PLEASE NOTE:  Carefully read all documentation BEFORE you start to assemble your Barebones Kit or add components to a Computer Case.  Some components need to be assembled in a specific order.  Also place the components in the case temporarily to confirm any modifications (punch outs) that need to be made to fit that component.

Know Your BIOS!

But What Is BIOS?
Most electronic devices, from computers to MP3 players have software embedded in their hardware. These are programs that tell the device how it will function - from basic to advanced functions - so that it knows how to start, and perform the most simple and complex tasks it was designed for. We call this software the BIOS (sometimes also called Firmware). In computer jargon, BIOS stands for "Basic Input/Output System", but in reality, there is very little "basic" about it. In your computer's motherboard for example, it tells your computer how to: start up; communicate with hardware components, such as hard drives and video; how to move data in and out of memory; and even talk to your USB connected devices. Without your BIOS, your device is JOOL (just out of luck!).

Keep in mind that changing a PC's BIOS settings incorrectly can cause the PC to malfunction. If this happens, a BIOS reset is usually available, and will need to be performed to return the BIOS to the default "factory settings." This is usually activated by a jumper on the motherboard.  [Warning: always read your motherboard or system manual thoroughly, before upgrading your BIOS, or making BIOS setting changes!]  Though normally, most incorrect settings should have no negative affect on your PC, but please follow each step explicitly since some can.

Remember: It is recommended that you reboot after each individual BIOS setting change to ensure that your system functions normally. If you make numerous changes before rebooting, and your system will no longer boot, you won't know which change is responsible for the failure.

Updating Your BIOS
Before you consider updating your BIOS, be sure you need to - not every update will be needed or even benefit you.  Also be sure you are up to the technical challenges you will face.  Changing the version of BIOS stored in your computer or motherboard is not the kind of activity recommended for novice users.  To perform this successfully, you need to be comfortable and familiar with your BIOS settings, and be able to download and apply the BIOS Update without issue.  For this reason, it is best to let professional computer technicians do this work for you, if or when it is needed.  However, if you know what you are doing, it is a fairly easy task.

Before Updating BIOS, consider the following:

• The reasons for updating your BIOS - frequently, updating is unnecessary
• Identifying your BIOS chip - if replacing is the approach required
• Replacing your BIOS chip - this requires significant care, and can void your warranty
• Locating your latest BIOS version - required for any update
• Flashing your BIOS - make sure you have a UPS!
• Live update - great for minor or quick updates - again a UPS is vital - a partial update can make your system inoperative
• Configuring your new BIOS settings - read the manual! twice for good measure!

For more information about BIOS: 

• Example Desktop Motherboard BIOS Setting Glossary

1. The way size is calculated and displayed.
2. Any "Partitions" on the disk will change the total in a specific partition.
3. Hidden files and folders decrease available space.
4. Compression increases the apparent size, but not the physical size.
5. Drives larger than the OS or Drivers natively supports.

First, the definition of a megabytes (or gigabytes) is a unit of data storage capacity measured in 1,048,576 bytes (or 1024KB). The larger the numbers, the more apparent the size difference will be when listing the size as megabytes (or gigabytes) versus bytes. Actually, both numbers are correct. The noticeable difference is due to the 1024KB definition of a megabyte. This is why a 95.3GB hard drive can also be listed as having 102 billion bytes of total space.  Just think of it as "round off"  In the screen shot at right: The first number is the total number of bytes, the second number is based on the number of megabytes or gigabytes.

Second, some computers have a non-DOS hard drive partition that is used for features such as Save to Disk, Hibernation, or Recovery. This partition is not normally reported by the operating system, although it can be viewed using a disk partition utility.  This is very common on desktops and laptops.  NOTE: Partition information will be created or formatted automatically during initial system setup and a system recovery.

Third, by default, all system files are hidden and cannot be seen. This may adversely affect the reporting of available hard drive space. You can set your Folder Options so you view system and hidden files and folders, but do be careful as changes to system files can adversely affect your system.

Fourth, if you turn on Compression for a drive, it will increase reported free space and used space, but since compression is based upon the actual contents, this number is not fixed, but will change as files are added or changed.

Fifth, older operating systems did not support some of today's larger drives, so the total space reported may be much smaller than the drive specifications.

It is also worth noting that bad sectors are corrected by your operating system and can change the total drive space, free space, or used space as well.

So as long as a drive is reporting a value approximately close to the specification value, you can be comfortable that you received the right drive and that you are getting to correct data storage.  Of course, tuning of your drive's partitions and options can yield optimal values, but this is not something for the average user to explore.

The best time to add more memory is when you buy your system! Get the memory that's right for your computer, whether laptop, desktop, or All-In-One. Click Here for our Memory Upgrade Options. »

The result is that some systems will have shared memory, some will not. If you have 2GB (for example) of system memory installed, you may notice that your system reports significantly less memory. This is because your system is using shared memory for your video.

What can you do about this?
You can actually configure this shared memory through your computer’s BIOS settings. However, this is a setting best left alone, since it is typically optimized for display performance, and making changes may impact display resolutions, and other video capabilities.

The simplest solution is usually to either: increase your system memory; or to upgrade the video hardware. By upgrading to a new video card with built-in video memory, then turning off shared memory, you will free your system to use it's maximum potential memory, and provide your system with much more robust video features.

Click Here for our Memory Options » Click Here for the latest Video Cards »

But always remember, that the amount of memory that your system reports, is not always the amount of actual installed memory. For example, if you have 4GB installed, 32 bit versions of Windows will typically report 3.2GB due to a limitation of Windows itself.  Also note that different Windows programs report available and maximum memory differently, which can be confusing. If you find that you need more memory, we suggest expanding your system memory, since this is the most effective performance increase, and the one that is easiest to perform .

Click Here for our Memory Upgrade Options »

Advanced PC Build-It-Yourself Guide
Not too long ago one had to be eligible for the Genius IQ Club (Mensa) in order to build a computer. That is no longer the case. Today’s computer manufacturers have made it much easier for the enterprising do-it-yourselfer to create a great system.
Click Here To Learn More »

Got Tools?
Do you need the perfect tools to build and maintain your PC?  Take a look at our selection of PC building, maintenance, networking, and other tools and complete toolkits!
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