The following will explain what BIOS is and answers some of the most commonly

asked questions about it. It decsribes some things you can do to fix problems that
may occur from time to time with your computer system. It also makes suggestions
on how to secure your computer system from unauthorized access and what to do
to keep your vital information secure and safe.

What is BIOS?

An acronym for Basic Input/Output System, BIOS refers to the central

configuration instructions stored in a computer's ROM. These instructions enable
and initiate communication between various hardware components, such as
motherboard, monitor, keyboard, and disk drives. BIOS setup screens can typically
be entered during a limited window of opportunity after the computer is switched
on. Depending on the type and version of BIOS on a computer, these screens offer
varying levels of configurability. CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor,
pronounced sea-moss) is another term that has come to be used interchangeably with
BIOS, even though there are technical differences between the two.

Where are the BIOS settings?

Because BIOS instructions execute immediately after power-up, it's during this
window of time that most computers offer access to their BIOS configuration
screens. The most common way to access BIOS is via a certain keystroke entered
soon after you switch the computer's power on. The keystroke varies by
manufacturer, but F2 and the DELETE key are the most common. If you need to access
your BIOS settings, be sure your monitor is already on and ready and then power up
the computer and watch the screen for instructions, such as Press DEL To Enter
Setup or Hit F2 To Enter Setup.

I need to make a BIOS adjustment, but my screen doesn't offer any instructions
about how to enter setup. How do I do this?

Some of today's computers show only a branded logo screen during the boot
process. Although the same startup processes take place, they do so behind the
screen in what the manufacturers consider a more user-friendly interface. Look in
the computer's manual or on the manufacturer's Web site to find out how to access
the BIOS setup screens. Once you're into the BIOS, some of these machines will
allow you to choose the type of display you see during the boot process. Look for
a setting screen related to boot options. Many manufacturers refer to the
configuration that hides the startup commands as Quiet Mode. Disable this mode to
see what's going on as your machine comes to life.

Why would I need to adjust my BIOS settings, and how do I do it?

Because the BIOS configuration defines a computer's core operating parameters,

certain changes can be made only in BIOS. Common examples are security settings,
instructions that tell the computer how to interact with the installed hard
drive(s), and power management modes.

BIOS environments, of course, differ by manufacturer, but the vast majority work
on similar principles of navigation and adjustment. First, don't expect a
graphical environment that you're accustomed to seeing in Windows. BIOS screens
interact more directly with the computer's various hardware components without
passing through an operating system like Windows that "polishes" the interface for
a more visually pleasing experience.

The screens are text-based (very reminiscent of the DOS days of old) in a system
of nested menus. The main screen will offer access to various submenus, which then
offer a list of parameters that can be adjusted. Virtually all the different BIOS
interfaces have easy-to-follow navigation instructions on every screen. The most
common arrangement is:

F1 displays help.

The arrow keys move the selection from item to item.

The ENTER key either takes you deeper into the menu system or pops up a list of
choices for that parameter. If a pop-up menu of choices appears, the arrow keys
will usually allow you to select the desired choice, and pressing ENTER will
accept that choice.

If a certain parameter is selected and the ENTER key has no effect, that
parameter is usually adjustable via the PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN keys or other keys
that are identified in the on-screen navigation help.

Just as the ENTER key takes you deeper, the ESC key backs you out of menus and
pop-ups.

F10 is the most common key to save your changes and exit the BIOS system.

Again, read the on-screen instructions to understand how to move about in your
BIOS screens. Proceed carefully and in an organized fashion. It's also a great
idea to only make one or two changes at a time. That way, if a change renders the
computer unable to start, it's easier to know which change to reverse. Finally,
keep a notepad handy and jot down changes as you make them. This too will make it
easier to reverse any changes that don't work out.

Can I mess up my computer if I make a mistake in the BIOS settings?

In most cases, the answer is no. Changes you make in BIOS can be undone by
rebooting the machine and re-entering BIOS. All BIOS sets also offer on-screen
instructions on how to return all settings to their factory defaults, usually with
a single keystroke followed by a yes-or-no confirmation screen.

You can change the boot sequence of your drives with your BIOS settings.

There are, however, a few exceptions. The configurability of BIOS settings

varies widely by manufacturer and model. Some offer only minimal adjustability.
Others offer deep menus of complex choices that can radically affect a computer's
performance. The latter is highly favored among serious gamers and other power
users because the settings can be finely tweaked to maximize performance. A
notable example is the popularity of overclocking. In this adjustment, BIOS
settings are configured to pump voltages to certain components higher than the
factory standard, thereby driving these components at a faster speed. Increasing
speed also increases operating temperatures, however, which shortens the life of
electronic components. Many motherboards have temperature-monitoring and alarm
capabilities built in as protection against thermal damage, but in the most
configurable BIOS sets, these protections can be ignored or even bypassed. Thus,
it is possible to make BIOS changes that can lead to physical damage. We recommend
extreme caution at this depth of BIOS configuration. Factory standards and
recommendations exist for a reason, and a manufacturer is unlikely to repair or
replace a product that fails because of such user adjustments.

