Difference between revisions of "BIOS Info"
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| − | BIOS - Basic Input/Output System | + | '''BIOS - Basic Input/Output System''' (also known as System BIOS) |
| + | The initial function of the BIOS is to store the settings that will enable the system to POST (run its Power On Self Test.) | ||
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| + | BIOS programs are stored on a chip and are built to work with various devices that make up the complementary chipset of the system. They provide a small library of basic input/output functions that can be called to operate and control the peripherals such as the keyboard, text display functions and so forth. In the IBM PC and AT, certain | ||
The keystroke used to enter BIOS depends on the system. Generally, the keys used are the function keys (F1 - F12) or ESC or DELETE. Often POST will display the proper keystroke on the screen, but you might have to have a quick eye to catch it. | The keystroke used to enter BIOS depends on the system. Generally, the keys used are the function keys (F1 - F12) or ESC or DELETE. Often POST will display the proper keystroke on the screen, but you might have to have a quick eye to catch it. | ||
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=== Rare problems === | === Rare problems === | ||
In some systems, if the keyboard and mouse are switched, they will still work in the GUI, but the keyboard will not work to enter BIOS | In some systems, if the keyboard and mouse are switched, they will still work in the GUI, but the keyboard will not work to enter BIOS | ||
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| + | identify, test, and initialize all the systems I/O devices such as the video display, hard disk, disk drives and other hardware. This is necessary to prepare the machine into a known state, so that software stored on compatible media can be loaded, executed, and given control of the PC. | ||
== Laptop == | == Laptop == | ||
== Enterprise == | == Enterprise == | ||
== Other Links == | == Other Links == | ||
Revision as of 12:36, 27 March 2009
BIOS - Basic Input/Output System (also known as System BIOS)
The initial function of the BIOS is to store the settings that will enable the system to POST (run its Power On Self Test.)
BIOS programs are stored on a chip and are built to work with various devices that make up the complementary chipset of the system. They provide a small library of basic input/output functions that can be called to operate and control the peripherals such as the keyboard, text display functions and so forth. In the IBM PC and AT, certain
The keystroke used to enter BIOS depends on the system. Generally, the keys used are the function keys (F1 - F12) or ESC or DELETE. Often POST will display the proper keystroke on the screen, but you might have to have a quick eye to catch it.
Here are likely some keystrokes to try (according to various sources on the Web). (These have not been verified.)
Other keystrokes to try for various types of computers):
- CTRL-ALT-+
- CTRL-ESC
When you can't figure out the keystroke
You can also google a term like "Gateway bios key" to find pages that might tell you. (It might help to include the computer's model number.) Pages from the manufacturer's web site are the most likely to be accurate.
Some computers will prompt you with the option of entering the BIOS on the first boot after a hardware change. Changing the amount of memory may do this, for example. Disconnecting the hard drive cable from the motherboard is another very useful tactic.
Occasionally you will find a password protected BIOS. In these cases, removing the battery for a minute or two may reset BIOS into a default state, bypassing the password. In the rare cases where there is a default password, these are often available via a google search.
Rare problems
In some systems, if the keyboard and mouse are switched, they will still work in the GUI, but the keyboard will not work to enter BIOS
identify, test, and initialize all the systems I/O devices such as the video display, hard disk, disk drives and other hardware. This is necessary to prepare the machine into a known state, so that software stored on compatible media can be loaded, executed, and given control of the PC.