Entering the CMOS Setup Utility

You can’t enter the CMOS setup utility from within your OS; you must do it

during the early stages of the boot process.Different BIOS makers specify different

methods for entering CMOS . The instructions for entering

CMOS appear on your monitor during bootup. Watch the messages carefully

and press the proper key when prompted.Typically,AMI and Award BIOS makers

have you press the DEL key when prompted. Phoenix might have you press

CTRL-ALT-ESC, or possibly F2. Check your motherboard documentation for the

exact method on your PC.

Once you enter CMOS, navigate with the keyboard (AMI provides mouse

support). Use the TAB and arrow keys to move around and the ENTER key to

make selections. This also varies according to which BIOS is installed on your

PC. Navigation instructions should be prominent in the display somewhere. If

you get stuck, press the F1 key to bring up a Help menu.

Let’s take a look at some of the more important CMOS settings.

SoftMenu The SoftMenu enables you to change the voltage and multiplier

settings on the motherboard for the CPU fromthe defaults.Motherboards that

cater to overclockers tend to have this option.Usually you just set this to Auto or

Default and stay away from this screen.