Asus A8N-VM CSM

Features

This Micro ATX motherboard, is an all in one MythTV frontend match in heaven. It comes with the following main integrated features that make it perfect for the small form factor case that can be quiet and cool.

• AMD Socket 939
• Processors Supported:
  • Athlon 64FX
  • Athlon 64 X2
  • Athlon 64
• Geforce 6 GPU with Dual VGA output, DVI-D & RGB Out
• High Definition Audio w/ optional S/PDIF output connector from Asus
• Gbit interface

Issues

As with many new chipsets, it has taken a while for Linux to support to be added for various components on-board this motherboard.

This forum thread, NVNEWS Forum - Linux on NForce 430 + GeForce 6150 is invaluable in identifying earlier Linux/application issues and how to resolve them for this chipset should you come across any problems.

Here is a list of minimum requirements I've encountered to support the features of this motherboard under MythTV when used as a frontend.

BIOS

BIOS revision 1001 appears to free of any bugs etc. It is recommended you apply the latest revision if planning to load Linux.

HD Audio

ALSA ver 1.0.11RC5 apparently fixed interesting bugs such as squealing from the left speaker, or the right microphone, to no sound at all because all sound was muted by default (run alsamixer to fix latter).

ALSA ver 1.0.13 with the following file modification makes it work perfectly (required reboot). NOTE: Original file statements commented out and the new options that work added in the following example.

file ==> /etc/modprobe.d/sound

#alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
#options snd-hda-intel index=0
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
alias sound-slot-0 snd-hDa-intel
options snd-hda-intel position_fix=1
options snd cards_limit=1

Geforce 6 GPU

Current Nvidia 2D/3D drivers work flawlessly once compiled into the kernel.

• Refer to Andrew's Debian-nVidia HOWTO for easy Debian Installs.
• Check the nVidia Website here for linux drivers for other distributions.

See Also

Manufacturer's Page: A8N-VM CSM