Asus A8V-VM: BIOS setup
BIOS setup: Asus A8V-VM
This chapter tells how to change
the system settings through the BIOS
Setup menus. Detailed descriptions
of the BIOS parameters are also
provided.
BIOS setup
2
2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS
The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup.
1. ASUS EZ Flash (Updates the BIOS using a oppy disk during POST.)
2. ASUS AFUDOS (Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable oppy
disk.)
3. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 (Updates the BIOS using a bootable oppy
disk or the motherboard support CD when the BIOS le fails or gets
corrupted.)
®
4. ASUS Update (Updates the BIOS in Windows
environment.)
Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities.
Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a bootable oppy
disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original
motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities.
2.1.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk
1. Do either one of the following to create a bootable oppy disk.
DOS environment
a. Insert a 1.44MB oppy disk into the drive.
b. At the DOS prompt, type format A:/S then press <Enter>.
®
Windows
XP environment
a. Insert a 1.44 MB oppy disk to the oppy disk drive.
®
b. Click Start from the Windows
desktop, then select My Computer.
c. Select the 3 1/2 Floppy Drive icon.
d. Click File from the menu, then select Format. A Format 3 1/2
Floppy Disk window appears.
e. Select Create an MS-DOS startup disk from the format options
eld, then click Start.
®
Windows
2000 environment
®
To create a set of boot disks for Windows
2000:
a. Insert a formatted, high density 1.44 MB oppy disk into the drive.
®
b. Insert the Windows
2000 CD to the optical drive.
c. Click Start, then select Run.
2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
d. From the Open eld, type
D:\bootdisk\makeboot a:
assuming that D: is your optical drive.
e. Press <Enter>, then follow screen instructions to continue.
2. Copy the original or the latest motherboard BIOS le to the bootable
oppy disk.
2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash utility
The ASUS EZ Flash feature allows you to update the BIOS without having
to go through the long process of booting from a oppy disk and using
a DOS-based utility. The EZ Flash utility is built-in the BIOS chip so it is
accessible by pressing <Alt> + <F2> during the Power-On Self Tests
(POST).
To update the BIOS using EZ Flash:
1. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS
le for the motherboard and rename the same to A8VVM.ROM.
2. Save the BIOS le to a oppy disk, then restart the system.
3. Press <Alt> + <F2> during POST to display the following.
EZFlash starting BIOS update
Checking for oppy...
4. Insert the oppy disk that contains the BIOS le to the oppy disk
drive. When the correct BIOS le is found, EZ Flash performs the BIOS
update process and automatically reboots the system when done.
EZFlash starting BIOS update
Checking for oppy...
Floppy found!
Reading le “A8VVM.ROM”. Completed.
Start erasing.......
Start programming...
Flashed successfully. Rebooting.
• Do not shutdown or reset the system while updating the BIOS to
prevent system boot failure!
• A “Floppy not found!” error message appears if there is no oppy
disk in the drive. A “A8V-VM.ROM not found!” error message
appears if the correct BIOS le is not found in the oppy disk. Make
sure that you rename the BIOS le to A8VVM.ROM.
ASUS A8V-VM 2-3
2.1.3 AFUDOS utility
The AFUDOS utility allows you to update the BIOS le in DOS environment
using a bootable oppy disk with the updated BIOS le. This utility also
allows you to copy the current BIOS le that you can use as backup when
the BIOS fails or gets corrupted during the updating process.
Copying the current BIOS
To copy the current BIOS le using the AFUDOS utility:
• Make sure that the oppy disk is not write-protected and has at
least 600 KB free space to save the le.
• The succeeding BIOS screens are for reference only. The actual BIOS
screen displays may not be exactly the same as shown.
1. Copy the AFUDOS utility (afudos.exe) from the motherboard support
CD to the bootable oppy disk you created earlier.
2. Boot the system in DOS mode, then at the prompt type:
afudos /o[lename]
where the [lename] is any user-assigned lename not more than
eight alphanumeric characters for the main lename and three
alphanumeric characters for the extension name.
A:\>afudos /oOLDBIOS1.ROM
Ma in filename Extension na me
3. Press <Enter>. The utility copies the current BIOS le to the oppy
disk.
A:\>afudos /oOLDBIOS1.ROM
AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.10
Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved.
Reading ash ..... done
A:\>
The utility returns to the DOS prompt after copying the current BIOS
le.
Updating the BIOS file
To update the BIOS le using the AFUDOS utility:
1. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download the latest BIOS
le for the motherboard. Save the BIOS le to a bootable oppy disk.
2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
Write the BIOS lename on a piece of paper. You need to type the exact
BIOS lename at the DOS prompt.
2. Copy the AFUDOS utility (afudos.exe) from the motherboard support
CD to the bootable oppy disk you created earlier.
3. Boot the system in DOS mode, then at the prompt type:
afudos /i[lename]
where [lename] is the latest or the original BIOS le on the bootable
oppy disk.
A:\>afudos /iA8VVM.ROM
4. The utility veries the le and starts updating the BIOS.
A:\>afudos /iA8VVM.ROM
AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19
Copyright (C) 2003 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved.
