1. Working with the BIOS / CMOS
Chapter 17
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2. Objectives Describe BIOS functions Explain the Preboot Environment
Explain BIOS packaging
Define CMOS
Backup and upgrade the BIOS
Describe BIOS Setup Utility
Troubleshoot the system using the BIOS beep codes
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3. Motherboard BIOS Functions - I
BIOS is a collection of programs embedded in one or more chips
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4. Motherboard BIOS Functions- II
POST – Tests computer’s processor, memory, chipset, video, adapter, disk controllers, disk drives, keyboard and other components
Setup – Enables you to configure the motherboard and chipset settings
BIOS - Collection of actual drivers which act as a basic interface between the OS and your hardware
Bootstrap Loader - Job of this program to load the OS from the floppy disk or the hard disk into the computer’s main memory (RAM)
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5. Question for GD Time Limit – 3 Mins
List the motherboard BIOS functions.
Sl.
BIOS Functions
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6. ROM Shadowing
Accesses to the BIOS code are very slow relative to accesses to code in the system memory
Technique that is used to increase the computer's speed
During this process the contents of a ROM are directly copied to the extended memory.
Extended memory is given the same address as that of the ROM. The original ROM is disabled and the new location is then write protected
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7. BIOS Manufacturer AMI Award Phoenix MR BIOS Release 22/10/2010
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8. Question for GD Time Limit – 3 Mins
List the names of the BIOS manufacturers.
Sl.
BIOS Manufacturers
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9. Accessing the BIOS
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10. Question for GD Time Limit – 3 Mins
How to determine your PC’s BIOS version?
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11. Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) - I
Enables you to control and troubleshoot the system and the different hardware components before loading the operating system
Types of BIOS packaging
Rectangular shaped 32-pin Dual In-line Package (DIP)
Square 28-pin Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC)
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12. Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) - II
Runs the power-on self-test (POST) when the system starts
Receives signals from the hardware
Loads the custom settings from the CMOS that stores the BIOS settings
Displays the settings
Locates the bootable devices and loads the operating system from the bootable device
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13. Question for GD Time Limit – 3 Mins
What are the different BIOS packaging?
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14. Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)
Memory chip located on the motherboard that stores the BIOS settings
Battery must be replaced when it becomes weak or you may lose the stored BIOS settings
Receives power from the battery that is installed on the motherboard
Clear the BIOS settings stored in the CMOS using the jumpers located on the motherboard or by removing the battery from the motherboard
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15. Backing up BIOS Settings
Run the BIOS upgrade software to read BIOS contents to a file
Incase of AMI BIOS, just instruct the software using its menus, to save the BIOS contents to a file.
Another way is to write down the different settings manually or press Print Screen to take a print out of the BIOS values using a printer connected to parallel port.
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16. Practical
Perform the activity mentioned in Lab no. 1 in the text book:
To backup your BIOS settings.
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17. Upgrading the BIOS - I
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18. Upgrading the BIOS - II
Back up the BIOS values so that you can restore the BIOS when the system crashes or malfunctions after changing the BIOS values
When seeking a BIOS upgrade for a particular motherboard (or system), you need to know the following:
Model of the motherboard (or system).
Manufacturer, date and version of the existing BIOS.
Type of CPU.
You can find out your motherboard manufacturer using softwares like Everest, Hwinfo and Sandra
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19. Flash Update using Bootable Floppy - I
Download the BIOS software from the Internet. The software will be available in a zip file.
Unzip the file to a folder.
Insert a blank floppy in the floppy disk drive.
Run the .exe file from the folder.
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20. Flash Update using Bootable Floppy - II
Follow the steps displayed by the wizard to create a bootable BIOS update floppy disk.
Restart the system with the BIOS update floppy disk in the floppy disk drive and boot the system from floppy. The system will update the BIOS.
Restart the system and enter the BIOS to check if it is updated.
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21. Practical
Perform the activity mentioned in Lab no. 2 in the text book:
To replace the BIOS chip.
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22. Practical
Perform the activity mentioned in Lab no. 3 in the text book:
To update the BIOS using software.
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23. Recovering from Destroyed BIOS
Using flash recovery jumper – Mostly available in server motherboard
Dual BIOS - Now a day many motherboards manufacturers launched motherboards equipped with two BIOS chips: a main BIOS and a backup BIOS. Therefore if the main BIOS is erased you can turn on the machine using the backup BIOS and recover the contents of the main BIOS without the need of any fancy procedure to reprogram it.
