BIOS Settings for the Pittsburgh Motherboard
This information applies to HP desktop computers with the Pittsburgh motherboard.
The Pittsburgh motherboard uses an AMI BIOS version 7 that is compatible with UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface).
The Basic Input Output System (BIOS) is responsible for enabling the hardware system on your computer when the computer is turned on. The Computer Setup Utility makes it possible to change and store system configuration settings such as enabling and disabling onboard components, setting the boot sequence for the system, and adjusting power management support.
Opening the Computer Setup Utility
To open the Computer Setup Utility, turn on the computer and immediately press the Escape key repeatedly, about once every second, until the Startup menu opens. Then press F10.
To navigate the menus, choose menu screens by pressing the left or right arrow keys. Use the up or down arrow keys to move through the list of items on the menu screen. Press the Enter key to select an item and open a submenu. Then use the left and right arrow keys to modify the settings. Press the F10 key to save the changes and exit from a submenu, or press the Esc key to exit from a submenu without saving the changes.

CAUTION:Information stored by the BIOS is essential and changing certain settings can render your system unusable (until the BIOS is reset). BIOS settings should not be changed unless you are certain the change does not negatively impact the system.
BIOS Settings
The Computer Setup Utility includes five menus from which to choose. Use one of the following sections to change the BIOS settings.
Click expandable (+) headings to expand the information.

NOTE:Device names and settings might vary, based on the configuration of your computer.
The File menu contains the following items:
System Information - Select this to see information about the computer.
About - Select this to see information about the setup utility.
Set Time and Date - Select this to set the time and date.
Apply Defaults and Exit - Select this to return the computer to the default settings and exit from Setup.
Ignore Changes and Exit - Select this to ignore the changes and exit from Setup.
Save Changes and Exit - Select this to save the settings and exit from Setup.
Use the following sections to learn more about each item:
This screen displays the following information about the computer:
| Main menu | Displayed information |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Displays the model number of your HP computer. |
| SKU Number | Displays the product number of your HP computer. |
| Processor Type | Displays the processor type of your HP computer. |
| Processor Speed | Displays the processor speed of your HP computer. |
| Processor Stepping | Displays the microprocessor version of your HP computer. |
| Cache Size (L1/L2/L3) | Displays the size of each of the caches. |
| Memory Size | Displays the total amount of RAM in the computer, the memory type and speed, and the amount of memory installed in each socket. |
| Integrated MAC (Media Access Controller) | Displays the MAC address for the integrated network adapter. |
| System BIOS | Displays the BIOS version. |
| Chassis Serial Number | Displays the serial number of your HP computer. |
Use the up and down arrow keys to select the time or date. Use the left and right arrow keys to adjust the time and date: the left arrow decreases the number and the right arrow increases it. When you are finished setting the time and date, press F10 to accept the changes or ESC to exit without saving the changes.
The Storage menu contains the following items:
Device Configuration - Select this to view device information and configure the storage devices.
Storage Options - Select this to change the SATA controller mode.
DPS Self-test - Select this to perform a diagnostic test on the hard drive.
Boot Order - Select this to change the order of the devices from which the computer boots.
Use the following sections to learn more about each item:
Use Device Configuration to view the device information and change the emulation type for the hard disk drive and the optical drive. Use the up and down arrow keys to select the item. Then press Enter to access the Device Configuration submenu for that drive.
In the Hard Disk or CD-ROM submenus, the following information might be available: Size, Model, Firmware version, Serial Number, and Emulation Type. To change the Emulation type, press the left or right arrow key to change the setting. Then press F10 to accept the change or ESC to cancel the changes and return to the previous menu.
The following table shows the information available in the Device Configuration submenu screen:
| Size (Hard drive only) | Displays the amount of space on the hard drive. |
| Model | Displays the model number of the device. |
| Firmware | Displays the firmware version of the device. |
| Serial Number | Displays the serial number of the device. |
To change the SATA controller mode, use the left and right arrow keys to choose between AHCI or IDE. Then press F10 to save the changes or ESC to cancel and return to the previous screen without saving the changes.
