Configure The BIOS Parameter Settings

At this point the computer is sitting at the "Main" menu of the "CMOS Setup Utility". We're ready to setup the rest of the BIOS parameters. By now you're somewhat familiar with navigating around the CMOS Utility Menu with the arrow keys and using the keypad plus "+" and minus "-" keys to change values, so I'll simply list the values I use.

The table below shows the BIOS settings and values that I am using on the ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition motherboard. Italics indicate settings and values that are not updateable, although they might be under different BIOS settings.

Main menu

System Time, System Date

The date and time, with the time expressed in military hours.

Language English

The language version used within the CMOS Setup Utility.

Legacy Diskette A: Disabled

Use a value of "1.44M, 3.5 in." if you have a floppy drive installed.

Primary IDE Master Sony DVD RW D

Primary IDE Slave None

Press Enter on the device entry to bring up the sub-menu for the device. The Sony dual format DRU-840A DVD RW optical drive is on the IDE master connection (there's only one IDE on the motherboard I'm using, so it's the Primary, some motherboards may have two, a Primary and a Secondary). Press the Enter key on the value to bring up the corresponding sub-menu.

PIO Mode Auto

UDMA Mode Auto

When the IDE interface has a drive then set the value to Auto and let the BIOS determine if each drive is capable of DMA support, and its respective PIO mode.

Primary IDE Master/Slave Auto

Access Mode Auto

Set to Auto to allow the BIOS to automatically detect devices on the IDE. If a device is detected then the physical characteristics of the drive are filled in.

Capacity, Cylinder, Head, Sector, Transfer Mode

Shows the physical characteristics of the Sony DVD RW drive, but don't be concerned if most values simply show as zero.

SATA 1 WDC WD7500AAKS-0

SATA 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 None

Press Enter on the device entry to bring up the sub-menu for the device. The Western Digital 750GB SATA hard drive is on SATA 1. Press the Enter key on the value to bring up the corresponding sub-menu.

Extended IDE Drive Auto

Access Mode Auto

Set to Auto to allow the BIOS to automatically detect the SATA drive. If a drive is detected then the physical characteristics of the drive are filled in.

Capacity, Cylinder, Head, Landing Zone, Sector

Shows the physical characteristics of the Western Digital 750GB SATA hard drive.

HDD SMART Monitoring Disabled

It's no use having it set to Enabled unless you're also running software that monitors the S.M.A.R.T. status, and who does? Setting to Disabled will give best performance.

Installed Memory 4096MB

A total of 4GB of system memory is installed in My Super PC.

Usable Memory 4095MB

The BIOS reserves 1MB. The operating system reserves a much bigger chunk, so the actual amount of system memory available to applications is closer to 3025MB (3.25GB).

Advanced menu

JumperFree Configuration

Press the Enter key on this item to bring up the corresponding sub-menu. The BIOS settings within are of interest to overclockers.

AI Tuning Auto

Leave this set to Auto unless you want to tinker with overclocking, which is not for the feint of heart. Since I'm not overclocking and I'm using a value of Auto, the rest of the settings in this sub-menu are not configurable.

Overclock Options Disabled

N.O.S. Option Disabled

Non-delay Overclocking System mode.

CPU Frequency Auto

The BIOS automatically detects the value. This is the front side bus speed. This value, multiplied by the CPU Multiplier, is the CPU speed. The values range from 200.0 to 450.0. But generally speaking, it is dangerous to run components faster and out of spec. It's not possible to be sure the computer is completely stable.

PCIEX16_1 Clock Auto

PCIEX16_2 Clock Auto

DDR2 Voltage Control Auto

CPU Voltage Auto

CPU Multiplier Auto

For overclockers to squeeze out performance and to regain stability.

Advanced Voltage Control

The voltage adjustments controlled under this sub-menu are often necessary to regain system stability after overclocking.

CPU Vcore Offset Voltage Disabled

DDR2 Termination Voltage 0.5 x DDR2 Voltage

CPU to NB HT Voltage Auto

NB to SB HT Voltage Auto

NB Core/PCI-E Voltage Auto

SB Core/PCI-E Voltage Auto

SB Standby Core Voltage +1.50V

AI Net2

POST Check LAN Cable Disabled

POST Check LAN2 Cable Disabled

Disabling allows the boot to proceed faster.

