Help with BIOS settings

Hi,

I recently built my first computer using an Abit AI7 mother board. All the
hardware installed flawlessly. I'm using Windows XP.

The only thing I changed in the BIOS was "use optimized defaults" and I
disabled the floppy disk drive since I'm not using one. I also changed the
boot order to make the CD Rom the first boot.

The only problem is, if I shut down the computer and unplug it from the
outlet, it doesn't retain the above settings and I have to configure the
above settings all over again. This only happens if I unplug the computer
and then plug in it (the next day for example). If it's left plugged in, it
will retain the settings when the computer is turned on.

Why won't it retain the BIOS settings when the computer is unpluged for a
period of time?

Thanks,
Alan

A common cause is a failing or dead CMOS battery. They're only a couple
bucks. I'd replace it (or measure it with a voltmeter) to rule it out.

"Alan" wrote in message
. net...
Hi,

I recently built my first computer using an Abit AI7 mother board. All
the
hardware installed flawlessly. I'm using Windows XP.

The only thing I changed in the BIOS was "use optimized defaults" and I
disabled the floppy disk drive since I'm not using one. I also changed
the
boot order to make the CD Rom the first boot.

The only problem is, if I shut down the computer and unplug it from the
outlet, it doesn't retain the above settings and I have to configure the
above settings all over again. This only happens if I unplug the computer
and then plug in it (the next day for example). If it's left plugged in,
it
will retain the settings when the computer is turned on.

Why won't it retain the BIOS settings when the computer is unpluged for a
period of time?

Thanks,
Alan

Well Alan that's because you loose your stand-by 5volt supply when you
un-plug the box and I would buy a new battery if there is any doubt about
the health of same.
The Award BIOS can be a real pain in this area.
JPS
"Alan" wrote in message
. net...
Hi,

I recently built my first computer using an Abit AI7 mother board. All
the
hardware installed flawlessly. I'm using Windows XP.

The only thing I changed in the BIOS was "use optimized defaults" and I
disabled the floppy disk drive since I'm not using one. I also changed
the
boot order to make the CD Rom the first boot.

The only problem is, if I shut down the computer and unplug it from the
outlet, it doesn't retain the above settings and I have to configure the
above settings all over again. This only happens if I unplug the computer
and then plug in it (the next day for example). If it's left plugged in,
it
will retain the settings when the computer is turned on.

Why won't it retain the BIOS settings when the computer is unpluged for a
period of time?

Thanks,
Alan

Well, I replaced the battery with a new one and there was no change. The
BIOS will not retain the settings when the computer is unplugged from the
wall or turned off from the power supply. I have no clue what to do.
Abit's technical support has not responded to me.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Alan

"jpsga" wrote in message
news:8nVPb.100342$Rc4.636404@attbi_s54...
Well Alan that's because you loose your stand-by 5volt supply when you
un-plug the box and I would buy a new battery if there is any doubt about
the health of same.
The Award BIOS can be a real pain in this area.
JPS
"Alan" wrote in message
. net...
Hi,

I recently built my first computer using an Abit AI7 mother board. All
the
hardware installed flawlessly. I'm using Windows XP.

The only thing I changed in the BIOS was "use optimized defaults" and I
disabled the floppy disk drive since I'm not using one. I also changed
the
boot order to make the CD Rom the first boot.

The only problem is, if I shut down the computer and unplug it from the
outlet, it doesn't retain the above settings and I have to configure the
above settings all over again. This only happens if I unplug the
computer
and then plug in it (the next day for example). If it's left plugged
in,
it
will retain the settings when the computer is turned on.

Why won't it retain the BIOS settings when the computer is unpluged for
a
period of time?

Thanks,
Alan

"Alan" wrote:
Well, I replaced the battery with a new one and there was no change. The
BIOS will not retain the settings when the computer is unplugged from the
wall or turned off from the power supply. I have no clue what to do.
Abit's technical support has not responded to me.

Any other suggestions?

This is a really stupid suggestion, but did you make sure that the "reset BIOS" jumper isn't in
the reset position?

Jon