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...ATX power connection 2-12 2.1.7 SATA device connection 2-14 2.1.8 Front I/O connector 2-15 2.1.9 Expansion card installation 2-16 2.1.10 DIMM.2 installation 2-21 2.1.11 Wi-Fi moving antenna installation 2-23 2.2 BIOS update utility 2-24 2.3 Motherboard rear and audio connections 2-26 2.3.1 Rear I/O connection 2-26 2.3.2 Audio I/O connections 2-27 2.4 Starting up for the first time 2-30 2.5 Turning off the computer 2-30 Chapter 3: BIOS and RAID Support 3.1 Knowing BIOS 3-1 3.2 BIOS setup program 3-2 3.3 ASUS EZ Flash 3 3-3 3.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 3-4 3.5 RAID...
...ATX power connection 2-12 2.1.7 SATA device connection 2-14 2.1.8 Front I/O connector 2-15 2.1.9 Expansion card installation 2-16 2.1.10 DIMM.2 installation 2-21 2.1.11 Wi-Fi moving antenna installation 2-23 2.2 BIOS update utility 2-24 2.3 Motherboard rear and audio connections 2-26 2.3.1 Rear I/O connection 2-26 2.3.2 Audio I/O connections 2-27 2.4 Starting up for the first time 2-30 2.5 Turning off the computer 2-30 Chapter 3: BIOS and RAID Support 3.1 Knowing BIOS 3-1 3.2 BIOS setup program 3-2 3.3 ASUS EZ Flash 3 3-3 3.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 3-4 3.5 RAID...
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... M.2 slots. *** RAID configuration and boot drives are not supported on the SATA6G_ E1-2 ports. (continued on PCH-attached PCIe slot. ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX specifications summary CPU Chipset Memory Expansion Slots Storage Intel® Socket LGA1700 for 12th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors* Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0** * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list. ** Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 support depends on the CPU types and DRAM...
... M.2 slots. *** RAID configuration and boot drives are not supported on the SATA6G_ E1-2 ports. (continued on PCH-attached PCIe slot. ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX specifications summary CPU Chipset Memory Expansion Slots Storage Intel® Socket LGA1700 for 12th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors* Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0** * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list. ** Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 support depends on the CPU types and DRAM...
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... 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (4 x Type-A) Front USB (Total 9 ports) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connector (supports USB Type-C®) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers support additional 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports 2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080 - Premium audio capacitors - Rear optical S/PDIF out port - ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX specifications summary Ethernet Wireless & Bluetooth USB Audio Back Panel I/O Ports 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet ASUS LANGuard Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) Supports 2.4/5/6GHz frequency...
... 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (4 x Type-A) Front USB (Total 9 ports) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connector (supports USB Type-C®) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers support additional 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports 2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080 - Premium audio capacitors - Rear optical S/PDIF out port - ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX specifications summary Ethernet Wireless & Bluetooth USB Audio Back Panel I/O Ports 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet ASUS LANGuard Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) Supports 2.4/5/6GHz frequency...
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ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX specifications summary Internal I/O connectors Fan and Cooling related 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 3 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 2 x 4-pin Full Speed Fan headers 1 x W_PUMP+ header 1 x 2-pin Water In header 1 x 2-pin Water Out header 1 x 3-pin Water Flow header Power related 1 x 24-pin Main Power connector 2 x 8-pin +12V Power connectors 1 x 6-pin PCIe Graphics Card connector Storage related 2 x M.2 slots (Key M) 1 x DIMM.2 slot supports 2 x M.2 slots (Key M) 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports USB 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connector (...
ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX specifications summary Internal I/O connectors Fan and Cooling related 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 3 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 2 x 4-pin Full Speed Fan headers 1 x W_PUMP+ header 1 x 2-pin Water In header 1 x 2-pin Water Out header 1 x 3-pin Water Flow header Power related 1 x 24-pin Main Power connector 2 x 8-pin +12V Power connectors 1 x 6-pin PCIe Graphics Card connector Storage related 2 x M.2 slots (Key M) 1 x DIMM.2 slot supports 2 x M.2 slots (Key M) 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports USB 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connector (...
