AOpen I915GAPLF User Manual

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ................................................................................... 1

1.1 A Thank-you Note Before You Get Start..........................................................3

1.2 Features of This Manual ...............................................................................4

1.3 Safety Information ......................................................................................4

Chapter 2 Introduction to This Motherboard............................................... 5

2.1 How does your motherboard look like?...........................................................5

2.2 Specification...............................................................................................6

2.3 Block Diagram ............................................................................................7

Chapter 3 Hardware Installation............................................................... 8

3.1 Quick Installation Procedure .........................................................................8

3.2 Installation You Have to Know.......................................................................9

Installing CPU............................................................................................ 9

Installing CPU Cooler .................................................................................10

Installing CPU and System Fans ..................................................................11

Installing Memory Modules.........................................................................12

Maximum The Performance of the Dual Channel............................................13

Connecting IDE and Floppy Cables ..............................................................14

Connecting Front Panel Cable .....................................................................15

Connecting ATX Power Cables.....................................................................16

3.3 Other Installation for Your Reference ...........................................................17

Setting CPU Voltage and Frequency.............................................................17

Connecting Serial ATA................................................................................18

Adjusting your Hard Disk Setting.................................................................19

Connecting PCI Express x16 Graphics Slot....................................................21

Connecting IrDA........................................................................................22

Connecting Game Port ...............................................................................23

Gigabit LAN Supported...............................................................................24

1

Connecting USB2.0....................................................................................25

Connecting 1394.......................................................................................26

Super 7.1 Channel Audio Effect...................................................................27

Connecting Front Audio..............................................................................28

Connecting CD_IN.....................................................................................29

Connecting COM2 ( for i915Ga-PLF only)......................................................30

Connecting Case Open...............................................................................31

Connecting S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) ........................................32

Colored Coded Back Panel (for i915Ga-PLF)..................................................33

Colored Coded Back Panel (for i915Pa-PLF) ..................................................34

LED Indication ..........................................................................................35

3.4 Jumper Settings........................................................................................36

Chapter 4 Special Features and Utilities................................................... 37

4.1 Other Useful Features ................................................................................37

Chapter 5 Setting BIOS......................................................................... 38

5.1 Introduction .............................................................................................38

5.2 How To Use Phoenix-Award™ BIOS Setup Program........................................ 39

5.3 How To Enter BIOS Setup...........................................................................39

5.4 BIOS Upgrade under Windows environment..................................................40

5.5 Vivid BIOS technology ...............................................................................42

Chapter 6 Installing Drivers................................................................... 43

6.1 Installing Drivers.......................................................................................44

6.2 Installing Utilities ...................................................................................... 45

Chapter 7 Troubleshooting..................................................................... 46

Chapter 8 Technical Support .................................................................. 47

Model Name and BIOS Version....................................................................48

Register Your Motherboard .........................................................................48

Technical Support......................................................................................49

2

1.1 A Thank-you Note Before You Get Start

First of all, we would like to express our gratitude for purchasing AOpen products.
Once again, this motherboard is designed uniquely to meet all your personal
needs with our gre at industr y-d esigning ability and our ev erlasti ng perse ver ance
to the quality of all our products.

This manual will introduce you how this motherboard is installed. Please keep it
well for your future reference. If you lost your printed manual, you may also go to
our website at

Now, we would like to invite you to personally experience this user-friendly
manual and all of the powerful functions this AOpen product offers.

The logos of Adobe and Acrobat are the registered trademarks of Adobe Systems
Incorporated.

The logos of AMD, Athlon, and Duron are the registered trademarks of Advanced Micro
Devices, Inc.

The logos of Intel, Intel Celeron, Pentium II, III, Pentium 4 and Pentium Mare the registered
trademarks of Intel Corporation.

The logos of nVidia are the registered trademarks of nVidia Corporation.
The logos of Microsoft, Windows are the registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in

America and other countries.

http://www.aopen.com to download the updated file.

All the titles of the products and the trademarks mentioned in this manual are for the
purpose of illustrative conveniences and are possessed by their respective firms.

We regret not informing about any changes in usage standards and other related
information. AOpen reserves the right of altering or modifying the content of this manual. In
case of any mistakes or incorrect descriptions, which include those on the products, AOpen
makes no guarantee or commitments.

This document is based on the copyright laws in order to protect our company and reserve
all rights.

Under no circumstances are any types of duplicating and loading this brochure in any
databases and media permitted except the permission signed on formal document by
AOpen Company.

1996-2004 Copyrights, AOpen Ltd. All rights reserved.

3

1.2 Features of This Manual

T o help you g rab the useful information of this motherboard and aware of certain
conditions that you might need to know, you will see the icons below frequently:

Note

Warning / Caution

Warning

Tip

Warning

This contains knowledge you should know in process
of assembling, or some helpful tips.

Please be careful when you see this mark. It
highlights mistakes that occur often during
assembling, or something you need to pay attention
to.

This tip tells you some useful information that will
make your installation smoothly.

1.3 Safety Information

Please wear a wrist strap and attach it to a metal part of the system unit
before handling a component. Alternatively, you can also touch an objec t
that is of ground connection or with metal surface.

Always unplug the power before you make any jumper setting.

Before you install or remove any components on the motherboard, please
make sure to disconnect the power first in case of damaging motherboard
or other components.