PEG Link Mode

This sub-menu and the setting within are unique to ASUS motherboards for overclocking the video card. However, tests show that all settings result in virtually the same performance.

PEG Link Mode Auto

CPU Configuration

Another overclocker tool, again only found in ASUS motherboards.

CPU Type AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+

CPU Speed 3000MHz

Cache RAM 1024K x2

The specifications of the processor.

DRAM Configuration

The BIOS settings under this sub-menu apply to the RAM. Generally it's best to leave everything set to Auto for best stability. Only very advanced users will want to tinker with these values, usually to squeeze out as much performance as possible.

Memory Clock Frequency Auto

Other values are DDR2 400, DDR2 533, DDR2 667 and DDR2 800. You can use this setting to limit the clock speed of the RAM. If the RAM has a default speed greater than the value set then it runs at the lower speed. This could be useful if, for example, the RAM being used has a default speed greater than that supported by the system.

Tcl Auto

Trcd Auto

Trp Auto

Tras Auto

Memory timing parameters. The lower the value, the greater the performance. But there can be great risk to stability with values that are too low. It's best to use Auto as tinkering with the setting can amount to overclocking the memory and introduce instability.

1T/2T Memory Timing Auto

Auto or 2T is best for stability.

AI Clock Skew Auto

Used to improve memory overclocking capability.

Channel A Clock Skew Advance 150ps

Channel B Clock Skew Advance 150ps

Not selectable since AI Clock Skew is set to Auto.

Advanced Memory Settings

DRAM Timing Control

Output Driver Control

These sub-menus provide access to a vast number of DRAM specific settings. Of interest to overclockers.

Current DRAM Timing 800MHz-5-5-5-15-2T

These are the default timings since I'm not using BIOS settings to adjust them.

SLI Ready Memory Optimal

Use a value of Optimal for best performance if you're running SLI-Ready memory modules, like the Crucial Ballistix memory modules I have in My Super PC. If you're not sure then set to Disabled.

SLI-Ready Memory CPUOC 0%

Whatever the setting, does very little or nothing for performance.

AMD Live! Disabled

This feature doesn't do much right now. If Enabled then an Unknown Device will appear in the Device Manager.

AMD Cool 'n' Quiet Function Disabled

This feature has the processor run cooler and quieter when it is idle, or at least not very busy. It does this by adjusting the CPU multiplier and voltages to slow down the processor. This also reduces the amount of electricity the computer is using. Perhaps, if the computer is idle a great deal because it is generally left on even when it is not being used, this can be significant. Since the processor is running slower during these times, it runs cooler, and so the computer can automatically reduce the speed of the CPU fan. Since the CPU fan is running slower, it generates less noise, which can be noticeable since the CPU fan is a significant source of noise in the computer. When the computer gets busy, the computer automatically readjust things again. This happens very quickly, within milliseconds.

But really this feature doesn't do anything worthwhile, like make the computer run faster or extend the life of the parts - it just reduces noise (which may not be a concern anyway) and then only when the computer is not busy. I use a good third-party CPU cooler so CPU fan noise is not an issue. And I don't like the idea of the multipler and voltages constantly being tinkered with.

Chipset

NB to SB HT Frequency Auto

CPU ↔ NB HT Speed Auto

NB → SB HT Speed 5xNB to SB HT Frequency

SB → NB HT Speed 5xSB to NB HT Frequency

CPU ↔ NB HT Width ↓16 ↑16

NB ↔ SB HT Width ↓16 ↑16

Allows various adjustments to the Northbridge - Southbridge frequency. Only for experts. The rest of us should just leave them alone.

NVIDIA GPU Ex Auto

If using an NVIDIA model video card then set to Auto for best performance.

PCIPnP

Plug & Play O/S No

Always set this to No. This ensures that critical devices will be configured, including those for the motherboard chipset. Windows will still detect and configure new hardware as it's added once Windows is installed. Here is what Microsoft has to say about it.

Resources Controlled By Auto

Let the BIOS configure the IRQ settings.

IRQ Resources

Not selectable since the resources are controlled automatically by the BIOS.

Onboard Device Configuration

IDE Function Setup

OnChip IDE Channel 0 Enabled

I'm using an IDE device, namely the DVD RW optical drive, so this needs to be Enabled.

IDE DMA transfer access Enabled

For best performance.

IDE Prefetch Mode Enabled

For best performance.

