Asus Motherboard P5PL2-E User manual

Motherboard
P5PL2-E

ii
E2860
First Edition
December 2006
Copyright © 2005 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced,
transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form
or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the
express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).
Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modied or
altered, unless such repair, modication of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2)
the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.
ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE
LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE
OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR
ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.
SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED
FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME
WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY
ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR
INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS
AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT.
Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered
trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identication or
explanation and to the owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.

iii
Contents
Notices ................................................................................................ vi
Safety information ..............................................................................vii
About this guide.................................................................................viii
P5PL2-E specications summary.......................................................... x
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.1 Welcome! .............................................................................. 1-1
1.2 Package contents ................................................................. 1-1
1.3 Special features .................................................................... 1-2
1.3.1 Product highlights ................................................... 1-2
1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ....................................... 1-3
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.1 Before you proceed .............................................................. 2-1
2.2 Motherboard overview .......................................................... 2-2
2.2.1 Placement direction ................................................ 2-2
2.2.2 Screw holes............................................................. 2-2
2.2.3 Motherboard layout ................................................ 2-3
2.2.4 Layout contents ..................................................... 2-4
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) .............................................. 2-6
2.3.1 Installing the CPU .................................................... 2-6
2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan......................... 2-9
2.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan................... 2-11
2.4 System memory.................................................................. 2-13
2.4.1 Overview ............................................................... 2-13
2.4.2 Memory congurations ......................................... 2-13
2.4.3 Installing a DIMM ................................................... 2-15
2.4.4 Removing a DIMM.................................................. 2-15
2.5 Expansion slots ................................................................... 2-16
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card .................................. 2-16
2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card .............................. 2-16
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments........................................... 2-17
2.5.4 PCI slots ................................................................ 2-18
2.5.5 PCI Express x16 slot ............................................. 2-18
2.5.6 PCI Express x1 slots.............................................. 2-18
2.6 Jumpers .............................................................................. 2-19

iv
Contents
2.7 Connectors ......................................................................... 2-21
2.7.1 Rear panel connectors .......................................... 2-21
2.7.2 Internal connectors ............................................... 2-22
Chapter 3: Powering up
3.1 Starting up for the rst time ................................................ 3-1
3.2 Powering off the computer................................................... 3-2
3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function ........................... 3-2
3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch..................... 3-2
Chapter 4: BIOS setup
4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ........................................ 4-1
4.1.1 Creating a bootable oppy disk .............................. 4-1
4.1.2 ASUS utility............................................................. 4-2
4.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ................................ 4-5
4.1.4 ASUS EZ Flash utility............................................... 4-7
4.1.5 ASUS Update utility ................................................ 4-8
4.2 BIOS setup program............................................................ 4-11
4.2.1 Menu bar ............................................................... 4-12
4.2.2 Navigation keys..................................................... 4-12
4.2.3 BIOS menu screen ................................................. 4-12
4.2.4 Menu items ........................................................... 4-13
4.2.5 Sub-menu items.................................................... 4-13
4.2.6 Conguration elds ............................................... 4-13
4.2.7 Pop-up window...................................................... 4-13
4.2.8 Scroll bar............................................................... 4-13
4.2.9 General help .......................................................... 4-13
4.3 Main menu........................................................................... 4-14
4.3.1 System Time ........................................................ 4-14
4.3.2 System Date ....................................................... 4-14
4.3.3 Legacy Diskette A .............................................. 4-14
4.3.4 Primary and Secondary IDE Master/Slave ............. 4-15
4.3.5 IDE Conguration .................................................. 4-16
4.3.6 System Information............................................... 4-18
4.4 Advanced menu .................................................................. 4-19
4.4.1 JumperFree Conguration..................................... 4-19

