BIOS (Basic Input / Output System)
Table of Contents
BIOS stands for basic input/output system. The BIOS is the first software program that runs when you start up your system. when a computer turns on, the BIOS goes into action, and the booting process will begin.
What Does the BIOS do?
BIOS is basically a program that tells your operating systems like Windows and Linux OS what to do. It also sets up all the parameters for the hardware that’s installed inside of your computer.
When The First BIOS Developed?
The first BIOS became developed by Gary Kildall and included in the CP/M operating device in 1974. Kildall coined the term “BIOS” to describe part of a device that hundreds at boot up and communicates with different hardware within the system.
Well, the Basic Input / Output System is stored on what’s called a ROM or read-only memory chip on the motherboard. Now the motherboard which is what I have in front of you. This motherboard sits inside of your computer that’s gonna I’m gonna highlight.
I want to give you an idea of where the BIOS chip is stored on. Here that’s your BIOS chip. Well generally you don’t have to make a change to your BIOS, however, the Basic Input / Output System can be modified if you choose to do so. Now sometimes you may want to tweak your BIOS settings.
Usually, a PC enthusiast will change the BIOS to maximize the performance and speed of their computer. However, the average everyday person will want to stay clear of the BIOS in other words don’t touch it unless there’s a problem.
Now there are times when you don’t have any other choice and you were forced to make a change to the BIOS. Such as when your system is not running right a good example of when you may have to change or tweak your BIOS is when you install a new piece of hardware inside of your computer.
Sometimes you will receive a message from the computer saying that the Basic Input / Output System needs to be changed.
Now let’s say you need to change the Basic Input / Output System. Now the next question you might have is how do I access the BIOS if I need to make a change. Well, this can sometimes be tricky depending on the make and model of your computer.
What is Included in a BIOS?
The BIOS consists of instructions on a way to load basic computer hardware. It also consists of a test called a POST (Power-On Self-Test) that helps verify the computer meets necessities besides up properly.
If the computer does not pass the POST, you may receive a mixture of beeps indicating what’s malfunctioning in the pc.
What Is the BIOS Used For?
BIOS instructs the laptop on the way to perform primary functions which include booting and keyboard control. Basic Input / Output System is likewise used to pick out and configure the hardware in a laptop consisting of the difficult drive, floppy drive, optical drive, CPU, reminiscence, and related equipment.
How BIOS Works?
One of the most not unusual uses of Flash reminiscence is for the fundamental input/output gadget of your laptop, commonly known as the BIOS.
On genuinely every laptop available, the Basic Input / Output System makes sure all the other chips, hard drives, ports, and CPU characteristics are together.
Every desktop and laptop computer in no unusual use today includes a microprocessor as its important processing unit. The microprocessor is the hardware component.
To get its work done, the microprocessor executes a set of instructions known as software programs. You are possibly very acquainted with two different varieties of software programs:
The running system The operating system provides a set of offerings for the packages going for walks on your laptop, and it also gives the fundamental person interface for your laptop. Windows ninety-eight and Linux are examples of running systems.
Applications – Applications are portions of software programs that are programmed to carry out particular tasks. On your laptop proper now you probably have a browser application, a word processing software, an email application, and so on. You can also buy new packages and deploy them.
Basic Input / Output System Availability
All modern laptop/ PC motherboards comprise BIOS software. BIOS gets entry to and configuration on PC structures are unbiased of any operating system because the BIOS is part of the motherboard hardware.
It doesn’t remember if a computer is running Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Linux, Unix, or no operating gadget at all Basic Input / Output System features out of doors of the operating machine environment and is no manner structured upon it.
Getting to the BIOS will be different for most common or most custom-built generic computers. something you would say you would build yourself from scratch.
Well, the Basic Input / Output System can be accessed by just pressing the Delete key on the keyboard of your computer. Now here’s where the tricky part comes in for most big brand computers such as Dell HP IBM / Lenovo etc.
It may be or it probably will be different. An example of this is I’ve got an HP laptop to get to the bias. I have to press the Escape key however on my IBM LeNoble laptop that I use for work when I’m in the office,
I have to press the f1 key after turning on the computer. Well, I guess you kind of get the point of why this can sometimes be tricky.
How to Access BIOS?
The BIOS is accessed and configured through the Basic Input / Output System Setup Utility. The BIOS Setup Utility is, for all sensible purposes.
The Basic Input / Output System itself. All to be had alternatives in the Basic Input / Output System are configurable through the BIOS Setup Utility.
Unlike an operating gadget like Windows, which is often downloaded or received on a disc and desires to be hooked up with the aid of the man or woman or manufacturer.
, Basic Input / Output System comes installed from the instant the system is manufactured. The BIOS Setup Utility is accessed in several ways depending on your computer or motherboard make and model.
What are the four main functions of a PC BIOS?
- POST – Test the computer hardware and make sure no errors exist before loading the operating machine. Additional facts at the POST are to be had on our POST and beep codes page.
- Bootstrap Loader – Locate the operating machine. If a successful operating system is positioned, the Basic Input / Output System will skip control to it.
- BIOS drivers – Low-level drivers that deliver the pc simple operational control over your computer’s hardware.
- BIOS setup or CMOS setup – Configuration application that permits you to configure hardware settings including device settings that incorporate computer passwords, time, and date.
What does BIOS Do?
The BIOS software program has some special roles, however, its most essential function is to load the operating machine. When you switch on your laptop and the microprocessor tries to execute its first guidance, it has to get that education from somewhere.
