Monday, August 13, 2012

Learning About BIOS Setup

A ROM BIOS provides a built-in Setup program which allows the user to modify the basic system configuration and hardware parameters, Bios is a set of routines that affects how the computer transfer data between computer components, such as memory, disk, and the display adapter. The modified data will be stored in a battery-backed CMOS, so that the data will be retained even when the power is turned-off. In general, the information saved in the CMOS RAM will stay unchanged unless there is a configuration change in the system, such as hard drive replacement or a device is added. In this model we are using old type of BIOS version, looks will differ on some Machine model especially for the newer models.

Learn BIOS Menus and Other Features


STANDARD CMOS FEATURES / MAIN - allows you to record some basic system hardware configuration. 

  • Time and Date Setting: to set, highlight Date /Time.
  • This field records the specifications for all non-SCSI hard disk drives installed to   your system. The onboard PCI IDE connectors provide Primary and Secondary Channels for connecting up to four IDE hard disk or IDE devices (CDROM’S, DVD ROM, DVD WRITER, CDWRITER’S, ZIP DRIVES). Use the Auto setting for detection during boot up.
  • Drive A / Drive B (none)* this field records the type of floppy drives installed in your system. The available options for drives A and B are 360KB, 5.25 in.; 1.2 MB, 5.25 in.; 720kb, 3.5 in.,1.44MB; 3.5 in., 2.88 MB, 3.5 in.; None. (Floppy 3 Mode Support (disabled)* This is a Japanese standard floppy drive, no need to enable.)
  • Video (EGA/VGA)* Set this field to the type of video display card installed in you system. Options are EGA/VGA, CGA 40, CGA 80, and mono( for Hercules or MDA).
  • Halt On (All Errors)* This fields determines which types will cause the system to halt. Choose from either All Errors; No Errors; All, But Keyboard; All but Diskette; or All, But Disk/Key.
  • Control keys with their respective functions, used to change the values of the CMOS SETUP.




BIOS FEATURES


  • Virus warning (Disabled) This field protects the boot sector  and Partition table against accidental modifications. An attempt to write to them will cause the system to halt and display a warning message.
  • HDD Sequence SCSI/IDE First (IDE) when using both SCSI and IDE harddisk drives, IDE is always the boot disk using drive letter C(default setting of IDE).
  • BOOT SEQUENCE (C, A)* This field determines where the system looks first for an Operating System. Options: C,A; A,CDROM,C; CDROM,C,A; D,A; E,A; F,A; C only; LS/ZIP, C; and A,C.
  • IDE HDD Block Mode Sectors (HDD MAX) this field enhances hard disk performance by making multi-sector transfers instead of one sector per transfer. Most IDE drives, except for older version, can utilize this feature. Options: HDD MAX; Disabled.
  • SECURITY OPTION (System, Setup) this field can be utilize when Password is set thru SUPERVISOR PASSWORD menu, Determines when the system prompts for the password.   System –password is supplied before booting up. Setup-    password is supplied when entering the Bios Setup.


CHIPSET FEATURES


  • Onboard FDC Controller (Enabled) - This field allows you to connect your floppy disk drives to the onboard floppy drive controller which make your FDD operational.
  • Onboard Serial Port 1 or Communication Port 1 (com 1, COM A)** 3F8H / IRQ4* options 3F8H/IRQ4, 2F8H/IRQ3, 3E8H/IRQ4, 2E8H/IRQ10, Disabled for the onboard serial connector.
  • Onboard Serial Port 2 or Communication Port 2 (com 2, COM B)** 2F8H / IRQ3* options 3F8H/IRQ4, 2F8H/IRQ3, 3E8H/IRQ4, 2E8H/IRQ10, Disabled for the onboard serial connector.
  • Onboard Parallel Port or LPT port (378H) This field allows you to set the operation mode of the parallel port, Options:Normal –allows normal-speed operation but in one direction only.
  • EPP (Enhance Parallel Port)-allows bi-directional parallel port operation at    maximum speed.
  • ECP (Enhance Capability Port)- allows the parallel port to operate in bi-directional mode and at a speed faster than the maximum data transfer rate.
  • ECP+EPP- allows normal speed operation in a two –way mode.
  • UART2 Use Infrared (disabled)- When enabled, this field activates the onboard infrared feature and sets the second serial UART to support Infrared Module connector on motherboard.
  • Onboard PCI IDE Enable (On-chip IDE CHANNEL 10, 11 / On-chip PRIMARY, SECONDARY IDE / Onboard IDE-1, IDE-2 Controller)**
  • Controls your IDE devices such as Harddisk drive, CDrom or CDwriter drive LS120 drives, Internal Zip Drives, DVD drives and DVD writer.
  • IDE Ultra DMA Mode (Auto) – This sets the IDE UltraDMA to be active when using UDMA-capable IDE devices. The BIOS will automatically adjust or disable this setting for slower IDE devices so that AUTO or high settings will not cause problems for older IDE devices.
  • IDE 0 Master/Slave PIO/DMA or UDMA Mode, IDE 1 Master/Slave
  • PIO/DMA or UDMA Mode (Auto) -Each channel (0,1) has both a master and a slave making four IDE devices possible. Because each IDE device may have a different timing (0,1,2,3,4). The default setting is AUTO this will allow auto detection to ensure optional performance.


Supervisor Password and User Password


These two options set the system passwords. “Supervisor Password” sets a password that will be used to protect the System and Setup Utility. “User Password” sets a password that will be used exclusively on system. It can be up to 8 Alphanumeric characters long.

REMOVING PASSWORDS FROM SYSTEM and BIOS SETUP


Locate a jumper setting labeled CLRCMOS; RTCCLR; JBAT; change the jumper position from 1-2 to 2-3 momentarily for 2 seconds, or refer to its manual for proper discharging of the CMOS.
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