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Mysterious switch

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Tytanxamon
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2017/09/21 08:43:16 (permalink)
I installed the motherboard EVGA z270 Classified-K in September, and it works great. But I don't understand one thing: I've got some mysterious switch on the board that's shown in the picture.
 

 
 
The manual from the manufacturer "EVGA z270 Classified-K Motherboard, Specs and Installation Guide" on page 14 in the table, in point 29, has the record: "29. The Switch BIOS" only. There are no more references to this switch in the manual.

I'll be grateful for the advice, please, explain to me what is this mysterious switch?

Thanks for all of everyone's help.

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#1

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    the_Scarlet_one
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/21 08:45:44 (permalink)
    It says bios switch. So it switches between different bios options.

    Right below your arrow, it says Bios Switch.

    To the left of your circle are 3 led's labeled Bios 1, Bios 2, and Bios 3. The 3 led's are typically 3 different colors. Example would be bios one is a white led, Bios two is an amber led, and bios three is red. You would need to move the selector to see the options to know the difference.

    When you move the selector, you move to a different bios.

    You can load multiple different bios on multiple different chips, so that you can find one that works and test overclocks on a different bios. Then, if an overclock goes bad, you can move the switch, and reboot, switch to a different bios and reflash to restore original settings.
    post edited by the_Scarlet_one - 2017/09/21 08:50:44
    #2
    Cool GTX
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/21 09:24:34 (permalink)
    +1
     
    BIOS choice switch
     
    Great feature when Flashing the BIOS - especially if things go sideways - flip the switch, reboot

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    #3
    Tytanxamon
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/21 12:07:10 (permalink)
    Hi the_Scarlet_one
     
    Thanks for the answer. But I have new questions.

    I've already installed the operating system - Windows 10, unfortunately. And I don't know what position I have in the switch BIOS selector. Windows 10 works sustainably. I'm afraid if I switch this selector and load another BIOS, Windows 10 will be shattered.

    1. Can I switch the selector and not load the operating system by pressing F2?

    2. Can I switch the selector and load another operating system, such as Linux?
     
    Regards
    #4
    Sajin
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/21 12:12:35 (permalink)
    Tytanxamon
    Hi the_Scarlet_one
     
    Thanks for the answer. But I have new questions.

    I've already installed the operating system - Windows 10, unfortunately. And I don't know what position I have in the switch BIOS selector. Windows 10 works sustainably. I'm afraid if I switch this selector and load another BIOS, Windows 10 will be shattered.

    1. Can I switch the selector and not load the operating system by pressing F2?

    2. Can I switch the selector and load another operating system, such as Linux?
     
    Regards


    Switching bioses isn't going to break your operating systems.
     
    1. Yes.
    2. Yep.
    #5
    BrandonS
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/21 12:54:10 (permalink)
    To clarify Saijin's answer, you can flip the switch and then enter BIOS, and you can load a different operating system, but unless you set a different hard drive as the default you won't be able to change OS just by choosing a different BIOS location. 
    #6
    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/21 12:57:28 (permalink)
    Maybe you could if you set the First Boot Device in each Bios for each OS?

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    #7
    the_Scarlet_one
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/21 14:42:13 (permalink)
    bcavnaugh
    Maybe you could if you set the First Boot Device in each Bios for each OS?


    That is what I am thinking. Would be a great idea honestly.
    #8
    somethingc00l
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/21 17:00:22 (permalink)
    Socketed chip on BIOS1, nice.
    #9
    Tytanxamon
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/22 02:36:40 (permalink)
    Hello, guys.

    Thank you very much bcavnaugh, the_Scarlet_one, EVGAtech_BrandonS. This is my dream: switch the BIOS and it will set another First Boot Device. And I can download another operating system from a different boot device now! It is my dream. What are the problems here?

    1. I will need to get under my desk every time if I want to work with another operating system.
    2. I will need to open the system unit lid every time to access the BIOS switch.
    3. I will need to switch the BIOS selector to the desired location each time.
    4. I will need to close back this lid every time.

    What is the alternative?

    I can try to install another operating system (Linux) using the four existing UEFI partitions. I already tried that. Linux is very poorly installing on these four partitions. It's trying to pull to the system and set up his very heavy and bulky loader GRUB-2. They say I can discard the bulky GRUB-2 and add another boot record to the EFI system partition (with FAT32) for another operating system. But I don't know how to do that?

    Guys, help me please. What would you have done?

    Thanks for all of everyone's help.
     
    Regards
    #10
    Cool GTX
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/22 07:12:41 (permalink)
    Hard drive drawer - if you have exposed 5 1/4 inch bay in your case.  Unlock (if locked) lift handle and remove - swap your boot drive
     
    Or buy a different desk and place the PC on top

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    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/22 12:46:09 (permalink)
    You could give Mobile Rack Drawers a try.
    Make Sure though "Maximize performance, with file transfer speeds up to 6Gbps when paired with SATA III"
    I like this one. (3.5" Drives)
    StarTech.com 5.25in Trayless Hot Swap Mobile Rack for 3.5in Hard Drive - Internal SATA Backplane Enclosure
     
    This one for SSD Drives: (2.5" Drives) Down Side Supports TWO 2.5" SATA I or II Hard Drives or SSD
    Vantec NexStar SE Dual 2.5-Inch SATA Hard Drive Rack MRK-525ST (Black)
     
    I bet you can find some that are SATA III 6Gbps one somewhere.
    post edited by bcavnaugh - 2017/09/22 12:51:57

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    #12
    quadlatte
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/23 16:47:46 (permalink)
    couple things got missed here, first the light for the bios will always be red, top is bios 1, middle is bios two and bottom is bios 3. you can set different settings in each bios but one thing to remember, if you change you drive settings in one bios than they are in your main bios you could fail to boot, for example, if you are booting from a m.2 for windows 10 with uefi and secure boot but in bios two you have m.2 disabled or are in legacy mode then windows will fail to boot.
    the moving the switch could work for dual booting but seems more of a pain to deal with, instead you can dual boot with win 10 and linux mint https://www.tecmint.com/install-linux-mint-18-alongside-windows-10-or-8-in-dual-boot-uefi-mode/ there are few tricks to get it to work and should be able to use the distro of your choice. 

                                   
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    somethingc00l
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/25 17:38:49 (permalink)
    Tytanxamon
    Guys, help me please. What would you have done?

    I would just use the BIOS boot selection to choose which drive to boot (on EVGA boards I think it's the ESC key). So connect Windows drive to system, install Windows, disconnect Windows drive; connect Linux drive, install Linux; connect both drives, set which one you want to be default in BIOS. When you want to switch just hit ESC when BIOS screen is up, choose alternate drive from boot menu. No bootloader tricks or switch flipping required.
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    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/25 17:49:46 (permalink)
    I set my Bios 1 for SSD 0 Bios 2 SSD 2 Bios 3 HD 4
    Each with it's own OS and so far works really good.
    1 is Win 10 2 is Win 7 and 3 is Ubuntu
    For 2 and 3 Legacy was used and UEFI for 1

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    #15
    Cordorb
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/25 19:30:30 (permalink)
    Keep a list or better pictures of all BIOS setting.
     
    When it is BIOS update time you will not be able to load back BIOS setting parameter files.
     
    ( like many problem in life this one could be solved with a cricket bat )

     
     
    #16
    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/25 19:38:22 (permalink)
    Indeed!

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    #17
    quadlatte
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    Re: Mysterious switch 2017/09/29 21:06:03 (permalink)
    we need a external bios switch

                                   
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