ALL ABOUT BIOS

AND CMOS
SUBMITTED BY:
DELIM, CARL ANTHONY H.
DE LEON, RENZ JEROME E.
MADARIETA, CHARLENE A.
ORIPAYPAY, LORENZ F.

LAB 1.1 GET TO KNOW CMOS

OBJECTIVES:

To get knowledge and Background on What CMOS is

To know where CMOS is applied

To determine CMOS function

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

A prepared Working System Unit

Internet Connection

GET TO KNOW CMOS

Lab Preparation:

Before the lab begins, the system unit should be functioning well
and the internet connection must be checked

Activity Background:

This is one of the most basic things to do in this CMOS module

here you'll only search and gather data on what CMOS is , in
short it's the "Meet and Greet" portion and at the same time the
introduction of CMOS to you.

GET TO KNOW CMOS

Instructions:

Surf the net and Gather background and data about CMOS use the
following questions to Guide you in your Research

Guide Questions:
1.

Search the definition of CMOS.

2.

What does CMOS Abbreviation stands for?

3.

What are the uses of CMOS?

4.

Where is the CMOS Hardware located in a system unit?

5.

How does CMOS help in troubleshooting a System unit?

GET TO KNOW CMOS

Review Questions:
1.

What is Overclocking?

2.

What are the risks of overclocking?

3.

Is it possible to Overclock your System unit Considering your

surroundings and System specs?

4.

How to replace CMOS battery.

LAB 1.2 CMOS SET UP UTILITY

Objective:

To know what are the things to be done in CMOS

To change and return CMOS values

To set up CMOS

Materials required:

A working station system unit with an internet access.

CMOS SET UP UTILITY

Lab preparation:

Check to see if the computer is working and checked the CMOS settings if it
is in its default values. If not set it default to avoid errors in doing this
laboratory experiment.

Activity Background:
In the previous laboratory report you got to know all about CMOS as to where
it is applied and its functions. Now, all the things we learned from the very
start of this laboratory report we will see why CMOS is very important and
how to set up our CMOS properly so that we will be able to navigate and/or
change values in the CMOS properly without causing much of a problem.
The floppy drive, hard drive, and the date/time settings can be changed
using the standard CMOS setup. Modern computers provide extra CMOS
settings for memory management, password and booting options, error
handling, and power management.

CMOS SET UP UTILITY

Instruction:
1.

Computers manufactured in the last few years allow you to enter

the BIOS setup using one of the five keys shown below during the
bootprocess, F1, F2, F10, DEL, ESC.

2.

Once in the Set up already, check for the CMOS settings available
or the setting options that appeared on your screen.

3.

Check to see if the CMOS is password protected.

4.

Change the CMOS values you see.

5.

Change some features in the CMOS utility set up.

6.

Change the time and date.

7.

Then run the setup.

CMOS SET UP UTILITY

Guide questions:
1.

What are the settings available?

2.

What happen after you run the setup?

3.

What happen after you change the time and date?

Review questions:
4.

What is the time and date that you set too?

5.

Why are there errors when we change the time and date in CMOS?

6.

How to remove if the CMOS is password protected?

7.

What effects/cause when you change the CMOS values?

8.

What is the difference between CMOS and BIOS?

LAB 1.3 CRITICAL THINKINGCMOS TROUBLESHOOTING

Objective:

Cultivate the ability to find and solve problems in an orderly manner.

Learn about the effects of changing settings on CMOS

Simulate a possible real-life problem that may occur to users and solve it by the
techniques learned in previous laboratories

Materials Required:

Two working computers with the needed peripherals

Pens and paper

Two groups

Reference materials

Timer and Prizes

CRITICAL THINKING-CMOS TROUBLESHOOTING

Lab Preparation:

Before starting, check first if the computer is properly working, and no other problems can
be found.

The BIOS menu should be restored to default settings to ensure the fairness for both
groups.

Activity Background:
From previous activities, you have learned how to troubleshoot common problems that occur
because of improper changes to the BIOS settings. Problems occurring from accidental
changes to the BIOS is very common since most people will accidentally access this menu
and sometimes change the values without the proper knowledge of what will happen if these
settings are tampered with. Yes, you could just restore the BIOS to default settings to fix it,
but sometimes the user actually has custom settings and by restoring it to default settings,
these custom changes will also be reverted, and the user will need to change those back
again. As a Computer Engineer, we must be able to diagnose the problems that will occur if
these changes are made, and what should be done to fix them.

CRITICAL THINKING-CMOS TROUBLESHOOTING

Procedures:

Exchange computers with another group and go to the BIOS menu of their computer. Change two settings
that will make the computer not boot up properly. Write your changes on a piece of paper and give it to
the professor.

Prepare some pen and paper to record your findings and return to your own stations, start troubleshooting
the computer with your members. Restoring to default settings is not allowed.

QUESTIONS FOR GATHERING DATA

1.

