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4. BIOS Setup
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The motherboard uses AMIBIOS, which is stored
in a Flash EEPROM and can be upgraded by a
floppy disk-based program. The BIOS has a built-
in Setup Program that allows users to modify the
basic system configuration settings. The settings
are then stored in a dedicated battery-backed
memory, called CMOS RAM that retains the
information when the power is turned off.
The BIOS provides critical low-level support for the system’s central processing, memory
and I/O subsystems. The AMI BIOS has been customized by adding important, nonstandard,
features such as virus and password protection, power management, and detailed fine-tuning
of the chipset which controls the system. The remainder of this manual is intended to guide
you through the process of configuring your system using the BIOS Setup.
4.1 BIOS Setup
The AMI BIOS is immediately activated when you first turn on the computer. The BIOS
reads system configuration information in CMOS RAM and begins the process of checking
the system and configuring it through the power-on self test (POST). When these
preliminaries are finished, the BIOS seek an operation system on the data storage devices
(hard drive, floppy drive, etc.). The BIOS launches the operating system and hands over
control of system operation to it.
To start Setup, press the <Del> key during boot-up before or while a message similar to this
appears briefly at the bottom of the screen during POST (Power On Self Test):
Press DEL if you want to enter SETUP
If the above message disappears before you have responded and you still wish to enter Setup,
reboot the system to try again by pressing the “RESET” button on the system case. You may
also restart by simultaneously pressing the <Ctrl>, <Alt> and <Delete> keys.
Press
F1
to continue,
DEL
to enter SETUP.
