Asus P8B-X User Manual

P8B-X

Motherboard

E6811

Second Edition V2
July 2011

Copyright © 2011 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted,
transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means,
except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission
of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modied or altered, unless
such repair, modication of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the

product is defaced or missing.

ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS,
LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE),
EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY
DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.

SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR
INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND
SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY
OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL,
INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT.

Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or

copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identication or explanation and to the
owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.

ii

Contents

Contents ...................................................................................................... iii

Notices ........................................................................................................ vii

Federal Communications Commission Statement ........................... vii

Canadian Department of Communications Statement ..................... vii

REACH .......................................................................................... vii

Safety information .................................................................................... viii

Electrical safety ............................................................................... viii

Operation safety .............................................................................. viii

About this guide ......................................................................................... ix

How this guide is organized ..............................................................ix

Where to nd more information .........................................................ix

Conventions used in this guide ..........................................................x

Typography ........................................................................................x

P8B-X specications summary ................................................................. xi

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-3

1.2 Package contents ......................................................................... 1-3

1.3 Serial number label ...................................................................... 1-4

1.4 Special features ............................................................................ 1-4

1.4.1 Product highlights ........................................................... 1-4

1.4.2 Innovative ASUS features ............................................... 1-6

Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-3

2.2 Motherboard overview ................................................................. 2-5

2.2.1 Placement direction ........................................................ 2-5

2.2.2 Screw holes .................................................................... 2-5

2.2.3 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 2-6

2.2.4 Layout contents ............................................................... 2-8

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................. 2-10

2.3.1 Installing the CPU ......................................................... 2-10

2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan .............................. 2-13

2.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan ......................... 2-14

iii

Contents

2.3.4 Installing the CPU heatsink in rack ............................... 2-15

2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-16

2.4.1 Overview ....................................................................... 2-16

2.4.2 Memory Congurations ................................................. 2-16

2.4.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-17

2.4.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-17

2.5 Expansion slots .......................................................................... 2-18

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-18

2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-18

2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-19

2.5.4 PCI Express x8 slot (x4 link) ......................................... 2-20

2.5.5 PCI Express x16 slot (x16 link) ..................................... 2-20

2.5.6 PCI Express x1 slots (x1 link) ....................................... 2-20

2.5.7 PCI slots ........................................................................ 2-20

2.5.8 Connecting the thermal sensor cable ........................... 2-21

2.6 Jumpers ...................................................................................... 2-22

2.7 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-26

2.7.1 Rear panel connectors .................................................. 2-26

2.7.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-27

Chapter 3: Powering up

3.1 Starting up for the rst time ........................................................ 3-3

3.2 Powering off the computer .......................................................... 3-4

3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function .................................... 3-4

3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch .............................. 3-4

Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-3

4.1.1 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 4-3

4.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash Utility ..................................................... 4-4

4.1.3 BUPDATER utility............................................................ 4-5

4.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 4-7

4.2.1 BIOS menu screen .......................................................... 4-8

4.2.2 Menu bar ......................................................................... 4-8

4.2.3 Menu items ..................................................................... 4-9

iv

Contents

4.2.4 Submenu items ............................................................... 4-9

4.2.5 Navigation keys ............................................................... 4-9

4.2.6 General help ................................................................... 4-9

4.2.7 Conguration elds ......................................................... 4-9

4.2.8 Pop-up window ............................................................... 4-9

4.2.9 Scroll bar ......................................................................... 4-9

4.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-10

4.3.1 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] ....................................... 4-10

4.3.2 System Time [xx:xx:xx] ................................................. 4-10

4.3.3 Security ......................................................................... 4-10

4.4 Event Logs menu ....................................................................... 4-12

4.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-14

4.5.1 ACPI Settings ................................................................ 4-14

4.5.2 Trusted Computing ........................................................ 4-15

4.5.3 WHEA Conguration ..................................................... 4-15

4.5.4 CPU Conguration ........................................................ 4-16

4.5.5 North Bridge .................................................................. 4-18

4.5.6 South Bridge ................................................................. 4-18

4.5.7 SATA Conguration ....................................................... 4-19

4.5.8 Intel TXT(LT) Conguration ........................................... 4-20

4.5.9 USB Conguration ........................................................ 4-20

4.5.10 Onboard Devices Conguration .................................... 4-21

4.5.11 APM .............................................................................. 4-23

4.5.12 Serial Port Console Redirection .................................... 4-24

4.6 Monitor menu ............................................................................. 4-26

4.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-27

4.8 Tool menu ................................................................................... 4-29

4.9 Exit menu .................................................................................... 4-29

Chapter 5: RAID conguration

5.1 Setting up RAID ............................................................................ 5-3

5.1.1 RAID denitions .............................................................. 5-3

5.1.2 Installing hard disk drives ................................................ 5-4

5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS ........................................ 5-4

v

Contents

5.1.4 RAID conguration utilities .............................................. 5-4

5.2 Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM Utilitys ............. 5-5

5.2.1 Creating a RAID set ........................................................ 5-6

5.2.2 Creating a Recovery set ................................................. 5-7

5.2.3 Deleting a RAID set ........................................................ 5-9

5.2.4 Resetting disks to Non-RAID ........................................ 5-10

5.2.5 Recovery Volume Options .............................................5-11

5.2.6 Exiting the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility ........ 5-12

5.2.7 Rebuilding the RAID ..................................................... 5-12

5.2.8 Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility ............ 5-14

Chapter 6: Driver installation

Chapter summary ..................................................................................... 6-2

6.1 RAID driver installation ............................................................... 6-3

6.1.1 Creating a RAID driver disk ............................................ 6-3

6.1.2 Installing the RAID controller driver ................................ 6-6

6.2 Intel® chipset device software installation ................................. 6-9

6.3 LAN driver installation ............................................................... 6-11

6.4 VGA driver installation............................................................... 6-14

6.4.1 XGI Volari Z9s VGA Driver (R1.0x) ..................................... 6-14

6.4.2 ASPEED AST1100 VGA Driver (R2.0x) .............................. 6-16

6.5 Management applications and utilities installation ................ 6-18

6.5.1 Running the support DVD ............................................. 6-18

6.5.2 Drivers menu ................................................................. 6-18

6.5.3 Utilities menu ................................................................ 6-19

6.5.4 Make disk menu ............................................................ 6-19

6.5.5 Contact information ....................................................... 6-19

Appendix: Reference information

A.1 P8B-X block diagram (R1.0x) ......................................................A-3

A.2 P8B-X block diagram (R2.0x) ......................................................A-4

ASUS contact information .......................................................................... 1

vi

Notices

Federal Communications Commission Statement

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference, and

• This device must accept any interference received including interference that
may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is

required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modications

to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

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.

REACH

Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction

of Chemicals) regulatory framework, we publish the chemical substances in our
products at ASUS REACH website at http://csr.asus.com/english/REACH.htm.

vii

Safety information

Electrical safety

• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the

electrical outlet before relocating the system.

• When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the
power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are
connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system
before you add a device.

• Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure
that all power cables are unplugged.

• Seek professional assistance before using an 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 x it by yourself. Contact a
qualied 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 qualied

service technician or your retailer.

viii

throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been

DO NOT

designed to enable proper reuse of parts and recycling. This symbol of the
crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical and electronic
equipment) should not be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for
disposal of electronic products.

throw the mercury-containing button cell battery in municipal waste.

DO NOT

This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the battery should not
be placed in municipal waste.

About this guide

This user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring

the motherboard.

How this guide is organized

This user guide contains the following parts:

• Chapter 1: Product introduction

This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new
technologies it supports.

• Chapter 2: Hardware information

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

• Chapter 3: Powering up

This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down
the system.

• Chapter 4: BIOS setup

This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup
menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.

• Chapter 5: RAID conguration

This chapter provides instructions for setting up, creating, and conguring

RAID sets using the available utilities.

• Chapter 6: Driver installation

This chapter provides instructions for installing the necessary drivers for
different system components.

• Appendix: Reference information

This appendix includes additional information that you may refer to when

conguring the motherboard.

Where to nd more information

Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and
software updates.

1. ASUS websites

The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and
software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.

2. Optional documentation

Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty

yers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not

part of the standard package.

ix

Conventions used in this guide

To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following
symbols used throughout this manual.

DANGER/WARNING:

when trying to complete a task.

CAUTION:

when trying to complete a task.

IMPORTANT:

task.

NOTE:

task.

Information to prevent damage to the components

Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a

Tips and additional information to help you complete a

Information to prevent injury to yourself

Typography

Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select.

Italics Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

<Key> Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater­ than sign means that you must press the
enclosed key.

Example: <Enter> means that you must press
the Enter or Return key.

<Key1+Key2+Key3> If you must press two or more keys
simultaneously, the key names are linked with
a plus sign (+).

Example: <Ctrl+Alt+Del>

Command

exactly as shown, then supply the required
item or value enclosed in brackets.

Example: At the DOS prompt, type the
command line:

x

Means that you must type the command

format A:/S

P8B-X specications summary

Processor Support / System Bus

Core Logic
Form Factor
ASUS Features Fan Speed

Memory Total Slots

Expansion
Slots
(follow SSI
Location #)

Storage SATA Controller Intel® C202:

Networking LAN
Graphic VGA

Onboard I/O
Connectors

Control
Rack Ready

(Rack and
Pedestal dual
use)

ASWM 2.0

Capacity
Memory Type
Total PCI/PCI-X/

PCI-E Slots
Slot Location 1
Slot Location 2
Slot Location 3
Slot Location 4
Slot Location 5
Slot Location 6

TPM Header
PSU Connector

USB
Connectors

Fan Header
Chassis

Intruder
Serial Port

Header

1 x Socket LGA1155
Intel® Xeon® E3-1200 Processor Family

Intel® Core™ i3-2100 Processor Family
Intel® C202 Chipset
ATX, 12” x 9.6”
V

V

V
4 (2 Channels)
Maximum up to 32GB
DDR3 1066/1333 ECC UDIMM
6

1 x PCI 32bit/33 MHz
1 x PCI 32bit/33 MHz

1 x PCI-E x8 (Gen 2 x4 link)
1 x PCI-E x1 (Gen 2 x1 link)
1 x PCI-E x1 (Gen 2 x1 link)
1 x PCI-E x16 (Gen 2 x16 link)

6 SATA 3Gb/s ports (RAID supported)

- Intel® Rapid Storage Technology(RST) supports
software RAID 0, 1, 10 & 5(Windows)

2 x Intel 82574L
XGI® Z9s + 64MB VRAM (R1.0x)

ASPEED® AST1100 + 64MB VRAM (R2.0x)
1
24-pin ATX power connector + 8-pin ATX 12V

power connector
1 * USB connector (Type A USB socket)

2 * USB pin header (up to 4 devices)
5 x 4pin
1

1

(continued on the next page)

xi

P8B-X specications summary

Rear I/O
Connectors

Monitoring CPU

Environment

*Specications are subject to change without notice.