WARNING!! Do not turn off power during ash BIOS
Reading le ..... done
Erasing ash .... done
Search bootblock version:
0% 100%
Do not shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to
prevent system boot failure!
5. The utility returns to the DOS prompt after the BIOS update process is
completed. Reboot the system from the hard disk drive.
A:\>afudos /iA8VVM.ROM
AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19
Copyright (C) 2003 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved.
WARNING!! Do not turn off power during ash BIOS
Reading le ..... done
Erasing ash .... done
Search bootblock version:
0% 100%
Advance Check ........
Erasing ash ..... done
Writing ash ..... done
Verifying ash ... done
Please restart your computer
ASUS A8V-VM 2-5
2.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility
The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to
restore the BIOS le when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating
process. You can update a corrupted BIOS le using the motherboard
support CD or the oppy disk that contains the updated BIOS le.
• Prepare the motherboard support CD or the oppy disk containing
the updated motherboard BIOS before using this utility.
• Make sure that you rename the original or updated BIOS le in the
oppy disk to A8VVM.ROM.
Recovering the BIOS from a floppy disk
To recover the BIOS from a oppy disk:
1. Turn on the system.
2. Insert the oppy disk with the original or updated BIOS le to the
oppy disk drive.
3. The utility displays the following message and automatically checks
the oppy disk for the original or updated BIOS le.
Bad BIOS checksum. Starting BIOS recovery...
Checking for oppy...
When found, the utility reads the BIOS le and starts ashing the
corrupted BIOS le.
Bad BIOS checksum. Starting BIOS recovery...
Checking for oppy...
Floppy found!
Reading le “A8VVM.ROM”. Completed.
Start ashing...
DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing
so can cause system boot failure!
4. Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process.
2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
Recovering the BIOS from the support CD
To recover the BIOS from the support CD:
1. Remove any oppy disk from the oppy disk drive, then turn on the
system.
2. Insert the support CD to the optical drive.
3. The utility displays the following message and automatically checks
the oppy disk for the original or updated BIOS le.
Bad BIOS checksum. Starting BIOS recovery...
Checking for oppy...
When no oppy disk is found, the utility automatically checks the
optical drive for the original or updated BIOS le. The utility then
updates the corrupted BIOS le.
Bad BIOS checksum. Starting BIOS recovery...
Checking for oppy...
Floppy not found!
Checking for CD-ROM...
CD-ROM found!
Reading le “A8VVM.ROM”. Completed.
Start ashing...
DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing
so can cause system boot failure!
4. Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process.
The recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this
motherboard. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the
latest BIOS le.
ASUS A8V-VM 2-7
2.1.5 ASUS Update utility
The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update
®
the motherboard BIOS in Windows
environment. The ASUS Update utility
allows you to:
• Save the current BIOS file
• Download the latest BIOS file from the Internet
• Update the BIOS from an updated BIOS file
• Update the BIOS directly from the Internet, and
• View the BIOS version information.
This utility is available in the support CD that comes with the motherboard
package.
ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a network
or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Installing ASUS Update
To install ASUS Update:
1. Place the support CD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears.
2. Click the Utilities tab, then click Install ASUS Update VX.XX.XX. See
page 3-4 for the Utilities screen menu.
3. The ASUS Update utility is copied to your system.
®
Quit all Windows
applications before you update the BIOS using this
utility.
2-8 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
Updating the BIOS through the Internet
To update the BIOS through the Internet:
®
1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows
desktop by clicking
Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS
Update main window appears.
2. Select Update BIOS from
3. Select the ASUS FTP site
the Internet option from the
nearest you to avoid network
drop-down menu, then click
trafc, or click Auto Select.
Next.
Click Next.
ASUS A8V-VM 2-9
4. From the FTP site, select the
BIOS version that you wish to
download. Click Next.
5. Follow the screen instructions to
complete the update process.
The ASUS Update utility is
capable of updating itself
through the Internet. Always
update the utility to avail all
its features.
Updating the BIOS through a BIOS file
To update the BIOS through a BIOS le:
®
1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows
desktop by
clicking Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The
ASUS Update main window appears.
2. Select Update BIOS from a le
option from the drop-down menu,
then click Next.
3. Locate the BIOS le from the
Open window, then click Open.
4. Follow the screen instructions to
complete the update process.
2-10 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
2.2 BIOS setup program
This motherboard supports a programmable rmware chip that you can
update using the provided utility described in section “2.1 Managing and
updating your BIOS.”
Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard,
reconguring your system, or prompted to “Run Setup”. This section
explains how to congure your system using this utility.
Even if you are not prompted to use the Setup program, you can change
the conguration of your computer in the future. For example, you can
enable the security password feature or change the power management
settings. This requires you to recongure your system using the BIOS Setup
program so that the computer can recognize these changes and record
them in the CMOS RAM of the rmware hub.
