AMI BIOS Setup Utility

The AMI BIOS Setup Utility is a hardware configuration program built into the system's BIOS. Because most systems are already configured and optimized for most environments, running this utility is usually not required. However, you might need to run the AMI BIOS Setup Utility when changing specific system configuration options including:

  • Setting the system time and date

  • Configuring the hard drives

  • Specifying the boot device sequence

  • Installing PCI expansion boards

  • Upgrading the system BIOS

  • Setting up system passwords or making other changes to the security setup

Additionally, you must run this utility to change the BIOS settings from the default or current configuration.

The AMI BIOS Setup Utility loads the configuration values in a region of BIOS flash called the NVRAM region, which enables configuration data to be retained when power is turned off. The values take effect when the system is booted. POST uses these values to configure the hardware. If the values and the actual hardware do not agree, POST generates an error message.