Help w/1st build BIOS in GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P

[romerofulci]

Hello everyone.

To start, I know very little. Please be kind.
After doing a lot shopping around online, I have purchased all of the components for my first build. Each step in the process was difficult, being that I really have limited knowledge of computers to begin with. I have indeed put it all together now, but am quite nervous about actually turning it on because I have ZERO clue as to what BIOS is and what I need to do regarding it.

As you may have noticed, I have skimped here and there on certain items that I either felt or was told were not that important for what my needs are. The purpose of this computer is for music recording/production with a Digidesign 003/Pro Tools LE set up. Here is a cut and paste of the requirements to run it (obviously, I have what I need):

PC requirements: Intel Pentium 4, Centrino, Core Duo, or AMD Athlon XP and 64-class processors and chips; Windows XP Home or Professional, Service Pack 2 (Vista not supported); 768MB RAM; Open USB port (USB hubs not supported); DVD-ROM drive

I have listed my specs below, parenthesis follow some items to describe their purpose. I don't have any plans to have this comp hooked up to the internet, but would probably need to do that for updates for the different recording software. Any ideas on how to do this safely without bogging down my comp with an anti-virus/anti-spyware program?

Additionally, I have been told by many "do NOT run RAID with a ProTools set up." So, I will not run RAID.
With all of that said, once I turn on the computer for the first time, what/how in the heck do I deal with all of that BIOS stuff? My head is spinning just reading the manual! No doubt, I am intimidated and my brain has just shut down.

Two things of note. For the moment, I will only have one monitor hooked up and the only hard drive I have present is the first one (640gb) as the other two have yet to arrive. I would like to get started on this ASAP so any responses or anything of note would be VERY welcome and much appreciated.


CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0 GHz 12M L2 Cache 1333MHz FSB

HARD DRIVES
#1 Western Digital WD6401AALS Caviar Black 640GB SATA II 7200 RPM 32MB Hard Drive (used for Windows XP and multitude of other recording software programs)

#2 Western Digital WD1001FALS Caviar Black 1TB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Buffer Hard Drive (used for recording songs/music to)

#3 Western Digital WD1001FALS Caviar Black 1TB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Buffer Hard Drive (used for samples and either backup or "image" of XP (did I say that correctly?)

MOTHERBOARD
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P

KEYBOARD/MOUSE
Logitech Deluxe 250 Desktop (pc2)

MEMORY
CORSAIR DOMINATOR TWIN2X4096-8500C5D 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-8500 (DDR2-1066)

VIDEO CARD
ATI FirePro V3700 Graphics Card - 100-505551 256 mb

CHASSIS
Cooler Master Centurion 534 Chassis - RC-534-KKN2-GP

OPTICAL DRIVE
Samsung SH-S223L 22x Half-Height SATA DVD Writer w/ LightScribe

MONITORS
(2) Asus VH202T-P 20" WideScreen LCD Monitor EPEAT Gold

OPERATING SYSTEM
Windows XP Home SP3

POWER SUPPLY (PSU)
Cooler Master Silent Pro M700 Series Modular 700W

[FreddoBear]

Well hello there!

As to your computer build, it seems pretty good to me, for the uses youll be giving it itll work just fine (:

And about the winXP, windows 7 is out already, you could think about that one aswell, and remember to get the 64 bit version!

Have fun!

[romerofulci]

Hi all-

Any advice on how/where to get a walk through on what my BIOS settings should be for my comp which I listed at the beginning of this thread? I am clueless as to what should be changed and what should remain the same in the BIOS settings.

Thanks!

[profJim]

Follow the suggestions in this post to make sure that your system is stable.

1) Boot with only one memory module in slot #1 (nearest the cpu)
2) Load OPTIMIZED settings
3) Save settings and exit (F10 key)
4) Re-enter the bios
5) Press [CTRL] + F1 (at the same time)
6) Make the recommended bios changes in the this post (same link as above)
7) Save settings and exit (F10 key)
8) Turn off your computer
9) Turn off your power supply using the on/off switch on the power supply
10) Press and hold the on/off switch on the front of your computer case for 5 seconds
11) Now it's safe to add your second memory module to slot #3
12) Power up your computer and immidiately run Memtest86+ (version 4.0 is currently the latest version)
13) Let Memtest86+ run for at least 4 full passes, this will take several hours
14) If there are no errors, you're set to go.

Good luck!