If you purchased an assembled computer or laptop, then its BIOS is already configured properly, but you can always make any personal adjustments. When a computer is assembled on its own, then for it to work correctly, you need to configure the BIOS yourself. Also, this need may arise if a new component was connected to the motherboard and all parameters were reset to default.
The interface of most BIOS versions, with the exception of the most modern ones, is a primitive graphical shell, where there are several menu items from which you can go to another screen with already customizable parameters. For example, the menu item "Boot" opens the user to the parameters for distributing the priority of the computer boot, that is, there you can select the device from which the PC will boot.
In total, there are 3 BIOS manufacturers on the market, and each of them has a significantly different interface. For example, AMI (American Megatrands Inc.) has a top menu:
In some versions of Phoenix and Award, all section items are located on the main page in the form of columns.
Plus, depending on the manufacturer, the names of some items and parameters may differ, although they will carry the same meaning.
All movement between items is done using the arrow keys, and the selection is done using Enter... Some manufacturers even make a special footnote in the BIOS interface, where it is written which key is responsible for what. UEFI (the most modern type of BIOS) has a more advanced user interface, the ability to control it with a computer mouse, as well as translation of some points into Russian (the latter is quite rare).
Basic settings
The basic settings include time, date, computer boot priority, various settings for memory, hard drives and drives. Provided that you have just assembled the computer, you need to configure these parameters.
They will be in the section "Main", "Standard CMOS Features" and "Boot"... It is worth remembering that the names may differ depending on the manufacturer. First, set up the date and time according to these instructions:
Now you need to configure the priority of hard drives and drives. Sometimes, if you don't do it, the system simply won't boot. All the necessary parameters are in the section "Main" or "Standard CMOS Features"(depending on the BIOS version). A step-by-step instruction using the Award / Phoenix BIOS as an example is as follows:
Similar settings need to be made for BIOS users from AMI, only here the SATA parameters are changed. Use this guide to work:
AMI BIOS users can finish the standard settings at this point, but the Award and Phoenix developers have a few more additional items that need user participation. All of them are in the section "Standard CMOS Features"... Here is a list of them:
This completes the standard settings. Usually, half of these points will already have what you need.
Advanced options
This time, all settings will be made in the section "Advanced"... It is in the BIOS from any manufacturer, although it may have a slightly different name. Inside it, there may be a different number of items depending on the manufacturer.
Let's consider the interface using the AMI BIOS as an example:
Now let's proceed directly to the settings of the parameters from the point :
Award and Phoenix do not need to configure these parameters, since they are configured correctly by default and are located in a completely different section. But in the section "Advanced" you will find advanced settings for setting boot priorities. If the computer already has a hard disk with an operating system installed on it, then in "First Boot Device" select value "HDD-1"(sometimes you need to choose "HDD-0").
If the operating system has not yet been installed on the hard disk, then instead of it it is recommended to set the value "USB-FDD".
Also at Award and Phoenix in the section "Advanced" there is an item regarding the settings for entering the BIOS with a password - "Password Check"... If you have set a password, then it is recommended to pay attention to this item and set a value that is acceptable to you, there are only two of them:
Configuring security and stability
This feature is only relevant for owners of machines with BIOS from Award or Phoenix. You can enable maximum performance or stability mode. In the first case, the system will work a little faster, but there is a risk of incompatibility with some operating systems. In the second case, everything works more stable, but slower (not always).
To enable high performance mode, from the main menu, select "Top performance" and put in it the value "Enable"... It is worth remembering that there is a risk of disrupting the stability of the operating system, so work in this mode for several days, and if any failures appear in the system that were not previously observed, then disable it by setting the value "Disable".
If you prefer stability over performance, then it is recommended to download the secure settings protocol, there are two types of them in total:
To load any of these protocols, you need to select one of the items discussed above on the right side of the screen, and then confirm the download using the keys Enter or Y.
Setting a password
After completing the basic settings, you can set a password. In this case, no one except you will be able to access the BIOS and / or the ability to change any of its parameters (depending on the settings that were described above).
