Acer 930 Manual

ChapterChapter
22
BIOS Utility
BIOS Utility 2-1
The BIOS Utility allows you to view your system’s configuration settings.
Most systems are already configured by the manufacturer or the dealer.
There is no need to run Setup when starting the computer unless you get a
Run Setup message.
The Setup program loads configuration values into the battery-backed
nonvolatile memory called CMOS RAM. This memory area is not part of
the system RAM. If you repeatedly receive Run Setup messages,
the battery may be bad. In this case, the system
cannot retain configuration values in CMOS.
Ask a qualified technician for assistance.

2-2User’s Guide
2.1 Entering Setup
To enter Setup, press the key combination ++.
You must press + + while the
system is booting. This key combination does not
work during any other time.
The BIOS Utility main menu then appears:
BIOS Utility
System Information
Product Information
Disk Drives
Power Management
Startup Configuration
Advanced Configuration
System Security
Date and Time
Load Default Settings
Abort Settings Change
↑↓←→ = Move highlight bar, ↵= Select, Esc = Exit
The parameters on the screens show default
values. These values may not be the same as
those in your system.

BIOS Utility 2-3
2.2 System Information
The following screen appears if you select System Information from the
main menu.
System Information Page 1/2
Processor ......................Pentium
Processor Speed ................xxx MHz
Bus Frequency ..................xx MHz
Internal Cache .................xx KB, Enabled
External Cache .................xxx KB, Enabled
Floppy Drive A .................x.xx MB, x.x-inch
Floppy Drive B .................None
IDE Primary Channel Master......Hard Disk
IDE Primary Channel Slave.......None
IDE Secondary Channel Master....CD-ROM
IDE Secondary Channel Slave.....None
Total Memory ...................xx MB
1st Bank .....................EDO
2nd Bank .....................EDO
3rd Bank .....................EDO
4th Bank .....................EDO
PgDn/PgUp = Move Screen, Esc = Back to Main Menu
The System Information menu shows the current basic configuration of your
system.
The command line at the bottom of the menu tells you how to move from
one screen to another and return to the main menu.
Press to move to the next page or to return to the previous page.
Press to return to the main menu.

2-4User’s Guide
The following screen shows page 2 of the System Information menu.
System Information Page 2/2
Serial Port 1 ..................... Disabled
Serial Port 2 ..................... 2F8h, IRQ 3
Parallel Port .................... 378h, IRQ 7
Pointing Device ................... Installed
Memory Parity Mode ................ Disabled
Onboard USB ....................... Disabled
PgDn/PgUp = Move Screen, Esc = Back to Main Menu
The following sections explain the parameters.
The parameters in the System Information
screens show default settings. These settings are
non-configurable from these screens.Select
other configuration options from the BIOS Utility
main menu to change the settings.
2.2.1 Processor
The Processor parameter specifies the type of processor currently installed in
your system. The system is designed to support the Intel Pentium II CPU.
2.2.2 Processor Speed
The Processor Speed parameter specifies the speed of the CPU currently
installed in your system. The system supports Intel Pentium II CPUs running
at 233, 266, or 300 MHz.
2.2.3 Bus Frequency
The Bus Frequency parameter specifies the system external clock. The bus
frequency can be either 60 or 66 MHz.

BIOS Utility 2-5
2.2.4 Internal Cache
This parameter specifies the first-level or the internal memory size (i.e., the
memory integrated into the CPU), and whether it is enabled or disabled. For
information on how to configure the system memory, see section 2.7.3.
2.2.5 External Cache
This parameter specifies the second-level cache memory size currently
supported by the system, and whether it is enabled or disabled. For
information on how to configure the system memory, see section 2.7.3.
2.2.6 Floppy Drive A
This parameter specifies the type of drive designated as Floppy Drive A. For
information on how to configure the floppy drives, see section 2.4.1.
2.2.7 Floppy Drive B
This parameter specifies the system’s current floppy drive B settings. For
information on how to configure the floppy drives, see section 2.4.1.
2.2.8 IDE Primary Channel Master
This parameter specifies the current configuration of the IDE device
connected to the master port of the primary IDE channel. For information on
how to configure IDE devices, see section 2.4.2.
2.2.9 IDE Primary Channel Slave
This parameter specifies the current configuration of the IDE device
connected to the slave port of the primary IDE channel. For information on
how to configure IDE devices, see section 2.4.2.
2.2.10 IDE Secondary Channel Master
This parameter specifies the current configuration of the IDE device
connected to the master port of the secondary IDE channel. For information
on how to configure IDE devices, see section 2.4.2.

