Asus M2N68 User Manual

MotherboardM2N68

xM2N68 specications summary(continued on the next page)CPU ChipsetSystem BusMemory Expansion slots Storage Audio L

3-16 Chapter 3: Software support• Screen Settings: Choose the most optimal screen resolution for your display.• Volume Control: Control the volume fo

3-17ASUS M2N68 Click to choose input language and method as well as keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl-Space by default). Click to change LaunchB

3-18 Chapter 3: Software support2. Open Network.3. Make the proper network congurations.Each network interface is enabled immediately when you chec

3-19ASUS M2N68• If you have wireless network, click Setup for the WiFi option. In the WiFi tab of the Advanced Network Settings box, enter the name o

3-20 Chapter 3: Software supportConguring Express Gate in BIOS SetupEnter BIOS setup by pressing DEL key after powering on or by clicking on the BIOS

xiM2N68 specications summaryManageability USB BIOS features Rear panel Internal Connector Accessories Other Features Form Factor

xii

1Product introductionThis chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports.

1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.1 Welcome!T h a n k y o u f o r b u y i n g a n A S U S® M 2 N 6 8 m o t h e r b o a r d !The mothe

ASUS M2N68 1-3AMD Socket AM2 Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX /Athlon 64/ Sempron SupportThis motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM2 single-core Athlon™

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.3.2 Innovative ASUS featuresGreen ASUS This motherboard and its packaging comply with the European Union’s Rest

ASUS M2N68 1-5ASUS Q-Fan ASUS Q-Fan technology intelligently adjusts CPU fan speeds according to system loading to ensure quiet, cool and efcient ope

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introductionOnboard LEDThe motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in slee

ASUS M2N68 1-71.5.1 Motherboard layout1.5 Motherboard overviewAM2+ socket is backward compatible with AM2 socket.Super I/OSATA4SATA3SATA2SATA1Socket

iiCopyright © 2008 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be repro

1-8 Chapter 1: Product introductionM2N68Do not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.1.5.2 Placement directionWhen installing t

ASUS M2N68 1-91.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2+ socket designed for the AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 / Athlon™ 64 / Ath

1-10 Chapter 1: Product introduction3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner w

ASUS M2N68 1-111.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fanThe AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 / Athlon™ 64 / Athlon™ FX / Sempron™ processor require a specially designed

1-12 Chapter 1: Product introduction2. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base.3. Align the other end of the retention

ASUS M2N68 1-131.7 System memory1.7.1 OverviewThe motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.

1-14 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.7.2 Memory congurationsYou may install 512 MB, 1 GB, and 2 GB unbuffered ECC and non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the D

ASUS M2N68 1-15Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR2-1066 DDR2-800Size Vendor Model CL BrandSS/DSComponentDIMM supportA B C512MB Kingston KVR1066D2N7/512

1-16 Chapter 1: Product introductionDDR2-667Size Vendor Model CL BrandSS/DSComponentDIMM supportA B C512MB Qimonda HYS64T64000EU-3S-B2 5 Qimonda SS HY

ASUS M2N68 1-171.7.3 Installing a DIMM1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing the retaining clips outward.2. Align a DIMM on the socket such that the n

iiiContentsNotices ... viSafety information ...

1-18 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.8 Expansion slotsIn the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe th

ASUS M2N68 1-19* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Share

1-20 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.8.3 PCI slotsThe PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply w

ASUS M2N68 1-211.9 Jumpers1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC)This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You can clear the CMOS mem

1-22 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.10 Connectors1.10.1 Rear panel connectors1. PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse.2. Parall

ASUS M2N68 1-2310. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.11. USB 2.0

1-24 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.10.2 Internal connectors1. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY)This connector is for the provided Flo

ASUS M2N68 1-252. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE)The onboard IDE connector is for Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 / 33 signal cable. There are three connec

1-26 Chapter 1: Product introduction3. Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4)These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables

ASUS M2N68 1-274. CPU, Power, and Chassis Fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FAN, 3-pin PWR_FAN)The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350m

ivContentsChapter 2: BIOS setup2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ... 2-22.1.1 Creating a bootable oppy

1-28 Chapter 1: Product introductionNever connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard!6. USB connectors (10-1 pi

ASUS M2N68 1-298. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I / O module that supports eit

1-30 Chapter 1: Product introduction9. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V)These connectors are for an ATX power supply. The plugs fro

ASUS M2N68 1-3110. System panel connector (20-8 pin F_PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.• System power LED (2-pin PLE

1-32 Chapter 1: Product introduction

2BIOS setupThis chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also

2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.1 Managing and updating your BIOSThe following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output

ASUS M2N68 2-32. Copy the original or the latest motherboard BIOS le to the bootable oppy disk.To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2:1. Visit the AS

2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS setup(2) Enter BIOS setup program. Go to the Tools menu to select EZ Flash2 and press <Enter> to enable it. You can switch

ASUS M2N68 2-52.1.3 AFUDOS utilityThe AFUDOS utility allows you to update the BIOS le in DOS environment using a bootable oppy disk with the update

vContents2.5.3 ACPI APIC Support ... 2-312.5.4 APM Conguration ...

2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS setupUpdating the BIOS leTo update the BIOS le using the AFUDOS utility:1. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download t

ASUS M2N68 2-72.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utilityThe ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS le when it f

2-8 Chapter 2: BIOS setupRecovering the BIOS from the support DVDTo recover the BIOS from the support DVD:1. Remove any oppy disk from the oppy dis

ASUS M2N68 2-9Installing ASUS UpdateTo install ASUS Update:1. Place the support CD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears. 2. Click the Util

2-10 Chapter 2: BIOS setup3. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network trafc, or click Auto Select. Click Next.Updating the BIOS through

ASUS M2N68 2-11Updating the BIOS through a BIOS leTo update the BIOS through a BIOS le:1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows® desktop

2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS setup• The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions to ensure optimum performance. If the system bec

ASUS M2N68 2-132.2.2 Menu barThe menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:Main For changing the basic system congurationAdvanc

2-14 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.2.4 Menu itemsThe highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting Main

ASUS M2N68 2-152.3 Main menuWhen you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic system informati

viNoticesFederal Communications Commission StatementThis device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two cond

2-16 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.3.4 Storage CongurationThe items in this menu allow you to set or change the congurations for the IDE or Serial-ATA dev

ASUS M2N68 2-17The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Device, Vendor, Size, LBA Mode, Block Mode, PIO Mode, Async DMA, U

2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.3.6 SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, and SATA4While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of SATA devices. Ther

ASUS M2N68 2-19SMART Monitoring [Auto]Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled

2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.4 Advanced menuThe Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices.Take caution

ASUS M2N68 2-21CPU Overclocking [Auto]Allows selection of CPU overclocking options to achieve desired CPU internal frequency. Select either one of the

2-22 Chapter 2: BIOS setupProcessor Frequency Multiplier [Auto]Allows you to select Processor frequency. Conguration options: [Auto] [x4.0 800 MHz] [

ASUS M2N68 2-232.4.2 CPU CongurationThe items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS automatically detects.GART Error Reporting

2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS setupNorthBridge Con fi guration2.4.3 ChipsetThe Chipset menu allows you to change the advanced chipset settings. Select an item

ASUS M2N68 2-25Bank Interleaving [Disabled]Allows you to enable or disable the Bank Memory Interleaving. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto] Chan

viiSafety informationElectrical safety• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating th

2-26 Chapter 2: BIOS setupECC Configur atio nECC Mode [Disabled]Sets the level of ECC protection. The ‘Super’ ECC mode dynamically sets the DRAM scru

ASUS M2N68 2-27Primary Graphics Adapter [PCI E -> PCI]Display Device Priority, from high to low. Conguration options: [PCI Express -> PCI] [PCI

2-28 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.4.4 Onboard Devices CongurationCongure ITE8712 Super IO ChipsetSerial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]Parallel Port Address

