Question

What is the BIOS?

Answer 1

BIOS definition - a decades-old term
BIOS main functions
Other BIOS functions
Configure and update BIOS
Successor technologies: EFI and UEFI

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What is the BIOS?

BIOS is a cornerstone of the history of computing . The term was first mentioned in the 1970s, when it was introduced in the CP / M (Control Program for Microcomputers) operating system, developed by Gary Kildall. Currently, BIOS is still used in computers, although a successor technology was launched on the market a few years ago and is becoming more widespread..

Index

1. BIOS definition - a decades-old term
2. BIOS main functions
3. Other BIOS functions
4. Configure and update BIOS
5. Successor technologies: EFI and UEFI

BIOS definition - a decades-old term

What does BIOS mean? It is the acronym for Basic Input Output System (in Spanish, basic input / output system) and refers to firmware stored in a non-volatile memory device installed on the computer's motherboard. Unlike common RAM memories, the ROM contained in the BIOS is not removed when the PC is turned off and is therefore available again when the PC is turned on again. As soon as the user turns on any 64-bit or 86-bit PC, the BIOS boots automatically. Unlike operating systems, it does not have to be installed, but is already integrated into the computer hardware.

Done

It has sometimes been suggested that the term BIOS could be a play on words with the Greek term bios , which means life , because it is the software that gives life to the computer's operating system..

BIOS main functions

The BIOS makes the basic functions of a computer available to the user. When you turn it on, it checks if the most important parts are functional, such as memory, CPU, and other hardware components. This test is called a power on self test (POST).

Note

If the BIOS detects an error during POST, it emits one or more beeps from the computer speakers. These sounds are used to indicate to the user where the problem has been detected and follow different codes, depending on the manufacturer: for example, with the IBM BIOS, one short and two long beep would indicate a graphics card error..

The BIOS solves one of the main problems of computers, since each program must be loaded into the main memory of the computer in order to run. This process also requires software that tells the system where that program is located, such as the operating system. This is where the BIOS comes into play, the firmware that takes over this task. At the same time, the BIOS acts as an intermediary between the CPU and the software, forming the so-called hardware abstraction layer (in English, Hardware Abstraction Layer or HAL), an interface that allows the software not to have to directly access the hardware, but you can obtain your data in a standardized way.

Other BIOS functions

Over the decades, the functionality of the BIOS has been expanded more and more. In addition to running POST, it now also plays an important role in managing the power consumption of the computer, generating the ACPI tables necessary to manage it.

In addition, it not only checks the functionality of installed hard drives, but also of connected components, such as external hard drives or USB sticks. The user can set the order in which the BIOS should check the storage devices , which is interesting for cases where a new operating system must be installed from a DVD or USB stick.

Configure and update BIOS

The BIOS also offers the ability to configure the hardware with numerous options. Keep in mind that it is not recommended to manipulate the BIOS for users with little experience, since, on the one hand, the interface is not very easy to use and, on the other, the errors that are discussed can have disastrous consequences for everyone OS.

When is it worth taking a look at the BIOS? For example, if you are unable to start the operating system, you can try to locate system errors . Also if you want to improve the performance of the computer beyond the values ​​established by default, you can use the BIOS and, for example, overclock the CPU. You can also make adjustments to reduce power consumption.

advice

If you want to access the configuration options, you must first open the BIOS interface. To do this, you have to press a specific key when turning on the computer.

If you change any of the hardware components of your computer, such as the processor, the current version of the BIOS may not recognize the new component and the operating system may not be able to run. In this case, you will need to update it. With our step-by-step tutorial, you can easily update the BIOS on your own when you need it.

Successor technologies: EFI and UEFI

The basic elements of the BIOS have hardly changed since the 1980s, making the BIOS increasingly limited compared to the requirements of modern hardware. However, there are successor technologies that have been in development for a long time. The EFI ( Extensible Firmware Interface ) was created in the 1990s. Since 2005, a development of this technology has been used, dubbed the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. Since the 2010s, UEFI has established itself as the standard for 64-bit computers, offering more and better features, while being more convenient to use than the original BIOS.

UEFI has a graphical user interface , can be used with the mouse or keyboard, and can access network and Internet components even without starting the operating system. One of the characteristics that differentiates it the most from the BIOS is that the UEFI uses a secure bootloader (in English, secure bootloader ), that is, it prevents unauthorized operating systems and unwanted software from starting and, therefore , increases protection against cyber attacks.

Done

The BIOS is often talked about on new computers, even though they actually include a UEFI. To this day, the term BIOS is still used to describe this type of firmware.

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