Asus P5QLD PRO: Software

This chapter describes the contents

of the support CD 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 .................................................................

5-10

ASUS P5QLD PRO

5.1 Installing an operating system

®

This motherboard supports Windows

XP/Vista 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.

®

• Ensure that you install the Windows

XP Service Pack3 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 at 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.

ASUS P5QLD PRO 5-1

Filelist

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

format.

5-8 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 MyLogo2™

The ASUS MyLogo2™ 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

MyLogo2™ 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 MyLogo2™, use the AFUDOS 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 AFUDOS utility”.

• Ensure that the BIOS item

Full Screen Logo is set to [Enabled] if

you want to use ASUS MyLogo2. See section 4.7.2 Boot Settings

Conguration.

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

• The le size should be smaller than 150 K.

To launch the ASUS MyLogo2™:

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.

ASUS P5QLD PRO 5-9

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.

5-10 Chapter 5: Software support

5.3.2 Audio congurations

The Realtek® ALC1200 audio CODEC provides 8-channel audio capability to

deliver the ultimate audio experience on your computer. The software provides

Jack-Sensing function, S/PDIF Out support, and interrupt capability. The ALC1200

also includes the Realtek® proprietary UAJ® (Universal Audio Jack) technology for

all audio ports, eliminating cable connection errors and giving users plug and play

convenience.

Follow the installation wizard to install the Realtek® Audio Driver from the Support

DVD that came with the motherboard package.

If the Realtek audio software is correctly installed, you will nd the Realtek HD

Audio Manager icon on the taskbar.

From the taskbar, double-click on the SoundEffect

icon to display the Realtek HD Audio Manager.

Realtek HD Audio Manager

Realtek HD Audio Manager

Exit button

Conguration

options

Minimize

button

Control settings

window

Information

button

ASUS P5QLD PRO 5-11

Information

Click the information button ( ) to

display information about the audio driver

version, DirectX version, audio controller,

audio codec, and language setting.

Minimize

Click the minimize button ( ) to minimize the window.

Exit

Click the exit button ( ) to exit the Realtek HD Audio Manager.

Conguration options

Click any of the tabs in this area to congure your audio settings.

Sound Effect

The Realtek® ALC1200 Audio CODEC

allows you to set your listening

environment, adjust the equalizer, set

the karaoke, or select pre-programmed

equalizer settings for your listening

pleasure.

To set the sound effect options:

1. From the Realtek HD Audio

Manager, click the Sound Effect

tab.

2. Click the shortcut buttons or the drop-down menus for options on changing

the acoustic environment, adjust the equalizer, or set the karaoke to your

desired settings.

3. Click

to effect the Sound Effect settings and exit.

5-12 Chapter 5: Software support

Mixer

The Mixer option allows you to

congure audio output (playback)

volume and audio input (record)

volume.

To set the mixer options:

1. From the Realtek HD Audio

Manager, click the Mixer tab.

2. Turn the volume buttons to adjust

the Playback and/or Record

volume.

The Mixer option activates voice input from all channels by default. Make sure to

set all channels to mute ( ) if you do not want voice input.

3. Make adjustments to Wave, SW Synth, Front, Rear, CD volume, Mic volume,

Line Volume, and Stereo mix, etc. by clicking the control tabs and dragging

them up and down until you get the desired levels.

Click the next button ( ) to display more menu options.

4. Click to effect the Mixer settings and exit.

Audio I/O

The Audio I/O option allows you congure

your input/output settings.

To set the Audio I/O options:

1. From the Realte k HD Audi o

Manager, click the Audio I/O tab.

2. Click the drop-down menu to select

the channel conguration.

3. The control settings window displays

the status of connected devices.

Click for analog and digital options.

4. Click <OK> to effect the Audio I/O settings and exit

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Microphone

The Microphone option allows you

configure your input/output settings

and to check if your audio devices are

connected properly.

To set the Microphone options:

1. From the Realtek HD Audi o

Manager, click the Microphone

tab.

2. Click the Noise Suppression option

button to reduce the static background noise when recording.

3. Click the Acoustic Echo Cancellation option button to reduce the echo from the

front speakers when recording.

4. Click

to effect the Microphone settings and exit.

3D Audio Demo

The 3D Audio Demo option gives you a

demonstration of the 3D audio feature.

To start the 3D Audio Demo:

1. From the Realtek HD Audio Manager,

click the 3D Audio Demo tab.

2. Click the option buttons to change

the sound, m o v i n g path, o r

environment settings.

3. Click

to test your settings.

4. Click

to effect the 3D Audio Demo settings and exit.

