Asus A7N8X Deluxe User Manual Page 1

Motherboard®A7N8XUser ManualSeries

xInternal I/OConnectorsBIOS featuresIndustry standardManageabilitySupport CD contentsAccessoriesForm FactorA7N8X specifications summary* Specification

80Chapter 5: Software reference5.5 ASUS Live UpdateASUS LiveUpdate is a utility that allows you to update your motherboard’sBIOS and drivers. The use

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide815.6 3Deep Color TunerThe 3-Deep color tuner is designed to match your CRT or LCD colormonitor to maximize the color

82Chapter 5: Software reference4. Select the color squares whichmost closely blend and match withthe background.5. The next step repeatsthe color mat

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide835.7 NVIDIA nForce Control PanelThe nVidia nForce Control Panel is a suite of five convenient applicationsto help yo

84Chapter 5: Software reference• Dolby® Surround Encoding - enables audio to be encoded for playbackon home theater receivers (using analog stereo out

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide855.7.5 ApplicationsThe Applications page is used toput audio application shortcuts. It isjust a quick way to get at

86Chapter 5: Software reference5.7.6 InformationThe Information page shows thedetails of the APU (optional),hardware and software revisions,driver rev

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide875.7.7 Troubleshooting Q & A :1. How can I get 5.1 channels audio? • You must have a 5.1 speaker system.•

88Chapter 5: Software reference5.7.8 Audio GlossaryDolby® Surround is an audio encoding process. When a Dolby® Surroundsoundtrack is produced, four c

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide895.8 Winbond Voice Editor (optional)The Winbond Voice Editor software allows you to customize the vocalPOST messages

Chapter 1Product introduction

90Chapter 5: Software referenceChanging the default language1. Click on the Load button. awindow showing the availablelanguages appears.2. Select your

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide915.9 RAID 0/RAID 1 configurationsThe motherboard includes the Silicon Image Sil 3112A controller chipsetand two Seri

92Chapter 5: Software referenceFollow these steps to install the hard disks for RAID configuration.1. Install the Serial ATA hard disks into the drive

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide935.9.2.2 Creating RAID Sets1. Select “Create RAID Set”2. Choose either a “Striped” or “Mirrored” RAID Set.3. Se

94Chapter 5: Software reference

Chapter 6Appendix

ASUS A7N8X motherboard

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide9513941394 is the IEEE designation for a high performance serial bus tht offers data transfersat 100/200/400 Mbps. Th

96Chapter 6: AppendixBootBoot means to start the computer operating system by loading it into system memory.When the manual instructs you to “boot” yo

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide97IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)IDE devices integrate the drive control circuitry directly on the drive itself, e

ASUS A7N8X motherboard

98Chapter 6: AppendixRDRAM (Rambus DRAM)Developed by Rambus, Inc., this type of memory can deliver up to 1.6GB of data persecond. RDRAM is the first i

Index

ASUS A7N8X motherboard

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide99IndexSymbols3Deep Color TunerUsing 81AASUS PC ProbeUsing 75ASUS Update Using 80BBIOSAdvanced Menu 51Beep Cod

100IndexSerial ATA Setting 19USB device wake-up 20KKeyboardConnector 22Keyboard Wake Up jumper 19LLiveUpdate 80Using 80MMotherboardIRQ Table 17l

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide1Welcome!Thank you for buying the ASUS® A7N8X motherboard!The A7N8X is powered by AMD® Athlon™, Athlon™ XP and Duron™

2Chapter 1: Product introduction1.2Core SpecificationsThe A7N8X motherboard is designed and assembled according to the higheststandards. This ASUS mo

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide3Connections: Parallel Port, PS/2 mouse Port, PS/2 keyboard, four USBports, two LAN ports (optional), Surround L/R au

4Chapter 1: Product introductionLocationProcessor Support Socket A for AMD® Athlon™ and Duron™ Processors ... 1Chipsets nVidia® nForce2™ SPP North

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide51.4.1 Component Locations2351201849768161031291922252830111214151723212724132632 3445 433637384433393542 41 40

1.5 Special FeaturesSerial ATA: Silicon Image supplies the Sil-3112A chipset, supporting theultra-compact 7-pin Serial-ATA IDE device support.Dual LAN

Chapter 2Hardware information

iiChecklistProduct Name: A7N8XManual Revision: Revised Edition V2 E1170Release Date: November 2002Copyright © 2002 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights R

ASUS A7N8X motherboard

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide72.1 Motherboard installationThe A7N8X uses the ATX form factor, measuring 24.5 cm(9.6 in.) x 30.5 cm (12.0 in.) - a

8Chapter 2: Hardware informationOptional components are grayed in the above motherboard layout.ACL101L24.5cm (9.64in)30.5cm (12.0in)PRI_IDE1FLOPPY1A7N

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide92.2 Layout contentsCPU, Memory and Expansion Slots1) Socket 462 p. 11 CPU Support2) DIMM 1/2/3 p. 13 System Memory S

10Chapter 2: Hardware information2.3 Before you proceedTake note of the following precautions before you install motherboardcomponents or change any m

