What is BIOS

September 22nd, 2007 Posted in Guide, Hardware, Windows XP


BIOS
Do you know what is BIOS? I beat not all computer user know this.

On booting a computer, the first (black) screen display the most important specifications of the parts inside the cabinet, for instance, the motherboard and memory. Prior to that, a phenomenon called POST (power on self) occurs which includes the memory count. During POST, push the ‘del’ or the ‘F2′ key to expose the BIOS setting. A blue screen appears that shows the BIOS settings.

BIOS communicates between the operating system and the hardware mounted on the board and the hardware mounted on the board. This upgradeable software is pre-installed by the motherboard manufacturer.

BOIS needs to perform certain task which are mandatory before the machine boots. Once BIOS is done with its routine check, it enables the operating system to take over the control eventually. The operating system cannot initiate the control as it resides in the hard drive. Where as BIOS is integrated with the motherboard and runs faster than main memory. To name a few functions, BIOS performs task like the POST, detection of the onboard devices like sound, display, network cards, USB ports and controllers like serial and parallel ports. It also checks for the storages devices and floppy disk/optical drives if any.

One Response to “What is BIOS”

  1. Doug Woodall Says:

    Im never surprised when users ask me how to set up their BIOS !



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