Asus M2A-MVP User Manual

MotherboardM2A-MVP

xM2A-MVP specications summary(continued on the next page)CPU Socket AM2 for AMD® Athlon™ 64 X2 / Athlon™ 64 FX AthlonAthlon™ 64 / Sempron™ process

3-2 Chapter 3: Software supportIf Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support 

ASUS M2A-MVP 3-33.2.2 Drivers menuThe drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install the necessary

3-4 Chapter 3: Software support3.2.3 Utilities menuThe Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard supports. ASUS I

ASUS M2A-MVP 3-53.2.4 Make Disk menuThe Make Disk menu contains the item needed to create the ATI® RAID driver disk. Make ATI RAID DriverAllows you t

3-6 Chapter 3: Software support3.2.5 Manuals menuThe Manuals menu contains a list of supplementary user manuals. Click an item to open the folder of

ASUS M2A-MVP 3-7Browse this CDDisplays the support CD contents in graphical format.3.2.7 Other informationThe icons on the top right corner of the sc

3-8 Chapter 3: Software supportFilelistDisplays the contents of the support CD and a brief description of each in text format. Technical support form

xiM2A-MVP specications summaryBack panel I/O ports 1 x PS/2 mouse port 1 x PS/2 keyboard port 1 x LAN (RJ-45) port 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 x IEEE139

xii

1Product introductionThis chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports.

1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.1 Welcome!Thank you for buying an ASUS® M2A-MVP motherboard!The motherboard delivers a host of new features and

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-3Dual-Core CPU Enjoy the extraordinary CPU power from the latest dual-core CPU. The advanced processing technology contains two physic

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction IEEE 1394a support The IEEE 1394a interface provides high speed digital interface for audio/video appliances such

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-51.3.2 ASUS features ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 allows users to restore corrupted BIOS data from a 

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.4 Before you proceedTake note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change a

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-7M2A-MVP1.5 Motherboard overview

iiE2910First Edition V1 November 2006Copyright © 2006 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and sof

1-8 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.5.3 Motherboard layoutPANELM2A-MVPCR2032 3VLithium CellCMOS PowerCD8MbitBIOSAAFPATX12VCLRTCPWR_FAN24.5cm (9.6in)

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-91.6.1 Installing the CPUTo install a CPU:1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

1-10 Chapter 1: Product introduction3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner wi

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-111.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fanThe AMD Athlon™ 64FX/Athlon™ 64/Athlon™ 64 X2/Sempron™ processor requires a specially designed

1-12 Chapter 1: Product introduction2. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base.3. Align the other end of the retention

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-135. When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN.•

1-14 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.7 System memory1.7.1 OverviewThe motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modu

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-15ModeSocketsDIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 DIMM_A2 DIMM_B2Single-Channel— Populated — —Populated — — —Dual-channel (1)*Populated Populated — —Dual-ch

1-16 Chapter 1: Product introductionM2A-MVP Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL)DDR2-800MHz capabilitySize Vendor Chip No.SS/DSPart No.DIMM suppor

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-17M2A-MVP Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL)DDR2-667MHz capabilitySize Vendor Chip No.SS/DSPart No.DIMM supportA B C256MB KINGST

iiiContentsNotices ... viSafety information ...

1-18 Chapter 1: Product introductionM2A-MVP Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL)DDR2-553 MHz capabilitySize Vendor Chip No.SS/DSPart No.DIMM suppo

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-191.7.3 Installing a DIMMUnplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other system components. Failure to do so can caus

1-20 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.8 Expansion slotsIn the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe th

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-211.8.3 Interrupt assignmentsStandard interrupt assignments* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.IRQ Priority Stan

1-22 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.8.4 Two PCI slotsThe PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comp

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-23• In single card mode, we recommend that you install a VGA card on the blue PCI Express slot and install any other PCI Express devic

1-24 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.9 Jumper1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC)This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You ca

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-252. Keyboard power (3-pin KBPWR)This jumper allows you to enable or disable the keyboard wake-up feature. Set this jumper to pins 2-3

1-26 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.10 Connectors1.10.1 Rear panel connectors1. PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse.2. Parall

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-279. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.10. USB 2.0

ivContentsChapter 2: BIOS setup2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ... 2-2 

1-28 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.10.2 Internal connectors1. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY)

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-29Drive jumper setting Mode of device(s)Cable connectorSingle device Cable-Select or Master—BlackTwo devicesCable-SelectMasterBlackSlav

1-30 Chapter 1: Product introduction4. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS)This connector is for a chassis-mounted intrusion detection senso

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-315. CPU, chassis, and power fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin PWR_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FAN1)The fan connectors support cooling fans of 3

1-32 Chapter 1: Product introduction7. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB 78, USB910)These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-339. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports eit

1-34 Chapter 1: Product introduction11. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V)These connectors are for ATX power supply plugs. The power

ASUS M2A-MVP 1-35• System power LED (2-pin PLED)This 2-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connecto

1-36 Chapter 1: Product introduction

2BIOS setupThis chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also

vContents2.5.3 ACPI Version Features [ACPI v1.0] ... 2-292.5.4 ACPI APIC support [Enabled] ...

