A7N8X-VM/400

User Guide

Motherboard

Checklist
Revised edition V2 February 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.

Contents

Notices.... v Safety information... vi About this guide.... vii A7N8X-VM/400 specification summary.. viii

Features

Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Welcome!... 1-2 Package contents... 1-2 Special features... 1-2 Motherboard components.. 1-4 Motherboard layout.. 1-7 Motherboard installation... 1-8 1.6.1 Placement direction.. 1-8 1.6.2 Screw holes... 1-8 1.7 Before you proceed.. 1-9 1.8 Central Processing Unit (CPU)... 1-10 1.9 System memory...1-11 1.10 Expansion slots... 1-12 1.10.1 Configuring an expansion card.. 1-12 1.10.2 Standard Interrupt Assignments. 1-12 1.10.3 AGP slot... 1-13 1.10.4 PCI slots.. 1-13 1.11 Jumpers... 1-14 1.12 Connectors... 1-16
Chapter 2: BIOS information
2.1 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.. 2-4 2.1.4 Using ASUS EZ Flash to update the BIOS. 2-5 2.1.5 ASUS Update... 2-6 BIOS Setup program... 2-8 2.2.1 BIOS menu bar.. 2-8 2.2.2 Legend bar... 2-9 iii
2.3 Main menu.. 2-10 2.3.1 Primary and Secondary IDE Master/Slave. 2-11 2.3.2 System Information... 2-12 Advanced menu... 2-13 2.4.1 Chipset... 2-13 2.4.2 Onboard Devices Configuration.. 2-14 2.4.3 PCIPnP... 2-16 Power menu... 2-18 2.5.1 Power Up Control.. 2-18 2.5.2 Hardware Monitor.. 2-20 Boot menu.. 2-21 2.6.1 Boot Settings Configuration.. 2-21 2.6.2 Security... 2-23 Exit menu... 2-25
Chapter 3: Software support
3.1 3.2 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.. 3-4 3.2.4 ASUS contact information.. 3-5

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 manufacturers 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.

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.

Expansion slots Storage Graphics Audio LAN Hardware monitoring Rear panel ports

Internal connectors

(continued next page)
BIOS features Industry standard Manageability Support CD contents 4 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, ACPI, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, Green, PnP, TCAV, SMBIOS 2.3 ASUS EZ Flash, ASUS MyLogo2 PCI 2.2, USB 2.0 DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME, WO_USB, WO_KB/MS Device drivers ASUS PC Probe ASUS Update ASUS Screen Saver Adobe Acrobat Reader Anti-Virus Utility ASUS A7N8X-VM/400 series support CD UltraDMA133 cable FDD cable I/O shield User guide Micro-ATX form factor: 9.6 in x 9.6 in

Accessories

Form Factor
* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Chapter 1

This chapter describes the features of the motherboard. It includes brief descriptions of the motherboard components, and illustrations of the layout, jumper settings, and connectors.

Product introduction

Welcome!
Thank you for buying the ASUS A7N8X-VM/400 motherboard! The ASUS A7N8X-VM/400 motherboard comes with the most advanced technologies to deliver maximum performance for Socket A processors. This motherboard is packed with value-added features for guaranteed consumer satisfaction. The following sections provide important technical information about the motherboard for future upgrades or system reconfiguration. Before you start installing the motherboard and hardware devices on it, check the items in your package with the list below.

Package contents

ASUS A7N8X-VM/400 motherboard Micro-ATX form factor: 9.6 in x 9.6 in ASUS A7N8X-VM/400 series support CD 40-pin 80-conductor ribbon cable for UltraDMA133 IDE drives Ribbon cable for a 3.5-inch floppy drive Bag of extra jumper caps I/O shield User guide
Check your ASUS A7N8X-VM/400 package for the following items.

Special features

400 MHz FSB support
The motherboard comes with a Socket 462 that supports the latest 400 MHz FSB AMD Athlon XP processor. This feature is guaranteed to give you a powerful and efficient computer platform.
Dual-channel DDR memory support
With the 128-bit Twinbank DDR memory architecture, the motherboard doubles the DDR333 bandwidth thus eliminating system bottlenecks. The motherboard is capable of performing at peak bandwidth of up to 5.4 GB/s assuring you of fast, reliable computing solution. See details on page 1-11.

AGP 8X support

AGP 8X (AGP 3.0) is the next generation VGA interface specification that enables enhanced graphics performance with high bandwidth speeds of up to 2.12 GB/s. See details on page 1-13.

Super I/O

FPAUDIO SPDIF1

PCI 2 PCI 3
CLRTC1 CHASSIS1 COM2 USBPW56 GAME1 USB56

4Mb BIOS

Audio Codec

PANEL1

Motherboard installation
Unplug the power cord before installing the motherboard. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage to motherboard components.
This motherboard uses the Micro ATX form factor.
1.6.1 Placement direction
When installing the motherboard, make sure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with the external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as indicated in the image below.

1.6.2 Screw holes

Place eight (8) 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

Before you proceed

Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. 1. Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. 2. 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. 3. Avoid touching the ICs on components. 4. Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in the bag that came with the component. 5. Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, and/or components.

Onboard LED

The motherboard comes with a standby power LED. The green LED 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. The illustration below shows the location of the onboard LED.

