LAB 3 – Part II

Boot up & Running CMOS

Objective:

 Boot up the PC
 Verify the correct operation of the system
 Identify some connector types
 Run your PC's BIOS/CMOS setup program
 Identify the current CMOS parameters
 Change the CMOS settings of your PC

Setup:

For this lab you will need the following:

 A working computer

BIOS:

The BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. It is the computer’s interface
code that does several things:
 It allows for the configuration of several hardware components.
 It loads the operating system into RAM.
 It provides a very basic I/O functionality (simple display, keyboard
input, hard disk, and so on).

Most BIOS programs are written in Assembly language, and in the past it used
to be that the program was hard coded into the BIOS chip (placed in ROM).
Nowadays, most motherboards carry BIOS’s that are reprogrammable with
firmware (stored on EEPROM or flash memory).

Warning: when dealing with the BIOS be especially careful. Changing the
settings without knowing what they mean may cause the computer to behave
incorrectly.

Warning: although the newer versions of the BIOS firmware can be installed
into the BIOS, but aborting the update procedure while it’s in progress or
improperly loading it, in most cases, will cause the computer to be unusable. A
great deal of effort is required to recover from this problem.

Exercises:
BOOTUP:

1. Verify that the system is connected to a 220 power outlet.

2. Verify that the monitor's power cable is connected to a 220 power outlet or to the
monitor power connection on the back of the unit.

3. Verify that the video signal cable is connected at the rear of the unit:
 Type of connector: __________

4. Verify that the keyboard is plugged into a connector at the rear of the unit.
Type of connector: ___________

5. Check to see that the mouse is connected to the rear of the unit.
Type of connector: ___________

6. Turn the system on and record the order of events that occur.
____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

7. Turn the system as warm boot up and record the order of events that occur.
Key strokes for warm boot up: _____________
Events that occurs:
______________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

8. Amount of memory: _____________

CMOS:

1. Shut down the PC and turn it on again. Watch the screen to know the keystroke for
running the BIOS/CMOS setup program: _______________________

2. Reboot the PC and press the key to run BIOS/CMOS setup program. List the menu
options that appear when starting BIOS.

 You can move between menus by the arrow keys.

3. Manufacturer of BIOS: __________________

4. BIOS version: ____________________________

5. Use this program to complete the following table:

Component Your BIOS/CMOS setting

IDE primary (0) master values
IDE primary (0) slave values
IDE secondary (1) master values
IDE secondary (0) slave values
Floppy disk type
Amount of level 2 cache
Boot sequence
Parallel port mode

6. Using the arrow keys move to the date and time fields and change the date and time
as follows: (17/April /2000, 9 AM)
 Hit escape to exit the BIOS, and then choose Save & Exit Setup from the menu.

Now the BIOS will exit and start booting the system again.

7. Allow the system to start Microsoft Windows. When windows starts check the date
and time in the system tray. Does it reflect the time and date you have modified in the
BIOS? _____

8. Change the boot sequence as follows: (C only)

Steps:
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________

9. Set up the floppy drive as the only boot device then start the computer then record
the command shown on the screen.
Steps : _____________________
Command: ______________________

Questions
1. What menu options did you see on the screen when the BIOS started? List
them all.

2. If you made changes to the BIOS and decided that you did not want to save
them what would you do?
3. If you made changes and saved them to the BIOS, then you decided that you
wanted to undo those changes what would you do?

4. What happens when you start the computer after you have setup the floppy as
the only boot device?

5. How many devices can be set in the boot sequence?

6. List all the devices that can be set in the boot sequence.

7. What would you do if you don’t want to have a third boot sequence?