Asus Z8PH-D12-IFB User Manual

Z8NH-D12 Series

Z8NH-D12
Z8PH-D12/IFB

Motherboard

E5040

First Edition V1
September 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”).

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless
such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the
product is defaced or missing.

ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR AN Y INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS,
LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE),
EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY
DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.

SPECI FI CATI ONS A ND INFO RMATIO N CONTAI NED IN THIS MA NU AL A RE FURNIS HED FOR
INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND
SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY
OR LIABILI TY FOR ANY ERROR S OR IN ACCURACI ES THAT M AY AP PEA R IN TH IS MANUAL,
INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT.

Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or
copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or explanation and to the
owners’ benefit, without intent to infringe.

ii

Contents

Notices ........................................................................................................ vii

Safety information .................................................................................... viii

About this guide ......................................................................................... ix

Typography .................................................................................................. x

Z8NH-D12 Series specications summary ............................................... xi

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-3

1.2 Package contents ......................................................................... 1-3

1.3 Serial number label ...................................................................... 1-4

1.4 Special features ............................................................................ 1-4

1.4.1 Product highlights ........................................................... 1-4

1.4.2 Innovative ASUS features ............................................... 1-6

Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-3

2.2 Motherboard overview ................................................................. 2-5

2.2.1 Placement direction ........................................................ 2-5

2.2.2 Screw holes .................................................................... 2-5

2.2.4 Motherboard layouts ....................................................... 2-6

2.2.5 Layout contents ............................................................... 2-8

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................. 2-10

2.3.1 Installing the CPU ......................................................... 2-10

2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan .............................. 2-13

2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-15

2.4.1 Overview ....................................................................... 2-15

2.4.2 Memory Configurations ................................................. 2-16

2.4.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-17

2.4.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-17

2.5 Expansion slots .......................................................................... 2-18

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-18

2.5.2 Configuring an expansion card ..................................... 2-18

2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-19

2.5.4 PCI Express x16 slot (x16 link) ..................................... 2-20

2.5.5 Installing ASMB4 management board ........................... 2-20

iii

Contents

2.6 Jumpers ...................................................................................... 2-21

2.7 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-25

2.7.1 Rear panel connectors .................................................. 2-25

2.7.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-26

Chapter 3: Powering up

3.1 Starting up for the rst time ........................................................ 3-3

3.2 Powering off the computer .......................................................... 3-4

3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function .................................... 3-4

3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch .............................. 3-4

Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-3

4.1.1 AFUDOS utility ................................................................ 4-3

4.1.2 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 4-6

4.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 4-7

4.2.1 BIOS menu screen .......................................................... 4-8

4.2.2 Menu bar ......................................................................... 4-8

4.2.3 Navigation keys ............................................................... 4-8

4.2.4 Menu items ..................................................................... 4-9

4.2.5 Sub-menu items .............................................................. 4-9

4.2.6 Configuration fields ......................................................... 4-9

4.2.7 Pop-up window ............................................................... 4-9

4.2.8 Scroll bar ......................................................................... 4-9

4.2.9 General help ................................................................... 4-9

4.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-10

4.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx] ................................................. 4-10

4.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] ....................................... 4-10

4.3.3 SATA1—4 ...................................................................... 4-10

4.3.4 IDE Configuration .......................................................... 4-12

4.3.5 AHCI Configuration ....................................................... 4-13

4.3.6 System Information ....................................................... 4-14

4.4 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-16

4.4.1 CPU Configuration ........................................................ 4-16

4.4.2 Chipset Configuration ................................................... 4-20

iv

Contents

4.4.3 Legacy Device Configuration ........................................ 4-24

4.4.4 USB Configuration ........................................................ 4-25

4.4.5 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 4-26

4.4.6 Power On Configuration ................................................ 4-27

4.4.7 Event Log Configuration ............................................... 4-28

4.4.8 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 4-28

4.4.9 PCI Express Configuration ............................................ 4-29

4.4.10 ACPI Configuration ....................................................... 4-30

4.5 Server menu ............................................................................... 4-32

4.5.1 Remote Access Configuration ....................................... 4-32

4.6 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-34

4.6.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 4-34

4.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration .......................................... 4-35

4.6.3 Security ......................................................................... 4-36

4.7 Exit menu .................................................................................... 4-38

Exit and Save Changes ............................................................... 4-38

Exit and Discard Changes ............................................................ 4-38

Discard Changes .......................................................................... 4-38

Load Setup Defaults .................................................................... 4-38

Chapter 5: RAID conguration

5.1 Setting up RAID ............................................................................ 5-3

5.1.1 RAID definitions .............................................................. 5-3

5.1.2 Installing hard disk drives ................................................ 5-4

5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS ........................................ 5-4

5.1.4 RAID configuration utilities .............................................. 5-4

5.2 LSI Software RAID Conguration Utility .................................... 5-5

5.2.1 Creating a RAID set ........................................................ 5-6

5.2.2 Adding or viewing a RAID configuration ....................... 5-12

5.2.3 Initializing the virtual drives ........................................... 5-13

5.2.4 Rebuilding failed drives ................................................. 5-17

5.2.5 Checking the drives for data consistency ..................... 5-19

5.2.6 Deleting a RAID configuration ....................................... 5-22

5.2.7 Selecting the boot drive from a RAID set ...................... 5-23

5.2.8 Enabling WriteCache .................................................... 5-24

v

Contents

5.3 Intel® Matrix Storage Manager Option ROM Utility ................. 5-25

5.3.1 Creating a RAID set ...................................................... 5-26

5.3.2 Creating a Recovery set ............................................... 5-27

5.3.3 Deleting a RAID set ...................................................... 5-29

5.3.4 Resetting disks to Non-RAID ........................................ 5-30

5.3.5 Recovery Volume Options ............................................ 5-31

5.3.6 Exiting the Intel® Matrix Storage Manager .................... 5-32

5.3.7 Rebuilding the RAID ..................................................... 5-32

5.3.8 Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility ............ 5-34

Chapter 6: Driver installation

6.1 RAID driver installation ............................................................... 6-3

6.1.1 Creating a RAID driver disk ............................................ 6-3

6.1.2 Windows® OS .................................................................. 6-6

6.1.3 Red Hat® Enterprise Linux OS ........................................ 6-9

6.1.4 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server OS ............................... 6-17

6.2 Intel chipset device software installation ................................ 6-19

6.3 LAN driver installation ............................................................... 6-23

6.4 Display driver installation ......................................................... 6-27

6.5 Mellanox ConnectX DDR PCI Gen2 Channel Adapter

driver installation ....................................................................... 6-30

6.5.1 Windows operating system ................................................. 6-30

6.5.2

6.6 Management applications and utilities installation ................ 6-37

6.6.1 Running the support DVD ............................................. 6-37

6.6.2 Drivers menu ................................................................. 6-37

6.6.3 Utilities menu ................................................................ 6-38

6.6.4 Make disk menu ............................................................ 6-38

6.6.5 Contact information ....................................................... 6-38

Red Hat® Enterprise Linux OS .............................6-34

Reference information

A.1 Z8NH-D12 block diagram .............................................................A-3

A.2 Z8PH-D12/IFB block diagram ......................................................A-4

vi

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. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’
s instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

•

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

•

Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

•

Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

•

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is
required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modifications
to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the
Canadian Department of Communications.

This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

REACH

Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction
of Chemicals) regulatory framework, we published the chemical substances in our
products at ASUS REACH website at http://green.asus.com/english/REACH.htm.

vii

Safety information

Electrical safety

• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the
electrical 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.

• Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure
that all power cables are unplugged.

• Seek professional assistance before using an adapter or extension cord.
These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit.

• Make sure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area.
If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using,
contact your local power company.

• If the power supply is broken, do not try to fix it by yourself. Contact a
qualified service technician or your retailer.

Operation safety

• Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all
the manuals that came with the package.

• Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected and the
power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer
immediately.

• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from
connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.

• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in
any area where it may become wet.

• Place the product on a stable surface.

• If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualified
service technician or your retailer.

viii

This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical,
electronic equipment, and mercury-containing button cell battery) should not
be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic
products.

About this guide

This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring
the motherboard.

How this guide is organized

This user guide contains the following parts:

• Chapter 1: Product introduction

This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new
technologies it supports.

• Chapter 2: Hardware information

This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform
when installing system components. It includes description of the switches,
jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.

• Chapter 3: Powering up

This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down
the system.

• Chapter 4: BIOS setup

This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup
menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.

• Chapter 5: RAID conguration

This chapter provides instructions for setting up, creating, and configuring

RAID sets using the available utilities.

• Chapter 6: Driver installation

This chapter provides instructions for installing the necessary drivers for
different system components.

• Appendix: Reference information

This appendix includes additional information that you may refer to when
configuring the motherboard.

Where to nd more information

Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and
software updates.

1. ASUS websites

The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and
software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.

2. Optional documentation

Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty
flyers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not
part of the standard package.

ix

Conventions used in this guide

To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following
symbols used throughout this manual.

DANGER/WARNING:

when trying to complete a task.

CAUTION:

when trying to complete a task.

IMPORTANT:

task.

NOTE:

task.

Information to prevent damage to the components

Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a

Tips and additional information to help you complete a

Information to prevent injury to yourself

Typography

Bold text

Italics

<Key> Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater­ than sign means that you must press the
enclosed key.

Example: <Enter> means that you must press
the Enter or Return key.

<Key1+Key2+Key3> If you must press two or more keys
simultaneously, the key names are linked with
a plus sign (+).

Example: <Ctrl+Alt+D>

Command

exactly as shown, then supply the required
item or value enclosed in brackets.

Example: At the DOS prompt, type the
command line:

Indicates a menu or an item to select.

Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

Means that you must type the command

format A:/S

x

Z8NH-D12 Series specications summary

Model Name Z8NH-D12 Z8PH-D12/IFB
Processor Support / System Bus

Core Logic

Form Factor
ASUS Features Fan Speed

Memory Total Slots

Expansion Slots
(follow SSI Loacation #)

Storage SATA Controller

Networking LAN

Graphic VGA

Control
Rack Ready

(Rack and
Pedestal dual
use)

ASWM

Capacity

Memory Type

Memory Size

Total PCI/PCI-X/
PCI-E Slots

Slot Loacation 6

2 * socket 1366
Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® W5500 Series (130W)

Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® X5500 Series (95W)
Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® E5500 Series (80W)
Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® L5500 Series
(60W/38W)

QPI 4.8 / 5.86 / 6.4 GT/s
Intel® 5500 chipset IOH Intel® 5520 chipset IOH

Intel® ICH10R I/O Controller

Mellanox ConnectX
MT25408 DDR 20Gbps
controller"

6.3” x 16.7”
V V

V V

V V
12 (3-channel per CPU, 6 DIMM per CPU)
Maximum up to 96GB (RDIMM)

Maximum up to 48GB (UDIMM)
DDR3 800/1066/1333 Reg DIMM/ Unbuffered

DIMM with ECC
1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB* (RDIMM)

1GB, 2GB, 4GB (UDIMM)
1 1

1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 x16 Link)
Intel® ICH10R:

4 SATA2 300MB/s ports
Intel Matrix Storage (for Windows only)
(Support software RAID 0, 1, 10 & 5)
LSI® MegaRAID (for Linux/Windows)
(Support software RAID 0, 1, 10)

2 * Intel 82574L + 1 * Management LAN

1 * Single Port DDR
Infiniband 20Gbps with
CX4 interface

Aspeed AST2050 8MB

xi

Z8NH-D12 Series specications summary

Onboard I/O
Connectors

Rear I/O Connectors External Serial

Management Solution Software

Monitoring CPU

Environment

Specications are subject to change without notice.

• The 20-pin proprietory power connectors are not compatible with SSI power

• The 4-pin Molex connector is designed for hard disk drive only. DO NOT

PSU Connector

USB Connectors
Fan Header
SMBus
Front LAN LED

Port
External USB

Port
VGA Port
RJ-45

Out of Band
Remote
Management

Temperature
FAN RPM

supply. USE THE PROPRIETARY POWER SUPPLY ONLY; otherwise you
may damage the motherboard.

connect other 4-pin power connectors of the power supply unit (PSU) to this
connector.

2 * 20-pin 12V power connector
1 * 4-pin Molex connector for hard disk drive

2 (One for internal Type A USB connector )
4 * 4pin (4pin FAN Only)
2 2
2 2
1 1

2 2

1 1
2 + 1 Management Port
ASWM
Optional ASMB4-iKVM for KVM-over-IP support

V V

V V

Operation temperature: 10℃—35℃
Non operation temperature: -40℃—70℃

Non operation humidity: 20%—90%
( Non condensing)

DO NOT touch the Northbridge chipset! The Northbridge chipset may become
overheated. Remember to provide sufficient air flow to keep the system stable.

xii

This chapter describes the motherboard
features and the new technologies it supports.

Product

introduction

1

Chapter summary

1

1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-3

1.2 Package contents ......................................................................... 1-3

1.3 Serial number label ...................................................................... 1-4

1.4 Special features ............................................................................ 1-4

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series

1.1 Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS® Z8NH-D12 Series motherboard!

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.

1.2 Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Standard Bulk Pack

Z8NH-D12 Series

Application CD Support CD

Documentation User Guide

Packing Qty.

If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

1

1

10pcs per carton

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 1-3

1.3 Serial number label

Before requesting support from the ASUS Technical Support team, you must take
note of the motherboard's serial number containing 13 characters
shown as the figure below. With the correct serial number of the product, ASUS
Technical Support team members can then offer a quicker and satisfying solution
to your problems.

xxS2xxxxxxxxx

Z8NH-D12

xxS2xxxxxxxxx

Made

in

China

合格

1.4 Special features

1.4.1 Product highlights

Latest processor technology

This motherboard supports the latest Intel Xeon 5500 series processors in LGA
1366 package with integrated memory controller to support 3-channel (6 DIMM per
CPU) DDR3 memory. Intel Xeon 5500 series processor supports Intel QuickPath
Interconnect (QPI) with a system bus of up to 6.4GT/s and a max bandwidth of up
to 25.6GB/s. Intel Xeon 5500 series processor is the one of the most powerful and
energy-efficient CPUs in the world.

Intel Turbo Boost

Intel Turbo Boost dynamically reroute power to improve performance. The
processor will automatically overclock as long as the CPU temperature is allowed.

Intel Hyper Threading

The thread-level parallelism on each processor makes more efficient use of the
processor resources, higher processing throughout and improved performance on
today's multi-threaded software.

Intel® EM64T

The motherboard supports Intel® processors with the Intel® EM64T (Extended
Memory 64 Technology). The Intel® EM64T feature allows your computer to run on
64-bit operating systems and access larger amounts of system memory for faster
and more efficient computing.

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction

DDR3 memory support

The Z8NH-D12 Series supports UDIMM and RDIMM DDR3 memory that features
data transfer rates of 1333/1066 MHZ to meet the higher bandwidth requirements
of server and workstation applications. The 3-channel DDR3 architecture boosts
system performance, eliminating bottlenecks with peak bandwidth of up to 17GB/s.
Furthermore, the supply voltage for the memory is reduced form 1.8 V for DDR2 to
just 1.5V for DDR3. This voltage reduction limits the power consumption and heat
generation of DDR3 which makes it an ideal memory solution.

PCIe 2.0

This motherboard supports the latest PCIe 2.0 device for twice the current speed
and bandwidth. This enhances system performance while still providing backward
compatibility to PCIe 1.0 devices.

82574L LAN Solution

The motherboard comes with dual Gigabit LAN controllers and ports which provide
a total solution for your networking needs. The onboard Intel 82574L Gigabit LAN
controllers use the PCI Express interface and could achieve network throughput
close to Gigabit bandwidth.

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST)

The Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST) intelligently manages the
CPU resources by automatically adjusting the CPU voltage and core frequency
depending on the CPU loading and system speed or power requirement.

Serial ATA II technology

The motherboard supports the Serial ATA II 3 Gb/s technology through the Serial
ATA interface and Intel ICH10R chipset. The Serial ATA II specification provides
twice the bandwidth of the current Serial ATA products with a host of new
features, including Native Command Queuing (NCQ), Power Management (PM)
Implementation Algorithm, and Hot Swap. Serial ATA allows thinner, more flexible
cables with lower pin count and reduced voltage requirements.

USB 2.0 technology

The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specification,
dramatically increasing the connection speed from the 12 Mbps bandwidth on USB

1.1 to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 1-5

Temperature, fan, and voltage monitoring

The CPU temperature is monitored to prevent overheating and damage. The
system fan rotations per minute (RPM) is monitored for timely failure detection.
The chip monitors the voltage levels to ensure stable supply of current for critical
components.

100% Japan-made Conductive Polymer Capacitors

This motherboard uses all high-quality conductive polymer capacitors for durability,
improved lifespan, and enhanced thermal capacity.

1.4.2 Innovative ASUS features

ASUS EPU

With current trends leaning towards power efficiency, the Z8NH-D12 Series is
equipped with the ASUS exclusive EPU technology to provide total system power
saving by detecting current CPU loadings and intelligently moderating power in
real-time.

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction

This chapter lists the hardware setup
procedures that you have to perform
when installing system components. It
includes description of the jumpers and
connectors on the motherboard.

Hardware

information

2

Chapter summary

2

2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-3

2.2 Motherboard overview ................................................................. 2-5

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................. 2-10

2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-15

2.5 Expansion slots .......................................................................... 2-18

2.6 Jumpers ...................................................................................... 2-21

2.7 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-25

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series

2.1 Before you proceed

Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change
any motherboard settings.

• Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any
component.

• Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal
object, such as the power supply case, before handling components to
avoid damaging them due to static electricity.

• Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.

• Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic
pad or in the bag that came with the component.

• Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the power supply
is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure
to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, and/or
components.

Onboard LED

1. Standby Power LED

The motherboard comes with a standby power LED. The green LED lights up

to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-off mode. This is a
reminder that you should 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.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-3

2. CPU warning LED (ERR_CPU1, ERR_CPU2)

The CPU warning LEDs light up to indicate that an impending failure of the

corresponding CPU.

2-4 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.2 Motherboard overview

Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to
ensure that the motherboard fits into it.

To optimize the motherboard features, we highly recommend that you install it in an
SSI EEB 1.1 compliant chassis.

Ensure to unplug the chassis power cord before installing or removing the
motherboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage
motherboard components!

2.2.1 Placement direction

When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the chassis in the
correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis
as indicated in the image below.

2.2.2 Screw holes

Place eight (8) 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 Z8NH-D12 Series 2-5

2.2.4 Motherboard layouts

Z8NH-D12

2-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Z8PH-D12/IFB

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-7

2.2.5 Layout contents

Slots/Soocket Page

1. CPU sockets

2. DDR3 sockets

3. PCI Express x 16 slot

Jumpers Page

1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC1)

2. VGA controller setting (3-pin VGA_SW1))

3. DDR3 voltage control setting
(4-pin LVDDR3_SEL1; LVDDR3_SEL2)

4. LAN controller setting (3-pin LAN_SW1, LAN_SW2)

5. Intel ICH10R SATA port S/W RAID setting (3-pin RAID_SEL1)

6. Force BIOS recovery setting (3-pin RECOVERY1)

Rear panel connectors Page

1. RJ-45 port for iKVM

2. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2

3. LAN 1 (RJ-45) port

4. LAN 2 (RJ-45) port

5. Serial (COM1) port

6. Video Graphics Adapter port

7. Location LED

2-10

2-15

2-20

2-21

2-22

2-22

2-23

2-23

2-24

2-25

2-25

2-25

2-25

2-25

2-25

2-25

2-8 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Internal connectors Page

1. Serial ATA connectors
(7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4)

2. USB connector (5-1 pin USB3, A-Type USB4)

3. Thermal sensor cable connectors (3-pin TR1, TR2)

4. Front fan connectors
(4-pin FRNT_FAN1, FRNT_FAN2, FRNT_FAN3, FRNT_FAN4)

5. LPC debug card connector (14-1 pin LPC1)

6. Serial General Purpose Input/Output connector (6-1 pin SGPIO1)

7. BMC header (BMC_FW1)

8. Power Supply SMBus connectors (6-1 pin JP1; JP2)

9. Proprietary power connectors
(20-pin PWR1, 20-pin PWR2, 4-pin PWR3)

10. System panel connector (20-1 pin PANEL1)

11. Auxiliary panel connector (20-2 pin AUX_PANEL1)

2-26

2-27

2-27

2-28

2-29

2-29

2-30

2-30

2-31

2-32

2-33

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-9

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with dual surface mount LGA 1366 Socket designed for
the Intel® Xeon 5500 series CPU in the Land Grid Array (LGA) package.

