Asus A7V8X User Manual Page 1

Motherboard A7V8XUser Guide

xASUS contact informationASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (Asia-Pacific)Address: 150 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 112General Tel: +886-2-2894-3447General F

4-36Chapter 4: BIOS SetupLoad Setup DefaultsThis option allows you to load the default values for each of theparameters on the Setup menus. When you s

Chapter 5Software supportThis chapter describes the contents of thesupport CD that comes with themotherboard package.

ASUS A7V8X motherboardChapter summary5.1 Install an operating system... 5-15.2 Support CD information ...

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-15.1 Install an operating systemThis motherboard supports Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP and OS/2operating system (OS). A

5-2Chapter 5: Software support5.2.2 Main menuFrom the welcome screen, the program takes you directly to the mainmenu. The main menu displays an image

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-35.2.3 Drivers menuThe drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detectsinstalled devices. Inst

5-4Chapter 5: Software support5.2.4 Software menuThe software menu shows the applications and other software that themotherboard supports. Simply clic

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-5Winbond Voice EditorThis program is for recording and customizing wave files for the ASUSPOST Reporter™. Use this

5-6Chapter 5: Software support5.2.6 Other informationThe icons on the left side of the screen give additional information on themotherboard and the co

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-7Technical Support FormThe window displays the ASUS Technical Support Request Form that youhave to fill up when req

xiA7V8X specifications summaryCPUChipsetFront Side Bus (FSB)MemoryExpansion slotsIDEFlexible Serial ATA(optional)RAID (optional)Audio (optional)LAN (o

5-8Chapter 5: Software support5.3 Software informationMost of the applications in the support CD have wizards that willconveniently guide you through

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-94. From the FTP site, select theBIOS version that you wish todownload. Click Next.5. Follow the instructions on th

5-10Chapter 5: Software support6. The next screen prompts you toflash the original BIOS to updateit with the new boot logo. ClickFlash to update the B

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-115.3.3 ASUS PC ProbeThe ASUS PC Probe is a convenient utility to continuously monitor yourcomputer system’s vital

5-12Chapter 5: Software supportUsing ASUS PC ProbeMonitoringMonitor SummaryShows a summary of the itemsbeing monitored.Temperature MonitorShows the PC

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-13SettingsLets you set threshold levels andpolling intervals or refresh times ofthe PC’s temperature, fan rotation,

5-14Chapter 5: Software supportDevice SummaryShows a summary of devicespresent in your PC.DMI ExplorerShows information pertinent to thePC, such as CP

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-15ASUS PC Probe Task Bar IconRight clicking the PC Probeicon brings up a menu toopen or exit ASUS PC Probeand pause

5-16Chapter 5: Software support5.3.4 E-Color 3DeepThe 3Deep color tuner is designed to match your CRT or LCD colormonitor and maximize the color quali

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-174. Select the color squares that mostclosely blend and match with thebackground.2. Follow the instructions to m

xiiBack Panel I/O PortsInternal I/OConnectorsBIOS featuresIndustry standardManageabilityForm FactorSupport CD contentsAccessoriesA7V8X specifications

5-18Chapter 5: Software support6. When a message appearsindicating that the tuning processis complete, click Finish.5. The next step repeats the color

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-195.3.5 Winbond Voice EditorThe Winbond Voice Editor software allows you to customize the vocalPOST messages. Insta

5-20Chapter 5: Software supportChanging the default language1. Click on the Load button. awindow showing the availablelanguages appears.2. Select your

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-21Customizing your POST messagesIf your language is not in the selection or if you wish to record your ownPOST mess

5-22Chapter 5: Software supportIf you receive an error message telling you that the files exceed the totalallowable size, do one or all of the followi

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide5-235.3.6 Multi-Channel Audio FeatureThe C-Media PCI Audio Driver and Applications are included in theSupport CD that

5-24Chapter 5: Software supportRunning the C-Media Audio Demo ProgramThe C-Media audio demoprogram allows you to test andfine tune your speaker system

IndexThis part contains an alphabetical list of thetopics found in this document.

