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BIOS Setup Utility Information and Menu Options

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This information applies to HP and Compaq desktop computers.
This document contains information on what the BIOS program is and how to use the BIOS Setup utility.
Your computer includes a BIOS Setup utility for changing important computer settings. This document does not define specific default BIOS settings because too many differences exist between computer models. This document includes typical examples. Your system might be different.
Updating the BIOS
If you are looking for information on updating the BIOS, see Updating the BIOS .
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What is the BIOS Setup utility?
Use the BIOS Setup utility to change important BIOS settings for the computer. Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is a program that controls communication between all input and output devices on the computer (such as disk drives, display, keyboard, mouse, and printer). The BIOS settings are stored in a chip on the motherboard CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) memory. A battery on the motherboard keeps the settings from being lost when the system is turned off.
The BIOS stores configuration information such as:
  • The addresses of devices (hard disk drives, for example), that are attached to the computer.
  • The startup sequence of the computer.
  • The amount of system and extended memory.
CAUTION: The information stored by the BIOS Setup utility is essential for correct computer operation. Do not change settings without understanding what will happen. Use caution when making changes in the BIOS Setup utility. A mistake could prevent the computer from operating correctly or Windows from opening.
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Entering the BIOS Setup utility
To open the BIOS Setup screen:
  1. Turn off the computer and wait five seconds.
  2. Turn on the computer.
  3. When the first screen displays, immediately press the F10 key if your computer was built in 2006 or later (came with Vista). Press the F1 key if your computer was built before 2006 (XP or earlier). Press the key once every second until a BIOS Setup utility screen opens.
    NOTE: On some Compaq Presario computers (before 2002), press the F10 key at the logo screen.
  4. Use the keyboard to move through the menus.
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Navigating through the BIOS Setup utility
Help is displayed on the right side or bottom of the screen.
To move through the BIOS, use the keyboard keys as listed in the following table:
Key on keyboardDescription of function
Left or right arrow key Selects a different menu screen (moves the cursor left or right).
Up or down arrow key Selects an item (moves the cursor up or down).
Enter Executes a command or selects a submenu.
F5Loads the default configuration values for the current menu.

If you think a BIOS setting might be wrong, you can reload the defaults. For more information, see Reloading the default settings .
F10Saves the current values and exits the BIOS Setup program.
Esc (Escape) Exits the menu or exits the BIOS Setup program without saving.
NOTE: Your mouse will not function in the BIOS setup screens.
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Reloading the BIOS default settings
To reload the factory BIOS settings to the setup default:
  1. Press the F5 function key.
  2. Select Yes or OK .
  3. Press the Enter key.
  4. Press the F10 function key.
  5. Select Yes or OK to save the defaults.
You can also complete the following steps to reload the factory BIOS settings using the menu:
  1. In the BIOS Setup utility, select the Exit tab.
  2. Select Load Setup Defaults .
  3. The system prompts you to load the optimized setup defaults. Select Yes or OK and press the Enter key.
  4. Select Exit Saving Changes .
  5. Press Esc and then press Enter to exit Setup.
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BIOS Setup menu tabs
The BIOS Setup utility screen has five different tabs along the top. The tab headings are listed as follows:
MainAdvancedPowerBootExit
Allocates resources for hardware components

