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: 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. 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.
A7N8X-E Deluxe specifications summary
CPU Front Side Bus (FSB) Chipset Memory Socket A for AMD Duron/AMD Athlon/AMD Athlon XP 3200+ processors 400/333/266/200Mhz Northbridge: NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 Southbridge: NVIDIA nForce2 MCP-T Dual-channel memory architecture 3 x 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets for up to 3GB memory Supports PC3200/PC2700/PC2100/PC1600 unbuffered non-ECC DDR DIMMs 5 x PCI 1 x AGP Pro/8X (1.5V only) 1 x ASUS proprietary Wi-Fi slot 2 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/x Serial ATA with RAID 0, 1 support MCP-T southbridge integrated Audio Processor Unit (APU) + Realtek ALC650 6-channel audio CODEC Marvell 88E8001 Gigabit LAN MCP-T southbridge integrated controller MAC + Realtek 8201BL LAN PHY MCP-T southbridge integrated IEEE1394a controller + Realtek 8801B PHY ASUS Q-Fan Technology ASUS POST Reporter ASUS C.O.P. (CPU Overheating Protection) Power Loss Restart CPU Throttle 1 x parallel port 1 x serial port 1 x PS/2 keyboard port 1 x PS/2 mouse port 1 x S/PDIF in/out port 1 x surround L/R audio jack 1 x CNTR/LFE audio jack 1 x audio I/O port 1 x Gigabit RJ-45 Port 1 x Fast Ethernet RJ-45 port 4 x USB 2.0 ports (continued on the next page)

Expansion slots

Storage Audio LAN

1394 Special Features

Rear Panel I/O
Internal I/O Connectors USB 2.0 connector supports additional 2 USB 2.0 ports Game/MIDI connector CPU/Power/Chassis fan connectors 2 x IDE connectors 20-pin ATX power connector 2 x SATA connectors 2 x 1394 connectors Chassis intrusion connector Infrared module connector CD / AUX / Modem connector Front panel audio connector Serial port 2 connector S/PDIF connector 4Mb Flash ROM, Award BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, Green PCI 2.2, USB 1.1/2.0. DMI 2.0, WOL, WOR, Chassis Intrusion ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in (30.5 cm x 24.5 cm) Device drivers ASUS PC Probe Im InTouch Remote Access Application Trend MicroTM PC-cillin 2002 anti-virus software ASUS LiveUpdate Utility

BIOS features Industry standard Manageability Form Factor Support CD contents
* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Chapter 1

This chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports.

Product introduction

Chapter summary
1.1 1.2 1.3 Welcome!... 1-1 Package contents.. 1-1 Special features.. 1-2
ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard

Welcome!

Thank you for buying the ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard! The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies making it another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards! The motherboard supports the AMD Athlon, AMD Athlon XP or AMD Duron processors in a Socket A (462-pin) package with the NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 chipset to set a new benchmark for an effective desktop platform solution. Supporting up to 3GB of system memory with PC3200/PC2700/PC2100/ PC1600 DDR SDRAM, high-resolution graphics via an AGP 8X slot, SATA, RAID, IEEE 1394, USB 2.0, and 6-channel audio features, the motherboard takes you ahead in the world of power computing! Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in your package with the list below.

Package contents

ASUS motherboard ASUS support CD 2 x SATA cables 1 x SATA power cable 1 x 2-port USB module w/ cable 1 x 2-port IEEE1394 module 1 x 80-conductor ribbon cable for UltraDMA/66/100/133 IDE drives 1 x 40-conductor IDE cable 1 x Ribbon cable for a 3.5-inch floppy drive WinDVD Suite I/O shield Bag of extra jumper caps User Guide (includes Quick Reference Card) Quick Setup Guide Jumper/Connector sticker
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Special features

1.3.1 Product Highlights
Latest processor technology
The motherboard supports the latest AMD Athlon, Athlon XP and AMD Duron processors via a 462-pin surface mount ZIF socket. The AMD Athlon and AMD Athlon XP processors features a 400Mhz front side bus and the QuantiSpeed architecture for rapid execution of applications.

Make sure to unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.
2.2.1 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.

