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A8S-X
User Guide
Motherboard
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Checklist E2123 First Edition July 2005 Copyright © 2005ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved. 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. (“ASUS”). Product warranty or service will not be extended i
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Contents Notices ........................................................................................... vi Safety information ......................................................................... vii About this guide ............................................................................ viii Conventions used in this guide ........................................... viii Typography.......................................................................... viii A8S-X specifications s
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Safeguards Contents Chapter 2: BIOS Information 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS .................................... 2-2 2.1.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk ............................. 2-2 2.1.2 Using AFUDOS to update the BIOS ...................... 2-3 2.1.3 Using AFUDOS to copy BIOS from PC ................. 2-4 2.1.4 Using ASUS EZ Flash to update the BIOS ............ 2-5 2.1.5 Recovering the BIOS with CrashFree BIOS 2 ....... 2-6 2.2 BIOS Setup program ..............................
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Contents 2.5.4 ACPI APIC Support .............................................. 2-23 2.5.5 APM Configuration ............................................... 2-24 2.5.6 Hardware Monitor ................................................ 2-25 2.6 Boot menu ........................................................................ 2-26 2.6.1 Boot Device Priority ............................................. 2-26 2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration ................................. 2-27 2.6.3 Security ...
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Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation. The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modifications to this unit not ex
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Safety information Electrical safety • To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system. • When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device. • Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure that all power cabl
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About this guide Conventions used in this guide To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task. CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to complete a task. IMPORTANT: Information that you MUST follow to complete a task. NOTE: Tips and additional information to aid in completing a task. Typography Bold text Indicates
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A8S-X specifications summary CPU Socket 939 for AMD Athlon™ 64 X2/AMD Athlon™ FX/ AMD Athlon™ 64/AMD Sempron™ processors Supports AMD 64 architecture that enables simultaneous 32-bit and 64-bit architecture Chipset NorthBridge: SiS 756 SouthBridge: SiS 965L System Bus 2000/1600 MT/s Memory Dual-channel memory architecture 4 x 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets for up to 4GB non-ECC PC3200/PC2700/PC2100 DDR DIMMs Expansion slots 1 x PCI Express x16 slot 2 x PCI Express x1 slot 3 x PCI slots Storage South B
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A8S-X specifications summary Internal I/O 2 x USB 2.0 connector for 4 additional USB ports CPU/chassis/power fan connectors 24-pin/4-pin ATX 12V power connectors CD/AUX connectors Chassis intrusion connector GAME/MIDI connector Front panel audio connector 4Mb Flash ROM BIOS features AMI BIOS with enhanced ACPI, PnP, DMI, ASUS MyLogo™, SM BIOS 2.3 Industry standard PCI 2.2, USB 2.0/1.1 Manageability WfM 2.0, DMI, WOL by PME, WOR by PME, Chassis intrusion, SM BIOS 2.3 Power Requirement ATX power s
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Chapter 1 This chapter describes the features of the motherboard. It includes brief descriptions of the motherboard components, and illustrations of the layout, jumper settings, and connectors. Product introduction
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1.1 Welcome! ® Thank you for buying the ASUS A8S-X motherboard! The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies making it another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards! The motherboard combines the powers of the AMD Athlon™ 64 X2, AMD Athlon™ 64 FX, AMD Athlon™ 64 or AMD Sempron™ processor and the SiS 756 chipset to set a new benchmark for an effective desktop platform solution. Supporting up to 4GB of system memory with PC3200/PC2700/PC2100 DDR DIMMs, hi
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1.3 Special features 1.3.1 Product Highlights AMD Dual-Core Architecture The motherboard supports AMD dual-core processors containing two physical CPU cores with discrete L2 cache structure for each core to meet demands for more powerful computing. See page 1-8. Latest processor technology The AMD Athlon™ 64FX and Athlon™ 64 desktop processors are based on AMD’s 64-bit and 32-bit architecture, which represents the landmark introduction of the industry’s first x86-64 technology. These processors
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PCI Express™ interface The motherboard fully supports PCI Express, the latest I/O interconnect technology that speeds up the PCI bus. PCI Express features point-to-point serial interconnections between devices and allows higher clockspeeds by carrying data in packets. This high speed interface is software compatible with existing PCI specifications. See page 1-13 for details. USB 2.0 technology The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus 2.0 (USB 2.0) specification, extending the conne
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1.4 Before you proceed Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. 1. Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. 2. Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or to a metal object, such as the power supply case, before handling components to avoid damaging them due to static electricity. 3. Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them. 4. Whenever you uninst
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1.5 Motherboard overview 1.5.1 Motherboard layout 18.3cm (8.6in) PWR_FAN CPU_FAN PS/2KBMS T: Mouse B: Keyboard SPDIF_O ATX12V COM1 USB12 USBPW12 USBPW34 Bottom: Top: USB3 RJ-45 USB4 Top:Line In SiS Center:Line Out CD 756 Below:Mic In AUX AAFP CHA_FAN AD1986A PCIEX16 PCIEX1_1 PCIEX1_2 SiS Intel A8S-X 965L 82540EM R PCI1 SATA2 SATA1 PCI2 4Mbit BIOS USB56 USB78 CR2032 3V Lithium Cell ITE CMOS Power IT8712FA PCI3 CLRTC USBPW78 USBPW56 FLOPPY GAME PANEL 1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction PARALLEL PO
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1.5.2 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, make sure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as indicated in the image below. 1.5.3 Screw holes Place six (6) screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis. Do not overtighten the screws! Doing so may damage the motherboard. Place this side towards the rear of the chassis A8S-X ® ASUS A8S-X 1-7
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1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 1.6.1 Overview The motherboard comes with a surface mount 939-pin Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket designed for the AMD Athlon™ 64 X2, AMD Athlon™ 64 FX and AMD Athlon™ 64 processors. The 128-bit-wide data paths of these processors can run applications faster than processors with only 32-bit or 64-bit wide data paths. A8S-X ® A8S-X CPU Socket 939 Incorrect installation of the CPU into the socket may bend the pins and severely damage the CPU! 1-8 Chapter 1: Prod
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1.6.2 Installing the CPU Follow these steps to install a CPU. 1. Locate the 939-pin ZIF socket on the motherboard. 2. Unlock the socket by pressing the lever sideways, then lift it up to a 90°-100° angle. Socket Lever Socket Lever Socket Lever Socket Lever Socket Lever Make sure that the socket lever is lifted up to 90°-100° angle, otherwise the CPU does not fit in completely. 3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with a
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1.7 System memory 1.7.1 DIMM sockets location The following figure illustrates the location of the DDR DIMM sockets. A8S-X ® A8S-X 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets • Make sure to unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other system components. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to both the motherboard and the components. • We recommend to install the memory modules first before installing a PCI Express x16 card. 1.7.2 Memory configurations You may install 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512
