Gigabyte GA-6BX7 User Manual

BIOS Configuration

4.BIOS CONFIGURATION

Award's BIOS ROM has a built-in Setup program that allows users to modify the
basic system configuration. This type of information is stored in battery-backed
CMOS RAM so that it retains the Setup information when the power is turned
off.

4.1. ENTERING SETUP

Power ON the computer and press <Del> immediately will allow you to enter
Setup. If the message disappears before you respond and you still wish to enter
Setup, restart the system to try again by turning it OFF then ON or pressing the
"RESET" bottom on the system case. You may also restart by simultaneously
press <Ctrl>, <Alt>, and <Del> keys.

4.2. CONTROL KEYS

Up arrow Move to previous item
Down arrow Move to next item

Left arrow Move to the item in the left hand
Right arrow Move to the item in the right hand

Esc key Main Menu - Quit and not save changes into CMOS

Status Page Setup Menu and Option Page Setup Menu ­Exit current page and return to Main Menu

PgUp key Increase the numeric value or make changes
PgDn key Decrease the numeric value or make changes

F1 key General help, only for Status Page Setup Menu and Option

Page Setup Menu
F2 key Change color from total 16 colors
F3 key Reserved
F4 key Reserved
F5 key Restore the previous CMOS value from CMOS, only for

Option Page Setup Menu
F6 key Load the default CMOS value from BIOS default table, only

for Option Page Setup Menu
F7 key Load the default
F8 key Reserved
F9 key Reserved
F10 key Save all the CMOS changes, only for Main Menu

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4.3. GETTING HELP

4.3.1. Main Menu

The on-line description of the highlighted setup function is displayed at the
bottom of the screen.

4.3.2. Status Page Setup Menu / Option Page Setup Menu

Press F1 to pop up a small help window that describes the appropriate keys to
use and the possible selections for the highlighted item. To exit the Help

Window press <Esc>.

4.4. THE MAIN MENU

Once you enter Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility, the Main Menu (Figure 4.1)
will appear on the screen. The Main Menu allows you to select from nine setup
functions and two exit choices. Use arrow keys to select among the items and
press <Enter> to accept or enter the sub-menu.

Figure 4.1: Main Menu

• Standard CMOS setup

This setup page includes all the items in standard compatible BIOS.

• BIOS features setup

This setup page includes all the items of Award special enhanced
features.

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BIOS Configuration

Chipset features setup

•

This setup page includes all the items of chipset special features.

• Power management setup

This setup page includes all the items of Green function features.

PNP/PCI configuration

•

This setup page includes all the configurations of PCI & PnP ISA
resources.

Load BIOS defaults

•

Bios Defaults indicates the value of the system parameters which the

system would be in safe configuration.

• Load Performance defaults

Performance Defaults indicates the value of the system parameters
which the system would be in best performance configuration.

• Integrated peripherals

This setup page includes all onboard peripherals.

• Supervisor password

Change, set, or disable password. It allows you to limit access to the

system and Setup, or just to Setup.

• User password

Change, set, or disable password. It allows you to limit access to the
system.

• IDE HDD auto detection

Automatically configure hard disk parameters.

• Save & exit setup

Save CMOS value settings to CMOS and exit setup.

• Exit without saving

Abandon all CMOS value changes and exit setup.

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4.5. STANDARD CMOS SETUP MENU

The items in Standard CMOS Setup Menu (Figure 4.2) are divided into 9
categories. Each category includes no, one or more than one setup items. Use
the arrows to highlight the item and then use the <PgUp> or <PgDn> keys to
select the value you want in each item.

Figure 4.2: Standard CMOS Setup Menu

• Date

The date format is <week>, <month>,<day>,<year>.

week The week, from Sun to Sat, determined by the BIOS and is

display-only

month The month, Jan. Through Dec.
day The day, from 1 to 31 (or the maximum allowed in the month)

year The year, from 1994 through 2079

Time

•

The times format in <hour> <minute> <second>. The time is calculated
base on the 24-hour military-time clock. For example, 1 p.m. is 13:00:00.

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BIOS Configuration

• Primary HDDs / Secondary HDDs

The category identifies the types of hard disk from drive C to F that has
been installed in the computer. There are two types: auto type, and user
definable type. User type is user-definable; Auto type which will
automatically detect HDD type.

