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Chapter 6
WinBIOS Setup
In ISA and EISA computers, the system parameters (such as amount of memory, type of disk drives and video
displays, and many other elements) are stored in CMOS RAM. Unlike the DRAM (dynamic random access memory)
that is used for standard system memory, CMOS RAM requires very little power. When the computer is turned off, a
back-up battery provides power to CMOS RAM, which retains the system parameters. Every time the computer is
powered-on, the computer is configured with the values stored in CMOS RAM by the system BIOS, which gains
control when the computer is powered on.
The system parameters are configured by a system BIOS Setup utility. Historically, BIOS Setup utilities have been
character-based, required keyboard input, and has user interfaces that were not very intuitive.
A New Type of System BIOS Setup Utility
American Megatrends has now made available a new type of system BIOS Setup utility. WinBIOS Setup has a
graphical user interface that permits mouse access, and is so compact that it can reside on the same ROM as the system
BIOS. The system configuration parameters are set via WinBIOS Setup. Since WinBIOS Setup resides in the ROM
BIOS, it is available each time the computer is turned on.
Starting WinBIOS Setup
As POST executes, the following appears:
Hit <DEL> if you want to run SETUP
Press <Del> to run WinBIOS Setup.
Excalibur PCI Pentium ISA Motherboard User's Guide
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