Gigabyte Ga945gcms2l User Guide

							- 31 - BIOS Setup
Chapter 2BIOS Setup
BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) records hardware parameters of the system in the CMOS on the
motherboard. Its major functions include conducting the Power-On Self-Test (POST) during system
startup, saving system parameters and loading operating system, etc. BIOS includes a BIOS Setup
program that allows the user to modify basic system configuration settings or to activate certain system
features.  When the power is turned off, the battery on the motherboard supplies the necessary power
to the CMOS to keep the configuration values in the CMOS.
To access the BIOS Setup program, press the  key during the POST when the power is turned
on. To see more advanced BIOS Setup menu options, you can press  +  in the main menu
of the BIOS Setup program.
To upgrade the BIOS, use either the GIGABYTE Q-Flash or @BIOS utility.
 •Q-Flash allows the user to quickly and easily upgrade or back up BIOS without entering the
operating system.
 •@BIOS is a Windows-based utility that searches and downloads the latest version of BIOS from the
Internet and updates the BIOS.
For instructions on using the Q-Flash and @BIOS utilities, refer to Chapter 4, BIOS Update Utilities.
•Because BIOS flashing is potentially risky, if you do not encounter problems using the
current version of BIOS, it is recommended that you not flash the BIOS. To flash the BIOS,
do it with caution. Inadequate BIOS flashing may result in system malfunction.
•BIOS will emit a beep code during the POST. Refer to Chapter 5, Troubleshooting, for the
beep codes description.
•It is recommended that you not alter the default settings (unless you need to)  to prevent
system instability or other unexpected results. Inadequately altering the settings may result
in systems failure to boot. If this occurs, try to clear the CMOS values and reset the board
to default values. (Refer to the Load Optimized Defaults section in this chapter or introduc-
tions of the battery/clearing CMOS jumper in Chapter 1 for how to clear the CMOS values.) 
						

							GA-945GCM-S2L/S2C Motherboard - 32 -
2-1 Startup Screen
The following screen may appear when the computer boots.
Motherboard Model
 BIOS Version
Function Keys
Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG, An Energy Star Ally
Copyright (C) 1984-2007, Award Software, Inc.
Intel I945 BIOS for 945GCM-S2L E10
.
.
.
.
: BIOS Setup/Q-Flash  : XpressRecovery2  : Boot Menu  : Qflash
08/01/2007-I945-6A89HG0IC-00
Function Keys:
 : BIOS Setup/Q-Flash
Press the  key to enter BIOS Setup or to access the Q-Flash utility in BIOS Setup.
 : Xpress Recovery2
If you have ever entered Xpress Recovery2 to back up hard drive data using the motherboard
driver disk, the  key can be used for subsequent access to XpressRecovery2 during the
POST. For more information, refer to Chapter 4, Xpress Recovery2.
 : Boot Menu
Boot Menu allows you to set the first boot device without entering BIOS Setup. In Boot Menu, use
the up arrow key <
> or the down arrow key to select the first boot device, then press 
to accept. To exit Boot Menu, press . The system will directly boot from the device
configured in Boot Menu.
Note: The setting in Boot Menu is effective for one time only. After system restart, the device boot
order will still be based on BIOS Setup settings. You can access Boot Menu again to change the first
boot device setting as needed.
 : Q-Flash
Press the  key to access the Q-Flash utility directly without having to enter BIOS Setup first. 
						