External Serial
Port

External USB
Port

VGA Port
RJ-45
PS/2 KB/Mouse

Temperature
FAN RPM

1

2

1
2
1
V

V
Operation temperature: 10°C – 35°C

Non operation temperature: -40°C – 70°C
Non operation humidity: 20% – 90%
(Non condensing)

xii

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

Product

introduction

1

Chapter summary

1

1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-3

1.2 Package contents ......................................................................... 1-3

1.3 Serial number label ...................................................................... 1-4

1.4 Special features ............................................................................ 1-4

ASUS P8B-X

1.1 Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS® P8B-X motherboard!

The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it
another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards!

Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the
items in your package with the list below.

1.2 Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Cables SATA 3G cable

Accessories

Application CD Support CD
Documentation User Guide

Packing Qty.

IO shield
Plate for LGA1155

If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

Standard Gift Box
Pack

6 -­1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1

1pc per carton 10pcs per carton

Standard Bulk Pack

ASUS P8B-X 1-3

1.3 Serial number label

Before requesting support from the ASUS Technical Support team, you must take
note of the motherboard's serial number containing 12 characters

shown as the gure below. With the correct serial number of the product, ASUS

Technical Support team members can then offer a quicker and satisfying solution
to your problems.

xxS2xxxxxxxx

P8B-X

xxS2xxxxxxxx

Made

in

China

合格

1.4 Special features

1.4.1 Product highlights

Latest processor technology

This motherboard supports the latest Intel® Xeon® E3-1200/Core™ i3-2100
processors in LGA1155 package, which has memory and PCI Express controller
integrated to support 2-channel (4 DIMMs) DDR3 memory and 16 PCI Express 2.0
lanes, providing great graphics performance. Intel® Xeon® E3-1200/Core™ i3-2100

processor is one of the most powerful and energy efcient CPU in the world.

Intel Dynamic Turbo Boost Techonology

Intel® Dynamic Turbo Boost Technology opportunistically and automatically
allows the processor to run faster than the marked frequency if the processor is
operating below power, temperature and current limits. This technology increases
performance of both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads.

Intel Hyper Threading

The thread-level parallelism on each processor makes more efcient use of the

processor resources, higher processing throughout and improved performance on
today's multi-threaded software.

Intel® EM64T

The motherboard supports Intel® processors with the Intel® EM64T (Extended
Memory 64 Technology). The Intel® EM64T feature allows your computer to run on
64-bit operating systems and access larger amounts of system memory for faster

and more efcient computing.

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction

DDR3 memory support

The P8B-X supports UDIMM DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates
of 1333/1066 MHZ to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of server and
workstation applications. The 2-channel DDR3 architecture boosts system
performance, eliminating bottlenecks with peak bandwidth of up to 21GB/s.
Furthermore, the supply voltage for the memory is reduced from 1.8 V for DDR2 to
just 1.5V for DDR3. This voltage reduction limits the power consumption and heat
generation of DDR3 which makes it an ideal memory solution.

PCIe 2.0

This motherboard supports the latest PCIe 2.0 device for twice the current speed
and bandwidth. This enhances system performance while still providing backward
compatibility to PCIe 1.0 devices.

Intel® 82574L LAN Solution

The motherboard comes with dual Gigabit LAN controllers and ports which provide
a total solution for your networking needs. The onboard Intel® 82574L Gigabit LAN
controllers use the PCI Express interface and could achieve network throughput
close to Gigabit bandwidth.

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST)

The Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST) intelligently manages the
CPU resources by automatically adjusting the CPU voltage and core frequency
depending on the CPU loading and system speed or power requirement.

Serial ATA II technology

The motherboard supports the Serial ATA II 3 Gb/s technology through the Serial
ATA interface and Intel® C202 chipset. The Serial ATA II specication provides
twice the bandwidth of the current Serial ATA products with a host of new
features, including Native Command Queuing (NCQ), Power Management (PM)

Implementation Algorithm, and Hot Swap. Serial ATA allows thinner, more exible

cables with lower pin count and reduced voltage requirements.

USB 2.0 technology

The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specication,

dramatically increasing the connection speed from the 12 Mbps bandwidth on USB

1.1 to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1.

ASUS P8B-X 1-5

Temperature, fan, and voltage monitoring

The CPU temperature is monitored to prevent overheating and damage. The
system fan rotations per minute (RPM) is monitored for timely failure detection.
The chip monitors the voltage levels to ensure stable supply of current for critical
components.

1.4.2 Innovative ASUS features

ASUS Fan Speed technology

The ASUS Fan Speed technology smartly adjusts the fan speeds according to the

system loading to ensure quiet, cool, and efcient operation.

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction

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

Chapter 2:

Hardware

2

information

Chapter summary

2

2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-3

2.2 Motherboard overview ................................................................. 2-5

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................. 2-10

2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-16

2.5 Expansion slots .......................................................................... 2-18

2.6 Jumpers ...................................................................................... 2-22

2.7 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-26

ASUS P8B-X

2.1 Before you proceed

Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change
any motherboard settings.

• Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any
component.

• Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal
object, such as the power supply case, before handling components to
avoid damaging them due to static electricity.

• Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.

• Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic
pad or in the bag that came with the component.

• Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the power supply
is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure
to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, and/or
components.

ASUS P8B-X 2-3

Onboard LEDs

1. Standby Power LED (SB_PWR1)

The motherboard comes with a standby power LED. The green LED lights up

to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-off mode. This is a
reminder that you should shut down the system and unplug the power cable
before removing or plugging in any motherboard component. The illustration
below shows the location of the onboard LED.

2-4 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.2 Motherboard overview

Before you install the motherboard, study the conguration of your chassis to
ensure that the motherboard ts into it.

To optimize the motherboard features, we highly recommend that you install it in an

ATX 1.1 compliant chassis.

Ensure to unplug the chassis power cord before installing or removing the
motherboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage
motherboard components!

2.2.1 Placement direction

When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the chassis in the
correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis
as indicated in the image below.

2.2.2 Screw holes

Place nine (9) screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard
to the chassis.

DO NOT overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.

Place this side towards

the rear of the chassis

ASUS P8B-X 2-5

2.2.3 Motherboard layout

P8B-X/ R1.0x

2-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information

P8B-X/ R2.0x

ASUS P8B-X 2-7

2.2.4 Layout contents

Slots/Soocket Page

1. CPU sockets

2. DDR3 sockets

3. PCI Express x16 / PCI Express x8 / PCI Express x1 / PCI slots

Jumpers Page

1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC1)

2. VGA controller setting (3-pin VGA_SW1)

3. CPU Fan and Chassis Fan control setting
(3-pin CPUFAN_SEL1, CHAFAN_SEL1)

4. LAN controller setting (3-pin LAN_SW1, LAN_SW2)

5. Force BIOS recovery setting (3-pin RECOVERY1)

Rear panel connectors Page

1. PS/2 mouse port (green)

2. PS/2 keyboard port (purple)

3. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2

4. Serial (COM1) port

5. Video Graphics Adapter port

6. LAN 1 (RJ-45) port

9. LAN 2 (RJ-45) port

2-10

2-16

2-20

2-22

2-23

2-24

2-24

2-25

2-26

2-26

2-26

2-26

2-26

2-26

2-26

2-8 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Internal connectors Page

1. Serial ATA connectors
(7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4, SATA5, SATA6)

2. Hard disk activity LED connector (4-pin HDLED1)

3. USB connector (10-1 pin USB34, USB56; A-Type USB7)

4. Thermal sensor cable connectors (3-pin TR1)

5. CPU, front and rear fan connectors
(4-pin CPU_FAN1, FRNT_FAN1, FRNT_FAN2, FRNT_FAN3,
REAR_FAN1)

6. Serial General Purpose Input/Output connector (6-1 pin SGPIO1)

7. Serial port connectors (10-1 pin COM2)

8. TPM connector (20-1-pin TPM)

9. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR1, 8-pin EATX12V1)

10. System panel connector (20-1 pin PANEL1)

11. Auxiliary panel connector (20-2 pin AUX_PANEL1)

2-27

2-28

2-29

2-29

2-30

2-31

2-31

2-32

2-33

2-34

2-35

ASUS P8B-X 2-9

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A

B

The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA1155 socket designed for the
Intel® Xeon E3-1200/Core™ i3-2100 processor.

• Upon purchase of the motherboard, ensure that the PnP cap is on
the socket and the socket contacts are not bent. Contact your retailer
immediately if the PnP cap is missing, or if you see any damage to the PnP
cap/socket contacts/motherboard components. ASUS will shoulder the cost
of repair only if the damage is shipment/transit-related.

• Keep the cap after installing the motherboard. ASUS will process Return

Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requests only if the motherboard comes

with the cap on the LGA1155 socket.

• The product warranty does not cover damage to the socket contacts
resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, or misplacement/loss/
incorrect removal of the PnP cap.

2.3.1 Installing the CPU

To install a CPU:

1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

Before installing the CPU, ensure that the socket box is facing toward you and
the load lever is on your left.

2. Press the load lever with your

Load lever

thumb (A), and then move it to the
right (B) until it is released from the
retention tab.

To prevent damage to the socket
pins, do not remove the PnP cap
unless you are installing a CPU.

2-10 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Retention tab

3. Lift the load lever in the direction
of the arrow until the load plate is
completely lifted.

4. Remove the PnP cap from the CPU
socket by lifting the tab only.

Load plate

PnP cap

Cap tab

5. Position the CPU over the socket,
ensuring that the gold triangle is on
the bottom-left corner of the socket,

and then t the socket alignment

CPU notches

keys into the CPU notches.

The CPU ts in only one correct

orientation. DO NOT force the
CPU into the socket to prevent
bending the connectors on the
socket and damaging the CPU!

ASUS P8B-X 2-11

Gold

triangle

mark

Alignment keys

C

B

A

6. Apply some Thermal Interface
Material to the exposed area of
the CPU that the heatsink will be
in contact with, ensuring that it is
spread in an even thin layer.

Some heatsinks come with pre­applied thermal paste. If so, skip
this step.

The Thermal Interface Material is
toxic and inedible. DO NOT eat it.
If it gets into your eyes or touches
your skin, wash it off immediately,
and seek professional medical
help.

7. Close the load plate (A), and then
push down the load lever (B),
ensuring that the front edge of the
load plate slides under the retention
knob (C).

8. Insert the load lever under the
retention tab.

2-12 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan

The Intel® LGA1155 processor requires a specially designed heatsink and fan
assembly to ensure optimum thermal condition and performance.

• When you buy a boxed Intel® processor, the package includes the CPU fan
and heatsink assembly. If you buy a CPU separately, ensure that you use
only Intel®-certied multi-directional heatsink and fan.

• Your Intel® LGA1155 heatsink and fan assembly comes in a push-pin
design and requires no tool to install.

• Use an LGA1155-compatible CPU heatsink and fan assembly only. The
LGA1155 socket is incompatible with the LGA775 and LGA1366 sockets in

size and dimension.

If you purchased a separate CPU heatsink and fan assembly, ensure that the
Thermal Interface Material is properly applied to the CPU heatsink or CPU
before you install the heatsink and fan assembly.

