This chapter describes the BIOS Setup program and BIOS parameter settings. It also describes how to use CMOS reset and how to update the system BIOS.
The system's basic input/output system (BIOS) records basic system operating parameters, such as the amount of memory, the boot sequence, and the type of video display. The BIOS is stored in flash erasable-programmable memory (EPROM) on the system board, and reads the system parameters in the system's complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) random-access memory (RAM). When you power off the system, a lithium battery provides power to CMOS RAM to retain the operating parameters. Each time you power on the system, the BIOS uses stored parameters to configure system operation.
The BIOS Setup program, which is also stored in the flash EPROM on the system board, allows you to manually change the system operating parameters. You can also run the BIOS Setup program during the system's power-on self-test (POST). For the system to operate correctly, you should run BIOS Setup after you make any hardware changes to the system.
To run BIOS Setup:
Start or restart the system and press f2 when the SGI logo displays.
To navigate BIOS Setup screens and parameters:
Press the right or left arrow key to move from one screen to the next.
Press the up or down arrow key to select a parameter displayed onscreen.
Press enter to enter a submenu or execute a command.
Press + or – to change the value of a selected parameter.
Press f9 to change all parameters to their default values (as shipped from the factory).
Press f10 to save changes to any parameters and exit from a screen.
Press esc to exit from a screen.
Press f1 for general help with BIOS Setup.
To exit from BIOS Setup:
Go to the Exit screen and select the appropriate option. See “Exit Screen”“ for more information.
Each BIOS Setup screen has the following features:
A screen bar across the top gives you access to all of the BIOS Setup screens.
A navigation bar across the bottom tells you how to navigate BIOS Setup.
A parameter window on the left contains the parameters in the selected screen or submenu.
A help window on the right displays basic information about the selected item.
A pointer (υ) denotes a submenu. Press enter to display it and esc to exit from it.
The Main screen gives you access to the other BIOS Setup screens and to basic parameters.
Table 3-1. Main Screen Parameters
Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
BIOS Version | Displays the BIOS version. |
System Time | Sets the system time. |
System Date | Sets the system date. |
Processor Speed | Displays the processor speed (in MHz). |
Front Side Bus | Displays the front-side bus speed (in MHz). |
Legacy Diskette A/ Legacy Diskette B | Sets the type of floppy disk drive(s) installed in your system. The standard floppy disk drive is 1.44 MB 3˝ inch. |
HDD Configuration | Controls the devices on the system's primary and secondary Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) buses. Each bus supports one master device and one slave device. A submenu lets you manually configure device parameters, select large-disk access mode, and control IDE bus master DMA. By default, the Type parameters for all devices are set to Auto to let the BIOS configure them. |
Keyboard Features | Controls keyboard operation. A submenu lets you configure specific keyboard functions. |
PS/2 Mouse | Controls mouse operation. Disabling this parameter prevents a PS/2 mouse from functioning and releases interrupt request (IRQ) 12. By default, this parameter is Enabled. |
System Memory | Displays the amount of conventional memory detected during system boot. |
Extended Memory | Displays the amount of extended memory detected during system boot. |
Memory Cache | Sets the state of the processor memory cache. A submenu lets you enable or disable the cache and configure specific areas of the cache as needed. By default, the cache is Enabled; the system and video BIOS areas are set to Write Protect; and the cache base and extended memory areas are set to Write Back. |
The Advanced screen lets you configure system devices..
Table 3-2. Advanced Screen Parameters
Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
Processor Serial Number | Controls detection of the processor serial number. By default, this parameter is Enabled. |
Installed O/S | Sets the operating system most commonly used on the system. By default, this parameter is Other. |
Reset Configuration Data | Controls whether the Extended System Configuration Data (ESCD) area is cleared. By default, this parameter is No. |
Extended Memory Test | Controls whether extended memory is tested during power-on self test (POST). |
PCI Configuration | Controls configuration of installed Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) devices. Submenus let you enable, disable, and configure the integrated controllers – SCSI, network, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and audio. Submenus let you enable or disable PCI bus mastering and change the configuration of each PCI socket. Submenus let you configure operation of a system with installed Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), and Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) devices. You can enable an ISA graphics device to access PCI graphics palette data (default is No), reserve upper memory for ISA devices, and reserve IRQs for use by ISA devices. If your system has dual monitors, you can select which video controller is the boot display device (used for VGA display). |
I/O Device Configuration | Controls configuration of the input/output (I/O) ports. You can configure the serial ports, the parallel port, and the floppy disk controller as needed. |
The Security screen lets you control access to BIOS Setup and to the system.