							- 33 - BIOS Setup
2-2 The Main Menu
Once you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main Menu (as shown below) appears on the screen. Use
arrow keys to move among the items and press  to accept or enter a sub-menu.
(Sample BIOS Version: GA-945GCM-S2L E10)
Main Menu Help
The onscreen description of a highlighted setup option is displayed on the bottom line of the Main Menu.
Submenu Help
While in a submenu, press  to display a help screen (General Help) of function keys available for
the menu. Press  to exit the help screen. Help for each item is in the Item Help block on the right
side of the submenu.
BIOS Setup Program Function Keys
< > Move the selection bar to select an item
Execute command or enter the submenu
 Main Menu: Exit the BIOS Setup program
Submenus: Exit current submenu
Increase the numeric value or make changes
 Decrease the numeric value or make changes
 Show descriptions of the function keys
 Move cursor to the Item Help block on the right (submenus only)
 Restore the previous BIOS settings for the current submenus
 Load the Fail-Safe BIOS default settings for the current submenus
 Load the Optimized BIOS default settings for the current submenus
Access the Q-Flash utility
Display system information
Save all the changes and exit the BIOS Setup program
•If you do not find the settings you want in the Main Menu or a submenu, press +
to access more advanced options.
•When the system is not stable as usual, select the Load Optimized Defaults item to set
your system to its defaults.
•The BIOS Setup menus described in this chapter are for reference only and may differ by
BIOS version.
CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2007 Award Software
`Standard CMOS Features
`Advanced BIOS Features
`Integrated Peripherals
`Power Management Setup
`PnP/PCI Configurations
`PC Health Status
`Frequency/Voltage ControlLoad Fail-Safe Defaults
Load Optimized Defaults
Set Supervisor Password
Set User Password
Save & Exit Setup
Exit Without Saving
ESC: QuitKLJI: Select Item
F8: Q-FlashF10: Save & Exit Setup
Time, Date, Hard Disk Type... 
						

							GA-945GCM-S2L/S2C Motherboard - 34 -
„ „„ „
„Standard CMOS Features
Use this menu to configure the system time and date, hard drive types, floppy disk drive types,
and the type of errors that stop the system boot, etc.
„ „„ „
„Advanced BIOS Features
Use this menu to configure the device boot order, advanced features available on the CPU, and
the primary display adapter.
„ „„ „
„Integrated Peripherals
Use this menu to configure all peripheral devices, such as IDE, SATA, USB, integrated audio, and
integrated LAN, etc.
„ „„ „
„Power Management Setup
Use this menu to configure all the power-saving functions.
„ „„ „
„PnP/PCI Configurations
Use this menu to configure the systems PCI & PnP resources.
„ „„ „
„PC Health Status
Use this menu to see information about autodetected system/CPU temperature, system voltage
and fan speed, etc.
„ „„ „
„Frequency/Voltage Control
Use this menu to configure the clock and frequency of your CPU, memory, etc.
„ „„ „
„Load Fail-Safe Defaults
Fail-Safe defaults are factory settings for the most stable, minimal-performance system operations.
„ „„ „
„Load Optimized Defaults
Optimized defaults are factory settings for optimal-performance system operations.
„ „„ „
„Set Supervisor Password
Change, set, or disable password. It allows you to restrict access to the system and BIOS Setup.
A supervisor password allows you to make changes in BIOS Setup.
„ „„ „
„Set User Password
Change, set, or disable password. It allows you to restrict access to the system and BIOS Setup.
An user password only allows you to view the BIOS settings but not to make changes.
„ „„ „
„Save & Exit Setup
Save all the changes made in the BIOS Setup program to the CMOS and exit BIOS Setup.
(Pressing  can also carry out this task.)
„ „„ „
„Exit Without Saving
Abandon all changes and the previous settings remain in effect. Pressing  to the confirmation
message will exit BIOS Setup. (Pressing  can also carry out this task.) 
						

