Askey Computer WLL220CL 2.4 GHz/ 5 GHz Mini-PCI in Laptop User Manual Appendix
Askey Computer Corp 2.4 GHz/ 5 GHz Mini-PCI in Laptop Appendix
Contents
Notebook Users Manual 3
7 The BIOS Setup Program
7.1 Introduction
The BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) Setup program is a
menu driven utility that enables you to make changes to the
system configuration and tailor the operation of your Notebook to
your individual work needs. A ROM-based configuration utility
displays the system's configuration status and provides you with a
tool to set system parameters. These parameters are stored in
nonvolatile battery backed-up CMOS RAM, which saves this
information even when the power is turned off. When the
computer is turned back on, the system is configured with the
values found in CMOS. Using easy-to-use menus, you can
configure such items as:
! Hard drives, diskette drives and peripherals
! Video display options
! Password protection from unauthorized use
! Boot devices
The settings made in the Setup program intimately affect how the
Notebook performs. It is important, therefore, first to try to
understand all the available options, and second, to make settings
appropriate for the way you use the Notebook. This chapter will
guide you through the Setup program by providing clear
explanations for all Setup options.
A standard configuration has already been set in the Setup
program by the factory technicians, so you will very likely have
little to worry about for now. However, eventually you may want
to customize your system to suit your own performance needs. It
is recommended that you read this chapter and become familiar
with the adjustments that can be made in the BIOS.
The next section explains how to move around in the Setup
program, as well as how to specify and save your new settings. A
brief discussion of the optional settings among the different
submenus follows.
7.2 Navigating through the BIOS Setup
Program
The Setup program has been designed to make it as easy to use as
possible. It is a menu driven program, which means you can
scroll through the various directories and make your selections
among the various predetermined choices. If you accidentally
make a setting and do not know which one to switch back to, use
the BIOS hot keys to return to the previous value. The hot keys
are discussed in more detail later in this chapter.
When turning on the Notebook for the first time you may get a
message prompting you to run the BIOS Setup program. A
warning message may appear on the screen if the hardware
configuration is changed or the POST fails. This message will
inform you of any errors or invalid settings and prompt you to run
the Setup program to correct the problem.
Even if you are not prompted by a message instructing you to use
the Setup program, at some time in the future you may want to
change the configuration of your computer. For example, you
may want to make changes to the display option settings or
enable the Notebook's password function for security purposes. It
will then be necessary to reconfigure your system using the Setup
program so that the computer can recognize these changes.
The list below gives a few examples of reasons why you may
want or need to run the BIOS Setup program.
! You have set up the computer for the first time and you got a
message stating that you should run the BIOS Setup program.
! You want to redefine the communication ports to prevent any
conflicts.
! You want to change the password or make other changes to the
security setup.
The few examples listed above are by no means a complete list.
7.2.1 Accessing the BIOS Setup program
To access the BIOS Setup program, press the F2 key as soon as
the computer starts up and you see the INSYDE BIOS screen.
The Menu Bar
The top of the Setup screen has a menu bar with the following
selections:
Main Use this menu to make changes to the basic
system configuration.
Advanced Use this menu to enable and make changes to
the advanced features available on your system.
Security Use this menu to set User and Supervisor
passwords.
Boot Use this menu to specify the order in which the
Notebook is to check for a device to boot the
system.
Exit Use this menu to specify how to exit the Setup
program.
To move between menu bar items, use the [◄] and [►] arrow
keys until the desired item is highlighted. For example, if you
want to move from the Main menu to the Advanced menu, press
the right arrow key [►] once.
Item Specific Help
At the bottom of the Setup screen, you will notice an item specific
help bar. For each item that you select on the menu, the bar
informs of its specific function as well as the hot keys related
specifically to that item and/or submenu.
7.2.2 Launching submenus
A submenu contains additional options for a field parameter. To
call up a submenu, simply move the highlight to the desired field
and press the [Enter] key. The submenu opens.
If you are a first time user or are not familiar with BIOS Setup
programs, it is highly recommended that you take a few minutes
to familiarize yourself with each of the submenus and their
corresponding functions. If you accidentally make unwanted
changes to the current configuration, go to the Exit menu and
select Discard Changes.
7.2.3 Saving Changes and Exiting the Setup
Program
Refer to the Exit Menu section of this chapter for detailed
information on saving changes and exiting the Setup program.
7.3 The Main Menu
When the Setup program is accessed, the Information screen
appears. Use the down key to select the Main Menu.
Enter the Main Menu of the BIOS setup program to make
changes to the Notebook's basic system configuration. Each of
the fields displayed in this menu is covered below in detail.
Date and Time
Sets your system to the time that you specify (usually the current
time). The format is hour, minute, and second, using the 24-hour
clock. Insert the appropriate information. Use the mouse to move
between the hour, minute, and second fields.
Splash Boot Logo
Selecting this option displays the INSYDE BIOS splash logo
when you start your computer. If you do not select it, the startup
system check sequence is displayed.
Use the [SPACE] bar to select the Splash Boot Logo option or
not.
Language
Sets the BIOS Setup program’s language. Choose either English
or Japanese.
Version Info
Displays the BIOS Setup program’s version information.
7.4 The System Devices Menu
Selecting System Devices from the menu bar displays the System
Devices Menu.
This menu allows you to configure the Notebook's ports options.
Each field on this menu is covered below.
