Computer support and maintainance

Lesson 5 : Post and Bios Beep codes

BIOS
stands for Basic Input/Output System.
BIOS software is stored on a non-volatile ROM chip on the motherboard.
 In modern computer systems, the BIOS contents are stored on a flash memory chip so that the contents can be
rewritten without removing the chip from the motherboard.
 This allows BIOS software to be easily upgraded to add new features or fix bugs, but can make the computer
vulnerable to BIOS rootkits.
 The latest advancement of BIOS is UEFI(Unified Extensible Firmware Interface).

How to Create a BIOS Firmware Update Bootable USB Drive For HP Compaq DC7800 Computer
Video link 1 hr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oTRYwB5m_E

How to Update Your BIOS Without a CPU (BIOS Flashback Using a USB Flash Drive)
Reading blog reference material
https://www.build-gaming-computers.com/update-bios-without-cpu.html

Working Mechanism of BIOS

 The main work of the BIOS is that it checks whether each and every important attachment are in the right
place or not.

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Working of BIOS

How to Setup BIOS?

Step 1: First turn off your computer or simply restart it.

Step 2: When the system turns On, wait for the message similar to ‘entering setup’ to come.

Step 3: Wait for the message ‘Press Key to enter BIOS Setup’. Some keys are like Del, Tab, etc.

Step 4: Press the specified key as early as possible.

Step 5: Process Complete.

Advantages of BIOS
 The computer system will gain better compatibility.
 The booting time of the system decreases.
 The overall performance of the system improves.
Disadvantages of BIOS
 The disadvantage is that it is a time-consuming process. BIOS often boots in 16-bit real mode (not 32-bit
nor 64-bit protected mode), and because of the type of chip used, it is not always the fastest.
 If something goes wrong during the process, the motherboard might get affected. Solving this will not be
an easy process.

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Post and Bios

Bios Beep Codes and Setupu

When the computer is booted, the

basic input/output system (BIOS)
performs a basic hardware check.
This check is called a power-on self-
test (POST).

The POST checks whether the

computer hardware is operating
correctly. If a device is
malfunctioning, an error or a beep
code alerts the technician of the
problem. Typically, a single beep
means that the computer is
functioning properly. If there is a
hardware problem, a blank screen might appear at bootup, and the computer emits a series of beeps.
Each BIOS manufacturer uses different codes to indicate hardware problems. Figure 2 shows a chart
of beep codes. The beep codes for your computer might be different. Consult the motherboard
documentation to get the beep codes for your computer.

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POST Card

When troubleshooting a computer problem when no video is available, you can use a POST card. A
POST card is installed in a port on the motherboard, such as PCI or PCIe. When the computer is
started, and errors are encountered, the computer issues a code that is displayed on the POST card.

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This code is used to diagnose the cause of the problem through the motherboard, BIOS, or POST card
manufacturer.

BIOS Setup

The BIOS contains a setup program to

configure settings for the hardware devices.
The configuration data is saved to a
memory chip called a Complementary
Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS).
CMOS is maintained by the battery in the
computer. If the battery dies, the BIOS
setup configuration data is lost. If this
occurs, replace the battery and reconfigure
the BIOS settings that do not use the default
settings.

Many modern motherboards use nonvolatile

memory to store BIOS configuration
settings. This type of memory does not need
power to retain the settings. The battery in
these systems is used only to keep the
correct time and date in the clock.
Configuration settings in the BIOS are not
lost when the battery dies or is removed.

To enter the BIOS setup program, you press the proper key or key sequence during POST. Many
motherboards display graphics, called a splash screen, while the computer goes through the POST
process. The computer might not display information about the key or key sequence required because
of the splash screen. Most computers use the DEL key or a Function key to enter the BIOS setup
program. Consult the motherboard documentation for the correct key or combination of keys for your
computer.

These are some common BIOS setup menu options:

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  Main - Basic system
configuration

 Advanced -
Advanced system
settings

 Boot - Boot device

options and boot
order

 Security - Security
settings

 Power - Advanced
power management
configurations

 JUSTw00t! -
Advanced voltage
and clock settings

 Exit - BIOS exit

options and loading default settings

BIOS Component Information

A technician can use the

BIOS information to learn
which components are
installed in the computer and
some of their attributes. This
information can be useful
when troubleshooting
hardware that is not working
properly and to determine
upgrade options. These are
some of the common
component information items
that are displayed in the
BIOS:

 CPU - Displays the

CPU manufacturer and
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speed. The number of
installed processors is

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 also displayed.

