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 batterybacked CMOS SRAM 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 arrowMove to previous item
Down arrowMove to next item
Left arrowMove to the item in the left hand
Right arrowMove to the item in the right hand
Esc keyMain 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 keyIncrease the numeric value or make changes
PgDn keyDecrease the numeric value or make changes
F1 keyGeneral help, only for Status Page Setup Menu and Option
Page Setup Menu
F2 keyChange color from total 16 colors
F3 keyReserved
F4 keyReserved
F5 keyRestore the previous CMOS value from CMOS, only for
Option Page Setup Menu
F6 keyLoad the default CMOS value from BIOS default table, only
for Option Page Setup Menu
F7 keyLoad the default
F8 keyReserved
F9 keyReserved
F10 keySave all the CMOS changes, only for Main Menu
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Bios Configuration
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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•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.
•User password
Change, set, or disable password. It allows you to limit access to the
system and Setup, or just to Setup.
•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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Bios Configuration
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 <day>, <month> <date> <year>.
dayThe day, from Sun to Sat, determined by the BIOS and is
display-only
monthThe month, Jan. Through Dec.
dateThe date, from 1 to 31 (or the maximum allowed in the month)
yearThe 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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•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
HEADSnumber of heads
PRECOMPwrite precomp
LANDZONELanding zone
SECTORSnumber 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.
NoneNo 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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Bios Configuration
•Floppy 3 Mode Support (for Japan Area)
DisabledNormal Floppy Drive.
Drive ADrive A is 3 mode Floppy Drive.
Drive BDrive B is 3 mode Floppy Drive.
BothDrive 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/VGAEnhanced Graphics Adapter/Video Graphics Array. For
EGA, VGA, SVGA, or PGA monitor adapters
CGA 40Color Graphics Adapter, power up in 40 column mode
CGA 80Color Graphics Adapter, power up in 80 column mode
MONOMonochrome 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 ErrorsThe system boot will not stop for any error that may
be detected
All ErrorsWhenever the BIOS detects a non-fatal error the
system will be stopped and you will be prompted
All, But KeyboardThe system boot will not stop for a keyboard error;
it will stop for all other errors
All, But DisketteThe system boot will not stop for a disk error; it will
stop for all other errors
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All, But Disk/KeyThe system boot will not stop for a keyboard or disk
error; it will stop for all other errors
•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.
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Bios Configuration
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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Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
4.6. BIOS FEATURES SETUP
Figure 4.3: BIOS Features Setup
•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.
EnabledActivate 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
No warning message to appear when anything attempts to
access the boot sector or hard disk partition table
•CPU Internal Cache / External Cache
These two categories speed up memory access. However, it depends on
CPU / chipset design. The default value is Enabled.
EnabledEnable cache
Disable cache
•CPU L2 Cache ECC Checking
The default value is Disabled.
EnabledEnable CPU L2 Cache ECC Checking
Disable CPU L2 Cache ECC Checking
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Bios Configuration
•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.
EnabledEnable quick POST
DisabledNormal POST
•CPU Update Data
The default value is Enabled.
EnabledEnable CPU Update Data
DisabledNormal CPU Update Data
•Boot From LAN First
The default value is Enabled.
EnabledEnable Boot From LAN First Function
DisabledDisable Boot From LAN First Function
•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, X3System will first search for X1 disk drive then X2 disk
drive and then X3 disk drive.
•Swap Floppy Drive
The default value is Disabled.
EnabledFloppy A & B will be swapped under DOS
DisabledFloppy A & B will be normal definition
•VGA Boot From
The default value is AGP
AGPSystem will boot from AGP Display Card
PCISystem will boot from PCI VGA Card
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•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.
EnabledBIOS 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
DisabledBIOS 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