Ensure that you have installed the motherboard to the chassis before you install
the CPU fan and heatsink assembly.

To install the CPU heatsink and fan:

1. Place the heatsink on top of the
installed CPU, making sure that the
four fasteners match the holes on
the motherboard.

B

A

B

2. Push down two fasteners at a time
in a diagonal sequence to secure

A

the heatsink and fan assembly in
place.

A

B

ASUS P8B-X 2-13

B

1

A

Orient the heatsink and fan assembly such that the CPU fan cable is closest to
the CPU fan connector.

1

3. Connect the CPU fan cable to the connector on the motherboard labeled
CPU_FAN1.

DO NOT forget to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors
can occur if you fail to plug this connector.

2.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan

To uninstall the CPU heatsink and fan:

1. Disconnect the CPU fan cable from
the connector on the motherboard.

2. Rotate each fastener
counterclockwise.

3. Pull up two fasteners at a time in
a diagonal sequence to disengage
the heatsink and fan assembly from
the motherboard.

B

A

B

A

A

B

B

A

4. Carefully remove the heatsink and fan assembly from the motherboard.

2-14 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.3.4 Installing the CPU heatsink in rack

The Intel® 1155 processor requires a specially designed heatsink to ensure
optimum thermal condition and performance.

• Ensure that you use qualied heatsink assembly only.

• Ensure that you have applied the thermal interface material to the top of the
CPU before installing the heatsink and fan.

1. Peel off the sticker on the heatsink metal plate and afx the plate to the back

of the motherboard, matching the standoffs to the heatsink screw holes.

2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten the four heatsink screws in a diagonal
sequence.

Ensure that the heatsink is not skewed or tilted, otherwise the CPU will overheat.

ASUS P8B-X 2-15

2.4 System memory

2.4.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory
Modules (DIMM) sockets.

A DDR3 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR2 DIMM but is
notched differently to prevent installation on a DDR2 DIMM socket. DDR3 modules
are developed for better performance with less power consumption.

The gure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets:

2.4.2 Memory Congurations

You may install 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8GB Unbuffered with ECC DDR3 DIMMs into

the DIMM sockets using the memory congurations in this section.

UDIMM
DIMM Slot

Per Channel

2 1 Unbuffered DDR3 ECC 1066/1333 Single Rank,

2 2 Unbuffered DDR3 ECC 1066/1333 Single Rank,

2-16 Chapter 2: Hardware information

DIMM Populated
per Channel

• Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum
compatibility, it is recommended that you obtain memory modules from the
same vendor.

• Install the DDR to the A2 or B2 (orange slot) when installing only one
memory module to the motherboard.

DIMM Type Speed Rank per DIMM

Dual Rank

Dual Rank

2.4.3 Installing a DIMM

Ensure to unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other
system components. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to both the
motherboard and the components.

1. Unlock a DIMM socket by
pressing the retaining clips
outward.

2. Align a DIMM on the socket
such that the notch on the DIMM
matches the DIMM slot key on the
socket.

A DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it ts in only one direction. DO NOT force

a DIMM into a socket in the wrong direction to avoid damaging the DIMM.

3. Hold the DIMM by both of its
ends, then insert the DIMM
vertically into the socket. Apply
force to both ends of the DIMM
simultaneously until the retaining
clips snap back into place, and
the DIMM cannot be pushed
in any further to ensure proper
sitting of the DIMM.

DIMM notch

1

3

2

DIMM slot key

Locked Retaining Clip

1

Unlocked retaining clip

3

Always insert the DIMM into the socket VERTICALLY to prevent DIMM notch
damage.

2.4.4 Removing a DIMM

1. Simultaneously press the
retaining clips outward to unlock
the DIMM.

2. Remove the DIMM from the
socket.

1

Support the DIMM lightly with your ngers when pressing the retaining clips.
The DIMM might get damaged when it ips out with extra force.

ASUS P8B-X 2-17

2

1

2.5 Expansion slots

In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following subsections
describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support.

Ensure to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards.
Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard
components.

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card

To install an expansion card:

1. Before installing the expansion card, read the documentation that came with
it and make the necessary hardware settings for the card.

2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed in a
chassis).

3. Remove the bracket opposite the slot that you intend to use. Keep the screw
for later use.

4. Align the card connector with the slot and press rmly until the card is

completely seated on the slot.

5. Secure the card to the chassis with the screw you removed earlier.

6. Replace the system cover.

2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card

After installing the expansion card, congure the it by adjusting the software

settings.

1. Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. See
Chapter 4 for information on BIOS setup.

2. Assign an IRQ to the card. Refer to the tables on the next page.

3. Install the software drivers for the expansion card.

When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Share

IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conicts will

arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card
inoperable.

2-18 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.5.3 Interrupt assignments

Standard Interrupt assignments

IRQ Priority Standard function

0 1 System Timer

1 2 Keyboard Controller

2 - Programmable Interrupt

3* 11 Communications Port (COM2)

4* 12 Communications Port (COM1)

5* 13 --

6 14 Floppy Disk Controller

7* 15 --

8 3 System CMOS/Real Time Clock

9* 4 ACPI Mode when used

10* 5 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering

11* 6 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering

12* 7 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port

13 8 Numeric Data Processor

14* 9 Primary IDE Channel

15* 10 Secondary IDE Channel

* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.

ASUS P8B-X 2-19

2.5.4 PCI Express x8 slot (x4 link)

The onboard PCI Express x8 slot provides one x4 link to C202. This slot supports
various server class high performance add-on cards.

2.5.5 PCI Express x16 slot (x16 link)

The onboard PCI Express x16 slot provides x16 link to CPU. This slot supports
VGA cards and various server class high performance add-on cards.

2.5.6 PCI Express x1 slots (x1 link)

The onboard PCI Express x1 slots provide x1 link to C202. This slot supports VGA
cards and various server class high performance add-on cards.

2.5.7 PCI slots

The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, USB card, and other cards that

comply with PCI 2.3 specications.

PCIEx16 slot

(x16 link)

PCIEx1 slots

(x1 link)

2-20 Chapter 2: Hardware information

PCIEx8 slot

(x4 link)

PCI slots

2.5.8 Connecting the thermal sensor cable

Follow the steps below to connect the thermal sensor cable to the connector on
your motherboard.

1. Locate the TR1 connector on the
motherboard.

2. Connect the thermal sensor cable to
the connector.

3. Place the other end of the thermal sensor cable to the device you would like
to monitor temperature.

The photos above are for reference only. Follow the main layout in previous
section to locate the TR1 connector on your motherboard.

ASUS P8B-X 2-21

2.6 Jumpers

1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC1)

This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS.
You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters
by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery
powers the RAM data in CMOS, which include system setup information such
as system passwords.

To erase the RTC RAM:

1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.

2. Move the jumper cap from pins 1–2 (default) to pins 2–3. Keep the cap
on pins 2–3 for about 5–10 seconds, then move the cap back to pins 1–

2.

3. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.

4. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup
to re-enter data.

Except when clearing the RTC RAM, never remove the cap on CLRTC jumper
default position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure!

If the steps above do not help, remove the onboard battery and move the
jumper again to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data. After the CMOS clearance,
reinstall the battery.

2-22 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2. VGA controller setting (3-pin VGA_SW1)

This jumper allows you to enable or disable the onboard VGA controller. Set
to pins 1–2 to activate the VGA feature.

R1.0x

R2.0x

ASUS P8B-X 2-23

3. CPU Fan and Chassis Fan control setting
(3-pin CPUFAN_SEL1, CHAFAN_SEL1)

These jumpers allow you to switch for fan pin selection. The CPUFAN_SEL1
jumper is for the CPU fan control and the CHAFAN_SEL1 jumper is for the front
fans and rear fans control. Set to pins 1–2 when using 4-pin fans or pins 2–3
when using 3-pin fans.

• If you use a 4-pin fan but set the jumper to pin 2-3, the fan you installed may
not work.

• If you use a 3-pin fan but set the jumper for a 4-pin fan, the fan control will not
work and the fan you installed will always run at full speed.

4. LAN controller setting (3-pin LAN_SW1, LAN_SW2)

These jumpers allow you to enable or disable the onboard Intel

®

82574L

Gigabit LAN controllers. Set to pins 1-2 to activate the Gigabit LAN feature.

2-24 Chapter 2: Hardware information

5. Force BIOS recovery setting (3-pin RECOVERY1) (R1.0x only)

This jumper allows you to quickly update or recover the BIOS settings when it
becomes corrupted.

To update the BIOS (for R1.0x):

1. Prepare a USB ash disk that contains the original or latest BIOS for the

motherboard (XXXXXX.ROM) and the BUPDATER.EXE utility.

2. Set the jumper to pins 2–3.

3. Insert the USB ash and turn on the system to update the BIOS.

4. Shut down the system.

5. Set the jumper back to pins 1–2.

6. Turn on the system.

ASUS P8B-X 2-25

2.7 Connectors

2.7.1 Rear panel connectors

1. PS/2 mouse port (green).

2. PS/2 keyboard port (purple).

3. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2.

This port is for a PS/2 mouse.

This port is for a PS/2 keyboard.

These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports

are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.

4. Serial (COM1) port. This 9-pin communication port is for pointing devices or

other serial devices.

5. Video Graphics Adapter port.

This port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-

compatible devices.

6. LAN 1 (RJ-45) port.

This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area
Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the table below for the LAN
port LED indications.

7. LAN 2 (RJ-45) port.

This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area
Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the table below for the LAN
port LED indications.

LAN port LED indications

Activity/Link LED Speed LED

Status Description Status Description

OFF No link OFF 10 Mbps connection

GREEN Linked ORANGE 100 Mbps connection

BLINKING Data activity GREEN 1 Gbps connection

ACT/LINK

LED

LAN port

SPEED

LED

2-26 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.7.2 Internal connectors

1. Serial ATA connectors
(7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4, SATA5, SATA6)

Supported by the Intel® C202 chipset, these connectors are for the Serial ATA
signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives that allows up to 3Gb/s of data
transfer rate.

If you installed Serial ATA hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0, RAID 1,

RAID 10, or RAID 5 conguration.

The actual data transfer rate depends on the speed of Serial ATA hard disks
installed.

ASUS P8B-X 2-27

2. Hard disk activity LED connector (4-pin HDLED1)

This LED connector is for the storage add-on card cable connected to
the SATA or SAS add-on card. The read or write activities of any device
connected to the SATA or SAS add-on card causes the front panel LED to
light up.

3. USB connector (10-1 pin USB34, USB56; A-Type USB7)

These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cables to
connectors USB34 and USB56, then install the modules to a slot opening at
the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0

specication that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed.

2-28 Chapter 2: Hardware information

4. Thermal sensor cable connectors (3-pin TR1)

This connector is for temperature monitoring. Connect the thermal sensor
cable to this connector and place the other end to the device, which you want
to monitor temperature.

5. Parallel port connector (26-1 pin LPT1)

This connector is for a parallel port. Connect the parallel port module cable
to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the
system chassis.

