What types of bios are there. Bios (bios), what is it? varieties and purpose of bios
There are two main types of BIOS: Award BIOS and Ami BIOS. They differ in the structure and color of the settings menu. Below you can see them in the pictures, thereby determining which BIOS you have.
This is what the Award BIOS setup menu looks like
This is what the Ami BIOS setup menu looks like
I would also like to say that even one type of BIOS is always slightly different depending on your motherboard, since they are all different in functionality, their settings may be different. Each motherboard model has its own unique BIOS, but the basic settings are always identical.
After turning on a personal computer, its processor starts working. The first command to be executed is located at FFFF0h and belongs to the BIOS address space. Typically, this command simply transfers control to the BIOS initialization program.
The BIOS initialization program, using the POST program, checks that the computer's devices are working correctly and initializes them.
Devices initialized by the BIOS
The boot device is a device that must be initialized before the operating system boots. These include input devices (keyboard, mouse), basic output device (display), and the device from which the OS will be loaded - floppy drive, hard drive, CD-ROM, flash drive, SCSI device, network card (if network boot; for example, using PXE).
The BIOS then polls the devices listed in the pre-created list until it finds a bootable device. If no such device is found, an error message will be displayed and the download process will be stopped. If the BIOS detects a boot device, it reads the bootloader from it and transfers control to it.
In the case of a hard drive, the boot loader is called the master boot record (MBR) and is often independent of the operating system. It usually looks for an active hard disk partition, loads the boot sector of that partition, and transfers control to it. This boot sector is usually operating system specific. It must load the operating system kernel into memory and transfer control to it. If the active partition does not exist, or the active partition's boot sector is invalid, the MBR can load the backup bootloader and transfer control to it. The backup bootloader must select a partition (often with the help of the user), load its boot sector, and transfer control to it.
Part of the screen with motherboard components initialized and peripherals connected. A table of configured Plug-and-Play devices is visible at the bottom of the screen
BIOS beeps
Each time the computer is booted, an initial check is performed using programs stored in the BIOS chip. If any failure occurs during the BIOS check, it usually provides information that can help determine the cause of the malfunction.
In addition to displaying information on the monitor screen, an audio signal is also used, reproduced through the built-in speaker of the computer. The beep messages may vary in duration, pattern, and pitch depending on the BIOS version installed on the computer.
After the publication of a series of materials on overclocking computer components, we began to receive questions from readers who reveal their ignorance of elementary things related to setting up the BIOS of motherboards. We mentioned that overclocking should be approached with initial theoretical knowledge in this area. However, it seems that many PC users are interested in getting a free performance boost (and not only).
This material is designed to help beginners navigate the basic system settings.
The article will focus on fairly simple concepts related to working with motherboard firmware configuration. First, let's decipher the abbreviation BIOS - Basic Input / Output System ( base system I/O). This is a kind of software recorded in a microcircuit with non-volatile memory, which allows you to carry out the initial initialization of PC components, setting their operating modes. The BIOS contains the microcode needed to control the keyboard, graphics card, drives, ports, and other devices. For the average user, the BIOS is identified with a visual shell that allows you to change the computer settings if necessary.
We also note that the answers to most of the questions raised in this material can be found in the manuals for motherboards. Alas, few of the users who want to know everything at once pay attention to the brochures that come with these products. Sometimes the manuals are quite scarce, but nothing prevents you from getting acquainted with those dedicated to other lines of boards from the same (or another) manufacturer - the basic BIOS options are standard, and what is applicable to one firmware is often suitable when working with another. Knowledge of this material also contributes to the development of this material. of English language- a banal translation of terms will help you navigate in the search for the necessary parameters.
