Motherboard M2N68 SE
E4266 First Edition V1 October 2008 Copyright © 2008 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”).
Contents Notices.......................................................................................................... vi Safety information...................................................................................... vii About this guide......................................................................................... vii M2N68 SE specifications summary........................................................... ix Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Welcome!...........................
Contents 1.11 1.10.2 Internal connectors........................................................ 1-19 1.11.1 Installing an operating system....................................... 1-26 Software support......................................................................... 1-26 1.11.2 Support DVD information............................................... 1-26 Chapter 2: BIOS information 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS............................................. 2-1 2.1.1 ASUS Update utility...
Contents 2.5 2.4.6 USB Configuration......................................................... 2-17 2.5.1 Suspend Mode............................................................... 2-18 2.5.3 ACPI APIC Support........................................................ 2-18 Power menu................................................................................. 2-18 2.5.2 2.5.4 2.6 2.5.5 2.8 APM Configuration......................................................... 2-18 Hardware Monitor...........
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.
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.
Conventions used in this guide To ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task. CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to complete a task. IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task. NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.
M2N68 SE specifications summary CPU AMD® Socket AM2, AM2+ for AMD Phenom™FX / Phenom / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processor AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology Chipset Nvidia® GeForce™ 7050PV / nForce630a(MCP68PVNT) System bus 2000 / 1600 MT/s Memory Dual-channel memory architecture 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).
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 6 USB 2.0/1.
Chapter 1 Product introduction 1.1 Welcome! Thank you for buying an ASUS® M2N68 SE 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.
AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Technology The motherboard supports the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Technology, which monitors system operation and automatically adjusts CPU voltage and frequency for a cool and quiet operating environment. Dual channel DDR2 1066 support This motherboard supports DDR2 1066. It provides faster data transfer rate and more bandwidth to increase memory data transfer rate and computing efficiency, enhancing system performance in 3D graphics and other memory demanding applications.
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. ASUS EZ Flash 2 EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. Simply launch this tool and update BIOS from a USB flash disk before entering the OS.
1.4 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.
1.5 Motherboard overview 1.5.1 Placement direction 1.5.2 Screw holes 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. 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.
1.5.3 Motherboard layout 1 2 20.3cm(8.0in) KBMS USB34 EATXPWR CPU_FAN LAN1_USB12 AUDIO PCIEX1_1 Realtek 8211CL M2N68 SE 3 PCIEX16 PCIEX1_2 30.5cm(12.
1.5.4 Layout contents Connectors/Jumpers/Slots Page 2. DDR2 DIMM slots 1-10 3. CPU fan connector (4-pin CPU_FAN) 5. Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC) 7. System panel connector (10-1 pin PANEL) 1. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin ATX12V) 4. 6. 8. 1-21 IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_EIDE) 1-20 SPEAKER connector (4-pin) 10. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY) 11. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) 12. Optical drive audio connector (4-pin CD) 14.
2. Unlock the socket by pressing the lever sideways, then lift it up to a 90°-100° angle. Socket lever Ensure that the socket lever is lifted up to 90°-100° angle, otherwise the CPU will not fit in completely. 3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle. 4. Carefully insert the CPU into the socket until it fits in place. The CPU fits only in one correct orientation.
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. 1. Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, making sure that the heatsink fits properly on the retention module base. • The retention module base is already installed on the motherboard upon purchase. • You do not have to remove the retention module base when installing the CPU or installing other motherboard components.
3. Align the other end of the retention bracket (near the retention bracket lock) to the retention module base. A clicking sound denotes that the retention bracket is in place. Make sure that the fan and heatsink assembly perfectly fits the retention mechanism module base, otherwise you cannot snap the retention bracket in place. 4. Push down the retention bracket lock on the retention mechanism to secure the heatsink and fan to the module base. 5.
1.7.2 Memory configurations You may install 256MB, 512MB, 1GB and 2GB unbuffered ECC/non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. • You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel configuration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation. • Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency.
