Configuration Software and Utilities
33
Using BIOS Setup
This section describes the BIOS Setup options. Use Setup to change the server configuration
defaults. You can run Setup with or without an operating system being present. Setup stores most
of the configuration values in battery backed CMOS; the rest of the values are stored in flash
memory. The values take effect when you boot the server. POST uses these values to configure
the hardware; if the values and the actual hardware do not agree, POST generates an error message.
You must then run Setup to specify the correct configuration.
Record Your Setup Settings
If the default values ever need to be restored (after a CMOS clear, for example), you must run
Setup again. Referring to the worksheets could make your task easier.
If You Cannot Access Setup
If the diskette drive is misconfigured so that you cannot access it to run a utility from a diskette,
you may need to clear CMOS memory. You will need to open the server, change a jumper setting,
use Setup to check and set diskette drive options, and change the jumper back. For a step-by-step
procedure, see Chapter 5, under the heading, “CMOS Jumper.”
Starting Setup
You can enter and start Setup under several conditions:
•
When you turn on the server, after POST completes the memory test
•
When you reboot the server by pressing <Ctrl+Alt+Del> while at the DOS operating system
prompt
•
When you have moved the CMOS jumper on the server board to the “Clear CMOS” position
(enabled); for the procedure, see Chapter 5, under the heading “CMOS Jumper”
In the three conditions listed above, after rebooting, you will see this prompt:
Press <F2> to enter SETUP
✏
NOTE
If the BIOS setup option “POST Diagnostic Screen” is enabled (Default),
you will not see the message “Press <F2> to enter SETUP”. This message is
hidden by the Manufacturer’s Splash screen. To see the message, press the
<ESC> key while the splash screen is displayed. This will temporarily
disable the splash screen allowing you to see the message.
In a fourth condition, when CMOS/NVRAM has been corrupted, you will see other prompts but not
the <F2> prompt:
Warning: cmos checksum invalid
Warning: cmos time and date not set
In this condition, the BIOS will load default values for CMOS and attempt to boot.