ASUS EFI (GUI) BIOS for P5Q Deluxe Mobo

[lowfat]

Why not set something where each term is defined? This would really provide most people with at least some insight into what they are changing.

Even guidelines for CPUs, like max safe voltage/temps with info provided by Intel/AMD. That's simply helpful.

These are the type of things that will simply help people out.

Maybe a better organization of settings, but just to color in the bios, provide some drop down tabs, etc.... I don't see this as a real improvement. Just flashy marketing.

Because it isn't a real EFI. Once we start seeing real EFI boards, they should be considerably better.

[Nedjo]

EFI? No thanks.

AMEN!

[ReverendMaynard]

I work with allot of computers on a daily basis running on a GUI bios...it sucks. I toss the mouse and fly through it with a keyboard. Also, they're not the most stable. I've had 16 units freeze on me while tabbing through today.

[bing]

Instead of this lame GUI thingy, why don't they spend their time making a really good features in the bios for OC-er, too many to list here.

One good example, BIOS setting verification "ONLINE" thru onboard ethernet at their assigned web site, sort of like CPUZ verification but at bios level (not OS level), or voltage offset reading adjustment for better accuracy, implement oc testing/benching apps in BIOS like memtest, linx, SuperPI ..and etc..etc.

Hope those BIOS programmers are reading this thread.

[Hornet331]

Bios versus EFI is like a businessman versus a hippie. Simple but formal look versus 20 different colors and tools that we don't need.

Worse comparison ever?

I think most people here dont grasp what UEFI is... UEFI is not the GUI, you can make a UEFi look exactly the same as a normal bios screen if you want to.
With a bios you need a boot loader, with uefi you dont. uefi allowes you to load drivers before even initialzing the os, meaning you dont need drivers for specific oses.

I dont care if uefi or coreboot takes the lead, but one thing is sure, the old lagacy bios needs to die.. its the last 16bit relic in modern pcs...

Instead of this lame GUI thingy, why don't they spend their time making a really good features in the bios for OC-er, too many to list here.

One good example, BIOS setting verification "ONLINE" thru onboard ethernet at their assigned web site, sort of like CPUZ verification but at bios level (not OS level), or voltage offset reading adjustment for better accuracy, implement oc testing/benching apps in BIOS like memtest, linx, SuperPI ..and etc..etc.

Hope those BIOS programmers are reading this thread.

Well this would be possible with uef.

[virtualrain]

A number of things could be improved with respect to the usability of firmware and none of them would require keyboard navigation to disappear...

- More attractive and/or informative POST splash and status screens that don't make your PC look like it's from the 80's
- Better context sensitive help with diagrams where helpful
- Better drill-down navigation with icons and bread crumbs
- Improved controls where it makes sense (sliders, dials, drop-downs, etc.)
- More information displayed on one screen
- Better ability to save multiple settings and import/export settings
- Maybe a dashboard view as the main screen
- Options for novice/expert views

[Nedjo]

A number of things could be improved with respect to the usability of firmware and none of them would require keyboard navigation to disappear...

- More attractive and/or informative POST splash and status screens that don't make your PC look like it's from the 80's
- Better context sensitive help with diagrams where helpful
- Better drill-down navigation with icons and bread crumbs
- Improved controls where it makes sense (sliders, dials, drop-downs, etc.)
- More information displayed on one screen
- Better ability to save multiple settings and import/export settings
- Maybe a dashboard view as the main screen
- Options for novice/expert views

ok... now I'm starting to change my mind...

so if I understood some of posters, this ASUS "click-me" nonsense isn't really EFI, but some lame "EFI-wanna-be" GUI?

I really don't see the point of this lame attempt to make BIOS mouse friendly! Those who know around BIOS are accustomed to keyboard, those who don't know what is BIOS and how to enter to BIOS mouse will be of absolutely no help at all...

[Zorlac]

Wasnt Vista SP1 the first Windows OS to support EFI?

Will current motherboards support this standard? For instance, I have a new Intel P55 board...would Intel be able to offer an EFI version of their BIOS?

