How to set the BIOS to boot from a disk or USB flash drive? Reinstall BIOS Power section - PC power
Under certain circumstances, the BIOS may need to be reset in order for the computer to start and/or operate normally. Most often, this needs to be done when methods such as resetting the settings no longer help.
To reinstall, you will need to download from the official website of the BIOS developer or the manufacturer of your motherboard the version that you currently have installed. The flashing procedure is similar to the update procedure, only here you will need to remove the current version and install it again.
Step 1: Preparation
At this stage, you need to find out as much information about your system as possible, download the correct version and prepare your PC for flashing. To do this, you can use both third-party software and Windows capabilities. For those who do not want to bother too much on this issue, it is recommended to use third-party software, since in this case, in addition to information about the system and BIOS, you can get a link to the official website of the developer, where you can download the latest version.
The preparatory stage will be considered using the example of the AIDA64 program. This software is paid, but has a trial period. There is a Russian version, the program interface is also very friendly to ordinary users. Follow this guide:
If for some reason in the 5th paragraph you cannot download anything, then most likely this version is no longer supported by the official developer. In this case, use the information from the 4th paragraph.
Now it remains to prepare a USB flash drive or other media so that you can install a flashing from it. It is recommended to format it in advance, as extra files can harm the installation, and therefore damage the computer. After formatting, unzip the entire contents of the archive that you downloaded earlier onto a USB flash drive. Be sure to check that there is a file with the extension ROM. The file system on the flash drive must be in the format FAT32.
Stage 2: Flashing
Now, without removing the flash drive, you need to proceed directly to flashing the BIOS.
It is worth remembering that depending on the BIOS version currently installed on the computer, the process may look slightly different. Sometimes, instead of a selection menu, a DOS terminal opens, where you need to drive the following command:
IFLASH/PF _____.BIO
Here, instead of an underscore, you need to write the name of the file on the flash drive with the extension bio. Just for such a case, it is recommended to remember the name of the files that you dropped onto the media.
Also, in rare cases, it is possible to perform the flashing procedure directly from the Windows interface. But since this method is only suitable for certain motherboard manufacturers and is not very reliable, it makes no sense to consider it.
It is advisable to flash the BIOS only through the DOS interface or installation media, as this is the safest way. We do not recommend downloading files from unverified sources - it is not safe for your PC.
If you were looking for BIOS settings in pictures, then you have come to the right place.
The changes made will be protected by a lithium battery built into the motherboard and maintaining the required parameters in the event of a voltage loss.
Thanks to the program, it is possible to establish a stable interaction of the operating system (OS) with PC devices.
Attention! The present Boot network configuration section allows you to adjust parameters regarding system boot speed, keyboard and mouse settings.
After completing the work or familiarizing yourself with the Bios Setup Utility menu, you must press the burning Exit key, which automatically saves the changes made.
Section Main - Main menu
Let's start with the MAIN section, which is used to modify the settings and adjust the timing.
Here you can independently set the time and date of the computer, as well as configure the connected hard drives and other drives.
To reformat the working mode of the hard disk, you need to select the hard disk (for example: "SATA 1", as shown in the figure).
- type- this item indicates the type of connected hard disk;
- LBA Large Mode- Responsible for supporting drives larger than 504 MB. So the recommended value here is AUTO.
- Block (Multi-Sector Transfer) - For faster work, we recommend choosing the AUTO mode here;
- PIO Mode- Enables the hard drive to operate in legacy data exchange mode. It would also be best to select AUTO here;
- DMA Mode- gives direct access to memory. To get a faster read or write speed, select AUTO;
- smart monitoring- this technology, based on the analysis of the operation of the drive, is able to warn of a possible drive failure in the near future;
- 32 bit data transfer This option determines whether the 32-bit communication mode will be used by the standard IDE/SATA chipset controller.
Everywhere, using the "ENTER" key and the arrows, the Auto mode is set. The exception is subsection 32 Bit Transfer, which needs to fix the Enabled setting.
Important! It is required to refrain from changing the "Storage Configuration" option, which is located in the "System information" section and not to allow correction "SATADetectTimeout".
Section Advanced - Additional settings
Now let's start setting up the basic PC nodes in the ADVANCED section, which consists of several sub-items.
Initially, you will need to set the necessary processor and memory parameters in the Jumper Free Configuration system configuration menu.
By selecting Jumper Free Configuration, you will go to the Configure System Frequency / Voltage subsection, here you can perform the following operations:
- automatic or manual overclocking of the hard drive - AI Overclocking;
- change of clock frequency of memory modules - ;
- Memory Voltage;
- manual mode for setting the chipset voltage - NB Voltage
- changing port addresses (COM, LPT) - Serial and Parallel Port;
- setting controller settings - onboard devices configuration.
Power section - PC power
The POWER item is responsible for powering the PC and contains several subsections that need the following settings:
- Suspend Mode- set the automatic mode;
- ACPI APIC- set Enabled;
- ACPI 2.0- fix the Disabled mode.