ASUS P8B-X 2-29

6. CPU, front and rear fan connectors
(4-pin CPU_FAN1, FRNT_FAN1, FRNT_FAN2, FRNT_FAN3, REAR_FAN1)

The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350 mA–740 mA (8.88 W max.)
or a total of 3.15 A–6.66 A (53.28 W max.) at +12V. Connect the fan cables to
the fan connectors on the motherboard, ensuring that the black wire of each
cable matches the ground pin of the connector.

• DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufcient
air ow inside the system may damage the motherboard components.

• These are not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the fan connectors!

• All fans feature the ASUS Smart Fan technology.

2-30 Chapter 2: Hardware information

7. Serial General Purpose Input/Output connector (6-1 pin SGPIO1)

This connector is used for the SGPIO peripherals for the Intel Rapid Storage
Technology RAID SATA LED.

8. Serial port connectors (10-1 pin COM2)

This connector is for the serial (COM) port. Connect the serial port module
cable to one of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at
the back of the system chassis.

ASUS P8B-X 2-31

9. TPM connector (20-1 pin TPM)

This connector supports a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) system, which can

securely store keys, digital certicates, passwords, and data. A TPM system

also helps enhance network security, protects digital identities, and ensures
platform integrity.

2-32 Chapter 2: Hardware information

10. ATX power connectors
(24-pin EATXPWR1, 8-pin EATX12V1)

These connectors are for an ATX power supply plugs. The power supply

plugs are designed to t these connectors in only one orientation. Find the
proper orientation and push down rmly until the connectors completely t.

• DO NOT forget to connect the 24+8-pin power plugs; otherwise, the system

will not boot up.

• Use of a PSU with a higher power output is recommended when conguring

a system with more power-consuming devices. The system may become
unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.

• This motherboard supports ATX2.0 PSU or later version.

• Ensure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the minimum
power required by your system.

ASUS P8B-X 2-33

11. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL1)

This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.

1. System power LED (3-pin PLED)

This 3-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis
power LED cable to this connector. The system power LED lights up
when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in
sleep mode.

2. Message LED (2-pin MLED)

This 2-pin connector is for the message LED cable that connects to
the front message LED. The message LED is controlled by Hardware
monitor to indicate an abnormal event occurance.

3. System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER)

This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning
speaker. The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.

4. Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin HDDLED)

This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD

Activity LED cable to this connector. The IDE LED lights up or ashes

when data is read from or written to the HDD.

5. Power button/soft-off button (2-pin PWRSW)

This connector is for the system power button. Pressing the power
button turns the system on or puts the system in sleep or soft-off mode
depending on the BIOS settings. Pressing the power switch for more
than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF.

6. Reset button (2-pin RESET)

This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system
reboot without turning off the system power.

2-34 Chapter 2: Hardware information

12. Auxiliary panel connector (20-pin AUX_PANEL1)

This connector is for additional front panel features including front panel
SMB, locator LED and switch, chassis intrusion, and LAN LEDs.

1. Front panel SMB (6-1 pin FPSMB)

These leads connect the front panel SMBus cable.

2. LAN activity LED (2-pin LAN1_LED, LAN2_LED)

These leads are for Gigabit LAN activity LEDs on the front panel.

3. Chassis intrusion (4-1 pin CHASSIS)

These leads are for the intrusion detection feature for chassis with
intrusion sensor or microswitch. When you remove any chassis
component, the sensor triggers and sends a high-level signal to these
leads to record a chassis intrusion event. The default setting is short
CASEOPEN and GND pin by jumper cap to disable the function.

4. Locator LED (2-pin LOCATORLED1 and 2-pin LOCATORLED2)

These leads are for the locator LED1 and LED2 on the front panel.
Connect the Locator LED cables to these 2-pin connector. The LEDs will
light up when the Locator button is pressed.

5. Locator Button/Swich (2-pin LOCATORBTN)

These leads are for the locator button on the front panel. This button
queries the state of the system locator.

ASUS P8B-X 2-35

2-36 Chapter 2: Hardware information

This chapter describes the power up
sequence, and ways of shutting down the
system.

Chapter 3:

Powering up

3

Chapter summary

3

3.1 Starting up for the rst time ........................................................ 3-3

3.2 Powering off the computer .......................................................... 3-4

ASUS P8B-X

3.1 Starting up for the rst time

1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover.

2. Be sure that all switches are off.

3. Connect the power cord to the power connector at the back of the system
chassis.

4. Connect the power cord to a power outlet that is equipped with a surge
protector.

5. Turn on the devices in the following order:

a. Monitor

b. External storage devices (starting with the last device on the chain)

c. System power

6. After applying power, the system power LED on the system front panel case
lights up. For systems with ATX power supplies, the system LED lights up
when you press the ATX power button. If your monitor complies with “green”
standards or if it has a “power standby” feature, the monitor LED may light up
or switch between orange and green after the system LED turns on.

The system then runs the power-on self-test or POST. While the tests are

running, the BIOS beeps or additional messages appear on the screen. If you
do not see anything within 30 seconds from the time you turned on the power,
the system may have failed a power-on test. Check the jumper settings and
connections or call your retailer for assistance.

7. At power on, hold down the <Del> key to enter the BIOS Setup. Follow the
instructions in Chapter 4.

ASUS P8B-X 3-3

3.2 Powering off the computer

3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function

If you are using Windows® 2008 Server:

1. Click the
and then click

2. From the
why you want to shut down the computer.

3. Ensure that the

4. If necessary, key in comments.

5. Click OK.

button, move the cursor to the triangle on the right of

Start

Shut Down

Shutdown Event Tracker

Planned

.

, select the option that best describes

check box is checked.

Log off

,

3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch

While the system is ON, pressing the power switch for less than four seconds puts
the system to sleep mode or to soft-off mode, depending on the BIOS setting.
Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds lets the system enter the
soft-off mode regardless of the BIOS setting.

3-4 Chapter 3: Powering up

This chapter tells how to change the
system settings through the BIOS Setup
menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS
parameters are also provided.

Chapter 4:

BIOS setup

4

Chapter summary

4

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-3

4.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 4-7

4.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-10

4.4 Event Logs menu ....................................................................... 4-12

4.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-14

4.6 Monitor menu ............................................................................. 4-26

4.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-27

4.8 Tool menu ................................................................................... 4-29

4.9 Exit menu .................................................................................... 4-29

ASUS P8B-X

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS

The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic
Input/Output System (BIOS) setup:

1.

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

(To recover the BIOS using a bootable USB ash

disk drive when the BIOS le fails or gets corrupted.)

2.

ASUS EZ Flash 2

3.

BUPDATER utility

(Updates the BIOS using a USB ash disk.)

(Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable USB

ash disk drive.)

Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities.

Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a bootable

disk drive

motherboard BIOS using the BUPDATER utility.

in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original

USB ash

4.1.1 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility

The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore

the BIOS le when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can
update a corrupted BIOS le using a USB ash drive that contains the updated
BIOS le.

Prepare a USB ash drive containing the updated motherboard BIOS before

using this utility.

Recovering the BIOS from a USB ash drive

To recover the BIOS from a USB ash drive:

1. Insert the USB ash drive with the original or updated BIOS le to one USB

port on the system.

2. The utility will automatically recover the BIOS. It resets the system when the

BIOS recovery nished.

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while recovering the BIOS! Doing so
would cause system boot failure!

The recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this motherboard.

Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS le.

ASUS P8B-X 4-3

4.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash Utility

The ASUS EZ Flash Utility feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to
use a DOS-based utility.

Before you start using this utility, download the latest BIOS from the ASUS
website at www.asus.com.

To update the BIOS using EZ Flash Utility

1. Insert the USB ash disk that contains the latest BIOS le to the USB port.

2. Enter the BIOS setup program. Go to the

Flash Utility

ASUSTek EZ Flash BIOS ROM Utility V00.75

Flash Info

MODEL: P8B-E-4L VER: 0303 DATE: 12/31/2010

fs0:\

Drive Folder Info

fs0:\ 12/09/10 10:23p 4194304 P8B-E-4L.ROM
fs1:\

File Infor

MODEL: VER: DATE:

Help Info

and press <Enter> to enable it.

menu to select

Tool

ASUS EZ

Exit

[Enter] Select or Load [Tab] Switch [Up/Down/PageUp/PageDown/Home/End] Move [Esc] Exit [F2] Backup

3. Press <Tab> to switch to the Drive eld.

4. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to nd the USB ash disk that contains the

latest BIOS, and then press <Enter>.

5. Press <Tab> to switch to the Folder Info eld.

6. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to nd the BIOS le, and then press <Enter>

to perform the BIOS update process. Reboot the system when the update
process is done.

4-4 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

• This function can support devices such as a USB ash disk with FAT 32/16

format and single partition only.

• DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent
system boot failure!

Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to ensure system compatibility and
stability. Press <F5> and select Yes to load the BIOS default settings.

4.1.3 BUPDATER utility

The succeeding BIOS screens are for reference only. The actual BIOS screen
displays may not be the same as shown.

The BUPDATER utility allows you to update the BIOS le in DOS environment
using a bootable USB ash disk drive with the updated BIOS le.

Updating the BIOS le

To update the BIOS le using the BUPDATER utility:

1. Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com and download the latest BIOS le
for the motherboard. Save the BIOS le to a bootable USB ash disk drive.

2. Copy the BUPDATER utility (BUPDATER.exe) from the ASUS support

website at support.asus.com to the bootable USB ash disk drive you created

earlier.

3. Boot the system in DOS mode, then at the prompt, type:

BUPDATER /i[lename].ROM

where [lename] is the latest or the original BIOS le on the bootable USB
ash disk drive, then press <Enter>.

A:\>BUPDATER /i[le name].ROM

ASUS P8B-X 4-5

The utility veries the le, then starts updating the BIOS le.

ASUSTek BIOS Update for DOS V1.06 (09/08/04)

FLASH TYPE: MXIC 25L1605A

Current ROM

BOARD: P8B-X
VER: 0201

DATE: 12/01/2010

PATH:

WARNING! Do not turn off power during ash BIOS

Note

Writing BIOS:

Update ROM

BOARD: P8B-X
VER: 0202

DATE: 12/09/2010

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent
system boot failure!

5. The utility returns to the DOS prompt after the BIOS update process is
completed. Reboot the system from the hard disk drive.

The BIOS update is nished! Please restart your system.

C:\>

4-6 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.2 BIOS setup program

This motherboard supports a programmable rmware chip that you can update

using the provided utility described in section

.

BIOS

Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard, reconguring
your system, or prompted to “Run Setup.” This section explains how to congure

your system using this utility.

Even if you are not prompted to use the Setup program, you can change the

conguration of your computer in the future. For example, you can enable the

security password feature or change the power management settings. This

requires you to recongure your system using the BIOS Setup program so that the
computer can recognize these changes and record them in the CMOS RAM of the
rmware chip.

The rmware chip on the motherboard stores the Setup utility. When you start up

the computer, the system provides you with the opportunity to run this program.

