How to properly configure the BIOS on your computer and laptop?

For sure, almost every user came across the abbreviation BIOS (established designation in the Russian-speaking computer world - BIOS). But it is not known to everyone what is it, how to correctly configure BIOS, and what functions this system performs. Let's try to understand the basic concepts and questions of the settings.

What is BIOS?

In general, the very term BIOS, if you translate the abbreviation from English into Russian, means a basic input / output system, but not in understanding such actions with information as such. BIOS serves as a layer for the interaction of system and application programs with computer hardware.

If you understand, Windows can also be referred to a complex program (a set of programs), which provides communication between the computer and the user. But, in order for these programs to work, you need not only device drivers, but also a BIOS system that allows you to initialize absolutely all the iron components before the start of the OS and to reconcile their parameters with the requirements of the correct operation of the operating system.

Preliminary acquaintance with the functions

Talking about how to properly configure the BIOS on a computer or laptop, you can not help but touch on the issue of basic functions. In addition to the above, you should pay attention to low-level testing of equipment before the start of the system. If no problem is found, the management of the iron components is transferred to the "operating system".

Otherwise, a corresponding notification will be displayed on the screen. But many, probably, faced with such situations. For example, on a computer, for some reason, the keyboard disconnected. Immediately a message appears about its absence. Or, say, there was a failure in the hard drive, which BIOS reacts instantly.

Equally important is the function of storing device parameters, that is, the characteristics of the hardware of a computer or laptop, despite the fact that the BIOS itself is only about 1 MB in size. But such data is stored not on a hard drive, but in a special chip located on the motherboard. By the way, a person familiar with the settings in the BIOS Setup mode can easily optimize the performance of any component, although, as practice shows, ordinary users hardly resort to such procedures.

The most necessary parameters for computers and laptops

How to properly configure the BIOS on a laptop or computer in terms of basic parameters?

When you enter the settings, you often use the long press of the Del, F2, F10 or F12 keys (everything here will depend on the BIOS manufacturer and its current version). In any case, the main settings window on almost all devices looks identical. The difference can only be in the names of categories and menus (for example, Boot Sequence and Boot Priority, indicating the priority and sequence of loading from a particular device, which is set in the queue first, second, etc.).

The first thing you should pay attention to when entering the main window is to set the system date and time. Remember, this installation is done here, and not in the standard Windows settings. Many users who do not know about this can often experience problems installing the software, because the installer is initially focused on the parameters set in the BIOS, and not in Windows. It turns out that even with one date that was exhibited in the system, the main one (in BIOS) is excellent, that's why the conflict arises.

How to properly configure the BIOS to install "Windows" from the disk?

Now let's touch upon an equally important issue related to the initial installation of the "operating system" from the disk. How to properly configure the BIOS in this case? The main thing is to set the download priority described above.

In other words, the user is required to start the process not from the hard disk, but from the removable CD / DVD media. In most cases, this is done from the boot partition where the optical drive needs to be specified as the first device (1-st Boot Device). You can change the boot device using the standard PgUp and PgDn keys that are available on any keyboard. Then you need to save the changes (usually the F10 key or the Save & Exit command), after which an automatic reboot will be performed, and the start will be performed already from the optical disk.

Configuring BIOS for installing "Windows" from a flash drive

Now a few words about how to properly configure the BIOS, if the installation of the system will be made from a removable USB-media. Such situations are most often encountered when a drive is simply not provided in netbooks.

In principle, the question here also boils down to establishing a priority device, but only this will not be a disk, but a flash drive. Please note that you need to insert the USB flash drive into the appropriate USB port before turning on the computer or laptop, otherwise it will not be detected.

How to properly configure BIOS ("Windows 7") after installing the system

At the end of the initial installation phase of the same Windows 7, however, like any other system of this family, the terminal is always rebooted. If you do not change the settings of the priority device, the user will only encounter that the installation will be restarted.

The conclusion is the easiest: when rebooting, you should enter the settings and set the hard disk as the primary (first) device. In principle, if the drive is first, and the second is a hard disk, simply remove the installation disk from the drive. But it's better to change the settings right away. Suddenly, you will play a game that requires the presence of the original disc, forget to remove it and turn off the computer! When you turn on the message will be shown that this disk is not a system disk, and the settings will have to be changed again.

Next, let's pay attention to the question of how to correctly configure BIOS on some notebook models from different manufacturers. At the heart of its configuration is almost the same, but there are some points that should be addressed separately.

Configuring BIOS in ASUS laptops

So, how to correctly configure BIOS on ASUS laptop in terms of boot priority? First enter the program by pressing F2 or Del, then go to the Security section, find the Secure Boot Menu section there and disable the Secure Boot Control option (set to Disabled).

We return to the Boot section and activate the appeared Launch CSM line. Save the changes, reboot the laptop and go to the BIOS again. Now in the Boot partition, you can install a floppy drive or a flash drive as a priority device. The question of how to properly configure BIOS (ASUS), should not cause any special difficulties. By the way, such settings are used by default on almost all devices of this manufacturer.

Setting up the BIOS in Acer notebooks

Now consider how to properly configure the BIOS on the Acer laptop. In principle, everything looks standard here, but some additional options deserve the most attention. This is the F12 Boot Menu. With this option enabled, the user will be prompted to choose which device to boot from before starting the system, which saves the user from setting priorities manually.

The second interesting parameter is D2D Recovery, which allows you to activate system recovery. But it is desirable to use it only if you have a special utility Acer Recovery Management.

Finally, the third parameter Power On Display allows you to control the turning on and off of the main screen if an external monitor is connected to the laptop.

Configuring BIOS in Hewlett Packard laptops

Still need to say a few words about how to properly configure the BIOS on the HP laptop. There are also interesting moments here.

Immediately after turning on the device, you should press the Esc key, after which the Startup Menu will appear on the screen. Than it is interesting? The fact that it has two items: F9 Boot Device Options and F10 BIOS Setup.

The first option is selected for a one-time start with the device selection, the second one enters directly into the BIOS settings. Here in the system configuration section, go to the Boot Options, where you should use the Boot Order. Only scroll through the devices up and down with the F5 / F6 keys. However, for boot from optical media it is better to set the priority option directly in the BIOS. The manager must be left to choose the start from the flash drive.

Some features in configuring BIOS for abnormal situations

Naturally, these functions and BIOS settings are not limited. For example, in a situation where there are problems with hard drives, you may need a full scan, which includes surface diagnostics.

Regardless of which utility will be used (native Windows tool or third-party program), it is desirable to perform a full scan when changing the SATA controller parameter from AHCI to IDE mode.

In addition, if anyone does not know, BIOS can also control some other parameters, for example, the processor temperature, the spindle speed of the hard disk, and the memory capacity of the devices. With this program you can set different parameters for IRQ interrupts, enable or disable devices, boot the system over a network, etc. Although, if you understand, the average user does not need such settings (except, with rare exceptions), and without the need for BIOS without special knowledge, as they say, it's better not to climb at all.

Conclusion

That's all, as for the question, how to properly configure the BIOS. As it is already clear, specific settings that may be needed in emergency situations were not considered in this material. But here are some interesting parameters yet were affected. However, if someone has a desire to study BIOS settings, so to speak, in a larger volume, this will not work. At least, you can read technical documentation or use hints, which are usually displayed on the right side of the screen when you enter a particular menu. But the settings themselves are almost always automated and set to use the best defaults.

Well, the problem of setting priority devices for downloading the date and time, I think, will not cause any special difficulties, since the actions are identical even in devices from different manufacturers. Here, the most important thing is to find the appropriate section, and for understanding the names you need a minimal knowledge of English.