v
Contents
4.4.2 USB Conguration ................................................. 4-22
4.4.3 CPU Conguration ................................................. 4-23
4.4.4 Chipset.................................................................. 4-24
4.4.5 Onboard Devices Conguration............................. 4-26
4.4.6 PCI PnP.................................................................. 4-28
4.5 Power menu ........................................................................ 4-30
4.5.1 Suspend Mode ..................................................... 4-30
4.5.2 Repost Video on S3 Resume ................................ 4-30
4.5.3 ACPI 2.0 Support ................................................ 4-30
4.5.4 ACPI APIC Support .............................................. 4-30
4.5.5 APM Conguration ................................................ 4-31
4.5.6 Hardware Monitor.................................................. 4-33
4.6 Boot menu .......................................................................... 4-35
4.6.1 Boot Device Priority .............................................. 4-35
4.6.2 Boot Settings Conguration ................................ 4-36
4.6.3 Security................................................................. 4-37
4.7 Exit menu............................................................................ 4-40
Chapter 5: Software support
5.1 Installing an operating system.............................................. 5-1
5.2 Support CD information ........................................................ 5-1
5.2.1 Running the support CD.......................................... 5-1
5.2.2 Drivers menu........................................................... 5-2
5.2.3 Utilities menu .......................................................... 5-3
5.2.4 Manuals menu ......................................................... 5-4
5.2.5 Contact information................................................ 5-5
5.2.6 Other information ................................................... 5-5
5.3 ASUS MyLogo™..................................................................... 5-7
Appendix: CPU features
A.1 Intel®EM64T......................................................................... A-1
A.2 Enhanced Intel SpeedStep®Technology (EIST) .................... A-1
A.2.1 System requirements.............................................. A-1
A.2.2 Using the EIST......................................................... A-2
A.3 Intel®Hyper-Threading Technology ...................................... A-3
Using the Hyper-Threading Technology ............................... A-3

vi
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.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for 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
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Canadian Department of Communications Statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise
emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference
Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian
ICES-003.
The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics
card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes
or modications to this unit not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate
this equipment.

vii
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. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the
existing system before you add a device.
• Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard,
ensure that all power cables are unplugged.
• Seek professional assistance before using an adpater or extension
cord. These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit.
• Make sure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your
area. If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you
are using, contact your local power company.
• If the power supply is broken, do not try to fix it by yourself. Contact
a qualified service technician or your retailer.
Operation safety
• Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully
read all the manuals that came with the package.
• Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected
and the power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage,
contact your dealer immediately.
• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from
connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.
• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the
product in any area where it may become wet.
• Place the product on a stable surface.
• If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a
qualified service technician or your retailer.

viii
About this guide
This user guide contains the information you need when installing and
conguring the motherboard.
How this guide is organized
This guide contains the following parts:
• Chapter 1: Product introduction
This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new
technology it supports.
• Chapter 2: Hardware information
This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to
perform when installing system components. It includes description of
the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.
• Chapter 3: Powering up
This chapter describes the power up sequence, the vocal POST
messages, and ways of shutting down the system.
• Chapter 4: BIOS setup
This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS
Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also
provided.
• Chapter 5: Software support
This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes
with the motherboard package.
• Appendix: CPU features
The Appendix describes the CPU features that the motherboard
supports.
Where to find more information
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product
and software updates.
1. ASUS websites
The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware
and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.
2. Optional documentation
Your product package may include optional documentation, such as
warranty yers, that may have been added by your dealer. These
documents are not part of the standard package.

ix
Conventions used in this guide
To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the
following symbols used throughout this manual.
Typography
Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select.
Italics Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.
<Key> Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than
sign means that you must press the enclosed key.
Example: <Enter> means that you must press the
Enter or Return key.
<Key1>+<Key2>+<Key3> If you must press two or more keys
simultaneously, the key names are linked with a
plus sign (+).
Example: <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<D>
Command Means that you must type the command exactly
as shown, then supply the required item or value
enclosed in brackets.
Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command
line:
afudos /i[lename]
afudos /iP5PL2-E.ROM
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.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a
task.
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a
task.