Press <Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to enter the Setup utility;

otherwise, POST continues with its test routines.

If you wish to enter Setup after POST, restart the system by pressing
<Ctrl+Alt+Delete>, or by pressing the reset button on the system chassis. You can
also restart by turning the system off and then back on. Do this last option only if

the rst two failed.

The Setup program is designed to make it as easy to use as possible. Being a
menu-driven program, it lets you scroll through the various sub-menus and make
your selections from the available options using the navigation keys.

4.1 Managing and updating your

• The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions
to ensure optimum performance. If the system becomes unstable after
changing any BIOS settings, load the default settings to ensure system
compatibility and stability. Press <F5> and select
default settings.

• The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes
only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen.

• Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS le for

this motherboard.

ASUS P8B-X 4-7

to load the BIOS

Yes

4.2.1 BIOS menu screen

Menu bar

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Main Event Logs Advanced Monitor Boot Tool Exit

BIOS Information
BIOS Version 0305 x64
Build Date 01/05/2011

CPU Information
Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E31230 @ 3.20GHz

Memory Information
Total Memory 1024 MB

System Date [Mon 01/17/2011]
System Time [15:07:28]

Access Level Administrator

Security

Version 2.01.1204. Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Submenu item

Conguration eldsMenu items

4.2.2 Menu bar

General help

Set the Date, Use Tab to
switch between Data elements.

→←: Select Screen
↑↓: Select Item

Enter: Select Item
+/-: Change Opt.
F1: General Help
F2: Previous Values
F5: Optimized Defaults
F10: Save & Exit
ESC: Exit

Navigation keys

The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:

For changing the basic system conguration

Main

Event Logs

Advanced

Monitor

For changing the event log settings

For changing the advanced system settings

For displaying the system temperature, power status, and

changing the fan settings

For changing the system boot conguration

Boot

For conguring options for special functions

Tool

For selecting the exit options

Exit

To select an item on the menu bar, press the right or left arrow key on the keyboard
until the desired item is highlighted.

4-8 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.2.3 Menu items

The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For

example, selecting

The other items (Event Logs, Advanced, Monitor, Boot, Tool, and Exit) on the menu
bar have their respective menu items.

shows the Main menu items.

Main

4.2.4 Submenu items

A solid triangle before each item on any menu screen means that the item has a
submenu. To display the submenu, select the item and press <Enter>.

4.2.5 Navigation keys

At the bottom right corner of a menu screen are the navigation keys for the BIOS
setup program. Use the navigation keys to select items in the menu and change
the settings.

4.2.6 General help

At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected item.

4.2.7 Conguration elds

These elds show the values for the menu items. If an item is user-congurable,
you can change the value of the eld opposite the item. You cannot select an item
that is not user-congurable.

A congurable eld is enclosed in brackets, and is highlighted when selected. To
change the value of a eld, select it and press <Enter> to display a list of options.

4.2.8 Pop-up window

Select a menu item and press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the

conguration options for that item.

4.2.9 Scroll bar

A scroll bar appears on the right side of a menu screen when there are items that

do not t on the screen. Press the Up/Down arrow keys or <Page Up> /<Page

Down> keys to display the other items on the screen.

ASUS P8B-X 4-9

4.3 Main menu

When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears. The
Main menu provides you an overview of the basic system information, and allows
you to set the system date, time, language, and security settings.

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Main Event Logs Advanced Monitor Boot Tool Exit

BIOS Information
BIOS Version 0305 x64
Build Date 01/05/2011

CPU Information
Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E31230 @ 3.20GHz

Memory Information
Total Memory 1024 MB

System Date [Mon 01/17/2011]
System Time [15:07:28]

Access Level Administrator

Security

4.3.1 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]

Allows you to set the system date.

4.3.2 System Time [xx:xx:xx]

Allows you to set the system time.

4.3.3 Security

The Security menu items allow you to change the system security settings.

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Main Event Logs Advanced Monitor Boot Tool Exit

Password Description

If ONLY the Administrator's password is set,
then this only limits access to Setup and is
only asked for when entering Setup
If ONLY the User's password is set, then this
is a power on password and must be entered to
boot or enter Setup. In Setup the User will
have Administrator rights

Administrator Password Not Installed
User Password Not Installed

Administrator Password
User Password

Set the Date, Use Tab to
switch between Data elements.

Set Setup Administrator
Password

• If you have forgotten your BIOS password, erase the CMOS Real Time

Clock (RTC) RAM to clear the BIOS password. See section 2.6 Jumpers
for information on how to erase the RTC RAM.

• The Administrator or User Password items on top of the screen show
the default Not Installed. After you set a password, these items show
Installed.

4-10 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Administrator Password

If you have set an administrator password, we recommend that you enter the
administrator password for accessing the system. Otherwise, you might be able to

see or change only selected elds in the BIOS setup program.

To set an administrator password:

1. Select the Administrator Password item and press <Enter>.

2. From the Create New Password box, key in a password, then press <Enter>.

3. Conrm the password when prompted.

To change an administrator password:

1. Select the Administrator Password item and press <Enter>.

2. From the Enter Current Password box, key in the current password, then

press <Enter>.

3. From the Create New Password box, key in a new password, then press

<Enter>.

4. Conrm the password when prompted.

To clear the administrator password, follow the same steps as in changing an

administrator password, but press <Enter> when prompted to create/conrm the

password. After you clear the password, the Administrator Password item on top
of the screen shows Not Installed.

User Password

If you have set a user password, you must enter the user password for accessing
the system. The User Password item on top of the screen shows the default Not
Installed. After you set a password, this item shows Installed.

To set a user password:

1. Select the User Password item and press <Enter>.

2. From the Create New Password box, key in a password, then press

<Enter>.

3. Conrm the password when prompted.

To change a user password:

1. Select the User Password item and press <Enter>.

2. From the Enter Current Password box, key in the current password, then

press <Enter>.

3. From the Create New Password box, key in a new password, then press

<Enter>.

4. Conrm the password when prompted.

To clear the user password, follow the same steps as in changing a user password,

but press <Enter> when prompted to create/conrm the password. After you clear

the password, the User Password item on top of the screen shows Not Installed.

ASUS P8B-X 4-11

4.4 Event Logs menu

The Event Logs menu items allow you to change the event log settings and view
the system event logs.

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Main Event Logs Advanced Monitor Boot Tool Exit

Change Smbios Event Log Settings

View Smbios Event Log

Change Smbios Event Log Settings

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Main Event Logs Advanced Monitor Boot Tool Exit

Enabling/Disabling Options

Smbios Event Log [Enabled]

Erasing Settings

Erase Event Log [No]
When Log is Full [Do Nothing]

Smbios Event Log Standard Settings

MECI 1
METW 60

Custom Options

Log OEM Codes [Enabled]
Convert OEM Codes [Disabled]

NOTE: All values changed here do not take effect
until computer is restarted.

Smbios Event Log [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable all features of Smbios event logging.

Conguration option: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Erase Event Log [No]

Allows you to select the options for erasing Smbios event log.

Conguration options: [No] [Yes, Next reset] [Yes, Every reset]

When Log is Full [Do Nothing]

Allows you to select the options for reaction when the event logs are full.

Conguration options: [Do Nothing] [Erase Immediately]

MECI [xx]

Allows you to adjust value for the MECI (Multiple Event Count Increment),
which is the number of occurrences of a duplicate event that must pass
before the multiple-event counter associated with log entry is updated. Use
the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the value. The values range from 1 to 255.

METW [xx]

Allows you to adjust value for the METW (Multiple Event Time Window),
which is the number of minutes that must pass between duplicate log entries

which utilize a multiple-event counter. Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the

value. The values range from 0 to 99.

Press <Enter> to change the
Smbios Event Log conguration.

Change this to enable or
disable all features of Smbios
Event Logging during boot.

4-12 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Log OEM Codes [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the logging of EFI status codes as OEM

codes. Conguration option: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Convert OEM Codes [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the converting of EFI status codes to standard

Smbios types. Conguration option: [Disabled] [Enabled]

View Smbios Event Log

Press <Enter> to view the Smbios event logs.

ASUS P8B-X 4-13

4.5 Advanced menu

The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other
system devices.

Take caution when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect

eld values can cause the system to malfunction.

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Main Event Logs Advanced Monitor Boot Tool Exit

ACPI Settings
Trusted Computing
WHEA Conguration
CPU Conguration
North Bridge
South Bridge
SATA Conguration
Intel TXT(LT) Conguration
USB Conguration
Onboard Devices Conguration
APM
Serial Port Console Redirection

4.5.1 ACPI Settings

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

Enable ACPI Auto Conguration [Disabled]

ACPI Sleep State [S3 (Suspend to RAM)]

System ACPI Parameters

Enables or Disables BIOS ACPI
Auto Conguration.

Enable ACPI Auto Conguration [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable ACPI Auto Conguration.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ACPI Sleep State [S3 (Suspend to RAM)]

Allows you to set the ACPI Sleep State.

Conguration options: [Suspend Disabled] [S1 (CPU Stop Clock)] [S3 (Suspend to

RAM)]

4-14 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.5.2 Trusted Computing

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

TPM Conguration

TPM SUPPORT [Disabled]

Current TPM Status Information
NO TPM Hardware

Enables or Disables TPM
support. O.S. will not show
TPM. Reset of platform is
required.

TPM SUPPORT [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the TPM support.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

4.5.3 WHEA Conguration

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

WHEA Support [Enabled]

WHEA Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Windows Hardware Error Architecture support.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Enable or disable Windows
Hardware Error Architecture.

ASUS P8B-X 4-15

4.5.4 CPU Conguration

The items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS
automatically detects. Some items may not appear if your CPU does not support
the related functions.

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

CPU Conguration

Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E31230 @ 3.20GHz
EM64 Supported
Processor Speed 3200 MHz
Processor Stepping 206a7
Microcode Revision d
L1 CACHE 256 KB
L2 CACHE 1024 KB
L3 CACHE 8192 KB
Processor Cores 4
Intel HT Technology Supported
CPU Current Ratio 32

Intel Adaptive Thermal Monitor [Enabled]
Hyper-threading [Enabled]
Active Processor Cores [All]
Limit CPUID Maximum [Disabled]
Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]
Intel Virtualization Technology [Enabled]
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technolog [Enabled]
Turbo Mode [Enabled]
CPU C1E [Enabled]
CPU C3 Report [Enabled]
CPU C6 Report [Enabled]

Version 2.01.1204. Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Scroll down for more items.

Factory long duration power limit 80 Watts

Long duration power limit 0

Factory long duration maintained 1000 ms

Long duration maintained 0

Recommended short duration power 1 1.1*Long Duration

Short duration power limit 0

Version 2.01.1204. Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Includes TM1, TM2 and EMTTM

→←: Select Screen
↑↓: Select Item

Enter: Select Item
+/-: Change Opt.
F1: General Help
F2: Previous Values
F5: Optimized Defaults
F10: Save & Exit
ESC: Exit

Intel Adaptive Thermal Monitor [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the CPU thermal monitor function.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Hyper-threading [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Intel Hyper-Threading Technology function.
When disabled, only one thread per activated core is enabled.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Active Processor Cores [All]

Allows you to choose the number of CPU cores to activate in each processor

package. Conguration options: [All] [1] [2] [3]

4-16 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Limit CPUID Maximum [Disabled]

Setting this item to [Enabled] allows legacy operating systems to boot even without
support for CPUs with extended CPUID functions.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the No-Execution Page Protection Technology.

