MSI 945PL Neo Series User manual

i
945PLNeo Series
MS-7236 v2.XMainboard
G52-72361X5

ii
CopyrightNotice
The materialinthisdocumentistheintellectual propertyof MICRO-STAR
INTERNATIONAL.Wetakeeverycareinthe preparationof thisdocument, butno
guaranteeisgivenastothecorrectnessofitscontents.Ourproductsareunder
continualimprovementand wereservetherighttomakechangeswithoutnotice.
Trademarks
Alltrademarksarethepropertiesoftheirrespectiveowners.
NVIDIA,theNVIDIAlogo,DualNet, and nForceareregisteredtrademarksortrade-
marksofNVIDIACorporationin theUnitedStatesand/orothercountries.
AMD,Athlon ,Athlon XP,Thoroughbred ,andDuron areregisteredtrade-
marksofAMDCorporation.
Intel®andPentium®areregisteredtrademarksofIntelCorporation.
PS/2and OS®/2areregisteredtrademarksofInternationalBusiness Machines
Corporation.
Windows®95/98/2000/NT/XPareregisteredtrademarksofMicrosoftCorporation.
Netware®isaregisteredtrademarkofNovell,Inc.
Award®isaregisteredtrademarkofPhoenixTechnologiesLtd.
AMI®isaregisteredtrademarkofAmericanMegatrendsInc.
RevisionHistory
Revision RevisionHistory Date
v2.1 Firstrelease September2006
TechnicalSupport
Ifaproblemariseswithyoursystemandnosolutioncanbeobtainedfromtheuser’s
manual,pleasecontactyourplaceofpurchaseorlocaldistributor.Alternatively,
pleasetrythefollowing helpresourcesforfurtherguidance.
Visit theMSI websiteforFAQ,technical guide,BIOSupdates,driverupdates,
andotherinformation: http://www.msi.com.tw/program/service/faq/
faq/esc_faq_list.php
Contactourtechnical staff at: http://support.msi.com.tw

iii
SafetyInstructions
CAUTION: Dangerofexplosionifbatteryisincorrectlyreplaced.
Replaceonlywiththe sameorequivalenttype recommendedbythe
manufacturer.
1. Alwaysread thesafetyinstructionscarefully.
2. KeepthisUser’sManualforfuturereference.
3. Keepthisequipmentawayfromhumidity.
4. Laythisequipmentonareliableflatsurfacebeforesetting itup.
5. Theopeningsontheenclosureareforairconvectionhenceprotectstheequip-
ment fromoverheating.DONOTCOVERTHEOPENINGS.
6. Makesurethevoltageofthe powersourceand adjust properly110/220Vbefore
connecting theequipmenttothepowerinlet. Rating:100-127/200-240V~,4/2A,
60/50Hz.
7. Placethe powercordsuchawaythatpeoplecannotstepon it. Donotplace
anythingoverthepowercord.
8. AlwaysUnplug thePowerCordbeforeinsertinganyadd-oncardormodule.
9. All cautionsand warningsontheequipmentshouldbenoted.
10. Neverpouranyliquidintotheopeningthatcoulddamage orcauseelectrical
shock.
11. If anyofthefollowingsituationsarises,gettheequipmentcheckedbyservice
personnel:
†Thepowercordorplugisdamaged.
†Liquid haspenetratedintotheequipment.
†Theequipmenthasbeen exposedtomoisture.
†The equipmentdoesnotworkwelloryoucannotgetitworkaccordingto
User’sManual.
†Theequipmenthasdroppedand damaged.
†Theequipmenthasobvioussign of breakage.
12.DONOTLEAVETHISEQUIPMENTINANENVIRONMENTUNCONDITIONED,STOR-
AGETEMPERATUREABOVE600 C(1400F),IT MAYDAMAGETHEEQUIPMENT.