Note that the specifications of your drive must match with the drive table.
The hard disk will not work properly if you enter improper information for
this category.

If you select User Type, related information will be asked to enter to the
following items. Enter the information directly from the keyboard and press
<Enter>. Such information should be provided in the documentation form
your hard disk vendor or the system manufacturer.

CYLS. Number of cylinders
HEADS number of heads
PRECOMP write precomp
LANDZONE Landing zone
SECTORS number of sectors

If a hard disk has not been installed select NONE and press <Enter>.

• Drive A type / Drive B type

The category identifies the types of floppy disk drive A or drive B that has
been installed in the computer.

None No floppy drive installed
360K, 5.25 in. 5.25 inch PC-type standard drive; 360K byte capacity.

1.2M, 5.25 in. 5.25 inch AT-type high-density drive; 1.2M byte
capacity (3.5 inch when 3 Mode is Enabled).

720K, 3.5 in. 3.5 inch double-sided drive; 720K byte capacity

1.44M, 3.5 in. 3.5 inch double-sided drive; 1.44M byte capacity.

2.88M, 3.5 in. 3.5 inch double-sided drive; 2.88M byte capacity.

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• Floppy 3 Mode Support (for Japan Area)

Disabled Normal Floppy Drive.
Drive A Drive A is 3 mode Floppy Drive.

Drive B Drive B is 3 mode Floppy Drive.
Both Drive A & B are 3 mode Floppy Drives.

• Video

The category detects the type of adapter used for the primary system
monitor that must match your video display card and monitor. Although
secondary monitors are supported, you do not have to select the type in
setup.

EGA/VGA Enhanced Graphics Adapter/Video Graphics Array. For

EGA, VGA, SVGA, or PGA monitor adapters
CGA 40 Color Graphics Adapter, power up in 40 column mode
CGA 80 Color Graphics Adapter, power up in 80 column mode
MONO Monochrome adapter, includes high resolution

monochrome adapters

• Halt on

The category determines whether the computer will stop if an error is
detected during power up.

NO Errors The system boot will not stop for any error that may

be detected and you will be prompted

All Errors Whenever the BIOS detects a non-fatal error the

system will be stopped

All, But Keyboard The system boot will not stop for a keyboard error;

it will stop for all other errors

All, But Diskette The system boot will not stop for a disk error; it will

stop for all other errors

All, But Disk/Key The system boot will not stop for a keyboard or disk

error; it will stop for all other errors

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BIOS Configuration

• Memory

The category is display-only which is determined by POST (Power On Self
Test) of the BIOS.

Base Memory

The POST of the BIOS will determine the amount of base (or
conventional) memory installed in the system.

The value of the base memory is typically 512 K for systems with
512 K memory installed on the motherboard, or 640 K for systems
with 640 K or more memory installed on the motherboard.

Extended Memory

The BIOS determines how much extended memory is present
during the POST.

This is the amount of memory located above 1 MB in the CPU's
memory address map.

Expanded Memory

Expanded Memory in memory defined by the Lotus / Intel /
Microsoft (LIM) standard as EMS.

Many standard DOS applications can not utilize memory above
640 K; the Expanded Memory Specification (EMS) swaps

memory, which not utilized by DOS with a section, or frame, so
these applications, can access all of the system memory.

Memory can be swapped by EMS is usually 64 K within 1 MB or
memory above 1 MB, depends on the chipset design.

Expanded memory device driver is required to use memory as
Expanded Memory.

Other Memory

This refers to the memory located in the 640 K to 1024 K address
space. This is memory that can be used for different applications.

DOS uses this area to load device drivers to keep as much base
memory free for application programs. Most use for this area is
Shadow RAM.

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4.6. BIOS FEATURES SETUP

Figure 4.3: BIOS Features Setup

R System will detect automatically and show up when you install the Pentium III

processor.

• Virus Warning

If it is set to enable, the category will flash on the screen when there is any
attempt to write to the boot sector or partition table of the hard disk drive.
The system will halt and the following error message will appear in the
mean time. You can run anti-virus program to locate the problem.

Default value is Disabled.

