BIOS Setup
The BIOS software has a number of different roles, but its most important role is to load the operating
system. From when you turn on your computer the bios does several different things, normally in this
order:
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Check the CMOS Setup for custom settings
Load the interrupt handlers and device driver
Initialize registers and power management
Perform the power-on self-test (POST)
Display system settings
Determine which devices are bootable
The BIOS gives you opinions where you can change certain settings:
Main
System Time - This allows you to change the Systems Clock
System Date – This allows you to change the System Date
Legacy Diskette A - This allows you to select floppy type
Legacy Diskette B – This allows you to select another floppy type
Floppy 3 Mode Support – This is for enabling floppy drives which supports both 1.2 and 1.44MB
formats.
Primary Master – This allows you to find the main hard disk to set it to primary use
Primary Slave – This is the second try the operating system will try to boot off
Secondary Master – This is the third try the operating system will try to boot off
Secondary Slave - This is the fourth try the operating system will try to boot off
Keyboard Features – This is allowing you to change your keyboard configuration
Language – This allows you to change the language in the BIOS Screen
Supervisor Password – Supervisor password controls full access.
User Password – This is controls who can access the system on boot
Halt On – If there is an error is will halt on that error message
Installed Memory – This is showing how much memory is installed
Advanced
CPU Speed – This Allows you to increase the CPU Speed (Overclock)
CPU: System Frequency Multiple – Sets the core speed for the CPU
System/PCI frequency (Mhz) – Sets the PCI speed
System /SDRAM Frequency Ratio – Sets the RAM speed
Load Performance Setting – PC performance settings
CPU Vcore – Electric power that goes to the CPU
CPU Level 1 Cache – Enables or disables internal cache
CPU Level 2 Cache - Enables or disables internal cache
CPU Level 2 Cache ECC Check
BIOS Update – This checks if there is an update for the bios
PS/2 Mouse Function Control – This allows you to use a PS/2 Mouse instead of a USB Mouse
USB Legacy Support – This is for connecting USB devices to your computer
OS/2 Onboard Memory > 64 M – Only applies to users running the new OS/2 Operating System
Chip Confinguration – To change the settings for the CPU
I/O Device Configuration – Configures internal and external devices
PCI Configuration – To change the settings for the PCI card
Power
Power Management – Setting for how much power your computer needs
Video Off Option Video Off Method – Controls video display card if supports DPMS
HDD Power Down – The setting for the use of the hard drive when your computer is shutdown
Suspend-RAM Capability
Suspend Mode
PWR Button < 4 Secs – User defined what will happen when the power button is pressed and held
for under 4 seconds
CPU Thermal Option – The temperature the CPU will get to before the computer shuts down
Power Up Control
Hardware Monitor – If there is any problems with the hardware it will stop it from loading
Boot
1.
2.
3.
4.
IDE Hard Drive
ATAPI CD-ROM
Removable Device
Other Boot Device
Plug & Play O/S – Detects any connected device
Reset Configuration Data – Resets all back to default
Boot Virus Detection – It will do a virus detection on the BIOS
Quick Power On Self Test – Check there is no errors on boot up
Boot Up Floppy Seek – This will see if there is anything you want to boot when a floppy disk is
inserted
Exit
Exit Saving Changes - This allows you to exit the bios and save the changes which you have made
Exit Discarding Changes – This allows you to exit the bios without saving the changes you have made
Load Setup Defaults – This is loading the default settings when you first booted the bios
Discard Changes – This will delete the changes you have made
Save Changes – This will save the changes you have made