BIOS (Input/Output System) is an important piece of system software, implemented as a series of firmware programs combined into a common interface. The main purpose of BIOS is to provide the operating system with access to PC hardware and connected devices.
Given the importance of this system, it is not surprising that users wonder how to properly configure the BIOS. This topic is extensive and is partially covered in our other articles, but today we will try to summarize the scattered information a little, creating a complete picture of BIOS settings.
General information
The main task of the BIOS is to check the functionality of the computer’s hardware and connected devices and start them with certain parameters.
Therefore, if, for example, you decide to connect a sound card, you will first have to disable the built-in audio controller in the BIOS for the equipment to work correctly. There are many examples of working with BIOS. If you want to set a password on your computer, use the BIOS. If you want to install Windows XP from a flash drive, change the boot priority in the I/O system.
There are many versions of this software, but we will focus on BIOS AMI. If you understand the meaning of interacting with one version, then you will quickly understand the other interface.
Working with BIOS
Immediately after turning on the computer, it is not the operating system that starts loading, but the BIOS, which begins to check the functionality of all detected devices.
To enter the BIOS, press the F10 or Delete key immediately after turning on the computer (they may be different in other versions). To be sure, press the button several times in a row so as not to miss the launch moment.
If the login was successful, the following window will appear on the screen. This is your BIOS. 
Main
In this section of the BIOS you can configure the system date and time, as well as work with the parameters of connected drives.
All available drives are listed as “SATA 1-4”. If a disk is not connected to the channel, it has the value “Not detected”.
Use the keyboard arrows to navigate to the desired drive and press Enter to access its operating parameters. All available settings are configured by default so that the computer shows maximum performance and speed. Therefore, if you do not know exactly what can be changed, it is better not to touch the hard drive configuration and leave the “Auto” value for all settings. 
On the “Main” tab there is also a section of system information, which is called “System Information”. Here you can view the BIOS version, production date, and important information about the processor and memory. 
The last section on the Main tab is called Storage Configuration. It is responsible for configuring the disk subsystem and allows, in particular, to set compatibility mode with Windows 95/98.
To set compatibility with Windows 98/95/Me, set the SATA Configuration option to Compatible.
Here you can set the time the system spends checking the disk. The default value is 35 seconds, but you should not reduce this parameter too much, otherwise the check will not be performed correctly.
Advanced
On the “Advanced” tab, the first four sections allow you to configure the processor’s operating parameters, as well as built-in ports and controllers.
In the “Onboard Devices Configuration” section, you can disable the built-in network adapter if it interferes with the operation of the built-in board. To do this, you need to set the “Onboard LAN” parameter to “Disabled”.
The “USB Configuration” section may also be of interest, where you can configure all available USB connectors or disable them completely. 
Power
In this section, you can configure the energy saving function, as well as set the order in which you turn on/off your computer.
On the “Power” tab, it’s best to leave all the settings at default unless you know what needs to be changed to make your computer work better.
There is a useful “Hardware Monitor” section, when you open it you will see all the information about the processor temperature, fan speed, etc. 
Boot
The "Boot" tab allows you to configure boot options.
In the Boot Device Priority section you can set the boot priority, which you constantly talk about in articles about installing Windows.
You need to click on the “1st Boot Device” item with the Enter button and in the window that appears, select which media will boot first. The default is a hard drive, but you can install an optical disk or USB drive. 
The next section is “Hard Disc Drivers”. It will be useful if you have two hard drives connected, since it sets which hard drive the operating system will boot from. 
Another useful section for the average user is “Security”. In it you can set two types of passwords:
If you set a password, then every time you enter the BIOS, a window will appear where you will need to specify it in order to gain access to the basic input/output system.
Tools
The “Tools” section is intended for updating the BIOS from a disk, floppy disk or flash drive. Another option here is “AI NET”. Allows you to obtain information about the cable connected to the network controller. 
Exit
The last section of the BIOS, where you can select the parameters for exiting the I/O system:
The last point allows you to correct some errors when starting your computer that prevent Windows from loading normally.
Conclusion
Most of the described BIOS parameters are unlikely to be needed by the average user. However, there are some things you need to know, such as changing the boot priority. In addition, by understanding how the underlying system works, you will be able to resolve some of the issues that may arise with the security of your computer and the compatibility of connected devices.
Remember: BIOS settings can be reset if necessary. To do this, you need to disassemble the system unit and remove for a while the small battery that is located on the motherboard.