iv
FCC-BRadio Frequency Interference Statement
Thisequipmenthasbeen
testedand found tocomply
withthe limitsforaClassB
digitaldevice,pursuanttoPart
15of the FCCRules.Theselimitsaredesignedtoprovidereasonable protection
againstharmful interferenceinaresidentialinstallation.Thisequipmentgenerates,
usesand canradiateradiofrequencyenergyand,ifnotinstalledand used in accor-
dancewiththeinstructions,maycauseharmful interferencetoradiocommunications.
However,thereisno guarantee thatinterferencewill notoccurin aparticular
installation.Ifthisequipmentdoescauseharmful interferencetoradioortelevision
reception,whichcanbedeterminedbyturning theequipmentoff and on,the useris
encouragedtotrytocorrecttheinterferencebyone ormoreof themeasureslisted
below.
†Reorientorrelocatethereceiving antenna.
†Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentand receiver.
†Connecttheequipmentintoanoutleton acircuitdifferentfromthatto
whichthereceiverisconnected.
†Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/televisiontechnicianforhelp.
Notice1
Thechangesormodificationsnotexpresslyapprovedbythepartyresponsible for
compliancecould void theuser’sauthoritytooperatetheequipment.
Notice2
Shieldedinterfacecablesand A.C.powercord,ifany,mustbeusedinorderto
complywiththeemissionlimits.
VOIRLANOTICED ’INSTALLATIONAVANTDERACCORDERAURESEAU.
Micro-StarInternational
MS-7236
ThisdevicecomplieswithPart15oftheFCCRules.Operationissubjecttothe
followingtwoconditions:
(1)thisdevicemaynotcauseharmfulinterference,and
(2)thisdevicemustaccept anyinterferencereceived,includinginterferencethat
maycauseundesiredoperation.

v
WEEE (WasteElectricaland ElectronicEquipment) Statement

vi

vii

viii
CONTENTS
CopyrightNotice................................................................................................................ii
Trademarks.......................................................................................................................ii
RevisionHistory................................................................................................................ii
TechnicalSupport.............................................................................................................ii
SafetyInstructions..........................................................................................................iii
FCC-BRadioFrequencyInterferenceStatement.........................................................iv
WEEEStatement...............................................................................................................v
Chapter1.Getting Started.....................................................................................1-1
MainboardSpecifications....................................................................................1-2
MainboardLayout................................................................................................1-4
Packing Checklist..................................................................................................1-5
CoreCenter..........................................................................................................1-6
Left-wing:Currentsystemstatus...............................................................1-7
Right-wing:PChardwarestatusduringrealtimeoperation.....................1-7
Chapter2.HardwareSetup...................................................................................2-1
QuickComponentsGuide....................................................................................2-2
CentralProcessing Unit: CPU...............................................................................2-3
IntroductiontoLGA775CPU.......................................................................2-3
CPU&CoolerInstallation..............................................................................2-4
Memory.................................................................................................................2-7
MemoryModulePopulation Rules................................................................2-7
InstallingDDRII Modules...............................................................................2-8
PowerSupply......................................................................................................2-9
ATX24-PinPowerConnector:ATX1..........................................................2-9
ATX12VPowerConnector:PWRCONN1...................................................2-9
BackPanel..........................................................................................................2-10
Mouse/KeyboardConnector.....................................................................2-10
SerialPort Connector: COMPort...............................................................2-10
USBConnectors.........................................................................................2-11
LAN(RJ-45)Jack........................................................................................2-11
AudioPortConnectors..............................................................................2-12
ParallelPortConnector: LPT1....................................................................2-13
Connectors.........................................................................................................2-14
FloppyDiskDriveConnector:FDD1...........................................................2-14
FanPowerConnectors: CPUFAN1/SYSFAN1/PWRFAN1........................2-14
HardDiskConnector: IDE1.........................................................................2-15
Serial ATAIIConnectorscontrolledbyIntelICH7: SATA1~SATA4...........2-16
CD-InConnector:CD_IN1...........................................................................2-17

