User`s guide

4. BIOS and Jumper Setup
4.1.1 Starting BIOS Setup
4.1 BIOS
This chapter discusses the AMI BIOS Setup program built into the ROM BIOS. The Setup program allows users
modifying the basic system configurations according to their requirements. This special information is then stored
in battery-backed RAM so that it retains the Setup information when the power is turned off.
The AMI BIOS installed in your computer system's ROM (Read Only Memory) is a custom version of an industry
standard BIOS. The BIOS provides critical low-level support for standard devices such as disk drives and serial
ports. The AMI BIOS has been customized by adding important, but non-standard, features such as password
protection as well as special support for detailed fine-tuning of the chipset controlling the entire system.
The rest of this chapter is intended to guide you through the process of configuring your system using Setup.
The AMI BIOS is immediately activated when you power on the computer every time.
The BIOS reads the system information contained in the CMOS and begins the process of checking out the
system and configuring it. After finishing configuring the whole system, then BIOS will continue to seek an
operating system on one of the disks, launch then turn control over to the operating system.
While the AMI BIOS is in control, the Setup program can be activated in the way:
By pressing the <DEL> key when the following message appears briefly at the bottom of the screen during
the POST (Power On Self-Test).
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