Page 2 - Copyright © 2014 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.; Offer to Provide Source Code of Certain Software
ii E9808First Edition October 2014 Copyright © 2014 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...
Page 3 - Contents; Product introduction
iii Contents Safety information ...................................................................................................... ivAbout this guide ......................................................................................................... ivPackage contents ........................
Page 4 - Safety information; Electrical safety; About this guide; How this guide is organized; Chapter 1: Product introduction
iv 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 cabl...
Page 5 - Where to find more information; ASUS websites; Conventions used in this guide; Bold text; Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.
v Where to find more information Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. 1. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. 2. Optional documentation You...
Page 6 - A68HM Series specifications summary; CPU; Chipset; Graphics; Package contents; Check your motherboard package for the following items.
vi (continued on the next page) A68HM Series specifications summary CPU AMD ® FM2+ Socket for AMD ® A-Series/Athlon™ Series processors AMD ® Turbo Core Technology 3.0 support Supports APU up to 4 cores • Refer to www.asus.com for the AMD ® CPU support list. Chipset AMD ® A68H FCH Memory 2 x DIMMs, m...
Page 7 - Expansion slots; USB; ASUS Exclusive Features
vii A68HM Series specifications summary Expansion slots 1 x PCIe 3.0*/2.0 x16 slot1 x PCIe 2.0 x1 slot1 x PCI slot* PCIe 3.0 is supported by FM2+ processors only. LAN Realtek ® 8111GR Gigabit LAN controller Audio Realtek ® ALC887-VD 7.1-channel High Definition Audio CODEC - LED-lit audio shielding*:...
Page 8 - BIOS; Form factor
viii A68HM Series specifications summary Specifications are subject to change without notice. Back Panel I/O ports 1 x PS/2 mouse port (green)1 x PS/2 keyboard port (purple)1 x DVI-D port1 x D-Sub output port1 x LAN (RJ-45) port2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports2 x USB 3.0 ports7.1-channel audio I/O ports (3-jac...
Page 9 - ASUS A68HM Series; Before you proceed; any motherboard settings.; Motherboard overview; motherboard fits into it.; Placement direction
ASUS A68HM Series 1-1 Product introduction 1 1.1 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. • Before handling components, use a gro...
Page 10 - Motherboard layout
1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction A68HM-E Place this side towards the rear of the chassis 1.2.3 Motherboard layout A68HM-E PCIEX16 PCIEX1_1 PCI1 F_PANEL SPEAKER COM CLRTC USB56 USB34 AAFP SPDIF_OUT ATX12V EATXPWR CPU_FAN CHA_FAN BATTERY Super I/O ALC 887 8111 GR 22.6cm(8.9in) AMD ® A68H DDR3 DIMM_...
Page 11 - Page; This motherboard comes with an FM2+ socket designed for AMD
ASUS A68HM Series 1-3 Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED Page 1. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V) 1-14 2. AMD FM2+ socket 1-3 3. CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN and 4-pin CHA_FAN) 1-13 4. DDR3 DIMM slots 1-6 5. Speaker connector (4-pin SPEAKER) 1-17 6. SATA 6.0Gb/s connect...
Page 12 - Installing the APU
1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.3.1 Installing the APU 1 2 4 3 1.3.2 APU heatsink and fan assembly installation Apply the Thermal Interface Material to the APU heatsink and APU before you install the heatsink and fan if necessary. E9808_A68HM Series_Manual.indb 4 2014/10/16 10:09:00
Page 13 - To install the APU heatsink and fan assembly
ASUS A68HM Series 1-5 1 2 To install the APU heatsink and fan assembly 5 3 4 To uninstall the APU heatsink and fan assembly 1 2 3 E9808_A68HM Series_Manual.indb 5 2014/10/16 10:09:01
Page 14 - System memory; better performance with less power consumption.; Channel
1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction 5 4 1.4 System memory 1.4.1 Overview The motherboard comes with two Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. A DDR3 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR2 DIMM but is notched differently to prevent installation on a DDR2 DIMM...
Page 15 - Memory configurations
ASUS A68HM Series 1-7 1.4.2 Memory configurations You may install 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB unbuffered non-ECC DDR3 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 configuratio...
Page 16 - Installing a DIMM; To remove a DIMM
1-8 Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.4.3 Installing a DIMM 1 2 3 To remove a DIMM B A E9808_A68HM Series_Manual.indb 8 2014/10/16 10:09:02
Page 17 - the slots and the expansion cards that they support.; Installing an expansion card; make the necessary hardware settings for the card.; Configuring an expansion card; PCI slot
ASUS A68HM Series 1-9 1.5 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. Unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury a...
