What is BIOS?

BIOS is a program, stands for basic input/output system, which is stored in nonvolatile
memory like ROM (Read Only Memory) or flash memory that allows you to set up and
access your computer system at the greatest basic level. Although there is no need for
most people to mess with the BIOS on a computer, it can be better to know about BIOS.
It is found on motherboards that are a pre-installed program on Windows-based
computers that executes when a computer is powered up. Before an OS is loaded,
the CPU accesses the basic input/output system (BIOS). Then, the next function of BIOS is
to examine all the hardware connections and detects all your devices.

The main function of BIOS is to set up hardware and start an OS, and it contains generic
code that is needed to control display screens, the keyboard, and other functions. The
BIOS is built-in software that manages the hard drives and cannot live on one. It cannot
reside in the RAM (Random Access Memory) as it is accessible before the computer
system boots up. Actually, it lives on the ROM of the computer system, and mainly it is
located on EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory) chip. Therefore,
the CPU accesses the EPROM when you turn on the computer and provides control to the
BIOS.

The primary intention of designing the BIOS system is to function with numerous devices
that led to making a complimentary system chipset. 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
bel

o Users can perform hardware configuration

 o They can select boot drives
o They can set the system clock
o The BIOS allows users to enable and disable certain system components
o To BIOS user interface function, it provides set password prompts for secured
access

The BIOS works as an intermediary between the I/O devices and the CPU and is used after
the computer has booted up. The BIOS works as an intermediary between the I/O devices
and the CPU and is used after the computer has booted up. Your operating system and
programs do not need to know the details about the I/O devices connected to your
system because of the BIOS. You can change these settings accordingly with the help of
entering the BIOS setup at the time of your system starts up. Furthermore, if you want to
access the BIOS setup, you can hold down the DELETE or F2 key when your computer
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.

BIOS Availability
The BIOS software is available in all modern computer motherboards. As the BIOS is a
part of the motherboard; therefore, the BIOS's access and configuration on PCs are
independent of any type of operating system. The BIOS is not dependent on anyone that
means it does not matter which types of an operating system is running on the computer
like Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows XP, Linux, Windows Vista, Unix, or no
operating system at all, BIOS functions outside of the operating system environment.

What is included in a BIOS?

The directions to load basic computer hardware are included in BIOS software. A test is
also included within it that is referred to as a POST (Power-On Self-Test). 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.

Functions of BIOS
The BIOS has different instructions that are required to load the hardware, and it is
responsible for loading the operating system. The major functions of a Basic input/output
system (BIOS) are discussed below:

o BIOS Power on Self-Test (POST): It ensures the proper functioning of the

computer hardware as it is a built-in diagnostic program that. In the system, it
verifies the computer meets the necessary parts and functionality. POST does this
function efficiently. It ensures that the computer is loading tasks successfully, such
as the use of memory, a keyboard, and other parts when it starts up. If the POST
test fails at the time of test, the computer provides a combination of beeps to
display the error type, and the system continues to boot when the POST test is
passed completely.
Once the self-test has been passed, and the basic instructions have been loaded,
the computer starts to load the OS from one of the connected drives to the system.
The BIOS settings can also be changed by the computer users with the help of a
configuration screen on the computer. The BIOS information can also be stored on
the flash memory, which can be updated by computer users after releasing an
update by vendors. BIOS actually can be located in between the external devices
and the computer because its name describes that it is used for reading and writing
to and hard disk and floppy disc, displaying values on the screen, reading the
keystroke, etc.
o Bootstrap Loader: The BIOS recognizes and locates the operating system when
the POST running successfully. The program bootstrap loader is contained by BIOS,
which searches and starts the OS boot program. When BIOS detects one, it
transfers access to Operating System that is known as booting.
o BIOS drivers: BIOS drivers are stored in the non-volatile memory, whose primary
function is to supply basic computer hardware information.
o BIOS Setup Utility Program: It is a configuration software, also known as CMOS
setup, that allows users to configure hardware settings as well as device settings,
time and date, computer password. The NVRAM, non-volatile memory, is used to
store settings of memory, disk types, and information about the computer system;
this information is not stored in the BIOS chip

The users run the BIOS setup program during the installation of a system and input the
correct parameters. The CMOS (Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) is a
required material to construct NVRAM. These CMOS chips store and maintain data on
very low values of current. Therefore, the system's configurations are also called CMOS
settings. With the help of using a capacitor, maintaining the battery backup, or by a
battery built into the NVRAM chip, CMOS settings can be maintained. 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. Through its BIOS set up
program is protected as there is loss of BIOS password.

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.

Different types of BIOS

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 computer's manufacturer displays the screen is
called the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). The BIOS has mainly two types, which are as
follows:

1. UEFI: The UEFI can accommodate 2.2 TB or larger drives, which stands for Unified
Extensible Firmware Interface. It handles drives with the help of using the Master
Boot Record instead of GPT technology, the more modern GUID Partition Table.
Furthermore, Apple's Mac PCs have never used the BIOS.
2. Legacy BIOS: The Legacy BIOS was used in older motherboards to turn the PC on.
Legacy BIOSes have limitations as they have no ability to handle or recognize drives
bigger than 2.1 TB. However, it controls how the CPU and the components
communicate with each other.

