MAGIC-PRO MP-7VIP
20
3-3: HOW TO RUN SETUP
O
ne way of running SETUP is to press a special function key or key
combination during POST, before the operating system is loaded.
During POST, the BIOS usually displays a prompt such as:
Press DEL to enter SETUP
3-4: WHAT IS THE CMOS
C
MOS is a special kind of memory maintained by a battery after you
turn your computer off. The BIOS uses CMOS to store the settings
you selected in SETUP. The CMOS also maintains the intermal clock.
Every time you turn on your computer, the BIOS looks in CMOS for
the settings you selected and configures your computer accordingly. If
the battery charge runs too low, the CMOS content will be lost and
POST will issue a CMOS invalid or CMOS checksum invalid
message. If this happens, you may have to replace the battery. After
the battery is replaced, the proper settings will need to be stored in
SETUP.
3-5: WHAT IS POST
P
OST is an acronym for Power On Self Test. It is a traditional name
for the routines that the BIOS uses to test and initializes the devices
on your system when the PC is powered on. Its meanings has grown
to include anything the BIOS does before the operating system is
started.
Each of POST routines is assigned a POST code, an unique number
which is sent to I/O port 080h before the routine is executed.
