Asus A7N8X-LA (Focus) User manual

Motherboard
A7N8X-LA
(Explorer 2)
User Guide

ii
Checklist
Contents
A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) specifications summary ............................ iii
1. Motherboard layout ............................................................... 1
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU).............................................. 2
3. System memory .................................................................... 3
Memory configurations .......................................................... 3
Installing a DIMM................................................................... 4
4. Expansion slots ..................................................................... 5
Standard interrupt assignments ............................................ 5
IRQ assignments for this motherboard.................................. 5
PCI slots ................................................................................ 6
AGP slot ................................................................................ 6
5. Jumper .................................................................................. 7
6. Connectors ............................................................................ 8
Product Name: A7N8X-LA Explorer 2
Manual Revision: V.1 E1274
Release Date: April 2003

iii
Socket A for AMD™Athlon™/Athlon XP™
Supports up to Athlon XP 3200+
nVidia nForce2 IGP
nVidia MCP-T
333/266 MHz
2 x 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets for up to 2GB memory
Supports PC2700/PC2100 double-sided DDR
1 x AGP 8X slot
3 x PCI slots
2 x UltraDMA 100/66/33 connectors PIO Mode 3/4
Supports ATAPI IDE, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW and LS-120
MCP-T embedded audio controller with RealTek ALC650
6-channel audio CODEC subsystem AC’97 2.2 compliant
Realtek 8201BL LAN PHY supports 10/100 Mbps
Agere FW802C PHY supports 2 x 1394 ports with
400/200/100Mbps data transfer
Wakeup on Ring, LAN, Keyboard, PS/2 Mouse, RTC Timer
Supports ACPI STR (S3) function
Restart/Off Setup of AC recovery from power failure
Super I/O integrated monitoring of CPU and chassis fan
rotations and CPU/chassis temperature
1 x Parallel port
1 x Serial port
1 x PS/2 keyboard port
1 x PS/2 mouse port
1 x VGA port
4 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x RJ-45 port
1 x IEEE 1394 port
Line In/Line Out/Microphone ports
USB 2.0 connector for 2 additional USB ports
IEEE 1394 connector for an additional 1394 port
TV-OUT connector
CPU/Chassis fan connectors
20-pin ATX power connectors
S/PDIF-OUT connector
CD/AUX audio connectors
Front headphone connector
Front MIC-IN connector
CPU
Chipset
Front Side Bus (FSB)
Memory
Expansion slots
IDE
Onboard Audio
Onboard LAN
Onboard IEEE 1394
Special features
Hardware monitoring
Rear panel I/O
Internal I/O
A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) specifications summary

iv
BIOS features
Industry Standard
Form factor
4Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS with Enhanced ACPI, DMI,
Green, PnP features
Year 2000 compliant
USB 2.0/1.1, PCI 2.2
MicroATX form factor: 9.6 in x 9.6 in (24.5 cm x 24.5 cm)
A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) specifications summary

ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard 1
1. Motherboard layout
24.5cm (9.64in)
IDE1
FLOPPY1
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
nVIDIA
MCP-T
Chipset
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP8X1)
nVidia
nForce2
IGP
ATX Power Connector
Super
I/O
4Mb
BIOS
PCI 1
PS/2
T: Mouse
B: Keyboard
Realtek
RTL8201
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
RJ-45
Top:
USB1
USB2
Bottom:
IDE2
1394
Top:
USB1
USB2
Bottom:
CLRTC1
BUZZ1
BAT1
J11
USB56 HPANEL
IEEE1394_1
CD1 AUX1 FP_MIC1
HJACK1
ASPDIF1
COM1
PARALLEL PORT
VGA
TV_OUT

2 ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard
Installing the CPU
Follow these steps to install a CPU.
1. Locate the Socket 462 and open it by
pulling the lever gently sideways
away from the socket. Then lift the
lever upwards. The socket lever
must be fully opened (90 to 100
degrees).
2. Insert the CPU with the correct
orientation. The notched or golden
corner of the CPU must be oriented
toward the inner corner of the socket
base nearest to the lever hinge.
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The motherboard provides a Socket A (462) for CPU installation. AMD processors
offer gigahertz speeds to support all latest computing platforms and applications.
The A7N8X-LA supports AMD Athlon/Athlon XP 3200+ processors. This
motherboard supports 333/266MHz front side bus (FSB), and allows data transfers
of up to 5.4GB/s with PC2700 DDR.
Each AMD CPU has a “marked” corner. This corner is usually indicated with a
notch and/or a golden square or triangle. Refer to this indicator while orienting the
CPU. A fan and a heatsink should be attached to the CPU to prevent overheating.
The CPU fits only in one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the
socket to prevent bending the pins and damaging the CPU!
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
Socket 462
AMD™CPU CPU NOTCH
LOCK
CPU NOTCH
TO INNER
CORNER
LEVER

ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard 3
3. System memory
The motherboard comes with two Double Data Rate (DDR) Dual Inline Memory
Module (DIMM) sockets. These sockets support up to 2GB system memory using
184-pin unbuffered non-ECC PC2700/PC2100 double-sided DDR DIMMs.
The following figure illustrates the location of the 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.
Follow these steps to install a DIMM.
1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing
the retaining clips outward.
2. Align a DIMM on the socket such that
the notch on the DIMM matches the
break on the socket.
3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the socket
until the retaining clips snap back in
place and the DIMM is properly
seated.
Installing a DIMM
You may install 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, and 1GB DDR DIMMs into the
DIMM sockets using the memory configurations in this section.
Unlocked Retaining Clip
DDR DIMM notch
CAUTION: DIMMs are keyed to fit with only one direction. DO NOT force a
DIMM into a socket to avoid damaging the DIMM.
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
184-Pin DDR DIMM Sockets
80 Pins
104 Pins
DDR1 DDR3

4 ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard
4. E pansion slots
The motherboard has three PCI slots and oneAccelerated Graphics Port (AGP) slot.
To install and configure an expansion card:
1. Install an expansion card following the instructions that came with the chassis.
2. Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any.
3. Assign an IRQ to the card. Refer to the tables below.
4. Install the drivers and/or software applications for the expansion card
according to the card documentation.
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.
IRQ assignments for this motherboard
ABCDEFGH
PCI slot 1 shared
PCI slot 2 used
PCI slot 3 used
AGP slot shared
Onboard USB controller 1
Onboard LAN
Onboard audio
Onboard 1394 controller

ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard 5
Install only +1.5V AGP cards on this motherboard!
PCI slots
There are three (3) 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 figure below shows a typical PCI card installed into a slot.
AGP slot
This motherboard has an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) slot that supports
AGP 8X 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.
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP8X)
AGP Card without Retention Notch

6 ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard
5. Jumper
1. Clear RTC (3-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, is powered by the onboard button cell battery.
To erase the RTC RAM:
1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.
2. Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 (Default) to pins 2-3 (Clear CMOS).
Keep the cap on pins 2-3 for about 5~10 seconds, then move the cap
back to pins 1-2.
3. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.
4. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup
to re-enter data.
Except when clearing the RTC RAM, never remove the jumper caps on default
position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure!
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
Clear RTC RAM
CLRTC1
Normal Clear CMOS
(Default)
23
12

ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard 7
2. Clear Password (3-pin J11)
This jumper allows you to clear the password in CMOS. To erase the Password
move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 (Default) to pins 2-3 (Clear Password).
Keep the cap on pins 2-3 for about 5~10 seconds, then move the cap back to
pins 1-2. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer. Hold down the <Del>
key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to re-enter data.
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
Clear Password Setting
J11
Normal Clear Password
(Default)
23
12

8 ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard
6. Connectors
This section describes and illustrates the internal connectors on the motherboard.
1. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY1)
This connector supports the provided floppy drive ribbon cable. After
connecting one end to the motherboard, connect the other end to the floppy
drive. (Pin 5 is removed to prevent incorrect insertion when using ribbon cables
with pin 5 plug).
2. ATX power connectors (20-pin ATXPWR1)
These connectors connect to an ATX 12V power supply. The plugs from the
power supply are designed to fit these connectors in only one orientation. Find
the proper orientation and push down firmly until the connectors completely fit.
Make sure that your ATX 12V power supply can provide 8A on the +12V lead
and at least 1A on the +5-volt standby lead (+5VSB). The minimum
recommended wattage is 230W, or 300W for a fully configured system. The
system may become unstable and may experience difficulty powering up if the
power supply is inadequate.
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
NOTE: Orient the red markings on
the floppy ribbon cable to PIN 1
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
Floppy Disk Drive Connector
PIN 1
FLOPPY1
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
ATX Power Connector
ATXPWR1
+3.3VDC
-12.0VDC
COM
PS_ON#
COM
COM
COM
-5.0VDC
+5.0VDC
+5.0VDC
PWR_OK
+12.0VDC
+3.3VDC
+3.3VDC
COM
+5.0VDC
COM
+5.0VDC
COM
+5VSB

ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard 9
3. IDE connectors (40-1 pin IDE1, IDE2)
This connector supports the provided UltraDMA/100/66/33 IDE hard disk ribbon
cable. Connect the cable’s blue connector to the primary (recommended) or
secondary IDE connector, then connect the gray connector to the
UltraDMA/100/66/33 slave device (hard disk drive) and the black connector to
the UltraDMA/100/66/33 master device. It is recommended that you connect
non-UltraDMA/100/66/33 devices to the secondary IDE connector. If you install
two hard disks, you must configure the second drive as a slave device by setting
its jumper accordingly. Refer to the hard disk documentation for the jumper
settings. BIOS supports specific device bootup. If you have more than two
UltraDMA/100/66/33 devices, purchase another UltraDMA/100/66/33 cable. You
may configure two hard disks to be both master devices with two ribbon cables –
one for the primary IDE connector and another for the secondary IDE connector.
1. Pin 20 on each IDE connector is removed to match the covered hole on the
UltraDMAcable connector. This prevents incorrect orientation when you
connect the cables.
2. The hole near the blue connector on the UltraDMA/100/66 cable is intentional.
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
IDE Connectors
NOTE: Orient the red markings
(usually zigzag) on the IDE
ribbon cable to PIN 1.
IDE2
PIN 1
IDE1