FIR Ports
This field allows you to configure the Notebook’s FIR Port. The
following options are available:
FIR I/O address – Lets you Disable the FIR Port or assign an I/O
port to the device. The following I/O options are available:
! Disabled
! Com1, 3F8, IRQ 4
! Com2, 3F8, IRQ 4
! Com3, 3E8, IRQ 4
! Com4, 2E8, IRQ 3
Mode Settings for IRDA – Allows you to configure the
Notebook's FIR Port transmission mode. The following options
are available:
! Normal (16650)
! IrDA (HPSIR)
! ASK IR
! FAST IR
The default value for this field is Fast IR.
DMA Setting for Fast IR – This field is only available when the
FIR Port Mode Setting for IRDA is set to FAST IR. The following
options are available:
! DMA 1
! DMA 2
! DMA 3
The default value for this field is: DMA 3
LPT Port
This field allows you to configure the Notebook's LPT Port. The
following options are available:
! None
! LPT1, 378, IRQ 7
! LPT2, 278, IRQ 5
! LPT3, 3BC, IRQ 7
The default value for this field is: LPT1, 378, IRQ 7
Changing the default address and IRQ settings for the Serial and
LPT Port can cause conflicts with other installed peripherals
Port Definition – This field allows you to configure the
Notebook's LPT Port transmission mode.
The following options are available:
! Standard
! Bidirectional
! Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP)
! Extended Capabilities (ECP)
EPP and ECP are bidirectional modes, allowing both data input
and output. The EPP and ECP modes are only supported with
EPP- and ECP-aware peripherals.
DMA Setting for ECP Mode – This field is only available when
the Port Definition is set to ECP.
The following options are available:
! DMA 1
! DMA 3
The default value for this field is: DMA 1
Legacy USB
Enables or disables legacy USB device support.
Use the [SPACE] bar to select the Legacy USB option or not.
7.5 The Security Menu
The Notebook's advanced system of security allows you to set a
password to prevent unauthorized access to system resources,
data, and the BIOS Setup program. This section covers each
parameter of the Security Menu. Selecting Security from the
menu bar displays the following menu:
Each field of the Security Menu is covered in detail below.
A Note about Passwords
The BIOS Setup program allows you to specify passwords in the
Security menu. The passwords control access to the BIOS and
certain Security menu options during system startup.
The passwords are not case sensitive. In other words, a password
can be entered using either upper or lower case letters; it makes
no difference.
Passwords should be composed of characters A-Z, 0-9 and ten
characters in length.
The administrator password must be set before the user password
can be set.
Set User Password… / Set Supervisor Password…
These fields allow you to set the System Password. The System
Password allows full access to the BIOS Setup menus. To set the
Supervisor password, highlight this field and press [Enter].
Type the password and press the [Enter] key. You can type up to
ten alphanumeric characters. Symbols are ignored.
To confirm the password, type the password again and press the
[Enter] key. The supervisor or user password is now set, and now
you can choose when to verify the password – either when you
the boot the system, or when a person enters Setup.
To change or clear a password, enter the submenu again. You will
need to enter the Supervisor password, after which you can create
a new one or set the password verification options.
7.6 The Boot Menu
The Boot Menu allows the user to specify the order in which the
Notebook is to check for a device to boot the system. To make
changes, select Boot from the menu bar. The following screen
appears:
Boot Device
The Boot Menu allows you to alter the priority the system uses to
search for the boot device on system power up according to
numerical order.
Use your mouse to select the First, Second, and Third boot
devices from this submenu.
7.7 The Exit Menu
Once you have made all of your selections from the various
menus in the Setup program, you should save your changes and
exit Setup. Select Exit from the menu bar to display the following
menu:
P
ressing the [Esc] key can be used to close an open menu or submenu.
Pressing it again saves the current parameters and reboots the
computer.
Each of the options on this menu is described below.
Exit Saving Changes
Once you are finished making your selections, choose this option
from the Exit Menu to ensure the values you selected are saved to
Non-Volatile RAM. Changes you made to the Setup program
must be changed to Non-Volatile RAM in order to make them
operative. Non-Volatile RAM differs from standard RAM
memory in that it is sustained by an on-board battery and stays on
even when the Notebook is turned off.
Once your selections have been saved, the Setup program asks
you to confirm your choice, and then reboot the computer.
System will reboot if OK is selected and will stay in Setup if
Cancel is selected.
The next time you boot up the Notebook, the BIOS will attempt
to load the values you saved in Non-Volatile memory. If these
values cause the system boot to fail, reboot and press [F2] to enter
the Setup program. Once in Setup, you can try to change the
values that caused the system boot to fail. If the problem persists,
load the default values (see Get Default Values below).
If you attempt to exit the Setup program without saving your changes,
the program will prompt you with a message asking if you want to
save your changes before exiting.
Exit Discarding Changes
This option can be used if you do not want to save the changes
you have made to the Setup program. The default is set to No. If
you have made changes to the fields other than system date,
system time and password, the system will ask for confirmation
when choosing Exit Discarding Changes.
The system reboots using the original Setup values.
Load Setup Default
This option allows you to load the default values for each of the
parameters on the Setup Menus. When this option is selected, a
confirmation message appears.
The system will remain in Setup after either selection.
You can now select Exit Saving Changes or make other changes
before saving the values to Non-Volatile RAM.
Discard Changes
Restores the Setup program’s values to the ones it had when you
entered the program during the boot sequence.