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CHAPTER 3. BIOS SETUP
This chapter discusses the PhoenixBIOS setup program built into the ROM BIOS.
BIOS is the basic input/output system, the firmware on the motherboard that enables the hardware to
interface with the software. The setup program allows the users to modify the basic system configurations
according to their needs. The configuration is then stored in battery-backed NVRAM so that it retains the
configuration when the power is turned off. The PhoenixBIOS installed in the motherboard’s ROM is a
custom version of an industry standard BIOS.
The rest of the chapter will list all the menus and sub-menus in the BIOS. Along with them, you can also
find the list of possible values for any configurable item in the BIOS.
3.1 ENTERING BIOS SETUP
The PhoenixBIOS is activated when the system powers on. The BIOS reads the system information
contained in the CMOS and begins the process of checking out the system and configuring it. After
finishing configuring the whole system, BIOS will seek an OS on disk and turn over control of the system
to the OS found.
While BIOS is in control, the Setup menu can be accessed by pressing the <F2> key when the following
message appears briefly at the bottom of the screen during Power On Self Test: “Press <F2> to enter
SETUP.”