Other deep-level settings found in the most configurable BIOS screens include
IRQ (interrupt request line) assignments, memory settings, and other highly
technical parameters. As explained above, you can simply reverse most changes, and
the resulting problem goes away. In addition to the thermal issues already
discussed, however, it is possible to make adjustments that corrupt hard drives or
possibly even other hardware. The safest approach is this: If you don't understand
what an adjustment is for and what the results of a change are likely to be, don't
make the adjustment. A what-could-it-hurt moment can evolve into a nightmarish
mess that could take a professional technician hours to undo.

My computer forgets its BIOS settings. What's wrong?

BIOS settings are not volatile, meaning you should only have to set them once,
after which they're maintained even when the computer is switched off. This is
made possible by a battery that supplies the trickle of energy necessary to
remember the BIOS configuration, clock settings, etc.

If your computer is losing BIOS settings, or if you have to reset the computer's
clock every time you reboot, the problem is almost certainly a weak or dead
battery. In all modern machines, the battery will be of the flat "button" variety,
located on the motherboard, and it should be easy to replace once the computer's
cover is removed and the battery located. If you don't see it, check the
motherboard's manual for a location.

The battery is secured in its holder by a small, springy clip apparatus on top
of the battery. Pay close attention to the orientation of the battery in the
holder and make a note as to whether the positive side (marked by a plus sign [+])
is facing up or down. Using a fingernail or something small and nonconductive,
push the clip outward until it clears the outer edge of the battery and lift the
battery from the holder. To install the new battery, be sure it's oriented with
the positive side in the right direction, slide the clip back toward the outer
edge, insert the battery in the holder, and release the clip. Be sure the battery
is secure.

Always completely disconnect the main power cord to the computer before
attempting this or any other procedure that involves removal of the case cover.

How can I make my computer boot from a floppy or a CD-ROM drive instead of the
hard drive?

The boot sequence is always set in BIOS. Enter the BIOS setup and look for a
submenu that references the word "boot." If there is no such menu, you will have
to look through other menus to find the setting. When located in other menus, the
boot sequence setting is most often found in either the first or second submenu.

Microsoft provides a list of BIOS manufacturers at its Web site,

www.microsoft.com. Refer to this list if you need to update your BIOS to a new
version.

Once you locate the setting, set the sequence as needed. You can usually specify
a boot sequence of three different devices. By setting the sequence to Floppy, CD-
ROM, Hard Drive, the computer will look first for a bootable floppy disk. If it
finds one, it will boot from the floppy. If it does not find a bootable floppy
disk, it moves on to the next entry in the list, continuing the process until it
finds a bootable device.

If you rarely need to boot to anything other than the hard drive, setting the
hard drive as the first device in the boot sequence will make for a quicker boot
because the machine need not waste time checking for the presence of a bootable
floppy or CD-ROM drive. Some BIOS sets also have a setting for Enable Floppy Seek
On Boot, or something similar. If this setting is enabled, the computer will check
for the presence of a floppy drive every time it boots, even if the boot sequence
doesn't need the floppy disk. Disabling this setting will shave several seconds
off your boot time.

How do I enable or disable an onboard device?

Today's motherboards often come with a host of components built in that, in

years past, had to be installed via add-on cards. Some examples are network
interfaces, sound cards, and graphics cards. There are also the standard
components that have come standard on motherboards for years, such as serial ports
and parallel printer ports. Occasionally, you may find a need to either enable or
disable such a device. An add-on modem may require use of the serial port, for
example, and may require the onboard serial port to be disabled.

Once you enter BIOS setup, use the on-screen navigation instructions to move
through the menus until you locate the device's listing and then select the item
and make the appropriate adjustment.

My hard drive isn't working properly. Can I fix it through BIOS?

You will not be able to repair a damaged or defective hard drive in BIOS, but
you may be able to correct problems that prevent a hard drive from working
properly in your computer. Today's hard drives have capacities that were almost
unimaginable a decade ago. With this rapid expansion in storage real estate, a few
problems have tagged along, as well.

If you have an older motherboard and, thus, an older set of BIOS instructions,
you may encounter difficulty using today's monster drives. They can fail to work
at all, or they may work but generate errors, or they may work but report an
incorrect size in Windows or other operating systems.

