Asus Crosshair II Formula: Software

This chapter describes the contents of

the support DVD that comes with the

motherboard package.

Software

5

support

Chapter summary

5

5.1 Installing an operating system ................................................... 5-1

5.2 Support DVD information ............................................................ 5-1

5.3 Software information ................................................................... 5-9

5.4 RAID congurations .................................................................. 5-24

5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk ....................................................... 5-40

ASUS Crosshair

5.1 Installing an operating system

®

This motherboard supports Windows

2000/2003 Server/XP/64-bit XP operating

systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to

maximize the features of your hardware.

• Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Use the setup

procedures presented in this chapter for reference only. Refer to your OS

documentation for detailed information.

®

®

• Make sure that you install Windows

2000 Service Pack 4 or the Windows

XP Service Pack2 or later versions before installing the drivers for better

compatibility and system stability.

5.2 Support DVD information

The support DVD that came with the motherboard package contains the drivers,

software applications, and utilities that you can install to avail all motherboard

features.

The contents of the support DVD are subject to change at any time without

notice. Visit the ASUS website(www.asus.com) for updates.

5.2.1 Running the support DVD

Place the support DVD to the optical drive. The DVD automatically displays the

Drivers menu if Autorun is enabled in your computer.

Click an icon to

display support DVD/

motherboard information

Click an item to install

If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support

DVD to locate the le ASSETUP.EXE from the BIN folder. Double-click the

ASSETUP.EXE to run the DVD.

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Technical support Form

Displays the ASUS Technical Support Request Form that you have to ll out when

requesting technical support.

Filelist

Displays the contents of the support DVD and a brief description of each in text

format.

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Chapter 5: Software support

5.3 Software information

Most of the applications in the support DVD have wizards that will conveniently

guide you through the installation. View the online help or readme le that came

with the software application for more information.

5.3.1 ASUS MyLogo3™

The ASUS MyLogo3™ utility lets you customize the boot logo. The boot logo is the

image that appears on screen during the Power-On Self-Tests (POST). The ASUS

MyLogo3™ is automatically installed when you install the ASUS Update utility from

the support DVD. See section “5.2.3 Utilities menu” for details.

• Before using the ASUS MyLogo3™, use the Award BIOS Flash utility to

make a copy of your original BIOS le, or obtain the latest BIOS version

from the ASUS website. See section “4.1.4 Updating the BIOS.”

• Make sure that the BIOS item Full Screen Logo is set to [Enabled]

if you wish to use ASUS MyLogo2. See section “4.6.5 Boot Settings

Conguration”.

• You can create your own boot logo image in GIF, JPG, or BMP le formats.

To launch the ASUS MyLogo3™:

1. Launch the ASUS Update utility. Refer to section “4.1.1 ASUS Update utility”

for details.

2. Select Options from the drop down menu, then click Next.

3. Check the option Launch MyLogo to replace system boot logo before ashing

BIOS, then click Next.

4. Select Update BIOS from a le from the drop down menu, then click Next.

5. When prompted, locate the new BIOS le, then click Next. The ASUS

MyLogo window appears.

6. From the left window pane, select the

folder that contains the image you

intend to use as your boot logo.

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7. When the logo images appear on the

right window pane, select an image to

enlarge by clicking on it.

8. Adjust the boot image to your desired

size by selecting a value on the Ratio

box.

9. When the screen returns to the ASUS Update utility, ash the original BIOS to

load the new boot logo.

10. After ashing the BIOS, restart the computer to display the new boot logo

during POST.

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Chapter 5: Software support

®

5.3.2 SoundMAX

High Denition Audio utility

The ADI AD1988B High Denition Audio CODEC provides 8-channel audio

®

capability through the SoundMAX

audio utility with AudioESP™ software to

deliver the ultimate audio experience on your PC. The software implements high

quality audio synthesis/rendering, 3D sound positioning, and advanced voice-input

technologies.

Follow the installation wizard to install the ADI AD1988B Audio Driver from the

®

support DVD that came with the motherboard package to activate the SoundMAX

audio utility.

•

You must use 4-channel, 6-channel or 8-channel speakers for this setup.

®

®

®

• SoundMAX

requires Microsoft

Windows

2000/XP or later version. Make

sure that one of these operating systems is installed before installing

®

SoundMAX

.

• Jack Retasking function works on High Denition front panel audio ports

only.

®

If the SoundMAX

audio utility is correctly installed, you

®

will nd the SoundMAX

icon on the taskbar.

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®

®

From the taskbar, double-click on the SoundMAX

icon to display the SoundMAX

Control Panel.

Audio Setup Wizard

®

By clicking the icon from the SoundMAX

control panel, you can easily

congure your audio settings. Simply follow succeeding screen instructions and

begin enjoying High Denition Audio.

