■ chapter 2 bios setup and security feature
CHAPTER▼ TWO
BIOS SETUP AND SECURITY FEATURE
In this chapter, you will learn how to enter the BIOS Setup Menu and manipulate various hardware control settings. You will also learn how to use the built-in security features.
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■ chapter 2 bios setup and security feature
The Setup Utility is a hardware configuration program built into
your computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). It runs and
maintains a variety of hardware functions. It is a menu-driven
software, which allows you to easily configure and change the
settings.
The BIOS contains the manufacturer’s default settings for the
computer’s standard operations. However, there are occasions
when you may be required to modify the default settings in the
BIOS. For example, you may need to configure the BIOS power
management (APM) settings if you are using DOS or a
non-Windows operating system.
The BIOS allows you to set up passwords to limit access to users.
This is an important feature because a great deal of vital
information is carried within the computer nowadays. Unauthorized
access can be prevented. Later in this chapter, you will learn how to
use this security feature.
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Entering the BIOS Setup Screen
First turn on the power. When the BIOS performs the POST
(Power-On Self Test), press the F2 key quickly to activate the
Phoenix BIOS Setup Utility.
Note:
You may need to press the F2 key fairly quickly. Once the system begins to
load Windows, you may have to retry by cycle-power on again
Leaving the BIOS Setup Screen
When you have finished modifying the BIOS settings, exit the BIOS.
It takes a few seconds to record changes in the CMOS.
BIOS Action Keys
Function Key Command Description
Leaves a sub-menu to return to the
ESC Exit
previous menu OR exits the BIOS setup
while saving changes.
Enter Go to Sub Screen Shows the Sub Menu
F1 General Help Shows the Help Screen
F10 Save and Exit
<Tab> Select a field Selects the next field.
↑ Select an item Selects the next upper item.
↓ Select an item Selects the next lower item.
- Lower value Selects the next value within a field.
+ Higher value Selects the next value within a field.
Saves changes and reboots the
computer.
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■ chapter 2 bios setup and security feature
Modifying the BIOS Settings
The Phoenix BIOS setup main menu is subdivided into sub-menus.
Each menu item is described in this section.
Main Setup
Under this menu, you may change the time/date and view basic
processor and system memory information.
Item Selections /
Sub-menu
Date N/A Type in the current date, in MM/DD/YY
Time N/A Type in the current date, in HH:MM:SS
Description
format.
format.
Boot Setup
►Boot Settings Configuration
Item Selections /
Sub-menu
Quick
Boot
Quiet Boot Disabled
Disabled
Enabled
Enabled
Description
Certain tests are skipped during boot-up,
therefore the system boots up faster.
When Enabled, the system will display
the OEM logo instead of the POST
messages.
When Disabled, the system will display
POST messages (i.e. devices
information.)
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■ chapter 2 bios setup and security feature
►Boot Device Priority
Item Selections /
Description
Sub-menu
1st Boot
Device
2nd Boot
Device
3rd Boot
Device
4th Boot
Device
Removable Dev.
CD/DVD
Hard Drive
Realtek Boot
Agent
Disabled
Set the type of device for the 1st drive
BIOS attempts to boot from. If Realtek
Boot Agent is selected, the system will
attempt to load the boot sector from the
Ethernet port.
Set the type of device for the 2nd drive
BIOS attempts to boot from.
Set the type of device for the 3rd drive
BIOS attempts to boot from.
Set the type of device for the 4th drive
BIOS attempts to boot from.
Note:
If you select Realtek Boot Agent, the system will attempt to boot from the
network.
Note: When the BIOS performs POST, you may also press the F12 Key to enable
the Boot Device selection menu. You may choose CD/DVD, Hard Drive, or Realtek
Boot Agent as the first storage device to boot from. If you have already connected a
USB Floppy Disk Drive before powering up, it will appear as a Removable Device in
the Boot Device selection menu
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■ chapter 2 bios setup and security feature
Security Setup
►Boot Settings Configuration
Item Selections /
Sub-menu
Change
Supervisor
Password
Change
User
Password
Using Password Protection
Two Levels of Password Protection are available. The BIOS
provides both a Supervisor and a User password. If you try to
activate both passwords, the Supervisor password must be set first.
The passwords activate two different levels of protection:
1.The system always asks for a password every time it is powered
on.
2.The system asks for a password only when you attempt to enter
BIOS utility.
The passwords are encrypted and stored in NVRAM. Make sure
you write them down or memorize them. If you lost the passwords,
the computer may need to be sent back to the factory or to an
authorized service dealer to reset the passwords.
N/A Install or Change the Password
N/A Install or Change the Password
Description
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■ chapter 2 bios setup and security feature
Power Setup
Item Selections /
Sub-menu
Long Battery
Life Mode
Power Button
Mode
Enable
Disable
On/Off
Suspend
Note: The Suspend Mode selection in BIOS only applies to older Windows
Versions (such as Windows 3.1. Windows 95 or NT4) or a non-Windows operating
system. In Windows ME / 98SE / 2000 / XP, suspend mode and settings are
determined by settings in the Power Options Properties (Start > Control Panel >
Power Options).
Description
When Enabled, maximum battery life
can be achieved. The processor
performance is lowered.
[On/Off]: When the power button is
pressed, the system is turned off.
[Suspend]: When the power button is
pressed, the system enters the suspend
mode.
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■ chapter 2 bios setup and security feature
y
Exit Setup
Item Selections /
Sub-menu
Saves
Changes and
Exit
Discard
Changes
Load Optimal
Defaults
N/A After you have completed the BIOS
N/A Discards changes done so far to any of
N/A Load Optimal Default value for all the
Description
settings, select this item to save all
settings, exit BIOS Setup utility, and
reboot. New system settings will take
effect on the next power-up. The F10 ke
can be used for this operation.
the setup questions.
setup questions. The F9 key can be
used for this operation.
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