Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
If you install newer hardware or software and follow all the instructions properly but you
can't get it to work, specific problems might exist with the BIOS that an upgrade can fix.
This is especially true for newer OSs. Many older systems need to have a BIOS update to
properlyworkwiththePlugandPlayandACPIpowermanagementfeaturesofWindows.
Because these problems vary from board to board, it pays to periodically check the board
manufacturer'swebsitetoseewhetherupdatesarepostedandwhatproblemstheyfix.Be-
cause new hardware and software that are not compatible with your system could cause it
to fail, I recommend you check the BIOS upgrades available for your system before you
install new hardware or software—particularly processors and OSs.
Where to Get Your BIOS Update
YoumustdownloadmostBIOSupgradesfromthesystemormotherboardmanufacturer's
website. The BIOS manufacturers do not offer BIOS upgrades because the BIOS in your
motherboard did not come directly from them. In other words, although you think you
have a Phoenix, AMI, or Award BIOS, you really don't! Instead, you have a custom ver-
sion of one of these BIOSs, which was licensed by your motherboard manufacturer and
uniquely customized for your particular motherboard. As such, you must get any BIOS
upgrades from the motherboard or system manufacturer because they must be customized
for your board or system as well.
Determining Your BIOS Version
WhenseekingaBIOSupgradeforaparticularmotherboard(orsystem),youneedtoknow
the following information:
• The make and model of the motherboard (or system)
• The version of the existing BIOS
You usually can identify the BIOS you have by watching the screen when the system is
first powered up. It helps to turn on the monitor first because some take a few seconds to
warm up, and the BIOS information is often displayed for only a few seconds. You usu-
ally can press the Pause key on the keyboard when the BIOS ID information is being dis-
played, which freezes it so you can record the information. Pressing any other key allows
the system startup to resume.
Note
Many PCs do not display the typical POST screen. Instead, they show a logo for the mother-
board or PC manufacturer, which is usually referred to as a splash screen . To enter BIOS
Setup, you must press a key or keys (specific to the BIOS manufacturer). See the section
Running or Accessing the CMOS Setup Program ,” later in this chapter, for more inform-
ation. You might hear some in the industry refer to displaying a manufacturer's logo in-
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