SB_PWR1

ON Standby Power

OFF Powered Off

A7N8X-VM/400 Onboard LED
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The motherboard comes with a Socket A (462) that supports Athlon XP processors with QuantiSpeed data processing, large data caches, 3D enhancements and 400/333/266 MHz bus speeds. AMD Athlon XP processors offer gigahertz speeds to support all the latest computing platforms and applications.

+5V (Default)

2. 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 battery cell. 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 [1-2] to [2-3] momentarily. Replace the jumper cap to the original position, [1-2]. 4. Re-install 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

Normal (Default) Clear CMOS
A7N8X-VM/400 Clear RTC RAM

1.12 Connectors

This section describes and illustrates the connectors on the motherboard. 1. IDE connectors (40-1 pin PRI_IDE, SEC_IDE) This connector supports the provided UltraDMA133 IDE cable. Connect the cables blue connector to the primary (recommended) or secondary IDE connector, then connect the gray connector to the UltraDMA133 master device (hard disk drive) and the black connector to the UltraDMA133 slave device (hard disk drive). Pin 20 on each IDE connector is removed to match the covered hole on the UltraDMA cable connector. This prevents incorrect orientation when you connect the cables. For UltraDMA133 IDE devices, use a 40-pin 80-conductor cable.

SEC_IDE

NOTE: Orient the red markings (usually zigzag) on the IDE ribbon cable to PIN 1.
A7N8X-VM/400 IDE Connectors
2. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY1) This connector supports the provided floppy drive ribbon cable. After connecting one end to the motherboard, connect the other end to the floppy drive. (Pin 5 is removed to prevent incorrect insertion when using cable connectors with a closed pin 5 slot.)

FLOPPY1

NOTE: Orient the red markings on the floppy ribbon cable to PIN 1
A7N8X-VM/400 Floppy Disk Drive Connector

PRI_IDE

3. ATX power connectors (20-pin ATXPWR1) These connectors connect to an ATX 12 V power supply. The plugs from the power supply are designed to fit these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper orientation and push down the power plug firmly until the connectors fit.

ATXPWR1

+12.0VDC +5VSB PWR_OK COM +5.0VDC COM +5.0VDC COM +3.3VDC +3.3VDC +5.0VDC +5.0VDC -5.0VDC COM COM COM PS_ON# COM -12.0VDC +3.3VDC
A7N8X-VM/400 ATX Power Connector
If you will need to replace the power supply in the future, make sure that your new ATX 12 V power supply can provide 8 A on the +12 V lead and at least 1 A on the +5-volt standby lead (+5VSB). The minimum recommended wattage is 230W, or 300W for a fullyconfigured system. When the power supply is inadequate, the system may become unstable and may experience difficulty powering. 4. USB header (10-1 pin USB56) If the USB ports on the rear panel are inadequate, a USB connector is available for two additional USB ports. Connect one end the USB/GAME port module cable to this connector, then mount the USB/GAME port module to an open slot in the chassis.

USB56 A7N8X-VM/400 USB 2.0 Header
The USB/GAME port module is purchased separately.

USB+5V USB_P5USB_P5+ GND

USB+5V USB_P6USB_P6+ GND NC
5. GAME/MIDI connector (16-1 pin GAME1) This connector supports a GAME/MIDI port module. Connect the GAME/MIDI port module cable to this connector, then mount the USB/GAME port module to an open slot in the chassis. The GAME/MIDI port connects a joystick, a game pad for playing games, and/or MIDI devices for playing or editing audio files.
GAME1 A7N8X-VM/400 Game Connector
MIDI_IN J2B2 J2CY MIDI_OUT J2CX J2B1 +5V
6. CPU and chassis fan connectors (3-pin CPU_FAN1, CHA_FAN) The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350 mA ~ 740 mA (8.88 W max). Connect the fan cable plugs to the fan connectors on the motherboard, making sure that the black wire of each cable matches

Rotation +12V GND

GND +12V Rotation
A7N8X-VM/400 Fan Connectors
Do not forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Lack of sufficient air flow within the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! Do not place jumper caps on the fan connectors!
+5V J1B2 J1CY GND GND J1CX J1B1 +5V
7. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS1) This connector is for a chassis designed with intrusion detection feature. The connector requires an external detection mechanism such as a chassis intrusion sensor or microswitch. When you remove any chassis component, the sensor triggers and sends a high-level signal to this connector to record a chassis intrusion event. By default, the pins labeled Chassis Signal and Ground are shorted with a jumper cap. If you wish to use the chassis intrusion detection feature, remove the jumper cap from the pins.

CHASSIS1

Chassis Signal GND +5VSB_MB
A7N8X-VM/400 Chassis Alarm Lead

(Default)

8. Front panel audio connectors (10-1 pin FP_AUDIO) This connects the front panel audio module that allows convenient connection and control of audio devices.

AGND +5VA BLINE_OUT_R

FP_AUDIO
MIC2 MICPWR Line out_R NC Line out_L
A7N8X-VM/400 Front Panel Audio Connector

BLINE_OUT_L

9. Internal audio connectors (4 pin CD1, AUX1) These connectors allow you to receive stereo audio input from sound sources such as a CD-ROM, TV tuner or MPEG card.

