User Guide
Page 3
Contents Contents...iii Notices...v Safety information vi About this guide vi M4N78 PRO specifications summary viii Chapter 1 Product introduction 1.1 Welcome 1-1 1.2 Package contents 1-1 1.3 Special features 1-1 1.4 Before you proceed 1-3 1.5 Motherboard overview 1-4 1.5.1 Placement direction 1-4 1.5.2 Screw holes 1-4 1.5.3 Motherboard layout 1-5 1.5.4 Layout contents 1-5 1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU 1-6 1.6.1 Installing... 1-26 1.11.2 Support DVD information 1-26 Chapter 2 BIOS setup 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS 2-1 2.2 BIOS setup program 2-6 iii
Contents Contents...iii Notices...v Safety information vi About this guide vi M4N78 PRO specifications summary viii Chapter 1 Product introduction 1.1 Welcome 1-1 1.2 Package contents 1-1 1.3 Special features 1-1 1.4 Before you proceed 1-3 1.5 Motherboard overview 1-4 1.5.1 Placement direction 1-4 1.5.2 Screw holes 1-4 1.5.3 Motherboard layout 1-5 1.5.4 Layout contents 1-5 1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU 1-6 1.6.1 Installing... 1-26 1.11.2 Support DVD information 1-26 Chapter 2 BIOS setup 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS 2-1 2.2 BIOS setup program 2-6 iii
User Guide
Page 6
...how to the correct voltage in any damage, contact your power supply is set to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the motherboard and the new technology it by yourself. vi If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical ...screws, and staples away from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry. • Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Operation safety • Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it may become wet. • Place the product on a stable surface. • If you detect any area where it ,...
...how to the correct voltage in any damage, contact your power supply is set to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the motherboard and the new technology it by yourself. vi If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical ...screws, and staples away from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry. • Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Operation safety • Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it may become wet. • Place the product on a stable surface. • If you detect any area where it ,...
User Guide
Page 9
...-Retasking - ASUS Anti-Surge Protection Express Gate ASUS Green Design: - ASUS AI Nap *ASUS EPU is only supported on the next page) ix ASUS Q-Connector - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 - AI Overclocking (Intelligent CPU Frequency Tuner) - ASUS Turbo Key ...65533;a�t�b��a�c�k��I/�O� - ASUS 4+1 Phase Power Design - M4N78 PRO specifications summary Storage High Definition Audio ASUS Unique Features Special Features ASUS Exclusive Overclocking Features NVIDIA GeForce 8300 - 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100...
...-Retasking - ASUS Anti-Surge Protection Express Gate ASUS Green Design: - ASUS AI Nap *ASUS EPU is only supported on the next page) ix ASUS Q-Connector - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 - AI Overclocking (Intelligent CPU Frequency Tuner) - ASUS Turbo Key ...65533;a�t�b��a�c�k��I/�O� - ASUS 4+1 Phase Power Design - M4N78 PRO specifications summary Storage High Definition Audio ASUS Unique Features Special Features ASUS Exclusive Overclocking Features NVIDIA GeForce 8300 - 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100...
User Guide
Page 10
M4N78 PRO specifications summary Rear panel I/O ports Internal I/O connectors BIOS features Support DVD contents Form factor 1 x PS/2 keyboard port (purple) 1 x PS/2 mouse port (green) 1 x S/PDIF Out (Optical) 1 x HDMI Out 1 x D-Sub 1 x DVI 1 x LAN (RJ... Intrusion connector 1 x CD audio in 1 x 24-pin ATX Power connector 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector 1 x System Panel (Q-Connector) 8 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI 2.0, ASUS EZ Flash 2 Drivers Express Gate ASUS PC Probe II ASUS Update Anti-Virus Utility (OEM version) ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in (30.5 cm x...
M4N78 PRO specifications summary Rear panel I/O ports Internal I/O connectors BIOS features Support DVD contents Form factor 1 x PS/2 keyboard port (purple) 1 x PS/2 mouse port (green) 1 x S/PDIF Out (Optical) 1 x HDMI Out 1 x D-Sub 1 x DVI 1 x LAN (RJ... Intrusion connector 1 x CD audio in 1 x 24-pin ATX Power connector 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector 1 x System Panel (Q-Connector) 8 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI 2.0, ASUS EZ Flash 2 Drivers Express Gate ASUS PC Probe II ASUS Update Anti-Virus Utility (OEM version) ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in (30.5 cm x...
