Asus A7N8X-LA User Manual Page 1

MotherboardA7N8XUser Guide

xA7N8X specifications summaryBIOS featuresIndustry standardManageabilitySupport CD contentsAccessoriesForm Factor* Specifications are subject to chang

1-1ASUS A7N8X MotherboardThis chapter gives information about the ASUSA7N8X motherboard that came with thesystem.This chapter includes the motherboard

1-21.1 Welcome!Thank you for buying the ASUS® A7N8X motherboard!The ASUS A7N8X motherboard is loaded with the most advanced technologies todeliver the

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard1-31.3 Motherboard components2351144976812191713161810111520 2129 2723242528 2622

1-4Chapter 1: Motherboard InformationCPU Sockets. Socket 462 (Socket A) Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket forthe AMD Duron™/Athlon™/Athlon XP™ 2800+

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard1-5ASUS ASIC. This chip performs multiple system functions that includehardware and system voltage monitoring among others.Onbo

1-6Chapter 1: Motherboard Information1.4 Motherboard layout24.5cm (9.64in)30.5cm (12.0in)PRI_IDE1FLOPPY1A7N8XnForce2MCPChipsetASUSASICwith HardwareMo

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard1-71.5 Before you proceedTake note of the following precautions before you install motherboard componentsor change any motherboa

1-8Chapter 1: Motherboard Information1.8 Expansion slotsThe A7N8X motherboard has six (6) expansion slots. The following sub-sectionsdescribe the slo

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard1-91.8.2 Standard Interrupt AssignmentsIRQ Standard Function 0 System Timer 1 Keyboard Controller 2 Programmable

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

1-10Chapter 1: Motherboard Information1.9 JumpersThis section describes and illustrates the jumpers on the motherboard.1. USB device wake-up (3-pin U

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard1-113. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC1) (optional)This jumper clears the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM of date, time and systemsetup parameter

1-12Chapter 1: Motherboard Information1.10 ConnectorsThis section describes and illustrates the connectors on the motherboard.1. IDE connectors (40-1

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard1-133. ATX power connectors (20-pin ATXPWR1)These connectors connect to an ATX 12V power supply. The plugs from thepower supply

1-14Chapter 1: Motherboard Information4. USB header (10-1 pin USB56) (optional)If the USB 2.0 port connectors on the back panel are inadequate, one U

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard1-15Do not forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Lack ofsufficient air flow within the system may damage the m

1-16Chapter 1: Motherboard Information9. Hard disk connector (2-pin IDELED1)This 2-pin connector connects to the front panel HD LED and lights up one

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard1-1711. Internal audio connectors (4-pin CD1, AUX1, MODEM1)These connectors allow you to receive stereo audio input from sound s

1-18Chapter 1: Motherboard Information15. SMBus Connector (6-1 pin SMB1)This connector supports SMBus (System Management Bus) devices. SMBusdevices

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard1-1916. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL1)This connector accommodates several system front panel functions.• System Power LE

iiiFeaturesContentsContents ... iiiFCC/CDC statements...

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-1This chapter gives information about the ASUSA7N8X Basic Input/Output System (BIOS).Thischapter includes updating the BIOS us

2-2Chapter 2: BIOS Setup2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS2.1.1 Using the computer system for the first timeIt is recommended that you save a copy of

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-32.1.2 Updating BIOS proceduresUpdate the BIOS only if you have problems with the motherboard and you aresure that the new BIO

2-4Chapter 2: BIOS Setup8. Type <Y> and Press <Enter> to flash the new Bios file. NOTE: Do not shutoff system power or unplug the supply

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-59. The BIOS flashes and displays the results. Press <F1> to restart.1. Boot from the floppy disk.2. At the “A:\” p

2-6Chapter 2: BIOS Setup2.2 BIOS Setup programThis motherboard supports a programmable FLASH ROM that you can update usingthe provided utility describ

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-72.2.1 BIOS menu barThe top of the screen has a menu bar with the following selections:MAIN Use this menu to make changes to t

2-8Chapter 2: BIOS SetupGeneral helpIn addition to the Item Specific Help window, the BIOS setup program also providesa General Help screen. You may l

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-9System Date [mm/dd/yy]Sets the system to the date that you specify (usually the current date). The format ismonth, day, year.