AUX1 (White) CD1 (Black)

Left Audio Channel Ground Right Audio Channel
A7N8X-VM/400 Internal Audio Connectors
10. TV-out connector (6-1 pin U46) This connects an audio and TV-out port module. This connector allows dual display (TV+VGA or TV+DVI) with the ASUS AV/S and AGP-NV-DVI cards.
A7N8X-VM/400 TV Out Connector

ASUS AV/S

The ASUS AV/S module is purchased separately.
11. Digital audio connector (6-1 pin SPDIF1) This connector is for an optional S/PDIF audio module that allows digital instead of analog sound input and output. The S/PDIF port module is purchased separately.

SPDIF_OUT +5V

SPDIF1
A7N8X-VM/400 Digital Audio Connector
When you input sound for S/PDIF IN, the LINE_OUT outputs the sound. Mute LINE_OUT to impede sound output from S/PDIF IN.
12. Serial connector (10-1 pin COM2) This connector accommodates a second serial port using an optional serial port module. Connect the module cable plug to this connector, then install the module into a slot opening at the back of the system chassis.
A7N8X-VM/400 Serial Connector
The serial port module is purchased separately.

SPDIF_IN

13. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL1) This connector accommodates several system front panel functions.

Keyboard Lock Power LED

PLEDKeylock Ground PLED+

Speaker Connector

+5V Ground Ground Speaker
ExtSMI# Ground PWR Ground

+5V IDELED

IDE LED SMI Lead
Reset SW ATX Power Switch*
A7N8X-VM/400 Panel Connectors
* Requires an ATX power supply.
System Power LED (3-1 pin PLED) This connector is for the system power LED in the chassis front panel. The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system power.
Keyboard Lock (2-1 pin KEYLOCK) This connector is for the chassis-mounted switch that allows the use of the keyboard lock feature.
System Warning Speaker (4-pin SPEAKER) This connector is for the chassis-mounted speaker that allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.
System Management Interrupt (2-pin SMI) This connector allows switching to suspend mode, or Green mode. While is green mode, the system activity is instantly decreased to save power and to expand the life of certain system components.
Reset Switch (2-pin RESET) This connector is for the chassis-mounted reset switch used for rebooting the system without turning off the power switch.
ATX Power Switch / Soft-Off Switch (2-pin PWR) This connector is for the system power switch located in the chassis front panel. Pressing the power switch turns the system between ON and SLEEP, or ON and SOFT OFF, depending on the BIOS or OS settings. When the system is on, pressing the power switch for more than 4 seconds turns the system off.
Hard Disk Activity (2-pin IDE LED) This connector is for the hard disk drive activity LED. The read or write activities of any primary or secondary IDE device cause the hard disk drive activity LED to light up.

User recovery requested. Starting BIOS recovery. Checking for floppy.
If there is no floppy disk found in the drive, the error message Floppy not found! appears. If the correct BIOS file is not found in the floppy disk, the error message A7NVM400.ROM not found! is displayed. Make sure to rename the downloaded BIOS file as A7NVM400.ROM.
4. Insert the floppy disk that contains the BIOS file. If all the necessary files are found in the floppy disk, EZ Flash performs the BIOS update process and automatically reboots the system when done. DO NOT shutdown or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so may cause system boot failure!
User recovery requested. Starting BIOS recovery. Checking for floppy. Floppy found! Reading file a7nvm400.rom. Completed. Start flashing. Flashed successfully. Rebooting.

2.1.5 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. Place the support CD to the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears. 2. Click the Utilities tab, then click Install ASUS Update VX.XX.XX. See page 3-3 for the Utilities menu screen. 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

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 make changes to 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 Flash ROM. The Flash ROM 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. The Setup program is designed to make it as easy to use as possible. It is a menudriven program, which means you can scroll through the various sub-menus and make your selections among the predetermined choices.

This option switches the PCI Bus scanning order while searching for a video card. This allows the user to select the type of Primary VGA in case of multiple video controllers. Configuration options: [PCI] [AGP/Onboard]
Onboard TV-out format [PAL]
Allows you to set the onboard TV-out standard. Configuration options: [PAL] [NTSC]
2.4.2 Onboard Devices Configuration
Onboard Floppy Controller [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the onboard floppy controller. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]
Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]
Allows you to set the address for the onboard serial port (COM1). Configuration options: [3F8/IRQ4] [2F8/IRQ3] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3]
Serial Port2 Address [2F8/IRQ3]
Allows you to set the address for the onboard serial connector (COM2) connector. Configuration options: [3F8/IRQ4] [2F8/IRQ3] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3]
Parallel Port Address [378]
Allows the BIOS to select the Parallel Port Base Address. Configuration options: [Disabled] [378] [278] [3BC]

Parallel Port Mode [ECP]

Allows the BIOS to select the Parallel Port Mode. Configuration options: [Normal] [EPP] [ECP] [EPP+ECP]
ECP Mode DMA Channel [DMA3]
Allows the BIOS to select the Parallel Port ECP DMA. Configuration options: [DMA0] [DMA1] [DMA3]

Parallel Port IRQ [IRQ7]

