Using the BIOS Setup Program

About the BIOS Setup utility

    The computer BIOS has a built-in program that lets you set many basic system characteristics. These settings are stored and saved even when the power is off.

    This section contains information about this setup utility and is intended to serve as a guide so that you can make changes to your system BIOS when necessary.

    The screen example that you see in this chapter is similar to what you see on your LCD. However, you may have a system with a newer BIOS version than the one described in this manual. In that case, some of the examples may differ somewhat from what you see. If there are differences, follow the Item Specific Help box in the right-hand column of the BIOS Setup menu.

Using the BIOS Setup utility


    The computer BIOS has a built-in setup utility that lets you configure several basic system characteristics. The settings are stored in battery-backed RAM and are retained even when the power is off.

    The Setup menu screen shown in this chapter may differ somewhat from the screen that appears on your system. If differences exist, follow the on-screen instructions and Item Specific Help notes.

To enter the BIOS Setup utility:
    1. Restart the system. The Gateway startup screen appears.
    2. While the Gateway startup screen is visible, press F2. The BIOS Setup utility opens to the Main menu.

      PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility
      Main Advanced Security Power Boot Exit



      		Item Specific Help

      System Time:
      System Date:

      Legacy Diskette A:

      >Primary Master
      >Secondary Master


      System Memory:
      Extended Memory:
      BIOS Version:

      [HH:MM:SS]
      [MM/DD/YYYY]

      [1.44/1.25 MB 3½"]

      [NNNN MB]
      [CD-ROM]


      640 KB
      NNNNN KB
      NN.NN.NN


      <Tab>, <Shift-Tab>, or <Enter> selects field.

      F1 Help Select Item -/+ Change Values F9 Setup Default
      ESC Exits Select Menu Enter Select > Sub-Menu F10 Save and Exit

Navigating the BIOS menus

    As you select items on the main menu and in submenus, you will see specific information related to the current selection in the Item Specific Help box. Refer to the help box for information about the menu options.

    The command bar at the bottom of the screen shows the keystrokes necessary to access help, navigate through the menus, and perform other functions.

F1 opens the Help screen, providing general help for using the BIOS Setup utility.
The up arrow and down arrow keys select items in the menu.
Pressing the + or - key changes values in fields or moves an item up or down in a list.
F9 opens a screen that lets you return all values to their default settings.
Esc closes the screen you are in and returns you to the previous screen.
The left arrow and right arrow keys move you between the five menus.
Enter either moves you to a submenu screen when a selected item is preceded by > or activates a selected field.
F10 opens a screen that lets you save changes and exit the BIOS Setup utility.

About the BIOS Setup menus

    The main BIOS screen has the following menu selections at the top:

Main gives you access to basic information and settings related to your system hardware and configuration.
Advanced gives you access to information and settings for system resources, hardware, and system configuration.
Security gives you access to settings related to system access passwords.
Power gives you access to information and settings related to power-saving functions available with your system.
      If you are using Windows 98, changing the power management settings will have no effect because your system was shipped ACPI enabled.
Boot gives you bootup sequence options.
Exitgives you access to options for exiting the BIOS Setup utility.

    Refer to the Item-Specific Help box for information about specific menu options.