 RAM - Displays the RAM manufacturer and speed. The number of slots and which slots the
RAM modules are installed in might also be displayed.

 Hard Drive - Displays the manufacturer, size, and type of the hard drives. The type and
number of hard disk controllers might also be displayed.

 Optical Drive - Displays the manufacturer and type of optical drives.

BIOS Configurations

Another function of the BIOS setup program is to customize specific aspects of the computer
hardware to fit individual needs. The features that can be customized are determined by the BIOS
manufacturer and version. Before
making changes to the BIOS, it is
important to have a clear understanding
of how the changes can affect the
computer. Incorrect settings can have
an adverse effect.

Time and Date

The main page of the BIOS has a

System Time field and a System Date
field to set the system clock. It is
important to set these fields to the
correct time and date because they are
referenced by the operating system and
other programs. If the date and time are
not set properly, a maintenance
program might think that it is out of
date and constantly try to update files,
or a calendar program will not
display reminders on the correct date
or time.

Disabling Devices

You can configure advanced BIOS

settings to disable devices that are not
needed or not used by the computer.
For instance, a motherboard might
have built-in video, sound, or

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network capabilities and installing a
dedicated adapter card for one or
more of these capabilities renders the

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built-in device redundant. Instead of wasting resources on the built-in device, you can disable the
feature in the BIOS.

You can also disable extra hard drive controllers, serial ports, FireWire ports, or infrared hardware. If
a device is not working, check the advanced BIOS settings to see if the device is disabled by default or
has been disabled by someone. Enable the device in the BIOS so that it can be used by the computer.

Boot Order

An ordered list of devices that a

computer is allowed to boot from is
called the boot order or boot
sequence. This list is typically located
in the BIOS under the Boot tab. You
can designate hard drives, optical
drives, floppy drives, network boot,
and flash media in the boot order. To
allow USB booting, enable this option
in the BIOS.

Shortly after completing POST, the

computer attempts to load the
operating system. The BIOS checks
the first device in the boot order for a
bootable partition. If the device has no
bootable partition, the computer
checks the next device in the list.
When a device with a bootable
partition is found, the BIOS checks for an installed operating system.

The order in which devices are listed in the boot order depends on user needs. For example, when
installing an operating system, an optical drive, network boot, or USB drive might need to be listed
before a bootable hard drive. It is recommended to reorder the list after installing all operating systems
to boot first from a bootable hard drive. The BIOS also allows you to disable or remove devices from
the boot order list.

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Clock Speed

Some BIOS setup programs allow

you to change the CPU clock
speed. Reducing the CPU clock
speed makes the computer run
slower and cooler. This might
result in less noise from fans and
can be useful if a quieter computer
is desired, such as in a home
theater or bedroom.

Increasing the CPU clock speed

makes the computer run faster but
also hotter, possibly causing the
computer to be louder due to
increased fan speeds. Increasing
the CPU clock speed beyond the
manufacturer recommendations is
known as overclocking.
Overclocking a CPU is risky and voids the warranty of the CPU. Overclocking can result in a shorter
life span or cause damage to the CPU if the clock speed is increased too much. It is a common practice
to install a cooling system capable of dissipating the extra heat created by overclocking so that the
CPU is not damaged.

Virtualization

Virtualization technology allows

a computer to run multiple
operating systems in separate
files or partitions. To accomplish
this, a computer virtualization
program emulates the
characteristics of an entire
computer system, including the
hardware, BIOS, operating
system, and programs. Enable the
virtualization setting in the BIOS
for a computer that will be using
virtualization technology.
Disable this setting if
virtualization does not perform
correctly or will not be used.

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BIOS Security Configurations

The BIOS might support many different security features to protect BIOS settings and data on the
hard drive, and also help recover the computer if it is stolen. There are several common security
features found in the BIOS.

BIOS passwords - Passwords

allow different levels of
access to the BIOS settings, as
shown in the figure.

 Supervisor Password -
This password can
access all user-access
passwords and all BIOS
screens and settings.

 User Password - This

password becomes
available after the
Supervisor Password is
enabled. Use this
password to define the
level of access to users.

These are some common

levels of user access:

 Full Access - All screens and settings are available, except the supervisor password setting.

 Limited - Changes can be made to certain settings only, for example, the time and date.

 View Only - All screens are available, but no settings can be changed.

 No Access - No access is provided to the BIOS setup utility.

Drive encryption - A hard drive can be encrypted to prevent data theft. Encrypting changes the data
into code that cannot be understood. Without the correct password, the computer does not boot, and
the computer cannot decrypt the data. Even if the hard drive is placed in another computer, the
encrypted data remains encrypted.