2.2.2 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 may damage the motherboard.
Place this side towards the rear of the chassis

2.2.3 Motherboard layout

24.5cm (9.6in)
T: Mouse B: Keyboard Bottom: Top:

KBPWR1

Socket 462

CPU_FAN1

USBPW12

USB3 RJ-45 USB4

DDR DIMM_A2 (64/72 bit, 184-pin module)
DDR DIMM_A1 (64/72 bit, 184-pin module)
DDR DIMM_B1 (64/72 bit, 184-pin module)

PARALLEL PORT

CNTR/ LFE1

USBPW34

SPDIFOUT2

Bottom:

Top:Line In Center:Line Out Below:Mic In Realtek RTL8201 PWR_FAN1 CHA_FAN1

SEC_IDE1

Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP Pro)

Marrell 88E8001 PCI LAN

4Mb BIOS

PCI 1 A7N8X-E PCI 2

NVIDIA
IE1394_2 IE1394_1 SPDIF1 GLAN_SW Realtek RTL8801 CD1

PCI 3 PCI 4

SB_PWR1 AUX1
CR2032 3V Lithium Cell CMOS Power SATA_EN1

CLRTC1 COM2 USB56

FPAUDIO1

SATALInk Chipset

Audio Codec MODEM1

Speech Controller WIFI

with Hardware Monitor

ASUS ASIC

USBPW56
CHASSIS1 SATA_RAID2 SATA_RAID1 CTRL_PANEL1

Super I/O

nForce2 MCP-T Chipset

IR_CON1

PRI_IDE1

30.5cm (12.0in)

USB1 RJ-45 USB2

CPU_FSB

nForce2 SPP Ultra400 Chipset

FLOPPY1

ATX Power Connector

2.2.4 Layout Contents

1. PCI slots 2. AGP slot 3. Wi-Fi slot 4. DDR DIMM slots p. 2-13 p. 2-13 p. 2-14 p. 2-8

Jumpers

1. Keyboard wake-up (3-pin KBPWR1) 2. Central Processing Unit FSB Setting (3-pin CPU_FSB) 4. Gigabit LAN Setting (3-pin GLAN_SW) 5. Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC1) 6. Serial ATA setting (3-pin SATA_EN1) p. 2-15 p. 2-15 p. 2-16 p. 2-17 p. 2-17

2. Central Processing Unit FSB (CPU_FSB) When set to pins 1-2 (default), this jumper enables support for 400MHz, 333MHz, or 266MHz Front Side Bus (FSB). Set to pins 2-3 to support 200 MHz FSB only.

FSB200

FSB400/333/266 (Default)
A7N8X-E CPU FSB Jumper Setting
When using an AMD Duron processor, change the CPU_FSB jumper setting to pins 2-3.
3. USB device wake-up (3-pin USBPW12, USBPW34, USBPW56) Set these jumpers to +5V to wake up the computer from S1 sleep mode (CPU stopped, DRAM refreshed, system running in low power mode) using the connected USB devices. Set to +5VSB to wake up from S3 and S4 sleep modes (no power to CPU, DRAM in slow refresh, power supply in reduced power mode).

USBPW12 USBPW34

+5V +5VSB (Default)
A7N8X-E USB Device Wake Up
The USB device wake-up feature requires a power supply that can provide 500mA on the +5VSB lead for each USB port. Otherwise, the system would not power up. The total current consumed must NOT exceed the power supply capability (+5VSB) whether under normal condition or in sleep mode.
4. Gigabit LAN switch setting (3-pin GLAN_SW) This jumper enables or disables the Gigabit LAN controller.

GLAN_SW

Enable (Default)

Disable

A7N8X-E Gigabit LAN Switch Setting
5. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC1) This jumper clears the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM of date, time, and system setup parameters in CMOS. The RAM data in CMOS is powered by the onboard button cell battery. To erase the RTC RAM: 1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord. 2. Remove the battery. 3. Move the jumper caps from pins 1-2 (default) to pins 2-3. Keep the cap on pins 2-3 for about 5~10 seconds then move the cap back to pins 1-2. 4. Replace the battery. 5. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer. 6. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to re-enter data.

CLRTC1

Clear CMOS

Normal (Default)

A7N8X-E Clear RTC RAM
6. Serial ATA setting (3-pin SATA_EN1) This jumper enables or disables the Serial ATA controllers.