Page 18 - PCI Express x1 slot; that comply with the PCI Express specifications.; PCI Express x16 slot; PCI Express specifications.; IRQ assignments for this motherboard; A68HM-E Clear RTC RAM; CLRTC
1-10 Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.5.4 PCI Express x1 slot This motherboard supports PCI Express 2.0 x1 network cards, SCSI cards, and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications. 1.5.5 PCI Express x16 slot This motherboard supports one PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 graphics cards that...
Page 19 - Del; Rear panel connectors; through a network hub.; Speed LED; LAN port LED indications
ASUS A68HM Series 1-11 To erase the RTC RAM: 1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord. 2. Use a metal object such as a screwdriver to short the two pins. 3. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer. 4. Hold down the < Del > key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to re- ...
Page 20 - Port; These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are for USB; This 15-pin port is for a VGA monitor or other
1-12 Chapter 1: Product introduction 3. Line In port (light blue). This port connects to the tape, CD, DVD player, or other audio sources. 4. Line Out port (lime). This port connects to a headphone or a speaker. In the 4.1, 5.1, and 7.1-channel configurations, the function of this port becomes Front...
Page 21 - Internal connectors; black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of the connector.; A68HM-E Fan connectors; A68HM-E TPM connector
ASUS A68HM Series 1-13 DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufficient air flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the fan connectors. • The CPU_FAN connector supports a CPU fan of maximum 2A (24 W) ...
Page 22 - A68HM-E ATX power connectors
1-14 Chapter 1: Product introduction 3. 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 connector...
Page 23 - A68HM-E Digital audio connector
ASUS A68HM Series 1-15 4. Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G 1~4) These connectors are for the Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives and optical disc drives. If you installed Serial ATA hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0, RAID 1, or RAID 10 configuration ...
Page 24 - A68HM-E System panel connector
1-16 Chapter 1: Product introduction 6. System panel connector (10-1 pin PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions. • System power LED (2-pin PWR_LED) This 2-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector. The system power LED ...
Page 25 - Front Panel Type; A68HM-E Speaker Out connector; A68HM-E Front panel audio connector; allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.
ASUS A68HM Series 1-17 7. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports either High Definition Audio or AC`97 audio standard. Connect one end of the front panel audio I/O module cable to this connector. • We recommend t...
Page 26 - A68HM-E Serial port connectors
1-18 Chapter 1: Product introduction 9. USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB34, USB56) 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 sp...
Page 27 - Software support; Installing an operating system; This motherboard supports Windows; Support DVD information; To run the Support DVD; their respective menus.
ASUS A68HM Series 1-19 1.8 Software support 1.8.1 Installing an operating system This motherboard supports Windows ® 8.1 (32bit/64bit) / Windows ® 8 (32bit/64bit) / Windows ® 7 (32bit/64bit) / Windows ® XP Operating Systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to maxi...
Page 29 - BIOS information; Managing and updating your BIOS; BIOS and select a boot logo when the system goes into POST.; EZ Update; on the AI Suite 3 main menu bar.
ASUS A68HM Series 2-1 BIOS information 2 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a USB flash disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update utility. 2.1.1 EZ Update EZ Update is a util...
Page 30 - Chapter 2: Getting started; ASUS EZ Flash 2; Enter the; ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility
2-2 Chapter 2: Getting started 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without using an OS‑based utility. Before you start using this utility, download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com. To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2: 1. Insert t...
Page 31 - Recovering the BIOS; ASUS BIOS Updater; Before updating BIOS; and; Booting the system in DOS environment
ASUS A68HM Series 2‑3 Recovering the BIOS To recover the BIOS: 1. Turn on the system. 2. Insert the support DVD to the optical drive or the USB flash drive that contains the BIOS file to the USB port. 3. The utility automatically checks the devices for the BIOS file. When found, the utility reads th...
Page 32 - Please select boot device:; Enter Setup; Updating the BIOS file; To update the BIOS file:
2-4 Chapter 2: Getting started Please select boot device: E1: ASUS DVD-E818A6T (4069MB) USB DISK 2.0 (3824MB) UEFI: (FAT) USB DISK 2.0 (3824MB) Enter Setup and to move selection ENTER to select boot device ESC to boot using defaults 4. When the booting message appears, press <Enter> within...
