Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition User manual

Motherboard
M2N-SLI

ii
Copyright © 2007 ASUSTeK 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 if: (1) the product is repaired, modied or
altered, unless such repair, modication 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.
IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE
LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE
OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR
ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.
SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED
FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME
WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY
ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR
INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS
AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT.
Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered
trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identication or
explanation and to the owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.
E3400
First Edition
August 2007

iii
Contents
Notices........................................................................................................ vii
Safety information .................................................................................... viii
About this guide ......................................................................................... ix
Typography .................................................................................................. x
M2N-SLI specications summary ............................................................. xi
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Package contents......................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Special features............................................................................ 1-2
1.3.1 Product highlights ........................................................... 1-2
1.3.2 ASUS Special features ................................................... 1-4
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Motherboard overview................................................................. 2-2
2.2.1 Placement direction ........................................................ 2-2
2.2.2 Screw holes .................................................................... 2-2
2.2.3 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 2-3
2.2.4 Layout Contents.............................................................. 2-4
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-6
2.3.1 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-6
2.3.2 Installing the heatsink and fan ........................................ 2-8
2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-11
2.4.1 Overview ........................................................................2-11
2.4.2 Memory congurations...................................................2-11
2.4.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-16
2.4.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-16
2.5 Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-17
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-17
2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-17
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-18
2.5.4 PCI slots........................................................................ 2-18
2.5.5 PCI Express x1 slot....................................................... 2-19
2.5.6 PCI Express x16 slots................................................... 2-19

iv
Contents
2.6 Jumpers ...................................................................................... 2-20
2.7 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-23
2.7.1 Rear panel connectors.................................................. 2-23
2.7.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-25
Chapter 3: Powering up
3.1 Starting up for the rst time........................................................ 3-1
3.2 Powering off the computer.......................................................... 3-2
3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function.................................... 3-2
3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch.............................. 3-2
Chapter 4: BIOS setup
4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-1
4.1.1 Creating a bootable oppy disk....................................... 4-1
4.1.2 Updating the BIOS .......................................................... 4-2
4.1.3 Saving the current BIOS le............................................ 4-4
4.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 4-5
4.1.5 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility................................................... 4-7
4.1.6 ASUS Update utility ........................................................ 4-8
4.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................. 4-11
4.2.1 BIOS menu screen........................................................ 4-12
4.2.2 Menu bar....................................................................... 4-12
4.2.3 Legend bar.................................................................... 4-13
4.2.4 Menu items ................................................................... 4-13
4.2.5 Sub-menu items............................................................ 4-13
4.2.6 Conguration elds ....................................................... 4-13
4.2.7 Pop-up window ............................................................. 4-14
4.2.8 General help ................................................................. 4-14
4.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-15
4.3.1 System Time ................................................................ 4-15
4.3.2 System Date ................................................................ 4-15
4.3.3 Legacy Diskette A ........................................................ 4-15
4.3.5 Primary and Secondary IDE Master/Slave ................... 4-16
4.3.6 SATA 1, 2, 3, 4 .............................................................. 4-18
4.3.7 HDD SMART Monitoring............................................... 4-19

v
Contents
4.3.8 Installed Memory........................................................... 4-19
4.4 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-20
4.4.1 JumperFree Conguration ............................................ 4-20
4.4.3 CPU Conguration ........................................................ 4-23
4.4.4 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 4-26
4.4.5 Onboard Device Conguration...................................... 4-27
4.4.6 SLI Conguration .......................................................... 4-32
4.5 Power menu................................................................................ 4-33
4.5.1 ACPI Suspend Type ..................................................... 4-33
4.5.2 ACPI APIC Support ...................................................... 4-33
4.5.3 APM Conguration........................................................ 4-34
4.5.4 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 4-36
4.6 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-38
4.6.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 4-38
4.6.2 Removable Drives......................................................... 4-39
4.6.3 Boot Settings Conguration ......................................... 4-40
4.6.4 Security ......................................................................... 4-42
4.7 Tools menu ................................................................................. 4-44
ASUS EZ Flash 2......................................................................... 4-44
4.8 Exit menu .................................................................................... 4-45
Chapter 5: Software support
5.1 Installing an operating system ................................................... 5-1
5.2 Support CD information .............................................................. 5-1
5.2.1 Running the support CD ................................................. 5-1
5.2.2 Drivers menu................................................................... 5-2
5.2.3 Utilities menu .................................................................. 5-3
5.2.4 Make Disk menu ............................................................. 5-4
5.2.5 Manuals menu ................................................................ 5-5
5.2.6 ASUS Contact information .............................................. 5-6
5.2.7 Other information ............................................................ 5-6
5.3 Software information ................................................................... 5-9
5.3.1 Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology........................................... 5-9
5.3.2 ASUS PC Probe II..........................................................5-11
5.3.3 C-Media CM6501 audio utility....................................... 5-17

