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Contents Notices...vi Safety information vii About this guide viii M2N-XE specifications summary x Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Welcome 1-2 1.2 Package contents 1-2 1.3 Special features 1-2 1.3.1 Product highlights 1-2 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features 1-4 1.4 Before you proceed 1-5 1.5 Motherboard overview 1-6 1.5.1 Motherboard layout 1-6 1.5.2 Placement direction 1-7 1.5.3 Screw holes 1-7 1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU 1-8 1.6.1 Installing the CPU 1-8 1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan 1-10 1.7 System memory 1-12 1.7.1 Overview 1-12...
Contents Notices...vi Safety information vii About this guide viii M2N-XE specifications summary x Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Welcome 1-2 1.2 Package contents 1-2 1.3 Special features 1-2 1.3.1 Product highlights 1-2 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features 1-4 1.4 Before you proceed 1-5 1.5 Motherboard overview 1-6 1.5.1 Motherboard layout 1-6 1.5.2 Placement direction 1-7 1.5.3 Screw holes 1-7 1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU 1-8 1.6.1 Installing the CPU 1-8 1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan 1-10 1.7 System memory 1-12 1.7.1 Overview 1-12...
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...Definition Audio Azalia CODEC - 1 x Coaxial S / PDIF out port - ASUS EZ Flash ASUS Install ASUS MyLogo™2 ASUS Dram Burnt Proof ASUS Fanless Thermal Solution (heatsink) (continued on the next page) NVIDIA... Multi-Streaming technologies 10 / 100 /1000 Mbps PHY Stepless Frequency Selection (SFS): - M2N-XE specifications summary CPU Chipset Front Side Bus Memory Expansion slots Storage High Definition Audio LAN Overclocking...'n' Quiet™ Technology AMD Live!™ Ready *This motherboard supports both AM2+ and AM2 processors, but AM2 processors work at AM2 ...
...Definition Audio Azalia CODEC - 1 x Coaxial S / PDIF out port - ASUS EZ Flash ASUS Install ASUS MyLogo™2 ASUS Dram Burnt Proof ASUS Fanless Thermal Solution (heatsink) (continued on the next page) NVIDIA... Multi-Streaming technologies 10 / 100 /1000 Mbps PHY Stepless Frequency Selection (SFS): - M2N-XE specifications summary CPU Chipset Front Side Bus Memory Expansion slots Storage High Definition Audio LAN Overclocking...'n' Quiet™ Technology AMD Live!™ Ready *This motherboard supports both AM2+ and AM2 processors, but AM2 processors work at AM2 ...
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...AM2 processors work at AM2 platform, and AM2+ processors work at AM2+ platform. Before you for the following items. Motherboard ASUS M2N-XE motherboard Cables Accessories 1 x Serial ATA cable 1 x Serial ATA power cable 1 x Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 cable ... drive cable I / O shield Application CD Documentation ASUS motherboard support CD User guide If any of ASUS quality motherboards! AM2+ CPU socket is damaged or missing, contact your motherboard package for buying an ASUS® M2N-XE motherboard! It provides extremely high performances and shortened data access...
...AM2 processors work at AM2 platform, and AM2+ processors work at AM2+ platform. Before you for the following items. Motherboard ASUS M2N-XE motherboard Cables Accessories 1 x Serial ATA cable 1 x Serial ATA power cable 1 x Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 cable ... drive cable I / O shield Application CD Documentation ASUS motherboard support CD User guide If any of ASUS quality motherboards! AM2+ CPU socket is damaged or missing, contact your motherboard package for buying an ASUS® M2N-XE motherboard! It provides extremely high performances and shortened data access...
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...174; DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0, and PCI Express interface. Gigabit LAN solution Gb LAN controller delivers transfer speeds up the PCI bus. ASUS M2N-XE 1- PCI Express features point‑to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 1.1 to ‑point serial interconnections between devices and ...allows higher clockspeeds by CPU AM2+ only PCI Express™ interface The motherboard fully supports PCI Express, the latest I/O interconnect technology that speeds up to 1-16 for the early future and is software compatible...
...174; DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0, and PCI Express interface. Gigabit LAN solution Gb LAN controller delivers transfer speeds up the PCI bus. ASUS M2N-XE 1- PCI Express features point‑to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 1.1 to ‑point serial interconnections between devices and ...allows higher clockspeeds by CPU AM2+ only PCI Express™ interface The motherboard fully supports PCI Express, the latest I/O interconnect technology that speeds up to 1-16 for the early future and is software compatible...
