Surely almost every user came across BIOS abbreviation (an established designation in the Russian-speaking computer world - BIOS). But here, what it is, how to properly configure BIOS, and what functions this system performs, not everyone knows. Let's try to understand the basic concepts and issues of settings.
What is a BIOS?
In general, the term BIOS itself, if you translate the abbreviation from English into Russian, means the basic input / output system, but not in the understanding of such actions with information as such. BIOS serves as a layer for the interaction of system and application programs with computer hardware.
If you look, Windows can also be attributed to a complex program (a set of programs) that communicates between a computer and a user. But in order for these programs to work, you need not only device drivers, but also a BIOS system that allows you to initialize absolutely all the iron components and verify their parameters against the requirements of the correct operating system before starting the OS.
Intro to Features
Speaking about how to properly set up BIOS on a computer or laptop, one cannot help but address the issue of basic functions. In addition to the above, you should pay attention to low-level equipment testing before starting the system. If no problems are found, control of the iron components is transferred to the “OS”.
Otherwise, a notification is issued on the screen. But many probably have come across such situations. For example, on a computer, for some reason, the keyboard turned off. A message immediately appears about its absence. Or, say, a hard drive malfunction occurred, to which the BIOS responds instantly.
No less important is the function of storing device parameters, that is, the characteristics of the hardware of a computer or laptop, despite the fact that the BIOS's own memory is only about 1 MB. But such data is not stored on the hard drive, but in a special chip located on the motherboard. By the way, a person familiar with the settings in BIOS Setup mode can easily optimize the operation of any component, although, as practice shows, ordinary users practically do not resort to such procedures.
The most necessary options for computers and laptops
How to configure BIOS on a laptop or computer in terms of basic parameters?
When entering the settings, the longest pressing of the Del, F2, F10 or F12 keys is most often used (everything will depend on the BIOS manufacturer and its current version). In any case, the main settings window on almost all devices looks identical. The difference can only be in the names of categories and menus (for example, Boot Sequence and Boot Priority, which indicate the priority and sequence of loading from a specific device, which is installed in the queue first, second, etc.).
The first thing you should pay attention to when entering the main window is setting the system date and time. Remember, such an installation is made here, and not in the standard Windows settings. Many users who do not know about this can often have problems installing software, because the installer is initially focused on the parameters set in the BIOS, and not in Windows. It turns out that even with one date that was set in the system, the main one (in BIOS) is excellent, and therefore a conflict arises.
How to configure BIOS for installing Windows from a disk?
Now let's touch on an equally important issue related to the initial installation of the "OS" from the disk. How to configure BIOS in this case? The main point is to set the download priority described above.
In other words, here the user needs to start the process not from the hard drive, but from a removable CD / DVD media. In most cases, this is done from the boot section, where the optical drive must be specified as the first device (1-st Boot Device). You can change the boot device using the standard keys PgUp and PgDn, which are available on any keyboard. Next, you need to save the changes (usually it is the F10 key or the Save & Exit command), after which an automatic reboot will follow, and the start will already be made from the optical disk.
BIOS setup for Windows installation from a flash drive
Now a few words about how to properly configure the BIOS, if the system will be installed from a removable USB-drive. Such situations are most often encountered when a drive is simply not provided for in netbooks.
In principle, the question here also boils down to installing a priority device, but only it will not be a disk, but a flash drive. Please note that the flash drive must be inserted into the appropriate USB port before turning on the computer or laptop, otherwise it simply will not be detected.
How to properly configure BIOS ("Windows 7") after installing the system
Upon completion of the initial stage of installation of the same Windows 7, however, like any other system of this family, the terminal is always rebooted. If you do not change the parameters of the priority device, the user will only encounter the fact that the installation will be restarted.
The conclusion is the simplest: when rebooting, you must enter the settings and set the hard drive as the main (first) device. In principle, if the first is the drive, and the second is the hard drive, you just need to remove the installation disk from the drive. But it’s better to immediately change the settings. Suddenly you will play a game that requires the presence of the original disk, forget to remove it and turn off the computer! When you turn on, a message is displayed that this drive is not a system drive, and the settings will have to be changed again.
Next, we pay attention to the question of how to properly configure BIOS on some laptop models from different manufacturers. Basically, the setting is almost the same, but there are some points that you should dwell on separately.
BIOS setup in ASUS laptops
So, how to set up BIOS on an ASUS laptop in terms of boot priority? First, we enter the program by pressing F2 or Del, then go to the Security section, find the Secure Boot Menu section there and disable the Secure Boot Control option in it (set to Disabled).
We return to the Boot section and use the Launch CSM line that appears. We save the changes, reboot the laptop and go into the BIOS again. Now, in the Boot section, you can install a drive or flash drive as a priority device. The question of how to properly configure BIOS (ASUS) should not cause any special difficulties. By the way, such settings are used by default on almost all devices of this manufacturer.
BIOS Setup on Acer Laptops
Now consider how to properly configure BIOS on an Acer laptop. In principle, everything looks standard here, but some additional options deserve the most attention. This is the F12 Boot Menu. When the option is turned on, before loading the system, the user will be asked to choose from which device to produce it, which saves the user from manually setting priorities.
The second interesting parameter is D2D Recovery, which allows you to activate system recovery. But it is advisable to use it only if you have a special utility Acer Recovery Management.
Finally, the third Power On Display parameter allows you to control whether the main screen is turned on or off if an external monitor is connected to the laptop.
BIOS setup on Hewlett Packard laptops
Still it is worth saying a few words about how to properly configure BIOS on an HP laptop. Here, too, there are interesting points.
Immediately after turning on the device, press the Esc key, after which the Startup Menu will appear on the screen. Why is it interesting? The fact that it has two points: F9 Boot Device Options and F10 BIOS Setup.
The first option is selected for a one-time start with the choice of a device, the second makes an entry directly into the BIOS settings. Here, in the system configuration section, you need to go to the Boot Options settings, where you should use the Boot Order setting. Only scrolling devices up and down is done with the F5 / F6 keys. However, for booting from optical media, it is better to set the priority option directly in the BIOS. The manager must be left to choose a start from a flash drive.
Some features in setting up BIOS for emergency situations
Naturally, the BIOS functions and settings are not limited to this. For example, in a situation where there are problems with the hard drives, a full check may be required, which includes surface diagnostics.
Regardless of which utility will be used (native Windows tool or a third-party program), it is advisable to perform a full check when changing the SATA controller parameter from AHCI to IDE mode.
Among other things, if anyone does not know, BIOS also allows you to control some other parameters, say, processor temperature, spindle speed of the hard disk, and device memory. With this program, you can set different parameters of IRQ interrupts, turn devices on or off, boot the system over the network, etc. Although, if you look at it, the average user practically does not need such settings (unless, with rare exceptions), but without the need for BIOS without special knowledge, as they say, is better not to climb at all.
Conclusion
That's all with regard to the question of how to properly configure BIOS. As already clear, the specific settings that may be needed in emergency situations were not considered in this material. But here are some interesting parameters that were still affected. However, if someone has a desire to study BIOS settings, so to speak, in a larger volume, this will not be difficult. At the very least, you can read the technical documentation or use the tips that are usually displayed on the right side of the screen when entering a menu. But the settings themselves are almost always automated and set to use the best defaults.
Well, the problem of installing priority devices to download the date and time, I think, will not cause any special difficulties, since the actions are identical even in devices from different manufacturers. The most important thing here is to find the appropriate section, and to understand the names you will need a minimum knowledge of English.