75
3 Overview of BIOS Features
What This Chapter Contains
3.1
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 75
3.2
BIOS Flash Memory Organization ............................................................................... 76
3.3
Resource Configuration ............................................................................................... 76
3.4
System Management BIOS (SMBIOS) ........................................................................ 77
3.5
Legacy USB Support.................................................................................................... 77
3.6
BIOS Updates .............................................................................................................. 78
3.7
Boot Options ................................................................................................................ 79
3.8
Adjusting Boot Speed................................................................................................... 80
3.9
BIOS Security Features ............................................................................................... 81
3.1 Introduction
The boards use an Intel BIOS that is stored in the Serial Peripheral Interface Flash Memory (SPI
Flash) and can be updated using a disk-based program. The SPI Flash contains the BIOS Setup
program, POST, the PCI auto-configuration utility, and Plug and Play support.
The BIOS displays a message during POST identifying the type of BIOS and a revision code. The
initial production BIOSs are identified as SN94510J.86A.
When the BIOS Setup configuration jumper is set to configure mode and the computer is powered-
up, the BIOS compares the CPU version and the microcode version in the BIOS and reports if the
two match.
The BIOS Setup program can be used to view and change the BIOS settings for the computer. The
BIOS Setup program is accessed by pressing the <F2> key after the Power-On Self-Test (POST)
memory test begins and before the operating system boot begins. The menu bar is shown below.
Maintenance Main
Advanced Security Power
Boot
Exit
NOTE
The maintenance menu is displayed only when the Desktop Board is in configure mode. Section 2.9
on page 59 shows how to put the Desktop Board in configure mode.