ix
Front PanelConnectors:JFP1/ JFP2........................................................2-17
Front USBConnectors:JUSB1/ JUSB2...................................................2-18
FrontPanelAudioConnector: JAUD1.......................................................2-18
IrDAInfrared ModuleHeader: JIR1............................................................2-19
SerialPortConnector:JCOM1...................................................................2-19
ChassisIntrusion SwitchConnector:JCI1................................................2-19
SPDIF-OutConnector:JSPD1....................................................................2-20
Jumpers..............................................................................................................2-21
ClearCMOSJumper: JBAT1......................................................................2-21
Slots....................................................................................................................2-22
PCIExpress Slots(optional)......................................................................2-22
PCI(PeripheralComponentInterconnect)Slots........................................2-22
PCIInterruptRequest Routing....................................................................2-22
Chapter3.BIOSSetup.............................................................................................3-1
EnteringSetup......................................................................................................3-2
ControlKeys.................................................................................................3-3
Getting Help..................................................................................................3-3
General Help.................................................................................................3-3
TheMain Menu.....................................................................................................3-4
StandardCMOSFeatures...................................................................................3-6
AdvancedBIOSFeatures.................................................................................3-10
AdvancedChipsetFeatures.............................................................................3-14
Integrated Peripherals........................................................................................3-16
PowerManagementFeatures...........................................................................3-20
PCI/PNPResourceManagement........................................................................3-23
H/WMonitor........................................................................................................3-26
Cell Menu............................................................................................................3-28
LoadFail-Safe/Optimized Defaults....................................................................3-31
BIOSSetting Password.....................................................................................3-32
AppendixA.RealtekALC850.................................................................................A-1
InstallingtheAudioDriver....................................................................................A-2
Installation forWindowsME/2000/XP.........................................................A-2
SoftwareConfiguration.......................................................................................A-4
Sound Effect................................................................................................A-5
SpeakerConfiguration.................................................................................A-7
3DAudioDemo..............................................................................................A-9
General.......................................................................................................A-10
SPDIF...........................................................................................................A-11
HardwareConfiguration....................................................................................A-12
Using2-, 4-, 6-&8-ChannelAudioFunction...................................................A-12

1-1
Getting Started
Chapter1
Getting Started
Thankyou forchoosingthe945PLNeo (MS-7236
v2.X)ATXmainboard. The 945PLNeo mainboardis
basedonIntel 945PLandIntel ICH7chipsetfor
optimalsystemefficiency.Designedtofitthead-
vanced Intel Pentium4LGA775processor,the
945PLNeo mainboarddeliversahighperformance
and professionaldesktopplatformsolution.

MS-7236Mainboard
1-2
MainboardSpecifications
ProcessorSupport
-SupportsIntel®Core2Duo/PentiumD/Pentium4/Celeron
processorsinLGA775 package
-Supports2004PerformanceEMB CPUVRDesign
-Supports3/4pinCPUFanPin-HeaderwithFan Speed Control
-SupportsIntelHyper-ThreadingTechnology
(ForthelatestinformationaboutCPU,pleasevisit http://www.msi.
com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_cpu_support.php)
SupportedFSB
-533 /800 MHz
Chipset
-NorthBridge:Intel®945PLchipset
-SouthBridge:Intel®ICH7chipset
MemorySupport
-DDRII 533/400 SDRAM(2GBMax)
-2DDRII DIMM slots(240pin/1.9V)
LAN(Optional)
-10/100Mb/ssupportedbyRealtekRTL8100C
-10/100/1000 Mb/ssupportedbyRealtekRTL8110SC
-CompliancewithPCI2.2
-SupportsACPI PowerManagement
Audio
-ChipintegratedbyRealtek®ALC850
-Flexible8-channelaudiowithjack sensing
-CompliancewithAC97 V2.3spec
-AC97 linkcontrollerintegratedinICH7
-MeetPC2001audioperformancerequirement
IDE
-1UltraDMA66/100 IDEcontrollerintegrated inICH7
-SupportsPIO,BusMasteroperationmodes
-Canconnectup to2UltraATAdrives
SATA
-SATAIIcontrollerintegratedinICH7
-Supports4SATAIIDevice
-Supportsstorageand datatransfersatup to300MB/s
Floppy
-1floppyport
-Supports1FDD with360K,720K, 1.2M,1.44Mand2.88Mbytes

