Motherboard Installation Guide
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Contents Notices...vii Safety information viii About this guide ix M2N-Plus SLI Vista Editionspecifications summary xi 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 AI Lifestyle features 1-4 1.3.3 ASUS Special features 1-5 1.3.4 ASUS features and the supporting OS 1-6 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...
Contents Notices...vii Safety information viii About this guide ix M2N-Plus SLI Vista Editionspecifications summary xi 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 AI Lifestyle features 1-4 1.3.3 ASUS Special features 1-5 1.3.4 ASUS features and the supporting OS 1-6 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...
Motherboard Installation Guide
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...Using the dual function power switch 3-2 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS 4-1 4.1.1 ASUS Update utility 4-1 4.1.2 Creating a bootable floppy disk 4-4 4.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility 4-5 4.1.4 Updating the BIOS 4-6 4.1.5 Saving the current BIOS file 4-8 4.1.6 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility 4-9 4.2 BIOS setup program 4-10 4.2.1 BIOS menu screen 4-11 4.2.2 Menu bar...A [1.44M, 3.5 in 4-14 4.3.4 Primary/Secondary IDE Master/Slave 4-15 4.3.5 SATA1~4 4-17 4.3.6 HDD SMART Monitoring [Disabled 4-18 4.3.7 Installed Memory [xxx MB 4-18 4.3.8 Usable Memory [XXX MB 18 iv
...Using the dual function power switch 3-2 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS 4-1 4.1.1 ASUS Update utility 4-1 4.1.2 Creating a bootable floppy disk 4-4 4.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility 4-5 4.1.4 Updating the BIOS 4-6 4.1.5 Saving the current BIOS file 4-8 4.1.6 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility 4-9 4.2 BIOS setup program 4-10 4.2.1 BIOS menu screen 4-11 4.2.2 Menu bar...A [1.44M, 3.5 in 4-14 4.3.4 Primary/Secondary IDE Master/Slave 4-15 4.3.5 SATA1~4 4-17 4.3.6 HDD SMART Monitoring [Disabled 4-18 4.3.7 Installed Memory [xxx MB 4-18 4.3.8 Usable Memory [XXX MB 18 iv
Motherboard Installation Guide
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... interface VIA 1394 controller supports 2 x 1394a ports Supports up to 8 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (four at x8 mode ASUS two-slot thermal design NVIDIA® nForce® 500 SLI™ MCP supports: - 2 x IDE connectors for AMD Athlon™ 64 FX / AMD Athlon™ 64...Media Superior Quality Audio 7.1 channel CODEC (Vista-ready) - Supports up to 8 GB system memory 2 x PCI Express™ x16 slots with external Attansic PHY - M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition specifications summary CPU Chipset System bus Memory Expansion slots Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) Storage LAN Audio IEEE 1394a USB ...
... interface VIA 1394 controller supports 2 x 1394a ports Supports up to 8 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (four at x8 mode ASUS two-slot thermal design NVIDIA® nForce® 500 SLI™ MCP supports: - 2 x IDE connectors for AMD Athlon™ 64 FX / AMD Athlon™ 64...Media Superior Quality Audio 7.1 channel CODEC (Vista-ready) - Supports up to 8 GB system memory 2 x PCI Express™ x16 slots with external Attansic PHY - M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition specifications summary CPU Chipset System bus Memory Expansion slots Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) Storage LAN Audio IEEE 1394a USB ...
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... features 1.3.1 Product highlights Latest processor technology The motherboard comes with peak bandwidths of up to automatically increase the bus speed and NVIDIA® SLI™ technology for your system memory to boost system performance, eliminating bottlenecks with a 940-pin AM2 socket that dynamically and automatically changes the CPU speed, voltage and amount...
... features 1.3.1 Product highlights Latest processor technology The motherboard comes with peak bandwidths of up to automatically increase the bus speed and NVIDIA® SLI™ technology for your system memory to boost system performance, eliminating bottlenecks with a 940-pin AM2 socket that dynamically and automatically changes the CPU speed, voltage and amount...
Motherboard Installation Guide
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Chapter summary 2 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 2-17 2.6 Jumper 2-20 2.7 Connectors 2-22 ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition
Chapter summary 2 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 2-17 2.6 Jumper 2-20 2.7 Connectors 2-22 ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition
Motherboard Installation Guide
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... DIMM sockets: M2N-PLUS SLI ® DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 DIMM_A2 DIMM_B2 M2N-PLUS SLI 240-pin DDR2 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, 1 GB, and 2GB unbuffered ECC/non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. Populated - Populated ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-11 Recommended Memory Configurations Mode Single...