5-14 Chapter 5: Software support

5.3.3 ASUS PC Probe II

PC Probe II is a utility that monitors the computer’s vital components, and detects

and alerts you of any problem with these components. PC Probe II senses fan

rotations, CPU temperature, and system voltages, among others. Because PC

Probe II is software-based, you can start monitoring your computer the moment

you turn it on. With this utility, you are assured that your computer is always at a

healthy operating condition.

Installing PC Probe II

To install PC Probe II on your computer:

1. Place the Support DVD to the optical drive. The Drivers installation tab

appears if your computer has an enabled Autorun feature.

If Autorun is not enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the Support

DVD to locate the setup.exe le from the ASUS PC Probe II folder. Double-click

the setup.exe le to start installation.

2. Click the Utilities tab, then click ASUS PC Probe II.

3. Follow the screen instructions to complete installation.

Launching PC Probe II

You can launch the PC Probe II right after installation or anytime from the

®

Windows

desktop.

®

To launch the PC Probe II from the Windows

desktop, click Start > All Programs

> ASUS > PC Probe II > PC Probe II v1.xx.xx. The PC Probe II main window

appears.

®

After launching the application, the PC Probe II icon appears in the Windows

taskbar. Click this icon to close or restore the application.

Using PC Probe II

Main window

The PC Probe II main window

allows you to view the current

status of your system and change

the utility conguration. By

default, the main window displays

the Preference section. You can

close or restore the Preference

section by clicking on the triangle on the main window right handle.

Click to close the

Preference panel

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Button Function

Opens the Conguration window

Opens the Report window

Opens the Desktop Management Interface window

Opens the Peripheral Component Interconnect window

Opens the Windows Management Instrumentation window

Opens the hard disk drive, memory, CPU usage window

Shows/Hides the Preference section

Minimizes the application

Closes the application

Sensor alert

When a system sensor detects a problem, the main window right handle

turns red, as the illustrations below show.

When displayed, the monitor panel for that sensor also turns red. Refer to the

Monitor panels section for details.

5-16 Chapter 5: Software support

Hardware monitor panels

The hardware monitor panels display the current value of a system sensor such as

fan rotation, CPU temperature, and voltages.

The hardware monitor panels come in two display modes: hexagonal (large) and

rectangular (small). When you check the Enable Monitoring Panel option from the

Preference section, the monitor panels appear on your computer’s desktop.

Small display

Large display

Changing the monitor panels position

To change the position of the monitor panels in the desktop,

click the arrow down button of the Scheme options, then select

another position from the list box. Click OK when nished.

Moving the monitor panels

All monitor panels move together using a magnetic effect. If

you want to detach a monitor panel from

the group, click the horseshoe magnet

icon. You can now move or reposition the

panel independently.

Adjusting the sensor threshold value

You can adjust the sensor threshold

value in the monitor panel by

Click to

clicking the or buttons. You can

increase

also adjust the threshold values

value

using the Cong window.

Click to

You cannot adjust the sensor

decrease

threshold values in a small

value

monitoring panel.

ASUS P5QLD PRO 5-17

5.3.6 ASUS AI Nap

This feature allows you to minimize the power consumption of your computer

whenever you are away. Enable this feature for minimum power consumption and

a more quiet system operation.

After installing AI Suite from the bundled support DVD, you can launch the utility by

double-clicking the AI Suite icon on the Windows OS taskbar and click the AI Nap

button on the AI Suite main window.

Click Yes on the conrmation screen.

To exit AI Nap mode, press the system power or mouse button then click Yes on

the conrmation screen.

To switch the power button functions from AI Nap to shutting down, just right

click the AI Suite icon on the OS taskbar, select AI Nap and click Use power

button. Unclick the item to switch the function back.

5-24 Chapter 5: Software support

5.3.7 ASUS Fan Xpert

ASUS Fan Xpert intelligently allows you to adjust the CPU fan speed according

to different ambient temperatures caused by different climate conditions in

different geographic regions and your PC’s system loading. The built-in variety

of useful proles offer exible controls of fan speed to achieve a quiet and cool

environment.

Install AI Suite from the bundled support DVD. To launch the ASUS Fan Xpert

®

utility, double-click the AI Suite icon on the Windows

notication bar and click

the Fan Xpert button on the AI Suite main window.

