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CHAPTER 4
BIOS SETUP
4-1 INTRODUCE THE BIOS
• BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. It is sometimes call ROM
BIOS because it is stored in a Read-Only Memory (ROM) chip on the
motherboard. BISO is the first program to run when you turn on your
computer.
• BIOS performs the followin functions:
1. Initializing and testing hardware in your computer (a process
called “POST”, for Power On Self Test)
2. Loading and running your operating system.
3. Managing SETUP for making changes in your computer.
4. Helping your operating system and application programs to man-
age your PC hardware by means of a set of routiness called BIOS
Run-Time Services.
4-2 WHAT IS BIOS SETUP
• Setup is an interactive BIOS program that you need to run when:
1. Changing the hardware on your system. (for example: installing
a new Hard Disk, etc.)
2. Modifying the behavior of your computer. (for example: changing
the system time or date, or turning special features on or off,
etc.)
3. Enhancing your computer’s behavior. (for example: speeding up
performance by turning on shadowing or caching.)
4-3 HOW TO RUN BIOS SETUP
• One 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