Page 33 - Select; Restart your computer.; Load Optimized Defaults; Exit; After the BIOS Updater checks the selected BIOS file, select; Yes; to confirm the BIOS
ASUS A68HM Series 2-5 ASUSTeK BIOS Updater for DOS V1.30 [2014/01/01] Current ROM BOARD: A68HM-E VER: 0205 (H :00 B :00) DATE: 09/28/2014 Update ROM BOARD: Unknown VER: Unknown DATE: Unknown PATH: C:\ C: D: FORMAN~1 <DIR> A68HME.CAP 8390626 2014-09-12 21:14:34 Note [Enter] Select or Load [Tab]...
Page 34 - BIOS setup program; Entering BIOS Setup at startup; To enter BIOS Setup at startup:; POST continues with its routines.; Entering BIOS Setup after POST; To enter BIOS Setup after POST:; failed to enter BIOS Setup using the first two options.; Load Optimized; BIOS menu screen; The BIOS setup program can be used under two modes:; EZ Mode; Advanced Mode; You can change modes from the; menu or from the Exit/Advanced Mode button in the EZ
2-6 Chapter 2: Getting started 2.2 BIOS setup program Use the BIOS Setup program to update the BIOS or configure its parameters. The BIOS screens include navigation keys and brief online help to guide you in using the BIOS Setup program. Entering BIOS Setup at startup To enter BIOS Setup at startup:...
Page 36 - Menu bar
2‑8 Chapter 2: Getting started Advanced Mode The Advanced Mode provides advanced options for experienced end‑users to configure the BIOS settings. The figure below shows an example of the Advanced Mode . Refer to the following sections for the detailed configurations. To access the EZ Mode, click Ex...
Page 37 - Adding items to My Favorites; To add frequently‐used BIOS items to My Favorites:; My Favorites
ASUS A68HM Series 2-9 Adding items to My Favorites To add frequently‑used BIOS items to My Favorites: 1. Use the arrow keys to select an item that you want to add. When using a mouse, hover the pointer to the item. 2. Press <F3> on your keyboard or right‑click on your mouse to add the item to ...
Page 38 - Main menu; Administrator; User Password; Not Installed; Installed
2-10 Chapter 2: Getting started 2.4 Main menu The Main menu screen appears when you enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS Setup program. The Main menu provides you an overview of the basic system information, and allows you to set the system date, time, language, and security settings. • If you have f...
Page 39 - Ai Tweaker menu; Scroll down to display the other items.
ASUS A68HM Series 2-11 2.5 Ai Tweaker menu The Ai Tweaker menu items allow you to configure overclocking‑related items. Be cautious when changing the settings of the Ai Tweaker menu items. Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction. The configuration options for this section vary dep...
Page 40 - Advanced menu; Monitor menu
2-12 Chapter 2: Getting started 2.6 Advanced menu The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. Be cautious when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction. 2.7 Monitor menu The Monitor...
Page 41 - Boot menu; The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options.
ASUS A68HM Series 2‑13 2.8 Boot menu The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Scroll down to display the other items. E9808_A68HM Series_Manual.indb 13 2014/10/16 10:09:10
Page 42 - Tools menu
2-14 Chapter 2: Getting started 2.9 Tools menu The Tools menu items allow you to configure options for special functions. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the submenu. 2.10 Exit menu The Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal default values for the BIOS items, and save or di...
Page 43 - Appendices; Notices; Federal Communications Commission Statement; This device may not cause harmful interference.
ASUS A68HM Series A-1 Appendices 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. • This device must accept any interference received includi...
Page 44 - IC: Canadian Compliance Statement; un fonctionnement non souhaité de l’appareil.; Canadian Department of Communications Statement; and use the equipment according to the instruction manual.; KC: Korea Warning Statement
A-2 Appendices IC: Canadian Compliance Statement Complies with the Canadian ICES-003 Class B specifications. This device complies with RSS 210 of Industry Canada. This Class B device meets all the requirements of the Canadian interference-causing equipment regulations. This device complies with Indu...
Page 45 - REACH; information in different regions.
ASUS A68HM Series A-3 REACH Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulatory framework, we published the chemical substances in our products at ASUS REACH website at http://csr.asus.com/english/REACH.htm. DO NOT throw the motherboard in muni...
Page 46 - ASUS contact information; ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.; Technical Support
A-4 Appendices ASUS contact information ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. Address 15 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 11259 Telephone +886-2-2894-3447 Fax +886-2-2890-7798 E-mail [email protected] Web site www.asus.com/tw/ Technical Support Telephone +86-21-38429911 Fax +86-21-58668722, ext.9101# Online suppo...