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide112.4 Central Processing Unit (CPU)2.4.1 OverviewThe motherboard provides a Socket A (462) for CPU installation. AMDp

12Chapter 2: Hardware information4. Once completely inserted, press the CPU firmly and close the socketlever until it snaps shut.5. Place the CPU fan

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide132.5 System memory2.5.1 OverviewThis motherboard uses only Double Data Rate (DDR) Synchronous DynamicRandom Access

14Chapter 2: Hardware information2.5.2 Memory configurationsInstall DIMMs in any of the following combinations.DIMM Location 184-pin DIMM (DDR) Total

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide152.6 Expansion slotsThe motherboard has three PCI slots and one Accelerated Graphics Port(AGP) slot.. The following

iiiFeaturesAbout this guideThis user manual contains complete information for installing the ASUSA7N8X motherboard.How this guide is organized• Chapte

16Chapter 2: Hardware informationIMPORTANT! When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that thedrivers support “Share IRQ” or that the cards do no

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide172.6.3 PCI slotsThree 32-bit PCI slots are available on this motherboard. The slots supportPCI cards such as a LAN c

18Chapter 2: Hardware informationA7N8X®A7N8X AcceleratedGraphics Port (AGP PRO)TOP VIEWRib (inside slot) Rib20-pin bay28-pin bayAGP Card without Reten

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide19A7N8X®A7N8X SATA SettingSATA_EN1Enable(Default)Disable12231) Serial ATA Setting (3 pin SATA_EN1)This jumper permit

20Chapter 2: Hardware information3) USB Device Wake-up (2x3 pin USBPWR12, 34, 56)Set these jumpers to +5V to allow wake up from the S1 sleep state (

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide214) Clear RTC RAM/CMOS (CLRTC1)This jumper clears the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM of date, time, and systemsetup param

22Chapter 2: Hardware information2.8 ConnectorsThis section describes and illustrates the internal connectors on themotherboard.IMPORTANT! Ribbon cab

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide233) Universal Serial Bus Ports 0 and 1 (Black four x 4-pin USB)Four USB ports are available for connecting USB de

24Chapter 2: Hardware information6) Parallel Port (Burgundy 25-pin PRINTER)You can enable the parallel port and choose the IRQ through OnboardParallel

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide258) IDE Activity LED (2-pin IDELED)This connector supplies power to the cabinet’s IDE activity LED. Read andwrite a

ivSafeguardsContentsAbout this guide ...iiiHow this guide is or

26Chapter 2: Hardware information9) Floppy Disk Drive Connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY)This connector supports the provided floppy drive ribbon cable. After

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide2712) Infrared Module connector (10-1 or 10-2 pin IR_CON1)These connectors support an optional wireless transmitting

28Chapter 2: Hardware information13) CPU/Power/Chassis Fan Connectors (3-pin CPU_FAN1,PWR_FAN1, CHA_FAN1)Three fan connectors support cooling fans of

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide2915) Power Supply Connectors (20 pin block ATXPWR1)This connector supports an ATX 12V power supply. The plug from th

30Chapter 2: Hardware informationA7N8X®A7N8X Digital Audio ConnectorSPDIF1GND+5VSPDIF_INSPDIF_OUTGND118) Digital Audio Interfaces (6 pin SPDIF1) (Opti

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide3119) USB Headers (10-1 pin USB_56) (Optional)If the USB 2.0 port connectors on the back panel are inadequate, one U

32Chapter 2: Hardware informationA7N8X®A7N8X Game ConnectorGAME1+5V+5VJ2B1J2CXMIDI_OUTJ2CYJ2B2MIDI_INJ1B1J1CXGNDGNDJ1CYJ1B2+5V21) Game Connector (16-1

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide3323) Front Panel Audio connector (10-1 pin FPAUDIO1)This is an interface for the Intel front panel audio cable that

34Chapter 2: Hardware information27) System Management Interrupt Lead (2 pin SMI)This 2-pin connector permits switching to suspend mode, or “Green” m

Chapter 3Powering up

vContents4.4.1 Advanced BIOS Features ... 514.4.2 Advanced Chipset Features ...

ASUS A7N8X motherboard

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide353.1 Starting up for the first time1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover.2. Be sure tha

36Chapter 3: Powering up3.2 Vocal POST MessagesThis motherboard includes the Winbond speech controller to support aspecial feature called the ASUS POS

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide37POST Message ActionNo keyboard detected • Check your keyboard if properlyconnected to the purple PS/2connector on t

38Chapter 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

ASUS A7N8X motherboard

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide394.1 Managing and updating your BIOS4.1.1 Using the computer system for the first timeIt is recommended that you sav

40Chapter 4: BIOS Setup4.1.2 Updating BIOS proceduresCAUTION! Update the BIOS only if you have problems with themotherboard and you are sure that the

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide416. The program asks to save the previous BIOS to a separate file. Type afile name for the old bios and then press

viSafety informationElectrical safety• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from theelectrical outlet before relocating the

42Chapter 4: BIOS Setup8. Type <Y> and Press <Enter> to flash the new Bios file. NOTE: Do notshut off system power or unplug the supply d

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide434.2 BIOS Setup programThis motherboard supports a programmable FLASH ROM that you can updateusing the provided util

44Chapter 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 the

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide45General helpIn addition to the Item Specific Help window, the BIOS setup program alsoprovides a General Help screen

46Chapter 4: BIOS SetupSystem Date [mm/dd/yy]Sets the system to the date that you specify (usually the current date). Theformat is month, day, year.