Click to open the

Calibration window

Dropdown list button

Click to display

the dropdown list

Click to display

and select a fan

the current CPU

prole mode

temperature and the

fan speed ratio

Click to cancel the

Click to save the setup

Fan Xpert utility

ASUS P5QLD PRO 5-25

5.3.8 ASUS EPU-4 Engine

ASUS EPU-4 Engine is an energy-efcient tool that satises different computing

needs. This utility provides three modes that you can select to enhance system

performance or save power. Selecting Auto mode will have the system shift modes

automatically according to current system status. You can also customize each

mode by conguring settings like CPU Loadline, vCore Voltage Downgrade, and

Fan Control.

Installing 4 Engine

To install 4 Engine on your computer:

1. Place the support DVD to the optical drive. The

Drivers menu appears if

Autorun is enabled on your computer.

2. Click

ASUS EPU-4 Engine.

3. Follow the screen instructions to complete installation.

Launching 4 Engine

Launch 4 Engine by double-clicking the 4 Engine

®

icon on the Windows

notication area.

The rst time you launch 4 Engine,

the following message will appear,

asking you to run Calibration rst.

Running calibration allows the

system to detect CPU properties to

optimize power management.

Click Run Calibration and wait for a few seconds. Then, the 4 Engine main menu

appears.

5-26 Chapter 5: Software support

4 Engine main menu

Displays CPU Power and

Total CPU Energy Saving

Displays the following

message if no VGA power

Lights up when power

saving engine is detected.

saving engine is activated

Displays the

amount of CO2

*Shifts between

reduced

the display of Total

and Current CO2

reduced

Displays

current

mode

Runs calibration

Exits the utility

Auto Mode

High Performance Mode

Displays the system

Max. Power Saving Mode

properties of each

mode

Settings for each mode (refer to the next page for further information)

*• Click Current to show the CO2 that has been reduced since

you click the Renew button .

*• Click Total

to show the total CO2 that has been reduced

since you launched 4 Engine.

ASUS P5QLD PRO 5-27

Setting menu

Click Setting ( ) from the 4 Engine main menu to display

conguration options in each mode. Some options in certain modes are dimmed,

meaning that they are not available.

Click to select

a mode

Click the arrow

to see more

options

Restore default

Click to apply

Click to abort

settings

settings

settings

Conguration options in Setting menu

The following lists the conguration options and their denitions in Setting menu.

• vCore Voltage Downgrade:

Lowers CPU vCore voltage.

• High: Downgrades voltage to the highest level for CPU power saving.

• Medium: Downgrades voltage to the medium level.

• Small:

Downgrades voltage to the minimum level.

• Turn Off hard disks:

Turns off hard disk drives when they are not accessed

after a certain time.

• CPU Loadline:

Sets up the CPU loadline to manage CPU power saving.

• Light: Saves CPU power to the minimum level.

• Medium:

Saves CPU power to the medium level.

• Heavy:

Saves CPU power to the highest level.

5-28 Chapter 5: Software support

• Fan Control:

Adjusts fan speeds to reduce noise and save system power.

• Quiet:

Lowers CPU fan speed and shuts off two chassis fans.

• Slow:

Lowers CPU fan and two chassis fan speeds.

• AI Nap Idle Time:

Enters AI Nap mode after a certain time during system idle

process.

Refer to the following table for the conguration options in each mode.

Conguration

Turbo Mode High

Medium Power

Maximum

options

Performance

Saving Mode

Power Saving

Mode

Mode

vCore Voltage

N/A N/A Small/Medium/

Small/Medium/

Downgrade

High

High

Turn Off

Never/After 3

Never/After 3

Never/After 3

Never/After 3

hard disks

mins–After 5

mins–After 5

mins–After 5

mins–After 5

hours

hours

hours

hours

CPU Loadline N/A N/A Light/Medium/

Light/Medium/

Heavy

Heavy

Fan Control N/A N/A Keep Bios

Keep Bios

Setting/Slow

Setting/Quiet

AI Nap

Never/After 3

Never/After 3

Never/After 3

Never/After 3

Idle Time

mins–After 5

mins–After 5

mins–After 5

mins–After 5

hours

hours

hours

hours

ASUS P5QLD PRO 5-29

5.3.9 ASUS Express Gate

ASUS Express Gate is an instant-on environment that gives you quick access to

the Internet. Within a few seconds of powering on your computer, you will be at the

Express Gate menu where you can start the web browser, Skype, or other Express

Gate softwares.

Installing ASUS Express Gate

• ASUS Express Gate supports installation on SATA HDDs in IDE mode only.

• ASUS Express Gate supports HDDs connected to

motherboard chipset-

controlled onboard SATA ports only. All onboard extended SATA ports

and external SATA ports are NOT supported. See chapter 2 for the exact

location of onboard SATA ports.

