How to go to the BIOS? How to configure BIOS: tips

The average PC user rarely deals with fine-tuning the device using the BIOS interface. However, it is very useful to know what this option is for.

Very many owners of modern PCs, despite the "promotion" and high performance devices, are still interested in the principles of their work. They want to learn how to go out and configure these or other hardware and software components in the BIOS.

BIOS: what is it?

BIOS (you can write in Russian: BIOS) is an abbreviation. It means basic in-out system, that is, it is the basic system that manages I / O. It prescribes key algorithms for the operation of hardware components of the PC, as well as basic settings that ensure the functioning of the programs.

The BIOS is installed, as a rule, at the capacities of the motherboard manufacturer. Advanced IT professionals have the skills of installing an I / O system at home. In their arsenal there can be firmware for flashing and even reprogramming the BIOS. They simply do not need a simple user. But, perhaps, today's simple user will want to become an advanced one someday? Is it excluded that the BIOS system will interest him so much that he will want to learn how to reinstall it on his own? Probably not. Therefore, we continue our digression into the functional specificity of the input-output system.

BIOS exists almost independently of the hardware and software installed on the PC. The algorithms of the input-output system are prescribed in a small chip, which is built into the motherboard. This component is supplemented by another module designed for data storage. It is called CMOS and also represents a microcircuit. That is, the user can make changes to the BIOS algorithms, and they will be remembered by the system. The maintenance of the microcircuit is carried out with the help of a small power source ("batteries"), that is, it is autonomous from the power supply of the PC.

How long does the "battery" of the BIOS work?

The average life of the BIOS is 5-6 years. As soon as this component fails, a CMOS-checksum error appears on the computer screen. Further loading of the PC, as a rule, is possible, but the settings that are critical for the optimal operation of the computer and the operating system will not be fixed. That is, the PC will work, but, most likely, slowly and with "hangs".

There are no problems with replacing the "battery" of BIOS, no. It is inexpensive and is sold in most computer centers. The procedure for replacing the component can be made at home. And if you still trust the master, he will most likely take a little for his work, as the "battery" is changing very simply, literally in a minute.

Types of BIOS

As a rule, PC manufacturers write BIOS control modules not independently, but buy ready-made software algorithms. The main IT companies that supply these solutions to the market are AWARD, AMI, and Phoenix. There are very few fundamental differences between different versions of BIOS. As a rule, they consist in the design of the software interface of the system and some of its functions. Different versions of BIOS have almost the same capabilities in terms of managing the hardware components of the PC and fine tuning them.

How to get into the BIOS interface?

We pass from theory to practice. Very many users simply do not know how to go to the BIOS. Although in theory, a good idea of the operation of the input-output system.

How can PC users read BIOS settings, and make changes to them? Very simple. You need to enter the interface of the system. The input algorithm determines, as a rule, the manufacturer of the PC or motherboard.

In most cases, to enter the BIOS interface, immediately after turning on the computer, press the DELETE key.

Variants are possible in which the F2, Esc, or a combination of keys (such as, for example, pressing CTRL, ALT and INS at the same time) perform a similar function.

In almost all cases, a prompt appears on the screen - what exactly you need to press to enter the BIOS. Usually in English (for example, press INS to enter BIOS). Sometimes, however, the hints appear for a very short period of time, literally a second or two. In some cases, the word BIOS in the screen text is replaced with the term SETUP.

How to enter the web interface BIOS, we looked. But what is the practical significance of such actions? How to get into the BIOS in order to optimize the PC?

What settings can I change in the BIOS?

The degree of susceptibility to computer settings changes is determined by the manufacturer. It happens that the brand opens a minimum of BIOS settings. Or, on the contrary - allows using the system interface to make a wide variety of changes in the configuration of hardware and software components of the PC.

Most often the BIOS is needed to solve the following tasks.

1. Set the start of the PC from various media. The computer almost always loads the operating system from the hard drive. Accordingly, by default the BIOS is programmed to start the PC from the hard drive. But in some cases, the user may need to start the computer not from the hard drive, but, say, from the DVD. Or, for example, with a flash drive. Then you can set the following parameter, going into the BIOS interface: booting from a DVD disc. In practice, this function is most often used if the computer is infected with a virus, and it can not be downloaded from the hard drive. Another option is to install an operating system that is different from Windows (for example, Unix) from the boot disk.
2. Solving problems with hardware components of the PC. In some cases, the hardware installed on the computer starts to malfunction. Very often this is due to insufficiently optimal BIOS settings. IT-specialist or the user, acting according to the manual, can, using the BIOS interface, set the necessary parameters.
3. Setting a password to boot the PC. This is one of the most popular features. By using it, the user can protect the input to his computer with a password. Hack it is very difficult. The reliability of protection is very high: without entering the correct password, boot the OS or at least get access to the disks of the computer does not work.

Is the BIOS the same on a PC and laptop?