In Award and Phoenix, in order to set a password, select the item in the main screen Set Supervisor Password... A window will open where you enter a password up to 8 characters long, after entering a similar window opens, where you need to write the same password for confirmation. When typing, use only Latin characters and Arabic numerals.
To remove the password, you need to select the item again Set Supervisor Password, but when the new password window appears, just leave it blank and click Enter.
In the AMI BIOS, the password is set slightly differently. First you need to go to the section "Boot", which is in the top menu, and there you will already find Supervisor Password... The password is set and removed in the same way from Award / Phoenix.
Upon completion of all manipulations in the BIOS, you need to exit it with saving the previously made settings. To do this, find the item Save & Exit... In some cases, you can use the hotkey F10.
Configuring BIOS is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. In addition, most of the described settings are often already set by default as needed for normal computer operation.
Due to the wide range of computer manufacturers, there are many ways to log into BIOS... Below is a list of these methods, as well as other guidelines for entering BIOS settings.
Many people think that access to BIOS settings occurs through windows. This is a misconception. The BIOS begins to perform its functions even before the operating system starts. Then he hands over control to her.
It is a chip located on the motherboard that contains instructions and settings for starting equipment. There are three main ones, AMI, AWARD and UEFI.
Main functions of BIOS
- POST is a testing procedure that runs before the OS boots. It checks the hardware for errors and malfunctions. In the event of a malfunction, beeps.
- Boot loader - if windows is installed, it looks for its files and transfers control.
- Low-level drivers are responsible for controlling computer components.
- BIOS settings - a program that allows you to configure the parameters of the equipment and system.
Where can I find out how to log into BIOS on my computer? Examine your motherboard documentation for a lot of useful information. If you have a laptop, visit the manufacturer's website.
There is another tricky way. When the computer starts up, the desired keys are displayed for a while. In order not to waste time, below are the frequently used buttons.
How to enter BIOS
Most modern computers allow you to enter the settings by pressing one key while the PC boots. Older systems can use combinations of three keys, we will also consider them below. I recommend pressing until you get to the menu in English.
Possible login options:
- CTRL + ALT + ENTER
- CTRL + ALT + ESC
- CTRL + ALT + INS
Most often the keys help to enter the BIOS with numbers 1 and 2. The last three points are outdated combinations, it may be useful to someone.
If F10 launches the BOOT MENU, then F2 will open the BIOS. Boot menu is used to prioritize boot. By default, the hard drive comes first. If you are going to install windows 7 or another, be sure to select a bootable USB flash drive or floppy drive in the first paragraph.
You will hear a beep. Continue to hold the button until the computer stops booting. Next, you will be prompted to enter BIOS settings or press another button to continue downloading.
From the recommendations above, you know how to enter BIOS... Why would you go in there at all? By playing around with the settings, you can increase performance up to 30%. By overclocking the processor by increasing the system bus (FSB) frequencies. Also, with the FSB boost, all other frequencies increase, the speed of the entire system increases.
Greetings, dear readers! You know, it probably wouldn't be a blog with computer tips, if I didn't write anything about such a system as BIOS.
I am sure that every day search engines are asked this question, how to enter BIOS, and today I will try to tell you about this system and how to enter BIOS on different computers.
What is BIOS?
Let's first figure out what it is. Professionally speaking, these are:
(English basic input / output system - "basic input-output system") - a part of the system software implemented in the form of microprograms, which is intended to provide the operating system with API access to the computer hardware and devices connected to it.
Well, if it's simple, then BIOS this set of firmware is written to the system board. Even before the operating system starts to load, BIOS performs a lot of useful and necessary functions. For example, there is such a very important task for the BIOS, it is checking all the components of the computer - POST.
As soon as you press the power button of your computer, the procedure starts POST, which checks for serviceability and the presence of all computer components (video card, RAM, hard disk, and so on) and in case of failure of any of the components, it issues an error by which one can determine this or that breakdown. A beep is also issued, but it seems to me on older computers, in new ones I have not seen this.