Firmware differences come down not only to the abundance of settings and adjustment ranges of individual parameters. First of all, it is the microcode of a certain developer, which ultimately determines the visual shell. For example, the motherboard BIOS from ASUS is based on the code from AMI (menu with blue characters on a gray background), most manufacturers use Award/Phoenix (blue background, yellow letters). AT recent times Expandable EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) firmware interfaces are gaining popularity, distinguished by an extraordinary graphical interface. They allow you to navigate using not only the keyboard, but also the mouse, and the menu items have become even more intuitive.
How to get into the BIOS
In order to enter the BIOS, it is necessary to press the corresponding button on the keyboard during the initialization of PC devices (passing through the POST procedure). If the motherboard firmware is based on AMI microcode, it will be F2, Award - Del. In order to get into the BIOS of some laptops, you will need to activate the F8 key. However, even if you don’t know what microcode the board’s firmware is based on, during the device initialization process, a prompt will appear on the screen (for example, Press F2 to Enter Setup - “Press F2 to get to the settings section”). If the monitor does not light up in time, after turning on the PC regularly and often press the desired button or, if you are not sure which one, try Del, then F2.
Selecting and changing firmware settings
The BIOS settings are controlled exclusively from the keyboard. To move the cursor, use the arrow block (Up, Down, Right, Left). To change the desired parameter by highlighting it with the cursor, press Enter and select one of the available modes. If the BIOS of the board is based on microcode from AMI, you will have to use the "+" and "-" buttons for the same purposes. Setting certain values can be done directly from the numeric keypad (for example, if you need to change the system bus frequency from 266 to 320 MHz, hover over the corresponding position, enter 3, 2, 0, then Enter). To go up one menu level, press the Esc key, exit the BIOS - perform a similar operation in the root directory. Often it also provides decoding options for managing firmware settings. When you exit the BIOS using the Esc keys (without saving settings) or F10 (with saving settings), a window will definitely appear with the question Do you want to exit/save settings? To confirm, press the Y (Yes) button, to cancel - N (No).
BIOS basics in pictures
The system goes through the initialization procedure (POST). To get into the BIOS, at the moment you need to press the Del key (this is indicated by the inscription at the bottom left of the screen) |
The main BIOS menu of one of the Gigabyte motherboards. Below are brief tips - descriptions of the purpose of individual keys |
A section devoted to fine-tuning the operating modes of the main components of the system (processor, random access memory) may be named differently. In this case, this MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) |
Standard CMOS Features- menu item available in the BIOS of any board. Allows you to set the date and time, as well as view the list of FDD, IDE and SATA devices connected to the system |
Advanced BIOS Features, or Options, is one of the most important sections related to system setup. In our case, it is possible to control the boot priority, individual CPU technologies and the visual design of the splash screen. |
In chapter Integrated Peripherals implemented on the motherboard are activated function blocks(network card, audio codec, IEEE 1394, USB ports, IDE and SATA controllers), their operating modes are set |
Power Management Setup- computer power control, on / off without using a button power system block |
Subcategory PnP/PCI Configurations is nothing of interest to the average user. Hidden there are system addressing settings. |
System monitoring section - PC Health Status. Allows you to track temperature regime operation of PC components, main supply voltages, control the number of revolutions of system fans |
In this BIOS, the management of parameters important for overclocking a PC is concentrated in one section. Otherwise, things may be different with the settings of boards using firmware from AMI - similar options are sometimes located in different subcategories of the main menu |
BIOS updates - is it worth it?
By the time a certain motherboard model is announced, manufacturers do not always have time to develop the optimal firmware for it. Therefore, over time, BIOS updates are released that are available for download from the official websites of manufacturers. The list of improvements that a particular version of the firmware has is often given in the description. Is it worth it to constantly update the BIOS of the motherboard? If the PC works well, and overclocking of components is not limited to the board, then this is not necessary. The firmware should be changed only when certain parameters are significantly changed, functionality is expanded, and sometimes support for new processor models is introduced.
