BIOS(Basic Inputand Output System)records hardware parameters of thesystem in theCMOS on the
motherboard.ItsmajorfunctionsincludeconductingthePower-OnSelf-Test(POST)duringsystemstartup,
saving system parameters and loading operating system, etc. BIOS includes a BIOS Setup program that allows
theusertomodifybasicsystemcongurationsettingsortoactivatecertainsystemfeatures.
When the power is turned off, the battery on the motherboard supplies the necessary power to the CMOS to
keepthecongurationvaluesintheCMOS.
ToaccesstheBIOSSetupprogram,pressthe<Delete>keyduringthePOSTwhenthepoweristurnedon.
ToupgradetheBIOS,useeithertheGIGABYTEQ-Flashor@BIOSutility.
• Q-Flash allows the user to quickly and easily upgrade or back up BIOS without entering the operating system.
• @BIOSisaWindows-basedutilitythatsearchesanddownloadsthelatestversionofBIOSfromtheInternet
and updates the BIOS.
Chapter 2 BIOS Setup
• BecauseBIOSashingispotentiallyrisky,ifyoudonotencounterproblemsusingthecurrent
versionofBIOS,itisrecommendedthatyounotashtheBIOS.ToashtheBIOS,doitwith
caution.InadequateBIOSashingmayresultinsystemmalfunction.
• Itisrecommendedthatyounotalterthedefaultsettings(unlessyouneedto)topreventsystem
instability or other unexpected results. Inadequately altering the settings may result in system's
failure to boot. If this occurs, try to clear the CMOS values and reset the board to default values.
(Refertothe"LoadOptimizedDefaults"sectioninthischapterorintroductionsofthebattery/clear
CMOSjumperinChapter1forhowtocleartheCMOSvalues.)
2-1 Startup Screen
The following startup Logo screen will appear when the computer boots.
(SampleBIOSVersion:F1)
Function Keys
• When the system is not stable as usual, select the Load Optimized Defaults item to set your system to its defaults.
• The BIOS Setup menus described in this chapter are for reference only and may differ by BIOS version.
TherearetwodifferentBIOSmodesasfollowsandyoucanusethe<F2>keytoswitchbetweenthetwomodes.
The Classic Setup mode provides detailed BIOS settings. You can press the arrow keys on your keyboard to move
amongtheitemsandpress<Enter>toacceptorenterasub-menu.Oryoucanuseyourmousetoselectthe
item you want. Easy Mode allows users to quickly view their current system information or to make adjustments
foroptimumperformance.InEasyMode,youcanuseyourmousetomovethroughcongurationitems.
- 18 -