Therefore, even if you make a mistake in the settings of the base system, you can quickly correct the mistake and roll back the configuration to its original state.
BIOS is an acronym that can be translated as “basic input/output system.” This is a set of commands that are executed first when the computer is turned on and are responsible for starting the operation of all components. Working with BIOS is something that most PC users encounter sooner or later. After all, sometimes you just need to set the system time or . More experienced users are faced with the need to flash the BIOS. In any case, to understand how to work in the BIOS, you need basic knowledge of the English language and computer terminology.
How to get into BIOS
It will be useful for beginners to learn how to launch the BIOS. In most cases, when you turn on your computer, you will be prompted about which button to press to enter the settings menu. Depending on the motherboard manufacturer, these prompts may appear differently and may not always directly mention the BIOS. The wording “Press F2 to enter SETUP” is quite common, where the word “SETUP” is precisely meant. If the system does not give any prompts when you turn it on, you can try the following most common keys to enter the BIOS:
- F9-F12;
- Enter.
Some laptops have keys that can be used to get into the BIOS.
Basic instructions for working with BIOS
Of course, the settings menus for all manufacturers will be different, but you can still trace the general structure of the BIOS. At the top of the screen are the names of the tabs, which you can navigate using the right and left arrows on your keyboard. Each tab has a list of changeable settings that can be selected using the up and down arrow keys. As a rule, the BIOS has from 3 to 5 tabs in which various system settings are located.
In the Main menu you will find a description of the system and setting the date and time. The system description includes characteristics such as the processor model and clock speed. You can also find out the amount of RAM and hard drive. Very often they go into the BIOS only to look at the characteristics of a computer that does not have an operating system installed.
Next is usually the Advanced menu, which is intended for more advanced users. It is recommended to change the settings of this tab only if you are absolutely sure of your actions. Here you change the power settings, speaker volume, SATA type, etc. In some BIOS versions, you can even control the processor frequency and cooler rotation, which is often used to overclock the system. Changing some settings may result in loss of data or damage to some components. If after changes in this menu your system does not start, then it is better to reset all settings through the BIOS.
In the Security tab, you can configure your computer's security settings. For example, you can set a password for the BIOS or even for turning on the computer. This menu can be very useful if you want to protect your data from strangers.
One of the most commonly used BIOS features is the Boot menu. Here you can prioritize the devices from which the operating system will be launched. The default is always the computer's hard drive, but if you need to select another device. The following items are available for selection:
- USB flash drive;
- CD drive;
- external hard drive;
- LAN card.
Changing the device priority is usually done using the F5 and F6 buttons. If you have a modern system, then you can also select the boot mode (Legacy or UEFI). If your computer does not want to start from a bootable USB flash drive, try changing this value, in most cases this helps. In the Boot menu, you can sometimes prevent booting from any media other than the hard drive.
The last tab is very similar for all manufacturers. This is the exit menu, where you can perform actions such as saving or discarding changes before exiting, or completely resetting the settings to their original state.
You can also exit and save all settings from anywhere in the BIOS by pressing the F10 key. Resetting all settings is necessary if the system stops booting or starts working incorrectly after changes to the BIOS. Very often, work with a PC can be restored only after using this function.
Using the menu in the BIOS you can solve many issues, but you need to know exactly how to use each of the functions before changing system settings.
The average PC user rarely has to fine-tune the device using the BIOS interface. However, it is very useful to know what this option is intended for.
Many owners of modern PCs, despite the “promotion” and high performance of the devices, are still interested in the principles of their operation. They want to learn how to go into the BIOS and configure certain hardware and software components.
BIOS: what is it
BIOS (you can write it in Russian: BIOS) is an abbreviation. It stands for basic in-out system, that is, it is a basic system that controls input/output. It describes the key algorithms for the operation of PC hardware components, and also sets the basic settings that ensure the functioning of programs.
BIOS installation is carried out, as a rule, at advanced IT specialists who have the skills to install an I/O system at home. Their arsenal may include flashing and even reprogramming the BIOS. Of course, they are of no use to the average user. But perhaps today's simple user will want to become advanced one day? Is it possible that the BIOS system will interest him so much that he will want to learn how to reinstall it on his own? Probably not. Therefore, we continue our excursion into the functional specifics of the input-output system.
