*
How to configure BIOS:
1. Turn on or restart your computer.
2. Press "Esc," "Del," "F1," "F2," "Ctrl-Esc" or
3.
"Ctrl-Alt-Esc" as soon as BIOS type or version
appears on screen to enter BIOS Setting.
There is usually a line of text at the bottom
of the display that tells you "Press ___ to
Enter Setup.”
Adjust all available features within the basic
or standard BIOS section. Press the down
arrow on your keyboard to select the time
and date options. Change each entry
accordingly, typically by typing the correct
time/date using your keyboard pad.
4.
Once you have entered setup, you will see a set of text screens with
a number of options. Some of these are standard, while others vary
according to the BIOS manufacturer. Common options include:
•
•
System Time/Date - Set the system time and date
•
Mouse/Keyboard - "Enable Num Lock," "Enable the Keyboard," "AutoDetect Mouse"...
•
•
Drive Configuration - Configure hard drives, CD-ROM and floppy drives
•
Exit - Save your changes, discard your changes or restore default
settings
Boot Sequence - The order that BIOS will try to load the operating
system. This controls the order in which the PC looks at the drives for
bootable information. Other versions have separate settings for “First
Boot Device”, “Second Boot Device” and so on.
Power Management - Select whether to use power management, as
well as set the amount of time for standby and suspend
Advanced BIOS Features:
• Virus Protection/Warning: Will scan your hard
drive boot sector on startup for viruses and
alarm you if anything attempts to write to the
boot sector. Enable for increased security, but
disable in case you already have a 3rd party
antivirus software.
• Cache Settings: These settings control L1 and L2
cache
• Quick POST: This will allow the BIOS to skip
some tests such as the memory test on boot-up,
thus allowing the PC to boot faster.
• Boot Up Floppy Seek: Controls whether the
floppy drive will be looked for at all.
• L2 Cache size:
control size of your external
cache.
• Memory Timings/DRAM Frequency: This area
allows you to control the speed of the memory.
• On-Chip PCI IDE, or IDE Controller: Used to either
enable or disable either of your on-board IDE
controllers.
• USB Controller: Enable or disable your
motherboard’s on-board USB controller.
• USB Keyboard Support: Many boards have a
separate setting for USB keyboards, so you will
need to enable this if you use one.
• USB Mouse Support: Same as keyboard, but
sometimes you see one for mice, too.
• Typematic Rate Settings: These options control the
rate at which holding down a key on the keyboard
will produce characters on screen. Just leave it
disabled as it isn’t very important.
• Boot Numlock: Enable to have Numlock on when you
start the computer.
• Password Security Option: Some systems have an
option to require a password every time the system
boots up.
• HDD SMART Capability: It is only useful if you have
software running which monitors the status of the
hard drives.
• Logo/Splash screen Show: Controls whether the
BIOS logo is shown on your bootup. Disable.
Sometimes there is a small select option, too, for
selecting which logo will be shown.
• PNP OS Installed: If all your operating systems support
Plug & Play (PnP), select Yes so that they can take over
the management of device resources. If you are using a
non-PnP-aware OS or not all of the operating systems you
are using support PnP, select No to let the BIOS handle it
instead.
• PC Health: monitors fan speed, CPU temperature,
voltage levels, etc. You may also be able to set a shut
down temperature, so if the CPU gets way too hot, the
system would shut itself down for safety.
• Set to Default Configuration: Many BIOS versions have
pre-set sets of factory default values which you can preload in case there is a mistake or problems in BIOS
settings.
• Passwords: Most BIOS versions have security options to
allow for user or supervisor passwords. Most people do
not use them. But, if you do, just make sure you record
the password. If you lose it, you’ll have to reset your
whole BIOS to get your system back.
• Onboard 1394: Enable or disable your onboard
Firewire capability
• FDD Controller: Enable or disable your
motherboard’s on-board floppy disk controller. You
probably want this enabled.
• OnBoard Serial Port: Used to enable or disable the
serial ports.
• Parallel Port: change modes of parallel port signals.
• Power On Function: Some motherboards allow you
to turn on the system via a variety of alternative
ways other than the normal power switch. Examples
include mouse buttons, button only (normal), or by
keyboard. Select whichever option you want.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Go to the BIOS advanced settings to modify any
onboard devices detected. Configuring the BIOS
by pressing "Enter" on your keyboard.
Change Options to "Enabled" or "Disabled" for
each component using your keyboard arrow keys
and "Enter."
Ensure every typical component is enabled. This
may include the onboard Local Area Network
(LAN), which provides the ability to detect
Internet access in your area.
Other settings include USB controllers, which
manage the proper detection of plug and play
devices in your operating system (OS).
The audio controller setting helps the system
detect and configure the use of audio within the
OS.
10.Go to the boot menu to configure the order in which
storage units are loaded. The hard disk containing
the operating system should be the primary boot
option, while the CD-ROM and all other secondary
components should subsequently follow.
11.In the event you wish to reinstall the operating
system, switch the boot order sequence to begin
with CD-ROM (or the media containing the operating
system disc.)
12.Press "F10" to save all specified settings, or press
"Escape" to cancel all changes.
* Be very careful when making changes to setup.
Incorrect settings may keep your computer from
booting. When you are finished with your changes,
you should choose "Save Changes" and exit. The BIOS
will then restart your computer so that the new
settings take effect.
* The BIOS uses CMOS technology to save any changes
made to the computer's settings. With this
technology, a small lithium or Ni-Cad battery is used
to supply enough power to keep the data for years.
* References:
* http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/biosbeginners,1126.html
* http://www.buildeasypc.com/sw/bios_setup.htm
* http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/BIOSSetup/6/1