BIOS

Introduction

The BIOS is a program stored in the Flash Memory on the motherboard, acting as a bridge between the hardware and the operating system. When you start the computer, the BIOS gains control and performs an auto-diagnostic test called POST (Power on Self Test) to check all necessary hardware. It detects all hardware devices and configures their parameters for synchronization. Once these tasks are completed, the BIOS hands control over to the operating system (OS).

Since the BIOS is the sole channel for hardware and software communication, it is crucial for system stability and optimal performance. In the BIOS Setup main menu, you can see several options. These options will be explained in detail down below. First, let’s look at the function keys you may use here:

• Press Esc to quit the BIOS Setup.

• Press ↑↓←→ (up, down, left, right) to choose the option you want to confirm or modify.

• Press F10 to save these parameters and exit the BIOS Setup menu after you complete the setup.

• Press Page Up/Page Down or +/- keys to modify the BIOS parameters for the active option.

Enter BIOS

Power on the computer and press the Del key immediately to enter Setup. If the message disappears before you respond but you still wish to enter Setup, restart the system by turning it OFF then ON. You may also restart the system by simultaneously pressing Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys.

BIOS Menu and Function Keys

In the above BIOS Setup main menu, you can see several options. These options will be explained step by step. First, let’s look at a brief description of the function keys you may use here:

• Press ←→ (left, right) to select the screen.

• Press ↑↓ (up, down) to choose the option you want to confirm or modify.

• Press Enter to select.

• Press + or – to modify the BIOS parameters for the active option.

• F1: General help.

• F2: Previous value.

• F3: Optimized defaults.

• F4: Save & Reset.

• Press Esc to quit the BIOS Setup.

There are six menu bars on top of the BIOS screen:

• Main: To change system basic configuration

• Advanced: To change system advanced configuration

• Security: BIOS Password settings

• Power: ACPI and wake device settings

• Boot: To change system boot configuration

• Exit: Save settings, loading, and exit options

The selected menu bar is highlighted.

BIOS Help

Status Page Setup Menu/Option Page Setup Menu

Press F1 to open a help window that describes the appropriate keys to use and the possible selections for the highlighted item. To exit the Help Window, press Esc.

Main Menu

The Main menu screen includes some basic system information. Highlight the item and then use the + or - keys and numerical keyboard keys to select the value you want in each item.

• System Date: Set the Date. Use Tab to switch between date elements.

• System Time: Set the Time. Use Tab to switch between time elements.

Advanced

Video Configuration:

Aperture Size The optional settings are: 128MB, 256MB (default), 512MB.

DVMT Pre-Allocated Select DVMT 5.0 pre-allocated (fixed) graphics memory size used by the internal graphics device. The optional settings are: 64 (default), 128, 256, 512MB.

DVMT Total Gfx Mem Select DVMT 5.0 total graphics memory size used by the internal graphics device. The optional settings are: 128MB, 256MB (default), MAX.

HD-Audio Configuration:

HD-Audio Support The optional settings are: Enabled (default), Disabled.

PCI Express Configuration:

MPCE1 / EIO P2 The optional settings are: Disabled, Enabled (default) for MPCE1.

PCIe Speed Set PCIe speed: Auto (default), Gen1, Gen2.

MPCE / EIO Switch Switch the PCIe signal to MPCE1 (default) or EIO (internal expansion port for OEM I/O or function boards).

SATA Drives Configuration:

Chipset SATA Enable or Disable SATA function. The optional settings are: Enabled (default), Disabled.

SATA Mode Select This item is for information; the Arrakis MK3 always operates in ACHI mode.

SATA Interface Speed Determine the SATA speed. The optional settings are: Gen1, Gen2, Gen3 (default).

Thermal:

Thermal Configuration Parameters

This value controls the temperature of the ACPI Critical Trip Point, the point at which the OS will shut down the system.

Critical Trip Point The shutdown temperature, with a default value of 110°C.

The CPU frequency will automatically reduce when the CPU temperature reaches the passive Trip Point, which has a default value of 105°C.

SIO FINETEK 81801U:

Serial Port A/B Enable or disable serial port (COM1 or COM2). The default is Enabled.

Serial Port A/B Base IO Address / Interrupt Select an optimal setting for the super IO device. The optional settings are:

• IO=3F8h; IRQ=3,4

• IO=3E8h; IRQ=3,4

• IO=2E8h; IRQ=3,4

• IO=2F8h; IRQ=3,4

The default for port A is IO=3F8h; IRQ=4. The default for port B is IO=2F8h; IRQ=3.

Serial Mode

• RS232 driver (default): When hardware is set to RS232/RS422 mode, select RS232 driver.

• RS485 driver: When hardware is set to RS485 mode, select RS485 driver. This enables the auto flow function for RS485.

Power Failure Specify whether your system will reboot after a power failure or interrupt occurs.

• Keep state: Restores the system to the status before the power failure or interrupt occurred (default).

• Always on: Leaves the computer in the power-on state.

• Always off: Leaves the computer in the power-off state.

Hardware Monitor Displays system voltage and temperature messages. The voltage shows three types: VCC3, VCORE, VNN. The temperature is measured via a separate sensor, not by the CPU.

Security

Supervisor Password To set up a Supervisor password:

1. Select Supervisor Password. A “Create New Password” dialog will appear.

2. Enter a password that is between 3 and 10 characters long.

3. Press Enter to submit.

Power

Wake on LAN Wake On LAN from LAN1 when the system is in S3 or S5 state, or both. The optional settings are: S3, S5, S3/S5, Disabled (default).

ACPI S3 Select ACPI sleep state (S3) support. The optional settings are: Enabled, Disabled (default).

Boot

Boot Type The Arrakis MK3 is a UEFI Boot-only system.

Quiet Boot The optional settings are: Enabled (default), Disabled.

Network Stack Enable if using the PXE function; otherwise, disable (default).

PXE Boot Capability This item determines the protocol operation in PXE. The values are: Disabled (default), UEFI: IPv4, UEFI: IPv6. This item is not modifiable when the above item is disabled.

EFI Determine which EFI storage device the Arrakis will boot from. This item only appears if EFI is present on the storage media.

Exit

Exit Saving Changes Allows the user to reset the system after saving the changes.

Save Change Without Exit Allows the user to save the changes without restarting.

Exit Discard Changes Allows the user to restart the system without saving the changes.

Load Optimal Default Restores the optimal default settings for all the setup options.

Discard Changes Cancels all the setup options without saving.