Asus P5QL: 1.8 Expansion slots

1.8 Expansion slots

In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe

the slots and the expansion cards that they support.

Unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may

cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.

1.8.1 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.

1.8.2 Conguring an expansion card

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

1. Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. See Chapter 2 for

information on BIOS setup.

2. Assign an IRQ to the card.

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.

1.8.3 PCI slots

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

comply with PCI specications.

1.8.4 PCI Express x1 slots

This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards, and other cards that

comply with the PCI Express specications.

1.8.5 PCI Express x16 slot

This motherboard supports a PCI Express x16 graphics card that complies with the PCI

Express specications.

ASUS P5QL 1-17