Motherboard M2A74-AM SE
E4488 First Edition V1 February 2009 Copyright © 2009 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”).
Contents Notices........................................................................................................... v Safety information....................................................................................... vi About this guide.......................................................................................... vi M2A74-AM SE specifications summary................................................... viii Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.
Contents 2.3 Main menu..................................................................................... 2-4 2.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx].................................................... 2-4 2.3.3 Primary IDE Master/Slave................................................ 2-5 2.3.2 2.3.4 2.3.5 2.4 2.3.6 2.4.3 Chipset........................................................................... 2-10 2.4.6 Onboard Devices Configuration..................................... 2-10 PCI PnP...............
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.
Safety information Electrical safety • • • • • • To prevent electric shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electric 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.
Conventions used in this guide To ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. 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. IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task. NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.
M2A74-AM SE specifications summary CPU AMD® Phenom™ X4 / Phenom™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processors (socket AM2+/AM2) Compatible with Phenom™ II / Athlon™ X4 / Athlon™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 processors (AM3 CPU) AMD® 64 architecture enables simultaneous 32-bit and 64-bit computing Supports AMD® Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology Supports up to 95W CPU * Due to the chipset limitation, the AM3/AM2+ CPU runs at HT1 (1000MHz). ** Refer to www.asus.com for the AMD® CPU support list.
M2A74-AM SE specifications summary LAN PCIe 10/100 LAN ASUS overclocking features SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection) from 200MHz to 550MHz at 1MHz increment Adjustable DRAM voltage ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) Other features ASUS Q-FAN ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS AI NET 2 ASUS MyLogo 2 Back panel I/O ports 1 x PS/2 Keyboard port 1 x PS/2 Mouse port 1 x RJ45 port 1 x VGA port 1 x COM port 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 6-channel audio I/O ports Internal I/O connectors 2 x USB 2.0/1.
Chapter 1 Product introduction Thank you for buying an ASUS® M2A74-AM SE motherboard! Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in your motherboard package. Refer to page ix for the list of accessories. If any of the items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer. 1.1 Before you proceed Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings.
1.2 Motherboard overview 1.2.1 Motherboard layout Ensure that you install the motherboard into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis. Place this side towards the rear of the chassis. Place six screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis. DO NOT overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard. 1.2.
1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) The motherboard comes with a CPU socket designed for AMD® AM3 Phenom™ II / Athlon™ X4 / Athlon™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 processors and AM2+ / AM2 Phenom™ X4 / Phenom™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processors. The CPU socket is not compatible with AMD® Opteron™ processors. Do not install an Opteron™ processor on this motherboard. 1.4 1.4.1 System memory Overview This motherboard comes with two Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.
M2A74-AM SE Motherboard Qualified Vendors List (QVL) DDR2-1066MHz capability Chip No. DIMM socket support Size Vendor Part No. SS/DS CL Chip Brand 512MB 512MB 512MB 1G 1G 1G 1G 1G 1G 1G 2G(kit of 2) 2G 1G 1G 1G 1G 1G 2G(kit of 2) 1G Kingston Kingston Kingston Kingston Kingston Kingston Qimonda Kingmax Crucial Transcend KHX8500D2/512 KVR1066D2N7/512 KHX8500D2K2/1GN KHX8500D2K2/2GN KVR1066D2N7/1G KHX8500D2/1G HYS64T128020EU-19F-C KLED48F-A8K15 BL12864AA1065.
DDR2-800MHz capability Size Vendor Part No. 1G 2G 512MB 1G 1G 1G 1G 2G 2G 1G 512MB 2G 2G 2G 2G 1G 1G 1G 1G 1G 1G 1G 1G 1G 2G 2G 2G 2G 2G 2G 2G 1G 1G 2G 2G 4G 1G(Kit of 2) 1G 1G 1G 1G 2G 1G Apacer Apacer Transcend Transcend Transcend Transcend Transcend Transcend Transcend ADATA VDATA PSC PSC PSC PSC GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL GEIL G.SKILL G.SKILL G.SKILL G.SKILL G.SKILL G.SKILL OCZ OCZ OCZ OCZ OCZ Elixir 1G Elixir 2G Elixir 78.01GA0.9K5 78.A1GA0.