User Guide
Page 20
...Bios) A* B* C* • •• 4-4-4-12 • •• • 4-4-4-12 1.9~2.1V • 5 • 5 • 4 • 5 • • 4 • 5-5-5-15 • 4 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 5 • 5 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 5 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 1-10 ASUS M4N78 PRO... system stability. M4N78 PRO Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR2-1066MHz capability Vendor A-Data Part No.
...Bios) A* B* C* • •• 4-4-4-12 • •• • 4-4-4-12 1.9~2.1V • 5 • 5 • 4 • 5 • • 4 • 5-5-5-15 • 4 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 5 • 5 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 5 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 4 • 5 • 1-10 ASUS M4N78 PRO... system stability. M4N78 PRO Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR2-1066MHz capability Vendor A-Data Part No.
User Guide
Page 21
... SLZ2128M8-JGE 28V0H8 M2Y1G64TU88D5B-AC 0828.GS M2Y1G64TU8HB0B-25C M2Y2G64TU8HD5B-AC 0826.SG MDT 512MB TMS51B264C081-805EP D48001GP3-63BJU D48002GP0-73BCU M2GVD6G3H3160Q1E52 Timing Dimm Voltage (Bios) 5 5 DIMM socket support (Optional) A* B* C ••• ••• 6 ••• ••• ••• •• 5 ••• 4 •...
... SLZ2128M8-JGE 28V0H8 M2Y1G64TU88D5B-AC 0828.GS M2Y1G64TU8HB0B-25C M2Y2G64TU8HD5B-AC 0826.SG MDT 512MB TMS51B264C081-805EP D48001GP3-63BJU D48002GP0-73BCU M2GVD6G3H3160Q1E52 Timing Dimm Voltage (Bios) 5 5 DIMM socket support (Optional) A* B* C ••• ••• 6 ••• ••• ••• •• 5 ••• 4 •...
User Guide
Page 22
... MS18T 51280-3SP0717A 1024MB U2S12D30YP-6E 1024MB U2S24D30TP-6E 2048MB SS/DS Chip Brand Chip NO. Visit the ASUS website for the latest QVL. 1-12 ASUS M4N78 PRO Single-sided DS - DS ADATA M2OAD5G314170Q1C58 Timing Dimm (Bios) DIMM socket Voltage support (Optional) A• * B• * C• * DS ADATA M2OAD5H3J4170I1C53 ••• SS Apacer AU 512E667C5KBGC...
... MS18T 51280-3SP0717A 1024MB U2S12D30YP-6E 1024MB U2S24D30TP-6E 2048MB SS/DS Chip Brand Chip NO. Visit the ASUS website for the latest QVL. 1-12 ASUS M4N78 PRO Single-sided DS - DS ADATA M2OAD5G314170Q1C58 Timing Dimm (Bios) DIMM socket Voltage support (Optional) A• * B• * C• * DS ADATA M2OAD5H3J4170I1C53 ••• SS Apacer AU 512E667C5KBGC...
User Guide
Page 24
... assignments. Align the card connector with the PCI Express specifications. 1-14 ASUS M4N78 PRO Assign an IRQ to the table on the next page for the expansion card. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is completely seated on BIOS setup. 2. See Chapter 2 for later use . The following sub... as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specifications. 1.8.4 PCI Express x1 slots This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards, and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications. 1.8.5 PCI Express x16 slot This...
... assignments. Align the card connector with the PCI Express specifications. 1-14 ASUS M4N78 PRO Assign an IRQ to the table on the next page for the expansion card. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is completely seated on BIOS setup. 2. See Chapter 2 for later use . The following sub... as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specifications. 1.8.4 PCI Express x1 slots This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards, and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications. 1.8.5 PCI Express x16 slot This...
User Guide
Page 25
... jumper allows you to the chipset behavior, AC power off and on the keyboard (the default is required to overclocking. This feature requires an ATX power supply that can automatically reset parameter settings to default values. • Due to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS....Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 (default) to overclocking, use the C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) feature. Hold down and reboot the system so the BIOS can supply at least 1A on CLRTC jumper default position. Set this jumper to pins 2-3 (+5VSB) to enable or disable the keyboard wake-up the...
... jumper allows you to the chipset behavior, AC power off and on the keyboard (the default is required to overclocking. This feature requires an ATX power supply that can automatically reset parameter settings to default values. • Due to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS....Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 (default) to overclocking, use the C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) feature. Hold down and reboot the system so the BIOS can supply at least 1A on CLRTC jumper default position. Set this jumper to pins 2-3 (+5VSB) to enable or disable the keyboard wake-up the...