4

Chapter 2 Introduction to This Motherboard

Chapter 2 Introduction to This Motherboard

2.1 How does your motherboard look like?

1. COM2 Connector 18. S/PDIF Connector

2. JP28 PS2 KB/Mouse Wakeup Jumper 19. PCI Express x1 Slots X 2

3. 4-pin 12V ATX Power Connector 20. Black Jack Connector

4. ATX Power Connector 21. IRDA Connector

5. SYSFAN1 Connector

6. PWRFAN Connector 23. Game Connector

7. Power Temperature Connector 24. USB 2.0 Connectors X 2

8. PCI Express x16 Graphics slot 25. IEEE 1394 Connector X 2

9. LGA775 CPU Socket supporting Intel FC-LGA4

9. CPU

10. CPUFAN Connector 27. Serial ATA Ports X 4

11. Intel 915G / ICH6 (i915Ga-PLF)

11. Intel 915P / ICH6 (i915Pa-PLF)

12. STBY LED 29. JP14 CMOS Data Clear Jumper

13. 184-pin DIMMs x 4 30. SYSFAN2 Connector

14. CD_IN Connector 31. FDD Connector

15. Realtek Gigabit LAN Chip 32. Front Panel Connector

16. Realtek AC’97 CODEC 33. ATA100 Connector

17. Front Audio Connector 34. BOOT LED

20

22
24
26
28

32
34

14

16

18

30

25
27
29

33

15

17
19

21
23

31

2

4
6
8

10

12

22. 32-bit PCI Expansion Slots X 3

26. DieHard BIOS Lite

28. Case Open Connector

1

3

5
7

9

11

13

5

2.2 Specification

Here is the main function of your motherboard.

Models i915Ga-PLF i915Pa-PLF

CPU

Chipset Intel 915G/ICH6 Intel 915P/ICH6

Main
Memory

Graphics

IDE

LAN Realtek Gigabit PCI LAN Chip Realtek Gigabit PCI LAN Chip
Sound
USB Integrated in chipset, USB 2.0 x 8 Integrated in chipset, USB 2.0 x 8

IEEE 1394 Agere 1394 Control Chip Agere 1394 Control Chip

Slots

Back
Panel I/O

On Board
Connector

BIOS Award PnP 4Mb Flash ROM BIOS Award PnP 4Mb Flash ROM BIOS
Board Size 305 mm x 210 mm 305 mm x 210 mm

Intel FC-LGA4 CPU
Socket T
800MHz

Dual Channel Mode DDR
DDR 333/400
DDR DIMM x 4
DIMM Type : 128/256/512MB & 1GB
Max Memory : 4GB
Integrated VGA Engine in chipset
PCI Express x 16 Graphics slot, support
ADD2 card
Integrated ATA100 and Serial ATA
Controller
Max Disk: 144,000,000GB [by 48 bits
LBA
Spec.]

AC’97 Codec on-Board
Support 7.1 Channel and above

PCI Express x 1 slots x 2
PCI Express x 16 graphics slot x 1
PCI slots x 3
PS/2 Keyboard x 1, PS/2 Mouse x 1
USB Port x 4, LAN Port x 1, VGA P ort x 1
COM Port x 1, Printer Port x 1
Speaker_Out x 1, Line_In x 1, MIC_In x 1
Side SUR x 1, Rear SUR x 1
Center/Subwoofer x 1
Floppy Drive Connector x 1
IDE Channel: ATA100 x 1
Serial ATA Channel x 4
Front Panel x 1
Front Audio x 1
CPU FAN x 1,Sy stem FAN x 1,
Chassis FAN x 1 Power FAN x 1
Power Temperature Connector x 1
Case Open Connector x 1
CD_IN x 1, IrDA x 1, S/PDIF x 1
COM2 x 1
Game Connector x 1
IEEE 1394 x 2
USB2.0 Connectors x 2

Intel FC-LGA4 CPU
Socket T
800MHz

Dual Channel Mode DDR
DDR 333/400
DDR DIMM x 4
DIMM Type : 128/256/512MB & 1GB
Max Memory : 4GB
PCI Express x 16 Graphics slot

Integrated ATA100 and Serial ATA
Controller
Max Disk: 144,000,000GB [by 48 bits
LBA
Spec.]

AC’97 Codec on-Board
Support 7.1 Channel and above

PCI Express x 1 slots x 2
PCI Express x 16 graphics slot x 1
PCI slots x 3
PS/2 Keyboard x 1, PS/2 Mouse x 1
USB Port x 4, LAN Port x 1
COM Port x 2, Printer Port x 1
Speaker_Out x 1, Line_In x 1, MIC_In x 1
Side SUR x 1, Rear SUR x 1
Center/Subwoofer x 1
Floppy Drive Connector x 1
IDE Channel: ATA100 x 1
Serial ATA Channel x 4
Front Panel x 1
Front Audio x 1
CPU FAN x 1,Sy stem FAN x 1,
Chassis FAN x 1 Power FAN x 1,
Power Temperature Connector x 1
Case Open Connector x 1
CD_IN x 1, IrDA x 1, S/PDIF x 1
Game Connector x 1
IEEE 1394 x 2
USB2.0 connectors x 2

6

2.3 Block Diagram

(

p

r

VGA Onboard

i915Ga-PLF)

PCI Express x16
Graphics slot

Support ADD2 Card
(for i915Ga-PLF)