•

Upon purchase of the motherboard, ensure that the PnP cap is on
the socket and the socket contacts are not bent. 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 shoulders the repair
cost 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 Socket 1366.

• The product warranty does not cover damage to the socket contacts
resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, or misplacement/loss/
incorrect removal of the PnP cap.

2.3.1 Installing the CPU

To install a CPU:

1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

Before installing the CPU, ensure that the socket box is facing toward you and
the load lever is on your left.

2-10 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2. Press the load lever with your
thumb (A), then move it to the left
(B) until it is released from the
retention tab.

Retention tab

A

To prevent damage to the socket
pins, do not remove the PnP cap
unless you are installing a CPU.

3. Lift the load lever in the direction of
the arrow to a 135º angle.

4. Lift the load plate with your thumb
and forefinger to a 100º angle.

5. Remove the PnP cap from the CPU
socket.

B

Load lever

Load plate

4

3

PnP cap

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-11

6. Position the CPU over the socket,
ensuring that the gold triangle is on
the bottom-left corner of the socket,
and then fit the socket alignment key
into the CPU notch.

The CPU fits in only one correct
orientation. DO NOT force the
CPU into the socket to prevent
bending the connectors on the
socket and damaging the CPU!

7. Apply some Thermal Interface
Material to the exposed area of
the CPU that the heatsink will be
in contact with, ensuring that it is
spread in an even thin layer.

Some heatsinks come with
pre-applied Thermal Interface
Material. If so, skip this step.

Gold
triangle
mark

CPU notch

Alignment key

The Thermal Interface Material is toxic. DO NOT eat the Thermal Interface
Material. If it gets into your eyes or touches your skin, ensure that you wash it
off immediately and seek professional medical help.

To prevent contaminating the Thermal Interface Material, DO NOT spread the
Thermal Interface Material with your finger directly.

2-12 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan

The Intel Xeon 5500 series processors require a specially designed heatsink to
ensure optimum thermal condition and performance.

• Ensure to use qualified heatsink assembly only.

• Ensure that you have applied the thermal grease to the top of the CPU
before installing the heatsink and fan.

Follow these steps to install the CPU heatsink and fan.

1. Orient and place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, ensuring that the
screw holes are matched with the heatsink standoffs.

2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten the four heatsink screws in a diagonal
sequence.

Ensure that the heatsink is not skewed or tilted, otherwise the CPU will overheat.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-13

3. Connect the fan cable to any of the the 4-pin connectors.

3. Repeat steps 1 to 3 to install the other heatsink if you have installed a secondRepeat steps 1 to 3 to install the other heatsink if you have installed a second
CPU, then connect the fan cable to another 4-pin connector.

2-14 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.4 System memory

2.4.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with twelve (12) Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline
Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.

A DDR3 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR2 DIMM but is
notched differently to prevent installation on a DDR2 DIMM socket. DDR3 modules
are developed for better performance with less power consumption.

The figure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets:

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-15

2.4.2 Memory Congurations

You may install 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, or 8GB registered ECC/unbuffered ECC DDR3
DIMMs into the DIMM sockets using the memory configurations in this section.

Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum compatibility, it
is recommended that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor.

Memory population table

CPU 1 Conguration

DIMM_A2 DIMM_A1 DIMM_B2 DIMM_B1 DIMM_C2 DIMM_C1
1 DIMMs
2 DIMMs
3 DIMMs
4 DIMMs
6 DIMMs

CPU 2 Conguration

1 DIMMs
2 DIMMs
3 DIMMs
4 DIMMs
6 DIMMs

-- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- --

-- -- --

-- --

DIMM_D2 DIMM_D1 DIMM_E2 DIMM_E1 DIMM_F2 DIMM_F1

-- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- --

-- -- --

-- --

2-16 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.4.3 Installing a DIMM

Unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other
system components. Failure to do so can cause severe damage to both the
motherboard and the components.

To install a DIMM:

1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing

the retaining clips outward.

2. Align a DIMM on the socket

such that the notch on the DIMM

1

matches the break on the socket.

3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the

socket until the retaining clips
snap back in place and the DIMM
is properly seated.

• A DDR3 DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it fits in only one direction. DO
NOT force a DIMM into a socket to avoid damaging the DIMM.

• The DDR3 DIMM sockets do not support DDR and DDR2 DIMMs. DO NOT
install DDR or DDR2 DIMMs to the DDR3 DIMM sockets.

2.4.4 Removing a DIMM

To remove a DIMM:

1. 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.

2

3

DDR3 DIMM notch

1

Unlocked retaining clip

2

DDR3 DIMM notch

1

1

2. Remove the DIMM from the socket.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-17

2.5 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.

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card

To install an expansion card:

1. Before installing the expansion card, read the documentation that came with
it and make the necessary hardware settings for the card.

2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed in a
chassis).

3. Remove the bracket opposite the slot that you intend to use. Keep the screw
for later use.

4. Align the card connector with the slot and press firmly until the card is
completely seated on the slot.

5. Secure the card to the chassis with the screw you removed earlier.

6. Replace the system cover.

2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card

After installing the expansion card, configure the it by adjusting the software
settings.

1. Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. See
Chapter 4 for information on BIOS setup.

2. Assign an IRQ to the card. Refer to the tables on the next page.

3. Install the software drivers for the expansion card.

When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Share
IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conflicts will
arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card
inoperable.

2-18 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.5.3 Interrupt assignments

Standard Interrupt assignments

IRQ Priority Standard function

0 1 System Timer

1 2 Keyboard Controller

2 - Programmable Interrupt

4* 12 Communications Port (COM1)

5* 13 --

6 14 Floppy Disk Controller

7* 15 --

8 3 System CMOS/Real Time Clock

9* 4 ACPI Mode when used

10* 5 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering

11* 6 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering

12* 7 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port

13 8 Numeric Data Processor

14* 9 Primary IDE Channel

15* 10 Secondary IDE Channel

* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-19

2.5.4 PCI Express x16 slot (x16 link)

The onboard PCI Express x16 slot provides x16 link to Intel 5500 I/O Hubchipset.
This slot supports VGA cards and various server class high performance add-on
cards. It also supports a special riser card with two PCI Express x16 (x8 link) slots
for 1U server system.

PCIEx16 slot (x16 link)

2.5.5 Installing ASMB4 management board

Follow the steps below to install an optional ASMB4 management board on your
motherboard.

1. Locate the BMC_FW1 header on
the motherboard.

2. Orient and press the ASMB4
management card in place.

2-20 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.6 Jumpers

1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC1)

This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS.
You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters
by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery
powers the RAM data in CMOS, which include system setup information such
as system passwords.

To erase the RTC RAM:

1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.

2. Move the jumper cap from pins 1–2 (default) to pins 2–3. Keep the cap
on pins 2–3 for about 5–10 seconds, then move the cap back to pins 1–2.

3. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.

4. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup
to re-enter data.

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 the CMOS clearance,
reinstall the battery.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-21

2. VGA controller setting (3-pin VGA_SW1)

This jumper allows you to enable or disable the onboard VGA controller. Set
to pins 1–2 to activate the VGA feature.

3. DDR3 voltage control setting (4-pin LVDDR3_SEL1; LVDDR3_SEL2)

These jumpers allow you to adjust the DIMM voltage. Set to pins 1–2 to
select 1.5V BIOS control, pins 2–3 to select 1.2V Force or 3–4 to select

1.35V Force.

2-22 Chapter 2: Hardware information

4. LAN controller setting (3-pin LAN_SW1, LAN_SW2)

These jumpers allow you to enable or disable the onboard Intel

®

Intel
82574LGigabit LAN controllers. Set to pins 1–2 to activate the Gigabit LAN
feature.

5. Intel® ICH10R SATA port S/W RAID setting (3-pin RAID_SEL1)

This jumper allows you to select the Serial ATA RAID configuration utility to
use when you create disk arrays. Place the jumper caps on pins 1–2 if you
want to use the LSI Logic Embedded SATA RAID Setup Utility (default);
otherwise, place the jumper caps on pins 2–3 to use the Intel® Matrix Storage
Manager (IMSM).

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-23

6. Force BIOS recovery setting (3-pin RECOVERY1)

This jumper allows you to quickly update or recover the BIOS settings when it
becomes corrupted.

To update the BIOS:

1. Prepare a USB flash disk that contains the original or latest BIOS for the
motherboard (XXXXXX.ROM) and the AFUDOS.EXE utility.

2. Set the jumper to pins 2–3.

3. Insert the USB flash and turn on the system to update the BIOS.

4. Shut down the system.

5. Set the jumper back to pins 1–2.

6. Turn on the system.

2-24 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.7 Connectors

2.7.1 Rear panel connectors

1. RJ-45 port for iKVM. This RJ-45 port functions only when you install ASMB4

management card.

2. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports

are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.

3. LAN 2 (RJ-45) port. This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area

Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the table below for the LAN
port LED indications.

4. LAN 1 (RJ-45) port. This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area

Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the table below for the LAN
port LED indications.

LAN port LED indications

LED

LAN port

SPEED

LED

Activity/Link LED Speed LED

Status Description Status Description

OFF No link OFF 10 Mbps connection

GREEN Linked ORANGE 100 Mbps connection

BLINKING Data activity GREEN 1 Gbps connection

ACT/LINK

5. Serial (COM1) port. This 9-pin communication port is for pointing devices or

other serial devices.

6. Video Graphics Adapter port. This port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-

compatible devices.

7. Location LED. This LED lights up for you to conveniently locate the system

in error.