Setting this item to [Disabled] forces the XD feature ag to always return to zero (0).
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Intel Virtualization Tech [Enabled]

The Intel® Virtualization Technology allows a hardware platform to run multiple
operating systems separately and simultaneously, enabling one system to virtually

function as several systems. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep Technology (EIST).

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Turbo Mode [Enabled]

This item appears only when you set the
item to [Enabled] and allows you to enable or disable the Intel
Technology. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

®

Turbo Mode

CPU C1E [Enabled]

[Enabled] Enables the C1E support function. This item should be enabled in

order to enable the Enhanced Halt State.

[Disabled] Disables this function.

CPU C3 Report [Enabled]

Allows you to disable or enable the CPU C3 report to OS.

CPU C6 Report [Enabled]

Allows you to disable or enable the CPU C6 report to OS.

ASUS P8B-X 4-17

4.5.5 North Bridge

The North Bridge is built in the CPU.

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

Memory Information

TOTAL Memory 1024 MB

DIMM_A0 0 MB (DDR3 1333)
DIMM_A1 1024 MB (DDR3 1333)
DIMM_B0 0 MB (DDR3 1333)
DIMM_B1 0 MB (DDR3 1333)

Low MMIO Align [64M]
DMI Gen2 [Enabled]
VT-d [Disabled]
Initate Graphic Adapter [PEG/PCI]

Low MMIO Align [64M]

Allows you to select the options for the Low MMIO Align.

Conguration options: [64M] [1024M]

DMI Gen2 [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the DMI Gen2.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

VT-d [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the VT-d.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Low MMIO resources align at
64MB/1024MB

Initiate Graphic Adapter [PEG/PCI]

Allows you to decide which graphics controller to use as the primary boot device.

Conguration options: [PCI/PEG] [PEG/PCI]

4.5.6 South Bridge

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

SB Chipset Conguration

High Precision Event Timer Conguration

High Precision Timer [Enabled]

High Precision Timer [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the High Precision Event Timer.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

4-18 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Enabled/disabled the High
Precision Event Timer.

4.5.7 SATA Conguration

While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of SATA
devices. The SATA Port items show

Not Present

the corresponding SATA port.

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

SATA Conguration

SATA Mode [IDE Mode]
Serial-ATA Controller 0 [Enhanced]
Serial-ATA Controller 1 [Enhanced]
S.M.A.R.T. Status Check [Enabled]

SATA Port1 ST3160812AS (160.0GB)

SATA Port2 ST3160812AS (160.0GB)

SATA Port3 ASUS CB-521 ATAPI

SATA Port4 Not Present

SATA Port5 Not Present

SATA Port6 Not Present

SATA Mode [IDE Mode]

Allows you to set the SATA conguration.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [IDE Mode] [AHCI Mode] [RAID Mode]

• If you want to use the Serial ATA hard disk drives as Parallel ATA physical
storage devices, keep the default setting [IDE Mode].

• If you want the Serial ATA hard disk drives to use the Advanced Host
Controller Interface (AHCI), set this item to [AHCI Mode]. The AHCI allows
the onboard storage driver to enable advanced Serial ATA features that
increases storage performance on random workloads by allowing the drive

to internally optimize the order of commands.

• If you want to create RAID sets with LSI MegaRAID utility, or Intel® Matrix
Storage Technology from the Serial ATA hard disk drives, set this item to
[RAID Mode].

if no SATA device is installed to

(1) IDE Mode. (2) AHCI Mode.
(3) RAID Mode.

Serial-ATA Controller 0 [Enhanced]

This item appears only when you set the

SATA Mode

[Enhanced] to support four SATA 3.0 Gb/s devices. Set to [Compatible] when using
Windows 98/NT/2000/MS-DOS. Up to four SATA devices are supported under
these operating systems.

item to [IDE Mode]. Set to

Serial-ATA Controller 1 [Enhanced]

This item appears only when you set the SATA Mode item to [IDE Mode]. Set to
[Enhanced] to support two SATA 3.0 Gb/s devices.

S.M.A.R.T. Status Check [Enabled]

S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) is a monitor
system. When read/write of your hard disk errors occur, this feature allows the hard
disk to report warning messages during the POST.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

ASUS P8B-X 4-19

4.5.8 Intel TXT(LT) Conguration

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

Intel Trusted Execution Technology Conguration

Intel TXT support only can be enabled/disabled if SMX
is enabled. VT and VT-d support must also be enabled
prior to TXT.

Secure Mode Extensions (SMX) Enabled

Intel TXT(LT) Support [Disabled]

Intel TXT(LT) Support [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT)

feature. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Enables Legacy USB support.
AUTO option disables legacy
support if no USB devices are
connected. DISABLE option will
keep USB devices available
only for EFI applications.

The

Intel TXT(LT) Support

item requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to

be installed on the motherboard to enable.

4.5.9 USB Conguration

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

USB Conguration

USB Devices
1 Mouse, 2 Hubs

Legacy USB Support [Enabled]
EHCI Hand-off [Disabled]

USB hardware delays and time-out:

USB transfer time-out [20 sec]
Device reset time-out [20 sec]
Device power-up delay [Auto]

The

USB Devices

detected, the item shows

item shows the auto-detected values. If no USB device is

.

None

Legacy USB Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable support for legacy USB devices. Setting to [Auto]
allows the system to detect the presence of USB devices at startup. If detected, the
USB controller legacy mode is enabled. If no USB device is detected, the legacy

USB support is disabled. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] [Auto]

Enables Legacy USB support.
AUTO option disables legacy
support if no USB devices are
connected. DISABLE option will
keep USB devices available
only for EFI applications.

EHCI Hand-off [Disabled]

Enables or disables the BIOS EHCI hand-off support.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

4-20 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

USB transfer time-out [20 sec]

Allows you to select the USB transfer time-out value.

Conguration options: [1 sec] [5 sec] [10 sec] [20 sec]

Device reset time-out [20 sec]

Allows you to select the USB device reset time-out value.

Conguration options: [10 sec] [20 sec] [30 sec] [40 sec]

Device power-up delay [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [Manual]

Device power-up delay in seconds [XX]

This item appears only when you set the

Device power-up delay

Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the value. The values range from 1 to 40 with a
one-second interval.

item to [manual].

4.5.10 Onboard Devices Conguration

The Onboard Devices Conguration menu items allow you to change the advanced

settings for onboard devices.

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Advanced

Azalia HD Audio [Enabled]
INTEL W82574L OpROM1 [PXE]
INTEL W82574L OpROM2 [PXE]

Serial Port 1 Conguration
Serial Port 2 Conguration
Parallel Port Conguration

Launch Intel PXE OpROM

Azalia HD Audio [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Azalia HD audio.

INTEL W82574L OpROM1/OpROM2 [PXE]

Allows you to select the options for the OptionRom of the Intel LAN controllers.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [PXE] [iSCSI]

Serial Port 1/2 Conguration

The sub-items in this menu allow you to set the serial port 1/2 conguration.

ASUS P8B-X 4-21

Serial Port [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the serial port (COM).

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Change Settings [Auto]

Allows you to select the serial port base address.

Conguration options: [Auto] [IO=3F8h; IRQ=4]
[IO=3F8h: IRQ=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12]
[IO=2F8h; IRQ=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12]
[IO=3E8h; IRQ=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12]
[IO=2E8h; IRQ=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12]

Parallel Port Conguration

The sub-items in this menu allow you to set the parallel port conguration.

Parallel Port [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the parallel port (LPT/LPTE).

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Change Settings [Auto]

Allows you to select an optimal setting for the super IO device.

Conguration options: [Auto] [IO=378h; IRQ=5]
[IO=378h: IRQ=5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12] [IO=278h; IRQ=5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12]
[IO=3BCh; IRQ=5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12]

Device Mode [STD Printer Mode]

Allows you to select the printer port mode.

Conguration options: [STD Printer mode] [SPP Mode] [EPP-1.9 and SPP

Mode] [EPP-1.7 and SPP Mode] [ECP Mode] [ECP and EPP 1.9 Mode] [ECP
and EPP 1.7 Mode]

4-22 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.5.11 APM

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

Restrore AC Power Loss [Power Off]

EuP Ready [Disabled]

Power On By PCI [Disabled]
Power On By PCIE [Disabled]
Power On By Ring [Disabled]
Power On By RTC [Disabled]

Restore AC Power Loss [Power Off]

When set to [Power Off], the system goes into off state after an AC power loss.
When set to [Power On], the system will reboot after an AC power loss. When set
to [Last State], the system goes into either off or on state, whatever the system
state was before the AC power loss.

Conguration options: [Power Off] [Power On] [Last State]

EuP Ready [Disabled]

When set to [Enabled], all other PME options will be switched off.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

This item is available on selected models.

Power On By PCI [Disabled]

[Disabled] Disables the PME to wake up from S5 by PCI devices.
[Enabled] Allows you to turn on the system through a PCI LAN or modem

card. This feature requires an ATX power supply that provides at
least 1A on the +5VSB lead.

Specify what state to go to
when power is re-applied after
a power failure (G3 state).

Power On By PCIE [Disabled]

[Disabled] Disables the PCIE devices to generate a wake event.
[Enabled] Enables the PCIE devices to generate a wake event.

Power On By Ring [Disabled]

[Disabled] Disables Ring to generate a wake event.
[Enabled] Enables Ring to generate a wake event.

Power On By RTC [Disabled]

[Disabled] Disables RTC to generate a wake event.
[Enabled] When set to [Enabled], the items RTC Alarm Date (Days) and

Hour/Minute/Second will become user-congurable with set

values.

ASUS P8B-X 4-23

4.5.12 Serial Port Console Redirection

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

Redirection After BIOS POST [Disabled]

COM1

Console Redirection [Enabled]

Console Redirection Settings

COM2

Console Redirection [Disabled]

Console Redirection Settings

Redirection After BIOS POST [Disabled]

Enables or disables the redirection after BIOS POST feature.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

COM1
Console Redirection [Enabled]

Enables or disables the console redirection feature.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Console Redirection Settings

This item becomes congurable only when you enable the

Console Redirection

item. The settings specify how the host computer and the remote computer (which
the user is using) will exchange data. Both computers should have the same or
compatible settings.

Terminal Type [VT-UTF8]

Allows you to set the terminal type.
[VT100] ASCII char set.
[VT100+] Extends VT100 to support color, function keys, et.
[VT-UTF8] Uses UTF8 encoding to map Unicode chars onto 1 or more bytes
[ANSI] Extended ASCII char set

Bits per second [57600]

Selects serial port transmission speed. The speed must be matched on the
other side. Long or noisy lines may require lower speeds.

