What I Need To Know?

Read Information Sheet No 1.1-6 and find out how much you can
remember. Do Self-Check 1.1-6 to know how much you have learned.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain what is BIOS

2. Access the BIOS Setup
3. Select proper boot device
BIOS Setting

The BIOS or Basic Input/Output System is the basic controller that allows all of
the components that make up a computer system to talk to one another. But in order for
this to happen, there are a number of things that the BIOS needs to know how to do. This
is why the settings within the BIOS are so critical to the operation of the computer system.
For about 95% of the computer users out there, they will never need to adjust the BIOS
settings of their computer. However, those who have chosen to build their own computer
system will need to know how to modify the settings.

Some of the critical things one will need to know are the clock settings, memory
timing, boot order and drive settings. Thankfully the computer BIOS has come a long way
in the past ten years where many of these settings are automatic and very little needs to
be adjusted.

How to Access the BIOS

The method for accessing the BIOS is dependent upon the manufacturer of the
motherboard and the BIOS vender they have selected. The actual process to get to the
BIOS is identical, just the key that is needed to be pressed will vary. It is important to have
the user manual for the motherboard handy whenever changes will be made to the BIOS.

1. Power on the computer system.

2. Look up what key needs to be pressed to enter the BIOS. Some of the common
keys used to access the BIOS are F1, F2 and the Del key. Generally, the
motherboard will post this information when the computer first turns on.

3. Press the key to enter the BIOS after the beep for a clean POST (Power-On
Self Test) is signaled. If the procedure has been done correctly, the BIOS
screen should be displayed rather than the typical boot screen.
Because of the wide variety of computer and BIOS manufacturers over the evolution of
computers, there are numerous ways to enter the BIOS or CMOS Setup. Below is a
listing of most of these methods, as well as other recommendations for entering the BIOS
setup.

Note: Apple, or Mac, computers do not have a BIOS and instead utilize an EFI, which
does not need to modified based on the hardware in the computer, like a BIOS. The EFI
provides better integration between hardware and software for Apple computers, virtually
eliminating the need for a BIOS.

Computers manufactured in the last few years allow you to enter the BIOS setup using
one of the five keys shown below during the boot process.
 F1
 F2 *
 F10 **
 DEL
 ESC

* If pressing F2 opens a diagnostics tool, your setup key is likely F10

** F10 is also used for the boot menu. If F10 opens a boot menu, your setup key is likely F2.

Setup keys are to be pressed as the computer is booting up. Most users will see
a message similar to the example below upon startup. Some older computers may also
display a flashing block to indicate when to press the F1 or F2 keys.

Once you have successfully entered the CMOS setup, you should see a screen similar
to the example below. Your CMOS setup may look a little different, depending on the
manufacturer, but should still have most of the same options in the menu on the left or
along the bottom of the screen.
Major BIOS manufacturers include:

 American Megatrends Inc. (AMI)

 Phoenix Technologies
 ALi

Boot Order

Boot order determines which device the

motherboard will look at for an operating system or installer. The options typically include
Hard Drive, Optical Drive, Floppy Drive, Network and Other. The standard order at first
startup is Floppy, Hard Drive, Optical Drive, etc. This will generally cause the system to
find the hard drive first which will not have a functional operating system on the computer.

Since we are installing a new operating system on the computer, and our installation
files are stored in a CD-ROM, we need to set the computer to boot from the CD-ROM
drive instead. This allows the computer to boot from the OS installation CD that has a
bootable installer program on it. This is done in the BIOS setup.

1. In the BIOS setup screen, look for the Boot

Options Menu. This is usually found at the top
of the screen. In some computers it is found in
the Advance menu.

2. Select the CD-

ROM Drive as the first boot device.

3. Go to the Exit menu and select Save and Exit to save your configuration.

Note: You may need to consult the User's Manual on how to set the CD-ROM Drive as
first boot device.
Self Check 1.1-6

I. Identification:
Identify the following acronyms:
1. BIOS -
2. POST –

II. Enumeration
1. What are the 3 common keys used to access the BIOS.
2. Enumerate the steps on how to set-up the CD-ROM as the first boot device.

III. Essay:

1. Why do we need to set the computer to boot from the CD-ROM drive?