8. InniBand (IFX1). This port allows connection with a CX4 cable to an

InfiniBand switch.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-25

2.7.2 Internal connectors

1. Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4)

Supported by the Intel® ICH10R chipset, these connectors are for the Serial
ATA signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives that allows up to 3Gb/s of
data transfer rate.

If you installed Serial ATA hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0, RAID 1,
RAID 10, or RAID 5 configuration.

The actual data transfer rate depends on the speed of Serial ATA hard disks
installed.

2-26 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2. USB connector (5-1 pin USB3; A-Type USB4)

These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cables
to connectors USB3, then install the modules to a slot opening at the
back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0
specification that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed.

3. Thermal sensor cable connectors (3-pin TR1, TR2)

These connectors are for temperature monitoring. Connect the thermal
sensor cables to these connectors and place the other ends to the devices,
which you want to monitor temperature.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-27

4. Front fan connectors
(4-pin FRNT_FAN1, FRNT_FAN2, FRNT_FAN3, FRNT_FAN4)

The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350 mA–740 mA (8.88 W max.)
or a total of 3.15 A–6.66 A (53.28 W max.) at +12V. Connect the fan cables to
the fan connectors on the motherboard, ensuring that the black wire of each
cable matches the ground pin of the connector.

• 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!

• All fans feature the ASUS Smart Fan technology.

2-28 Chapter 2: Hardware information

5. LPC debug card connector (14-1 pin LPC1)

This is a low pin count interface used to plug in the LPC debug card.

6. Serial General Purpose Input/Output connector (6-1 pin SGPIO1)

This connector is used for the SGPIO peripherals for the LSI MegaRAID and
Intel Matrix RAID SATA LED.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-29

7. BMC header (BMC_FW1)

The BMC connector on the motherboard supports an ASUS® Server

Management Board 4 Series (ASMB4).

8. Power Supply SMBus connectors (6-1 pin JP1; JP2)

These connectors allow you to connect SMBus (System Management Bus) to
the power supply unit to read PSU information. Devices communicate with an
SMBus host and/or other SMBus devices using the SMBus interface.

2-30 Chapter 2: Hardware information

9. Proprietary power connectors
(20-pin PWR1, 20-pin PWR2, 4-pin PWR3)

These connectors are for Proprietary power supply plugs. The power supply
plugs are designed to fit these connectors in only one orientation. Orient the
connectors and push down firmly until they completely fit.

The 4-pin EZ_PLUG is designed for hard disk drives power supply. DO NOT
connect other 4-pin power connectors of the power supply unit (PSU) to this
connector.

• Connect either one of the 20-pin power connectors to boot up the system.

• Use of a PSU with a higher power output is recommended when
configuring a system with more power-consuming devices. The system
may become unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.

• USE THE PROPRIETARY POWER SUPPLY ONLY; otherwise you may
damage the motherboard. Ensure that your PSU can provide at least the
minimum power required by your system.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-31

10. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL1)

This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.

1. System power LED (3-pin PLED)

This 3-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.

2. Message LED (2-pin MLED)

This 2-pin connector is for the message LED cable that connects to
the front message LED. The message LED is controlled by Hardware
monitor to indicate an abnormal event occurance.

3. System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER)

This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning
speaker. The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.

4. Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin HDDLED)

This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD
Activity LED cable to this connector. The IDE LED lights up or flashes
when data is read from or written to the HDD.

5. Proprietary power button/soft-off button (2-pin PWRSW)

This connector is for the system power button. Pressing the power
button turns the system on or puts the system in sleep or soft-off mode
depending on the BIOS settings. Pressing the power switch for more
than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF.

6. Reset button (2-pin RESET)

This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system
reboot without turning off the system power.

2-32 Chapter 2: Hardware information

11. Auxiliary panel connector (20-pin AUX_PANEL1)

This connector is for additional front panel features including front panel
SMB, locator LED and switch, chassis intrusion, and LAN LEDs.

1. Front panel SMB (6-1 pin FPSMB)

These leads connect the front panel SMBus cable.

2. LAN activity LED (2-pin LAN1_LED, LAN2_LED)

These leads are for Gigabit LAN activity LEDs on the front panel.

3. Chassis intrusion (4-1 pin CHASSIS)

These leads are for the intrusion detection feature for chassis with
intrusion sensor or microswitch. When you remove any chassis
component, the sensor triggers and sends a high-level signal to these
leads to record a chassis intrusion event. The default setting is short
CASEOPEN and GND pin by jumper cap to disable the function.

4. Locator LED (2-pin LOCATORLED1 and 2-pin LOCATORLED2)

These leads are for the locator LED1 and LED2 on the front panel.
Connect the Locator LED cables to these 2-pin connector. The LEDs will
light up when the Locator button is pressed.

5. Locator Button/Swich (2-pin LOCATORBTN)

These leads are for the locator button on the front panel. This button
queries the state of the system locator.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 2-33

2-34 Chapter 2: Hardware information

This chapter describes the power up
sequence, and ways of shutting down the
system.

Powering up

3

Chapter summary

3

3.1 Starting up for the rst time ........................................................ 3-3

3.2 Turning off the computer ............................................................. 3-4

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series

3.1 Starting up for the rst time

1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover.

2. Ensure that all switches are off.

3. Connect the power cord to the power connector at the back of the system
chassis.

4. Connect the power cord to a power outlet that is equipped with a surge
protector.

5. Turn on the devices in the following order:

a. Monitor

b. External SCSI devices (starting with the last device on the chain)

c. System power

6. After applying power, the system power LED on the system front panel case
lights up. For systems with Proprietary power supplies, the system LED lights
up when you press the Proprietary power button. If your monitor complies
with “green” standards or if it has a “power standby” feature, the monitor LED
may light up or switch between orange and green after the system LED turns
on.

The system then runs the power-on self-test or POST. While the tests are

running, the BIOS beeps or additional messages appear on the screen. If you
do not see anything within 30 seconds from the time you turned on the power,
the system may have failed a power-on test. Check the jumper settings and
connections or call your retailer for assistance.

7. At power on, hold down the <Del> key to enter the BIOS Setup. Follow the
instructions in Chapter 4.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 3-3

3.2 Powering off the computer

3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function

If you are using Windows® 2000/2003 Server:

1. Click

2. Select

3. Select

4. Ensure that the

5. Select

6. If necessary, key in comments.

7. Click OK.

Start

then click

Shut Down

box.

Shutdown Event Tracker

shutdown

Shut Down

from the

Planned

from the list box.

What do you want the computer to do?

check box is checked.

.

list

.

3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch

While the system is ON, pressing the power switch for less than four seconds puts
the system to sleep mode or to soft-off mode, depending on the BIOS setting.
Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds lets the system enter the
soft-off mode regardless of the BIOS setting. Refer to section
Chapter 4 for details.

4.5 Power Menu

in

3-4 Chapter 3: Powering up

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

4

Chapter summary

4

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-3

4.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 4-7

4.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-10

4.4 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-16

4.5 Server menu ............................................................................... 4-32

4.6 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-34

4.7 Exit menu .................................................................................... 4-38

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS

The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic
Input/Output System (BIOS) setup:

AFUDOS utility

1.
flash disk drive.)

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

2.
disk drive when the BIOS file fails or gets corrupted.)

Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities.

(Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable USB

(To recover the BIOS using a bootable USB flash

Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a bootable

disk drive

motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities.

in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original

USB flash

4.1.1 AFUDOS utility

The AFUDOS utility allows you to update the BIOS file in DOS environment using
a bootable USB flash disk drive with the updated BIOS file. This utility also allows
you to copy the current BIOS file 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 file using the AFUDOS utility:

The succeeding BIOS screens are for reference only. The actual BIOS screen
displays may not be the same as shown.

1. Copy the AFUDOS utility (afudos.exe) from the motherboard support CD to
the bootable USB flash disk drive you created earlier.

2. Boot the system in DOS mode, then at the prompt type:

afudos /o[lename]

where the [filename] is any user-assigned filename not more than eight
alphanumeric characters for the main filename and three alphanumeric
characters for the extension name.

A:\>afudos /oOLDBIOS1.rom

Main lename Extension name

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-3

3. Press <Enter>. The utility copies the current BIOS file to the USB flash disk
drive.

A:\>afudos /oOLDBIOS1.rom

AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.24BB))
Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reading ash ..... done

Write to le...... ok

A:\>

The utility returns to the DOS prompt after copying the current BIOS file.

Updating the BIOS le

To update the BIOS file using the AFUDOS utility:

1. Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com and download the latest BIOS file
for the motherboard. Save the BIOS file to a bootable USB flash disk drive. USB flash disk drive..

Write the BIOS filename on a piece of paper. You need to type the exact BIOS
filename at the DOS prompt.

2. Copy the AFUDOS utility (afudos.exe) from the motherboard support CD to
the bootable USB flash disk drive you created earlier. USB flash disk drive you created earlier.you created earlier.

3. Boot the system in DOS mode, then at the prompt, type:

afudos /i[lename]

where [filename] is the latest or the original BIOS file on the bootable USB USB
flash disk drive, then press <Enter>., then press <Enter>.

A:\>afudos /i8036A0.ROM

The utility verifies the file, then starts updating the BIOS file.

A:\>afudos /i8036A0.ROM
AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.24BB))
Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved.

WARNING!! Do not turn off power during ash BIOS

Reading le ....... done

Reading ash ...... done

Advance Check ......

Erasing ash ...... done

Writing ash ...... 0x0008CC00 (9%)

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent
system boot failure!

4-4 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

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 /i8036A0.ROM
AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.24BB))
Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved.

WARNING!! Do not turn off power during ash BIOS

Reading le ....... done

Reading ash ...... done

Advance Check ......

Erasing ash ...... done

Writing ash ...... done

Verifying ash .... done

Please restart your computer

A:\>

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-5

4.1.2 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 a USB flash drive that contains the updated
BIOS file.

Prepare a USB flash drive containing the updated motherboard BIOS before
using this utility.

Recovering the BIOS from a USB ash drive

To recover the BIOS from a USB flash drive:

1. Remove any floppy disk from the floppy disk drive and turn the system on.

2. Insert the USB flash drive with the original or updated BIOS file to one USB
port on the system.

3. The utility will automatically recover the BIOS. It resets the system when the
BIOS recovery finished.

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while recovering the BIOS! Doing so
would cause system boot failure!

The recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this motherboard.
Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS file.

4-6 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.2 BIOS setup program

This motherboard supports a programmable firmware chip that you can update
using the provided utility described in section

BIOS

.

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.

Even if you are not prompted to use the Setup program, you can change the
configuration 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 reconfigure your system using the BIOS Setup program so that the
computer can recognize these changes and record them in the CMOS RAM of the
firmware chip.

The firmware chip 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+Delete>, 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 first 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.

4.1 Managing and updating your

• 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
Exit Menu. See section

• 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.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-7

4.8 Exit Menu

Load Setup Defaults

.

item under the

4.2.1 BIOS menu screen

Menu bar

Main Advanced Server Boot Exit

System Time [13:44:30]
System Date [Thu, 01/08/2009]

SATA 1 : [ST3160812AS]
SATA 2 : [Not Detected]
SATA 3 : [Not Detected]
SATA 4 : [Not Detected]

IDE Conguration
AHCI Conguration
System Information

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Sub-menu items

Conguration eldsMenu items

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

General help

Use [ENTER], [TAB]
or [SHIFT-TAB] to
select a eld.

Use [+] or [-] to
congure system Date.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Field
Tab Select Field
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Navigation keys

4.2.2 Menu bar

The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:

Main For changing the basic system configuration

Advanced For changing the advanced system settings

Server For changing the advanced server settings

Boot For changing the system boot configuration

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.

4.2.3 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.

4-8 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.2.4 Menu items

The highlighted item on the
menu bar displays the specific
items for that menu. For
example, selecting Main shows
the Main menu items.

System Time [11:17:09]
System Date [Thu 01/08/2009]

SATA1 [Not Detected]
SATA2 [Not Detected]
SATA3 [Not Detected]]
SATA4 [Not Detected]

IDE Conguration
AHCI Conguration
System Information

Use [ENTER], [TAB]

or [SHIFT-TAB] to

select a eld.

Use [+] or [-] to

congure system

Date.

The other items (Advanced,
Power, Boot, and Exit) on the
menu bar have their respective
menu items.

Main menu items

4.2.5 Sub-menu items

A solid triangle before each item on any menu screen means that the item has a
sub-menu. To display the sub-menu, select the item and press <Enter>.

4.2.6 Conguration elds

These fields show the values for the menu items. If an item is user-configurable,
you can change the value of the field opposite the item. You cannot select an item
that is not user-configurable.

A configurable field is enclosed in brackets, and is highlighted when selected. To
change the value of a field, select it then press <Enter> to display a list of options.
Refer to 4.2.7 Pop-up window.

4.2.7 Pop-up window

Select a menu item then press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the
configuration options for that item.

4.2.8 Scroll bar

A scroll bar appears on the right side of a
menu screen when there are items that do
not fit on the screen. Press the Up/Down
arrow keys or <Page Up> /<Page Down>
keys to display the other items on the
screen.

Pop-up window

Scroll bar

4.2.9 General help

At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected
item.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-9

4.3 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 4.2.1 BIOS menu screen for information on the menu screen
items and how to navigate through them.

Main Advanced Server Boot Exit

System Time [13:44:30]
System Date [Thu, 01/08/2009]

SATA 1 : [ST3160812AS]
SATA 2 : [Not Detected]
SATA 3 : [Not Detected]
SATA 4 : [Not Detected]

IDE Conguration
AHCI Conguration
System Information

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Use [ENTER], [TAB]
or [SHIFT-TAB] to
select a eld.

Use [+] or [-] to
congure system Date.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Field
Tab Select Field
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx]

Allows you to set the system time.

4.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]

Allows you to set the system date.

4.3.3 SATA1—4

The items in this menu allow you to set or change the configurations for the SATA
devices installed in the system. Select an item then press <Enter> if you wish to
configure the item.

Main

Primary SATA Master

Device :Hard Disk
Vendor :xxxxxxxxx
Size :xx.xGB
LBA Mode :Supported
Block Mode:16Sectors
PIO Mode :4
Async DMA :MultiWord DMA-2
Ultra DMA :Ultra DMA-6
S.M.A.R.T.: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 [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Disabled: Disabled LBA
Mode.
Auto: Enables LBA
Mode if the device
supports it and the
device is not already
formatted with LBA
Mode disabled.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4-10 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Device,
Vendor, Size, LBA Mode, Block Mode, PIO Mode, Async DMA, Ultra DMA, and
S.M.A.R.T. monitoring). These values are not user-configurable. These items show
N/A if no IDE device is installed in the system.

Type [Auto]

Allows you to select the type of device connected to the system.
Configuration 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. Configuration 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.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

PIO Mode [Auto]

Allows you to select the data transfer mode.
Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

DMA Mode [Auto]

Sets the DMA mode.
Configuration options: [Auto] [SWDMA0] [SWDMA1] [SWDMA2] [MWDMA0]
[MWDMA1] [MWDMA2] [UDMA0] [UDMA1] [UDMA2] [UDMA3] [UDMA4] [UDMA5]

SMART Monitoring [Auto]

Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology.
Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled]

32Bit Data Transfer [Enabled]

Enables or disables 32-bit data transfer.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-11

4.3.4 IDE Conguration

The items in this menu allow you to set or change the configurations for the IDE
devices installed in the system. Select an item then press <Enter> if you wish to
configure the item.

Main

IDE Conguration

SATA Conguration [Enhanced]
Congure SATA as [IDE]

Hard Disk Write Protect [Disabled]
IDE Detect Time Out (Sec) [35]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

SATA Conguration [Enhanced]

Configuration options: [Disabled] [Compatible] [Enhanced]

Configure SATA as [IDE]

Sets the configuration for the Serial ATA connectors supported by the
Southbridge chip. Configuration options: [IDE] [RAID] [AHCI]

• If you want to use the Serial ATA hard disk drives as Parallel ATA physical
storage devices, keep the default setting [IDE].

• If you want the Serial ATA hard disk drives to use the Advanced Host
Controller Interface (AHCI), set this item to [AHCI]. The AHCI allows
the onboard storage driver to enable advanced Serial ATA features that
increases storage performance on random workloads by allowing the drive
to internally optimize the order of commands.

• If you want to create a LSI MegaRAID, or the Intel® Matrix Storage
Technology configuration from the Serial ATA hard disk drives, set this item
to [RAID].

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Options

Disabled
Compatible
Enhanced

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Hard Disk Write Protect [Disabled]

Disables or enables device write protection. This will be effective only if the device
is accessed through BIOS. Configuration option: [Disabled] [Enabled]

IDE Detect Time Out (Sec) [35]

Selects the time out value for detecting ATA/ATAPI devices.
Configuration options: [0] [5] [10] [15] [20] [25] [30] [35]

4-12 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.3.5 AHCI Conguration

This menu is the section for AHCI configuration.

Main

AHCI Settings

AHCI CD/DVD Boot Time out [35]

SATA Port1 [Not Detected]
SATA Port2 [Not Detected]
SATA Port3 [Not Detected]
SATA Port4 [Not Detected]

AHCI CD/DVD Boot Time out [35]

Selects the boot time out value for SATA CD/DVD devices in AHCI mode.
Congifuration options: [0] [5] [10] [15] [20] [25] [30] [35]

SATA Port1–4 [XXXX]

Displays the status of auto-detection of SATA devices.

Main

SATA Port1

Device :Not Detected

SATA Port0 [Auto]
SMART Monitoring [Enabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Some SATA CD/DVD in
AHCI mode need to
wait ready longer.

Select the type
of device connected
to the system.

SATA Port0 [Auto]

Allows you to select the type of device connected to the system.
Configuration options: [Auto] [Not Installed]

SMART Monitoring [Enabled]

Allows you to set the Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-13

4.3.6 System Information

This menu gives you an overview of the general system specifications. The BIOS
automatically detects the items in this menu.

Main

AMIBIOS

Version :0108
Build Date :12/25/08

Processor

Speed :2400MHZ
Count :1

System Memory

Usable Size : 1024MB

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

System Memory Information

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

AMIBIOS

Displays the auto-detected BIOS information.

Processor

Displays the auto-detected CPU specification.

System Memory

Displays the auto-detected system memory.

System Memory Information

Displays system memory information.

Main

System Memory Information

CPU1 Memory Information

CPU2 Memory Information

CPU1/2 Memory Configuration

Allows you to check information of installed memory (6 DIMMs per CPU).

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

4-14 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

CPU1/2 Memory Conguration

Displays the auto-detected memory specification.

Main

CPU1 Memory Conguration

Speed N/A

DIMM_A1 N/A

DIMM_A2 N/A

DIMM_B1 N/A

DIMM_B2 N/A

DIMM_C1 N/A

DIMM_C2 N/A

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-15

4.4 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 Server Boot Exit

CPU Conguration
Chipset Conguration
Legacy Device Conguration
USB Conguration
PCIPnP Conguration
Power On Conguration
Event Log Conguration
Hardware Monitor
PCI Exppress Conguration
ACPI Conguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Congure CPU.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4.4.1 CPU Conguration

The items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS
automatically detects. Some items may not appear if your CPU does not support
the related functions.

Advanced

Congure advanced CPU settings

Module Version:3F.11

Manufacturer:Intel
Brand String:Genuine Intel(R) CPU @ 0000 @ 2.67GHz
Frequency :2.66GHz
BCLK Speed :133MHz
Cache L1 :128 KB
Cache L2 :1024 KB
Cache L3 :8192 KB
Ratio Status:Unlocked (Min:12, Max:20)
Ratio Actual Value :20
CPUID :106A2

Ratio CMOS Setting: [Auto]
C1E Support [Enabled]
Hardware Prefetcher [Enabled]
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch [Enabled]
Intel(R) Virtualization Tech [Enabled]
CPU TM Function [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Sets the ratio between
CPU Core Clock and the
FSB Frequency.
Note:If an invalid
ratio is set in CMOS
then actual and
setpoint values may
differ.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4-16 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Scroll down for more items.