DIMM Sockets x4

Realtek
Gigabit

LAN Chip

LAN connect
Com

onent

Parallel Port

Floppy Disk
Drive

Serial Ports x2

LGA775

Socket

Intel

FC-LGA4

533/800 MHz
System Bus

Intel

915G / 915P

Chipset

Dual Channel DDR
333/400 SDRAM
Up to 4GB

Winbond

Super I/O

ATA 33/66/100

Controlle

IEEE 1394 x2

Agere

IEEE

1394

150MB/s

PCI Bus

500MB/s

IDE Drives x2

Serial ATA Ports
x4

32-bit PCI Slots

PCI Express x 1
Slots x2

AC’97

CODEC

ICH6

4Mbits Flash
EEPROM

USB 2.0 x8

7

Chapter 3 Hardware Installation

Chapter 3 Hardware

q

Installation

3.1 Quick Installation Procedure

2. Installing CPU
Fan & System Fan

3. Installing
Memory Module

4. Installing HD,
CD-ROM and
SATA Disk, etc

5. Connecting Front
Panel Cable

1. Installing CPU

6. Connecting ATX
Power Cable

12. Installing Drivers &
Utilities

11. Installing
Operating System
(such as, Windows
XP)

8. Installing Other
Devices (USB, Front
Audio, etc)

7. Installing PCI
Express x16 Graphics
cards & PCI Express x 1
cards & PCI Cards

10. Loading
Default BIOS,
Setting CPU

uency

Fre

9. Connecting
Back Panel Ports
(Keyboard,
Mouse, etc)

8

3.2 Installation You Have to Know

Installing CPU

This socket supports FC-LGA4 CPU, which is the latest CPU package developed by
Intel. Other forms of CPU package are impossible to be fitted in.

1. Pull CPU socket lever and plate up.

2. Remove plastic cap from CPU socket plate.

3. Locate Pin 1 in the socket and look for a golden arrow on the CPU upper
interface. Match Pin 1 and golden arrow. Then insert the CPU into the
socket.

4. Press down the CPU socket plate and lever to finish CPU installation.

Warning: If you do not match the CP U
socket Pin 1 and CPU golden arrow well,
you may damage the CPU. And please don’t
touch CPU socket pins when installing CPU.

Note: It’s strongly recommended by

Intel to use thermal paste properly to avoid
over-heat generated from Prescott CPU .

CPU socket plate

Socket Pin 1

CPU socket
lever

Golden
arrow

Plastic cap

Plas p tic ca

9

Installing CPU Cooler

1. Gently put down the CPU fan on CPU socket with four sticks aiming correctly
to the four mounting holes.

Mounting

hole

2. Press down four fixing sticks into the holes one by one. Make sure the
sticks are firmly fixed into the holes.

Mounting

hole

Note

you purcha

Fixing
stick

: The picture above may look different from the product

sed.

10

Installing CPU and System Fans

Plug the CPU fan cable to the 4-pin CPUFAN connector. If you have chassis fan,
you can also plug it in SYSFAN1 or SYSFAN2 connector.

Sensor

+12V
GND

SYSFAN2 Connector

SYSFAN1 Connector

CPUFAN Connector

Note: Some CPU fans
do not have sensor pin so
that they cannot support fan
monitoring.

GND
+12V
Sensor

GND
+12V

SENSOR
PWM

11

Installing Memory Modules

DIMM slots are designed in Navy Blue and Electronic Blue which are very easy to
recognize. Insert the module straight down to the DIMM slot with both hands and
press down firmly until the DIMM module is securely in place.

Tab

Pin 1

Key

Note: The tabs of the
DIMM slot will clip to hold the
DIMM in place when the DIMM
touches the slot’s bottom.

12

Maximum The Performance of the Dual Channel

To obtain the highest performance of Dual Channel, the configuration of DIMM

must meet the following conditions.
Matched DIMM configuration in each channel

● Same density (128MB~1GB)

As long as you inser t memory module s of same de nsity into C hannel 1 (D IMM A1
& DIMM A2) and Channel 2 (DIMM B1 & DIMM B2), dual channel mode will be
enabled.
DIMM A1 + DIMM A2= DIMM B1 + DIMM B2
Ex: if you insert 1GB memory module into DIMM A1 and DIMM A2, dual channel
mode will be enabled when DIMM B1 + DIMM B2 = 1GB

● Same DRAM bus width (x8 or x16)

● Either single-sided or double-sided

Note

caus

When dual channel mode is successfully enabled, the screen will show “Dual
Channel Mode Enabled” while entering POST screen.

: Using memory modules of different chip will

e system unstable.

13

Connecting IDE and Floppy Cables

Connect the 34-pin floppy cable and 40-pin, 80-wire IDE cable to floppy
connector and IDE connector. Be careful of the pin1 orientation. Wrong
orientation may cause system damage.

Pin 1

FDD Connector

Pin 1

Primary
Slave (2nd)

ATA 33/66/100 IDE Connector

Primary
Master (1st)

14

Connecting Front Panel Cable

Attach the power LED, speaker and reset switch connectors to the corresponding
pins. If you enable “Suspend Mode” item in BIOS Setup, the ACPI & Power LED
will keep flashing while the system is in suspend mode.

Locate the power switch cable from your housing, which is a 2-pin female
connector from the housing front panel. Plug this connector to the soft-power
switch connector marked SPWR.

1
NC
NC

+5V
HDD LED
HDD LED

+5V

+5V

GND

NC

SPEAKER

Power Switch
GND
Power LED­GND

Power LED+
NC
GND
GND
RESET
GND

Front Panel Connector

15

Connecting ATX Power Cables

This motherboard comes with a 24-pin and 4-pin ATX power connector as shown
below. Make sure you plug them in the right direction. We strongly recommend
you to insert the 4-pin connector before connecting the 24-pin connector.

