HP and Compaq Desktop PCs

Motherboard Specifications, A8M2N-LA (NodusM3)

      

Motherboard specifications table
Motherboard layout and photos
Clearing the BIOS settings
Clearing the BIOS password
Motherboard specifications table
Part / Feature Specification / Support
Motherboard description
  • Motherboard manufacturer's name: ASUS A8M2N-LA
  • HP/Compaq name: NodusM3-GL8E
CPU/Processor
  • Socket: AM2
  • Supports AMD Athlon 64, Athlon 64 X2, and Sempron processors
Front-side bus (FSB)
  • 2000 MegaTransfers/second
Chipset
  • GeForce 6150 LE chipset
BIOS features
  • Award brand system BIOS
  • Keyboard combination to used to enter BIOS: F1
Form factor
  • Micro-ATX: 9.6 in X 9.6 in
Memory
  • Four 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets
  • Supports PC 4200 (533 MHz) and PC2 5300 (667 MHz) DDR2 DIMMs
  • non-ECC memory only, unbuffered
  • Maximum HP/Compaq approved memory is 4 GB*


NOTE: *Actual available memory may be less
Expansion slots
  • Three PCI
  • One PCI Express x16 graphics
Video graphics
  • Integrated
Serial ATA
  • 4 SATA connectors
  • Each connector supports 1 serial ATA-150 disk drive
Onboard audio
  • Built-in High Definition 8 channel audio
  • ALC888 CODEC
Onboard LAN
  • 10/100 Marvell 88EC031
Back panel I/0 Listed in physical order from left to right:
  • One PS/2 keyboard port (purple)
  • One PS/2 mouse port (green)
  • One SPDIF (coaxial) out
  • One VGA port
  • One IEEE 1394
  • Four USB 2.0
  • One RJ-45 networking port
  • Audio ports:
    • side speaker out (gray)
    • rear speaker out (black)
    • center/subwoofer (yellow orange)
    • line in (light blue)
    • line out (lime)
    • microphone (pink)
Internal connectors
  • One 24-pin ATX power connector
  • One 4-pin ATX power connector
  • Two PATA connectors
  • Four SATA connectors
  • One floppy drive connector
  • Two 12v fan connectors for CPU fan and PC fan
  • One 9-pin header for power button, reset button, power LED, and HDD LED
  • One audio header for headphone-out and microphone-in
  • One audio header for line input
  • Two USB 2.0 connectors supporting 4 additional USB 2.0 ports
  • One IEEE 1394 connector
NOTE: Motherboard specifications are subject to change without notice.
Motherboard layout and photos
1 - PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse.
2 - SPDIF coaxial out port. This port connects to external audio output devices with coaxial cable connectors.
3 - IEEE 1394 port. This 9-pin IEEE 1394 port provides high-speed connectivity for audio/video devices, storage peripherals, PCs, or portable devices.
4 - LAN (RJ-45) port. This port allows connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub.
5 - Rear Speaker Out port (black). This port connects to the rear speakers on a 4-channel, 6-channel, or 8-channel audio configuration.
6 - Center/Subwoofer port (yellow orange). This port connects the center/subwoofer speakers.
7 - Line In port (light blue). This port connects a tape, CD, DVD player or other audio sources.
8 - Line Out port (lime). This port connects a headphone or a speaker. In 4-channel, 6-channel, and 8-channel mode, the function of this port becomes Front Speaker Out.
9 - Microphone port (pink). This port connects a microphone.
10 - Side Speaker Out port (gray). This port connects to the side speakers in an 8-channel audio configuration.
11 - USB 2.0 ports 1, 2, 3, and 4. These four 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.
12 - Video Graphics Adapter port. This port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-compatible devices.
13 - PS/2 keyboard port (purple). This port is for a PS/2 keyboard.
Clearing the BIOS settings
CAUTION: Do not change any jumper setting while the PC is running. Damage to the motherboard may result.
This motherboard has jumpers to:
  1. Clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS.
  2. Disable password checking.
In the default (normal) position the jumper is on pins 2-3.
Figure 1: Jumper locations
Clearing CMOS
To clear CMOS, follow these steps:
  1. Temporarily set jumper CLRTC to pins 1-2.
  2. Wait 5-10 seconds and then return the jumper to pins 2-3.
  3. When you startup the PC you will need to enter BIOS setup to reset any custom BIOS settings.
Clearing the BIOS password
The BIOS password is used to protect BIOS settings from unwanted changes. If you have forgotten your password you may disable password checking.
To erase the BIOS password follow these steps:
  1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.
  2. Locate the jumper labeled Clear P.W. The jumper is found at the lower right edge of the motherboard, near the SATA connectors.
  3. Move the jumper on jumper Clear P.W. to pins 1-2.
  4. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.
  5. Hold down the F1 key during the startup process and enter BIOS setup to change or clear the password.
  6. After changing or clearing the BIOS passwords, remember to reset the jumper to pins 2-3.