Computer Hardware User Manual

6: Using The Motherboard
User’s Manual
6•9
Plug and Play Problems
This motherboard supports the automatic recognition and
configuration of expansion cards that support the Plug
and Play (PnP) specification. Most currently available
expansion cards support PnP. PnP simplifies card instal-
lation by allowing the system to handle system resource
allocation. If you install an expansion card that is not
PnP compliant, you may still need to configure the card
manually. Consult the card’s documentation for instruc-
tions or other information.
Replacing the System Configuration Record
As noted previously, the CMOS Setup Utility creates a
system configuration record and stores it in CMOS
memory on the motherboard. This record must be cor-
rect and uncorrupted for the system to operate properly.
It is possible for the system configuration record can be-
come corrupted or lost. If this occurs, the system will not
operate properly or at all. This is not a serious problem.
You can restore a working configuration using the CMOS
Setup Utility to create a new configuration record by load-
ing the Optimized Defaults and reentering any other set-
tings you had made.
Loading Optimized Defaults
The CMOS Setup Utility does not require an operating
system to run. You run the utility by typing the Del or
Delete key while the system is starting up to brings up
the utility’s main screen.
There are two sets of defaults listed, Optimized and Fail-
Safe. The Fail-Safe Defaults are a minimum configuration
set for use by technicians when troubleshooting system
problems. The Optimized Defaults are what the system
normally operates on. If a corrupted system configura-
tion record caused the problem you experienced, once
you load the Optimized Defaults and reboot, the system
should function normally. The instructions on the next
page illustrate this procedure.