User`s manual

23
Chapter 3
Introducing BIOS
The BIOS is a program located on a Flash Memory on the motherboard. This program is a bridge
between motherboard and operating system. When starting the computer, the BIOS program gain
control. The BIOS first operates an auto-diagnostic test called POST (power on self test) for all the
necessary hardware, it detects the entire hardware device and configures the parameters of the hardware
synchronization. Only when these tasks are completed done it gives up control of the computer to
operating system (OS). Since the BIOS is the only channel for hardware and software to communicate,
it is the key factor for system stability, and in ensuring that your system performance as its best.
In the BIOS Setup main menu of Figure 3-1, you can see several options. We will explain these options
step by step in the following pages of this chapter, but let us first see a short description of the function
keys you may use here:
•
Press <Esc> to quit the BIOS Setup.
•
Press
↑↓←→
(up, down, left, right) to choose, in the main menu, the option you want to confirm
or to modify.
•
Press <F10> when you have completed the setup of BIOS parameters to save these parameters and
to exit the BIOS Setup menu.
•
Press Page Up/Page Down or +/
–
keys when you want to modify the BIOS parameters for the
active option.
3-1 Entering Setup
Power on the computer and by pressing <F2> immediately allows you to enter Setup.
If the message disappears before your respond and you still wish to enter Setup, restart the system to try
again by turning it OFF then ON or pressing the “RESET” button on the system case. You may also
restart by simultaneously pressing <Ctrl>, <Alt> and <Delete> keys. If you do not press the keys at the
correct time and the system does not boot, an error message will be displayed and you will again be
asked to
Press <F1> to continue, <F2> to enter Setup
3-2 Getting Help
Main Menu
The on-line description of the highlighted setup function is displayed at the right top of the
screen.