Page 2 - Copyright © 2005 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
ii Copyright © 2005 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kep...
Page 3 - Contents; Product Introduction
iii Contents Notices ...........................................................................................................v Safety Information .......................................................................................... vi About This Guide ...........................................
Page 4 - BIOS Setup
iv Contents Chapter 2: BIOS Setup 2.1 Managing and Updating Your BIOS ............................................... 2-2 2.1.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk ....................................... 2-2 2.1.2 Using AFUDOS to copy the current BIOS ....................... 2-3 2.1.3 Using AFUDOS to upd...
Page 5 - Canadian Department of Communications Statement; Notices; Federal Communications Commission Statement
v Canadian Department of Communications Statement This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadia...
Page 6 - Safety Information; Electrical safety
vi Safety Information Electrical safety • To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system. • When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cabl...
Page 7 - Where to find more information; About This Guide; How this guide is organized; Chapter 1: Product Introduction; Conventions used in this guide
vii Where to find more information Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates.1. ASUS websites The ASUS websites worldwide provide updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. 2. Optional documen...
Page 8 - A7N8X-XE Specifications Summary
viii A7N8X-XE Specifications Summary (continued next page) Socket A for AMD Athlon™ XP/Sempron™ / Duron™ processors NVIDIA ® nForce 2 Ultra 400 NVIDIA ® nForce 2 MCP-RAID 400/333/266 MHz3 x 184-pin DDR DIMM Dockets for up to 3GB memory Support DDR 400/333/266, non-ECC, un-buffered memory Support Dual...
Page 11 - This chapter describes the motherboard
1 Product Introduction This chapter describes the motherboard f e a t u r e s a n d t h e n e w t e c h n o l o g i e s i t supports.
Page 12 - Special features; 00 MHz FSB Athlon XP CPU Support; Package contents
1-2 Chapter 1: Product Introduction 1.3 Special features 1.3.1 Product highlights 400 MHz FSB Athlon XP CPU Support The motherboard supports 400MHz front side bus frequency for AMDʼs Athlon XP and Sempron processors allowing increased office productivity and enhanced digital media experience. See pag...
Page 13 - ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard; Serial ATA technology
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 1-3 Serial ATA technology Serial ATA is the next generation ATA specification that provides scalable performance for today and tomorrow. With up to 150MB/s data transfer rate, Serial ATA is faster than current Parallel ATA, while providing 100% software compatibility. A7N8X...
Page 14 - CrashFree BIOS; enough to permanently damage the CPU. See page 2-26 for details.; ASUS MyLogo 2; and vivid image on your screen.
1-4 Chapter 1: Product Introduction 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features CrashFree BIOS CrashFree BIOS allows users to restore BIOS data from a floppy diskette even when BIOS code and data are corrupted during upgrade or invaded by virus. Unlike other competing vendorsʼ products, ASUS motherboards now enab...
Page 15 - Before you proceed; or change any motherboard settings.
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 1-5 1.4 Before you proceed Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. • Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. • Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounde...
Page 16 - Motherboard overview; AGP
1-6 Chapter 1: Product Introduction 1.5 Motherboard overview 1.5.1 Motherboard layout Bottom:Mic In Center:Line Out Top:Line In PANEL A7N8X-XE CR2032 3V Lithium Cell CMOS Power AUX IDE1 ATXPWR 19.9cm (7.8in) 30.5cm (12.0in) CPU_FAN DDR DIMMA1 (64 bit,184-pin module) USB34 FLOPPY Super I/O 4Mb BIOS P...
Page 17 - as indicated in the image below.
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 1-7 Do not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard. 1.5.2 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, make sure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as i...
Page 19 - DDR DIMMs to the sockets.; Table 1 Recommended memory configurations
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 1-9 Sockets Mode DIMM_A1 DIMM_A2 DIMM_B1 Single-channel (1) Populated — — (2) — Populated — (3) — — Populated Dual-channel* (1) Populated — Populated (2) — Populated Populated (3) Populated Populated Populated 1.7 System memory 1.7.1 Overview The motherboard has three Doubl...
Page 20 - DDR400 Qualified Vendors List
1-10 Chapter 1: Product Introduction DDR400 Qualified Vendors List Size Vendor Model CL Brand SS/DS Component DIMM socket support (Optional)A* B* C* 256MB Kingston KVR333X64C25/256 N/A Kingston SS D3208DH1T-6 Pass Pass Pass 256MB Kingston KVR333X64C25/256 N/A Hynix SS HY5DU56822BT-J Pass Pass Pass 25...