ASUS M2N68 2-292.4.5 PCI PnPThe PCI PnP menu items allow you to change the advanced settings for PCI/PnP devices. The menu includes setting IRQ and D

2-30 Chapter 2: BIOS setupUSB 1.1 Controller [Enabled]Allows you to enable or disable the USB 1.1 Controller. Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disable

ASUS M2N68 2-312.5 Power menuThe Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an item then press

2-32 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.5.4 APM CongurationAPM CongurationRestore on AC Power Loss [Power Off]Power On By PCI(-E) Device [Disabled] Power On

ASUS M2N68 2-332.5.5 Hardware MonitorHardware MonitorCPU Temperature [38ºC/100ºF]MB Temperature [32ºC/89.5ºF]CPU Fan Speed [3260RPM]Chassis

2-34 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.6 Boot menuThe Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to di

ASUS M2N68 2-352.6.2 Boot Settings Conguration Select Screen Select Item+- Change OptionF1 General HelpF10 Save and ExitESC ExitBoot S

viiiAbout this guideThis user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring the motherboard.How this guide is organizedThis g

2-36 Chapter 2: BIOS setupIf you forgot your BIOS password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM. See section “1.9 Jumpers”

ASUS M2N68 2-37After you have set a supervisor password, the other items appear to allow you to change other security settings. User Access Level [Ful

2-38 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.7 Tools menuThe Tools menu items allow you to congure options for special functions. Select an item then press <Enter

ASUS M2N68 2-392.7.2 Express GateAllows you to enable or disable the ASUS Express Gate feature. The ASUS Express Gate feature is a unique instant-on

2-40 Chapter 2: BIOS setupExit & Save ChangesOnce you are nished making your selections, choose this option from the Exit menu to ensure the valu

3Software supportThis chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package.

3-2 Chapter 3: Software supportIf Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support DVD to locate the le ASSETUP.EXE from t

3-3ASUS M2N683.2.2 Drivers menuThe drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install the necessary dri

3-4 Chapter 3: Software support3.2.3 Utilities menuThe Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard supports. ASUS I

3-5ASUS M2N68Ulead Burn. NowInstalls the Ulead Burn. Now application for Audio DVD,CD and data disc creation.Corel MediaOne PlusInstalls the Corel Med

ixConventions used in this guideTo ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual.Typo

3-6 Chapter 3: Software support3.2.4 Make Disk menuThe Make Disk menu allows you to make a RAID driver disk.NVIDIA 32 bit XP AHCI Driver [Disk1]Allow

3-7ASUS M2N68NVIDIA 64 bit XP SATA RAID Driver [Disk1]Allows you to create the NVIDIA® 64-bit XP SATA RAID disk1.NVIDIA 64 bit XP SATA RAID Driver [Di

3-8 Chapter 3: Software supportNVIDIA® SATA RAID User’s ManualAllows you to open the NVIDIA® SATA RAID user’s manual. ASUS Motherboard Installation Gu

3-9ASUS M2N683.2.6 ASUS Contact informationClick the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information. You can also nd this information on the in

3-10 Chapter 3: Software supportTechnical Support FormDisplays the ASUS Technical Support Request Form that you have to ll out when requesting techni

3-11ASUS M2N683.3 Creating a RAID driver diskA oppy disk with the RAID driver is required when installing Windows® 32-bit XP / 64-bit XP / 32-bit Vi

3-12 Chapter 3: Software support3.4 ASUS Express GateASUS Express Gate is an instant-on environment that gives you quick access to the Internet.

3-13ASUS M2N68The First ScreenExpress Gate’s rst screen appears within a few seconds after you power on the computer. From here, you can immed

3-14 Chapter 3: Software supportKnowing the Express Gate hot-keysHere is a list of common-used hot-keys for Express Gate.In the First Screen:Key Funct

3-15ASUS M2N68Using the Conguration PanelUse the conguration panel to change various Express Gate settings.Click on an icon to open a particu