HP Pavilion Desktop PCs - BIOS Setup Utility Information and Menu Options
This document contains information on what the BIOS is, how to enter it, and how to use it.
If you are looking for information on updating the BIOS, use the following documents:
Updating the BIOS for Windows 98 computers
Updating the BIOS for Windows Me computers
What is the BIOS Setup utility?
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is a program that controls communication between all the input and output devices on the system (such as, disk drives, display, keyboard, mouse, and printer). The BIOS is typically placed in a chip on the computer's motherboard.
The system BIOS on the computer has a built-in setup utility that lets users control the special features of the computer. Configuration information stored in the BIOS includes the type of peripherals installed, the startup sequence of the computer, and the amount of system and extended memory. When the system is turned off, a battery on the motherboard maintains the BIOS Setup information.
NOTE: The information stored by the BIOS Setup utility is essential. It should not be changed arbitrarily.
CAUTION: Caution should be used when making changes in the BIOS Setup utility. A mistake could cause the PC to not perform as expected.
Entering the BIOS Setup utility
Sometimes it can be a little tricky to get into the BIOS Setup screen because it requires pressing a specific key at a specific time. If you fail to enter the Setup screen on your first try, repeat the following steps until you are successful:
Close all applications that are currently running and restart the computer by clicking Start, Shut Down, Restart the Computer, and then OK.
When the blue HP Logo screen appears, press the F1 key on the keyboard to enter the HP BIOS Setup menu.
Navigating through the BIOS
The following table explains how to navigate through the BIOS:
Key on keyboard
Description of function
LEFT or RIGHT arrow key
Selects a different menu screen (Moves the cursor left or right)
UP or DOWN arrow key
Selects an item (Moves the cursor up or down)
TAB
Selects a field (Not implemented)
ENTER
Executes a command or selects a submenu
F9
Loads the default configuration values for the current menu
F10
Saves the current values and exits the BIOS Setup program
ESC (Escape)
Exits the menu
Reloading the default settings
Complete the following steps to reload the factory installed BIOS Setup settings:
In the BIOS Setup utility, select the Exit tab.
Click Load Setup Defaults
Select Exit Saving Changes (pressing F5 and the ENTER key will also load the Setup Defaults).
Press ESC and then ENTER to exit Setup.
Menu options
The BIOS setup has five different tabs along the top. The tab headings are listed below:
select category:
Main
Advanced
Power
Boot
Exit
Allocates resources for hardware components
Configures advanced features available through the chipset
Configures power management features
Selects boot options and power supply controls
Saves or discards changes to Setup program options
BIOS setup initially displays the Main menu screen. In each screen, there are different options for modifying the system configuration. The menu screens and their options are listed below.
Main menu Back
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Below is a summary of what is contained on the Main tab of the BIOS setup:
System Time
System Date
Language
Legacy Diskette A (floppy)
Primary Master (hard drive); selecting this brings up the hard drive settings, such as cylinders, sectors, and capacity
Primary Slave
Secondary Master (CDROM); selecting this brings up the CD-ROM settings
Secondary Slave
Installed Memory (RAM)
BIOS revision
Primary and secondary device submenu
Type
CHS Format
Cylinders
Heads
Sectors
Maximum Capacity
LBA Format
Total Sectors
Maximum Capacity
Multi-Sector Transfers
LBA Mode Control
32 Bit I/O
Transfer Mode
Ultra DMA Mode
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Advanced menu
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Below is a summary of what is contained on the Advanced tab of the BIOS setup:
CPU type
CPU speed
Cache Ram
Plug and Play O/S
Reset Configuration Data (Clear the NVRAM)
PS/2 Mouse
Large Disk Access Mode
Local Bus IDE Adapter
PCI Configuration; selecting this brings up an additional Setup menu to configure PCI devices
I/O Device Configuration; selecting this brings up the Peripheral Configuration; for example, the serial port and parallel port IRQs and modes
PCI Configuration submenu
PCI Device, Slot #1
PCI Device, Slot #2
PCI Device, Slot #3
PCI/PNP ISA UMB Region Exclusion
PCI/PNP ISA IRQ Resource Exclusion
PCI Device, Slot #n submenu
Option ROM Scan
Enable Master
Latency Timer
PCI/PNP ISA UMB Region Exclusion submenu
C800 - CBFF
CC00 - CFFF
D000 - D3FF
D400 - D7FF
D800 - DBFF
DCFF - DFFF
PCI/PNP ISA IRQ Region Exclusion submenu
IRQ 3
IRQ 4
IRQ 5
IRQ 7
IRQ 9
IRQ 10
IRQ 11
I/O Device Configuration submenu
Serial port A
Base I/O Address
Interrupt
Serial port B
Parallel port
Mode
Base I/O Address
Interrupt
Floppy disk controller
Base I/O address
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Power menu
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Below is a summary of what is contained on the Power tab of the BIOS setup:
Power Savings
Auto Suspend Timeout
Hard Disk Timeout
IDE Primary Master (power saving setting)
IDE Primary Slave (power saving setting)
IDE Secondary Master (power saving setting)
IDE Secondary Slave (power saving setting)
IRQ assigned to modem
Power button behavior
Restore on AC/Power Loss
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Boot menu
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Below is a summary of what is contained on the Boot tab of the BIOS setup:
The order for the bottom process; for example: Removable devices, CD ROM, and hard drive.
Boot-time Diagnostic Screen
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Exit menu
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Below is a summary of what is contained on the Exit tab of the BIOS setup:
Exit Saving Changes
Exit Discarding Changes
Load Setup Defaults
Discard Changes
Save Changes
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