BOOT section - boot management
Here it is allowed to define a priority drive, choosing between a flash card, a disk drive or a hard drive.
If there are several hard drives, then the priority hard drive is selected in the Hard Disk sub-item.
The boot configuration of the PC is set in the Boot Setting subsection, which contains a menu consisting of several items:
Hard drive selection
The boot configuration of the PC is set in the Boot Setting subsection,
- Quick Boot– acceleration of loading of OS;
- Logo Full Screen– disabling the screen saver and activating an information window containing information about the download process;
- Add On ROM- setting the order on the information screen of modules connected to the motherboard (MT) through slots;
- Wait For 'F1' If Error- activation of the function of forced pressing "F1" at the moment the system identifies an error.
The main task of the Boot partition is to determine the boot devices and set the required priorities.
- ASUS EZ Flash- using this option, you have the ability to update the BIOS from such drives as: floppy disk, Flash disk or CD.
- AI NET– using this option, you can get information about the cable connected to the network controller.
Section Exit - Exit and save
Particular attention should be paid to the EXIT item, which has 4 operating modes:
- Save Changes- save the changes;
- Discard Changes + EXIT- leave the factory settings in effect;
- Setup Defaults- enter the default parameters;
- Discard Changes- we cancel all our actions.
The following step-by-step instructions explain in detail the purpose of the main sections of the BIOS and the rules for making changes to improve PC performance.
Bios setting
Bios settings - Detailed instructions in pictures
Most often, we remember the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) only when we need to reinstall the operating system and need to somehow set it to boot from a disk or flash drive. I often wrote about this in articles such as:, and others. Now I want to gather together and refer only to this article when necessary. This article will be useful for all BIOS versions and for different companies. A sort of single guide
The first thing you need to know is that the BIOS is divided by manufacturer and version.
To change boot method in BIOS- you need to enter it first.
You can, of course, find out what version and manufacturer of your BIOS is from the manual that comes with your computer.
You can also find out by looking at the line at the top on the black screen during boot (the manufacturer will be indicated there).
Well, then enter the BIOS, knowing what it is for you.
In some BIOS versions there is no such screen showing lines. There is just a logo there and something like "Press F2 to enter SETUP" is written below, which means we press F2. If there is just a logo and there are no inscriptions - press ESC, and then del or f2
Here is a small list of manufacturers and keyboard shortcuts for entering BIOS:
Also, at the bottom of the black screen, keys are written to enter the BIOS and to display a list that contains available devices for booting and so that you can boot from it. But about him at the end of the article.
As you can see - most often you need to press the key F2 or Del.
Now you need to put a USB flash drive or disk into the boot.
Let's look at several examples that differ from the BIOS manufacturer.
Configuring Award Bios to boot from a USB flash drive or disk:
The main window is like this, in which we need the second item:
Further depends on the firmware version. In one case, you will need to go to an item similar to "Boot Seq & Floppy Setup"
in another case, you don’t need to go anywhere - everything will be in front of your eyes anyway
clicks on First boot device(First boot device), click Enter and this window will appear
in which you need to select a disk or flash drive that will be launched first. You can specify the Second boot device, for example, but usually the BIOS itself fills in this data.
On a note:
If you choose a flash drive, then, among other things, you also need to go to the “Hard Disk Boot Priority” item and move our flash drive to the very top using the “+” and “-” or “PageUp” and “PageDown” buttons:
It is also worth remembering that in order for the BIOS to see the USB flash drive, you need to connect it before turning it on or before rebooting
Then press "F10" (see the exact key in the prompt at the bottom of the screen with the name "Save", "Exit") or go to the main BIOS menu and select the "Save and Exit Setup" item. In the red box, select "Yes" with the "Y" button on the keyboard and press "Enter"
The computer will restart and when booting from the Windows installation disk, such a request may appear for a few seconds “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD…”
Which translates to "Press any button to boot from CD or DVD."
This means that if at this moment you do not press any button on the keyboard, the computer will continue to boot from the next device in the list.
Another variation of this bios:
I only met this on old computers ten years ago until 2003. The main menu looks like this:
To set the boot order, you need to go to the menu BIOS FEATURES SETUP:
At this point, we just select with the PageUp and PageDown buttons (or Enter and arrows) what to set first - a CDROM or a USB flash drive. DO NOT forget about the second and third device
And further:
How to choose what to boot from in AMI BIOS
If, upon entering BIOS, you see such a screen, then you have AMI BIOS:
Using the right arrow key on the keyboard, move to the Boot tab:
We go to "Hard Disk Drives" and in the line "1st Drive" (may be called "First Drive") select a disk or flash drive:
Next, go to "Boot Device Priority", go to "1st Boot Device" and select from the list what you chose in the previous tab (i.e. if you selected a USB flash drive in Hard Disk Drives, then you need to specify it here. This is important! )
To boot from a CD/DVD disc, you need to select "ATAPI CD-ROM" (or simply "CDROM") in this menu, and there is no need to go to the previous menu "Hard Disk Drives".