DDR2-667MHz capability Size Vendor Part No. SS/DS CL Chip No. Chip Brand 512MB 1G 1G 1G 2G 1G 512MB 1G 2G 512MB 1G 1G 512MB 1G 1G 2G 2G(kit of 2) 4G(kit of 2) 512MB 4G 1G 1G 1G Apacer Apacer Apacer Apacer Apacer Transcend ADATA ADATA ADATA PSC PSC PSC Nanya Nanya GEIL GEIL G.SKILL G.SKILL Twinmos Samsung ELIXIR ELIXIR Leadmax 78.91G92.9K5 78.01G9O.9K5 AU01GE667C5KBGC AU01GE667C5KBGC 78.A1G9O.
1.5.2 Configuring an expansion card After installing the expansion card, configure it by adjusting the software settings. 1. 2. 3. Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. See Chapter 2 for information on BIOS setup. Assign an IRQ to the card. Install the software drivers for the expansion card.
Except when clearing the RTC RAM, never remove the cap on CLRTC jumper default position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure! • If the steps above do not help, remove the onboard battery and move the jumper again to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data. After clearing the CMOS, reinstall the battery. • You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to overclocking. For system failure due to overclocking, use the CPU Parameter Recall (C.P.R.) feature.
1.7 Connectors 1.7.1 Rear panel ports 1. PS/2 Mouse port. This port is for a PS/2 mouse. 2. LAN (RJ-45) port. This port allows 10/100 PCIe connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub. LAN port LED indications LED (Orange) LED LED (Orange) (Green) LED (Green) Status Description Status Description ORANGE 100Mbps connection GREEN 10Mbps connection OFF No link OFF No link LAN port 3. Line In port (light blue).
6. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports connect to USB 2.0/1.1 devices. 7. USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports connect to USB 2.0/1.1 devices. 8. Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) port. This 15-pin port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-compatible devices. 9. COM port. This 9-pin COM1 port is for pointing devices or other serial devices. 10. PS/2 Keyboard port. This port is for a PS/2 keyboard. 1.7.2 1.
3. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE) The onboard IDE connector is for an Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable. There are three connectors on each Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable: blue, black, and gray. Connect the blue connector to the motherboard’s IDE connector, then select one of the following modes to configure your devices.
4. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78) These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with the USB 2.0 specification that supports up to 480Mbps connection speed. Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard! The USB 2.0 module is purchased separately. 5.
6. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V) These connectors are for an ATX 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. • We recommend that you use an ATX 12V Specification 2.0‑compliant power supply unit (PSU) with a minimum of 300W power rating. This PSU type has 24-pin and 4-pin power plugs.
8. • • • • 9. System panel connector (10-1 pin F_PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions. System power LED (2-pin PLED) This 2-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector. The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in sleep mode. Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin +HDLED) This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED.
1.8 Software support 1.8.1 Installing an operating system This motherboard supports Windows® XP/Vista Operating Systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to maximize the features of your hardware. • Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Refer to your OS documentation for detailed information.
Chapter 2 BIOS information 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a USB flash disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update utility. 2.1.1 ASUS Update utility The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in Windows® environment. • ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Updating from a BIOS file a. Select Update BIOS from a file, then click Next. b. Locate the BIOS file from the Open window, then click Open. 3. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the updating process. 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without using an OS‑based utility. Download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com. To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2: 1.
2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can update a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard Support DVD or a USB flash disk that contains the updated BIOS file. • Prepare the motherboard Support DVD or a USB flash disk containing the updated motherboard BIOS before using this utility.
2.2 BIOS setup program Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard, reconfiguring your system, or prompted to “Run Setup.” This section explains how to configure your system using this utility. If you want to enter Setup after POST, reboot the system by doing any of the following procedures: • Restart using the OS standard shut-down procedure. • Press ++ simultaneously. • Press the power button to turn the system off then back on.
2.3.3 Primary IDE Master/Slave While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of IDE devices. There is a separate submenu for each IDE device. Select a device item then press to display the IDE device information. The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Device, Vendor, Size, LBA Mode, Block Mode, PIO Mode, Async DMA, Ultra DMA, and SMART monitoring). These values are not user-configurable.