The BIOS also controls the loading of the operating system and indicates from which source to boot (DVD / CD drive, hard drive, or a connected flash device). This is especially important when installing an operating system, I will write about this below. Also, the BIOS stores a lot of different settings that can be changed. For example, through the BIOS, I overclocked my processor a little, by increasing the frequency of the system bus.
How do I enter BIOS?
In order to enter the BIOS, immediately after pressing the power button of the computer, you need to press a key diligently, but which one we will now figure out. The fact is that different manufacturers of motherboards or laptops have their own key combination for entering BIOS. These are usually keys Del , F2, or Esc , there may also be combinations of different keys, and for this I will lay out a plate in which you can see the keys for entering BIOS from different manufacturers.
What to do in BIOS?
An interesting question that has many answers. First of all, you need to enter the BIOS before starting the installation of Windows or another OS. The fact is that, by default, the computer boots from the hard disk, and to install the operating system, we need to boot from a DVD / CD drive or a USB flash drive, such settings can be set by going into the BIOS, more about this is written here
Anyone who actively uses their PC, sooner or later, is faced with the need to enter the BIOS. However, this does not always work. Now we will talk about how to enter the BIOS, and also consider the basic settings that are available to the user there.
BIOS name is an English abbreviation that stands for basic input / output system or Basic input and output system. BIOS is one of the basic systems of any PC; it is responsible for turning on the computer, starting connected components, loading the operating system, and also interacting the operating system with the hardware. We can say that at a basic level, the BIOS controls the entire computer.
In what situations does it become necessary to enter the BIOS:
- Overclocking your computer. Using BIOS, you can specify non-standard frequencies and voltages for the processor, memory and other components. In this way, the performance of the processor and the entire computer can be improved.
- Selecting a disk to boot the operating system... In BIOS, the user can specify the drives from which the operating system should be loaded. In this case, it is possible to specify several drives from which loading is possible. In this case, the computer will try to boot the operating system from the first drive, and if it fails, it will move on to the next one.
- Enable or disable integrated components... Some integrated components (for example, a sound card) can be disabled and enabled via BIOS.
- Setting the system date and time... Through BIOS, you can specify the system date and time. When information about the date and time is also reset, after which you need to set the system clock again.
- Computer health monitoring... Through the BIOS, you can access some data about the state of the computer. For example, you can.
- Enabling or disabling some specific computer functions.
In order to enter the BIOS, you must press a special key on the keyboard while the computer boots up, almost immediately after pressing the power button.
Most often, when the computer boots up, a message appears on the screen telling you which key to press. This message looks something like this: "Press Del to enter Setup", it is displayed at the bottom of the screen immediately after the computer starts booting. In most cases, in order to enter the BIOS, you need to press Delete. Therefore, if when you boot your computer you do not see a message about which key you need to press, then try Delete first.
However, the Delete key is not always used. Sometimes other keys or even key combinations can be used.
The keys that are most often used to enter the BIOS:
- DELETE
In addition, on some PCs, the following key combinations can be used to enter the BIOS:
- Ctrl + Alt + Esc
- Ctrl + Alt + Ins
- Ctrl + Alt + S
- Ctrl + Alt + Del
- Ctrl + Alt
- Fn + F1
- Ctrl + Ins
- Ctrl + Alt + Enter
After you have entered the BIOS, you can navigate through all of its items using the keyboard. Let's consider the main keys that are used to control:
- Arrows - move up, down and sideways;
- F1 - open a section with;
- F6 or F9 - set standard settings;
- F10 - save all changes in the settings and exit;
- Enter - enter the selected menu;
- Esc - back or exit. With this key you can go back to the previous screen. If you are on the first screen, then using the Esc key you can exit and restart your computer;
- Plus and minus keys - Change value. Use the +/- keys to change the selected value;
- Tab - select a value;
Modern BIOS versions look different, but they have the same task - initial setup and checking the computer's performance. You can also access them in the same ways. Even if you have a UEFI interface, which often differs not only in appearance, but also in support for a mouse and Russian language.