Advanced

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Execute-Disable Bit Capability [Enabled]
Intel(R) HT Technology [Enabled]
Active Processor Cores [All]
A20M [Disabled]
DCU Mode [32KB 8-way without]
DCA Prefetch Delay [32]
Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech [Enabled]
Intel(R) C-STATE Tech [Enabled]
C3 State [ACPI C2]
C6 State [Enabled]
C State package limit setting [Auto]
C1 Auto Demotion [Enabled]
C3 Auto Demotion [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Sets the ratio between
CPU Core Clock and the
FSB Frequency.
Note:If an invalid
ratio is set in CMOS
then actual and
setpoint values may
differ.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Ratio CMOS Setting [Auto]

Allows you to adjust the ratio between CPU Core Clock and BCLK Frequency.
Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the value.
Configuration options: [Auto] [12.0] [13.0] [14.0] [15.0] [16.0] [17.0] [18.0] [19.0]
[20.0]

C1E Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable Enhanced Halt State support.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Hardware Prefetcher [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Hardware Prefetcher function.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch function.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Intel(R) Virtualization Tech [Enabled]

The Intel® Virtualization Technology allows a hardware platform to run multiple
operating systems separately and simultaneously, enabling one system to virtually
function as several systems. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

CPU TM Function [Enabled]

This function enables the overheated CPU to throttle the clock speed to cool down.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-17

Execute-Disable Bit Capability [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the No-Execution Page Protection Technology.
Setting this item to [Disabled] forces the XD feature flag to always return to zero (0).
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Intel(R) HT Technology [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Intel Hyper-Threading Technology function.
When disabled, only one thread per activated core is enabled.
Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Active Processor Cores [All]

Allows you to choose the number of CPU cores to activate in each processor
package.Configuration options: [All] [1] [2]

A20M [Disabled]

Legacy OSes and APs may need A20M enabled.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

DCU Mode [32KB 8-way without]

Allows you to select the mode for the Data Cache.
Configuration options: [32KB 8-way without ECC] [16KB 4-way with ECC]

DCA Prefetch Delay [32]

Allows you to select the time delay in bus clocks from snoop to prefetch.
Configuration options: [8] [16] [24] [32] [40]—[104] [112] [120]

Intel(R) SpeedStep (TM) Tech [Enabled]

When set to [Disabled], the CPU runs at its default speed. When set to [Enabled],
the CPU speed is controlled by the operating system.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Intel(R) C-STATE Tech [Enabled]

The Intel® C-State Technology allows the CPU to save more power under idle
mode. Enable this item only when you install a C-State Technology-supported
CPU. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

The following items appear only when you

item to [Enabled].

4-18 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Intel(R) C-STATE Tech

set the

C3 State [ACPI C2]

Allows you to select Nehalem C state action.
Configuratiton options: [Disabled] [ACPI C2] [ACPI C3]

C6 State [Enabled]

Allows you to select Nehalem C state action.
Configuratiton options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

C State package limit setting [Auto]

We recommend that you set this item to [Auto] for BIOS to automatically detect the
C-State mode supported by your CPU.
Configuration options: [Auto] [C1] [C3] [C6] [C7]

C1 Auto Demotion [Enabled]

When this item is enabled, the CPU will conditionally demote C3/C6/C7 requests to
C1 based on the uncore auto-demote information.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

C3 Auto Demotion [Enabled]

When this item is enabled, the CPU will conditionally demote C6/C7 requests to C3
based on the uncore auto-demote information.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-19

4.4.2 Chipset Conguration

The Chipset configuration menu allows you to change advanced chipset settings.
Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu.

Advanced

Advanced Chipset Settings

WARNING: Setting wrong values in below sections
may cause system to malfunction.

CPU Bridge Conguration
NorthBridge Conguration
SouthBridge Conguration
Intel VT-d Conguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Congure CPU Bridge
features.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

CPU Bridge Conguration

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

Advanced

CPU Bridge Chipset Conguration

CPU Bridge Chipset Conguration

CPU REVISION :B0

CPU Revision :B0
Current CSI Frequency :6.400GT

Current CSI Frequency :4.800GT
Current Memory Frequency :1066 Mhz

Current Memory Frequency :1066 Mhz

CSI Links Speed [Full-Speed]

CSI Links Speed [Full-Speed]
CSI Frequency [Auto]

CSI Frequency [Auto]
CSI Isochronous [Disabled]
Memory Frequency [Auto]

CSI L0s [Disabled]
Memory Mode [Independent]

CSI L1 [Disabled]
Demand Scrubbing [Disabled]
Patrol Scrubbing [Disabled]

Memory Frequency [Auto]
Throttling - Closed Loop [Disabled]

Memory Mode [Independent]
Throttling - Open Loop [Disabled]

Memory ECC Function [Enabled]
Double Rate Refresh [Auto]
Demand Scrubbing [Enabled]
Patrol Scrubbing [Disabled]
NUMA Aware [Auto]
Page Policy [Closed]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

To transition the CSI

To transition the CSI
links to full-speed

links to full-speed
or leave them in

or leave them in
slow-mode.

slow-mode.

←→ Select Screen

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option

+- Change Option
F1 General Help

F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit

F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

ESC Exit

Scroll down for more items.

Adaptive Page [Disabled]
Data Scramble [Enabled]
Split Below 4GB [Disabled]
Channel Interleaving [6:1]
Rank Interleaving [4:1]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

4-20 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

CSI Links Speed [Full-Speed]

Allows you to set the speed of CSI Links.
Configuration options: [Slow-Mode] [Full-Speed]

CSI Frequency [Auto]

Allows you to set the CSI frequency.
Configuration options: [Auto] [4.800GT] [5.866GT] [6.400GT]

CSI Isochronous [Disabled]

Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

CSI L0s [Disabled]

Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

CSI L1 [Disabled]

Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Memory Frequency [Auto]

You may allow the system to detect DDR3 memory frequency via SPD or designate
a specific frequency.
Configuration options: [Auto] [Force DDR-800] [Force DDR-1066]
[Force DDR-1333]

Memory Mode [Independent]

Allows you to set Memory channel mode.
Configuration options: [Independent] [Channel Mirroring] [Lockstep] [Sparing]

Memory ECC Function [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable Memory ECC fucntion.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Double Rate Refresh [Auto]

Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

Demand Scrubbing [Enabled]

Enables or disables the ECC demand scrub.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Patrol Scrubbing [Disabled]

Enables or disables the ECC patrol scrub.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

NUMA Aware [Auto]

Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-21

Page Poilcy [Closed]

Configuration options: [Closed] [Open]

Adaptive Page [Disabled]

Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Data Scramble [Disabled]

Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Split Below 4 GB [Disabled]

Configuation options: [Disabled] [Auto]

Channel Interleaving [6:1]

Allows you to set the channel interleaving setting.
Configuation options: [1:1] [2:1] [4:1] [6:1]

Rank Interleaving [4:1]

Allows you to set the rank interleaving setting.
Configuation options: [1:1] [2:1] [4:1]

North Bridge Conguration

The North Bridge Configuration menu shows the auto-detected Northbridge values.

Advanced

NorthBridge Chipset Conguration

NB Revision :B2
Current CSI Frequency :4.800GT

Crystal Beach / DMA [Disabled]

V02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Crystal Beach / DMA [Disabled]

Configuation options: [Disabled] [Auto]

4-22 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

South Bridge Conguration

Advanced

CPU Bridge Chipset Conguration

USB Functions [4 USB Ports]
USB Port Congure [8+4 USB Ports]

USB 2.0 Controller [Enabled]

HDA Controller [Enabled]

SLP_S4# Min. Assertion Width [1 to 2 seconds]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

USB Functions [4 USB Ports]

Allows you to configure the amount of USB ports to be enabled.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [2 USB Ports] [3 USB Ports] [4 USB Ports]

USB Port Congure [8+4 USB Ports]

This item disappears when you set the
Configuration options: [6+6 USB Ports] [8+4 USB Ports]

USB 2.0 Controller [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the USB 2.0 controller. This item become
unconfigurable if you set the
[12 USB Ports]. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

USB Functions

USB Functions

Options

Disabled
2 USB Ports
3 USB Ports
4 USB Ports

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

item to [Disabled].

item to [10 USB Ports] or

HDA Controller [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the High Definition Audio controller.
Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

SLP_S4# Min. Assertion Width [1 to 2 seconds]

Configuration options: [4 to 5 seconds] [3 to 4 seconds] [2 to 3 seconds]
[1 to 2 seconds]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-23

Intel VT-d Conguration

Advanced

Inel VT-d [Disabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

4.4.3 Legacy Device Conguration

Advanced

Legacy Device Conguration

Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]
Serial Port2 Address [2F8/IRQ3]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Options

Disabled
Enabled

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Allows BIOS to Enable
or Disable Floppy
Controller.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]

Allows you to select the Serial Port1 base address.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [3F8/IRQ4] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3]

Serial Port2 Address [2F8/IRQ3]

Allows you to select the Serial Port2 base address.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [2F8/IRQ3] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3]

4-24 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.4.4 USB Conguration

Advanced

USB Conguration

Module Version - 2.24.3-13.4

USB Devices Enabled :

None

Legacy USB Support [Enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller Mode [HiSpeed]
BIOS EHCI Hand-Off [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Enables support for
legacy USB. AUTO
option disables
legacy support if
no USB devices are
connected.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

The following item appears only when you set

USB Function

to [Enabled].

Legacy USB Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable support for legacy USB devices. Setting to [Auto]
allows the system to detect the presence of USB devices at startup. If detected, the
USB controller legacy mode is enabled. If no USB device is detected, the legacy
USB support is disabled. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] [Auto]

The following item appears only when you set

USB Function

to [Enabled].

USB 2.0 Controller Mode [HiSpeed]

Allows you to set the USB 2.0 controller to HiSpeed (480Mbps) or FullSpeed
(12Mbps). Configuration options: [FullSpeed] [HiSpeed]

BIOS EHCI Hand-Off [Enabled]

Enables or disables the BIOS EHCI hand-off support.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-25

4.4.5 PCIPnP

The PCIPnP menu items allow you to change the advanced settings for PCI/PnP
devices.

