BIOS

[jll]

Hi,
My BIOS is limited. There is hardly anything in it. The "Main" menu has
practically no options. The "Boot" menu has options to set the boot sequence
between the CD ROM, the floppy and the hard disk and that's pretty much it.
Then "Exit".
Is there a way to expand the BIOS to address more hardware? I notice one
option in the "Main" menu addresses a "Supervisor" password (Which I left
disabled.) Is it possible that this BIOS is meant for a work environment and
is purposely left skimpy to keep anyone but the "Supervisor" from making
changes? I just bought this laptop used and seems to work OK. The BIOS is
not like any I have seen before. How can I get a more appropriate BIOS?
Thanks,
jll

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi,
My BIOS is limited. There is hardly anything in it. The "Main" menu has
practically no options. The "Boot" menu has options to set the boot sequence
between the CD ROM, the floppy and the hard disk and that's pretty much it.
Then "Exit".
Is there a way to expand the BIOS to address more hardware?

No, there isn't. It's built into the motherboard's CMOS chip.

I notice one
option in the "Main" menu addresses a "Supervisor" password (Which I left
disabled.) Is it possible that this BIOS is meant for a work environment and
is purposely left skimpy to keep anyone but the "Supervisor" from making
changes?

No, it isn't possible. The BIOS is what there is. Period. Contact
the maker of the computer if you don't understand the BIOS.

I just bought this laptop used and seems to work OK.

Then why are you entering the BIOS? You clearly lack the technical
knowledge to safely do so.

The BIOS is
not like any I have seen before.

Every brand motherboard will be different.

How can I get a more appropriate BIOS?

What makes you think a perfectly working BIOS is "inappropriate?"
Anyway, to get a different BIOS, replace the motherboard.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Nepatsfan]

In

Hi,
My BIOS is limited. There is hardly anything in it. The
"Main" menu has
practically no options. The "Boot" menu has options to set
the boot sequence
between the CD ROM, the floppy and the hard disk and that's
pretty much it.
Then "Exit".
Is there a way to expand the BIOS to address more hardware? I
notice one
option in the "Main" menu addresses a "Supervisor" password
(Which I left
disabled.) Is it possible that this BIOS is meant for a work
environment and
is purposely left skimpy to keep anyone but the "Supervisor"
from making
changes? I just bought this laptop used and seems to work OK.
The BIOS is
not like any I have seen before. How can I get a more
appropriate BIOS?
Thanks,
jll

Just out of curiosity, what's the make and model number of your
new laptop? Also, why do you need to access the laptop's BIOS?

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[jll]

In

Just out of curiosity, what's the make and model number of your new
laptop? Also, why do you need to access the laptop's BIOS?

Good luck

Nepatsfan

Hi,
Netpatsfan, does that refer to the New England Patriots? I'm a Steeler fan
myself. In answer to your question, it's a Compaq EVO N180, PIII, 512 RAM
and runs with XP. I got into the BIOS to determine the boot up sequence.
It's setup the way I want it. But there are few options to change other
perepherals if I wished to, although for the moment I'm satisfied. This is
my fourth PC and I had never seen a BIOS like this one. I was just curious
and asked for information from a NG that I thought would be helpful.
Thanks,
jll

 

[Nepatsfan]

Answered inline.

In

Hi,
Netpatsfan, does that refer to the New England Patriots?

Yes, it does.

I'm a Steeler fan myself.

As long as you're not a Colt's fan.

In answer to your question, it's a Compaq EVO N180, PIII, 512
RAM
and runs with XP. I got into the BIOS to determine the boot
up sequence.
It's setup the way I want it. But there are few options to
change other
perepherals if I wished to, although for the moment I'm
satisfied. This is
my fourth PC and I had never seen a BIOS like this one. I was
just curious
and asked for information from a NG that I thought would be
helpful.
Thanks,
jll

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with that particular laptop.
Combine that with the fact that Compaq doesn't provide in depth
documentation on their web site and the best I can give you is
speculation.

That said, I agree with you that there should be more
information available when you enter the BIOS setup program on
your laptop. What key are you hitting to access the setup
program? According to the manual for your laptop it should be
the F10 key.

If you're curious, you might want to contact HP's tech support
to see if they can give you more info about your laptop's BIOS
setup program.

Good luck to your Steelers this season, except on 12/9.

Nepatsfan