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Chapter 5: Software support

Jack conguration

Adjust speaker volume

This screen helps you congure your

This screen helps you adjust speaker

computer’s audio ports, depending on

volume. Click the Test button to hear

the audio devices you have installed.

the changes you have made.

Adjust microphone volume

This screen helps you adjust microphone volume. You will be asked to read pre-

written text to allow the AudioWizard to adjust the volume as you speak.

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Audio preferences

Click the icon to go to the Preferences page. This page allows you to change

various audio settings.

General options

Click the General tab to choose your playback and recording devices, enable/

disable the AudioESP™ feature, and enable/disable digital output.

DTS.

This feature is consists of two elements: DTS interactive and DTS NEO:PC. DTS

interactive re-encodes your stereo or multi-channel sound into a DTS audio signal

and send it out from your PC to any DTS enabled system.

While DTS NEO:PC turns your stereo audio such as MP3, WMA, CD, and other

sound format into a convincing multi-channel audio experience.

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Chapter 5: Software support

Microphone options

Click the Listening Environment tab allows you to optimize your microphone input

settings.

Enhanced Microphone Features

Voice recording

Enables Noise Filter function. Detects repetitive and stationary noises like

computer fans, air conditioners, and other background noises then eliminates

it in the incoming sudio stream while recording. You can enable it for a better

recording quality.

Directional Array

Receives only the sound coming from the reception cone and eliminates

interferences including neighboring speakers and reverberations. You can

enable it to transit clearer sound during on-line games, MSN, or Skype.

Speaker Phone

Advanced de-reverberation techniques can help to reduce echo and minimize

its effect on the speech engine. You can enable it when you have conference

call to reduce echoes in the other side.

The directional Array and Speaker Phone

function only when working with the ASUS Array

Mic.

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5.3.3 Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology

The motherboard supports the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology that dynamically

and automatically change the CPU speed, voltage, and amount of power

depending on the task the CPU performs.

Enabling Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology

To enable Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology:

1. Turn on the system and enter BIOS by pressing the <Del> key during the

Power On Self-Tests (POST).

2. Go to Extreme -> AMD Cool ‘n’Quiet function and set it to [Enabled]. See

section “4.4 Extreme Menu.”

3. Save your changes and exit BIOS Setup.

4. Reboot your computer and set your Power Option Properties depending on

your operating system.

Windows® 2000/XP

1. From the Windows® 2000/XP operating system, click the Start button. Select

Settings, then Control Panel.

2. Make sure the Control Panel is set to Classic View.

3. Double-click the Display icon in the Control Panel then select the Screen

Saver tab.

4. Click the Power button. The following dialog box appears.

5. From the Power schemes combo list box, select Minimal Power

Management.

6. Click OK to effect settings.

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Chapter 5: Software support

• Make sure to install the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ driver and application before

using this feature.

• The AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ technology feature works only with the AMD

heatsink and fan assembly with monitor chip

• If you purchased a separate heatsink and fan package, use the ASUS

Q-Fan technology feature to automatically adjust the CPU fan speed

according to your system loading.

Launching the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ software

The motherboard support DVD includes the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ software that enables

you to view your system’s real-time CPU Frequency and voltage.

Make sure to install the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ software from the motherboard support

DVD. Refer to section “5.2.3 Utilities menu” for details.

To launch the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ program:

1. If you are using Windows® 2000, click the Start button. Select Programs->

ASUS -> Cool & Quiet -> Cool & Quiet.

2. If you are using Windows® XP, click the Start button. Select All Programs->

ASUS -> Cool & Quiet -> Cool & Quiet.

3. The Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ technology screen appears and displays the current

CPU Frequency and CPU Voltage.

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5.4 RAID congurations

®

The motherboard comes with the Silicon Image Sil3132 and the NVIDIA

nForce™

590- SLI Southbridge RAID controllers that allow you to congure Serial ATA

hard disk drives as RAID sets. The motherboard supports the following RAID

congurations.

RAID 0

(Data striping)

optimizes two identical hard disk drives to read and write

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.

RAID 1

(Data mirroring)

copies and maintains an identical image of data from one

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 0+1 is data striping and data mirroring combined without parity (redundancy

data) having to be calculated and written. With the RAID 0+1 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 stripes both data and parity information across three or more hard

disk 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.

RAID 10 is a striped conguration with each stripe a RAID 1 array of drives. It

combines the features of both RAID 1 and RAID 0. Fault tolerance is provided

through mirroring while adding performance through striping. This offers higher

performance than a RAID 1 conguration but at a much higher cost. A minimum of

four hard disk drives is required for this setup.

JBOD

(Spanning)

stands for Just a Bunch of Disks and refers to hard disk drives

that are not yet congured as a RAID set. This conguration stores the same

data redundantly on multiple disks that appear as a single disk on the operating

system. Spanning does not deliver any advantage over using separate disks

independently and does not provide fault tolerance or other RAID performance

benets.

