Asus A7N8X: Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Software support

ASUS A7N266-VM motherboard

5.1 Install an operating system

This motherboard supports Windows 98/ME/ and 2000/XP operating system

(OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates so you

can maximize the features of your hardware.

5.1.1 Windows 98 first time installation

When you start Windows for the first time after installing the motherboard,

Windows 98 detects all Plug-n-Play devices devices. Follow the Add New

Hardware wizard to install the necessary device drivers. When prompted to

restart, select No. Refer to the following sections in this chapter to install the

software and drivers contained in the support CD.

NOTE! Because motherboard settings and hardware options vary, use

the setup procedures presented in this chapter for general reference only.

Refer to your OS documentation for more information.

5.2 Support CD information

The support CD that came with the motherboard contains useful software

and several utility drivers that enhance the motherboard features.

NOTE! The contents of the support CD are subject to change at any

time without notice. Visit the ASUS website for updates.

5.2.1 Running the support CD

To begin using the support CD, simply insert the CD into your CD-ROM

drive. The CD automatically displays the welcome screen and the installation

menus if Autorun is enabled in your computer.

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5.3 A7N266-VM Motherboard Support CD

NOTE: The support CD contents are subject to change without notice.

To begin using your support CD disc, just insert it into your CD-ROM drive

and the support CD installation menu should appear. If the menu does not

appear, double-click or run D:\ASSETUP.EXE (assuming that your CD-ROM

drive is drive D:).

5.3.1 Installation Menu

™

• NVIDIA nForce Drivers: Installs the video drivers. The Windows ME

OS must be used with these drivers. The nVidia drivers do not support

Windows NT OS. (Remember to uninstall all other INF drivers before

installing nVidia drivers on a previously used system.) If using Win98, it

is necessary to install three system drivers manually. (See page 70.)

• NVIDIA Audio Driver: Installs the audio codec driver.

NOTE: If using Win98, it is necessary to install the audio driver manually.

(See page 71.for installation information.)

• Audio hotfix: Installs support for the Audio system. NOTE: install the

Microsoft Direct X Driver before running the Audio hotfix.

• ASUS PC Probe Vx.xx: Installs a smart utility to monitor your computer’s

fan, temperature, and voltages.

• Install ASUS Update Vx.xx: Instals a program that can help you update

BIOS or download a BIOS image file.

• Microsoft DirectX Driver: Installs basic drivers to enable compatibility

with audio and other special functions.

• PC-CILLIN 2000: Installs the latest anti-virus protection application.

NOTE: The contents of the menu items available may vary depending

on the type of OS in use on the PC system.

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Chapter 5: Software support

• Adobe Acrobat Reader Vx.xx: Installs the Adobe Acrobat Reader

software necessary to view user’s manuals saved in PDF format. Updated

or other language versions of this motherboard's manual is available in

PDF format at any of our web sites.

• Cyberlink Video and Audio Applications: Installs Cyberlink

PowerPlayer SE and Cyberlink VideoLive Mail.

• ASUS Screen Saver: Installs a nifty ASUS screen saver.

( CLICK RIGHT ARROW TO ACCESS NEXT PAGE )

• E-Color 3Deep: Installs graphical driver and an application for tuning

the quality of color output from CRT and LCD monitors.

• Show Motherboard Information: Allows you to view information about

your motherboard, such as product name, BIOS version, and CPU.

• Browse Support CD: Allows you to view the contents of the CD.

• ReadMe: Allows you to view the support CD file list and contact

information.

• Exit: Exits the CD installation menu.

( CLICK LEFT ARROW TO RETURN )

5.3.2 Installation Procedure

On the Installation Items Menu, click on the name of the driver or program

group to begin installation. Follow the instructions that appear on the setup

screens. All drivers and programs install automatically. Refer to the Software

Reference section for software operating instructions.

NOTE: Software driver support for the 6-CH audio system is available

for downloading at the ASUS website: www.asus.com

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5.3.3 Installation of PCI Drivers: Win98

Use the Device Manager to uninstall all previously installed system drivers

®

to prevent conflict with the installation and operation of nVidia

drivers.

®

Three nVidia

drivers need to be installed to operate with the Win98:

1. PCI System Management Bus.

2. PCI Standard Host CPU Bridge.

3. PCI Standard RAM Controller.

ITEM 1: PCI System Management Bus

1. Go to the “Device Manager.”

2. Select “PCI System Management Bus” in “Other Devices.”

3. Click on “Properities.”

4. Click on “Driver.”

5. Select “Update Driver.”

6. Select “Search for a better driver than the one your device is using

now” option.

