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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.
Contents Notices ......................vi Safety information ..................vii About this guide ..................vii P5N73-AM specifications summary ............ix Chapter 1: Product introduction Welcome! ..................1-1 Package contents ................. 1-1 Special features ................1-1 1.3.1 Product highlights ............1-1 1.3.2 ASUS special features ............ 1-3 Before you proceed ..............
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2.1.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk ........2-1 2.1.2 ASUS Update utility ............2-2 2.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility ........... 2-3 2.1.4 AwardBIOS Flash Utility ..........2-4 2.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ........2-5 BIOS setup program ..............2-6 2.2.1...
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Contents Power menu ................2-17 2.5.1 ACPI Suspend Type ............2-17 2.5.2 ACPI APIC Support ............2-17 2.5.3 APM Configuration ............2-17 2.5.4 Hardware Monitor ............2-19 Boot menu .................. 2-20 2.6.1 Boot Device Priority ............2-20 2.6.2 Removable Drives ............2-20 2.6.3 Boot Settings Configuration .........
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.
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.
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. Optional documentation Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer.
Supports Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST) ® Supports Intel Hyper-Threading Technology ® * Refer to www.asus.com for Intel CPU support list Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 7050 / nForce 610i (MCP73V) Front side bus 1333 / 1066 / 800 / 533MHz Memory...
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P5N73-AM specifications summary Rear panel ports 1 x Parallel port 1 x LAN (RJ-45) port 4 x USB 2.0 / 1.1 ports 1 x COM port 1 x VGA port 1 x PS/2 keyboard port (purple) 1 x PS/2 mouse port (green)
® 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.
LGA775 Intel Quad-core Processor Ready ® This motherboard supports the latest powerful and energy efficient processors from Intel. Intel Quad-core is based on the Intel Core ® Microarchitecture process technology that allows users to step up to new levels of gaming experience and multi-tasking performance. Combined with 1333 / 1066 / 800 front side bus (FSB), this motherboard guarantees enhanced user experience in the digital home and office.
This feature allows you to convert your favorite photo into a 256-color boot logo for a more colorful and vivid image on your screen. ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 is a utility that allows you to update the BIOS without using an OS-based utility. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2...
ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-off mode. This is a reminder that you must shut down the system and unplug the power cable before removing or plugging in any motherboard component. The illustration below shows the location of the onboard LED. SB_PWR Standby Powered Power P5N73-AM Onboard LED Chapter 1: Product introduction...
Screw holes 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. Place this side towards the rear of the chassis ASUS P5N73-AM...
Contact your retailer immediately if the PnP cap is missing, or if you see any damage to the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard components. ASUS will shoulder the cost of repair only if the damage is shipment/transit-related. • Keep the cap after installing the motherboard. ASUS will process Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requests only if the motherboard comes with the cap on the LGA775 socket.
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Lift the load lever in the direction of the PnP cap arrow to a 135º angle. Load plate Lift the load plate with your thumb and forefinger to a 100º angle (4A), then push the PnP cap from the load plate window to remove (4B).
Thermal Interface Material to the CPU heatsink or CPU before you install the heatsink and fan assembly. Your Intel LGA775 heatsink and fan assembly comes in a push-pin design and requires no ® tool to install. ASUS P5N73-AM...
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Connect the CPU fan cable to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN. DO NOT forget to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you fail to plug this connector. P5N73-AM CPU Fan Connector 1-10 Chapter 1: Product introduction...
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Rotate each fastener clockwise to ensure correct orientation when reinstalling. The motherboard comes with two Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR2 DIMM sockets: P5N73-AM 240-pin DDR2 DIMM Sockets Channel Sockets Yellow...
This motherboard supports up to 4GB on Windows XP Professional x64 and Windows ® ® Vista x64 editions. You may install a maximum of 2GB DIMM on each slot. P5N73-AM Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR2-800MHz capability DIMM support Size Vendor...
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• A*: Supports one module inserted into either slot as single-channel memory configuration. • B*: Supports two modules inserted into both slots as single-channel memory configuration. Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com for the latest QVL. 1-14 Chapter 1: Product introduction...
Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to unlock the DIMM. Support the DIMM lightly with your fingers when pressing the retaining clips. The DIMM might get damaged when it flips out with extra force. DDR2 DIMM notch Remove the DIMM from the socket. ASUS P5N73-AM 1-15...
Expansion slots In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support. Ensure to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.
Normal Clear RTC (Default) P5N73-AM Clear RTC RAM 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.
1.10 Connectors 1.10.1 Rear panel ports PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse. Parallel port. This 25-pin port connects a parallel printer, a scanner, or other devices. LAN (RJ-45) port. Supported by 10/100 LAN controller, this port allows 100Mbps connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub.
Pin 5 on the connector is removed to prevent incorrect cable connection when using a FDD cable with a covered Pin 5. FLOPPY PIN1 NOTE: Orient the red markings on the floppy ribbon cable to PIN 1. Floppy Disk Drive Connector P5N73-AM ASUS P5N73-AM 1-19...
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S/PDIF Out module cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. SPDIF_OUT P5N73-AM Digital Audio Connector The S/PDIF module is purchased separately. 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 an Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable: blue, black, and gray.
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DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufficient air flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! Do not place jumper caps on the fan connectors! P5N73-AM CPU Fan Connector Only the CPU fan supports the ASUS Q-FAN feature. ASUS P5N73-AM 1-21...