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Chapter 5: Software support

If you want to boot the system from a hard disk drive included in a RAID set,

copy rst the RAID driver from the support DVD to a oppy disk before you

install an operating system to a selected hard disk drive. Refer to section “5.5

Creating a RAID driver disk” for details.

®

5.4.1 NVIDIA

RAID congurations

The motherboard includes a high performance SATA RAID controller integrated in

®

the NVIDIA

nForce™ 590-SLI southbridge chipset. It supports RAID 0, RAID 1,

RAID 0+1, RAID 5 and JBOD for six independent Serial ATA channels.

Installing Serial ATA (SATA) hard disks

The motherboard supports Ultra DMA 133/100/66 and Serial ATA hard disk drives.

For optimal performance, install identical drives of the same model and capacity

when creating a disk array.

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

1. Install the SATA hard disks into the drive bays.

2. Connect the SATA signal cables.

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

Refer to the RAID controllers user manual in the motherboard support DVD for

detailed information on RAID congurations. See section “5.2.5 Manuals menu.”

Setting the BIOS RAID items

After installing the hard disk drives, make sure to set the necessary RAID items in

the BIOS before setting your RAID conguration.

To set the BIOS RAID items:

1. Boot the system and press <Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to

enter the BIOS Setup Utility.

2. Enable the RAID Enabled item in the BIOS. See section “4.5.4 Onboard

Device Conguration > Serial-ATA Conguration” for details.

3. Select and enable the IDE or SATA drive(s) that you want to congure

as RAID. See section “4.5.4 Onboard Device Conguration > Serial-ATA

Conguration” for details.

4. Save your changes and Exit Setup.

Make sure to re-enter your NVRAID settings after the CMOS is cleared;

otherwise, the system will not recognize your RAID setup.

• For detailed descriptions on the NVIDIA® RAID conguration, refer to the

®

“NVIDIA

RAID User’s Manual” found in your motherboard support DVD.

• When using Windows 2000 operating system, make sure to install the

Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or later versions.

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5-25

®

Entering the NVIDIA

RAID utility

®

To enter the NVIDIA

RAID utility:

1. Boot up your computer.

2. During POST, press <F10> to display the main menu of the utility.

The RAID BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference only, and

may not exactly match the items on your screen.

NVIDIA RAID Utility Oct 5 2004

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Striping Striping Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Loc Disk Model Name Loc Disk Model Name

1.0.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

1.1.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [→] Add

2.0.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

2.1.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[←] Del

[F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

At the bottom of the screen are the navigation keys. These keys allow you to move

through and select menu options.

Creating a RAID Volume

To create a RAID volume:

®

1. From the NVIDIA

RAID utility Dene a New Array menu, select RAID Mode

then press <Enter>. The following submenu appears.

Use the up or down arrow keys to select a

Mirroring

RAID mode then press <Enter>.

Striping

Stripe Mirroring

Spanning

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Chapter 5: Software support

2. Press <TAB> select the Striping

8K ↑

Block then press <Enter>. The

16K

32K

following submenu appears:

64K

128K

Optim↓

If you selected Striping or Stripe Mirroring, use the up or down arrow keys to

select the stripe size for your RAID 0 array then press <Enter>.The available

values range from 8 KB to 128 KB. The default selection is 128 KB. The strip

value should be chosen based on the planned drive usage.

• 8 /16 KB - low disk usage

• 64 KB - typical disk usage

• 128 KB - performance disk usage

TIP: For server systems, we recommend using a lower array block size. For

multimedia computer systems used mainly for audio and video editing, we

recommend a higher array block size for optimum performance.

3.` Press <TAB> to select the Free Disks area. Use the left or right arrow keys to

assign the array disks.

4. Press <F7> to create RAID set. The following message box appears.

Clear disk data?

[Y] YES [N] NO

5. Press <Y> to clear the selected disks or <N> to proceed without clearing the

disks. The following screen appears.

Take caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost!

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NVIDIA RAID Utility Oct 5 2004

- Array List -

Boot Id Status Vendor Array Model Name

No 4 Healthy NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG

[Ctrl-X]Exit [↑↓]Select [B]Set Boot [N]New Array [ENTER]Detail

A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.

6. Press <Ctrl+X> to save settings and exit.

Rebuilding a RAID array

To rebuild a RAID array:

1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID

array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear.

Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG

- Array Detail -

RAID Mode: Mirroring

Striping Width: 1 Striping Block: 64K

Adapt Channel M/S Index Disk Model Name Capacity

2 1 Master 0 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB

1 0 Master 1 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB

[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return

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Chapter 5: Software support

A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.