Information on how to update the firmware is also available on the manufacturer's websites. Owners of modern products do this directly from under the OS, using specialized utilities. To update the firmware of older boards, you need to get a floppy drive. When upgrading the BIOS, be extremely careful - power failure, pressing the Reset button prematurely before the operation is completed - and the motherboard will have to be sent to a service center. Possible freezes caused by flaws in utilities from manufacturers. So do not overdo it in pursuit of each new BIOS version, because they are not looking for good from good.
After changing the settings, the computer does not boot. What to do?
A typical situation that accompanies the activities of overclockers is the inability to boot the PC after setting incorrect parameters in the BIOS. Many modern motherboards implement reset technologies in such cases. However, they do not always work, and not all boards are equipped with them. But this is not a reason to get upset, panic and say that the computer is broken. Any motherboard has a special jumper to force reset all settings to Default, often referred to as CLR_CMOS (or Clear CMOS). Its location must be indicated in the instruction manual for the board. The jumper can look like a special button placed on the rear panel (a similar solution is found in top ASUSTeK boards), or it can be soldered in the area where the battery is located. If it has three contacts, two of which are closed by a jumper (a similar scheme is used in most products), it is necessary to move the jumper from one position to another (say, 1-2 → 2-3) and vice versa with the computer turned off for a few seconds. Sometimes the jumper has only two pins (often found on Gigabyte boards), then they must be connected with a conductive object (for example, a screwdriver).
If, after resetting, the system goes through the POST initialization procedure, but does not boot into the OS, make sure that the BIOS shows the hard drive and it is set to the first number among the available boot devices. When using an HDD with an IDE connector on modern motherboards, you may have to configure the external controller mode (Configure SATA Interface as IDE). After carrying out the described manipulations, the system should boot successfully, except for cases of OS failure (such complications are possible, especially when playing for a long time with memory timing settings, but they occur extremely rarely).
Basic BIOS sections - where to look
It is absolutely not necessary for a novice user to thoroughly study each item of the firmware in order to configure the system. Therefore, we will briefly describe the main features available in the BIOS of all boards.
From the basic sections, we single out Standard CMOS Features, Advanced BIOS Features and Integrated Peripherals. The first one displays the current date and time, the amount of RAM, and a list of IDE- and SATA-compatible system devices. You can also change the clock indicators through the OS, so the value of the section lies in the initial PC diagnostics: it keeps track of which drives, hard drives are connected and determined at the hardware level, and which are not. The Advanced BIOS Features (or the Boot menu if the firmware is based on code from AMI) prioritize the boot sequence. There are cases when the operating system on the HDD is not initialized just because the first device in the list of devices is the FDD, which contains a floppy disk, or a CD-ROM with a boot disk. Until you remove the media - do not expect to see the OS. Immediately put the hard drive first - you can never go wrong. The Integrated Peripherals section is interesting because it allows you to disable the controllers soldered on the motherboard, thus controlling the functionality of the PC. If there is no sound in your system when the speakers are connected correctly, check if the audio codec is activated (the submenu value should be Enabled or Auto). The situation is similar with the network controller, IEEE 1394, etc. Pay attention to the paragraphs on USB. Be sure to activate the appropriate controller, enable USB keyboard and mouse support. Depending on the positioning of the motherboard, its features, the Advanced BIOS Features and Integrated Peripherals sections may contain different system settings. You should pay attention to a brief study of the settings proposed in them.
Of the most boards available in the BIOS, we also highlight the sections of system monitoring (PC Health Status), power management (Power Management Setup) and configuring data bus addresses (PnP / PCI Configurations). The last two are of no interest to most. The most valuable for the average user is the monitoring section, which displays the temperatures of the main PC components (CPU, chipset) and the current voltages issued by the power supply, and also has the ability to control the fan speed. However, you should not unconditionally trust these sensors - their readings are sometimes inaccurate.
