BIOS Setup

Advanced CMOS Setup

As referred by the name itself, the Advanced CMOS Setup displays the computer configuration advanced options. However, most advanced setup options are set according to user preferences as you’ll see. Below we’ll discuss the most common advanced options, indicating our setup options, though you’ll don’t have to take them literally, because, as we mentioned, several options are configured according to user’s taste.

It is worth noting that your computer setup may not have all options discussed here, just as it can eventually display options that were not discussed.

• Typematic Rate Programming: You can set up the keyboard repetition rate by enabling this option, that is, when you press continuously a key it will start to be automatically repeated. The repetition rate setup is done by means of one of the two options discussed below:
• Typematic Rate Delay: Sets up the time the computer waits before starting to repeat a key held pressed down. The value configured in this option is given in milliseconds.
• Typematic Rate: Configures the number of characters per seconds the automatic repetition will generate.
• Quick Power On Self Test: In the Award BIOS, the memory test is performed three times. With that option enabled, the test is done only once, making the boot process faster.
• Above 1 MB Memory Test: Enable this option in order to have all RAM memory tested during memory counting. In case this option isn’t enabled, only the first 1 MB memory will be tested, and that is not interesting.
• Memory Test Tick Sound: Enable tick sound during memory count. The adjustment depends on personal preference.
• Hit <del> Message Display: Having that function enabled, the “Hit <del> to Run Setup” is displayed during memory count. We suggest you let it enabled though you can run setup normally when message is not displayed during memory count.
• Wait For <F1> If Any Error: Just like previous option, it enables displaying of “Press <F1> To Resume” message is case there is an error during Post On Self Test. We suggest you leave it enabled.
• System Boot Up Num Lock: Sets up the Num Lock key Status when powering the computer on. We suggest you leave it enabled.
• Floppy Drive Seek at Boot: Performs a test, after memory count, to check if the floppy drive units configured at setup are actually installed. Our suggestion is that you disable this function in order that boot process be faster.
• System Boot Up Sequence: Sets up boot sequence, that is, from which unit boot will run. We suggest you leave it as “C Only”, or “C, A” in case former option is not available. This will cause a faster boot, as computer will read the operating system directly from hard disk, and will avoid boot virus contamination, as a boot from floppy will be disabled.
• Boot sector Virus Protection (or Anti-virus or Virus Warning): Watch out, as the name of this option may lead to an error. Having that option enabled, computer will not allow hard disk boot sector updating, which is a task a virus could attempt to. The issue is that some disk utilities, like e.g., Norton Utilities and the operating system installing program itself, change data in the boot sector, causing a false error message in case this option stays enabled. That is why many technicians cannot install the operating system when this option is enabled. Therefore, our recommendation is that you leave this option disabled. If you want to be protected against viruses, use a good anti-virus program.