x
P5PL2-E specications summary
(continued on the next page)
LGA775 socket for Intel® Core™ 2 Duo/Intel® Pentium®
D/Intel®Pentium®4/Intel®Celeron®D processors
Supports Intel®next generation 65nm (both Single and
Dual Core) CPU
Supports Intel®EM64T/ EIST/Hyper-Threading
Technology
Supports Intel®04B/04A and 05B/05A processor
Northbridge: Intel®MCH 945
Southbridge: Intel®ICH7
1066/800/533 MHz
Dual-channel memory architecture
4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbufferred non-ECC
DDR2 400/533 memory modules
Supports up to 2 GB system memory
(Note: Each channel supports two banks only.)
1 x PCI-E x16 slot for discrete graphic card
2 x PCI-E x1 slots
3 x PCI slots
Intel®ICH7 South Bridge supports:
- 1 x Ultra DMA 100/66/33
- 4 x Serial ATA 3Gb/s devices
ADI 1986A 6-channel audio
Supports Jack Sensing and Enumeration Technology
S/PDIF out interface
Supports up to 8 USB 2.0/USB 1.1 ports
RTL8111B 1000/100/10 Ethernet LAN
ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)
Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.0125 V increment
SFS (Stepless Frenquency Selection) from 200 MHz up
to 450 MHz at 1MHz increment
4-Step DRAM voltage control
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2
ASUS MyLogo
4 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS , PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM
BIOS 2.3, ACPIV2.0, ASUS EZ Flash, ASUS CrashFree
BIOS 2, ASUS MyLogo
1 x Parallel port
1 x Serial port
1 x S/PDIF Out port
1 x PS/2 keyboard port
1 x PS/2 mouse port
1 x RJ45
4 x USB 2.0/1.1
6-Channel Audio I/O
CPU
Chipset
Front Side Bus
Memory
Expansion slots
Storage
Audio
USB
LAN
Overclocking
Features
ASUS special
features
BIOS features
Back Panel I/O
Ports

xi
1 x 24-pin ATX power connector
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
2 x USB connectors for 4 additional USB 2.0 ports
1 x CD audio-in connector
1 x GAME/MIDI connector
1 x Front panel High Denition Audio connector
1 x SPDIF_out connector
Chassis Intrusion
CPU/Chassis/ Power Fan connectors
WOL by PME, WOR by PME, WOR by Ring, WO_USB,
WO_KB/MS, WOW
Drivers
ASUS PC Probe II
ASUS LiveUpdate Utility
Adobe Acrobat Reader ver 7.0
Microsoft Direct X ver 9.0C
ASUS AI Booster
2 x SATA cable kit
1 x USB 2.0 cable
1 x UltraDMA 100/66/33 cable
1 x I/O Shield
User’s manual
ATX Form Factor, 12”x7.5”(30.5cm x 19cm)
P5PL2-E specications summary
Internal I/O
connectors
Manageability
Support CD
contents
Accessories
Form Factor
*Specications are subject to change without notice.

xii

1
Product
introduction
This chapter describes the motherboard
features and the new technologies
it supports.

ASUS P5PL2-E
Chapter summary 1
1.1 Welcome! .............................................................................. 1-1
1.2 Package contents ................................................................. 1-1
1.3 Special features .................................................................... 1-2

