Everything You Need To Know About BIOS Setup

BIOS is the computer term that stands for Basic Input Output System. BIOS is a software that is stored on the Small Memory Chip present on the motherboard of your computer system.

And you know, BIOS is an essential set of routines that must be present in a PC for its normal functioning.

This acts as a proper intermediary between the hardware of the computer along with its Operating System. In the absence of the BIOS, the computer system will have no proper way to establish the communication and even control the hardware associated with its working.

Therefore, the BIOS is a vital component of the computer system.

So, What Is The Use Of BIOS?

BIOS is an important feature of the computer system that regulates its normal functioning. It provides instructions to the computer system for performing several types of important functions like keyboard control and booting of the computer etc.

BIOS is used for the purpose of the identification and the configuration of the hardware into a computer system as well;

These might include the Hard Drive, Memory, Floppy Drive, CPU, Optical Drive and so more. BIOS enables the computer system to perform certain functions once it is turned on.

The main role of the BIOS is to govern the initial working of the computer system. This might also include the startup process too;

BIOS ensures that the operating system is loaded correctly into the memory.

Difference Between BIOS and UEFI: Each computer functions as an island on itself before the particular OS starts. The BIOS is a critical bit of low-level code that is stored in a non-volatile memory. This is used by the computer system for managing the hardware and for loading the particular OS on another operating system.

A new standard referred to as UEFI stands for Universal Extensible Firmware Interface has become the recent standard for the computer systems who has installed the latest versions of any Series Motherboard.

Mainly, UEFI aims to offer much more advanced options than BIOS.

It offers the support for advanced features like GUI (Graphical User Interface) and even mouse support. This makes it easier for the configuration of the boot along with hardware settings.

UEFI also provides support for the recent security standards that are required by Windows 8 and above OS models. This helps in maintaining the integrity of the current state of the computer system and also prevents the malicious codes from compromising with the computer during boot time.

How To Get Access To BIOS?

BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is usually accessed as well as configured with the help of the BIOS Setup Utility. This factor of the BIOS is more of the BIOS in itself. All the possible options in the BIOS are made configurable with the help of the BIOS Setup Utility.

It is accessed through several ways that would greatly depend on the type of the computer along with the making and modeling of the motherboard. You might be required to get into the BIOS Setup Utility due to several reasons like the proper management of the memory settings, the configuration of the fresh hard drive, setting the booting order, changing the password of BIOS and several other actions.

The accessing and the configuration of the BIOS is quite easy. You must be able to determine the particular key along with the combination of the keys on the keyboard that you would like to press for accessing the BIOS.

You can follow a series of steps for accessing the BIOS Setup Utility upon the computer system. These steps are irrespective of the type of operating system, whatever you are using – Windows 10, 8, 7. Here are some simple steps to achieve the same:

  • Restart the computer. You can switch it on is the computer system is already off. You must be aware of the fact that getting access to the BIOS is free from all types of the operating system present on the computer. This is due to the fact that the BIOS setup is the part of the motherboard of the computer system.
  • Now, you can look out for the option named “Entering Setup” as a message that would appear in the starting few seconds once you would turn on the computer system. This message would vary greatly from one computer system to another. This message also contains the keys that the user would require to press for entering the BIOS. The common ways in which you can see the BIOS message for accessing are:
  1. Press [key] to enter setup
  2. Setup: [key]
  3. Enter BIOS by pressing [key]
  4. Press [key] to enter BIOS setup
  5. Press [key] to access BIOS
  6. Press [key] to access the system configuration

  • You can quickly enter the keys as given by the last message to gain your access into the BIOS. You must note the fact that you would be required to enter the BIOS key for accessing it several times for entering into the BIOS. Do not hold down the key or keep pressing it many times. This might end your computer system in getting locked up or into some error. If that would happen, you can restart the computer system and try getting access to the same.

Most of the times it’s “Del”, “Esc” or “F1” key;

If you are not able to grab the particular key sequence that would be required to get access into the BIOS, then you can take some expert help.

Accessing the BIOS/UEFI Setup Screen: Due to the presence of several configurations and brands, there is a comprehensive list of various methods that can be used for booting into the BIOS or UEFI interfaces. For entering the BIOS, we have already seen that you need to press a certain combination of keys while the computer system is booting up. You have to press the particular buttons when the welcome screen with the logo of the particular manufacturer is displayed.

The same principle goes with getting access to the UEFI.

The screen might display a hint for indicating the appropriate command or key that needs to be entered for getting access to the BIOS or UEFI. You need to start your computer and then hit the required command or key for loading the BIOS or UEFI interface. Once you have loaded the particular BIOS or UEFI, you can then connect the USB media or you can also connect the DVD install media.