BIOS vs UEFI
Most probably, you will see UEFI rather than the BIOS in most modern computers. But
what are the differences between both UEFI and BIOS? It can be difficult to differentiate
both because they almost perform the same function. UEFI is the same as BIOS, stands
for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, and acts as an intermediate program between
the hardware and the OS.
As compared to BIOS, UEFI offers more features and can be extensively customized. In
order to load the operating system, it does not need a separate program of a bootloader.
It has the ability to manage hard drives that can be exceeded two Terabytes as it offers
native support GPT, and BIOS is unable to provide this.

Upgrading a BIOS
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. Although upgrading the BIOS is trouble-free, it is possible
for the by upgrading BIOS the system can be computer unusable, damage or destroy the
BIOS chip.

A brief history of BIOS

The term BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) first appeared in the CP/M operating system
in 1975 and was created by Gary Kildall. It was used to describe the machine-specific part
of CP/M loaded during the boot time. These ideas were adopted by Microsoft DOS in the
first versions of DOS, which included similar. The files used in CP/M were very close to
COM and.SYS files.

The PC's BIOS was held on PROM or ROM chips that were placed on the computer's
motherboard through the early 1990s. Some companies, such as Phoenix Technologies,
reversed the BIOS originally proprietary to the IBM PC, creating compatible systems. Also,
in the mid-1990s, the BIOS was shifted to being stored on EEPROM chips or flash drives
on the computer, as to update the BIOS, and demand for complexity increased. In modern
times, some computers can have the BIOS, which size can be more than 16 megabytes.

The System BIOS was divided by IBM into real- and protected-mode portions when the
PS/2 machines were introduced. The real-mode portion was mainly responsible for
offering compatibility with existing OS like DOS, that's why it's named was CBIOS, while
new interfaces were provided by ABIOS that was especially ideal for multitasking
operating systems such as OS/2.
How to check the version of BIOS?
You are required to access the BIOS setup if you want to check the type or version of BIOS
on your computer system. You will see the BIOS version or type on the main BIOS display
such as Phoenix, Award, AMI, and more other kinds of the BIOS.

BIOS security
BIOS security somewhere is a unique component of cybersecurity. However, there is still
a need to manage it because there are various hackers who can run malicious code on
the OS, which can be more harmful. In 2017, inside a motherboard's UEFI, how modern
BIOS security flaws could enable ransomware programs it showed by security group
Cylance. And other PCs get the benefit of BIOS vulnerabilities.

BIOS manufacturers
In the beginning, BIOS was fundamentally owned by IBM. However, IBM's original version
was reverse-engineered by some other companies like Phoenix Technologies to create
their own. For doing that, other companies have permission to create clones of the IBM
PC by Phoenix. Also, an important thing that they can create non-IBM computers that
work with BIOS. Compaq was one company that did this. In modern times, there are
various manufacturers of the motherboard with BIOS chips; some are as follows:

o Foxconn
o AMI
o Hewlett Packard (HP)
o Ricoh
o Asus

It may be very important to know about the motherboard manufacturer as users

sometimes need to update their BIOS and chipset drivers. The operating system functions
with other devices in the computer through the drivers. For example, a video card to the
most recent versions. When you update drivers, the patch can cause recent BIOS-level
security vulnerabilities, or computer performance can be improved.

Does Macs have BIOS?

The operating system (OS) has a BIOS; it is a misperception by Mac users as Macs do not
use EFI. Traditionally, they have used G4 Mac Minis, eMacs, iBooks, iBooks, Dual G5s, and
OpenFirmware for PowerBooks, etc. There will be an audible chime if the sound is turned
on.

Objective: To compare the performance of Intel and AMD processors in terms of speed
and efficiency.

Materials:

• Intel processor (e.g. Core i7)

• AMD processor (e.g. Ryzen 7)
• Motherboard compatible with both processors
• RAM
• Operating system
• Benchmarking software (e.g. Geekbench)

Procedure:

1. Install the Intel processor onto the motherboard and install the operating system
and necessary drivers.
2. Run the benchmarking software on the Intel processor and record the results.
3. Remove the Intel processor and install the AMD processor onto the same
motherboard.
4. Install the operating system and necessary drivers for the AMD processor.
5. Run the benchmarking software on the AMD processor and record the results.
6. Compare the results of both processors in terms of speed and efficiency.

Data Analysis:

1. Compare the benchmark scores of both processors to determine which one

performs better.
2. Analyze the power consumption and heat output of both processors to
determine which one is more efficient.
3. Look for any differences in price between the two processors.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the benchmarking and analysis, determine which
processor is better in terms of performance, efficiency, and value for money.