User manual ASUS A7N8X

[. . . ] A7N8X User Guide Motherboard E1859 Checklist Revised V4 January 2005 Copyright © 2005 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. 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. Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification 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. [. . . ] Another series model A7N8X Deluxe uses the BIOS file for a 4Mb flash ROM. Make sure to use the correct BIOS file on each model. PCB 2. 0 BIOS version or later are not compatible with PCB 1. 06 or earlier BIOS versions. · The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) version is located beside the motherboard name printed on the motherboard. If you encounter problems while updating the new BIOS, DO NOT turn off the system because this may cause boot problems. Just repeat the process, and if the problem persists, load the original BIOS file you saved to the boot disk, or try to clear the CMOS memory (see section 1. 7, Jumpers). If the Flash Memory Writer utility is not able to successfully update a complete BIOS file, the system may not boot. If this happens, call the ASUS service center for support. 2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup 2. 1. 2 Updating BIOS procedures Update the BIOS only if you have problems with the motherboard and you are sure that the new BIOS revision will solve your problems. Careless updating may create more problems ! The Binary Input/Output System (BIOS) can be updated using the built-in Flash Memory Writer utility or using a bootable floppy disk with the executable Flash Memory Writer Utility (AWDFLASH. EXE). The following sub-sections explain the steps in flashing your BIOS. 2. 1. 2. 1 Updating BIOS via Built-in AwardBIOS Flash Utility 1. Download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website (see ASUS contact info on Page viii). Save the copy to a floppy disk. Write down the BIOS file name on a piece of paper. You need to type the exact BIOS file name at the Award BIOS Flash Utility. 2. To use AwardBIOS Flash Utility, press <Alt> + <F2> during POST to display the following screen. The BIOS information in the above screen is for reference only. what you see on your screen may not be exactly the same as shown. 4. Insert the disk that contains the new BIOS file into the floppy drive. You will receive the error message, "WARNING!Device not ready!" if you proceed to step 5 without the disk in the drive. 5. Type the name of the new BIOS file, for example: "AW0702. BIN" then press <Enter>. The program asks if you want to save the previous BIOS. Select <Y> since it is advisable to back-up the original BIOS in case you need to reprogram it. ASUS A7N8X Motherboard 2-3 6. The program asks to save the previous BIOS to a separate file. Type a file name for the old bios and then press <Y>. The AWDFLASH program backsup the file. 7. AWDFLASH proceeds to check the new BIOS file and asks the user to program (flash) the new BIOS file to the motherboard. 8. Type <Y> and Press <Enter> to flash the new Bios file. NOTE: Do not shut off system power or unplug the supply during the flash process. 2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS Setup 9. [. . . ] When selecting this option, a confirmation window appears. The CMOS RAM is sustained by an onboard backup battery and stays on even when the PC is turned off. If attempting to exit the Setup program without saving changes, the program prompts with a message asking if you want to save your changes before exiting. Pressing <Enter> saves the changes while exiting. Exit & Discard Changes Select this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the Setup program. If you made changes to fields other than system date, system time, and password, the BIOS asks for a confirmation before exiting. Load Setup Defaults This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the Setup menus. [. . . ]