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Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.
Contents Notices ......................vi Safety information ..................vii About this guide ..................vii M2N68 SE specifications summary ............ix Chapter 1: Product introduction Welcome! ..................1-1 Package contents ................. 1-1 Special features ................1-1 1.3.1 Product highlights ............1-1 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ..........
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2.1.1 ASUS Update utility ............2-1 2.1.2 Creating a bootable floppy disk ........2-2 2.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility ........... 2-3 2.1.4 AFUDOS utility ..............2-4 2.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ........2-5 BIOS setup program ..............2-7 2.2.1...
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2.5.5 Hardware Monitor ............2-19 Boot menu .................. 2-20 2.6.1 Boot Device Priority ............2-20 2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration .......... 2-20 2.6.3 Security ................. 2-21 Tools menu ................. 2-22 2.7.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ............2-22 Exit menu ..................2-23...
Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Safety information Electrical safety • To prevent 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.
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. Optional documentation Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer.
2 x 240-pin DIMM slots support unbuffered ECC and non-ECC DDR2 1066*/800/667/533MHz memory modules DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+ CPU only. ** Refer to www.asus.com for the latest Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors List). *** When you install a total memory of 4GB or more, Windows 32-bit operation system may only ®...
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M2N68 SE specifications summary Back panel I/O ports 1 x PS/2 Keyboard port 1 x PS/2 Mouse port 1 x RJ45 port 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 6-channel Audio ports 1 x LPT port 1 x COM port Internal I/O connectors 3 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional...
® 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.
All of these are done on one computer. 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ASUS MyLogo2™ Turn your favorite photos into 256-color boot logos to personalize your system. See page 2-20 for details. ASUS M2N68 SE...
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ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 allows users to restore corrupted BIOS data from a USB flash disk containing the BIOS file. This utility saves users the cost and hassle of buying a replacement BIOS chip. See page 2-5 for details.
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. M2N68 SE SB_PWR Standy Power Powered Off M2N68 SE Onboard LED ASUS M2N68 SE...
Place six (6) 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. M2N68 SE Chapter 1: Product introduction...
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! 1.6.1 Installing the CPU To install a CPU: Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard. M2N68 SE M2N68 SE CPU socket 940 Chapter 1: Product introduction...
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Do not forget to connect the CPU CPU_FAN fan connector! Hardware monitoring CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN errors can occur if you fail to plug CPU FAN PWR this connector. M2N68 SE M2N68 SE CPU fan connector ASUS M2N68 SE...
1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan Make sure that you use only AMD-certified heatsink and fan assembly. Follow these steps to install the CPU heatsink and fan. Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, making sure that the heatsink fits properly on the retention module base.
240-pin footprint compared to the 184-pin DDR DIMM. DDR2 DIMMs are notched differently to prevent installation on a DDR DIMM socket. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR2 DIMM sockets: M2N68 SE M2N68 SE 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets Channel Sockets Channel 1...
You may install a maximum of 2 GB DIMMs on each slot. 64-bit Windows XP Professional x64 Edition ® Windows Vista x64 Edition ® M2N68 SE Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR2-1066MHz capability DIMM support Size Vendor Model Brand SS/DS...
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• A*: Supports one module inserted into any slot as Single-channel memory configuration. • B*: Supports one pair of modules inserted into either the yellow slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory configuration. Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2-533/667/800/1066MHz QVL. 1-14 ASUS M2N68 SE...
1.7.3 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. Unlock a DDR2 DIMM socket by DDR2 DIMM notch pressing the retaining clips outward.
This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications. 1.8.6 PCI Express x16 slot This motherboard supports a PCI Express x16 graphics card that complies with the PCI Express specifications. 1-16 ASUS M2N68 SE...
Normal Clear RTC (Default) M2N68 SE Clear RTC RAM You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to overclocking. For system failure due to overclocking, use the CPU Parameter Recall (C.P.R) feature. Shut down and reboot the system so the BIOS can automatically reset parameter settings to default values.
Ensure that the audio device of Sound playback is Realtek High Definition Audio (the name may be different based on the OS). Go to Start > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Sound Playback to configure the setting. 1-18 ASUS M2N68 SE...
PIN1 NOTE:Orient the red markings on the floppy ribbon cable to PIN 1. M2N68 SE Floppy disk drive connector Speaker connector (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.
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M2N68 SE IDE connector Optical drive audio in connector (4-pin CD) This connector allows you to receive stereo audio input from sound sources such as a CD-ROM, TV tuner, or MPEG card. M2N68 SE M2N68 SE Internal audio connector 1-20 ASUS M2N68 SE...
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SATA4 SATA3 M2N68 SE SATA2 SATA1 M2N68 SE SATA connectors Important note on Serial ATA Install the Windows XP Service Pack 1 before using Serial ATA. ® • For detailed instructions on how to configure RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 0+1, RAID 5, and JBOD, refer to the RAID manual in the support DVD.
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Legacy AC’97 pin definition compliant definition M2N68 SE Analog front panel connector • We recommend that you connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector to avail of the motherboard high-definition audio capability. • By default, this connector is set to [HD Audio]. If you want to connect a High Definition front panel audio module to this connector, set the Front Panel Select item in the BIOS to [HD Audio].
