CHAPTER 20 WORKING WITH THE BIOS/CMOS

	Introduction :
	BIOS is a software that enables the system to start. It performs the basic maintenance of the system by checking all the hardware connected to the system and loads the operating system. You can modify the BIOS settings to improve the performance of the system or to troubleshoot the system when it malfunctions.
20.1 Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
	The BIOS software enables you to control and troubleshoot the system and the different hardware components without loading the operating system. The BIOS contains the code required to operate the hardware devices connected to the system such as the keyboard, mouse and the different ports connected to the system. The BIOS chip is of two types. The first is a rectangular shaped 32-pin Dual In-line Package (DIP) that is attached on the motherboard. transfers data and the reliability
	DIP BIOS Chip
	The BIOS chip can also be a square 28-pin Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC) that is attached on the motherboard.
	PLCC BIOS Chip
	When the system starts, the BIOS runs the power-on self-test (POST) to test the hardware connected to the system. The BIOS receives signals from the hardware such as moving of the mouse and pressing a key on the keyboard and sends these signals to the operating system. The BIOS loads the custom settings from the CMOS that stores the BIOS settings. It displays the system settings, locates the bootable devices and then loads the operating system from the bootable device.
20.2 Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)
	The CMOS is the memory located on the motherboard that stores the BIOS settings. The CMOS has a size of 64 bits. When the system starts the BIOS loads the settings from the CMOS. The CMOS requires a power source to store the settings. It receives power from a battery that is installed on the motherboard. This battery must be replaced when it becomes weak or you may lose the stored BIOS settings. 416 You can clear the BIOS settings stored in the CMOS using the jumpers located on the motherboard or by removing the battery from the motherboard.
20.3 BIOS Setup Utility
	The BIOS setup utility enables you to modify the settings and store them in the CMOS. This utility enables you to control the boot sequence. You can also use this utility to change the BIOS to correct any hardware problems such as enabling ports that are disabled.
	Best Practices
	1. Write down the original settings and the new settings applied in the BIOS setup utility. 2. Refer to the motherboard manual for the key combination to access the BIOS Setup Utility.
	Precautions
	Be careful while modifying the BIOS settings as wrong settings can damage your hardware or prevent the system from operating normally.
	Hands on exercise
	To enter the BISO Setup Utility : 1. Start the system. 2. Press the Deletekey on the keyboard. The BIOS Main menu page is displayed. Navigation Keys BIOS Options BIOS Option Description Main Menu Page The Main menu page displays the different BIOS options that you can change. It also displays the different keys that you can use to browse to the different options. To display the options page you must browse to highlight the required option and press Enter. To return to the Main menu use the Esc key. 3. Press Esc to exit without saving. A dialog box appears confirming if you want to exit without saving. 4. Enter Y and press enter to exit without saving and restart the system.
	20.3.1 Setting the Standard CMOS
	The Standard CMOS setup page enables you to set the basic settings of the system such as the date and time. You can enter the hard disk settings using the options on this page. You can also enable and set the type of the floppy disk drive that is installed on the system using this page.
	Hands on exercise
	To set the BIOS to automatically detect the connected Primary Master : 1. Start the system. 2. Press the Delete key on the keyboard to display the BIOS Main menu page. 3. Browse to Standard CMOS Setup and press enter to display the Standard CMOS Setup page. 4. Browse to the Type column of Pri Master. 5. Press Page Up till the value Auto is displayed. 6. Press Esc to return to the Main menu page. 7. Press F10 to save the changes and exit. A dialog box will be displayed confirming the changes to be saved. 8. Type Y and press enter to save the changes and exit the BIOS setup.
	20.3.2 Setting the Advanced Setup
	The Advanced Setup page enables you to access the advanced functions of the BIOS. You can modify the settings in this page to increase or decrease the time taken to boot the system. You can also specify the order of the devices that the operating system must search for the system files while booting the system.
	Hands on exercise
	To change the first boot device as the CD-ROM drive : 1. Start the system. 2. Press the Delete key on the keyboard to display the BIOS Main menu page. 3. Browse toAdvanced Setup and press enter to display the Advanced Setup page. 4. Browse to 1st Boot Device. 5. Press Page Up till the value CDROM is displayed. 6. Press Esc to return to the Main menu page. 7. Press F10 to save the changes and exit. A dialog box will be displayed confirming the changes to be saved. 8. Type Y and press enter to save the changes and exit the BIOS setup.
