If you fi nd any issues when you examine the BIOS settings using the CMOS setup program, you’ll need to reconfi gure the settings. Remember, too, that you’re preparing the PC for an upgrade to Windows Vista. BIOS-level virus checking is known to cause problems with the Windows Vista installation process, so Microsoft advises that you disable it. Many BIOS functions are unchangeable and, therefore, are inaccessible via the CMOS setup program. These include things like keyboard and fl oppy disk drive recognition. Other things are under your control. These include the previously mentioned things like boot sequence order and the date/time, but also some potentially hazardous settings, such as BIOS shadowing and memory timing.
Step 1 Enter your CMOS setup program.
Step 2 Check your notes and navigate to the confi guration screen that has the BIOS-level virus-checking options. It’s not always obvious where to fi nd this option, so take your time and use the Help screens if available. As Figure 4-3 shows, virus checking can be disabled in this BIOS
from the Advanced BIOS Features screen. Don’t hesitate to explore, and don’t be too shocked if your BIOS does not have this option—although virus checking is common, it is not universal.
Step 3 Follow the screen prompts to navigate to the correct confi guration screen, and fi nd the virus-checking setting option. Highlight the option (either using the arrow keys or mouse), and change it from Enabled to Disabled. Once again, your CMOS setup program’s wording or
appearance may be different, but the option to turn off BIOS-level virus checking should be common to all modern BIOSes.
Step 4 Save and exit the CMOS setup program. After you exit, the system will reboot automatically.
You have just made a change to the BIOS. The process you just followed is the same process you’ll use for any changes you make to the
BIOS. Be sure to save the settings before exiting the setup utility.