2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.1 Managing and updating your BIOSThe following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-3 To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2: 

2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS setup             with FAT 32/16 format only.• Do not sh

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-5Updating the BIOS le 

2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utilityThe ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore 

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-7Recovering the BIOS from the support CDTo recover the BIOS from the support CD: 

2-8 Chapter 2: BIOS setupInstalling ASUS UpdateTo install ASUS Update:1. Place the support CD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears. 2. Cli

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-93. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest click Auto Select. Click Next.Updating the BIOS through the Inter

2-10 Chapter 2: BIOS setupUpdating the BIOS through a BIOS le1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Window

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-11• The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions to ensure optimum performance. If the system becomes unst

viNoticesFederal Communications Commission StatementThis device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two cond

2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.2.2 Menu barThe menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:Main  

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-132.2.4 Menu itemsThe highlighted item on the menu that menu. For example, selecting Main shows th

2-14 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.3 Main menuWhen you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic syste

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-152.3.4 Primary IDE Master/Slave; SATA1-4While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of IDE devices. There is a

2-16 Chapter 2: BIOS setupPIO Mode [Auto]DMA Mode [Auto]

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-172.3.6 System Informationautomatically detects the item

2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.4 Advanced menuThe Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices.Take caution

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-19The following items appear only when the AI Overclocking item is set to [Manual].FSB Frequency [200]Allows you to adjust the FSB freq

2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.4.2 CPU CongurationThe items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS automatically detects.CPU Cong

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-21v02.58 (C)Copyright 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc.Memory ConguraitonMemory congurationMemory Frequency [Auto]CAS Latency (CL

viiSafety informationElectrical safety• electrical outlet before relocating th

2-22 Chapter 2: BIOS setupTRRD [Auto]TRC [Auto]Ban

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-23DRAM BG Scrub [Disabled]Allows DRAM scrubbing to correct memory errors so later reads are correct. Doing 

2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS setupRD480 HT Link Three State [Disabled]RD480 RD480 HT Drive Strength [Auto]

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-252.4.4 Onboard Devices CongurationHD Audio Azalia Device [Enabled] 

2-26 Chapter 2: BIOS setupEPP Version [1.9]Appears only when the Parallel Port Mode is set to [EPP] or [EPP+ECP]. This item allows you to select the P

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-27PCI Latency Timer [64]Allows you to select the value in units of PCI clocks for the PCI device latency 

2-28 Chapter 2: BIOS setupUSB Controller [USB 1.1 and 2.0]Allows you to select or disable the USB controller. 

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-292.5 Power menuThe Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an item then pre

2-30 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.5.5 APM CongurationAPM CongurationRestore on AC Power Loss [Disabled]Power On By PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled]Power On

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-312.5.6 Hardware MonitorCPU Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF] MB Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF]The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects a

viiiAbout this guidethe motherboard.How this guide is organizedThis m

2-32 Chapter 2: BIOS setupPower Fan Speed [xxxxRPM] or [Ignored] / [N/A]The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the chasis fan

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-332.6 Boot menuThe Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the

2-34 Chapter 2: BIOS setupFull Screen Logo [Enabled]This allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature. 

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-35If you forget your BIOS password, you can clear clear it by erasing the CMOS Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM. See section “1.9 Jumpers” for

2-36 Chapter 2: BIOS setupChange User PasswordSelect this item to set or change the user password. The User Password item on top of the screen shows t

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-372.7.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2message appears. Use the left/right ar

2-38 Chapter 2: BIOS setupStart O.C. ProleAllows you to run the utility to save and load CMOS. Press <Enter> to run the utility. 

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-39Pressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options from this menu or <F10> from the legend bar

2-40 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.9 RAID congurationsThe motherboard comes with a RAID controller integrated in the ULI M1575 

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-412.9.1 Installing hard disksThe motherboard supports Ultra DMA 133/100/66 and Serial ATA hard disk drives. For optimal performance, i

ixConventions used in this guideTo make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual.T

2-42 Chapter 2: BIOS setupThe Main Menu on the upper left side allows you to select an operation to perform. The Main Menu options include:Create RAID

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-43Creating a RAID 0 congurationTo create a RAID 0 set:1. From the ULI RAID BIOS Setup utility menu, move the cursor to Create RAID 0

2-44 Chapter 2: BIOS setupCreating a RAID 1 congurationTo create a RAID 1 set:1. From the ULI RAID BIOS Setup utility menu, move the cursor to Crea

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-45Creating a JBOD congurationTo create a JBOD set:1. From the ULI RAID BIOS Setup utility menu, move the cursor to Create JBOD for i

2-46 Chapter 2: BIOS setupSetting the Stripe Size1. From the ULI RAID BIOS Setup utility menu, move the cursor to Stripe Size

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-47Deleting a RAID congurationTo delete a RAID set:1. From the ULI RAID BIOS Setup utility menu, move the cursor to Delete RAID Setti

2-48 Chapter 2: BIOS setupRebuilding a RAID arrayThis option allows you to rebuild an existing RAID array. To rebuild a RAID array:1. From the ULI R

ASUS M2A-MVP 2-492.10 Creating a RAID driver disk® 2000/XP operating system on a

2-50 Chapter 2: BIOS setup

ASUS M2A-MVP 3-13Software supportThis chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package.