The settings that determine the speed of the PC, the modes of operation of the main components, are located in one or more adjacent subsections of the BIOS. It is possible that they may not appear at all - do not expect to find options on a cheap motherboard for an office computer for seriously raising the supply voltages, setting RAM timings, and controlling CPU parameters. We talked about the relevant points in more detail in the materials on overclocking a PC, so we will not dwell on them now.
Most of the parameters that can be changed through the BIOS can be set directly in the OS using specialized utilities. However, this method is often inconvenient - every time you boot your computer, you need to run additional software, activate certain settings. When you reinstall the system, they will be lost. Therefore, if you want to be with your computer on "you", you will have to study the BIOS of the motherboard.
Afterword
Perhaps this material does not describe all the nuances of working with the BIOS that beginners would like to know. However, do not be upset if you have not found the answer to your question - first of all, remember where the motherboard manual is located and carefully study the section on firmware. If there is no brochure or the description is too sparse, you can download an extended version from the official website of the motherboard manufacturer for a particular product, or simply find a good manual from a third-party manufacturer. It is likely that the settings mentioned in it will be similar in many respects. If you are not sure - ask again on specialized forums of thematic resources, although we do not see anything wrong with self-study BIOS by trial and error. The “magic” CLR_CMOS jumper for resetting the settings is available on any board, and it is almost impossible to damage some component without radically changing the power settings (for example, increasing the voltage on the processor by 80% of the nominal value).
If, after carefully studying the BIOS of the motherboard installed in your PC, it suddenly turns out that certain settings are missing, do not worry. On products Gigabyte to activate the section responsible for fine-tuning the memory subsystem and the CPU operating mode, after entering the BIOS, press the key combination Ctrl + F1. In other cases, it is quite possible that some options do not exist. A similar situation is typical for budget boards. In their firmware, sections on fine-tuning, power management of PC components are either very scarce or completely absent. However, it is likely that the required parameters can be changed from under the operating system using specialized utilities.
A few words need to be said about the new interface - EFI - coming to replace the classic BIOS. Undoubtedly, a pleasant graphical shell will appeal to individual users, but the convenience of its implementation should be judged only by testing the relevant products. In the meantime, experienced overclockers are quite satisfied with the available opportunities, in which a complete BIOS setup of the motherboard to optimize the parameters of all components and overclock the PC takes from several tens of seconds to a minute. Too fast? Not at all. Learn the basics of working with firmware configuration, expand your own knowledge, and it is possible that over time you yourself will become experts in this field.
Today I will dwell in more detail on what types of BIOS are, because it is difficult for a novice user to understand this. Although, in fact, everything is quite simple - you just need to figure it out a little. Moreover, despite the differences in appearance, in terms of setting up functions and operating principles, they are all similar. I will tell you what types there are and show it all in pictures.
At the moment, there are 3 main types of BIOS that differ by manufacturer.
1. AMI BIOS
American Megatrends Inc. - This is probably the oldest developer. AMI BIOS was running back in my childhood on ancient 286's and 386's computers. Then, for a while, this species disappeared. But last years reappeared, and it is AMI - the most common type of BIOS on ASUS, MSI, Lenovo laptops. There are currently two main branches:
- version 2.XX. It looks like this:
This version of AMI BIOS differs from all others in the structure of the main menu and the gray-blue color scheme.
This branch is already outwardly and in its structure more reminiscent of the classic I / O system from AWARD.
2. Phoenix BIOS, aka Award
Previously, these were two different companies, each producing its own system. The Avard system has been the market leader for many years. But the Phoenix BIOS was not particularly popular with motherboard manufacturers. But then interesting events happen - AWARD Software was bought out by Phoenix. Now it is one company. Here are a few brands:
Award BIOS
There are almost no differences between them - the interface is completely identical. There is, however, an exception - the Phoenix-Award version for laptops. It looks very similar to AMI:
Today, it is this type of BIOS that is used on 90% of desktop computer motherboards.
