Dell 4100 User Manual

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Contents

Dell 4100 User Manual Manual pdf 54 page image

Using the System Setup Program 4-1Chapter 4Using the System Setup ProgramEach time you turn on your computer system or pressthe reset button, the system compares the hardwareinstalled in the system to the hardware listed in the sys-tem configuration information stored in nonvolatilerandom-access memory (NVRAM) on the system board.If the system detects a discrepancy between the two, itgenerates error messages that identify the incorrect con-figuration settings. The system then prompts you to enterthe System Setup program to correct the setting.You can use the System Setup program as follows:• To change the system configuration informationafter you add, change, or remove any hardware inyour system• To set or change user-selectable options—for exam-ple, the time or date on your systemWhen you save changes and exit the System Setup pro-gram, the system automatically reboots causing anychanges to take effect immediately.After you set up your system, run the System Setupprogram to familiarize yourself with your system configu-ration information and optional settings. Dell recommendsthat you print out the System Setup screens or write downthe information for future reference.Before you use the System Setup program, you need toknow the kind of diskette drive installed in your com-puter. (The standard diskette drive is a 1.44-MB, 3.5-inchdrive).System Setup ScreensThe System Setup screens display the current setup andconfiguration information and optional settings for yoursystem. Information on the System Setup screens is orga-nized in four boxed areas:• Title BoxThe box at the top of each screen lists the systemname, and the revision number of the basic input/output system (BIOS) as detected by the system.• Configuration Options and System DataThe box on the left side of each screen lists catego-ries that define the installed hardware in yoursystem.Fields beside the categories contain options orvalues.System data that is not user-selectable is displayed inthe lower part of the Main menu screen.CAUTION: Whenever you make changes to theSystem Setup program or add, reposition, orremove Extended Industry-Standard Architec-ture (EISA) or Industry-Standard Architecture(ISA) expansion cards, add or remove memory, orchange settings for built-in devices, you must runthe EISA Configuration Utility, make any neces-sary changes, and save the system configurationinformation. Failure to do so may cause resourceconflicts between Peripheral Component Inter-connect (PCI) devices (such as PCI expansioncards, the built-in video controller, or the built-insmall computer system interface [SCSI] control-lers). See “Configuring EISA, ISA, and PCIExpansion Cards” in Chapter 5 for more informa-tion about how PCI devices are configured basedon settings in the EISA Configuration Utility.