MotherboardM2N-XE
xM2N-XE specications summary(continued on the next page)CPU ChipsetFront Side BusMemory Expansion slots Storage Hig
xiM2N-XE specications summaryManageability USB BIOS features Rear panel Internal Connector Accessories Manageability Form Facto
xii
1Product introductionThis chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports.
1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.1 Welcome!T h a n k y o u f o r b u y i n g a n A S U S® M 2 N - X E m o t h e r b o a r d !The mot
ASUS M2N-XE 1-3NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6100 GPU and NVIDIA® nForce™ 430 MCP chipsets The NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6100 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Northbri
1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.3.2 Innovative ASUS featuresGreen ASUS This motherboard and its packaging comply with the European Union’s Rest
ASUS M2N-XE 1-5Onboard LEDThe motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-o
1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.5.1 Motherboard layout1.5 Motherboard overviewSocket AM230.5cm (12in)M2N-XEAUDIOLAN1_USB12USB34PS/2KBMST:MouseB
ASUS M2N-XE 1-7M2N-XEDo not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.1.5.2 Placement directionWhen installing the motherboard, ens
iiCopyright © 2007 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be repro
1-8 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2+ socket designed for the AMD Athlon™ 64
ASUS M2N-XE 1-93. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle.
1-10 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fanThe AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 / Athlon™ 64 / Athlon™ FX / Sempron™ processor require
ASUS M2N-XE 1-112. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base.3. Align the other end of the retention bracket (near the r
1-12 Chapter 1: Product introduction• You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-si
ASUS M2N-XE 1-13Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR2-1066 DDR2-800 Size Vendor Model CL Brand SS/DS Component DIMM support A B 512MB Kingston K
1-14 Chapter 1: Product introductionDDR2-667Size Vendor Model CL Brand SS/DS Component DIMM support AB 256MB Kingston KVR667D2N5/256 N/A K
ASUS M2N-XE 1-15Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) for the latest QVL.Side(s): SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sidedDIMM Support:A - Supports one m
1-16 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.7.3 Installing a DIMM1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing the retaining clips outward.2. Align a DIMM on the s
ASUS M2N-XE 1-171.8 Expansion slotsIn the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the slots and the expa
iiiContentsNotices ... viSafety information ...
1-18 Chapter 1: Product introductionIRQ Priority Standard Function0 1 System Timer1 2 Keyboard Controller2 – Re-direct to IRQ#93 11 IRQ hold
ASUS M2N-XE 1-191.8.3 PCI slotsThe PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specication
1-20 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.9 Jumpers1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC)This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You c
ASUS M2N-XE 1-212. USB device wake-up (3-pin PS2_USBPWR1-4, USBPWR56, USBPWR7-10)Set these jumpers to +5V to wake up the computer from S1 sleep mode
1-22 Chapter 1: Product introductionRefer to the audio conguration table for the function of the audio ports in 2, 4, or 6-channel conguration.1.10
ASUS M2N-XE 1-237. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.8. USB 2.0 p
1-24 Chapter 1: Product introduction2. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE)The onboard IDE connector is for Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 / 33 signal cable. T
ASUS M2N-XE 1-253. Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4)These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Serial ATA 3.0 G
1-26 Chapter 1: Product introduction4. CPU and Chassis Fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FAN)The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350mA~
ASUS M2N-XE 1-27Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard!6. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78, USB
ivContentsChapter 2: BIOS setup2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ... 2-22.1.1 Creating a bootable oppy d
1-28 Chapter 1: Product introduction8. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I / O mod
ASUS M2N-XE 1-299. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V)These connectors are for an ATX power supply. The plugs from the power supply a
1-30 Chapter 1: Product introduction10. System panel connector (10-1 pin F_PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.• Syste
2BIOS setupThis chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also
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 M2N-XE 2-32. Copy the original or the latest motherboard BIOS le to the bootable oppy disk.2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash utilityASUS EZ Flash feature a
2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.1.3 AFUDOS utilityThe AFUDOS utility allows you to update the BIOS le in DOS environment using a bootable oppy disk with
ASUS M2N-XE 2-5Updating the BIOS leTo update the BIOS le using the AFUDOS utility:1. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download the latest
2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utilityThe ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS l
ASUS M2N-XE 2-7Recovering the BIOS from the support CDTo recover the BIOS from the support CD:1. Remove any oppy disk from the oppy disk drive, the
vContents2.5.3 ACPI APIC Support ... 2-292.5.4 APM Conguration ...
