Compal HEL80, User Manual

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6 The BIOS Setup Program
6-1
6.1 Introduction
The BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) Setup program is a menu driven utility that
enables you to make changes to the system configuration and tailor the operation of your
notebook to your individual work needs. A ROM-based configuration utility displays the
system's configuration status and provides you with a tool to set system parameters. These
parameters are stored in nonvolatile battery backed-up CMOS RAM, which saves this
information even when the power is turned off. When the computer is turned back on, the
system is configured with the values found in CMOS. Using easy-to-use menus, you can
configure such items as:
ƒ Hard drives, diskette drives and peripherals
ƒ
Video display options
ƒ Password protection from unauthorized use
ƒ Boot devices
The settings made in the Setup program intimately affect how the notebook performs. It is
important, therefore, first to try to understand all the available options, and second, to make
settings appropriate for the way you use the notebook. This chapter guides you through the
Setup program by providing clear explanations for all Setup options.
A standard configuration has already been set in the Setup program by the factory
technicians, so you will very likely have little to worry about for now. However, eventually
you may want to customize your system to suit your own performance needs. It is
recommended that you read this chapter and become familiar with the adjustments that can
be made in the BIOS.
The next section explains how to move around in the Setup program, as well as how to
specify and save your new settings. A brief discussion of the optional settings among the
different submenus follows.