BIOS
Short for Basic Input/Output System, the BIOS, ROM BIOS,
or System BIOS is
a chip located on all motherboards that
contain instructions and setup for how your system should boot and how it
operates. In the below picture, is an example of what a BIOS chip may look like
on your computer motherboard. In this example, this is a picture of an early
AMIBIOS, a type of BIOS manufactured by the AMI. Another good
example of a BIOS manufacturer is Phoenix.
The BIOS includes
instructions on how to load basic computer hardware and includes a test
referred to as a POST (Power On Self Test) that
helps verify the computer meets requirements to boot up properly. If the
computer does not pass the POST, you will receive a combination of beeps
indicating what is malfunctioning within the computer.
In most PCs, the
BIOS has 4 main functions:
1. POST - Test
the computer hardware and
make sure no errors exist before loading the operating system. Additional
information on the POST can be found on our POST and Beep Codes page.
2. Bootstrap Loader - Locate the operating system.
If a capable operating system is located, the BIOS will pass control to it.
3. BIOS drivers - Low
level drivers that give the computer basic operational control over your
computer's hardware.
4. BIOS or CMOS Setup - Configuration program that allows you to configure
hardware settings including system settings such as computer passwords, time,
and date.
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