What is BIOS ?

•an acronym for Basic Input/Output System

- is a vital part of a PC's system, without
which nothing can work .
•a set of diagnostic tests on the hard drive,
memory, video, chipset and other hardware
•provides a Setup utility program for
specifying the system configurations and
settings.
 Four(4) Distinct Tasks of BIOS
• Tests the computer's main components by running its
POST (Power-On-Self-Test) program to make sure that
they are all functioning properly.
• Configures the main components that are part of the
motherboard or that are attached to it so that the
operating system knows what to do with them
• Boots the operating system from the hard disk drive
or from a bootable floppy disk or CD/DVD disc at
start-up.
• Provides access to some of the computer's
components and features, such as the keyboard even
when the operating system is up and running.
 BIOS manufacturers
• 2TheMax • Amstrad
• Abit • Antec
• Acer • Aopen
• ALI (Acer Laboratories) • ARI Service
• AME Group • ASUS
• American Megatrends • Award
• Amptron • Bare-Bone
 BIOS manufacturers
• Biostar • DFI (Diamond Flower
• Commate Electric Instrument)
• Compaq Computer • Diamond Multimedia
• Corporation (DEC) Digital
• Computer Technology Equipment
• Computex • Elitegroup Computer
• Data Expert (Expert Systems
Media) • Evergreen Technologies
• Famous Technology
• Dell Computer
• FIC
 Purpose of Accessing BIOS Utility
Setup
• managing memory settings
• configuring a new hard drive
• changing the boot order
• resetting the BIOS password
• Other system settings
 HOW TO ENTER BIOS SETUP
• Turn on your PC or restart it if it's already on.
• Watch for a "entering setup" message in the
first few seconds after turning on your
computer. (This message varies greatly from
computer to computer and also includes the
key or keys you need to press to enter BIOS.)
• Quickly press the key or keys instructed by the
previous message to get into BIOS.
 Some common BIOS access message:
• Press [key] to enter setup
• Setup: [key]
• Enter BIOS by pressing [key]
• Press [key] to enter BIOS setup
• Press [key] to access BIOS
• Press [key] to access system configuration
 Common Keys to press in entering
BIOS
• For new computer (1995 model to Present)
– Computer that have been manufactured in the last
few years will allow you to enter the bios/cmos by
pressing one of the following
• F1, F2, Del/Delete, ESC, F10
You will know when to press this key when you see:
Press<F2> to enter BIOS setup or
Press DEL or DELETE to enter setup
• If the computer is a new and you
are unsure of what key to press
when the computer is booting, try
pressing and holding one or more
keys on the keyboard.
• This will cause a stuck key error,
which may allow you to enter the
BIOS setup.
 For older computer before 1995
• Unlike the computers of today, older computers (before
1995) had numerous different methods of entering the
BIOS setup. Below is a listing of general key sequences
that may have had to be pressed as the computer was
booting.
• CTRL + ALT + ESC
• CTRL + ALT + INS
• CTRL + ALT + ENTER
• CTRL + ALT + S
• PAGE UP KEY
• PAGE DOWN KEY
How to enter BIOS setup utility
configuration
 ACER BIOS
• If your computer is unable to boot or you wish
to restore the BIOS back to bootable settings
and your computer uses an ACER BIOS, press
and hold the F10 key as you turn on the
computer.
• While continuing to hold the F10 key, you
should hear two beeps indicating that the
settings have been restored.
 AMI BIOS
• Older AMI BIOS could be restored back to
bootable settings by pressing and holding the
Insert key as the computer is booting.
 Early IBM computers
• Some models of early IBM computers required
that the user press and hold both mouse
buttons as the computer was booting in order
to enter the BIOS setup.
 Other suggestions
• Finally, if none of the above suggestions help get you
into your CMOS setup you can cause a stuck key
error, which will usually cause the CMOS setup
prompt to appear and remain until you press a key to
continue.
• To do this press and hold any key on the keyboard
and do not let go (you may get several beeps as
you're doing this).
• Keep holding the key until the computer stops
booting and you're prompted with an option to enter
setup or to press another key to continue booting.
 BIOS Setup Utility
• The computer BIOS setup utility (also known
as the CMOS setup) is the place where you
can change a few basic computer hardware
settings.
• The BIOS and CMOS often get confused but
there is quite a difference.
• The BIOS contains all the settings and
• The CMOS memory is a piece of RAM that
remembers all the information and settings.
 Importance in entering BIOS utility
setup
• To change the date or time .
• To change the order of booting.
• To view the detected hardware devices
• To allocate shared memory
• To reset the CMOS back to factory settings
• To set BIOS password
• Save and exit BIOS settings.
AMI main setup utility
AMI Motherboard Identification Utility
 Common AMI setup menu tabs
• Main Tab • Note:
• Advance Tab • Details in each
• Power Tab menu tab will
• Boot Tab depend on the
version of the
• Security Tab
BIOS.
• Exit Tab
 TO ENTER BIOS SETUP
• Turn on your PC or restart it if it's already on.
• Watch for a "entering setup" message in the
first few seconds after turning on your
computer. (This message varies greatly from
computer to computer and also includes the
key or keys you need to press to enter BIOS.)
• Quickly press the key or keys instructed by the
previous message to get into BIOS.