	20.3.3 Setting the Power Management
	The Power management page enables you to control the power setup of the system. The power management enables to automatically switch off the power supply to the devices such as the hard disk or the monitor, when it is not used. This saves power and also increases the life of the system. To return the system to the normal working state you may have to press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse. However, you must first check that the software that you use support the different power management modes such as the Standby and the Suspend mode, otherwise the software may not function properly.
	20.3.4 Setting the Plug and Play (PnP) Feature
	The PnP feature is available on newer systems and enables the system to automatically search for new hardware connected to the system. When the system finds a new hardware attached to the system, it will automatically and you do not need to install any special drivers to use the device.
	20.3.5 Applying Optimal Settings
	The Optimal Settings enables you to set the BIOS options to the default options. This keeps the system settings at the minimum level and is recommended when the system does not function properly or crashes frequently.
	Hands on exercise
	To load optimal settings : 1. Start the system. 2. Press the Delete key on the keyboard. The BIOS Main menu page appears. 3. Browse to Load Optimal Settings. The system displays a dialog box. 4. Press Y to load the default options. 5. Save the changes and exit the BIOS setup.
	20.3.6 Applying Best Performance Settings
	The Best Performance Settings enables you to set the BIOS options to make the system perform at the best level such as increasing the processing speed. This setting boosts the hardware and makes the system work at the maximum possible level. This setting may put an extra load on the system and is recommended only on systems having high-performance hardware installed on them.
	Hands on exercise
	To load best performance settings : 1. Start the system. 2. Press the Delete key on the keyboard. The BIOS Main menu page appears. 3. Browse to Best Performance Settings. The system displays a dialog box. 4. Press Yto load the best performance options. 5. Save the changes and exit the BIOS setup.
	20.3.7 Setting the Features Setup
	The motherboard has numerous built-in components such as the serial port, parallel, port, PS/2 port, and sound card. The Features setup page enables you to control these components by setting their properties. You can also enable and disable the components that you do not use, such as if you connect your keyboard and mouse to the serial port on the system then you can disable the PS/ 2 ports that are not being used. This allows you to free up IRQ lines that can be used by other devices.
	20.3.8 Setting the CPU PnP Setup Page
	The Central Processing Unit (CPU) Plug-and-Play (PnP) setup page displays the details of the microprocessor installed on the motherboard. You can also change the microprocessor settings, to adjust the speed the microprocessor, using this page.
	20.3.9 Setting the Hardware Monitor
	The Hardware Monitor displays the system hardware details such as the voltage used by the system, the system and the CPU fan speeds, the power, system and the CPU temperature. These options are useful as they enable you to monitor the system to check that the system does not get overheated. These values must be monitored especially when you overclock the system.
	20.3.9 Setting the Hardware Monitor
	The BIOS password is used to protect the settings stored in the CMOS. You must enable the password option from the Advanced Setup page. When enabled the system prompts you to enter the password before accessing the Setup Utility.
	Best practice
	1. Change your password regularly. 2. The password can have a maximum of six alphabets or numbers. 3. Use a password that you find easy to remember but difficult for others to guess.
	Hands on exercise
	To set the BIOS password: 1. Start the system. 2. Press the Delete key on the keyboard. The BIOS Main menu page appears. 3. Browse to Change Password. 4. Press enter. The system prompts you to type a password. 5. Type a password and press enter. The system prompts you to re-enter the password. 6. Re-type the password entered. 7. Save the changes and exit the BIOS setup.
20.4 Backing up the BIOS Settings
	You must back up the BIOS values so that you can restore the BIOS when the system crashes or malfunctions after changing the BIOS values.
	Best practices
	1. You must make a backup of the BIOS values every time you change the BIOS settings. 2. Mark the backup copy with the date and time when the BIOS is changed and store it in a file for future reference.
	Hands on exercise
	To backup the BIOS : 1. Start the system. 2. Press the Delete key on the keyboard. The BIOS Main menu page appears. 3. Browse and display the Standard CMOS Setup page. 4. Write down the different settings manually or press Print Screen to take a print out of the BIOS values using a printer. 5. Return to the main menu page. 6. Repeat the above steps for backing up the different options.