2-10Chapter 2: BIOS Setup2.3.1 Primary Master/SlaveIDE HDD Auto-Detection [Press Enter]Press enter to automatically detect an IDE hard disk drive, if

ivSafeguardsContents2.3 Main Menu ... 2-92.3.1 Primary Master/Slave ...

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-11After making your selections on this sub-menu, press the <Esc> key to return to theMain menu. When the Main menu appe

2-12Chapter 2: BIOS Setup2.3.2 Secondary Master/SlaveIDE HDD Auto-Detection [Press Enter]Press enter to automatically detect an IDE hard disk drive, i

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-132.4 Advanced MenuAdvanced menu itemsThe Advanced menu accesses five important sub-menus:Advanced BIOS FeaturesThese fields s

2-14Chapter 2: BIOS Setup2.4.1 Advanced BIOS FeaturesBoot Virus Detection [Disabled]This field disables boot virus protection by default. Configurati

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-15Boot-up NumLock Status [On]This field sets the capability of the NumLock light/key to display/activate the system.Configurat

2-16Chapter 2: BIOS SetupCPU Frequency Multiple Setting [Auto]This field sets the frequency multiple between the CPU’s internal frequency (CPUspeed)

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-17SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay [1]RAS-to-CAS. This item controls the latency between the SDRAM Active command tothe SDRAM.SDRAM RAS

2-18Chapter 2: BIOS Setup2.4.3 Integrated Peripherals(Scroll down to view all items on the menu.)Video RAM Cacheable [Disabled]This field establishes

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-19USB Controllers [V1.1+V2.0]This field sets the protocols for OnChip processing of USB outputs. The defaultaccomodates USB p

2-20Chapter 2: BIOS Setup2.4.4 Power Management SetupUART use as [COM Port]This field selects the device assignment for UART2 mode. The default is [C

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

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-21Video Off Method [DPMS Support]This field defines “video off” features. The DPMS support option (Display PowerManagement Sys

2-22Chapter 2: BIOS SetupResources Controlled By [Auto(ESCD)]This field sets control over the IRQ resources by the automatic (ESCD) system ormanual as

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-232.5 Security MenuThe BIOS Setup program permits two different passwords to control access to theBIOS during system startup:

2-24Chapter 2: BIOS Setup2.6 Hardware Monitor MenuThe Harware Monitor menu displays all vital system statistics.Set Supervisor Password / Set User Pa

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard2-25MB, CPU Temperature [xx C / xx F]The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the MB (motherboard) andCPU temperatures

2-26Chapter 2: BIOS Setup2.7 Exit MenuExit & Save ChangesChoose this option from the Exit menu to ensure the selected values are saved to theCMOS

3-1ASUS A7N8X MotherboardThis chapter helps you power up your systemand install drivers and utilities that came with thesupport CD.Starting UpChapter

3-2Chapter 3: Starting-Up3.1 Install an operating systemThe A7N8X motherboard supports Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP operating systems(OS). Always install t

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard3-33.2.2 Software and drivers installation menusThe menu lists the drivers and utilities that are available for this motherboard

3-4Chapter 3: Starting-UpASUS PC Probe V2.18.07Install utility that can monitor Fan, Speed, Voltage, and CPU temperature.ASUS Update v3.38.01Installs

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

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard3-53.3 Software information3.3.1 ASUS UpdateThe ASUS Update utility allows you to update the motherboard BIOS and drivers.This u

3-6Chapter 3: Starting-UpThe PC Probe icon appears on the taskbar system tray indicating that ASUSPC Probe is running. Clicking the icon allows you

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard3-7Using ASUS PC ProbeMonitoringTemperature MonitorShows the PC temperature (forsupported processors only).Temperature WarningTh

3-8Chapter 3: Starting-UpSettingsLets you set threshold levels andpolling intervals or refresh times of thePC’s temperature, fan rotation, andvoltages

ASUS A7N8X Motherboard3-9ASUS PC Probe Task Bar IconRight clicking the PC Probe iconbrings up a menu to open or exitASUS PC Probe and pause orresume a

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

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

ixA7N8X specifications summaryCPUChipsetFront Side Bus (FSB)MemoryExpansion slotsIDEAudio (optional)LAN (optional)Special FeaturesBack Panel I/O Ports