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... latest compatibility list. (continued on the next page) x ReTry button - Q-Code - VRM heatsink design ASUS EZ DIY - CPU Socket lever protector - Output: 5/9/15/20V max. 3A, PPS:3.3-21V max. 3A - Compatible with Quick Charge 4+ Support - Probelt - Addressable Gen 2 header(s) Dual BIOS Front Panel USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 with QC 4.0/3.0/2.0, PD3.0 and PPS * To support 60W, please install the power cable to 60W charging* - ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX specifications summary Special Features Extreme OC Kit - LN2 Mode - Safe boot button - Start button - Slow Mode Extreme...
... latest compatibility list. (continued on the next page) x ReTry button - Q-Code - VRM heatsink design ASUS EZ DIY - CPU Socket lever protector - Output: 5/9/15/20V max. 3A, PPS:3.3-21V max. 3A - Compatible with Quick Charge 4+ Support - Probelt - Addressable Gen 2 header(s) Dual BIOS Front Panel USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 with QC 4.0/3.0/2.0, PD3.0 and PPS * To support 60W, please install the power cable to 60W charging* - ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX specifications summary Special Features Extreme OC Kit - LN2 Mode - Safe boot button - Start button - Slow Mode Extreme...
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... Overclocking Guide ASUS EZ DIY - ASUS EZ Flash 3 - GameFirst VI - Sonic Studio III + Sonic Studio Virtual Mixer + Sonic Suite Companion - ROG CPU-Z - AURA Creator - AURA Sync - ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode MemTest86 2 x 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS WOL by PME, PXE Windows® 11 64-bit Windows® 10 64-bit ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm ) xi Sonic Radar III - Fan Xpert 4 - DTS® Sound Unbound - ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX specifications summary Software...
... Overclocking Guide ASUS EZ DIY - ASUS EZ Flash 3 - GameFirst VI - Sonic Studio III + Sonic Studio Virtual Mixer + Sonic Suite Companion - ROG CPU-Z - AURA Creator - AURA Sync - ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode MemTest86 2 x 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS WOL by PME, PXE Windows® 11 64-bit Windows® 10 64-bit ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm ) xi Sonic Radar III - Fan Xpert 4 - DTS® Sound Unbound - ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX specifications summary Software...
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...1 x ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX motherboard 1 x ARGB RGB extension cable 1 x RGB extension cable 6 x SATA 6Gb/s cables 1 x 3-in-1 Thermistor cables pack 1 x ROG DIMM.2 with heatsink 1 x M.2 pad for ROG DIMM.2 2 x M.2 screw package for ROG DIMM.2 1 x PCIe 5.0 M.2 Card 1 x M.2 screw package for PCIe 5.0 M.2 Card 1 x ROG True Voltician 4 x Cables for ROG True Voltician 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi moving antennas 1 x Q-connector 2 x M.2 Q-Latch packages for M.2 backplate 1 x ROG Graphics card holder 1 x ROG key chain 1 x ROG stickers 1 x ROG thank you card 1 x USB drive with utilities and drivers 1 x User guide If...
...1 x ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX motherboard 1 x ARGB RGB extension cable 1 x RGB extension cable 6 x SATA 6Gb/s cables 1 x 3-in-1 Thermistor cables pack 1 x ROG DIMM.2 with heatsink 1 x M.2 pad for ROG DIMM.2 2 x M.2 screw package for ROG DIMM.2 1 x PCIe 5.0 M.2 Card 1 x M.2 screw package for PCIe 5.0 M.2 Card 1 x ROG True Voltician 4 x Cables for ROG True Voltician 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi moving antennas 1 x Q-connector 2 x M.2 Q-Latch packages for M.2 backplate 1 x ROG Graphics card holder 1 x ROG key chain 1 x ROG stickers 1 x ROG thank you card 1 x USB drive with utilities and drivers 1 x User guide If...
