CHAPTER 5: Using the BIOS Setup Utility

Opening the BIOS Setup utility

Caution

The options in the BIOS Setup utility have been set at the factory for optimal performance. Changes to these settings will affect the performance of your server. Before changing any settings, write them down in case you need to restore them later. You can record the settings on a printout of this guide’s appendix for “BIOS Settings” on page 87.

The BIOS Setup utility stores basic settings for your server. These settings include basic hardware configuration, resource settings, and password security. These settings are stored and saved even when the power is off.

To open the BIOS Setup utility:

1Restart your server, then press F2 when the Gateway logo screen appears during startup. The BIOS Setup utility opens.

When you select menu items, the Item Specific Help box on the right side of the screen displays specific information about the selection. The command bar across the bottom of the screen shows the keys you press to access help, navigate through the menus, and perform other tasks.

2Select one of these menus:

•Main gives you access to basic information and settings related to your server’s hardware and configuration.

•Advanced gives you access to information and settings for PCI, peripheral devices, memory, and the chipset.

•Boot gives you access to information and settings for startup features and startup sequences.

•Security gives you access to settings related to system access passwords. For more information, see “Server security” on page 18.

•Server gives you access to settings for system management, console redirection, event log configuration, and fault-resilient boot settings.

•Exit gives you access to options for closing the BIOS Setup utility.

Updating the BIOS

If you need a new version of the BIOS, you can download the BIOS update from Gateway, then install the new version from a diskette.

To update the BIOS:

1Print the appendix for “BIOS Settings” on page 87.

2Restart your server, then press F2 when the Gateway logo screen appears during startup.

3Record any custom BIOS settings on your printout.

4Download the BIOS update files from support.gateway.com.

5Follow the instructions on the Web site or the readme.txt file in the downloaded zip file to update the BIOS.

6After you have updated the BIOS, restart your server and load the default BIOS values.

7Enter any custom BIOS settings you recorded in Step 3, then save your changes and close the BIOS Setup utility.

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