Introduction
The BIOS or Basic Input/Output System is the basic controller that allows all of the components that make up a computer system to talk to one another. But in order for this to happen, there are a number of things that the BIOS needs to know how to do. This is why the settings within the BIOS are so critical to the operation of the computer system. For about 95% of the computer users out there, they will never need to adjust the BIOS settings of their computer. However, those who have chosen to build their own computer system will need to know how to modify the settings.
Some of the critical things one will need to know are the clock settings, memory timing, boot order and drive settings. Thankfully the computer BIOS has come a long way in the past ten years where many of these settings are automatic and very little needs to be adjusted.
How to Access the BIOS
The method for accessing the BIOS is going to be dependent upon the manufacturer of the motherboard and the BIOS vender they have selected. The actual process to get to the BIOS is identical, just the key that is needed to be pressed will vary. It is important to have the user manual for the motherboard handy whenever changes will be made to the BIOS.
The first step is to look up what key needs to be pressed to enter the BIOS. Some of the common keys used to access the BIOS are F1, F2 and the Del key. Generally the motherboard will post this information when the computer first turns on, but it is best to look it up before hand. Next, power on the computer system and press the key to enter the BIOS after the beep for a clean POST is signaled. I will often press the key a couple times to make sure it registered. If the procedure has been done correctly, the BIOS screen should be displayed rather than the typical boot screen.
CPU Clock
The very first setting that needs to be made in the BIOS is to adjust the motherboard to utilizing the proper clock settings for the CPU installed in the computer. Most modern BIOS vendors can detect the type of CPU and automatically set the proper timings. Refer to the documentation from the CPU and motherboard vendor for the proper settings.
The CPU speed is comprised of two numbers, a bus speed and a multiplier. The bus speed is the tricky part because vendors may have this setting done either at the natural clock rate or at the enhanced clock rate. The natural front side bus is the more common of the two. The multiplier is then used to determine the final clock speed based on the bus speed of the processor. Set this to the appropriate multiple for the final clock speed of the processor.
For an example, if you have an AMD Athlon XP 2500+ processor that has a CPU speed of 1.82GHz clock, the proper settings for the BIOS would be a bus speed of 166MHz and a multiplier of 11. (166MHz x 11 = 1.826 GHz)
Memory Timings
The next aspect of the BIOS that needs adjusting is the memory timings. Typically it is not necessary for this to be done if the BIOS can detect the settings from the SPD on the memory modules. In fact, if the BIOS has a SPD setting for the memory, this should be used for the highest stability with the computer. Other than this, the memory bus is the setting you will likely need to set. Verifying that the memory bus is set to the appropriate speed for the memory. This may be listed as the actual MHZ speed rating or it may be a percentage of the bus speed. Check with your motherboard manual about the proper methods for setting the timings for memory.
Boot Order
This is the most important setting for when you first build your computer. The boot order determines which devices the motherboard will look at for an operating system or installer. The options typically include Hard Drive, Optical Drive, Floppy Drive, Network and Other. The standard order at first startup is Floppy, Hard Drive, Optical Drive and Other. This will generally cause the system to find the hard drive first which will not have a functional operating system on the computer.
The proper sequence for the installation of a new operating system should be Floppy, Optical Drive, Hard Drive and Other. This allows the computer to but from the OS installation CD that has a bootable installer program on it. Once the hard drive has been formatted and the OS installed, it is important to then restore the boot order of the computer to the original of Floppy, Hard Drive, Optical Drive and Other.
Drive Settings
The settings for the hard and optical drives that run off the ATA controllers is another area that users may need to alter. In most modern drives, the PIO and ATA modes are automatically detected and used. There are some cases that it may be necessary to set the controllers to a specific setting to properly function. This is usually only the case with older components.
To properly set the PIO and ATA modes for the drives, refer to the documentation from the manufacture of the hard or optical drive being installed. Once the settings are known from the manufacturer, the proper settings can be placed in the BIOS. Once again, this should only be done if there are problems with the computer when the AUTO settings are used.
Problems and Resetting the CMOS
On some rare occasions, the computer system may not properly POST or boot. When this occurs, typically a series of beeps will be generated by the motherboard to indicate a diagnostic code. Pay close attention to the number and types of beeps and then refer to the motherboard manuals for what the codes mean. Generally when this occurs, it will be necessary to reset the BIOS by clearing the CMOS that stores the BIOS settings.
The actual procedure for clearing the CMOS is fairly straightforward, but check with the manual for the steps to double check. The first thing to do is power off the computer and unplug it. Let to computer rest for about 30 seconds. At this point, you need to find the reset jumper on the motherboard. This jumper is moved from the non-reset to reset position for a brief moment and returned back to its original position. Plug the power cord back in and reboot the computer. At this point, it should boot with the BIOS defaults allowing the settings to be redone.