DDR2-800MHz capability DIMM support Size Vendor Model CL Brand SS/ DS Component A* B* 1G Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G N/A Samsung DS K4T51083QC-ZCE7 • • 1G Kingston KHX6400D2LL/1G N/A Kingston DS Heat-Sink Package • • 512MB Kingston KHX6400D2LLK2/1GN N/A Kingston SS Heat-Sink Package • • 512MB Kingston KVR800D2N5/512 N/A Promos SS V59C1512804QCF25SY032406PECPA • • 1G Kingston KHX6400D2K2/2G N/A Kingston DS Heat-Sink Package • • 1G Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G N/
DDR2-667MHz capability DIMM support Size Vendor Model CL Brand SS/ DS Component A* B* 512MB Qimonda HYS64T64000EU-3S-B2 5 Qimonda SS HYB18T512B00B2F3SFSS28171 • • 1G Qimonda HYS64T128020EU-3S-B2 5 Qimonda DS HYB18T512B00B2F3SFSS28171 • • 2G Qimonda HYS64T256020EU-3S-B 5 Qimonda DS HTB18T1G800BF-3S3VV10907 • • 512MB Corsair VS512MB667D2 N/A Corsair SS 64M8CFEGPS0900647 • • 512MB Corsair VS512MB667D2 N/A Corsair DS MIII0052532M8CEC • • 1G Corsair VS1GB6
DDR2-533MHz capability DIMM support Size Vendor Model CL Brand SS/ DS Component A* B* 256MB Kingston KVR533D2N4/256 N/A Elpida SS E5116AF-5C-E • • 512MB Kingston KVR533D2N4/512 N/A Infineon SS HYB18T512800AF3733336550 • • 1G Kingston KVR533D2N4/1G N/A Kingston DS D6408TLRAGL37U • • 256MB Samsung M378T3253FG0-CD5 N/A Samsung SS K4T56083QF-GCD5 • • 512MB Samsung M378T6553BG0-CD5 4 Samsung SS K4T51083QB-GCD5 • • 256MB HY HYMP532U64CP6-C4 AB 4 Hynix SS
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. 2 1. Unlock a DDR2 DIMM socket by pressing the retaining clips outward. 2. Align a DIMM on the socket such that the notch on the DIMM matches the break on the socket. DDR2 DIMM notch 1 1 Unlocked retaining clip A DDR2 DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it fits in only one direction.
1.8 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. 1.8.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1.
1.9 1. Jumpers Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) 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. Remove the onboard battery. 3. Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 (default) to pins 2-3.
1.10 Connectors 1.10.1 Rear panel connectors 1 2 10 3 9 8 4 5 7 6 1. PS/2 Mouse port. This port is for a PS/2 mouse. 2. Parallel port. This 25-pin port connects a parallel printer, a scanner, or other devices. 3. LAN (RJ-45) port. This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub.
7. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices. 8. USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices. 9. COM port. This 9-pin COM1 port is for pointing devices or other serial devices. 10. PS/2 keyboard port. This port is for a PS/2 keyboard. 1.10.2 1.
3. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE) The onboard IDE connector is for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable. There are three connectors on each Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 signal cable: blue, black, and gray. Connect the blue connector to the motherboard’s IDE connector, then select one of the following modes to configure your device(s).
Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4) These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard disk and optical disk drives. The Serial ATA 3Gb/s is backward compatible with Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s specification. The data transfer rate of the Serial ATA 3Gb/s is faster than the standard parallel ATA with 133 MB/s (Ultra DMA133).
USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB 78, USB910) These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module 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.
8. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V) These connectors are for an ATX power supply. The plugs from the power supply are designed to fit these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper orientation and push down firmly until the connectors completely fit.
9. CPU fan connector (4-pin CPU_FAN) The fan connector supports cooling fans of 350 mA~2000 mA (24 W max.) or a total of 1 A~7 A (84 W max.) at +12V. Connect the fan cable to the fan connector on the motherboard, making sure 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.
11. System panel connector (10-1 pin F_PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions. PLED+ PLEDPWR GND PWR LED PWR BTN F_PANEL PIN 1 IDE_LED+ IDE_LEDGround Reset M2N68 SE +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.
1.11 Software support 1.11.1 Installing an operating system This motherboard supports Windows® XP/Vista Operating Systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to maximize the features of your hardware. • Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Use the setup procedures presented in this chapter for reference only. Refer to your OS documentation for detailed information.
Chapter 2 BIOS information 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup. 1. ASUS Update: Updates the BIOS in Windows® environment. 2. ASUS EZ Flash 2: Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a floppy disk or a USB flash disk. 3. ASUS AFUDOS: Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable floppy disk. 4.
Updating the BIOS through the Internet To update the BIOS through the Internet: 1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows® desktop by clicking Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. 2. Select Update BIOS from the Internet from the drop‑down menu, then click Next. 3. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network traffic, or click Auto Select then click Next. 4. From the FTP site, select the BIOS version that you wish to download then click Next. 5.
d. Select the Create an MS-DOS startup disk check box. e. 2. Click Start. Copy the original or the latest motherboard BIOS file to the bootable floppy disk. 2.1.3 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 + during the PowerOn Self Tests (POST).