BIOS Setup initially displays the Main menu screen. 		Configures advanced features available through the chipset Configures power management features Selects boot options and power supply controls Saves or discards changes to Setup program options
See the Main menu screen.See the Advanced menu screen.See the Power menu screen.See the Boot menu screen.See the Exit menu screen.
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BIOS Setup menu screens
Each screen shows different options for modifying the system configuration.
Main menu
The Main tab of the BIOS Setup shows the following typical items on the screen. (Your system might be different):
Figure 1: Example of Phoenix - Award main screen
Figure 2: Example of American Megatrends main screen
  • System Time
  • System Date
  • Language
  • Floppy Diskette (optional)
  • Channel Devices (types of hard disk drives and CD or DVD optical disc drives). Select the Channel Device to view the Channel Device submenu and the hard disk drive settings, such as cylinders, sectors, and capacity, and CD or DVD optical disc drive settings.
  • Installed Memory (RAM). Includes Memory Banks.
  • BIOS Revision
  • Core Version
Channel Device submenu
Two common Channel Device submenu screens and their options are listed below.
Example 1:
  • Device: (Hard disk drive or optical disc drive)
  • Vendor
  • Size
  • LBA Mode
  • Block Mode
  • PIO Mode
  • Heads
  • Async DMA
  • Ultra DMA
  • SMART Support (Available on many computers released after May 2005. See Testing the Hard Drive Using SMART for more information).
  • Type
  • Block (Multi-Sector Transfer) Mode
  • PIO Mode
  • DMA Mode
  • 32Bit Data Transfer Mode
Example 2:
  • IDE HDD Auto-Detection
  • IDE Channel 0 Master [Auto]
  • Access Mode [Auto]
  • Capacity
  • Cylinder
  • Head
  • Precomp
  • Landing Zone
  • Sector
  • SMART Support (Available on many computers that were released after May 2005. See Testing the Hard Drive Using SMART for more information).
  • Transfer Mode
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Advanced menu
The Advanced tab of the BIOS Setup shows the following typical items on the screen. (Your system might be different and not include all items):
CAUTION: Setting items on this menu to incorrect values might cause your system to malfunction.
Figure 3: Example of an Advanced screen
  • CPU type
  • CPU speed
  • Cache RAM (Memory used by the processor)
  • Plug and Play O/S
  • Reset Configuration Data (Initialize the NVRAM)
  • Primary Video Adapter (The graphics adapter type used at startup - set to the slot-type if installing a video card).
  • Onboard Video Memory Size (The amount of memory taken from system memory to be used by the onboard video hardware)
  • PS/2 Mouse
  • Large Disk Access Mode
  • Local Bus IDE Adapter
  • Onboard SATA Adapter
  • Onboard PATA/SATA Adapters
  • Onboard PATA/SATA Configuration
  • USB Legacy Mode Support
  • Onboard TV-out Format
  • Onboard LAN
    NOTE: Onboard devices such as LAN, audio, or video might also appear under PCI or I/O Device configuration.
  • Onboard LAN Boot ROM
  • Onboard 1394
  • Onboard Audio (Disable when installing an Audio card)
  • Supervisor Password
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Power menu
The Power tab of the BIOS Setup shows the following typical items on the screen. (Your system might be different and not include all items):
Figure 4: Example of a Power screen
Two common Power menu screens and options are listed below.
Example 1:
  • After AC Power Failure
  • WOL (Wake-On-Lan) in S4 power state
  • Hyper-Threading (Advanced or Hidden)
  • No Execution (NX/XD)
Example 2:
  • Power Savings
  • Auto Suspend Timeout
  • Hard Disk Timeout
  • IDE Primary Master (power saving setting)
  • IDE Primary Slave (power saving setting)
  • IDE Secondary Master (power saving setting)
  • IDE Secondary Slave (power saving setting)
  • IRQ assigned to modem
  • Power button behavior
  • Restore on AC/Power Loss
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Boot menu
The Boot tab of the BIOS Setup shows the following typical items on the screen. (Your system might be different and not include all items):
Figure 5: Example of a Boot screen
  • Boot-time Diagnostic screen
  • Boot Device Priority (The order for the boot process. For example, removable devices, DVD optical drive, and hard disk drive).
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Exit menu
The Exit tab of the BIOS Setup shows the following typical items on the screen. (Your system might be different and not include all items):
Figure 6: Example of an Exit screen
  • Exit Saving Changes
  • Exit Discarding Changes
  • Load Setup Defaults
  • Discard Changes
  • Save Changes
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