Serial-ATA Configuration

Serial-ATA Controller Enabled

I'm using a SATA device, namely the hard drive, so this needs to be Enabled.

RAID Enabled Disabled

I'm not using RAID.

SATA 1~6 RAID Disabled

Not selectable since I have RAID disabled.

USB Configuration

USB Controller Enabled

Of course.

USB 2.0 Controller Enabled

Of course.

USB Legacy Support Enabled

It's especially important this be set to Enabled if using a USB keyboard and/or USB mouse.

Onboard 1394 Controller Enabled

Enables the built-in support for FireWire (IEEE 1394).

Onboard 1st/2nd nVidia LAN Enabled

Enables the built-in LAN support to connect to the Internet.

Onboard LAN Boot ROM Disabled

When set to Enabled, the computer can boot without a hard drive by loading the operating system over the network.

Primary Display Adapter PCI-E Slot

Causes the PCI-E display device to be initialized before any other display device, thus making it the primary display device.

HD Audio Auto

Set to Disabled if you decide to use an add-on sound card.

Front Panel Support Type AC97

The front panel audio connectors on the Antec Sonata II is an AC'97 solution. The other possibility is HD Audio. For more on AC97 and HD Audio Front Panel Support Connectors see here.

Silicon SATAII Controller SATA Mode

This setting enables the controller.

Serial Port1 Address 3F8/IRQ4

Standard.

Parallel Port Address 378/IRQ7

Standard.

Parallel Port Mode EPP

Use a value of EPP to get enhanced performance without the potential compatibility problems of the ECP setting.

ECP Mode Use DMA 3

This setting allows selection when the Parallel Port Mode is set to ECP or Bi-Directional.

Power menu

ACPI Suspend Type S1(POS)

This setting controls how the PC goes into power saving mode (standby mode). S1(POS) is the safest setting. Other settings, such as S3(STR) and S1&S3 will save substantially more power, but may not work with older hardware and operating systems. If you don't let your PC go into standby mode that often then you may just want to stick with the safe setting. But if you do then another setting is worth a try.

ACPI APIC Support Enabled

Not a modifiable setting. The purpose of setting it to Enabled is to extend the number of IRQ's. Once the operating system is installed this setting cannot be changed without reinstalling the operating system, which I guess is why it's a locked value.

APM Power Configuration

Restore on AC Power Loss Power-Off

I don't want the computer re-booting on its own when I'm not there after power has been restored from a power loss.

PWR Button < 4 Secs Instant-Off

It is standard operation for a computer that if you hold the power button on the computer down for more than 4 seconds it will power off. This setting controls what the computer should do if the power button is held down for less than 4 seconds. The other option is Suspend.

Power Up On PCI/PCIE Devices Disabled

Can be used to allow the computer to wake up via add-on cards or the built-in LAN support.

Power On By External Modems Disabled

Ditto the modem.

Power On By RTC Alarm Disabled

Date (of Month) Alarm 0

Alarm Time (hh:mm:ss) 0 : 0 : 0

Wake up due to a real time clock event, specified by date and time.

HPET Support Enabled

For best performance. Microsoft describes this setting, the High Precision Event Timer, here.

Power On By PS/2 Mouse Disabled

Power On By PS/2 Keyboard Disabled

I don't use the mouse or keyboard to power on the PC.

Hardware Monitor

CPU Q-Fan Control Disabled

CPU Q-Fan Profile Performance

An ASUS motherboard feature, this allows you to control how hard the CPU fan works. Since I have it Disabled, I'm using the default value of Performance for the highest fan speed. Other values are Optimal and Silent.

Chassis Q-Fan Control Disabled

Chassis Q-Fan Profile Performance

Same thing for the case fan.

Vcore Voltage

3.3V Voltage

5V Voltage

12V Voltage

Reports the actual voltages occurring for these voltage types. The values may change even as you watch them. It's unlikely that the actual value will match exactly the corresponding voltage.

CPU Temperature, M/B Temperature

Reports the CPU and system (motherboard) temperature of the computer.

CPU Fan Speed, CHA_Fan1/2/3/4 Speed, PWR_FAN Speed, CHIP_Fan Speed

Reports the actual fan speeds of the various fans in the computer.

CPU Fan Speed Warning 800 RPM

Allows the CPU fan warning level to be set or disabled.

