Ultimate BIOS Tweaking Guide
Oct 6, 2008
When man first booted the PC, he saw the BIOS screen: a jumble of monochromatic numbers that made about as much sense as the binary language of load lifters. Sadly, not much about the BIOS has changed since the DeLorean and skinny ties were cool. Decades later, in our modern, visual-based world, we’re still greeted with a screen full of text from machines 1,000 times faster than those that were around when the ol’ BIOS was born. Most PC lightweights simply ignore the BIOS and wait for their OSes to take over. Power users, however, know that the BIOS can be a friendly and rewarding place to go spelunking.
So just what the hell is the BIOS? Short for Basic Input Output System, the BIOS is a tiny bit of software embedded in your motherboard that gets executed when your PC is turned on. The BIOS is responsible for chores such as sizing up the amount of available RAM, detecting the hard drives, and setting the CPU speed. Once the system house-cleaning is done, the BIOS boots the OS from the hard drive and hands over control...............
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Mar 1, 2007
Microsoft released many new screensavers for Windows Vista and Windows 7 that look great. However, for some reason they never made option screens for them. All of the new screensavers have settings that you can tweak to completely change the look and behavior. Without an options screen, the only way to do this is with editing the registry directly. This guide will help you use registry hacks to customize the Windows screensavers including:...
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Feb 8, 2009
Ultimate Malware Removal Guide -- Purge Your PC of Junk Files!
Quote: Malware is everywhere. You can't browse on any Internet tech forum without someone mentioning this word (with disdain), usually in search of a remedy after being infected with spyware. No matter how careful you are, we’re guessing that many of you have had malware inadvertently installed on your system and may have even ended up reformatting your computer as a last resort. While that may have been the most thorough solution, it is in a sense admitting defeat. Or worse yet, you took your computer to get cleaned and was charged anywhere from $50-300 -- a high price for humiliation. But don't fret, because you can actually purge your system of malicious software for free! Just follow our comprehensive guide. Read more at: Ultimate Malware Removal Guide -- Purge Your PC of Junk Files! | Maximum PC
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Sep 1, 2009
A friend of mine has his Vista PC automatically installing an update, then reboots with no prompt before login any user. And that's looped forever. What's strange is it does the same in safe mode.
At present no session can be opened, nor even reached. Nothing seems to be possible.
I'm thinking I could alter/delete the RunOnce entry in the registry but I would either need
- an XP tool that can read a Vista registry from a file on a separate HD (yes, I would take the HD to my PC)
- or a Linux live CD tool (but I'm asking this question on a Linux forum) that could do the same
- or of course any other brilliant idea.
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Oct 18, 2006
To enable you to workaround any remaining sites that block access to Internet Explorer 7, we developed the User Agent String Utility. The utility comes in the form of a small executable that opens an IE7 instance that sends the IE6 user agent string. It also provides a mechanism for you to report problem web sites to Microsoft so that we can follow up with the affected site owners. Please download the tool and give it a try....
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Apr 13, 2009
Some people are unsure on how to overclock the GPU. Quite frankly, the GPU is the easiest thing to overclock in a system. Lets start from the beginning. This will void your warranty if you have an ATI video card. The first thing I recommend is to grab some useful programs and the latest NVIDIA WHQL drivers. The programs I recommend are EVGA Precision 1.7.0 or Rivatuner (for the overclocking/monitoring), GPU-Z 0.3.3 (monitoring/GPU info), and ATItool (artifact testing). ForceWare 182.50 WHQL DriverWinXP 32 bit WinXP 64 bit WinVista 32 bit WinVista 64 bit Proper uninstallation/installation of video drivers (Vista, in XP it should be somewhat similar):Download and install Driver Sweeper or something similar. Right click on computer, click Device Manager (on left) Select your display device (video card), uninstall video device software. Delete driver folder (C:NVIDIAWinVista641xx.xx) Reboot in safe mode (repeatedly hit F8 during boot sequence). Run Driver Sweeper or your equivalent. Only clean Display driver. Reboot. Download and install your desired driver. Reboot. When installing new drivers, make sure all anti-virus software is disabled. EVGA Precision 1.7.0 Download , GPU-Z 0.3.3 Download, ATItool.26 Download , Driver Sweeper 1.5.5 Download
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Mar 12, 2009
I have been building computers for a while now and have not had any problems so far that I could not solve. Now I don't know where to start. I have purchased the following items:......Now when I try to install the vista 64 bit I get the famous BSOD! Mostly with the error message I stated in the title. I dont know what to do. Does anyone have any information for me?? ....65N Rast to disable the TBL patch in the BIOS in order for this to work. I do not know where to diable this patch on my mainboard. Do I need to update my BIOS? With what version??