2-6User’s Guide
2.2.11 IDE Secondary Channel Slave
This parameter specifies the current configuration of the IDE device
connected to the slave port of the secondary IDE channel. For information
on how to configure IDE devices, see section 2.4.2.
2.2.12 Total Memory
This parameter specifies the total system memory. The memory size is
automatically detected by BIOS during the POST. If you install additional
memory, the system automatically adjusts this parameter to display the new
memory size.
1st Bank
This parameter indicates the type of DRAM installed in bank 1. The None
setting indicates that there is no DRAM installed. For the location of bank
1, refer to Figure 1-2.
2nd Bank
This parameter indicates the type of DRAM installed in bank 2. The None
setting indicates that there is no DRAM installed. For the location of bank
2, refer to Figure 1-2.
3rd Bank
This parameter indicates the type of DRAM installed in bank 3. The None
setting indicates that there is no DRAM installed. For the location of bank
3, refer to Figure 1-2.
4th Bank
This parameter indicates the type of DRAM installed in bank 4. The None
setting indicates that there is no DRAM installed. For the location of bank
4, refer to Figure 1-2.
2.2.13 Serial Port 1
This parameter indicates the serial port 1 address and IRQ setting.

BIOS Utility 2-7
2.2.14 Serial Port 2
This parameter indicates the serial port 2 address and IRQ setting.
2.2.15 Parallel Port
This parameter indicates the parallel port address and IRQ setting.
2.2.16 Pointing Device
The BIOS utility automatically detects if there is a mouse connected to the
system. If there is, this parameter displays the Installed setting.
Otherwise, this is set to None.
2.2.17 Memory Parity Mode
This parameter indicates the setting of the memory parity mode. It may be
set to Enabled or Disabled .
2.2.18 Onboard USB
This parameter specifies whether the onboard USB controller is enabled or
not. For information on how to enable or disable USB, see section 2.7.1.

2-8User’s Guide
2.3 Product Information
The Product Information contains general data about the system. It includes
the product name, serial number, BIOS version, etc. These information are
necessary for troubleshooting and may be required when asking for technical
support.
The following screen shows the Product Information items.
Product Information Page 1/1
Product Name .......................... xxxxxxxxx
System S/N ............................ xxxxxxxxx
Main Board ID ......................... xxxxxxxxx
Main Board S/N ........................ xxxxxxxxx
System BIOS Version ................... vx.xx
System BIOS ID ........................ xxx.xx xxx-xx
BIOS Release Date ..................... xx/xx/xx
Esc = Back to Main Menu
2.3.1 Product Name
This parameter specifies the official name of the system.
2.3.2 System S/N
This parameter specifies the system’s serial number.
2.3.3 Main Board ID
This parameter specifies the system board’s identification number.
2.3.4 Main Board S/N
This parameter specifies the system board’s serial number.
2.3.5 System BIOS Version
This parameter specifies the version of the BIOS utility.

BIOS Utility 2-9
2.3.6 System BIOS ID
This parameter specifies the identification number of the BIOS utility.
2.3.7 BIOS Release Date
This parameter specifies the official date the BIOS version is released.

2-10 User’s Guide
2.4 Disk Drives
The Disk Drives menu lets you configure the system hard disk and disk
drive settings. If your hard disk supports the enhanced IDE features, you
may set the functions using this menu.
The following screen shows the Disk Drives parameters and their default
settings:
Disk Drives Page 1/1
Floppy Drive A ........... [xx-MB, xx-inch]
Floppy Drive B ........... [xx-MB, xx-inch]
8IDE Primary Channel Master
8IDE Primary Channel Slave
8IDE Secondary Channel Master
8IDE Secondary Channel Slave
↑↓ = Move Highlight Bar, →←= Change Setting, F1 = Help
The triangle mark that precede an item within a
menu indicates that there is a detailed menu for
that particular item. Select the item to display
the menu.

BIOS Utility 2-11
From the Disk Drives screen, select the IDE Primary Channel Master, IDE
Primary Channel Slave, the IDE Secondary Channel Master, or IDE
Secondary Channel Slave items to display their respective menus.
Selecting the IDE Primary Channel Master item displays the following
menu.
IDE Primary Channel Master Page 1/1
Type.................................. [Auto]
Cylinder .......................... [ ]
Head .............................. [ ]
Sector ............................ [ ]
Size .............................. [ ] MB
Hard Disk Block Mode ................. [Disabled]
Advanced PIO Mode .................... [Auto]
Hard Disk Size > 504MB ............... [Disabled]
Hard Disk 32 Bit Access .............. [Disabled]
CD-ROM Drive DMA Mode ................ [Disabled]
↑↓ = Move Highlight Bar, →←= Change Setting, F1 = Help
The parameters for the IDE Primary Channel Slave, the IDE Secondary
Channel Master, and IDE Secondary Channel Slave menus are the same as
in the above screen.