2. Press <R> to rebuild a RAID array. The following screen appears.

Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG

- Select Disk Inside Array -

RAID Mode: Mirroring

Striping Width: 1 Striping Block: 64K

Adapt Channel M/S Index Disk Model Name Capacity

2 1 Master 0 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB

1 0 Master 1 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB

[↑↓] Select [F6] Back [F7] Finish

3. Use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID array to rebuild, then press

<F7>. The following conrmation message appears.

Rebuild array?

[ENTER] OK [ESC] Cancel

4. Press <Enter> to start rebuilding array or press <Esc> to cancel.

5. After the rebuild process, the Array list menu appears.

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Deleting a RAID array

To delete a RAID array:

1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID

array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear.

Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG

- Array Detail -

RAID Mode: Mirroring

Striping Width: 1 Striping Block: 64K

Adapt Channel M/S Index Disk Model Name Capacity

2 1 Master 0 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB

1 0 Master 1 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB

[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return

A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.

2. Press <D> to delete a RAID array. The following conrmation message

appears.

Delete this array?

[Y] YES [N] No

3. Press <Y> to delete array or press <N> to cancel.

Take caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost!

4. If you selected Yes, the Dene a New Array menu appears.

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Chapter 5: Software support

Clearing a disk data

To clear disk data:

1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID

array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear.

Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG

- Array Detail -

RAID Mode: Mirroring

Striping Width: 1 Striping Block: 64K

Adapt Channel M/S Index Disk Model Name Capacity

2 1 Master 0 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB

1 0 Master 1 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB

[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return

A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.

2. Press <C> to clear disk. The following conrmation message appears.

Clear disk data?

[Y] YES [N]

5. Press <Y> to clear the disk data or press <N> to cancel.

Take caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost!

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5.4.2 Silicon Image RAID congurations

The Silicon Image RAID controller supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 congurations. Use

the Silicon Image RAID utility to congure a disk array.

Installing External Serial ATA (E-SATA) hard disks

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

1. Connect one end of the E-SATA signal cables to the rear panel port.

2. Connect the other end of the E-SATA signal cables to the external SATA disk

drives.

The installation procedure in this section is provided for reference only, refer

to the user’s manual that comes with the external drive for detailed installation

instructions.

Setting the BIOS RAID items

After installing the hard disk drives, make sure to set the necessary RAID items in

the BIOS before setting your RAID conguration.

To set the BIOS RAID items:

1. Boot the system and press <Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to

enter the BIOS Setup Utility.

2. From the Advanced > Onboard Device Conguration menu item in the BIOS

set the Silicon SATA II Controller item to RAID Mode. See section “4.5.4

Onboard Device Conguration” for details.

3. Save your changes and Exit Setup.

Launching the Silicon Image Array Management Software

®

Launch the Silicon Image Array Management software from Windows

XP by

clicking the Start button and selecting All Programs > Silicon Image > Sam

For details on the Silicon Image SATARaid™ RAID conguration, refer to the

“Sil3132 SATA RAID User’s Manual” in your motherboard support DVD.

5-32 Chapter 5: Software support

Entering the Silicon Image BIOS RAID Conguration Utility

To enter the Silicon Image BIOS RAID conguration utility:

1. Boot up your computer.

2. During POST, press <Ctrl+S> or <F4>.

The RAID BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference only, and

may not exactly match the items on your screen.

RAID Conguration Utility - Silicon Image Inc. Copyright (C) 2004

MAIN MENU

HELP

Create RAID set

Press “Enter” to create

Delete RAID set

RAID set

Rebuild Raid1 set

Resolve Conicts

Low Level Format

Logical Drive Info

PHYSICAL DRIVE

LOGICAL DRIVE

0 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB

STXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB

1 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB

STXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB

2 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB

STXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB

3 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB

STXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB

↑↓:Select Menu ESC:Previous Menu Enter:Select Ctrl-E:Exit

The Main Menu on the upper left corner allows you to select an operation to be

performed. The Main Menu options include the following:

Create RAID set - creates a new legacy RAID set or allocates spare drives.

Delete RAID set - deletes a RAID set or deallocates a spare drive.

Rebuild RAID1 set - rebuilds a RAID 1 set (e.g., swapped drives).

Resolve Conicts - automatically restores disrupted drives on a RAID set.

Low Level Format - creates a pattern of reference marks on a drive. Formatting the

disks erases all data previously stored in the drive.

Logical Drive Info -shows the current conguration of each RAID set.

On the upper right corner of the screen is the Help message box. The message

describes the function of each menu item. At the bottom of the screen is the

legend box. The keys on the legend box allow you to navigate through the setup

menu options. The following lists the keys found in the legend box and their

corresponding functions.

↑, ↓ : Select/Move to the next item

ESC : Previous Menu

Enter : Select

Ctrl-E : Exit

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