BIOS exists almost independently of the hardware and software installed on the PC. The input/output system algorithms are written in a small chip that is built into the motherboard. This component is complemented by another module designed for data storage. It is called CMOS and is also a chip. That is, the user can make changes to the BIOS algorithms, and they will be remembered by the system. Maintaining the functionality of the microcircuit is carried out using a small power source (“battery”), that is, autonomously from the power supply of the PC.
How long does the BIOS battery last?
The average service life of a BIOS power supply is 5-6 years. As soon as this component fails, a message like CMOS-checksum error will appear on the computer screen. Further loading of the PC, as a rule, is possible, but settings that are critical for optimal operation of the computer and operating system will not be fixed. That is, the PC will work, but, most likely, slowly and with freezes.
There are no problems with replacing the BIOS “battery”. It is inexpensive and is sold at most computer centers. The procedure for replacing a component can be done at home. But if you still trust the master, he will most likely charge very little for his work, since the “battery” is changed very simply, literally in a minute.
Types of BIOS
As a rule, PC manufacturers do not write BIOS control modules themselves, but buy ready-made software algorithms. The main IT companies that supply these solutions to the market are AWARD, AMI, and Phoenix. There are very few fundamental differences between different BIOS versions. As a rule, they consist in the design of the system's software interface and some of its functions. Different versions of BIOS have almost the same capabilities in terms of managing PC hardware components and fine-tuning them.
How to get into the BIOS interface?
Let's move from theory to practice. Many users simply do not know how to access the BIOS. Although in theory they have a good idea of how the input/output system works.
In most cases, to enter the BIOS interface, you need to press the DELETE key immediately after turning on the computer.
There are options in which the F2, Esc keys or combinations (such as, for example, simultaneously pressing CTRL, ALT and INS) perform a similar function.
In almost all cases, a hint is displayed on the screen - what exactly needs to be pressed to enter the BIOS. Usually in English (for example, like this: press INS to enter BIOS). Sometimes, however, hints appear for a very short period of time, literally a second or two. In some cases, the word BIOS in the on-screen text is replaced by the term SETUP.
We looked at how to enter the BIOS web interface. But what is the practical significance of such actions? How to get into the BIOS in order to optimize the PC?
What settings can be changed in the BIOS
The extent to which computer settings are susceptible to changes is determined by the manufacturer. It happens that a brand opens a minimum of BIOS settings. Or, on the contrary, it allows using the system interface to make a variety of changes to the configuration of hardware and software components of the PC.
Most often, a BIOS is needed to solve the following tasks.
- Setting the PC to start from various media. The computer almost always boots the operating system from the hard drive. Accordingly, by default the BIOS is programmed to start the PC from the hard drive. But in some cases, the user may need to start the computer not from a hard drive, but, say, from a DVD. Or, for example, from a flash drive. Then you can set the following parameter by going to the BIOS interface: boot from DVD. In practice, this function is most often used if the computer is infected with a virus and booting from the hard drive is impossible. Another option is to install an operating system other than Windows (for example, Unix) from the boot disk.
- Solving problems with PC hardware components. In some cases, the hardware installed on the computer begins to malfunction. Very often this is due to insufficiently optimal BIOS settings. An IT specialist or the user himself, acting in accordance with the manual, can set the necessary parameters using the BIOS interface.
- Setting a password to boot your PC. This is one of the most popular features. By enabling it, the user can protect the login to his computer with a password. It is very difficult to hack. The reliability of the protection is very high: without entering the correct password, you will not be able to load the OS or at least gain access to the computer disks.
Is the BIOS the same on PC and laptop?
As mentioned above, there are three most common BIOS versions in the world. Despite the wide range of models and technical versions of computers, each of them will, one way or another, have only one of three possible BIOS modifications. Thus, if we buy a PC and a laptop in a nearby store, then with a high degree of probability they will have the same BIOS version installed. The sequence of user actions that allows you to enter the BIOS on a laptop will be similar to that applicable to desktop PCs.
At the same time, many IT specialists note that for BIOS interfaces installed on laptops, as a rule, fewer settings are open than for similar systems programmed in chips on a PC. Although, according to experts, everything is determined by the policy of a particular manufacturer.
Working with BIOS: practice
Many users are concerned about the question: how to configure the BIOS without affecting the parameters critical to the system? How to find the desired area of the system interface? Now we will try to answer these questions.