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...in soft-off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. This is a reminder that you install or remove any motherboard component. Onboard LED The motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to avoid touching the ICs on a grounded antistatic pad or in the bag ...the power cable before removing or plugging in any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off mode. M2N-XE SB_PWR M2N-XE Onboard LED ON Standby Power OFF Powered Off ASUS M2N-XE 1- 1.4 Before you proceed Take note of the onboard LED. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to ...
...in soft-off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. This is a reminder that you install or remove any motherboard component. Onboard LED The motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to avoid touching the ICs on a grounded antistatic pad or in the bag ...the power cable before removing or plugging in any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off mode. M2N-XE SB_PWR M2N-XE Onboard LED ON Standby Power OFF Powered Off ASUS M2N-XE 1- 1.4 Before you proceed Take note of the onboard LED. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to ...
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Doing so can damage the motherboard. Place this side towards the rear of the chassis as indicated in the image below. 1.5.3 Screw holes Place six (6) screws into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the chassis. Do not overtighten the screws! 1.5.2 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the rear part of the chassis M2N-XE ASUS M2N-XE 1-
Doing so can damage the motherboard. Place this side towards the rear of the chassis as indicated in the image below. 1.5.3 Screw holes Place six (6) screws into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the chassis. Do not overtighten the screws! 1.5.2 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the rear part of the chassis M2N-XE ASUS M2N-XE 1-
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1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU) The motherboard comes with AM2 socket. 1.6.1 Installing the CPU To install a CPU: 1. The AM2+ socket has a different pinout from the 940-pin socket designed for the AM2+ ... AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 / Athlon™ 64 / Athlon™ FX / Sempron™ processor. M2N-XE M2N-XE CPU Socket M2 2. Unlock the socket by pressing the lever sideways, then lift it up to prevent bending the connectors on the motherboard. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to 90°-100° angle...
1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU) The motherboard comes with AM2 socket. 1.6.1 Installing the CPU To install a CPU: 1. The AM2+ socket has a different pinout from the 940-pin socket designed for the AM2+ ... AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 / Athlon™ 64 / Athlon™ FX / Sempron™ processor. M2N-XE M2N-XE CPU Socket M2 2. Unlock the socket by pressing the lever sideways, then lift it up to prevent bending the connectors on the motherboard. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to 90°-100° angle...
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... the socket to indicate that came with a small triangle. 4. The lever clicks on the motherboard. M2N-XE CPU_FAN CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND M2N-XE CPU Fan Connector Do not forget to plug this connector. ASUS M2N-XE 1- Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle...
... the socket to indicate that came with a small triangle. 4. The lever clicks on the motherboard. M2N-XE CPU_FAN CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND M2N-XE CPU Fan Connector Do not forget to plug this connector. ASUS M2N-XE 1- Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle...
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... Product introduction The system maps the total size of the DDR2 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 112 Pins M2N-XE 128 Pins M2N-XE 240-pin DDR2 DIMM Sockets Channel Channel A Channel B Sockets DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 1.7.2 Memory configurations You may... install 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, and 2GB unbuffered / ECC / non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. • You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. 1.7 System memory 1.7.1 Overview The motherboard...
... Product introduction The system maps the total size of the DDR2 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 112 Pins M2N-XE 128 Pins M2N-XE 240-pin DDR2 DIMM Sockets Channel Channel A Channel B Sockets DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 1.7.2 Memory configurations You may... install 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, and 2GB unbuffered / ECC / non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. • You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. 1.7 System memory 1.7.1 Overview The motherboard...
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.... 2. Ensure to the card. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is completely seated on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. Assign an IRQ to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. ASUS M2N-XE 1-17 See Chapter 2 for later use . Refer to the tables on.... Align the card connector with the screw you removed earlier. 6. 1.8 Expansion slots In the future, you may cause you physical injury and damage to the motherboard components. 1.8.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1.
.... 2. Ensure to the card. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is completely seated on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. Assign an IRQ to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. ASUS M2N-XE 1-17 See Chapter 2 for later use . Refer to the tables on.... Align the card connector with the screw you removed earlier. 6. 1.8 Expansion slots In the future, you may cause you physical injury and damage to the motherboard components. 1.8.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1.