Users Manual English
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... the motherboard components. Chapter 1 • DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the AIO_PUMP header. Header CPU_FAN CPU_OPT CHA_FAN1P CHA_FAN2P CHA_FAN3P FS_FAN1 FS_FAN2 AIO_PUMP W_PUMP+ Max. ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX 1-9 Fan and Pump headers The Fan and Pump headers allow you to connect fans or pumps to the W_PUMP+ header. For water cooling kits, connect the pump connector to cool the system. CHA_FAN1P, CHA_FAN2P, and CHA_FAN3P can support ASUS HYDRANODE fans.
... the motherboard components. Chapter 1 • DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the AIO_PUMP header. Header CPU_FAN CPU_OPT CHA_FAN1P CHA_FAN2P CHA_FAN3P FS_FAN1 FS_FAN2 AIO_PUMP W_PUMP+ Max. ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX 1-9 Fan and Pump headers The Fan and Pump headers allow you to connect fans or pumps to the W_PUMP+ header. For water cooling kits, connect the pump connector to cool the system. CHA_FAN1P, CHA_FAN2P, and CHA_FAN3P can support ASUS HYDRANODE fans.
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.... 1-12 Chapter 1: Product Introduction M.2 slot The M.2 slot allows you to install M.2 devices such as M.2 SSD modules. • Intel® 12th Gen Processors: - M.2_1 supports PCIE 4.0 x4 mode M Key design and type 2242 / 2260 / 2280 storage devices • Intel® Z690 Chipset: - M.2_2 supports PCIE 4.0 x4 and SATA modes M Key design and type 2242 / 2260 / 2280 storage devices. - Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports Intel® Optane Memory H Series on PCH attached M.2 slots. • Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports NVMe RAID 0/1/5, SATA RAID 0/1/5/10.
.... 1-12 Chapter 1: Product Introduction M.2 slot The M.2 slot allows you to install M.2 devices such as M.2 SSD modules. • Intel® 12th Gen Processors: - M.2_1 supports PCIE 4.0 x4 mode M Key design and type 2242 / 2260 / 2280 storage devices • Intel® Z690 Chipset: - M.2_2 supports PCIE 4.0 x4 and SATA modes M Key design and type 2242 / 2260 / 2280 storage devices. - Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports Intel® Optane Memory H Series on PCH attached M.2 slots. • Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports NVMe RAID 0/1/5, SATA RAID 0/1/5/10.
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... motherboard or DIMM.2 card. • The DIMM.2 card is aligned correctly with the DIMM.2 slot before inserting the card. • DIMM.2 module supports PCIe 4.0 x4 M Key design and type 2242 / 2260 / 2280 / 22110 PCIe storage devices. • These sockets support IRST (Intel® Rapid Storage Technology). Ensure that the power supply is switched off or the power cord is purchased separately. ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX 1-13 DIMM.2 slot The DIMM.2 slot allows you install or remove the DIMM.2 card...
... motherboard or DIMM.2 card. • The DIMM.2 card is aligned correctly with the DIMM.2 slot before inserting the card. • DIMM.2 module supports PCIe 4.0 x4 M Key design and type 2242 / 2260 / 2280 / 22110 PCIe storage devices. • These sockets support IRST (Intel® Rapid Storage Technology). Ensure that the power supply is switched off or the power cord is purchased separately. ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX 1-13 DIMM.2 slot The DIMM.2 slot allows you install or remove the DIMM.2 card...
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... 10 configuration with the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology through the onboard Intel® Z690 chipset. • RAID configuration and boot drives are not supported on the SATA6G_E1-2 ports. Before creating a RAID set, refer to the SATA6G_1-4 ports, you can download the RAID Configuration Guide from the ASUS website. 1-14 Chapter 1: Product Introduction SATA 6Gb/s port The SATA 6Gb/s port allows you to connect SATA devices such as optical disc drives and hard disk drives via a SATA cable. • If you installed SATA storage devices to the RAID Configuration Guide...