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide474.3.1 Primary Master/SlaveIDE HDD Auto-Detection [Press Enter]Press enter to automatically detect an IDE hard disk

48Chapter 4: BIOS SetupAfter making your selections on this sub-menu, press the <Esc> key to returnto the Main menu. When the Main menu appears

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide49HeadThis field configures the number of read/write heads. Refer to the drivedocumentation to determine the correct

50Chapter 4: BIOS Setup4.3.2 Secondary Master/SlaveIDE HDD Auto-Detection [Press Enter]Press enter to automatically detect an IDE hard disk drive, if

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide514.4 Advanced MenuAdvanced menu itemsThe Advanced menu accesses five important sub-menus:Advanced BIOS FeaturesThese

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

52Chapter 4: BIOS Setup4.4.1 Advanced BIOS FeaturesBoot Virus Detection [Disabled]This field enables boot virus protection by default. Configuration

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide53Second Boot Device [HDD]This field sets the priority of the second boot device; by default, the systemboots up on t

54Chapter 4: BIOS SetupOS/2 Onboard Memory > 64MB [Disabled]This field enables or disables the 64MB onboard memory set for OS/2.Configuration optio

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide554.4.2 Advanced Chipset FeaturesCPU External Frequency (MHz) [100MHz]This field sets the external frequency ratio of

56Chapter 4: BIOS SetupSystem Performance [Optimal]This field permits change of mode for system performance. When set to[Optimal], the system uses the

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide57CPU Vcore Setting [Auto]This field determines if the CPU Vcore is automatically scaled or set manuallyby the user.

58Chapter 4: BIOS Setup4.4.3 Integrated Peripherals(Scroll down to view all items on the menu.)Primary VGA BIOS [PCI VGA Card]This field sets the prio

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide59Onboard AC97 Audio Controller [Auto]This field permits auto selection of AC97 audio codec processing by default.Con

60Chapter 4: BIOS SetupParallel Port Mode [SPP]This field sets the operation mode of the parallel port. The default, SPP,enables normal-speed operati

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide614.4.4 Power Management SetupACPI Suspend to RAM [Disabled]This field enables or disables suspension to RAM. Configu

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

62Chapter 4: BIOS SetupWake-Power Up On Ext. Modem [Disabled]This field allows either settings of [Enabled] or [Disabled] for powering up thecomputer

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide63Reset Configuration Data [Disabled]The Extended System Configuration Data (ESCD) contains information aboutnon-PnP

64Chapter 4: BIOS Setup4.5 Security MenuThe BIOS Setup program permits two different passwords to control accessto the BIOS during system startup: a S

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide65Set Supervisor Password / Set User PasswordTo set a password, highlight the appropriate field and press <Enter&

66Chapter 4: BIOS Setup4.6 Hardware Monitor MenuThe Harware Monitor menu displays all vital system statistics.MB, CPU Temperature [xx C / xx F]The onb

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide67Fan Speed Ratio [10/15]This item allows you to select the appropriate fan speed ratio for thesystem. The default [1

68Chapter 4: BIOS Setup4.7 Exit MenuAfter making all selections from the various menus in the Setup program,save the changes and exit Setup.Exit &

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide69Load Setup DefaultsThis option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameterson the Setup menus.

70Chapter 4: BIOS Setup

Chapter 5Software support

ixA7N8X specifications summaryCPUChipsetFront Side Bus (FSB)MemoryExpansion slotsIDESerial ATA (optional)Audio (optional)LAN (optional)1394 (optional)

ASUS A7N8X motherboard

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide715.1 Install an operating systemThis motherboard supports Windows 98/98SE/ME/ and 2000/XP operatingsystem (OS). Alwa

72Chapter 5: Software support5.3 A7N8X Motherboard Support CDNOTE: The support CD contents are subject to change without notice.To begin using your su

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide73IMPORTANT!A. For Windows 98 users, perform the following steps before installing NVIDIA nForce Drivers from supp

74Chapter 5: Software supportContact:• A list of addresses, phone numbers and ASUS website locations.• ADOBE Acrobat Reader: Installs the Adobe Acroba

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide755.4 ASUS PC ProbeASUS PC Probe is a convenient utility to continuously monitor yourcomputer system’s vital componen

76Chapter 5: Software reference5.4.2 Using ASUS PC ProbeMonitoringMonitor SummaryShows a summary of the items beingmonitored.Temperature MonitorShows

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide77InformationSettingsLets you set threshold levels andpolling intervals or refresh times ofthe PC’s temperature, fan

78Chapter 5: Software referenceDevice SummaryShows a summary of devices in yourPC.DMI ExplorerShows information pertinent to thePC, such as CPU type,

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide795.4.3 ASUS PC Probe Task Bar IconWhen the ASUS PC Probesenses a problem with yourPC, portions of the ASUS PCProbe i