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... installed on the PCI Express x1 slot. 1.8.5 PCI Express x16 slot This motherboard has supports PCI Express x16 graphic cards that comply with PCI Express specifications. The following figure shows a network card installed on the PCI Express x16 slot. ASUS M2N-XE 1-19 1.8.3 PCI slots The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card...
... installed on the PCI Express x1 slot. 1.8.5 PCI Express x16 slot This motherboard has supports PCI Express x16 graphic cards that comply with PCI Express specifications. The following figure shows a network card installed on the PCI Express x16 slot. ASUS M2N-XE 1-19 1.8.3 PCI slots The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card...
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... Master Two devices Cable-Select Master Slave Mode of the following modes to PIN 1. 1-24 Chapter 1: Product introduction 2. Connect the blue connector to the motherboard's IDE connector, then select one of device(s) Cable connector - If any device jumper is for Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 / 33 IDE devices... when you connect the IDE cable. • Use the 80-conductor IDE cable for Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 / 33 signal cable. M2N-XE PRI_IDE M2N-XE IDE Connector PIN1 NOTE: Orient the red markings (usually zigzag) on the ID ribbon cable to configure your device(s).
... Master Two devices Cable-Select Master Slave Mode of the following modes to PIN 1. 1-24 Chapter 1: Product introduction 2. Connect the blue connector to the motherboard's IDE connector, then select one of device(s) Cable connector - If any device jumper is for Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 / 33 IDE devices... when you connect the IDE cable. • Use the 80-conductor IDE cable for Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 / 33 signal cable. M2N-XE PRI_IDE M2N-XE IDE Connector PIN1 NOTE: Orient the red markings (usually zigzag) on the ID ribbon cable to configure your device(s).
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.... CPU_FAN CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND M2N-XE CHA_FAN Rotation +12V GND M2N-XE Fan Connectors 5. Only CPU Fan connector supports Q-Fan function. 4. These are not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the motherboard, making sure that the black wire of each cable matches the... ground pin of 1A~2.22A (26.64W max.) at +12V. M2N-XE SPEAKER 1 +5V GND GND Speaker Out M2N-XE Speaker Out Connector 1-26 Chapter 1: Product introduction Speaker out connector...
.... CPU_FAN CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND M2N-XE CHA_FAN Rotation +12V GND M2N-XE Fan Connectors 5. Only CPU Fan connector supports Q-Fan function. 4. These are not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the motherboard, making sure that the black wire of each cable matches the... ground pin of 1A~2.22A (26.64W max.) at +12V. M2N-XE SPEAKER 1 +5V GND GND Speaker Out M2N-XE Speaker Out Connector 1-26 Chapter 1: Product introduction Speaker out connector...
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...in connector (4-pin CD) These connectors allow you to 480 Mbps connection speed. USB_P5- USB+5V USB+5V M2N-XE USB56 1 USB+5V USB_P8USB_P8+ GND NC NC GND USB910 1 M2N-XE USB 2.0 Connectors USB78 1 USB+5V USB_P7USB_P7+ GND USB+5V USB_P9USB_P9+ GND Never connect a 1394 cable to...the system chassis. The USB 2.0 module is purchased separately. 7. CD (black) M2N-XE Left Audio Channel Ground Ground Right Audio Channel M2N-XE Internal Audio Connector ASUS M2N-XE 1-27 Doing so will damage the motherboard! Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the ...
...in connector (4-pin CD) These connectors allow you to 480 Mbps connection speed. USB_P5- USB+5V USB+5V M2N-XE USB56 1 USB+5V USB_P8USB_P8+ GND NC NC GND USB910 1 M2N-XE USB 2.0 Connectors USB78 1 USB+5V USB_P7USB_P7+ GND USB+5V USB_P9USB_P9+ GND Never connect a 1394 cable to...the system chassis. The USB 2.0 module is purchased separately. 7. CD (black) M2N-XE Left Audio Channel Ground Ground Right Audio Channel M2N-XE Internal Audio Connector ASUS M2N-XE 1-27 Doing so will damage the motherboard! Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the ...
