Asus M2N32 WS Professional User manual

Motherboard
M2N32 WS
Professional

ii
E2560
First Edition V1
May 2006
Copyright © 2006 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.

iii
Contents
Notices........................................................................................................ vii
Safety information .................................................................................... viii
About this guide ......................................................................................... ix
M2N32 WS Professional 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 ................................................... 1-5
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 ASUS Stack Cool 2......................................................... 2-3
2.2.5 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 2-4
2.2.4 Layout contents............................................................... 2-5
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-7
2.3.1 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-7
2.3.2 Installing the heatsink and fan ........................................ 2-9
2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-12
2.4.1 Overview ....................................................................... 2-12
2.4.2 Memory congurations.................................................. 2-13
2.4.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-15
2.4.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-15
2.5 Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-16
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-16
2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-16
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-17
2.5.4 PCI slot ......................................................................... 2-18
2.5.5 PCI-X slots .................................................................... 2-18
2.5.6 PCI Express x1 slots..................................................... 2-18
2.5.7 Two PCI Express x16 slots ........................................... 2-18

iv
Contents
2.6 Jumper ........................................................................................ 2-25
2.7 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-27
2.7.1 Rear panel connectors.................................................. 2-27
2.7.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-29
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 ASUS Update utility ........................................................ 4-1
4.1.2 Creating a bootable oppy disk....................................... 4-4
4.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility................................................... 4-5
4.1.4 Updating the BIOS .......................................................... 4-6
4.1.5 Saving the current BIOS le............................................ 4-8
4.1.6 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 4-9
4.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................. 4-10
4.2.1 BIOS menu screen.........................................................4-11
4.2.2 Menu bar........................................................................4-11
4.2.3 Legend bar.................................................................... 4-12
4.2.4 Menu items ................................................................... 4-12
4.2.5 Sub-menu items............................................................ 4-12
4.2.6 Conguration elds ....................................................... 4-12
4.2.7 Pop-up window ............................................................. 4-13
4.2.8 General help ................................................................. 4-13
4.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-14
4.3.1 System Time ................................................................ 4-14
4.3.2 System Date ................................................................. 4-14
4.3.3 Language ...................................................................... 4-14
4.3.4 Legacy Diskette A ........................................................ 4-14
4.3.5 Primary IDE Master/Slave............................................. 4-15
4.3.6 First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth,
and Sixth SATA Master..................................................................4-17

v
Contents
4.3.7 HDD SMART Monitoring ............................................... 4-18
4.3.8 Installed Memory........................................................... 4-18
4.3.9 Usable Memory............................................................. 4-18
4.4 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-19
4.4.1 JumperFree Conguration ............................................ 4-19
4.4.2 AI NET2 ........................................................................ 4-22
4.4.3 PEG Link Mode............................................................. 4-23
4.4.4 CPU Conguration ........................................................ 4-23
4.4.5 Chipset.......................................................................... 4-27
4.4.6 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 4-29
4.4.7 Onboard Device Conguration...................................... 4-30
4.5 Power menu................................................................................ 4-34
4.5.1 ACPI Suspend Type ..................................................... 4-34
4.5.2 ACPI APIC Support ...................................................... 4-34
4.5.3 APM Conguration........................................................ 4-35
4.5.4 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 4-37
4.6 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-38
4.6.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 4-38
4.6.2 Removable Drives......................................................... 4-39
4.6.3 Hard Disk Drives ........................................................... 4-39
4.6.4 CDROM Drives ............................................................. 4-39
4.6.5 Boot Settings Conguration ......................................... 4-40
4.6.6 Security ......................................................................... 4-41
4.7 Tools menu ................................................................................. 4-43
4.7.1 ASUS Music Alarm........................................................ 4-43
4.7.2 ASUS O.C. Prole......................................................... 4-45
4.7.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2.......................................................... 4-47
4.8 Exit menu.................................................................................... 4-48

vi
Contents
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 ............................................................. 5-5
5.2.5 Manuals menu ................................................................ 5-6
5.2.6 ASUS Contact information .............................................. 5-7
5.2.7 Other information ............................................................ 5-7

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
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 adpater 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 guide 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 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.
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.

