User manual ASUS K8N4-E

Motherboard K8N4-E E2141 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 ................................................................................................ vi Safety information ............................................................................. vii About this guide ............................................................................... viii How this guide is organized .................................................. viii Where to find more information ............................................ viii Conventions used in this guide ............................................... ix Typography ......................................................................................... ix K8N4-E specifications summary .......................................................... x Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 1.2 1.3 Welcome! .............................................................................. 1-2 Package contents ................................................................. 1-2 Special features .................................................................... 1-3 1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 1.4 1.5 Product highlights ................................................... 1-3 ASUS Proactive features ........................................ 1-5 Innovative ASUS features ....................................... 1-5 Before you proceed .............................................................. 1-7 Motherboard overview .......................................................... 1-8 1.5.1 1.5.2 1.5.3 Placement direction ................................................ 1-8 Screw holes ............................................................ 1-8 Motherboard layout ................................................ 1-9 Overview ............................................................... 1-10 Installling the CPU ................................................. 1-10 Installing the heatsink and fan .............................. 1-12 Overview ............................................................... 1-15 Memory Configurations ......................................... 1-15 Installing a DIMM ................................................... 1-19 Removing a DIMM ................................................. 1-19 Installing an expansion card .................................. 1-20 Configuring an expansion card .............................. 1-20 Interrupt assignments .......................................... 1-21 PCI slots ................................................................ 1-21 1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ............................................ 1-10 1.6.1 1.6.2 1.6.3 1.7 System memory ................................................................. 1-15 1.7.1 1.7.2 1.7.3 1.7.4 1.8 Expansion slots ................................................................... 1-20 1.8.1 1.8.2 1.8.3 1.8.4 iii Contents 1.8.5 1.8.6 1.9 1.10 PCI Express x16 slot ............................................. 1-22 PCI Express x1 slot ............................................... 1-22 Jumpers .............................................................................. 1-23 Connectors ......................................................................... 1-25 1.10.1 Rear panel connectors .......................................... 1-25 1.10.2 Internal connectors ............................................... 1-26 Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ........................................ 2-2 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 2.1.4 2.1.5 2.1.6 2.2 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.2.4 2.2.5 2.2.6 2.2.8 2.2.7 2.3 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.3.4 2.3.5 2.3.6 4.3.7 4.3.8 2.4 2.4.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk .............................. 2-2 Updating the BIOS .................................................. 2-3 Saving the current BIOS file .................................... 2-5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ................................ 2-6 ASUS EZ Flash utility .............................................. 2-8 ASUS Update utility ................................................ 2-9 BIOS menu screen ................................................. 2-13 Menu bar ............................................................... 2-13 Legend bar ........................................................... 2-14 Menu items ........................................................... 2-14 Sub-menu items ................................................... 2-14 Configuration fields .............................................. 2-14 General help .......................................................... 2-15 Pop-up window ..................................................... 2-15 System Time ......................................................... 2-16 System Date ......................................................... 2-16 Language .............................................................. 2-16 Legacy Diskette A ................................................ 2-16 Primary and Secondary IDE Master/Slave ............. 2-17 First, Second, Third, Fourth SATA Master ............ 2-19 HDD SMART Monitoring ........................................ 2-20 Installed Memory .................................................. 2-20 JumperFree Configuration .................................... 2-21 BIOS setup program ........................................................... 2-12 Main menu .......................................................................... 2-16 Advanced menu .................................................................. 2-21 iv Contents 2.4.2 2.4.3 2.4.4 2.4.5 2.4.6 2.5 2.5.1 2.5.2 2.5.3 2.5.4 2.6 2.6.1 2.6.2 2.6.3 2.6.4 2.6.5 2.6.6 2.7 LAN Cable Status ................................................. 2-23 CPU Configuration ................................................. 2-23 PCIPnP ................................................................... 2-25 Onboard Devices Configuration ............................ 2-26 Instant Music ........................................................ 2-29 ACPI Suspend Type ............................................... 2-30 ACPI APIC Support ................................................ 2-30 APM Configuration ................................................ 2-31 Hardware Monitor ................................................. 2-33 Boot Device Priority .............................................. 2-34 Removable Drives ................................................. 2-35 Hard Disk Drives ................................................... 2-35 CDROM Drives ....................................................... 