16

3.3 Other Installation for Your Reference

Setting CPU Voltage and Frequency

Setting CPU Core Voltage

This motherboard supports Voltage ID (VID) function to detect CPU voltage
automatically during power-on. It’s not necessary to set CPU core voltage.

Setting CPU Frequency

This motherboard is CPU jumper-less design; you can set CPU frequency by 1MHz
stepping CPU Overclocking in the BIOS.

CPU Core Frequency = CPU FSB clock

x CPU Ratio. However, all CPU now sold in market belong to "Fixed Multiplier".

That means users can not adjust the CPU Ratio but change CPU FSB clock to
achieve overclocking only.

BIOS Setup > Frequency / Voltage Control > CPU Speed Setup

(Users will do the overclocking at their own risks!!)

CPU Ratio 8x, 10x… 24x, 25x, 26x, 27x, 28x
CPU FSB (Adjustment

manually)

Processor Number Processor Frequency FSB CPU Ratio Cache
5 Series

570 3.80G 800MHZ 19x 1MB L2
560 3.60G 800MHZ 18x 1MB L2
550 3.40G 800MHZ 17x 1MB L2
540 3.20G 800MHZ 16x 1MB L2
530 3.00G 800MHZ 15x 1MB L2
520 2.80G 800MHZ 14x 1MB L2
3 Series

350 3.20G 533MHZ 24x 256K L2
345 3.06G 533MHZ 23x 256K L2
340 2.93G 533MHZ 22x 256K L2
335 2.80G 533MHZ 21x 256K L2

Note: With CPU speed changing rapidly, there might be faster CPU on the

market by the time you received this installation guide. This table is kindly for
your references only.

FSB = 100MHz-250MHz by 1MHz Stepping CPU Overclocking

Warning: Intel 915G / 915P chipset support maximum 800MHz (200MHz*4) system;

higher clock setting may cause serious

Note: Some CPU fans do not have sensor pin so that they can’t support fan

ring

monito

.

system damage.

17

Connecting Serial ATA

To connect a serial ATA disk, you have to have a 7-pin serial ATA cable. Connect
two ends of the serial AT A cable to the serial A T A header on the motherboard and
the disk. Like every other traditional disk, you also have to connect a power cable.
Please be noted that it is a jumper free implement; you don’t need to set jumpers
to define a master or slave disk. When serial AT A hard disks are installed on serial
AT A ports, the one connected on P ort0 (SA T A1) will be set as the first boot device
automatically.

SATA1

SATA3

SATA2

SATA4

Please note that it doesn’t support Hot-Plug in function.

18

Adjusting your Hard Disk Setting

Except its original 1 set of parallel IDE, this motherboard supports the latest serial
ATA hard disk. If you are unable to find your newly installed serial AT A hard disks
on your operating system after having them instal led, the p roblem ma y lie in th e
BIOS setting. You can simply adjust BIOS settings to have them work properly.

After installing your hard disks properly, you can directly go to BIOS setting
screen for adjustment. Simply pressing
IDE Device Æ On-Chip Serial ATA” to choose your preferable mode. If you
have no intention of changing its original setting, the default would be Auto.

“Integrated Peripherals Æ OnChip

19

If you desire to change the default setting,
press Enter for selection list:

Disabled: You can choose this item if
there are only traditional IDE hard disks
had been installed on your system.
Disabling this item will also cancel the
detection of serial ATA hard disks during
POST, which will theoretically speed up

your boot-up time a little bit; however,
please remember to re-adjust the setting here if you want to use serial ATA hard
disk later.

Auto: This is factory default setting on this motherboard. Basically, if your system
functions properly, it is no necessary to change it. The system will automatically
recognize PATA (IDE) as primary..

Combined Mode: If you have traditional IDE hard disks and serial A TA hard disks
installed at the same time, then you can choose this mode. Under this mode, you
can randomly choose either IDE hard disks or serial AT A had disk as your first boot
device. But please note, IDE will exist with serial ATA in a mapping way, which
means it will occupy one of the serial Channel and leave you one serial Channel
only. When PATA Mode is set to primary, SATA3 and SATA4 will be set to secondary,
and when PA TA Mode is set to secondary , SA T A1 and SA T A2 will be set to primary.

Enhanced Mode: If you are using the latest operating system (say , Windows XP,
Windows.NET Server), it is highly recommended that you select Enhanced Mode.
Under this mode the system will detect all six devices (traditional IDE x 2, Serial
AT A x 4) completely and function perfectly. But please note that PA T A Mode is set
to primary under this mode.

Note: According to practical lab tests of us, there are no obvious
problems or mistakes happened when we set this mode under
Windows2000 operating system; however, it is not recommended by
Intel.

SATA Only: You may select this mode if you install serial ATA hard disks only.

20

Connecting PCI Express x16 Graphics Slot

i915Ga-PLF / i915Pa-PLF provides a PCI Express x 16 Graphics slot, a red slot
having the latest PCI Express x 16 specification on motherboard. The PCI Express
x 16 is a bus interface targeted for high-performance 3D graphic. Traditionally
AGP used both rising and falling edge of the 66MHz clock for 8X AGP , and the data
transfer rate could achieve 2.1GB/s. Now PCI Express x 16 is moving to higher
data transfer rate, which is upgraded to 8.0GB/s (250MB/s x 16 x 2, it’s 4.0GB/s
per direction). For i915Ga-PLF, the PCI Express x16 Graphics slot can
automatically recognize a PCI Express x 16 Graphics or a Multiplexed Intel DVO
Output depending on which cards being inserted, such as PCI Express x 16
Graphics, or ADD2 (AGP Digital Display 2) cards. With an ADD2 card implemented
to this slot, Multiplexed Intel DVO output will provide high-speed digital
connection for digital displays or TV-OUT functionality.