Intel puts its proprietary BIOS on its proprietary motherboards. Or rather, it is not quite theirs - it is a modified version of the AMI. Until some time, the Intel / AMI 6.0 version was on motherboards, and later, when it was even more significantly redesigned, the options were changed and the interface was redesigned - this type of BIOS began to be called - Intel.
The latest versions generally became more visually similar to UEFI and were called "Intel Visual BIOS":
4.UEFI
I'll probably start with modern look BIOS - UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). This is not even a variety, but an heir or successor, as it is more convenient for anyone to call it. UEFI is the next step in BIOS development. Now, in fact, it is no longer just an I / O system - it is more like an operating system both externally and internally.
Finally added mouse support! Among the key features are an expandable set of features, a pleasant visual interface, the ability to securely boot "Secure Boot", easy firmware upgrades, fast loading of the operating system.
If you have purchased assembled computer or a laptop, then its BIOS is already configured properly, but you can always make any personal adjustments. When the computer is assembled on its own, then for its proper operation, you must configure the BIOS yourself. Also, this need may arise if a new component was connected to the motherboard and all parameters were reset to default.
The interface of most BIOS versions, with the exception of the most modern ones, is a primitive graphical shell, where there are several menu items from which you can go to another screen with already configured parameters. For example, the menu item Boot opens the user the parameters for distributing the priority of loading the computer, that is, there you can select the device from which the PC will be loaded.
In total, there are 3 BIOS manufacturers on the market, and each of them has an interface that can vary significantly in appearance. For example, AMI (American Megatrands Inc.) has a top menu:
In some versions of Phoenix and Award, all section items are located on the main page in the form of columns.
Plus, depending on the manufacturer, the names of some items and parameters may also differ, although they will carry the same meaning.
All movement between items occurs using the arrow keys, and selection - using Enter. Some manufacturers even make a special footnote in the BIOS interface, which says which key is responsible for what. UEFI (the most modern type of BIOS) has a more advanced user interface, the ability to control using a computer mouse, as well as the translation of some items into Russian (the latter is quite rare).
Basic settings
The basic settings include time, date, computer boot priority, various settings for memory, hard drives and drives. Provided that you have just assembled the computer, you need to configure these parameters.
They will be in the section Main, Standard CMOS Features and Boot. It is worth remembering that depending on the manufacturer, the names may differ. To get started, set the date and time according to these instructions:
Now you need to make a priority setting for hard drives and drives. Sometimes, if you do not do it, the system simply will not boot. All desired parameters are in the section Main or Standard CMOS Features(depending on the BIOS version). Step-by-step instruction using the Award/Phoenix BIOS as an example, it looks like this:
Similar settings need to be made for BIOS users from AMI, only here the SATA parameters change. Use this guide to get things done:
AMI BIOS users can complete the standard settings on this, but the Award and Phoenix developers have a few more additional items that need user participation. All of them are in the section Standard CMOS Features. Here is their list:
This completes the standard settings. Usually half of these items will already have what they need.
Options "Advanced"
This time, all settings will be made in the section "Advanced". It is in the BIOS from any manufacturer, however, it may have a slightly different name. Inside it may be a different number of items depending on the manufacturer.
Consider the interface on the example of AMI BIOS:
Now let's proceed directly to the parameter settings from the item :
Award and Phoenix do not need to configure these parameters, since they are configured correctly by default and are located in a completely different section. But in the section "Advanced" you will find advanced settings for setting download priorities. If the computer already has HDD with the operating system installed on it, then in "First Boot Device" select value "HDD-1"(sometimes you have to choose "HDD-0").
If the operating system has not yet been installed on the hard disk, then it is recommended to set the value instead. "USB FDD".
Also at Award and Phoenix in the section "Advanced" there is an item regarding the settings for entering the BIOS with a password - "Password Check". If you have set a password, then it is recommended to pay attention to this item and set a value that is acceptable to you, there are only two of them:
Setting up security and stability
This feature is relevant only for owners of machines with BIOS from Award or Phoenix. You can enable maximum performance or stability mode. In the first case, the system will work a little faster, but there is a risk of incompatibility with some operating systems. In the second case, everything works more stable, but slower (not always).