As already mentioned above, there are three most common BIOS versions in the world. Despite a wide range of models and technical performances of computers, each of them will, one way or another, only one of three possible modifications of the BIOS. Thus, if we buy a PC, and in a neighboring store a laptop, then with a high degree of probability they will be installed the same BIOS version. The user's sequence of actions, allowing to go into the BIOS on the laptop, will be similar to that applicable to fixed PCs.

At the same time, many IT specialists note that for BIOS-interfaces installed on laptops, as a rule, fewer settings are open than for similar systems that are programmable in microcircuits on a PC. Although, according to experts, everything is determined by the policy of a specific manufacturer.

We work with BIOS: practice

Many users are worried about the question: how to configure BIOS, without affecting the critical parameters for the system? How to find the right area of the system interface? Now we will try to answer these questions.

It's easy to learn in the BIOS interface. Consider the basic features of the system using the example of working with Award BIOS on a desktop computer.

So, turning on the PC and pressing the DEL key (or others that are programmed by the computer manufacturer), we get into the BIOS interface. How to get into BIOS, we understood. Next, we will look at the layout of the I / O interface controls.

Before our eyes, the BIOS settings screen will open. Selecting the right ones is very simple: you use the arrows on the keyboard (as a rule, you can use all four). To open an option, press ENTER.

In the event that the user accidentally made changes to the settings in which he does not understand, then you can cancel all actions by pressing F9 (works on most interfaces).

In order, in turn, to save the changes made to the settings, you need to press F10 (and then ENTER to confirm the action).

Now let's see how we can use the functions from the ones we mentioned above as the most popular ones. How to set up the BIOS with an emphasis on the practical significance of the actions?

In order to specify the source from which the computer will boot, we should select the option BOOT in the BIOS interface. When we select it, a column will appear on the screen, in which various data carriers will be displayed from top to bottom: hard disk (HDD), DVD, Flash, etc. The computer starts downloading from the component that is displayed at the topmost line.

The default is HDD. If we want the download to come from DVD, then using the auxiliary keys (as a rule, it is "+", less often page up), move the name of the media to the top line.

To set the password for PC boot, select the option Set Supervisor Password.

We set the password (preferably in English, the register does not matter) and confirm it.

Having finished working with the BIOS interface, we can either write down all the changes we made with the F10 key, or cancel them by pressing F9. The Exit Saving Changes and Discard Changes options perform the same function, respectively.

It's easy to work with BIOS. But it's important not only how to go to BIOS and with what keyboard shortcuts to change and save settings. The main thing is not to overdo the experiments on making changes to the critical parameters for the computer.

"Successor" BIOS: UEFI

The BIOS is used on computers of various configurations for more than two decades. It is replaced by new technologies. Among those that, according to experts, have the greatest chance of success - the UEFI system.

One of the most high-tech companies in the world is ASUS. In the motherboards produced by this brand, the standard BIOS is replaced by an innovative interface. Let's see what possibilities are in the platform, which has become an alternative to the BIOS, ASUS. Setting up a PC - how much more difficult is it in UEFI? Or, conversely, easier? Is it harder to run UEFI compared to how to get out of the BIOS?

UEFI Features

The basic functionality of the innovative PC management system is not much different from what the BIOS has. The main accent developers put on the convenience of using the interface, so that even beginners could easily understand the intricacies of setting algorithms.

In particular, in the UEFI interface for ASUS motherboards there are modes, after which you can quickly optimize the performance of your PC. These are called: Power Saving, Normal and Optimal.

In the UEFI interface for ASUS, there is a tab called Ai Tweaker. In it, the user can detect a large number of options, allowing very fine-tune the hardware components of the computer. In particular, you can set the frequencies for the processor, change the voltage levels, etc.

The Power Management section is also interesting, in which it is possible to configure the power saving parameters of the PC.

So, an example of a company that actively uses the BIOS alternative is ASUS. Setting up the innovative UEFI programming interface is not much more complicated than in the BIOS (and, as recognized by a number of experts, it's even easier). The extent to which the market will be receptive to the new system for managing PC components is likely to be understood by the IT community in the coming years. It is unlikely that the only firm that decided to abandon the use of traditional BIOS - ASUS. Certainly, among the manufacturers of computer technology, there are other brands that are trying to use the most modern technologies in their work. At the same time, it is possible that such a company as, for example, HP BIOS, will prefer to see it as the leading platform for managing software and hardware components of computers.

Recommendations for working with BIOS

Because the BIOS is a system that allows you to control your computer in low-level settings, IT professionals do not recommend newcomers to make significant changes to the relevant BIOS parameters. There are cases when users unknowingly exposed values in the PC settings that turned out to be completely incompatible with the hardware capabilities of the device. Experts are not recommended to experiment with frequencies, voltage levels and other parameters that affect the performance of hardware.

The main types of tasks for which it makes sense to open the BIOS interface, we listed. Very rarely there is a situation (at home using the PC), when there is a need to go beyond the above instructions. And if this happens, then it is preferable to turn to masters who have sufficient professional qualifications and experience.

At the same time, it is possible and even necessary to study the BIOS interfaces for informational purposes. Having opened a different setting, the user can, by opening a detailed instruction, learn what the answer is for, which increases his level of knowledge about the principles of PC operation.