User Manual
Page 3
Contents Notices...vi Safety information vii About this guide vii M2N68 SE specifications summary ix Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Welcome 1-1 1.2 Package contents 1-1 1.3 Special features 1-1 1.3.1 Product highlights 1-1 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features 1-2 1.4 Before you proceed 1-4 1.5 Motherboard overview 1-5 1.5.1 Placement direction 1-5 1.5.2 Screw holes 1-5 1.5.3 Motherboard layout 1-6 1.5.4 Layout contents 1-7 1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU 1-7 1.6.1 Installing the CPU 1-7 1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and ...
Contents Notices...vi Safety information vii About this guide vii M2N68 SE specifications summary ix Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Welcome 1-1 1.2 Package contents 1-1 1.3 Special features 1-1 1.3.1 Product highlights 1-1 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features 1-2 1.4 Before you proceed 1-4 1.5 Motherboard overview 1-5 1.5.1 Placement direction 1-5 1.5.2 Screw holes 1-5 1.5.3 Motherboard layout 1-6 1.5.4 Layout contents 1-7 1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU 1-7 1.6.1 Installing the CPU 1-7 1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and ...
User Manual
Page 9
M2N68 SE specifications summary CPU Chipset System bus Memory Expansion slots Storage Audio USB LAN ASUS special features AMD® Socket AM2, AM2+ for AMD Phenom™FX / Phenom / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processor AMD Cool 'n' Quiet™ Technology Nvidia...-board, 4 ports at back panel) Nvidia® nForce built-in Gigabit MAC with external Realtek 8211CL-GR PHY ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution - ASUS CrashFree BIOS3 - ASUS Q-Fan ASUS EZ DIY - ASUS EZ Flash2 ASUS AI NET 2 ASUS MyLogo2 (continued on the next page) ix We recommend a maximum of 4GB or more, Windows® 32-bit...
M2N68 SE specifications summary CPU Chipset System bus Memory Expansion slots Storage Audio USB LAN ASUS special features AMD® Socket AM2, AM2+ for AMD Phenom™FX / Phenom / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processor AMD Cool 'n' Quiet™ Technology Nvidia...-board, 4 ports at back panel) Nvidia® nForce built-in Gigabit MAC with external Realtek 8211CL-GR PHY ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution - ASUS CrashFree BIOS3 - ASUS Q-Fan ASUS EZ DIY - ASUS EZ Flash2 ASUS AI NET 2 ASUS MyLogo2 (continued on the next page) ix We recommend a maximum of 4GB or more, Windows® 32-bit...
User Manual
Page 10
M2N68 SE specifications summary Back panel I/O ports Internal I/O connectors BIOS Accessories Form Factor Support DVD 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 ....0a, SM BIOS 2.5 1 x Serial ATA cable 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33 cable 1x I/O Shield User manual ATX form factor: 12'' x 8'' (30.5cm x 20.3cm) Drivers ASUS LiveUpdateUtility ASUS PC Probe II Anti-Virus software (OEM version) *Specifications are subject to change without notice.
M2N68 SE specifications summary Back panel I/O ports Internal I/O connectors BIOS Accessories Form Factor Support DVD 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 ....0a, SM BIOS 2.5 1 x Serial ATA cable 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33 cable 1x I/O Shield User manual ATX form factor: 12'' x 8'' (30.5cm x 20.3cm) Drivers ASUS LiveUpdateUtility ASUS PC Probe II Anti-Virus software (OEM version) *Specifications are subject to change without notice.
User Manual
Page 11
... FX / Athlon™ 64 CPU support The motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM2 Athlon™ / Sempron processors. See page 1-7 for buying an ASUS® M2N68 SE motherboard! Before you for details. Technology. Chapter 1 Product introduction 1.1 Welcome! It features 2000 / 1600 MT/s HyperTransport™-based system bus, dual-... in your motherboard package for details. See page 1-7 for the following items. Motherboard Cables Accessories Application DVD Documentation ASUS M2N68 SE motherboard 1 x Serial ATA cable 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33 cable 1 x I/O shield...
