1. The bios

2. 901 exam
1.1 Given a scenario, configure settings and use BIOS/UEFI tools on a PC

3. Motherboard Configuration
You can configure various Motherboard settings:
Enable or disable a connector or port
Set frequency of CPU (overclocking)
Control security features
Control what happens when the PC first boots
Two ways exist to configure older motherboards:
DIP switches or jumpers
Today, almost all motherboard configuration data is stored in CMOS RAM
A program called BIOS setup is used to make changes to settings stored in CMOS RAM

4. Using Jumpers to Configure a Motherboard
Open jumper = no cover on pins
Closed jumper = cover on pins
A jumper is a group of small posts or metal pins that stick up off the motherboard
Make sure to retain setup or installation information in order to set jumpers properly
Jumpers can be used to clear a forgotten supervisor or power-on password
BIOS configuration jumper settings

5. Access the BIOS to Configure a Motherboard PM video 7:01
To access the BIOS setup program you need to press a special key or combination of keys during the boot process (DEL or F2)
The key combination varies from one manufacturer to another
To determine the correct key to press, see documentation for your motherboard or watch the screen near the beginning of the boot
After pressing the correct key(s), the setup screen appears with menus and Help features

6. BIOS setup main menu

7. Wave BIOS goodbye with UEFI
Bios vs uefi
The BIOS works only in 16-bit mode and depends on x86 hardware/firmware
Wave BIOS goodbye with UEFI
The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) – is a new standard slowly replacing BIOS
UEFI can be enabled, which is a “super-BIOS” and provides an interface between firmware on the motherboard and the OS but in 32 or 64-bit mode
UEFI improves the boot process and offers support for 2.2 TB partitions

8. BIOS Settings – pm video 6:05
You can change the boot sequence in the BIOS
Example: Change from the hard drive to the DVD drive
You can configure onboard devices
Example: Enable/disable a port or group of ports
You can view hard drive and optical drive information
Some motherboards allow changing the processor speed or the memory multiplier, which is known as overclocking
You can monitor temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages

9. How to set passwords varies depending on the motherboard and BIOS
BIOS Settings
Passwords can be assigned to prevent unauthorized access to the BIOS setup utility
How to set passwords varies depending on the motherboard and BIOS
It may be possible to set a supervisor, user, power-on, or setup password
A system power-on or user password requires a password be entered every boot
A setup password only requires a password be entered in order to access BIOS setup
Chassis intrusion detection can be enabled in the BIOS which logs when a computer case is opened

10. Bios Settings
Some motherboards allow you to set a password to access the hard drive
The hard drive password still works even if drive is moved to another PC
If you don’t know the hard drive password, your hard drive will be “locked” and won’t function
A hard drive password is like a lock on a door that protects a room full of files

11. BIOS Settings
LoJack is a technology embedded in the BIOS of many laptops to protect a system against theft
To use LoJack you must subscribe to a service
With LoJack enabled, software and the BIOS work together to locate a laptop whenever it connects to the Internet

12. BIOS Settings TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module
TPM works with BitLocker Encryption in Windows
An encryption key can be kept on a TPM chip on the motherboard and this ensures that a drive cannot be used in another computer
Encryption is like having a room full of files that are scrambled with a code that only you know

14. Bios Settings
Virtualization is when one physical machine hosts multiple activities that are normally on multiple machines
Virtualization must be enabled in BIOS setup for VM software to work

15. Flashing the BIOS
Flashing the BIOS is the process of upgrading or refreshing the ROM BIOS chip
BIOS updates are downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer’s Web site
Flashing is performed only if the motherboard is unstable, incorporating new feature, or component

16. Flashing the bios pm video 7:03
Methods of installing BIOS updates:
Express BIOS update
Update from a USB flash drive
Update using a bootable CD
“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it” – only update if you’re having trouble
Don’t update unless the update is a later version than the one installed
Update should not be interrupted while in progress

17. BIOS setup exit menu

18. CMOS Battery The CMOS needs a continuous charge to retain its data
A coin battery gives the CMOS the charge it needs when the computer is turned off
You can lose all of your CMOS settings if the battery fails
To replace a CMOS battery, choose the correct replacement battery (amps/volts)
Power down system, unplug it, press power button to drain the power, remove case cover
Use a ground bracelet, remove the old battery using a flat-head screwdriver, pop new battery into place