Conguration options: [9600] [19200] [38400] [57600] [115200]

Data Bits [8]

Conguration options: [7] [8]

Parity [None]

A parity bit can be sent with the data bits to detect some transmission errors.
[Mark] and [Space] parity do not allow for error detection.

[Even] parity bit is 0 if the num of 1’s in the data bits is even
[Odd] parity bit is 0 if num of 1’s in the data bits is odd
[Mark] parity bit is always 1
[Space] parity bit is always 0

4-24 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Stop Bits [1]

Stop bits indicate the end of a serial data packet. (A start bit indicates the
beginning.) The standard setting is 1 stop bit. Communication with slow

devices may require more than 1 stop bit. Conguration options: [1] [2]

Flow Control [Hardware RTS/CTS]

Flow control can prevent data loss from buffer overow. When sending data,

if the receiving buffers are full, a
Once the buffers are empty, a

Hardware ow control uses two wires to send start/stop signals.
Conguration options: [None] [Hardware RTS/CTS]

signal can be sent to stop the data ow.

stop

signal can be sent to re-start the ow.

start

Recorder Mode [Disabled]

With this mode enabled only text will be sent. This is to capture Terminal data.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Legacy OS Redirction Resolution [80x24]

Congures the number of rows and columns supported on legacy OS.
Conguration options: [80x24] [80x25]

COM2
Console Redirection [Disabled]

Enables or disables the console redirection feature.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Console Redirection Settings

Please refer to the description of the
COM1 for details.

Console Redirection Settings

item under

ASUS P8B-X 4-25

4.6 Monitor menu

The Monitor menu displays the system temperature/power status, and allows you
to change the fan settings.

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Main Event Logs Advanced Monitor Boot Tool Exit

CPU Temperature(PECI) [ +35ºC/ +94ºF]
MB Temperature [ +35ºC/ +94ºF]
TR1 Temperature [ N/A ]
CPU FAN1 Speed [ 1305 RPM]
FRNT FAN1 Speed [ N/A ]
FRNT FAN2 Speed [ N/A ]
FRNT FAN3 Speed [ N/A ]
REAR FAN1 Speed [ N/A ]
FAN Speed Control [Generic Mode]
VCORE1 [ +1.200 V ]
+3.3V [ +3.360 V ]
+5V [ +5.160 V ]
+12V [ +12.384 V ]
VBAT [ +3.408 V ]
+3VSB [ +3.422 V ]
+1.5V [ +1.496 V ]

CPU/MB/TR1 Temperature [xxx�C/xxx�F][xxx�C/xxx�F]

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU and
motherboard component temperatures. Select Ignore if you do not wish to display
the detected temperatures.

CPU FAN1 Speed; FRNT FAN1–3 Speed; REAR FAN1 Speed
[xxxx RPM] or [Ignore] / [N/A]

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the speed of
CPU fans, front fans, and rear fan in rotations per minute (RPM). If the fan is not

connected to the motherboard, the eld shows

N/A

.

Fan Speed Control [Generic Mode]

Allows you to congure the ASUS Smart Fan feature that smartly adjusts the fan
speeds for more efcient system operation.
Conguration options: [Full Speed Mode] [High Density Mode] [Generic Mode]

[Whisper Mode]

VCORE1 Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, +5V Voltage, +12V Voltage,
VBAT Voltage, +3VSB Voltage, +1.5V ICHVoltage

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through
the onboard voltage regulators. Select

4-26 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

if you do not want to detect this item.

Ignore

4.7 Boot menu

The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options.

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Main Event Logs Advanced Monitor Boot Tool Exit

Number of seconds to wait for
Setup Prompt Timeout 3
Bootup NumLock State [On]
Full Screen Logo [Enabled]
Option ROM Messages [Force BIOS]
Interrupt 19 Capture [Enabled]
EFI Boot [Disabled]
Boot Device Seeking [Endless PXE]

Boot Option Priorities

Boot Option #1 [IBA GE Slot 0200 v...]

Boot Override

IBA GE Slot 0200 v1324
IBA GE Slot 0300 v1324

Network Device BBS Priorities

setup activation key.

65535(0xFFFF) means indenite

waiting.

Setup Prompt Timeout [xx]

Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the number of seconds to wait for setup
activation key.

Bootup NumLock State [On]

Allows you to select the power-on state for the NumLock.

Conguration options: [Off] [On]

Full Screen Logo [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Set this item to [Enabled] to use the ASUS MyLogo2™ feature.

Option ROM Messages [Force BIOS]

Allows you to set the display mode for Options ROM.

Conguration options: [Force BIOS] [Keep Current]

Interrupt 19 Capture [Enabled]

Allows Option ROMs to trap interrupt 19.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

EFI Boot [Disabled]

Enables or disables EFI Boot.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS P8B-X 4-27

Boot Device Seeking [Endless PXE]

[Endless PXE] Continuous seek remote boot image until boot image found or user

abort (press Ctrl+Alt+Del).

[Normal] Seek remote boot image once then stop.

Boot Option Priorities

These items specify the boot device priority sequence from the available devices.
The number of device items that appears on the screen depends on the number of
devices installed in the system.

• To select the boot device during system startup, press <F8> when ASUS
Logo appears.

• To access Windows OS in Safe Mode, do any of the following:

- Press <F5> when ASUS Logo appears.

- Press <F8> after POST.

Boot Override

These items displays the available devices. The number of device items that
appears on the screen depends on the number of devices installed in the system.
Click an item to start booting from the selected device.

Network Device BBS Priorities

Set the booting order of network devices.

Boot Option #1/#2 [IBA GE Slot 0200 v1324]

Conguration options: [IBA GE Slot 0200 v1324] [IBA GE Slot 0300 v1324]

[Disabled]

4-28 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.8 Tool menu

The Tool menu items allow you to congure options for special functions. Select an

item then press <Enter> to display the submenu.

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Main Event Logs Advanced Monitor Boot Tool Exit

ASUS EZ Flash Utility

Be used to update BIOS

ASUS EZ Flash Utility

Allows you to run ASUS EZ Flash 2. When you press <Enter>. Check section 4.1.2
ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility for details.

4.9 Exit menu

The Exit menu items allow you to save or discard your changes to the BIOS items.

Aptio Setup Utility - Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Main Event Logs Advanced Monitor Boot Tool Exit

Save Changes & Reset
Discard Changes & Exit

Launch EFI Shell from lesystem device

Pressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options
from this menu or <F10> from the legend bar to exit.

Reset the system after saving
the changes.

Save Changes & Reset

Once you are nished making your selections, choose this option from the Exit

menu to ensure the values you selected are saved. When you select this option or

if you press <F10>, a conrmation window appears. Select

to save changes

Yes

and exit.

Discard Changes & Exit

This option allows you to exit the Setup program without saving your changes.

When you select this option or if you press <Esc>, a conrmation window appears.

Select

to discard changes and exit.

Yes

Launch EFI Shell from lesystem device

This option allows you to attempt to launch the EFI Shell application (shellx64.e)
from one of the available lesystem devices.

ASUS P8B-X 4-29

4-30 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

This chapter provides instructions for

setting up, creating, and conguring RAID

sets using the available utilities.

RAID

conguration

5

Chapter summary

5

5.1 Setting up RAID ............................................................................ 5-3

5.2 Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM Utility ............... 5-5

ASUS P8B-X

5.1 Setting up RAID

The motherboard comes with the Intel® C202 controller that supports the following
SATA RAID solutions:

•

Intel Rapid Storage Technology

support (for Windows OS only).

with RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 5

5.1.1 RAID denitions

(Data striping)

RAID 0

data in parallel, interleaved stacks. Two hard disks perform the same work as a
single drive but at a sustained data transfer rate, double that of a single disk alone,
thus improving data access and storage. Use of two new identical hard disk drives
is required for this setup.

(Data mirroring)

RAID 1

drive to a second drive. If one drive fails, the disk array management software
directs all applications to the surviving drive as it contains a complete copy of

the data in the other drive. This RAID conguration provides data protection and

increases fault tolerance to the entire system. Use two new drives or use an
existing drive and a new drive for this setup. The new drive must be of the same

size or larger than the existing drive.

RAID 10

data) having to be calculated and written. With the RAID 10 conguration you get
all the benets of both RAID 0 and RAID 1 congurations. Use four new hard disk

drives or use an existing drive and three new drives for this setup.

RAID 5

drives. Among the advantages of RAID 5 conguration include better HDD
performance, fault tolerance, and higher storage capacity. The RAID 5 conguration

is best suited for transaction processing, relational database applications,
enterprise resource planning, and other business systems. Use a minimum of three
identical hard disk drives for this setup.

is data striping and data mirroring combined without parity (redundancy

stripes both data and parity information across three or more hard disk

optimizes two identical hard disk drives to read and write

copies and maintains an identical image of data from one

• If you want to boot the system from a hard disk drive included in a created

RAID set, copy rst the RAID driver from the support DVD to a oppy disk

before you install an operating system to the selected hard disk drive.

• Please refer to chapter 2 for how to select the RAID conguration utility.

Move the jumper to choose Intel® Rapid RAID.

ASUS P8B-X 5-3

5.1.2 Installing hard disk drives

The motherboard supports Serial ATA for RAID set conguration. For optimal

performance, install identical drives of the same model and capacity when creating
a disk array.

To install the SATA hard disks for RAID conguration:

1. Install the SATA hard disks into the drive bays following the instructions in the
system user guide.

2. Connect a SATA signal cable to the signal connector at the back of each drive
and to the SATA connector on the motherboard.

3. Connect a SATA power cable to the power connector on each drive.

5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS

You must set the RAID item in the BIOS Setup before you can create a RAID set
from SATA hard disk drives attached to the SATA connectors supported by
Intel® C202 chipset. To do this:

1. Enter the BIOS Setup during POST.

2. Go to the

3. Set

4. Press <F10> to save your changes and exit the BIOS Setup.

Advanced

SATA Mode

Refer to Chapter 4 for details on entering and navigating through the BIOS
Setup.

Menu >

SATA Conguration

to [RAID Mode]

, then press <Enter>.

5.1.4 RAID conguration utilities

Depending on the RAID connectors that you use, you can create a RAID set using
the utilities embedded in each RAID controller. For example, use the

Storage Technology

connectors supported by the Intel® C202 chipset.

Refer to the succeeding section for details on how to use the RAID conguration

utility.

5-4 Chapter 5: RAID conguration

if you installed Serial ATA hard disk drives on the Serial ATA

Intel® Rapid

5.2 Intel® Rapid Storage Technology
Option ROM Utilitys

The Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility allows you to create RAID 0,
RAID 1, RAID 10 (RAID 1+0), and RAID 5 set(s) from Serial ATA hard disk drives
that are connected to the Serial ATA connectors supported by the Southbridge.

