Intel Desktop Board D945GCZ Product Guide

BIOS

The BIOS provides the Power-On Self-Test (POST), the BIOS Setup program, the PCI/PCI Express and IDE auto-configuration utilities, and the video BIOS. The BIOS is stored in the Firmware Hub.

The BIOS can be updated by following the instructions on page 55 in Chapter 3.

Serial ATA and IDE Auto Configuration

If you install a Serial ATA or IDE device (such as a hard drive) in your computer, the auto- configuration utility in the BIOS automatically detects and configures the device for your computer. You do not need to run the BIOS Setup program after installing a Serial ATA or IDE device. You can override the auto-configuration options by specifying manual configuration in the BIOS Setup program.

PCI and PCI Express Auto Configuration

If you install a PCI/PCI Express add-in card in your computer, the PCI/PCI Express auto- configuration utility in the BIOS automatically detects and configures the resources (IRQs, DMA channels, and I/O space) for that add-in card. You do not need to run the BIOS Setup program after you install a PCI/PCI Express add-in card.

Security Passwords

The BIOS includes security features that restrict whether the BIOS Setup program can be accessed and who can boot the computer. A supervisor password and a user password can be set for the BIOS Setup and for booting the computer, with the following restrictions:

The supervisor password gives unrestricted access to view and change all Setup options. If only the supervisor password is set, pressing <Enter> at the password prompt of Setup gives the user restricted access to Setup.

If both the supervisor and user passwords are set, you must enter either the supervisor password or the user password to access Setup. Setup options are then available for viewing and changing depending on whether the supervisor or user password was entered.

Setting a user password restricts who can boot the computer. The password prompt is displayed before the computer is booted. If only the supervisor password is set, the computer boots without asking for a password. If both passwords are set, you can enter either password to boot the computer.

Related Links:

For instructions on resetting the password, see Clearing Passwords on page 49.

Chassis Intrusion

The board supports a chassis security feature that detects if the chassis cover has been removed. The security feature uses a mechanical switch on the chassis that can be connected to the chassis intrusion header on the desktop board. See Figure 20 on page 41 for the location of the chassis intrusion header.

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Intel D945GCZ manual Chassis Intrusion, Serial ATA and IDE Auto Configuration, PCI and PCI Express Auto Configuration