 | Note: When you enter a password, it is saved immediately. All other changes may still be discarded (see “Exit Screen” in this chapter). |
 | Warning: If you forget the supervisor password, it cannot be disabled without clearing CMOS memory. See "Using CMOS Reset" in this chapter for more information. |
Table 3-3. Security Screen Parameters
Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
Supervisor Password Is | Displays the state of the supervisor password. |
User Password Is | Displays the state of the user password. |
Set Supervisor Password | Sets the supervisor password. Press enter to display the entry dialog. To disable a set password, set the password to nothing (press enter without typing a password). |
Set User Password | Sets the user password. Press enter to display the entry dialog. To disable a set password, set the password to nothing (press enter without typing a password). |
Password on Boot | Controls whether a password is required to boot the system. You can use either the supervisor or user password. By default, this parameter is Disabled. |
Diskette Access | Controls access to the floppy disk drive if passwords are set. By default, this parameter is Supervisor. |
The Misc. screen lets you configure miscellaneous system functions.
Table 3-4. Misc. Screen Parameters
Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
Floppy Check | Controls whether the floppy disk drive type is verified during system boot. By default, this parameter is Disabled. |
Summary Screen | Controls whether the system configuration is displayed during system boot. By default, this parameter is Disabled. |
Boot-time Diagnostic Screen | Controls whether a diagnostic screen is displayed during system boot. By default, this parameter is Disabled. |
Wakeup on Keyboard | Controls whether the system wakes from a soft-off state when it detects keyboard activity. By default, this parameter is Disabled. |
Wakeup on LAN | Controls whether the system wakes from a soft-off state when notified by the network controller. By default, this parameter is Disabled. |
Wakeup on Modem Ring | Controls whether the system wakes from a soft-off state when notified by an installed modem. By default, this parameter is Disabled. |
The Boot screen controls the order in which devices are checked during system boot. Available devices are listed on the screen in boot order. A + next to an item indicates multiple devices; a ! indicates that a device or set of devices is disabled (not checked during system boot).
You can:
Press the up or down arrow key to select a device or list of devices.
Press enter to expand or collapse a list of devices.
Press shift+1 to enable or disable a device or list of devices.
Press + to move a device up in boot order.
Press – to move a device down in boot order.
You can select to boot from removable devices, a specific hard disk drive, the CD-ROM drive, or a disk drive on the network.
The Exit screen lets you control the changes made to the BIOS and exit from BIOS Setup.
Table 3-5. Exit Screen Parameters
Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
Exit Saving Changes | Saves the changes you have made, exits the BIOS, and restarts the system to make these changes take effect. |
Exit Discarding Changes | Leaves the previous BIOS settings intact, exits the BIOS, and continues with the operating system boot. |
Load Setup Defaults | Returns all BIOS parameters to their original default settings (as shipped from the factory). |
Discard Changes | Discards any changes you have made, but does not exit the BIOS. |
Save Changes | Saves any changes you have made, but does not exit the BIOS. |
CMOS reset instructs the BIOS to use factory settings, clears BIOS passwords, and runs BIOS Setup at system boot. See Chapter 2, “ Components” for the location of the CMOS reset jumper connector on the system board.
To use CMOS reset:
Turn off system power and disconnect the system from AC power.
Install a jumper on the CMOS reset connector (J29) on the system board.
Connect the system to AC power and start the system. BIOS Setup runs automatically.
Reconfigure the BIOS parameter settings as needed.
Go to the Exit screen and select Save Changes. Do not select Exit Saving Changes or press f10.
Turn off system power (while still in BIOS Setup) and disconnect the system from AC power.
Remove the jumper from the CMOS reset connector (J29) on the system board.
Connect the system to AC power and start the system.
You can use a flash programming utility and a BIOS file to reprogram the system's BIOS. The utility and file are available in a system software product named flashzx. You can get the most recent version of flashzx from SGI's online services.
To update the system BIOS:
Download the flashzx product to a directory on your system.
Extract the BIOS file from the flashzx product to a bootable diskette.
Ensure the system is set to boot from a diskette in the floppy disk drive.
Restart the system with the boot diskette in the floppy disk drive.
When the A: prompt displays, run the flash utility from the boot diskette. See the readme.txt file included with the BIOS update for detailed instructions.
After the update process has completed and the system boots, verify that the new BIOS version displays (in the Main screen).