To enable high performance mode, from the main menu select "Top performance" and put a value in it "Enable". It is worth remembering that there is a risk of disrupting the stability of the operating system, so work in this mode for several days, and if there are any failures in the system that were not previously observed, then disable it by setting the value Disable.
If you prefer stability to speed, then it is recommended to download the secure settings protocol, there are two types of them:
To download any of these protocols, you need to select one of the items discussed above on the right side of the screen, and then confirm the download using the keys Enter or Y.
Setting a password
After completing the basic settings, you can set a password. In this case, no one except you will be able to access the BIOS and / or the ability to change its parameters in any way (depending on the settings that were described above).
In Award and Phoenix, in order to set a password, you need to select the item on the main screen "Set Supervisor Password". A window will open where you enter a password up to 8 characters long, after entering a similar window opens where you need to enter the same password for confirmation. When typing, use only Latin characters and Arabic numerals.
To remove the password, you need to select the item again. "Set Supervisor Password", but when the window for entering a new password appears, just leave it blank and click Enter.
In AMI BIOS, the password is set a little differently. First you need to go to the section Boot, which is in the top menu, and there already find "Supervisor Password". The password is set and removed in the same way with Award/Phoenix.
Upon completion of all manipulations in the BIOS, you need to exit it while saving the previously made settings. To do this, find the item "Save & Exit". In some cases, you can use the hot key F10.
Setting up the BIOS is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. In addition, most of the described settings are often already set by default, as is necessary for the normal operation of the computer.
Without exaggeration, BIOS setup is the basis of any computer, it is perhaps the most important process in system setup.
Many of you know that the BIOS is a basic input / output system, on which the stability and reliability of the system as a whole directly depends. To optimize your computer and increase its performance, you need to start with the basic settings. Here you can achieve the highest performance.
And now about everything in more detail. To enter the BIOS setup program (or Setup), just press " DEL" (or " F2") when the computer boots up.
In order to restore the default settings, select “Load SETUP Defaults” in the BIOS settings, the computer will reboot with factory settings.
Below I will indicate the basic settings for both modern PCs and well-deserved oldies that I would like to return to service.
CPU Level 1 Cache- be sure to enable this option. It is responsible for the use of the first level cache, significantly improves the performance of the entire system.
CPU Level 2 Cache- this parameter plays no less important role than the previous one. So we turn it on. For reference: disabling the cache memory can only be done when it fails, but this will significantly reduce the performance of the system as a whole.
CPU Level 2 Cache ECC Check– parameter enabling/disabling the algorithm for checking error correction in the cache memory of the 2nd level. Enabling this option slightly reduces performance, but improves stability. If you are not overclocking the processor, I advise you not to enable this option.
Boot Up System Speed– the parameter is set to High or Low and determines the processor speed and system bus frequency. Our choice is High.
Cache Timing Control– the parameter controls the read speed of the 2nd level cache memory. Our choice - Fast (Turbo) - high speed, high performance.
With the processor setup finished, let's move on to setting up the RAM. These settings are either under “Chipset Features Setup” or here “Advanced”.
DRAM Frequency– parameter defines the speed of RAM operation. If you know this parameter for sure (usually indicated on the packaging for the memory module), then set it manually, if in doubt, select Auto.
SDRAM Cycle Length– parameter defines the number of cycles required to output data to the bus after the CAS signal arrives. One of the most important parameters affecting performance. If memory allows, you need to set the value to 2.
RAS-to-CAS Delay— The number of cycles required for the data line to enter the amplifier. It also affects performance. A value of 2 is preferred and suitable in most cases.
SDRAM RAS Precharge Time- recharging time of memory cells. Usually the value is 2.
FSB/SDRAM/PCI Freq– determines the frequency of the FSB bus, SDRAM and PCI memory.