SATA_EN1

A7N8X-E SATA Setting

Connectors

2.7.1 Rear panel connectors
1. PS/2 mouse port. This green 6-pin connector is for a PS/2 mouse. 2. Fast Ethernet port (RJ-45). This port allows up to 100 Mbps of data transfer rate to a Local Area Network (LAN). 3. Parallel port. This 25-pin port connects a parallel printer, a scanner, or other devices. 4. Gigabit LAN port (RJ-45). This port allows up to 1 Gigabit of data transfer rate to a Local Area Network (LAN). 5. Line In jack. This Line In (light blue) jack connects a tape player or other audio sources. In 6-channel mode, the function of this jack becomes Bass/Center. 6. Line Out jack. This Line Out (lime) jack connects a headphone or a speaker. In 4-channel and 6-channel mode, the function of this jack becomes Front Speaker Out. 7. Microphone jack. This Mic (pink) jack connects a microphone. In 4-channel and 6-channel modes, the function of this jack becomes Rear Speaker Out. 8. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices. 9. S/PDIF out jack. This jack connects to external S/PDIF audio devices. 10. Surround L/R audio jack. This (purple) jack connects to the left/right surround speakers. 11. Center/LFE audio jack. This (yellow-orange) jack connects to the center speakers or bass speakers. 12. Serial connector. This 9-pin COM1 port is for serial devices.

You must install the driver before you can use the USB 2.0 capability.
USB56 A7N8X-E USB 2.0 Header

USB+5V USB_P5USB_P5+ GND

NEVER connect a 1394 cable to the USB connector. Doing so will damage the motherboard!
USB+5V USB_P6USB_P6+ GND NC
9. Internal audio connectors (4-pin MODEM1, CD1, AUX1) These connectors allow you to receive stereo audio input from sound sources such as a CD-ROM, TV tuner, or MPEG card. The modem connector allows the onboard audio to interface with a voice modem card with a similar connector. It also allows the sharing of mono_in (such as phone) and a mono_out (such as a speaker) between the audio and a voice modem card.

MODEM1

Modem-Out Ground Ground Modem-In

AUX1 (White) CD1 (Black)

Ground Right Audio Channel Left Audio Channel
A7N8X-E Internal Audio Connectors
10. IEEE 1394 connectors (10-1 pin IE1394_1, IE1394_2) These connectors are for IEEE 1394 modules. Attach the 10-1 pin cable plugs to these connectors. You may also connect a 1394-compliant internal hard disk to these connectors.

IE1394_2

TPA0GND TPB0+12V GND

IE1394_1

TPA0GND TPB0+12V GND TPA0+ GND TPB0+ +12V
A7N8X-E IEEE-1394 Connectors
NEVER connect a USB cable to any of the IEEE 1394 (orange) connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard!

TPA0+ GND TPB0+ +12V

11. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin FP_AUDIO) This is an interface for the front panel audio cable that allow convenient connection and control of audio devices. By default, the pins labeled LINE_OUT_R/BLINE_OUT_R and the pins LINE_OUT_L/BLINE_OUT_L are shorted with jumper caps. Remove the caps only when you are connecting the front panel audio cable.

AGND +5VA BLINE_OUT_R

FP_AUDIO
MIC2 MICPWR Line out_R NC Line out_L
A7N8X-E Front Panel Audio Connector
12. Digital Audio connector (6-1 pin SPDIF1) This connector is for the S/PDIF audio module to allow digital sound input/output. Connect one end of the S/PDIF audio cable to this connector and the other end to the S/PDIF module.

SPDIF1

A7N8X-E Digital Audio Connector
The S/PDIF module is purchased separately.

SPDIF_OUT

SPDIF_IN

BLINE_OUT_L

13. GAME/MIDI connector (16-1 pin GAME1) This connector supports a GAME/MIDI module. If a GAME/MIDI module is available, connect the GAME/MIDI cable to this connector. The GAME/MIDI port on the module connects a joystick or a game pad for playing games, and MIDI devices for playing or editing audio files.
GAME1 A7N8X-E Game Connector
MIDI_IN J2B2 J2CY MIDI_OUT J2CX J2B1 +5V
The GAME/MIDI module is purchased separately.
14. Infrared Module connector (10-1 pin IR_CON1) This connector supports an optional wireless transmitting and receiving infrared module. The module mounts to a small opening on the system chassis that support this feature.
Make sure to configure the UART2 Use As parameter in the BIOS to set the UART2 to use with IR.