1-3
Getting Started
Connectors
Back panel
-1PS/2mouseport
-1PS/2keyboardport
-1serialport
-1parallelportsupportsSPP/EPP/ECPmode
-4USB2.0Ports
-1RJ-45 LANjack
-6flexibleaudiojacks (Line-In/ Line-Out/MIC-In/RearSpeaker-Out
/Center-SubwooferSpeaker-Out/ Surround-Out)
On-BoardPinheaders
-2USB 2.0pinheaders
-1serialpinheader
-1CD-Inpinheader
-1SPDIF-Outpinheader(forHDMIfunction,optional)
Slots
-OnePCIExpress x16slot
-One PCI Express x1slot
-Four32-bitv2.3MasterPCIbusslots
-Support3.3v/5vPCIbusinterface
FormFactor
-ATX (30.5cmX 22.5cm)
Mounting
-6mountingholes

MS-7236Mainboard
1-4
MainboardLayout
945PLNeoSeries
(MS-7236 v2.X)ATXMainboard
PCI2
PCI1
PCI_E2
RTL8110SC
PCI_E1
SYSFAN1
PWRFAN1
PWRCONN1
PCI3
PCI4
CD_IN1
JCOM1
JIR1 JCI1
D
I
M
M
1
D
I
M
M
2
CPUFAN1
BIOS
Intel
Intel
ICH7
945PL
ATX1
IDE1
FDD1
JAUD1
ALC850
Top: mouse
Bottom:keyboard
Top:
ParallelPort
Bottom:
COMportA
USB
ports
T:
M:
B:
Line-In
Line-Out
Mic
T:RS-Out
M:CS-Out
B:SS-Out
Top: LANJack
Bottom:USBports
BATT
+
JBAT1
JSPD1
SATA2 SATA4
SATA1 SATA3
JUSB2JUSB1 JFP1JFP2
Winbond
W83627DHG

1-5
Getting Started
PackingChecklist
PowerCable
SATACablex1
(Optional)
MSI Driver/UtilityCD
StandardCablefor
IDEDevices(Optional)
*Thesepicturesareforyourreferenceonly.Yourpackingcontentsmayvaryde-
pending on themodelyoupurchased.
MSImainboard
User sGuide
BackIOShield

MS-7236Mainboard
1-6
CoreCenter
Clickonthe CoreCenter iconin themain menu and the CoreCenter programwill
beenabled.
CoreCenter isjustlikeyourPCdoctorthatcan detect,viewandadjustthePC
hardwareand systemstatusduring realtimeoperation.
Intheleft sideit showsthecurrentsystemstatusincludingthe Vcore,3.3V, +5Vand
12V. Intherightside itshowsthecurrentPChardwarestatussuchastheCPU&
systemtemperaturesand allfansspeeds.
Whenyouclicktheredtrianglesin theleftand rightsides,twosub-menuswill open
foruserstoadjustthethresholdsofsystemtosendoutthewarningmessages.

1-7
Getting Started
Left-wing:Currentsystem status
Intheleftsub-menu,youcanconfigurethesettingsofFSB,Vcore,Memory
Voltage and AGPVoltagebyclicking theradiobuttonnexttoeachitemand makeit
available(theradiobuttonwillbelighted asyellowwhen selected),usethe “+”
and “-”buttonstoadjust, thenclick “OK”toapplythechanges.Thenyoucanclick
“Save”tosavethevaluesyoujustconfigured.
Alsoyoumayclick “Auto”tostarttesting themaximumCPUoverclocking value.
TheCPUFSB will automaticallyincreasethetestingvalueuntil thePCreboots.Or
youmayclick “Default”torestorethedefaultvalues.
Right-wing:PChardware statusduring real time operation
Intherightsub-menu,hereyoucanconfigurethePChardwarestatussuchas
CPU&systemtemperaturesand fanspeeds. Youmayusethescroll barstoadjust
eachitem, thenclick “OK”toapplythechanges.Thevaluesyousetforthe
temperaturesarethemaximumthresholdsforthesystemforwarnings,andthe
valueforfanspeedsaretheminimumthresholds.