The rmware hub on the motherboard stores the Setup utility. When you
start up the computer, the system provides you with the opportunity to
run this program. Press <Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to
enter the Setup utility; otherwise, POST continues with its test routines.
If you wish to enter Setup after POST, restart the system by pressing
<Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del>, or by pressing the reset button on the system
chassis. You can also restart by turning the system off and then back on.
Do this last option only if the rst two failed.
The Setup program is designed to make it as easy to use as possible. Being
a menu-driven program, it lets you scroll through the various sub-menus
and make your selections from the available options using the navigation
keys.
• The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most
conditions to ensure optimum performance. If the system becomes
unstable after changing any BIOS settings, load the default settings
to ensure system compatibility and stability. Select the Load Default
Settings item under the Exit Menu. See section “2.7 Exit Menu.”
• The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference
purposes only, and may not exactly match what you see on your
screen.
• Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS
le for this motherboard and .
ASUS A8V-VM 2-11
2.2.1 BIOS menu screen
Me nu bar
Co nfi guration fiel dsMe nu items
Ge ner al help
Use [ENTER], [TAB]
System Time [11:51:19]
System Date [Thu 05/07/2004]
or [SHIFT-TAB] to
Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in]
select a eld.
Legacy Diskette B [Disabled]
Use [+] or [-] to
Primary IDE Master :[ST320413A]
Primary IDE Slave :[Not Detected]
congure system time.
Secondary IDE Master :[Not Detected]
Secondary IDE Slave :[Not Detected]
Select Screen
Third IDE Master :[Not Detected]
Select Item
Enter Go to Sub Screen
IDE Conguration
Tab Select Field
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
System Information
ESC Exit
Su b-m enu items
Na vig ation keys
2.2.2 Menu bar
The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:
Main For changing the basic system conguration
Advanced For changing the advanced system settings
Power For changing the advanced power management (APM)
conguration
Boot For changing the system boot conguration
Exit For selecting the exit options and loading default
settings
To select an item on the menu bar, press the right or left arrow key on the
keyboard until the desired item is highlighted.
2.2.3 Navigation keys
At the bottom right corner of a menu screen are the navigation keys for
that particular menu. Use the navigation keys to select items in the menu
and change the settings.
Some of the navigation keys differ from one screen to another.
2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
2.2.4 Menu items
The highlighted item on the menu bar
displays the specic items for that menu.
For example, selecting Main shows the
Main menu items.
The other items (Advanced, Power, Boot,
and Exit) on the menu bar have their
respective menu items.
2.2.5 Sub-menu items
A solid triangle before each item on any menu screen means that the
iteam has a sub-menu. To display the sub-menu, select the item and press
<Enter>.
2.2.6 Configuration fields
These elds show the values for the menu items. If an item is user-
congurable, you can change the value of the eld opposite the item. You
cannot select an item that is not user-congurable.
A congurable eld is enclosed in brackets, and is highlighted when
selected. To change the value of a eld, select it then press <Enter> to
display a list of options. Refer to “2.2.7 Pop-up window.”
2.2.7 Pop-up window
Select a menu item then press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with
the conguration options for that item.
2.2.8 Scroll bar
A scroll bar appears on the right side of a
menu screen when there are items that do
not t on the screen. Press the
Up/Down arrow keys or <Page Up>/<Page
Down> keys to display the other items on
the screen.
2.2.9 General help
At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the
selected item.
ASUS A8V-VM 2-13
System Time [11:10:19]
Use [ENTER], [TAB]
System Date [Thu 03/27/2003]
or [SHIFT-TAB] to
Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in]
select a field.
Language [English]
Use [+] or [-] to
Primary IDE Master :[ST320413A]
configure system time.
Primary IDE Slave :[ASUS CD-S340]
Secondary IDE Master :[Not Detected]
Secondary IDE Slave :[Not Detected]
Third IDE Master :[Not Detected]
Fourth IDE Master :[Not Detected]
IDE Configuration
Select Screen
Select Item
System Information
+- Change Field
Tab Select Field
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit
Ma in menu items
Sc rol l bar
Advanced Chipset settings
WARNING: Setting wrong values in the sections below
may cause system to malfunction.
Configure DRAM Timing by SPD [Enabled]
Memory Acceleration Mode [Auto]
DRAM Idle Timer [Auto]
DRAm Refresh Rate [Auto]
Graphic Adapter Priority [AGP/PCI]
Graphics Aperture Size [ 64 MB]
Spread Spectrum [Enabled]
Select Screen
Select Item
ICH Delayed Transaction [Enabled]
+- Change Option
F1 General Help
MPS Revision [1.4]
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit
Po p-u p window
2.3 Main menu
When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears,
giving you an overview of the basic system information.
Refer to section “2.2.1 BIOS menu screen” for information on the menu
screen items and how to navigate through them.
Use [ENTER], [TAB]
System Time [11:51:19]
System Date [Thu 05/07/2004]
or [SHIFT-TAB] to
Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in]
select a eld.
Legacy Diskette B [Disabled]
Primary IDE Master :[ST320413A]
Use [+] or [-] to
Primary IDE Slave :[Not Detected]
congure system time.
