is powered on. These power connectors support several power
management functions such as the instant power-on function. The connector pins are described below.
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 +3.3V 13 +3.3V
2 +3.3V 14 -12V
3 Ground 15 Ground
4 +5V 16 Soft Power ON
5 Ground 17 Ground
6 +5V 18 Ground
7 Ground 19 Ground
8 PW_ON 20 -5V
9 +5V standby voltage 21 +5V
10 +12V 22 +5V
11 +12V 23 +5V
ATXPWR
12 +3.3V 24 Ground
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 Ground 3 +12V
ATX12V 2 Ground 4 +12V
A
ttention
In general, power cords are designed and should be attached with a specific
direction. The black wire of the power cord is Ground and should be attached
onto the header location of Ground.