7. Click on “Specify the location” and then type or browse for the path on

the CD ROM Drive:\Drivers\Chipset\Nvidia\win9x\SMbus. This installs

the driver.

8. Click “Next.”

9. The “PCI System Management” is detected.

10. Continue to install more drivers.

ITEM 2: PCI Standard Host CPU Bridge (GART driver)

1. Go to the “Device Manager.”

2. Select “PCI standard Host CPU Bridge” in “System Devices.”

3. Click on “Properities.”

4. Click on “Driver.”

5. Select “Update Driver.”

6. Select “Search for a better driver than the one your device is using

now” option.

7. Click on “Specify the location” and then type or browse for the path on

the CD ROM Drive:\Drivers\Chipset\Nvidia\win9x\Gart. This installs

the driver.

8. Click “Next.”

9. You should see that the “AGP Host to the PCI Bridge” is detected.

10. Continue to install the next driver.

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Chapter 5: Software support

ITEM 3: PCI Standard Ram Controller

1. Go to the “Device Manager.”

2. Select PCI standard RAM Controller in “System Devices”

3. Click on “Properities.”

4. Click on “Driver.”

5. Select “Update Driver.”

6. Select “Search for a better driver than the one your device is using

now” option.

7. Click on “Specify the location” and then type or browse for the path on

the CD-ROM Drive:\Drivers\Chipset\Nvidia\win9x\MemoryController.

8. Click “Next.”

9. You should see two “NVIDIA nForce 220D Memory Controller” and one

“NVIDIA nForce 220D Memory Controller (DDR)” detected..

5.3.4 Installation of Audio Codec Drivers: Win98

It is advisal to use the Device Manager to uninstall all previously installed

®

audio drivers to prevent conflict with the installation and operation of nVidia

drivers.

1. Go to the "Add Hardware Wizard" and search for devices.

2. Select: "No, the device is not in the list."

3. "Do you want Windows to search for your new hardware?" Select, "No, I

want to select the hardware from a list."

4. Select: "Sound, video and game controllers."

5. Then select the first generic item in the list, like "Generic USB device."

6. Click "Have Disk" and browse the CD-ROM drive:

\Drivers\Chipset\Nvidia\103\Win9XME

7. Click "OK" and select either the "NVIDIA Codec Interface" or the "nForce

®

MCP Audio Processing unit (Dolby

Digital)." Repeat the process above

for the second driver.

8. After all drivers are installed, restart the PC.

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5.5 ASUS Live Update

ASUS LiveUpdate is a utility that allows you to update your motherboard’s

BIOS and drivers. The use of this utility requires that you are properly

connected to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

1. Start ASUS Update. Launch the

utility from your Windows Start

menu:Programs/AsusUpdate.

2. Select an update method.

3. If you selected “downloading from

the Internet,” you will need to select

an Internet site. Choose the site that

is closest to you or click Auto Select.

4. From the FTP site, select the BIOS

version that you wish to download.

Click Next.

5. Follow the instructions on the

succeeding screens to complete the

update process. If you selected the

option to update the BIOS from a file,

a window pops up prompting you to

locate the file. Select the file, click

Save, then follow the screen

instructions to complete the update

process.

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Chapter 5: Software reference

5.6 3Deep Color Tuner

The 3-Deep color tuner is designed to match your CRT or LCD color

monitor to maximize the color quality of all graphical applications. Users

may also tune their internet applications to match “true” internet source colors

with the color displayed on the monitor.

Simply run the setup program from the start menu and follow the instructions

on the various setup/test screens.

5.6.1 3Deep Color Tuning

1. Select the type of monitor

connected to the computer, either

CRT or LCD.

2. Follow the instructions to manually

adjust the brightness level of the

monitor.

3. Select the faintest of the three

colors: blue, red and green.

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4. Select the color squares which

most closely blend and match with

the background.

5. The next step repeats

the color matching

process to achieve

full color quality.

6. The tuning process is complete. Click on the bottom left button to

connect to the internet and follow the instructions.

5.6.2 The 3Deep Control Panel

Using the Windows Start button, activate the 3Deep Control Panel

program from the 3Deep Applications group on the Main Program menu.

The control panel offers access to the

Color Wizard tuning program, a Game

Gamma setting and a Tweak slider for

brightness adjustment.