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The BIOS or Basic Input/Output System is the basic controller that allows all of the components that make up a computer system to talk to one another. But in order for this to happen, there are a number of things that the BIOS needs to know how to do. This is why the settings within the BIOS are so critical to the operation of the computer system. For about 95% of the computer users out there, they will never need to adjust the BIOS settings of their computer. However, those who have chosen to build their own computer system will need to know how to modify the settings.
Some of the critical things one will need to know are the clock settings, memory timing, boot order and drive settings. Thankfully the computer BIOS has come a long way in the past ten years where many of these settings are automatic and very little needs to be adjusted.
How to Access the BIOS
The method for accessing the BIOS is going to be dependent upon the manufacturer of the motherboard and the BIOS vender they have selected. The actual process to get to the BIOS is identical, just the key that is needed to be pressed will vary. It is important to have the user manual for the motherboard handy whenever changes will be made to the BIOS.
The first step is to look up what key needs to be pressed to enter the BIOS. Some of the common keys used to access the BIOS are F1, F2 and the Del key. Generally the motherboard will post this information when the computer first turns on, but it is best to look it up before hand. Next, power on the computer system and press the key to enter the BIOS after the beep for a clean POST is signaled. I will often press the key a couple times to make sure it registered. If the procedure has been done correctly, the BIOS screen should be displayed rather than the typical boot screen.
CPU Clock
The very first setting that needs to be made in the BIOS is to adjust the motherboard to utilizing the proper clock settings for the CPU installed in the computer. Most modern BIOS vendors can detect the type of CPU and automatically set the proper timings. Refer to the documentation from the CPU and motherboard vendor for the proper settings.
The CPU speed is comprised of two numbers, a bus speed and a multiplier. The bus speed is the tricky part because vendors may have this setting done either at the natural clock rate or at the enhanced clock rate. The natural front side bus is the more common of the two. The multiplier is then used to determine the final clock speed based on the bus speed of the processor. Set this to the appropriate multiple for the final clock speed of the processor.
For an example, if you have an AMD Athlon XP 2500+ processor that has a CPU speed of 1.82GHz clock, the proper settings for the BIOS would be a bus speed of 166MHz and a multiplier of 11. (166MHz x 11 = 1.826 GHz)
Memory Timings
The next aspect of the BIOS that needs adjusting is the memory timings. Typically it is not necessary for this to be done if the BIOS can detect the settings from the SPD on the memory modules. In fact, if the BIOS has a SPD setting for the memory, this should be used for the highest stability with the computer. Other than this, the memory bus is the setting you will likely need to set. Verifying that the memory bus is set to the appropriate speed for the memory. This may be listed as the actual MHZ speed rating or it may be a percentage of the bus speed. Check with your motherboard manual about the proper methods for setting the timings for memory.
Boot Order
This is the most important setting for when you first build your computer. The boot order determines which devices the motherboard will look at for an operating system or installer. The options typically include Hard Drive, Optical Drive, Floppy Drive, Network and Other. The standard order at first startup is Floppy, Hard Drive, Optical Drive and Other. This will generally cause the system to find the hard drive first which will not have a functional operating system on the computer.
The proper sequence for the installation of a new operating system should be Floppy, Optical Drive, Hard Drive and Other. This allows the computer to but from the OS installation CD that has a bootable installer program on it. Once the hard drive has been formatted and the OS installed, it is important to then restore the boot order of the computer to the original of Floppy, Hard Drive, Optical Drive and Other.
Drive Settings
The settings for the hard and optical drives that run off the ATA controllers is another area that users may need to alter. In most modern drives, the PIO and ATA modes are automatically detected and used. There are some cases that it may be necessary to set the controllers to a specific setting to properly function. This is usually only the case with older components.
To properly set the PIO and ATA modes for the drives, refer to the documentation from the manufacture of the hard or optical drive being installed. Once the settings are known from the manufacturer, the proper settings can be placed in the BIOS. Once again, this should only be done if there are problems with the computer when the AUTO settings are used.
Problems and Resetting the CMOS
On some rare occasions, the computer system may not properly POST or boot. When this occurs, typically a series of beeps will be generated by the motherboard to indicate a diagnostic code. Pay close attention to the number and types of beeps and then refer to the motherboard manuals for what the codes mean. Generally when this occurs, it will be necessary to reset the BIOS by clearing the CMOS that stores the BIOS settings.
The actual procedure for clearing the CMOS is fairly straightforward, but check with the manual for the steps to double check. The first thing to do is power off the computer and unplug it. Let to computer rest for about 30 seconds. At this point, you need to find the reset jumper on the motherboard. This jumper is moved from the non-reset to reset position for a brief moment and returned back to its original position. Plug the power cord back in and reboot the computer. At this point, it should boot with the BIOS defaults allowing the settings to be redone.
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