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6
BIOS SETUP
Using the Setup utility
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) mediates
between the computer's hardware – the processor,
memory, and so on – and its software – the operating
system and your programs. The BIOS program is kept
in permanent, read-only memory or ROM.
Setup is a helpful utility that forms part of the BIOS
program. It allows you to view and alter the
computer's hardware configuration. Configuring the
computer may be necessary to ensure that the software
you use can recognise and exploit the hardware's
capabilities.
The current configuration is kept in a special area of
memory, called CMOS memory, and maintained by a
battery so that the configuration is preserved even
while the computer is switched off.
Your computer arrives already configured, but may
need to be configured again in certain circumstances.
Whenever the computer is turned on, the BIOS
power-on self-test (POST) routine tests various
hardware components, including memory, and
compares the actual configuration of the computer
with that recorded in permanent (CMOS) memory.
Using the Setup utility is fairly straightforward; all of
the options and control keys available are constantly
displayed at the bottom of the screen, and there is
item-specific help displayed on the right of the screen
for whichever item is currently selected.
The Setup utility contains the following main menu
screens:
Main
Advanced
Security
Power Saving
Exit
B I O S S e t u p
OWNER'S HANDBOOK
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