Take caution when changing the settings of the PCI/PnP Configuration menu
items. Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction.

Advanced

Advanced PCI/PnP Settings

WARNING: Setting wrong values in below sections
may cause system to malfunction.

Plug And Play O/S [No]

PCI Option ROM Scan Order [Bus 0 First]
Onboard Option ROM Priority [High]

Onboard LAN1 Boot [PXE]
Onboard LAN2 Boot [PXE]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

NO: lets the BIOS
congure all the
devices in the system.
YES: lets the
operating system
congure Plug and
Play (PnP) devices not
required for boot if
your system has a Plug
and Play operating
system.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Plug And Play O/S [No]

When set to [No], BIOS configures all the devices in the system. When set to
[Yes] and if you install a Plug and Play operating system, the operating system
configures the Plug and Play devices not required for boot.
Configuration options: [No] [Yes]

PCI Option ROM Scan Order [Bus 0 First]

Allows you to select the PCI option ROM scanning order. The scanning of the
option ROM will start from the lowest bus, device, fucntion number if you set this
item to [Bus 0 First]; the scanning starts from the highest bus, device, function
number if you set this item to [Bus N First].
Configuration options: [Bus 0 First] [Bus N First]

Onboard Option ROM Priority [High]

Allows you to select the onboard option ROM priority.
Configuration options: [Normal] [High]

Onboard LAN1/2 Boot [PXE]

Allows you to configure the onboard LAN1/2 boot mode.
Configuration: [Disabled] [PXE] [iSCSI]

4-26 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.4.6 Power On Conguration

Advanced

APM Conguration

Restore on AC Power Loss [Last State]

Resume On Ring [Disabled]
Resume On PME#(Wake On LAN) [Disabled]
Resume On RTC Alarm [Disabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Restore on AC Power Loss [Last State]

When set to [Power Off], the system goes into off state after an AC power loss.
When set to [Power On], the system will reboot after an AC power loss. When set
to [Last State], the system goes into either off or on state, whatever the system
state was before the AC power loss.
Configuration options: [Power Off] [Power On] [Last State]

Resume On Ring [Disabled]

When set to [Enabled], the system enables RI to generate a wake event while the
computer is in Soft-off mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Options

Power Off
Power On
Last State

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Resume On PME# (Wake On LAN) [Disabled]

When set to [Enabled], the system enables PME to generate a wake event while
the computer is in Soft-off mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Resume On RTC Alarm [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable RTC to generate a wake-up event.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

The following items appear only when the
to [Enabled].

RTC Alarm Date [15]

To set the alarm date, highlight this item and press the <+> or <-> key to
make the selection.

System Time [12:30:30]

Use the <ENTER>, <TAB> or <SHIFT-TAB> key to select a field. Use the <+>
or <-> key to configure alarm time.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-27

Resume On RTC Alarm

item is set

4.4.7 Event Log Conguration

Main Advanced

Event Logging details

View Event Log
Mark all events as read
Clear Event Log

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

View Event Log

Press <Enter> to read all the unread event log.

Mark all events as read

Press <Enter> to mark all the events as read.

Clear Event Log

Press <Enter> to clear all events on the event log.

4.4.8 Hardware Monitor

Advanced

Hardware Monitor

CPU1 Temperature [ 27.5ºC/ 81.5ºF]
CPU2 Temperature [ 0 ºC/ 32 ºF]
Front Fan1 Speed [5357RPM ]
Front Fan2 Speed [ N/A ]
Front Fan3 Speed [ N/A ]
Front Fan4 Speed [ N/A ]
Fan Speed Control [Generic Mode]
VCORE1 Voltage [ 1.052 V]

VCORE2 Voltage [ N/A ]

+1.5V_P1DDR3 Voltage [ 1.508 V]

+1.5V_P2DDR3 Voltage [ N/A ]

+1.5V_ICH Voltage [ 1.520 V]
P1VTT Voltage [ 1.022 V]
P2VTT Voltage [ 1.022 V]
+1.1V_IOH Voltage [ 0.204 V]
+12V Voltage [12.000 V]
+5V Voltage [ 5.196 V]
+3.3V Voltage [ 3.246 V]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Scroll down for more items.

+5VSB Voltage [ 5.132 V]
+3VSB Voltage [ 3.198 V]
VBAT Voltage [ 3.126 V]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

View all unread events
on the Event Log.

CPU1 Temperature

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

4-28 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

CPU1/2 Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF]

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU
temperatures. Select [Ignored] if you do not wish to display the detected
temperatures.

Front Fan1–4 Speed [xxxxRPM] or [Ignored] / [N/A]

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the speed of
CPU fans, front fans, and rear fans in rotations per minute (RPM). If the fan is not
connected to the motherboard, the field shows [N/A].

Fan Speed Control [Generic Mode]

Allows you to configure the ASUS Smart Fan feature that smartly adjusts the fan
speeds for more efficient system operation.
Configuration options: [Full Speed Mode] [Whisper Mode] [Generic Mode]
[High Density Mode]

VCORE1/2 Voltage, +1.5V_P1/2DDR3 Voltage, +1.5V_ICH Voltage,
P1/2VTT Voltage, +1.1V_IOH Voltage, +12V Voltage, +5V Voltage,
+3.3V Voltage, +5VSB Voltage, +3VSB Voltage, VBAT Voltage

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through
the onboard voltage regulators. Select [Ignored] if you do not want to detect this
item.

4.4.9 PCI Express Conguration

Advanced

PCI Express Conguration

Active State Power-Management [Disabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Enable/Disable
PCI Express L0s and
L1 link power
states.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Active State Power-Management [Disabled]

Enables or disables the PCI Express L0s and L1 link power states.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-29

4.4.10 ACPI Conguration

Advanced

ACPI Settings

Advanced ACPI Conguration
Chipset ACPI Conguration
General WHEA Conguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced ACPI Conguration

Advanced

Advanced ACPI Conguration

ACPI 2.0 Support [Enabled]
ACPI APIC support [Enabled]
BIOS-->AML ACPI table [Enabled]
Headless mode [Disabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced ACPI
Conguration
settings.

Use this section to
congure additional
ACPI options.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Add additional tables
as per ACPI 2.0
specications.

ACPI 2.0 Support [Enabled]

Specifies the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) version
supported. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ACPI APIC Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface
(ACPI) support in the Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC). When
set to [Enabled], the ACPI APIC table pointer is included in the RSDT pointer list.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

BIOS-->AML ACPI table [Enabled]

Allows you to include the BIOS-->AML exchange table pointer to (X)RSDT pointer
list.Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Headless mode [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Headless operation mode through ACPI.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

4-30 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Chipset ACPI Conguration

Advanced

South Bridge ACPI Conguration

Energy Lake Feature [Disabled]
APIC ACPI SCI IRQ [Disabled]
USB Device Wakeup From S3/S4 [Disabled]
High Performance Event Timer [Disabled]

Energy Lake Feature [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Energy Lake feature.
Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

APIC ACPI SCI IRQ [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the APIC ACPI SCI IRQ feature.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

USB Device Wakeup From S3/S4 [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the USB device wakeup from S3/S4 feature.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

High Performance Event Timer [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the High Performance Event Timer feature.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Enabled
Disabled

Options

General WHEA Conguration

Advanced

General WHEA Conguration

WHEA Support [Enabled]

WHEA Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA)
support.Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-31

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Enable or disable
Windows Hardware
Error Architecture.

4.5 Server menu

Main Advanced Server Boot Exit

Remote Access Conguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Congure Remote
Access.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4.5.1 Remote Access Conguration

The items in this menu allows you to configure the Remote Access features. Select
an item then press <Enter> to display the configuration options.

Server

Congure Remote Access type and parameters

Remote Access [Enabled]

Serial port number [COM2]

Base Address, IRQ [2F8h, 3]

Serial Port Mode [57600 8,n,1]
Flow Control [Hardware]
Redirection After BIOS POST [Disabled]
Terminal Type [VT-UTF8]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Select Remote Access
type.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Remote Access [Enabled]

Enables or disables the remote access feature.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

The following items appear only when Remote Access is set to [Enabled].

4-32 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Serial port number [COM2]

Selects the serial port for console redirection.
Configuration options: [COM1] [COM2]

Base Address. IRQ [2F8h, 3]

This item is not user-configurable and changes with the configuration of

Serial port number.

Serial Port Mode [57600 8,n,1]

Sets the Serial port mode.
Configuration options: [115200 8,n,1] [57600 8,n,1] [38400 8,n,1] [19200 8,n,1]
[09600 8,n,1]

Flow Control [Hardware]

Allows you to select the flow control for console redirection.
Configuration options: [None] [Hardware] [Software]

Redirection After BIOS POST [Disabled]

Sets the redirection mode after the BIOS Power-On Self-Test (POST). Some
operating system may not work when set to [Always].
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Boot Loader] [Always]

Terminal Type [VT-UTF8]

Allows you to select the target terminal type.
Configuration options: [ANSI] [VT100] [VT-UTF8]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-33

4.6 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.

Main Advanced Server Boot Exit

Boot Settings

Boot Device Priority

Boot Settings Conguration
Security

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

4.6.1 Boot Device Priority

Boot

Boot Device Priority

1st Boot Device [Removable Dev.]
2nd Boot Device [ATAPI CD-ROM]
3rd Boot Device [Hard Drive]
4th Boot Device [Network:IBA GE Slo]
5th Boot Device [Network:IBA GE Slo]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Species the Boot
Device Priority
sequence.

A virtual oppy disk
drive (Floppy Drive B:
) may appear when you
set the CD-ROM drive
as the rst boot
device.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Species the Boot
Device Priority
sequence.