Allows the BIOS to select the Parallel Port IRQ. Configuration options: [IRQ5l] [IRQ7]
Onboard Game Port [Disabled]
Allows you to select the Game Port address or to disable the port. Configuration options: [Disabled] [200/300] [200/330] [208/300 [208/330]
Onboard MIDI Port [Disabled]
Allows you to select the MIDI Port address or to disable the port. Configuration options: [Disabled] [200/300] [200/330] [208/300 [208/330]
SMBUS Interface [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the SMBus interface. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]
Audio CODEC Interface [Auto]
The BIOS auto-detects the onboard audio CODEC when you set this item to [Auto]. Select [Disable] to disable the audio CODEC. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled]

Onboard LAN [Enabled]

Allows you to disable or set to automatic the onboard LAN interface. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

LAN Boot ROM [Disabled]

Allows you to disable or set to automatic the onboard boot ROM interface. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU, chassis, and power fan speeds in rotations per minute (RPM). If any of the fans is not connected to the motherboard, that field shows 0RPM.
VCORE Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, 5V Voltage, 12V Voltage
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard voltage regulators.

Boot menu

1st, 2nd, 3rd Boot Device
Specifies the boot sequence from the available devices. Additional plug-in boot devices installed appear in sequence after the list of current boot devices. Configuration fields include Floppy Drive, IDE Hard Drive, ATAPI CD-ROM, and Other Boot Device.
2.6.1 Boot Settings Configuration

Quick Boot [Enabled]

Allows BIOS to skip certain tests while booting. This will decrease the time needed to boot the system. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Full Screen Logo [Enabled]
When [Enabled], MyLogo is displayed instead of the POST messages. Setting to [Disabled] displays the normal POST messages. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Make sure that the Full Screen Logo item is set to [Enabled] if you want to use the ASUS MyLogo2 feature.
AddOn ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS]
Sets the display mode for the option ROM. Configuration options: [Force BIOS] [Keep Current]

Bootup Num-Lock [On]

Selects the power-on state for the NumLock key. Configuration options: [On] [Off]
Wait for F1 If Error [Enabled]
Sets whether to wait for F1 key to be pressed if an error occurs. Configuration options: [Enabled [Disabled]]
Hit Del Message Display [Enabled]
Toggles the display of Press DEL to run Setup. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]
Interrupt 19 Capture [Disabled]
When [Enabled], it allows option ROMs to trap interrupt 19. This is required by some PCI cards that provide a ROM based setup utility. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

2.6.2 Security

The Security menu items allow you to change the system security settings. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the configuration options.
Security Settings Supervisor Password User Password Change Supervisor Password Clear User Password Not Installed Not Installed
<Enter> to change password. <Enter> again to disable password.
Change Supervisor Password
Select this item to set or change the supervisor password. The Supervisor Password item on top of the screen shows the default Not Installed. After you have set a password, this item shows Installed. To set a Supervisor Password: 1. Select the Change Supervisor Password item and press <Enter>. 2. On the password box that appears, type a password composed of letters and/ or numbers, then press <Enter>. Your password should have at least six characters. 3. Confirm the password when prompted. The message Password Installed appears after you have successfully set your password. The Supervisor Password item now shows Installed. To change the supervisor password, follow the same steps as in setting a user password. To clear the supervisor password, select the Change Supervisor Password then press <Enter>. The message Password Uninstalled appears. After you have set a supervisor password, the other items appear to allow you to change other security settings.

Security Settings Supervisor Password User Password Change Supervisor Password User Access Level Clear User Password Password Check Not Installed Not Installed [Full Access] [Setup]
User Access Level (Full Access]
This item allows you to select the access restriction to the Setup items. Configuration options: [No Access] [View Only] [Limited] [Full Access] No Access prevents user access to the Setup utility. View Only allows access but does not allow change to any field. Limited allows change to only selected fields, such as Date and Time. Full Access allows viewing and changing all the fields in the Setup utility.

Change User Password

Select this item to set or change the user password. The User Password item on top of the screen shows the default Not Installed. After you have set a password, this item shows Installed. To set a User Password: 1. Select the Change User Password item and press <Enter>. 2. On the password box that appears, type a password composed of letters and/ or numbers, then press <Enter>. Your password should have at least six characters. 3. Confirm the password when prompted. The message Password Installed appears after you have successfully set your password. The User Password item now shows Installed. To change the user password, follow the same steps as in setting a user password.

Clear User Password

Select this item if you wish to clear the user password.

Password Check [Setup]

When set to [Setup], BIOS checks for user password when accessing the Setup utility. When set to [Always], BIOS checks for user password both when accessing Setup and booting the system. Configuration options: [Setup] [Always]

Exit menu

When you have made all of your selections from the various menus in the Setup program, save your changes and exit Setup. Select Exit from the menu bar to display the following menu.
Exit Options Exit & Save Changes Exit & Discard Changes Discard Changes Load Setup Defaults
Exit system setup after saving the changes. F10 key can be used for this operation.
Pressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options from this menu or <F10> from the legend bar to exit.

Exit & Save Changes

Once you are finished making your selections, choose this option from the Exit menu to ensure the values you selected are saved to the CMOS RAM. The CMOS RAM is sustained by an onboard backup battery and stays on even when the PC is turned off. When you select this option, a confirmation window appears. Select [Yes] to save changes and exit.