2-1
HardwareSetup
HardwareSetup
Chapter2
Thischapterprovidesyouwiththeinformationabouthard-
waresetup procedures.While doing theinstallation,be
carefulinholdingthe componentsandfollowthe installa-
tionprocedures. Forsomecomponents,ifyouinstall in
thewrong orientation,thecomponentswillnotwork
properly.
Useagroundedwriststrapbeforehandlingcomputer
components.Staticelectricitymaydamage the
components.
Alwaysunplugthepower cordbeforein-
sertinganyadd-oncardormodule.
ONLYFORSERVICEPERSONEL

MS-7236Mainboard
2-2
945PLNeoSeries
(MS-7236 v2.X)ATXMainboard
Quick ComponentsGuide
Back Panel
p.2-10
ATX1
p.2-9
IDE1,
p.2-15
SATA1-4,
p.2-16
CPUFAN1
p.2-14
CD_IN1,
p.2-17
PCI-ESlots
p.2-22
JCOM1,
p.2-19
DIMM1-2,
p.2-7
PWRFAN1
SYSFAN1,
p.2-14
CPU
p.2-3
FDD1,
p.2-14
JAUD1,
p.2-18 JSPD1, p.2-20 JUSB1-2, p.2-18 JFP1-2, p.2-17
PCISlots,
p.2-22
JCI1,
p.2-19
JIR1,
p.2-19
PWRCONN1
p.2-9
JBAT1,
p.2-21

2-3
HardwareSetup
Central ProcessingUnit:CPU
ThemainboardsupportsIntel®Pentium4Seriesprocessor.Themainboardusesa
CPUsocketcalledLGA775.Whenyouareinstalling theCPU, makesuretoinstall
thecoolertopreventoverheating. If you do nothavetheCPUcooler,contact
yourdealertopurchaseand install thembeforeturning onthecomputer.
(ForthelatestinformationaboutCPU,pleasevisit http://www.msi.com.tw/program/
products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_cpu_support.php)
Overheating
Overheatingwill seriouslydamagethe CPUand system,always make
surethecooling fancan workproperlytoprotecttheCPUfrom
overheating.
Replacing theCPU
Whilereplacing the CPU,always turnoff the ATXpowersupplyorun-
plugthepowersupply spowercordfromgrounded outlet firsttoensure
thesafetyofCPU.
Overclocking
Thismotherboardisdesignedtosupport overclocking.However, please
makesureyourcomponentsareable totoleratesuchabnormalsetting,
whiledoingoverclocking. Anyattempttooperatebeyondproductspeci-
ficationsisnotrecommended. Wedonotguaranteethedamages
orriskscausedbyinadequateoperation orbeyondproduct
specifications.
Important
Yellowtriangleis the Pin1indicator
AlignmentKey
Yellowtriangleis the Pin1indicator
AlignmentKey
Introduction toLGA775 CPU
The surfaceof LGA775 CPU.Remem-
bertoapplysomesiliconeheattransfer
compoundonitforbetterheat
dispersion.
The pin-pad sideofLGA775CPU.

MS-7236Mainboard
2-4
CPU&Cooler Installation
WhenyouareinstallingtheCPU, makesuretheCPUhasacoolerattached on
thetop topreventoverheating. If youdonothavethecooler,contactyourdealer
topurchaseand install thembeforeturningon the computer.Meanwhile,do not
forgettoapplysomesilicon heattransfercompoundon CPUbeforeinstalling theheat
sink/coolerfanforbetterheatdispersion.Followthestepsbelowtoinstallthe CPU&
coolercorrectly.Wrong installation willcausethedamageofyourCPU&mainboard.
2.Removethe capfromleverhinge
side(asthe arrowshows).
1.TheCPUsockethasaplasticcapon
ittoprotectthe contactfromdamage.
BeforeyouinstalltheCPU,always
coverittoprotectthesocket pin.
4.Opentheloadlever.3.Thepinsof socketreveal.