Asus A7N8X X User Manual

A7N8X-X  
User Guide  
Contents  
Notices ............................................................................................v  
Safety information .......................................................................... vi  
ASUS contact information ............................................................ viii  
A7N8X-X specifications summary .................................................. ix  
Chapter 1: Motherboard Info  
1.1 Welcome! ........................................................................... 1-2  
1.2 Package contents ............................................................... 1-2  
1.3 Motherboard components .................................................. 1-3  
1.4 Motherboard layout ............................................................ 1-6  
1.5 Before you proceed ............................................................ 1-7  
1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)........................................... 1-7  
1.7 System memory ................................................................. 1-8  
1.7.1 Installing a DIMM ................................................... 1-8  
1.8 Expansion slots .................................................................. 1-8  
1.8.1 Configuring an expansion card .............................. 1-8  
1.8.2 Standard Interrupt Assignments ............................ 1-9  
1.8.3 AGP slot ................................................................. 1-9  
1.9 Jumpers............................................................................ 1-10  
1.10 Connectors ....................................................................... 1-12  
Chapter 2: BIOS Information  
2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS .................................... 2-2  
2.1.1 Using the computer system for the first time ......... 2-2  
2.1.2 Updating BIOS procedures .................................... 2-3  
2.2 BIOS Setup program .......................................................... 2-6  
2.2.1 BIOS menu bar ...................................................... 2-7  
2.2.2 Legend bar............................................................. 2-7  
2.3 Main Menu.......................................................................... 2-9  
2.3.1 Primary Master/Slave .......................................... 2-10  
2.3.2 Secondary Master/Slave...................................... 2-12  
2.4 Advanced Menu ............................................................... 2-13  
2.4.1 Advanced BIOS Features .................................... 2-14  
2.4.2 Advanced Chipset Features ................................ 2-15  
iii  
Contents  
2.4.3 Integrated Peripherals ......................................... 2-18  
2.4.4 Power Management Setup .................................. 2-20  
2.4.5 PnP / PCI Configurations ..................................... 2-22  
2.5 Security Menu .................................................................. 2-23  
2.6 Hardware Monitor Menu ................................................... 2-24  
2.7 Exit Menu ......................................................................... 2-26  
Chapter 3: Starting Up  
3.1 Install an operating system................................................. 3-2  
3.2 Support CD information ...................................................... 3-2  
3.2.1 Running the support CD ........................................ 3-2  
3.2.2 Drivers menu ......................................................... 3-3  
3.2.3 Utilities menu ......................................................... 3-3  
3.2.4 ASUS Contact Information ................................................. 3-4  
iv  
Notices  
Federal Communications Commission Statement  
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to  
the following two conditions:  
• This device may not cause harmful interference, and  
• This device must accept any interference received including interference  
that may cause undesired operation.  
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a  
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits  
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference  
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate  
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with  
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio  
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not  
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful  
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by  
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the  
interference by one or more of the following measures:  
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.  
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.  
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to  
which the receiver is connected.  
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.  
The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the  
graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations.  
Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the  
party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to  
operate this equipment.  
Canadian Department of Communications Statement  
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise  
emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference  
Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.  
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.  
v
Safety information  
Electrical safety  
To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from  
the electrical outlet before relocating the system.  
• When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that  
the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal  
cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the  
existing system before you add a device.  
• Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard,  
ensure that all power cables are unplugged.  
• Seek professional assistance before using an adpater or extension  
cord. These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit.  
• Make sure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your  
area. If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you  
are using, contact your local power company.  
• If the power supply is broken, do not try to fix it by yourself. Contact a  
qualified service technician or your retailer.  
Operation safety  
• Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully  
read all the manuals that came with the package.  
• Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected  
and the power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage,  
contact your dealer immediately.  
To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from  
connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.  
• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the  
product in any area where it may become wet.  
• Place the product on a stable surface.  
• If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a  
qualified service technician or your retailer.  
vi  
Conventions used in this guide  
To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the  
following symbols used throughout this manual.  
WARNING/DANGER: Information to prevent injury to yourself  
when trying to complete a task.  
CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components  
when trying to complete a task.  
IMPORTANT: Information that you MUST follow to complete a  
task.  
NOTE: Tips and additional information to aid in completing a task.  
Where to find more information  
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product  
and software updates.  
1. ASUS Websites  
The ASUS websites worldwide provide updated information on ASUS  
hardware and software products. The ASUS websites are listed in the  
ASUS Contact Information on page viii.  