							- 35 - BIOS Setup
2-3 Standard CMOS Features
Date
Sets the system date. The date format is week (read-only), month, date and year. Select the
desired field and use the up arrow or down arrow key to set the date.
Time
Sets the system time. For example, 1 p.m. is 13:0:0. Select the desired field and use the up arrow
or down arrow key to set the time.
IDE Channel 0 Master/Slave
IDE HDD Auto-Detection
Press  to autodetect the parameters of the IDE/SATA device on this channel.
IDE Channel 0 Master/Slave
Configure your IDE/SATA devices by using one of the three methods below:
•  AutoLets BIOS automatically detect IDE/SATA devices during the POST. (Default)
•  None If no IDE/SATA devices are used, set this item to None so the system will
skip the detection of the device during the POST for faster system startup.
•  Manual Allows you to manually enter the specifications of the hard drive when the
hard drive access mode is set to CHS.
Access  Mode Sets the hard drive access mode. Options are: Auto (default), CHS, LBA, Large.
IDE Channel 2, 3 Master/Slave
IDE Auto-Detection
Press  to autodetect the parameters of the IDE/SATA device on this channel.
Extended IDE Drive
Configure your IDE/SATA devices by using one of the two methods below:
•  AutoLets BIOS automatically detect IDE/SATA devices during the POST. (Default)
•  None If no IDE/SATA devices are used, set this item to None so the system will
skipthe detection of the device during the POST for faster system startup.
Access ModeSets the hard drive access mode. Options are: Auto (default), Large.
CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2007 Award Software
Standard CMOS Features
Date (mm:dd:yy)Mon, Aug  6  2007
Time (hh:mm:ss) 10:31:24
`IDE Channel 0 Master[None]
`IDE Channel 0 Slave[None]
`IDE Channel 2 Master[None]
`IDE Channel 2 Slave[None]
`IDE Channel 3 Master[None]
`IDE Channel 3 Slave[None]
Drive A[1.44M, 3.5]
Floppy 3 Mode Support[Disabled]
Halt On [All, But Keyboard]
Base Memory640K
Extended Memory510M
KLJI: Move Enter: Select+/-/PU/PD: ValueF10: SaveESC: ExitF1: General Help
F5: Previous Values F6: Fail-Safe Defaults F7: Optimized Defaults
Item Help
Menu Level` 
						

							GA-945GCM-S2L/S2C Motherboard - 36 -The following fields display your hard drive specifications. If you wish to enter the parameters
manually, refer to the information on the hard drive.
CapacityApproximate capacity of the currently installed hard drive.
Cylinder Number of cylinders.
HeadNumber of heads.
PrecompWrite precompensation cylinder.
Landing ZoneLanding zone.
SectorNumber of sectors.
Drive A
Allows you to selects the type of floppy disk drive installed in your system. If you do not install a
floppy disk drive, set this item to None. Options are: None, 360K/5.25, 1.2M/5.25,720K/3.5,
1.44M/3.5, 2.88M/3.5.
Floppy 3 Mode Support
Allows you to specify whether the installed floppy disk drive is 3-mode floppy disk drive, a
Japanese standard floppy disk drive. Options are: Disabled (default), Drive A.
Halt on
Allows you to determine whether the system will stop for an error during the POST.
No Errors The system boot will not stop for any error.
All Errors Whenever the BIOS detects a non-fatal error the system boot will stop.
All, But Keyboard The system boot will not stop for a keyboard error but stop for all other
errors. (Default)
All, But DisketteThe system boot will not stop for a floppy disk drive error but stop for all
other errors.
All, But Disk/KeyThe system boot will not stop for a keyboard or a floppy disk drive error but
it will stop for all other errors.
Memory
These fields are read-only and are determined by the BIOS POST.
Base Memory Also called conventional memory. Typically, 640 KB will be reserved for
the MS-DOS operating system.
Extended MemoryThe amount of extended memory. 
						

