SUPER MICRO Computer Super PIIIDME Chapter BIOS, Introduction, System BIOS, Configuration Data

Chapter 4: BIOS

Chapter 4

BIOS

4-1 Introduction

This chapter describes the AMIBIOS for Intel 840 Pentium II/III 350-733 MHz processors. The AMI ROM BIOS is stored in a Flash EEPROM and can be easily upgraded using a floppy disk-based program.

System BIOS

The BIOS is the Basic Input Output System used in all IBM® PC, XT™, AT ®, and PS/2® compatible computers.

Configuration Data

AT-compatible systems, also called ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) must have a place to store system information when the computer is turned off. The original IBM AT had 64 kbytes of non-volatile memory storage in CMOS RAM. All AT-compatible systems have at least 64 kbytes of CMOS RAM, which is usually part of the Real Time Clock. Many systems have 128 kbytes of CMOS RAM.

How Data Is Configured

AMIBIOS provides a Setup utility in ROM that is accessed by pressing <Del> at the appropriate time during system boot. Setup configures data in CMOS RAM.

POST Memory Test

Normally, the only visible POST routine is the memory test. The screen that appears when the system is powered on is shown on the next page.

An AMIBIOS identification string is displayed at the left bottom corner of the screen, below the copyright message.

BIOS

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