User manual ASUS A7N8X

[. . . ] A7N8X User Guide Motherboard E1859 Checklist Revised V4 January 2005 Copyright © 2005 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. 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. ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. [. . . ] Pressing the power switch turns the system between ON and SLEEP, or ON and SOFT OFF, depending on the BIOS or OS settings. Pressing the power switch while in the ON mode for more than 4 seconds turns the system OFF. ASUS A7N8X Motherboard Reset Ground 1-19 1-20 Chapter 1: Motherboard Information Chapter 2 ASUS A7N8X Motherboard BIOS Information 2-1 This chapter gives information about the ASUS A7N8X Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). This chapter includes updating the BIOS using the ASUS AFLASH BIOS that is bundled with the support CD. 2. 1 Managing and updating your BIOS 2. 1. 1 Using the computer system for the first time It is recommended that you save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS along with a Flash Memory Writer utility (AWDFLASH. EXE) to a bootable floppy disk in case you need to reinstall the BIOS later. AWDFLASH. EXE is a Flash Memory Writer utility that updates the BIOS by uploading a new BIOS file to the programmable flash ROM on the motherboard. To determine the BIOS version of your motherboard, check the last four numbers of the code displayed on the upper left-hand corner of your screen during bootup. Type COPY D:\SOFTWARE\AWDFLASH\AWDFLASH. EXE A:\ (assuming D is your CD-ROM drive) to copy AWDFLASH. EXE to the boot disk you created. AWDFLASH works only in DOS mode. It does not work in the DOS prompt within Windows, and does not work with certain memory drivers that may be loaded when you boot from the hard drive. It is recommended that you reboot using a floppy disk in order to open DOS mode. 3. Reboot the computer from the floppy disk. Therefore, copy the AWDFLASH. EXE program and the NEW BIOS file to the root directory on the hard disk drive; for example: type, "COPY A:\AWDFLASH. EXE C:\" and "COPY A:\BIOSNAME. BIN C:\. · This motherboard uses the A7N8X BIOS file for 2Mb flash ROM. Another series model A7N8X Deluxe uses the BIOS file for a 4Mb flash ROM. PCB 2. 0 BIOS version or later are not compatible with PCB 1. 06 or earlier BIOS versions. · The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) version is located beside the motherboard name printed on the motherboard. If you encounter problems while updating the new BIOS, DO NOT turn off the system because this may cause boot problems. Just repeat the process, and if the problem persists, load the original BIOS file you saved to the boot disk, or try to clear the CMOS memory (see section 1. 7, Jumpers). If the Flash Memory Writer utility is not able to successfully update a complete BIOS file, the system may not boot. If this happens, call the ASUS service center for support. 2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup 2. 1. 2 Updating BIOS procedures Update the BIOS only if you have problems with the motherboard and you are sure that the new BIOS revision will solve your problems. Careless updating may create more problems ! The Binary Input/Output System (BIOS) can be updated using the built-in Flash Memory Writer utility or using a bootable floppy disk with the executable Flash Memory Writer Utility (AWDFLASH. EXE). The following sub-sections explain the steps in flashing your BIOS. 2. 1. 2. 1 Updating BIOS via Built-in AwardBIOS Flash Utility 1. Download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website (see ASUS contact info on Page viii). Save the copy to a floppy disk. Write down the BIOS file name on a piece of paper. You need to type the exact BIOS file name at the Award BIOS Flash Utility. 2. To use AwardBIOS Flash Utility, press <Alt> + <F2> during POST to display the following screen. The BIOS information in the above screen is for reference only. what you see on your screen may not be exactly the same as shown. 4. Insert the disk that contains the new BIOS file into the floppy drive. Device not ready!" if you proceed to step 5 without the disk in the drive. 5. [. . . ] When this field is set to [Enabled], set the appropriate Fan Speed Ratio and Speed Up/Down Response Time. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Fan Speed Ratio [10/15] This item allows you to select the appropriate fan speed ratio for the system. Select a higher ratio if you installed additional devices and the system requires more ventilation. This item is required to be set when the Q-Fan Control field is [Enabled]. [. . . ]