... 10 configuration with the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology through the onboard Intel® Z690 chipset. • RAID configuration and boot drives are not supported on the SATA6G_E1-2 ports. Before creating a RAID set, refer to the SATA6G_1-4 ports, you can download the RAID Configuration Guide from the ASUS website. 1-14 Chapter 1: Product Introduction SATA 6Gb/s port The SATA 6Gb/s port allows you to connect SATA devices such as optical disc drives and hard disk drives via a SATA cable. • If you installed SATA storage devices to the RAID Configuration Guide...
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... thermal pad (A), secure the cover to the RAID Configuration Guide which you removed earlier (B), then install the PCIe 5.0 M.2 card into the PCIEX16(G5)_2 slot (C). Enter the BIOS Setup during POST to configure your RAID sets, please refer to the PCIe 5.0 M.2 card with the cover screws that you can find at https://www.asus.com/support, or by scanning the QR code. 5. Chapter 2 ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX 2-19 For more information on the PCIEX16...
... thermal pad (A), secure the cover to the RAID Configuration Guide which you removed earlier (B), then install the PCIe 5.0 M.2 card into the PCIEX16(G5)_2 slot (C). Enter the BIOS Setup during POST to configure your RAID sets, please refer to the PCIe 5.0 M.2 card with the cover screws that you can find at https://www.asus.com/support, or by scanning the QR code. 5. Chapter 2 ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX 2-19 For more information on the PCIEX16...
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... three short beeps One continuous beep followed by four short beeps Description VGA detected Quick boot set to the BIOS beep codes table) or additional messages appear on self tests (POST). System power 6. If you do not see anything within 30 seconds from orange to enter the BIOS Setup. After making all switches are running, the BIOS beeps (refer to disabled No keyboard detected No memory detected No VGA detected Hardware component failure 7. Chapter 2 2.4 Starting...
... three short beeps One continuous beep followed by four short beeps Description VGA detected Quick boot set to the BIOS beep codes table) or additional messages appear on self tests (POST). System power 6. If you do not see anything within 30 seconds from orange to enter the BIOS Setup. After making all switches are running, the BIOS beeps (refer to disabled No keyboard detected No memory detected No VGA detected Hardware component failure 7. Chapter 2 2.4 Starting...
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... UEFI BIOS with the same smoothness as storage device configuration, overclocking settings, advanced power management, and boot device configuration that are needed for settings and options. Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX 3-1 The term "BIOS" in the motherboard CMOS. BIOS settings and options may result to instability or boot failure. BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) stores system hardware settings such as your operating system. Inappropriate BIOS settings may vary due to different BIOS release versions. We strongly recommend that you change the default BIOS settings...
... UEFI BIOS with the same smoothness as storage device configuration, overclocking settings, advanced power management, and boot device configuration that are needed for settings and options. Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX 3-1 The term "BIOS" in the motherboard CMOS. BIOS settings and options may result to instability or boot failure. BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) stores system hardware settings such as your operating system. Inappropriate BIOS settings may vary due to different BIOS release versions. We strongly recommend that you change the default BIOS settings...
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... a USB mouse is connected to your motherboard if you want to use the mouse to control the BIOS setup program. • If the system becomes unstable after changing any BIOS setting, try to clear the CMOS and reset the motherboard to turn the system off then back on the system chassis. • Press the power button to the default value. • The BIOS setup program does not support Bluetooth devices. Entering BIOS at startup To enter BIOS Setup...
... a USB mouse is connected to your motherboard if you want to use the mouse to control the BIOS setup program. • If the system becomes unstable after changing any BIOS setting, try to clear the CMOS and reset the motherboard to turn the system off then back on the system chassis. • Press the power button to the default value. • The BIOS setup program does not support Bluetooth devices. Entering BIOS at startup To enter BIOS Setup...
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... keys to find the USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS file to perform the BIOS update process. Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to select ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility and press . 3. Go to the Tool menu to ensure system compatibility and stability. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to prevent system boot failure! 1. Select the Load Optimized Defaults item under the Exit menu or press hotkey . Enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS setup...