IRRX GND IRTX +5 V

SIR CIR

NC GND NC CIRRX +5VSB

+5V J1B2 J1CY GND GND J1CX J1B1 +5V
Standard Infrared (SIR) Front View Back View

IRTX GND IRRX

+5V (NC)
A7N8X-E Infrared Connector
15. System panel connector (20-pin CTRL_PANEL1) This connector accommodates several system front panel functions.

Keyboard Lock Power LED

PLEDKeylock Ground PLED+

Speaker Connector

+5V Ground Ground Speaker

IDE_LED+ IDE_LED-

Reset SW ATX Power Switch*

IDE_LED

A7N8X-E System Panel Connectors
* Requires an ATX power supply.
System Power LED Lead (Green 3-1 pin PLED) This 3-1 pin connector connects to the system power LED. The LED lights up when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in sleep mode. Keyboard Lock Lead (Brown 2-pin KEYLOCK) This 2-pin connector connects to a chassis-mounted switch to allow the use of the keyboard lock feature. System Warning Speaker Lead (Orange 4-pin SPKR) This 4-pin connector connects to the case-mounted speaker and allows you to hear system beeps and warnings. Reset Switch Lead (Blue 2-pin RESET) This 2-pin connector connects to the case-mounted reset switch for rebooting the system without turning off the system power. ATX Power Switch / Soft-Off Switch Lead (Yellow 2-pin PWRBTN) This connector connects a switch that controls the system power. Pressing the power switch turns the system between ON and SLEEP, or ON and SOFT OFF, depending on the BIOS or OS settings. Pressing the power switch while in the ON mode for more than 4 seconds turns the system OFF. Hard disk activity LED (Red 2-pin IDE_LED) This connector supplies power to the hard disk activity LED. Any read or write activity of an IDE device cause this LED to light up.

The System Panel connector is color-coded for easy and foolproof connection. Take note of the specific connector colors as described.

Reset Ground

PWR GND

Chapter 3

This chapter describes the power up sequence, the vocal POST messages and ways of shutting down the system.

Powering up

3.1 3.2 3.3 Starting up for the first time. 3-1 Powering off the computer.. 3-2 ASUS POST Reporter.. 3-4
Starting up for the first time
1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover. 2. Be sure that all switches are off. 3. Connect the power cord to the power connector at the back of the system chassis. 4. Connect the power cord to a power outlet that is equipped with a surge protector. 5. Turn on the devices in the following order: a. Monitor b. External SCSI devices (starting with the last device on the chain) c. System power (if you are using an ATX power supply, you need to switch on the power supply as well as press the ATX power switch on the front of the chassis). 6. After applying power, the power LED on the system front panel case lights up. For ATX power supplies, the system LED lights up when you press the ATX power switch. If your monitor complies with green standards or if it has a power standby feature, the monitor LED may light up or switch between orange and green after the system LED turns on. The system then runs the power-on tests. While the tests are running, the BIOS beeps or additional messages appear on the screen. If you do not see anything within 30 seconds from the time you turned on the power, the system may have failed a power-on test. Check the jumper settings and connections or call your retailer for assistance. 7. At power on, hold down <Delete> to enter BIOS Setup. Follow the instructions in Chapter 4.
Powering off the computer
3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function
If you are using Windows 98/98SE/ME/NT/2000, click the Start button, click Shut Down., make sure that the Shut down option button is selected, then the OK button to shut down the computer. The power supply should turn off after Windows shuts down. If you are using Windows XP, click the Start button, click Turn Off Computer, then the Turn Off button to shut down the computer. The power supply should turn off after Windows shuts down.

7. AWDFLASH proceeds to check the new BIOS file and asks the user to program (flash) the new BIOS file to the motherboard.
8. Type <Y> and Press <Enter> to flash the new Bios file. NOTE: Do not shut off system power or unplug the supply during the flash process.
9. The BIOS flashes and displays the results. Press <F1> to restart.
Updating BIOS via Bootable Floppy Disk
1. Boot from the floppy disk. 2. At the A:\ prompt, type C:\ then press <Enter>. 3. At the C:\ prompt, type AWDFLASH /qi BIOSFilename then <Enter> to display the AWDFLASH screen. 4. Type the name of the new BIOS file, for example: AW0702.BIN then press <Enter>. The program prompts if you want to save the previous BIOS. Select <Y> to back-up the original BIOS in case you need to reprogram it. 5. Follow steps 6 to 9 of the Updating BIOS via the Built-in Award BIOS Flash Utility. section.

