User`s manual

Chapter 4: AMIBIOS

4-1

Chapter 4

AMIBIOS

4-1 Introduction

This chapter describes the AMIBIOS for Intel 440GX Pentium II/III 600/550/

500/450/400/350/333/300/266/233 MHz processors. The AMI ROM BIOS is

stored in the Flash EEPROM and is easily upgraded using a floppy disk-

based program.

System BIOS

The BIOS is the Basic Input Output System used in all IBM

PC, XT™, AT

and PS/2

compatible computers. WinBIOS is a high-quality example of a

system BIOS.

Configuration Data

AT-compatible systems, also called ISA (Industry Standard Architecture)

must have a place to store system information when the computer is turned

off. The original IBM AT had 64k of non-volatile memory storage in CMOS

RAM. All AT-compatible systems have at least 64k of CMOS RAM, which is

usually part of the Real Time Clock. Many systems have 128k bytes of

CMOS RAM.

How Data Is Configured

AMIBIOS provides a Setup utility in ROM that is accessed by pressing <Del>

at the appropriate time during system boot. Setup configures data in CMOS

RAM.

POST Memory Test

Normally, the only visible POST routine is the memory test. The screen that

appears when the system is powered on is shown on the next page.

An AMIBIOS Identification string is displayed at the left bottom corner of the