... FX / Athlon™ 64 CPU support The motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM2 Athlon™ / Sempron processors. See page 1-7 for buying an ASUS® M2N68 SE motherboard! Before you for details. Technology. Chapter 1 Product introduction 1.1 Welcome! It features 2000 / 1600 MT/s HyperTransport™-based system bus, dual-... in your motherboard package for details. See page 1-7 for the following items. Motherboard Cables Accessories Application DVD Documentation ASUS M2N68 SE motherboard 1 x Serial ATA cable 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33 cable 1 x I/O shield...
User Manual
Page 12
...Gb LAN controller. All of these are done on the headphone while playing a multi-channel network game. It is for details. 1-2 ASUS M2N68 SE See pages 1-10 for a cool and quiet operating environment. High Definition Audio Enjoy high-quality sound system on your partners on one computer.... 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ASUS MyLogo2™ Turn your system. It provides faster data transfer rate and more bandwidth to your PC! DDR2 1066 is enhanced ...
...Gb LAN controller. All of these are done on the headphone while playing a multi-channel network game. It is for details. 1-2 ASUS M2N68 SE See pages 1-10 for a cool and quiet operating environment. High Definition Audio Enjoy high-quality sound system on your partners on one computer.... 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ASUS MyLogo2™ Turn your system. It provides faster data transfer rate and more bandwidth to your PC! DDR2 1066 is enhanced ...
User Manual
Page 14
... mode, or in the bag that came with a standby power LED that lights up to the motherboard, peripherals, or components. M2N68 SE SB_PWR M2N68 SE Onboard LED ON OFF Standy Power Powered Off 1-4 ASUS M2N68 SE Failure to do so may cause severe damage to indicate that you install or remove any motherboard component. This is a reminder...
... mode, or in the bag that came with a standby power LED that lights up to the motherboard, peripherals, or components. M2N68 SE SB_PWR M2N68 SE Onboard LED ON OFF Standy Power Powered Off 1-4 ASUS M2N68 SE Failure to do so may cause severe damage to indicate that you install or remove any motherboard component. This is a reminder...
User Manual
Page 15
Doing so can damage the motherboard. M2N68 SE Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-5 Place this side towards the rear of the chassis as indicated in the image below. 1.5.2 Screw holes Place six (6) screws into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the chassis. Do not overtighten the screws! 1.5 Motherboard overview 1.5.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the rear part of the chassis.
Doing so can damage the motherboard. M2N68 SE Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-5 Place this side towards the rear of the chassis as indicated in the image below. 1.5.2 Screw holes Place six (6) screws into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the chassis. Do not overtighten the screws! 1.5 Motherboard overview 1.5.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the rear part of the chassis.
User Manual
Page 16
... DDR2 DIMM_A1 (64bit, 240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_B1 (64bit, 240-pin module) SOCKET AM2 14 USB34 LAN1_USB12 CPU_FAN 30.5cm(12.0in) EATXPWR AUDIO PCIEX1_1 M2N68 SE 3 Realtek 8211CL PCIEX16 PCIEX1_2 Lithium Cell CMOS Power SB_PWR PCI1 Nvidia® MCP68PVNT Super I/O SATA4 PCI2 SATA3 4 SATA2 PCI3 8Mb BIOS SATA1 5 CLRTC PRI_IDE ALC... CD SPDIF_OUT FLOPPY USB56 USB78 USB910 F_PANEL 7 13 12 11 10 9 8 Refer to 1.10 Connectors for more information about rear panel connectors and internal connectors. 1-6 ASUS M2N68 SE
... DDR2 DIMM_A1 (64bit, 240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_B1 (64bit, 240-pin module) SOCKET AM2 14 USB34 LAN1_USB12 CPU_FAN 30.5cm(12.0in) EATXPWR AUDIO PCIEX1_1 M2N68 SE 3 Realtek 8211CL PCIEX16 PCIEX1_2 Lithium Cell CMOS Power SB_PWR PCI1 Nvidia® MCP68PVNT Super I/O SATA4 PCI2 SATA3 4 SATA2 PCI3 8Mb BIOS SATA1 5 CLRTC PRI_IDE ALC... CD SPDIF_OUT FLOPPY USB56 USB78 USB910 F_PANEL 7 13 12 11 10 9 8 Refer to 1.10 Connectors for more information about rear panel connectors and internal connectors. 1-6 ASUS M2N68 SE
User Manual
Page 17
.../Slots 1. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) 14. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the motherboard. M2N68 SE M2N68 SE CPU socket 940 Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-7 Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) 12.
