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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.
Contents Notices ....................vi Safety information ................vii M2N-X specifications summary ............x Chapter 1: Product introduction Welcome! ................1-2 Package contents ..............1-2 Special features ..............1-2 1.3.1 Product highlights ........... 1-2 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ........1-4 Before you proceed .............. 1-5 Motherboard overview ............
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Creating a bootable floppy disk ......2-2 ASUS EZ Flash utility ..........2-3 2.1.2 2.1.3 AFUDOS utility ............2-4 2.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ........ 2-6 2.1.5 ASUS Update utility ..........2-8 BIOS setup program ............2-11 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen ..........2-12 2.2.2...
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Running the support CD .......... 3-2 3.2.2 Drivers menu ............3-3 3.2.3 Utilities menu ............3-4 3.2.4 Make Disk menu ............3-5 3.2.5 Manual menu ............3-6 3.2.6 ASUS Contact information ........3-7 3.2.7 Other information ........... 3-7 Creating a RAID driver disk ........... 3-9...
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.
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.
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.
(+). Example: <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<D> Means that you must type the command Command exactly as shown, then supply the required item or value enclosed in brackets. Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command line: awdflash M2N-X.BIN...
Stepless Frequency Selection (SFS): - HT LINK frequency tuning from 200MHz up to 300 MHz at 1MHz increment; Profile Overclocking Protection: - ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) ASUS EZ DIY: Special features - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 - ASUS EZ Flash ASUS Install ASUS MyLogo™...
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M2N-X specifications summary Manageability BIOS features 4 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI, Wfm2.0, ACPI2.0a, SM BIOS2.3, CPU Multiplier Rear panel 1 x Parallel port 1 x LAN (RJ-45) port 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Out port...
® 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.
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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 1-26 for details. ASUS M2N-X...
ASUS EZ Flash With the ASUS EZ Flash, you can easily update the system BIOS even before loading the operating system. No need to use a DOS-based utility or boot from a floppy disk. See page 2-3 for details.
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. M2N-X SB_PWR Standby Powered Power M2N-X Onboard LED ASUS M2N-X...
Place six (6) 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 M2N-X ASUS M2N-X...
CPU into the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the socket and damaging the CPU! 1.6.1 Installing the CPU To install a CPU. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard. M2N-X M2N-X CPU Socket AM2 Unlock the socket by pressing the lever sideways, then lift it up to a 90°-100° angle.
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Connect the CPU fan cable to the CPU_FAN connector on the motherboard. CPU_FAN M2N-X CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR M2N-X CPU Fan Connector Do not forget to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you fail to plug this connector. ASUS M2N-X...
1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan The AMD Athlon™ 64 X2/Athlon™ 64/Athlon™ FX/Sempron™ 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.
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Push down the retention bracket lock on the retention mechanism to secure the heatsink and fan to the module base. ASUS M2N-X 1-11...
A DDR2 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR DIMM but has a 240-pin footprint compared to the 184-pin DDR DIMM. DDR2 DIMMs are notched differently to prevent installation on a DDR DIMM socket. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR2 DIMM sockets: M2N-X M2N-X 240-pin DDR2 DIMM Sockets Channel Sockets...
Elpida E5108AE-5C-E • • • Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) for the latest QVL. Side(s): SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sided DIMM support: Supports one module inserted in any slot as Single-channel memory configuration. Supports one pair of modules inserted into either the yellow slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory configuration.
DIMM. DDR2 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. Remove the DIMM from the socket. ASUS M2N-X 1-15...
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.
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. ASUS M2N-X 1-17...
1.8.3 PCI slots The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specifications. The figure shows a LAN card installed on a PCI slot. 1.8.4 PCI Express x1 slot This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards and other cards that comply...
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. ASUS M2N-X 1-19...
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(the default is the Space Bar). This feature requires an ATX power supply that can supply at least 500 mA on the +5VSB lead, and a corresponding setting in the BIOS. PS2_USBPWR1- M2N-X USBPWR6 USBPWR-10 M2N-X USB Device Wake Up...
4-channel/ 6-channel configuration, the function of this port becomes Front Speaker Out. Microphone port (pink). This port connects a microphone. Refer to the audio configuration table for the function of the audio ports in 2, 4, or 6,-channel configuration. ASUS M2N-X 1-21...
Pin 5 on the connector is removed to prevent incorrect cable connection when using an FDD cable with a covered Pin 5. M2N-X FLOPPY NOTE: Orient the red markings on the floppy ribbon cable to PIN 1.
If any device jumper is set as “Cable-Select,” make sure all other device jumpers have the same setting. M2N-X PRI_IDE PIN1 NOTE: Orient the red markings (usually zigzag) on the ID ribbon cable to PIN 1. M2N-X IDE Connector ASUS M2N-X 1-23...
ATA with 133 MB/s (Ultra DMA133). If you install Serial ATA hard disk drives, you can create a RAID RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5, and JBOD configuration through the onboard NVIDIA MediaShield™ controller. ® M2N-X SATA1 SATA2 SATA SATA RSATA_TXP1...
CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR M2N-X CHA_FAN Rotation +12V M2N-X Fan Connectors Speaker out connector (4-pin SPEAKER) This connector is for the case-mounted speaker and allows you to hear system beeps and warnings. SPEAKER M2N-X M2N-X Speaker Out Connector ASUS M2N-X 1-25...
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These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specification that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed. USB6 M2N-X USB10 USB M2N-X USB 2.0 Connectors Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard! The USB 2.0 module is purchased separately.
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• If you want to connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector, make sure that the HD Audio item in the BIOS is set to [Enabled]. ASUS M2N-X 1-27...
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ATX12V EATXPWR +12V DC +12V DC + Volts Ground +12 Volts + Volts +12 Volts + Volts +V Standby + Volts M2N-X Power OK - Volts Ground Ground + Volts Ground Ground Ground + Volts PSON# Ground Ground...
BIOS settings. Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF. • Reset button (2-pin RESET) This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system reboot without turning off the system power. ASUS M2N-X 1-29...
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This chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided. BIOS setup...
The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup. ASUS EZ Flash (Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a floppy disk or the motherboard support CD.) ASUS AFUDOS (Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable floppy disk.)
2.1.2 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>...
Press <Enter>. The utility copies the current BIOS file to the floppy disk. A:\>afudos /oOLDBIOS1.rom AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.24BB)) Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading flash ..done Write to file..ok A:\>...
Updating the BIOS file To update the BIOS file using the AFUDOS utility: Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download the latest BIOS file for the motherboard. Save the BIOS file to a bootable floppy disk. Write the BIOS filename on a piece of paper. You need to type the exact BIOS filename at the DOS prompt.
2.1.4 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.
Reading file “M2N-X.ROM”. Completed. Start flashing... 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. ASUS M2N-X...
2.1.5 ASUS Update utility The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in Windows environment. The ASUS Update utility ® allows you to: • Save the current BIOS file • Download the latest BIOS file from the Internet •...
To update the BIOS through the Internet: Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows desktop by clicking ® Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update main window appears. Select Update BIOS from Select the ASUS FTP site...
To update the BIOS through a BIOS file: Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows desktop by ® clicking Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update main window appears. Select Update BIOS from a file option from the drop-down menu, then click Next.
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. 2-11...
2.2.1 BIOS menu screen Menu items Menu bar Configuration fields General help System Time [14: 48 : 06] Use [ENTER], [TAB] System Date [Tue01/01/2002] or [SHIFT-TAB] to Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5in.] select a field. Use [+] or [-] to IDE Configuration configure system time.
Save and Exit /<Page Down> keys to display the other Exit items on the screen. Pop-up window 2.2.9 General help Scroll bar At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected item. 2-1 ASUS M2N-X...
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 “2.2.1 BIOS menu screen” for information on the menu screen items and how to navigate through them. Use [ENTER], [TAB] System Time [14: 48 : 06]...
: Supported Async DMA : MultiWord DMA-2 Ultra DMA : Ultra DMA-5 SMART Monitoring: Supported Type [Auto] LBA/Large Mode [Auto] Block(Multi-Sector Transfer) M [Auto] PIO Mode [Auto] DMA Mode [Auto] SMART Monitoring [Auto] 32Bit Data Transfer [Enabled] 2-1 ASUS M2N-X...
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The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Device, Vendor, Size, LBA Mode, Block Mode, PIO Mode, Async DMA, Ultra DMA, and SMART monitoring). These values are not user-configurable. These items show N/A if no IDE device is installed in the system. Type [Auto] Selects the type of IDE drive.
When set to [Disabled], the data transfer from and to the device occurs one sector at a time. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] 2-1 ASUS M2N-X...
Allows selection of the chipset voltage. The configuration options vary depending on the CPU installed. Configuration options: [Auto] [1.2V] [1.3V] Memory Voltage [Auto] Allows you to select the memory voltage or set it to auto for safe mode. Configuration options: [Auto] [1.900V] [1.950V] 2-1 ASUS M2N-X...
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The following item appears only when the AI Overclocking item is set to [MANUAL]. CPU Frequency (MHz) [200.0] Displays the frequency sent by the clock generator to the system bus and PCI bus. The value of this item is auto-detected by the BIOS. Use the <+> and <->...
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MCT Timing Mode [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [Manual] Bank Interleaving [Disabled] Enable or disable the Bank Memory Interleaving. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] Enable Clock to All DIMMs [Disabled] Enable or disable the Unused Clocks to DIMMs Even Memory Slots are not populated.
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Data Cache BG Scrub [Disabled] Allows the L1 Data Cache ram to be corrected while idle. Configuration options: [Disabled] [40ns] [80ns] [160ns] [320ns] [640ns] [1.28us] [2.56us] [5.12us] [10.2us] [20.5us] [41.0us] [81.9us] [163.8us] [327.7us] [655.4us][1.31ms] [2.62ms] [5.24ms] [10.49ms] [20.97ms] [42.00ms] [84.00ms] 2-2 ASUS M2N-X...