For more information about SATA controller modes, see the HP support document
About SATA Hard Drives and Controller Modes
.
The Drive Protection System (DPS) self-test is a diagnostic tool built into the hard drive to help
diagnose problems with the drive. Press Enter to begin the test.
A screen displays the estimated time to complete the test. Press Enter to select OK and start the test.
A screen displays a graphic showing the progress of the test. To cancel the test from this screen, press ESC.
When the test is complete or if the test is cancelled, a screen displays the results.
Use this screen to specify the order in which UEFI boot sources (such as an internal hard drive, USB hard drive,
USB optical drive, or internal optical drive) or legacy boot sources (such as a network interface card, internal
hard drive, USB optical drive, or internal optical drive) are checked for a bootable operating system
image. UEFI boot sources always have precedence over legacy boot sources.
To change the boot order, use the up and down arrow keys to select the item you want to change. Then press the Enter key to drag the device to a new location. Press F10 to save the change or ESC to cancel the change and return to the previous menu.
The Security menu contains the following items:
Setup Password - Select this to create a password to prevent unauthorized access to the Computer Setup Utility.
Power-On Password - Select this to require a password to turn on the computer.
Device Security - Select this to change device settings from Device available to Device hidden.
USB Security - Select this to enable or disable the USB ports on the computer.
Slot Security - Select this to enable or disable the PCI Express Slots on the computer.
Network Boot - Select this to enable or disable the Network Boot feature.
System IDs - Select this to view the System IDs for the computer.
System Security - Select this to change the system security settings.
Use the following sections to learn more about each item:
In the Setup Password screen, you can create a new password or change the current password to access the Computer Setup Utility.
If you are creating a new password, type a password in the New Password area, and then type it again in the Confirm Password area. Press F10 to accept the password or ESC to cancel and return to the previous menu.
If you are changing the password, type the current password in the Old Password area. Then type a new password in the New Password area and type it again in the Confirm Password area. Press F10 to accept the new password or ESC to cancel, keep the existing password, and return to the previous menu.
Use the Power-On Password screen to create a password or change the password to turn on the computer power.
If you are creating a new password, type a password in the New Password area, then type it again in the Confirm Password area. Press F10 to accept the password or ESC to cancel and return to the previous menu.
If you are changing the password, type the current password in the Old Password area. Then type a new password in the New Password area and type it again in the Confirm Password area. Press F10 to accept the new password or ESC to cancel, keep the existing password, and return to the previous menu.
The Device Security screen lists all the devices on the computer, allowing you to set each device as available or hidden. To change the setting, use the up and down arrow keys to move to the device. Then press the left or right arrow key to change the setting. Press F10 to accept the changes or ESC to cancel and return to the previous menu without saving.

NOTE: The integrated audio on the motherboard cannot be hidden. If the computer is using integrated audio, System Audio does not display in this screen. The System Audio device displays in this screen only if a separate sound card is installed.
Use the USB Security screen to enable or disable the USB ports on the computer. Use the up and down arrow keys to move to a port. Then press the left or right arrow key to change the setting between Enable and Disable. Press F10 to accept the changes or ESC to cancel and return to the previous menu without saving.
Use the Slot Security screen to enable or disable the PCI Express Slots on the computer. To change the setting, use the up and down arrow keys to move to the slot. Then press the left or right arrow key to change the setting. Press F10 to accept the changes or ESC to cancel and return to the previous menu without saving.
The System IDs screen displays information about the computer, including Product Name, Serial Number, and Build ID.
The following information is available:
- Product Name - the HP model name of your computer.
- Serial Number - the unique serial number of your computer.
- UUID - the Universally Unique Identifier of your computer.
- SKU Number - Product ID for your computer.
- Family Name: the model family that your computer belongs to.
- Feature Byte - information about the features on your computer.