.../Slots 1. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) 14. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the motherboard. M2N68 SE M2N68 SE CPU socket 940 Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-7 Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) 12.
User Manual
Page 18
... it is locked. 6. Socket lever Ensure that it up to a 90°-100° angle. Small triangle 5. The lever clicks on the motherboard. M2N68 SE CPU fan connector 1-8 ASUS M2N68 SE Install a CPU heatsink and fan following the instructions that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with the heatsink package...
... it is locked. 6. Socket lever Ensure that it up to a 90°-100° angle. Small triangle 5. The lever clicks on the motherboard. M2N68 SE CPU fan connector 1-8 ASUS M2N68 SE Install a CPU heatsink and fan following the instructions that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with the heatsink package...
User Manual
Page 20
...-pin footprint compared to the retention module base. Align the other end of the DDR2 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 M2N68 SE M2N68 SE 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets Channel Channel 1 Channel 2 Sockets DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 1-10 ASUS M2N68 SE Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you cannot snap the retention bracket in place. 4. Make sure that the retention...
...-pin footprint compared to the retention module base. Align the other end of the DDR2 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 M2N68 SE M2N68 SE 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets Channel Channel 1 Channel 2 Sockets DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 1-10 ASUS M2N68 SE Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you cannot snap the retention bracket in place. 4. Make sure that the retention...
User Manual
Page 21
... for system stability. • The default DIMM frequency depends on each slot. 64-bit Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition Windows® Vista x64 Edition M2N68 SE Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR2-1066MHz capability Size 1G 1G 1G 512MB 1G Vendor Kingston Corsair Corsair ADATA ADATA Model CL KHX8500D2K2/2GN N/A CM2X1024...
... for system stability. • The default DIMM frequency depends on each slot. 64-bit Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition Windows® Vista x64 Edition M2N68 SE Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR2-1066MHz capability Size 1G 1G 1G 512MB 1G Vendor Kingston Corsair Corsair ADATA ADATA Model CL KHX8500D2K2/2GN N/A CM2X1024...
User Manual
Page 24
... into either the yellow slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory configuration. Double - Single-sided / DS - Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2-533/667/800/1066MHz QVL. 1-14 ASUS M2N68 SE DDR2-533MHz capability Size Vendor Model CL 256MB 512MB 1G 256MB 512MB 256MB 1G 512MB 512MB 1G 512MB 512MB 1G...
... into either the yellow slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory configuration. Double - Single-sided / DS - Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2-533/667/800/1066MHz QVL. 1-14 ASUS M2N68 SE DDR2-533MHz capability Size Vendor Model CL 256MB 512MB 1G 256MB 512MB 256MB 1G 512MB 512MB 1G 512MB 512MB 1G...
User Manual
Page 26
... may need IRQ assignments. When using PCI cards on the slot. 5. Failure to do not need to the chassis with the PCI Express specifications. 1-16 ASUS M2N68 SE Replace the system cover. 1.8.2 Configuring an expansion card After installing the expansion card, configure it and make the necessary hardware settings for the expansion card...
... may need IRQ assignments. When using PCI cards on the slot. 5. Failure to do not need to the chassis with the PCI Express specifications. 1-16 ASUS M2N68 SE Replace the system cover. 1.8.2 Configuring an expansion card After installing the expansion card, configure it and make the necessary hardware settings for the expansion card...
User Manual
Page 27
... erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. For system failure due to reenter data. To erase the RTC RAM: 1. Remove the onboard battery. 3. M2N68 SE CLRTC 12 23 Normal (Default) M2N68 SE Clear RTC RAM Clear RTC You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to pins 1-2. 4. Turn OFF the...
... erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. For system failure due to reenter data. To erase the RTC RAM: 1. Remove the onboard battery. 3. M2N68 SE CLRTC 12 23 Normal (Default) M2N68 SE Clear RTC RAM Clear RTC You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to pins 1-2. 4. Turn OFF the...
User Manual
Page 28
... connectors 2 3 45 10 9 8 7 6 1. This 25-pin port connects a parallel printer, a scanner, or other audio sources. 5. This port allows Gigabit connection to configure the setting. 1-18 ASUS M2N68 SE This port connects the tape, CD, DVD player, or other devices. 3. Microphone port (pink). This port connects a microphone.
... connectors 2 3 45 10 9 8 7 6 1. This 25-pin port connects a parallel printer, a scanner, or other audio sources. 5. This port allows Gigabit connection to configure the setting. 1-18 ASUS M2N68 SE This port connects the tape, CD, DVD player, or other devices. 3. Microphone port (pink). This port connects a microphone.
User Manual
Page 29
... covered Pin 5. • The Floppy Disk Drive singal cable is for a PS/2 keyboard. 1.10.2 Internal connectors 1. M2N68 SE SPEAKER +5V GND GND Speaker Out PIN 1 M2N68 SE Speaker Out Connector Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-19 These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting ...connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY) This connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning speaker. Insert one end of the cable to PIN 1. M2N68 SE FLOPPY PIN1 NOTE:Orient the red markings on the connector is removed to hear system beeps and warnings. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2....
... covered Pin 5. • The Floppy Disk Drive singal cable is for a PS/2 keyboard. 1.10.2 Internal connectors 1. M2N68 SE SPEAKER +5V GND GND Speaker Out PIN 1 M2N68 SE Speaker Out Connector Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-19 These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting ...connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY) This connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning speaker. Insert one end of the cable to PIN 1. M2N68 SE FLOPPY PIN1 NOTE:Orient the red markings on the connector is removed to hear system beeps and warnings. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2....
User Manual
Page 30
.... • Use the 80-conductor IDE cable for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable. M2N68 SE PRI_IDE M2N68 SE IDE connector PIN1 NOTE:Orient the red markings on each Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 signal cable: blue, black, and gray. CD M2N68 SE Right Audio Channel GND GND Left Audio Channel M2N68 SE Internal audio connector 1-20 ASUS M2N68 SE 3.
.... • Use the 80-conductor IDE cable for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable. M2N68 SE PRI_IDE M2N68 SE IDE connector PIN1 NOTE:Orient the red markings on each Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 signal cable: blue, black, and gray. CD M2N68 SE Right Audio Channel GND GND Left Audio Channel M2N68 SE Internal audio connector 1-20 ASUS M2N68 SE 3.
User Manual
Page 31
... RSATA_RXP4 GND RSATA_TXN4 RSATA_TXP4 GND SATA4 GND RSATA_RXN3 RSATA_RXP3 GND RSATA_TXN3 RSATA_TXP3 GND GND RSATA_RXN2 RSATA_RXP2 GND RSATA_TXN2 RSATA_TXP2 GND M2N68 SE SATA3 SATA2 GND RSATA_RXN1 RSATA_RXP1 GND RSATA_TXN1 RSATA_TXP1 GND SATA1 M2N68 SE SATA connectors Important note on Serial ATA Install the Windows® XP Service Pack 1 before using these connectors, set the...
... RSATA_RXP4 GND RSATA_TXN4 RSATA_TXP4 GND SATA4 GND RSATA_RXN3 RSATA_RXP3 GND RSATA_TXN3 RSATA_TXP3 GND GND RSATA_RXN2 RSATA_RXP2 GND RSATA_TXN2 RSATA_TXP2 GND M2N68 SE SATA3 SATA2 GND RSATA_RXN1 RSATA_RXP1 GND RSATA_TXN1 RSATA_TXP1 GND SATA1 M2N68 SE SATA connectors Important note on Serial ATA Install the Windows® XP Service Pack 1 before using these connectors, set the...