2.1.4 AFUDOS utility The AFUDOS utility allows you to update the BIOS file in DOS environment using a bootable floppy disk 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: • Make sure that the floppy disk is not write-protected and has at least 1024KB free space to save the file.
4. At the prompt key in afudos /i[filename] where [filename] is the latest or the original BIOS file in the bootable floppy disk. A:\>afudos /iM2N68SE.ROM then press . Do not shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot failure! 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 /iM2N68SE.ROM AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.
3. The utility displays the following message and automatically checks the floppy disk for the original or updated BIOS file. Bad BIOS checksum. Starting BIOS recovery... Checking for floppy... When found, the utility reads the BIOS file and starts flashing the corrupted BIOS file. Bad BIOS checksum. Starting BIOS recovery... Checking for floppy... Floppy found! Reading file “M2N68SE.ROM”. Completed. Start flashing...
4. 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 system boot failure! 2.2 BIOS setup program This motherboard supports a programmable Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) chip that you can update using the provided utility described in section “2.
2.2.1 BIOS menu screen Menu items Main Menu bar Advanced Power BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot Tools Exit System Time [19:34:30] System Date [Wed 08/27/2008] Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.] Storage Configuration Primary IDE Master Primary IDE Slave SATA1 SATA2 SATA3 SATA4 General help Configuration fields :[Not :[Not :[Not :[Not :[Not :[Not Detected] Detected] Detected] Detected] Detected] Detected] System Information Use [ENTER], [TAB] or [SHIFT-TAB] to select a field.
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 2.2.5 Sub-menu items 2.2.6 Configuration fields 2.2.7 General help 2.2.8 Pop-up window The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specific items for that menu. For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu items.
2.3 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 “2.2.1 BIOS menu screen” for information on the menu screen items and how to navigate through them. Main Advanced Power BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot Tools Exit System Time [19:34:30] System Date [Wed 08/27/2008] Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.
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 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). These values are not user-configurable.
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] Selects the PIO mode. Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4] DMA Mode [Auto] Selects the DMA mode.
2.4 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 Power BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot Tools Exit JumperFree Configuration CPU Configuration Chipset Onboard Devices Configuration PCIPnP USB Configuration Adjust System Frequency/Voltage etc.
PCIE Overclocking [Auto] Allows you to select the PCIE Overclocking. Configuration options: [Auto] [Manual] The following item appears only when the PCIE Overclocking item is set to [Manual]. PCIE Frequency [100] Allows you to select the PCI Express frequency. Configuration options: [100] [101] [102] [103] ... [150] Processor Frequency Multiplier [Auto] Allows you to select the processor frequency. Configuration options: [Auto] [x4.0 800 MHz] [x5.0 1000 MHz] [x6.0 1200 MHz] [x7.0 1400 MHz] [x8.
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.
SouthBridge Configuration Primary Graphics Adapter [PCI Express -> PCI] Display Device Priority, from high to low. Configuration options: [PCI Express -> PCI] [PCI -> PCI Express] AZALIA AUDIO [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the HD audio mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Front Panel Select [HD Audio] Allows you to set HD Audio mode. Configuration options: [AC97] [HD Audio] Onboard LAN [Auto] Allows you to set or disable the Onboard LAN.
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.
2.5 Power menu The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an item then press to display the configuration options. Suspend Mode ACPI Version Features ACPI APIC Support [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled] Select the ACPI state used for System Suspend. APM Configuration Hardware Monitor 2.5.1 Suspend Mode [Auto] 2.5.2 ACPI Version Features [Disabled] 2.5.
Power On By Ring [Disabled] Enable or disable RI to generate a wake event. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Power On By PS/2 KB/MS [Disabled] Enable or disable PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse to generate a wake event. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Power On By RTC Alarm [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable RTC to generate a wake event. When this item is set to Enabled, the items RTC Alarm Date, RTC Alarm Hour, RTC Alarm Minute, and RTC Alarm Second appear with set values.
2.6 Boot menu The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press to display the sub-menu. Main Advanced Power BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot Tools Exit Boot Settings Boot Device Priority Boot Settings Configuration Security Specifies the Boot Device Priority sequence. A virtual floppy disk drive (Floppy Drive B:) may appear when you set the CD-ROM drive as the first boot device.
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 [Disabled] When set to [Enabled], this function allows the option ROMs to trap Interrupt 19. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.6.
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 . 2. On the password box that appears, type a password composed of at least six letters and/or numbers, then press . 3. Confirm the password when prompted.
2.8 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 & Save Changes Exit & Discard Changes Discard Changes Load Setup Defaults Exit system setup after saving the changes. F10 key can be used for this operation. Pressing does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options from this menu or from the legend bar to exit.
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