4.1.3 ASUS Update

The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to update the motherboard BIOS in Windows environment. This utility is available in the support CD that comes with the motherboard package. ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an Internet Service Provider (ISP). To install ASUS Update: 1. Insert the support CD into the CD-ROM drive. The Drivers menu appears. 2. Click the Utilities tab, then click Install ASUS Update VX.XX.XX. See page 5-3 for the Utilities menu screen. 3. The ASUS Update utility is copied into your system. To update the BIOS using the ASUS Update: 1. Launch the utility from the Windows desktop by clicking Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update initial screen appears. 2. Select your desired update method, then click Next.
3. If you selected updating/ downloading from the Internet, select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network traffic, or choose Auto Select. Click Next.
4. From the FTP site, select the BIOS version that you wish to download. Click Next. 5. Follow the instructions on the succeeding screens to complete the update process.
If you selected the option to update the BIOS from a file, a window pops up prompting you to locate the file. Select the file, click Save, then follow the screen instructions to complete the update process.

BIOS Setup program

This motherboard supports a programmable firmware chip that you can update using the provided utility described in section 4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS. Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard, reconfiguring your system, or prompted to Run Setup. This section explains how to configure your system using this utility. Even if you are not prompted to use the Setup program, you may want to change the configuration of your computer in the future. For example, you may want to enable the security password feature or change the power management settings. This requires you to reconfigure your system using the BIOS Setup program so that the computer can recognize these changes and record them in the CMOS RAM of the firmware hub. The firmware hub on the motherboard stores the Setup utility. When you start up the computer, the system provides you with the opportunity to run this program. Press <Delete> during the Power-On Self Test (POST) to enter the Setup utility. Otherwise, POST continues with its test routines. If you wish to enter Setup after POST, restart the system by pressing <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Delete>, or by pressing the reset button on the system chassis. You can also restart by turning the system off and then back on. Do this last option only if the first two failed. The Setup program is designed to make it as easy to use as possible. It is a menu-driven program, which means you can scroll through the various sub-menus and make your selections from the available options using the navigation keys.

Access Mode [Auto]

The default [Auto] automatically detects an IDE hard disk drive. Select [CHS] in coordination with the [Manual] setting of the IDE Primary Master in order to enter the Hard Disk Drive values manually.
Before attempting to configure a hard disk drive, make sure you have the correct configuration information supplied by the drive manufacturer. Incorrect settings may cause the system to fail to recognize the installed hard disk.
[Manual] & [CHS] Settings
Manually enter the number of cylinders, heads and sectors per track for the drive. Refer to the drive documentation or on the drive label for this information.
After entering the IDE hard disk drive information into BIOS, use a disk utility, such as FDISK, to partition and format new IDE hard disk drives. This is necessary so that you can write or read data from the hard disk. Make sure to set the partition of the Primary IDE hard disk drives to active.
After making your selections on this sub-menu, press the <Esc> key to return to the Main menu. When the Main menu appears, the hard disk drive field displays the size for the hard disk drive that you configured.
Select the hard disk drive type in this field. When Logical Block Addressing (LBA) is enabled, the 28-bit addressing of the hard drive is used without regard for cylinders, heads, or sectors. Note that LBA Mode is necessary for drives with more than 504MB storage capacity. Select [CHS] to make manual entries for configuring the fields below. Configuration options: [CHS] [LBA] [Large] [Auto]

Cylinders

This field configures the number of cylinders. Refer to the drive documentation to determine the correct value. To make changes to this field, set the IDE Primary Master field to [Manual] and the Access Mode to [CHS].
This field configures the number of read/write heads. Refer to the drive documentation to determine the correct value. To make changes to this field, set the IDE Primary Master field to [Manual] and the Access Mode to [CHS].

Precomp

This field displays the precompressed volumes on the hard disk, if any, in MB.