Memory Hole At 15-16M– the parameter is responsible for allocating a part of the address space for the memory of ISA devices. Be sure to enable this option if your computer has older ISA bus expansion cards installed, such as an appropriate sound card.
Optimization Method– parameter defines the overall speed of data exchange with RAM. It is determined empirically, starting with the highest value.
There are other parameters, the settings of which will significantly speed up the process of exchanging data with RAM.
The lower the value of time delays or timing (this is the slang of IT engineers and system administrators), the higher the performance, but it is possible that all this will lead to unstable operation.
Experiment on your health, do not forget that you can reset the settings and load the factory settings.
CPU to PCI Write Buffer- when the processor works with a PCI device, it writes to the ports. The data is sent to the bus controller and then to the device registers.
If we enable this option, a write buffer is enabled that accumulates data before the PCI device is ready. And the processor does not have to wait for it - it can release the data and continue executing the program. I advise you to enable this option.
PCI Dynamic Bursting- This parameter is also associated with the write buffer. It includes a data accumulation mode, in which the write operation is performed only when a whole packet of 32 bits is collected in the buffer. Be sure to include.
PCI Latency Timer– parameter sets the number of cycles allocated to each PCI device for data exchange operation. The more cycles, the higher the efficiency of the devices. However, if you have ISA devices, this setting cannot be increased to 128 cycles.
The graphics card tends to have the biggest impact on gaming performance, so optimizing your graphics card settings can make a big difference in overall system speed.
This is especially true for happy owners of old video cards with AGP interface. Consider the main parameters.
Display Cache Window size– the parameter defines the size of cached memory for the needs of the video system. If your computer has less than 256 MB of RAM, set this parameter to 32 MB. Otherwise, set the value to 64 MB.
AGP Capability– the parameter defines the mode of operation of the video card. The main performance characteristic of AGP video cards. Select the fastest mode - 8X.
However, not all video cards support this mode. If after rebooting the computer the operating system does not load or the image deteriorates, reduce the value of this setting.
AGP Master 1WS Read / 1WS Write– parameter sets the number of cycles of one read or write cycle. As with the RAM settings, the timing parameter significantly increases the performance of the process, however, read and write operations may become unstable.
When this parameter is enabled, reading / writing will occur in one clock cycle - the performance is maximum. When the parameter is turned off, the system works stably, but slowly.
VGA 128 Range Attribute– turns on the data exchange buffer between the central processor and the video adapter. Productivity increases.
I also advise you to disable the AGP Spread Spectrum parameter and be sure to enable AGP Fast Write Capability.
HDD S.M.A.R.T Capability– the parameter enables or disables the S.M.A.R.T. diagnostic system, which warns of possible hard drive failures. Use this system or not, it's up to you. I personally turn it off, tk. using specialized software. This feature slightly reduces the speed of your computer when running.
IDE HDD Block Mode– parameter responsible for block data transfer. Those. more information is transmitted per unit of time, which also improves system performance. It is possible to automatically determine the appropriate parameter.
IDE Burst Mode- the parameter connects the clipboard with the IDE interface, which also increases performance.
Virus Warning I always disable this feature. It will not replace the antivirus, but your performance will slow down.
Quick Power on Self Test (or Quick Boot)- you must enable this option so that there is no testing of the hardware of your computer. There is also practically no benefit, and the resource is wasted.
Boot Up Floppy Seek- disable this option. We don't need to look for a boot floppy when starting the computer.
And most importantly, if the system does not boot after a reboot and / or there are beeps, go back to the BIOS and load the default settings (I described how this is done at the very beginning of the article).
Or there is another sure way to reset the settings - turn off the computer, unplug the power cable, open the cover of the system unit and carefully remove the battery from the motherboard, insert it back after 2 minutes, assemble the computer and try to start it. The settings should be reset, the BIOS settings will return to the default values, and the system will boot normally.