Installs the driver for the NVIDIA nForce chipset.

USB 2.0 Driver

Installs the USB 2.0 driver.

3.2.3 Utilities

The Utilities tab displays the applications that the motherboard supports.
ASUS A7NVM400 motherboard support CD for Windows XP Home/Professional
ASUS PC Probe V2.23.03 ASUS Update V5.30.01 Anti-virus Utility ADOBE Acrobat Reader V5.0 ASUS Screen Saver

ASUS PC Probe

This convenient utility continuously monitors your computer systems vital components such as fan rotations, CPU temperature, and system voltages, and alerts you on any detected problems. This utility helps you keep your computer at a healthy operating condition.

ASUS Update

Allows you to download the latest version of the BIOS from the ASUS website. Before using the ASUS Update, make sure that you have an Internet connection so you can connect to the ASUS website. See page 2-7 for details on how to install and use the ASUS Update.

Anti-virus Utility

The anti-virus application scans, identifies, and removes computer viruses. View the online help for detailed information.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Installs the Adobe Acrobat Reader. The Acrobat Reader software is for viewing files saved in Portable Document Format (PDF).

ASUS Screen Saver

Installs the ASUS screen saver.
3.2.4 ASUS contact information
Click the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information.

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.

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.

About this guide

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. 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-VM/400 specification summary*
CPU Chipset Front Side Bus Memory Socket A for AMD Athlon XP 2700MHz+ processors NVIDIA nForce2 IGP North bridge NVIDIA nForce2 MCP South bridge 400/333/266 MHz 2 x 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets support up to maximum 2 GB unbuffered PC2700/2100 non-ECC DDR SDRAM memory. Dual-channel memory architecture 3 x PCI 1 x AGP 8X (1.5V only) 2 x UltraDMA133 Integrated GeForce4 MX GPU Supports DVI (AGP-NV-DVI) and TV-out (AV/S) cards Realtek ALC650 6-channel audio CODEC S/PDIF in/out interface Realtek 8201BL 10/100 Mbps LAN PHY Super I/O integrated monitoring of CPU/chassis fan rotation and MB/CPU temperature 1 x Parallel 1 x Serial (COM1) 1 x PS/2 Keyboard 1 x PS/2 Mouse 1 x RJ45 port 1 x Audio I/O 1 x VGA port 4 x USB 2.0/1.x USB connector supports additional 2 USB 2.0 ports CPU/chassis FAN connectors Chassis intrusion connector 20-pin ATX power connector PANEL connector CD/AUX connectors S/PDIF in/out connector GAME/MIDI connector TV-out connector Serial (COM2) connector Front panel audio connector (continued next page)
Expansion slots Storage Graphics Audio LAN Hardware monitoring Rear panel ports

Internal connectors

BIOS features Industry standard Manageability Support CD contents 4Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, ACPI, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, Green, PnP, TCAV, SMBIOS 2.3 ASUS EZ Flash, ASUS MyLogo2 PCI 2.2, USB 2.0 DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME, WO_USB, WO_KB/MS Device drivers ASUS PC Probe ASUS Update ASUS Screen Saver Adobe Acrobat Reader Trend Micro PC-cillin 2002 ASUS A7N8X-VM/400 series support CD UltraDMA133 cable FDD cable I/O shield User Guide Micro-ATX form factor: 9.6 in x 9.6 in

Accessories

Form Factor
* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Chapter 1

This chapter describes the features of the motherboard. It includes brief descriptions of the motherboard components, and illustrations of the layout, jumper settings, and connectors.

Gold triangle

The CPU should drop easily into place. Do not force the CPU into the socket to avoid bending the pins. If the CPU does not fit, check its alignment and look for bent pins.

System memory

The motherboard has two DDR DIMM sockets that supports up to 2GB non-ECC PC2700/2100 DDR SDRAM DIMMs. Each DIMM socket is two-sided. DIMMs come in combinations of single or double-sided types ranging through 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB and 1GB. The A7N8X-VM/400 motherboard supports the dual-channel memory architecture when you install two DIMMs.

104 Pins

80 Pins
A7N8X-VM/400 184-Pin DDR DIMM Sockets

Installing a DIMM

1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing the retaining clips outward. 2. Align a DIMM on the socket. Make sure the notches on the DIMM exactly match the notches in the socket. 3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the socket until the retaining clips lock into place.

DDR DIMM notch

Unlocked Retaining Clip
A DDR DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it fits in only one direction. DO NOT force a DIMM into a socket to avoid damaging the DIMM.

