The BIOS Characteristic Extension Byte #2 is described in Table 1. Bit 3 of Byte 2 specifies UEFI specification support.

Table 1. BIOS Characteristics Extension Byte 2

Bit Position

Description

0When set, BIOS boot specification is supported

1When set, function key-initiated Network Service boot is supported. When function key-initiated Network Service boot is not supported, a network option ROM may choose to offer this functionality on its own, thus offering this capability to legacy systems. When the function is supported, the network adapter option ROM shall not offer this capability.

2When set, enables Targeted Content Distribution. The manufacturer has ensured that the SMBIOS data is useful in identifying the computer for targeted delivery of model-specific software and firmware content through third-party content distribution services.

3When set, UEFI specification is supported.

4When set, the SMBIOS table describes a virtual machine. When cleared, no inference can be made about the virtuality of the system.

5:7

Reserved for future assignment by this specification.

The user can determine if the system has a UEFI BIOS by looking for the splash screen during boot referencing a top-level Startup menu (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Splash screen of HP UEFI BIOS system

The startup menu (Figure 4) can be accessed by pressing the Esc key during the boot sequence.

5