vi
Contents
5.4 RAID congurations .................................................................. 5-20
5.4.1 Installing hard disks ...................................................... 5-21
5.4.2 NVIDIA® RAID congurations........................................ 5-22
5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk....................................................... 5-29
Chapter 6: NVIDIA®SLI™ technology support
6.1 Overview ....................................................................................... 6-1
Requirements................................................................................. 6-1
6.2 Dual graphics card setup ............................................................ 6-2
6.2.1 Installing SLI-ready graphics cards................................. 6-2
6.2.2 Installing the device drivers............................................. 6-5
6.2.3 Enabling the multi-GPU feature in Windows................... 6-5

vii
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.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Canadian Department of Communications Statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the
Canadian Department of Communications.
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian
ICES-003.
The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is
required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modications
to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

viii
The symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical
and electronic equipment, Mercury-containing button cell battery) should not
be placed in municipal waste. Please check local regulations for disposal of
electronic products.
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 cables are unplugged.
• Seek professional assistance before using an adapter or extension cord.
These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit.
• Make sure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area. If
you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using, contact
your local power company.
• If the power supply is broken, do not try to x it by yourself. Contact a qualied
service technician or your retailer.
Operation safety
• Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all
the manuals that came with the package.
• Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected and the
power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer
immediately.
• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from
connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.
• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in
any area where it may become wet.
• Place the product on a stable surface.
• If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualied
service technician or your retailer.

ix
About this guide
This user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring
the motherboard.
How this guide is organized
This manual contains the following parts:
• Chapter 1: Product introduction
This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new
technology it supports.
• Chapter 2: Hardware information
This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform
when installing system components. It includes description of the switches,
jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.
• Chapter 3: Powering up
This chapter describes the power up sequence, the vocal POST messages,
and ways of shutting down the system.
• Chapter 4: BIOS setup
This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup
menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.
• Chapter 5: Software support
This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the
motherboard package.
• Chapter 6: NVIDIA®SLI™ technology support
This chapter tells how to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards.

x
Conventions used in this guide
To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following
symbols used throughout this manual.
Typography
DANGER/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.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a
task.
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a
task.
Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select
Italics Used to emphasize a word or a phrase
<Key> Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign means
that you must press the enclosed key
Example: <Enter> means that you must press the Enter or
Return key
<Key1>+<Key2>+<Key3> If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the
key names are linked with a plus sign (+)
Example: <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<D>
Command Means that you must type the command exactly as shown,
then supply the required item or value enclosed in
brackets
Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command line:
awdash M2N-SLI.ROM
Where to nd more information
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and
software updates.
1. ASUS websites
The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and
software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.
2. Optional documentation
Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty
yers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not
part of the standard package.

