Asus P4V8X-MX User manual

Motherboard
P4V8X-MX
User Guide

ii
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, 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.
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 identification or
explanation and to the ownersʼ benefit, without intent to infringe.
E2227
First Edition
August 2005

iii
Contents
Notices ...........................................................................................................v
Safety Information ..........................................................................................vi
About This Guide .......................................................................................... vii
P4V8X-MX Specifications Summary ........................................................... viii
Chapter 1: Product Introduction
1.1 Welcome! ....................................................................................... 1-2
1.2 Package Contents .......................................................................... 1-2
1.3 Special Features ............................................................................ 1-2
1.3.1 Product highlights ........................................................... 1-2
1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ............................................... 1-3
1.4 Before You Proceed ....................................................................... 1-4
1.5 Motherboard Overview ................................................................... 1-5
1.5.1 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 1-5
1.5.2 Placement direction ........................................................ 1-6
1.5.3 Screw holes .................................................................... 1-6
1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ...................................................... 1-7
1.6.1 Overview ......................................................................... 1-7
1.6.2 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 1-8
1.7 System Memory ............................................................................. 1-9
1.7.1 Overview ......................................................................... 1-9
1.7.2 Memory configurations .................................................... 1-9
1.7.3 Installing a DIMM ...........................................................1-11
1.7.4 Removing a DIMM .........................................................1-11
1.8 Expansion Slots ........................................................................... 1-12
1.8.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 1-12
1.8.2 Configuring an expansion card ..................................... 1-12
1.8.3 AGP slot ........................................................................ 1-14
1.8.4 PCI slots ........................................................................ 1-14
1.9 Jumpers ....................................................................................... 1-15
1.10 Connectors ................................................................................... 1-17
1.10.1 Rear panel connectors .................................................. 1-17
1.10.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 1-18
Chapter 2: BIOS Setup
2.1 Managing and Updating Your BIOS ............................................... 2-2
2.1.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk ....................................... 2-2
2.1.2 Using AFUDOS to copy the current BIOS ....................... 2-2
2.1.3 Using AFUDOS to update the BIOS ............................... 2-3

iv
Contents
2.1.4 Using ASUS EZ Flash to update the BIOS ..................... 2-5
2.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ...................................... 2-6
2.2 BIOS Setup Program ..................................................................... 2-8
2.2.1 BIOS menu screen .......................................................... 2-9
2.2.2 Menu bar ......................................................................... 2-9
2.2.3 Navigation keys ............................................................... 2-9
2.2.4 Menu items ................................................................... 2-10
2.2.5 Sub-menu items ............................................................ 2-10
2.2.6 Configuration fields ....................................................... 2-10
2.2.7 Pop-up window ............................................................. 2-10
2.2.8 Scroll bar ....................................................................... 2-10
2.2.9 General help ................................................................. 2-10
2.3 Main Menu ....................................................................................2-11
2.4 Advanced Menu ........................................................................... 2-15
2.4.1 CPU Configuration ........................................................ 2-15
2.4.2 USB Configuration ........................................................ 2-17
2.4.3 Chipset .......................................................................... 2-18
2.4.4 Onboard Devices Configuration .................................... 2-21
2.4.5 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 2-22
2.5 Power Menu ................................................................................. 2-23
2.5.1 APM Configuration ........................................................ 2-24
2.5.2 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 2-25
2.6 Boot Menu .................................................................................... 2-26
2.6.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 2-27
2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration .......................................... 2-27
2.6.3 Security ......................................................................... 2-28
2.7 Exit Menu ..................................................................................... 2-29
Chapter 3: Software Support
3.1 Installing An Operating System ...................................................... 3-2
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 .................................................................. 3-3
3.2.4 Manual menu .................................................................. 3-4
3.2.5 Contacts menu ................................................................ 3-5
3.3 VIA RAID configurations ................................................................. 3-6
3.3.1 Installing hard disks ........................................................ 3-6
3.3.2 VIA RAID Configuration .................................................. 3-7
3.4 Creating a RAID driver disk .......................................................... 3-10

v
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.
Notices
Federal Communications Commission Statement
This device complies with FCC Rules Part 15. 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 manufacturerʼ
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.
The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is
required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modifications
to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the userʼs authority to operate this equipment.

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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 adapter 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.

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Where to find more information
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and
software updates.
1. ASUS websites
The ASUS websites worldwide provide 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
flyers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not
part of the standard package.
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.
IMPORTANT: Information that you MUST follow to complete a task.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to aid in completing a task.
About This Guide
How this guide is organized
This manual contains the following parts:
• Chapter 1: Product Introduction
This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new
technology it supports. It also 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.
• Chapter 2: BIOS Information
This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup
menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.
• Chapter 3: Software Support
This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the
motherboard package.
Conventions used in this guide
To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following
symbols used throughout this guide.

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P4V8X-MX Specifications Summary
(continued next page)
Socket 478 for Intel Pentium 4/ Celeron processor
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology ready
Supports Intel Prescott CPU
VIA P4M800
VIA 8237R PLUS
800/533/400 MHz
2 x 184-pin DIMM Sockets for up to 2GB DDR 333/266, non-
ECC DDR SDRAM memory
1 x AGP 8X (1.5V only)
3 x PCI
Integrated UniChrome Pro 3D/2D Graphics & Video Controller
Supports 64MB Share Memory size
Microsoft DirectX 9,0 and OpenGL (Please update VGA driver
and Direct 9.0 driver in support CD to support Direct 9.0)
VIA 8237R PLUS South Bridge:
*2 x Serial ATA, RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD
*2 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33
C-Media CMI9761A 6-channel CODEC
Integrated 10/100Mbps LAN controller + VIA 6103 PHY
Supports up to eight USB 2.0 ports
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2
ASUS EZ Flash
ASUS MyLogo2
FSB frequency adjustable with 1MHz step (SFS)
ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)
1 x Parallel port
1 x Serial (COM1) port
1 x PS/2 Keyboard port (purple)
1 x PS/2 Mouse port (green)
1 x VGA
1 x 6-channel Audio I/O port
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 x LAN (RJ-45) port
2 x USB connectors supports additional 4 USB ports
CPU/Chassis FAN connectors
20-pin ATX power connector
4-pin ATX 12V Power connector
Chassis Intrusion connector
S/PDIF out connector
CD/AUX audio in connectors
20-pin Panel connector
Front panel audio connector
CPU
Chipset
Front Side Bus (FSB)
Memory
Expansion Slots
VGA
Storage
Audio
LAN
USB 2.0
ASUS Special features
Overclock Features
Back panel I/O ports
Internal I/O connectors

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* Specifications are subject to change without notice.
4 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM
BIOS 2.3, ACPI 2.0a, C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall), ASUS
CrashFree BIOS2, ASUS EZ Flash, MyLogo2, PXE, RPL
PCI 2.2, USB 2.0/1.1
WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME
Drivers
ASUS PC Probe
Anti-Virus Software (OEM version)
ASUS LiveUpdate Utility
1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable
1 x Serial ATA / Power cable
1 x FDD cable
Userʼs Manual
I/O shield
Micro ATX Form Factor, 9.6” x 8” (24.5cm x 19.6cm)
P4V8X-MX Specifications Summary
BIOS features
Industry standard
Manageability
Support CD
Accessary
Form factor

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