Dell 6100 - Using the System Setup Program; When to Use the System Setup Program

Using the System Setup Program 4-1
Chapter 4
Using the System Setup Program
E
ach time you turn on your computer system or press
the reset button, the system compares the hardware
installed in the system to the hardware listed in the sys-
tem configuration information stored in nonvolatile
random-access memory (NVRAM) on the system board.
If the system detects a discrepancy between the two, it
generates error messages that identify the incorrect con-
figuration settings. Some of these settings are established
using the system setup program, while others are set
using the system configuration utility (see Chapter 5 for
more information).
The system then prompts you to enter the system setup
program to correct the setting.
W
hen to Use the System Setup
Program
You can use the system setup program as follows:
•
To change system configuration information after
you add, change, or remove any hardware in your
system (except a network card)
•
If no diskette drive is installed in the system
(because you must run the system configuration util-
ity from a diskette).
•
To enable or configure the diskette drive.
•
To set or change user-selectable options—for exam-
ple, the time or date on your system.
When you save changes and exit the system setup pro-
gram, the system automatically reboots, causing any
changes to take effect immediately.
CAUTION: Whenever you make changes to the
system setup program or you add, reposition, or
remove Extended Industry-Standard Architec-
ture (EISA) or Industry-Standard Architecture
(ISA) expansion cards, add or remove memory, or
change settings for built-in devices, you must run
the system configuration utility, make any neces-
sary changes, and save the system configuration
information. Failure to do so may cause resource
conflicts between Peripheral Component Inter-
connect (PCI) devices (such as PCI expansion
cards, the built-in video controller, or the built-in
small computer system interface [SCSI] control-
lers). See “Configuring EISA, ISA, and PCI
Expansion Cards” in Chapter 5 for more informa-
tion about how PCI devices are configured based
on settings in the system configuration utility.