21

Connecting IrDA

The IrDA connector can be configured to support wireless infrared module, with
this module and application software such as Laplink or Windows Direct Cable
Connection, user can transfer files to or from laptops, notebooks, PDA devices
and printers. This connector supports both HPSIR (115.2Kbps, 2 meters) and
ASK-IR (56Kbps).

Install an infrared module onto the IrDA connector and enable the infrared
function from BIOS Setup, UART Mode, you can use this function. Please make
sure you connect correct orientation when plugging IrDA module.

Pin 1

1

NC

+5V

IR_TX

KEY

GND
IR_RX

IrDA Connector

22

Connecting Game Port

This motherboard comes with a game port (Joystick-Midi) for you to connect any
midi devices or joysticks. T o use this function you have to have a joystick module
and connect it with a game port cable to this port on the motherboard.

Pin1

1

15

2

+5V
JBB1

JBCX
MIDI_TXD
JBCY

JBB2
MIDI_RXD

KEY

16

(User Upgrade Optional)

+5V

JAB1

JACX

GND
GND

JACY

JAB2

+5V

Game Port Connector

23

Gigabit LAN Supported

On the strength of Realtek Gigabit LAN controller on board, this motherboard
provides 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet for office and home use. The Ethernet RJ45
connector is located on the top of USB connectors. The right hand side LED
indicates link mode; it lights in yellow when linking to n etwork. The left hand side
LED indicates the transfer mode and will light in green when data is transferring
at 100Mbps (never lights while at 10Mbps), but will light in orange when
transferring in Gigabit’s mode. To enable or disable this function, you may simply
adjust it through BIOS. To enable LAN wakeup function, you have to set the
“Wake on PCI Card” enable in the BIOS “Power Management Setup” section.

Speed LED (Left)

Green 100Mbps

Orange Gigabit mode

24

ACT LED (Right)

Yellow

Connecting USB2.0

This motherboard provides eight USB 2.0 ports to connect USB devices such as
mouse, keyboard, modem, printer, etc. There are four ports on the back panel.
You can use proper cables to connect Front USB connector to USB modules or
chassis front panel.

Pin 1

Pin 1

SBD6+

12

+5V

SBD6-

GND

KEY

9 10

USB Connector

+5V

SBD7­SBD7+

GND

NC

25

Connecting 1394

With IEEE1394 Chip on board (Agere 1394), having its data transfer rate up to
400Mb/s, this interface can connect to devices that require high data transferring
performance such as digital camera, scanner or others IEEE 1394 devices. Please
use appropriate cables to connect IEEE1394 devices.

SHIED GND

+12V (Fused)

Pin1

Pin1

9

10

+12V (Fused)

TPB-

GND
TPA-

TPB+
GND
TPA+

1 2

IEEE 1394 Connector

Warning: Please note
that Hot-Plug is not allowed on
IEEE 1394 headers; doing so
will burn the controller IC and
damage the motherboard.

26

Super 7.1 Channel Audio Effect

This motherboard comes with an AC’97 (Realtek ALC850) CODEC, which supports
the latest 7.1 Channel with high quality of audio effects, bringing you a brand new
audio experience. This motherboard provides 7.1 Channel ports shown as below.
Picture represents the standard location of all speakers in 7.1 Channel sound
tracks. Please connect the plug of your front speakers to the green “Speaker out”
port , rear surround speakers to orange port, side surround speakers to gray port
and both of the center and subwoofer speakers to black port on the back panel.

27

Connecting Front Audio

r

Y

_

If the housing is designed with an audio port on the front panel, you’ll be able to
connect onboard audio to front panel through this connector. By the way, please
remove the jumper cap from the Front Audio Connector before you connect the
cable. Do not remove this yellow jumper cap if your housing doesn’t have an
audio port on the front panel.

Pin1

AUD
AUD MIC BIAS
AUD_FPOUT_R

AUD_FPOUT_L

1

MIC

NC

AUD_GND
AUD_VCC
AUD_RET_R
KE
AUD_RET_L

Front Audio Connecto

28

Connecting CD_IN

This connector is designed to connect CD Audio cable from CDROM or DVD drive
to onboard sound.

R

GND

L

AUX-IN Connector

29

Connecting COM2 ( for i915Ga-PLF only)

r

R

i915Ga-PLF provides two serial ports. One of them is on back panel connector,
and the other is on the upper of CPU socket. With proper cable, you can connect
it to the back panel of chassis.

Pin 1

DTR#

Sin

2
1

DCD#

SOUT

GND

COM Connecto

DSR#
CTS#

RI#

TS

30

Connecting Case Open

r

r

The “CASE OPEN” header provides chassis intrusion-monitoring function. To
make this function work, you have to enable it in the system BIOS, connect this
header to a sensor somewhere on the chassis. So, whenever the sensor is
triggered by lights or by the opening of the chassis, the system will beep to inform
you. Please be informed that this useful function only applies to advanced chassis;
you may purchase an extra sensor, attach it on your chassis and make a good use
of this function.