1.10 Expansion slots

The A7N8X-VM/400 motherboard has three (3) PCI and one (1) Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP). The following sub-sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support.
1.10.1 Configuring an expansion card
Some expansion cards need an IRQ to operate. Generally, an IRQ must be exclusively assigned to one function at a time. In a standard design configuration, 16 IRQs are available but most are already in use. Normally, 6 IRQs are free for expansion cards. Sometimes IRQs are shared by more than one function; in this case, IRQ assignments are swapped automatically or adjusted through the BIOS firmware.
Standard Interrupt Assignments
IRQ 2 3* 4* 5* 6 7* 8 9* 10* 11* 12* 13 14* 15* Standard Function System Timer Keyboard Controller Programmable Interrupt Controller USB Universal Host Controller Communications Port (COM1) Onboard Audio Standard Floppy Disk Controller Printer Port (LPT1) System CMOS/Real Time Clock Onboard LAN USB Universal Host Controller Onboard VGA PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port Numeric Data Processor Ultra ATA Controller Secondary Ultra ATA Controller
*These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.
IRQ assignments for this motherboard
PCI slot 1 PCI slot 2 PCI slot 3 AGP slot A used B used C used D used

1.10.2 AGP slot

This motherboard has an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) slot that supports +1.5V AGP 8X cards. Note the notches on the card golden fingers to ensure that they fit the AGP slot on your motherboard. This AGP slot also supports Digital Video Output (DVO) interface cards (AGP-NV-DVI) for digital display on newgeneration LCD monitors and projectors.
AGP Card without Retention Notch

ASUS AGP-NV-DVI

A7N8X-VM/400 Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)

Rotation +12V GND

GND +12V Rotation
A7N8X-VM/400 Fan Connectors
Do not forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Lack of sufficient air flow within the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the fan connectors!
+5V J1B2 J1CY GND GND J1CX J1B1 +5V
7. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS1) This lead is for a chassis designed with intrusion detection feature. This requires an external detection mechanism such as a chassis intrusion sensor or microswitch. When you remove any chassis component, the sensor triggers and sends a high-level signal to this lead to record a chassis intrusion event. By default, the pins labeled Chassis Signal and Ground are shorted with a jumper cap. If you wish to use the chassis intrusion detection feature, remove the jumper cap from the pins.

CHASSIS1

Chassis Signal GND

(Default)

AGND +5VA BLINE_OUT_R
A7N8X-VM/400 Chassis Alarm Lead
8. Front panel audio connectors (10-1 pin FP_AUDIO) This is an interface for the front panel audio module that allows convenient connection and control of audio devices.

+5VSB_MB

FP_AUDIO
MIC2 MICPWR Line out_R NC Line out_L
A7N8X-VM/400 Front Panel Audio Connector

BLINE_OUT_L

9. Internal audio connectors (4 pin CD1, AUX1) These connectors allow you to receive stereo audio input from sound sources such as a CD-ROM, TV tuner or MPEG card.

AUX1 (White) CD1 (Black)

Left Audio Channel Ground Right Audio Channel
A7N8X-VM/400 Internal Audio Connectors
10. TV out connector (6-1 pin U46) This 6-1 pin connector connects to the front panel daughter card with the audio TV-out port. This connector allows dual display (TV+VGA or TV+DVI) with the ASUS AV/S and AGP-NV-DVI cards.
A7N8X-VM/400 TV Out Connector

ASUS AV/S

The ASUS AV/S module is purchased separately.
11. Digital audio connector (6-1 pin SPDIF1) This connector is for optional S/PDIF audio module that allows digital instead of analog sound input and output.

SPDIF_OUT +5V

SPDIF1
A7N8X-VM/400 Digital Audio Connector
When you input sound for S/PDIF IN, the LINE_OUT will output the sound. Mute LINE_OUT to impede sound output from S/PDIF IN. The S/PDIF module is purchased separately.
12. Serial connector (10-1 pin COM2) This connector accommodates a second serial port using an optional serial port bracket. Connect the bracket cable to this connector then install the bracket into a slot opening at the back of the system chassis.

Important notes

It is recommended that you save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a bootable floppy disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the AFUDOS or the ASUS Update utilities. A working BIOS file for this motherboard is in the support CD. Use this file only when you do not have a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file in a floppy disk. Visit the ASUS website and download the latest BIOS file for this motherboard using the ASUS Update utility.
2.1.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk
1. Do either one of the following to create a bootable floppy disk. DOS environment Insert a 1.44 MB floppy disk into the drive. At the DOS prompt, type: format A:/S then press <Enter>. Windows 98SE/ME environment a. From your Windows desktop, click on Start, point to Settings, then click on Control Panel. b. Double-click on Add/Remove Programs icon from the Control Panel window. c. Click on the Startup Disk tab, then on Create Disk. button. d. Insert a 1.44 MB floppy disk when prompted. Follow the succeeding screen instructions to complete the process. 2. Copy the original (or the latest) motherboard BIOS to the bootable floppy disk.
2.1.2 Using AFUDOS to copy the current BIOS
The AFUDOS.EXE utility can also be used to copy the current system BIOS settings to a floppy or hard disk. The copy can be used as a backup in case the system BIOS fails or gets corrupted. 1. At the DOS prompt, type the command line: afudos /o<filename> where filename can be any user provided filename of not more than eight (8) alpha-numeric characters for the main filename and three (3) alpha-numeric characters for the extension name. Press the Enter key. The BIOS information on the screen is for reference only. What you see on your screen may not be exactly the same as shown.
Main filename Extension name
A:\>afudos /oMYBIOS03.rom AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.10 Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading flash.. 0x0008CC00 (9%)
2. The utility will copy the current system BIOS by default to the floppy disk. Make sure that the floppy disk is not write-protected and have enough space (at least 600KB) to store the file.
A:\>afudos /oMYBIOS03.rom AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.10 Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading flash.. done A:\>
When the BIOS copy process is complete, the utility returns to the DOS prompt.