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Aug 28, 2008
What is overclocking? Firstly, it is currently the mostly widely used word that does not appear in the English dictionary...... Secondly, it is operating hardware (particularly CPU, RAM, motherboard, and video card) above and beyond rated specs. Rated specs are the level to which a particular piece of hardware is expected to, has been tested to, and is warranted to perform. What this equates to in the real world is a certain price tag for a certain level of expected performance.... Overclockers strive to determine not what hardware should do, but what can do.
Overclocking is more of an art than a science. There is no combination of settings that will yield the best results for every system...... Greater experience does make the overclocking process less cumbersome, but it is and always will be a trial and error process..... Don't be afraid to experiment, but always take things slow and be aware of temperature and voltage limits. Overclocking Basics (particular to Intel systems, though many of the concepts apply to AMD systems as well)
1) Limitations - Each hardware component has physical limitations that, at a minimum, meet the rated (stock) specifications..... In the process of thoroughly overclocking a system, the actual limitations of various components will be found. In general, the CPU, RAM, and motherboard will control the overclock, but other components such as the PSU and cooling will have a major impact on overclocking abilities..... Depending on which of the three primary components (CPU, RAM, and mobo) is the first to reach its limits, different steps can be taken to squeeze more out of the other components. Video card overclocking is generally independent of overclocking the components previously listed.
2) Overclocking in the BIOS vs. overclocking software - Whenever the option exists, manipulating BIOS settings is the best way to accomplish overclocking..... BIOSes on value/low end motherboards and on proprietary systems such as Dells and HPs generally have few to no options available for overclocking....... On such systems, there is the potential to overclock through software, though there is not a single piece of software to overclock every board............
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Feb 14, 2009
After trying to install drivers for an HP printer resulting in a total wipe out and reinstall, the Asus tech called me and suggested this guide. He said to always try to connect the new device and see if Vista-64 "sees it" properly, and then uses the Vista drivers.There should be no compatibility problems. But if Vista-64 "cannot" recognize it, one had better go to the device site and ensure it's 64 bit compatible and if new drivers exist.Otherwise, forcing the install could lead to problems.
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Oct 18, 2008
After having sucessfully updated my Realtek HD Audio Driver, I now need to know how I go about setting it all up in Realtek HD Audio Manager. My audio engineering and setup skills are limited by the fact that last time I ever attempted anything in this field, it involved two tin cans, and a piece of string![System FAILED!....Error: String snapped!] What I need are easy-to-follow instructions, for the entire setup process of Realtek Audio Manager, from start to finish. I don't want to make a mess of the audio system by barging in, without a clue as to what I am doing, and clicking willy-nilly all over the place. I also note that the Realtek HD Audio Manager Setup page does not show a? Help button for the lesser forms of life, and for this reason ask if there are PDF/User Guide/Instructons etc. anywhere that lead you through the Setup process for the HD Audio Manager?
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Feb 25, 2009
Sometimes when I install drivers I get the message that my BIOS is out of date (including updates from AMD) if I go to the Phoenix site it says go to the motherboard manufacturer or run Biosagent if you use this you pay for the update but you do get this info so is it worth e-mail gateway support, using the boisagent or just leave well alone.
Info from biosagent
BIOS Type: Phoenix-Award
BIOS Date: August 18th 2006
BIOS ID: 08/18/2006-C51PVGM-GB-6A61HE1BC-00-None
BIOS OEM: C51PVGM-GB V1.0 081806 - 6.00 PG.............