Pin 1

Senso

Chassis Intrusion Connecto

1

GND

31

Connecting S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface)

S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) is a newest audio transfer file format,
which provides impressive audio quality through optical fiber and allows you to
enjoy digital audio instead of analog audio. Through a specific audio cable, you
can connect the S/PDIF connector to other end of the S/PDIF audio module, which
bears S/PDIF digital output. Normally there are two S/PDIF outputs as shown,
one for RCA connector, the most common one used for consumer audio products,
and the other for optical connector with better audio quality. Same as outputs,
you can also connect RCA or optical audio products to input connectors on the
module and have the voice or music come out from your computer . However, you
must have a S/PDIF supported speaker/amplifier/decoder with S/PDIF digital
input/output to connect to the S/PDIF digital input/output to make the most out
of this function.

Pin 1

1

+5V
KEY

SPDIF OUT

GND
SPDIF IN

5

S/PDIF Connector

(RCA)

S/PDIF OUT

S/PDIF IN

S/PDIF OUT

S/PDIF IN

(Optical)

S/PDIF Module

(User Upgrade Optional)

32

S/PDIF
Cable

Colored Coded Back Panel (for i915Ga-PLF)

p

The onboard I/O devices have PS/2 Keyboard, PS/2 Mouse, RJ-45 LAN Connector ,
COM1, VGA port, USB, AC’97 sound and Par allel ports. The view angle of drawing
shown here is from the back panel of the housing.

PS/2 Mouse
Connector

PS/2 Keyboard
Connector

SPP/EPP/ECP
Parallel Port

COM1 Port

VGA Port

RJ45

LAN Jack

USB 2.0 Ports

PS/2 Keyboard: For standard keyboard, which use a PS/2 plug.
PS/2 Mouse: For PC-Mouse, which use a PS/2 plug.
Parallel Port: To connect with SPP/ECP/EPP printer.
COM1 Port: To connect with pointing devices, modem or

others serial devices.

Rear SUR
Line-In

S

eaker Out

Center/
Subwoofer

MIC-In
Side SUR

RJ-45 LAN Port: To connect Ethernet for home or office use.
VGA Connector: To connect with PC monitor.
USB Port: Available for connecting USB devices.
Side SUR: For side surround speaker.
Center/Subwoofer: For center & subwoofer speaker.
Rear SUR: For rear speaker.
Speaker Out: To External Speaker, Earphone or Amplifier.
Line-In: Comes from the signal sources, such as CD/T ape

player.

MIC-In:

For Microphone

33

Colored Coded Back Panel (for i915Pa-PLF)

p

The onboard I/O devices have PS/2 Keyboard, PS/2 Mouse, RJ-45 LAN Connector ,
COM1, COM2 port, USB, AC’97 sound and Parallel ports. The view angle of
drawing shown here is from the back panel of the housing.

PS/2 Mouse
Connector

eyboard

PS/2 K
Connector

SPP/EPP/ECP
Parallel Port

COM1 Port

COM2 Port

RJ45

LAN Jack

USB 2.0 Ports

PS/2 Keyboard: For standard keyboard, which use a PS/2 plug.
PS/2 Mouse: For PC-Mouse, which use a PS/2 plug.
Parallel Port: To connect with SPP/ECP/EPP printer.
COM1 / COM2 Port: To connect with pointing devices, modem or

others serial devices.

Rear SUR
Line-In

S

eaker Out

Center/
Subwoofer

MIC-In
Side SUR

RJ-45 LAN Port:

To connect Ethernet for home or office use.

USB Port: Available for connecting USB devices.
Side SUR: For side surround speaker.
Center/Subwoofer: For center & subwoofer speaker.
Rear SUR: For rear speaker.
Speaker Out: To External Speaker, Earphone or Amplifier.
Line-In: Comes from the signal sources, such as CD/T ape

player.

MIC-In:

For Microphone

34

LED Indication

LED indication including Standby LED and BOOT LED are AOpen’s considerate
designs that aim at providing you friendly system information.

STBY LED will light up when power is provided to the motherboard, giving you a
convenient indication check the system power status in circumstances such as
power on/off, stand-by mode and RAM power status during Suspend to RAM
mode.

BOOT LED will keep blinking when you power the system on and when your
system is under
right and finishes the booting, the LED will stay on otherwise it will remain
flashing to warn you that mistakes have occurred during POST.

v

POST (Power-On Self Test). After POST diagnoses everything all

STBY LED

BOOT LED

35

3.4 Jumper Settings

JP28 Keyboard / Mouse
Wakeup Jumper

This motherboard provides PS2 keyboard / mouse
wake-up function.

1

1

JP14 Clear CMOS Data

Disable

(Default)

JP28 PS2 KB/Mouse
Wakeup Jumper

1

Normal

(Default)

JP14 Clear CMOS Jumper

You can clear CMOS to restore system default setting. To
clear the CMOS, follow the procedure below.

1. Turn off the system and unplug the AC power.

2. Remove ATX power cable from connector PWR3.

3. Locate JP14 and short pins 2-3 for a few seconds.

4. Return JP14 to its normal setting by s horting pin 1 & pin 2.

5. Connect ATX power cable back to connector PWR3.

Enable

1

Clear CMOS

36

Chapter 4 Special Features and Utilities

Chapter 4 Special Features and Utilities

4.1 Other Useful Features

With excellent design ability of R&D team, AOpen boasts for its various powerful
and handy features that come with our product like follows. You are welcomed
to visit our technical website to learn more about those features.

http://english.aopen.com.tw/tech/techinside

37

Chapter 5 Setting BIOS

Chapter 5 Setting BIOS

5.1 Introduction

System parameters can be modified by going into BIOS Setup menu; this menu
allows you to configure the system parameters and save the configuration into
the 128 bytes CMOS area (normally in the RTC chip or in the main chipset).