2-35 Boot Settings Configuration ................................. 2-36 Security ................................................................ 2-37 Power menu ........................................................................ 2-30 Boot menu .......................................................................... 2-34 Exit menu ........................................................................... 2-39 Chapter 3: Software support 3.1 3.2 Installing an operating system ............................................. 3-2 Support CD information ........................................................ 3-2 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 Running the support CD ......................................... 3-2 Drivers menu .......................................................... 3-3 Utilities menu .......................................................... 3-4 ASUS Contact information ...................................... 3-6 v 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. vi 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. vii About this guide This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring the motherboard. 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 setup 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. · · Where to find more information Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. 1. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. 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. 2. viii Conventions used in this guide To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. D A N G E R / W A R N I N G : Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task. C A U T I O N : Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to complete a task. I M P O R T A N T : Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task. N O T E : Tips and additional information to help you complete a task. Typography Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select Used to emphasize a word or a phrase Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign means that you must press the enclosed key Example: means that you must press the Enter or Return key If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the key names are linked with a plus sign (+) Example: Italics Command Means that you must type the command exactly as shown, then supply the required item or value enclosed in brackets Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command line: awdflash K8N4-EB.ROM ix K8N4-E specifications summary CPU Socket 754 for AMD AthlonTM 64/AMD SempronTM processors AMD64 architecture enables simultaneous 32- and 64-bit computing Supports AMD Cool `n' QuietTM Technology NVIDIA® nForceTM4-4X 1600 MT per second 3 x 184-pin DIMM sockets support unbufferred non-ECC 400/333/266 MHz DDR memory modules Suppports up to 3GB system memory 1 x PCI ExpressTM x16 slot for discrete graphics card 3 x PCI ExpressTM x1 slots 3 x PCI slots NVIDIA® nForceTM4-4X chipset supports: - 4 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33 hard disks - 4 x Serial ATA hard disks with RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, and JBOD configurations Realtek® ALC850 6-channel CODEC Audio Sensing and Enumeration Technology support 3 x Universal Audio Jacks (UAJ®) 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF out port Supports up to 10 USB 2.0 ports Marvell® 88E81111 Gigabit LAN PHY Supports Marvell® Virtual Cable Tester Technology 4 Mb Flash ROM, Phoenix-AWARD BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, SM BIOS 2.3, WfM2.0 AI NET 2 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 ASUS Multi-language BIOS ASUS MyLogoTM 2 ASUS Instant Music NVIDIA® Firewall (continued on the next page) Chipset System bus Memory Expansion slots Storage AI Audio USB LAN BIOS features ASUS AI Proactive Feature Special features x K8N4-E specifications summary Overclocking features ASUS AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner) ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) Precision Tweaker: - DIMM voltage: 9-step DRAM voltage control - vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.025 increment - Stepless Frequency Selection (SFS) allows FSB tuning from 200 MHz up to 400 MHz at 1 MHz increment - PCIe Frequency allows PCI Express frequency adjustment from 100 MHz up to 145 MHz at 1 MHz increment 1 x Floppy disk drive connector 1 x Primary IDE connector 1 x Secondary IDE connector 4 x Serial ATA connectors 1 x CPU fan connector 1 x Chipset fan connector 1 x Chassis fan connector 1 x Power fan connector 3 x USB 2.0 connectors 1 x S/PDIF out connector 1 x 24-pin ATX power connector 1 x 4-pin ATX 12 V power connector 1 x CD audio connector 1 x AUX connector 1 x Game/MIDI port connector 1 x Chassis intrusion connector 1 x Front panel audio connector 1 x System panel connector 1 x PS/2 mouse port 1 x Parallel port 1 x LAN (RJ-45) port 4 x USB 2.0 ports 1 x Serial (COM1) port 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF out port 1 x PS/2 keyboard port 6-Channel audio ports Drivers ASUS PC Probe II ASUS Live Update ASUS Cool `n' Quiet!TM utility NVIDIA® nTuneTM utility Anti-virus software (OEM version) ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in (30.5 cm x 24.5 cm) Internal connectors Rear panel Support CD contents Form factor *Specifications are subject to change without notice. xi xii This chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports. Product introduction 1 ASUS K8N4-E 1-1 1.1 Welcome! T h a n k y o u f o r b u y i n g a n A S U S® K 8 N 4 - E m o t h e r b o a r d ! The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards! 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 ASUS K8N4-E motherboard 1 x 2-port USB 2.0/Game module 1 x 2-port USB 2.0 module 1 x 2-in-1 FDD/IDE(/ATA) cable 1 x Serial ATA kit I/O shield ASUS motherboard support CD User guide Check your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard I/O module Cables Accessory Application CD Documentation If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer. 1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.3 1.3.1 Special features Product highlights Latest processor technology The motherboard comes with a 754-pin surface mount, Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket that supports AMD AthlonTM 64/AMD SempronTM processors. With an integrated low-latency high-bandwidth memory controller and a highly-scalable HyperTransportTM technology-based system bus, the motherboard provides a powerful platform for your diverse computing needs, increased office productivity, and enhanced digital media experience. See page 1-10. NVIDIA® nForceTM4-4X chipset The NVIDIA® nForceTM4-4X chipset supports the vital interfaces of the motherboard in a single chip architecture for 64-bit platforms. The NVIDIA® nForceTM4-4X chipset features PCI ExpressTM support for