2.1.3 Using AFUDOS to update the BIOS
Update the BIOS only if you are sure that the new BIOS revision will solve your problems. Careless updating may result to more problems with the motherboard!
1. Download an updated ASUS BIOS file from the Internet (www.asus.com), then save the file to the bootable floppy disk you created earlier. Write down the BIOS file name to a piece of paper. You need to type the exact BIOS file name at the prompt. 2. Copy the AFUDOS.EXE utility from the support CD to the bootable floppy disk that contains the BIOS file. 3. Boot the system from the floppy disk. 3. At the DOS prompt, type afudos /i<filename.rom> and then press <Enter>. 4. The utility starts to program the new BIOS information into the Flash ROM. Several tasks are performed and when the programming is done, the message Done appears at the end of each task.
A:\AFUDOS>afudos /ia7nvm400.rom AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.10 Copyright (C)2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading file.done Erasing flash.done Writing flash.0x0008CC00 (9%)
DO NOT shutdown or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so may cause system boot failure! 5. After all tasks are performed, AFUDOS utility automatically exits to DOS.
A:\AFUDOS>afudos /ia7nvm400.rom AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.10 Copyright (C)2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading file.done Erasing flash.done Writing flash.done Verifying flash.done A:\
6. Reboot the system from the hard disk.
2.1.4 Using ASUS EZ Flash to update the BIOS
The ASUS EZ Flash feature allows you to easily update the BIOS without having to go through the long process of booting from a diskette and using a DOS-based utility. The EZ Flash is built-in the BIOS firmware so it is accessible by simply pressing <Alt> + <F2> during the Power-On Self Tests (POST).
To update the BIOS using ASUS EZ Flash:
1. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS file for your motherboard. Save the BIOS file to a floppy disk. 2. Reboot the system. 3. To launch EZ Flash, press <Alt> + <F2> during POST to display the following.
User recovery requested. Starting BIOS recovery. Checking for floppy.

If there is no floppy disk found in the drive, the error message Floppy not found! appears. If the correct BIOS file is not found in the floppy disk, the error message A7NVM400.ROM not found! is displayed. Make sure to rename the downloaded BIOS file as A7NVM400.ROM.
4. Insert the floppy disk that contains the BIOS file. If all the necessary files are found in the floppy disk, EZ Flash performs the BIOS update process and automatically reboots the system when done. DO NOT shutdown or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so may cause system boot failure!
User recovery requested. Starting BIOS recovery. Checking for floppy. Floppy found! Reading file a7nvm400.rom. Completed. Start flashing. Flashed successfully. Rebooting.

2.1.5 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 3-3 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

General help

In addition to the Item Specific Help window, the BIOS setup program also provides a General Help screen. You may launch this screen from any menu by simply pressing <F1> or the <Alt> + <H> combination. The General Help screen lists the legend keys and their corresponding functions.
Saving changes and exiting the Setup program
See 2.7 Exit Menu for detailed information on saving changes and exiting the setup program. When a scroll bar appears to the right of a help window, it indicates that there is more information to be displayed that will not fit in the window. Use <PgUp> and <PgDn> or the up and down arrow keys to scroll through the entire help document. Press <Home> to display the first page, press <End> to go to the last page. To exit the help window, press <Enter> or <Esc>. The BIOS information on the screen is for reference only. What you see on your screen may not be exactly the same as shown.

Sub-menu

Note that a right pointer symbol (as shown on the left) appears to the left of certain fields. This pointer indicates that you can display a sub-menu from this field. A sub-menu contains additional options for a field parameter. To display a sub-menu, move the highlight to the field and press <Enter>. The sub-menu appears. Use the legend keys to enter values and move from field to field within a sub-menu as you would within a menu. Use the <Esc> key to return to the main menu. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the legend keys and their corresponding functions. Practice navigating through the various menus and sub-menus. If you accidentally make unwanted changes to any of the fields, use the set default hot key <F5> to load the Setup default values. While moving around through the Setup program, note that explanations appear in the Item Specific Help window located to the right of each menu. This window displays the help text for the currently highlighted field.

Main menu

This field allows the BIOS to select the Parallel Port Mode. Configuration options: [Normal] [EPP] [ECP] [EPP+ECP]
ECP Mode DMA Channel [DMA3]
This field allows the BIOS to select the Parallel Port ECP DMA. Configuration options: [DMA0] [DMA1] [DMA3]

Parallel Port IRQ [IRQ7]

This field allows the BIOS to select the Parallel Port IRQ. Configuration options: [IRQ5l] [IRQ7]
Onboard Game Port [Disabled]
Allows you to select the Game Port address or to disable the port. Configuration options: [Disabled] [200/300] [200/330] [208/300 [208/330]
Onboard MIDI Port [Disabled]
Allows you to select the MIDI Port address or to disable the port. Configuration options: [Disabled] [200/300] [200/330] [208/300 [208/330]
SMBUS Interface [Enabled]
This field allows you to enable or disable the SMBus interface. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]
Audio CODEC Interface [Auto]
The BIOS auto-detects the onboard audio CODEC when you set this item to [Auto]. Select [Disable] to disable the audio CODEC. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled]