Secondary IDE Master :[Not Detected]
Secondary IDE Slave :[Not Detected]
IDE Conguration
System Information
2.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xxxx]
Allows you to set the system time.
2.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]
Allows you to set the system date.
2.3.3 Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.]
Sets the type of oppy drive installed.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [360K, 5.25 in.] [1.2M , 5.25 in.] [720K ,
3.5 in.] [1.44M, 3.5 in.] [2.88M, 3.5 in.]
2-14 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
2.3.4 Primary, Secondary, Third and Fourth
IDE Master/Slave
While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of IDE
devices. There is a separate sub-menu for each IDE device. Select a device
item then press <Enter> to display the IDE device information.
Primary IDE Master
Device : Hard Disk
Vendor : ST320014A
Size : 20.0GB
LBA Mode : Supported
Block Mode : 16 Sectors
PIO Mode : Supported
Async DMA : MultiWord DMA-2
Ultra DMA : Ultra DMA-5
SMART Monitoring: Supported
Type [Auto]
LBA/Large Mode [Auto]
Block(Multi-sector Transfer)M [Auto]
PIO Mode [Auto]
DMA Mode [Auto]
SMART Monitoring [Auto]
32Bit Data Transfer [Disabled]
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-congurable.
These items show N/A if no IDE device is installed in the system.
Type [Auto]
Selects the type of IDE drive. Setting to Auto allows automatic selection
of the appropriate IDE device type. Select CDROM if you are specically
conguring a CD-ROM drive. Select ARMD (ATAPI Removable Media Device)
if your device is either a ZIP, LS-120, or MO drive.
Conguration options: [Not Installed] [Auto] [CDROM] [ARMD]
LBA/Large Mode [Auto]
Enables or disables the LBA mode. Setting to Auto enables the LBA mode
if the device supports this mode, and if the device was not previously
formatted with LBA mode disabled.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto]
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.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto]
ASUS A8V-VM 2-15
PIO Mode [Auto]
Selects the PIO mode.
Conguration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
DMA Mode [Auto]
Selects the DMA mode.
Conguration options: [Auto] [SWDMAn] [MWDMAn] [UDMAn]
SMART Monitoring [Auto]
Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology.
Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled]
32Bit Data Transfer [Disabled]
Enables or disables 32-bit data transfer.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
2.3.5 System Information
This menu gives you an overview of the general system specications. The
BIOS automatically detects the items in this menu.
AMIBIOS
Version : 0206
Build Date : 12/13/05
Processor
Type : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3000+
Speed : 1800 MHz
Count : 1
System Memory
Installed Size : 256MB
Usable Size : 192MB
AMI BIOS
Displays the auto-detected BIOS information
Processor
Displays the auto-detected CPU specication
System Memory
Displays the auto-detected system memory
2-16 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
2.4 Advanced menu
The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU
and other system devices. Select an item and then press [Enter] to display
the conguration options.
Take caution when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items.
Incorrect eld values can cause the system to malfunction.
JumperFree Conguration
CPU Conguration
Chipset
Onboard Devices Conguration
PCI PnP
2.4.1 JumperFree Configuration
Cong System Frequency/Voltage
Adjust CPU FSB
Frequency
AI Overclock Tuner [Standard]
Spread Spectrum [+/-1.00%]
The following items appear only when the AI Overclock Tuner is set to
Manual.
CPU Frequency [XXX] (value is auto-detected)
Indicates the frequency sent by the clock generator to the system bus
and PCI bus. The bus frequency (external frequency) multiplied by the bus
multiple equals the CPU speed. The value of this item is auto-detected by
BIOS. The values range from 200 to 240. Use the <+> and <-> keys to
adjust the value.
AGP/PCI Frequency [Auto]
Allows you to select the AGP/PCI frequency.
Conguration options: [66.6/33.3] [75.0/37.5] [88.0/44.0]
ASUS A8V-VM 2-17
PCIE Frequency Mode [100MHz]
Allows you to select PCIE frequency mode.
Conguration options: [100MHz] [Synchronization]
DDR Reference Voltage[Auto]
Allows you to select DDR reference voltage.
Conguration options: [Auto] [2.6V] [2.5V]
Spread Spectrum[+/-1.00%]
Allows you to enable or disable clock generator spread spectrum.
2.4.2 CPU Configuration
The items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS
automatically detects.
CPU Conguration
Module Version:14.08
Physical Count: 1
Logical Count: 1
AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+
Revision: D0
Speed : 2000MHz
Cache L1: 64KB
Cache L2: 512KB
Current FSB Multiplier: 10x
GART Error Reporting [Disabled]
MTRR Mapping [Continuous]
GART Error Reporting [Disabled]
This option should remain disabled for the normal operation. The driver
developer may enable it for testing purpose. Conguration options:
[Disabled] [Enabled]
MTRR Mapping [Continuous]
This option determines the method used for programming CPU MTRRs when
4GB or more memory is present. Discrete leaves the PCI hole below the
4GB boundary undescribed. Continuous explicitly describes the PCI hole as
non-cachable. Conguration options: [Continuous] [Discrete]
2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
2.4.3 Chipset
The items in this menu show the chipset-related information.