Landing Zone

This field displays the drives maximum useable capacity as calculated by the BIOS based on the drive information you entered.

Sector

This field configures the number of sectors per track. Refer to the drive documentation to determine the correct value. To make changes to this field, set the Type field to [User Type HDD] and the Translation Method field to [Manual].

Advanced menu

The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices.

CPU Interface [Optimal]

This field sets the mode for CPU/FSB parameters usage. Select [Aggressive] if you want to use overclocked CPU/FSB parameters. Otherwise, the default value is [Optimal] where it uses the most stable CPU/FSB parameters. Configuration options: [Optimal] [Aggressive]
Memory Frequency [By SPD]
This field sets the type of memory frequency based on the type of DDR (Double Date Rate) memory module installed. Resulting frequency can vary depending on percentage setting which is multiplied by the FSB frqequency. Normally, the default, by SPD, permits autodetection. Configuration options: [By SPD] [50%] [60%] [66%] [75%] [80%] [83%] [Sync] [120%] [125%] [133% [150%] [166%] [200%]

Resulting Frequency

This field displays the detected memory frequency

Memory Timing [Optimal]

This field permits change of memory timing mode for system performance. When set to [User Defined], the next four fields can be set manually. Set to [Aggressive] for higher performance. Use default [Optimal] to use most stable settings. Configuration options: [Optimal] [Aggressive] [User Defined]
SDRAM Active Precharge Delay [7]

Row-active delay.

SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay [3]
RAS-to-CAS. This item controls the latency between the SDRAM Active command to the SDRAM.
SDRAM RAS Precharge Delay [3]
This item controls the idle clocks after issuing a precharge command to the DDR SDRAM.

SDRAM CAS Latency [2.5T]

This field sets the override clock cycle for the latency time between the SDRAM read command and the moment that the data actually becomes available. Normally, the system determines the rate automatically by default.
FSB Spread Spectrum [0.50%]
Configuration options: [Disabled] [0.50%] [1.00%]
AGP Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
Configuration options: [Disabled] [0.50%]

CPU Vcore Setting [Auto]

This field determines if the CPU VCORE is automatically scaled or set manually by the user. The default for this field is [Auto], therefore, the CPU VCORE voltage is set for maximum performance without stressing the CPU. Configuration options: [Auto] [Menu]

Exit & Discard Changes
Select this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the Setup program. If you made changes to fields other than system date, system time, and password, the BIOS asks for a confirmation before exiting.

Load Setup Defaults

This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the Setup menus. When you select this option or if you press <F5>, a confirmation window appears. Select [Yes] to load default values. Select Exit Saving Changes or make other changes before saving the values to the non-volatile RAM.

Discard Changes

This option allows you to discard the selections you made and restore the previously saved values. After selecting this option, a confirmation appears. Select [Yes] to discard any changes and load the previously saved values.

Save Changes

This option saves your selections without exiting the Setup program. You can then return to other menus and make further changes. After you select this option, a confirmation window appears. Select [Yes] to save any changes to the non-volatile RAM.

Chapter 5

This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package.

Software support

5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Install an operating system.. 5-1 Support CD infomation.. 5-1 NVIDIA nForce control panel.. 5-3 NVIDIA NVSwap 1.0 Utility. 5-11 RAID 0 / RAID 1 configurations. 5-13 Onboard Marvell Gigabit LAN drivers for Windows 98SE/ME.. 5-16 Marvell Virtual Cable Tester Technology. 5-17
Install an operating system
This motherboard supports Windows 2000/XP operating system (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates so you can maximize the features of your hardware.
Because motherboard settings and hardware options vary, use the setup procedures presented in this chapter for general reference only. Refer to your OS documentation for more information.

Support CD information

The support CD that came with the motherboard contains useful software and several utility drivers that enhance the motherboard features.
The contents of the support CD are subject to change at any time without notice. Visit the ASUS website for updates.
5.2.1 Running the support CD
To begin using the support CD, simply insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. The CD automatically displays the Drivers menu if Autorun is enabled in your computer.

Click an item to install

Click an icon to display more information
If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support CD to locate the file ASSETUP.EXE from the BIN folder. Double-click the ASSETUP.EXE to run the CD.