To enter the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology option ROM utility:

1. Install all the Serial ATA hard disk drives.

2. Turn on the system.

3. During POST, press <Ctrl+I> to display the utility main menu.

Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology - Option ROM - 10.1.0.1008

Copyright(C) 2003-10 Intel Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

1. Create RAID Volume 3. Reset Disks to Non-RAID

2. Delete RAID Volume 4. Recovery Volume Options

RAID Volumes: * = Data is Encrypted

None dened.

Physical Devices:
Port Drive Model Serial # Size Type/Status(Vol ID)
0 ST3160812AS 9LS0HJA4 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk
1 ST3160812AS 9LS0F4HL 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk
2 ST3160812AS 3LS0JYL8 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk
3 ST3160812AS 9LS0BJ5H 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk

[ MAIN MENU ]

5. Exit

[ DISK/VOLUME INFORMATION ]

[↑↓]-Select [ESC]-Exit [ENTER]-Select Menu

The navigation keys at the bottom of the screen allow you to move through

the menus and select the menu options.

The RAID BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference only and
may not exactly match the items on your screen.

ASUS P8B-X 5-5

5.2.1 Creating a RAID set

To create a RAID set:

1. From the utility main menu, select
<Enter>. The following screen appears.

Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology - Option ROM - 10.1.0.1008

Copyright(C) 2003-10 Intel Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Name: Volume0
RAID Level: RAID0(Stripe)
Disks: Select Disks
Strip Size: 128KB
Capacity: 0.0 GB
Sync: N/A
Create Volume

1. Create RAID Volume

[ CREATE VOLUME MENU ]

[ HELP ]

and press

Enter a unique volume name that has no special characters and is

[↑↓]Change [TAB]-Next [ESC]-Previous Menu [ENTER]-Select

16 characters or less.

2. Enter a name for the RAID set and press <Enter>.

3. When the

RAID Level

item is selected, press the up/down arrow keys to

select a RAID level to create, and then press <Enter>.

4. When the
you want to include in the RAID set. The

Port Drive Model Serial # Size Status

0 ST3160812AS 9LS0HJA4 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk

1 ST3160812AS 9LS0F4HL 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk
2 ST3160812AS 3LS0JYL8 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk
3 ST3160812AS 9LS0BJ5H 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk

[↑↓]-Prev/Next [SPACE]-SelectDisk [ENTER]-Done

item is selected, press <Enter> to select the hard disk drives

Disks

SELECT DISKS

[ SELECT DISKS ]

Select 2 to 6 disks to use in creating the volume.

screen appears.

5. Use the up/down arrow keys to select a drive, and then press <Space>
to select. A small triangle marks the selected drive. Press <Enter> after
completing your selection.

5-6 Chapter 5: RAID conguration

6. Use the up/down arrow keys to select the stripe size for the RAID array (for
RAID 0, 10 and 5 only), and then press <Enter>. The available stripe size

values range from 4 KB to 128 KB. The following are typical values:
RAID 0: 128KB
RAID 10: 64KB
RAID 5: 64KB

We recommend a lower stripe size for server systems, and a higher stripe size

for multimedia computer systems used mainly for audio and video editing.

7. When the

Capacity

item is selected, enter the RAID volume capacity that you
want and press <Enter>. The default value indicates the maximum allowed
capacity.

8. When the

Create Volume

item is selected, press <Enter>. The following

warning message appears.

WARNING: ALL DATA ON SELECTED DISKS WILL BE LOST.

Are you sure you want to create this volume? (Y/N):

9. Press <Y> to create the RAID volume and return to the main menu, or <N> to
go back to the

CREATE VOLUME

menu.

5.2.2 Creating a Recovery set

To create a recovery set:

1. From the utility main menu, select

1. Create RAID Volume

<Enter>. The following screen appears.

Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology - Option ROM - 10.1.0.1008

Copyright(C) 2003-10 Intel Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

[ CREATE VOLUME MENU ]

Name: Volume0
RAID Level: RAID0(Stripe)
Disks: Select Disks
Strip Size: 128KB
Capacity: 0.0 GB
Sync: N/A
Create Volume

[ HELP ]

and press

Enter a unique volume name that has no special characters and is

[↑↓]Change [TAB]-Next [ESC]-Previous Menu [ENTER]-Select

16 characters or less.

ASUS P8B-X 5-7

2. Enter a name for the recovery set and press <Enter>.

3. When the
select

4. When the

RAID Level

Recovery

Disks

you want to include in the recovery set. The

Port Drive Model Serial # Size Status

0 ST3160812AS 9LS0HJA4 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk

1 ST3160812AS 9LS0F4HL 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk
2 ST3160812AS 3LS0JYL8 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk
3 ST3160812AS 9LS0BJ5H 149.0GB Non-RAID Disk

Select 1 Master and 1 Recovery disk to create volume.

[↑↓]-Prev/Next [TAB]-(M)aster [SPACE]-(R)ecovery [ENTER]-Done

item is selected, press the up/down arrow keys to

, and then press <Enter>.

item is selected, press <Enter> to select the hard disk drives

SELECT DISKS

[ SELECT DISKS ]

screen appears.

5. Use the up/down arrow keys to select a drive, press <TAB> to select a Master
disk, and then press <SPACE> to select a Recovery disk. A small triangle
marks the selected drive. Press <Enter> after completing your selection.

6. When the

item is selected, use the up/down arrow keys to select a sync

Sync

option that you want and press <Enter>.

7. When the

Create Volume

item is selected, press <Enter>. The following

warning message appears.

WARNING: ALL DATA ON SELECTED DISKS WILL BE LOST.

Are you sure you want to create this volume? (Y/N):

8. Press <Y> to create the recovery set and return to the main menu, or <N> to
go back to the

CREATE VOLUME

menu.

If a recovery set is created, you cannot add more RAID sets even when you
have more non-RAID disks installed in your system.

5-8 Chapter 5: RAID conguration

5.2.3 Deleting a RAID set

Take caution when deleting a RAID set. You will lose all data on the hard disk
drives when you delete a RAID set.

To delete a RAID set:

1. From the utility main menu, select

2. Delete RAID Volume

<Enter>. The following screen appears.

Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology - Option ROM - 10.1.0.1008

Copyright(C) 2003-10 Intel Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Name Level Drives Capacity Status Bootable

Volume0 RAID0(Stripe) 2 298.0GB Normal Yes

Deleting a volume will reset the disks to non-RAID.

(This does not apply to Recovery volumes)

[↑↓]-Select [ESC]-Previous Menu [DEL]-Delete Volume

[ DELETE VOLUME MENU ]

[ HELP ]

WARNING: ALL DISK DATA WILL BE DELETED.

2. Use the up/down arrow keys to select the RAID set you want to delete, and
then press <Del>. The following warning message appears.

[ DELETE VOLUME VERIFICATION ]

ALL DATA IN THE VOLUME WILL BE LOST!

(This does not apply to Recovery volumes)

Are you sure you want to delete volume “Volume0”? (Y/N):

and press

3. Press <Y> to delete the RAID set and return to the utility main menu, or press
<N> to return to the

DELETE VOLUME

ASUS P8B-X 5-9

menu.

5.2.4 Resetting disks to Non-RAID

Take caution before you reset a RAID volume hard disk drive to non-RAID.
Resetting a RAID volume hard disk drive deletes all internal RAID structure on
the drive.

To reset a RAID set hard disk drive:

1. From the utility main menu, select

3. Reset Disks to Non-RAID

and press

<Enter>. The following screen appears.

Resetting RAID disk will remove its RAID structures
and revert it to a non-RAID disk.

WARNING: Resetting a disk causes all data on the disk to be lost.

(This does not apply to Recovery volumes)

Port Drive Model Serial # Size Status

0 ST3160812AS 9LS0HJA4 149.0GB Member Disk

1 ST3160812AS 9LS0F4HL 149.0GB Member Disk

Select the disks that should be reset.

[↑↓]-Previous/Next [SPACE]-Selects [ENTER]-Selection Complete

[ RESET RAID DATA ]

2. Use the up/down arrow keys to select the RAID set drive(s) you want to reset,
and then press <Space> to select.

3. Press <Enter> to reset the RAID set drive(s). A conrmation message

appears.

4. Press <Y> to reset the drive(s) or press <N> to return to the utility main
menu.

5-10 Chapter 5: RAID conguration

5.2.5 Recovery Volume Options

If you have created a recovery set, you can congure more recovery set options

following the descriptions in the section.

See section

5.3.2 Creating a Recovery set

to create a recovery set before

continue.

To congure a recovery set:

1. From the utility main menu, select

4. Recovery Volume Options

and press

<Enter>. The following screen appears.

Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology - Option ROM - 10.1.0.1008

Copyright(C) 2003-10 Intel Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

[ RECOVERY VOLUME OPTIONS ]

1. Enable Only Recovery Disk

2. Enable Only Master Disk

[ HELP ]

Enable Only Recovery Disk - enables recovery disk if available and

Enable Only Master Disk - enables master disk if available and

Actions will result in change from Continuous Update mode to On-Request.

[↑↓]-Select [ESC]-Previous Menu [ENTER]-Select

disables master disk.

disables recovery disk.

2. Use the up/down arrow keys to select the option you want, and then press
<ENTER>. The

Name Level Capacity Status Bootable

Volume0 Recovery(Cont.) 149.0GB Normal Yes

SELECT RECOVERY VOLUME

[ SELECT RECOVERY VOLUME ]

screen appears.

Select a Recovery volume to do the operation.

[↑↓]-Up/Down [SPACE]-Selects [ENTER]-Done

3. Use the up/down arrow keys to select a drive, and then press <Space>
to select. A small triangle marks the selected drive. Press <Enter> after
completing your selection and return to the utility main menu.

ASUS P8B-X 5-11

5.2.6 Exiting the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility

To exit the utility:

1. From the utility main menu, select

, and then press <Enter>. The

5. Exit

following warning message appears.

[ CONFIRM EXIT ]

Are you sure you want to exit? (Y/N):

2. Press <Y> to exit or press <N> to return to the utility main menu.

5.2.7 Rebuilding the RAID

This option is only for the RAID 1 set.

Rebuilding the RAID with other non-RAID disk

If any of the SATA hard disk drives included in the RAID 1 array failed, the system
displays the status of the RAID volume as “

Degraded

rebuild the RAID array with other installed non-RAID disks.

To rebuild the RAID with other non-RAID disk:

1. At the prompt, press <Ctrl> + <I> to enter the Intel Rapid Storage Technology
option ROM utility.

2. If there is a non-RAID SATA Hard Disk available, the utility will prompt to
rebuild the RAID. Press <Enter>, and then use up/down arrow keys to select
the destination disk or press <ESC> to exit.

"Degraded" volume and disk available for rebuilding detected. Selecting

a disk initiates a rebuild. Rebuild completes in the operating system.

Select the port of destination disk for rebuilding (ESC to exit):
Port Drive Model Serial # Size
X XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XX.XGB

[ DEGRADED VOLUME DETECTED ]

” during POST. You can

[↑↓]-Previous/Next [ENTER]-Select [ESC]-Exit

Select a destination disk with the same size as the original hard disk.

5-12 Chapter 5: RAID conguration