... DIMM sockets: M2N-PLUS SLI ® DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 DIMM_A2 DIMM_B2 M2N-PLUS SLI 240-pin DDR2 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, 1 GB, and 2GB unbuffered ECC/non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. Populated - Populated ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-11 Recommended Memory Configurations Mode Single...
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... to work under Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows® Vista x64 Edition operating systems. You may reserve a certain amount of manipulating this excess memory space. Click the article titled "4GB memory installed but it may install a maximum of this issue: http://dlsvr01.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/4GB_Rev1.pdf http://www.intel.com/support...
... to work under Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows® Vista x64 Edition operating systems. You may reserve a certain amount of manipulating this excess memory space. Click the article titled "4GB memory installed but it may install a maximum of this issue: http://dlsvr01.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/4GB_Rev1.pdf http://www.intel.com/support...
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...• • • • • • • • • • • • • A*: Supports one module inserted in any slot as Single-channel memory configuration. • B*: Supports one pair of modules inserted into either the yellow slots or the black slots as one pair of Dual-channel.... • C*: Supports 4 modules inserted into both the yellow and black slots as two pairs of Dual-channel memory configuration. Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2-800/667/533 MHz QVL. 2-16 Chapter 2: Hardware information DDR2-533 MHz capability Size 256MB 512MB...
...• • • • • • • • • • • • • A*: Supports one module inserted in any slot as Single-channel memory configuration. • B*: Supports one pair of modules inserted into either the yellow slots or the black slots as one pair of Dual-channel.... • C*: Supports 4 modules inserted into both the yellow and black slots as two pairs of Dual-channel memory configuration. Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2-800/667/533 MHz QVL. 2-16 Chapter 2: Hardware information DDR2-533 MHz capability Size 256MB 512MB...
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...overclocking, use the C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) feature. Reinstall the battery. 5. Hold down and reboot the system so the BIOS 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...the system hangs due to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS, which include system setup information such as system passwords. M2N-PLUS SLI ® M2N-PLUS SLI Clear RTC RAM CLRTC 12 23 Normal (Default) Clear RTC • Make sure to re-enter your previous BIOS settings after you ...
...overclocking, use the C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) feature. Reinstall the battery. 5. Hold down and reboot the system so the BIOS 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...the system hangs due to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS, which include system setup information such as system passwords. M2N-PLUS SLI ® M2N-PLUS SLI Clear RTC RAM CLRTC 12 23 Normal (Default) Clear RTC • Make sure to re-enter your previous BIOS settings after you ...
Motherboard Installation Guide
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... Programming Flash Memory - Type the BIOS file name in the floppy disk, CD (C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. PMC Pm49FL004T LPC/FWH File Name to Continue Write OK F1 Reset No Update Write Fail ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4- Do not turn off or reset the system during the flashing process! 9. All Rights Reserved For NF590-SLI-M2N-PLUS SLI DATE:03...
... Programming Flash Memory - Type the BIOS file name in the floppy disk, CD (C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. PMC Pm49FL004T LPC/FWH File Name to Continue Write OK F1 Reset No Update Write Fail ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4- Do not turn off or reset the system during the flashing process! 9. All Rights Reserved For NF590-SLI-M2N-PLUS SLI DATE:03...
Motherboard Installation Guide
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... 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. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4-11 Installed Memory Usable Memory 512MB 511MB F1:Help ESC: Exit ↑↓ : Select Item →←: Select Menu -/+: Change Value Enter: Select SubMenu...
... 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. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4-11 Installed Memory Usable Memory 512MB 511MB F1:Help ESC: Exit ↑↓ : Select Item →←: Select Menu -/+: Change Value Enter: Select SubMenu...
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... a pop-up menu 4.2.8 General help At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of diskette drive A. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4-13 Installed Memory ↑↓ :Move ENTER:5A1c2cMeBpt ESC:Abort Usable Memory 511MB F1:Help ESC: Exit ↑↓ : Select Item →←: Select Menu -/+: Change Value Enter: Select SubMenu F5: Setup...
... a pop-up menu 4.2.8 General help At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of diskette drive A. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4-13 Installed Memory ↑↓ :Move ENTER:5A1c2cMeBpt ESC:Abort Usable Memory 511MB F1:Help ESC: Exit ↑↓ : Select Item →←: Select Menu -/+: Change Value Enter: Select SubMenu F5: Setup...
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... menu screen appears, giving you to set the system time. 4.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] Allows you an overview of floppy drive installed. Installed Memory Usable Memory 512MB 511MB F1:Help ESC: Exit ↑↓ : Select Item →←: Select Menu -/+: Change Value Enter: Select SubMenu F5: Setup Defaults F10: Save...