The Phoenix-Award BIOS™ that installed in the Flash ROM of the motherboard is
a custom version of an industry standard BIOS. The BIOS provides critical
low-level support for standard devices such as hard disk drives, serial and parallel
ports.

AOpen’s R&D engineering team had optimized most BIOS settings of this
motherboard. However, some default settings of BIOS cannot fine-tune those
sections that controlled by chipset. Therefore, this chapter is intended to guide
you and help you to configure some other settings.

T o enter BIOS setup menu, press <Del> when POST (P ower-On Self Test) screen
is shown on your monitor.

Note: Because BIOS code is the most often
changed part on motherboard, the BIOS
information contained in this manual may be
different from the BIOS version that comes with
your motherboard.

38

5.2 How To Use Phoenix-Award™ BIOS Setup Program

Generally, you can use arrow keys to highlight items that you want to choose,
press <Enter> key to select, and use <Page Up> and <Page Down> keys to
change setting values. You can press <Esc> key to quit Phoenix-Award™ BIOS
setup program. The following table provides details about how to use keyboard in
the Phoenix-Award  BIOS setup program. Alternatively, it's strongly
recommended to install AOpen’s newest WinBIOS Utility to get more detailed
description, further powerful functions and advanced setting of BIOS.

Key Description

Page Up or + Change setting to next value or increase the value.
Page Down or - Change setting to previous value or decrease value.
Enter Select the item.
Esc In main menu: Quit without saving any changes.

In sub menu: Exit current menu to main menu.

Up Arrow Highlight previous item.
Down Arrow Highlight next item.
Left Arrow Move the light bar to left side of menu.
Right Arrow Move the light bar to right side of menu.
F6 Load Setup Default setting value from CMOS.
F7 Load turbo setting value from CMOS.
F10 Save changed settings and exit setup program.

5.3 How To Enter BIOS Setup

After finishing the jumper settings and connecting cables, you can power on and
enter the BIOS Setup. Press <Del> during POST (Power-On Self T est) and choose
"Load Setup Defaults" for recommended optimal performance.

Del

Warning: Please avoid of using “Load
Turbo Defaults”, unless you are certain your
system components (CPU, SDRAM, HDD, etc.)
are good enough for turbo setting.

39

5.4 BIOS Upgrade under Windows

y p

environment

With outstanding R&D ability of AOpen, we now bring you a whole new BIOS Flash
wizard ---- EzWinFlash. With an eye to convenience for users, EzWinFlash
combines the BIOS binary code and flash module together, so the only thing you
have to do is just c lic kin g o n th e u tilit y y ou do wnloa d ed fro m web and le t it help
you complete the flash process automatically. EzWinFlash detects your
motherboard and checks the BIOS version cleverly to prevent your system from
any possible failure. Moreover, EzWinFlash has been taken into consideration to
go with any windows platform you might be using, no matter if you’re using
Windows 95/98, 98SE/ME, NT4.0/2000, or Windows XP.

In the meanwhile, in order to provide a much more user-friendly operating
environment, AOpen EzWinFlash is natively designed to have multi-language
function to provide easier way for user in changing BIOS setting.

Caution: You are taking a risk of BIOS flash
failure when you update your system. If your
motherboard is working stable, and there are no
major bugs to be fixed by a latter BIOS revision, we
recommend that you DO NOT upgrade your BIOS.
If you intent on upgrade PLEASE MAKE SURE you
get the right BIOS revision for your motherboard
model so as to avoid an

ossible failure.

Note: The model name on this BIOS picture is for reference only. It may
not be the same model with your motherboard.

40

You may accomplish BIOS upgrade procedure with EzWinFlash according to
following steps, and it’s STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to close all applications
before you start the upgrades.

Download the latest ve rsion of BIOS package
(Ex:

http://english.aopen.com.tw/)

zip file from AOpen official web site.

Unzip the downloaded BIOS package (ex: WSGMAXII102.ZIP) with WinZip
(

http://www.winzip.com) in Windows environment.

Save the unzipped files into a folder, for example, WSGMAXII102.EXE &
WSGMAXII102.BIN.

Double click WSGMAXII102.EXE; EzWinFlash will detect the model name and
BIOS version of your motherboard. If you collect wrong BIOS, you will not be
allowed to proceed with the flash steps.

You may select a preferred language in main menu, then click [Start Flash] to
begin the BIOS upgrade procedure.

EzWinFlash will complete all the process automatically, and a dialogue box will
pop up to ask you to restart Windows. Click [YES] to reboot Windows.

Press <Del> at POST to enter BIOS setup screen; choose "Load Setup Defaults",
then “Save & Exit Setup”. Done!

It is strongly recommended NOT to turn off the power or run any applications
during FLASH PROCESS.

Warning: The new BIOS upgrade will
permanently replace your original BIOS setting
when flashing. You may need to reconfigure the
BIOS setting before your system goes back to
work as normal.

41

5.5 Vivid BIOS technology

Have you been fed up with the conservative and
immutable POST screen? Let’s rule out the tradition idea that POST screen are
stiff and frigid, and let AOpen show you the newly developed VividBIOS to
experience the lively vivid colorful POST screen!

