The System Setup screen displays the current setup and configuration information and optional settings for your system. (Typical examples are illustrated in Figure 3-1.) Information on the System Setup screen is organized in four areas:

Title box

The box at the top of the screen lists the system name.

System data

The two boxes below the title box display information about your system, such as the basic input/output system (BIOS) revision number.

Configuration options

The box under the system data boxes lists options that define the installed hardware in your computer.

Fields beside the options contain settings or values; you can change those that appear in white on the screen. You cannot change settings or values that appear in a color highlight because they are determined by the system.

Some options have multiple fields, which may show settings or values as bright or less bright depending upon the settings or values you entered in other fields.

Key functions

The line of boxes across the bottom of the screen lists keys and their functions within the System Setup program.

Using the System Setup Program

Table 3-1 lists the keys you use to view or change information on the System Setup screen and to exit the program.

Table 3-1. System-Setup Navigation Keys
KeysAction

 

 

 

 

 

Moves to the next field.

 

 

 

 

 

Moves to the previous field.

 

 

Cycles through the settings in a field. In many fields, you can also type the appropriate value.

Enters the selected field's pop-up settings menu.

Cycles through the settings in the selected field's pop-up settings menu.

Saves the selected settings in a field's pop-up settings menu and returns to the main System Setup screen. For a few options (as noted in the help area) the changes take effect immediately.

Exits the System Setup program at the System Setup screen if no settings in any option were changed. Provides exit menu options if changes were made. Highlight a menu option to select it and press <Enter> to activate it.

Save Changes and Exit option exits the System Setup program and reboots the system,