Asus M2N-E SLI User Manual

MotherboardM2N-E SLI

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

4-42 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tup4.6.4 SecurityF1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Se

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-43A note about passwordsThe Supervisor password is required to enter the BIOS Setup program preventing unauthorized access. The User

4-44 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tup4.7 Tools menuThe Tools menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> t

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-45Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Select MenuItem Specic HelpThis option

4-46 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupLoad Setup Defaults This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the Setup menus. When

5Software supportThis chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package.

ASUS M2N-E SLIChapter summary5.1 Installing an operating system ... 5-15.2 Support CD information ...

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-1If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support CD to locate the le ASSETUP.EXE from the BIN folder.

5-2 Chapter 5: Software support5.2.2 Drivers menuThe drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-35.2.3 Utilities menuThe Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard supports. ASUS PC Probe IIThi

xiM2N-E SLI specications summary(continued on the next page)CPU Socket AM2 for AMD Athlon™ 64 FX/AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 /AMD Athlon 64™/AMD Sempron™ p

5-4 Chapter 5: Software supportMicrosoft DirectX 9.0cInstalls the Microsoft® DirectX 9.0 driver. The Microsoft DirectX® 9.0 is a multimedia technolog

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-55.2.5 Manuals menuThe Manuals menu contains a list of supplementary user manuals. Click an item to open the folder of the user manu

5-6 Chapter 5: Software support5.2.6 ASUS Contact informationClick the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information. You can also nd this inf

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-7Browse this CDDisplays the support CD contents in graphical format.Technical support FormDisplays the ASUS Technical Support Request

5-8 Chapter 5: Software supportFilelistDisplays the contents of the support CD and a brief description of each in text format.

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-95.3.1 Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ TechnologyThe motherboard supports the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology that dynamically and automatically ch

5-10 Chapter 5: Software support• The AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ technology feature works only with the AMD heatsink and fan assembly with monitor chip• If

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-115.3.2 ASUS PC Probe IIPC Probe II is a utility that monitors the computer’s vital components, and detects and alerts you of any pr

5-12 Chapter 5: Software support Button Function Opens the Conguration window Opens the Report window Opens the Desktop Managem

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-13Changing the monitor panels positionTo change the position of the monitor panels in the desktop, click the arrow down button of the

xiiM2N-E SLI specications summarySpecial features ASUS EZ DIY: - Q-Connector - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS Q-Fan 2 ASUS MyL

5-14 Chapter 5: Software supportMonitoring sensor alertThe monitor panel turns red when a component value exceeds or is lower than the threshold value

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-15PCI browserClick to display the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) browser. This browser provides information on the PCI dev

5-16 Chapter 5: Software supportMemory usageThe Memory tab shows both used and available physical memory. The pie chart at the bottom of the window re

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-175.4 RAID congurationsThe motherboard comes with the NVIDIA® SLI Southbridge RAID controllers that allow you to congure IDE and S

5-18 Chapter 5: Software support5.4.1 Installing hard disksThe motherboard supports Ultra DMA /133/100/66 and Serial ATA hard disk drives. For optima

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-195.4.2 NVIDIA® RAID configurationsThe motherboard includes a high performance IDE RAID controller integrated in the NVIDIA® SLI sou

5-20 Chapter 5: Software supportEntering the NVIDIA® RAID utilityTo enter the NVIDIA® RAID utility:1. Boot up your computer. 2. During POST, press

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-21TIP: For server systems, we recommend using a lower array block size. For multimedia computer systems used mainly for audio and vid

5-22 Chapter 5: Software supportRebuilding a RAID arrayTo rebuild a RAID array:1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-23 A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen. 2. Press <R> to rebuild a RAID array. The followin

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

5-24 Chapter 5: Software supportDeleting a RAID arrayTo delete a RAID array:1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RA

ASUS M2N-E SLI 5-25Clearing a disk dataTo clear disk data:1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID array then pres

5-26 Chapter 5: Software support5.5 Creating a RAID driver diskA oppy disk with the RAID driver is required when installing Windows® 2000/XP operati

6 This chapter tells how to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards. NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support

ASUS M2N-E SLIChapter summary6.1 Overview ... 6-16.2 Dual graphi

ASUS M2N-E SLI6-16.1 OverviewThe motherboard supports the NVIDIA® SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface) - Intel® Edition technology that allows you to insta

6-2Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support6.2 Dual graphics card setup6.2.1 Installing SLI-ready graphics cardsInstall only identical SLI-ready g

ASUS M2N-E SLI6-34. Insert the second graphics card into the other slot. Make sure that the card is properly seated on the slot.If required, connect

6-4Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support7. Connect a VGA cable or a DVI-I cable to the graphics card/s.We recommend to install an additional ch

ASUS M2N-E SLI6-5NVIDIA Settings iconTo enable the multi-GPU feature:1. Click the NVIDIA Settings icon on your Windows taskbar.2. From the pop-up me

ASUS M2N-E SLIChapter summary1.1 Welcome! ... 1-11.2 Package contents ...