Here are some troubleshooting steps to follow when encountering hard drive woes:

Go into BIOS and find the autodetect hard drive feature. Run the procedure.

If autodetect fails to properly identify the hard drive, find the hard drive's
BIOS entry, set its type to Manual, and manually enter the CHS (Cylinder-Heads-
Sectors) settings from the hard drive's label or the hard drive manufacturer's Web
site.

Set the LBA (Logical Block Addressing) setting to Auto.

Most retail hard drives come with an installation disk. If the other steps have
failed, use the disk.

Update your BIOS to a newer version. (See instructions below.)

Install a third-party hard drive controller that is compatible with the hard
drive. Some hard drives come with a free controller card as part of a package
deal. Look for a bundle like this to save cash and to ensure compatibility between
hard drive and controller.
 How can I update my BIOS to a newer version?

As operating systems and hardware evolve, BIOS manufacturers often update their
BIOS routines to operate more efficiently with these newer components, but BIOS
updates are rarely publicized, and consumers often don't realize that such a
simple, free procedure can eliminate problems and make a computer run more
smoothly and efficiently.

If your BIOS "forgets" its settings, you might want to change the battery on the
motherboard. It's tiny (the one pictured here is about the size of a watch battery
at scale), but use caution when replacing it.

Watch your monitor screen as your computer starts up (provided your computer is
not set to boot in Quiet Mode) and write down the version of your BIOS when it
appears on the screen. If it doesn't display, enter BIOS setup, where the BIOS
manufacturer and version number (and in many cases the build date, as well) will
appear on the first BIOS screen you encounter. Go to the motherboard
manufacturer's Web site and check for an updated version of the BIOS. Do note that
motherboard manufacturers often use BIOS chips and instructions from another
manufacturer, but the motherboard manufacturer's site should contain either the
BIOS update or a link to the site where it can be found.

While on the site, also be sure to download any utility program that you will
need to install the new BIOS routines along with detailed instructions for the
procedure. The process is usually as simple as using the provided utility to
create a bootable floppy that contains the BIOS update and then booting to that
floppy, but you should be absolutely certain that you read and understand these
instructions. Then follow them exactly. While simple, making a mistake during a
BIOS update has the potential to render your motherboard inoperable.

I made some changes in my BIOS settings, and now my computer won't boot up. Help!

First, whenever you're making changes, make them in small doses and write them
down so you can re-enter BIOS setup and quickly reverse the changes that caused
the problem. In an emergency, however, you should be able to enter BIOS setup and
simply restore all settings to their factory defaults. Every modern BIOS provides
an option to return to these defaults, with instructions on the main BIOS setup
screen.

My computer goes to sleep if it sits idle for a certain amount of time. How can I
make it stop this?

Today's computers often have power management features that operate within the
ACPI (Advanced Configuration And Power Interface) specification, a system of
operating protocols jointly developed by Microsoft, Toshiba, and Intel. Windows
operating systems contain settings that automatically suspend, or in some cases
switch off, hard drives, computers, and/or monitor output after a defined period
of inactivity. If you don't want these features to be available, look for the
power management settings in BIOS, where you can often disable them completely.
Conversely, if you'd like to use such features and they are enabled in Windows but
not working, you may need to enable the power management features in your BIOS.

My computer has a logon password for Windows, but I'd like to make it so that my
computer cannot run at all without a password. How do I do that?

Within BIOS setup, you can strengthen your computer's security by setting a
password requirement for any operation. This prevents an unauthorized user from
booting to a floppy disk or CD-ROM, from which they may be able to reconstruct
your Windows password.

Enter BIOS and follow the on-screen navigation instructions to locate the screen
that contains security settings. Most of today's BIOS sets will allow you to
specify passwords at two different levels:

User: Typing a user password causes the computer to request a password in order
to boot. Once the proper user password is entered, the startup procedure continues
as normal.
Supervisor: Use a supervisor password to prevent an unauthorized user from
making BIOS changes.

If you want to protect the computer, I recommend setting both passwords (and
using two different passwords).

In addition to passwords, some newer motherboards come with a smart card reader
and a smart card. Once this feature is enabled, the smart card must be present in
the reader's slot in order for the computer to boot.

Also be sure to write the passwords down and store them in a secure location
(meaning someplace other than posted on or near you computer system. The ideal
place would be locked in a location that a theif will not be able to access or
find) but a location you can remember. It is also important to keep all your
computer files encrypted and not keep vital information, such as social security
number, bank account information, phone numbers, addresses, etc stored on your
computer system or in a notebook laying around
where someone could find it, especially now days with all the identiy theif
problems
becoming more and more of a problem.

created by BobbyR1234 on 4/7/08 and uploaded to http://www.scribd.com