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
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 M2N32-WS.ROM
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.

xi
M2N32 WS Professional
specications summary
(continued on the next page)
CPU Socket AM2 for AMD Athlon™64 FX/Athlon™ 64 X2/
Athlon™ 64/Sempron™ processor
Supports AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology
AMD64 architecture enables simultaneous 32-bit and
64-bit computing
Chipset NVIDIA®nForce®590 SLI™ MCP(NVIDIA®LinkBoost™
Technology, NVIDIA® Tritium Technology certied)
North bridge: NVIDIA® C51XE
South bridge: NVIDIA® MCP55PXE
PCI-X bridge: NEC uPD720404
System bus 2000 / 1600 MT/s
Memory Dual-channel memory architecture
- 4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbufferred
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 with NVIDIA® SLI™ support
at full x16, x16 speed
2 x PCI-E x1 slots
2 x PCI-X slots
1 x PCI 2.2 slot
Scalable Link Interface
(SLI™)
Supports two identical NVIDIA® SLI™-ready graphics
cards, both at x16 mode
Storage NVIDIA®nForce®590 SLI™ MCP supports:
- 1 x IDE connector for up to two Ultra DMA
133/100 devices
- 6 x Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors support six
Serial ATA devices
- RAID 0, RAID1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5, and JBOD
congurations spanning across Serial ATA drives
via the onboard NVIDIA®MediaShield™ RAID
controller
Marvell®88SE614x Serial ATA controller supports:
- 3 x Internal Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s
- 1 x External Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s on the rear panel
- 1 x IDE connector for up to two Ultra DMA 100
devices
LAN 2 x Marvell® 88E1116 PHY
Firewall function
Supports Teaming functions

xii
M2N32 WS Professional
specications summary
High Denition Audio SoundMAX®ADI AD1988B 8-channel CODEC
Supports Jack-Sensing, Enumeration, Multi-Streaming,
and Jack-Retasking Technology
Optical and Coaxial S/PDIF Out interfaces
IEEE 1394 T1 1394 controller supports:
- 2 x IEEE 1394a connectors (at mid-board)
USB Supports up to 10 USB 2.0/1.1 ports
ASUS special features
Performance
Intelligent overclocking tools:
- AI NOS™ (Non-delay Overclocking System)
- AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner)
- AI Clock Skew
- ASUS PEG Link (automatic performance tuning for
single/dual graphics cards) ASUS BIOS Prole:
overclocking conguration-sharing tool
- ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) -
- ASUS AI Booster
- Adjustable FSB/DDR2 ratio. Fixed PCI/PCIe
frequencies.
- Hyper Path 3
Precision Tweaker:
- vDIMM: 25-step DRAM voltage control
- vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.0125 V
increment
- Stepless Frequency Selection(SFS) allows FSB
tuning from 200 MHz up to 400 MHz at 1 MHz
increment
- PCI Express x16 frequency allows PCI Express x16
frequency tuning from 100 MHz to 200 MHz at 1
MHz increment
ASUS special features
Thermal
ASUS 8-Phase Power Design
Stack Cool 2
Q-Fan 2
ASUS Heat-pipe Thermal solution
ASUS special features
Life
Multi-language BIOS
SATA on the Go
AI Nap
AI Gear
My Logo™ 3
ASUS special features
Others
CrashFree BIOS 3
EZ Flash 2
ASUS AI NET 2
Q-Connector
ASUS AI Quiet
(continued on the next page)