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Chapter 5: Software reference

5.7 CyberLink PowerPlayer SE

CyberLink PowerPlayer SE is an intelligent software player that can

automatically detect and playback all kinds of video/audio files, CD and MP3

files as well. This is the only software you need for all types of video and

audio files. No need to waste time identifying your file types.

5.7.1 Starting CyberLink PowerPlayer SE

To start CyberLink Power Player, click the Windows Start button, point to

Programs, and then CyberLink PowerPlayer SE, and then click

PowerPlayer.

5.7.2 CyberLink PowerPlayer Control Panel

Minimize

Eject

Zoom

Help

About

Power Off

Stop

Backward Scan

Forward Scan

Backstep Frame

Step Frame

Previous

Next

Play

Stop

Configuration

i-Power!

Increase Volume

CD Mode

Mute

Shuffle

Decrease Volume

Karaoke Next angle Next audio stream Next subtitle Add bookmark

Capture frame Go-Up Repeat Menu Go to bookmark

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5.8 CyberLink VideoLive Mail

CyberLink’s VideoLive Mail Plus Ver 3.0 (a.k.a. VLM 3) is a convenient and

excellent way to create professional quality video mails from PC video/audio

input devices and to send the mails to any recipients via VLM 3’s built-in e-

mail system through the Internet. VLM 3’s mails comprise video, sound, or

snapshot information; and thus may convey the most profound information

to target audiences. It is very convenient for mail recipients who do not need

to install additional software component in order to view VLM 3 mails.

VLM 3 works as a very applicant sales tool. It efficiently delivers profound

and live product information to your target customers without costing a fortune.

VLM 3 also helps corporate managers easily give vivid speeches and

broadcast through corporate E-mail system. For personal or home users,

VLM 3 easily records live video clips allowing users to send them to friends

or family members across the Internet.

VLM 3 loads video messages from PC cameras, digital camcorders, analog

camcorder via video capture cards, or from an existing AVI video clips, and

captures audio messages from PC microphones. Video and audio messages

are encoded at a very high compressed rate in a real-time mode. From data

input, data conversion, to sending video mails via Internet, or saving data to

disks, the whole procedure is done in an easy and continuous process.

VLM 3’s video clip compression rate is up to 1:900, and its playback rate is

up to 30 frame per second. VLM 3 provides CIF (352 x 288 pixel) display

resolution, and support true color configuration. A one-minute video mail

with QCIF (176 x 144) resolution takes up less than 500KB of memory, making

it easy to transmit and save mail. Users may always adjust resolution and

recording parameters for different purpose.

VLM 3 supports all the hardware devices that are compliant with Video for

Windows standard. Video for Windows is a well-accepted and well-tested

standard. Thus, users do not have to worry about compatibility issues.

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5.8.1 Starting VideoLive Mail

To start VideoLive Mail, click the Windows Start button, point to Programs,

and then CyberLink VideoLive Mail, and then click VideoLive Mail x.x.

VLM 3’s Setup Wizard will start and guide you through configuring the video

and audio input peripherals and to setup the e-mail environment.

1. Setup Wizard first will prompt a dialog to confirm that you want to configure

the hardware and E-mail setting. Click Yes to continue the system parameter

configuration.

2. The e-mail configuration screen appears. You will need to enter your

name and the e-mail address. Click Next to continue.

3. The Internet e-mail configuration screen appears. You may choose to use

the VLM 3 built-in E-mail functionality (SMTP mail), or use MAPI compliant

e-mail system. Consult your ISP or MIS staff for the E-mail server IP address

if you are not sure. Click Next to continue.

4. Then the Video Configuration screen shows up. You may have to specify

the video driver for VLM 3, if there are several video-input devices installed.

Then configure the number of video frames to be captured per second. Note

that the more frames you choose, the bigger the file size will be. Click Next

to continue.

5. Then the Setup Wizard will then search for the GSM CODECS module for

audio compression, and prompt you with the result. Click Next to continue.

6. Setup Wizard then tests the audio volume during playing and recording.

Click Next when ready.

7. Configuration done. Click Finish to complete the environmental setting

procedure.

5.8.2 CyberLink VideoLive Mail User Interface

Exit

Minimize

Help

Video Mail Wizard

Start Playback

Save Video File

Snapshot to File

Stop Recording / Playback

Send Mail

Video Configuration

Start Recording

Load Video File

Pause

Send Mail

Increase MIC volume

Decrease MIC volume

Increase speaker volume

Decrease speaker volume

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Chapter 5: Software reference