15 Chapter 2
2.4 Running the BIOS Setup Program
Your panel PC is likely to have been properly set up and configured by
your dealer prior to delivery. You may still find it necessary to use the
panel PC's BIOS (Basic Input-Output System) setup program to change
system configuration information, such as the current date and time or
your type of hard drive. The setup program is stored in read-only memory
(ROM). It can be accessed either when you turn on or reset the panel PC,
by pressing the "Del" key on your keyboard immediately after powering
on the computer.
The settings you specify with the setup program are recorded in a special
area of memory called CMOS RAM. This memory is backed up by a bat-
tery so that it will not be erased when you turn off or reset the system.
Whenever you turn on the power, the system reads the settings stored in
CMOS RAM and compares them to the equipment check conducted dur-
ing the power on self-test (POST). If an error occurs, an error message
will be displayed on screen, and you will be prompted to run the setup
program.