ASUS A7V8X motherboard

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guideI-1AAccelerated Graphics Port 1-2, 2-13Acrobat Reader 5-4ASUS ASIC 1-8ASUS EZ Flash 4-1ASUS iPanel 2-25ASUS Mult

Chapter 1This chapter describes the features of theASUS A7V8X motherboard. It includes briefexplanations of the special attributes of themotherboard

I-2IndexEExpansion cardinstallation 2-11configuration 2-11Expansion slots 1-9, 2-11AGP 1-9, 2-13PCI 1-9, 2-13FFlash ROM 1-9Floppy 3 Mode 4-10Fl

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guideI-3PCI Latency Timer 4-25PCI/VGA Palette Snoop 4-25PIO Mode 4-15Power Management 4-27Power On Self Test 3-2PS/2

I-4Index

ASUS A7V8X motherboardChapter summary1.1 Welcome! ... 1-11.2 Package contents ...

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide1-11.1 Welcome!Thank you for buying the ASUS® A7V8X motherboard!The ASUS A7V8X motherboard is loaded with the most ad

1-2Chapter 1: Product introduction1.3 Special features1.3.1 Product highlightsAGP 8X supportAGP 8X (AGP 3.0) is the next generation VGA interface spec

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide1-3ASUS Q-Fan featureThe ASUS Q-Fan technology smartly adjusts the fan speeds according tothe system loading to ensur

1-4Chapter 1: Product introduction6-channel Audio (optional)The A7V8X uses an onboard Realtek CODEC that lets you enjoy high-quality 6-channel audio w

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide1-5

iiChecklistCopyright © 2002 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may

1-6Chapter 1: Product introduction1.4 Motherboard overviewBefore you install the A7V8X motherboard, familiarize yourself with itsphysical configuratio

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide1-72130 29 282425262722 23243151717618812192016510914 1311

1-8Chapter 1: Product introductionNorth bridge controller. The VIA® KT400 supports AGP 8X mode,266/200MHz Front Side Bus, and the latest 400/333/266/2

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide1-9RAID IDE connector. This one-channel connector supports UltraATA133/100/66 hard disk drivers in RAID 0 or RAID 1co

1-10Chapter 1: Product introductionPS/2 mouse port. This green 6-pin connector is for a PS/2 mouse.Parallel port. This 25-pin port connects a parallel

Chapter 2Hardware informationThis chapter describes the hardware setupprocedures that you have to perform wheninstalling system components. It includ

ASUS A7V8X motherboardChapter summary2.1 Motherboard installation ... 2-12.2 Motherboard layout ...

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-12.1 Motherboard installationBefore you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassisto ensure t

2-2Chapter 2: Hardware information2.2 Motherboard layoutThe audio, SATA, Gigabit LAN, LAN and 1394 features are optional.These components are grayed o

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-32.3 Before you proceedTake note of the following precautions before you install motherboardcomponents or change an

iiiFeaturesContentsFCC/CDC statements... viSafety information ...

2-4Chapter 2: Hardware information2.4 Central Processing Unit (CPU)2.4.1 OverviewThe motherboard provides a Socket A (462) for CPU installation. AMDpr

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-54. Once completely inserted, press the CPU firmly and close the socketlever until it snaps shut.5. Place the CPU f

2-6Chapter 2: Hardware information2.5 System memory2.5.1 OverviewThe motherboard comes with three Double Data Rate (DDR) Dual InlineMemory Module (DIM

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-72.5.2 Memory configurationsDDR DIMM1 DDR DIMM2 DDR DIMM3(Rows 0&1) (Rows 2&3) (Rows 4&5)SS/DS SS/DS SS

2-8Chapter 2: Hardware information3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the socket until the retaining clips snapback in place and the DIMM is properly seate

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-92.5.4 Removing a DIMMFollow these steps to remove a DIMM.1. Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to un

2-10Chapter 2: Hardware information

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-112.6 Expansion slotsIn the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The motherboardhas six PCI slots and o

2-12Chapter 2: Hardware informationStandard Interrupt AssignmentsIRQ Priority Standard Function 0 1 System Timer 1 2 Keyboard Controller 2 N/A Program

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-132.6.3 PCI slotsThere are six 32-bit PCI slots in this motherboard. The slots support PCIcards such as a LAN card,

ivSafeguardsContents2.6.3 PCI slots ... 2-132.6.4 AGP slot ...

