Bios what is

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Lifewire Technology Review Board Member. Article reviewed on Apr 15, Tweet Share Email. In This Article. BIOS Overview. There are some functions contained by the BIOS library that operates and controls system peripherals, and they can be initiated through external software. Users can perform different functions by using the BIOS user interface, which is discussed below:. You can change these settings accordingly with the help of entering the BIOS setup at the time of your system starts up.

BIOS is stored in rewritable memory in some modern PCs, which allow information to be replaced or rewritten. Such content rewriting is executed with the help of a special program offered by system manufacturers. The BIOS software is available in all modern computer motherboards. The directions to load basic computer hardware are included in BIOS software.

The POST helps the computer to boot up properly with verifying the computer meets requirements. Your computer produces various forms of beeps if the POST test fails at the time of test. The BIOS has different instructions that are required to load the hardware, and it is responsible for loading the operating system. The users run the BIOS setup program during the installation of a system and input the correct parameters. These CMOS chips store and maintain data on very low values of current. Therefore, the system's configurations are also called CMOS settings.

Additionally, a system clock is also included in this chip. The setting remains for a short period of time if there is no battery. And there is a need to reset the system. With computers, BIOS come in-built as firmware on a chip on the motherboard. In contrast, an operating system such as iOS or Windows can be installed by the user or pre-installed by the vendor or manufacturer.

When BIOS boots up a computer, it verifies the computer meets the necessary attachments to boot up. The files are contained by any piece of hardware that needs for a computer to start up, this piece of hardware is known as a boot device.

The BIOS screen is seen by every PC user, it does not matter he knows it or not each time he turns on his computer system. The BIOS has mainly two types, which are as follows:.

It can be difficult to differentiate both because they almost perform the same function. In order to load the operating system, it does not need a separate program of a bootloader. Often, it is discovered that when the computer needs to be upgraded with latest hardware, it does not support all the features of the latest hardware.

It needs to be upgraded hardware like more memory, a larger hard drive, or a new video card. Upgrading the BIOS chip is an easier solution to this problem. Generally, to upgrade BIOS on the system, the files and information are available on the computer's or motherboard maker's Web site.

Unluckily, it is most important to know that upgrading the BIOS can be a drastic step. If you are going to upgrade the BIOS, you will be better to back up all of your data from the hard drive. Also, make sure there is a recovery jumper that makes you capable of recovering the original BIOS. SYS files. The location of the BIOS software on the chip is important, as it is the first software to take control of your computer when you turn it on.

If the BIOS was not always located in the same place on the same chip, your computer's microprocessor would not know where to locate it, and the boot process could not take place.

Andy Walton has been a technology writer since , specializing in networking and mobile communications. He was previously an IT technician and product manager. Walton is based in Leicester, England, and holds a bachelor's degree in information systems from the University of Leeds. By Andy Walton. Startup With the POST completed, the BIOS then attempts to load the operating system through a program known as a bootstrap loader, which is designed to locate any available operating systems; if a legitimate OS is found, it is loaded into memory.