What does BIOS stand for?
BIOS stands for the Basic Input Output System. It is built-in software. It is the first software run by your computer after you start your computer.
What is BIOS?
- BIOS or basic input-output system is the first program operated by the computer after switching it on. This program is housed in the motherboard and placed in the read-only memory(RAM). It sets up your computer at a very basic level.
- In most modern computers the BIOS stores information using flash memory. Without the bios, it is difficult for a computer to load because it is the BIOS that loads the hard disk drivers and key parts of the operating system such as GPT, FAT, etc. into the storage to allow the operating system to load itself.
- It is also known as system BIOS, ROM BIOS, And PC BIOS, etc.
How important is BIOS in a computer system?
- The BIOS is the most important and one of the most basic components of the motherboard firmware and is in control of checking and booting the hardware attached to the computer, thereby passing the control of the computer to the operating system.
- A computer system cannot function without a Basic input-output system or BIOS.
What is the history of BIOS?
BIOS was first seen in the CP/M operating system. Gary Kindell introduces the first BIOS to explain a component of the machine that loads when the computer turns on and communicates with other hardware components
What all is included in a BIOS?
It includes commands on how to load computer hardware. It also includes a test referred to as a post that helps to verify if the computer meets up the precondition to boot up properly. If the computer does not clear the first test which is called the post you will hear beeps that indicate what is wrong with the computer.
What are the functions of BIOS?
The main function of the Basic input-output system or BIOS is to set up and test all the hardware components connected to a computer and load the operating system. However, the 4 main functions of a BIOS are as follows:
1. Post
Testing the computer hardware and make certain that no errors or faults exist before loading the computer's operating system.
2. Booting
After successfully running the post, the BIOS locates and recognizes the operating system. After the BIOS detects an operating system it then transfers control to the operating system. This process is called booting.
3. BIOS drivers
These are a set of programmers that are stored in an erasable memory chip that is non-volatile. BIOS drivers are the main source of supplying basic computer hardware information.
4. BIOS set up
It is a configuration system that allows you to configure hardware settings including device settings, computer passwords, time, and date. BIOS setup is also called CMOS setup.
What are the advantages of updating your BIOS?
These are some of the advantages of updating your BIOS:
1. Hardware Updates
When you update your BIOS it will allow your computer to recognize new hardware including processors, RAM, etc. If after updating your processor your BIOS does not recognize it, the solution for it could be BIOS flash.
2. Security updates
The new BIOS updates also come with security updates and upgrades that secure your BIOS against tampering and it also increases the awareness of viruses in the boot sector.
3. Increased stability
Bugs and other problems emerge with the motherboard, the manufacturer releases BIOS updates to address and rectify those bugs. This can directly affect the data transfer speed and processing speed.
What does flash BIOS mean?
The process of updating a computer's motherboard is known as flash BIOS. It is usually done to increase the capabilities or compatibilities of a computer. It is a very convenient process however, computer experts advise not to use this process as it can completely damage the computer if it is done using the wrong methods.
What are the types of BIOS?
There are two different types of BIOS:
UEFI
UEFI OR Unified extensible firmware interface can house up to 2TB or larger files by using the master boot record (MBR) in place of the more modern GUID participation table technology. While Intel PC wanders away from legacy BIOS and towards UEFA firmware, BIOS has never been used by apple mac PC.
Legacy BIOS
Older motherboards have legacy firmware on the BIOS to switch the PC on. These can't accommodate drives bigger than 2.1 TB and their set up programs have a text-only menu.
What are the most common BIOS suppliers?
The most common BIOS suppliers are
- Dell
- IBM
- American Megatrends
- Phoenix technologies
- Gateway
- Inside software
Conclusion
The above article summarizes everything you need to know about BIOS. The article covers everything such as what is BIOS and its full form, the importance of BIOS on a computer system, history of BIOS, functions of BIOS, advantages of updating your BIOS, what is flash BIOS, types of BIOS, and most common BIOS suppliers.
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