bios

If Windows is the friendly face who presented projects to the world's computers, the BIOS is the dark side of the subconscious in charge to think. BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) is a code for the fundamental functions of a PC, such as collecting beats from the keyboard button or put pixel to screen.

This small program works behind the scenes, translating the Windows command-friendly people into numbers zero and one which is only understood by your hardware. And as the human subconscious, the BIOS can be a very strong influence on behavior and performance of your PC.

Therapy BIOS

As new technologies emerge and old bug is found, computer makers often published version has been updated BIOS that can solve problems and improve performance. Check the Web site PC makers about the latest updates. But first make sure you have the latest BIOS version number; usually appears briefly on your screen right after you turn on the system. (Press the Pause button when kilasannya too fast.)

Updating the BIOS is easy, but you must do so with caution. Usually you need to run a small program from a floppy disk only. But if there are problems, you can only mourn the motherboard that you can no longer use. So make sure that you have read all the instructions in the readme file BIOS update. And always do exactly what the instructions say.

If the BIOS is a PC unconscious, then the Setup utility is the foundation for building character PC. Utility has a user setting to control the hard disk, memory, graphics cards, power saving, USB ports, and other hardware. The program is usually included in the disk, but now it is stored in the same chip ROM with the PC BIOS.

To open the setup, simply press the button (or key combination) is recommended to you for inclusion as a PC to start up. Each BIOS manufacturer uses a different key - Delete, F1, or F10. On your screen should show the buttons or knobs which need to setup the right button after the screen displays the BIOS version number. If not, check your system documentation.

Because the Setup utility created by the BIOS manufacturer and are in the same chip with the BIOS, it is often called the BIOS Setup utility. And because of this utility in the chip storing settingnya clock / calendar - chip complementary metal-oxide semiconductor, or CMOS - it is sometimes referred to as the CMOS Setup program. (Chip CMOS have their own batteries to maintain even a PC chip set is turned off.)

Setup utility has an abundance of hardware settings, ranging from the obvious, like setting the clock time on a PC, to the invisible, like a number of "wait states" which coordinates the flow of data between RAM and CPU.

First, Do not Ruin

When working with PC Setup utility, use the same rule of thumb taught in early brain surgery: If you do not know what to do something, do not deal with him. Carelessness change wait state or other settings can degrade performance or even cause system crashes.

If you think you've accidentally changing settings while working with the Setup utility, immediately stop and start from scratch again. All utilities Setup menu choice that lets you exit without saving changes. You may see also the option to restore the settings to default values. Ignore this option: If your PC vendor has been doing fine-tune the system, the default settings of the BIOS manufacturer may make it not optimal.

Backup your settings before making changes. When the battery feed chip clock / calendar to die, your settings to die with him. If you have a setup utility backup option, use it. If not, record the settings in the paper - or press the Print Screen key for each screen in these utilities (but this does not always work).

What Wanted

Before you begin, read to the end user manual that came with your PC or motherboard. Many manuals offer a brief explanation of each setting. Settings vary according to the manufacturer and model, but you should find this on almost all PCs:

Optimization and compatibility settings: Setup Utilities often contain settings for hardware performance. Sometimes this is not an optimal set at the factory, mainly on the PC are made by order or generic. Scan the entire Setup program. AGP mode settings and DMA settings are prime candidates for optimized. These settings are also useful for troubleshooting new hardware installed: Disabling or lowering the settings provided can trigger kompatibelan lack of graphics card, CD-ROM drive, or other devices that happen before.

Setting hard drive: You'll find a table, usually on the second page or Advanced, and under the title "IDE", which lists all the configuration parameters for EIDE hard drives are directly connected to the motherboard. (SCSI and EIDE hard disk drive that has no expansion card will run the configuration program itself.) While most PCs are made over the last few years can seamlessly detect and configure a new hard disk, some require manual installation. Read your new disk documentation about these procedures and use the options on-screen to make changes in this table.

Floppy disk: This option lets you set the type of floppy drives (3.5 inch, 1.44 MB, for example) that you have specified as drive A: or B: you. This is a setting that needs to be checked if you have a floppy-drive problems. Some utilities have setup the security settings `Floppy Read only` in itself prevent your data is written to the floppy disk and deleted from your PC.

Boot sequence: This setting determines where the first views the PC as boot-up instructions. Example: `A: then C:`, `C: and D:`, or `C:,` Zip drive. To boot from the CD-ROM drive, Zip, or LS-120, you seem to have to change this setting.

Password protection: If this is enabled, the BIOS will ask for a password before booting up. So be careful with this one: If you forget the password, you have to reset the motherboard jumpers or removing the CMOS battery, which will cause you to lose all the settings, or you even have to buy a new motherboard.

Setting IRQ: If you need extra IRQ settings for the new hardware, you need to free the IRQ by disabling unused features, such as serial ports, parallel port, or USB port.

Parallel port settings: Select the most appropriate mode for the hardware. ECP or EPP mode can greatly speed up the printers and other devices.

Fan RPM and temperature of the CPU: Two critical parameters should be checked periodically to ensure they function properly.

Help Hardware Offline
Internet is great for finding answers to the questions of hardware, but investigating the Web sites for advice that can be trusted enough to spend time. Sometimes the fastest way to get an answer is old-fashioned way: with a good reference book. Below are two of the best.

Upgrading and Repairing PCs (www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com) by Scott Mueller (U.S. $ 60) is a classic book that includes everything you need on the PC and the things you might not know. If you are looking for a comprehensive reference, breadth and depth of this title unbeaten (www.quepublishing.com).

PC Hardware in a Nutshell (www.oreilly.com/catalog/pchardnut2) by Barbara Fritchman Thompson and Robert Bruce Thompson (U.S. $ 40) is a good practical guide to buying and using PCs. Loaded with advice concise style that clearly provides the information you need, without your having to look for it (www.oreilly.com).

Drive Dirty

Benah-benah the weekend leaving a layer of dust that covered the entire office, and you kuaatir CD-RW drive may be dirty. How should clean it?

Maybe you should not. Even the most subtle rubbing can inhibit laser-sensitive on the drive, so if it is not broke, do not wash. When performance declines, or if your drive can not read the media, try some sprays are directed to either of the air spray cans - available at a price less than U.S. $ 10 in computer stores. Make sure to use a plastic straw that accompany cans. And keep spraying it slowly; pressure spray can cause excessive condensation of moisture accumulated in the interior of the drive. Before using a cleaning kit CD-RW as U.S. $ 15 Kensington Drive Guardian artificial (www.kensington.com/html/1080.html), seek a recommendation from the drive manufacturer; some recommend, but others do not.

Stop the Old Program

Some software programs that parents really can not function only on a PC at high speed today. If you have old programs that lock or raises an error message every time you want to run it, try CPUKiller; utility is free and easy to use, which allows you to slow down your PC as little or as much as you want. Go to www.cpukiller.com to download it.