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Mar 8, 2009
A recent TV guide update appears to have resulted in a loss of all channels from 32 to 71. I have COMCAST (Portland, OR) and for over 1.5 years my guide updates have always shown Ch's 1 - 71. For the last 48 hours the upper channels are not even listed. My TV can still access those channels, so they haven't been dropped. I've rebooted & downloaded the most recent guide.
I've re-ran TV Setup & elected "No Guide" then rebooted & tried again, electing to use the guide, but still same results. I've been searching/reading 100's post trying to get an idea why this is suddenly happening and how to resolve. So, the guide is downloading & displaying channels, but not channels 32-71. Oh, I can manually add and access the missing channels, which will work in a pinch, but of course the channel lineup shows "no data available."
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Jun 1, 2008
My brother has just built a computer and can't get it working. The problem is that when he starts it he gets to the screen where he can choose to enter BIOS. 9/10 times he can't do anything from there but 1/10 times he can press delete and then it says "loading bios" but it freezes there (he waited 30 mins nothing happened). Does anyone know what the problem mihht be?
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Sep 19, 2008
I've been messing around in my BIOS. Installing some faster RAM and trying a slight overclock (2.4 t0 2.7Ghz on a Q6600) and seem to have caused myself several problems. Firstly I tried to push it a bit further on the FSB- from 1200 to 1300-the system wouldn't boot and wouldn't let me into the BIOS. I eventually got round this by removing the mobo battery. I was able to get back into the BIOS and revert to my original oc. However when I booted I got a re register Windows this is not a genuine version notice. I had to 'phone microsoft and get a new activation ID. I'm now back in windows (Vista HP 64 bit) but seem to have a few left over issues. My clock was set back to 2006 and that meant I couldn't activate Gmail etc. I went back into the BIOS and reset the date but could not change the day. So it's 3.19PM on Monday the 22nd of September, 2008. I've tried everything I can think of but cannot find a way to make it Friday, which it is.
Also I have Kaspersky Internet Security 2009. This keeps reporting that my computer is at risk and I need to update. I've updated over a dozen times but it doesn't seem to change and is still telling me it needs to update. These are ther first problems I have noticed. I hope I don't find more. Does anyone have any advice as to how to get my day and date correct and how to convince Kaspersky it's up to date?
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Oct 13, 2008
I need to format my pc, but forgot how, as i've only done it once in 10 years.
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Apr 23, 2008
I see Windows Sound Schemes, and DreamScene Content Pack 3 now available. Also the Windows Vista Ultimate Language Packs are back after the SP1 upgrade.
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Jun 17, 2008
Purchased an HP notebook with premium and set it up but did not activate yet. Then purchased an Ultimate Upgrade with anytime upgrade. Installed the upgrade using the key from the bottom of the PC when it asked for the current product key. No errors. Finishes the upgrade and restarts and still is running Home Premium. Why did ultimate not take? We need ultimate to login to a domain.
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Mar 25, 2008
I Have Windows Vista OEM 32 bit that came on my computer. I noticed that the full retail version of ultimate includes the 32 and 64 bit install. With the anytime upgrade to ultimate can I choose between the 32 and 64 bit vista ultimate? I do realize that I would have to do a clean install of the 64 bit OS. I would like to try the 64 bit version but would also like to be able revert back to the 32 bit if the 64 bit doesn't work out. If I can't then the 32 bit version it is as I need to join a domain.........
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Nov 19, 2009
I just migrated to 64 bit Vista and I have Windows Mail. When I was using 32 bit Vista I had all my Hotmail folders, newsgroups, calendar, etc. when I selected the Mail icon. Is there a way to migrate Hotmail to Windows Mail, or a way to replace Windows Mail with what I had when I was using 32 bit Vista? I had IE 8 with 32 bit and I have IE 8 with 64 bit.
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Apr 2, 2008
Vista Ultimate 64 Crashed, Tried Recovery Dvd, Start-up Repair, Ng, Can't Get Into Safe Mode Or Command Prompt, Tried To Reinstall, Won't Allow Upgrade "upgrade Disablied, Must Be From Windows", But I Can't Get Into Windows. I Don't Want To Do A Clean Install To Much On There. It Also Seems My Restore Poits Are Gone. This Is After Diskkeeper Did A Boot Defrag.