10 ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard
4. CPU and Chassis Fan Connectors (3-pin CPU_FAN1, CHA_FAN1)
The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350mA~740mA (8.88W max.) or a
total of 1A~2.22A (26.64W max.) at +12V. Connect the fan cables to the fan
connectors on the motherboard, making sure that the black wire of each cable
matches the ground pin of the connector.
Do not forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Lack of sufficient
air flow within the system may damage the motherboard components. These
are not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the fan connectors!
5. Internal audio connectors (4-pin CD1, AUX1)
These connectors allow you to receive stereo audio input from sound sources
such as a CD-ROM, TV tuner, or MPEG card.
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
12-Volt Cooling Fan Power
CHA_FAN1
CPU_FAN1
GND
Rotation
+12V
GND
Rotation
+12V
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
Internal Audio Connectors
AUX1 (White)CD1 (Black)
Right Audio Channel
Left Audio Channel
Ground
Right Audio Channel
Left Audio Channel
Ground

ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard 11
7. IEEE 1394 connector (10-1 pin IEEE1394_1)
This connector is for a 10-to-6-pin 1394 serial connector cable that connects to
a 1394 module. Attach the 10-1 pin cable plug to this connector, and the 6-pin
cable plug to the 1394 module. You may also connect a 1394-compliant
internal hard disk to this connector.
6. USB headers (10-1 pin USB56)
If the USB ports on the rear panel are inadequate, a USB header is available
for additional USB ports. The USB header complies with USB 2.0 specification
that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed. This speed advantage over
the conventional 12 Mbps on USB 1.1 allows faster Internet connection,
interactive gaming, and simultaneous running of high-speed peripherals. You
may connect a USB module to the USB header.
NEVER connect a USB cable to any of the IEEE 1394 connectors. Doing so
will damage the motherboard!
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
USB 2.0 Header
USB56
USB+5V USB_P6- USB_P6+ GND NC
USB+5V
USB_P5-
USB_P5+
GND
1
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
IEEE-1394 Connectors
IEEE1394_1
1
TPA2- GND TPB2- +12V GND
TPA2+
GND
TPB2+
+12V
The USB module is purchased separately.

12 ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard
9. Front microphone connector (3-pin FP_MIC1)
This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel microphone jack. Use a
3-pin audio cable to connect the microphone jack to this connector.
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
Front Microphone Connector
FP_MIC1
MIC Power MIC Input Ground
8. Front headphone connector (5-pin HJACK1)
This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel headphone jack.
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
Front HeadPhone Header Connector
HJACK1
Analog Ground
HP-L Signal
FRONT OUT-L Signal
HP-R Signal
FRONT OUT-R Signal
1

ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard 13
10. Digital audio connector (3-pin ASPDIF1)
This connector is for an S/PDIF audio module that allows digital instead of
analog sound output. Connect one end of the audio cable to this connector and
the other end to the S/PDIF module.
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
Digital Audio Interface
ASPDIF1
SPDIFOUT
+5V
Ground
The S/PDIF module is purchased separately.
11. TV-OUT connector (5-pin U46)
This connector is for an S/PDIF audio module that allows digital instead of
analog sound output. Connect one end of the audio cable to this connector and
the other end to the S/PDIF module.
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
TV Out Connector
1
TV_OUT

14 ASUS A7N8X-LA (Explorer 2) Motherboard
12. System panel connector (10-1 pin HPANEL1)
This connector accommodates several system front panel functions.
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
System Panel Connector
HPANEL
PLED- PWR PLED+
Ground GNDReset
HDLED+
HDLED-
Power LED
Reset SW
ATX Power
Switch*
HDLED
A7N8X-LA/Explorer2
System Panel Connector
•System Power LED Lead (2-pin PLED)
This 3-1 pin connector connects to the system power LED. The LED lights up
when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in sleep
mode.
•Hard Disk Activity LED Lead (2-pin HDLED)
This 2-pin connector is for the HDD LED cable. The read or write activities of
the device connected to the any of IDE connectors cause the IDE LED to light
up.
•ATX Power Switch / Soft-Off Switch Lead (2-pin PWR)
This connector connects a switch that controls the system power. 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.
•Reset Switch Lead (2-pin RESET)
This 2-pin connector connects to the case-mounted reset switch for rebooting
the system without turning off the system power.