What did you see when you first booted up?

2.

Without going to the BIOS menu, what do you think was changed?

3.

After checking the BIOS menu, what did you find that was changed. Was it the same as your
previous hypothesis?

4.

Were there any more changes that you were not able to spot? If yes, what did you do to fix the
problem?

You may use any reference material given to you to help you in troubleshooting the computer. If you are
done, say so and the professor will check if all the changes made to your computer are returned to their
previous settings.

The first three groups to fix their computers will be given prizes to compensate for their victory. The
findings report should be stored because it will be submitted along with the other paper works done.

CRITICAL THINKING-CMOS TROUBLESHOOTING

Review Questions:
1.

What were the changes you did to the other computer?

2.

In your opinion, were the changes did to your computer hard to

fix?

3.

What were the steps that you took to find the problem of your
computer?

4.

If you were to repeat the activity, do you think that you will be
able to troubleshoot the computer faster and more efficiently?

5.

If you were not given any reference materials, do you think that
you will be able to fix the problem?

LAB 1.4 BIOS FUNCTIONS AND

UPGRADING BIOS
OBJECTIVES:

The goal of this Lab is to become knowledgeable in using BIOS

functions and how to upgrade it.

After completing this lab, you would be able to:

Know the functions in the BIOS

Modify settings in BIOS

Expose problems with the system and eliminate it

Know when you should update a PC's BIOS

Update your own BIOS

BIOS FUNCTIONS AND UPGRADING BIOS

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

The lab requires the Following:

Windows XP/Vista System with access to the internet

LAB PREPARATION:

Before the lab begins, the instructor or lab assistant needs to do

the following:

Verify that BIOS is accessed with no errors

Backup all important files from the System

Backup the BIOS

BIOS FUNCTIONS AND UPGRADING BIOS

ACTIVITY BACKGROUND:

This activity is to build up knowledge on the each of the functions of a

BIOS as it may greatly affect on preventing or determining a specific
problem just knowing where you should look if a particular problem
occurs, Although sometimes, some problems are not solved by the
BIOS as it lacks options and thus might need fixes/updates from the
BIOS manufacturer. Updating a BIOS, although quite dangerous, is
important in troubleshooting as it resolves a number of issues
pertaining to the BIOS. You would just have to keep in mind that in
updating a BIOS there are risks to take, it is up to you if the BIOS
update is worth your while.

BIOS FUNCTIONS AND UPGRADING BIOS

BIOS Functions:
Access the BIOS settings by starting up the computer and repeatedly press a specific key that
the BIOS manufacture had set.
1.

When you have accessed the BIOS settings answer these questions.

2.

Upon entering BIOS you would see a number of setup screens, Click Main and write down
the functions displayed.

3.

Enter the standard settings menu and configure the following options, Date and Time. What
correct format should the Date be set? What clock format should the time be set?

4.

On the upper part of the screen, select Advanced, and write down the functions displayed

5.

Enter PCI on the upper part of the screen, and write down its functions

6.

On the top most part of the screen choose the Boot screen and indicate its functions

7.

In Security, write down the functions displayed

8.

Select Chipset and indicate its functions

9.

What does the Exit option in the BIOS do?

10.

Find the entry in the BIOS setup menu for auto detecting the system's Hard disk and use it.
What happens when you use the Auto detect Hard Disk function in the BIOS?

BIOS FUNCTIONS AND UPGRADING BIOS

UPGRADIONG BIOS:

Before updating a BIOS, It is essential to Backup all important files in the system and most
especially the BIOS configurations.
1.

Identify the make and model of the Motherboard, either by looking at the mainboard's manual
or by looking at the board itself. What is the model of the system's motherboard?

2.

Also on the main board, Note down the revision number of the main board as it may require
different BIOS file to previous revisions. What is the revision number?

3.

Find out the current BIOS version by holding the windows key+R to bring up the run
command prompt and type in msinfo32. In the system information window which appears,
select system summary on the left and look for the BIOS Version. What is the Current BIOS
version indicated?

4.

Head to the motherboard's manufacturer website and look for a support link. Search for the
model by using list of available downloads and Download the latest BIOS file. What is the
latest version of the BIOS your mainboard supports?

5.

Make a bootable USB drive by using a utility such as Rufus or Unetbootin and you would need
an ISO image as well, and FreeDOS. Once you connect a USB drive onto the system and run
one of these applications, copy all necessary BIOS and Update utility files that you had
downloaded from the manufacturers website. Give at least one link from the 2 applications
needed to make a bootable USB drive.

BIOS FUNCTIONS AND UPGRADING BIOS

REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. Why is it important to set up the BIOS?
2. How would configuring the BIOS FUNCTIONS help on eliminating
system problems?
3. Why is it essential to know about the functions of the BIOS?
4. Why is it that Dangerous to update your BIOS?
5. Is it recommended to update your BIOS every now and then?
6. Are there any special perks on updating a BIOS?