ASSEMBLE COMPUTER

HARDWARE
OBJECTIVES

Perform BIOS configuration in

accordance with hardware requirements
POST (POWER-ON SELF-TEST)

POST is the diagnostic testing sequence that a

computer's basic input/output system (or "starting
program") runs to determine if the computer
keyboard, random access memory, disk drives,
and other hardware are working correctly.
POST (POWER-ON SELF-TEST)

If the necessary hardware is detected and found to

be operating properly, the computer begins to boot

If the hardware is not detected or is found not to

be operating properly, the BIOS issues an error
message which may be text on the display screen
and/or a series of coded beeps, depending on the
nature of the problem.
HOW TO USE BIOS

BIOS contains a number of hardware

configuration options that can be changed
through the setup utility.

Saving these changes and restarting the

computer applies the changes to the BIOS and
alters the way BIOS instructs the hardware to
function.
HERE ARE SOME COMMON THINGS YOU
CAN DO IN MOST BIOS SYSTEMS:
Change the Boot Order
Load BIOS Setup Defaults
Remove a BIOS Password
Create a BIOS Password
Change the Date and Time
Change Floppy Drive Settings
Change Hard Drive Settings
Change CD/DVD/BD Drive Settings
View Amount of Memory Installed
Change the Boot Up NumLock Status
HERE ARE SOME COMMON THINGS YOU
CAN DO IN MOST BIOS SYSTEMS:

Enable or Disable the Computer Logo

Enable or Disable the Quick Power On Self Test (POST)
Enable or Disable the CPU Internal Cache
Enable or Disable the Caching of BIOS
Change CPU Settings
Change Memory Settings
Change System Voltages
WHAT IS CMOS AND WHAT IS IT FOR?

CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor)

is the term usually used to describe the small
amount of memory on a computer motherboard that
stores the BIOS settings.

Some of these BIOS settings include the system

time and date as well as hardware settings.
OTHER NAMES FOR CMOS

CMOS is sometimes referred to as Real-

Time Clock (RTC), CMOS RAM, Non-Volatile
RAM (NVRAM), Non-Volatile BIOS memory,
or complementary-symmetry metal-oxide-
semiconductor (COS-MOS).
POST ERRORS

During the POST process, the BIOS uses

two different ways to notify you of a
problem:
1. Error beep codes
2. Error messages
POST ERRORS

1. Error beep codes

The system speaker, which is the one
inside the system case, is used to sound
out short and long tones in a unique
pattern to indicate a problem in a system
component that is essential to starting up
the PC.
POST ERRORS

2. Error messages
After the video BIOS is loaded, the boot process
is able to display error messages on the monitor
for any problems that occur in the final stages of
the boot cycle.
ERROR BEEP CODES

Every BIOS system has at least one beep

code in commona single beep tone at the
end of the POST process to signal an all
clear.
COMMON POST BEEP CODES

0 beeps
The purpose of the one-beep all clear signal is
to let you know that the system is booting.
If no beeps are sounded and nothing is
displayed on the monitor, the problem is most
likely power:
COMMON POST BEEP CODES
Make sure the PC is plugged into a safe AC
power source.
Check to see if the motherboard is getting
power. Locate the Power LED connector and
verify that the connection is good.
Use a multimeter to check the power of the
motherboards power connectors or plug an
LED attached to a wire into the power
connector to test that the motherboard is
getting power.
COMMON POST BEEP CODES

1 beep, 2 beeps, or 3 beeps

These typically indicate a memory error of some
form:
If you have just installed memory, make sure it is
properly seated in the socket.
Verify that you used the same type and speed
memory and that you have filled a bank before
installing memory in another bank.
Replace the memory with known good chips and
reboot.
COMMON POST BEEP CODES

4 beeps, 5 beeps, 7 beeps, or 10 beeps

Reboot the PC a few times to verify the
count on these errors because these codes
indicate that the motherboard has a serious
problem and may need to be replaced or
sent to the manufacturer for repairs.
COMMON POST BEEP CODES

6 beeps
The common code for a keyboard failure.
Check the keyboard connection and the
keyboard itself.
COMMON POST BEEP CODES

8 beeps
This code indicates a problem with the video
adapter card
Reseat the video card and check its onboard
memory to ensure it is also seated properly
on the card.
If the problem persists, try a replacement
video card.
COMMON POST BEEP CODES

9 beeps
Like the motherboard beep codes, you need to
be very sure of the count and that the number of
beeps is not 8 (video problems) or 10
(motherboard problems).
Nine beeps indicate a bad BIOS chip that is not
a chip problem.
BIOS ERROR MESSAGES

A BIOS error message displayed on the monitor,

regardless of the BIOS manufacturer, means that
there is a serious problem with a system
BIOS ERROR MESSAGES

BIOS ROM checksum errorsystem halted

This is a serious error and you need to contact
the motherboard or BIOS manufacturer for
recovery procedures, if any. This could be
caused by an incomplete faulty flash upgrade
and there may be recovery procedures available.
BIOS ERROR MESSAGES

CMOS battery failed

The CMOS battery is dead and needs to be
replaced.
Remember that with the CMOS battery dead,
the Setup programs configuration data will
be reset to its default values and you will
need to re-enter the system configuration
BIOS ERROR MESSAGES

CMOS checksum errordefaults loaded

This message indicates that the CMOS has
become corrupt and the Setup configuration
data has been reset to the default values.
The cause is likely a weak CMOS battery
that needs to be replaced and the CMOS
data reentered from your records.
BIOS ERROR MESSAGES

Hard disk failure

The BIOS POST cannot find or initialize a
hard disk controller (HDC) included in the
CMOS configuration.
BIOS ERROR MESSAGES

I/O Card failure

This error indicates an expansion card has
failed or has a parity error at a certain
address.
Try reseating the card or moving it to a
different slot.
BIOS ERROR MESSAGES

Keyboard error or no keyboard present

Make sure the keyboard is attached
correctly and no keys are pressed during
POST.
QUIZ TIME!