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10 Using Setup Utility (BIOS) and System
Diagnostics
Setup Utility, or Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), controls communication between all the input and
output devices on the system (such as disk drives, display, keyboard, mouse, and printer). Setup
Utility (BIOS) includes settings for the types of devices installed, the startup sequence of the
computer, and the amount of system and extended memory.
Starting Setup Utility (BIOS)
To start Setup Utility (BIOS), follow these steps:
1. Turn on or restart the computer, and then press esc while the “Press the ESC key for Startup
Menu” message is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
2. Press f10 to enter Setup Utility (BIOS).
Information about how to navigate in Setup Utility (BIOS) is located at the bottom of the screen.
NOTE: Use extreme care when making changes in Setup Utility (BIOS). Errors can prevent the
computer from operating properly.
Updating the BIOS
Updated versions of the BIOS may be available on the HP website.
Most BIOS updates on the HP website are packaged in compressed files called SoftPaqs.
Some download packages contain a file named Readme.txt, which contains information regarding
installing and troubleshooting the file.
Determining the BIOS version
To determine whether available BIOS updates contain later BIOS versions than those currently
installed on the computer, you need to know the version of the system BIOS currently installed.
BIOS version information (also known as ROM date and System BIOS) can be displayed by pressing
fn+esc (if you are already in Windows) or by using Setup Utility (BIOS).
1. Start Setup Utility (BIOS).
2. Use the arrow keys to select Main.
3. To exit Setup Utility (BIOS) without saving your changes, use the tab key and the arrow keys to
select Exit > Exit Discarding Changes, and then press enter.
Starting Setup Utility (BIOS) 59