6-6Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support5. From the Display Properties dialog box, select the Settings tab then click Advanced.6. Select the NV

ASUS M2N-E SLI 1-11.1 Welcome!Thank you for buying an ASUS® M2N-E SLI motherboard!The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technolo

1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.3 Special features1.3.1 Product highlightsLatest processor technology The motherboard comes with a 940-

ASUS M2N-E SLI 1-3Serial ATA 3Gb/s RAID The motherboard supports the next-generation Serial ATA hard drives based on the SATA 3Gb/s storage specica

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.3.2 ASUS Special featuresASUS Two-slot thermal designThe motherboard is designed with two PCI Express x1 slots p

2Hardware informationThis chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It includes descript

iiCopyright © 2006 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be repro

ASUS M2N-E SLIChapter summary2.1 Before you proceed ... 2-12.2 Motherboard overview ...

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-1Onboard LEDThe motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in so

2-2 Chapter 2: Hardware informationRM2N-E SLI2.2 Motherboard overviewBefore you install the motherboard, study the conguration of your chassis to en

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-32.2.3 Motherboard layout21.8cm(8.6in)30.5cm(12.0in)Socket AM2CPU_FANPRI_IDESEC_IDEDDR2 DIMM_A1 (64 bit,240-pin module)DDR2 DIMM_B1

2-4 Chapter 2: Hardware informationInternal connectors Page1. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY) 2-232. Primary/Secondary IDE

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-52.3.1 Installing the CPUTo install a CPU:1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.Make sure that the socket lever is lifted up

2-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner wit

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-72.3.2 Installing the heatsink and fanThe the AMD Athlon™ FX, AMD Athlon 64™, AMD Sempron™ or AMD Athlon™ X2 processor require a sp

2-8 Chapter 2: Hardware information2. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base.3. Align the other end of the retention b

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-95. When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN.Do

iiiContentsNotices ...viiSafety information ...

2-10 Chapter 2: Hardware information2.4 System memory2.4.1 OverviewThe motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modu

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-11Important notice on installing Windows® XP 32-bit versionIf you install Windows® XP 32-bit version Operating System (OS), the limit

2-12 Chapter 2: Hardware informationQualied Vendors List DDR2-800 DD R2 Si zeVe nd or Mo de l Side(s) Co mp onentDI MM socket su pp ort A* B* C*512

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-13Qualied Vendors List DDR2-667 DD R2 Si zeVe nd or Mo de l Side(s) Co mp onentDI MM socket su pp ort A* B* C*512MB KINGSTON E51

2-14 Chapter 2: Hardware informationSide(s): SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sidedDIMM Support:A - Supports one module inserted in any slot for a sing

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-152.4.3 Installing a DIMMUnplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other system components. Failure to do so can ca

2-16 Chapter 2: Hardware information2.5 Expansion slotsIn the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe th

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-172.5.3 Interrupt assignmentsStandard interrupt assignments* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.IRQ Priority St

2-18 Chapter 2: Hardware information• In single card mode, we recommend that you use the blue PCI Express x16 (PCIEX16_1) slot.• Due to chipset limi

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-192.6 Jumpers1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC)This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You can clear the CMOS

ivContents2.6 Jumpers ... 2-192.7 Connectors ...

2-20 Chapter 2: Hardware information2. USB device wake-up (3-pin USBPW12, USBPW34, USBPW56, USBPW78)Set these jumpers to +5V to wake up the computer

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-213. Keyboard power (3-pin KBPWR)This jumper allows you to enable or disable the keyboard wake-up feature. Set this jumper to pins 2

2-22 Chapter 2: Hardware information2.7 Connectors2.7.1 Rear panel connectors1. PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse.2. Parallel

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-237. Line In port (light blue). This port connects the tape, CD, DVD player, or other audio sources. 8. Line Out port (lime). This

2-24 Chapter 2: Hardware information2. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE, SEC_IDE)The onboard IDE connector is for the Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cabl

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-253. Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4)These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Se

2-26 Chapter 2: Hardware information4. CPU, Chassis, and Power fan connectors (3-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin PWR_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FAN)The fan connectors support

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-27Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard!5. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78)Th

2-28 Chapter 2: Hardware information6. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR1,4-pin ATX12V)These connectors are for an ATX power supply plugs. The pow

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-298. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin FP_AUDIO)This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that suppor

vContents4.3.8 Installed Memory ... 4-194.4 Advanced menu ...

2-30 Chapter 2: Hardware information10. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.• System pow

ASUS M2N-E SLI 2-31Q-Connector (System panel)ASUS Q-Connector allows you to easily to connect the chassis front panel cables to the motherboard. Perfo

2-32 Chapter 2: Hardware information

3Powering upThis chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down the system.