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Power Down Control [Auto] Allows DIMMs to enter power down mode by deasserting the clock enable signal when DIMMs are not in use. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] SouthBridge Configuration SouthBridge/MCP65 Chipset Configuration Primary Graphics Adapter [PCI Express -> PCI] AZALIA AUDIO [Auto] Front Panel Select [HD Audio]...
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Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] MCP65(SB) to K8(CPU) Frequency [1000 MHz] Configuration options: [200 MHz] [400 MHz] [800 MHz] [1000 MHz] MCP65(SB) to K8(CPU) LinkWidth [16 ¡ ý ¡ ü Configuration options: [8 ] [16 ¡ ü ¡ ý ¡ ü 2-2 ASUS M2N-X...
2.4.4 Onboard Devices Configuration Configure ITE8712 Super IO Chipset Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4] Parallel Port Address [378] Parallel Port Mode [Normal] Parallel Port IRQ [IRQ7] Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4] Allows you to select the Serial Port1 base address. Configuration options: [Disabled] [3F8/IRQ4][2F8/IRQ3] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3] Parallel Port Address [378] Allows you to select the Parallel Port base addresses.
Configuration options: [Yes] [No] Palette Snooping [Disabled] When set to [Enabled], the pallete snooping feature informs the PCI devices that an ISA graphics device is installed in the system so that the latter can function correctly. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2-2 ASUS M2N-X...
IRQ-xx assigned to [PCI Device] 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] 2.4.6 USB Configuration The items in this menu allows you to change the USB-related features.
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] 2-1 ASUS M2N-X...
2.5.4 APM Configuration APM Configuration Restore on AC Power Loss [Power Off] Power On By PCI Device [Disabled] Power On By PCIE Device [Disabled] Power On By LAN(MAC) [Disabled] Power On By Ring [Disabled] Power On By PS/2 KB/MS [Disabled] Power On By RTC Alarm [Disabled] Restore on AC Power Loss [Power Off]...
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard voltage regulators. Smart Q-FAN Function [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the Q-Fan function that monitors the CPU/ System temperature and smartly adjust the fan speed. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2- ASUS M2N-X...
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 Settings Boot Device Priority Boot Settings Configuration Security 2.6.1 Boot Device Priority Boot Device Priority 1st Boot Device [1st FLOPPY DRIVE] 2nd Boot Device...
This allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Set this item to [Enabled] to use the ASUS MyLogo™ feature. Add On ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS] Sets the display mode for option ROM.
Hit ‘DEL’ Message Display [Enabled] When set to Enabled, the system displays the message “Press DEL to run Setup” during POST. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Interrupt 19 Capture [Disabled] When set to [Enabled], this function allows the option ROMs to trap Interrupt 19.
The message “Password Installed” appears after you set your password successfully. To change the user password, follow the same steps as in setting a user password. Clear User Password Select this item to clear the user password. 2- ASUS M2N-X...
Password Check [Setup] When set to [Setup], BIOS checks for user password when accessing the Setup utility. When set to [Always], BIOS checks for user password both when accessing Setup and booting the system. Configuration options: [Setup] [Always] 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.
Setup menus. When you select this option or if you press <F5>, a confirmation window appears. Select OK to load default values. Select Exit & Save Changes or make other changes before saving the values to the non-volatile RAM. 2- ASUS M2N-X...
The contents of the support CD are subject to change at any time without notice. Visit the ASUS website(www.asus.com) for updates. 3.2.1 Running the support CD Place the support CD to the optical drive.
The drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install the necessary drivers to activate the devices. ASUS InstAll-Drivers Installation Wizard Installs the ASUS InstAll-Drivers Installation Wizard. NVIDIA Chipset Driver Program Installs the NVIDIA nForce™ Chipset Driver program.
This utility helps you keep your computer in healthy operating condition. ASUS Update The ASUS Update utility allows you to update the motherboard BIOS in a Windows environment. This utility requires an Internet connection either ®...
SATA RAID Driver Disk ® Allows you to create an NVIDIA Serial ATA (SATA) RAID driver disk. ® Make NVIDIA SATA AHCI Driver Disk ® Allows you to create an NVIDIA Serial ATA (SATA) AHCI driver disk. ® ASUS M2N-X...
3.2.5 Manual menu The Manual 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 ®...
3.2.6 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. 3.2.7 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.
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. Filelist Displays the contents of the support CD and a brief description of each in text format.
Press <F6> then insert the floppy disk with RAID driver into the floppy disk drive. Follow the succeeding screen instructions to complete the installation. Due to chipset limitation, the Serial ATA ports supported by the NVIDIA chipset doesn’t support Serial Optical Disk Drives (Serial ODD) under DOS. ASUS M2N-X...
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