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 M2N-XE 2-93. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network trafc, or click Auto Select. Click Next.Updating the BIOS through the Intern
2-10 Chapter 2: BIOS setupUpdating the BIOS through a BIOS leTo update the BIOS through a BIOS le:1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Window
ASUS M2N-XE 2-11• The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions to ensure optimum performance. If the system becomes unsta
2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.2.2 Menu barThe menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:Main For changing the basic system congur
ASUS M2N-XE 2-132.2.4 Menu itemsThe highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting Main shows the
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 M2N-XE 2-152.3.4 IDE CongurationThe items in this menu allow you to set or change the congurations for the IDE devices installed in the system
2-16 Chapter 2: BIOS setupThe BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Device, Vendor, Size, LBA Mode, Block Mode, PIO Mode, A
ASUS M2N-XE 2-172.3.6 SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, and SATA4While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of SATA devices. There is a sep
viNoticesFederal Communications Commission StatementThis device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two cond
2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS setupSMART Monitoring [Auto]Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. Conguration options: [Auto] [Disable
ASUS M2N-XE 2-192.4 Advanced menuThe Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices.Take caution when chan
2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS setupPCI-Express Frequency (MHz) [100]Allows you to select PCI-Express frequency. Conguration options: [100] [101] [102] [103]..
ASUS M2N-XE 2-212.4.2 CPU CongurationThe items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS automatically detects.GART Error Reportin
2-22 Chapter 2: BIOS setupAMD Overclocking CongurationProcessor Frequency Multiplier [Auto]Processor Voltage [Auto]AMD Overclocking Conguration Pro
ASUS M2N-XE 2-23Bank Interleaving [Disabled]Allows you to enable or disable the Bank Memory Interleaving. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto] Cha
2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS setupDRAM Timing CongurationMemory Clock Mode [Auto] DRA M Timing Config urat ionMemory Clock Mode [Auto]Sets memory clock mode
ASUS M2N-XE 2-25ECC Configur atio nECC Mode [Disabled]Sets the level of ECC protection. The ‘Super’ ECC mode dynamically sets the DRAM scrub rate so
2-26 Chapter 2: BIOS setupPrimary Graphics Adapter [PCI E -> PCI -> IGP]Display Device Priority, from high to low. Conguration options: [PCI E
ASUS M2N-XE 2-272.4.4 Onboard Devices CongurationCongure ITE8712 Super IO ChipsetSerial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]Parallel Port Address [378]Par
viiSafety informationElectrical safety• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating th
2-28 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.4.5 PCI PnPThe PCI PnP menu items allow you to change the advanced settings for PCI/PnP devices. The menu includes settin
ASUS M2N-XE 2-29USB 1.1 Controller [Enabled]Allows you to enable or disable the USB 1.1 Controller. Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]USB 2.0
2-30 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.5 Power menuThe Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an item
ASUS M2N-XE 2-312.5.4 APM CongurationAPM CongurationPower Button Mode [On/Off]Restore on AC Power Loss [Power Off]Power On By PCI(-E) Device
2-32 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.5.5 Hardware MonitorHardware MonitorCPU Temperature [38ºC/100ºF]MB Temperature [32ºC/89.5ºF]CPU Fan Speed [3260RPM
ASUS M2N-XE 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 setup2.6.2 Boot Settings Conguration Select Screen Select Item+- Change OptionF1 General HelpF10 Save and ExitESC
ASUS M2N-XE 2-35If you forgot your BIOS password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM. See section “1.9 Jumpers” for infor
2-36 Chapter 2: BIOS setupAfter you have set a supervisor password, the other items appear to allow you to change other security settings. User Access
ASUS M2N-XE 2-37Password Check [Setup]When set to [Setup], BIOS checks for user password when accessing the Setup utility. When set to [Always], BIOS
viiiAbout this guideThis user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring the motherboard.How this guide is organizedThis g
2-38 Chapter 2: BIOS setupExit & Discard ChangesSelect this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the Setup program
3Software supportThis chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package.
3-2 Chapter 3: Software supportIf Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support CD to locate the le ASSETUP.EXE from th
3-3ASUS M2N-XE3.2.2 Drivers menuThe drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install the necessary dr
3-4 Chapter 3: Software support3.2.3 Utilities menuThe Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard supports. ASUS I
3-5ASUS M2N-XE3.2.4 Make Disk menuThe Make Disk menu allows you to make a RAID driver disk.NVIDIA 32bit SATA RAID DiskAllows you to create an NVIDIA®
3-6 Chapter 3: Software supportNVIDIA® SATA RAID User’s ManualAllows you to open the NVIDIA® SATA RAID user’s manual. HD Audio User’s ManualAllows you
3-7ASUS M2N-XE3.2.6 ASUS Contact informationClick the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information. You can also nd this information on the i
3-8 Chapter 3: Software supportTechnical Support FormDisplays the ASUS Technical Support Request Form that you have to ll out when requesting technic
3-9ASUS M2N-XE3.3 Creating a RAID driver diskA oppy disk with the RAID driver is required when installing Windows® 2000 / 32-bit XP / 64-bit XP / 32
ixConventions used in this guideTo ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual.Typo
3-10 Chapter 3: Software support
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