Boot menu

Boot Device Priority

1st~4th Boot Device

Specifies in what order the computer try devices in order to boot. Normally I have the first boot device set to the Hard Disk and the others don't matter, they may be set to Disabled or also set to Hard Disk. At times it's necessary to boot from a CD or DVD, so in that case the first boot device gets set to CDROM.

Hard Disk Drives

SATA 1 : WDC WD 7500AAKS-00RBA0

CDROM Drives

Master : SONY DVD RW DRU-840A

Boot Settings Configuration

Case Open Warning Disabled

Who cares, really?

Quick Boot Enabled

Skip Power On Self-Tests (POST) for faster boot.

Boot Up Floppy Seek Disabled

Skipping this check makes the boot go a bit faster.

Bootup Num-Lock Off

Personal preference.

Typematic Rate Setting Enabled

Allows a key that is held down to repeat.

Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) 30

Allowed rates are 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 24, and 30 characters per second.

Typematic Delay (Msec) 250

This is the delay, in milliseconds, before the keyboard automatically repeats the keystroke that has been pressed continuously. Allowed delays are 250, 500, 750, and 1000 milliseconds.

OS Select for DRAM > 64 MB Non-OS2

IBM's relic.

Full Screen LOGO Disabled

Splash screen size.

Halt On All, But Keyboard

Halt on all errors except Keyboard Absent error. This enables the computer to boot without the keyboard plugged in.

Security Controls password access to the computer.

Ok, that's done. In a moment we'll be saving the changes, exiting the BIOS and re-booting the computer. But first, insert the CD containing the Data Lifeguard Diagnostics into the optical drive. The 1st Boot Device under Boot Device Priority in the BIOS should be set to CDROM, so the Data Lifeguard Diagnostics utility will be executed when we get that far if all goes well.

Save all changes and exit the BIOS. This is done with the "F10" key on the ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition motherboard. The computer reboots after saving the changes. This time when the computer boots, the processor speed should display correctly. The computer will boot from the optical drive, starting the Data Lifeguard Diagnostics utility.

Common Problems

A problem with the BIOS configuration can manifest itself in many ways and not always right away. That's one reason I make it a point to itemize the BIOS settings I'm using so you'll have a "known good" reference.

After pressing "F10" to save the BIOS parameter values, the computer should reset and re-boot just as when it was first turned on. If it instead powers itself off then you know there's a problem with the BIOS configuration. Or if on re-booting you get a strange message that says something like "Overclocking attempt failed" then you know there's a problem with the BIOS configuration.

In such cases when the problem is immediate and obvious the solution is to undo the offending BIOS setting. If it's not clear which setting is (or might be) causing the problem then use the Load Setup Default option in the CMOS Setup Utility to load safe values for the BIOS. If the computer no longer boots to the BIOS then you can clear the CMOS manually using the jumper or by removing the battery on the motherboard.

But BIOS settings can cause problems later, too, and these can be more difficult to trace to the BIOS. Fortunately as you'll see on the Windows installation page, installing the operating system is actually a good stress test for the BIOS settings. Diagnostics and benchmarks that are run as a final check-out of the built computer should also shake-out any instabilities in the BIOS settings. For example, if a graphics benchmarks locks up then it may be due to a BIOS setting. But with these later tests the failure may also be due to other factors, so re-running the benchmark or diagnostic with the Setup Defaults loaded to see if that eliminates the problem may be just the first thing you try.

Computer Assembly - Test The Hard Drive

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How To Build A Computer. Step By Step Instructions To Assemble. Skip To Any Assembly Step.

	Parts List
	Tools
	Computer Case and Power Supply
	Motherboard
	Processor, CPU Cooler and Thermal Compound
	RAM - System Memory
	Video Card
	Monitor
	Keyboard and Mouse
	Hard Drive
	DVD RW
	Sound Card and Speakers
	Modem
	Install the Processor onto the Motherboard
	Install the CPU Cooler
	Install the RAM - System Memory
	Install the Motherboard into the Computer Case
	Install the Video Card
	Connect the Power Supply to the Motherboard
	Connect the System Panel Cables
	Ready the Monitor
	Ready the Keyboard and Mouse
	First Boot
	First Boot Common Problems
	Install the DVD RW Drive
	Install the SATA Hard Drive
	Connect the Speakers (if using built-in sound)
	Second Boot
	Configure the BIOS Parameter Settings
	Test The Hard Drive
	Install the Operating System - Windows XP
	Install the Operating System - Windows Vista
	Driver Installation

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