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3 Overview of BIOS Features
3.1 Introduction
The kit uses Intel® Visual BIOS that is stored in the Serial Peripheral Interface Flash Memory (SPI
Flash) and can be updated using a disk-based program. The SPI Flash contains the Visual BIOS
Setup program, POST, the PCI auto-configuration utility, LAN EEPROM information, and Plug and
Play support.
The BIOS displays a message during POST identifying the type of BIOS and a revision code. The
initial production BIOSs are identified as HNKBLi70.86A.
The Visual BIOS Setup program can be used to view and change the BIOS settings for the
computer. The BIOS Setup program is accessed by pressing the <F2> key after the Power-On
Self-Test (POST) memory test begins and before the operating system boot begins.
NOTE
The maintenance menu is displayed only when the kit is in configure mode. Section 2.2.3.3 on
page 41 shows how to put the kit in configure mode.
3.2 BIOS Flash Memory Organization
The Serial Peripheral Interface Flash Memory (SPI Flash) includes a 64 Mb flash memory device.
3.3 System Management BIOS (SMBIOS)
SMBIOS is a Desktop Management Interface (DMI) compliant method for managing computers in
a managed network.
The main component of SMBIOS is the Management Information Format (MIF) database, which
contains information about the computing system and its components. Using SMBIOS, a system
administrator can obtain the system types, capabilities, operational status, and installation dates
for system components. The MIF database defines the data and provides the method for
accessing this information. The BIOS enables applications such as third-party management
software to use SMBIOS. The BIOS stores and reports the following SMBIOS information:
• BIOS data, such as the BIOS revision level
• Fixed-system data, such as peripherals, serial numbers, and asset tags
• Resource data, such as memory size, cache size, and processor speed
• Dynamic data, such as event detection and error logging
Non-Plug and Play operating systems require an additional interface for obtaining the SMBIOS
information. The BIOS supports an SMBIOS table interface for such operating systems. Using
this support, an SMBIOS service-level application running on a non-Plug and Play operating
system can obtain the SMBIOS information. Additional kit information can be found in the BIOS
under the Additional Information header under the Main BIOS page.
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