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5. Configuring the BIOS
Type: [Auto]
Select Auto to automatically detect an IDE type drive. This option only works with standard built-in
IDE drives. If automatic detection is successful, the correct values will be filled in for the remaining
fields on this sub-menu.
To configure a drive manually, select User. Manually enter the number of cylinders, heads and sectors
per track for your drive. Refer to your drive documentation or look on the drive for this information. If
no drive is installed or if you are removing a drive and not replacing it, select None. Set the type to CD-
ROM to support a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
Cylinders:
This field configures the number of cylinders. Refer to your drive documentation to determine the
correct value to enter into this field. NOTE: To make changes to this field, the Type field must be set to
User.
Heads:
This field configures the number of read/write heads. Refer to your drive documentation to determine
the correct value to enter into this field. NOTE: To make changes to this field, the Type field must be
set to User.
Sectors:
This field configures the number of sectors per track. Refer to your drive documentation to determine
the correct value to enter into this field. NOTE: To make changes to this field, the Type field must be
set to User.
Maximum Capacity:
This field shows the drive’s maximum capacity calculated automatically by the BIOS from the drive
information you entered.
Multi-Sector Transfers:
This option automatically sets the number of sectors per block to the highest number supported by the
drive. This field can also be configured manually. Note that when this field is automatically configured,
the set value may not always be the fastest value for the drive. Refer to the documentation that came
with your hard drive to determine the optimal value and set it manually. NOTE: To make changes to
this field, the Type field must be set to User. The configuration options are: [Disabled] [2 Sectors] [4
Sectors] [8 Sectors] [16 Sectors]
LBA Mode Control:
When Logical Block Addressing is enabled, 28-bit addressing of the hard drive is used without regard
for cylinders, heads, or sectors. Note that Logical Block Access may decrease the access speed of the
hard disk. However, LBA Mode is necessary for drives with greater than 504MB in storage capacity.
NOTE: To make changes to this field, the Type field must be set to User. The configuration options
are: [Disabled] [Enabled]