A7N8X-XE User Guide Motherboard E2126 First Edition July 2005 Copyright © 2005 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (" ASUS"). Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing. ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT. SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT. Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or explanation and to the owners benefit, without intent to infringe. ii Contents Notices ...........................................................................................................v Safety Information..........................................................................................vi About This Guide .......................................................................................... vii A7N8X-XE Specifications Summary ............................................................ viii Chapter 1: 1.1 1.2 1.3 Product Introduction 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 Welcome! ....................................................................................... 1-2 Package Contents .......................................................................... 1-2 Special Features ............................................................................ 1-2 1.3.1 Product highlights ........................................................... 1-2 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ............................................... 1-4 Before You Proceed ....................................................................... 1-5 Motherboard Overview ................................................................... 1-6 1.5.1 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 1-6 1.5.2 Placement direction ........................................................ 1-7 1.5.3 Screw holes .................................................................... 1-7 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ...................................................... 1-8 1.6.1 Overview ......................................................................... 1-8 1.6.2 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 1-8 System Memory ............................................................................. 1-9 1.7.1 Overview ......................................................................... 1-9 1.7.2 Memory configurations.................................................... 1-9 1.7.3 Installing a DIMM ...........................................................1-11 1.7.4 Removing a DIMM .........................................................1-11 Expansion Slots ........................................................................... 1-12 1.8.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 1-12 1.8.2 Configuring an expansion card ..................................... 1-12 1.8.3 AGP slot ........................................................................ 1-14 1.8.4 PCI slots........................................................................ 1-14 Jumpers ....................................................................................... 1-15 Connectors ................................................................................... 1-17 1.10.1 Rear panel connectors .................................................. 1-17 1.10.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 1-18 iii Contents Chapter 2: 2.1 BIOS Setup 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 3.1 3.2 Managing and Updating Your BIOS ............................................... 2-2 2.1.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk....................................... 2-2 2.1.2 Using AFUDOS to copy the current BIOS....................... 2-3 2.1.3 Using AFUDOS to update the BIOS ............................... 2-3 2.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS utility ......................................... 2-5 2.1.5 Using ASUS EZ Flash to update the BIOS ..................... 2-6 2.1.6 ASUS Update utility ........................................................ 2-7 BIOS Setup Program ..................................................................... 2-9 2.2.1 BIOS menu bar ............................................................... 2-8 2.2.2 Navigation keys............................................................. 2-10 Main Menu ................................................................................... 2-12 Advanced Menu ........................................................................... 2-15 2.4.1 JumperFree Configuration ............................................ 2-15 2.4.2 USB ConfigurationMemory Configuration ..................... 2-16 2.4.3 CPU Configuration ........................................................ 2-17 2.4.4 Chipset .......................................................................... 2-17 2.4.5 Onboard Devices Configuration .................................... 2-21 2.4.6 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 2-22 Power Menu ................................................................................. 2-23 2.5.1 APM Configuration ........................................................ 2-24 2.5.2 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 2-26 Boot Menu .................................................................................... 2-27 2.6.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 2-27 2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration .......................................... 2-28 2.6.3 Security ......................................................................... 2-29 Exit Menu ..................................................................................... 2-31 Chapter 3: Software Support Installing An Operating System ...................................................... 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 Contacts menu ................................................................ 3-4 iv Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with FCC Rules Part 15. 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 users 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 adapter 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 About This Guide How this guide is organized This manual contains the following parts: · Chapter 1: Product Introduction This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. It also lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It includes description of the jumpers and connectors on the motherboard. Chapter 2: BIOS Information This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided. Chapter 3: Software Support This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package. · · Conventions used in this guide To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this guide. WARNING: 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. 2. ASUS websites The ASUS websites worldwide provide updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. Optional documentation Your product package may include optional ...