Unlike earlier graphic POST screen which could occupy the whole screen and
mask text information during POST, AOpen VividBIOS deals with graphics and
texts separately , and makes them running simultaneously during POST. With this
innovative design, VividBIOS now brings you a beautiful and sleek 256 colors
screen without missing any important information shown on POST screen.

In addition, the limited space of BIOS ROM is another big issue. When all of the
traditional BIOS can only show space-consuming and uncompressed Bitmap,
AOpen has considerately tuned the BIOS to next generation, to recognize the
smaller-sized GIF format and even dynamic-showing GIF animation.

Vivid BIOS shares the same fundamental technology with Open JukeBox CD
Player , you may use the same EzSkin utility to change your VividBIOS screen or to
download your fav orite Open JukeBo x skin. If you se e this little logo s hown beside

your model name on the motherboard download page,

http://english.aopen.com.tw/tech/ezskin/vivid.htm, it is assured

that your motherboard supports this innovative feature!

42

Chapter 6 Installing Drivers

Chapter 6 Installing Drivers

You may think that installing drivers and utilities would be a repeated task of going
through those installation wizards and steps-by-steps. Now, you will be surprised
with how “Ez” EzInstall could do. Without wizards or steps, all you have to do is to
do one click and then it’s done. Click and done. Yes. EzInstall makes installation
easy and even foolproof!

After putting in the CD, you will be prompted with AOpen welcome page and our
branches information.

First, click on the install driver ICON at left side for necessary drivers.
Second, click on the install utility ICON at left side for preferred utilities.
Practically, it’s done. But you may also browse CD contents, Readme to get more

information or just exit the CD installation.

Install
driver

Install
utility

Browse CD
Contents

Readme

Click to install
online manual

AOpen
branches
information

Exit CD

43

6.1 Installing Drivers

As you may see from the Installing driver page, EzInstall had picked up necessary
for your motherboard. All you have to do is just click on the “GO”, and no more
steps afterward, of all listed drivers, grey checks indicate necessary drivers; you
cannot click them off. R ed checks can be disabled if you don’t want to install them
now.

Press the icon will prompt the
“Install Driver” page. You
may also press “Back” to
return to the Main page.

Once clicking “GO”, EzInstall will run the installing procedure
automatically, and prompt a reboot dialog (Some drivers or
utilities may skip the reboot part).

Note: Due to the limitation of Intel chipsets driver, Windows 2000 is
needed to be updated to service pack 4 for installing audio driver correctly.

44

6.2 Installing Utilities

Installing Utilities is virtually the same as installing drivers. AOpen provides you
many friendly and powerful utilities to manage your system. Y ou may find lots of
fabulous utilities listed there, and all you have to do is to click on the “GO”, then
it will install the utilities to your system right away without complicated steps.

Press the icon will
prompt the “Install
Utilities” page for your
selection. You may also
press “Back” to get back
to the Main page.

45

Chapter 7 Troubleshooting

g

Chapter 7 Troubleshootin

46

Chapter 8 Technical Support

Chapter 8 Technical Support

Dear Customer,
Thanks for choosing AOpen products. We invite you to register at

http://www.aopen.com to become a Gold Member of Club AOpen so as to

ensure quality service in the future. In order to maintain the best service to every
customer of us, we recommend you to follow the procedures below and seek help
from our branches according to the region you buy the product. With your help,
we can then continue to provide efficient and the best quality service to every
customer.

Thanks very much for your understanding!
AOpen Technical Supporting Team

Europe

AOpen Computer b.v.
Tel: [phone]

[e-mail]

Email:

Germany

AOpen Computer GmbH.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Europe Email: [e-mail]
Pacific Rim: http://www.aopen.com.tw/tech/default.htm
China: http://www.aopen.com.cn/tech/default.htm
Germany: http://www.aopencom.de/tech/default.htm
America: http://usa.aopen.com/tech/default.htm
Japan: http://aopen.jp/tech/index.html

China

艾爾鵬國際貿易(上海)有限公司
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Pacific Rim

AOpen Inc.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Japan

AOpen Japan Inc.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

America

AOpen America Inc.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

47

Model Name and BIOS Version

Model name and BIOS version can be found on upper left corner of first boot
screen (POST screen). For example:

Phoenix AwardBIOS v6.00PG, An Energy Star Ally

Copyright (C) 2004, Phoenix Technologies, LTD.

i915Ga-PLF R1.02 Oct. 01. 2004 AOpen Inc.

i915Ga-PLF is model name of motherboard; R1.02 is BIOS version

Register Your Motherboard

Thanks for choosing AOpen product, please register this motherboard at

http://club.aopen.com.tw/productreg/ to become a Gold member of Club AOpen,

and to ensure high service quality and priority from AOpen. You will also have a
chance to play slot machine game to win prize from AOpen. Please prepare the
following information before you start: Model Name, Part Number (P/N), Serial
Number (S/N) and Purchase Date. The Part Number and Serial number are
printed on bar code label. You can find this bar code label on the outside packing
or on component side of PCB. For example:

P/N: 91.88110.201 is part number, S/N: 91949378KN73 is serial number.

Phoenix-Award BIOS ERROR Message

Beep Sound Message
1 short(Beep) System booting is normally.
1 long - 1 short(Beep) DRAM ERROR
1 long - 2 short(Beep) Display card or monitor connected error
1 long - 3 short(Beep) Keyboard Error
Long(Beep) continuous DRAM hasn't inset correctly.

Part No. Serial No.

48

Technical Support

49