- Build ID - the hardware and software configuration of your computer.
- Keyboard - the language setup of your keyboard.
Use System Security to change the Data Execution Prevention and Virtualization Technology settings. Data Execution Prevention helps prevent operating system security breaches. Enable Virtualization Technology if required by virtualization software.
Use the up and down arrow keys to move to an item. Then press the left or right arrow key to change the setting. Press F10 to accept the changes or ESC to cancel and return to the previous menu without saving.
The Power menu contains the following items:
Hardware Power Management - Select this to change the Hardware Power Management settings.
Thermal - Select this to view the fan speeds inside the computer.
Use the following sections to learn more about each item:
Use the Hardware Power Management menu to change the Hardware Power Management settings, such as SATA Power Management.
Use the up and down arrow keys to move to the item. Then press the left or right arrow key to change the setting. Press F10 to accept the changes or ESC to cancel and return to the previous menu without saving.
The following settings are available in the Hardware Power Management menu:
| Hardware Power Management Menu | Setting |
|---|---|
| SATA Power Management | Enable or Disable |
| S5 Maximum Power Savings | Enable this setting to allow the computer to be turned on by a network message. Enable or Disable |
The Advanced menu contains the following items:
Power-On Options - Select this to change what happens after the computer loses power and to change the behavior of the Power On Self Test (POST).
BIOS Power-On - Select this to automatically turn on the computer on a certain day at a certain time.
Bus Options - Select this to change the BUS options.
Device Options - Select this to change the device options such as the behavior of the number lock key.
Use the following sections to learn more about each item:
Use the Power-On Options menu to enable or disable POST (Power On Self Test) messages, to select what happens after the computer has lost power, and set a delay in the POST. Use the up and down arrow key to move to the item you want to change. Then use the left or right arrow key to change the setting. Press F10 to accept the changes or ESC to cancel and return to the previous menu without saving.
The following options are found in the Power-On Options:
| Power-On Options Menu | Settings |
|---|---|
| POST (Power On Self Test) Messages | Enable or Disable |
| After Power Loss | Previous State, On, or Off |
| POST Delay (in seconds) | None, 5, 10, 15, 20, 60 seconds |
Enable the BIOS Power-On feature to set the BIOS to turn on the computer on a certain day at a certain time. To change the setting, press the left or right arrow key to change the setting. If you want to enable the BIOS Power-On, use the down arrow key to move to the Time, and then use the left or right arrow key to set the time for the computer to turn on. Press F10 to accept the changes or ESC to cancel and return to the previous menu without saving.
The following options are available in the BIOS Power-On menu:
| Day of week / Time | Setting |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Enable or Disable |
| Monday | Enable or Disable |
| Tuesday | Enable or Disable |
| Wednesday | Enable or Disable |
| Thursday | Enable or Disable |
| Friday | Enable or Disable |
| Saturday | Enable or Disable |
| Time (hh:mm) | Enter the time to turn on the computer |
Use the up and down arrow keys to move to the item you want to change. To change the setting, press the left or right arrow key to change the setting. Press F10 to accept the changes or ESC to cancel and return to the previous menu without saving.
The following items are found in the BUS Options menu:
| Bus Options menu | Settings |
|---|---|
| PCI SERR# Generation | Enable or Disable |
| PCI VGA Palette Snooping | Sets the VGA palette snooping bit in PCI configuration
space. Needed only when more than one graphics controller is installed. Enable or Disable |
To change items in the Device Options menu, use the up and down arrow keys to move to the item you want to change. Then use the left and right arrow keys to change the setting. Press F10 to accept the changes or ESC to cancel and return to the previous menu without saving the changes.
The following items are available in the Device Options menu:
| Device Options menu | Settings |
|---|---|
| Num Lock State at Power-On | On or Off |
| Multi-Processor | Enable or Disable |
| Hyper-Threading | Enable or Disable |
| NIC PXE Option ROM Download | Enable or Disable |
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