BIOS
Today’s world is completely dependent on computers. The computer has entered in every field like banking sectors, railway stations, airports, industries, offices, schools, government organizations, etc. In these times where working without these technologies is impossible, there is software without which computers can also not get started. The name of the software is BIOS.
History of BIOS
In 1975, American computer scientist Gary Kildall came up with the term BIOS. Then appeared in the CP/M (Control Program/Monitor) operating system. Then, it became part and parcel of personal computers and got super popular with the arrival of Microsoft’s Disk Operating System or DOS.
What is BIOS?
When we start our computer, the first screen that appears on display is BIOS.
BIOS stands for “Basic Input Output System”.
This is a software which is present in the motherboard that helps in booting our computer system. When we switch on the computer, BIOS is the first software that gets started on the computer. While loading the operating system, BIOS starts the “Power-On Self-Test” (POST) to assure that all the hardware parts like RAM, processor, keyboard, mouse, hard-drive, USB port, sound card, video card, etc are in good condition and working properly.
After doing the POST test, it configures all the hardware parts and then the only operating system gets loaded in computer memory.
If any defect is found during the self-test, BIOS provides a code to the computer for fixing the problem. Generally, these codes are in the form of a beep, which we hear when we start the computer. The computer itself fixes this issue and get started.
Where does the BIOS reside inside the computer?
BIOS resides in the ROM of the computer. It mainly helps in booting the operating system of the computer. BIOS is already installed in every computer as any other program cannot be installed if BIOS is not present in it.
BIOS is placed in the non-volatile memory (ROM) of the computer. We can’t easily delete this software. But there is a memory called EEPROM i.e. Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory which can be electronically erased and programmed so that there should not be any problem if BIOS needs to be updated.
There is a chip named CMOS, present in the motherboard in which all the settings of BIOS are stored.
CMOS stands for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. It is just like a battery that preserves all the settings of BIOS and due to which BIOS starts the process of booting the computer.
CMOS is basically a small cell that stores and preserves the basic information of the computer like date, time, etc. If this battery is removed then BIOS settings get reset. We can observe that even after switching off the computer the date and time do not change. This is because the time and date get stored in BIOS.
What are the functions of BIOS?
As we all know that BIOS helps in starting the computer. What are its main functionalities?
1. BIOS reads all the settings of CMOS so that all the devices should work properly.
2. BIOS loads device drivers and acts as a bridge between the operating system and connected device so that all the hardware devices can interact with software devices.
3. BIOS properly initializes all the resistors of the CPU.
4. After initializing the resistors, BIOS tests all the hardware devices such as the keyboard, mouse, etc. This process is called POST (Power-On Self-Test).
5. BIOS then finds a bootable medium and by reading that medium it loads all the important files in RAM. After this, the computer gets started and the desktop is visible.
How to access BIOS?
We can access BIOS by using multiple key combinations. For accessing BIOS follow the following steps:
1. Restart the computer.
2. Then press any of the shortcut keys (Delete, ESC, F2, F12) immediately. Now, BIOS settings will get opened in the computer and one can change the settings.
Remember that, for accessing the BIOS settings one should press any of the shortcut keys (Delete, ESC, F2, F12) before the logo of windows appears on the screen.
3. For getting out of the settings press the” F10” key.
How to update BIOS?
Many a time we face issues like the PC is not booting properly or the input-output devices are also not working properly. This can happen if the BIOS is not UpToDate. If your computer is not able to use all the software and hardware functions then there is a need to upgrade BIOS. By updating BIOS, new functions get added which helps in removing bugs and errors.
For updating BIOS, surf through the internet and find out the latest version of BIOS for your PC. For checking the present version of BIOS on the computer, one can go to the settings and can check the version.
If you are not able to open BIOS settings then:
- Come to the windows page and press (R + Windows key).
2. You can see the “RUN” box on the windows. Type “msinfo32” and press ENTER.
A dialog box will appear on the screen, in which all the computer-related information will be present and you can check the BIOS version.
3. You can install a new version of BIOS from the manufacturer’s website mentioned.
Read all the instructions related to installation carefully, otherwise, it may crash the BIOS of the computer.
Security feature in BIOS
This is a security feature that lets you protect your BIOS with a password so that an unauthorized user can’t make changes in your system.
Note: If this password is lost, then you have to reset your BIOS.
Thank you!
Authors: Chanchal Mal, Adarsh Sharma, Shantanu Pingale, Nikita Patil, Sangeeta Malviya.
References:
1. https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-CMOS-battery-What-are-its-functions
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS
3. https://teejeetech.in/2020/09/05/linux-multi-boot-with-refind/
4. https://www.learncomputerscienceonline.com/bios/
5. https://youtu.be/_SFTzc0em_k
We hope you find this blog interesting and helpful.