• ASUS Express Gate supports installation on USB HDDs and Flash drives,

but the software performance may be slower than installed on SATA HDDs.

To install Express Gate on your computer

1. Place the Support DVD to the optical drive. The

Drivers installation tab

appears if your computer has enabled Autorun feature.

2. Click the

Utilities tab, then click ASUS Express Gate Installer.

3. Select the language for installation

and click OK.

4. The InstallShield Wizard for

Express Gate appears. Click Next

to continue.

5-30 Chapter 5: Software support

5. Select the target disk volume for

you to install Express Gate. If you

have multiple volumes and OS

installed in your hard drive, it is

recommended to install Express

Gate in Volume C. Click Next to

continue.

6. Follow the screen instructions to

complete installation.

The First Screen

Express Gate’s rst screen appears

within a few seconds after you power

on the computer. From here, you can

immediately start the web browser or

Skype.

You can also choose to continue booting

normally (e.g. to your installed OS such

as Windows), enter BIOS setup, or power

off.

If you don’t make any selection, Express

Gate will automatically exit and boot to your normal OS after a certain amount of

time. The timer countdown is shown on-screen inside the “boot to OS” button. As

you move the mouse or type a key, the countdown stops and the timer disappears,

so you can take your time to make a selection.

The Express Gate Environment

The very rst time you enter the Express

Gate environment (by launching either

web or Skype from the rst screen), a

rst time wizard will guide you through

basic Express Gate congurations. Basic

congurations include language, date

and time and screen resolution.

• To enter the motherboard BIOS setup program, click Exit on the Express

Gate First Screen, and then press the <Del> key during POST.

• See the software manual in the bundled motherboard support DVD or click

in the Express Gate environment for detailed software instructions.

• Express Gate complies with the OpenGL standard. Refer to http://support.

asus.com for Express Gate source codes.

ASUS P5QLD PRO 5-31

Once inside the Express Gate environment, click on the icons on the LaunchBar,

by default at bottom of the screen, to launch or switch between softwares. You

can re-arrange, re-size and move windows. Bring a window to the foreground

by clicking within it or by clicking on its corresponding software icon. Re-size a

window by dragging any of its four corners. Move a window by dragging its title bar.

Besides using the LaunchBar, you can also switch between softwares by pressing

<Alt> +<Tab> on the keyboard. You can also right-click anywhere on the desktop

to bring up a menu of softwares.

The red triangle on an software icon in the LaunchBar denotes that the software is

already running. This means that you can switch to it without any delay. In the rare

case where an software stops responding, right-click on its icon to force close it.

Knowing the Express Gate hot-keys

Here is a list of common-used hot-keys for Express Gate.

In the First Screen:

Key Function

PAUSE/BREAK Power-off

ESC Continue to boot OS

DEL Enter BIOS setup

F8 Enter Boot selection pop-up

In the Express Gate Environment:

Key Function

<Alt> + <Tab> Switch between softwares

<Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Del> Bring up Power-Off dialog box

<Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Print Screen> Save screen snapshot as picture to le

5-32 Chapter 5: Software support

Using the Conguration Panel

Use the conguration panel to change various Express Gate settings.

Click on an icon to open a particular conguration tool. The following tools are

available:

• Date and Time:

set current date and time as well as time zone.

• Input Method:

choose your preferred input language and method.

• Language and Keyboard:

choose your language and keyboard preferences.

• LaunchBar Settings:

customize your LaunchBar (where it docks, whether it

auto-hides, etc.)

• Network:

Specify how your computer connects to the Internet. Enable all

the network ports that you may use (LAN1, LAN2, and/or wireless [optional]).

LAN1 and LAN2 refer to the two RJ-45 network ports on your computer.

• The number of the LAN ports may differ from motherboards.

• You can connect the LAN cable to either port, and Express Gate will

automatically use the connected port.

Also specify whether each port uses DHCP (most common) or static IP. For

PPPoE and wireless (optional), set the login credentials (user name, password,

SSID, etc.) as well.

• Environment Settings:

This function allows you to clear the Express Gate

settings, as well as any personal information stored by the web browser

(Bookmarks, Cookies, History, etc.). The user data will be reset to the original

default conguration.

After you click

Restore System, a conrmation dialog box will open. If you click

“Yes” in the conrmation dialog box, your system will immediately restart and

then re-enter Express Gate to nish clearing the settings. This is also useful in

the rare case where settings might become corrupted.

The rst-time Wizard will run again when you enter the Express Gate

environment after clearing its settings.

ASUS P5QLD PRO 5-33