Now we save the results with the "F10" button or go to the "Exit" BIOS section and select "Exit Saving Changes".
Another AMI BIOS, but here everything is clear:
Setting up Phoenix-Award Bios to boot from a USB flash drive
If, upon entering BIOS, you see such a screen, then you have a Phoenix-Award BIOS:
Go to the “Advanced” tab and opposite “First Boot Device” set what you need (flash drive or disk):
Save with F10
Configuring EFI (UEFI) Bios with a GUI to boot from a flash drive
Now this is no surprise to anyone. Almost all new computers are supplied with a similar shell. You can read more about it in the article.
When loading, at the bottom of the screen there is a "Boot Priority" section, where you can use the mouse (drag and drop) to set the desired boot order.
You can also click on the "Exit/Advanced mode" button in the upper right corner and select Advanced mode in the window that appears.
Next, go to the "Boot" tab and in the section Boot Option Priorities in the "Boot Option # 1" field, set the USB flash drive, DVD-ROM, hard drive, or other available device as the default boot device.
How to boot from a USB flash drive or from a disk without entering BIOS
This is what I wrote about almost at the very beginning of the article.
This is when you need to press the key once and a window will appear with a choice of download. This method does not change the BIOS settings.
Usually Award BIOS offers to press "F9" to call the boot menu, and AMI asks to press "F8". On laptops, this may be the "F12" key.
In general - look at the bottom line and look for items like "Press F8 for BBS POPUP" or "Press F9 to Select Booting Device after POST".
Why can't I boot from a USB flash drive into the BIOS?
Possible reasons: 
On ancient computers, there is generally no way to boot from USB flash drives. If there is no newer BIOS, then the project can help.
1) Download the latest version of "Plop Boot Manager" from the link above and unpack it.
2) The archive contains files: plpbt.img is an image for a floppy disk, and plpbt.iso is an image for a CD.
3) Write the image to disk and boot from it (or from a floppy disk).
4) A menu will appear in which we select our USB flash drive and boot from it.
Little decoding of disk designations when choosing:
Do not forget after you have done what you wanted (namely, why did you change the boot in the BIOS) - return the boot settings back so that the computer boots from the hard drive.
In this note, I will write how to reset (clear) the BIOS. The article is intended for beginners.
So, for some reason, we need to reset (clear) the BIOS. Or, as they sometimes say, make "clear cmos" (clear_cmos).
To facilitate this action, some high-end and mid-range motherboards are provided by the manufacturer with buttons that allow you to clear CMOS data almost instantly.
They are usually labeled "clr_cmos" (clear_cmos).
They can be located on the front of the board itself:
So behind the motherboard can be located:
And sometimes even without an inscription:
[Instructions on how to use this "quick reset button" to clear the BIOS will be at the end of the note].
But on ordinary motherboards (of which ~ 99% of the total number) there are no such "conveniences". But there is no reason to be upset - absolutely every motherboard has a three-pin connector. This connector is just designed to clear the BIOS (CMOS).
They might look like this:
As you can see in all three pictures, a two-pin jumper (or jumper) is installed on the three-pin connector. The jumper can close only two of the three contacts. For all motherboards (and hards, by the way), these jumpers are absolutely standard - identical, that is.
This is what the jumper looks like:
They can be found both on the motherboard itself - in the box, or on the motherboard itself, where it is already installed on the three-pin connector in position 1-2 (as you can see in the three photos above). Like in the picture below:
Or find a jumper on the hard drives, where it is already set to some position.
But - on modern motherboards, manufacturers usually do not put any jumpers. Then you need to look for them in the store where you bought the motherboard - ask for one thing - and they will give it to you for free.
In this particular case, we will consider the MSI P67A-C43 motherboard.
She looks like this:
On modern boards, the three-pin connector for clearing the kmos is labeled "JBAT1" (presumably - Jumper Battery 1). Looking for her:
Found her. What need to do?
The instruction is as follows:
1. Turn off the computer in advance.
2. Switch the button on the power supply unit (PSU) to position "0".
3. Pull out the 3-pin plug of the power cord from the "ass" of the PSU.
4. Wait then for about 15 seconds and then take the jumper and bridge pins 2-3. Photo below:
If the jumper is already in position 1-2, then the jumper should be moved from position 1-2 to position 2-3. Photo below:
5. Wait seconds 5. Then we return the jumper back to its original position 1-2. Even if there was no jumper, let it remain in position 1-2 anyway.
This is normal as position 1-2 for the jumper is standard/nominal working.
Never leave the jumper in position 2-3! This is fraught with unpleasant consequences for the performance of the motherboard!
6. After setting the jumper in position 1-2, you can turn on the computer. Bios as they say "virginally pure".
P.S. Now about how to reset the BIOS using the "quick button".
We perform the same actions as above, but instead of "dancing with jumpers" we simply press the button.