... menu screen appears, giving you to set the system time. 4.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] Allows you an overview of floppy drive installed. Installed Memory Usable Memory 512MB 511MB F1:Help ESC: Exit ↑↓ : Select Item →←: Select Menu -/+: Change Value Enter: Select SubMenu F5: Setup Defaults F10: Save...
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... or disable the HDD Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 4.3.7 Installed Memory [xxx MB] Shows the size of installed memory. 4.3.8 Usable Memory [XXX MB] Shows the size of usable memory. 4-18 Chapter 4: BIOS setup After entering the IDE hard disk drive information into BIOS, use a disk utility, such...
... or disable the HDD Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 4.3.7 Installed Memory [xxx MB] Shows the size of installed memory. 4.3.8 Usable Memory [XXX MB] Shows the size of usable memory. 4-18 Chapter 4: BIOS setup After entering the IDE hard disk drive information into BIOS, use a disk utility, such...
Motherboard Installation Guide
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... Transport Frequency AMD Live! Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR2 400] [DDR2 533] [DDR2 667] [DDR2 800] ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4-21 Advanced Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility DRAM Configuration Memory Clock Frequency DRAM Timing Control Tcl Trcd Trp Tras Trc Twr Trrd Trwt Twtr Trtp Twrrd Twrwr Trdrd Trfc 1T/2T... Memory Timing F1:Help ESC: Exit ↑↓ : Select Item →←: Select Menu [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto]...
... Transport Frequency AMD Live! Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR2 400] [DDR2 533] [DDR2 667] [DDR2 800] ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4-21 Advanced Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility DRAM Configuration Memory Clock Frequency DRAM Timing Control Tcl Trcd Trp Tras Trc Twr Trrd Trwt Twtr Trtp Twrrd Twrwr Trdrd Trfc 1T/2T... Memory Timing F1:Help ESC: Exit ↑↓ : Select Item →←: Select Menu [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto] [Auto]...
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...: [Auto] [1] [2] [3] Trdrd [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2] [3] [4] [5] Trfc [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] 1T/2T Memory Timing [Auto] Sets the memory timing. Configuration options: [Auto] [1T] [2T] Hyper Transport Frequency [Auto] Configuration options: [1x] [2x] [3x] [4x] [5x] [Auto] AMD Live! [Disabled] Enables or disables the AMD Live! technology. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4-23
...: [Auto] [1] [2] [3] Trdrd [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2] [3] [4] [5] Trfc [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] 1T/2T Memory Timing [Auto] Sets the memory timing. Configuration options: [Auto] [1T] [2T] Hyper Transport Frequency [Auto] Configuration options: [1x] [2x] [3x] [4x] [5x] [Auto] AMD Live! [Disabled] Enables or disables the AMD Live! technology. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4-23
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... Windows Management Instrumentation window Opens the hard disk drive, memory, CPU usage window Shows/Hides the Preference section Minimizes the application Closes the application Sensor alert When a system sensor detects a problem, the main window right handle turns red, as the illustrations below show. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 5-17 When displayed, the monitor panel for details...
... Windows Management Instrumentation window Opens the hard disk drive, memory, CPU usage window Shows/Hides the Preference section Minimizes the application Closes the application Sensor alert When a system sensor detects a problem, the main window right handle turns red, as the illustrations below show. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 5-17 When displayed, the monitor panel for details...
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... of the window represents the used and available hard disk drive space. Usage The Usage browser displays real-time information on your system. Click the plus sign (+) before the PCI Information item to display the Usage browser. Click a hard disk drive to display the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) browser. PCI browser... to display the information on the right panel. This browser provides information on the PCI devices installed on the CPU, hard disk drive space, and memory usage.
... of the window represents the used and available hard disk drive space. Usage The Usage browser displays real-time information on your system. Click the plus sign (+) before the PCI Information item to display the Usage browser. Click a hard disk drive to display the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) browser. PCI browser... to display the information on the right panel. This browser provides information on the PCI devices installed on the CPU, hard disk drive space, and memory usage.
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... shows both used (blue) and the available physical memory. The Config window has two tabs: Sensor/Threshold and Preference. The Preference tab allows you to activate the sensors or to adjust the sensor threshold ... enables you to view and adjust the sensor threshold values. The pie chart at the bottom of the window represents the used and available physical memory. Loads the default threshold values for each sensor Applies your changes Cancels or ignores your changes Loads your saved configuration Saves your configuration ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 5-21
... shows both used (blue) and the available physical memory. The Config window has two tabs: Sensor/Threshold and Preference. The Preference tab allows you to activate the sensors or to adjust the sensor threshold ... enables you to view and adjust the sensor threshold values. The pie chart at the bottom of the window represents the used and available physical memory. Loads the default threshold values for each sensor Applies your changes Cancels or ignores your changes Loads your saved configuration Saves your configuration ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 5-21