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24. To know the keywords to enter into BIOS using Internet
Browse to
Type keyword for BIOS+make with model number and press Enter
See the results on the screen
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25. BIOS Setup Utility
Enables you to modify the settings and store them in the CMOS
Enables you to control the boot sequence
Changes the BIOS setting to correct any hardware problems
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26. BIOS Main Menu Page
Displays the different BIOS options which can be changed
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27. Standard CMOS Setup Page
Enables you to set the basic settings of the system such as the date and time, hard disk settings, and shows system information
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28. Advanced BIOS Features Page
Enables you to access the advanced functions of the BIOS such as Boot Devices, S.M.A.R.T. for Hard Disks, Boot Up Num-Lock, Floppy Drive Swap about the system
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29. Advanced Chipset Features Page
Enables you to access the advanced chipset features of BIOS. You can set the DRAM clock/timing control, prefetch caching, video RAM cacheable using this page setting.
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30. Integrated Peripherals Page
Enables you to access the integrated peripherals features of BIOS. This page allows you to change various input/output devices, such as SATA modes, USB controller, LAN etc.
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31. Power Management Setup Page
Sets the parameters such as Standby Time Out, Suspend Time Out, Ring On Power On for the system power management operation
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32. Practical
Perform the activity mentioned in Lab no. 4 in the text book:
To change the first boot device as the DVD-ROM drive.
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33. PCI / PCI Configurations Page
Enables the system to automatically search for new hardware connected to the system and sets the parameter of PCI/VGA palette snoop, maximum payload size
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34. PC Health Status Page
The PC Health Status displays the system hardware details, such as the voltage used by the system, shut down temperature setting, the system and the CPU temperature.
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35. Loading Default Settings
Applying Optimal settings enables to set the default options
Best Performance Settings enables to set BIOS options to make the system perform at best level
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36. Setting the BIOS Password
Protects the BIOS settings stored in the CMOS
Password option from the Advanced Setup page should be enabled
Prompts to enter the password before accessing the Setup Utility
Setting the Supervisor password
Setting the User password
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37. Practical
Perform the activity mentioned in Lab no. 5 in the text book:
To load best performance settings and to set the supervisor password.
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38. Troubleshooting Using AMI BIOS Beep Codes - I
Number of Beeps
Solving Problem
1 Short Beep
System OK. If system does not start check that the power and data cables are properly connected
2 / 3 / 4 Short Beeps
Check that the RAM and Video Adapter cards are properly connected.
5 Short Beeps
Check that the RAM is properly installed. Check that the microprocessor is properly installed.
Replace the microprocessor or the motherboard.
6 Short Beeps
Check or replace keyboard.
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39. Troubleshooting Using AMI BIOS Beep Codes - II
7 Short Beeps
Check the processor and heat sink are properly installed
8 Short Beeps
Check that the video card is properly installed.
Replace the video card.
9 Short Beeps
Check that the BIOS chip is properly connected.
Update or Replace the BIOS chip.
10 Short Beeps
Replace the battery or CMOS chips.
11 Short Beeps
Check the cache settings from BIOS and check that the Cache memory chip is properly connected.
Replace the Cache memory chip.
1 Long, 3 Short Beeps
Check that the RAM is properly connected.
1 Long, 8 Short Beeps
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40. Clearing the CMOS
Sometimes we set the password for the BIOS and forget the password. In that case we can clear the CMOS using two ways:
Using jumpers
Removing and reinserting the CMOS battery
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41. CMOS Clear Video Click on the image to run the video.
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42. Case Study
Scenario
In a software organization it is found that most software engineers spend time on listening music and transferring data using USB flash drives which affect the organization’s productivity.
Problem
Accessing to the audio and USB port affects the organization’s productivity
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43. Summary - I
BIOS software enables you to control and troubleshoot the system
Types of BIOS chips include Dual In-line Package and Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier
BIOS run the power-on self-test when the system starts
CMOS stores the BIOS settings
Updating the BISO adds additional functions to the BIOS and it also fixes all the errors and bugs in the BIOS
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44. Summary - II
BIOS Setup Utility enables you to modify the settings and store them in the CMOS
The BIOS Setup Utility Main menu page displays different BIOS options that you can change
BIOS password used to protect the settings stored in CMOS
You can troubleshoot the system using the BIOS beep codes.
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45. Mind Map Draw a mind map to summarize this chapter Release 22/10/2010
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