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Jul 7, 2008
I want to reformat my computer and install Vista Ultimate 64-bit as my operating system. I'd rather not spend a couple hundred dollars to do this when I already own Vista Ultimate 32-bit. My computer came with Home Premium and I purchased a Vista Ultimate Upgrade CD (32 bit). Now what I want to know is if I buy the $30 non liscensed Vista Ultimate (64 bit) CD, can I use my Ultimate (32 bit) Activation key to activate it? This would save me around $150. I talked to the Microsoft guys via chat but we just kept going around and around and they never really answered whether or not the Ultimate 64 bit would accept my Ultimate 32 bit upgrade key.
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Sep 25, 2009
What is the best way to upgrade an OEM (Lenovo) Vista Ultimate 32 bit to Ultimate 64? Can it be done? Is the only way through the OEM? Should there be a cost?
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Apr 21, 2009
is ther any way to upgrade 32bit to 64 bit??? or o i have to wait for a new
windows???
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Mar 2, 2009
I can't get the computer to boot from the disk. I can't get into my BIOS or anything because for some reason my keyboard won't work until the login screen. What are some other methods for reinstalling that don't require a keyboard, or if someone can give me some hints on how to fix this keyboard problem. I've tried 4 different keyboards and none of them do anything. I've tried 3 usb ones and 1 prongy one. The prongy one won't even work so I guess that's out of the question. What are my options? I just want to clean everything. I don't care how.....
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Sep 7, 2009
Hi i have just bought a new laptop as i fried the MoBo in my last one which i bought in the early days of Vista, not realising what system requirements were for Vista i landed up with a very under resourced in the hardware dept. laptop and i am shure my constant tinkering with the hardware caused the death of it.
Which brings me to my query (now that i am overly paranoid about tinkering with hardware) i have been researching and have found there is very mixed opinion on applying Bios updates and was wondering what people here thoughts. I have two pending Bios updates 1st addresses better support for SP2 and the 2nd improves system performance & LCD panel brightness.
and if i apply these updates do i need to do both updates or just apply the current one, any opinions would be greatfully received.
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Apr 3, 2010
im new to the concept of overclocking, i dont really want to atempt it but i do have a question. Is it possible to overclock CPU without using BIOS? When i go inside my CMOS setup i cant go into CPU settings.
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Oct 17, 2009
I thought I would try Ubuntu on my computer. I have a Microsoft Wireless keyboard and mouse. They both worked while setting up dual boot. Once completed, Ubuntu loaded, however I didn't have a keyboard and mouse to select the operating system. They worked well once in Ubuntu. I changed the boot OS default to Vista 64 and I have access to Vista again.
The problem is that no keyboard I try allows me access to the bios. I've tried unplugging the drives as well, still with no luck. I want to repair Vista (MBR)using the disk, however can't change the boot order in the bios. Is there a way to repair MBR from within Vista?
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Oct 10, 2008
My motherboard is causing my vista to be very unstable. Review say I should flash down to an earlier bios. How do I go about doing this?
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Jan 16, 2010
I have a Compaq Presario. How do I repartition/reformat through BIOS?
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Oct 16, 2009
MB Asus P5N-T Deluxe, Just upgraded from Core 2 Duo to Core 2 Quad. Cannot enter BIOS. At boot the message "new CPU fitted to get best results update your BIOS". When pressing DEL it says entering BIOS but doesn't. Tried using the Installation disc but get a blue screen saying windows shut 'cos new H/w or S/W fitted. How can I update the BIOS if it can't be got? Will it mean replacing the CPU - downloading and installing the updated BIOS then refitting the Core 2 Quad?
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Aug 27, 2008
i'm using A GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R (rev. 1.0) MOTHERBOARD WITH THE Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 / 3.00 GHz processor. i set the vcore in the bios and bootup the system and run cpu-z version 1.46. the bios is set to 1.20 and CPU-Z reads it as 1.16. what reading should i trust? also this board seems to be crap for overclocking. my other board with the e8400 chip will do 4+ ghz. this one i can't get over 3.6ghz and so far thats not stable. my temps are 44c and loaded 56c.
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