Asus A7N8X-LA (Focus) User manual

Motherboard
A7N8X-LA
User Guide
Explorer

2 Hardware information

3
A7N8X-LA/Explorer specifications summary
Exxxx
CPU
Chipset
Front Side Bus (FSB)
Memory
Expansion slots
IDE
Audio
LAN
Special Features
Back Panel I/O Ports
Internal I/O
Connectors
Socket A for AMD Duron™/Athlon™/Barton 2800+
266/333 MHz FSB Support
Northbridge: NVIDIA
®
nForce2 IGP
Southbridge: NVIDIA
®
MCP2-T
333/266Mhz
2 x 184-pin DDR DIMM Sockets
Max. 2 GB unbuffered PC2700/2100 non-ECC DDR RAM
memory.
3 x PCI
1 x AGP 4X/8X (1.5V only)
2 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33
Realtek ALC650 6CH with built-in HP amplifier
1 RJ-45 Port
Support 10/100Mbps with Realtek RTL8201BL PHY
Wake-up-On-Ring, Wake-On-LAN, Wake-On-Keyboard,
Wake-On-Mouse, RTC Timer
Support ACPI STR(S3) function
Restart/Off Setup ofAC Recovery from power failure
1 x Parallel
1 x Serial
1 x PS/2 Keyboard
1 x PS/2 Mouse
1 x VGA port
1 x RJ45 port
1 x Audio I/O
4 x USB 2.0
1 x IEEE 1394
20-pin ATX power connector
1 x CPU fan
1 x Chassis fan
1 x Front MIC-IN header
1 x CD_IN header
1 x TV-OUT header
1 x AUX-IN for front LINE-IN
1 x HP-SPEAKER connector
1 x onboard 1394 header
1 x HPANEL header

4 Hardware information
BIOS features
Industry standard
Manageability
Form Factor
* Specifications are subject to change without notice.
4Mb Flash ROM, Award BIOS, TCAV, PnP, DMI2.0, DMI,
Green
PCI 2.2, USB 1.1/2.0.
DMI 2.0, WOL, WOR, Chassis Intrusion, SM Bus
Micro-ATX form factor: 9.6 in x 9.6 in
A7N8X-LA/Explorer specifications summary

5 ASUS A7N8X-LA/Explorer motherboard user guide
Motherboard layout
24.5cm (9.64in)
IDE1
FLOPPY1
A7N8X-LA/Explorer
MCP2-T
Chipset
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP8X1)
nVidia
nForce2 IGP
Chipset
ATX Power Connector
Super
I/O
4Mb
BIOS
PCI 1
PS/2
T: Mouse
B: Keyboard
Realtek
RTL8201
TV_OUT
CHA_FAN1
Agere
1394
PHY
Audio
Codec
Below:Mic In
Center:Line Out
Top:Line In
DDR DIMM1 (64/72 bit, 184-pin module)
01
DDR DIMM3 (64/72 bit, 184-pin module)
4 5
PCI 2
PCI 3
Socket 462
24.5cm (9.64in)
CPU_FAN1
COM1
PARALLEL PORT
VGA
RJ-45
Top:
USB1
USB2
Bottom:
IDE2
1394
Top:
USB1
USB2
Bottom:
J10
BUZZ1
BAT1
J11
USB56 HPANEL
IEEE1394_1
CD1 AUX1
HPSPK1
FP_MIC1

6 Hardware information
System memory
The motherboard has two Double Data Rate (DDR) DIMM sockets that sup-
ports up to 2GB non-ECC PC2700/2100 DDR..
1. Make sure the memory frequency and bus frequency setting in the
BIOS are the same or set to [Auto] ensure system stability.
2. A DDR DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it fits in only one
direction. DO NOT force a DIMM into a socket to avoid damaging
the DIMM.
Installing a DIMM
1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing the retaining clips outward.
2. Align a DIMM on the socket. Make sure the notches on the DIMM
exactly match the notches in the socket.
3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the socket until the retaining clips lock into
place.
A7N8X-LA
A7N8X-LA 184-Pin DDR
DIMM Sockets
80 Pins
104 Pins

ASUS A7N8X-LA/Explorer motherboard user guide 7
Standard Interrupt Assignments
IRQ Priority Standard Function
0 1 System Timer
1 2 Keyboard Controller
2 N/A Programmable Interrupt
3* 11 Communications Port (COM2)
4* 12 Communications Port (COM1)
5* 13 Sound Card (sometimes LPT2)
6 14 Floppy Disk Controller
7* 15 Printer Port (LPT1)
8 3 System CMOS/Real Time Clock
9* 4 ACPI Mode when used
10* 5 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
11* 6 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
12* 7 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port
13 8 Numeric Data Processor
14* 9 Primary IDE Channel
15* 10 Secondary IDE Channel
*These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.
When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support
“Share IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments.
Otherwise, conflicts will arise between the two PCI groups, making the
system unstable and the card inoperable.
IRQ assignments for this motherboard
ABCDEFGH
PCI slot 1 shared — — — — — — —
PCI slot 2 — used — — — — — —
PCI slot 3 — — used — — — — —
AGP slot shared — — — — — — —

8 Hardware information
PCI slots
There are three 32-bit PCI slots on this motherboard. The slots support
PCI cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that
comply with PCI specifications. The following figure shows a LAN card
installed on a PCI slot.
AGP slot
This motherboard has an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) slot that
supports +1.5V AGP cards. When you buy anAGP card, make sure that
you ask for one with +1.5V specification. Note the notches on the card
golden fingers to ensure that they fit the AGP slot on your motherboard.
Install only 1.5V AGP cards on this motherboard!
A7N8X-LA
A7N8X-LA Accelerated
Graphics Port (AGP8X)
AGP Card without Retention Notch

ASUS A7N8X-LA/Explorer motherboard user guide 9
Jumpers
1. Clear RTC RAM ( 2-pin CLRTC1)
This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in
CMOS. You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system
setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The RAM
data in CMOS, that include system setup information such as system
passwords, is powered by the onboard button cell battery.
To erase the RTC RAM:
1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.
2. Short the two pads to clear CMOS.
3. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.
4. Hold down the <F11> key during the boot process and enter BIOS
setup to re-enter data.
Except when clearing the RTC RAM, never remove the cap on J10
jumper default position. Removing the cap will cause system boot
failure!
A7N8X-LA
A7N8X-LA Clear RTC RAM
CLRTC1
Normal Clear CMO
S
(Default)
23
12

10 Hardware information
2. Clear Password ( 2-pin J11)
This jumper allows you to clear the password in CMOS. Set to pins
(2-3) to clear the password and set to pins (1-2) for default normal
setting.
A7N8X-LA
A7N8X-LA Clear Password Setting
J11
Normal Clear Passwor
d
(Default)
23
12