20.5 Upgrading the BIOS
	Updating the BIOS adds additional functions and can fix all the errors and bugs. You must also upgrade the BIOS if the software or hardware that you installed needs an updated version of the BIOS. You can get updated BIOS by removing the old motherboard and installing a new motherboard in your system. However, if the BIOS is not permanently soldered on the motherboard, you can remove the BIOS chip and install a newer version of the chip on the motherboard. You can also update the BIOS if your system has an Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) for the BIOS. This enables you to change the BIOS using software. You can download the BIOS from the motherboard companies website. Some motherboards have a flash recovery jumper that you can use to restore the system if BIOS upgrade using the BIOS upgrade software fails.
	Best practices
	1. Back up the BIOS and all the important files stored on the system before updating the BIOS. 2. Read the motherboard manuals thoroughly for the information on updating the BIOS. 3. Read the Readme and Help files available along with the BIOS update software. 4. Ensure that you are using the correct BIOS update software. 5. Ensure that the system boot priority is set to the floppy disk drive. 6. Create a bootable BIOS update disk with the current version of the BIOS.
	Precautions
	1. Follow the BIOS update instructions carefully. 2. If the motherboard does not support the BIOS version that you are using to update the BIOS you system may not boot. 3. Wear an anti-static wristband.
	Hands on exercise
	To replace the BIOS chip : 1. Open the system case. 2. Locate the BIOS chip in the system. 3. Peel off the stickers and the labels that are affixed on the BIOS chip.
	BIOS Chip
	4. Remove the chip using a screwdriver, a penknife, or a chip remover.
	Removing the BIOS Chip
	5. Place the new BIOS chip over the socket. 6. Press the BIOS chip firmly into place.
	Hands on exercise
	To update the BIOS using software : 1. Download the BIOS software from the Internet. The software will be available in a zip file. 2. Unzip the file to a folder. 3. Insert a blank floppy in the floppy disk drive. 4. Run the .exe file from the folder. 5. Follow the steps displayed by the wizard to create a bootable BIOS update floppy disk. 6. Restart the system with the BIOS update floppy disk in the floppy disk drive. The system will update the BIOS. 7. Restart the system and enter the BIOS to check of it is updated.
	Hands on exercise
	To recover the system from a failed BIOS update : 1. Turn off the power supply. 2. Open the system case. 3. Locate the flash recovery jumper. The jumper location will be specified in the motherboard manual. 4. Set the jumper to the recovery mode. 5. Turn on the power supply. 6. Insert the BIOS upgrade disk in the floppy disk drive. 7. Start the system. 8. Shut down the system when the system prompts you to restart the system. 9. Shut down the system. 10. Turn off the power supply. 11. Set the flash recovery jumper to the default mode. 12. Close the system case. 13. Turn on the power supply. 14. Start the system with the BIOS upgrade disk in the floppy disk drive. 15. Follow the steps to upgrade the BIOS. _ If the updated BIOS is not compatible with the system you may have to reinstall the previous version of the BIOS back on the system.
20.6 Troubleshooting the System Using the BIOS Beep Codes
	When the system starts the BIOS checks the hardware and displays a series of beeps and the system pauses if any the hardware connected to the system is not functioning properly. Table 20.1 displays the different ways to solve the hardware problems using the beeps as a guide.
	Number of Beeps Solving Problem
	1 Short Beep System OK. If system does not start check that the power and data cables are properly connected 2 / 3 / 4 Short Beeps Check that the RAM and Video Adapter cards are properly connected. 5 Short Beeps Check that the RAM is properly installed. Check that the microprocessor is properly installed. Replace the microprocessor or the motherboard. 6 Short Beeps Try attaching a different keyboard. Change the keyboard card. 7 Short Beeps Replace the CPU or the motherboard. 8 Short Beeps Check that the video card is properly installed. Replace the video card. 9 Short Beeps Check that the BIOS chip is properly connected. Replace the BIOS chip. 10 Short Beeps Replace the CMOS chips. Replace the motherboard. 11 Short Beeps Check that the Cache memory chip is properly connected. Replace the Cache memory chip. 1 Long, 3 Short Beeps Check that the RAM is properly connected. 1 Long, 8 Short Beeps Check that the video card is properly installed. Replace the video card.