xiii
M2N32 WS Professional
specications summary
Rear panel 1 x PS/2 keyboard port (purple)
1 x PS/2 mouse port (green)
1 x Parallel port
1 x External Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s
1 x Optical S/PDIF Out port
1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Out port
2 x LAN (RJ-45) ports
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
8-channel audio ports
Internal connectors 3 x USB 2.0 connectors support six additional USB 2.0
ports
1 x Floppy disk drive connector
2 x IDE connectors for two devices
9 x Serial ATA connectors
1 x CPU / 4 x Chassis / 1 x Power fan connectors
2 x IEEE 1394a connectors
1 x Parallel connector
1 x TPM connector
Chassis intrusion connector
Front panel audio connector
CD audio in connector
24-pin ATX power connector
8-pin ATX 2.0/1.1 power connector
System panel connector
BIOS features 8 Mb AWARD BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.3
Manageability WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE, AI NET 2, Chassis
Intrusion
Power requirements ATX power supply (with 24-pin and 4-pin 12 V plugs)
ATX 12 V 2.0 compliant
Support CD contents Device drivers
BIOS ash utility under DOS
ASUS AI Booster
ASUS PC Probe II
ASUS Update
NVIDIA®RAID
Form factor ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in (30.5 cm x 24.5 cm)
*Specications are subject to change without notice.

xiv

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

ASUS M2N32 WS Professional
Chapter summary 1
1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Package contents......................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Special features............................................................................ 1-2

ASUS M2N32 WS Professional 1-1
1.1 Welcome!
Thank you for buying an ASUS®M2N32 WS Professional 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 M2N32 WS Professional
I/O modules 1 x 2-port IEEE 1394a module
1 x 2-port USB 2.0 module
Cables 9 x Serial ATA cables
5 x Serial ATA power cables for up to nine devices
1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable
1 x Floppy disk drive cable
Accessories I/O shield
ASUS SLI™ Bridge
ASUS Q-Connector Kit (USB, 1394, System panel)
Application CD ASUS motherboard support CD
InterVideo®Media Launcher
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 X2/Athlon™ 64/Athlon™ FX/Sempron™ processor. 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 2-7 for details.
NVIDIA®Scalable Link Interface (SLI™)
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.
64-bit CPU support
The motherboard supports 64-bit computing, which is the next generation
technology to replace the current 32-bit architecture. The 64-bit architecture
delivers advanced system performance, faster memory access, and increased
productivity. This motherboard provides excellent compatibility and exibility by
support either 64-bit or 32-bit architecture. See page 2-7 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 10.7 GB/s.
See pages 2-12 to 2-13 for details.
PCI-X®interface
The motherboard supports PCI-X, the new and improved version of the previous
PCI standard. PCI-X offers faster data transfers and enhanced system reliability
with ECC automatic single-bit error recovery and double-bit error detection. PCI-X,
which is backward-compatible with PCI-based hardware and software, enables
users to keep pace with upcoming advances in high-bandwidth, business-critical
applications such as Fiber Channel, RAID, InniBrand™ Architecture, and iSCSI.
See pages 2-18 and 2-26 for details.

ASUS M2N32 WS Professional 1-3
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 2-18 for details.
Serial ATA I/II technology and SATA-On-The-Go
The motherboard fully supports the Serial ATA II 3.0 Gb/s technology through the
Serial ATA interfaces and the NVIDIA® nForce® 590 SLI™ chipset. The Serial
ATA 3 Gb/s specication provides twice the bandwidth of the current Serial
ATA products with a host of new features, including Power Management (PM)
Implementation Algorithm. Serial ATA allows for thinner, more exible cables with
lower pin count and reduced voltage required. Leveraging these Serial ATA 3.0
Gb/s features is the SATA-On-The-Go. Supported by the Marvell®88SE614x Serial
ATA controller, four Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors (three at mid-board and one on
the rear panel) provide smart setup, and hot-plug function. See pages 2-28, 2-31,
and 2-32 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 2-33 for details.
S/PDIF digital sound ready
The motherboard supports the S/PDIF technology 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 2-27 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 pages 2-28 and 2-33 for details.

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction
Dual Gigabit LAN solution
The motherboard comes with dual Gigabit LAN controllers to provide the total
solution for your networking needs. These network controllers use the PCI Express
segment to provide faster data bandwidth for your wired or wireless Internet, LAN,
and le sharing requirements. See page 2-27 for details.
AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Technology
The motherboard supports the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Technology, which monitors
system operation and automatically adjusts CPU voltage and frequency for a cool
and quiet operating environment. See page 4-26 for details.