Using BIOS Setup

This section describes the BIOS Setup options. Use Setup to change the system configuration defaults. You can run Setup with or without an operating system being present. Setup stores most of the configuration values in battery-backed CMOS; the rest of the values are stored in flash memory. The values take effect when the system is booted. POST uses these values to configure the hardware; if the values and the actual hardware do not agree, POST generates an error message. You must run Setup to specify the correct configuration.

Run Setup: Run Setup to modify any standard PC-AT†baseboard feature such as:

∙Select diskette drive

∙Select parallel port

∙Select serial port

∙Set time/date (to be stored in RTC)

∙Configure hard drive(s)

∙Specify boot device sequence

∙Enable SCSI BIOS

Run SSU, not Setup: Run the SSU instead of Setup to do the following:

∙Enter or change information about a board

∙Alter system resources (e.g., interrupts, memory addresses, I/O assignments) to user-selected choices instead of choices selected by the BIOS resource manager

Record Setup Settings

If the default values ever need to be restored (after a CMOS clear, for example), Setup must be run again. Referring to the worksheets could make the task easier.

If Setup is Not Accessible

If the diskette drive is misconfigured and you cannot use Setup to correct the problem, you might need to clear CMOS memory. You must open the system, change a jumper setting, use Setup to check and set diskette drive options, and change the jumper back. For a step-by-step procedure, see “CMOS Clear Jumper” on page 109.

Starting Setup

Setup can be entered under several conditions:

∙When you turn on the system, after POST completes the memory test.

∙When you reboot the system by pressing <Ctrl+Alt+Del> while at the DOS operating system prompt.

∙When you have moved the CMOS jumper on the baseboard to the “Clear CMOS” position (enabled); for a step-by-step procedure, see “CMOS Clear Jumper” on page 109.

In the three conditions listed above, the following prompt is displayed:

Press <F2> to enter SETUP

Configuration Software and Utilities

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