2-14Chapter 2: Hardware information2.7 Switches and jumpers1. Keyboard power (3-pin KBPWR1)This jumper allows you to enable or disable the keyboard wa

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-153. USB device wake-up (3-pin USBPWR_12, USBPWR_34,USBPWR_56)Set these jumpers to +5V to wake up the computer from

2-16Chapter 2: Hardware information5. ROMSIP1 Setting (3-pin ROM_SIP1)This jumper allows you to select the best timing for the CPU toenhance system

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-176. WPCI_USB Setting (6-pin WPCI_USB1)This jumper connects one set of USB signal to PCI slot 6 to supportASUS wire

2-18Chapter 2: Hardware information2.8 ConnectorsThis section describes and illustrates the internal connectors on themotherboard.1. Hard disk activit

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-193. IDE connectors (40-1 pin IDE1, IDE2)This connector supports the provided UltraDMA/133/100/66 IDE harddisk ribb

2-20Chapter 2: Hardware information4. RAID ATA/133/100/66/33 connector (40-1 pin PRI_RAID)This connector supports either RAID 0 or RAID 1 configuratio

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-215. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS1)This lead is for a chassis designed with intrusion detection fea

2-22Chapter 2: Hardware information7. ATX power connectors (20-pin ATXPWR1)These connectors connect to an ATX 12V power supply. The plugsfrom the pow

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-2310. Power supply thermal connector (2-pin TRPWR1)If your power supply has a thermal monitoring feature, connect i

vContents5.2.1 Running the support CD ... 5-15.2.2 Main menu ...

2-24Chapter 2: Hardware information11. USB header (10-1 pin USB_56)If the USB ports on the rear panel are inadequate, a USB header isavailable for add

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-2513. Internal audio connectors (4-pin CD1, AUX1, MODEM1)(on audio models only)These connectors allow you to receiv

2-26Chapter 2: Hardware information15. ASUS iPanel connector (24-1 pin AFPANEL1)This connector allows you to connect an optional ASUS iPanel, aneasy-t

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-2716. Digital audio connector (6-1 pin SPDIF1) (on audio models only)This connector supports an S/PDIF audio modul

2-28Chapter 2: Hardware information19. Infrared Module connector (10-1 or 10-2 pin SIR)These connectors support an optional wireless transmitting andr

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide2-2920. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL1)This connector accommodates several system front panel functions.• Syst

2-30Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 3Powering upThis chapter describes the power upsequence and gives information on theBIOS beep codes.

ASUS A7V8XChapter summary3.1 Starting up for the first time... 3-13.2 Vocal POST Messages... 3-

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide3-13.1 Starting up for the first time1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover.2. Be sure th

viFCC/CDC statementsFederal Communications Commission StatementThis device complies with FCC Rules Part 15. Operation is subject to thefollowing two c

3-2Chapter 3: Powering up3.2 Vocal POST MessagesThis motherboard includes the Winbond speech controller to support aspecial feature called the ASUS PO

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide3-3POST Message ActionNo keyboard detected • Check your keyboard if properlyconnected to the purple PS/2connector on

3-4Chapter 3: Powering up3.3 Powering off the computerYou must first exit the operating system and shut down the system beforeswitching off the power.

Chapter 4BIOS setupThis chapter tells how to change systemsettings through the BIOS Setup menus.Detailed descriptions of the BIOSparameters are also

ASUS A7V8X motherboardChapter summary4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ... 4-14.2 BIOS Setup program...

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-14.1 Managing and updating your BIOS4.1.1 Using ASUS EZ Flash to update the BIOSThe ASUS EZ Flash feature allows yo

4-2Chapter 4: BIOS Setup5. At the prompt, “Please Enter File Name for NEW BIOS: _”, type in theBIOS file name that you downloaded from the ASUS websit

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-34.1.2 Using AFLASH to update the BIOSCreating a bootable diskAFLASH.EXE is a Flash Memory Writer utility that upda

4-4Chapter 4: BIOS Setup5. Select 1. Save Current BIOS to File from the Main menu and press<Enter>. The Save Current BIOS To File screen appears

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-51. Download an updated ASUS BIOS file from the Internet (WWW orFTP) (see ASUS CONTACT INFORMATION on page x for de

viiSafety informationElectrical safety• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable fromthe electrical outlet before relocating the

4-6Chapter 4: BIOS Setup7. The utility starts to program the new BIOS information into the FlashROM. The boot block is updated automatically only when