• If you are uncertain about the minimum power supply requirement for your system, refer to the Recommended Power Supply Wattage Calculator at http://support.asus. com/PowerSupplyCalculator/PSCalculator.aspx?SLanguage=en-us for details. • You must install a PSU with a higher power rating if you intend to install additional devices.
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CPU_FAN CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR M2N68 SE M2N68 SE CPU fan connector Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) port(s). M2N68 SE SPDIF_OUT M2N68 SE Digital audio connector Ensure that the audio device of Sound playback is Realtek High Definition Audio (the name may be different based on the OS).
M2N68 SE PIN 1 +HD_LED RESET M2N68 SE System panel connector System power LED (2-pin PWRLED) • This 2-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector. The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in sleep mode.
The contents of the Support DVD are subject to change at any time without notice. Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com for updates. To run the Support DVD Place the Support DVD to the optical drive.
ASUS Update: Updates the BIOS in Windows environment. ® ASUS EZ Flash 2: Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a floppy disk or a USB flash disk. ASUS AFUDOS: Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable floppy disk.
Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. Select Update BIOS from the Internet from the drop-down menu, then click Next. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network traffic, or click Auto Select then click Next. From the FTP site, select the BIOS version that you wish to download then click Next.
ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to go through the long process of booting from a floppy disk and using a DOS-based utility. The EZ Flash 2 utility is built-in the BIOS chip so it is accessible by pressing <Alt>...
Updating the BIOS file To update the BIOS file using the AFUDOS utility: Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download the latest BIOS file for the motherboard. Save the BIOS file to a bootable floppy disk. We recommend that you write the BIOS filename on a piece of paper; you will need to key in the exact BIOS filename at the DOS prompt later.
2.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 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 the motherboard support DVD, a floppy disk or a USB flash disk that contains the updated BIOS file.
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Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process. The recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this motherboard. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS file. Recovering the BIOS from a USB flash disk To recover the BIOS from a USB flash disk: Insert a USB flash disk that contains BIOS file to the USB port.
Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process. • Only the USB flash disk with FAT 32/16 format and single partition can support ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3. The device size should be smaller than 8GB. • DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so can cause...
• The BIOS setup screens shown in this chapter are for reference purposes only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen. • Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS information. ASUS M2N68 SE...
2.2.3 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. 2.2.4 Menu items The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specific items for that menu.
Allows you to enable or disable the onboard IDE controller. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Serial-ATA Devices [Enabled] Allows you to disable or enable the Serial-ATA devices. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] SATA Mode select [SATA Mode] Configuration options: [SATA Mode] [RAID Mode] [AHCI Mode] 2-10 ASUS M2N68 SE...
2.3.5 Primary IDE Master/Slave While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of IDE devices. There is a separate sub-menu for each IDE device. Select a device item then press <Enter> to display the IDE device information. The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Device, Vendor, Size, LBA Mode, Block Mode, PIO Mode, Async DMA, Ultra DMA, and SMART monitoring).
This menu gives you an overview of the general system specifications. The BIOS automatically detects the items in this menu. AMI BIOS Displays the auto-detected BIOS information Processor Displays the auto-detected CPU specification System Memory Displays the auto-detected system memory 2-12 ASUS M2N68 SE...
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. BIOS SETUP UTILITY Main Advanced Power Boot...
This option should remain disabled for the normal operation. The driver developer may enable it for testing purpose. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Microcode Updation [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the microcode updation. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2-14 ASUS M2N68 SE...
Secure Virtual Machine Mode [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the AMD Secure Virtual Machine mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Cool ‘n’ Quiet [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the generation of ACPI_PPC, _PSS, and _PCT objects. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] CPU Prefetching [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the CPU prefetching.
The menu includes setting IRQ and DMA channel resources for either PCI/PnP or legacy ISA devices, and setting the memory size block for legacy ISA devices. Take caution when changing the settings of the PCI PnP menu items. Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction. 2-16 ASUS M2N68 SE...
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 Latency Timer [64] Allows you to select the value in units of PCI clocks for the PCI device latency timer register.
When set to [Enabled], this parameter allows you to turn on the system through a PCI LAN or modem card. This feature requires an ATX power supply that provides at least 1A on the +5VSB lead. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2-18 ASUS M2N68 SE...
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard voltage regulators. Smart Q-Fan Function [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the ASUS Q-Fan feature that smartly adjusts the fan speeds for more efficient system operation. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Fan Auto Mode Start Voltage [5.0V] Allows you to select fan auto mode start voltage.
This 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 MyLogo 2™ feature. AddOn ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS] Sets the display mode for option ROM. Configuration options: [Force BIOS] [Keep Current] Bootup Num-Lock [On] Allows you to select the power-on state for the NumLock.
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.
(C)Copyright 1985-2007, American Megatrends, Inc. 2.7.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Allows you to run ASUS EZ Flash 2. When you press <OK>, a confirmation message appears. Use the left/right arrow key to select between [Yes] or [No], then press <OK> to confirm your choice.
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. Exit Options Exit system setup after saving the Exit & Save Changes changes.