It’s not difficult to get comfortable with the BIOS interface. Let's look at the basic capabilities of the system using the example of working with Award BIOS on
So, by turning on the PC and pressing the DEL key (or others that are programmed by the computer manufacturer), we find ourselves in the BIOS interface. We understand how to get into the BIOS. Next, we will study the location of the input/output system interface controls.
The BIOS settings screen will open before our eyes. Selecting the ones you need is very simple: you use the arrows on the keyboard to do this (as a rule, you can use all four). In order to open a particular option, you need to press ENTER.
If the user accidentally made changes to settings that he does not understand, then you can cancel all actions by pressing F9 (works in most interfaces).
Now let's see how you can use the functions that we noted above as the most popular. How to configure the BIOS with an emphasis on the practical significance of the actions performed?
In order to set the source from which the computer will boot, we should select the BOOT option in the BIOS interface. When we select it, a column will appear on the screen in which various storage media will be displayed from top to bottom: hard drive (HDD), DVD, Flash, etc. The computer starts loading from the component that is displayed in the very top line.
By default this is HDD. If we want the download to come from a DVD, then using auxiliary keys (usually “+”, less often page up), we move the name of the media to the top line.
To set a password for booting the PC, select the Set Supervisor Password option.
Set a password (preferably in English, case does not matter) and confirm it.
Having finished working with the BIOS interface, we can either write down all the changes we have made using the F10 key, or cancel them by pressing F9. A similar function is performed by the Exit Saving Changes and Discard Changes options, respectively.
Working with BIOS is easy and simple. But it’s not only important how to enter the BIOS and what key combinations you can use to change and save settings. The main thing is not to overdo it with experiments to make changes to critical parameters for the computer.
"Successor" BIOS: UEFI
The BIOS system has been used on computers of various configurations for more than two decades. It is being replaced by new technologies. Among those that, according to experts, have the greatest chance of success is the UEFI system.
One of the most high-tech companies in the world is ASUS. In motherboards produced by this brand, the standard BIOS is replaced by an innovative interface. Let's see what features are available in the platform that has become an alternative to BIOS, ASUS. Setting up a PC - how much more difficult is it in UEFI? Or, on the contrary, is it simpler? Is it more difficult to run UEFI compared to going into BIOS?
UEFI Features
The basic functionality of the innovative PC management system is not much different from what the BIOS has. The developers place the main emphasis on ease of use of the interface, so that even beginners can easily understand the intricacies of setting up algorithms.
In particular, the UEFI interface contains modes, after enabling which you can very quickly optimize the operation of your PC. They are called: Power Saving (that is, working with energy savings), Normal (normal mode) and Optimal (performance optimization).
There is a tab in the UEFI interface for ASUS called Ai Tweaker. In it, the user can find a large number of options that allow very fine tuning of the computer’s hardware components. In particular, you can set frequencies for the processor, change voltage levels, etc.
Also interesting is the Power Management section, where you can configure PC power saving settings.
So, an example of a company that actively uses an alternative to BIOS is ASUS. Setting up the innovative UEFI software interface is not much more difficult than in the BIOS (and, according to a number of experts, it is even simpler). The extent to which the new PC component management system will be positively received by the market will most likely be understood by the IT community in the coming years. It is unlikely that the only company that has decided to abandon the use of traditional BIOS is ASUS. Surely there are other brands among computer equipment manufacturers that strive to use the most modern technologies in their work. At the same time, it is possible that a company such as, for example, HP BIOS will be preferred as the leading platform for managing software and hardware components of computers.
Since BIOS is a system that allows you to manage your computer within low-level settings, IT specialists do not recommend that beginners make significant changes to the relevant BIOS settings. There are known cases when users unknowingly set values in PC settings that turned out to be completely incompatible with the hardware capabilities of the device. Experts do not recommend experimenting with frequencies, voltage levels and other parameters that affect the performance of hardware.
We have listed the main types of tasks for which it makes sense to open the BIOS interface. It is extremely rare that a situation arises (when using a PC at home) when there is a need to go beyond the instructions provided. And if this happens, then it is preferable to turn to masters who have sufficient professional qualifications and experience.
At the same time, it is possible and even necessary to study BIOS interfaces for informational purposes. Having opened another setting, the user can, by opening detailed instructions, study what this or that option is responsible for, thereby increasing his level of knowledge regarding the principles of PC operation.
After publishing a series of materials on overclocking computer components, we began to receive questions from readers revealing ignorance of basic things related to setting up the BIOS of motherboards. We mentioned that you should approach overclocking already having initial theoretical knowledge in this area. However, apparently, many PC users are interested in getting a free performance boost (and more).
This material is intended to help beginners navigate basic system setup.
The article will discuss fairly simple concepts related to working with the configuration of motherboard firmware. To begin with, let's decipher the abbreviation BIOS - Basic Input/Output System (basic input/output system). This is a kind of software recorded in a chip with non-volatile memory, which allows you to initialize PC components and configure their operating modes. The BIOS contains the microcode needed to control the keyboard, video card, drives, ports, and other devices. For the average user, BIOS is identified with a visual shell that allows you to change computer settings if necessary.
We also note that the answers to most of the questions raised in this material can be found in the motherboard manuals. Alas, few users who want to know everything at once pay attention to the brochures supplied with these products. Sometimes the manuals are quite sparse, but nothing prevents you from familiarizing yourself with those devoted to other lines of boards from the same (or another) manufacturer - the basic BIOS options are standard, and what is applicable to one firmware is often suitable when working with another. Mastering this material is also facilitated by knowledge of the English language - a banal translation of terms will help you navigate the search for the necessary parameters.
What types of BIOS are there?
The differences in firmware come down not only to the abundance of settings and adjustment ranges of individual parameters. First of all, this is the microcode of a certain developer, which ultimately determines the visual shell. For example, the BIOS of ASUS motherboards is based on code from AMI (menu with blue symbols on a gray background), most manufacturers use Award/Phoenix (blue background, yellow letters). Recently, extensible firmware interfaces EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface), distinguished by an extraordinary graphical interface, have become widespread. They allow navigation using not only the keyboard, but also the mouse, and menu items have become even more intuitive.
How to get into BIOS
To enter the BIOS, you must press the corresponding button on the keyboard while initializing PC devices (going through the POST procedure). If the motherboard firmware is based on microcode from AMI, it will be F2, Award - Del. In order to get into the BIOS of some laptops, you will need to activate the F8 key. However, even if you don’t know what microcode the board’s firmware is based on, during the device initialization process, a hint message will definitely appear on the screen (for example, Press F2 to Enter Setup - “Press F2 to get to the settings section”). If the monitor does not light up in time, after turning on the PC, regularly and often press the required button or, if you are not sure which one, try Del, then F2.
Selecting and changing firmware settings
BIOS settings are controlled exclusively from the keyboard. To move the cursor, use the arrow block (Up, Down, Right, Left). To change the desired parameter, highlight it with the cursor, press Enter and select one of the available modes. If the board's BIOS is based on microcode from AMI, you will have to use the “+” and “-” buttons for the same purposes. Setting certain values can be done directly from the numeric keypad (for example, if you need to change the system bus frequency from 266 to 320 MHz, hover the cursor over the appropriate position, enter 3, 2, 0, then Enter). To go up one menu level, press the Esc key, exit the BIOS - perform a similar operation in the root directory. Often it also contains explanations of options for managing firmware settings. When exiting the BIOS using the Esc key (without saving the settings) or F10 (with saving the settings), a window will definitely appear asking Do you want to exit/save the settings? To confirm, press the Y (Yes) button, to cancel - N (No).
BIOS Basics in Pictures
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| The system is undergoing initialization procedure (POST). To get into the BIOS, at the moment you need to press the Del key (this is indicated by the inscription in the lower left part of the screen) |
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| The main BIOS menu of one of the motherboards manufactured by Gigabyte. Below are brief tips - descriptions of the purpose of individual keys |
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| The section devoted to fine-tuning the operating modes of the main system components (processor, RAM) can be called differently. In this case it is MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) |
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| Standard CMOS Features- a menu item available in the BIOS of any board. Allows you to set the date and time, as well as view a list of FDD, IDE and SATA devices connected to the system |
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| Advanced BIOS Features, or Options, is one of the most important sections related to system configuration. In our case, it is possible to control boot priority, individual CPU technologies and the visual design of the splash screen |
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| In chapter Integrated Peripherals functional blocks implemented on the motherboard are activated (network card, audio codec, IEEE 1394, USB ports, IDE and SATA controllers), their operating modes are set |
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| Power Management Setup- control computer power, turn on/off without using a button Power system unit |
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| In subcategory PnP/PCI Configurations has nothing interesting for the average user. System addressing settings are hidden there |
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| System monitoring section - PC Health Status. Allows you to monitor the operating temperature of PC components, main supply voltages, and control the number of revolutions of system fans |
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| In this BIOS, control of parameters important for overclocking a PC is concentrated in one section. Things may be different with the settings of boards using firmware from AMI - similar options are sometimes located in different subcategories of the main menu |
BIOS updates - is it worth doing?
By the time a certain motherboard model is announced, manufacturers do not always have time to develop optimal firmware for it. Therefore, over time, BIOS updates are released and available for download from the manufacturers' official websites. A list of improvements that a particular firmware version has is often given in the description. Should you constantly update your motherboard BIOS? If the PC works well, and overclocking the components is not limited to the board, then there is no need to do this. The firmware should be changed only if there are significant changes in certain parameters, expansion of functionality, and sometimes the introduction of support for new processor models.
Information on how to update the firmware is also available on the manufacturers' websites. Owners of modern products do this directly from within the OS, using specialized utilities. To update the firmware of older boards, you need to get a disk drive. When upgrading the BIOS, be extremely careful - a power failure, pressing the Reset button prematurely before the operation is completed - and the motherboard will have to be sent to a service center. There may be freezes caused by defects in utilities from manufacturers. So don’t overdo it in the pursuit of each new BIOS version, because good is not a good thing.
After changing the settings, the computer does not boot. What to do?
A typical situation that accompanies the activity of overclockers is the inability to boot a PC after setting incorrect parameters in the BIOS. Many modern motherboards implement reset technologies in such cases. However, they do not always work, and not all boards are equipped with them. But this is not a reason to get upset, panic and say that the computer is broken. Any motherboard has a special jumper to force all settings to be reset to Default mode, which is often designated as CLR_CMOS (or Clear CMOS). Its location must be indicated in the board's instruction manual. The jumper can take the form of a special button located on the rear panel (a similar solution is found on top ASUSTeK boards), or it can be soldered in the area where the battery is located. If it has three contacts, two of which are closed by a jumper (a similar circuit is used in most products), you need to move the jumper from one position to another for a few seconds while the computer is turned off (say, 1-2 → 2-3) and back. Sometimes a jumper has only two contacts (often found on Gigabyte boards), then they need to be connected with a conductive object (for example, a screwdriver).
If after resetting the system goes through the POST initialization procedure, but does not boot into the OS, make sure that the hard drive is displayed in the BIOS and is listed as the first number among the available boot devices. When using an HDD with an IDE connector on modern motherboards, you will probably have to configure the operating mode of the external controller (Configure SATA Interface as IDE). After carrying out the described manipulations, the system should boot successfully, except in cases where the OS fails (such complications are possible, especially when playing for a long time with memory timing settings, but they occur extremely rarely).
Basic BIOS sections - where to look for what
It is absolutely not necessary for a novice user to thoroughly study every item of the firmware in order to configure the system. Therefore, we will briefly talk about the main features available in the BIOS of all boards.
From the basic sections we highlight Standard CMOS Features, Advanced BIOS Features And Integrated Peripherals. The first of them displays the current date and time, the amount of RAM, and displays a list of IDE- and SATA-compatible system devices. You can also change the clock settings through the OS, so the value of this section lies in the initial diagnostics of the PC: here it is monitored which drives and hard drives are connected and determined at the hardware level, and which are not. In Advanced BIOS Features (or the Boot menu, if the firmware is based on code from AMI) the boot sequence priority is set. There are cases when the operating system on the HDD is not initialized only because the FDD containing the floppy disk or the CD-ROM with the boot disk is selected first in the list of devices. Until you remove the media, don't expect to see the OS. Immediately install the hard drive first - you will never go wrong. The Integrated Peripherals section is interesting because it allows you to disable controllers soldered on the motherboard, thus managing the functionality of the PC. If there is no sound in your system when the speakers are connected correctly, check whether the audio codec is activated (the submenu value should be Enabled or Auto). The situation is similar with the network controller, IEEE 1394, etc. Pay attention to the paragraphs dedicated to USB. Be sure to activate the appropriate controller and enable USB keyboard and mouse support. Depending on the positioning of the motherboard and its features, the Advanced BIOS Features and Integrated Peripherals sections may contain different system settings. You should pay attention to a brief study of the settings proposed in them.
Of the sections available in the BIOS of most boards, we will also highlight the sections for system monitoring (PC Health Status), power management (Power Management Setup) and configuring data bus addresses (PnP/PCI Configurations). The last two are of no interest to most. The most valuable thing for the average user is the monitoring section, which displays the temperatures of the main PC components (CPU, chipset) and the current voltages supplied by the power supply, and also has the ability to control the fan speed. However, you should not trust these sensors unconditionally - their readings can be inaccurate.
Settings that determine the performance of the PC and the operating modes of the main components are located in one or more adjacent subsections of the BIOS. It is possible that they may not be there at all - do not expect to find options on a cheap motherboard for an office computer to seriously increase the supply voltage, set RAM timings, or control CPU parameters. We talked about the relevant points in more detail in the materials devoted to overclocking a PC, so we won’t dwell on them now.
Most of the parameters that can be changed through the BIOS can be installed directly in the OS using specialized utilities. However, this method is often inconvenient - every time you boot the computer you need to launch additional software and activate certain settings. When you reinstall the system, they will be lost. Therefore, if you want to be on friendly terms with your computer, you will have to study the motherboard BIOS.
Afterword
Perhaps this material does not describe all the nuances of working with the BIOS that beginners would like to know. However, do not be upset if you have not found the answer to your question - first of all, remember where the instruction manual for the motherboard is located, and carefully study the section on firmware. If there is no brochure or the description is too sparse, you can download an extended version from the official website of the motherboard manufacturer for a specific product, or simply find a good manual from a third-party manufacturer. It is likely that the settings mentioned there will be largely similar. If you are not sure, ask again on specialized forums of thematic resources, although we do not see anything wrong with studying the BIOS on your own by trial and error. The “magic” CLR_CMOS jumper for resetting settings is available on any board, and it is almost impossible to damage any component without radically changing the power parameters (for example, increasing the voltage on the processor by 80% of the nominal value).
If, after carefully examining the BIOS of the motherboard installed in your PC, it suddenly turns out that certain settings are missing, do not be upset. On Gigabyte products, to activate the section responsible for fine-tuning the memory subsystem and CPU operating mode, after entering the BIOS you need to press the key combination Ctrl+F1. In other cases, it is quite possible that some options really are not there. A similar situation is typical for budget motherboards. In their firmware, sections on fine tuning and power management of PC components are either very scarce or completely absent. However, it is likely that the required parameters can be changed from under the operating system using specialized utilities.
A few words must be said about the new interface - EFI - which will replace the classic BIOS. Undoubtedly, a pleasant graphical shell will appeal to some users, but the convenience of its implementation should be judged only by testing the corresponding products. In the meantime, experienced overclockers are quite satisfied with the available capabilities, in which a complete setup of the motherboard BIOS to optimize the parameters of all components and overclock the PC takes from several tens of seconds to a minute. Too fast? Not at all. Learn the basics of working with firmware configuration, expand your own knowledge, and it is possible that over time you yourself will become specialists in this field.
How to properly configure BIOS on a computer? BIOS - Basic Input / Output System (basic input/output system) is responsible for the initial boot of the device and initialization of equipment on a personal computer or laptop.
Today, BIOS has many versions and boot options. But few computer users know what it is and what it’s for, and most importantly, how to set it up.
First of all, let's figure out what it contains and what can be done with it. And so, usually the BIOS consists of several parts. Information, Advanced, Main, Power Security, Boot, Exit.
Now, in order.
In the Information or Main section you will find information about your PC, namely: data and characteristics about the process (frequency, number of cores, etc.), RAM (volume, frequency), hard drive (volume and technical data ), video (integrated, discrete, size).
In Advanced you can make changes to the settings of the device as a whole or individual components.
You can overclock the processor, video, RAM frequency (remember, if you do this incorrectly, it will lead to failure of the device, if you do not have the necessary experience and knowledge, it is better not to do this)
In the Power section, we can configure how our computer will start and shut down, as well as improve energy saving, and get information about how much and what our components consume.
Boot is important when we need to choose which device our system will boot from and configure their order (optical drive, USB, HDD, etc.)
This is necessary when installing an operating system, or when diagnosing software (the same operating system).
Exit will help us save our changes, or load the default settings, or the optimal ones for your system.
Remember that you make all changes at your own responsibility and they can dramatically affect the operation of your computer.
Almost all motherboards have a speaker (beeper), and when you turn on the computer and hear a one-time beep, the BIOS sends a signal to the speaker so that it beeps once. The BIOS is essentially needed to interrogate the equipment, to correctly transfer it to the “next step (I’ll explain later).” The BIOS has a clock, thanks to it, in your computer in a de-energized state, the time does not go astray. The BIOS also includes a minimum package of parameters for the operation of the motherboard and devices on it, but let's talk about everything in order.
BIOS setup
What bios are there?
Bioses can be different, looking at the picture above, you can understand that in appearance they can be very different from each other. But the main feature of each BIOS is that they are all similar. Therefore, if you understand one BIOS, then understanding the second will not be difficult for you. Further in the article I want to open each tab and talk about all the functions so that you can understand how you can configure the bios.
How to set up BIOS - Main
The “Main” tab contains information about the current time, date and the main devices on the board.
System time - current time in the format “Hours:minutes:seconds” (it can be configured);
System Date - current date in the format “Day of the week day/month/year” (it can be configured);
BIOS Version - the current version of your BIOS, on the developer’s website you can download an update for the BIOS and install them, read the article on how to update the BIOS;
Processor Type - information about the processor that is currently installed in your motherboard;
Processor Speed - processor clock frequency, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz);
Microcode Update - version of the stability update for the processor microcode;
Cache Size - processor cache size, measured in KB or MB;
Total memory - the total amount of random access memory (RAM) that is installed on the motherboard;
DDR3_A1-A2/B1-B2 - slots for installing RAM, contain information about the type of RAM (ddr - ddr4), the operating frequency of each stick and the amount of built-in memory, if “None” - then the slot on the motherboard is empty.
How to set up BIOS - Advanced
The “Advanced” tab contains information about the main parameters of the system. On many systems, Advanced is different, so don’t be surprised if you see other options in this menu, as I already said - the principle is similar.
JumperFree Configuration - setting the voltage and frequency of the processor, memory, etc.;
CPU Configuration - setting up the parameters of the central processor, or viewing its current parameters (cache, frequency, multiplier, etc.);
Chipset - setting up the chipset (south/north bridges);
Onboard Devices Configuration - setting up “on-board” devices, for example a network (LAN);
PCIPnP - setting parameters for Plug and play devices, as well as PCI/VGA (palettes);
USB Configuration - setting up USB ports, you can change port speed parameters, disable/enable ports;
Interesting fact: Advanced most often has a processor overclocking menu. If anything, here is a small article about overclocking, in case anyone is interested.
Setting up BIOS - Power
The "Power" tab contains settings and information that relate to powering the computer.
Suspend Mode - select the operating mode of the motherboard in economy mode. mode (depending on the power supply and the motherboard itself);
ACPI 2.0 Support - enables or disables the power management interface version 2.0;
ACPI APIC support - enables or disables the extended interrupt controller;
APM Configuration - makes it possible to turn on and off the power supply to the keyboard/mouse PS/2, PCI/PCIE, etc.;
Hardware Monitor - contains information about processor temperature, cooler rotation speed and incoming voltage;
Interesting fact: in some BIOS versions, in the “Power” menu, the rotation speed of coolers can be adjusted manually.
Setting up BIOS - Boot
The “Boot” tab is probably one of the most interesting tabs. In it you can configure the order in which the OS boots from different media.
Boot Device Priority - makes it possible to arrange the boot order. If you put the CD-ROM in first place, then before starting the normal Windows boot from the hard drive, the system will first check the CD-ROM, and if there is no disk in the drive (or there is no suitable data on the disk), the system will move to the second point and start loading Windows on your hard drive;
Hard Disk Drives - option to select the 1st hard drive. If your computer has several hard drives, then some BIOSes can only accept 1 in the boot queue. Sometimes, to install Windows from a flash drive, you need to select your flash drive in this menu, and only after that it will appear in the Boot Device Priority menu;
Boot Settings Configuration - adjusting secondary boot parameters (power Num, Quick boot, logo, etc.);
Security - allows you to set passwords for editing BIOS parameters;
Bios Tools tab
The “Tools” tab usually contains a utility for updating the BIOS. For more details, read our article on how to update the BIOS. In a nutshell, I want to say that you need a flash drive and a firmware file from the official website of the motherboard manufacturer (in this case, Asus).
How to configure BIOS - Exit
The Exit tab contains the final step in setting up the BIOS:
Exit & Save Changes - Exit and save changes;
Exit & Discard Changes - Exit without saving changes;
Discard Changes - reset changes;
Load Setup Defaults - Apply all “Default” parameters;
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