							- 37 - BIOS Setup
2-4 Advanced BIOS Features
Hard Disk Boot Priority
Specifies the sequence of loading the operating system from the installed hard drives.  Use the up
or down arrow key to select a hard drive, then press the plus key  (or ) or the minus
key  (or ) to move it up or down on the list. Press  to exit this menu when
finished.
First/Second/Third Boot Device
Specifies the boot order from the available devices. Use the up or down arrow key to select a
device and press  to accept. Options are: Floppy, LS120, Hard Disk, CDROM, ZIP,
USB-FDD, USB-ZIP, USB-CDROM, USB-HDD, LAN, Disabled.
Password Check
Specifies whether a password is required every time the system boots, or only when you enter
BIOS Setup. After configuring this item, set the password(s) under the Set Supervisor/User
Password item in the BIOS Main Menu.
Setup A password is only required for entering the BIOS Setup program. (Default)
System A password is required for booting the system and for entering the BIOS Setup
program.
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability
Enables or disables the S.M.A.R.T. (Self Monitoring and Reporting Technology) capability of your
hard drive. This feature allows your system to report read/write errors of the hard drive and to
issue warnings when a third party hardware monitor utility is installed. (Default: Disabled)
CPU Hyper-Threading (Note)
Enables or disables Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology. This feature only works for operating
systems that support multi-processors mode. (Default: Enabled)
(Note) This item is present only if you install a CPU that supports this feature. For more information
about Intel CPUs unique features, please visit Intels website.
CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2007 Award Software
Advanced BIOS Features
`Hard Disk Boot Priority[Press Enter]
First Boot Device[Floppy]
Second Boot Device [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device [CDROM]
Password Check [Setup]
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability[Disabled]
CPU Hyper-Threading 
(Note)[Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3 (Note)[Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect (Note)[Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) (Note)[Enabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) (Note)[Enabled]
CPU EIST Function (Note)[Enabled]
Virtualization Technology (Note)[Enabled]
Init Display First[PCI]
On-Chip Frame Buffer Size[8MB]
KLJI: Move Enter: Select+/-/PU/PD: ValueF10: SaveESC: ExitF1: General Help
F5: Previous Values F6: Fail-Safe Defaults F7: Optimized Defaults
Item Help
Menu Level` 
						

							GA-945GCM-S2L/S2C Motherboard - 38 -
Limit CPUID Max. to 3 (Note)
Allows you to determine whether to limit CPUID maximum value. Set this item to Disabled for
Windows XP operating system; set this item to Enabled for legacy operating system such as
Windows NT4.0. (Default: Disabled)
No-Execute Memory Protect (Note)
Enables or disables Intel® Execute Disable Bit function. This function may enhance protection for
the computer, reducing exposure to viruses and malicious buffer overflow attacks when working
with its supporting software and system. (Default: Enabled)
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) (Note)
Enables or disables Intel® CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) function, a CPU power-saving function in
system halt state. When enabled, the CPU core frequency and voltage will be reduced during
system halt state to decrease power consumption. (Default: Enabled)
CPU Thermal Monitor 2 (TM2) (Note)
Enables or disables Intel® CPU Thermal Monitor (TM2) function, a CPU overheating protection
function. When enabled, the CPU core frequency and voltage will be reduced when the CPU is
overheated. (Default: Enabled)
CPU EIST Function (Note)
Enables or disables Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST).  Depending on CPU loading,
Intel® EIST technology can dynamically and effectively lower the CPU voltage and core frequency
to decrease average power consumption and heat production. (Default: Enabled)
Virtualization Technology (Note)
Enables or disables Intel® Virtualization Technology. Virtualization enhanced by Intel® Virtualization
Technology will allow a platform to run multiple operating systems and applications in independent
partitions. With virtualization, one computer system can function as multiple virtual systems.
(Default: Enabled)
Init Display First
Specifies the first initiation of the monitor display from the installed PCI graphics card, PCI Express
graphics card, or the onboard VGA.
PCI Sets the PCI graphics card as the first display. (Default)
Onboard/PEG Sets the PCI Express as the first display. When a PCI Express card is installed,
automatically output from the PCI Express card and disable the onboard VGA.
Enable output from the onboard VGA when no PCI Express card is installed.
On-Chip Frame Buffer Size
Frame buffer size is the total amount of system memory allocated solely for the onboard graphics
controller. MS-DOS, for example, will use only this memory for display. Options are:
8MB (default), 1MB.
(Note) This item is present only if you install a CPU that supports this feature. For more information
about Intel CPUs unique features, please visit Intels website. 
						