2-12 User’s Guide
2.4.1 Floppy Drives
To configure the first floppy drive (drive A), highlight the Floppy Drive A
parameter. Press or key to view the options, then select the
appropriate value.
Possible settings for the Floppy Drive parameters:
• [ None ]
• [360 KB, 5.25-inch]
• [1.2 MB, 5.25-inch]
• [720 KB, 3.5-inch]
• [1.44 MB, 3.5-inch]
• [2.88 MB, 3.5-inch]
Follow the same procedure to configure floppy drive B. Choose None if you
do not have a second floppy drive.
2.4.2 IDE Drives
There are four IDE drive option items under the Disk Drives menu. Select
the IDE Primary Channel Master item (or the IDE Secondary Channel
Master) if you want to configure an IDE device set as master. Select the
IDE Primary Channel Slave item (or the IDE Secondary Channel Slave) if
you want to configure an IDE device set as slave.
To configure an IDE device designated as master:
1. Select the IDE Primary Channel Master (or the IDE Secondary
Channel Master) option to display its menu.
2. Highlight the parameter Type, then press or to display the IDE
drive types with their respective values for cylinder, head, sector, and
size.

BIOS Utility 2-13
You may do any of the following:
• Select the type that corresponds to your IDE hard disk drive.
• If you do not know the exact type of your IDE device, select the
Auto option to let the BIOS utility automatically detect the
installed IDE drive type.
• You may save the values under the option User. The next time
you boot the system, the BIOS utility does not have to auto-
configure your IDE drive as it detects the saved disk information
during POST.
We recommend that you copy the IDE disk drive
values and keep them in a safe place in case you
have to reconfigure the disk in the future.
• If you have installed an IDE hard disk that was previously
formatted but does not use the disk native parameters or structure,
i.e., the disk may be formatted according to the user-specified
number of cylinders, heads, and sectors, select the User option.
Then enter the appropriate drive information.
• If there is no device connected, choose None.
To configure an IDE device designated as slave:
1. Select the IDE Primary Channel Slave (or the IDE Secondary Channel
Slave) option to display its menu.
2. Highlight the parameter Type, then press or to display the IDE
drive types with their respective values for cylinder, head, sector, and
size. Refer to the above procedure for configuring a master device.
Hard Disk Block Mode
This function enhances disk performance depending on the hard disk in use.
If you set this parameter to Auto, the BIOS utility automatically detects if
the installed hard disk drive supports the Block Mode function. If
supported, it allows data transfer in block (multiple sectors) at a rate of 256
bytes per cycle. To disregard the feature, change the setting to Disabled .

2-14 User’s Guide
Advanced PIO Mode
When set to Auto, the BIOS utility automatically detects if the installed
hard disk supports the function. If supported, it allows for faster data
recovery and read/write timing that reduces hard disk activity time. This
results to better hard disk performance. To disregard the feature, change the
setting to Disabled .
Hard Disk Size > 504 MB
When set to Auto, the BIOS utility automatically detects if the installed
hard disk supports the function. If supported, it allows you to use a hard
disk with a capacity of more than 504 MB. This is made possible through
the Logical Block Address (LBA) mode translation. However, enhanced
IDE feature works only under DOS and Windows 3.x, Windows 95
environments. Other operating systems require this parameter to be set to
Disabled.

BIOS Utility 2-15
Hard Disk 32-bit Access
Enabling this parameter improves system performance by allowing the use
of the 32-bit hard disk access. This enhanced IDE feature works only under
DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, and Novell NetWare. If your software or
hard disk does not support this function, set this parameter to Disabled .
CD-ROM Drive DMA Mode
This parameter allows you to enable or disable the CD-ROM drive DMA
mode. Set this parameter to Enabled to enable the DMA mode for the CD-
ROM drive. This improves the system performance since it allows direct
memory access to the CD-ROM. To deactivate the function, set the
parameter to Disabled .