User Guide
Page 28
... and the HDMI cable, you are using an HDTV compliance resolution such as a CD-ROM, TV tuner, or MPEG card. 1-18 ASUS M4N78 PRO Troubleshooting on your HDTV screen. CPU DIMM BIOS setup Playback software Suggested list AMD® Athlon 64 x2 5000+ DDR2 800MHz 2GB Frame Buffer Size--256MB or higher CyberLink®... below. • Playback of HD DVD and Blu-Ray Discs For better playback quality, we suggest that you to receive stereo audio input from the motherboard support DVD. 2.
... and the HDMI cable, you are using an HDTV compliance resolution such as a CD-ROM, TV tuner, or MPEG card. 1-18 ASUS M4N78 PRO Troubleshooting on your HDTV screen. CPU DIMM BIOS setup Playback software Suggested list AMD® Athlon 64 x2 5000+ DDR2 800MHz 2GB Frame Buffer Size--256MB or higher CyberLink®... below. • Playback of HD DVD and Blu-Ray Discs For better playback quality, we suggest that you to receive stereo audio input from the motherboard support DVD. 2.
User Guide
Page 32
...BIOS to [RAID Mode]. • Before creating a RAID set to the manual bundled in the bundled support DVD before connecting devices to RAID mode, all SATA ports run at RAID mode simultaneously. • You must install the Windows® XP Service Pack 1 before using Windows® XP or later version. 1-22 ASUS M4N78 PRO... Make sure to install the AHCI driver or RAID driver in the motherboard support DVD. • SATA 5-6 connectors support AHCI mode and RAID mode only. Serial ATA ...
...BIOS to [RAID Mode]. • Before creating a RAID set to the manual bundled in the bundled support DVD before connecting devices to RAID mode, all SATA ports run at RAID mode simultaneously. • You must install the Windows® XP Service Pack 1 before using Windows® XP or later version. 1-22 ASUS M4N78 PRO... Make sure to install the AHCI driver or RAID driver in the motherboard support DVD. • SATA 5-6 connectors support AHCI mode and RAID mode only. Serial ATA ...
User Guide
Page 33
... LED lights up when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in SLEEP or SOFT-OFF mode depending on the BIOS settings.
... LED lights up when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in SLEEP or SOFT-OFF mode depending on the BIOS settings.
User Guide
Page 35
...the Front Panel Select item in the BIOS is set the item to this connector, ensure that supports either High Definition Audio or AC`97 audio standard. The labels on the front panel cables may vary depending on motherboard. Refer to the following instructions to... IDE_LED- Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-25 IDE_LED PWR Ground Reset Ground POWER SW RESET SW 2. the motherboard. Connect the front panel cables to the 3. Install the ASUS Q-Connector to the ASUS Q-Connector. The figure shows the the orientation matches the labels on the Q-Connector is for details. ...
...the Front Panel Select item in the BIOS is set the item to this connector, ensure that supports either High Definition Audio or AC`97 audio standard. The labels on the front panel cables may vary depending on motherboard. Refer to the following instructions to... IDE_LED- Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-25 IDE_LED PWR Ground Reset Ground POWER SW RESET SW 2. the motherboard. Connect the front panel cables to the 3. Install the ASUS Q-Connector to the ASUS Q-Connector. The figure shows the the orientation matches the labels on the Q-Connector is for details. ...
User Guide
Page 37
... > Computer. Select the Create an MS-DOS startup disk check box. Chapter 2 BIOS setup 2.1 2.1.1 Managing and updating your system environment. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities. DOS environment a. Right-click Floppy Disk Drive then click Format... to the bootable floppy disk. Copy the original or the latest motherboard BIOS file to display the Format 3 1/2 Floppy...
... > Computer. Select the Create an MS-DOS startup disk check box. Chapter 2 BIOS setup 2.1 2.1.1 Managing and updating your system environment. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities. DOS environment a. Right-click Floppy Disk Drive then click Format... to the bootable floppy disk. Copy the original or the latest motherboard BIOS file to display the Format 3 1/2 Floppy...
User Guide
Page 38
...is available in the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package. Updating from the Open window, and then click Open. 3. The Drivers menu appears. 2. Follow the onscreen instructions to launch the ASUS Update utility. 2. Follow the onscreen instructions to avail all... process. 2-2 ASUS M4N78 PRO From the FTP site, select the BIOS version that you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in the optical drive. 2.1.2 ASUS Update utility The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you update the BIOS using this utility. Installing ASUS Update To install ASUS Update: 1....
