Product Data Sheet / Brochure

BIOS Features
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3 Overview of BIOS Features
3.1 Introduction
The board uses Intel BIOS that is stored in the Serial Peripheral Interface Flash Memory (SPI
Flash) and can be updated using a disk-based program. The SPI Flash contains the Visual BIOS
Setup program, POST, the PCI auto-configuration utility, embedded controller (EC) firmware, LAN
EEPROM information, and Plug and Play support.
The BIOS displays a message during POST identifying the type of BIOS and a revision code. The
production BIOSes are identified as FNCML357.
The BIOS Setup program can be used to view and change the BIOS settings for the computer.
The BIOS Setup program is accessed by pressing the <F2> key after the Power-On Self-Test
(POST) memory test begins and before the operating system boot begins.
3.2 BIOS Flash Memory Organization
The Serial Peripheral Interface Flash Memory (SPI Flash) includes a 64 Mb flash memory device.
3.3 System Management BIOS (SMBIOS)
SMBIOS is a Desktop Management Interface (DMI) compliant method for managing computers in
a managed network.
The main component of SMBIOS is the Management Information Format (MIF) database, which
contains information about the computing system and its components. Using SMBIOS, a system
administrator can obtain the system types, capabilities, operational status, and installation dates
for system components. The MIF database defines the data and provides the method for
accessing this information. The BIOS enables applications such as third-party management
software to use SMBIOS. The BIOS stores and reports the following SMBIOS information:
• BIOS data, such as the BIOS revision level
• Fixed-system data, such as peripherals, serial numbers, and asset tags
• Resource data, such as memory size, cache size, and processor speed
• Dynamic data, such as event detection and error logging
Non-Plug and Play operating systems require an additional interface for obtaining the SMBIOS
information. The BIOS supports an SMBIOS table interface for such operating systems. Using
this support, an SMBIOS service-level application running on a non-Plug and Play operating
system can obtain the SMBIOS information. Additional board information can be found in the
BIOS under the Additional Information header under the Main BIOS page.
3.4 Legacy USB Support
Legacy USB support enables USB devices to be used even when the operating system’s USB
drivers are not yet available. Legacy USB support is used to access the BIOS Setup program, and