2. Optional Documentation  
Your product package may include optional documentation, such as  
warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer. These  
documents are not part of the standard package.  
vii  
ASUS contact information  
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (Asia-Pacific)  
Address:  
150 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 112  
+886-2-2894-3447  
+886-2-2894-3449  
General Tel:  
General Fax:  
Web Site:  
Technical Support  
MB/Others (Tel):  
Notebook (Tel):  
+886-2-2890-7121 (English)  
+886-2-2890-7122 (English)  
Desktop/Server (Tel): +886-2-2890-7123 (English)  
Support Fax: +886-2-2890-7698  
ASUS COMPUTER INTERNATIONAL (America)  
Address:  
44370 Nobel Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, USA  
+1-502-933-8713  
General Fax:  
General Email:  
Web Site:  
usa.asus.com  
Technical Support  
Support Fax:  
General Support:  
Notebook Support:  
Support Email:  
+1-502-933-8713  
+1-502-995-0883  
+1-510-739-3777 x5110  
ASUS COMPUTER GmbH (Germany and Austria)  
Address:  
Harkortstr. 25, 40880 Ratingen, BRD, Germany  
[email protected] (for marketing requests only)  
+49-2102-9599-31  
General Email:  
General Fax:  
Web Site:  
Technical Support  
Components:  
+49-2102-9599-0  
Notebook PC:  
Support Fax:  
+49-2102-9599-10  
+49-2102-9599-11  
Support Email:  
ASUSTeK COMPUTER (Middle East and North Africa)  
Address:  
P.O. Box 64133, Dubai, U.A.E.  
+9714-283-1774  
+9714-283-1775  
General Tel:  
General Fax:  
Web Site:  
viii  
A7N8X-X specifications summary  
CPU  
Socket A for AMD Duron™/Athlon™/Athlon™ XP 3200+ or  
higher  
400/333 MHz FSB Support  
Chipset  
Northbridge: NVIDIA® nForce2 400  
Southbridge: NVIDIA® nForce2 MCP  
Front Side Bus (FSB)  
Memory  
400/333/266/200Mhz  
3 x 184-pin DDR DIMM Sockets  
Max. 3 GB unbuffered PC3200/2700/2100/1600 non-ECC  
DDR RAM memory.  
(Visit ASUS website for latest qualified DDR400 module list.)  
Expansion slots  
5 x PCI  
1 x AGP 8X (1.5V only)  
IDE  
2 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33  
Audio  
LAN  
Realtek ALC650 6CH with built-in HP amplifier  
1 Port  
MCP integrated NVIDIA MAC + Realtek 8201BL PHY  
Special Features  
ASUS Q-Fan Technology  
ASUS C.O.P. (CPU Overheating Protection)  
Power Loss Restart  
CPU Throttle  
Support S/PDIF in/out (optional)  
Back Panel I/O Ports  
1 x Parallel  
1 x Serial  
1 x PS/2 Keyboard  
1 x PS/2 Mouse  
1 x RJ45 port  
1 x Audio I/O  
4 x USB 2.0  
Internal I/O  
Connectors  
1 x USB 2.0 connector supports additional 2 USB 2.0 ports  
(optional)  
Game connector (optional)  
CPU/Power/Chassis FAN connectors  
20-pin ATX Power connector  
IDE LED connector, Power LED connector  
Chassis Intrusion, SIR  
Headphone (optional)  
Front MIC (optional)  
CD / AUX / Modem audio in  
Front Panel Audio connector (optional)  
(continued on the next page)  
ix  
A7N8X-X specifications summary  
BIOS features  
2Mb Flash ROM, Award BIOS, TCAV, PnP, DMI2.0, DMI,  
Green  
PCI 2.2, USB 1.1/2.0.  
Industry standard  
Manageability  
DMI 2.0, WOL, WOR, Chassis Intrusion, SM Bus  
Device drivers  
Support CD contents  
ASUS PC Probe  
Trend Microtm PC-cillin 2002 anti-virus software  
ASUS LiveUpdate Utility  
Accessories  
User’s manual  
Support CD  
1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable  
FDD cable  
9-pin COM cable (optional)  
2-port USB/Game port bracket (optional)  
I/O shield  
ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in  
Form Factor  
* Specifications are subject to change without notice.  
x
Chapter 1  
This chapter gives information about the ASUS  
A7N8X-X motherboard that came with the  
system.This chapter includes the motherboard  
layout, jumper settings, and connector locations.  
ASUS A7N8X-X Motherboard  
1-1  
1.1 Welcome!  
Thank you for buying the ASUS® A7N8X-X motherboard!  
The ASUS A7N8X-X motherboard is loaded with the most advanced technologies to  
deliver the maximum performance for socketAprocessors. This motherboard is loaded  
with value-added features for guaranteed consumer satisfaction. Unique ASUS  
features such as ASUS C.O.P., ASUS Q-Fan Technology and more are included to  
ensure the best user experience and value in a motherboard. For future upgrades or  
system reconfiguration, this chapter provides technical information about the  
motherboard.  
Before you start installing the motherboard and hardware devices on it, check the  
items in your package with the list below.  
1.2 Package contents  
Check your ASUS A7N8X-X package for the following items.  
ASUS A7N8X-X motherboard  
ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in  
ASUS A7N8X-X series support CD  
40-pin 80-conductor ribbon cable for UltraDMA/66/100/133 IDE drives  
Ribbon cable for a 3.5-inch floppy drive  
Bag of extra jumper caps  
I/O shield  
User’s Manual  
1-2