Page 22 - describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support.
1-12 Chapter 1: Product Introduction 1.8 Expansion slots In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support. 1.8.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1. Before installing the expansio...
Page 23 - Standard interrupt assignments; IRQ assignments for this motherboard
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 1-13 Standard interrupt assignments IRQ Standard Function 0 System Timer 1 Standard 101-102-key or microsoft natural keyboard 2 Programmable interrupt controller 3 ACPI IRQ hold for PCI IRQ steering 4 Communications Port (COM1) 5 C-Media AC 97 audio device 6 Standard floppy ...
Page 24 - that they fit into the AGP slot.
1-14 Chapter 1: Product Introduction 1.8.4 PCI slots The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specifications. The figure shows a LAN card installed on a PCI slot. 1.8.3 AGP slot The motherboard has an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) slot...
Page 25 - A7N8X-XE Clear RTC RAM
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 1-15 1.9 Jumpers 1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery powers the RAM data in...
Page 26 - wake-up feature. Set this jumper to +5V to wake up the computer from S1
1-16 Chapter 1: Product Introduction 2. PS2/USB Device Wake-up (3-pin PS2USBPW) This jumper allows you to enable or disable the USB/PS2 keyboard or mouse wake-up feature. Set this jumper to +5V to wake up the computer from S1 sleep mode (CPU stopped, DRAM refreshed, system running in low power mode)...
Page 27 - the function of this port becomes Bass/Center.
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 1-17 1. PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse. 2. Parallel port. This 25-pin port connects a parallel printer, a scanner, or other devices. 3. LAN (RJ-45) port. This port allows 10/100 Mbps connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub. 4. ...
Page 29 - cable matches the ground pin of the connector.; A7N8X-XE SATA connectors
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 1-19 3. Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2) These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives. 4. CPU and chassis fan connectors (3-pin CPU_FAN, CHA_FAN) The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350 mA~740 mA (8.88 W max.) or a t...
Page 30 - of the system chassis.; A7N8X-XE Internal audio connectors
1-20 Chapter 1: Product Introduction 5. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78) These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. The USB module is purchased separately. Never c...
Page 31 - A7N8X-XE ATX power connectors
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 1-21 7. Front panel audio connectors (10-1 pin FP_AUDIO) This connector is for the front panel audio cable. This connector supports the front panel audio I/O ports. A7N8X-XE ® A7N8X-XE Front panel audio connector FP_AUDIO BLINE_OUT_L MIC2 Line out_R Line out_L BLINE_OUT_R N...
Page 33 - T h i s c h a p t e r t e l l s h o w t o c h a n g e
2 BIOS Setup T h i s c h a p t e r t e l l s h o w t o c h a n g e the system settings through the BIOS S e t u p m e n u s . D e t a i l e d d e s c r i p t i o n s of the BIOS parameters are also provided.
Page 34 - Chapter 2: BIOS Setup; Managing and updating your BIOS
2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup. 1. ASUS AFUDOS (Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable floppy disk.) 2. ASUS CrashFree BIOS (Updates the BIOS using a flop...
Page 35 - Using AFUDOS to copy the current BIOS; system BIOS fails or gets corrupted.; Main filename Extension name
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-3 2.1.2 Using AFUDOS to copy the current BIOS The AFUDOS.EXE utility can also be used to copy the current system BIOS settings to a floppy or hard disk. The copy can be used as a backup in case the system BIOS fails or gets corrupted. 1. At the DOS prompt, type the command...
Page 36 - the bootable floppy disk.; Reboot the system from the hard disk.; that contains the BIOS file.
2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup 4. At the DOS prompt, type the command line: afudos /i [filename.rom] where [filename.rom] means the latest (or original) BIOS file that you copied to the bootable floppy disk. 5. Press <Enter>. The screen displays the status of the update process. A:\>afudos /iA7N8X-X...
Page 37 - the updated BIOS file and the AFUDOS utility.
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-5 2.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS allows you to update the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted. You can update a corrupted BIOS file using a floppy disk that contains the updated BIOS file and the AFUDOS utility. To update the BIOS using CrashF...
Page 38 - Using ASUS EZ Flash to update the BIOS; To update the BIOS using ASUS EZ Flash:; motherboard and rename it to
2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup 2.1.5 Using ASUS EZ Flash to update the BIOS The ASUS EZ Flash feature allows you to easily update the BIOS without having to go through the long process of booting from a floppy disk and using a DOS-based utility. The EZ Flash is built-in the BIOS LPC chip so it is accessib...
Page 39 - Updating the BIOS through the Internet
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-7 2.1.6 ASUS Update utility The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in Windows ® environment. The ASUS Update utility allows you to: • Save the current BIOS file • Download the latest BIOS file from the Internet • Update...
Page 40 - Updating the BIOS through a BIOS file
2-8 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup Updating the BIOS through a BIOS file To update the BIOS through a BIOS file: 1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows ® desktop by clicking Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update main window appears. 2. S e l e c t U p d a t ...
Page 41 - BIOS setup program
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-9 2.2 BIOS setup program This motherboard supports a programmable FLASH ROM that you can update using the provided utility described in section “2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS.”Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard, reconfiguring your system...
Page 43 - Saving changes and exiting the Setup program
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-11 Sub-menu The right pointer symbol that appears at the left of certain parameters indicates that a sub-menu exists for this field. A sub-menu offers additional parameter options. To display a sub-menu, move the highlight to the field and press <Enter>. The sub-menu...
Page 44 - you an overview of the basic system information.
2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup 2.3 Main menu System Time [hh:mm:ss] Sets the system to the time that you specify (usually the current time). The format is hour, minute, second. Valid values for hour, minute and second are Hour: (00 to 23), Minute: (00 to 59), Second: (00 to 59). Use the <Tab> key ...
Page 45 - Primary and Secondary IDE Master/Slave Third; N/A if no IDE device is installed in the system.
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-13 Primary and Secondary IDE Master/Slave; Third and Fourth IDE Master Primary IDE Master Type [Auto] LBA/Large Mode [Auto] Block (Multi-Sector Transfer) M [Auto] PIO Mode [Auto] DMA Mode [Auto] SMART Monitoring [Auto] 32Bit Data Transfer [Disabled] The BIOS automatically...
Page 46 - System Information; automatically detects the items in this menu.; AMI BIOS; Displays the auto-detected BIOS information.; Processor; Displays the auto-detected CPU specification.; System Memory; Displays the auto-detected system memory.
2-14 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup System Information AMIBIOS Version : 08.00.12 Build Date: 06/02/05 Processor Type : AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2500+ Speed : 1833HAz Count : 1 System Memory Size : 256MB PIO Mode [Auto] Selects the PIO mode. Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4] DMA Mode [Auto] Selects t...
Page 47 - Advanced menu; Take caution when changing the settings of the Advaced menu items.
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-15 2.4 Advanced menu The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. JumperFree Configuration USB Configuration CPU Configuration Chipset Onboard Devices Configuration PCIPnP Adjust system frequency/voltage ←→ Select Screen ↑↓ Se...
Page 50 - NorthBridge Chipset Configuration; A l l o w s y o u t o s e l e c t t h e s i z e o f m a p p e d m e m o r y f o r A G P g r a p h i c d a t a .
2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup Primary Graphices Adapter [PCI] Graphics Aperture Size [ 64MB] MDA Access Control [PCI] TV Mode Support [Default] C1 Disconnect [Auto Mode] System Clock Settings System Performance Settings NorthBridge Chipset Configuration Northbridge Chipset configuration This will switch ...
Page 51 - System Performance Settings
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-19 Memory Clock [Auto] DRAM Timing [Auto] TRAS [7] TRCD [4] TRP [2] CAS# Latency [Auto] System Clock Settings Memory Clock can be set by the code using AUTO, or you can set one of the standard values. v02.58 (C)Copyright 1985-2004, American Megatrends, Inc. ←→ Select Scre...
Page 52 - South Bridge Chipset Configuration
2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup Onboard LAN [Enabled] MAC Bridge Mode [Enabled] AC97 Audio [Auto] Modem CODEC Interface [Auto] OnBoard SATA Controller [Enabled] SATA Operation Mode [non-RAID] SMBus Interface [Enabled] IOAPIC [Enabled] South Bridge Chipset Configuration South Bridge Chipset configuration En...
Page 53 - o n l y w h e n t h e P a r a l l e l P o r t M o d e i s s e t t o [ E P P ] o r [ E P P + E C P.
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-21 2.4.5 Onboard Devices Configuration The Onboard Devices Configuration menu allows you to adjust the settings for onboard devices. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu. Configure Win627 Super IO Chipset Allows BIOS to Enable or Disable Floppy Con...
Page 55 - configuration options.
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-23 2.5 Power menu The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an item, then press <Enter> to display the configuration options. Suspend Mode [Auto] Repost Vidow on S3 Resume [No] ACPI 2.0 Support [No] ACPI API...
Page 56 - Configuration options:
2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup Power Management/APM [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the Advanced Power Management (APM) feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Suspend Power Saving Type [S1] Configuration options: [C2] [S1] Power Button Mode [On/Off] Configuration options: [On/Off] [...
Page 57 - Disabled
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-25 PME Resume [Disabled] Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Ring-In Power On [Disabled] This field allows you to enable or disable the Ring-In Power on function. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] RTC Resume [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable RTC t...
Page 58 - the onboard voltage regulators.
2-26 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup 2.5.2 Hardware Monitor Hardware Health Event Monitoring CPU Temperature : 45ºC/113ºF M/B Temperature : 32ºC/89ºF CPU Fan Speed : 3863 RPM Chassis Fan Speed : N/A Vcore : 1.661 V + 3.30V : 3.403 V + 5.00V : 5.094 V + 12.00V : 11.461 V MB Temperature [xxx°C/xxx°F] CPU Temper...
Page 59 - This menu allows you to arrange the boot device priority.
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-27 Boot Settings Boot Device Priority Boot Settings Configuration Security 2.6 Boot menu The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot settings. Select a sub- menu, then press <Enter> to display the configuration options. Spedcifies the Boot Device Proiority ...
Page 60 - This menu allows you to adjust the system boot settings.
2-28 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup 2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration This menu allows you to adjust the system boot settings. Boot Settings Configuration Allows BIOS to skip certain tests while booting. This will decrease the time needed to boot the system. Quick Boot [Enabled] Full Screen Logo [Enabled] AddO...
Page 61 - This menu allows you to adjust the system security settings.
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-29 Wait for ʻF1ʼ If Error [Enabled] When set to Enabled, the system waits for the F1 key to be pressed when error occurs. configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Hit ʻDELʼ Message Display [Enabled] When set to Enabled, the system displays the message “Press DEL to run ...
Page 62 - Change User Password
2-30 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup If you forget your BIOS password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS Real TMe Clock (RTC) RAM. See section “1.6 Jumpers” for information on how to erase the RTC RAM. Change User Password Select this item to set or change the user password. The Supervisor Password item on...
Page 63 - optimal or failsafe default values for the BIOS items.; Exit & Discard Changes; time, and password, the BIOS asks for a confirmation before exiting.; Discard Changes; Yes to discard any changes and load the previously saved values.; Load Setup Defaults
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 2-31 2.7 Exit menu The Exit menu items allow you to save or discard your changes to, and/or load the optimal or failsafe default values for the BIOS items. Exit Options Exit & Save Changes Exit & Discard Changes Discard Changes Load Setup Default Exit system setup a...
Page 64 - Software Support; T h i s c h a p t e r d e s c r i b e s t h e c o n t e n t s
3 Software Support T h i s c h a p t e r d e s c r i b e s t h e c o n t e n t s of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package.
Page 65 - Chapter 3: Software Support; Installing an operating system; This motherboard supports Windows; Support CD information; Drivers menu if Autorun is enabled in your computer.
3-2 Chapter 3: Software Support If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support CD to locate the file ASSETUP.EXE from the BIN folder. Double-click the ASSETUP.EXE to run the CD. Click an item to install 3.1 Installing an operating system This motherboard supports Wind...
Page 66 - devices. Install the necessary drivers to activate the devices.; NVIDIA ALL in 1 Driver; Install NVIDIA ALL in 1 Driver.; Make NVIDIA nForce Chipset Driver Disk; ASUS PC Probe; in healthy operating condition.
ASUS A7N8X-XE Motherboard 3-3 3.2.2 Drivers menu The drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install the necessary drivers to activate the devices. NVIDIA ALL in 1 Driver Install NVIDIA ALL in 1 Driver. Make NVIDIA nForce Chipset Driver Disk Make NVID...
Page 67 - ASUS Update
3-4 Chapter 3: Software Support ASUS Update The ASUS Update utility allows you to update the motherboard BIOS in a Windows ® environment. This utility requires an Internet connection either through a network or an Internet Service Provider (ISP). See pages 2-7 to 2-8 for details. ASUS Screen Saver B...