Onboard LAN [Enabled]

This field allows you to disable or set to automatic the onboard LAN interface. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

LAN Boot ROM [Disabled]

This field allows you to disable or set to automatic the onboard boot ROM interface. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

2.4.3 PCIPnP

Plug and Play O/S [No]
This field configures the Plug and Play O/S feature. If set to [No], the BIOS configures all the devices attached to the system. If set to [Yes], the operating system configures Plug and Play (PnP) devices not required for boot if the system has a Plug and Play operating system feature. Configuration options: [No] [Yes]

PCI Latency Timer [64]

Leave this field to the default setting [64] for best performance and stability. Configuration options: [32] [64] [96] [128] [160] [192] [224] [248]

Bootup Num-Lock [On]

This field selects the power-on state for the NumLock key. Configuration options: [On] [Off]
Wait for F1 If Error [Enabled]
This field sets whether to wait for F1 key to be pressed if an error occurs. Configuration options: [Enabled [Disabled]]
Hit Del Message Display [Enabled]
This field toggles the display of Press DEL to run Setup. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]
Interrupt 19 Capture [Disabled]
When [Enabled], it allows option ROMs to trap interrupt 19. This is required by some PCI cards that provide a ROM based setup utility. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

2.6.2 Security

The Security menu items allow you to change the system security settings. Select an item then press Enter to display the configuration options.
Security Settings Supervisor Password User Password Change Supervisor Password Clear User Password Not Installed Not Installed
<Enter> to change password. <Enter> again to disable password.
Change Supervisor Password
Select this item to set or change the supervisor password. The Supervisor Password item on top of the screen shows the default Not Installed. After you have set a password, this item shows Installed. To set a Supervisor Password: 1. Select the Change Supervisor Password item and press Enter. 2. On the password box that appears, type a password composed of letters and/ or numbers, then press Enter. Your password should have at least six characters. 3. Confirm the password when prompted. The message Password Installed appears after you have successfully set your password. The Supervisor Password item now shows Installed. To change the supervisor password, follow the same steps as in setting a user password. To clear the supervisor password, select the Change Supervisor Password then press Enter. The message Password Uninstalled appears. After you have set a supervisor password, the other items appear to allow you to change other security settings.
Security Settings Supervisor Password User Password Change Supervisor Password User Access Level Clear User Password Password Check Not Installed Not Installed [Full Access] [Setup]
User Access Level (Full Access]
This item allows you to select the access restriction to the Setup items. Configuration options: [No Access] [View Only] [Limited] [Full Access] No Access prevents user access to the Setup utility. View Only allows access but does not allow change to any field. Limited allows change to only selected fields, such as Date and Time. Full Access allows viewing and changing all the fields in the Setup utility.

Change User Password

Select this item to set or change the user password. The User Password item on top of the screen shows the default Not Installed. After you have set a password, this item shows Installed. To set a User Password: 1. Select the Change User Password item and press Enter. 2. On the password box that appears, type a password composed of letters and/ or numbers, then press Enter. Your password should have at least six characters. 3. Confirm the password when prompted. The message Password Installed appears after you have successfully set your password. The User Password item now shows Installed. To change the user password, follow the same steps as in setting a user password.

Clear User Password

Select this item if you wish to clear the user password.

Password Check [Setup]

When set to [Setup], BIOS checks for user password when accessing the Setup utility. When set to [Always], BIOS checks for user password both when accessing Setup and booting the system. Configuration options: [Setup] [Always]

Exit menu

When you have made all of your selections from the various menus in the Setup program, save your changes and exit Setup. Select Exit from the menu bar to display the following menu.
Exit Options Exit & Save Changes Exit & Discard Changes Discard Changes Load Setup Defaults
Exit system setup after saving the changes. F10 key can be used for this operation.
Pressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options from this menu or <F10> from the legend bar to exit.

Exit & Save Changes

Once you are finished making your selections, choose this option from the Exit menu to ensure the values you selected are saved to the CMOS RAM. The CMOS RAM is sustained by an onboard backup battery and stays on even when the PC is turned off. When you select this option, a confirmation window appears. Select [Yes] to save changes and exit.
If you attempt to exit the Setup program without saving your changes, the program prompts you with a message asking if you want to save your changes before exiting. Pressing <Enter> saves the changes while exiting.
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.

Discard Changes

This convenient utility continuously monitors your computer systems vital components such as fan rotations, CPU temperature, and system voltages, and alerts you on any detected problems. This utility helps you keep your computer at a healthy operating condition.

Install ASUS Update

This program allows you to download the latest version of the BIOS from the ASUS website. Before using the ASUS Update, make sure that you have an Internet connection so you can connect to the ASUS website. See page 2-7 for details on how to install and use the ASUS Update.

PC-CILLIN 2002

This item installs the PC-cillin 2002 anti-virus program. View the PC-cillin online help for detailed information.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

This item installs the Adobe Acrobat Reader. The Acrobat Reader software is for viewing files saved in Portable Document Format (PDF).

ASUS Screen Saver

This item installs the ASUS screen saver.
3.2.4 ASUS contact information
Click the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information.