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2.5 Power Management
The Power Management menu lets you configure the system power
management features.
The following screen shows the Power Management parameters with their
default settings:
Power Management Page 1/1
Power Management Mode ..................[Disabled]
IDE Hard Disk Standby Timer .........[---]
System Sleep Timer ..................[---]
Stop CPU Clock in Sleep State ....[---]
Wakeup Event
Modem Ring ..........................[Disabled]
↑↓ = Move Highlight Bar, →←= Change Setting, F1 = Help
2.5.1 Power Management Mode
This parameter allows you to reduce power consumption. When this
parameter is set to Enabled, you can configure the IDE hard disk and
system timers. Setting to Disabled deactivates the power management
feature and all the timers.
IDE Hard Disk Standby Timer
This parameter allows the hard disk to enter standby mode after inactivity of
1 to 15 minutes, depending on your setting. When you access the hard disk
again, allow 3 to 5 seconds (depending on the hard disk) for the disk to
return to normal speed. Set this parameter to OFF if your hard disk does not
support this function.

BIOS Utility 2-17
System Sleep Timer
This parameter sets the system to the lowest power-saving mode. It
automatically enters into the sleep or the suspend mode after a specified
period of inactivity. Any keyboard or mouse action, or any modem activity
(if the Modem Ring option is enabled - see section 2.5.2) detected resume
system operation.
STOP CPU CLOCK IN SLEEP STATE
If you want to stop the CPU clock when the system enters the sleep or
suspend mode, set this parameter to Yes. If not, then select No.
2.5.2 Wakeup Event
This parameter lets you specify the activity that will return the system to
normal operatingmode.
Modem Ring
Enable this item if you want to specify the modem activity as your system
wakeup event. This means that any modem activity detected will wake up
the system.

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2.6 Startup Configuration
The Startup Configuration allows you to specify your preferred setting for
bootup.
The following screen appears if you select the Startup Configuration option
from the main menu:
Startup Configuration Page 1/1
Fast POST Mode .........................[Auto ]
Silent Boot ............................[Enabled ]
Num Lock After Boot ....................[Enabled ]
Memory Test ............................[Disabled]
Initialize SCSI Before IDE .............[Disabled]
System Boot Drive ......................[Drive A Then C]
Boot From CD-ROM .......................[Disabled]
Boot from Onboard SCSI Device ..........[Disabled]
↑↓ = Move Highlight Bar, →←= Change Setting, F1 = Help
2.6.1 Fast POST Mode
This parameter allows the system to boot faster by skipping some POST
routines. The default setting is Auto.

BIOS Utility 2-19
2.6.2 Silent Boot
This parameter enables or disables the Silent Boot function. When set to
Enabled, BIOS is in graphical mode and displays only an identification
logo during POST and while booting. After which the screen displays the
operating system prompt (such as DOS) or logo (such as Windows 95). If
any error occurred while booting, the system automatically switches to the
text mode.
Even if your setting is Enabled, you may also switch to the text mode while
booting by pressing after you hear a beep that indicates the activation of
the keyboard.
When set to Disabled, BIOS is in the conventional text mode where you
see the system initialization details on the screen.
2.6.3 Num Lock After Boot
This parameter allows you to activate the Num Lock function upon booting.
The default setting is Enabled.
2.6.4 Memory Test
When set to Enabled, this parameter allows the system to perform a RAM
test during the POST routine. When set to Disabled, the system detects
only the memory size and bypasses the test routine. The default setting is
Disabled .
2.6.5 Initialize SCSI Before IDE
Enabling this parameter allows SCSI devices installed in the system to be
initialized before IDE devices. You may enable this parameter if you have a
SCSI boot drive. When this parameter is disabled, the IDE drives are
normally initialized first during POST.
2.6.6System Boot Drive
This parameter allows you to specify the system search sequence. The
selections are:
• Drive A then C: The system checks drive A first. If there is a
diskette in the drive, the system boots from drive A. Otherwise, it
boots from drive C.

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• Drive C then A: The system checks drive C first. If there is a
hard disk (drive C) installed, the system boots from drive C.
Otherwise, it boots from drive A.
• C: The system always boots from drive C.
• A: The system always boots from drive A.
2.6.7Boot From CD-ROM
When set to Enabled, the system checks for a bootable CD in the IDE
CD-ROM drive. If a CD is present, the system boots from the CD-ROM;
otherwise, it boots from the drive specified in the System Boot Drive
parameter. When set to Disabled, the system boots from the drive
specified in the System Boot Drive parameter.
Note that the CD-ROM drive mentioned above
refers to an IDE CD-ROM drive. When setting the
boot options for a SCSI CD-ROM drive, see
section 2.6.8 for details on SCSI device boot
parameters.
2.6.8Boot from Onboard SCSI Device
Enabling this parameter allows you to boot the system from an onboard
SCSI device. The system boots from the drive specified in the System Boot
Drive parameter when this parameter is set to Disabled . This item is
grayed and non-configurable when the Onboard SCSI parameter under the
Onboard Devices Configuration menu is disabled.