Navigating BIOS/UEFI Setup: Though each of BIOS and UEFI might seem different in looks and operations, yet both of them share the same basic principles of navigation. You must use your keyboard’s arrows keys for entering various menus. You can navigate through each interface by browsing or looking for logical labels that would indicate you the desired function that you are going to perform.

#Additional Tips on Using the BIOS Setup

It could be sometimes tricky to use and get access to the BIOS of the computer system. If you are facing issues with the same, then here are some additional tips for accessing the BIOS:

  • Seeing a Logo Instead of Message: There could be cases wherein your computer system is configured to display the logo of the computer instead of the important BIOS message. In such a case, you can enter “Esc” or the “Tab” icon from the keyboard when you come across the logo. This will remove the same and then you would be able to see the BIOS message.

  • Seeing the Message, Not the Key for Pressing: There are some computer systems that are too fast in their booting speed that the users are not able to observe the access message of the BIOS properly. They might not find the proper catch to press the desired key in order to use the BIOS. In this case, the users can enter “Pause/Break” from the keyboard. This action would pause the screen at the time of the startup process of the computer system. Once you have achieved your purpose, you can enter any key on the keyboard to “unfreeze” the computer system and continue with booting of the system.
  • Having Trouble with Freezing the Startup Computer Screen: In case you are having the problem of pressing the pause icon just in time to access the BIOS, then you can try turning on the computer system with the help of the keyboard in an unplugged manner. This would send an error message of the keyboard to the screen. As a result of this, the entire startup process would get paused. The duration of the pause process would be sufficient for the users to spot the keys that might be necessary for them to enter the BIOS system.
  • Making use of a USB-Type Keyboard on Older Computer: Several Personal Computers (PCs) that come with both the USB as well as PS/2 connection options are configured for allowing only the USB form of input right after BIOS POST. This implies the fact that if you are making use of the USB keyboard, then it would become impossible for you to get access to the BIOS. In such a case, you would be required to connect the older version of the PS/2 keyboard with the PC for getting proper access to the BIOS and then using it.

You Know, You Can Also Buy The Convertor Too, In Case If You Have Keyboard Problem;

BIOS contains several options of hardware configuration that can be altered with the help of the BIOS Setup Utility. Once you are able to save these changes and then restart your computer system, the changes would be applied to the BIOS system as well.

This would alter the way in which the BIOS would give instructions to the computer hardware for functioning properly.

BIOS is an important component of the computer system that ensures its normal functioning. Therefore, you must understand its meaning and the different ways in which you can access the same.

#Configuring BIOS Setup

BIOS usually checks the CMOS/BIOS Setup for its custom settings. However, you can easily change the settings as per your will.

Once you have entered the CMOS setup, you will come across a series of text screens with several options. Many of these are standard, while several others might vary depending on the BIOS manufacturer. Some of the common options include:

  • System Time/Date: Sets the system time and date.
  • Mouse/Keyboard: Several options like “enable num lock”, “auto-detect mouse”, “enable the keyboard” and so more.
  • Plug & Play: A standard for auto-detection of the connected devices. It should be set to “yes” if the operating system and your computer are both able to support it.
  • Boot Sequence: Sets the order in which BIOS will load the operating system.
  • Drive Configuration: Configure the hard drives, floppy drives and CD-ROM.
  • Security: Set a password for accessing the computer.
  • Memory: Direct the BIOS for shadowing to a specific memory address.
  • Exit: Saving the changes, discarding the changes or restoring the default settings.
  • Power Management: Selecting whether to use power management along with setting the amount of time for suspend and standby actions.

By making use of these setup changes, you can customize the ease of computer usage and BIOS settings. However, you must be careful while making the desired changes to the setup as any sort of incorrect settings would affect your computer from booting properly.

Once you have done the final changes in the setup, you can choose the option “Save Changes” and then Exit the screen. The BIOS would then restart your computer system such that the new settings would implement on their own.

The BIOS makes use of the CMOS technology for saving any changes that are made to the computer system. With the help of this technology, a small Ni-Cad or lithium battery is able to supply enough power that can keep the data intact for several years.

To top it all, some of the new computer systems come with a 10-year, tiny lithium battery unit that is embedded right into the CMOS setup.


While you might be in the dilemma to use BIOS or UEFI interface for your computer system, you must realize that the both of them function in the same manner.

With this detailed guide to BIOS, you can get an insight into the functioning of your computer system. This will help you to achieve greater efficiency and performance of the computer system.


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