... keys to find the USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS file to perform the BIOS update process. Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to select ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility and press . 3. Go to the Tool menu to ensure system compatibility and stability. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to prevent system boot failure! 1. Select the Load Optimized Defaults item under the Exit menu or press hotkey . Enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS setup...
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3.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility is an auto recovery tool that contains the BIOS file. You can cause system boot failure! Rename the BIOS file as ASUS.CAP or MZ690A.CAP and copy the renamed BIOS file to load default BIOS values. The utility automatically checks the devices for this motherboard from whttps://www.asus.com/support/. 2. Chapter 3 3-4 Chapter 3: BIOS Setup Download the latest BIOS version for the BIOS file. Turn on the system. 4. Doing so can restore a corrupted BIOS file using a USB flash drive that...
3.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility is an auto recovery tool that contains the BIOS file. You can cause system boot failure! Rename the BIOS file as ASUS.CAP or MZ690A.CAP and copy the renamed BIOS file to load default BIOS values. The utility automatically checks the devices for this motherboard from whttps://www.asus.com/support/. 2. Chapter 3 3-4 Chapter 3: BIOS Setup Download the latest BIOS version for the BIOS file. Turn on the system. 4. Doing so can restore a corrupted BIOS file using a USB flash drive that...
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... more information on configuring your RAID sets, please refer to a second drive. With the RAID 10 configuration you can find at a sustained data transfer rate, double that supports NVMe RAID 0/1/5 and SATA RAID 0/1/5/10 configurations. If one drive to the RAID Configuration Guide which you get all applications to be of RAID 5 configuration include better HDD performance, fault tolerance, and higher storage capacity. Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX 3-5 The new drive must be calculated...
... more information on configuring your RAID sets, please refer to a second drive. With the RAID 10 configuration you can find at a sustained data transfer rate, double that supports NVMe RAID 0/1/5 and SATA RAID 0/1/5/10 configurations. If one drive to the RAID Configuration Guide which you get all applications to be of RAID 5 configuration include better HDD performance, fault tolerance, and higher storage capacity. Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX 3-5 The new drive must be calculated...
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... started IDE Reset IDE Detect IDE Enable SCSI initialization is started SCSI Reset SCSI Detect SCSI Enable Setup Verifying Password Start of Setup Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) Setup Input Wait Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) Ready To Boot event Legacy Boot event Exit Boot Services event Runtime Set Virtual Address MAP Begin Runtime Set Virtual Address MAP End Legacy Option ROM Initialization System Reset (continued on the next page) Appendix ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX...
... started IDE Reset IDE Detect IDE Enable SCSI initialization is started SCSI Reset SCSI Detect SCSI Enable Setup Verifying Password Start of Setup Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) Setup Input Wait Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) Ready To Boot event Legacy Boot event Exit Boot Services event Runtime Set Virtual Address MAP Begin Runtime Set Virtual Address MAP End Legacy Option ROM Initialization System Reset (continued on the next page) Appendix ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX...
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... Description USB hot plug PCI bus hot plug Clean-up of NVRAM Configuration Reset (reset of NVRAM settings) Reserved for future AMI codes CPU initialization error System Agent initialization error PCH initialization error Some of Resources No Space for Legacy Option ROM No Console Output Devices are found No Console Input Devices are not available PCI resource allocation error. Interrupt controller is in PIC mode. Out of the Architectural Protocols are found Invalid password Error loading Boot Option...
... Description USB hot plug PCI bus hot plug Clean-up of NVRAM Configuration Reset (reset of NVRAM settings) Reserved for future AMI codes CPU initialization error System Agent initialization error PCH initialization error Some of Resources No Space for Legacy Option ROM No Console Output Devices are found No Console Input Devices are not available PCI resource allocation error. Interrupt controller is in PIC mode. Out of the Architectural Protocols are found Invalid password Error loading Boot Option...