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. Some of these settings are establishedusing the system setup program, while others are setusing the system configuration utility (see Chapter 5 formore information).The system then prompts you to enter the system setupprogram to correct the setting.W hen to Use the System SetupProgramYou can use the system setup program as follows:• To change system configuration information afteryou add, change, or remove any hardware in yoursystem (except a network card)• If no diskette drive is installed in the system(because you must run the system configuration util-ity from a diskette).• To enable or configure the diskette drive.• To set or change user-selectable options—for exam-ple, the time or date on your system.When you save changes and exit the system setup pro-gram, the system automatically reboots, causing anychanges to take effect immediately.CAUTION: Whenever you make changes to thesystem setup program or you 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 system 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 system configuration utility.