Advanced Chipset Settings
WARNING: Setting wrong values in below sections may
cause system to malfunction.
NorthBridge Conguration
AGP Bridge K8M890 AGP/PCI EXPRESS Conguration
SouthBridge VIA VT8251 Conguration
AMD Cool’N Quiet Conguration
NorthBridge Configuration
NorthBridge Chipset
Memory Conguration
ECC Conguration
Memory Configuration
Memory Conguration
Memclock Mode [Auto]
MCT Timing Mode [Auto]
CMD-ADDR Timing Mode [2T]
Memclock Mode [Auto]
Allows you to set the memory clock mode.
Conguration options: [Auto] [Limit]
MCT Timing Mode [Auto]
Allows you to set the MCT timing mode.
Conguration options: [Auto] [Manual]
The following items appear only when the MCT Timing Mode is set to
Manual.
ASUS A8V-VM 2-19
CAS Latency (CL) [Auto]
Congiration options: [Auto] [2.0] [3.0] [2.5]
TRAS [Auto]
Conguration options: [Auto] [5CLK] [6CLK] [7CLK] [8CLK] [9CLK]
[10CLK] [11CLK] [12CLK] [13CLK] [14CLK] [15CLK]
TPR [Auto]
Conguration options: [Auto] [2CLK] [3CLK] [4CLK] [5CLK] [6CLK]
TRCD [Auto]
Conguration options: [Auto] [2CLK] [3CLK] [4CLK] [5CLK] [6CLK]
CMD-ADDR Timing Mode [2T]
Conguration options: [1T] [2T]
ECC Configuration
ECC Conguration
DRAM ECC Enable [Disabled]
L2 Cache BG Scrub [Disabled]
Data Cache BG Scrub [Disabled]
DRAM ECC Enable [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the DRAM ECC.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
The following items appear only when the DRAM ECC Enable is set to
Enabled.
MCA DRAM ECC Logging [Disabled]
Enables or disables the MCA DRAM ECC logging.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
ECC Chip Kill [Disabled]
Enables or disables the ECC Chip Kill function.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
DRAM SCRUB REDIRECT [Disabled]
Enables or disables the DRAM SCRUB REDIRECT.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
DRAM BG Scrub [Disabled]
Disables or sets the DRAM BG SCRUB.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [40ns] [80ns] [160ns] [320ns]
[640ns] [1.28us] [2.56us] [5.12us] [10.2us] [20.5us] [41.0us]
[81.9us] [163.8us] [327.7us] [655.4us] [1.31ms] [2.62ms]
[5.24ms] [10.49ms] [20.97ms] [42.00ms] [84.00ms]
L2 Cache BG Scrub [Disabled]
Disables or sets the L2 Cache BG Scrub.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [40ns] [80ns] [160ns] [320ns]
[640ns] [1.28us] [2.56us] [5.12us] [10.2us] [20.5us] [41.0us] [81.9us]
[163.8us] [327.7us] [655.4us] [1.31ms] [2.62ms] [5.24ms] [10.49ms]
[20.97ms] [42.00ms] [84.00ms]
Data Cache BG Scrub [Disabled]
Disables or sets the Data Cache BG Scrub.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [40ns] [80ns] [160ns] [320ns]
[640ns] [1.28us] [2.56us] [5.12us] [10.2us] [20.5us] [41.0us] [81.9us]
[163.8us] [327.7us] [655.4us] [1.31ms] [2.62ms] [5.24ms] [10.49ms]
[20.97ms] [42.00ms] [84.00ms]
AGP Bridge K8M890 AGP/PCI EXPRESS Configuration
OnChip VGA Frame Buffer Size [Disabled]
Primary Graphics Adapter [PCIE VGA]
VIA AGP K8M890 PCI EXPRESS Chipset Conguration
OnChip VGA Frame Buffer Size [Disabled]
Selects OnChip VGA Frame Buffer Size.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [8MB] [16MB] [32MB] [64MB]
[128MB][256MB]
Primary Graphics Adapter [PCIE VGA]
Sets the primary graphics adapter.
Conguration options: [PCI] [PCIE VGA][Integrated VGA]
ASUS A8V-VM 2-21
SouthBridge VIA VT8251 Configuration
Serial ATA IDE Controller [RAID]
RAID/AHCI BOOT Execute [Enabled]
LAN Controller [Enabled]
LAN BOOTROM [Disabled]
Audio Controller [Enabled]
USB1.1 Ports Conguration [USB 8 Ports]
Legacy USB Support [Enabled]
USB2.0 Ports Enabled [Enabled]
PCI Delay Transaction [Enabled]
Serial ATA IDE Controller [RAID]
Disables or sets the RAID mode.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [IDE] [RAID] [AHCI]
RAID/AHCI BIOS Execute [Disabled]
Enables or disables the RAID/AHCI BIOS execute feature. This item
appears only when the Serial ATA IDE Controller item is set to RAID or
AHCI.Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
LAN Controller [Enabled]
Enables or disables the onchip LAN controller.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
LAN BOOTROM [Disabled]
Enables or disables the onchip LAN option ROM execute controller.
