Simple BIOS utility settings

The BIOS can be used to set your notebook's system parameters. The system date, time, power settings and other functions are set in the BIOS. This information is stored on a non-volatile, battery-backed CMOS RAM. This simply means that the settings are saved even when the notebook itself is switched off.

To access the BIOS, when the POST (Power-on self test) is occurring, you will see the message "press DEL to enter SETUP". when you see this, press del. This message is not on screen for long, and should you miss it you will need to reboot your notebook.

This page is intended merely as a guide, should you do any severe damage to your computer whilst in the BIOS, we can accept no responsibility.
The following options are available in the BIOS.

Menu Menu Items
Standard Date and time, Drive Configuration (primary, secondary, master/slave), Boot-Sector virus protection
Advanced Boot sequence, Password check, shared memory size, TV Display type, TV Scan type
Power Management Intel Speedstep Technology, Power Management, Suspend Mode, Suspent Time-out, Hard Disk Time-out, RTC Alarm, RTC Hour/Minute/Second
Default Returns the BIOS to default settings.
Save & Exit Saves any changes made in the BIOS and reboots the system.
Exit Exits the BIOS and reboots the system without saving any changes made.

Use the following keys to navigate around the BIOS options.

Keys Command Description
Esc Exit Leaves a submenu to return to the previous menu OR exits the BIOS setup while saving changes
F2/F3 Change Colour Changes the background colour of the BIOS setting utility
F10 Save and Exit Saves changes and reboots the notebook
<Tab> Select a field Selects the next field.
Up Arrow Select an item Selects the next upper item
Down Arrow Select an item Selects the next lower item
PgUp Lower Value Selects the next value within a field
PgDn Higher value Selects the next value within a field


Note: if an option is not listed in the following menus, then it should remain at the factory default setting.

Standard Menu

This provides the user with simple, basic options such as date/time and Master/Slave drive setup and BIOS virus protection.
Item Setting/Option Function
Date and Time Day/Month/Year
Hour/Minute/Second		 Sets the date and time


Advanced Menu

From the Advanced menu, things such as Boot Device orders, shared memory options and television out options can be set.
Item Setting/Option Function
Boot Device 1st Boot Device Hard Disk C Specify the system's first choice for the boot drive
CD-ROM drive
Diskette A
USB FDD
2nd Boot Device Hard Disk C Specify the system's second choice for the boot drive
CD-ROM Drive
Diskette A
USB FDD
3rd Boot Device Hard Disk C Specify the system's third choice for the boot drive
CD-ROM Drive
Diskette A
USB FDD
VGA Shared Memory 8mb Select the VGA shared memory size
16mb
32mb
64mb
TV Mode TV Mode Selection NTSC Select the television standard you intend to use with the TV-Out port
PAL
Warning - NEVER set the shared Memory to be the same size as the total memory of your notebook. (i.e. if you only have 64mb memory, do not set the shared memory to 64mb). If you do this, your notebook will not boot and you will have to add more physical RAM before you can access your notebook!

Power Management Setup

From the Power Management Setup, there are a number of choices to control the power saving options of the notebook, including such things as after what period of time the Hard Disk goes into standy, what function the power button performs, and various other ways of making your notebook's battery last longer.

Item Setting/Option Function
Enable Power Saving Enable Enable/Disable all power saving features
Disable
Hard Disk Time Out Disabled The Hard Disk will enter standby mode if it is not accessed within the specified period. Hard Disk power will be restored when the disk drive is accessed
1 Min
2 Min
5 Min
10 Min
15 Min
Standby Time-Out Disabled The period of inactivity before entering suspend mode.
1 Min
2 Min
3 Min
4 Min
5 Min
10 Min
15 Min
20 Min
30 Min
Power Switch Type On/Off The Power Button is used to turn the system on or off when pressed.
Suspend Set the power switch type to enable suspend function.
Suspend Type Disabled System will stay on at all time
DRAM Power on suspend mode. The system will save it's state to DRAM and enter standby suspend mode.
Disk Save to disk suspend mode. The system will save it's state to the Hard Disk and power off.