User manual ASUS M2N-E

Motherboard M2N-E E2630 First Edition May 2006 Copyright © 2006 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 ........................................................................................................ vii Safety information .................................................................................... viii About this guide ......................................................................................... ix M2N-E specifications summary................................................................. xi Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 1.2 1.3 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1 Package contents......................................................................... 1-1 Special features............................................................................ 1-2 1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 1.3.4 Product highlights ........................................................... 1-2 ASUS AI Lifestyle features ............................................. 1-4 ASUS Special features ................................................... 1-5 ASUS Intelligent Overclocking features .......................... 1-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.1 2.2 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1 Motherboard overview ................................................................. 2-2 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.2.4 Placement direction ........................................................ 2-2 Screw holes .................................................................... 2-2 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 2-3 Layout contents............................................................... 2-4 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-6 Installing the heatsink and fan ........................................ 2-8 Overview ........................................................................2-11 Memory configurations...................................................2-11 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-15 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-15 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-16 Configuring an expansion card ..................................... 2-16 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-17 PCI slots........................................................................ 2-17 PCI Express x1 slot....................................................... 2-18 PCI Express x16 slots ................................................... 2-18 2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-6 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-11 2.4.1 2.4.2 2.4.3 2.4.4 2.5 Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-16 2.5.1 2.5.2 2.5.3 2.5.4 2.5.5 2.5.6 iii Contents 2.6 2.7 Jumper ........................................................................................ 2-19 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-20 2.7.1 2.7.2 3.1 Rear panel connectors .................................................. 2-20 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-21 Chapter 3: Powering up 3.2 Starting up for the first time ........................................................ 3-1 Powering off the computer.......................................................... 3-2 3.2.1 3.2.2 Using the OS shut down function.................................... 3-2 Using the dual function power switch.............................. 3-2 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.1 4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 4.1.4 4.1.5 4.1.6 4.2 4.2.1 4.2.2 4.2.3 4.2.4 4.2.5 4.2.6 4.2.7 4.2.8 4.3 4.3.1 4.3.2 4.3.3 4.3.4 4.3.5 4.3.6 4.3.7 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-1 ASUS Update utility ........................................................ 4-1 Creating a bootable floppy disk....................................... 4-4 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility................................................... 4-5 Updating the BIOS .......................................................... 4-6 Saving the current BIOS file............................................ 4-8 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 4-9 BIOS menu screen.........................................................4-11 Menu bar ........................................................................4-11 Legend bar .................................................................... 4-12 Menu items ................................................................... 4-12 Sub-menu items ............................................................ 4-12 Configuration fields ....................................................... 4-12 Pop-up window ............................................................. 4-13 General help ................................................................. 4-13 System Time ................................................................. 4-14 System Date ................................................................. 4-14 Legacy Diskette A ......................................................... 4-14 Primary IDE Master/Slave............................................. 4-15 SATA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ...................................................... 4-17 HDD SMART Monitoring ............................................... 4-18 Installed Memory........................................................... 4-18 BIOS setup program .................................................................. 4-10 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-14 iv Contents 4.3.8 4.4 4.4.1 4.4.2 4.4.3 4.4.4 4.4.5 4.4.6 4.4.7 4.5 4.5.1 4.5.2 4.5.3 2.5.4 4.6 4.6.1 4.6.2 4.6.3 4.6.4 4.6.5 4.6.6 4.7 4.7.1 4.7.2 4.7.3 4.8 5.1 Usable Memory ............................................................. 4-18 JumperFree Configuration ............................................ 4-19 AI NET2 ........................................................................ 4-22 PEG Link Mode ............................................................. 4-22 CPU Configuration ........................................................ 4-23 Chipset .......................................................................... 