This item appears only when the LAN Controller item is Enabled.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Audio Controller [Enabled]
Enables or disables the audio selection
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
USB1.1 USB Ports Configuration[USB 8 Ports]
Conguration options: [Disabled] [USB 2 Ports] [USB 4 Ports] [USB 6
Ports] [USB 8 Ports]
Legacy USB Support [Enabled]
Enables/ disables support for legacy USB. AUTO option disables legacy
support if no USB devices are connected.
USB2.0 Ports Enabled [Enabled]
Enables/disables USB2.0 host controller.
2-22 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
PCI Delay Transaction [Enabled]
Enables or disables PCI Delay Transaction.
AMD Cool’N Quiet Configuration
Enables or disables the Cool’N Quiet Conguration.
2.4.4 Onboard Devices Configuration
Congure Win627EHF Super IO Chipset
Serial Port Address [2F8/IRQ3]
Serial Port Mode [Normal]
Parallel Port Address [378]
Parallel Port Mode [Normal]
Parallel Port IRQ [IRQ7]
Serial Port Address [2F8/IRQ3]
Allows you to select the Serial Port base address.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [3F8/IRQ4] [2F8/IRQ3] [3E8/IRQ4]
[2E8/IRQ3]
Serial Port Mode [Normal]
Allows you to select the Serial Port mode. This item appears only
when the Serial Port item is not Disabled.
Conguration options: [Normal] [IrDA] [ASK IR]
Parallel Port Address [378]
Allows you to select the Parallel Port base addresses.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [378] [278] [3BC]
Parallel Port Mode [ECP]
Allows you to select the Parallel Port mode.
Conguration options: [Normal] [EPP] [ECP] [Bi-Directional]
EC P M ode DMA Ch ann el [DMA3]
Appears only when the Parallel Port Mode is set to [ECP]. This item
allows you to set the Parallel Port ECP DMA.
Conguration options: [DMA0] [DMA1] [DMA3]
ASUS A8V-VM 2-23
EP P V ersion [1.9]
Allows selection of the Parallel Port EPP version. This item appears
only when the Parallel Port Mode is set to EPP.
Conguration options: [1.9] [1.7]
Parallel Port IRQ [IRQ7]
Conguration options: [IRQ5] [IRQ7]
2.4.5 PCI PnP
The PCI PnP menu items allow you to change the advanced settings for
PCI/PnP devices. The menu includes setting IRQ and DMA channel resources
for either PCI/PnP or legacy ISA devices, and setting the memory size block
for legacy ISA devices.
Take caution when changing the settings of the PCI PnP menu items.
Incorrect eld values can cause the system to malfunction.
Advanced PCI/PnP Settings
WARNING: Setting wrong values in below sections
may cause system to malfunction.
Plug And Play O/S [No]
PCI Latency Timer [64]
Allocate IRQ to PCI VGA [Yes]
Palette Snooping [Disabled]
IRQ-3 assigned to [PCI Device]
IRQ-4 assigned to [PCI Device]
IRQ-5 assigned to [PCI Device]
IRQ-7 assigned to [PCI Device]
IRQ-9 assigned to [PCI Device]
IRQ-10 assigned to [PCI Device]
IRQ-11 assigned to [PCI Device]
IRQ-14 assigned to [PCI Device]
IRQ-15 assigned to [PCI Device]
Plug and Play O/S [No]
When set to [No], BIOS congures all the devices in the system. When set
to [Yes] and if you install a Plug and Play operating system, the operating
system congures the Plug and Play devices not required for boot.
Conguration options: [No] [Yes]
PCI Latency Timer [64]
Allows you to select the value in units of PCI clocks for the PCI device
latency timer register.
Conguration options: [32] [64] [96] [128] [160] [192] [224] [248]
2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
Allocate IRQ to PCI VGA [Yes]
When set to [Yes], BIOS assigns an IRQ to PCI VGA card if the card
requests for an IRQ. When set to [No], BIOS does not assign an IRQ to the
PCI VGA card even if requested. Conguration options: [No] [Yes]
Palette Snooping [Disabled]
When set to [Enabled], the pallete snooping feature informs the PCI
devices that an ISA graphics device is installed in the system so that the
latter can function correctly.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
ASUS A8V-VM 2-25
2.5 Power menu
The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced
Power Management (APM). Select an item then press <Enter> to display
the conguration options.
Suspend Mode [Auto]
Repost Video on S3 Resume [No]
ACPI 2.0 Support [No]
ACPI APIC Support [Enabled]
APM Conguration
Hardware Monitor
2.5.1 Suspend Mode [Auto]
Allows you to select the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface
(ACPI) state to be used for system suspend.
Conguration options: [S1 (POS) Only] [S3 Only] [Auto]
2.5.2 Repost Video on S3 Resume [No]
Determines whether to invoke VGA BIOS post on S3/STR resume.