Enabled Activate automatically when the system boots up causing a

warning message to appear when anything attempts to
access the boot sector or hard disk partition table

Disabled No warning message to appear when anything attempts to

access the boot sector or hard disk partition table

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BIOS Configuration

• CPU Internal Cache / External Cache

These two categories speed up memory access. However, it depends on
CPU / chipset design. The default value is Enabled.

Enabled Enable cache
Disabled Disable cache

• CPU L2 Cache ECC Checking

The default value is Disabled.

Enabled Enable CPU L2 Cache ECC Checking
Disabled Disable CPU L2 Cache ECC Checking

Processor Number Feature

•

This item will show up when you install the Pentium III processor.

The default value is Enabled.

Enabled Pentium III Processor Number Feature.
Disabled Disable this function

• Quick Power On Self Test

This category speeds up Power On Self Test (POST) after you power on
the computer. If it is set to Enable, BIOS will shorten or skip some check
items during POST.

The default value is Enabled.

Enabled Enable quick POST
Disabled Normal POST

• CPU Update Data

The default value is Enabled.

Enabled Enable CPU Update Data
Disabled Normal CPU Update Data

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• Boot From LAN First

The default value is Enabled.

Auto Enable Boot From LAN First Function
Enabled Enable Boot From LAN First Function

Disabled Disable Boot From LAN First Function

+You can set “Auto” or “Enabled” to boot from LAN first.

• Boot Sequence

This category determines which drive computer searches first for the disk
operating system (i.e., DOS). Default value is A, C, SCSI.

X1, X2, X3 System will first search for X1 disk drive then X2 disk drive

Swap Floppy Drive

•

The default value is Disabled.

Enabled Floppy A & B will be swapped under DOS
Disabled Floppy A & B will be normal definition

and then X3 disk drive.

• VGA Boot From

The default value is AGP

AGP System will boot from AGP Display Card
PCI System will boot from PCI VGA Card

• Boot Up Floppy Seek

During POST, BIOS will determine the floppy disk drive installed is 40 or 80
tracks. 360 K type is 40 tracks 720 K, 1.2 M and 1.44 M are all 80 tracks.
The default value is Enabled.

Enabled BIOS searches for floppy disk drive to determine it is 40 or

80 tracks. Note that BIOS can not tell from 720 K, 1.2 M or

1.44 M drive type as they are all 80 tracks

Disabled BIOS will not search for the type of floppy disk drive by track

number. Note that there will not be any warning message if
the drive installed is 360 K

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BIOS Configuration

• Boot Up NumLock Status

The default value is On.

On Keypad is number keys
Off Keypad is arrow keys

Typematic Rate Setting

•

The default value is Disabled.

Enabled Enable Keyboard Typematic rate setting.
Disabled Disable Keyboard Typematic rate setting.

• Typematic Rate (Chars / Sec.)

The default value is 6.

6-30 Set the maximum Typematic rate from 6 chars. Per second

to 30 characters. Per second.

• Typematic Delay (Msec.)

The default value is 250.

250-1000 Set the time delay from first key to repeat the same key in

to computer.

• Security Option

This category allows you to limit access to the system and Setup, or just to
Setup. The default value is Setup.

System The system can not boot and can not access to Setup page

will be denied if the correct password is not entered at the
prompt

Setup The system will boot, but access to Setup will be denied if

the correct password is not entered at the prompt

• PCI/VGA Palette Snoop

The default value is Disabled.

Enabled For having Video Card on ISA Bus and VGA Card on PCI Bus.
Disabled For VGA Card only.

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• Assign IRQ For VGA

The default value is Enabled.

Enabled Assign IRQ For VGA
Disabled Not assign IRQ For VGA

• OS Select For DRAM>64MB

The default value is Non-OS2.

Non-OS2 Using non-OS2 operating system.
OS2 Using OS2 operating system and DRAM>64MB.

HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability

•

The default value is Disable.

Enable Enable HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability
Disable Disable HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability

• Report No FDD For WIN 95

The default value is No.

No Assign IRQ6 For FDD.
Yes FDD Detect IRQ6 Automatically.

• Video BIOS Shadow

The default value is Enabled.

Enabled Video shadow is enabled
Disabled Video shadow is disabled

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