ASUS M2N-E SLIChapter summary33.1 Startingupforthersttime ... 3-13.2 Powering off the com

ASUS M2N-E SLI 3-13.1 Starting up for the rst time1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover. 2. Be sure that all switches

3-2 Chapter 3: Powering up3.2 Powering off the computer3.2.1 Using the OS shut down functionIf you are using Windows® 2000:1. Click the Start butt

4BIOS setupThis chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also

ASUS M2N-E SLIChapter summary4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ... 4-14.2 BIOS setup program ...

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-14.1 Managing and updating your BIOSThe following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output System

viContents5.4 RAID congurations ... 5-165.4.1 Installing hard disks ...

4-2 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupc. Click Start, then select Run.d. From the Open eld, type D:\bootdisk\makeboot a: assuming that D: is your optical dr

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-36. Type the BIOS le name in the File Name to Program eld, then press <Enter>.7. Press <N> when the utility prompts y

4-4 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tup3. Type a lename for the current BIOS le in the Save current BIOS as eld, then press <Enter>.4. The utility save

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-54.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utilityThe ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS le when

4-6 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupThe recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this motherboard. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to downlo

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-7To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2:1. Go to the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download the latest BIOS le for your motherboard.

4-8 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupInstalling ASUS UpdateTo install ASUS Update:1. Place the support CD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears. 2. C

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-93. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network trafc, or click Auto Select. Click Next.Updating the BIOS through the Int

4-10 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupUpdating the BIOS through a BIOS fileTo update the BIOS through a BIOS le:1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Win

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-114.2 BIOS setup programThis motherboard supports a programmable Low-Pin Count (LPC) chip that you can update using the provided uti

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

4-12 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupF1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Ente

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-134.2.4 Menu itemsThe highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting Main shows

4-14 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tup4.2.7 Pop-up windowSelect a menu item then press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the conguration options f

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-15F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select S

4-16 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupBefore attempting to congure a hard disk drive, make sure you have the correct conguration information supplied by the d

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-17CapacityDisplays the auto-detected hard disk capacity. This item is not congurable. CylinderShows the number of the hard disk cyli

4-18 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tup4.3.6 SATA 1, 2, 3, 4While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of Serial ATA devices. There is a

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-19HeadShows the number of the hard disk read/write heads. This item is not congurable. Landing ZoneShows the number of landing zone

4-20 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupPhoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Advanced Power Boot Exit Select MenuItem Specic HelpPress Enter t

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-21Overclock Profile [Auto]Allows selection of CPU overclocking options to achieve desired CPU internal frequency. Select either one o

viiiThe symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in municipal waste

4-22 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupCPU Voltage [Auto]Sets the operating CPU voltage. The conguration options vary depending on the model of processor instal

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-23F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select

4-24 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupDRAM Timing ControlLoa d Fa il-S afe DefaultsConguration options: [YES] [NO]USB Key boar d Support [Enabled]Conguratio

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-25Trcd[Auto]Conguration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6] Trp[Auto]Conguration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6] Tras[Auto]Conguration

4-26 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupTrfc[Auto]Conguration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3]1T/2T Memory Timing[Auto]Conguration Options: [Auto] [1T] [2T]Hyper

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-274.4.5 Onboard Device ConfigurationIDE Function SetupThis item in this sub-menu allows you to enable or disable IDE functions.F1:He

4-28 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupSATA Port 1, 2[Enabled]Allows to disable or enable OnChip SATA(Port 1, Port 2) Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-29NVRAID ConfigurationThis item in this sub-menu allows you to set up RAID feature.F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Va

4-30 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tupUSB Controller[enabled] Enables or disables USB 1.1 and 2.0 Controller Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] USB Con

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-31Onboard USB Audio[Enabled]Enable or Disable Onboard USB Audio. Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]Onboard 1394[Enabled]Enabl

ixAbout this guideThis user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring the motherboard.How this guide is organizedThis man

4-32 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tup4.4.6 SLI ConfigurationAI-Selector[Auto]Allows selection of the Scalable Link Interface mode. When set to Auto, BIOS dete

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-334.5 Power menuThe Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface (ACPI) and t

4-34 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tup4.5.3 APM ConfigurationF1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-35Power On By RTC Alarm [Disabled]Allows you to enable or disable RTC to generate a wake event. When this item is set to Enabled, the

4-36 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tup4.5.4 Hardware MonitorThe items in this sub-menu displays the hardware monitor values automatically detected by the BIOS.

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-3712V Voltage[11.90V] Allows you to set or ignore the 12V voltage. Conguration options: [11.90V] [Ignore]CPU Temperature, M/B Temper

4-38 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tup4.6 Boot menuThe Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-394.6.2 Removable Drives1. Floppy DisksAllows you to assign a removable drive attached to the system. 2. Netac OnlyDisk 2010Allows

4-40 Chapter 4: BIOS s e tup4.6.3 Boot Settings Configuration F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC

ASUS M2N-E SLI 4-41The items Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) and Typematic Delay (Msec) becomes user-congurable only when the item Typematic Rate Setting