After installation, the NVIDIA nForce APU icon appears on the bottom right of the Windows desktop.
To launch the NVIDIA control panel, click the NVIDIA nForce APU icon to display the NVIDIA control panel.

5.3.2 Main

The Main tab includes the primary sliders for adjusting the volume of all sound sources, recording input levels, equalization settings (and presets), as well as a signal meter to visually verify that sound is being produced.

5.3.3 Speaker Setup

Click the Speaker Setup tab to configure and setup your hardware. This page helps you identify how the speakers are connected to the audio device, and the format to use when sending audio signals out of the PC. Here the number of speakers can be applied, the type of connection (digital or analog), individual volume levels for each speaker (balancing), and a host of specialty features. A wizard is also available to help guide you through the process.
Here are some of the features on the Speaker Setup: Dolby Surround Encoding - enables audio to be encoded for playback on home theater receivers (using analog stereo outputs only) Dolby Digital Encoding - enables audio to be encoded for playback on 5.1 home theater receivers (using digital SPDIF output only)
This optional S/PDIF audio module allows digital instead of analog sound input and output.

RCA / Optical connectors

S/PDIF internal header
For S/PDIF out function, you may use either the module or the S/PDIF connector at the back panel, but not both.
Create Center Channel - Generates a center channel for audio content that does not have it natively (like MP3s, WMAS, etc.) Create Channel 3D Pan - Allows game sounds to be panned through the center speaker when they pass between the left and right speakers (only works for DirectSound3D games) Create LFE Channel - Generates a subwoofer signal for speaker systems that require it (like Dolby Digital receivers or home theaters with discreet subwoofer inputs) Rear Speaker Phase Shift - Adjusts the output of the rear speakers so that sounds dont cancel out and remove the bass channel or cause a tinny sound (primarily older 4 channel PC speaker systems) LFE Crossover Frequency - Adjusts the amount of bass signal removed from the main speakers and sent specifically to the subwoofer output (increment in hertz).

For 6.1 audio channel setting, there is no need to perform the following tasks. Simply connect the Rear Speaker to the purple jack and the Center/Subwoofer to the orange jack.
Line In and Rear Speaker Toggle Button
The first button is for toggling between Line In and Rear Speaker settings. The default setting for the NVSwap application is for Line In to be active. If you are clicking this button, you disable the Line In and enable Rear Speakers.
When Rear Speaker is enabled, the connection on your motherboard will not accept a Line In source. Changing this setting has the same effect as selecting or deselecting the Rear Speakers connected to Line In option in the Windows Volume Control.
Microphone In and Center and Subwoofer Speaker Toggle button
The second button is for toggling between Microphone In and Center and Subwoofer Speaker settings. The default setting for the NVSwap application is for Microphone In to be active. Clicking this button will disable Microphone In and enable Center and Subwoofer Speakers.
When Center and Subwoofer Speaker is enabled, the connection on your motherboard will not accept a microphone. Changing this setting has the same effect as selecting or deselecting the Center Speaker and Subwoofer connected to Microphone option in the Windows Volume Control.
Center and SubwooferToggle button
The third button is for toggling the mapping between Center and Subwoofer Speakers. This lets you swap the signal going to both speakers, enabling a virtual rewire of the speaker jack.
Use this option only if you hear sound coming for the subwoofer when the center speaker is highlighted, and vise versa.
RAID 0/RAID 1 Configurations
The motherboard includes the Silicon Image Sil 3112A controller chipset and two Serial ATA interfaces to support Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) configuration. This feature supports Serial ATA hard disks. Use the SATARaid utility to configure the RAID sets. RAID 0 (called data striping) optimizes two identical hard disk drives to read and write data in parallel, interleaved stacks. Two hard disks perform the same work as a single drive but at a sustained data transfer rate, double that of a single disk alone, thus improving data access and storage. RAID 1 (called data mirroring) copies and maintains an identical image of data from one drive to a second drive. If one drive fails, the disk array management software directs all applications to the surviving drive as it contains a complete copy of the data in the other drive. This RAID configuration provides data protection and increases fault tolerance to the entire system.
For more information about the Silicon Image Sil 3112A SATA RAID controller, refer to the Silicon Image SATA RAID Users Manual found in \Drivers\SATA\SATARaid_Manual_Rev092.PDF of the motherboard support CD.