Block (Multi-Sector Transfer) M [Auto] Enables or disables data multi-sectors transfers. When set to [Auto], the data transfer from and to the device occurs multiple sectors at a time if the device supports multi-sector transfer feature. When set to [Disabled], the data transfer from and to the device occurs one sector at a time. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] PIO Mode [Auto] Selects the PIO mode. Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4] DMA Mode [Auto] Selects the DMA mode.
2.4 Advanced menu The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. Take caution when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction. Main Advanced Power BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot Tools Exit Advanced Settings JumperFree Configuration CPU Configuration Chipset Onboard Devices Configuration PCIPnP USB Configuration 2.4.1 Adjust System Frequency/Voltage etc.
PCIE Overclocking [Auto] Allows you to select the PCIE Overclocking. Configuration options: [Auto] [Manual] The following item appears only when the PCIE Overclocking item is set to [Manual]. PCIE Clock [100] Allows you to set the PCIE clock. The valid value is between 100 and 150. Processor Frequency Multiplier [Auto] Allows you to select the processor frequency. Configuration options: [Auto] [x4.0 800MHz] [x5.0 1000MHz] [x6.0 1200MHz] [x7.0 1400MHz] [x8.0 1600MHz] [x9.
TRRD [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2 CLK] ~ [5 CLK] tRWTTO [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2 CLK] ~ [9 CLK] tWRRD [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [0 CLK] ~ [3 CLK] tWTR [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [1 CLK] [2 CLK] [3 CLK] tWRWR [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [1 CLK] [2 CLK] [3 CLK] tRDRD [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2 CLK] ~ [5 CLK] tRFCO [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [75ns] [105ns] [127.5ns] [195ns] [327.
C1E Configuration [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable C1E Dual-Core related CPU power State. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] 2.4.3 Chipset The Chipset menu allows you to change the advanced chipset settings. Select an item then press to display the sub-menu. NorthBridge Configuration Memory Configuration Bank Interleaving [Auto] Allows you to enable the bank memory interleaving.
HDAudio Controller [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the HD Audio Controller. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Front Panel Select [HD Audio] Allows you to set the HD audio mode. Configuration options: [AC97] [HD Audio] Onboard LAN Controller [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the Onboard LAN. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Onboard LAN Boot ROM [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the Onboard LAN Boot ROM. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] 2.4.
2.5 Power menu The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an item then press to display the configuration options. Power Settings Suspend Mode ACPI 2.0 Support ACPI APIC Support [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled] Select the ACPI state used for System Suspend. APM Configuration HW Monitor Configuration 2.5.1 Suspend Mode [Auto] 2.5.2 ACPI 2.0 Support [Disabled] 2.5.
Power on From S5 By PS/2 KB/MS [Disabled] Enable or disable PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse to generate a wake event. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Power on From S5 By RTC Alarm [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable RTC to generate a wake event. When this item is set to Enabled, the items RTC Alarm Date, RTC Alarm Hour, RTC Alarm Minute, and RTC Alarm Second appear with set values. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.5.
2.6.1 Boot Device Priority 1st ~ xxth Boot Device These items specify the boot device priority sequence from the available devices. The number of device items that appears on the screen depends on the number of devices installed in the system. Configuration options: [Removable Device] [Hard Drive] [ATAPI CD-ROM ] [Disabled] 2.6.
The message Password Installed appears after you successfully set your password. To change the supervisor password, follow the same steps in setting a supervisor password. To clear the supervisor password, select the Change Supervisor Password then press twice. The message Password uninstalled appears. If you forget your BIOS password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM. See section 1.6 Jumpers for information on how to erase the RTC RAM.
2.7 Tools menu Main Advanced Power BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot Tools Exit Tools Settings ASUS EZ Flash 2 AI NET2 2.7.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 2.7.2 AI NET 2 Press ENTER to run the utility to select and update BIOS. This utility doesn't support : 1.NTFS format Allows you to run ASUS EZ Flash 2. When you press , a confirmation message appears. Use the left/right arrow key to select between [Yes] or [No], then press to confirm your choice.