							- 39 - BIOS Setup
2-5 Integrated Peripherals
CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2007 Award Software
Integrated Peripherals
On-Chip Primary PCI IDE [Enabled]
On-Chip SATA Mode[Auto]
x PATA IDE Set to Ch.0 Master/Slave
SATA Port 0/2 Set to Ch.2 Master/Slave
SATA Port 1/3 Set to Ch.3 Master/Slave
USB Controller[Enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller[Enabled]
USB Keyboard Support[Disabled]
USB Mouse Support[Disabled]
Legacy USB storage detect[Enabled]
Azalia Codec[Auto]
Onboard H/W LAN [Enabled]
`SMART LAN1[Press Enter]
Onboard LAN Boot ROM[Disabled]
Onboard Serial Port 1 [3F8/IRQ4]
Onboard Parallel Port [378/IRQ7]
Parallel Port Mode [SPP]
x ECP Mode Use DMA 3
KLJI: Move Enter: Select+/-/PU/PD: ValueF10: SaveESC: ExitF1: General Help
F5: Previous Values F6: Fail-Safe Defaults F7: Optimized Defaults
Item Help
Menu Level`
On-Chip Primary PCI IDE
Enables or disables the first integrated IDE controller. (Default: Enabled)
On-Chip SATA Mode
Configures the integrated SATA controller.
Disabled Disables the integrated SATA controller.
AutoLets BIOS set SATA devices to Combined or Enhanced mode.
If your onboard SATA controller is automatically configured to Combined
mode, you can manually re-configure it to Enhanced mode as needed.
(Default)
Combined Sets all SATA devices to operate in PATA mode. Combined allows a
maximum of 4 ATA devices to be used simultaneously: two PATA devices
plus two SATA devices.
Enhanced Sets all SATA devices to operate in SATA mode.
Non-CombinedSets all SATA devices to operate in PATA mode and disables the integrated
IDE controller.
PATA IDE Set to
This item is configurable only if the On-Chip SATA Mode is set to Combined.
Ch.0 Master/SlaveSets the IDE channels to Ch. 0 Master/Slave. (Default)
Ch.1 Master/SlaveSets the IDE channels to Ch. 1 Master/Slave.
DisabledDisables the integrated IDE controller when Non-Combined is selected.
SATA Port 0/2 Set to
This value is dependent on the On-Chip SATA Mode and PATA IDE Set to settings.
      When PATA IDE Set to is configured to Ch. 1 Master/Slave, this option will be automatically set
to Ch. 0 Master/Slave.
Only for GA-945GCM-S2L. 
						

							GA-945GCM-S2L/S2C Motherboard - 40 -
SATA Port 1/3 Set to
This value is dependent on the On-Chip SATA Mode and PATA IDE Set to settings.
       When PATA IDE Set to is configured to Ch. 0 Master/Slave, this option will be automatically set
to Ch. 1 Master/Slave.
USB Controller
Enables or disables the integrated USB controller. (Default: Enabled)
Disabled will turn off all of the USB functionalities below.
USB 2.0 Controller
Enables or disables the integrated USB 2.0 controller. (Default: Enabled)
USB Keyboard Support
Allows USB keyboard to be used in MS-DOS. (Default: Disabled)
USB Mouse Support
Allows USB mouse to be used in MS-DOS. (Default: Disabled)
Legacy USB storage detect
Determines whether to detect USB storage devices, including USB flash drives and USB hard
drives during the POST. (Default: Enabled)
Azalia Codec
Enables or disables the onboard audio function. (Default: Auto)
If you wish to install a 3rd party add-in audio card instead of using the onboard audio, set this item
to Disabled.
Onboard H/W LAN
Enables or disables the onboard LAN function. (Default: Enabled)
If you wish to install a 3rd party add-in network card instead of using the onboard LAN, set this item
to Disabled.