the latest graphics and expansion cards, increased security with NVIDIA® FirewallTM, and advanced storage solutions with NVIDIA® RAID technology for faster and more reliable computing. Built-in NVFirewallTM The NVIDIA® FirewallTM (NVFirewallTM) is an easy-to-use high-performance desktop firewall application that protects your system from intruders. Integrated into the NVIDIA® nForce4®-4X chipset with the NVIDIA® Gigabit Ethernet, it provides advanced anti-computer-hacking technologies, remote management capabilities, and a user-friendly setup wizard that improves overall system security. AMD Cool `n' Quiet!TM Technology The motherboard supports the AMD Cool `n' Quiet!TM Technology that dynamically and automatically changes the CPU speed, voltage and amount of power depending on the task the CPU performs. See page 2-24 for details. ASUS K8N4-E 1-3 PCI ExpressTM interface The motherboard fully supports PCI Express, the latest I/O interconnect technology that speeds up the PCI bus. PCI Express features point-to-point serial interconnections between devices and allows higher clockspeeds by carrying data in packets. This high speed interface is software compatible with existing PCI specifications. See page 1-22 for details. S/PDIF digital sound ready The motherboard supports the S/PDIF Out function through the S/PDIF interfaces on the rear panel and at midboard. The S/PDIF technology turns your computer into a high-end entertainment system with digital connectivity to powerful audio and speaker systems. See page 1-26 for details. 6-channel high definition audio Onboard is the Realtek ALC850 High Definition Audio solution with 6-channel CODEC, featuring Audio Sensing and Enumeration Technology support. With the CODEC, 6-channel audio ports, and S/PDIF interfaces, you can connect your computer to home theater decoders to produce crystal-clear digital audio. The Realtek ALC850 audio CODEC comes with a software application that features jack detection to monitor the plugging status of each jack, impedance sensing to determine audio device classes, and pre-defined equalization for various audio devices. See page 1-26 for details. Serial ATA technology The motherboard supports the Serial ATA technology through the Serial ATA interfaces and the NVIDIA® nForceTM4-4X chipset. The Serial ATA specification allows for thinner, more flexible cables with lower pin count, reduced voltage requirement, and up to 150 MB/s data transfer rate. See page 1-28 for details. Gigabit LAN The motherboard comes with a Gigabit LAN controller built into the NVIDIA® nForceTM4-4X chipset to meet your growing networking needs. The controller uses the PCI Express segment to provide faster data bandwidth for your Internet, LAN, and file sharing requirements. See page 1-25 for details. 1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction USB 2.0 technology The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specification, dramatically increasing the connection speed from the 12 Mbps bandwidth on USB 1.1 to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1. See pages 1-26 and 1-30 for details. 1.3.2 ASUS Proactive features AI NET 2 AI NET 2 is a BIOS-based diagnostic tool that detects and reports Ethernet cable faults and shorts. With this utility, you can easily monitor the condition of the Ethernet cable(s) connected to the LAN (RJ-45) port(s). During the bootup process, AI NET 2 immediately diagnoses the LAN cable(s) and reports shorts and faults up to 100 meters at 1 meter accuracy. See page 1-25 for details. AI Audio technology The motherboard supports 6-channel audio through the onboard ALC850 CODEC with 16-bit DAC, a stereo 16-bit ADC, and an AC97 2.3 compatible multi-channel audio designed for PC multimedia systems. It also provides Jack-Sensing function, S/PDIF out support, interrupt capability and includes the Realtek® proprietary UAJ® (Universal Audio Jack) technology. See pages 1-25 and 1-26 for details. 1.3.3 Innovative ASUS features ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 This feature allows you to restore the original BIOS data from the support CD in case when the BIOS codes and data are corrupted. This protection eliminates the need to buy a replacement ROM chip. See page 2-6 for details. ASUS Q-Fan technology The ASUS Q-Fan technology smartly adjusts the CPU fan speed according to the system loading to ensure quiet, cool, and efficient operation. See page 2-33 for details. ASUS K8N4-E 1-5 ASUS Multi-language BIOS The multi-language BIOS allows you to select the language of your choice from the available options. The localized BIOS menus allow you to configure easier and faster. Visit the ASUS website for information on the supported languages. See page 2-16 for details. ASUS EZ Flash BIOS With the ASUS EZ Flash, you can easily update the system BIOS even before loading the operating system. No need to use a DOS-based utility or boot from a floppy disk. See page 2-8 for details. ASUS MyLogo2TM This feature allows you to personalize and add style to your system with customizable boot logos. ASUS Instant Music Lite This unique feature allows you to play back audio files even before entering the operating system. Just press the ASUS Instant Music special function keys and enjoy the music! 1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.4 Before you proceed Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. · · Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or to a metal object, such as the power supply case, before handling components to avoid damaging them due to static electricity Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them. Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in the bag that came with the component. Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off or the p o w e r c o r d i s d e t a c h e d f r o m t h e p o w e r s u p p l y . Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, and/or components. · · · Onboard LEDs The motherboard comes with a green standby power LED that lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-off mode. This is a reminder that you should shut down the system and unplug the power cable before removing or plugging in any motherboard component. SB_PWR K8N4-E ® ON Standby Power OFF Powered Off K8N4-E Onboard LED ASUS K8N4-E 1-7 1.5 Motherboard overview Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard fits into it. Make sure to unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 1.5.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, make sure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as indicated in the image below. 1.5.2 Screw holes Place nine (9) screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis. Do not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard. Place this side towards the rear of the chassis K8N4-E ® 1-8 Chapter 1: Product introduction