It can’t be acquired from the operating machine because the operating machine is placed on a tough disk, and the microprocessor can not get to it without some instructions that tell it how.
The Basic Input / Output System gives those commands. Some of the different commonplace duties that the BIOS performs include:
- A Power-on self-test (POST) for all the amazing hardware additives in the device to make sure everything is running properly.
- Activating different BIOS chips on top-notch cards set up in the computer – For example, SCSI and picture cards frequently have their personal Basic Input / Output System chips.
- Providing a fixed of low-stage workout routines that the operating device makes use of to interface to one among a kind hardware devices – It is these exercises that supply the Basic Input / Output System its name. They manipulate things just like the keyboard, the screen, and the serial and parallel ports, specifically whilst the computer is booting.
- Managing a fixed of settings for the tough disks, clock, etc.
- Check the CMOS Setup for custom settings
- Load the interrupt handlers and device drivers
- Initialize registers and strength management
- Perform the electricity-on self-test (POST)
- Display gadget settings
- Determine which devices are bootable
- Initiate the bootstrap sequence
At first, the Basic Input / Output System checks out the records stored in a tiny 64 bytes RAM located on a CMOS chip. The CMOS Setup offers detailed records specific to your device and may be altered as your device changes.
Can a BIOS Chip be Upgraded or Updated?
Adding extra reminiscence to a BIOS chip, as an upgrade, can most effectively be achieved by using physically removing it from the motherboard and changing it with a new, more superior BIOS chip.
The facts on a BIOS chip may be up to date if it’s a flash Basic Input / Output System. Using specifically designed software, the Basic Input / Output System can be up to date to fix issues or add new capabilities for the motherboard.
The BIOS is a precise software program that interfaces the most critical hardware components of your laptop with the operating device.
It is generally stored on a Flash reminiscence chip on the motherboard, however, occasionally the chip is another form of ROM. When you switch to your computer, the BIOS does numerous things. This is its typical sequence:
What Basic Input / Output System is on my computer?
To decide the sort of model of BIOS on your computer, you need to get admission to the BIOS setup. On the main BIOS screen, it should show the BIOS type, like AMI, Award, or Phoenix, and the model of the BIOS.
The Basic Input / Output System uses this information to regulate or supplement its default programming as needed. We will communicate extra approximately these settings later.
Interrupt handlers are small portions of software program software that act as translators between the hardware additives and the operating machine.
For example, even as you press a key to your keyboard, the sign is sent to the keyboard interrupt handler, which tells the CPU what it is and passes it immediately to the operating device.
The tool drivers are different portions of software program software that pick out the base hardware components together with the keyboard, mouse, tough strain, and floppy force.
Since the Basic Input / Output System is continuously intercepting signs to and from the hardware, it’s also copied, or shadowed, into RAM to run faster.
How to Use BIOS?
supports several hardware configuration alternatives that can be changed via the setup utility. Saving these modifications and restarting the computer applies the adjustments of the Basic Input / Output System and alters the manner BIOS instructs the hardware to function.
Here are some commonplace things you could do in maximum BIOS systems:
- Change the Boot Order
- Load BIOS Setup Defaults
- Flash (Update) BIOS
- Remove a BIOS Password
- Create a BIOS Password
- Change the Date and Time
- Reset Floppy Drive Settings
- Change Hard Drive Settings
- Change CD/DVD/BD Drive Settings
- View Amount of Memory Installed
- Change the Boot Up NumLock Status
- Enable or Disable the Computer Logo
- Allow or Dis Allow the Quick Power On Self Test (POST)
- Allow or Dis Allow the CPU Internal Cache
- Enable or Dis Allow the Caching of BIOS
- Change CPU Settings
- Reset Memory Settings
- Change System Voltages
- Enable or Disable RAID
- Allow or Dis AllowOnboard USB
- Enable or Disable Onboard IEEE1394
- Allow or Dis Allow Onboard Audio
- Enable or Disable Onboard Floppy Controller
- Enable or Disable Onboard Serial/Parallel Ports
- Allow or Dis Allow ACPI
- Change the ACPI Suspend Type
- Change the Power Button Function
- Reset Power-on Settings
- Change the type of display which Initialized First on Multi-Display Setups
- Reset Extended System Configuration Data (ESCD)
- Allow or Dis Allow BIOS Control of System Resources
- Change Fan Speed Settings
- View CPU and System Temperatures
- View Fan Speeds
- Check System Voltages
More Information on Basic Input / Output System
Before updating BIOS, check what model is currently running on your pc. When configuring updates, verify that you’ve downloaded the right file on your motherboard and that the computer no longer be shut down partway through or the update canceled abruptly.
Interruptions may want to brick the motherboard and render the computer unusable, making it difficult to regain functionality. One way to avoid this hassle is to apply what’s called a “boot lock” phase of the software which receives updates on its own aside from the rest so that if corruption ensues, a recovery process prevents damage.
The BIOS in some of the primary IBM computers was no longer interactive like current implementations however alternatively most effective served to display error messages or beeps codes. Any custom alternatives were instead made by way of modifying bodily switches and jumpers.
However, nowadays, BIOS has slowly been being replaced via UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) in newer computer systems, which offers advantages like a higher consumer interface and a built-in, pre-OS platform for having access to the web.
In this article, you’ll learn all approximately Basic Input / Output Systems, what it does, how to configure it, and what to do if your BIOS wishes to update.
Try This:
