Bios setup utility what to do. Bios – description, installation, configuration, options
And if you recklessly switch its parameters, the system does not start until it is successfully reset. The mistakes that programmers make when compiling it lead to annoying glitches and incompatibilities, but as they are eliminated, it is updated and is quite amenable to flashing - just make sure that the electrical power does not disappear during this, otherwise there will be trouble. Our hero is an important person, he is called BIOS. And its full title is: Basic Input-Output System, which translates as “basic input-output system.”
What is it and why
BIOS is a small program written on an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) memory chip or flash memory, which is about the same thing. The motherboard BIOS is the first software that the computer uses immediately after turning it on. Its task is to identify devices (processor, memory, video, disks, etc.), check their serviceability, initiate, that is, start, with certain parameters and then transfer control to the operating system loader.
In fact, BIOS is found not only on the motherboard, but also on other components of the computer - even network adapters. However, we decided that the hero of our article should be the “mother” BIOS, because it is the one that users most often manipulate.
So, the PC owner can control the behavior of the BIOS within fairly wide limits. First of all, you can reflash it, that is, erase the contents of the microcircuit, and then write a new one. This feature is used to update the BIOS code. New firmware versions eliminate errors made by developers and introduce adequate support for new devices (for example, new processor models or RAM).
The second way to intervene in the BIOS is less drastic, but gives the user a huge number of possibilities. This is a change in the parameters that are set to the hardware when the system starts. They are stored in volatile CMOS memory (there is a battery on the motherboard to save these settings). In order to change these settings, you need to press a certain button when the system starts - which one the computer will write (for example: “Press Del to enter Setup”), after which the inscription “Entering Setup...” appears, and then the BIOS control interface. And it is its detailed description that the rest of the article is devoted to.
The BIOS of all common motherboards are based on code written by one of two companies: American Management, Inc. (AMI) or Award. They are slightly different from each other, but generally similar. We will be looking at AMIBIOS. Once you understand it, you can easily navigate AwardBIOS.
Since considering a “spherical BIOS in a vacuum” is not particularly practical (it will be more difficult to explain what’s what), for example, let’s take the ASUS Rampage II Extreme motherboard for Core i7 processors in the LGA 1366 version. Its choice is primarily due to its very rich functionality. Having delved into its settings, the reader will be ready to meet even the most sophisticated motherboards - there is hardly anything unfamiliar in their BIOS. However, some nuances specific to this platform will be noted and explained in more detail. Go.
How to configure the BIOS correctly?
After the computer starts, the BIOS begins the Power-On Self Test (POST). During this time, the motherboard shows the user the manufacturer’s logo or data on the completion of the equipment test (depending on the current settings). At the bottom of the screen at this time it is written how to enter the BIOS setup interface and, just in case, how to call the BIOS flashing utility (it is available in the BIOS of the vast majority of relatively modern motherboards, starting with the Socket A platform, and allows you to update the microcode without loading the OS) .
In this case, entering the BIOS is done by pressing Del. In this case, the computer will write that it is entering the setup interface, and then display it. In the case of AMIBIOS, the main part of the screen will be occupied by the already open Main tab, in which the most basic system parameters can be configured. To move to another tab, use the left and right arrows. A list of tabs indicating which one is currently active is displayed at the top as a menu bar.
The contents of the Main tab, like the others, are divided vertically into two fields of unequal size. The left one contains settings that can be changed, and sometimes additional diagnostic information. The item where the cursor is positioned is highlighted in white by default. Contextual hints in English are displayed in the right field - they help you quickly get used to the interface. The “up” and “down” arrows are responsible for moving between tab items. You can select an item by pressing Enter.
Basic settings start with the system time and date. Everything is obvious with them. Their values can be entered using the keyboard using numbers, or they can be increased and decreased using the “+” and “-” buttons. The Legacy Diskette A parameter is responsible for the floppy drive. It can take the values Disabled, 720K, 3.5 in, and 1.44M, 3.5 in, the latter option is set by default. There is no need to switch it. The Language parameter can change the interface language from understandable English to incomprehensible Chinese, German and French. People who know these languages better than English may find this setting useful. We will continue to consider the English-language interface.
The following items are responsible for disks and drives connected to SATA ports. Most often, they are correctly detected automatically, and there is no need to change anything in the SATA X items, where X is the port number.
The section following them is called Storage Configuration and, as you might guess, is directly related to setting up the disk subsystem. By going into it, you can find the items SATA Configuration (valid values: Enhanced, Compatible and Disabled) and Configure SATA as (can be set to IDE, ACHI or RAID). Obviously, similarly named menu items do different things, but what exactly does each one do?
SATA Configuration allows you, firstly, to disable the SATA controller soldered on the motherboard (great, right?) by selecting Disabled, secondly, to set the Enhanced mode adopted when using modern operating systems, and thirdly, to convert the disk subsystem to one compatible with older ones OS (Windows 95, 98, Me) mode (Compatible). Moreover, you can work in this mode on new systems, but the number of disk devices connected to the SATA controller will be limited to four. Old OSes could not imagine that there could be more of them (it was believed that there were a maximum of two IDE channels, for two devices each).
Configure SATA as allows you to show drives to the operating system as IDE devices (then even when running under Windows 2000 or XP there will be no problems and no additional drivers will be required), for which you need to select the IDE value. If you are using an OS that allows this, you can install the advanced ACHI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) mode, in which you can use NCQ technology (natural command queue), hot plugging and other advanced features. The third mode is used, as the name suggests, to create disk arrays.
RAID stands for “Redundant Array of Independent Disks”, that is, a redundant (meaning in terms of reliability) array of independent disks (let me clarify that RAID 0 mode is an exception - it is not more, but less reliable than a single screw). To configure the array, after activating this mode, you need to enter the RAID controller configuration utility, for which on this motherboard you should press Ctrl + I during POST.
The two remaining items, Storage Configuration, Hard Disk Write Protect and SATA Detect Time out, are responsible, respectively, for protecting disks from writing (naturally, it is better not to activate it) and the time the computer searches for disk subsystem devices upon startup. The shorter this time, the faster the download, and increasing it makes sense if disks or drives for some reason do not have time to determine when passing POST.
If SATA devices are switched to ACHI mode, another item will appear in the menu - ACHI Settings. It will set the launch timeout from optical media (ACHI CD / DVD Boot Time out) from 0 to 35 s, step 5 s. It will also have submenus like SATA X, in which you can turn off self-diagnosis (set SMART Monitoring to Disabled) or the disk device itself, or more precisely the corresponding SATA port (SATA port X for this requires changing from Auto to Not Installed).
Having dealt with the disk subsystem modes, we can return to a higher level in the menu and see what’s what in the SATA X items (X is the port number). Yes, you almost never need to change anything there, but it still doesn’t hurt to get to know these submenus.
So, Type is the type of device. You can force a CD-ROM or ARMD (ATAPI Removable Media Device, which means ZIP drives, magneto-optical drives and similar exotics).
LBA / Large Mode is responsible for supporting screws with a capacity of more than 504 MB, and therefore, of the two possible values, it is strongly recommended to select Auto rather than Disabled.
Block (Multi-Sector Transfer) allows you to disable the transfer of several sectors of 512 bytes at a time and thus greatly reduce the speed of the disk (one sector will be transferred per pass). For more or less modern hard drives with a SATA interface, selecting Disabled does not make sense. Leave it as is.
PIO Mode allows you to impose an outdated data exchange mode on the disk, since automatically any modern HDD operates in PIO 4 mode, the fastest of the five (0 to 4). PIO stands for “Programmed Input / Output Mode”, that is, “programmable input / output mode”. There is no need to change the default Auto.
DMA Mode is a little closer to our time than PIO. DMA stands for Direct Memory Access. This mode complements PIO and has much higher speed (the fastest PIO 4 is 16.6 MB/s, the fastest DMA is 133 MB/s). Naturally, all modern screws, especially those with a SATA interface, work in the fastest UDMA 6. Just in case, let me clarify that SWDMA (Single-Word DMA) is the slowest mode, MWDMA (Multi-Word DMA) is not a gallop for you either, but it will still be faster, and UDMA is deservedly called “Ultra DMA” because it is faster than others. Moreover, the larger the number after the name of the mode, the higher the speed. It is not practical to switch the Auto value for anything.
SMART Monitoring is a useful and quite modern thing. The technology allows you to monitor the health of your hard drive by measuring its various parameters and noting how they change over time. From this data, the S.M.A.R.T. program (Self Monitoring Analyzing and Reporting Technology, self-monitoring, analysis and reporting technology) draw a conclusion about how long the hard drive will last and whether it’s time to take care of backing up the data and replacing the screw. If S.M.A.R.T. For some reason it doesn’t turn on automatically (modern hard drives are always friendly with it), you can try setting “Enabled” manually. In other cases, you should trust the Auto mode. It is unlikely that you will need to forcibly turn off self-diagnosis, but it is possible.
And finally, 32 Bit Transfer specifies 32-bit in the case of Enabled and 16-bit in the case of Disabled data transfer mode over the PCI bus or the internal chipset bus. 16-bit mode is naturally not recommended.
There is only one item left in the BIOS main menu - System Information, that is, general information about the system. It shows the version number of the BIOS microcode and its release date, the model of the installed processor and its clock frequency, and the amount of RAM in the system. Since the motherboard in question has two BIOS chips, it is also written here which one is used and how it is selected (hardware, that is, by a jumper, or software, from the corresponding section of the BIOS). The names for the first and second BIOS are also displayed.
There is nothing else in the main BIOS settings section (smile). But even the above is enough to appreciate the abundance of possibilities. Yes, it is better not to change most of the parameters (such as fine-tuning the disk subsystem) here, since this will not cause anything other than a drop in operating speed, but switching, for example, devices to AHCI mode is possible and even useful. Setting up RAID arrays may also be necessary.
Gourmet menu
Having said that when you enter AMIBIOS the Main tab will appear, I was lying a little. In general, this will be the case, but on some motherboards, and in particular on ASUS Rampage II Extreme, you will first be taken to a special “command center” where overclocker tools are collected; and the Main tab was moved to second place. And this is reasonable, because Extreme Tweaker (that’s what the overclocking tools are called in this case) is in demand much more often. I note that each motherboard manufacturer implements overclocking functions, as well as monitoring frequencies, voltages and temperatures, a little differently. Therefore, describing them for one motherboard will help you get comfortable with overclocking and gain some perspective, but will not serve as literal guides for fine-tuning any PC.
The two lines at the very top of the page tell you at what frequency the central processor and RAM will operate after applying the BIOS settings you have specified. They are signed: “Target CPU Frequency” and “Target DRAM Frequency”, respectively.
The following four parameters are responsible for automatic overclocking. CPU Level up allows you to switch the CPU to a frequency of 3.6 (i7-crazy-3.60G) or 4.0 GHz (i7-crazy-4.00G), and other parameters related to the processor frequency, such as voltages on different nodes, a caring mother will arrange it herself. As you might guess, Memory Level up has approximately the same effect, only on memory, - you can set the RAM frequency to 1600 or 1800 MHz, the system will select the remaining parameters. You cannot use both Level Ups at the same time. The next item is responsible for selecting the overclocking mode.
It's called AI Overclock Tuner and allows you to select the following: Auto (saves standard frequencies and voltages), X.M.P. (that is, eXtreme Memory Profile, a non-standard memory profile, allows you to select Profile #1 or #2, the first with aggressive timings, the second with an increased frequency), CPU Level up (processor priority), Memory Level up (memory priority), ROG Memory Profile (allows you to select one of three memory profiles: Speedy, Flying and Lightning, that is, “fast”, “flying” or “lightning fast”), and finally, the most interesting Manual mode - that is, “manual”.
In manual mode, you can adjust the speed “from the processor” (OC from CPU Level up), “from memory” (OC from CPU Level up) and “from the bulldozer”, that is, in a completely manual mode, guided only by your own considerations. Let's consider in order what can be adjusted by “handles”.
CPU Ratio Setting, as the name suggests, sets the value of the stone's multiplier. The multiplier is an integer or half-integer number by which the base frequency is multiplied to produce the resulting CPU clock speed. Most processors have a limited maximum multiplier, but the Extreme series from Intel and the Black Edition from AMD have an unlocked multiplier - it can be increased above the standard value. Sometimes the multiplier needs to be reduced, for example, in order to increase the frequency of the processor or memory bus while maintaining the same frequency of the CPU itself (in particular, when its ceiling has been reached).
CPU Configuration displays information about the stone (shows manufacturer name, frequency, base frequency, L1, 2 and 3 cache sizes, maximum multiplier, current multiplier, CPUID). In addition, it, again, allows you to change the multiplier (CPU Ratio Setting) and enable or disable different technologies supported by the stone. We will see what these technologies are used for in the second part of the article. In the meantime, let's look at tools for overclockers.
Tuning forks
BCLK Frequency is the most important item for an overclocker, as it allows you to change the Internal Base Clock. The processor frequency is calculated as the product of the base frequency and the CPU multiplier. Thus, if the maximum multiplier of the stone is fixed (and most often it is), raising the base frequency is the only way to overclock the stone. You just need to remember that it is not for nothing that it is called the basic one - it is a kind of tuning fork of the entire system; in addition to the CPU, it is oriented towards the RAM, the QPI bus (more about it a little later), and the north bridge (extra-core components of the CPU). Therefore, when increasing the base frequency, you should remember this and, if necessary, lower the multipliers of overclocked components. Because of this, overclocking is a creative activity (smile). You can set the Base Clock by entering the desired number from the keyboard or by adjusting the current value using the “+” and “-” buttons. By default, the reference frequency (sometimes Base Clock is translated this way) is 133 MHz.
The same principle, by the way, also applies when overclocking AMD stones. But on the LGA 775 platform, the processor frequency depends on its external FSB bus.
PCIE Frequency allows you to change the frequency of the PCI Express bus. Considering that more sane methods have been invented for overclocking video cards, at least the same RivaTuner program, there is no particular point in moving this parameter. But you can try. Just remember that increasing this frequency above the standard value quickly leads to instability and you should not raise it above 115 MHz.
DRAM Frequency is the frequency of dynamic random access memory (DRAM). There hasn’t been any other one on PC for a very long time. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to set the desired frequency by simply entering a value from the keyboard - there are fixed multipliers, that is, the RAM frequency must be selected from several options. Naturally, during overclocking this menu item will almost certainly be needed.
UCLK Frequency is the operating frequency of the extra-core components of the processor (Uncore Clock Frequency), that is, the memory controller built into the CPU. It also depends on the base frequency and also on the memory frequencies. If you lose stability at high processor frequencies, you can try to manually slow down the memory controller - it may help. But it should be remembered that its frequency must exceed the Hertz of RAM at least twice.
QPI Frequency is the frequency of the external processor bus. Since it also depends on BCLK, there is a possibility that it will have to be lowered forcibly if stability is lost. By the way, the QPI (Quick Path Interconnect) bus was made by analogy with HyperTransport, an external processor bus on AMD platforms. Therefore, when you see the HyperTransport bus multiplier in the BIOS of a motherboard for AMD stones, you will know what it is for and can reduce it if necessary.
Sense of tact
DRAM Timing Control allows you to control RAM latency. The fact is that RAM synchronizes data operations with the clock generator signal. The delays between these operations are expressed in an integer number of clock cycles and are called timings. By default, the values of these parameters are taken from the SPD chips on the memory modules and are tied to RAM frequencies. Reducing them leads to an increase in performance or loss of stability, that is, it is an overclocking method. There are five main memory timings: CL, tRCD, trp, tras and CR.
DRAM CAS# Latency is also called CL. This is the delay between issuing a command to read or write a column and its execution. It greatly affects the performance and stability of the system and is selected individually.
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay, aka tRCD. Delay between the RAS# signal for row selection and CAS# for column selection. You can also try to lower it, but stability after this must be carefully checked.
DRAM RAS# PRE Time, or trp, is the delay caused by recharging the memory bank. The fact is that the RAM consists of capacitors, which tend to discharge quite quickly. And therefore a mechanism for charging them is provided. This parameter determines how many cycles it takes. If you set the value too low, the charges on the capacitors will be lost along with the data they represent.
DRAM RAS# ACT Time, or, equivalently, tras, is the minimum time a row is active. Here it should be said that memory is structured like a table with rows, columns and cells at their intersections. Moreover, as a result of the physical and logical design of modern RAM, if it is necessary to do something with a memory cell, the entire row is read. Moreover, while the PC is working with one line of memory, it cannot do anything with the others. First he must deactivate the line, that is, leave it alone. And he can do this no earlier than the tras delay expires. Therefore, in some tasks, where the software has to deal with data scattered in disarray throughout memory, this timing significantly affects the speed of operation.
DRAM RAS# to RAS # Delay (abbreviated as trrd) is one of the minor timings. Sets the minimum time between commands for reading lines of different memory banks (memory is divided into banks according to its architecture). You don’t have to change the parameter, it will still be of little use.
DRAM REF Cycle Time (trfc) is the minimum time between two recharge cycles. Refers to non-main timings.
DRAM Write Recovery Time (abbreviated Twr) is the time that must pass after writing before the memory begins to recharge. The timing is not basic, and it’s not easy to find it.
DRAM READ to PRE Time (abbreviated Trtp) - almost the same as the previous point, only after the operation is not written, but read. Also never the main parameter.
DRAM FOUR ACT WIN Time (tfaw) is the minimum active time of four rows from different memory banks. Non-essential timing.
DRAM WRITE to READ Delay (twtr) – as the name implies, the delay between the writing and reading processes (more precisely, the end of writing and issuing a read command).
DRAM Timing Mode is, paradoxically, the most important timing. More often it is called CR (tcr), or Command Rate, and is 1, 2 or 3 clock cycles. This is the delay between the issuance of any command by the memory controller and the start of its execution. If the memory is of sufficient quality to withstand the 1T mode (in this case it is designated 1N for some reason), it is better to install it. CR in three bars is the least desirable option. Why wasn’t such an important thing considered at the very beginning?
For a simple reason - in the BIOS menu, which I am now describing point by point, this important setting is moved quite far from the top of the page in favor of numerous not very useful secondary timings. For what reasons this was done is unknown, but it is worth keeping in mind that the necessary BIOS options are not always in the most visible place.
DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHX, where X = A, B, C, is the delay between sending a command from the memory controller and the arrival of its response on the corresponding memory channel (A, B or C). It consists of many timings, and it is not its absolute value that is regulated, but acceleration (Advance n Clock, that is, “speed up by n clock cycles”) or slowdown (Delay n Clock, “delay by n clock cycles”). This setting should affect the speed and stability of the computer, but it is difficult to say exactly how it functions: it is not known due to which terms, that is, simpler, non-compound timings, this value changes. You can experiment. Control of this parameter is not implemented on all motherboards, but that’s okay - the same effect can be achieved by “playing” with the main timings. In this case, there are three points – according to the number of memory channels.
Remember that memory consists of several banks? So, banks are logical and physical (physical are divided into logical). A physical bank is also called “rank” (in Russian this can be translated as “rank”, but no one translates it, they say “rank”). What am I talking about? But why...
DRAM WRITE to READ Delay (DD) determines the delay between writing and reading on different modules (DD are Different Devices, different devices) of memory.
DRAM WRITE to READ Delay (DR) controls the amount of time interval between writing and reading on different banks, that is, physical memory banks. DR stands for Different Ranks, therefore different ranks.
DRAM WRITE to READ Delay (SR) sets the same value, only for operations on one rank (and SR is, of course, Same Rank, “the same rank”).
DRAM READ to WRITE Delay (DD), (DR) and (SR) are responsible for adjusting the delay between read and write for the same three cases, respectively.
DRAM READ to READ (DD), (DR) and (SR) and DRAM WRITE to WRITE (DD), (DR) and (SR) are six more settings, they allow you to set the number of clock cycles from read to read and from write to records in the same cases.
All of these menu items, a total of 12, can be useful for fine-tuning the memory subsystem, but selecting them experimentally is not an easy task and is solved slowly and thoughtfully. They are not available on all motherboards and do not belong to the main settings, but they will be useful for an enthusiast - provided that he has free time.
Voltages
EPU II Phase Control is a proprietary ASUS technology. It allows you to dynamically turn off the processor's power phases when the load on it drops. Other motherboard developers have similar technologies. The value of them is doubtful. Full Phase mode provides maximum stability, especially during overclocking, since the phases are not disabled in it; It’s better to opt for it. Although for an energy-efficient media center it is better to activate such a feature (set it to Auto) - its processor does not need increased power so often.
Load-Line Calibration allows you to compensate for the voltage drop on the processor when the load on it increases (Vdroop). The voltage sags due to the fact that the conductors through which power is supplied to the stone have their own resistance, sufficient so that when the current increases, the voltage drop across them is significant (according to Ohm’s law, it will be U = IR). When overclocking, it is better to forcefully enable this option, but before that it is worth finding out whether it functions correctly on your motherboard model, because it is sometimes implemented with an error and then does not help, but hinders.
CPU Differential Amplitude specifies the differential amplitude of the clock signal. This means that by default the difference between the minimum and maximum clock voltage is 610 mV (when this parameter is set to Auto). As the clock frequency increases, not only the speed of the stone increases, but also the amount of interference, due to which the processor can “listen” to the clock signal, which will lead to errors. If you increase the amplitude from the default value to at least 700 mV, the interference will be blocked. This option can and should be used if there is a loss of stability during overclocking.
Extreme OV allows the user to raise the voltage on devices very high. At the same time, the manufacturer does not guarantee the survival of the processor and other hardware, so you should use this opportunity only when experimenting with extreme cooling, for example, liquid nitrogen. However, this approach has not been canceled, and the feature can be very useful for setting records.
CPU Voltage regulates nothing more than the power supply voltage of the stone. It may be necessary to feed the CPU to stabilize it during overclocking. Before raising the voltage on the cores above the standard value, you must find out what maximum value is considered safe for the stone model you are overclocking, and not exceed it. By the way, this function can be used to reduce the voltage on the processor and thereby heat it up in the same media center.
On this motherboard model, the BIOS marks voltages that are potentially dangerous for the CPU in red, and significantly higher voltages in yellow. Such useful indications come across often, but not everywhere.
CPU PLL Voltage is the supply voltage of the Phase Locked Loop system. Increasing it should contribute to more successful overclocking, however, if you decide to do it, take care of cooling the processor power subsystem - it will get very hot.
QPI/DRAM Core Voltage regulates the voltage on the memory controller and QPI bus. Their feeding may be necessary if these nodes become a “bottleneck” during overclocking. A similar setting, by the way, is also found on AMD platforms (only there it is called HT Voltage) and can also be useful.
IOH Voltage is responsible for powering the northbridge. Like other “gastronomic surpluses”, it contributes to confident work at inflated clockings. In this case, as in the previous one, you must act carefully so as not to burn the processor. Before starting experiments, you should find out the limits beyond which it is dangerous to take these voltages.
IOH PCIE Voltage changes the voltage on those PCIE bus lines provided by the northbridge. There is no need to use this.
ICH Voltage allows you to adjust the voltage on the south bridge of the motherboard. Why this might be needed is difficult to say. It's best not to touch this setting.
ICH PCIE Voltage makes it possible to feed those PCIE lines that owe their existence to the south bridge. Since we considered overclocking PCIE inappropriate (see above), this parameter can be safely left alone.
DRAM Bus Voltage controls the voltage on the memory. This is a necessary thing, because many modern random-access memory modules have even the most standard voltage higher than the generally accepted norm. And to overclock the RAM, raising this value never hurts.
DRAM REF Voltage is used to set reference voltage amplitudes on each of the three channels of the memory controller. The problem here, again, is the appearance of interference when the RAM operates at high frequencies. If you increase the reference voltage amplitude, that is, the difference in voltage between zero and one, it will be easier for the memory to perceive data and commands. In this case, using DRAM DATA REF you can adjust the data bus, and DRAM CTRL REF will help you adjust the command bus. On most motherboards these items are not separated, but memory channels are almost always regulated independently of each other.
Racing equipment
Debug Mode allows you to choose how error messages are displayed. The motherboard, taken as an example, can display on a special screen not only POST codes (two hexadecimal digits that must be decrypted using the instructions or the manufacturer’s website), but also meaningful messages in English. The opportunity is useful, but specific, and does not occur often. Even the presence of a simple POST code indicator on the motherboard is already a big plus. In this case, by selecting String, if there is a glitch, we get an English explanation. By selecting Code – two numbers, from 0 to F each.
Keyboard TweakIt Control enables or disables keyboard control of TweakIt technology. This technology is the same screen for displaying POST messages and other purposes, as well as control buttons on the motherboard. Using it, you can quickly view and change, without going into the BIOS, system parameters - frequencies and voltages. This device is designed for ease of overclocking, benchmarking sessions and tests. It is rare and expensive. Other companies have analogues.
CPU Spread Spectrum reduces EMI but sometimes makes overclocking at the BCLK reference frequency more difficult. The effect is achieved by smoothing out the peaks of the clock signal, which can cause problems with clock recognition by devices. You should forcefully activate this somewhat dubious option only when processing audio in order to reduce the influence of high frequencies
Each user, when working on a computer, one way or another, has to work with BIOS - a standard input (output) system that determines the type of interaction between all components and devices connected to the PC. But the level of mastery of it is, of course, different for everyone. So, while some users have long ago mastered all the intricacies of this “software shell”, others still continue to be tormented by questions about why a BIOS is needed and how to configure it on a computer. Maybe it's time to finally find out the correct answers to them?
Why do you need a BIOS?
Understanding the purpose of BIOS, we can come to a very clear conclusion that it is thanks to this software that each user gets the opportunity to fully use and manage their laptop or desktop PC. In particular, using the BIOS built into the motherboard on the computer:
- initialization, POST testing and configuration of connected hardware is carried out;
- PCI devices are configured and system resources are redistributed;
- parameters for launching the operating system are set, including from a HDD disk, CD / DVD disk and flash drive;
- software interrupts from system devices, etc. are processed.
- the optimal value for energy consumption is selected, tasks for turning on, putting the computer into sleep mode and shutting down are configured.
Accordingly, the overall level of PC performance and the performance of its individual components will directly depend on how to configure the BIOS. However, you need to take into account that the BIOS shell on different laptops may differ depending on the type of motherboard installed.
How to determine the BIOS type?
It must be said that there are quite a lot of BIOS versions today. In particular, Award, Phoenix-Award, UEFI, and AMI can be installed on your computer, which in turn may also differ in build versions: 
At the same time, determining what type of BIOS you will have to deal with during setup is not so difficult. With Windows fully loaded, for example, you can use the Run system utility for this purpose. In this case, in order to find out the version of your BIOS after pressing +R, we only need to enter the msinfo32 command in the “Open” line, and then press Enter and read the information we need in the system information section: 
If the computer is just turning on, to view information about the BIOS version, just press the Pause/Break button on the keyboard when a black window appears, corresponding to the POST procedure: 
If you wish, of course, you can find the same data in the BIOS interface itself.
How to open the BIOS and configure it?
In order to get to the BIOS menu, you don’t need to turn inside out: you just need to press special hot keys designed for this purpose when starting the computer. The list of them is already in front of you: 
At the same time, information about “hot keys” for entering the BIOS can, if desired, be found on the PC screen itself during boot time: 
The main thing is to look closely! At the same time, on computers with Windows 8, in order to gain access to the BIOS, you may need to delay the system startup. The bottom line is that this edition of Windows starts up so quickly that the default time for pressing hot keys is about 0.2 seconds. At the same time, getting rid of such a problem is quite easy with the help of this plan:
Has the situation with launching the BIOS been clarified? Then let's move on to the basics of setting it up. Actually, you can configure it in the BIOS:
If desired, you can also return the computer to safe or optimized settings by selecting the Load Fail-Safe (or Optimized) Defaults tab, respectively. In any case, you will need to press F10 to save the changes made to the BIOS. Exiting the settings is carried out simultaneously with pressing Esc on the keyboard.
Setting up the BIOS is the basis of any computer; it is perhaps the most important process in setting up the system. Many of you know that input/output, on which the stability and reliability of the system as a whole directly depends.
To optimize your computer and improve its performance, you need to start with the basic settings. This is where you can achieve the highest results.
And now about everything in more detail. To enter the program BIOS setup(or Setup), just press “DEL” (or “F2”) when the computer boots. , in the BIOS settings, select "Load SETUP Defaults", the computer will reboot with factory settings.
Below I will indicate the basic settings for both modern PCs and for honored oldies that I would like to return to service.
1. BIOS setup. Optimizing processor performance.
CPU Level 1 Cache – be sure to enable this option. It is responsible for using the first level cache and significantly improves the performance of the entire system. CPU Level 2 Cache – this parameter plays no less important role than the previous one. So let's turn it on. For reference: disabling cache memory can only be done when it fails, but this will significantly reduce the performance of the system as a whole.
CPU Level 2 Cache ECC Check – parameter to enable/disable the algorithm for checking error correction in the 2nd level cache. Enabling this option slightly reduces performance but improves stability. If you are not overclocking your processor, I advise you not to enable this option.
Boot Up System Speed – the parameter has the value High or Low and determines the processor speed and system bus frequency. Our choice is High.
Cache Timing Control – this parameter controls the reading speed of the 2nd level cache memory. Our choice is Fast (Turbo) – high speed, high performance.
2. Optimization of RAM operation.
Now that we're done setting up the processor, let's move on to setting up the RAM. These settings are either in the "Chipset Features Setup" section or here in the "Advanced" section. DRAM Frequency – parameter determines the operating speed of RAM. If you know this parameter for sure (usually indicated on the packaging of the memory module), then set it manually; if in doubt, select Auto.
SDRAM Cycle Length - the parameter determines the number of clock cycles required to output data to the bus after the CAS signal arrives. One of the most important parameters affecting performance. If memory allows, you need to set the value to 2.
RAS-to-CAS Delay - The number of clock cycles required for a line of data to enter the amplifier. Also has an impact on performance. Value 2 is preferred and is suitable in most cases.
SDRAM RAS Precharge Time - recharge time of memory cells. Typically the value 2 is used.
FSB/SDRAM/PCI Freq – determines the frequency of the FSB bus, SDRAM and PCI memory.
Memory Hole At 15-16M – the parameter is responsible for allocating part of the address space for the memory of ISA devices. Be sure to enable this option if your computer has older expansion cards for the ISA bus, for example, a corresponding sound card.
Optimization Method – parameter determines the overall speed of data exchange with RAM. Determined empirically, starting with the highest value.
There are other parameters whose settings will significantly speed up the process of exchanging data with RAM. The lower the value of time delays or timing (this is the slang of IT engineers and system administrators), the higher the performance, but perhaps all this will lead to unstable operation.
Experiment for your health, don’t forget that you can reset the settings and load factory settings.
3. PCI controller
CPU to PCI Write Buffer - when the processor works with a PCI device, it writes to the ports. The data then enters the bus controller and then into the device registers. If we enable this option, a write buffer is used, which accumulates data before the PCI device is ready. And the processor doesn't have to wait for it - it can release the data and continue executing the program. I advise you to enable this option.
PCI Dynamic Bursting - This parameter is also related to the write buffer. It enables data accumulation mode, in which a write operation is performed only when a whole packet of 32 bits has been collected in the buffer. Must be included.
PCI Latency Timer – the parameter sets the number of clock cycles allocated to each PCI device for data exchange operations. The more clock cycles, the higher the efficiency of the devices. However, if there are ISA devices, this parameter cannot be increased to 128 clock cycles.
4. Optimization of the AGP video card.
The graphics card typically has the biggest impact on gaming performance, so optimizing your graphics card settings can have a significant impact on overall system speed. This is especially true for the lucky owners of old video cards with an AGP interface. Let's consider the main parameters. Display Cache Window size – parameter determines the size of cached memory for the needs of the video system. If your computer has less than 256 MB of RAM, set this parameter to 32 MB. Otherwise, set the value to 64 MB.
AGP Capability – this parameter determines the operating mode of the video card. The main performance characteristics of AGP video cards. Select the fastest mode – 8X.
However, not all video cards support this mode. If after restarting the computer the operating system does not load or the image has deteriorated, reduce the value of this parameter.
AGP Master 1WS Read / 1 WS Write – the parameter sets the number of clock cycles of one read or write cycle. As with RAM settings, the timing parameter significantly increases process performance, but read and write operations may become unstable.
When this parameter is enabled, reading/writing will occur in one clock cycle - maximum performance. When the parameter is turned off, the system works stably, but slowly.
VGA 128 Range Attribute – enables the data exchange buffer between the central processor and the video adapter. Productivity increases.
I also advise you to disable the AGP Spread Spectrum option and be sure to enable AGP Fast Write Capability.
5. Optimization of the hard drive.
HDD S.M.A.R.T Capability – this parameter enables or disables the S.M.A.R.T. diagnostic system, which warns of possible hard drive failures. Whether you use this system or not is up to you. I personally turn it off, because... I use specialized software. When running, this feature slightly reduces the speed of your computer.
IDE HDD Block Mode – parameter responsible for block data transfer. Those. More information is transmitted per unit of time, which also improves system performance. It is possible to automatically determine the appropriate parameter.
IDE Burst Mode – this parameter connects the data clipboard to the IDE interface, which also increases performance.
Virus Warning – I always disable this feature. It will not replace an antivirus program, but your performance will slow down. Quick Power on Self Test (or) Quick Boot
– you must enable this option to prevent testing of your computer’s hardware. There is also practically no benefit, and the resource is wasted.
Boot Up Floppy Seek – Disable this option. We don't need to search for a boot floppy when the computer starts.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, if the system does not boot after a reboot and/or goes, go back to the BIOS and load the default settings (I described how this is done at the very beginning of the article). BIOS setup Or there is still one sure way to reset the settings - turn off the computer, unplug the power cable, open the cover of the system unit and carefully remove the battery, insert it back after 2 minutes, reassemble the computer and try to start it. The parameters must be reset,
will return to default values and the system will boot normally.
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BIOS Setup FAQ and BIOS setup guide
BIOS Setup FAQ: how to set up the BIOS
Introduction
Basic Input Output System BIOS) is stored in a small flash memory chip on the motherboard. Most often, this memory is used for reading, but with the help of special utilities and BIOS technologies it can also be rewritten. When the PC starts, the processor on the motherboard runs the BIOS program to initially check and initialize the hardware, and then transfers control to the OS.
If the PC does not go through the boot process, if the system is too slow, Windows crashes, or the hardware fails, then the cause may be an incorrectly configured BIOS. In our article we will show how, with the help of proper BIOS Setup settings, you can solve this or that problem.
The Basics section covers basic BIOS information. In it you will learn what BIOS is, how to go to the BIOS settings and deal with them. The "Key Settings" section contains information about the main BIOS options that every user should know about. Experienced users can be recommended to go straight to the "Tweaking the BIOS" section, where you can learn about using hidden settings, activating new functions, bypassing bottlenecks, etc.
BIOS: Basics and Principles
When the computer starts, the BIOS "introduces" the processor to the main components of the motherboard and tells the processor what program to run next after the BIOS completes. Typically, the BIOS transfers control to the boot sector of the drive, which can be a floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD or hard drive. The boot sector launches the bootloader, which activates the main operating system, the same Windows or Linux.
The BIOS is responsible for more than just the boot process. Many operating systems use the BIOS as an intermediary to access various hardware.
1. BIOS versions
Each motherboard uses its own version of the BIOS, specially designed for its hardware. The most common BIOS is from Phoenix Award, and in two varieties. Additionally, some computers use American Megatrends (AMI) BIOS.
The BIOS menu structure and symbols used vary from one manufacturer to another. Even the BIOS menus for two consecutive motherboard models may differ to some extent. This is why we cannot give an accurate description of the BIOS options of every computer known to mankind. But don't despair. You can easily find a match between the sections discussed below (based on the Phoenix Award BIOS) and the BIOS items on your PC. Don't be upset if you don't find some settings: this means that your PC's BIOS does not allow you to control these settings directly.
2. Exit to BIOS
During boot, when the BIOS checks the system hardware, considers available memory, and finds hard drives and other drives or devices, you can use a special key to exit to the BIOS Setup program. Often it is enough to press the key, but other options are also used, for example. Look carefully at the screen during boot: in most BIOSes, it displays a line like “F10 = Setup” closer to the bottom of the monitor. If all else fails, open the manual for the motherboard, where the magic combination should be indicated. Press the indicated key (or combination) and hold it for a second or two while your PC boots.
If it works, the BIOS will calculate the amount of available memory, after which the BIOS main menu will appear. If it doesn’t work, restart your computer and try using a different key combination. For example, many laptops enter the BIOS by pressing the or key. Sometimes the keys work, or a combination like .
3. Change BIOS settings
BIOS setup: use the cursor to select the desired line and press "Enter".
To select a menu in the BIOS, use the cursor and use the arrows to move it to the desired item. By pressing the "Enter" key, you will go to the section or receive a settings selection window (as in the illustration below). To change the specified setting, press the plus [+] or minus [-] keys, or another combination like and . From the main BIOS setup menu you will be taken to various setup sections, which can also be divided into their own subsections.
Open the subsection. Many options can be changed using the plus [+] and minus [-] keys, while others can be set using a drop-down menu.
Let me briefly go through the sections of the main BIOS setup menu.
- In the "Main" or "Standard CMOS Setup" section you can set the date and time, as well as hard drive parameters.
- The BIOS Features Setup section provides various general settings.
- The "Integrated Peripherals" section is responsible for interfaces and additional system functions.
- The "Power Management Setup" section allows you to configure all power consumption and power options.
- In the "PnP/PCI Configurations" section you can bind interrupts (IRQs) to expansion cards of your PC. If such functions are not available in the section, they can be found in the "Advanced" subsection.
- The "Hardware Monitor" section allows you to find out the values of system sensors: processor temperature or fan speed (rpm). Usually the rotation speeds of the processor and case fans are shown, but the parameters of the power supply fan or others may also be present here.
- The "Load Setup Defaults" item restores the BIOS settings to default and eliminates any changes you may have made. This item will be useful if your actions led to any problems in the system.
4. Exit BIOS Setup
To complete the BIOS setup, press the key or select the main menu item "Save & Exit Setup". Sometimes you first need to select the "Exit" item, and then select the "Exit & Save Changes" option. Then you are usually offered the choice of saving the changes made: “Yes” [Y] or “No” [N]. Select the required option and your computer will restart.
Key BIOS settings
Below we will show you how to change the boot drive selection sequence for your computer in the BIOS, turn on your PC by pressing a key or clicking a mouse, activate USB 2.0 support, and also solve problems with fans or changing the hardware configuration.
5. Set the priority of boot devices in the BIOS
In BIOS it is better not to set the disk drive as the first boot device. Instead of a disk drive, specify a hard drive.
Most PCs set the disk drive as the priority boot device by default. This option will slow down the PC boot for a couple of seconds as it will check to see if there is a boot floppy in the drive. There is also no need to do this because there is a danger of becoming infected with a boot virus from a “dirty” floppy disk. And how often do you boot from a floppy disk? And why do you need this disgusting sound of accessing an empty drive? It is better to set the hard drive as the first boot device.
In BIOS Setup, it is possible to specify the devices from which booting is possible, as well as the order in which they are checked. Let's look at how to remove the disk drive from the first boot device. To do this, select "Advanced BIOS Features, Boot Sequence", then select "1st Boot Device" and change its value from "Floppy" to "Hard Disk", as shown in the illustration above. In principle, the hard drive can be called “HDD-0”. As a result, the computer will boot directly from the hard drive, bypassing the floppy disk. Of course, if necessary, the boot order can always be restored by returning to BIOS Setup.
But now, even if the computer does not try to boot from the floppy disk, it will still check the disk drive when booting, wasting time. To avoid checking the drive, set the "Boot Up Floppy Seek" option to "Disabled".
6. Speed up PC boot using BIOS
As you understand, to speed up loading it is important that the PC didn't check extra devices, but booted immediately from the hard drive. In addition, it is better to disable the search for new hard drives and other devices. If you do not often change the set of hard drives in the system, then set the search time to zero. To do this, in the "Main" menu, set the "Timeout" value to "0".
7. How to enable USB 2.0 support in the BIOS
USB: If you installed Windows XP with Service Pack 2, you should enable the "USB 2.0 Controller" option.
On many motherboards, the "USB Controllers" option is set to USB 1.1 mode by default. This is due to the fact that Windows XP without Service Packs (and special patches) does not support USB 2.0. This is why USB 2.0 support usually has to be enabled manually.
To enable USB 2.0 in BIOS Setup, set the option to "Enabled" (as shown in the illustration above) or to "V1.1+V2.0". But remember that to use the USB 2.0 interface you need to install at least Service Pack 1 for Windows XP.
8. How to solve problems with USB devices using BIOS
Some flash drives, MP3 players, and USB flash drives are powered by a USB port. If there is not enough power, the device will not work. This is why you should make sure that the USB port provides enough power for such devices.
Check if your BIOS has an option called "USB 2.0 HS Reference Voltage". If there is, then change the value from "Low" or "Medium" to "High" or "Maximum".
9. How can I change the PC's response to a power outage in the BIOS?
In the "Power Management" section of BIOS Setup, you can specify how the computer will react when the power is turned off. The "AC Power Loss Restart" or "Restore on AC Power Loss" options in the BIOS are responsible for the behavior of the computer after emergency shutdown electricity and subsequent restoration of power. Set this option to "On" or "Enabled" if you want the computer to boot automatically. Either "Off" or "Disabled" otherwise.
10. How to check PC temperature and status via BIOS
BIOS provides information about the operating parameters of your PC. You can monitor the real-time status of vital system components, including the CPU, fans, power supply and hard drives. For example, you can enable an alarm in the BIOS if the processor exceeds a certain temperature, or even implement an emergency shutdown. As a result, your system will not overheat.
Various items in the "Health" or "H/W Control" sections allow you to monitor changes in voltages, as well as temperature sensors. Most BIOS display values for the temperature of the processor and case, and in some versions other temperatures, say, of the hard drive or motherboard chipset. In addition, in the BIOS you can find out the fan rotation speed (in rpm).
11. How to fix problems with coolers using the BIOS
If your PC won't boot, it could be because the cooler is spinning too low or stopping altogether. This situation is especially common with high-end coolers, whose rotation speed depends on temperature. They may spin very slowly (or stop altogether) at low temperatures, causing the BIOS to think the fan has failed. In such cases, correct BIOS settings help.
Set the BIOS option "CPU Fan Failure Warning" to "Disabled". When you disable this option, the computer will boot even if the fan is spinning at low speed. Of course, there is another problem: you may not be able to enter the BIOS at all, since the computer may refuse to boot for the reason mentioned above (in many BIOSes this option is set to "Enabled" by default). In this case, you will have to temporarily connect any cheap cooler to the motherboard, which always rotates at maximum speed. And after disabling the setting, you can connect a high-end model.
12. How to avoid system crash?
Modern hard drives can detect symptoms or problems that precede drive failure and alert the BIOS. This feature is called "Self Monitoring And Reporting Technology" (SMART). Enabling the HDD SMART Capability feature allows the BIOS to send warnings to programs like Norton System Works or the well-known free utility SpeedFan. As a result, the user receives information about the status of the drives. This opportunity allows you to take the necessary measures as soon as the first symptoms of an impending failure begin to appear.
13. Connecting old printers and scanners (LPT)
Parallel port: The fastest mode is "ECP+EPP".
A computer's parallel port (LPT) typically only works in one direction. This setting is suitable for almost all devices, although the transfer speed is limited to 100 kbps. You can switch the LPT port to a more modern mode, which gives speeds of up to 1 Mbit/s.
To do this, you need to enable the "ECP" (Extended Capability Port) or "EPP" (Enhanced Parallel Port) mode. In fact, you can enable both modes at once by selecting the "ECP/EPP" or "ECP + EPP" option.
Warning: If you have several devices connected to one port, then problems may arise with speed modes. In such situations, we can recommend purchasing an additional PCI expansion card, which will allow you to add a second LPT port. Or buy a USB-LPT adapter. Or, of course, upgrade to a more modern scanner or printer.
Tweaking the BIOS
This part of the article is addressed to demanding users who want to speed up boot times as much as possible, optimize system parameters, and fully utilize the computing resources of the PC, the capabilities of the motherboard chipset and memory.
14. How to enable BIOS to display POST test results during boot
When booting a PC, many computers display multi-colored manufacturer logos instead of POST (Power-on Self-Test) lines. But, it seems to us, it will be much more useful to see which element of the computer is being tested, and with what results.
In the "Advanced BIOS Features" section, find the "Full Screen LOGO Display" item and set it to "Disabled". After this, you will be able to observe the results of all PC tests during boot.
15. How to configure the BIOS so that the PC boots even faster
Using BIOS, you can further reduce the boot time of your PC, reducing the time of the first test. Of course, we recommend doing this only if all PC components are working stably. For example, you can enable the BIOS to check available memory once instead of three times. To do this, go to the "Advanced" or "Advanced BIOS Features" section, find the "Quick Power On Self Test" or "Quick Boot" option and set it to "Enabled".
Warning: If you experience any problems with the hardware, we recommend returning to the BIOS and turning off the quick test by setting it to "Disabled". In this case, the BIOS is more likely to find an error.
16. How to enable another video card in the BIOS
If your computer has several interfaces into which a graphics card can be installed (integrated graphics, AGP, PCI Express, PCI), then the BIOS will try to determine which of them has a working card when booting. But this is not necessary, because you know all the necessary information!
Select an option in BIOS Setup called "Init Display First", which may also be called "Primary VGA BIOS" or "VGA Boot From" depending on the BIOS version. Specify "AGP" if you are using an AGP graphics card. On newer systems with PCI Express, this option is usually called "PEG Port/Graphic Adapter Priority". In this case, set it to "PEG" if you are using a PCI Express card.
17. How to disable unnecessary video card functions in the BIOS
BIOS Cacheable: This option will improve performance on MS-DOS only.
The "Video RAM Cacheable" and "Video BIOS Cacheable" options improve graphics performance on older DOS machines. But they are useless for Windows. There is no need to turn them on.
Set both the "Video RAM Cacheable" and "Video BIOS Cacheable" options in the BIOS to "Disabled". At the same time, disable the "VGA Palette Snoop" option, if available. Finally, you can disable the "System BIOS Cacheable" option: it no longer improves performance, and in some cases can even negatively affect system stability.
18. How to correctly configure memory for a video card in BIOS
The "Graphics Aperture Size" option (which may also be called "AGP Aperture Size") was originally intended to help AGP graphics cards use PC RAM more efficiently during texture rendering. This feature is already outdated, since many graphics cards are equipped with 128, 256 or even 512 MB of built-in memory. In addition, the video memory built into the card is faster than the PC's RAM. If previously it was recommended to set the value of texture memory to half the amount of RAM in your system, today it is better to choose the optimal size. That is, 128 or 64 MB.
19. How to correctly set the AGP clock frequency in the BIOS
This "trick" allows you to avoid problems with an AGP graphics card when overclocking Front Side Bus (FSB).
On motherboards equipped with an overclocking function, you can find the "AGPCLK/CPUCLK" menu item (it can also be called "AGP Clock"). If it is, then set the value to "Fix". It prevents FSB overclocking from affecting AGP frequencies. A value of "1/1" forces AGP to operate at the same frequency as the FSB. A value of "2/3" sets the AGP to 2/3 of the FSB frequency, so that, say, a 100 MHz FSB becomes 66 MHz for the AGP graphics card.
20. How to increase the AGP clock speed in the BIOS
Increasing the AGP frequency increases performance, but it can also cause problems.
Some motherboards allow you to increase the AGP frequency. In principle, you can try to increase this frequency (“AGP Frequency” item) in small steps, and restart the PC after each change. Test every setting on a 3D shooter like Doom 3 or Quake 4 to check system stability. If any problems start to occur, change to the previous AGP frequency value.
21. How to increase the AGP voltage in the BIOS
Higher clock speeds also require more power. The "AGP Voltage" option allows you to increase the AGP voltage, most often in 0.1 V steps. The voltage can be increased if increasing the AGP frequency leads to instability, and the need for increased performance is urgent.
Warning: In some situations, increasing the voltage too much may burn out the graphics card. If increasing the voltage does not have the desired effect, return the value to a lower level and reduce the AGP frequency to ensure stable system operation.
22. How to enable or disable the processor cache in the BIOS
Enabling any level of processor cache (1, 2 or 3) provides a significant performance boost.
The CPU runs significantly faster than other components on the motherboard and often has to wait for data to arrive. The processor cache, which is a high-speed memory located between the CPU and the computer's RAM, allows you to speed up data exchange.
The first level cache (L1) is very small, but it is located on the processor core, close to the compute units, providing very fast storage for temporary data. The second level cache (L2) is significantly larger in size and can store some entire program elements or pieces of data. When the processor requests data, it first checks its presence in the cache. If the required data is there, then the computer's performance increases significantly, because memory cannot respond at the same speed as the cache. Some processors, usually professional grade, also have an L3 cache. As you understand, the cache should always be enabled.
23. How to enable APIC in BIOS
The motherboard chipset most often consists of two chips, called the north and south bridges. They are responsible for transferring data between the processor, RAM, expansion cards and peripheral devices. Enabling the APIC (advanced programmable interrupt controller) mode in the BIOS allows for improved operation of devices. The number of interrupts increases from 16 to 24, and managing them using APIC is much simpler and more convenient.
All you need to do is go to the "Advanced BIOS Features" menu and set the "APIC Mode" option to "Enabled".
24. How to enable Burst Mode in the BIOS
Burst Mode allows you to speed up many things: working with hard drives, PCI cards and RAM. Batch mode allows you to transfer multiple pieces of data in one transmission instead of processing all the pieces individually.
If during BIOS setup you come across the “Burst Mode” option anywhere, then set it to “Enabled” mode. Of course, after this we recommend checking the stability of the system.
Warning: Many PCI cards may not function properly if the PCI Dynamic Bursting option is set to Enabled.
25. Turn on Bus Mastering
Enable Bus Mastering: this option speeds up work with the hard drive.
This BIOS setting allows Windows to use the faster Direct Memory Access (DMA) mode when reading or writing to the hard drive. DMA mode allows the hard disk controller to directly access memory, bypassing the CPU. As a result, access to the hard drive is accelerated and precious CPU resources are saved.
If the "PCI IDE BusMaster" option is present in the "Integrated Peripherals" menu, set its value to "Enabled", as shown in the illustration above. When you do this, go to Windows "Start, Settings, Control Panel, System" and click the "Device Manager" button on the "Hardware" tab. There, find the item “IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers/IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller” (it depends on the chipset, so it may be slightly different in your case). Find the entry "Primary IDE Channel" and go to the "Advanced Settings" tab. There, find the item "Current Transfer Mode". Its value should be set to "Ultra DMA Mode". Hard drives are usually set to mode 5, and CD/DVD drives are usually set to mode 2.
26. How to change memory timings in the BIOS
Reducing memory latency. This operation makes sense only for high-quality memory modules. But if it works, you'll get a performance boost.
Each SDRAM and DDR/DDR-2 memory module carries a special Serial Presence Detect (SPD) chip, which stores default memory latency (timing) values. Memory manufacturers usually specify SPD values to ensure stable and reliable operation. Therefore, it often makes sense to speed up latency a little, since this step allows you to squeeze out a few more percent of performance.
The corresponding options may have names like "System Performance", "Memory Timings" or "Configure DRAM Timing". Typically, the default value for these options is "By SPD". It forces the computer to read the recommended values from the SPD chip of the memory module and automatically use them. In addition, the value "Enabled" is also unlikely to cause problems with the PC.
If you want to try to configure the systems for better performance, then set the option value to "Disabled" or "User Defined" (if there are any, see the illustration above). Then set the parameters manually as indicated in the following paragraphs.
27. How to reduce RAS-to-CAS latency in BIOS
Memory is better represented as a two-dimensional array. To obtain data, specify a column using the Row Address Strobe (RAS) signal, and then a row using the Column Address Strobe (CAS) signal. A certain time interval is required between the RAS and CAS signals so that the addressing does not go astray. Typically the RAS-to-CAS latency is two or more clock cycles.
The "SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay" value allows you to precisely set how many clock cycles will pass between the RAS and CAS signals. Possible settings range from 2 to 5, with 2 being the fastest. Try to reduce latency and test the stability of your system. The higher quality your memory modules are, the lower the latency you can get.
28. Reducing CAS latency in BIOS
When receiving data from memory, you should wait a certain time interval between setting the address and transmitting the data. It is also indicated in measures: 2T for two measures, 3T for three, etc. A lower "SDRAM CAS Latency" value provides higher performance.
The correct (and safe) "SDRAM CAS Latency" value is usually printed on the module label or even burned into the chips themselves. For cheap modules, values of 3T or 2.5T are usually found. Set the value to 2.5T or even 2T, then check the stability of the system. Some memory manufacturers claim that memory that supports 2T mode is capable of operating at higher frequencies. If you can reduce the CAS latency, you can try to increase the memory frequency using the "Memory Frequency" option.
Warning: Perform only one parameter change per test run. Then you can immediately determine the cause of unstable operation and return to the tested value.
29. Reduce RAS Precharge Delay in BIOS
For memory cells to work quickly, they need to be charged correctly. The "SDRAM RAS Precharge Delay" option specifies the interval (in clock cycles) between charging the cells and sending the RAS signal. With a lower value, say "2", the memory works faster, but is often unstable. Try to reduce the charging delay and check the stability of the system each time.
30. Reduce SDRAM Precharge in BIOS
The delay "SDRAM Active Precharge Delay" is also set in clock cycles. It indicates the latency between successive memory accesses, so reducing it can speed up memory access.
Typically, the delay is calculated as follows: Active Precharge Delay = CAS-Latency + RAS Precharge Delay + 2 (for stability). As with other delays, try reducing its value by one cycle and check the stability of the system. If problems arise, return the value back.
31. Reducing memory timings: general tips
RAM Latencies: Reducing latency allows for faster performance of the memory subsystem.
Recommended values for council delays 27-30 depend on the modules themselves. If the module says “2.5-4-4-8”, then the CAS Latency is 2.5 clock cycles, the RAS to CAS Delay is 4 clock cycles, the RAS Precharge Delay is 4 clock cycles, and the Active Precharge Delay is 8 clock cycles. These are the values recommended by the manufacturer for memory modules. Of course, smaller delays can be achieved, but this poses the risk of system failures. If you want optimal performance, we recommend decreasing the latency by one value at a time and testing system stability each time.
32. Increase the memory voltage in the BIOS
If the memory works faster, then it will need more energy. That is why, as the frequency increases, the supply voltage should also be increased.
The "DDR Reference Voltage" option allows you to increase the memory voltage, usually in 0.1 V increments. Increasing the voltage makes sense if you have reduced latency or increased the memory frequency. Or if problems with stable operation began to arise.
Warning: Excessive voltage may burn out memory modules!
33. How to turn off the built-in sound in the BIOS
Often the motherboard's built-in sound controller is not used. For example, if you have installed a powerful PCI sound card or generally use a computer without speakers. Then it makes sense to turn off the sound on the motherboard. In some cases, this can improve overall system performance and stability.
In the "Integrated Peripherals" menu, set the "AC97 Audio Select" item to "Disabled" (as shown in the illustration above).
34. How to disable the game port in the BIOS
The game port is useful only to owners of old joysticks or those users who use it as a MIDI interface. Then it makes sense to allocate two I/O ports and an interrupt to the game port. (By the way, if you have a joystick, it most likely uses a USB connection). For all other users, it is better to disable the game port.
In the "Integrated Peripherals" menu, set the "Game Port" item to "Disabled".
35. How to disable the network port in the BIOS
Some motherboards come with two network interfaces, but generally most users only need one. It is better to disable interfaces that are not working. In some cases, this improves system performance and stability.
In the "Integrated Peripherals" menu, set the "Onboard Intel LAN" item to "Disabled".
36. How to disable unnecessary ports in the BIOS
Today, only older PDAs and modems need serial ports COM1 and COM2. Disabling ports saves two IRQs, reducing the number of interrupts the processor must check. And hardly anyone needs a parallel LPT interface today. Moreover, modern printers and scanners are connected to a USB port.
From the "Integrated Peripherals" menu, disable the COM1 and COM2 interfaces (the "IO Devices, Com-Port" option, but it can also be called "Serial Port 1/2"). Disable the LPT port by setting the "Parallel Port" item to "Disabled".
37. How to disable FireWire (IEEE1394) in the BIOS
The FireWire interface is only needed if you need to download video from a video camera or connect FireWire peripherals. In all other situations, it is better to turn off the interface.
In the "Integrated Peripherals" menu, set the value of the "Onboard 1394 device" item to "Disabled".
BIOS update
From time to time, motherboard manufacturers release new BIOS versions. BIOS updates usually contain various optimizations as well as new features. Let's say the same overclocking functions. We recommend updating the BIOS only when a new final version is available (it is better to skip beta and alpha versions).
The BIOS is written to a special flash memory chip. When flashing a new version of firmware, it is written in place of the old one. To update the BIOS, special utilities are required, which motherboard manufacturers include in the package. In addition, some BIOS versions support firmware flashing independently using a key combination.
When it comes to updating the BIOS, there are usually two alternatives. You can use a Windows utility, which can usually be found on the motherboard CD or downloaded from the manufacturer's website. You can also install a utility that will periodically check for a new BIOS version and, if necessary, download it. This method is simple, but the verification utility takes up memory space and consumes some resources.
Updating the BIOS for Windows is an easy and simple method, as long as your system is stable. For greater reliability, we can recommend updating via DOS.
To do this, you need to download the firmware utility from the manufacturer's website. Then create a DOS boot floppy disk and write the utility along with the new BIOS version onto it. Then you should boot from the floppy disk and run the utility through the command line (if you downloaded the utility and BIOS in a ZIP archive, then they should be copied unpacked to the floppy disk). This approach is considered by many to be more reliable, since DOS does not have any third-party drivers.
Warning: If you update your laptop's BIOS, you should not do this while running on battery power. The laptop should be flashed while running on mains power.
Choose your motherboard: Only use BIOS versions that are designed specifically for your model.
Visit the website of the motherboard (or computer) manufacturer and then find the model you need. Most often, motherboard models are named like "GA-686BX", "A7N8X-E" or "K8T Neo2". Sometimes motherboards have two names: retail (say, "K8T-Neo") and technical (for example, "MS-6702 Version 1.0"). The latter is usually indicated on the PCB of the board. When you find the page with your model, follow the "Downloads" or "Support" link.
39. Keep the old BIOS version
We recommend keeping the old BIOS version in case the new one is unstable or causes any problems. You can always flash the old BIOS instead of the new version. In addition, we recommend that you carefully read the Readme file that is included in the BIOS archive. It indicates the changes and additions made to the new version.
40. Think twice before updating your BIOS
The notes provided in each BIOS version help you decide whether you need to update your BIOS or not.
If updating the BIOS solves a specific problem (see illustration above), then you must decide how relevant it is for your system. If the problem does not concern you, then you can skip updating the BIOS. Of course, if it does not provide any other improvements. Note that a new BIOS version often allows you to install more modern processors.
If you did not buy the motherboard separately, or bought a branded PC outright, then in such cases it is better to contact the PC manufacturer’s website. Of course, it is quite possible that you will find the same BIOS update there as on the motherboard manufacturer's website. However, some PC manufacturers release their own versions of the BIOS. If you don't know where to download the BIOS update from (from the motherboard or PC manufacturer's website), find out the answer to this question from the manufacturer. If you don't get a clear answer, then it may not be worth updating the BIOS.
41. How to prepare a boot disk with BIOS
When you download a BIOS from the manufacturer's website, you will usually receive a ZIP archive containing several files. One of the files contains the new BIOS version itself, and this file is often called very mysteriously: “W7176IMS.110” or “AN8D1007.BIN”. In addition, in the archive you can find a text document with installation instructions.
As a rule, the archive also contains an executable file.EXE - a utility for flashing the BIOS. For BIOS Award it is called "awdflash.exe". In addition, the archive usually contains a batch file that simplifies the firmware process. Most often it is called "start.cmd", "flash.bat" or "autoexec.bat". Unzip these files to any folder. For example, in "C:\BIOS\". If the BIOS archive is self-extracting, then copy it to this folder and run it.
Important: Before you begin the firmware procedure, print the Readme file as it may contain important information. Keep the printout with other documentation. By the way, if you don’t have the documentation saved, you can almost always download it from the manufacturer’s website in the form of PDF files.
42. How to write the BIOS to a bootable floppy disk
To flash the BIOS, you will need a DOS boot diskette. To create it, click on the “My Computer” icon. Right-click on the drive icon and select "Format.../Format...". In the window that appears, check the box “Create an MS-DOS startup disk.” Then click "Start" to start formatting. Copy the BIOS file and the firmware utility to the floppy disk (for example, the files “awdflash.exe” and “w6330vms.360” for the latest version of Award BIOS).
Then you need to restart the computer and boot from the floppy disk. To do this, make sure that the drive in the BIOS is set to the first boot device. After rebooting, enter the BIOS setup menu by pressing the appropriate key. Select "Advanced BIOS Features, Boot Sequence", which may also be called "Advanced, Advanced BIOS Features" on some PCs. Make sure the "1st Boot Device" option is set to "Floppy". Exit to the main BIOS setup menu using the key, then use the key to exit the BIOS setup menu. If you want to save the changes made, press the [Y] ("Yes") key.
43. How to flash BIOS under DOS
Make sure there is stable power supply to the computer. As we mentioned earlier, do not flash the BIOS on a laptop while it is running on battery power. Connect your laptop to a power outlet.
Boot the PC from the floppy disk on which you recorded the firmware utility and BIOS file. On the command line, enter the name of the firmware utility, followed by a space - the name of the BIOS file. In our example for Award BIOS this will be a line like:
A:\>awdflash.exe w6330vms.360
The firmware utility will launch and guide you through all the other processes.
Keep the old BIOS. Before flashing a new BIOS version, we recommend saving the old version by entering the file name.
Although the name of the firmware utility and the BIOS file in your case may differ (for example, "awdfl789.exe" and "w6330vms.250"), the approach does not change. Follow the utility's instructions and answer correctly. Whenever you update your BIOS, keep the old version just in case. It will allow you to go back if any problems appear in the new BIOS version.
Finally, the firmware utility will overwrite the BIOS image in the flash memory with the new version. After successful completion, you should restart your PC. During the firmware installation, you need to ensure that the computer does not lose power. Otherwise, you will have to contact a service center (or craftsmen) and flash the BIOS using a programmer.
44. Setting up a new BIOS
When the BIOS update is completed, reboot the computer, preferably in a cold way (by turning off and on the power). In some cases, a CMOS reset may be necessary (see below). After switching on, the BIOS loading lines will be displayed on the screen, where the new version should appear. Enter the BIOS setup using the required keys. Select the "Load Optimized Defaults" option (this may be called "Exit, Load Setup Defaults" on some PCs), which will load the default settings. Make any required changes to the BIOS settings. Exit the setting with the key, then press [Y] to save the setting. Then enjoy the products of your labor!
Golden rules of BIOS firmware
In principle, by changing BIOS settings, you are unlikely to cause irreparable harm to the computer, unless you increase the supply voltage too much. In any case, it is better to remember a few golden rules.
- Create a backup copy of your current BIOS version. Before you flash a new BIOS version, save the old one. Each BIOS firmware utility has the ability to save the old version, for example, "Save current BIOS as". If the new version turns out to be problematic, you can always go back to the old one.
- Change only one setting at a time. If you go into BIOS setup, make changes carefully, one at a time and in small steps if possible. After each process, reboot your computer and test under Windows to identify any instabilities. This is the only way to determine how a particular setting will affect the performance and stability of your PC.
- Use stress tests. To check the stability of your PC, it is best to load your computer to the maximum. You can run games, a video editing application, 3D tests like 3DMark 2005, etc.
- If all else fails, try a cold boot.
- If the computer refuses to boot after pressing the Reset key, then turn off the computer from the network and wait a couple of minutes. Use the power cable disconnect switch or the toggle switch on the power supply rather than the power key on the front of the PC.
Reset CMOS. If the PC refuses to boot after changes made to the BIOS, then you will not be able to return the settings back. In such cases, resetting CMOS settings helps. Follow the instructions to reset the CMOS for your motherboard. In some cases, to reset the CMOS, you must close (or open) the jumper, giving the "Clear CMOS" signal. Or you need to use a DIP switch. Don't forget that after resetting CMOS you need to return the jumper to its original position. Alternatively, you can remove the motherboard battery and disconnect the computer from the network.
But sometimes you need to wait several hours.
BIOS Setup: Guide
Introduction to BIOS Setup
But don't despair - THG is here to help! Each motherboard and/or computer uses a different BIOS, so we will look at an example of BIOS optimization based on the Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard. We chose this particular motherboard because after it a large number of other ASUS motherboards with similar BIOS were released. In addition, the A7N8X-E is one of the most popular ASUS models: it has been on the market for almost two years and is still sold for AMD systems. It is likely that your motherboard will have certain differences from this model, but you can get an idea of the possible adjustments.
Remember that incorrectly setting BIOS settings can lead to unstable PC operation. In this case, you will have to reset the BIOS settings to the factory default (that is, to non-optimized ones). This is usually done using a motherboard jumper, but how do you reset the BIOS on a laptop? None of the options discussed here should negatively impact your PC's performance, but follow each step carefully.
Many major computer manufacturers like Dell, HP, Gateway and Micron limit the available options in the BIOS to reduce the number of support calls due to incorrect settings. Therefore, on computers from some manufacturers, you will not be able to enable certain advanced options mentioned in our article.
During boot, most PCs will briefly display a message telling you how to enter the BIOS setup. You will have a few seconds to press the required key; if you don’t have time, the operating system will begin to load. To enter the BIOS after turning on the PC, hold or continuously press the desired key. On most PCs this is "DEL", "F1" or "F2". If your PC does not enter the BIOS setup using these keys or does not display a message on how to do this, you will have to contact your PC manufacturer's documentation or support service.
We recommend that you reboot your computer after changing each BIOS option to ensure the system is stable. Think about it: if you make several changes to the BIOS options and your system stops booting, how will you find the cause of the error?
Let's start with the BIOS main options menu (Main Options), which can be called up by clicking on the "Main" tab in the upper left corner.
Below you can set the time and date, as well as the parameters of your hard drives and other installed drives. Every time you boot, your PC will most likely automatically detect the drives installed on the system. On most computers this will take a second or two, but if you manually enter the necessary settings, you will speed up the loading time somewhat.
To do this, select the drive by moving the cursor to it and press "Enter". Then write down the values for the Cylinders, Heads, Sectors, and LBA parameters. Some BIOSes have options for "Block Mode" and "32-Bit Transfer Mode". Change the drive type from "AUTO" to "USER". Then enter the same numbers that were displayed. On most modern computers, you should turn "LBA Mode", "Block Mode" and "32-bit Transfer Mode" ON, even if they were turned off previously.
If no drives are connected to this controller channel, select NONE. For example, if your hard drive is configured as Primary Master and your CD-RW drive is configured as Secondary Master, make sure that the Primary/Secondary Slave on each channel is set to NONE. If you leave the AUTO option without the presence of a device, the computer will check for the presence of a drive every time. Setting it to NONE where there are no drives will speed up loading a bit.
Then select the "Advanced" tab, which will be divided into several submenus. The first branch is called "Advanced BIOS Features."
Is it necessary to thoroughly test your memory and disk drive every time you turn on your computer? Unless you suspect there is a problem with one of these components, it probably doesn't make sense to run a BIOS diagnostic every time. In this part of the BIOS, you can reduce the system startup time by enabling or disabling certain functions. For example, those that we indicated above. Below are the recommended settings.
Boot Virus Detection(boot virus detection): "Enabled" Sometimes this item is located in the main section of the BIOS (“Standard” or “Main”). Today, boot viruses are not as common as they once were, but this feature will protect your data when booting from an infected floppy disk or CD-ROM.
CPU Level 1 Cache(processor L1 cache): "Enabled"
CPU Level 2 Cache(processor L2 cache): "Enabled".
Quick Power On Self Test(quick test): "Enabled" This item allows you to avoid repeating memory testing several times when you turn on the PC. If you have faulty memory, this test still won’t detect it.
First, Second, or Third Boot Device(first, second, or third boot devices): Set your boot order and disable any devices you don't plan to boot from.
Boot Other Device(boot from another device): "Disabled" unless you plan to boot from a network card or SCSI device.
Boot Up Floppy Seek(drive check at boot): "Disabled" Extra waste of time, and extra noise.
Boot Up NumLock Status(state of the "NumLock" key when loading): choose here yourself. Some people like the NumLock key to be activated when Windows boots, others don't.
Gate A20 Option(Gate A20 option): FAST. Although this feature has lost its significance under Windows XP, we still recommend leaving it enabled. Older versions of Windows and OS/2 work better if the parameter is set to FAST. The only reason to set this parameter to "Normal" is when loading DOS.
Typematic Rate Setting(dial speed): "Disabled" Here you can choose for yourself. This setting determines how often keyboard characters will be pressed when holding a specific key.
APIC Mode(APIC mode): "Enabled" Behind the APIC lies an Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller, which is responsible for supporting multiple processors, additional IRQs and faster interrupt processing.
OS/2 Onboard Memory > 64M(OS/2 memory > 64 MB): "Disabled". This setting only applies to users who will be running the now legacy OS/2 operating system from IBM.
Full Screen LOGO Show(display full screen logo): your choice. When the option is enabled, the memory counter and the Power-On Self-Test (POST) are hidden behind the graphic image. If this option is disabled, you will see the normal loading screen. In fact, it is present on most computers. Some users like to hide the POST screen, while others like to watch the process.
POST Complete Report(full POST report): Take your pick. When you enable this option, you will receive a full POST report.
Overclockers and enthusiasts trying to increase system performance often increase the bus and core frequencies of the processor. In addition, they often increase the voltage of the components, since this can achieve higher clock speeds, but also generates more heat.
Overclocking no longer results in the kind of performance difference we were accustomed to a few years ago. In addition, overclocking voids the user's warranty, can lead to component failure, and the system may become unstable. For this reason, most frequency and voltage settings in this section of the BIOS should be left at "AUTO". If you want to adjust the settings, click on the "Advanced" tab of the BIOS screen, and then select the "Advanced Chipset Features" branch.
CPU External Freq. (MHz)(external processor frequency, MHz): Make sure it is set according to the specifications of your processor.
CPU Frequency Multiple Setting(set the processor multiplier): AUTO.
CPU Frequency Multiple(CPU Multiplier): Make sure the multiplier is set according to the CPU specifications.
In other BIOSes, the multiplier item may be called "CPU Multiplier". To understand the meaning of the multiplier, remember that the processor frequency is different from the rest of your system. Our example uses an AMD Athlon 2600+ processor, whose frequency is 2133 MHz. The processor FSB frequency is 133.33 MHz. The processor operating frequency of 2133 MHz (2.133 GHz) is set by multiplying the FSB frequency by a multiplier. In this case, we just get 16 x 133.33 = 2133.
Through testing, AMD has determined that the 2133 MHz processor is as fast (or even faster) than the 2.6 GHz Intel processor. Because consumers typically use clock speed to measure performance, AMD had to find a way to convince consumers that lower clock speeds on AMD processors do not mean lower performance. For this purpose, model numbers were introduced. So it should come as no surprise that the AMD Athlon 2600+ (in our example) is actually clocked at 2.133 GHz rather than 2.6 GHz.
System Performance(system performance): "Optimal"
CPU Interface(CPU interface): "Optimal"
Memory Frequency(memory interface): "By SPD" (via SPD). Most memory module manufacturers add a special chip (Serial Presence Detect, SPD), which tells the computer's BIOS the module size, frequency, voltage and other memory parameters. These settings are determined by the manufacturer to ensure maximum performance and reliability. This is why we recommend leaving the "By SPD" option. If you adjust the memory settings manually, you can squeeze out a little more performance. But be careful: the system may start to crash at random times, not boot properly, or refuse to boot at all.
Overclocking options in advanced BIOS settings, continued
Memory Timings(memory delays): "Optimal" (optimal).
FSB Spread Spectrum: "Disabled" This feature allows systems to pass European electromagnetic interference (EMI) tests. It constantly changes, albeit slightly, the Front Side Bus (FSB) frequency. Please be aware that enabling this feature may result in interruptions to your Internet connection and may also cause stability issues when overclocking your system.
AGP Spread Spectrum: "Disabled" The same thing is true here as stated in the previous paragraph. Except that the frequency of the Advanced Graphics Port (AGP) interface is modulated.
CPU VCore Setting(processor core voltage setting): "AUTO".
CPU VCore(CPU Core Voltage): Make sure this setting is set according to the CPU specifications.
There are so many different processors on the market today that it is unlikely that one example can describe them all. Below we have provided a partial table showing the name of the CPU, the actual operating frequency, the rated core voltage and the maximum permissible temperature.
| Athlon processors | Frequency (GHz) | Core Voltage (V) | Max. temperature (°C) |
| XP 1700 | 1,467 | 1,50 | 90 |
| XP 1900 | 1,60 | 1,50 | 90 |
| XP 2000 | 1,667 | 1,60 | 90 |
| XP 2100 | 1,733 | 1,60 | 90 |
| XP 2200 | 1,80 | 1,60 | 90 |
| XP 2400 | 2,0 | 1,60 | 85 |
| XP 2600 | 2,133 | 1,65 | 85 |
| XP 2700 | 2,171 | 1,65 | 85 |
| XP 2800 | 2,250 | 1,65 | 85 |
Graphics Aperture Size(AGP aperture size): 64 MB or 128 MB. This function controls the Graphics Address Relocation Table (GART) and the amount of memory that the AGP bus can address. Regardless of the memory size of your graphics card, we recommend specifying 64 or 128 MB. As a result, the video card will provide optimized performance even if the application requires additional memory for textures - at the same time, GART will not go beyond reasonable limits.
AGP Frequency(AGP frequency): "AUTO".
System BIOS Cacheable(system BIOS caching): "Disabled" You might think that caching is a good thing. Yes, but not always. Enabling this feature may cause the system to crash if a program attempts to write data to the cached area of the BIOS. If you are using DOS, then it is better to enable the function.
Video RAM Cacheable(video memory caching): "Disabled" This option allows you to copy the video memory directly to the L2 cache, which is faster than the video card ROM. However, Windows today has advanced much further than DOS, so it uses the video card ROM very rarely. Since the L2 cache is limited in size, we recommend using it to improve the efficiency of other tasks.
DDR Reference Voltage(voltage of DDR modules): 2.6V. The setting controls the voltage of your system's Double Data Rate (DDR) memory modules.
AGP VDDQ Voltage(AGP VDDQ voltage): 1.5V. VDDQ is a technical abbreviation (Voltage between Drain and common for Data Quad-band). But we won't go into details. All you need to understand is that the voltage of the AGP port of the video card is set here.
AGP 8X Support(AGP 8X support): Enable this option if your video card supports the 8X AGP interface. In addition, motherboards with VIA chipset should have "VIA 4-in-1" drivers installed.
AGP Fast Write Capability(AGP Fast Write Support): We recommend enabling this option. This feature allows you to bypass main RAM when writing from the chipset to an AGP device, improving performance by up to 10%. However, some cards and games may have problems enabling this feature. We recommend experimenting to determine which setting works best for your PC.
This section of the BIOS contains settings for the built-in peripherals installed on the motherboard. This includes serial and parallel ports, audio, LAN, USB ports, etc. If some ports are not used, but they are enabled in the BIOS, then the ports consume unnecessary system resources. It's still better to turn them off.
Primary VGA BIOS(main BIOS VGA): This feature is only used if your PC has two graphics cards installed: one AGP (accelerated graphics port) and one PCI (peripheral component interconnect). The system must know which card to initialize first and consider as the primary one. If you have one video card, then most likely it supports the AGP interface. For most cases the default setting is not correct and should be changed to AGP VGA Card. If you really have two video cards, then choose the main one. It will display information about the POST test and OS loading.
USB Controllers(USB controllers): This feature allows you to limit the functionality of your PC's Universal Serial Bus (USB) controllers. You can select "USB 1.1 only", "USB 1.1 and 2.0" and turn off USB altogether. For most users, the best option will be to configure USB 1.1 and 2.0
.USB Legacy Support(support for legacy USB devices): This feature should be enabled if your PC is equipped with a USB keyboard and you want to use it in a DOS environment or before loading the OS (in the boot menu, for example). If the setting is disabled, the keyboard will not work after booting from a floppy disk or CD-ROM. And you won't be able to enter the BIOS either. If your PC uses a USB keyboard (rectangular connector), then set the setting to "Enabled". If you have a PS/2 keyboard (round connector), set "Disabled". Please note that enabling this feature may result in problems waking up from Standby or Hibernate modes, or may cause your PC to shut down incorrectly. In other words, activate the feature only when necessary.
USB Mouse Support(USB mouse support): The same is true as for the previous point. It is best to disable this option.
Onboard AC97 Audio Controller(built-in AC97 sound controller): If your PC is equipped with an additional sound card, such as the Sound Blaster Audigy, or your system does not have speakers, then disable the built-in sound card ("Disabled"). Then you will free up precious resources and prevent potential conflicts. However, many computers use integrated sound solutions, so you should leave the option enabled ( "Enabled").
Onboard AC97 Modem Controller(AC97 built-in modem controller): Some motherboards use a built-in dial-up modem. If there is no modem socket, a modem is not needed at all, or a separate modem card is used, then the option should be disabled (“Disabled”). Otherwise - enable ("Enabled").
Onboard LAN (nVidia)(built-in LAN controller): this option allows you to enable or disable the built-in network card. The options are "Auto" or "Disabled". The ASUS motherboard used for our review has two built-in network cards, which are especially useful in cases where the PC is used as a router for distributing an Internet connection: one network card connects to a cable/DSL modem, and the second to a switch on your network . If you only use one network port or do not need a network at all, then turn off the controller to free up valuable resources.
Onboard LAN (3Com)(Built-in LAN Controller): This option applies to the second built-in LAN controller. The same thing is true here as stated above.
Peripheral settings in BIOS (Integrated Peripherals), continued
Onboard 1394 Device (FireWire)(Built-in 1394 Controller): This feature enables or disables your PC's built-in IEEE 1394 (FireWire) port. If you are not using any FireWire devices, then disable the option to free up valuable resources.
Floppy Disk Access Controller(disk drive controller): Most modern boards do not have disk drives. If this is true for your PC, or you don’t need the drive, then disable it and free up resources. Note: If you have a floppy drive installed and you turn it off in the BIOS, you will not be able to use it until you turn the feature back on in the BIOS.
Onboard Serial Port 1(built-in serial port): Most users no longer use serial ports to connect peripherals, since this interface has now been almost completely replaced by USB. If you are not using serial ports, disable them to free up resources. On the other hand, if the serial port is used, then set the option "3F8/IRQ4".
Onboard Serial Port 2(built-in serial port): The same as above is true. If the port is in use, set the value to "2F8/IRQ3".
UART2 Use As(UART2 usage type): UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) is a chip that receives and transmits data serially. Each serial port uses this chip, although it is possible to integrate multiple UARTs into a single chip. Many motherboards offer IR pins instead of COM2, so take your pick. But remember that for the IR port you must install an IR adapter, usually sold separately.
Onboard Parallel Port(built-in parallel port): This feature allows you to select the parallel port mode or disable it altogether. If you do not use the parallel port, then disabling the option will free up valuable system resources. If the port is used, we recommend setting the value "378/IRQ7".
Parallel Port Mode(parallel port mode): If you have disabled the parallel port, then this setting has no effect. However, when enabling the parallel port, you can set the modes to "EPP" (enhanced parallel port) or "ECP" (enhanced capabilities port). "EPP" mode is recommended if your system has only one device that uses the parallel port (for example, a printer). Select "ECP" if you have multiple devices connected to the port: say, an external zip drive, scanner, printer, or tape drive. Make sure you use parallel cables that are IEEE 1284 certified.
ECP DMA Select(ECP DMA Channel Selection): If you have selected "ECP" or "EPP plus ECP" modes for the parallel port, this option will also appear. With its help, you can set the direct memory access channel (DMA, Direct Memory Access) that you plan to use. We recommend the default value of "3".
Onboard Game Port(built-in game port): If your system has a separate sound card, or you do not use MIDI devices or older joysticks, then this feature should be disabled to free up valuable resources. If you are using the built-in game port, then set the default value to “201”.
Onboard MIDI I/O(built-in MIDI interface): MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) allows you to connect musical instruments with PC hardware and software. If the computer is not used to connect external MIDI devices, then feel free to disable the option. Otherwise, we recommend the default value of "330".
Onboard MIDI IRQ: same as above. If you are using MIDI devices, then set the default setting to "10".
This area of the BIOS is where most users get confused. If the settings here are not correct, the system will not shut down properly and will not exit Standby or Hibernate states correctly. Since Windows already has built-in power management, all relevant options in the BIOS can be turned off. Otherwise they will conflict with each other and neither will work correctly. Motherboard manufacturers understand that not everyone uses Windows, so most settings are intended for users of other OSes.
ACPI Suspend to RAM: ACPI stands for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface - do not confuse it with APIC or IPCA, which are also options in some BIOSes. The "Suspend to RAM" feature, also called S3/STR, allows the computer to save more power during standby mode, but all devices connected to the computer must be ACPI compatible. Some BIOS have an "S1/POS" option for this scenario. If you enable this feature and have problems with standby mode, go back to the BIOS and turn it off.
Video Off Method(video off method): DPMS stands for Display Power Management System. This option allows the BIOS to manage a graphics card that supports the "DPMS" feature. The Blank Screen option simply produces a blank black screen - it should be used for those monitors that do not support green options or power saving mode. The "V/H SYNC Blank" option not only produces a black screen, but also turns off vertical and horizontal scanning. If your computer and monitor were released in the last five years, then we recommend the "DPMS" option.
HDD Down In Suspend(HDD shutdown in Suspend mode): The function determines whether the hard drive will be automatically turned off in Suspend mode. Most of these settings are controlled by Windows, but if your hard drive does not turn off when the computer enters Suspend mode, then enable this option. Otherwise, it is better to leave it turned off (“Disabled”).
PWR Button< 4 Secs (Power key): By default, all ATX computers turn off if you hold down the power key for more than four seconds. This setting tells the computer what to do if the power key is held down for less than four seconds. You can either turn off the system or switch it to “Suspend” mode. So decide for yourself.
Power Up On PCI Device(PCI Device Wake): If you are using Wake-On-LAN - an option often used in large office environments to turn on computers remotely - then leave the option "Enabled". Otherwise, we recommend turning off this option (“Disabled”).
Wake/Power Up on Ext. Modem(Wake on via external modem): This feature allows the computer to automatically turn on when the modem telephone line is activated. Again, a convenient feature for remote control. In other environments, that is, for most users, it is better to turn it off (“Disabled”).
Automatic Power Up(auto-on): This feature allows you to set a time when your computer will automatically turn on. If you need such a function, then turn it on ("Enabled"). Otherwise, turn it off ("Disabled").
Time (hh:mm:ss) of Alarm(on time): here you can set the time for automatic switching on. Don't forget to turn on the "Automatic Power Up" feature.
AC Power Loss Restart(Power on after power loss): This option tells the computer what it should do after an unexpected power loss and restoration. If the option is disabled ("Disabled"), the system will not start. If enabled ("Enabled"), the system will reboot. We recommend turning this option off ("Disabled").
Power On By PS/2 Mouse(switch on via PS/2 mouse): if the option is enabled, a PS/2 mouse (not USB) can be used to turn on the PC. Turn off ("Disabled") this option to avoid turning on the computer by accidentally touching the mouse.
Power On By PS/2 Keyboard(PS/2 Keyboard Wake): When this function is activated, you can turn on the system using special keys. It is better to turn off the function (“Disabled”) so as not to accidentally make the wrong key.
This area of the BIOS exists primarily to resolve compatibility issues with older hardware. Most users do not need to change the default settings here.
Reset Configuration Data(reset configuration data): ESCD (Extended System Configuration Data) contains information about all non-PnP devices (plug and play). It also stores system information from the previous boot. Enable this option to clear data during the Power-On-Self-Test (POST). Typically, cleaning is done when diagnosing any component that is not working correctly. After enabling the option ("Enabled") and exiting the BIOS, the configuration data will be cleared and the option will automatically turn off ("Disabled").
Resources Controlled By(resource management): This setting allows the computer to either set IRQs automatically or manually assign IRQs to all devices. Please note that manually specifying an IRQ may cause problems. This option is only necessary when working with older, non-PnP peripherals. It is recommended to set to "AUTO"(ESCD).
IRQ Resources(IRQ resources): This option will allow you to manually configure IRQ. It is activated only if you selected manual indication ("MANUAL") in the previous paragraph.
PCI/VGA Palette Snoop: This feature usually applies to add-on graphics cards like MPEG encoders. They do not have their own color palette, so they must snoop the palette from the system video card. If, like most users, you do not have an additional video device connected to your video card, then disable this setting ("Disabled").
BIOS security options allow you to restrict outsiders from accessing the BIOS or computer to prevent them from making any changes. Since BIOS settings are critical for the correct operation of the PC, many administrators in companies lock the BIOS with a password.
Security Option(security option): This option allows you to protect changes to the BIOS with a password ("Setup" option). In addition, here you can specify that a password is requested every time the PC boots (the "System" option).
Set Supervisor Password(set administrative password): If you specify an administrative password, it will be requested when you enter the BIOS (when you select the "Setup" option above). If in the paragraph above you specified the “System” option, then a password is also required for “cold” boot.
Set User Password(set user password): Here you can specify a password that will be requested from users when they boot the PC. If the Supervisor Password is also specified, then in the BIOS the user will only be able to change the time and date.
Note: If you forget or lose your passwords, you will have to reset the BIOS to factory settings by temporarily changing the jumper on the motherboard.
In this part of the BIOS you can monitor voltages, fan speeds and temperatures. On the ASUS motherboard used in our article, you can also change the fan speed depending on temperature parameters. In addition, you can set the CPU alarm temperature, which will be activated when it overheats. Another possibility is to turn off the computer after exceeding the threshold temperature. Then your processor will not burn out from overheating or in any extreme situations.
If the BIOS has similar capabilities, then they are all included in a section and clearly labeled. Because modern processors run very hot, we recommend enabling monitoring features to prevent potential hazards.
Each CPU has its own temperature limits. For example, for AMD Athlon they are given at the beginning of this article. In general, if the BIOS contains the options “issue a warning beep” or “shut down the computer if a specific temperature is reached or exceeded”, then they usually indicate several temperature values from which you can choose any. We recommend setting the second temperature after the hottest one.
Conclusion on BIOS setup
Since the BIOS of modern computers differs in many ways, your computer's BIOS may have some functions not discussed in this article. For more information and answers to questions, we recommend visiting the following websites: Wim's BIOS And Adrian's RojakPot .
Good luck with setting up and optimizing the BIOS!
In the last article we talked about that. And now I’ll tell you how to configure your computer’s BIOS to install Windows from a disk or flash drive.
1. What is BIOS and UEFI
Each motherboard has a special program for booting the computer and configuring the parameters of various devices. This program is flashed (programmed) into a special chip on the motherboard and is therefore called firmware.
Previously, all motherboards had firmware called BIOS, which had a simple graphical interface with white letters on a blue background and was limited in functionality. For example, in the BIOS it was impossible to use the mouse, select a language, and there were no graphic elements (pictures) due to the limited capacity of the BIOS memory chip. Also, motherboards with BIOS did not support disks larger than 2 TB due to limitations of the old disk partitioning system (MBR).
Nowadays, many motherboards have a new type of firmware called UEFI, which features an improved graphical interface using a beautiful background, hand-drawn buttons, the ability to select a language (including Russian) and some improvements. For example, support for a new type of disk partition (GPT), allowing the use of hard drives with a capacity of more than 2 TB.
What type of firmware your motherboard has can be found in its manual, on the website of the motherboard or laptop manufacturer, and also visually when entering the Setup configuration program. The Setup program is also flashed into the motherboard and is used to change BIOS or UEFI settings.
2. How to enter BIOS Setup
To enter the Setup program, immediately after turning on the computer, press the “Delete” button on the keyboard. On some motherboards and laptops, the “F2”, “F10” or “Esc” keys are used for this. You can read which button to press in the messages that appear immediately after turning on the computer.
In text form
Graphically
If you don’t have time to read, then press the “Pause” button on your keyboard to pause the download. You can continue loading by pressing any key. If you press the key designated to enter Setup, you will immediately be taken to the motherboard setup program.
Classic BIOS
UEFI interface
3. Basics of working in Setup
3.1. Control keys
The Setup program is a set of various parameters grouped on separate tabs, depending on their purpose. On the right or below there will be a description of the keys with which all actions are performed.
To navigate between tabs, you usually use the “right” and “left” arrows on the keyboard. To move between lines within one tab, use the down and up arrows.
To change values, use the arrows to navigate to the required field, press the Enter key, and then use the arrows to select a new value from the drop-down menu. For this, the “+”, “-” or “Page Up”, “Page Down” keys can also be used.
To return up a level or to the previous page, press the Esc key. The “Esc” key on one of the main tabs will mean exiting the BIOS without saving the settings, which you will need to confirm or refuse to exit.
In the Setup program with the UEFI interface, you can perform all actions using the mouse.
3.2. Saving settings
This is a very important point. After making all the necessary settings, go to the “Exit” tab, select the “Exit and Save Changes” item using the arrows (“Exit and Save Changes”, the word order may be different), press “Enter” and confirm saving the settings by selecting the “OK” arrows or “Yes” and “Enter” again.
You can save the settings much easier and faster by pressing the “F10” key on the keyboard and confirming your decision. This key works in many versions of BIOS, UEFI and is often indicated in tooltips (bottom or right).
3.3. Cancel Settings
If you accidentally changed something or are not sure about the correct settings, then go to the “Exit” tab and select “Exit and Discard Changes” or press the “Esc” key until a message appears about exit without change settings and confirm the action (“OK” or “Yes”).
3.4. Restoring settings
To restore all settings to optimal defaults, go to the “Exit” tab and select “Load Setup Default”. After this, you can immediately change other settings or simply exit the BIOS and save the settings (“Exit and Save Changes” or “F10”).
4. Download options
Insert a bootable disk or flash drive into the computer on which you plan to install Windows. Now, in order to start installing Windows, you need to configure the BIOS (or UEFI) using the Setup program to boot from a disk or flash drive. You can also use the special boot menu of the motherboard (Boot Menu) for this. The last option is simpler and more convenient, but we will consider both methods.
5. BIOS setup
5.1. Changing boot priority
Go to the "Boot" or "Download" tab.
Install your DVD drive or flash drive first in boot device order.
If you install Windows from a disk, then the first item is to select a device like “ATAPI CD-ROM”, a name indicating the manufacturer or model of the drive. For example, “CDROM:PM-HL-DT-STDVD-RAM GH22NP” (this is an LG DVD drive).
If you plan to install Windows from a flash drive, then first choose something like “Removable Dev.” or the name of the flash drive indicating the manufacturer. For example, “USB: Patriot Memory” (this is a “PATRIOT” flash drive).
Transcend JetFlash 790 8Gb
The second should be a hard drive, which is designated as “Hard Drive”, “HDD” or the interface to which it is connected, the manufacturer and model of the disk. For example, “SATA:3M-SAMSUNG HD502HJ” (this is a 500 GB Samsung hard drive with a SATA interface).
Please note that in the “Boot” section there may be other items responsible for boot priority, such as “Hard Disk Drives” or “Removable Device Priority”.
They also need to check that the DVD drive or flash drive comes first.
If you have two hard drives, then the one on which you are installing the system should be higher. But in this case, I recommend disconnecting one of the disks to avoid confusion and possible errors in installing the system. It can be connected after installation.
In the Setup program with the UEFI interface, everything is done similarly. Look for the “Boot” or “Download” section, find your DVD drive or flash drive there and move it to the very top of boot priority. Plus, you can use a mouse for this, which is easier and more convenient.
5.2. SATA controller operating mode
This is not so important in principle, but many people are interested in this issue, so I decided to clarify it a little. SATA drives can operate in compatibility mode with older IDE drives and in the more modern AHCI mode. AHCI gives a small increase in hard disk performance when multiple simultaneous accesses are made to it. This mode of disk operation occurs mainly on servers and is practically useless for an ordinary home computer.
When setting up the BIOS, it is possible to select the operating mode of the SATA controller.
These settings may be located in different places and have slightly different names, but the principle is the same everywhere. You are offered IDE compatibility mode or the new AHCI mode.
In general, IDE compatibility mode is recommended for Windows XP, since it does not natively have SATA drivers and simply will not see the hard drive, which will not allow Windows to be installed. Drivers can be built into the Windows installation distribution, but this makes no sense, since it will not affect the speed of operation and may add problems.
There is an easier and more convenient way to boot from a DVD or flash drive for both BIOS and UEFI - boot using the “Boot Menu”.
To call the boot menu, the “F8”, “F10”, “F11”, “F12” or “Esc” keys can be used. They can often be seen in prompts on the initial boot screen of your computer. You can also find out this information from the instructions, on the website of the motherboard or laptop manufacturer, by searching on the Internet, or at random.
Immediately after turning on the computer, press and hold the “Boot Menu” key until the boot device selection menu appears.
Use the down and up arrows to navigate to the DVD drive or flash drive and press Enter.
Sandisk Cruzer
The advantages of this method are obvious - you don’t need to delve into the BIOS, you don’t need to return the BIOS settings back later (although this is not always necessary), and it’s enough to call this menu just once, since after you start installing Windows, this will no longer be needed. Additionally, using the "Boot Menu" does not change the BIOS or UEFI settings.
7. Download problems
Friends, due to the fact that many people had problems loading when installing Windows and some wrote about it in the comments, I decided to make a separate section where I collected methods known to me to solve these problems.
- If the computer stops booting at the very beginning and asks you to press F1, after which it enters the BIOS, then you most likely either have a low battery on the motherboard (the timing may be off), problems with the processor cooler (failure, not connected there) or hard drive (errors in SMART).
- If, when you turn on your PC, the message “Reboot and Select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key” appears, this means that the boot area on the disk or flash drive is not found or is damaged. Try booting from the installation disk or flash drive using the Boot Menu (Section 6 of the article), if that doesn’t help, make the bootable media again using the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool utility.
- If, after restarting the computer, the Windows installation starts from the beginning, then remove the boot disk or flash drive and restart the computer, the installation should continue from the hard drive.
- Disconnect all unnecessary USB devices (flash drive, 3G modem, smartphone, printer) from the computer. You only need to leave the mouse, keyboard, DVD or flash drive from which you install Windows.
- If you have several hard drives, then disconnect all drives from the motherboard except the one on which Windows will be installed.
- Reset BIOS settings to default (described in this article).
- If the installer does not see the disk or error 0x0000007B appears at the end, change the SATA controller mode in the BIOS from AHCI to IDE or vice versa.
- If every time you boot your computer or laptop itself enters the BIOS or opens the boot menu, then set the Boot Pop Menu option in the BIOS to Disable (if any).
- Disable Fast Boot in the Advanced section of the BIOS, and in the Boot section set the Launch CSM option to Enable (if available).
- In the Boot section of the BIOS, change the boot mode from EFI (UEFI) to Legacy (if available).
- Set the Secure Boot option in the BIOS to Disable (if available).
- Select the version of Windows you are installing in the BIOS (if any).
- If you have a laptop, one version of Windows is installed, but another is not, and the advice on setting up the BIOS did not help you, then contact support or the manufacturer’s forum. Updating the BIOS can also help, after which additional options may appear in it (sections 8-12).
- If possible, from a DVD, since there are many different problems with flash drives.
- Make from .
- Insert the flash drive into the USB 2.0 connector on the back of the computer (motherboard) or the USB 2.0 connector of the laptop. Booting from USB 3.0 does not always work.
- Try using the Boot Menu, as described in paragraph 6 of this article. This method is simpler and more reliable than setting boot priority in the BIOS and you can determine whether the computer sees your flash drive.
- An underscore on a black screen indicates that the computer freezes while accessing a flash drive or hard drive. If the download continues without a flash drive, then that’s definitely the problem.
- If the computer does not see the flash drive or does not want to boot from it, use a DVD or other flash drive for installation.
- If this is not possible, then change the type of flash drive from “removable media” to “hard disk” using the “BootIt Next Generation” utility, format it with the “HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool” utility and make it bootable again using “Windows USB/DVD Download Tool". You can download all these utilities below in the “Links” section.
- If the problem occurs after selecting the Windows installation partition, then use the tips for setting up the BIOS (sections 7-12). During installation, remove old partitions from the disk or do this using the Acronis Disk Director boot disk.
- If the installer reports that it cannot install Windows on the disk, then try running it or back.
Let me remind you that to exit the BIOS and save the settings, use the F10 key.
8. Links
In the following articles we will look at how to install, and.
Sandisk Cruzer
Transcend JetFlash 790 8Gb
Sandisk Cruzer
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