2.5.3 ACPI 2.0 Support [No]
Allows you to add more tables for Advanced Conguration and Power
Interface (ACPI) 2.0 specications.
Conguration options: [No] [Yes]
2.5.4 ACPI APIC Support [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the Advanced Programmable Interrupt
Controller(APIC) mode under Advanced Conguration and Power Interface
(ACPI). When set to Enabled, the ACPI APIC table pointer is included in the
RSDT pointer list. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
2-26 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
2.5.5 APM Configuration
Power Management/APM [Enabled]
Power Button Mode [On/Off]
Restore on AC Power Loss [Power Off]
Advanced Resume Events Controls
Power On By Ring [Disabled]
Power On By OnBoardLan [Disabled]
Power On By PME# [Disabled]
Power On By KBC [Enabled]
Wake-Up Key [Any Key]
Power On By PS/2 Mouse [Disabled]
Power On By RTC Mouse [Disabled]
Power Management/APM [Enabled]
Enables or disables the Advanced Power Management feature.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
The following items appear only when the Power Management/APM
feature is Enabled.
Power Button Mode[On/Off]
Allows the system to go into On/Off mode or suspend mode when the
power button is pressed. Conguration options: [On/Off] [Suspend]
Restore On AC Power Loss[Power Off]
When set to Power Off, the system goes into off state after an AC power
loss. When set to Power On, the system goes on after an AC power loss.
When set to Last State, the system goes into either off or on state
whatever was the system state before the AC power loss.
Conguration options: [Power Off] [Power On] [Last State]
Power On By Ring [Disabled]
This allows either settings of [Enabled] [Disabled] for powering up the
computer when the external modem receives a call while the computer is in
Soft-off mode. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Power On By OnBoardLan [Disabled]
When set to [Enabled], this parameter allows you to turn on the system
through a PCILAN or modem card. This feature requires an ATX power
supply that provides at least 1A on the +5VSB lead.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
ASUS A8V-VM 2-27
Power On By PME# [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN to generate PME in
SoftOFF mode. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Power On By KBC [Enabled]
This parameter allows you to use specic keys on the keyboard to turn on
th system. When set to [enabled], the item Wake-up Key is enabled. This
feature requires an ATX power supply that provides at least 1A on the
+5VSB lead. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Wa ke- up Key[Any Ke y]
Appears only when Power On By KBC is set to [Enabled].
Conguration options: [Any key] [Specc Key]
Power On By PS/2 Mouse [Disabled]
When set to [Enabled], this parameter allows you to use the PS/2 mouse
to turn on the system. This feature requires an ATX power supply that provides
at least 1A on the +5VSB lead. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Power On 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.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
2-28 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
2.5.6 Hardware Monitor
Hardware Monitor
CPU Temperature [51ºC/122.5ºF]
MB Temperature [41ºC/105.5ºF]
CPU Fan Speed [3813 RPM]
Chassis Fan Speed [N/A]
VCORE Voltage [ 1.320V]
3.3V Voltage [ 3.345V]
5V Voltage [ 5.094V]
12V Voltage [11.880V]
CPU Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF]
MB Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF]
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the
motherboard and CPU temperatures. Select Ignored if you do not wish to
display the detected temperatures.
CPU Fan Speed [xxxxRPM] or [N/A]
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU
fan speed in rotations per minute (RPM). If the fan is not connected to the
motherboard, the eld shows N/A.
Chassis Fan Speed [xxxxRPM] or [N/A]
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the
chassis fan speed in rotations per minute (RPM). If the fan is not connected
to the chassis, the specic eld shows N/A.
VCORE Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, 5V Voltage, 12V Voltage
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output
through the onboard voltage regulators.
ASUS A8V-VM 2-29
2.6 Boot menu
The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select
an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu.
2-30 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
Select Screen
Select Item
Enter Go to Sub-screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit
Boot Settings
Boot Device Priority
Boot Settings Conguration
Security
2.6.1 Boot Device Priority
1st ~ xxth Boot Device [1st Floppy Drive]
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.
Conguration options: [1st Floppy Drive] [ATAPI CD-ROM] [HDD:xxxxx]
Select Screen
Select Item
Enter Go to Sub-screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit
Boot Device Priority
1st Boot Device [1st FLOPPY DRIVE]
2nd Boot Device [PM-ST330620A]
3rd Boot Device [PS-ASUS CD-S360]
Boot Device Priority
The following item appears when there are two or more than two hard-
disk drives in the system.
HARD-DISK Drives
This item species the detailed information of each hard-drive including the
drive’s type, the drive’s name and so on.
2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration
ASUS A8V-VM 2-31
Select Screen
Select Item
+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit
Boot Settings Conguration
Allows BIOS to skip
Quick Boot [Enabled]
certain tests while
Full Screen Logo [Enabled]
booting. This will
AddOn ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS]
decrease the time
Bootup Num-Lock [On]
needed to boot the
PS/2 Mouse Support [Auto]
system.
