Guide to HP BIOS Settings

Every HP system provides users with a set of options to customize their system that can only be accessed before your operating system loads. Your HP's system BIOS, which stands for Basic Input/Output System, is responsible for loading all required hardware for your system's boot process. In order for your operating system to correctly recognize and use your system's hardware, your BIOS acts as a middleman to ensure communications are correct.

The HP BIOS setup utility is available on all HP laptops and desktops. However, exact settings may vary slightly between the various HP models. Also note that many of the settings also apply to Compaq laptops and desktops as well.

Enter BIOS

Turn off your HP system. Do not restart your system. Turning off the computer provides a longer window in which to enter your system BIOS during the start up process. Wait approximately five to ten seconds and turn your HP computer back on.

If your computer was built after 2006, press the "F10" key as soon the start up process begins to enter the BIOS setup utility. If your computer was built before 2006, press "F1" at least once every second to enter the BIOS. If your operating system starts to load, you will need to repeat the above process to enter your BIOS.

Navigation

Once you enter an HP BIOS, you'll notice you can no longer use your mouse or any other type of pointing device. The BIOS is a DOS based utility which uses only your keyboard. Navigate between the individual BIOS menu screens by using your left and right arrow keys. Select an item on a BIOS menu screen by using your up and down arrow keys.

To view sub-menus or options for a setting, press the "Enter" key while a setting is highlighted. Details about the setting will appear on the BIOS menu screen, either to the right or bottom of the screen depending on your model.

After making changes, you can either save your settings and exit by pressing "F10" or exit the BIOS without saving your changes by pressing the "Esc" key. Your HP system will then restart so your new settings can take effect.

Menu Screens and Options

The HP BIOS setup utility contains five menu screens. Each screen provides you with a list of different settings you can change.

The Main menu is the first screen you see when the BIOS loads. This menu provides settings for the allocation of resources for various hardware components such as optical drives. You can also set the system date and time from this menu.

The Advanced BIOS menu offers settings to customize advanced features through your motherboard's chipset. Some of the common settings on this screen include Plug and Play, video adapter, PATA and SATA adapters and configuration and USB legacy support. Never edit the settings on this screen unless absolutely necessary. Setting values incorrectly can cause problems with how your hardware or operating system functions.

The Power menu is self explanatory. All options pertaining to how you BIOS manages your system's power are contained in this menu screen such as what to do after an AC power failure, Wake on LAN and hard disk timeout.

The Boot menu is one of the most commonly used BIOS menu screens on HP systems. This screen allows you to change your device boot order, such as allowing your system to boot from CD or USB devices before your hard drive boots. If no device is connected or inserted, then you system will boot from the hard drive.

The final menu is the Exit screen. From this menu, you can save your changes, exit the BIOS or load factory defaults. By loading factory defaults, you effectively erase any custom settings and re-load your BIOS as HP originally set it.

Considerations

Changing settings in your HP BIOS is not to be taken lightly. Changing the wrong settings could result in your system not booting at all. Please research any changes you want to make before actually making them. If you are changing settings to troubleshoot a problem, consult your HP computer's manual or visit the HP Customer Care website for the exact settings to change to fix your problem.