...is available in the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package. Updating from the Open window, and then click Open. 3. The Drivers menu appears. 2. Follow the onscreen instructions to launch the ASUS Update utility. 2. Follow the onscreen instructions to avail all... process. 2-2 ASUS M4N78 PRO From the FTP site, select the BIOS version that you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in the optical drive. 2.1.2 ASUS Update utility The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you update the BIOS using this utility. Installing ASUS Update To install ASUS Update: 1....
User Guide
Page 39
...a. Go to the Tools menu to select EZ Flash 2 and press to display the following: ASUSTek EZ Flash 2 BIOS ROM Utility V3.34 FLASH TYPE: MXIC 25L8005 Current ROM BOARD: M4N78 PRO VER: 0203 DATE: 12/12/2008 Update ROM BOARD: Unknown VER: Unknown DATE: Unknown PATH: A:\ A: Note ...correct BIOS file is found . 4. 2.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to prevent system boot failure! Download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com. When the correct BIOS file is found , EZ Flash 2 performs the BIOS update...
...a. Go to the Tools menu to select EZ Flash 2 and press to display the following: ASUSTek EZ Flash 2 BIOS ROM Utility V3.34 FLASH TYPE: MXIC 25L8005 Current ROM BOARD: M4N78 PRO VER: 0203 DATE: 12/12/2008 Update ROM BOARD: Unknown VER: Unknown DATE: Unknown PATH: A:\ A: Note ...correct BIOS file is found . 4. 2.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to prevent system boot failure! Download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com. When the correct BIOS file is found , EZ Flash 2 performs the BIOS update...
User Guide
Page 40
... that the floppy disk is completed. At the DOS prompt, key in afudos /i[filename] where [filename] is the BIOS file in the exact BIOS filename at www.asus.com. • We recommend that you prepare two floppy disks: the bootable floppy disk and the floppy disk containing ...the AFUDOS utility and the latest BIOS file. • Ensure that contains the AFUDOS utility and the latest BIOS file. • Obtain the AFUDOS utility (afudos.exe) from the bundled support DVD and the latest BIOS file from the hard disk drive. 2-4 ASUS M4N78 PRO
... that the floppy disk is completed. At the DOS prompt, key in afudos /i[filename] where [filename] is the BIOS file in the exact BIOS filename at www.asus.com. • We recommend that you prepare two floppy disks: the bootable floppy disk and the floppy disk containing ...the AFUDOS utility and the latest BIOS file. • Ensure that contains the AFUDOS utility and the latest BIOS file. • Obtain the AFUDOS utility (afudos.exe) from the bundled support DVD and the latest BIOS file from the hard disk drive. 2-4 ASUS M4N78 PRO
User Guide
Page 41
... it to a floppy disk. Doing so can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a floppy disk that contains the BIOS file. Turn off the system after the utility completes the updating process and power on again. 5. 2.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility is an auto recovery tool that allows you want...
... it to a floppy disk. Doing so can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a floppy disk that contains the BIOS file. Turn off the system after the utility completes the updating process and power on again. 5. 2.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility is an auto recovery tool that allows you want...
User Guide
Page 42
... on the system chassis. • Press the power button to download the latest BIOS file for this motherboard. 2-6 ASUS M4N78 PRO If the system becomes unstable after POST, reboot the system by doing any BIOS settings, load the default settings to "Run Setup". Select the Load Setups Default item...described in section 2.1 Managing and updating your selections from the available options using the navigation keys. • The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions to force reset from the operating system. Even if you see on your data or system. Using...
... on the system chassis. • Press the power button to download the latest BIOS file for this motherboard. 2-6 ASUS M4N78 PRO If the system becomes unstable after POST, reboot the system by doing any BIOS settings, load the default settings to "Run Setup". Select the Load Setups Default item...described in section 2.1 Managing and updating your selections from the available options using the navigation keys. • The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions to force reset from the operating system. Even if you see on your data or system. Using...
User Guide
Page 43
... Tab Select Field F1 General Help F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2009, American Megatrends, Inc. Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-7 Submenu items Navigation keys 2.2.2 Menu bar The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items: Main For...right or left arrow key on your screen. • Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS information. 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen Menu items Menu bar Configuration fields General help BIOS SETUP UTILITY Main Ai Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit System Time ...
... Tab Select Field F1 General Help F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2009, American Megatrends, Inc. Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2-7 Submenu items Navigation keys 2.2.2 Menu bar The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items: Main For...right or left arrow key on your screen. • Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS information. 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen Menu items Menu bar Configuration fields General help BIOS SETUP UTILITY Main Ai Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit System Time ...