Wait For ‘F1’ If Error [Enabled]
Hit ‘DEL’ Message Display [Enabled]
Interrupt 19 Capture [Disabled]
Quick Boot [Enabled]
Enabling this item allows the BIOS to skip some power on self tests (POST)
while booting to decrease the time needed to boot the system. When set
to [Disabled], BIOS performs all the POST items.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Full Screen Logo [Enabled]
This allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Set this item to [Enabled] to use the ASUS MyLogo™ feature.
AddOn ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS]
Sets the display mode for option ROM.
Conguration options: [Force BIOS] [Keep Current]
Bootup Num-Lock [On]
Allows you to select the power-on state for the NumLock.
Conguration options: [Off] [On]
PS/2 Mouse Support [Auto]
Allows you to enable or disable support for PS/2 mouse.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] [Auto]
Wait for ‘F1’ If Error [Enabled]
When set to [Enabled], the system waits for the F1 key to be pressed
when error occurs. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Hit ‘DEL’ Message Display [Enabled]
When set to [Enabled], the system displays the message “Press DEL to run
Setup” during POST. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Interrupt 19 Capture [Disabled]
When set to [Enabled], this function allows the option ROMs to trap
Interrupt 19. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
2.6.3 Security
The Security menu items allow you to change the system security settings.
Select an item then press <Enter> to display the conguration options.
If you forget your BIOS password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS
Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM. See section “1.9 Jumpers” for information
on how to erase the RTC RAM.
2-32 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
Select Screen
Select Item
+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit
Security Settings
<Enter> to change
Supervisor Password : Not Installed
password.
User Password : Not Installed
<Enter> again to
disabled password.
Change Supervisor Password
Change User Password
Change Supervisor Password
Select this item to set or change the supervisor password. The Supervisor
Password item on top of the screen shows the default Not Installed. After
you set a password, this item shows Installed.
To set a Supervisor Password:
1. Select the Change Supervisor Password item and press <Enter>.
2. From the password box, type a password composed of at least six
letters and/or numbers, then press <Enter>.
3. Conrm the password when prompted.
The message “Password Installed” appears after you successfully set your
password.
To clear the supervisor password, select the Change Supervisor Password
then press <Enter>. The message “Password Uninstalled” appears.
After you have set a supervisor password, the other items appear to allow
you to change other security settings.
User Access Level [Full Access]
This item allows you to select the access restriction to the Setup items.
Conguration options: [No Access] [View Only] [Limited] [Full Access]
No Access prevents user access to the Setup utility.
View Only allows access but does not allow change to any eld.
Limited allows changes only to selected elds, such as Date and Time.
Full Access allows viewing and changing all the elds in the Setup utility.
Change User Password
Select this item to set or change the user password. The User Password
item on top of the screen shows the default Not Installed. After you set a
password, this item shows Installed.
To set a User Password:
1. Select the Change User Password item and press <Enter>.
2. On the password box that appears, type a password composed of at
least six letters and/or numbers, then press <Enter>.
3. Conrm the password when prompted.
The message “Password Installed” appears after you set your password
successfully.
Clear User Password
Select this item to clear the user password.
Password Check [Setup]
When set to [Setup], BIOS checks for user password when accessing the
Setup utility. When set to [Always], BIOS checks for user password both
when accessing Setup and booting the system.
Conguration options: [Setup] [Always]
ASUS A8V-VM 2-33
Select Screen
Select Item
+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit
Security Settings
Supervisor Password : Installed
User Password : Not Installed
Change Supervisor Password
User Access Level [Full Access]
Change User Password
Clear User Password
Password Check [Setup]
2.7 Exit menu
Pressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the
options from this menu or <F10> from the legend bar to exit.
Exit & Save Changes
Once you are nished making your selections, choose this option from the
Exit menu to ensure the values you selected are saved to the CMOS RAM.
An onboard backup battery sustains the CMOS RAM so it stays on even
when the PC is turned off. When you select this option, a conrmation
window appears. Select Ok to save changes and exit.
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 elds other than
System Date, System Time, and Password, the BIOS asks for a conrmation
before exiting.
Discard Changes
This option allows you to discard the selections you made and restore the
previously saved values. After selecting this option, a conrmation appears.
Select Ok to discard any changes and load the previously saved values.
Load Setup Defaults
This option allows you to load the default values for each of the
parameters on the Setup menus. When you select this option or if you
press <F5>, a conrmation window appears. Select Ok to load default
values. Select Exit & Save Changes or make other changes before saving
the values to the non-volatile RAM.
2-34 Chapter 2: BIOS setup
Exit system setup
after saving the
changes.
F10 key can be used
for this operation.
Select Screen
Select Item
Enter Go to Sub-screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit
The Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal or failsafe default values
for the BIOS items, and save or discard your changes to the BIOS items.
Exit Options
Exit & Save Changes
Exit & Discard Changes
Discard Changes
Load Setup Defaults
If you attempt to exit the Setup program without saving your changes,
the program prompts you with a message asking if you want to save
your changes before exiting. Press <Enter> to save the changes while
exiting.
