ASUS P7P55D
3-1
3.1 Knowing BIOS
BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) stores system hardware settings such as storage
device conguration, overclocking settings, advanced power management, and boot device
conguration that are needed for system startup in the motherboard CMOS. In normal
circumstances, the default BIOS settings apply to most conditions to ensure optimum
performance. We recommend that you not change the default BIOS settings except in
the following circumstances:
• An error message appears on the screen during the system bootup and requests you to
run the BIOS Setup.
• You have installed a new system component that requires further BIOS settings or
update.
3.2 Updating BIOS
The ASUS website publishes the latest BIOS versions to provide enhancements on system
stability, compatibility, or performance. However, BIOS updating is potentially risky. If there
is no problem using the current version of BIOS, DO NOT manually update the BIOS.
Inappropriate BIOS updating may result in the system’s failure to boot. Carefully follow the
instructions of this chapter to update your BIOS if necessary.
Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS le for this
motherboard.
The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard BIOS setup program.
1. ASUS Update: Updates the BIOS in Windows
®
environment.
2. ASUS EZ Flash 2: Updates the BIOS using a USB ash disk.
3. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility: Restores the BIOS using the motherboard support
DVD or other removable devices when the BIOS le fails or gets corrupted.
Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities.
Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a USB ash disk in case you need to
restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update
utility.
Inappropriate settings of the BIOS may result to instability or failure to boot. We strongly
recommend that you change the BIOS settings only with the help of a trained service
personnel.
Chapter 3: BIOS setup
Chapter 3
3.2.1 ASUS Update utility
The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the motherboard
BIOS in Windows
®
environment. The ASUS Update utility allows you to:
• Save the current BIOS le
• Download the latest BIOS le from the Internet
• Update the BIOS from an updated BIOS le
• Update the BIOS directly from the Internet
• View the BIOS version information
This utility is available in the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package.
ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an Internet
Service Provider (ISP).