Computer Systems

A complete, working computer, Computer systems will

include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Information sheet 1.5 Computer system Configuration

using BIOS or CMOS Utility Setup

What is BIOS?

BIOS (Basic Input Output System) the built-in software that determines
what a computer can do without accessing programs from a disk. On
PCs, the BIOS contains all the code required to control the keyboard,
display screen, disk drives, serial communications, and a number of
miscellaneous functions.
The BIOS is typically placed in a ROM chip that comes with the
computer (it is often called a ROM BIOS). This ensures that the BIOS
will always be available and will not be damaged by disk failures. It also
makes it possible for a computer to boot itself. Because RAM is faster
than ROM, though, many computer manufacturers design systems so
that the BIOS is copied from ROM to RAM each time the computer is
booted. This is known as shadowing.
Many modern PCs have a flash BIOS, which means that the BIOS has
been recorded on a flash memory chip, which can be updated if
necessary.
The PC BIOS is fairly standardized, so all PCs are similar at this level
(although there are different BIOS versions). Additional DOS functions
are usually added through software modules. This means you can
upgrade to a newer version of DOS without changing the BIOS.

How to enter the BIOS or CMOS setup?

Because of the wide variety of computer and BIOS
manufacturers over the evolution of computers, there
are numerous ways to enter the BIOS or CMOS Setup.
Below is a listing of the majority of these methods as
well as other recommendations for entering the BIOS
setup.
New computers
Computers that have been manufactured in the last few
years will allow you to enter the CMOS by pressing one
of the below five keys during the boot. Usually it's one of
the first two.
F1, F2, DEL, ESC, F10

A user will know when to press this key when they see a
message similar to the below example as the computer
is booting. Some older computers may also display a
flashing block to indicate when to press the F1 or F2
keys.
Press <F2> to enter BIOS setup
Tip: If your computer is a new computer and you are
unsure of what key to press when the computer is
booting, try pressing and holding one or more keys the
keyboard. This will cause a stuck key error, which may
allow you to enter the BIOS setup.
Once you've successfully entered the CMOS setup you
should see a screen similar to the below example.

Older computers
Unlike the computers of today, older computers (before
1995) had numerous different methods of entering the
BIOS setup. Below is a listing of general key sequences
that may have had to be pressed as the computer was
booting.
CTRL + ALT + ESC
CTRL + ALT + INS
CTRL + ALT + ENTER
CTRL + ALT + S
PAGE UP KEY
PAGE DOWN KEY

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the
computer function. Every computer system, for example,
requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with
any software and peripheral devices that are necessary
to make the computer function. Every computer system,
for example, requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.

Computer Systems
A complete, working computer, Computer systems will
include the computer along with
any software and peripheral devices that are necessary
to make the computer function. Every computer system,
for example, requires an operating system.
Computer Peripherals
Peripherals are device that connects to a computer, yet
the functions of a computer are not dependent on it. (A
CPU IS NOT a peripheral because the computer cannot
run without the CPU. A mouse IS a peripheral because a
computer can run without one.