Bios Setup Utility; When To Use Setup - NEC SP B-Series Service And Reference Manual

This section provides information on configuring the computer. The section
includes information on the
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BIOS Setup Utility for configuring the system
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Intel Processor Serial Number Control utility for enabling or disabling the
Pentium III processor serial number (for Pentium III based systems only).

BIOS Setup Utility

The BIOS Setup utility is used to configure the main components of the
computer. The system ships from the factory with the correct system parameters
for the configuration. Unless adding optional hardware, it's usually not
necessary to run the BIOS Setup utility. However, it might be necessary to run
the BIOS utility to set features that customize the system, such as setting the
time and date or setting security features.
System configuration information is stored in nonvolatile memory. A
nonvolatile memory device retains its data when system power is turned off.
Nonvolatile memory is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)
chip backed up by a battery on the system board. The battery supplies
continuous power to CMOS memory and maintains configuration information
when system power is off.

When to Use Setup

The Setup utility allows the user to view and set system parameters. Use the
Setup utility program to:
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set the time and date.
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update or check system parameters when adding or removing expansion
options.
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change or set power management features.
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correct a hardware discrepancy when the Power-On Self-Test (POST)
displays an error message and a prompt to run Setup.
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check the installation of optional memory by comparing the amount of
memory installed with the amount of memory displayed by Setup.
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change certain system operating parameters, such as boot device
sequence and keyboard parameters.
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configure system connections for peripherals such as the diskette drive,
hard drives, and devices connected to the printer port and serial port.
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customize the system with security features such as passwords.
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set system parameters after replacing the CMOS battery.
2-2 Utilities