Trusted Platform Module - The TPM chip contains security items, such as encryption keys and
passwords.

Lojack - This is a two-part system for protecting computers from Absolute Software. The first part is
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a program called the Persistence Module that is installed in the BIOS by the manufacturer. The second
part is a program called the Application Agent that is installed by the user. When the Application
Agent is installed, the Persistence Module is activated. The Persistence Module installs the

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Application Agent if it is removed from the computer. The Persistence Module cannot be turned off
after it is activated. The Application Agent calls the Absolute Monitoring Center over the Internet to
report device information and location on a set schedule. If the computer is stolen, the owner can
contact Absolute Software and perform the following functions:

 Lock the computer remotely.

 Display a message so that a lost computer can be returned to the owner.

 Delete sensitive data on the computer.

 Locate the computer using geotechnology.

BIOS Hardware Diagnostics and Monitoring

The BIOS built-in hardware monitoring features are useful for collecting information and monitoring
the activity of the hardware connected to the motherboard. The type and number of monitoring
features varies by motherboard model. Use the hardware monitoring page to view temperatures, fan
speeds, voltages, and other items. This area might also have information about intrusion detection
devices.

Temperatures

Motherboards have heat sensors to monitor heat sensitive hardware. A common heat sensor is under
the CPU socket. This sensor monitors the temperature of the CPU and might increase the speed of the
CPU fan to cool the CPU if it becomes too hot. Some BIOS setups also slow the speed of the CPU to
reduce the CPU temperature. In some cases, the BIOS shuts down the computer to prevent damage to
the CPU.

Other heat sensors monitor the temperature inside the case or power supply. Additionally, heat sensors
monitor the temperatures of the RAM modules, chipsets, and other specialized hardware. The BIOS
increases the speed of the fans or shuts down the computer to prevent overheating and damage.

Fan Speeds

Fan speeds are monitored by the BIOS. Some BIOS setups allow you to configure profiles to set the
fan speeds to achieve a specific result. These are some common CPU fan speed profiles:

 Standard - The fan automatically adjusts depending on the temperature of the CPU, case,
power supply, or other hardware.

 Turbo - Maximum fan speed.

 Silent - Minimizes the fan speed to decrease fan noise.

 Manual - The user can assign fan speed control settings.

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Voltages

You can monitor the voltage of the

CPU or the voltage regulators on the
motherboard. If voltages are too high
or too low, computer components can
be damaged. If you find that voltages
are not at or near the correct amount,
make sure that the power supply is
operating properly. If the power
supply is not delivering the correct
voltages, the motherboard voltage
regulators might be damaged. In this
case, the motherboard might need to
be repaired or replaced.

Clock and Bus Speeds

In some BIOS setups, you can monitor

the speed of the CPU. Some BIOS
setups may also allow you to monitor
one or more of the busses. You might
need to look at these items to
determine if the correct CPU settings
have been detected by the BIOS or
manually entered by a client or
computer builder. Incorrect bus speeds
can cause increased heat within the
CPU and connected hardware, or cause
adapter cards and RAM to
malfunction.

Intrusion Detection

Some computer cases have a switch

that triggers when a computer case is
opened. You can set the BIOS to
record when the switch is triggered so that the owner can tell if the case has been tampered with. The
switch is connected to the motherboard.

Built-in Diagnostics

If you notice a problem with a device connected to the system or a basic function, such as a fan or
temperature and voltage control, you might be able to use built-in system diagnostics to determine
where the problem is. Many times, the program provides a description of the problem or an error code
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for further troubleshooting. These are some common built-in diagnostics:

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  Start test - Checks the main components to make sure that they are functioning properly. Use
this test when the computer does not boot correctly.

 Hard drive test - Checks the hard drive for damaged areas. If a damaged area is found, it tries
to retrieve the data and move it to a good area and mark the damaged area as bad so that the
area is not used any more. Use this test if you suspect that the hard drive is not functioning
properly, the computer does not boot, or the hard drive makes unusual noises.

 Memory test - Checks the memory modules to make sure that they are working properly. Use
this test if the computer exhibits erratic behavior or fails to boot. Replace the memory
immediately if this test reports errors.

 Battery test - Checks that the battery is functioning properly. Use this test if your battery is not
functioning properly, does not hold a charge, or reports an incorrect charge level. Replace the
battery if the battery fails this test.

Many built-in diagnostic programs retain a log that contains a record of the problems encountered.
You can use this information to investigate issues and error codes. When a device is under warranty,
you can use this information to convey the problem to product support.

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