UEFI / pcInside.info
To go to the BIOS menu on a stationary computer, at boot, you need to press the Del key, in rare cases - F2. Typically, the desired key is indicated on the screen before displaying information about the operating system. The message looks like this: Press F1 to continue, DEL to enter setup, Press DEL to run setup, or Please press DEL or F2 to enter UEFI BIOS settings.
It is necessary to press the indicated key exactly at the moment of displaying such a message. To be sure, you can press several times. But if you still don't have time, wait for it to start and restart your PC to try again.
Try only one key each time you boot. You may simply not have time to check several options.
Depending on the manufacturer, year of manufacture and series of the laptop, you can enter the BIOS in different ways. Various keys are used or even, and the message on the screen indicating the necessary ones may not be.
It is best to test only one of the possible options at a time. If it doesn't work, wait until Windows starts, restart your PC and try another key or combination. It is not worth checking several options at once, since you may simply not get into the right period of time.
Asus laptops
Most often, the F2 key is used to enter the BIOS while turning on the laptop. Less common options are Del and F9.
If that doesn't work, turn off the laptop, hold down Esc, and then press the power button. Do not release Esc until the Boot menu appears on the screen. In it, you need to go to Enter Setup and press Enter.
Acer Laptops
In Acer notebooks, the most commonly used keys are F1 and F2, as well as Ctrl + Alt + Esc. On Acer Aspire series, Ctrl + F2 may be required. In the TravelMate and Extensa lines, you usually need to press F2 or Del to enter the BIOS. Older Acer laptops may have Ctrl + Alt + Del and Ctrl + Alt + Esc combinations.
Lenovo Laptops
To enter the BIOS on Lenovo laptops, you most often need to press the F2 key. On many ultrabooks and hybrid laptops, the F-key row can only be activated with Fn, which means you need to press Fn + F2. The F8 and Del keys are much less common.
superuser.com Many of the company's laptops have a dedicated BIOS key on the side panel or next to the power button. You can click on it only when it is turned off.
HP Laptops
To enter the BIOS on HP notebooks, you usually need to press the F10 or Esc key. But on older models, you may need Del, F1, F11 or F8.
Samsung Laptops
In Samsung devices, most often you need to press F2, F8, F12 or Del to enter BIOS. If you access the F-row only through the Fn button, you will need the appropriate combination: Fn + F2, Fn + F8 or Fn + F12.
Sony Laptops
videoadept.com Vaio series models may have a dedicated ASSIST button. If you click on it while the laptop is booting, a menu will appear with the option to select Start BIOS Setup.
Legacy laptops can use the F1, F2, F3, and Del keys.
Dell Laptops
In the case of Dell laptops, the most common BIOS entry is the F2 key. Slightly less common are F1, F10, Del, Esc and Insert.
How to log into UEFI from Windows 8, 8.1 and Windows 10
In the latest versions on laptops with UEFI, you can enter the I / O subsystem even when the system is already loaded. To do this, go to "Options" and act depending on the version of the operating system.
For Windows 8
Change Computer Settings → General → Special Boot Options → Restart Now → Diagnostics → Advanced Settings → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart.
For Windows 8.1
Change Computer Settings → Update and Recovery → Recovery → Advanced Boot Options → Restart Now → Diagnostics → Advanced Settings → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart.
For Windows 10
Update and Security → Recovery → Special Boot Options → Restart Now → Troubleshooting → Advanced Options → UEFI Firmware Options → Restart.
For Windows 10, there is also an alternative way to switch to UEFI from the login screen or through the Start menu. In both cases, you need to click on the "Shutdown" icon and, while holding down the Shift key, start the reboot. This action will open the section for special boot options.
After that, you will need to follow the same steps as in the previous method. That is, you will need to go to the item "Troubleshooting", select "Advanced options" and "UEFI firmware options", and then click "Restart".