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-74.2 BIOS Setup programThis motherboard supports a programmable Flash ROM that you canupdate using the provided uti

4-8Chapter 4: BIOS Setup4.2.1 BIOS menu barThe top of the screen has a menu bar with the following selections:MAIN Use this menu to make changes to th

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-9General helpIn addition to the Item Specific Help window, the BIOS setup program alsoprovides a General Help scree

4-10Chapter 4: BIOS SetupSystem Time [XX:XX:XX]Sets the system to the time that you specify (usually the current time). Theformat is hour, minute, sec

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-11Supervisor Password [Disabled] / User Password [Disabled]These fields allow you to set passwords. To set a passwo

4-12Chapter 4: BIOS Setup4.3.1 Primary and Secondary Master/SlaveType [Auto]Select [Auto] to automatically detect an IDE hard disk drive. If automatic

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-13If no drive is installed or if you are removing a drive and not replacing it,select [None].Other options for the

4-14Chapter 4: BIOS SetupTranslation Method [LBA]Select the hard disk drive type in this field. When Logical Block Addressing(LBA) is enabled, the 28

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-15Multi-Sector Transfers [Maximum]This option automatically sets the number of sectors per block to thehighest numb

viiiAbout this guideThis user guide contains the information you need when installing theASUS AV78X motherboard.How this guide is organizedThis manual

4-16Chapter 4: BIOS Setup4.3.2 Keyboard FeaturesBoot Up NumLock Status [On]This field enables users to activate the Number Lock function upon systembo

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-174.4 Advanced MenuCPU Speed [Manual]When the motherboard is set to JumperFree™ mode, this field allows youto selec

4-18Chapter 4: BIOS SetupMemory Frequency (Mhz) [Auto]This field allows you to select a higher memory frequency for bettersystem performance. The opti

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-19USB Legacy Support [Auto]This motherboard supports Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices. Thedefault of [Auto] allow

4-20Chapter 4: BIOS Setup4.4.1 Chip ConfigurationSDRAM CAS Latency (value depends on SDRAM SPD)This item controls the latency between the SDRAM read

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-21SDRAM Active Precharge Delay (value depends on SDRAM SPD)This item controls the number of DDR SDRAM clocks used

4-22Chapter 4: BIOS SetupVideo Memory Cache Mode [UC]USWC (uncacheable, speculative write combining) is a new cachetechnology for the video memory of

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-234.4.2 I/O Device ConfigurationOnboard FDC Swap A & BThese fields set option to switch drive letter assignment

4-24Chapter 4: BIOS SetupOnboard Parallel Port [378H/IRQ7]This field allows you to set the address of the onboard parallel portconnector. If you disab

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-25Slot 1/5, Slot 2, Slot 3, Slot 4, Slot 6 IRQ [Auto]These fields automatically assign the IRQ for each PCI slot. T

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

4-26Chapter 4: BIOS SetupIRQ XX Reserved [No/ICU]These fields indicate whether or not the displayed IRQ for each field isbeing used by a legacy (non-P

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-274.5 Power MenuThe Power menu allows you to reduce power consumption. This featureturns off the video display and

4-28Chapter 4: BIOS SetupVideo Off Method [DPMS OFF]This field defines the video off features. The Display Power ManagementSystem (DPMS) feature allow

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-294.5.1 Power Up ControlAC PWR Loss Restart [Disabled]This allows you to set whether or not to reboot the system af

4-30Chapter 4: BIOS SetupWake/Power Up By PS/2 Keyboard [Space Bar]This parameter allows you to use specific keys on the keyboard to turn onthe system

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-314.5.2 Hardware MonitorMB Temperature [xxxC/xxxF]CPU Temperature [xxxC/xxxF]POWER Temperature [N/A]The onboard har

4-32Chapter 4: BIOS SetupVCORE Voltage, +3.3V Voltage, +5V Voltage, +12V VoltageThe onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage outputt

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-33Boot SequenceThe Boot menu allows you to select among the four possible types of bootdevices listed using the up

4-34Chapter 4: BIOS SetupPlug & Play O/S [No]This field allows you to use a Plug-and-Play (PnP) operating system toconfigure the PCI bus slots ins

ASUS A7V8X motherboard user guide4-354.7 Exit MenuWhen you have made all of your selections from the various menus in theSetup program, save your chan