CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

7

1.1

How This Manual Is Organized ...................................................

7

1.2

Item Checklist ..............................................................................

7

2. FEATURES

8

2.1

The ASUS A7M266 .....................................................................

8

 

2.1.1 Specifications .....................................................................

8

 

2.1.2 Specifications – Optional Components ..............................

9

 

2.1.3 Special Features ................................................................

10

 

2.1.4 Performance Features .......................................................

10

 

2.1.5 Intelligence .......................................................................

11

2.2

Motherboard Components ..........................................................

12

 

2.2.1 Component Locations .......................................................

13

3. HARDWARE SETUP

14

3.1

Motherboard Layout ..................................................................

14

3.2

Layout Contents .........................................................................

15

3.3

Getting Started ...........................................................................

17

3.4

Motherboard Settings .................................................................

18

3.5

System Memory (DDR DIMM) .................................................

25

 

3.5.1 General DIMM Notes .......................................................

26

 

3.5.2 Memory Installation .........................................................

26

3.6

Central Processing Unit (CPU) ..................................................

27

3.7

Expansion Cards ........................................................................

28

 

3.7.1 Expansion Card Installation Procedure ............................

28

 

3.7.2 Assigning IRQs for Expansion Cards ..............................

30

 

3.7.3 Accelerated Graphics Port Pro (AGP Pro) .......................

30

 

3.7.4 Audio Modem Riser (AMR) Slot .....................................

32

3.8

External Connectors ...................................................................

33

3.9

Starting Up the First Time ..........................................................

45

4. BIOS SETUP

47

4.1

Managing and Updating Your BIOS ..........................................

47

 

4.1.1 Upon First Use of the Computer System ..........................

47

 

4.1.2 Updating BIOS Procedures ..............................................

48

4.2

BIOS Setup Program ..................................................................

51

 

4.2.1 BIOS Menu Bar ................................................................

52

 

4.2.2 Legend Bar .......................................................................

52

4

ASUS A7M266 User’s Manual