xi
M2N-SLI specications summary
(continued on the next page)
CPU Socket AM2 for AMD Athlon™ 64 FX/AMD Athlon™ 64 X2
/AMD Athlon 64™/AMD Sempron™ processors
Supports AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology
AMD64 architecture enables simultaneous 32-bit and
64-bit computing
AMD Live!™ ready
Chipset NVIDIA®nForce® 560 SLI™
System bus 2000 / 1600 MT/s
Memory Dual-channel memory architecture
- 4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbuffered
ECC/non-ECC DDR2 800/667/533 MHz memory
modules
- Supports up to 8 GB system memory
Expansion slots 2 x PCI Express™ x16 slots
Supports NVIDIA® SLI™ Technology (both at x8 mode)
2 x PCI Express™ x1 slots
2 x PCI 2.2 slots
Scalable Link Interface
(SLI™)
Supports two identical NVIDIA® SLI™-ready graphics
cards both at x8 mode
ASUS two-slot thermal design
Storage NVIDIA®nForce® 560 SLI™ MCP supports:
- 2 x IDE connector for up to four Ultra DMA
133/100/66/33 devices
- 4 x Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors support four
Serial ATA devices
- RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5, and JBOD
congurations spanning across Serial ATA drives
LAN NVIDIA®nForce® 560 SLI™ MCP built-in Gigabit MAC
with external PHY
Supports TCP/IP Acceleration
Audio C-Media Superior Quality Audio 7.1 channel audio
CODEC (Vista ready)
Supports S/PDIF Out interface
IEEE 1394a VIA 1394 controller supports 2 x 1394a ports
USB 2.0 Supports up to 8 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (four at mid-board,
four on the rear panel)
ASUS Exclusive
Overclocking features
AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner)
Stepless Frequency Selection(SFS) allows FSB tuning
from 200 MHz up to 400 MHz at 1 MHz increment
ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)
Adjustable FSB/DDR2 ratio. Fixed PCI/PCIe frequencies

xii
M2N-SLI specications summary
Special features ASUS EZ DIY:
- Q-Connector
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 2
ASUS Q-Fan 2
ASUS MyLogo2
Rear panel 1 x Parallel port
1 x PS/2 keyboard port (purple)
1 x PS/2 mouse port (green)
1 x IEEE 1394a port
1 x COM port
1 x S/PDIF Out port
1 x LAN (RJ-45) ports
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
8-channel audio ports
Internal connectors 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support four additional USB 2.0
ports
1 x Floppy disk drive connector
2 x IDE connector for four devices
4 x Serial ATA connectors
1 x CPU / 1 x Chassis / 1 x Power fan connectors
1 x IEEE 1394a connector
S/PDIF out connector
Front panel audio connector
CD audio in connectors
24-pin ATX power connector
4-pin ATX 12 V power connector
System panel connector
BIOS features 8 Mb BIOS ROM, AWARD BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM2.0,
SM BIOS 2.3
Manageability WOL by PME, WOR by PME, Chassis intrusion, PXE
Power requirements ATX power supply with 24-pin and 4-pin 12V plugs
ATX 12V 2.0 compliant
Support CD contents Device drivers
Image-Editing Suite
ASUS PC Probe II
ASUS Update
NVIDIA® MediaShield™ RAID
Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Form factor ATX form factor: 12 in x 8.6 in (30.5 cm x 21.8 cm)
*Specications are subject to change without notice.

1
Product
introduction
This chapter describes the motherboard
features and the new technologies
it supports.

ASUS M2N-SLI
Chapter summary
1.1 Welcome! ....................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Package contents........................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Special features ............................................................................. 1-2

ASUS M2N-SLI 1-1
1.1 Welcome!
Thank you for buying an ASUS® M2N-SLI motherboard!
The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it
another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards!
Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the
items in your package with the list below.
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
1.2 Package contents
Check your motherboard package for the following items.
Motherboard ASUS M2N-SLI motherboard
Cables 2 x Serial ATA signal cables
1 x Serial ATA power cable with dual plugs
1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable
1 x Floppy disk drive cable
Accessories I/O shield
ASUS SLI™ bridge
1 x ASUS Q-Connector Kit
(USB, System panel; Retail version only)
Application CDs ASUS motherboard support CD
Documentation User guide