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These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specification that supports up to 480Mbps connection speed. P5N73-AM USB 2.0 Connectors Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard! The USB module cable is purchased separately.
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AAFP P5N73-AM Azalia Analog Front Panel Connector • We recommend that you connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector to avail yourself of the motherboard’s high-definition audio capability. • If you want to connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector, set the Front Panel Support Type item in the BIOS setup to [HD Audio].
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This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning speaker. The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings. SPEAKER P5N73-AM Speaker Out Connector ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V) These connectors are for ATX power supply plugs. The power supply plugs are designed to fit these connectors in only one orientation.
This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions. F_PANEL PLED PWRBTN +HDLED RESET P5N73-AM System Panel Connector • System power LED (2-pin PWRLED) 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.
The contents of the Support DVD are subject to change at any time without notice. Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com for updates. To run the Support DVD Place the Support DVD into the optical drive.
Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a floppy disk or a USB flash disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AwardBIOS Flash utilities. 2.1.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk Create a bootable floppy disk using a different computer.
2.1.2 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).
2.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without using an OS-based utility. Before you start using this utility, download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com.
• Obtain the AwardBIOS Flash Utility (awdflash.exe) from the bundled support DVD and the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com. • We recommend that you write the BIOS filename on a piece of paper. You will need to key in the exact BIOS filename at the DOS prompt later.
2.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 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 floppy disk that contains the updated BIOS file.
• 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 at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS file for this motherboard.
• The BIOS setup screens shown in this chapter are for reference purposes only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen. • Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS information. ASUS P5N73-AM...
Specifies the capacity and physical size of diskette Legacy Diskette A: drive A. Primary IDE Master [ST321122A] configuration options for that item. Primary IDE Slave [ASUS CDS520/A] Disabled ..[ ] SATA1 [None] 720K , 3.5 in..[ ] SATA2 [None] 1.44M, 3.5 in.
Allows you to set the system date. 2.3.3 Language [English] Sets the language in BIOS. Configuration options: [English] [Chinese] 2.3.4 Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.] Sets the type of floppy drive installed. Configuration options: [Disabled] [720K , 3.5 in.] [1.44M, 3.5 in.] ASUS P5N73-AM...
2.3.5 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 <Enter> to display the IDE device information. The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Capacity, Cylinder, Head, Sector and Transfer Mode).
Allows you to enable or disable the HDD Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.3.8 Installed Memory [XXX MB] Shows the size of installed memory. 2.3.9 Usable Memory [XXX MB] Shows the size of usable memory. ASUS P5N73-AM 2-11...
Advanced menu The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. Be cautious when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Advanced Power Boot Tools...
1.35V Over Voltage Control [Disabled] Allows you to adjust the +1.35V over voltage. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disable] VCORE Over Voltage Control [Disabled] Allows you to adjust the VCORE over voltage. Configuration options: [Disabled] [+50 mV] [+100 mV] [+150 mV] ASUS P5N73-AM 2-13...
2.4.2 CPU Configuration CPU Internal Thermal Control [Auto] Allows you to set the CPU internal thermal control to auto mode or disable it. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] Limit CPUID MaxVal [Disabled] Enables or disables the Limit CPUID MaxVal technology. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Enhanced C1 (C1E) [Disabled] Enables or disables the Enhanced C1 (C1E) technology.
Configuration options: [AC97] [HD Audio] Onboard nVidia LAN [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the onboard nVidia LAN device support. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] ASUS P5N73-AM 2-15...
OnBoard LAN Boot ROM [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN boot ROM. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4] Allows you to select the Serial Port1 base address. Configuration options: [Disabled] [3F8/ IRQ4] [2F8/IRQ3] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3] [Auto] Parallel Port Address [378/IRQ7] Allows you to select the Parallel Port address.
The computer cannot receive or transmit data until the computer and applications are fully running. Thus, connection cannot be made on the first try. Turning an external modem off and then back on while the computer is off causes an initialization string that turns the system power on. ASUS P5N73-AM 2-17...
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Power On By RTC Alarm [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the power on by RTC alarm. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] The following items become user-configurable when the Power On By RTC Alarm item is set to [Enabled]. Date (of Month) Alarm [0] To set the date of alarm, highlight this item and press <Enter>...
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard voltage regulators. Configuration options: [xxx] [Ignored] CPU Fan Speed warning [600 RPM] Sets the CPU fan speed warning feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [600RPM] [1200RPM] [1600RPM] ASUS P5N73-AM 2-19...
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. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Select Menu Boot Device Priority Removable Drives Boot Settings Configuration Item Specific Help...
Full Screen LOGO [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Ensure that the above item is set to [Enabled] if you want to use the ASUS MyLogo2™ feature. Halt On [All Errors] Allows you to error report type.
F10: Save and Exit ASUS EZ Flash 2 Allows you to run ASUS EZ Flash 2. When you press <Enter>, a confirmation message appears. Use the left/right arrow key to select between [Yes] or [No], then press <Enter> to confirm your choice. Please see page 2-3, section 2.1.3 for details.
Discard Changes This option allows you to discard the selections you made and restore the previously saved values. After selecting this option, a confirmation appears. Select YES to discard any changes and load the previously saved values. ASUS P5N73-AM 2-23...