4-27 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 4-28 Onboard Device Configuration...................................... 4-29 ACPI Suspend Type ...................................................... 4-32 ACPI APIC Support ....................................................... 4-32 APM Configuration ........................................................ 4-33 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 4-35 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 4-37 Removable Drives......................................................... 4-38 Hard Disk Drives ........................................................... 4-38 CDROM Drives ............................................................. 4-38 Boot Settings Configuration ......................................... 4-39 Security ......................................................................... 4-40 ASUS Music Alarm........................................................ 4-42 ASUS O.C. Profile......................................................... 4-44 ASUS EZ Flash 2 .......................................................... 4-46 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-19 Power menu ................................................................................ 4-32 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-37 Tools menu ................................................................................. 4-42 Exit menu .................................................................................... 4-47 Installing an operating system ................................................... 5-1 Support CD information .............................................................. 5-1 5.2.1 5.2.2 5.2.3 5.2.4 5.2.5 5.2.6 Running the support CD ................................................. 5-1 Drivers menu................................................................... 5-2 Utilities menu .................................................................. 5-3 Make Disk menu ............................................................. 5-4 Manuals menu ................................................................ 5-5 ASUS Contact information .............................................. 5-6 Chapter 5: Software support 5.2 v Contents 5.2.7 5.3 5.3.1 5.3.2 5.3.3 5.3.4 5.3.5 5.3.6 5.4 Other information ............................................................ 5-6 Cool `n' Quiet!TM Technology ........................................... 5-8 ASUS PC Probe II......................................................... 5-10 ASUS Music Alarm........................................................ 5-16 ASUS AI Nap ................................................................ 5-19 ASUS AI Gear ............................................................... 5-20 SoundMAX® High Definition Audio utility ....................... 5-22 Software information ................................................................... 5-8 Audio Setup Wizard ..................................................................... 5-23 RAID configurations .................................................................. 5-26 5.4.1 5.4.2 5.5 Installing hard disks ...................................................... 5-27 NVIDIA® MediaShield RAID configurations .................. 5-28 Creating a RAID driver disk....................................................... 5-35 vi 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. vii 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. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products. viii About this guide This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring the motherboard. How this guide is organized This guide contains the following parts: · Chapter 1: Product introduction This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. · Chapter 2: Hardware information This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard. · Chapter 3: Powering up This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down the system. · Chapter 4: 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 5: Software support This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package. · Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLITM Technology support This chapter tells how to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards. 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. 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. ix Conventions used in this guide To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. DANGER/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: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task. NOTE: 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 connected with a plus sign (+). Example: ++ Command Means that you must type the command exactly as shown. Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command line: format a: Italics x M2N-E specifications summary CPU Socket AM2 for AMD AthlonTM 64 X2 /AMD AthlonTM 64 /AMD AthlonTM 64 FX/AMD SempronTM processors Supports AMD Cool `n' QuietTM Technology AMD64 architecture enables simultaneous 32-bit and 64-bit computing AMD Live!TM ready NVIDIA® nForce® 570 UltraTM MCP 2000 / 1600 MT/s Dual-channel memory architecture - 4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbuffered ECC/non-ECC DDR2 800/667/533 MHz memory modules - Supports up to 8 GB system memory 1 x PCI Express x16 slot 1 x PCI Express x4 slot 2 x PCI Express x1 slots 3 x PCI 2.2 slots NVIDIA® nForce® 570 UltraTM MCP supports: - 1 x IDE connector for up to two Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33 devices - 6 x Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors support six Serial ATA devices - RAID 0, RAID1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5, and JBOD configurations spanning across Serial ATA drives via the onboard NVIDIA® MediaShieldTM RAID controller SoundMAX® ADI AD1988 8-channel CODEC Supports Jack-Sensing, Enumeration, Multi-Streaming, and Jack-Retasking Technology Coaxial S/PDIF Out interfaces Supports up to 10 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (six at mid-board, - four on the rear panel) AI Nap AI Gear Advanced Thermal Design - ASUS Fanless Design: Heat-pipe Thermal solution ASUS Crystal Sound - Noise filter NVIDIA® nForce® 570 UltraTM MCP built-in Gigabit MAC with external Marvell® PHY (continued on the next page) Chipset System bus Memory Expansion slots Storage High Definition Audio USB ASUS AI Lifestyle features LAN xi M2N-E specifications summary ASUS Exclusive Overclocking features Intelligent overclocking tools: - AI NOSTM (Non-delay Overclocking System) - AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner) - ASUS PEG Link ASUS O.C. Profile: overclocking configuration-sharing tool Precision Tweaker: - vDIMM: 4-step DRAM voltage control - vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.0125 V increment - Stepless Frequency Selection(SFS) allows FSB tuning from 200 MHz up to 400 MHz at 1 MHz increment - PCI Express frequency allows PCI Express x16 frequency tuning from 100 MHz to 200 MHz at 1 MHz increment Overclocking protection: - ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) ASUS AI Booster Utility 3 x USB 2.0 connectors support six additional USB 2.0 ports 1 x Floppy disk drive connector 1 x IDE connector for two devices 6 x Serial ATA connectors 1 x CPU / 4 x Chassis / 1 x Power fan connectors 1 x ADH connector 1 x Parallel connector 1 x S/PDIF Out connector Chassis intrusion connector Front panel audio connector CD audio in connector 24-pin ATX power connector 4-pin ATX 12 V power connector System panel connector ASUS EZ DIY: - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS Music Alarm (continued on the next page) Internal connectors Special features xii M2N-E specifications summary Rear panel 1 x PS/2 keyboard port (purple) 1 x PS/2 mouse port (green) 1 x Serial (COM1) port 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Out port 1 x LAN (RJ-45) ports 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 8-channel audio ports 4 Mb AWARD BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.3 WOL by PME, WOR by PME, Chassis intrusion, PXE ATX power supply with 24-pin and 4-pin 12V plugs ATX 12V 2.0 compliant Device drivers ASUS AI Booster ASUS PC Probe II ASUS Update NVIDIA® MediaShieldTM RAID Anti-virus software (OEM version) ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in (30.5 cm x 24.5 cm) BIOS features Manageability Power requirements Support CD contents Form factor *Specifications are subject to change without notice. xiii xiv This chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports. Product introduction 1 Chapter summary 1.1 1.2 1.3 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1 Package contents......................................................................... 1-1 Special features............................................................................ 1-2 1 ASUS M2N-E 1.1 Welcome! Thank you for buying an ASUS® M2N-E motherboard! 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 M2N-E 4 x Serial ATA cables 2 x Serial ATA power cables for four devices 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable 1 x Floppy disk drive cable I/O shield ASUS motherboard support CD User guide Check your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard Cables Accessories Application CD Documentation If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer. ASUS M2N-E 1-1 1.3 1.3.1 Special features Product highlights Latest processor technology The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2 socket that supports AMD AthlonTM 64 X2/AMD AthlonTM 64/AMD AthlonTM 64 FX/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 2-6 for details. DDR2 memory support The motherboard supports DDR2 memory that features data transfer rates of 800/667/533 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR2 architecture doubles the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system performance, eliminating bottlenecks with peak bandwidths of up to 12.8 GB/s. See pages 2-11 to 2-13 for details. 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 2-18 for details. Serial 3Gb/s RAID The NVIDIA nForce 570 UltraTM chipsets incorporate six SATA 3Gb/s ports with high performance RAID functions in RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5 and JBOD. This motherboard is the ideal solution to enhance hard disk performance and data back up protection without the cost of add-on cards. 1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction High Definition Audio Enjoy high-end sound system on your PC! The onboard 8-channel HD audio (High Definition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output, jack-sensing feature, retasking functions and multistreaming technology that simultaneously sends different audio streams to different destinations. You can now talk to your partners on the headphone while playing a multi-channel network games. All of these are done on one computer. Gigbit LAN The NVIDIA native Gigabit LAN controller delivers transfer speeds up to ten times faster than conventional 10/100 Ethernet connections. Gigabit LAN is the networking standard for the early future and is ideal for handling large amounts of data such as video, audio, and voice. S/PDIF digital sound ready The motherboard supports the S/PDIF technology through the S/PDIF interfaces on the rear panel. The S/PDIF technology turns your computer into a high-end entertainment system with digital connectivity to powerful audio and speaker systems. See pages 2-21 and 2-24 for details. 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 2-21 and 2-24 for details. ASUS M2N-E 1-3 AMD Cool `n' Quiet Technology The motherboard supports the AMD Cool `n' Quiet Technology, which monitors system operation and automatically adjusts CPU voltage and frequency for a cool and quiet operating environment. See page 4-26 for details. 1.3.2 AI Gear ASUS AI Lifestyle features AI Gear provides four modes that adjust the CPU frequency and Vcore voltage minimizing system noise and power consumption. You can choose the mode that best suits your computing needs. See page 5-21 for details AI Nap With AI Nap, the system can continue running at minimum power and noise when the user is temporarily away. To wake the system and return to the OS environment, simply click the mouse or press a key. See page 5-20 for details. ASUS Crystal Sound Noise Filter This feature detects repetitive and stationary noises (non-voice signals) like computer fans, air conditioners, and other background noises then eliminates it in the incoming audio stream while recording. 1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction