Motherboard A8N-SLI SE

A8N-SLI SE

E2252

Revised Edition V1

September 2005 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 kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.

ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER

EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES

OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE

LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES

(INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE

OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN

ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR

ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.

SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED

FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME

WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY

ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR

INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS

AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT.

Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or explanation and to the owners’ benefit, without intent to infringe.

Contents

Notices ...............................................................................................viii

Safety information .............................................................................. ix

About this guide ................................................................................... x

How this guide is organized ...................................................... x

Where to find more information .............................................. xi

Conventions used in this guide ................................................ xi

Typography ......................................................................................... xi

A8N-SLI SE specifications summary ....................................................xii

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1 Welcome! .............................................................................. 1-1

1.2 Package contents ................................................................. 1-1

1.3 Special features .................................................................... 1-2

1.3.1 Product highlights ................................................... 1-2

1.3.2 ASUS Proactive features ........................................ 1-4

1.3.3 Innovative ASUS features ....................................... 1-5

Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.1 Before you proceed .............................................................. 2-1

2.2 Motherboard overview .......................................................... 2-2

2.2.1 Placement direction ................................................ 2-2

2.2.2 Screw holes ............................................................. 2-2

2.2.3 Motherboard layout ................................................ 2-3

2.2.4 Layout Contents ..................................................... 2-4

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) .............................................. 2-6

2.3.1 Overview ................................................................. 2-6

2.3.2 Installing the CPU .................................................... 2-6

2.3.3 Installing the heatsink and fan ................................ 2-8

2.4 System memory .................................................................. 2-11

2.4.1 Overview ............................................................... 2-11

2.4.2 Memory Configurations ......................................... 2-11

2.4.3 Installing a DIMM ................................................... 2-14

2.4.4 Removing a DIMM .................................................. 2-14

2.5 Expansion slots ................................................................... 2-15

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card .................................. 2-15 iii

iv

Contents

2.5.2 Configuring an expansion card .............................. 2-15

2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ........................................... 2-16

2.5.4 PCI slots ................................................................ 2-16

2.5.5 Two PCI Express x16 slots .................................... 2-17

2.5.6 PCI Express x1 slot ............................................... 2-17

2.5.7 Universal PCIe slot (PCI Express x4 slot) .............. 2-17

2.6 Jumpers .............................................................................. 2-18

2.7 Connectors ......................................................................... 2-19

2.7.1 Rear panel connectors .......................................... 2-19

2.7.2 Internal connectors ............................................... 2-21

Chapter 3: Powering up

3.1 Starting up for the first time ................................................ 3-1

3.2 Powering off the computer ................................................... 3-2

3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function ........................... 3-2

3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch ..................... 3-2

Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ........................................ 4-1

4.1.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk .............................. 4-1

4.1.2 Updating the BIOS ................................................... 4-2

4.1.3 Saving the current BIOS file .................................... 4-4

4.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ................................ 4-5

4.1.5 ASUS EZ Flash utility ............................................... 4-7

4.1.6 ASUS Update utility ................................................ 4-8

4.2 BIOS setup program ............................................................ 4-11

4.2.1 BIOS menu screen ................................................. 4-12

4.2.2 Menu bar ............................................................... 4-12

4.2.3 Legend bar ............................................................ 4-13

4.2.4 Menu items ........................................................... 4-13

4.2.5 Sub-menu items .................................................... 4-13

4.2.6 Configuration fields ............................................... 4-13

4.2.7 Pop-up window ...................................................... 4-14

4.2.8 General help .......................................................... 4-14

4.3 Main menu ........................................................................... 4-15

Contents

4.3.1 System Time ........................................................ 4-15

4.3.2 System Date ........................................................ 4-15

4.3.3 Legacy Diskette A ............................................... 4-15

4.3.4 Primary and Secondary IDE Master/Slave ............. 4-16

4.3.5 First, Second, Third, Fourth SATA Master ............ 4-18

4.3.6 HDD SMART Monitoring ......................................... 4-19

4.3.7 Installed Memory ................................................... 4-19

4.3.8 Usable Memory ...................................................... 4-19

4.4 Advanced menu .................................................................. 4-20

4.4.1 CPU Configuration ................................................. 4-20

4.4.2 PCI PnP .................................................................. 4-23

4.4.3 Onboard Devices Configuration ............................. 4-24

4.4.4 SLI Configuration ................................................... 4-29

4.4.5 JumperFree Configuration ..................................... 4-30

4.4.6 PEG Link Mode ....................................................... 4-32

4.5 Power menu ........................................................................ 4-34

4.5.1 ACPI Suspend Type ............................................... 4-34

4.5.2 ACPI APIC Support ................................................ 4-34

4.5.3 APM Configuration ................................................ 4-35

4.5.4 Hardware Monitor .................................................. 4-37

4.6 Boot menu .......................................................................... 4-39

4.6.1 Boot Device Priority .............................................. 4-39

4.6.2 Removable Drives .................................................. 4-40

4.6.3 Hard Disk Drives .................................................... 4-40

4.6.4 Boot Settings Configuration ................................ 4-41

4.6.5 Security ................................................................. 4-43

4.7 Exit menu ............................................................................ 4-45

Chapter 5: Software support

5.1 Installing an operating system .............................................. 5-1 v

vi

Contents

5.2 Support CD information ........................................................ 5-1

5.2.1 Running the support CD .......................................... 5-1

5.2.2 Drivers menu ........................................................... 5-2

5.2.3 Utilities menu .......................................................... 5-3

5.2.4 Manuals menu ......................................................... 5-5

5.2.5 ASUS Contact information ...................................... 5-6

5.2.6 Other information ................................................... 5-6

5.3 Software information ............................................................ 5-9

5.3.1 ASUS MyLogo2™ ..................................................... 5-9

5.3.2 Audio configurations ............................................. 5-11

5.3.3 Using the NVIDIA

®

Firewall™ .................................. 5-17

5.4 RAID configurations ............................................................ 5-20

5.4.1 Installing hard disks ............................................... 5-21

5.4.2 NVIDIA

®

RAID configurations ................................. 5-22

5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk ................................................. 5-29

5.6 Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ Technology ............................................... 5-30

5.6.1 Enabling Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ Technology ................... 5-30

5.6.2 Launching the Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ software .............. 5-31

5.7 Using the NVIDIA

®

nTune™ utility ....................................... 5-32

5.7.1 Managing your nForce™ system ............................ 5-32

5.7.2 Clock control ......................................................... 5-33

5.7.3 Voltage/Fan control .............................................. 5-33

5.7.4 Information ........................................................... 5-34

5.7.5 Other options ........................................................ 5-34

5.8 Using the ASUS AI Selector utility ...................................... 5-35

5.8.1 Launching the ASUS AI Selector ........................... 5-35

5.8.2 Using the SLI mode ............................................... 5-36

Chapter 6: SLI™ technology support

6.1 Overview ............................................................................... 6-1

6.2 Dual graphics card setup ...................................................... 6-2

6.2.1 Installing SLI-ready graphics cards .......................... 6-2

6.2.2 Installing the device drivers .................................... 6-5

6.2.3 Installing the ASUS AI Selector utility ..................... 6-5

6.2.4 Enabling the multi-GPU feature in Windows ............ 6-6

6.2.5 Setting the ASUS AI Selector utility ....................... 6-8 vii

viii

Notices

Federal Communications Commission Statement

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference, and

• This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a

Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturerʼs instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the userʼs authority to operate this equipment.

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 Canadian

ICES-003.

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 cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device.

• Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure that all power cables are unplugged.

• Seek professional assistance before using an adapter or extension cord.

These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit.

• Make sure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area. If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using, contact your local power company.

• If the power supply is broken, do not try to fix it by yourself. Contact a qualified service technician or your retailer.

Operation safety

• Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all the manuals that came with the package.

• Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately.

• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.

• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in any area where it may become wet.

• Place the product on a stable surface.

• If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualified service technician or your retailer.

ix

x

About this guide

This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring the motherboard.

How this guide is organized

This manual contains the following parts:

• Chapter 1: Product introduction

This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports.

• Chapter 2: Hardware information

This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.

• Chapter 3: Powering up

This chapter describes the power up sequence, and the ways of shutting down the system.

• Chapter 4: BIOS setup

This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS

Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.

• Chapter 5: Software support

This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package.

• Chapter 6: NVIDIA

®

SLI™ technology support

This chapter tells how to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards.

Where to find more information

Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates.

1. ASUS websites

The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.

2. Optional documentation

Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the standard package.

Conventions used in this guide

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

DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task.

CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to complete a task.

IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.

NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.

Typography

Bold text

Italics

<Key>

<Key1+Key2+Key3>

Command

Indicates a menu or an item to select

Used to emphasize a word or a phrase

Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign means that you must press the enclosed key

Example: <Enter> means that you must press the Enter or

Return key

If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the key names are linked with a plus sign (+)

Example: <Ctrl+Alt+Del>

Means that you must type the command exactly as shown, then supply the required item or value enclosed in brackets

Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command line:

awdflash A8NSLISE.ROM

xi

xii

A8N-SLI SE specifications summary

CPU

Chipset

System Bus

Memory

Expansion slots

Scalable Link

Interface (SLI™)

Storage

AI Overclocking

Socket 939 for AMD Athlon™ 64FX/AMD Athlon™ 64/

AMD Athlon 64X2 Processor

Supports AMD 64 architecture that enables simultaneous

32-bit and 64-bit architecture

Supports AMD

®

Cool ʻnʼ Quiet! Technology

NVIDIA

®

nForce™ 4 SLI

Supports NVIDIA technology

®

Scalable Link Interface™ (SLI)

1600/2000 MT per second

Dual-channel memory architecture

4 x 184-pin DIMM sockets support ECC/non-ECC

unbufferred 400/333/266 MHz DDR memory modules

Supports up to 4 GB system memory

2 x PCI Express x16 slots with Scalable Link Interface

(SLI™) support

1 x PCI Express x1 slot

1 x PCI Express x4 slot running at 2x bandwidth that

supports X1 and X4 add-on cards

3 x PCI slots

SLI™ mode supports:

- 2 x identical SLI™-ready PCI Express x16 graphics

cards

(Note: In SLI mode, the PCI Express x16 slots work at the

bandwidth of PCI Express x8. The combined bandwidth of

these maintain the bandwidth of PCI Express x16.)

Single card mode supports (default):

- 1 x any PCI Express x16 graphics card on the first slot

ASUS AI Selector

ASUS EZ Plug™

ASUS Two-slot thermal design

NVIDIA

®

nForce™ 4 SLI chipset supports:

- 2 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33

- 4 x Serial ATA devices

- RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, and JBOD that spans

across the Serial ATA and Parallel ATA drives

AI NOS™ (Non-Delay Overclocking System)

ASUS AI Overclocking (Intelligent CPU frequency tuner)

ASUS PEG Link for single/dual graphics card

Fixed PCI Express/PCI/SATA frequencies

ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)

(continued on the next page)


Special features

Internal connectors

LAN

AI Audio

USB

Rear panel

BIOS features

ASUS AI Selector

ASUS EZFlash

ASUS Q-Fan2

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2

ASUS MyLogo2™

ASUS SLI Warning LED

ASUS EZ Plug

1 x Floppy disk drive connector

2 x IDE connectors

4 x Serial ATA connectors

1 x CPU fan connector

1 x Power fan connector

1 x Chassis fan connector

1 x Chipset fan connector

1 x Serial port connector (COM port)

1 x 24-pin ATX power connector

1 x 4-pin ATX 12 V power connector

1 x 4-pin ASUS EZ Plug™ connector

3 x USB 2.0 connectors for 6 additional USB 2.0 ports

1 x Internal audio connectors (CD\AUX)

1 x GAME/MIDI connector

1 x Chassis intrusion connector

1 x Front panel audio connector

System panel connector

NVIDIA

®

nForce™ 4 built-in Gigabit MAC with external

PHY supports:

- NV ActiveArmor

- NV Firewall

Realtek

®

ALC850 6-channel CODEC

1 x Coaxial S/PDIF out port

) Technology Supports Universal Audio Jack (UAJ

®

Supports Audio Sensing and Enumeration Technology

Supports up to 10 USB 2.0 ports

1 x Parallel port

1 x LAN (RJ-45) port

4 x USB 2.0 ports

1 x Coaxial S/PDIF out port

1 x PS/2 keyboard port

1 x PS/2 mouse port

6-channel audio ports

4 Mb Flash ROM, Phoenix-Award BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0,

WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.3

(continued on the next page) xiii

xiv


Power Requirement

Form Factor

Support CD contents

ATX power supply (with 24-pin and 4-pin 12 V plugs)

ATX 12 V 2.0 compliant

ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)

Device drivers

ASUS PC Probe II

ASUS Live Update utility

ASUS CoolʼnʼQuiet! utility

Anti-virus utility (OEM version)

NVIDIA

®

nTune™ utility

*Specifications are subject to change without notice.

This chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports.

1

introduction

Chapter summary

1.1 Welcome! .............................................................................. 1-1

1.2 Package contents ................................................................. 1-1

1.3 Special features .................................................................... 1-2

ASUS A8N-SLI SE

1.1 Welcome!

T h a n k y o u f o r b u y i n g a n A S U S

®

A 8 N - S L I S E m o t h e r b o a r d !

The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards!

Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in your package with the list below.

1.2 Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Motherboard ASUS A8N-SLI SE motherboard

Cables 2 x Serial ATA signal cables

Serial ATA power cable with dual plugs

Ultra DMA/133 cable

40-conductor IDE cable

Floppy disk drive cable

Accessories I/O shield

SLI™ flexible cable

USB2.0 2-port module

Application CDs ASUS motherboard support CD

Documentation User guide

If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 1-1

1-2

1.3 Special features

1.3.1 Product highlights

Latest processor technology

The AMD Athlon™ 64FX, Athlon™ 64 and Athlon 64x2 desktop processors are based on AMDʼs 64-bit and 32-bit architecture, which represents the landmark introduction of the industryʼs first x86-64 technology. These processors provide a dramatic leap forward in compatibility, performance, investment protection, and reduced total cost of ownership and development. See page 2-6 for details.

Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) technology

The NVIDIA

®

nForce4

®

Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) technology allows two graphics processing units (GPUs) in a single system. This technology takes advantage of the PCI Express™ bus architecture and features intelligent hardware and software solutions that allows multiple GPUs to work together and achieve exceptional graphics performance. See Chapter 6 for details.

Built-in NV Firewall™ and NV ActiveArmor™

The NVIDIA

®

Firewall™ (NV Firewall™) is an easy-to-use high-performance desktop firewall application that protects your system from intruders.

Integrated into the NVIDIA

®

nForce4

®

SLI™ chipset with the NVIDIA

®

Gigabit

Ethernet, it provides advanced anti-computer-hacking technologies, remote management capabilities, and a user-friendly setup wizard that improves overall system security.

Enhancing your network security is the NVIDIA

®

ActiveArmor™

(NV ActiveArmor™) engine that provides advanced data packet inspection.

This innovative technology ensures that only safe data packets are passed on the network. It boosts overall system performance by offloading the

CPU from the rigorous task of filtering data packets. See page 5-17 for details.

AMD Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ Technology

The motherboard supports the AMD Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ Technology that dynamically and automatically changes the CPU speed, voltage and amount of power depending on the task the CPU performs. See pages 4-22 and

5-31.


HyperTransport™ Technology

HyperTransport™ Technology is a high-speed, low latency, point-to-point link designed to increase the communication speed between integrated circuits in computers, networking and telecommunicatons equipment up to

48 times faster than other existing technologies.

Dual Channel DDR memory support

Employing the Double Data Rate (DDR) memory technology, the motherboard supports up to 4GB of system memory using

DDR400/333/266 DIMMs. The ultra-fast 400MHz memory bus delivers the required bandwidth for the latest 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. See page 2-11.

Serial ATA II technology

The motherboard supports the next-generation Serial ATA 3Gb/s technology through the Serial ATA interfaces and the NVIDIA

®

SLI™ chipset.

The SATA 3Gb/s specification provides twice the bandwidth of the current

Serial ATA products with a host of new features including Native Command

Queuing (NCQ), Power Management (PM) Implementation Algorithm, and

Hot Swap. Additionally, Serial ATA allows thinner, more flexible cables with lower pin count, and reduced voltage requirement. See pages 2-22.

RAID Solution

The NVIDIA

®

nForce4

5-22 for details.

®

SLI™ allows RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 and JBOD configuration for four SATA and two PATA connectors. See pages 2-22 and

PCI Express™ interface

The motherboard fully supports PCI Express, the latest I/O interconnect technology that speeds up the PCI bus. PCI Express features point-to-point serial interconnections between devices and allows higher clockspeeds by carrying data in packets. This high speed interface is software compatible with existing PCI specifications. See page 2-16 and 2-17 for details.

S/PDIF digital sound ready

The motherboard supports the S/PDIF Out function through the S/PDIF interfaces on the rear panel. The S/PDIF technology turns your computer into a high-end entertainment system with digital connectivity to powerful audio and speaker systems. See page 2-19 for details.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 1-3

1-4

USB 2.0 technology

The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specification, dramatically increasing the connection speed from the

12 Mbps bandwidth on USB 1.1 to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1. See page 2-19 and 2-24 for details.

Temperature, fan, and voltage monitoring

The CPU temperature is monitored by the ASIC (integrated in the Winbond

Super I/O) to prevent overheating and damage. The system fan rotations per minute (RPM) is monitored for timely failure detection. The ASIC monitors the voltage levels to ensure stable supply of current for critical components. See section “4.5.4 Hardware Monitor” on page 4-37.

1.3.2 ASUS Proactive features

AI NOS™ (Non-Delay Overclocking System)

ASUS Non-delay Overclocking System™ (NOS) is a technology that auto-detects the CPU loading and dynamically overclocks the CPU speed only when needed. See page 4-30 for details.

AI Audio technology

The motherboard supports 6-channel audio through the onboard ALC850

CODEC with 16-bit DAC, a stereo 16-bit ADC, and an AC97 2.3 compatible multi-channel audio designed for PC multimedia systems. It also provides

Jack-Sensing function, S/PDIF out support, interrupt capability and includes the Realtek

®

proprietary UAJ

®

(Universal Audio Jack) technology. See pages

2-19, 2-20 and 5-11 for details.


1.3.3 Innovative ASUS features

ASUS AI Selector

The AI Selector allows you to set the video card mode of your system. This utility works when you have two graphics cards installed in your system.

See page 5-35 for details.

ASUS EZ Plug™

This patented ASUS technology is a 4-pin auxiliary +12V connector that is designed to maintain the voltage integrity of your system. This plug guarantees adequate supply of power to the motherboard and other installed peripherals. See page 6-4 for illustration.

ASUS Two-slot thermal design

The motherboard is designed with one PCI Express x1 slots and PCI

Express x4 slots placed between the PCI Express x16 slots allowing an increase in airflow between the two PCI Express x16 graphics cards. This special design permits more room for ventilation thus lowering the overall system temperature.

CrashFree BIOS 2

This feature allows you to restore the original BIOS data from the support

CD in case when the BIOS codes and data are corrupted. This protection eliminates the need to buy a replacement ROM chip. See page 4-5 for details.

ASUS Q-Fan2 technology

The ASUS Q-Fan2 technology smartly adjusts the fan speeds according to the system loading to ensure quiet, cool, and efficient operation. See page

4-37 for details.

ASUS MyLogo2™

This new feature present in the motherboard allows you to personalize and add style to your system with customizable boot logos. See page 5-9 for details.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 1-5

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction

This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components.

It includes description of the jumpers and connectors on the motherboard.

2

information

Chapter summary

2.1 Before you proceed .............................................................. 2-1

2.2 Motherboard overview .......................................................... 2-2

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) .............................................. 2-6

2.4 System memory .................................................................. 2-11

2.5 Expansion slots ................................................................... 2-15

2.6 Jumpers .............................................................................. 2-18

2.7 Connectors ......................................................................... 2-19

ASUS A8N-SLI SE

2.1 Before you proceed

Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings.

• Make sure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the minimum power required by your system. See “7. ATX power connectors” on page 2-25 for details.

• Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component.

• Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or to a metal object, such as the power supply case, before handling components to avoid damaging them due to static electricity

• Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.

• Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in the bag that came with the component.

• Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, and/or components.

Onboard LED

The motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-off mode.

This is a reminder that you should shut down the system and unplug the power cable before removing or plugging in any motherboard component. The illustration below shows the location of the onboard

LED.

The red warning LED lights up when you installed two graphics card but did not connect the ASUS EZ Plug™. The illustration below shows the location of the onboard LEDs.

WARN_LED

ON OFF

A8N-SLI SE

®

SB_PWR

A8N-SLI SE Onboard LED

ON

Standby

Power

OFF

Powered

Off

If you are using a 24-pin power connector, you may ignore the warning

LED.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 2-1

2-2

2.2 Motherboard overview

Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard fits into it.

Make sure to unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.

2.2.1 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 indicated in the image below.

2.2.2 Screw holes

Place nine (9) screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis.

Do not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.

Place this side towards the rear of the chassis

A8N-SLI SE

®


2.2.3 Motherboard layout

24.5cm (9.6in)

PS/2KBMS

T: Mouse

B: Keyboard

SPDIF_O

ATX12V

CHA2_FAN CPU_FAN

F_USB12

LAN_USB34

Top:Line In

Center:Line Out

Bottom:Mic In

ALC850

CD

AUX

Gigabit PHY

EZ_PLUG

PCIEX16_1

PCIEX1_1

PCIEX4_1

A8N-SLI SE

PCIEX16_2

R

PCI1

PCI2

PCI3

SB_PWR

USB78

Lithium Cell

CMOS Power

CLRTC

USB56 USB910

NVIDIA nForce4 SLI

CHIP_FAN

SATA4 SATA3

SATA2 SATA1

GAME

COM1

CHA1_FAN

CHASSIS

PANEL

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 2-3

2.2.4 Layout Contents

Slots

1. DDR DIMM slots

2. PCI slots

3. PCI Express x16 slot



Jumpers

1. Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC1)

Rear panel connectors

1. PS/2 mouse port (green)

2. Parallel port

3. LAN (RJ-45) port

4. Line In port (light blue)

5. Line Out port (lime)

6. Microphone port (pink)

7. USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4

8. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2

9. Coaxial S/PDIF out port

10. PS/2 keyboard port (purple)

Page

2-11

2-16

2-17

2-17

2-17

Page

2-18

Page

2-19

2-19

2-19

2-19

2-19

2-19

2-19

2-19

2-19

2-20

2-4 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Internal connectors

1. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY)

2. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE, 40-1 pin SEC_IDE)

3. nForce 4 Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4)

4. CPU, Chassis, Chipset and Power fan connectors(3-pin CPU_FAN,

3-pin CHA2_FAN, 3-pin CHIP_FAN, 3-pin PWR_FAN, 3-pin CHA1_FAN)

5. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM1)

6. USB headers (10-1 USB56, USB78, USB910)

7 ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR1, 4-pin ATX12V1, 4-pin EZ_PLUG)

8. Internal audio connectors (4-pin CD, AUX)

9. GAME/MIDI connector (16-1 pin GAME)

10. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS)

11. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin FP_AUDIO)

12. System panel connectors (20-1 pin PANEL)

- System Power LED (Green 3-pin PLED)

- Hard Disk activity (Red 2-pin IDE_LED)

- System warning speaker (Orange 4-pin SPEAKER)

- Power/Soft-off button(Yellow 2-pin PWRSW)

- Reset switch (Blue 2-pin RESET)

Page

2-21

2-21

2-22

2-23

2-24

2-24

2-25

2-26

2-26

2-27

2-27

2-28

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 2-5

2-6

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

2.3.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with a surface mount 939-pin Zero Insertion Force

(ZIF) socket designed for the AMD Athlon™ 64FX, AMD Athlon™ 64 or AMD

Athlon™ 64X2 processor.

The 128-bit-wide data paths of these processors can run applications faster than processors with only 32-bit or 64-bit wide data paths.

Take note of the marked corner (with gold triangle) on the CPU. This mark should match a specific corner on the socket to ensure correct installation.

Gold triangle

2.3.2 Installing the CPU

To install a CPU:

1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

A8N-SLI SE

®

A8N-SLI SE CPU Socket 939

Before installing the CPU, make sure that the socket box is facing towards you and the load lever is on your left.


2. Unlock the socket by pressing the lever sideways, then lift it up to a

90°-100° angle.

Socket Lever

Make sure that the socket lever is lifted up to 90°-100° angle, otherwise the CPU does not fit in completely.

3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle.

4. Carefully insert the CPU into the socket until it fits in place.

Gold triangle

Small triangle

The CPU fits only in one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the pins and damaging the CPU!

5. When the CPU is in place, push down the socket lever to secure the CPU. The lever clicks on the side tab to indicate that it is locked.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 2-7

2.3.3 Installing the heatsink and fan

The AMD Athlon™ 64FX, AMD Athlon™ 64X2 or AMD Athlon 64™ processor require a specially designed heatsink and fan assembly to ensure optimum thermal condition and performance.

Make sure that you use only qualified heatsink and fan assembly.

Follow these steps to install the CPU heatsink and fan.

1. Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, making sure that the heatsink fits properly on the retention module base.

• The retention module base is already installed on the motherboard upon purchase.

• You do not have to remove the retention module base when installing the CPU or installing other motherboard components.

• If you purchased a separate CPU heatsink and fan assembly, make sure that a Thermal Interface Material is properly applied to the CPU heatsink or CPU before you install the heatsink and fan assembly.

2-8

CPU Fan

CPU Heatsink

Retention Module Base

Retention bracket

Retention bracket lock

Your boxed CPU heatsink and fan assembly should come with installation instructions for the CPU, heatsink, and the retention mechanism. If the instructions in this section do not match the CPU documentation, follow the latter.


2. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base.

3. Align the other end of the retention bracket (near the retention bracket lock) to the retention module base. A clicking sound denotes that the retention bracket is in place.

Make sure that the fan and heatsink assembly perfectly fits the retention mechanism module base, otherwise you cannot snap the retention bracket in place.

4. Push down the retention bracket lock on the retention mechanism to secure the heatsink and fan to the module base.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 2-9

3. When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN.

CPU_FAN

A8N-SLI SE

®

A8N-SLI SE CPU Fan Connector

Do not forget to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you fail to plug this connector.


2.4 System memory

2.4.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with four 184-pin Double Data Rate (DDR) Dual

Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.

The following figure illustrates the location of the sockets:

A8N-SLI SE

®

A8N-SLI SE 184-pin DDR DIMM Sockets

Channel

Channel A

Channel B

Sockets

DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2

DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2

2.4.2 Memory Configurations

You may install 256 MB, 512 MB and 1 GB unbuffered ECC or non-ECC

DDR DIMMs into the DIMM sockets using the memory configurations in this section.

• For dual-channel configuration, the total size of memory module(s) installed per channel must be the same for better performance

(DIMM_A1+DIMM_A2=DIMM_B1+DIMM_B2).

• When using one DDR DIMM module, install into DIMM_B1 slot only.

• When using two DDR DIMM modules, install into DIMM_A1 and

DIMM_B1 slots only.

• Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum compatibility, it is recommended that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor. Refer to the DDR400 Qualified Vendors List on the next page for details.

• Due to chipset resource allocation, the system may detect less than

4 GB of system memory when you installed four 1 GB DDR memory modules.

• Due to CPU limitation, DIMM modules with 128 Mb memory chips or double-sided x16 memory chips are not supported in this motherboard.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 2-11

2-12

DDR400 Qualified Vendors List

Size Vendor Model CL Brand

DIMMsupport

Side(s) Component A B C

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

1024MB KINGSTON KVR400X64C3A/1G

1024MB CORSAIR TWINX2048-3200C2

1024MB Transcend TS128MLD64V4J

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

KINGSTON KVR400X64C3A/256




256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB





KINGSTON KHX3200A/512

SAMSUNG M381L3223ETM-CCC



SAMSUNG M368L3223FTN-CCC

SAMSUNG M368L6423FTN-CCC

SAMSUNG M368L6523BTM-CCC

MICRON

3

N/A

3

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

3

3ECC

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

SAMSUNG

Hynix

Hynix

Mosel

Mosel

Infineon

Infineon

KINGSTON

KINGSTON

N/A

SAMSUNG

SAMSUNG

SAMSUNG

DS HYB25D512800BE-5B

DS N/A

DS K4H510838B-TCCC

• • •

• • •

• • •

SS HY5DU56822BT-D43

DS HY5DU56822BT-D43

• • •

• • •

SS V58C2256804SAT5(ECC) • • •

DS V58C2256804SAT5(ECC) • • •

SS HYB25D256800BT-5B

DS HYB25D256809BT-5B

SS D3208DL2T-5

DS D328DIB-50

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

DS N/A • •

SS K4H560838E-TCCC(ECC) • • •

DS K4H560838E-TCCC(ECC) • • •

SS K4H560838E-TCCC • •

MICRON

Infineon

Infineon

CORSAIR

CORSAIR

CORSAIR

Hynix

Hynix

GEIL

GEIL

GEIL

GEIL

TwinMOS

TwinMOS

TwinMOS

TwinMOS

MT16VDDT6464AG-40BCB N/A

HYS64D32300HU-5-C

HYS64D64320HU-5-C

CMX256A-3200C2PT

VS512MB400

CMX512-3200C2

HYMD232645D8J-D43

HYMD264646D8J-D43

GE2563200B

GE5123200B

GD3200-256V

GD3200-512V

3

N/A

2

2.5

3

3

3

2-6-3-3 GEIL

2-6-3-3 GEIL

2.5-8-4-4 GEIL

2.5-8-4-4 GEIL

M2G9I08AIATT9F081AADT 2.5

M2G9J16AJATT9F081AADT 2.5

M2G9I08A8ATT9F081AADT 2.5

M2G9J16A8ATT9F081AADT 2.5

Transcend TS32MLD64V4F3

Transcend TS64MLD64V4F3

3

3

MICRON

Infineon

Infineon

Winbond

DS MT46V32M8TG-5BC

SS HYB25D256800CE-5C

DS HYB25D256800CE-5C

SS W942508BH-5

VALUE seLecT DS VS32M8-5

N/A

Hynix

Hynix

TwinMOS

TwinMOS

TwinMOS

TwinMOS

SAMSUNG

SAMSUNG

DS N/A

SS HY5DU56822DT-D43

DS HY5DU56822DT-D43

SS GL3LC32G88TG-5A

DS GL3LC32G88TG-5A

SS GLIL DDR 32M8

DS GLIL DDR 32M8

SS TMD7608F8E50D

DS TMD7608F8E50D

SS TMD7608F8E50D

DS TMD7608F8E50D

SS K4H560838F-TCCC

DS K4H560838F-TCCC

Apacer

Apacer

Apacer

Apacer

A DATA

A DATA

A DATA

A DATA

MT8VDDT3264AG-40BCB

77.10636.33G

77.10736.33G

77.10639.60G

77.10739.60G

MDOSS6F3G31Y0K1E0Z

MDOSS6F3H41Y0N1E0Z

MDOHY6F3G31Y0N1E0Z

MDOHY6F3H41Y0N1E0Z

4

4

4

N/A

3

3

2.5

2.5

3

3

3

3

SAMSUNG

SAMSUNG

SAMSUNG

MICRON

Infineon

Infineon

ProMOS

ProMOS

SAMSUNG

SAMSUNG

Hynix

Hynix

SS K4H560838F-TCCC

DS K4H560838F-TCCC

SS K4H510838B-TCCC

SS MT46V32M8TG-5BC

SS HYB25D256800CE-5C

DS HYB25D256800CE-5C

SS V58C2256804SCT5B

DS V58C2256804SCT5B

SS K4H560838E-TCCC

DS K4H560838F-TCCC

SS HY5DU56822CT-D43

DS HY5DU56822CT-D43

A DATA

A DATA

Winbond

Winbond

PSC

PSC

KINGMAX

KINGMAX

MDOAD5F3G31Y0D1E02

MDOAD5F3H41Y0D1E02

W9425GCDB-5

W9451GCDB-5

AL5D8B53T-5B1K

AL6D8B53T-5B1K

MPXB62D-38KT3R

MPXC22D-38KT3R

NANYA

NANYA

NT256D64S88C0G-5T

NT512D64S8HC0G-5T

BRAIN POWER B6U808-256M-SAM-400

BRAIN POWER B6U808-512M-SAM-400

CENTURY

CENTURY

CENTURY

CENTURY elixir elixir

DXV6S8EL5BM3T27C

DXV2S8EL5BM3T27C

DXV6S8EL5BM3T27C

DXV2S8EL5BM3T27C

M2U25664DS88C3G-5T

M2U51264DS8HC1G-5T

3

3

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

2.5

2.5

3

N/A

2.5

2.5

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Winbond

Winbond

PSC

PSC

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

SAMSUNG

SAMSUNG

SAMSUNG

SAMSUNG

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

SS ADD8608A8A-5B

DS ADD8608A8A-5B

SS W942508CH-5

DS W942508CH-5

SS A2S56D30BTP

DS A2S56D30BTP

SS KDL388P4LA-50

DS KDL388P4LA-50

SS NT5DS32M8CT-5T

DS NT5DS32M8CT-5T

SS K4H560838D-TCC4

DS K4H560838D-TCC4

SS K4H560838E-TCCC

DS K4H560838E-TCCC

SS DD2508AMTA

DS DD2508AMTA

SS N2DS25680CT-5T

DS N2DS25680CT-5T

• • •

• •

• • •

• • •

• •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• •

• • •

• • •


256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

512MB

256MB

512MB

Size Vendor

256MB

512MB

Kreton

Kreton

Model

N/A

N/A

Veritech VT400FMV/2561103

Veritech VT400FMV/5121003

Pmi

Pmi

3

3

MD44256VIT3208GMHA01 2.5

MD44512VIT3208GATA03 2.5

ProMOS

ProMOS

V826632K24SCTG-D0

V826664K24SCTG-D0

Deutron AL5D8C53T-5B1T

Deutron AL6D8C53T-5B1T

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5 crucial

Novax

Novax

BL6464Z402.16TG

96M425653CE-40TB6

96M451253CE-40TB6

2

2.5

2.5

CL

N/A

N/A

Brand

VT

VT

DIMMsupport

Side(s) Component A B C

SS

DS

VT3225804T-5

VT3225804T-5

• • •

• • •

VT

VT

MOSEL

MOSEL

N/A

N/A

PSC

PSC

Ballistix

CEON

CEON

SS

DS

SS

DS

SS

DS

SS

DS

DS

SS

DS

VT56DD32M8PC-5

VT56DD32M8PC-5

V58C2256804SAT5B

V58C2256804SAT5B

V58C2256804SCT5B

V58C2256804SCT5B

A2S56D30CTP

A2S56D30CTP

N/A

C2S56D30TP-5

C2S56D30TP-5

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• •

• • •

• • •

Side(s): SS - Single-Sided DS - Double-Sided

DIMM Support:

A - supports one module inserted into either the blue slots, in a Single-channel memory configuration.

B - supports on pair of modules inserted into either the blue slots or the black slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory configuration.

C - support for 4 modules inserted into the blue and black slots as two pairs of

Dual-channel memory configuration.

Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) for the latest DDR 400 Qualified

Vendors List.


2.4.3 Installing a DIMM

Make sure to unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other system components. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to both the motherboard and the components.

2

DDR DIMM notch

1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing the retaining clips outward.

2. Align a DIMM on the socket such that the notch on the

DIMM matches the break on the socket.

1

1

Unlocked retaining clip

A DDR DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it fits in only one direction.

DO NOT force a DIMM into a socket to avoid damaging the DIMM.

3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the socket until the retaining clips snap back in place and the DIMM is properly seated.

2-14

2.4.4 Removing a DIMM

Follow these steps to remove a DIMM.

Locked Retaining Clip

2

1. Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to unlock the DIMM.

1

DDR DIMM notch

Support the DIMM lightly with your fingers when pressing the retaining clips. The DIMM might get damaged when it flips out with extra force.

1

2. Remove the DIMM from the socket.


2.5 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.

Make sure to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card

To install an expansion card:

1. Before installing the expansion card, read the documentation that came with it and make the necessary hardware settings for the card.

2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed in a chassis).

3. Remove the bracket opposite the slot that you intend to use. Keep the screw for later use.

4. Align the card connector with the slot and press firmly until the card is completely seated on the slot.

5. Secure the card to the chassis with the screw you removed earlier.

6. Replace the system cover.

2.5.2 Configuring an expansion card

After installing the expansion card, configure it by adjusting the software settings.

1. Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any.

See Chapter 4 for information on BIOS setup.

2. Assign an IRQ to the card. Refer to the tables on the next page.

3. Install the software drivers for the expansion card.


2-16

2.5.3 Interrupt assignments

Standard interrupt assignments

IRQ Priority Standard Function

0 1 System Timer

1 2 Keyboard Controller

2 – Re-direct to IRQ#9

4 12 Communications Port (COM1)*

5 13 IRQ holder for PCI steering*

6 14 Floppy Disk Controller

7 15 Printer Port (LPT1)*

8 3 System CMOS/Real Time Clock




12 7 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port*

13 8 Numeric Data Processor

14 9 Primary IDE Channel

15 10 Secondary IDE Channel

* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.

IRQ assignments for this motherboard

PCI slot 1

PCI slot 2

PCI slot 3

Onboard USB 1.0 controller

Onboard USB 2.0 controller

A B C D shared — —

— shared —

— — shared — shared — shared —

—

—

—

—

—

—

E

—

—

—

—

—

F

—

—

—

—

—

G

—

—

—

—

—

H

—

—

—

—

—

When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support

“Share IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conflicts will arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card inoperable.

2.5.4 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.


2.5.5 Two PCI Express x16 slots

This motherboard supports one PCI

Express x16 graphics card or two

SLI-ready PCI Express x16 graphic cards that comply with the PCI

Express specifications. The figure shows a graphics card installed on the

PCI Express x16 slot.

See Chapter 6 for details on the SLI technology feature.

In Single Video Card mode, only the PCI Express blue slot can be used for

PCI Express x16 graphics cards.

2.5.6 PCI Express x1 slot

This motherboard supports PCI

Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards and other cards that comply with the

PCI Express specifications. The figure shows a network card installed on the

PCI Express x1 slot.

2.5.7 PCI Express x4 slot

This motherboard provides a PCI Express x4 slot that can support PCI Express x1 and x4 cards. This ASUS proprietary slot allows you to use additional PCI Express cards for twice the speed of a PCI

Express x1 slot.

PCI Express x4 slot

The Universal PCIe slot supports a total bandwidth of 1GB/s.


2-18

2.6 Jumpers

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 CMOS, which include system setup information such as system passwords.

To erase the RTC RAM:

1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.

2. Remove the onboard battery.

3. Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 (default) to pins 2-3. Keep the cap on pins 2-3 for about 5~10 seconds, then move the cap back to pins 1-2.

4. Re-install the battery.

5. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.

6. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to re-enter data.

Except when clearing the RTC RAM, never remove the cap on CLRTC jumper default position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure!

A8N-SLI SE

®

1 2

Normal

(Default)

CLRTC

2 3

Clear CMOS

A8N-SLI SE Clear RTC RAM

You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to overclocking. For system failure due to overclocking, use the C.P.R. (CPU

Parameter Recall) feature. Shut down and reboot the system so the BIOS can automatically reset parameter settings to default values.


2.7 Connectors

2.7.1 Rear panel connectors

1 2 3

10 9 8 7

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. Supported by the NVIDIA nForce4 Gigabit MAC with external PHY, this port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area

Network (LAN) through a network hub.

LAN port LED indications

ACT/LINK LED SPEED LED

Status Description

OFF

GREEN

No link

Linked

BLINKING Data activity

Status Description

OFF 10 Mbps connection

ORANGE 100 Mbps connection

GREEN 1 Gbps connection

ACT/LINK

LED

SPEED

LED

LAN port

4

5

6

4. Line In port (light blue). This port connects the tape, CD, DVD player, or other audio sources.

5. Line Out port (lime). This port connects a headphone or a speaker. In 4-channel, and 6-channel configuration, the function of this port becomes Front Speaker Out.

6. Microphone port (pink). This port connects a microphone.

7. USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.

8. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.

9. Coaxial S/PDIF Out port. This port connects an external audio output device via a coaxial S/PDIF cable.


10. PS/2 keyboard port (purple). This port is for a PS/2 keyboard.

Refer to the audio configuration table below for the function of the audio ports in 2, 4, or 6-channel configuration.

Audio 2, 4, or 6-channel configuration

Port Headset

2-channel

Light Blue

Lime

Pink

4-channel 6-channel

Line In Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out

Line Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out

Mic In Mic In Center/Subwoofer


2.7.2 Internal connectors

1. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY)

This connector is for the provided floppy disk drive (FDD) signal cable.

Insert one end of the cable to this connector, then connect the other end to the signal connector at the back of the floppy disk drive.

The Pin 5 on the connector is removed to prevent incorrect cable connection when using an FDD cable with a covered Pin 5.

FLOPPY

A8N-SLI SE

®

PIN 1

A8N-SLI SE Floppy Disk Drive Connector

2. IDE connectors (40-1 pin PRI_IDE, SEC_IDE)

These connectors are for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cables.

The Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable has three connectors: a blue connector for the primary IDE connector on the motherboard, a black connector for an Ultra DMA 133/100/66 IDE slave device

(optical drive/hard disk drive), and a gray connector for an Ultra

DMA 133/100/66 IDE master device (hard disk drive). If you install two hard disk drives, you must configure the second drive as a slave device by setting its jumper accordingly. Refer to the hard disk documentation for the jumper settings.

• The Pin 20 on the IDE connector is removed to match the covered hole on the Ultra DMA cable connector. This prevents incorrect insertion when you connect the IDE cable.

• Use the 80-conductor IDE cable for UltraDMA133/100/66 IDE devices.

A8N-SLI SE

®

A8N-SLI SE IDE Connectors

ASUS A8N-SLI SE

PIN 1

2-21

2-22

3. Serial ATA connectors

(7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4)

Supported by the NVIDIA

®

nForce4™ chipset, these connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives that allows up to 3Gb/s of data transfer rate.

If you installed Serial ATA hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0,

RAID 1, RAID 0+1, or JBOD configuration that span across the Parallel

ATA drives. Refer to Chapter 5 for details on how to set up RAID configurations.

These connectors are set to SATA by default. In SATA mode, you can connect Serial ATA boot or data hard disk drives to these connectors.

If you intent to create a Serial ATA RAID set using these connectors, enable the RAID function of each port from the NVRAID Configuration sub-menu item in the BIOS. See section “4.4.3 Onboard Devices

Configuration” on pages 4-24 and 4-26 for details.

SATA4

A8N-SLI SE

®

A8N-SLI SE SATA Connectors

SATA2

SATA3

SATA1

• The actual data transfer rate depends on the speed of Serial ATA hard disks installed.

• The RAID drivers for Parallel ATA and Serial ATA RAID are not WHQL certified.


4. CPU, Chassis, Chipset and Power fan connectors

(3-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin CHA2_FAN, 3-pin CHIP_FAN,

3-pin PWR_FAN, 3-pin CHA1_FAN)

The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350mA~2000mA (24

W max.) or a total of 1A~3.48A (41.76 W max.) at +12V. Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on the motherboard, making sure that the black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of the connector.

• Do not forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Lack of sufficient air flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the fan connectors!

• The ASUS Q-Fan2 function is supported using the CPU Fan (CPU_

FAN) and Chassis Fan 1 (CHA1_FAN) connectors only.

• The chipset fan is synchronized with the CPU fan.

CPU_FAN

CHA2_FAN

PWR_FAN

A8N-SLI SE

®

CHIP_FAN

CHA1_FAN

A8N-SLI SE Fan Connectors

CPU_FAN

CHA2_FAN

PWR_FAN

CHIP_FAN

Rotation +12V

CHA1_FAN

Rotation

Rotation


5. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM1)

This connector is for a serial (COM) port. Connect the serial port module cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis.

COM1

PIN 1

A8N-SLI SE

®

A8N-SLI SE COM Port Connector

The com port module is purchased separately .

6. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78, USB910)

These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB/GAME module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specification that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed.

2-24

A8N-SLI SE

®

USB+5V USB_P8

USB78

1

A8N-SLI SE USB 2.0 Connectors

USB+5V USB_P7

GND NC

USB56

1

USB+5V USB_P6 GND NC

USB910

1

USB+5V USB_P10- USB_P10 GND NC

USB+5V USB_P5 USB+5V USB_P9


7. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR1, 4-pin ATX12V1,

4-pin EZ_PLUG)

These connectors are for an ATX power supply plugs. The power supply plugs are designed to fit these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper orientation and push down firmly until the connectors completely fit.

• Do not forget to connect the 4-pin ATX +12 V power plug; otherwise, the system will not boot.

• If your power connector is 20-pin when you use two graphics cards, do not forget to connect the 4-pin ATX +12 V power plug to the

EZ Plug™; otherwise, the system will be unstable. See page 6-5 for details.

• Use of a Power Supply Unit (PSU) with a higher power output is recommended when configuring a system with more powerconsuming devices. The system may become unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.

• Make sure that your PSU can provide at least the minimum power required by your system. See the table below for details.

Power supply requirements

Components/Peripherals

AMD

®

K8 939-pin CPU type

PCIe™ x16 graphics cards

DDR DIMMs

HDD

Optical drive (DVD/CD-RW)

PCIe™ x 1 card

PCI cards

USB devices

Required +12V current

Required wattage

Heavy

Loading

Normal Light

Athlon 64 FX-55 Athlon 64 3800+ Athlon 64 3400+

6800 Ultra x2 6800GT x2 6600GT x2

1

3

6

4

4

2

> 25A

>= 500W

2

2

2

0

2

4

> 20A

>= 400W

2

2

1

0

1

3

> 17A

>= 350W

ATX12V

A8N-SLI SE

®

+12V DC

GND

EZ_PLUG

A8N-SLI SE ATX Power Connectors

+5V

EZ_DET

GND

+12V

+12V DC

GND

+3 Volts

-12 Volts

Ground

PSON#

Ground

Ground

Ground

-5 Volts

+5 Volts

+5 Volts

+5 Volts

Ground

EATXPWR

+3 Volts

+3 Volts

Ground

+5 Volts

Ground

+5 Volts

Ground

Power OK

+5V Standby

+12 Volts

+12 Volts

+3 Volts


8. Internal audio connectors (4-pin CD, AUX)

These connectors allow you to receive stereo audio input from sound sources such as a CD-ROM, TV-tuner, or MPEG card.

A8N-SLI SE

®

CD

(black)

Ground Ground

AUX

(white)

Right Audio Channel

Ground

Ground

Left Audio Channel

A8N-SLI SE Internal Audio Connectors

9. GAME/MIDI port connector (16-1 pin GAME)

This connector is for a GAME/MIDI port. Connect the USB/GAME module cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. The GAME/MIDI port connects a joystick or game pad for playing games, and MIDI devices for playing or editing audio files.

2-26

A8N-SLI SE

®

A8N-SLI SE Game Connector

GAME

+5V J2B MIDI_OUT J2C

GND GND J1C

The Game/MIDI port is purchased separately .


10. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS)

This connector is for a chassis-mounted intrusion detection sensor or switch. Connect one end of the chassis intrusion sensor or switch cable to this connector. The chassis intrusion sensor or switch sends a high-level signal to this connector when a chassis component is removed or replaced. The signal is then generated as a chassis intrusion event.

By default, the pins labeled “Chassis Signal” and “Ground” are shorted with a jumper cap. Remove the jumper caps only when you intend to use the chassis intrusion detection feature.

A8N-SLI SE

®

Chassis Signal GN

CHASSIS

A8N-SLI SE Chassis Intrusion Connector

(Default)

11. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin FP_AUDIO)

This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports legacy AC ʻ97 audio standard. Connect one end of the front panel audio I/O module cable to this connector.

A8N-SLI SE

®

FP_AUDIO

BLINE_OUT_L

BLINE_OUT_R

+5VA

AGND

Line out_L

NC

Line out_R

MICPWR

MIC2

A8N-SLI SE Front Panel Audio Connector


2-28

12. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL)

This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.

PLED SPEAKER

Ground Ground

PANEL

A8N-SLI SE

®

IDE_LED RESET

PWRSW

*

Requires an ATX power supply.

A8N-SLI SE System Panel Connector

The sytem panel connector is color-coded for easy connection. Refer to the connector description below for details.

• System power LED (Green 3-pin PLED)

This 3-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector. The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in sleep mode.

• Hard disk drive activity (Red 2-pin IDE_LED)

This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD

Activity LED cable to this connector. The IDE LED lights up or flashes when data is read from or written to the HDD.

• System warning speaker (Orange 4-pin SPEAKER)

This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning speaker. The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.

• Power/Soft-off button (Yellow 2-pin PWRSW)

This connector is for the system power button. Pressing the power button turns the system ON or puts the system in SLEEP or SOFT-OFF mode depending on the BIOS settings. Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF.

• Reset button (Blue 2-pin RESET)

This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system reboot without turning off the system power.


This chapter describes the power up sequence and the ways of shutting down the system.

Chapter summary

3.1 Starting up for the first time ................................................ 3-1

3.2 Powering off the computer ................................................... 3-2

ASUS A8N-SLI SE

3.1 Starting up for the first time

1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover.

2. Be sure that all switches are off.

3. Connect the power cord to the power connector at the back of the system chassis.

4. Connect the power cord to a power outlet that is equipped with a surge protector.

5. Turn on the devices in the following order: a. Monitor b. External SCSI devices (starting with the last device on the chain) c. System power

6. After applying power, the system power LED on the system front panel case lights up. For systems with ATX power supplies, the system

LED lights up when you press the ATX power button. If your monitor complies with “green” standards or if it has a “power standby” feature, the monitor LED may light up or switch between orange and green after the system LED turns on.

The system then runs the power-on self tests or POST. While the tests are running, the BIOS beeps (see BIOS beep codes table below) or additional messages appear on the screen. If you do not see anything within 30 seconds from the time you turned on the power, the system may have failed a power-on test. Check the jumper settings and connections or call your retailer for assistance.

7. At power on, hold down the <Delete> key to enter the BIOS Setup.

Follow the instructions in Chapter 4.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 3-1

3.2 Powering off the computer

3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function

If you are using Windows

®

2000:

1. Click the Start button then click Shut Down...

2. Make sure that the Shut Down option button is selected, then click the OK button to shut down the computer.

3. The power supply should turn off after Windows

®

shuts down.

If you are using Windows

®

XP:

1. Click the Start button then select Turn Off Computer.

2. Click the Turn Off button to shut down the computer.

3. The power supply should turn off after Windows

®

shuts down.

3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch

While the system is ON, pressing the power switch for less than four seconds puts the system to sleep mode or to soft-off mode, depending on the BIOS setting. Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds lets the system enter the soft-off mode regardless of the BIOS setting.

Refer to section “4.5 Power Menu” in Chapter 4 for details.

3-2 Chapter 3: Powering up

This chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS

Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.

Chapter summary

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ........................................ 4-1

4.2 BIOS setup program ............................................................ 4-11

4.3 Main menu ........................................................................... 4-15

4.4 Advanced menu .................................................................. 4-20

4.5 Power menu ........................................................................ 4-34

4.6 Boot menu .......................................................................... 4-39

4.7 Exit menu ............................................................................ 4-45

ASUS A8N SLI SE

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS

The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard

Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup.

1. Award BIOS Flash Utility (Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable floppy disk.)

2. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 (Updates the BIOS using a bootable floppy disk or the motherboard support CD when the BIOS file fails or gets corrupted.)

3. ASUS EZ Flash (Updates the BIOS in DOS using a floppy disk or the motherboard support CD.)

4. ASUS Update (Updates the BIOS in Windows

®

environment.)

Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities.

Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a bootable floppy disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AwardBIOS Flash utilities.

4.1.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk

1. Do either one of the following to create a bootable floppy disk.

DOS environment a. Insert a 1.44MB floppy disk into the drive.

b. At the DOS prompt, type format A:/S then press <Enter>.

Windows® XP environment a. Insert a 1.44 MB floppy disk to the floppy disk drive. b. Click Start from the Windows

®

desktop, then select My Computer.

c. Select the 3 1/2 Floppy Drive icon.

d. Click File from the menu, then select Format. A Format 3 1/2

Floppy Disk window appears.

e. Select Create an MS-DOS startup disk from the format options field, then click Start.

Windows® 2000 environment

To create a set of boot disks for Windows

®

2000: a. Insert a formatted, high density 1.44 MB floppy disk into the drive.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 4-1

4-2 b. Insert the Windows

®

2000 CD to the optical drive.

c. Click Start, then select Run.

d. From the Open field, type

D:\bootdisk\makeboot a:

assuming that D: is your optical drive.

e. Press <Enter>, then follow screen instructions to continue.

2. Copy the original or the latest motherboard BIOS file to the bootable floppy disk.

4.1.2 Updating the BIOS

The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) can be updated using the

AwardBIOS Flash Utility. Follow these instructions to update the BIOS using this utility.

1. Download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS web site. Rename the file to A8NSLI-B.BIN and save it to a floppy disk.

Save only the updated BIOS file in the floppy disk to avoid loading the wrong BIOS file.

2. Copy the AwardBIOS Flash Utility (awdflash.exe) from the Software folder of the support CD to the floppy disk with the latest BIOS file.

3. Boot the system in DOS mode using the bootable floppy disk you created earlier.

4. When the A:> appears, replace the bootable floppy disk with the floppy disk containing the new BIOS file and the Award BIOS Flash

Utility.

5. At the prompt, type awdflash then press

<Enter>. The Award

BIOS Flash Utility screen appears.

AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.01

(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved

For NF-KC804-A8N-SLI-00 DATE: 11/18/2004

Flash Type - SST 49LF004A/B /3.3V

File Name to Program:

Message: Please input File Name!


6. Type the BIOS file name in the File Name to

Program field, then press

<Enter>.





File Name to Program: 1001.bin

Message: Do You Want To Save Bios (Y/N)

7. Press <N> when the utility prompts you to save the current BIOS file.

The following screen appears.

8. The utility verifies the

BIOS file in the floppy disk and starts flashing the BIOS file.






Program Flashing Memory OFE00 OK

Write OK No Update Write Fail

Warning: Don’t Turn Off Power Or Reset System!

Do not turn off or reset the system during the flashing process!

9. The utility displays a Flashing Complete message indicating that you have successfully flashed the BIOS file.

Remove the floppy disk then press <F1> to restart the system.






Flashing Complete

Press <F1> to Continue

Write OK No Update Write Fail

F1 Reset

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 4-3

4.1.3 Saving the current BIOS file

You can use the AwardBIOS Flash Utility to save the current BIOS file. You can load the current BIOS file when the BIOS file gets corrupted during the flashing process.

Make sure that the floppy disk has enough disk space to save the file.

To save the current BIOS file using the AwardBIOS Flash Utility:

1. Follow steps 1 to 6 of the previous section.

2. Press <Y> when the utility prompts you to save the current BIOS file. The following screen appears.






Save current BIOS as:

Message:

3. Type a filename for the current BIOS file in the

Save current BIOS as field, then press <Enter>.






Checksum: DAD6H

Save current BIOS as: old.bin

4-4

Message: Please Wait!

4. The utility saves the current BIOS file to the floppy disk, then returns to the BIOS flashing process.






Now Backup System BIOS to

File!

Message: Please Wait!


4.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility

The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can update a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support CD or the floppy disk that contains the updated BIOS file.

Prepare the motherboard support CD or the floppy disk containing the updated motherboard BIOS before using this utility.

Recovering the BIOS from the support CD

To recover the BIOS from the support CD:

1. Turn on the system.

2. Insert the motherboard support CD to the optical drive.

3. The utility displays the following message and automatically checks the CD for the BIOS file.

Award BootBlock BIOS v1.0

Copyright (c) 2000, Award Software, Inc.

BIOS ROM checksum error

Detecting IDE ATAPI device...

When found, the utility reads the BIOS file and starts flashing the corrupted BIOS file.





Found CDROM, try to Boot from it... Pass

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so can cause system boot failure!

4. Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 4-5

4-6

Recovering the BIOS from a floppy disk

To recover the BIOS from the support CD:

1. Remove any CD from the optical drive, then turn on the system.

2. Insert the floppy disk with the original or updated BIOS file to the floppy disk drive.

3. The utility displays the following message and automatically checks the floppy disk for the original or updated BIOS file.





When no CD is found, the utility automatically checks the optical drive for the original or updated BIOS file. The utility then updates the corrupted BIOS file.





Found CDROM, try to Boot from it... Fail

Detecting floppy drive A media...

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so can cause system boot failure!

4. Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process.

The recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this motherboard. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS file.


4.1.5 ASUS EZ Flash utility

The ASUS EZ Flash feature allows you to 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 utility is built-in the BIOS chip so it is accessible by pressing <Alt> + <F2> during the Power-On Self Tests

(POST).

To update the BIOS using EZ Flash:

1. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS file for the motherboard.

2. Save the BIOS file to a floppy disk, then restart the system.

3. Press <Alt> + <F2> during POST to display the following.

Insert Disk then press Enter or ESC to continue POST

4. Insert the floppy disk that contains the BIOS file to the floppy disk drive then press <Enter>.

The following screen appears.





File Name to Program:

Message: Please wait...

5. When the correct BIOS file is found, EZ Flash performs the BIOS update process and automatically reboots the system when done.

Do not shutdown or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot failure!

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 4-7

4-8

4.1.6 ASUS Update utility

The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in Windows allows you to:

®

environment. The ASUS Update utility

• Save the current BIOS file

• Download the latest BIOS file from the Internet

• Update the BIOS from an updated BIOS file

• Update the BIOS directly from the Internet, and

• View the BIOS version information.

This utility is available in the support CD that comes with the motherboard package.

ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Installing ASUS Update

To install ASUS Update:

1. Place the support CD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears.

2. Click the Utilities tab, then click Install ASUS Update VX.XX.XX.

See page 5-3 for the Utilities screen menu.

3. The ASUS Update utility is copied to your system.

Quit all Windows

® utility.

applications before you update the BIOS using this


Updating the BIOS through the Internet

To update the BIOS through the Internet:

1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows

ASUS Update main window appears.

®

desktop by clicking

Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The

2. Select Update BIOS from the Internet option from the drop-down menu, then click

Next.

3. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network traffic, or click Auto Select.

Click Next.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 4-9

4. From the FTP site, select the

BIOS version that you wish to download. Click Next.

5. Follow the screen instructions to complete the update process.

The ASUS Update utility is capable of updating itself through the Internet. Always update the utility to avail all its features.

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. Select Update BIOS from a file option from the drop-down menu, then click Next.

4-10

3. Locate the BIOS file from the

Open window, then click Open.

4. Follow the screen instructions to complete the update process.


4.2 BIOS setup program

This motherboard supports a programmable Low-Pin Count (LPC) chip that you can update using the provided utility described in section “4.1

Managing and updating your BIOS.”

Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard, reconfiguring your system, or prompted to “Run Setup”. This section explains how to configure your system using this utility.

Even if you are not prompted to use the Setup program, you can change the configuration of your computer in the future. For example, you can enable the security password feature or change the power management settings. This requires you to reconfigure your system using the BIOS Setup program so that the computer can recognize these changes and record them in the CMOS RAM of the LPC chip.

The LPC chip on the motherboard stores the Setup utility. When you start up the computer, the system provides you with the opportunity to run this program. Press <Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to enter the

Setup utility; otherwise, POST continues with its test routines.

If you wish to enter Setup after POST, restart the system by pressing

<Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del>, or by pressing the reset button on the system chassis. You can also restart by turning the system off and then back on.

Do this last option only if the first two failed.

The Setup program is designed to make it as easy to use as possible. Being a menu-driven program, it lets you scroll through the various sub-menus and make your selections from the available options using the navigation keys.

• The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions to ensure optimum performance. If the system becomes unstable after changing any BIOS settings, load the default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability. Select the Load Default

Settings item under the Exit Menu. See section “4.7 Exit Menu.”

• The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen.

• Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS file for this motherboard.


4-12

4.2.1 BIOS menu screen

Menu items Menu bar Configuration fields General help

Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Main Advanced Power Boot Exit

System Time

System Date

15 : 30 : 36

Wed, Nov 5 2004

Legacy Diskette A: [1.44M, 3.5 in.]

Change the internal time.

Primary IDE Master

Primary IDE Slave

Secondary IDE Master

Secondary IDE Slave

First SATA Master

Second SATA Slave

Third SATA Master

Fourth SATA Slave

HDD SMART Monitoring

[ST321122A]

[ASUS CDS520/A]

[None]

[None]

[None]

[None]

[None]

[None]

[Disabled]

Select Menu

Item Specific Help

Installed Memory

Usable Memory

256MB

256MB

F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item

ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu

-/+: Change Value

Enter: Select Sub-menu

F5: Setup Defaults

F10: Save and Exit

Sub-menu items Legend bar

4.2.2 Menu bar

The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:

Main For changing the basic system configuration

Advanced

Power

For changing the advanced system settings

For changing the advanced power management (APM) configuration

Boot For changing the system boot configuration

Exit For selecting the exit options and loading default settings

To select an item on the menu bar, press the right or left arrow key on the keyboard until the desired item is highlighted.

• The BIOS setup screens shown in this chapter are for reference purposes only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen.

• Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS information.


4.2.3 Legend bar

At the bottom of the Setup screen is a legend bar. The keys in the legend bar allow you to navigate through the various setup menus. The following table lists the keys found in the legend bar with their corresponding functions.

Navigation Key

<F1>

<F5>

<Esc>

Function

Displays the General Help screen

Loads setup default values

Exits the BIOS setup or returns to the main menu

from a sub-menu

Left or Right arrow

Selects the menu item to the left or right

Up or Down arrow

Moves the highlight up or down between fields

Page Down or – (minus)

Scrolls backward through the values for the

highlighted field

Page Up or + (plus)

Scrolls forward through the values for the

highlighted field

<Enter>

<F10>

Brings up a selection menu for the highlighted field

Saves changes and exit

4.2.4 Menu items

The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specific items for that menu. For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu items.

The other items (Advanced, Power, Boot, and Exit) on the menu bar have their respective menu items.

4.2.5 Sub-menu items

A solid triangle before each item on any menu screen means that the iteam has a sub-menu. To display the sub-menu, select the item and press

<Enter>.

4.2.6 Configuration fields

These fields show the values for the menu items. If an item is user-configurable, you can change the value of the field opposite the item.

You cannot select an item that is not user-configurable.

A configurable field is enclosed in brackets, and is highlighted when selected. To change the value of a field, select it then press <Enter> to display a list of options. Refer to “4.2.7 Pop-up window.”


4.2.7 Pop-up window

Select a menu item then press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the configuration options for that item.



System Time

System Date

15 : 30 : 36

Wed, Nov 5 2004

Legacy Diskette A: [1.44M, 3.5 in.]


Primary IDE Slave [ASUS CDS520/A]



Disabled

First SATA Master [None]

Second SATA Slave [None]

Third SATA Master [None]

Fourth SATA Slave [None]


[None]

[None]

..... [ ]

..... [ ]

..... [ ]

..... [ ]

..... [ ]

..... [ ]

[Disabled]

Installed Memory

Usable Memory

↑↓

256MB

Select Menu


Specifies the capacity and physical size of diskette drive A.







Pop-up menu

4.2.8 General help

At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected item.

4-14 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.3 Main menu

When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic system information.

Refer to section “4.2.1 BIOS menu screen” for information on the menu screen items and how to navigate through them.



System Time

System Date

Legacy Diskette A:

15 : 30 : 36

Wed, Nov 5 2004

[1.44M, 3.5 in.]

[ST321122A] Primary IDE Master

Primary IDE Slave [ASUS CDS520/A]



First SATA Master

Second SATA Slave

Third SATA Master

Fourth SATA Slave


[None]

[None]

[None]

[None]

[None]

[None]

[Disabled]

Installed Memory 256MB

Usable Memory 503MB

Select Menu


Change the day, month, year and century.







4.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xxxx]

Allows you to set the system time.

4.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]

Allows you to set the system date.

4.3.3 Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.]

Sets the type of floppy drive installed. Configuration options: [Disabled]

[360K, 5.25 in.] [1.2M , 5.25 in.] [720K , 3.5 in.] [1.44M, 3.5 in.]

[2.88M, 3.5 in.]


4.3.4 Primary and Secondary IDE Master/Slave

While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of IDE devices. There is a separate sub-menu for each IDE device. Select a device item then press <Enter> to display the IDE device information.


Main


Access Mode

Capacity


[ Auto ]

[Auto] xxxxx MB

Cylinder

Head

Sector

PIO Mode

UDMA Mode

Transfer Mode xxxxx

xx

xx

[Auto]

[Auto] xxxxxxx

Select Menu


Press [Enter] to select

4-16







The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items

(Capacity, Cylinder, Head, Sector and Transfer Mode). These values are not user-configurable. These items show N/A if no IDE device is installed in the system.

Primary IDE Master/Slave [Auto];

Secondary IDE Master/Slave [Auto]

Select [Auto] to automatically detect an IDE hard disk drive. If automatic detection is successful, the BIOS automatically fills in the correct values for the remaining fields on this sub-menu. If the hard disk was already formatted on a previous system, the setup BIOS may detect incorrect parameters. Select [Manual] to manually enter the IDE hard disk drive parameters. If no drive is installed select [None].

Configuration options: [None] [Auto] [Manual]

Access Mode [Auto]

The default [Auto] allows automatic detection of an IDE hard disk drive.

Select [CHS] for this item if you set the IDE Primary Master/Slave to

[Manual]. Configuration options: [CHS] [LBA] [Large] [Auto]

Before attempting to configure a hard disk drive, make sure you have the correct configuration information supplied by the drive manufacturer.

Incorrect settings may cause the system to fail to recognize the installed hard disk.


Capacity

Displays the auto-detected hard disk capacity. This item is not configurable.

Cylinder

Shows the number of the hard disk cylinders. This item is not configurable.

Head

Shows the number of the hard disk read/write heads. This item is not configurable.

Sector

Shows the number of sectors per track. This item is not configurable.

PIO Mode [Auto]

Sets the PIO mode for the IDE device.

Configuration options: [Auto] [Mode 0] [Mode 1] [Mode 2] [Mode 3]

[Mode 4]

UDMA Mode [Auto]

Disables or sets the UDMA mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

Transfer Mode

Shows the Transfer mode. This item is not configurable.

After entering the IDE hard disk drive information into BIOS, use a disk utility, such as FDISK, to partition and format new IDE hard disk drives.

This is necessary so that you can write or read data from the hard disk.

Make sure to set the partition of the Primary IDE hard disk drives to active.


4.3.5 First, Second, Third, Fourth SATA Master

While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of Serial

ATA devices. There is a separate sub-menu for each SATA device. Select a device item then press <Enter> to display the SATA device information.


Main

Extended IDE Drive

Access Mode

Capacity


[ Auto ]

[Auto] xxxxx MB

Cylinder

Head

Precomp

Landing Zone

Sector xxxxx

xx

xx

xx

xx

Select Menu


Press [Enter] to select

4-18







The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items

(Capacity, Cylinder, Head, Precomp, Landing Zone and Sector). These values are not user-configurable. These items show 0 if no SATA device is installed in the system.

Extended Drive [Auto]

Selects the type of fixed disk connected to the system.

Configuration options: [None] [Auto]

Access Mode [Auto]

Sets the sector addressing mode. Configuration options:

[CAS][LBA][Large] [Auto]

Before attempting to configure a hard disk drive, make sure you have the correct configuration information supplied by the drive manufacturer.

Incorrect settings may cause the system to fail to recognize the installed hard disk.

Capacity

Displays the auto-detected hard disk capacity. This item is not configurable.

Cylinder

Shows the number of the hard disk cylinders. This item is not configurable.


Head

Shows the number of the hard disk read/write heads. This item is not configurable.

Precomp

Shows the number of precomp per track. This item is not configurable.

Landing Zone

Shows the number of landing zone per track. This item is not configurable.

Sector

Shows the number of sectors per track. This item is not configurable.

After entering the IDE hard disk drive information into BIOS, use a disk utility, such as FDISK, to partition and format new IDE hard disk drives.

This is necessary so that you can write or read data from the hard disk.

Make sure to set the partition of the Primary IDE hard disk drives to active.

4.3.6 HDD SMART Monitoring [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the HDD Self-Monitoring Analysis and

Reporting Technology (SMART) feature.

Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

4.3.7 Installed Memory

Shows the size of installed memory.

4.3.8 Usable Memory

Shows the size of usable memory.


4-20

4.4 Advanced menu

The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices.

Take caution when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items.

Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction.



CPU Configuration

PCIPnP

Onboard Device Configuration

SLI Configuration

JumperFree Configuration

PEG Link Mode

Select Menu


Press Enter to Set.


Exit →←: Select Menu





ESC:

4.4.1 CPU Configuration


Advanced

CPU Type

CPU Speed

Cache RAM

CPU Configuration

AMD Sempron(tm)Processor 3000+

1800MHz

128K

Select Menu


DRAM timing and control

DRAM Configuration

Hyper Transport Frequency

AMD K8 Cool’n’Quiet control

[Auto]

[Disabled]








DRAM Configuration

The items in this sub-menu show the DRAM-related information auto-detected by the BIOS.


Advanced

DRAM Configuration

Timing Mode x Memclock index value (Mhz) x CAS# latency (Tcl) x Min RAS# active time(Tras) x RAS# to CAS# delay (Trcd) x Row precharge Time (Trp) x Row cycle time (Trc) x Row refresh cycle time (Trfc) x Read-to-Write time (Trwt) x Write Recovery time (Twr) x 1T/2T Memory Timing

S/W DRAM Over 4G Remapping

H/W DRAM Over 4G Remapping

[ Auto ]

400Mhz

3

8T

3T

3T

1 1T

14T

5T

3T

2T

[Enabled}

[Enabled}

Select Menu


<Enter> to select DARM configuration by

Auto] is recommended.

[Manual] allows you to set each configuration on your own.



-/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults

Enter: Select Sub-menu F10: Save and Exit

Timing Mode [Auto]

Sets the timing mode. Configuration options: [Auto] [Manual]

Memclock index value (Mhz)

Shows the memory clock index value. This item is not configurable.

CAS# latency (Tcl)

Shows the CAS# latency. This item is not configurable.

Min RAS# active time (Tras)

Shows the minimum RAS# active time. This item is not configurable.

RAS# to CAS# delay (Trcd)

Shows the RAS# to CAS# delay to Rd/Wr command on the same bank.

This item is not configurable.


4-22

Row precharge Time (Trp)

Shows the Row precharge time. This item is not configurable.

Row Cycle Time (Trc)

Shows the row cycle time. This item is not configurable.

Row Refresh Cycle Time (Trfc)

Shows the row refresh cycle time. This item is not configurable.

Read-to-Write time (Trwt)

Shows the read-to-write time.This item is not configurable.

Write Recovery Time (Twr)

Shows the write recovery time. This item is not configurable.

1T/2T Memory Timing

Shows the memory timing. This item is not configurable.

S/W DRAM Over 4G Remapping [Enabled]

Enable or disable the S/W DRAM Over 4G Remapping. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

H/W DRAM Over 4G Remapping [Enabled]

Enable or disable the S/W DRAM Over 4G Remapping. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Hyper Transport Frequency [Auto]

Sets the Hyper Transport frequency.

Configuration options: [Auto] [1x] [2x] [3x] [4x] [5x] [Auto]

AMD K8 CoolʼnʼQuiet control [Disabled]

Enables or disables the AMD Cool ʻnʼ Quiet! technology.



4.4.2 PCI PnP


Advanced

Plug & Play O/S

Init Display First

Resources Controlled By x IRQ Resources

Frequency/Voltage control

[No]

[PCI]

[Auto]

Select Menu


Select Yes if you are using a Plug and Play capable operating system.

Select No if you need the

BIOS to configure non-boot devices.







Plug & Play O/S [No]

When set to [No], the BIOS configures all the devices in the system.

When set to [Yes] and if you install a Plug and Play operating system, the operating system configures the Plug and Play devices not required for boot. Configuration options: [No] [Yes]

Resources Controlled By [Auto]

When set to [Auto], the BIOS automatically configures all the boot and Plug and Play compatible devices. Set to [Manual] if you want to assign the IRQ

DMA and memory base address fields.

Configuration options: [Auto] [Manual]

Init Display First [PCI]

Allows you to select which graphics controller to use as the primary boot device. Configuration options: [PCI] [PCI-E]

When the item Resources Controlled By is set to [Auto], the item IRQ

Resources is grayed out and not user-configurable. Refer to the section

“IRQ Resources” for information on how to enable this item.


4-24

IRQ Resources

This sub-menu is activated only when the Resources Controlled By item is set to Manual.


Advanced

IRQ-3 assigned to



IRQ Resources

[ PCI Device ]

IRQ-4 assigned to [PCI Device]







[PCI Device]

[PCI Device]

[PCI Device]

[PCI Device]

[PCI Device]

Select Menu


Legacy ISA for devices compliant with the original

PC AT bus specification,

PCI/ISA PnP for devices compliant with the

Plug and Play standard whether designed for

PCI or ISA bus architecture







IRQ-xx assigned to

When set to [PCI Device], the specific IRQ is free for use of PCI/PnP devices. When set to [Reserved], the IRQ is reserved for legacy ISA devices. Configuration options: [PCI Device] [Reserved]

4.4.3 Onboard Devices Configuration


Advanced


IDE Function Setup

NVRAID Configuration

USB Configuration

Onboard NV LAN

Onboard LAN Boot ROM

AC97 Audio

Serial Port1 Address

Parallel Port Address

Parallel Port Mode

ECP MOde Use DMA

Game Port Address

Midi Port Address

Midi Port IRQ

[Enabled]

[Disabled]

[Enabled]

[3F8/IRQ4]

[378/IRQ7]

[ECP+EPP]

[3]

[201]

[Disabled]

[10]

Select Menu


Press[Enter] to set








IDE Function Setup

This sub-menu contains IDE function-related items. Select an item then press <Enter> to edit.


Advanced


Select Menu

Item Specific Help OnChip IDE Channel0

OnChip IDE Channel1

IDE DMA transfer access

Serial Port 1, 2

SATA DMA transfer

Serial Port 3, 4

SATA2 DMA transfer

IDE Prefetch Mode

[Enabled]

[Enabled]

[Enabled]

[Enabled]

[Enabled]

[Enabled]

[Enabled]

[Enabled]

Disable/Enable OnChip IDE

Channel 10.







OnChip IDE Channel0 [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the onchip IDE channel 0 controller .


OnChip IDE Channel1 [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the onchip IDE channel 1 controller .


IDE DMA transfer access [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the IDE DMA transfer access.


Serial Port 1, 2 [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the SATA 1 and 2 ports.


SATA DMA transfer [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the SATA DMA transfer access.


Serial Port 3, 4 [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the SATA 3 and 4 ports.



4-26

SATA2 DMA transfer [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the SATA2 DMA transfer access.


IDE Prefetch Mode [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the IDE prefetch mode.


NVRAID Configuration

This sub-menu contains NVRAID function-related items. Select an item then press <Enter> to edit.


Advanced

NVRAID Configuration

RAID Enabled x IDE Primary Master RAID x IDE Primary Slave RAID x IDE Secondary Master RAID x IDE Secondary Slave RAID x First SATA Master RAID x Second SATA Master RAID x Third SATA Master RAID x Fourth SATA Master RAID

[Disabled]

Disabled

Disabled

Disabled

Disabled

Disabled

Disabled

Disabled

Disabled

Select Menu


Disable/Enable nVIDIA RAID feature







RAID Enabled [Disabled]

Enables or disables the onboard RAID controller. When Enabled, the succeeding items becomes user-configurable.

Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

IDE Primary, Secondary Master/Slave RAID [Disabled]

Enables or disables the RAID function of the primary or secondary master or slave IDE. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

First, Second, Third, Fourth SATA Master RAID [Disabled]

Enables or disables the RAID function of the first, second, third or fourth

SATA master drive. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]


USB Configuration

The items in this menu allows you to change the USB-related features.

Select an item then press <Enter> to display the configuration options.


Advanced

USB Controller

USB2.0 Controller

USB Legacy support

USB Configuration

[ Enabled ]

[Enabled]

[Enabled]

Select Menu


Enable/Disable USB2.0 and

Legacy Control





USB Controller [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the onchip USB controller.


USB 2.0 Controller [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the USB 2.0 controller.


USB Legacy Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable support for USB devices on legacy operating systems (OS). Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Onboard NV LAN [Enabled]

Enables or disables the onboard NVIDIA

®

Gigabit LAN controller.

Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

OnBoard LAN Boot ROM [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN boot ROM.


AC97 Audio [Enabled]

Allows you to disable or enabled the onboard AC97 audio controller.



Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]

Allows you to select the Serial Port1 base address.

Configuration options: [Disabled] [3F8/IRQ4] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3]

Parallel Port Address [378/IRQ7]

Allows you to select the Parallel Port base addresses.

Configuration options: [Disabled] [378/IRQ7] [278/IRQ5] [3BC/IRQ7]

Parallel Port Mode [ECP+EPP]

Allows you to select the Parallel Port mode.

Configuration options: [Normal] [Bi-directional] [EPP] [ECP]

ECP Mode Use DMA [3]

Allows selection of ECP Mode. Configuration options: [1] [3]

Game Port Address [201]

Allows you to select the Game Port address or to disable the port.

Configuration options: [Disabled] [201] [209]

Midi Port Address [330]

Allows you to select the Game Port address or to disable the port.

Configuration options: [Disabled] [330] [300]

Midi Port IRQ [10]

Allows you to set the Midi port IRQ address. Configuration options: [5] [10]


4.4.4 SLI Configuration


Advanced

SLI Configuration

EZ-Plug Warning [ Enabled ]

SLI Broadcast Aperture [Disabled]

AI-Selector [Auto]

Select Menu


Press[Enter] to Enable/

Disable Warning Messagge while the EZ Plug not connected.







EZ-Plug Warning [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the EZ-Plug warning feature.


SLI Broadcast Aperture [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the SLI Broadcast Aperture.


AI Selector [Auto]

Allows you to set the AI selector. When set to Auto, the BIOS detects the number of PCI Express graphics cards installed. Set to Single Video Card when using one PCI Express graphics card or set to Dual Video Cards when using two SLI-ready graphics cards.

Configuration options: [Auto] [Single Video Card] [Dual Video Card]

• We recommend to keep the setting of this item to [Auto].

• When not set to [Auto], make sure that the setting is the same as the ASUS AI Selector. If the BIOS setting is not the same as the AI

Selector utility, the system follows the latter.

• See section “5.8 Using the ASUS AI Selector utility” on page 5-35 for details.


4.4.5 JumperFree Configuration


Advanced


Overclock Profile [ x Overclock Options x N.O.S. Option x CPU Frequency x PCI Express Clock x DDR Voltage

Auto ]

Disable

Disable x CPU Multiplier

200.00

100Mhz

Auto

Auto x CPU Voltage Auto x PCI Clock Synchronization Mode Auto

Select Menu


Press [Enter] to select overclock Profile.

4-30







Overclock Profile [Auto]

Allows selection of CPU overclocking options to achieve desired

CPU internal frequency. Select either one of the preset overclocking configuration options:

Manual

Auto

Standard

AI Overclock

AI N.O.S.

Allows you to individually set overclocking

parameters.

Loads the optimal settings for the system.

Loads the standard settings for the system.

Loads overclocking profiles with optimal

parameters for stability when overclocking.

The ASUS AI Non-delay Overclocking System

feature intelligently determines the system

load and automatically boost the performance

for the most demanding tasks.

The following items are user-configurable only when the Overclock Profile item is set to [Manual].

CPU Frequency [XXX] (value is auto-detected)

Indicates the frequency sent by the clock generator to the system bus and PCI bus. The bus frequency (external frequency) multiplied by the bus multiple equals the CPU speed. The value of this item is auto-detected by

BIOS. The values range from 200 to 400. Refer to the following table for the correct Front Side Bus and CPU External Frequency settings.


Selecting a very high CPU frequency may cause the system to become unstable! If this happens, revert to the default setting.

PCI Express Clock [100MHz]

Allows you to set the PCI Express clock. Key-in a decimal value between

100-200 MHz. Configuration options: [100Mhz] [101Mhz~[145Mhz]

DDR Voltage [Auto]

Sets the operating DDR voltage. Configuration options: [Auto] [2.60V]

[2.70V] [2.80V] [2.90V]

CPU Multiplier [Auto]

Sets the operating CPU multiplier. The configuration options vary depending on the type of CPU installed. Configuration options: [Auto] [x4] [x4.5] [x5]

[x5.5] [x6] [x6.5] [x7] [x7.5] [x7.5] [x8] [x8.5] [x9]

CPU Voltage [Auto]

Sets the operating CPU voltage. Configuration options: [Auto] [1.550V]

[1.5375V] [1.525V] [1.5125V][1.500V] [1.4875V] [1.475V] [1.4625V]

[1.450V] [1.4375V] [1.425V] [1.4125V] [1.400V] [1.3875V] [1.375V]

[1.3625V] [1.350V] [1.3375V] [1.325V] [1.3125V] [1.300V] [1.2875V]

[1.275V] [1.2625V] [1.250V] [1.2375V] [1.225V] [1.2125V][1.200V]

[1.1875V] [1.175V] [1.1625V] [1.150V] [1.1375V][1.125V] [1.1125V]

[1.100V] [1.0875V] [1.075V] [1.0625V] [1.050V] [1.0375V] [1.025V]

[1.0125V] [1.000V] [0.9875V] [0.975V] [0.9625V] [0.950V] [0.9375V]

[0.925V] [0.9125V] [0.900V] [0.8875V] [0.875V] [0.8625V] [0.850V]

[0.8375V] [0.825V] [0.8125V] [0.800V]

PCI Clock Synchronization Mode [Auto]

Sets the PCI Clock Synchronization mode.

Configuration options: [Auto] [To CPU] [33.33MHz]


The following item is user-configurable only when the Overclock Profile item is set to [AI Overclock].

Overclock Options [Disabled]

Allows you to set the oveclocking options.

Configuration options: [Disable] [Overclock 3%] [Overclock 5%]

[Overclock 8%] [Overclock 10%]

The following item is user-configurable only when the Overclock Profile item is set to [AI N.O.S.].

N.O.S. Option [Disable]

Sets the Non-Delay Overclocking System mode.

Configuration options: [Disable] [Overclock 3%] [Overclock 5%]

[Overclock 8%] [Overclock 10%]

4.4.6 PEG Link Mode


Advanced


PEG Link Mode

PEG Root Control

PEG Buffer Length

[ Auto ]

[Auto]

[Auto]

Select Menu


Enhance performance on

PCIE serial graphics card.

4-32







PEG Link Mode [Auto]

Allows you to enhance the performance of your PCI Express graphics card.

Configuration options: [Auto] [Slow] [Normal] [Fast] [Faster]

Setting to [Faster] may cause your system to be unstable. If this happens, revert to [Auto].


PEG Root Control [Auto]

Allows you to enable or disable the PCI Express graphics root control.

Configuration options: [Auto] [Enabled] [Disabled]

PEG Buffer Length [Auto]

Allows you to set the PCI Express graphics buffer length. For optimum performance, set this item to Auto.

Configuration options: [Auto] [Long] [Short] [Medium]


4-34

4.5 Power menu

The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced

Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and the Advanced Power

Management (APM). Select an item then press <Enter> to display the configuration options.



ACPI Suspend Type

ACPI APIC support

APM Configuration

Hardware Monitor

[ S1&S3 ]

[Enabled]

Select Menu


Select the ACPI state used for System Suspend.







4.5.1 ACPI Suspend Type [S1&S3]

Allows you to select the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface

(ACPI) state to be used for system suspend.

Configuration options: [S1 (POS)] [S3(STR)] [S1&S3]

4.5.2 ACPI APIC Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Advanced Configuration and Power

Interface (ACPI) support in the Application-Specific Integrated Circuit

(ASIC). When set to Enabled, the ACPI APIC table pointer is included in the

RSDT pointer list. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]


4.5.3 APM Configuration

Power


APM Configuration

Restore on AC Power Loss

PWR Button < 4 secs

Power On By PCI Devices

Power On By External Modems

Power Up By PS/2 Keyboard

[ Disabled ]

[Instant Off]

[Disabled]

[Disabled]

Power-On by RTC Alarm x Date (of Month)

Power Up By PS/2 Mouse

[Disabled]

0 x Resume Time (hh:mm:ss) 0 :0 : 0

[Disabled]

[Disabled]

Select Menu


Press [ENTER] to select whether or not to restart the system after AC power loss.





Restore on AC Power Loss [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Restore on AC Power Loss function.


PWR Button < 4 secs [Instant-Off]

Allows you to set the event after the power button is pressed for more than 4 seconds. Configuration options: [Suspend] [Instant-Off]

Power On By PCI Devices [Disabled]

When set to [Enabled], this parameter allows you to turn on the system through a PCI LAN or modem card. This feature requires an ATX power supply that provides at least 1A on the +5VSB lead.


Power On By External Modems [Disabled]

This allows either settings of [Enabled] or [Disabled] for powering up the computer when the external modem receives a call while the computer is in

Soft-off mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

The computer cannot receive or transmit data until the computer and applications are fully running. Thus, connection cannot be made on the first try. Turning an external modem off and then back on while the computer is off causes an initialization string that turns the system power on.

ASUS A8N SLI SE 4-35

4-36

Power 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 items Date of Month Alarm and Time (hh:mm:ss)

Alarm items become user-configurable with set values.


Day of Month Alarm [Disabled]

To set the date of alarm, highlight this item and press <Enter> to display the Day of Month Alarm pop-up menu. Key-in a value within the specified range then press <Enter>. Configuration options: [Min=0] [Max=31]

Time (hh:mm:ss) Alarm [Disabled]

To set the time of alarm:

1. Highlight this item and press <Enter> to display a pop-up menu for the hour field.

2. Key-in a value (Min=0, Max=23), then press <Enter>.

3. Press <TAB> to move to the minutes field then press <Enter>.

4. Key-in a minute value (Min=0, Max=59), then press <Enter>.

5. Press <TAB> to move to the seconds field then press <Enter>.

6. Key-in a value (Min=0, Max=59), then press <Enter>.

Power Up By PS/2 Mouse [Disabled]

When set to [Enabled], this parameter allows you to use the PS/2 mouse to turn on the system. This feature requires an ATX power supply that provides at least 1A on the +5VSB lead.


Power On By PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled]

Allows you to disable the Power On by PS/2 keyboard function or set specific keys on the PS/2 keyboard to turn on the system. This feature requires an ATX power supply that provides at least 1A on the +5VSB lead.

Configuration options: [Disabled] [Space Bar] [Ctrl-ESC] [Power Key]


4.5.4 Hardware Monitor

The items in this sub-menu displays the hardware monitor values automatically detected by the BIOS. It also allows you to change CPU Q-Fan feature-related parameters. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the configuration options.

Power


Q-Fan2 Controller

Vcore Voltage

3.3V Voltage

5V Voltage

12V Voltage

Hardware Monitor

[ Disabled ]

[ 1.50V]

[ 3.31V]

[ 4.94V]

[ 11.26V]

CPU Temperature

M/B Temperature

CPU FAN Speed

CHA1 FAN Speed

CHIP FAN Speed x CPU Target Temperature

CPU Fan Speed warning

CHA1 Fan Speed Warning

CHIP Fan Speed warning

48ºC

38ºC

4962 RPM

0 RPM

5443 RPM

20ºC

[1600 RPM]

[Disabled]

[Enabled]

Select Menu


Press [Enter] to enable or disable







Q-Fan2 Controller [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Q-Fan2 controller.


VCORE Voltage, +12V Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, 5VCC Voltage

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard voltage regulators. These items are not user-configurable.

CPU Temperature, M/B Temperature

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the motherboard and CPU temperatures. These items are not user-configurable.

CPU Fan Speed

CHA1 Fan Speed

CHIP Fan Speed

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the

Chassis, CPU, and Chip fan speeds in rotations per minute (RPM). If the fan is not connected to the motherboard, the field shows 0. These items are not user-configurable.


CPU Target Temperature

Allows you to set the temperature threshold before the CPU fan stops.

Configuration options: [51ºC] [54ºC] [57ºC] [60ºC] [63ºC] [66ºC] [69ºC]

[72ºC] [75ºC] [78ºC] [81ºC]

CPU Fan Speed warning [1200 RPM]

Allows you to set the CPU fan warning speed.

Configuration options: [Disabled] [800 RPM] [1200 RPM] [1600 RPM]

CHA1 Fan Speed warning [Disabled]

Allows you to set the chassis fan warning speed.

Configuration options: [Disabled] [500 RPM] [800 RPM] [1200 RPM]

CHIP Fan Speed warning [Enabled]

Enables or disables the chip fan speed warning feature.



4.6 Boot menu

The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu.



Boot Device Priority

Removable Drives

Hard Disk Drives

Boot Settings Configuration

Security

Select Menu


Press[Enter]to set.







4.6.1 Boot Device Priority

Power


Boot Device Priority

1st Boot Device

2nd Boot Device

3rd Boot Device

4th Boot Device

[ Removable ]

[Hard Disk]

[CDROM]

[Disabled]

Select Menu


Select your boot device priority





1st ~ xxth Boot Device [Removable]

These items specify the boot device priority sequence from the available devices. The number of device items that appears on the screen depends on the number of devices installed in the system.

Configuration options: [Removable] [Hard Disk] [CDROM] [Legacy LAN]

[Disabled]


4-40

4.6.2 Removable Drives


Boot

Removable Drives

1. Floppy Disks

Select Menu


Use <↑> or <↓> to

select a device, then press <+> to move it up, or <-> to move it down the list. Press

<ESC> to exit this menu.





1. Floppy Disks

Allows you to assign a removable drive attached to the system.

4.6.3 Hard Disk Drives


Boot

Hard Disk Drives

1. Bootable Add-in Cards

Select Menu


Use <↑> or <↓> to

select a device, then press <+> to move it up, or <-> to move it down the list. Press

<ESC> to exit this menu.







1. 1st Master: XXXXXXXXX

Allows you to assign hard disk drives attached to the system.


4.6.4 Boot Settings Configuration


Boot


Case Open Warning

Quick Boot

Boot Up Floppy Seek

Bootup Num-Lock

Typematic Rate Setting x Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) x Typematic Delay (Msec)

OS Select For DRAM > 64MB

Full Screen LOGO

Halt On

[ Enabled ]

[Enabled]

[Disabled]

[On]

[Disabled]

6

250

[Non-OS2]

[Enabled]

[All, But Keyboard]

Select Menu


Press [Enter] to enable or disable.





Case Open Warning [Enabled]

Enables or disables the chassis open status feature. Setting to Enabled, clears the chassis open status. Refer to section “2.7 Internal connectors” for setting details. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Quick Boot [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the system quick boot feature.

When Enabled, the system skips certain tests while booting.


Boot Up Floppy Seek [Disabled]

Enables or disables the boot up floppy seek feature.


Bootup Num-Lock [On]

Allows you to select the power-on state for the NumLock.

Configuration options: [Off] [On]

Typematic Rate Setting [Disabled]

Allows you to set the keystroke rate. Enable this item to configure the Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) and the Typematic Delay (Msec).


The items Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) and Typematic Delay (Msec) becomes user-configurable only when the item Typematic Rate Setting is enabled.


Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) [6]

Allows you to select the rate at which a character repeats when you hold a key. Configuration options: [6] [8] [10] [12] [15] [20] [24] [30]

Typematic Delay (Msec) [250]

Allows you to set the delay before keystrokes begin to repeat.

Configuration options: [250] [500] [750] [1000]

OS Select for DRAM > 64MB [Non-OS2]

Set this item to OS2 only when you are running on an OS/2 operating system with an installed RAM of greater than 64 KB.

Configuration options: [Non-OS2] [OS2]

Full Screen LOGO [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature.


• Make sure that the above item is set to [Enabled] if you want to use the ASUS MyLogo2™ feature.

• See section “5.3.1 ASUS MyLogo2™” for details.

Halt On [All, But Keyboard]

Allows you to error report type.

Configuration options: [All Errors] [No Errors] [All, But Keyboard]

[All, But Diskette] [All, But Disk/Key]


4.6.5 Security


Boot


Supervisor Password

User Password

Password Check

Clear

Clear

[Setup]

Select Menu


Supervisor password controls full access,

<Enter> to change password.







Supervisor Password

User Password

These fields allow you to set passwords:

To set a password:

1. Select an item then press <Enter>.

2. Type in a password using a combination of a maximum of eight (8) alpha-numeric characters, then press <Enter>.

3. When prompted, confirm the password by typing the exact characters again, then press <Enter>. The password field setting is changed to

Set.

To clear the password:

1. Select the password field and press <Enter> twice. The following message appears:

PASSWORD DISABLED !!!

Press any key to continue...

2. Press any key to continue. The password field setting is changed to

Clear.


A note about passwords

The Supervisor password is required to enter the BIOS Setup program preventing unauthorized access. The User password is required to boot the system preventing unauthorized use.

Forgot your password?

If you forget your password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS

Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM. The RAM data containing the password information is powered by the onboard button cell battery. If you need to erase the CMOS RAM, refer to section “2.6 Jumpers” for instructions.

Password Check

This field requires you to enter the password before entering the BIOS setup or the system. Select [Setup] to require the password before entering the BIOS Setup. Select [System] to require the password before entering the system. Configuration options: [Setup] [System]


4.7 Exit menu

The Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal or failsafe default values for the BIOS items, and save or discard your changes to the BIOS items.



Exit & Save Changes

Exit & Discard Changes

Load Setup Default

Discard Changes

Select Menu


This option save data to CMOS and exiting the setup menu.







Pressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options from this menu or <F10> from the legend bar to exit.

Exit & Save Changes

Once you are finished making your selections, choose this option from the

Exit menu to ensure the values you selected are saved to the CMOS RAM.

An onboard backup battery sustains the CMOS RAM so it stays on even when the PC is turned off. When you select this option, a confirmation window appears. Select Yes to save changes and exit.

If you attempt to exit the Setup program without saving your changes, the program prompts you with a message asking if you want to save your changes before exiting. Press <Enter> to save the changes while exiting.

Exit & Discard Changes

Select this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the Setup program. If you made changes to fields other than

System Date, System Time, and Password, the BIOS asks for a confirmation before exiting.


Load Setup Defaults

This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the Setup menus. When you select this option or if you press <F5>, a confirmation window appears. Select Yes to load default values. Select Exit & Save Changes or make other changes before saving the values to the non-volatile RAM.

Discard Changes

This option allows you to discard the selections you made and restore the previously saved values. After selecting this option, a confirmation appears.

Select Yes to discard any changes and load the previously saved values.


This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package.

5

support

Chapter summary

5.1 Installing an operating system .............................................. 5-1

5.2 Support CD information ........................................................ 5-1

5.3 Software information ............................................................ 5-9

5.4 RAID configurations ............................................................ 5-20

5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk ................................................. 5-29

5.6 Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ Technology ............................................... 5-30

5.7 Using the NVIDIA

®

nTune™ utility ....................................... 5-32

5.8 Using the ASUS AI Selector utility ...................................... 5-35

ASUS A8N-SLI SE

5.1 Installing an operating system

This motherboard supports Windows

Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to maximize the features of your hardware.

®

2000/XP operating systems (OS).

• Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Use the setup procedures presented in this chapter for reference only. Refer to your OS documentation for detailed information.

• Make sure that you install Windows

®

Windows

®

2000 Service Pack 4 or the

XP Service Pack2 or later versions before installing the drivers for better compatibility and system stability.

5.2 Support CD information

The support CD that came with the motherboard package contains the drivers, software applications, and utilities that you can install to avail all motherboard features.

The contents of the support CD are subject to change at any time without notice. Visit the ASUS website(www.asus.com) for updates.

5.2.1 Running the support CD

Place the support CD to the optical drive. The CD automatically displays the

Drivers menu if Autorun is enabled in your computer.

Click an icon to display support

CD/motherboard information

Click an item to install

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. Doubleclick the ASSETUP.EXE to run the CD.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 5-1

5.2.2 Drivers menu

The drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install the necessary drivers to activate the devices.

5-2

Nvidia Chipset Driver Program

Installs the NVIDIA

®

Chipset drivers for the NVIDIA

®

nForce™ 4 SLI chipset.

Make NVIDIA PATA RAID Driver Disk

Creates the NVIDIA

®

driver disk for Serial ATA and PATA RAID features.

Make NVIDIA SATA RAID Driver Disk

Creates the NVIDIA

®

driver disk for Serial ATA and SATA RAID features.

Realtek ALC850 Driver

Installs the Realtek

®

ALC850 audio controller and application.

AMD Cool ʻnʼ Quiet Driver

Installs the AMD Cool ʻnʼ Quiet Driver.

USB 2.0 Driver

Installs the Universal Serial Bus 2.0 (USB 2.0) driver.

The screen display and drivers option may not be the same for different operating system versions.


5.2.3 Utilities menu

The Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard supports.

NVIDIA Chipset nTune Utility

Installs the NVIDIA

®

nTune™ utility that allows easy and safe system tuning for optimum performance.

ASUS PC Probe

II

This smart utility monitors the fan speed, CPU temperature, and system voltages, and alerts you of any detected problems. This utility helps you keep your computer in healthy operating condition.

ASUS Update

Allows you to download the latest version of the BIOS from the ASUS website.

Before using the ASUS Update, make sure that you have an Internet connection so you can connect to the ASUS website.

ASUS AI Booster

The ASUS AI Booster application allows you to overclock the CPU speed in a

Windows

®

environment.

ASUS AI Selector

The ASUS AI Selector utility allows you to set the video card mode of your system. Refer to 5.8 Using the ASUS AI Selector Utility for details.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 5-3

Microsoft DirectX

Installs the Microsoft

®

DirectX 9.0c driver. The Microsoft DirectX

®

9.0c is a multimedia technology that enhances computer graphics and sound.

DirectX

®

improves the multimedia features of you computer so you can enjoy watching TV and movies, capturing videos, or playing games in your computer. Visit the Microsoft website (www.microsoft.com) for updates.

Anti-virus Utility

The anti-virus application detects and protects your computer from viruses that destroys data.

ADOBE Acrobat Reader

Installs the Adobe

®

Acrobat

®

Reader V7.0 that allows you to open, view, and print documents in Portable Document Format (PDF).

ASUS Screen Saver

Installs the ASUS Screen Saver.

5-4 Chapter 5: Software support

5.2.4 Manuals menu

The Manuals menu contains a list of supplementary user manuals. Click an item to open the folder of the user manual.

• Most user manual files are in Portable Document Format (PDF).

Install the Adobe

®

Acrobat

®

Reader from the Utilities menu before opening a user manual file.

• Some user manuals listed in this menu may not be applicable for this motherboard model.

NVIDIA Firewall Administratorʼs Guide

Allows you to open the NVIDIA

®

Administratorʼs Guide.

ForceWare Networking and Firewall

NVIDIA RAID Userʼs Guide


®

RAID Userʼs Guide.

NVIDIA nTune Manual


®

nTune™ userʼs manual.

NVRAID Disk Alert Userʼs Guide


®

RAID Disk Alert userʼs manual.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 5-5

5.2.5 ASUS Contact information

Click the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information. You can also find this information on the inside front cover of this user guide.

5.2.6 Other information

The icons on the top right corner of the screen give additional information on the motherboard and the contents of the support CD. Click an icon to display the specified information.

Motherboard Info

Displays the general specifications of the motherboard.


Browse this CD

Displays the support CD contents in graphical format.

Technical support Form

Displays the ASUS Technical Support Request Form that you have to fill out when requesting technical support.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 5-7

Filelist

Displays the contents of the support CD and a brief description of each in text format.


5.3 Software information

Most of the applications in the support CD have wizards that will conveniently guide you through the installation. View the online help or readme file that came with the software application for more information.

5.3.1 ASUS MyLogo2™

The ASUS MyLogo2™ utility lets you customize the boot logo. The boot logo is the image that appears on screen during the Power-On Self-Tests

(POST). The ASUS MyLogo2™ is automatically installed when you install the ASUS Update utility from the support CD. See section “5.2.3 Utilities menu” for details.

• Before using the ASUS MyLogo2™, use the Award BIOS Flash utility to make a copy of your original BIOS file, or obtain the latest BIOS version from the ASUS website. See section “4.1.2 Updating the

BIOS”.

• Make sure that the BIOS item Full Screen Logo is set to [Enabled] if you wish to use ASUS MyLogo2. See section “4.6.5 Boot Settings

Configuration”.

• You can create your own boot logo image in GIF, JPG, or BMP file formats.

To launch the ASUS MyLogo2™:

1. Launch the ASUS Update utility. Refer to section “4.1.6 ASUS Update utility” for details.

2. Select Options from the drop down menu, then click Next.

3. Check the option Launch MyLogo to replace system boot logo before flashing BIOS, then click Next.

4. Select Update BIOS from a file from the drop down menu, then click

Next.

5. When prompted, locate the new

BIOS file, then click Next. The

ASUS MyLogo2 window appears.

6. From the left window pane, select the folder that contains the image you intend to use as your boot logo.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 5-9

7. When the logo images appear on the right window pane, select an image to enlarge by clicking on it.

8. Adjust the boot image to your desired size by selecting a value on the Ratio box.

9. When the screen returns to the ASUS Update utility, flash the original

BIOS to load the new boot logo.

10. After flashing the BIOS, restart the computer to display the new boot logo during POST.


5.3.2 Audio configurations

The Realtek

®

ALC850 AC ʻ97 audio CODEC provides 6-channel audio capability to deliver the ultimate audio experience on your PC. The software provides Jack-Sensing function (Line-In, Line-Out, Mic-In), S/PDIF out support and interrupt capability. The ALC850 also includes the Realtek proprietary UAJ

® plug and play convenience.

®

(Universal Audio Jack) technology for three ports (Line-In,

Line-Out and Mic-In), eliminating cable connection errors and giving users

Follow the installation wizard to install the Realtek ALC850 Audio Driver and Application from the support CD that came with the motherboard package.

If the Realtek audio software is correctly installed, you will find the

SoundEffect icon on the taskbar.

From the taskbar, double-click on the

SoundEffect icon to display the Realtek Audio

Control Panel.

Realtek SoundEffect icon

The Jack-sensing and UAJ

®

technology features are supported on the

Line-In, Line-Out, and Mic jacks only.

Sound Effect options

The Realtek

®

ALC850 Audio CODEC allows you to set your listening environment, adjust the equalizer, set the karaoke, or select pre-programmed equalizer settings for your listening pleasure.


To set the sound effect options:

1. From the Realtek Audio Control Panel, click the Sound Effect button.

2. Click the shortcut buttons to change the acoustic environment, adjust the equalizer, or set the karaoke to your desired settings.

3. The audio settings take effect immediately after you click on the buttons.

4. Click the Exit (X) button on the upper-right hand corner of the window to exit.

5-12

S/PDIF option

The Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) options allows you to change your S/PDIF output settings.

To set the S/PDIF options:

1. From the Realtek Audio Control Panel, click the SPDIF button.

2. Click the option buttons to change your S/PDIF out settings.



Speaker Configuration

This option allows you to set your speaker configuration.

To set the speaker configuration:

1. From the Realtek Audio Control Panel, click the Speaker Configuration button.

2. Select from the combo list box your current speaker setup, then click

Auto Test to test your settings.

3. Click the UAJ Automatic button to enable or disable the Universal

Audio Jack(UAJ

®

) technology feature.



AI Audio feature

The AI Audio feature works through the connector sensing option that allows you to check if your audio devices are connected properly.

To start the connector sensing:

1. From the Realtek Audio Control Panel, click the Connector Sensing button.

2. Click the Bracket button to display connected audio devices.

3. Click the Option button to change sensing options.

4. Click the Start button to start connection sensing. A progress bar displays current connector sensing status.

Make sure to exit all audio applications before starting this function.

5-14

5. When finished, the utility prompts the Realtek

®

EZ-connection dialog box showing your current audio connections. The text at the bottom of the box explains your audio connection status. An

X mark denotes an incorrect connection.


6. If there are detected problems, make sure that your audio cables are connected to the proper audio jack and repeat connector sensing.

7. Click the X button to exit EZ-connection dialog box.

8. Click the Exit (X) button on the upper-right hand corner of the window to exit audio control panel.

HRTF Demo

This option shows a demo of the Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTF).

To start the HRTF demo:

1. From the Realtek Audio Control Panel, click the HRTF Demo button.

2. Click the option buttons to change the sound, moving path or EAX settings.

3. Click the Play button to start or the Stop button to stop.



General settings

This option shows the audio settings and allows you to change the language setting or toggle the SoundEffect icon display on the Windows taskbar.

To display the general settings:

1. From the Realtek Audio Control Panel, click the General button.

2. Click the option button to enable or disable the icon display on the

Windows taskbar.

3. Click the Language combo list box to change language display.


5-16

Rear panel audio ports function variation

The functions of the Line Out (lime), Line In (blue), Mic (pink) ports on the rear panel change when you select the 4-channel or 6-channel audio configuration as shown in the table on page 2-20.


5.3.3 Using the NVIDIA

®

Firewall™

The motherboard supports the NVIDIA

®

Firewall™ (NVFirewall™) application that protects your computer from intruders. The NVFirewall™ is classified as a personal firewall or desktop firewall that works at the device level to protect your system from malicious computer code by controlling the connections to and from your computer and alerting you for attempted intrusions. The following sections describe how to use the NVIDIA

Firewall™.

®

Launching the NVFirewall™ summary

After you install the NVFirewall™ application from the motherboard support

CD, it is automatically activated with a Medium security profile. The setup summary of NVFirewall™ is displayed in the summary menu.

To launch the NVFirewall™ summary menu:

1. Click the NVIDIA

®

Windows

®

Firewall™ icon from the

taskbar.

NVIDIA ® Firewall™ icon

2. Double-click the icon to display the NVFirewall™ Summary menu.

Click to select firewall profile

Click to view profile details

Click to view the firewall log

Click to view the firewall stats


5-18

Setting security profiles

The NVFirewall™ application allows several security profiles to match your system security needs. The following describes the NVFirewall™ security profiles:

• Low - allows safe incoming connections and deny those that are known to be dangerous connections. This profile also enables some anti-hacking features.

• Medium - blocks most incoming connections. Incoming connections to some ports must be set to allow file transfers using some online messaging applications. This profile also enables some anti-hacking features.

• High - allows the least traffic through. Only outbound connections are allowed. This profile also includes the “stealth modeʼ feature that makes your system invisible to intruders. This also enables some anti-hacking features.

• Lockdown - blocks all incoming and outgoing connections.

• Anti-hacking only - this profile enables all anti-hacking features but disables the firewall. This security profile is useful if you want to use a third-party firewall application.

• Custom 1, 2, 3 - these are reserved for customized profiles.

• Off - deactivates the firewall.

To set a security profile:

1. From the NVFirewall™ summary menu, click the Current Firewall

Profile combo list box then select a security profile.

The following confirmation box appears.

2. Click Change Profile to apply settings or Donʼt Change Profile to return to previous menu.


Turning the NVFirewall™ off

Take caution when using this option, your computer becomes vulnerable to viruses, hackers or intruders after you turn off the firewall.

To turn off the NVFirewall™:

1. From the NVIDIA Firewall™ summary menu, click the

Current Firewall Profile combo list box then select Off.

The following confirmation box appears.

2. Click Turn Firewall OFF.


5-20

5.4 RAID configurations

The motherboard comes with the NVIDIA

®

SLI Southbridge RAID controllers that allow you to configure IDE and Serial ATA hard disk drives as RAID sets. The motherboard supports the following RAID configurations.

RAID 0

(Data striping) optimizes two identical hard disk drives to read and write data in parallel, interleaved stacks. Two hard disks perform the same work as a single drive but at a sustained data transfer rate, double that of a single disk alone, thus improving data access and storage. Use of two new identical hard disk drives is required for this setup.

RAID 1 (Data mirroring) copies and maintains an identical image of data from one drive to a second drive. If one drive fails, the disk array management software directs all applications to the surviving drive as it contains a complete copy of the data in the other drive. This RAID configuration provides data protection and increases fault tolerance to the entire system. Use two new drives or use an existing drive and a new drive for this setup. The new drive must be of the same size or larger than the existing drive.

RAID 0+1 is data striping and data mirroring combined without parity

(redundancy data) having to be calculated and written. With the RAID

0+1 configuration you get all the benefits of both RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations. Use four new hard disk drives or use an existing drive and three new drives for this setup.

JBOD

(Spanning) stands for Just a Bunch of Disks and refers to hard disk drives that are not yet configured as a RAID set. This configuration stores the same data redundantly on multiple disks that appear as a single disk on the operating system. Spanning does not deliver any advantage over using separate disks independently and does not provide fault tolerance or other

RAID performance benefits.

If you want to boot the system from a hard disk drive included in a RAID set, copy first the RAID driver from the support CD to a floppy disk before you install an operating system to a selected hard disk drive.

Refer to section “5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk” for details.


5.4.1 Installing hard disks

The motherboard supports Ultra DMA /133/100/66 and Serial ATA hard disk drives. For optimal performance, install identical drives of the same model and capacity when creating a disk array.

Installing Parallel ATA hard disks

To install IDE hard disks for a RAID configuration:

1. Set the jumpers of each hard disk as Master/Master or Slave/Slave.

2. Install the hard disks into the drive bays.

3. Connect the HDD signal cables.

4. Connect a 4-pin power cable to the power connector on each drive.

Installing Serial ATA (SATA) hard disks

To install the SATA hard disks for a RAID configuration:

1. Install the SATA hard disks into the drive bays.

2. Connect the SATA signal cables.

3. Connect a SATA power cable to the power connector on each drive.

Refer to the RAID controllers user manual in the motherboard support

CD for detailed information on RAID configurations. See section “5.2.4

Manuals menu”.


5.4.2 NVIDIA

®

RAID configurations

The motherboard includes a high performance IDE RAID controller integrated in the NVIDIA

®

SLI southbridge chipset. It supports RAID 0, RAID

1, RAID 0+1, and JBOD with four independent Serial ATA channels.

Setting the BIOS RAID items

After installing the hard disk drives, make sure to set the necessary RAID items in the BIOS before setting your RAID configuration.

To set the BIOS RAID items:

1. Boot the system and press <Del> during the Power-On Self-Test

(POST) to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.

2. From the Advanced > Onboard Devices Configuration > NVRAID

Configuration menu item in the BIOS set the RAID Enabled item to

Enabled. The succeeding items become user-configurable.

3. Select and enable the IDE or SATA drive(s) that you want to configure as RAID. See section “4.4.3 Onboard Devices Configuration” for details.

4. Save your changes and Exit Setup.

For detailed descriptions on the NVIDIA® RAID configuration, refer to the

“NVIDIA

®

RAID Userʼs Manual” found in your motherboard support CD.


Entering the NVIDIA

®

RAID utility

To enter the NVIDIA

®

RAID utility:

1. Boot up your computer.

2. During POST, press <F10> to display the main menu of the utility.

The RAID BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference only, and may not exactly match the items on your screen.

NVIDIA RAID Utility Oct 5 2004

- Define a New Array -

RAID Mode: Striping

Free Disks

Loc Disk Model Name

Striping Block: Optimal

Array Disks

Loc Disk Model Name

1.0.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


[→] Add



[←] Del

[F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

At the bottom of the screen are the navigation keys. These keys allow you to move through and select menu options.

Creating a RAID Volume

To create a RAID volume:

1. From the NVIDIA

®

RAID utility Define a New Array menu, select RAID

Mode then press <Enter>. The following submenu appears.

Use the up or down arrow keys to

select a RAID mode then press

<Enter>.

Mirroring

Striping

Stripe Mirroring

Spanning


5-24

2. Press <TAB> select the Striping

Block then press <Enter>. The following submenu appears:

8K ↑

16K

32K

64K

128K

Optim↓

If you selected Striping or Stripe Mirroring, use the up or down arrow keys to select the stripe size for your RAID 0 array then press

<Enter>.The available values range from 8 KB to 128 KB. The default selection is 128 KB. The strip value should be chosen based on the planned drive usage.

• 8 /16 KB - low disk usage

• 64 KB - typical disk usage

• 128 KB - performance disk usage

TIP: For server systems, we recommend using a lower array block size. For multimedia computer systems used mainly for audio and video editing, we recommend a higher array block size for optimum performance.

3.` Press <TAB> to select the Free Disks area. Use the left or right arrow keys to assign the array disks.

4. Press <F7> to create RAID set. The following message box appears.

Clear disk data?

[Y] YES [N] NO

5. Press <Y> to clear the selected disks or <N> to proceed without clearing the disks. The following screen appears.

Take caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost!


NVIDIA RAID Utility Oct 5 2004

- Array List -

Boot Id Status Vendor Array Model Name

No 4 Healthy NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG

[Ctrl-X]Exit [↑↓]Select [B]Set Boot [N]New Array [ENTER]Detail

A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.

6. Press <Ctrl+X> to save settings and exit.

Rebuilding a RAID array

To rebuild a RAID array:

1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a

RAID array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear.

Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG

- Array Detail -

RAID Mode: Mirroring

Striping Width: 1 Striping Block: 64K

Adapt Channel M/S Index Disk Model Name Capacity

2 1 Master 0 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB


[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return


5-26


2. Press <R> to rebuild a RAID array. The following screen appears.


- Select Disk Inside Array -






[↑↓] Select [F6] Back [F7] Finish

3. Use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID array to rebuild, then press <F7>. The following confirmation message appears.

Rebuild array?

[ENTER] OK [ESC] Cancel

4. Press <Enter> to start rebuilding array or press <Esc> to cancel.

5. After the rebuild process, the Array list menu appears.


Deleting a RAID array

To delete a RAID array:












2. Press <D> to delete a RAID array. The following confirmation message appears.

Delete this array?

[Y] YES [N] No

3. Press <Y> to delete array or press <N> to cancel.


4. If you selected Yes, the Define a New Array menu appears.


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Clearing a disk data

To clear disk data:












2. Press <C> to clear disk. The following confirmation message appears.

Clear disk data?

[Y] YES [N]

5. Press <Y> to clear the disk data or press <N> to cancel.



5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk

A floppy disk with the RAID driver is required when installing Windows set.

®

2000/XP operating system on a hard disk drive that is included in a RAID

To create a RAID driver disk:

1. Place the motherboard support CD into the CD-ROM drive.

2. When the Drivers menu appears, select the RAID driver disk you want to create:

• Click Make NVIDIA RAID Driver to create an NVIDIA driver disk.

Or

®

RAID

Browse the contents of the support CD to locate the driver disk utility.

• Go to \Drivers\Chipset\WINXP_2K\Driver_Disk for the

NVIDIA

®

RAID driver disk utility.

Refer to section “5.2.2 Drivers menu” for details.

3. Insert floppy disk to floppy disk drive.

4. Follow succeeding screen information to complete process.

5. Write-protect the floppy disk to avoid computer virus infection.

To install the RAID driver:

1. During the OS installation, the system prompts you to press the F6 key to install third-party SCSI or RAID driver.

2. Press <F6> then insert the floppy disk with RAID driver into the floppy disk drive.

3. Follow the succeeding screen instructions to complete the installation.

Due to chipset limitation, the Serial ATA ports supported by the NVIDIA chipset doesnʼt support Serial Optical Disk Drives (Serial ODD) under

DOS.


5.6 Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology

The motherboard supports the AMD Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ Technology that dynamically and automatically change the CPU speed, voltage, and amount of power depending on the task the CPU performs.

5.6.1 Enabling Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ Technology

To enable Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ Technology:

1. Turn on the system and enter BIOS by pressing the <Del> key during the Power On Self-Tests (POST).

2. In the Advanced > CPU Configuration > AMD CPU Cool &

Quiet Configuration menu, select the item Cool NʼQuiet and set it to Enabled. See section “4.4 Advanced Menu” in the user guide.

3. In the Power menu, select the item ACPI 2.0 Support and set it to

Yes. See section “4.5 Power Menu” in the user guide.

4. Save your changes and exit BIOS Setup.

5. Reboot your computer and set your Power Option Properties depending on your operating system.

Windows

®

2000/XP

1. From the Windows

®

2000/XP operating system, click the Start button.

Select Settings, then Control Panel.

2. Make sure the Control Panel is set to Classic View.

3. Double-click the Display icon in the Control Panel then select the

Screen Saver tab.

4. Click the Power... button. The following dialog box appears.

5. From the Power schemes combo list box, select Minimal Power

Management.

6. Click OK to effect settings.

5-30

Make sure to install the Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ driver and application before using this feature.


5.6.2 Launching the Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ software

The motherboard support CD includes the Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ software that enables you to view your systemʼs real-time CPU Frequency and voltage.

Make sure to install the Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ software from the motherboard support CD. Refer to section “5.2.3 Utilities menu”, for details.

To launch the Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ program:

1. If you are using Windows

®

98SE/ME/2000, click the Start button.

Select Programs > ASUS > Cool & Quiet > Cool & Quiet.

2. If you are using Windows

®

XP, click the Start button. Select All

Programs > ASUS > Cool & Quiet > Cool & Quiet.

3. The Cool ʻnʼ Quiet!™ technology screen appears and displays the current CPU Frequency and CPU Voltage.


5.7 Using the NVIDIA

®

nTune™ utility


®

nTune™ utility that allows easy and safe system tuning for optimum performance. This utility provides the safest and easiest way to tweak voltages or change system bus speeds and memory timings for maximum system performance.

Follow the NVIDIA Chipset Driver Program installation wizard to install the

NVIDIA

®

nTune™ utility from the motherboard support CD.

After you have successfully installed the utility in your computer, launch the nTune™ utility from the Windows

®

desktop by clicking Start > All

Programs > NVIDIA Corporation > nTune > nTune from the

Windows

®

taskbar.

5.7.1 Managing your nForce™ system

The Manage my nForce™ system menu allows you to benchmark and automatically tune your system, manage your nTune™ profiles, monitor your system, troubleshoot performance, create a log, get online support or update the BIOS. This menu also provides shortcuts to manage your nForceware™ settings.

5-32

Click to launch Manage my nForce™ system menu


5.7.2 Clock control

The Clock control menu allows dynamic modifications for system bus speeds and memory controller timing. The system bus speed includes the front side bus (FSB) and AGP bus.

Click to launch the

Clock control menu

5.7.3 Voltage/Fan control

The Voltage/Fan control menu allows tweaking options for the CPU and memory voltage. This menu also allows dynamic modifications for the CPU and auxiliary fan speeds.

Click to launch the

Voltage/Fan menu


5.7.4 Information

The information page displays related information about the processor, memory, motherboard, nForce™ profile, version information, and the calculated system performance results.

5-34

Click to launch the

Information page

5.7.5 Other options

Other option buttons allow you to easily save or revert your settings and save or load nTune™ profiles.

Click to save settings and exit

Click to save settings only

Click to revert changes

Click to load saved nTune™ profile

Click to save settings in a profile


5.8 Using the ASUS AI Selector utility

The motherboard support CD comes with the ASUS AI Selector that allows you to set the video card mode of your system.

Follow the AI Selector installation wizard to install the AI Selector utility from the motherboard support CD.

Use this utility only when you have two graphics cards installed in your system.

5.8.1 Launching the ASUS AI Selector

After you have successfully installed the utility in your computer, launch the AI Selector utility from the Windows

®

desktop by clicking Start > All

Programs > ASUS > AI Selector > AI Selector from the Windows

® taskbar.

Click for help

Click to minimize

Click to exit

Click to select

SLI mode

Rotate knob to select SLI mode

Video card status

Single Video Card mode - the primary (blue) PCI Express x16 slot works at the bandwidth of PCI Express x16.

Dual Video Card mode - the primary (blue) and secondary (black) PCI

Express x16 slots runs in x8 mode. The combined bandwidth of these maintain the bandwidth of PCI Express x16.


The utility prompts you to restart your system after setting the video card mode.

Click Yes to implement settings and restart your system or No to return to the AI Selector menu.

5.8.2 Using the SLI mode

To use SLI mode:

1. Set the SLI Multi-GPU feature in Display Properties. See section “6.2.4

Enabling the multi-GPU feature in Windows” on page 6-7 for details.

2. Select Dual video card.

3. When prompted, click Yes to restart your system.

• When the SLI mode is disabled, the multi-monitor feature is automatically enabled. Use the NVIDIA nView utility to configure your multi-monitor setup.

• Refer to section “4.4.4 SLI Configuration” on page 4-29 for BIOS details.


This chapter tells how to install

SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards.

NVIDIA

®

6

technology support

Chapter summary

6.1 Overview ............................................................................... 6-1

6.2 Dual graphics cards setup ..................................................... 6-2

ASUS A8N-SLI SE

6.1 Overview


®

SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface) technology that allows you to install two identical PCI Express™ x16 graphics cards. Follow the installation procedures in this section.

Requirements

• You should have two identical SLI-ready graphics cards that are

NVIDIA

®

certified.

• Make sure that your graphics card driver supports the NVIDIA SLI technology. Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website

(www.nvidia.com).

• Make sure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the minimum power required by your system. See “7. ATX power connectors” on page 2-25 for details.

• The NVIDIA SLI technology supports Windows

® system only.

XP™ operating

• Visit the NVIDIA website for the supported 3D applications.

• Visit the NVIDIA zone website (http://www.nzone.com) for the latest certified graphics card list.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 6-1

6.2 Dual graphics card setup

6.2.1 Installing SLI-ready graphics cards

Install only identical SLI-ready graphics cards that are ASUS and NVIDIA certified. Different types of graphics cards will not work together properly.

®

To install the graphics cards:

1. Prepare two graphics cards. Each graphics card should have goldfingers for the SLI connector.

Goldfingers

6-2

2. Remove the metal bracket covers opposite the two PCI Express x16 slots.

Chapter 6: NVIDIA

®


3. Insert one graphics card into the blue slot labeled PCIEX16_1. Make sure that the card is properly seated on the slot.

4. Insert the second graphics card into the black slot labeled PCIEX16_2.

Make sure that the card is properly seated on the slot.

If required, connect an auxiliary power source to the PCI Express graphics cards.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 6-3

5. Align and insert the SLI flexible cable connectors to the goldfingers on each graphics card. Make sure that the SLI flexible cable connectors are firmly in place.

SLI flexible cable

6. If using a 20-pin ATX power connector, connect a 4-pin ATX power cable to the EZ Plug™ labeled EZ_PLUG on your motherboard.

ASUS EZ Plug™

6-4

The onboard red warning LED lights up if you do not plug a 4-pin ATX power cable to the EZ Plug.

7. Connect a VGA cable or a DVI-I cable to the graphics card installed on the blue PCI Express slot.

Chapter 6: NVIDIA

®


6.2.2 Installing the device drivers

Refer to the documentation that came with your graphics card package to install the device drivers.

Make sure that your PCI Express graphics card driver supports the

NVIDIA SLI technology. Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website (www.nvidia.com).

6.2.3 Installing the ASUS AI Selector utility

Install the ASUS AI Selector utility using the motherboard support CD.

Follow the steps described in section “5.2.3 Utilities menu” and “5.8 Using the ASUS AI Selector Utilities” for how to use the ASUS AI Selector utility.

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 6-5

6.2.4 Enabling the multi-GPU feature in Windows

After installing your graphics cards and the device drivers, enable the Multi-Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) feature in the NVIDIA nView properties.

To enable the multi-GPU feature:

1. Click the NVIDIA Settings icon on your Windows taskbar.

NVIDIA Settings icon

2. From the pop-up menu, select nView Desktop Manager then click nView Properties.

3. From the nView Desktop Manager window, select

the Desktop Management tab.

4. Click Properties to display

the Display Properties dialog box.

6-6 Chapter 6: NVIDIA

®


5. From the Display Properties dialog box, select the Settings tab then click Advanced.

6. Select the NVIDIA GeForce tab.

7. Click the slider to display the following screen, then select the SLI multi-GPU item.

Slider

ASUS A8N-SLI SE 6-7

8. Click the Enable SLI multi-GPU check box.

9. Click OK when done.

6.2.5 Setting the ASUS AI Selector utility

From the AI Selector utility, select Dual Video Cards then click Yes to restart your system. Refer to Table 1 below for the AI Selector card settings.

Table 1 AI Selector settings

AI Selector setting PCIEX16_1 (blue) slot PCIEX16_2 (black) slot

Single Video Card

Card Type

Qualified PCIe x16 graphics card

Speed Card Type Speed x16 -

Dual Video

SLI mode

Card

Multi-monitor,

RAID or LAN setup

Qualified SLI-ready graphics cards

Qualified PCIe x16 graphics card x8 x8

-

Qualified SLI-ready graphics card x8

Qualified PCIe x8, x4, graphics card, x2, x1

RAID or LAN card

• When the SLI mode is disabled, the multi-monitor mode is automatically enabled. Use the NVIDIA nView utility to configure your multi-monitor setup.

• See section “5.8 Using the ASUS AI Selector utility” on page 5-35 for details.

6-8 Chapter 6: NVIDIA

®


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