I'm assuming EFI has not infiltrated the Windows world yet because OS support has been scarce. Now that Windows 7 looks like it is going to be the next XP, I would think EFI would have no roadblocks at this point.

[RejZoR]

That's odd. I'd expect ASUS to offer EFI to ROG class motherboards. We paid the most, so you'd somehow expect to also get the most out of it. EFI included. Oh well.

[Helmore]

ok... now I'm starting to change my mind...

so if I understood some of posters, this ASUS "click-me" nonsense isn't really EFI, but some lame "EFI-wanna-be" GUI?

I really don't see the point of this lame attempt to make BIOS mouse friendly! Those who know around BIOS are accustomed to keyboard, those who don't know what is BIOS and how to enter to BIOS mouse will be of absolutely no help at all...

The 'BIOS' ASUS showed could very well still be based on EFI. You can make an EFI interface look in whatever way you want, you could even make it look exactly the same as an ordinary BIOS. The main point of EFI is that it is a vastly more modern underlying structure, made for current computer needs and EFI doesn't require Assembly programming skills to work with. BIOS on the other hand is very old and outdated and requires Assembly to make changes to the underlying structure.

EDIT: Don't Intel's current motherboards make use of EFI? Not completely as far as I understand it, to preserve compatibility with older OS'.
EDIT 2: I'm not completely sure if EFI really is such a great improvement upon BIOS, but time will tell though.

[Hornet331]

Wasnt Vista SP1 the first Windows OS to support EFI?

Will current motherboards support this standard? For instance, I have a new Intel P55 board...would Intel be able to offer an EFI version of their BIOS?

I'm assuming EFI has not infiltrated the Windows world yet because OS support has been scarce. Now that Windows 7 looks like it is going to be the next XP, I would think EFI would have no roadblocks at this point.

UEFI has a lagacy mode (CSM) , so even oses that dont support EFI can boot on a EFI motherboard. It just emulates a 16bit bios.

And no current mobos can't be updated with UEFI, since it requires other infrastructure.

[Oki]

I agree with you there, I want my motherboard to start loading my OS within 3 seconds of me pushing the power button.

How many times you need to push that button in 24hrs ?

I mean if you are doing that more than a 5 times in a day, that means you lose like few minutes of your life while you are watching win logo...

Seriously, this GUI is more complicated than common..loads of "precious time" went because of mouse pointing, finding...etc...

[mattkosem]

TBQH, it looks less intuitive and slower than the winbios that AMI had back in the 90s.

--Matt

[Etihtsarom]

1. BIOS Boots in <3 seconds.
2. For O.C'ing, more detailed explanation of parameters/terms and useful suggestions/guide lines of said terms
3. Stress Testing tools in BIOS. Memory testing tools in BIOS. Temp/voltage monitoring in BIOS should be visible at all time.
4. Pretty interface is not useful if functionality is not improved.

[saaya]

I agree with you there, I want my motherboard to start loading my OS within 3 seconds of me pushing the power button. There might be a slight problem with that, as it will make entering the BIOS menu a bit tougher.

you WANT to wait 3 seconds? why?
and why starting up? what we need is faster resume...
its beyond me why it takes more than 1s to resume from S3 tbh...

[DOA]

Read the whole thread and watched the video.
This "advancement" gives us more pretty stuff instead of usable features. Not what I want at all. But We will never get what power users had with the like of the Apple ][ series, a non-mask-able interrupt, RAM editor in ROM (autostart ROM hacking anyone?), battery backed RAM disks for 10 second boots, etc. Would it be so hard to have a three finger salute into the BIOS at any time? There would be massive crashing as idiots and experts went where they should not. But for power users it would be heaven.

[clayton]

It would really be great if they let you change the colors & the Asus logo >=) and add in optional sound effects, the ability to complete skip BIOS screen and go to WINDOWS (there must be a way to enable it again through software).

[thebluemeanie1]

ooo, oooooo *raises hand excitedly*, i know a new feature, how about the ability to export and import settings, so we can all share our bios configurations?

It can already be done on some of the Gigabyte boards.

[XS Janus]

I would really like to see the cut down the POST time.
It really frustrates me when I tinker with my machines....

Old bios needs to die already, seriously!