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Connect one end of the motherboard high-definition audio capability. • By default, this connector is for details. 1-28 Chapter 1: Product introduction 8. If you connect a high-definition front panel audio module ...]. See section "2.4.3 Chipset" for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I /O module cable to this connector, set to this connector. AGND PRESENSE# MIC2_JD HP_HD M2N-XE AAFP MIC2_L MIC2_R HP_R Jack_Sense HP_L M2N-XE Azalia Analog Front Panel Connector • We recommend that supports either High Definition Audio or AC`97 audio standard. Front panel audio...
Connect one end of the motherboard high-definition audio capability. • By default, this connector is for details. 1-28 Chapter 1: Product introduction 8. If you connect a high-definition front panel audio module ...]. See section "2.4.3 Chipset" for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I /O module cable to this connector, set to this connector. AGND PRESENSE# MIC2_JD HP_HD M2N-XE AAFP MIC2_L MIC2_R HP_R Jack_Sense HP_L M2N-XE Azalia Analog Front Panel Connector • We recommend that supports either High Definition Audio or AC`97 audio standard. Front panel audio...
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... a formatted, high density 1.44 MB floppy disk to M2N-XE.ROM. 2. Select the Create an MS-DOS startup disk check box. Copy the original or the latest motherboard BIOS file to the bootable floppy disk. 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash utility ASUS EZ Flash feature allows you rename the BIOS file to ...a floppy disk, then restart the system. 3. Completed. A "M2N-XE.ROM not found ! When the correct BIOS file is...
... a formatted, high density 1.44 MB floppy disk to M2N-XE.ROM. 2. Select the Create an MS-DOS startup disk check box. Copy the original or the latest motherboard BIOS file to the bootable floppy disk. 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash utility ASUS EZ Flash feature allows you rename the BIOS file to ...a floppy disk, then restart the system. 3. Completed. A "M2N-XE.ROM not found ! When the correct BIOS file is...
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... flash ...... Erasing flash ...... You need to the bootable floppy disk you created earlier. 3. done Please restart your computer A:\> ASUS M2N-XE 2- A:\>afudos /iM2N-XE.ROM AMI Firmware Update Utility - Do not turn off power during flash BIOS Reading file ....... done Advance Check ...... Version 1.19... prompt. 2. Updating the BIOS file To update the BIOS file using the AFUDOS utility: 1. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download the latest BIOS file for the motherboard. Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.24BB)) Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc.
... flash ...... Erasing flash ...... You need to the bootable floppy disk you created earlier. 3. done Please restart your computer A:\> ASUS M2N-XE 2- A:\>afudos /iM2N-XE.ROM AMI Firmware Update Utility - Do not turn off power during flash BIOS Reading file ....... done Advance Check ...... Version 1.19... prompt. 2. Updating the BIOS file To update the BIOS file using the AFUDOS utility: 1. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download the latest BIOS file for the motherboard. Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.24BB)) Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc.
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...BIOS file. • Prepare the motherboard support CD, or the floppy disk containing the updated motherboard BIOS before using this utility. • Make sure that allows you rename the original or updated BIOS file in the floppy disk or the USB flash disk to M2N-XE.ROM. Bad BIOS checksum. Starting BIOS...or updated BIOS file to the floppy disk drive. 3. DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! 2.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 is an auto recovery tool that you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the ...
...BIOS file. • Prepare the motherboard support CD, or the floppy disk containing the updated motherboard BIOS before using this utility. • Make sure that allows you rename the original or updated BIOS file in the floppy disk or the USB flash disk to M2N-XE.ROM. Bad BIOS checksum. Starting BIOS...or updated BIOS file to the floppy disk drive. 3. DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! 2.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 is an auto recovery tool that you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the ...
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...floppy disk is found ! CD-ROM found , the utility automatically checks the optical drive for this motherboard. Completed. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to the optical drive. 3. ASUS M2N-XE 2- Recovering the BIOS from the support CD To recover the BIOS from the floppy disk drive,...file. The utility displays the following message and automatically checks the floppy disk for floppy... Checking for CD-ROM... Reading file "M2N-XE.ROM". Start flashing... 4. Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process. Restart the system after the utility completes the...
...floppy disk is found ! CD-ROM found , the utility automatically checks the optical drive for this motherboard. Completed. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to the optical drive. 3. ASUS M2N-XE 2- Recovering the BIOS from the support CD To recover the BIOS from the floppy disk drive,...file. The utility displays the following message and automatically checks the floppy disk for floppy... Checking for CD-ROM... Reading file "M2N-XE.ROM". Start flashing... 4. Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process. Restart the system after the utility completes the...