A device enclosed
in parenthesis has
been disabled in the
corresponding type
menu.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

1st—xxth Boot Device [XXXXXXX]

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: [xxxxx Drive] [Disabled]

4-34 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.6.2 Boot Settings Conguration

Boot

Boot Settings Conguration

Quick Boot [Enabled]
Full Screen Logo [Enabled]
AddOn ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS]
Bootup Num-Lock [On]
Wait For ‘F1‘ If Error [Enabled]
Hit ‘DEL‘ Message Display [Enabled]
Interrupt 19 Capture [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

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.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Full Screen Logo [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Set this item to [Enabled] to use the ASUS MyLogo2™ feature.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Allows BIOS to skip
certain tests while
booting. This will
decrease the time
needed to boot the
system.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

AddOn ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS]

Allows you to set the display mode for Options ROM.
Configuration options: [Force BIOS] [Keep Current]

Bootup Num-Lock [On]

Allows you to select the power-on state for the NumLock.
Configuration options: [Off] [On]

Wait For ‘F1‘ If Error [Enabled]

When set to [Enabled], the system waits for the <F1> key to be pressed when error
occurs. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Hit ‘DEL‘ Message Display [Enabled]

When set to [Enabled], the system displays the message “Press DEL to run Setup”
during POST. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Interrupt 19 Capture [Enabled]

When set to [Enabled], this function allows the option ROMs to trap Interrupt 19.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-35

4.6.3 Security

The Security menu items allow you to change the system security settings. Select
an item then press <Enter> to display the configuration options.

Boot

Security Settings

Supervisor Password : Not Installed
User Password : Not Installed

Change Supervisor Password
Change User Password

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

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. Confirm the password when prompted.

The message “Password Installed” appears after you successfully set your
password.

To change the supervisor password, follow the same steps as in setting a user
password.

To clear the supervisor password, select the Change Supervisor Password then
press <Enter>. The message “Password Uninstalled” appears.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

<Enter> to change
password.
<Enter> again to
disable password.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Change
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

If you forget your BIOS password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS Real
Time Clock (RTC) RAM. See section 2.6 Jumper for information on how to
erase the RTC RAM.

4-36 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

After you have set a supervisor password, the other items appear to allow you to
change other security settings.

Main Advanced Server Power Boot Tools Exit

Supervisor Password : Installed
User Password : Not Installed

Change Supervisor Password
User Access Level [Full Access]
Change User Password
Password Check [Setup]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

<Enter> to change
password.
<Enter> again to
disable password.

User Access Level [Full Access]

This item allows you to select the access restriction to the Setup items.
Configuration 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 field.

[Limited] allows changes only to selected fields, such as Date and Time.

[Full Access] allows viewing and changing all the fields 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. Confirm the password when prompted.

The message “Password Installed” appears after you set your password
successfully.

To change the user password, follow the same steps as in setting a 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. Configuration options: [Setup] [Always]

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 4-37

4.7 Exit menu

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.

Main Advanced Server Boot Exit

Exit Options

Exit and Save Changes
Exit and Discard Changes
Discard Changes

Load Setup Defaults

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

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 and Save Changes

Once you are finished 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 confirmation window appears. Select YES to
save changes and exit.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

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

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.

Exit and Discard Changes

Select this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the
Setup program. If you made changes to fields other than System Date, System
Time, and Password, the BIOS asks for a confirmation before exiting.

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.

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 confirmation
window appears. Select YES to load default values. Select Exit & Save Changes
or make other changes before saving the values to the non-volatile RAM.

4-38 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

This chapter provides instructions for
setting up, creating, and configuring RAID
sets using the available utilities.

RAID

conguration

5

Chapter summary

5

5.1 Setting up RAID ............................................................................ 5-3

5.2 LSI Software RAID Conguration Utility .................................... 5-5

5.3 Intel® Matrix Storage Manager Option ROM Utility ................. 5-25

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series

5.1 Setting up RAID

The motherboard comes with the following RAID solutions:

The motherboard comes with the Intel® ICH10R southbridge controller that
supports the following SATA RAID solutions:

LSI Software RAID Conguration Utility

•
RAID 10 support (for both Linux and Windows OS).

Intel Matrix Storage Manager

•
support (for Windows OS only).

with RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 5

5.1.1 RAID denitions

RAID 0

(Data striping)

data in parallel, interleaved stacks. Two hard disks perform the same work as a
single drive but at a sustained data transfer rate, double that of a single disk alone,
thus improving data access and storage. Use of two new identical hard disk drives
is required for this setup.

RAID 1

(Data mirroring)

drive to a second drive. If one drive fails, the disk array management software
directs all applications to the surviving drive as it contains a complete copy of
the data in the other drive. This RAID configuration provides data protection and
increases fault tolerance to the entire system. Use two new drives or use an
existing drive and a new drive for this setup. The new drive must be of the same
size or larger than the existing drive.

RAID 10

data) having to be calculated and written. With the RAID 10 configuration you get
all the benefits of both RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations. Use four new hard disk
drives or use an existing drive and three new drives for this setup.

RAID 5

drives. Among the advantages of RAID 5 configuration include better HDD
performance, fault tolerance, and higher storage capacity. The RAID 5 configuration
is best suited for transaction processing, relational database applications,
enterprise resource planning, and other business systems. Use a minimum of three
identical hard disk drives for this setup.

is data striping and data mirroring combined without parity (redundancy

stripes both data and parity information across three or more hard disk

optimizes two identical hard disk drives to read and write

copies and maintains an identical image of data from one

(default) with RAID 0, RAID 1, and

If you want to boot the system from a hard disk drive included in a created RAID
set, copy first the RAID driver from the support CD to a floppy disk before you
install an operating system to the selected hard disk drive.

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 5-3

5.1.2 Installing hard disk drives

The motherboard supports Serial ATA for RAID set configuration. For optimal
performance, install identical drives of the same model and capacity when creating
a disk array.

To install the SATA hard disks for RAID configuration:

1. Install the SATA hard disks into the drive bays following the instructions in the
system user guide.

2. Connect a SATA signal cable to the signal connector at the back of each drive
and to the SATA connector on the motherboard.

3. Connect a SATA power cable to the power connector on each drive.

5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS

You must set the RAID item in the BIOS Setup before you can create a RAID set
from SATA hard disk drives attached to the SATA connectors supported by
Intel® ICH10R chipset. To do this:

1. Enter the BIOS Setup during POST.

2. Go to the

3. Set

4. Press <F10> to save your changes and exit the BIOS Setup.

Main Menu

Congure SATA as

Refer to Chapter 4 for details on entering and navigating through the BIOS
Setup.

IDE Conguration

>

to [RAID]

, then press <Enter>.

5.1.4 RAID conguration utilities

Depending on the RAID connectors that you use, you can create a RAID set using
the utilities embedded in each RAID controller. For example, use the

Embedded SATA RAID Setup Utility

installed Serial ATA hard disk drives on the Serial ATA connectors supported by the
Intel® ICH10R chipset.

Refer to the succeeding section for details on how to use the RAID configuration
utility.

5-4 Chapter 5: RAID configuration

Intel® Matrix Storage Manager

or the

LSI Logic

if you

5.2 LSI Software RAID Conguration
Utility

The LSI MegaRAID software RAID configuration utility allows you to create RAID 0,
RAID 1, or RAID 10 set(s) from SATA hard disk drives connected to the SATA
connectors supported by the motherboard southbridge chip.

To enter the LSI MegaRAID software RAID configuration utility

1. Turn on the system after installing all the SATA hard disk drives.

2. During POST, the LSI MegaRAID software RAID configuration utility
automatically detects the installed SATA hard disk drives and displays any
existing RAID set(s). Press <Ctrl> + <M> to enter the utility.

LSI MegaRAID Software RAID BIOS Version A.08 09161344R
LSI SATA RAID Found at PCI Bus No: Dev No:1F
Device present at Port 0 ST3160812AS 152114MB
Device present at Port 1 ST3160812AS 152114MB
Device present at Port 2 ST3160812AS 152114MB
Device present at Port 3 ST3160812AS 152114MB
Press Ctrl-M or Enter to run LSI Software RAID Setup Utility.

• The LSI MegaRAID software RAID configuration utility automatically
configures to RAID 1 when the SATA to RAID Mode is enabled.

• The RAID setup screens shown in this section are for reference only and
may not exactly match the items on your screen due to the controller
version difference.

• When you create RAID sets with the LSI MegaRAID software RAID
configuration utility, the boot priority of the SATA optical drive has to be
manually adjusted. Otherwise, the system will not boot from the connected
SATA ODD.

3. The utility main window appears. Use the arrow keys to select an option from

Management Menu

the

and then press <Enter>. Refer to the Management

Menu descriptions on the next page.

At the bottom of the screen is the legend box. The keys on the legend box

allow you to navigate through the setup menu options or execute commands.
The keys on the legend box vary according to the menu level.

LSI Software RAID Conguration Utility Ver A.60 Jul 30, 2008

Management Menu

Congure

Initialize
Objects
Rebuild
Check Consistency

Use Cursor Keys to Navigate Between Items And Press Enter To Select An Option

ASUS Z8NH-D12 Series 5-5

BIOS Version A.08.09161344R

Congure VD(s)

Menu Description

Congure

Allows you to create RAID 0, RAID 1 or RAID 10 set using the Easy
Configuration or the New Configuration command. This menu also
allows you to view, add, or clear RAID configurations or select the
boot drive

Initialize

Objects

Allows you to initialize the virtual drives of a created RAID set

Allows you to initialize virtual drives or change the virtual drive
parameters

Rebuild

Check Consistency

Allows you to rebuild failed drives

Allows you to check the data consistency of the virtual drives of a
created RAID set

5.2.1 Creating a RAID set

The LSI Software RAID Configuration Utility allows you to create a RAID 0, RAID 1,
or RAID 10 set using two types of configurations:

Easy Conguration

In

New Conguration

In

, the virtual drive parameters are set automatically.

, you manually set the virtual drive parameters.

Easy

Using Easy Conguration

To create a RAID set using the

Easy Conguration

and

option

New

.

1. From the

Management Menu

Congure > Easy Conguration

, select

, and

then press <Enter>.

LSI Software RAID Conguration Utility Ver A.60 Jul 30, 2008

Management Menu

Congure

Initialize
Objects
Rebuild
Check Consistency

Denes Physical Arrays. An Array Will Automatically Become A VD

Use Cursor Keys to Navigate Between Items And Press Enter To Select An Option

5-6 Chapter 5: RAID configuration

BIOS Version A.08.09161344R

Conguration Menu

Easy Conguration

New Conguration
View/Add Conguration
Clear Conguration
Select Boot Drive