ASUS P5PL2-E 1-1
1.1 Welcome!
Thank you for buying an ASUS®P5PL2-E 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.
1.2 Package contents
Check your motherboard package for the following items.
Motherboard ASUS P5PL2-E motherboard
I/O modules USB 2.0 (2 ports) module
Cables 1 x 3 in 1 ATA/FDD cable
2 x SATA cables
2 x SATA power cables
Accessories I/O shield
Application CDs ASUS motherboard support CD
Documentation User guide
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.3 Special features
1.3.1 Product highlights
Latest processor technology
The motherboard comes with a 775-pin surface mount Land Grid Array
(LGA) socket designed for the Intel®Pentium®4 processor in the 775-land
package. The motherboard supports the Intel®Pentium®4 processor with
1066/800/533 MHz Front Side Bus (FSB). The motherboard also supports
the Intel®Hyper-Threading Technology and is fully compatible with Intel®
05B/05A or 04B/04A processors. See page 2-6 for details.
Intel®Core™ 2™ 22
The motherboard supports the latest IntelIntel®Core®2 processor in the
LGA775 package. With the new IntelIntel®Core®2 microarchitecture
technology and 1066/800MHz FSB, Intel®Core®2 processor is one of the
most powerful and energy efcient CPU in the world..
64-bit CPU support
64-bit computing, the next generation technology to replace current
32-bit architecture, delivers advanced system performance, faster
memory access and increased productivity. This motherboard provides
excellent compatibility and exibility by supporting either 64-bit or 32-bit
architecture.
Dual Channel DDRII 533
DDR2 is the next generation memory technology to replace the current
DDR. With initial speeds of 400 and 533MHz, DDR2 memory provides
bandwidth up to 4.3GB/s. Doubled by the dual-channel architecture, the
widest memory bus bandwidth 8.6GB/s is achieved on this motherboard.
6 Channel Audio and SoundMax Digital Audio System
SoundMAX Digital Audio System can output 5.1 channel surround sound
and features state-of-the-art DLS2 MIDI synthesizer with Yamaha DLSbyXG
sound set, 5.1 Virtual TheaterTM and supports and major game audio
technologies including Microsoft DirectXTM 8.0, Microsoft DirectSound 3D,
A3D, MacroFX, ZoomFX, MultiDrive 5.1, A3D and EAX. See pages 2-21 to
2-22 for details.
Serial ATA technology
The motherboard supports the Serial ATA technology through the Serial
ATA interfaces. The SATA specication allows for thinner, more exible
cables with lower pin count, reduced voltage requirement, and up to 300
MB/s data transfer rate. See pages 2-24 for details.

ASUS P5PL2-E 1-3
S/PDIF-out on Back I/O Port
This motherboard provides convenient connectivity to external home
theater audio systems via an S/PDIF-out (SONY-PHILIPS Digital Interface)
jack. It allows to transfer digital audio without converting to analog format
and keeps the best signal quality. See pages 2-22 for details.
PCI Express™ interface
The motherboard fully supports PCI Express, the latest I/O interconnect
technology that speeds up the PCI bus. PCI Express features point-to-point
serial interconnections between devices and allows higher clockspeeds by
carrying data in packets. This high speed interface is software compatible
with existing PCI specications. See page 2-18 for details.
ASUS CPU Lock Free
This feature allows you to adjust the CPU multiplier to 14x. Setting the
appropriate BIOS setting automatically reduces the CPU multiplier value for
more exibility when increasing external FSB.
1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features
C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)
The C.P.R. feature of the motherboard BIOS allows automatic re-setting to
the BIOS default settings in case the system hangs due to overclocking.
When the system hangs due to overclocking, C.P.R. eliminates the need
to open the system chassis and clear the RTC data. Simply shut down and
reboot the system, and the BIOS automatically restores the CPU default
setting for each parameter.
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 page 4-5 for details.
ASUS Q-Fan technology
The ASUS Q-Fan technology smartly adjusts the fan speeds according to
the system loading to ensure quiet, cool, and efcient operation.
See page 4-34 for details.
ASUS MyLogo™
This new feature present in the motherboard allows you to personalize and
add style to your system with customizable boot logos. See page 5-8 for
details.

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction

2
Hardware
information
This chapter lists the hardware setup
procedures that you have to perform
when installing system components.
It includes description of the jumpers
and connectors on the motherboard.

ASUS P5PL2-E
Chapter summary 2
2.1 Before you proceed .............................................................. 2-1
2.2 Motherboard overview .......................................................... 2-2
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) .............................................. 2-6
2.4 System memory.................................................................. 2-13
2.5 Expansion slots ................................................................... 2-16
2.6 Jumpers .............................................................................. 2-19
2.7 Connectors ......................................................................... 2-21