1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.3 Special features
1.3.1 Product highlights
Latest processor technology
The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2 socket that supports AMD Athlon™
64 FX/AMD Athlon™ 64 X2/AMD Athlon™ 64/AMD Sempron™ processors. With
an integrated low-latency high-bandwidth memory controller and a highly scalable
HyperTransport™ technology-based system bus, the motherboard provides a
powerful platform for your diverse computing needs, increased ofce productivity,
and enhanced digital media experience. See page 2-6 for details.
Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) technology
The NVIDIA® Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) technology allows two graphics
processing units (GPUs) in a single system. This technology takes advantage of
the PCI Express™ bus architecture and features intelligent hardware and software
solutions that allows multiple GPUs to work together and achieve exceptional
graphics performance. See Chapter 6 for details.
AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology
The motherboard supports the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology that dynamically
and automatically changes the CPU speed, voltage and amount of power
depending on the task the CPU performs. See pages 4-26, 5-3 and 5-9.
Gigabit LAN
The motherboard comes with a Gigabit LAN controller built into the NVIDIA®
nForce™ 560 SLI™ chipset to meet your growing networking needs. The controller
uses the PCI Express segment to provide faster data bandwidth for your Internet,
LAN, and le sharing requirements. See page 2-23 for details.
DDR2 memory support
The motherboard supports DDR2 memory that features data transfer rates of
800/667/533 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest
3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR2
architecture doubles the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system
performance, eliminating bottlenecks with peak bandwidths of up to 12.8 GB/s.
See pages 2-11 to 2-15 for details.

ASUS M2N-SLI 1-3
Serial ATA 3Gb/s RAID
The motherboard supports the next-generation Serial ATA hard drives based on the
SATA 3Gb/s storage specication. The onboard NVIDIA nForce® 560 SLI™ MCP
allows RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5, and JBOD. See page 2-26.
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
specications. See page 2-19 for details.
S/PDIF digital sound ready
The motherboard supports the S/PDIF Out function through the S/PDIF interfaces
on the rear panel. The S/PDIF technology turns your computer into a high-end
entertainment system with digital connectivity to powerful audio and speaker
systems. See page 2-24 and 2-31 for details.
USB 2.0 technology
The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specication,
dramatically increasing the connection speed from the 12 Mbps bandwidth on USB
1.1 to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1.
See page 2-24 and 2-28 for details.
IEEE 1394a support
The IEEE 1394a interface provides high-speed and exible PC connectivity to
a wide range of peripherals and devices compliant to the IEEE 1394a standard.
The IEEE 1394a interface allows up to 400 Mbps transfer rates through simple,
low-cost, high-bandwidth asynchronous (real-time) data interfacing between
computers, peripherals, and consumer electronic devices such as camcorders,
VCRs, printers, TVs, and digital cameras. See page 2-28 for details.
This function can only work under C-Media ofcial driver.

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.3.2 ASUS Special features
ASUS Two-slot thermal design
The motherboard is designed with two PCI Express x1 slots placed between the
PCI Express x16 slots allowing an increase in airow between the two PCI Express
x16 graphics cards. This special design permits more room for ventilation thus
lowering the overall system temperature.
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 allows users to restore corrupted BIOS data from a
USB ash disk containing the BIOS le. This utility saves users the cost and hassle
of buying a replacement BIOS chip. See page 4-5 for details.
ASUS EZ Flash 2
EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. Simply press the predened
hotkey to launch the utility and update the BIOS without entering the OS. Update
your BIOS easily without preparing a bootable diskette or using an OS-based ash
utility. See page 4-7 for details.
ASUS Q-Connector
ASUS Q-Connector allows you to easily connect or disconnect the chassis front
panel cables to the motherboard. This unique module eliminates the trouble of
connecting the system panel cables one at a time and avoiding wrong cable
connections.
ASUS Q-Fan 2 technology
The ASUS Q-Fan technology smartly adjusts the CPU and chassis fan speeds
according to the system loading to ensure quiet, cool, and efcient operation.
ASUS MyLogo2™
This new feature present in the motherboard allows you to personalize and add
style to your system with customizable boot logos.

2
Hardware
information
This chapter lists the hardware setup
procedures that you have to perform
when installing system components. It
includes description of the jumpers and
connectors on the motherboard.

ASUS M2N-SLI
Chapter summary
2.1 Before you proceed........................................................................ 2-1
2.2 Motherboard overview.................................................................... 2-2
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ...................................................... 2-6
2.4 System memory ............................................................................2-11
2.5 Expansion slots............................................................................ 2-17
2.6 Jumpers ....................................................................................... 2-20
2.7 Connectors................................................................................... 2-23