BIOS

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BIOS
 The basic input-output system (BIOS) is the first thing you see when you turn on
your computer.

 The BIOS is special software that interfaces the major hardware components of your
computer with the operating system.

 It is usually stored on a Flash memory chip on the motherboard (which has its own
battery), but sometimes the chip is another type of ROM.

 The BIOS also determines the compatibility of the computer and its flexibility in use.
Although all BIOSs have the same function; all are not the same.

Users using the BIOS user interface can perform functions such as:

 Setting the system clock

 Enabling and disabling certain system components
 Hardware configuration
 Selecting boot drives
 Set password prompts for secured access to BIOS user interface function

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 It is a firmware embedded on the chip on the computer's motherboard. BIOS firmware
is pre-installed on the motherboard of a PC. It is a non-volatile firmware which means
its settings won’t disappear or change even after power off.

 The BIOS software has a number of different roles, but its most important role is to
load the operating system. When you turn on your computer and the
microprocessor tries to execute its first instruction, it has to get that instruction
from somewhere.

 It cannot get it from the operating system because the operating system is located on
a hard disk, and the microprocessor cannot get to it without some instructions that
tell it how. The BIOS provides those instructions.

 In many PCs, this firmware also governs how the system board components interact,
the chipset features that are used, even the amount of the microprocessor’s time
devoted to keeping memory working. The setup procedures in most new PCs are also
held in the BIOS.

 Modern PCs have BIOS stored in rewritable memory, permitting contents to be

rewritten or replaced. Such content rewriting is called flashing and is executed
through a special program provided by system manufacturers.

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 Boot-Up Process

 A PC cannot do anything useful unless it is running its operating system – software

that acts as a supervisor for all its software applications. It sets the rules for
using memory, drives, and other hardware devices on the computer.

 Before a PC can run the operating system, it needs some way to load it from disk into
RAM. The way to do this is with the bootstrap – a small amount of code that is
executed on startup or system boot. The bootstrap is aptly named because it
lets the PC do something entirely on its own , without any outside operating
system.

BIOS Booting

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Boot-Up Sequence

 The computer loads the basic input/output system (BIOS) from ROM. The BIOS
provides the most basic information about storage devices, boot sequence,
security, Plug and Play (auto device recognition) capability and a few other items.

 The BIOS triggers a test called a power-on self-test (POST) to make sure all the major
components are functioning properly. You may hear your drives spin and see
some LEDs flash, but the screen, at first, remains black.

 The BIOS has the CPU send signals over the system bus to be sure all of the basic
components are functioning. The bus includes the electrical circuits printed on
and into the motherboard, connecting all the components with each other.

 The POST tests the memory contained on the display adapter and the video signals
that control the display. This is the first point you’ll see something appear on your
PC’s monitor.

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 During a cold boot the memory controller checks all of the memory addresses with a
quick read/write operation to ensure that there are no errors in the memory chips.
Read/write means that data is written to a bit and then read back from that bit. You
should see some output to your screen - on some PCs you may see a running account
of the amount of memory being checked.

 The computer loads the operating system (OS) from the hard drive into the system’s
RAM. That ends the POST and the BIOS transfers control to the operating system.
Generally, the critical parts of the operating system - the kernel - are maintained
in RAM as long as the computer is on. This allows the CPU to have immediate
access to the operating system, which enhances the performance and functionality
of the overall system.

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POST-Power On Self Test
 In many cases, with IBM-compatible or PC computers, the POST is run by a computer's
basic input/output system (BIOS).

 The initial tests, which are executed by the read-only memory (ROM) BIOS startup
program, include reading configuration information stored in the
complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip, dual inline package
(DIP) switches and jumpers.

 This information is then compared to hardware devices, such as the CPU,

memory,
hard drive, disc drives and video card.

 Then, ROM BIOS assigns system resources as needed.

 These set up the environment required by the operating system (OS). After completion
of these tests, POST generally alerts the OS with one or more beeps, depending on
the system.

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POST Sequence

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 The BIOS issues an error message if hardware is not working properly or if it is not
identified. The error message consists of text on the display screen or a series of coded
beep sounds. Because POST is initiated prior to activating the video card, a display
screen message is not typical.

 There are a variety of beep codes that are properly descriptive for troubleshooting the
error. A beep code may indicate a parity error, base memory read/write (R/W) error,
memory refresh timer error, display memory error, motherboard timer not
functioning, cache memory failed or numerous other errors.

 Sometimes, an error stops the boot process until the error is corrected, and a device
with an error is not allowed to run, ensuring safety. An error message can be basic.
Sometimes a POST error can be drastic, such as when the motherboard does not
detect a RAM component.

 POST is part of a devices pre-boot sequence. When POST is successfully finalized,

bootstrapping is enabled. Bootstrapping starts the initialization of the OS.

 If a problem is found, it is reported with a code number on the monitor or as a coded

series of beeps if an insufficient portion of the PC is functional to display anything
on the monitor

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 POST is the key to successful booting of the operating system. If the BIOS finds
anything faulty on the computer, it will stop the booting and the message will be
displayed on the screen.

 If there is a problem before the display is activated, POST will notify you about the
problem by giving a beep or a combination of beeps. These audio beeps are
BIOS- dependent.

 Every BIOS manufacturer has its own set of beeps to convey the problem. The most
common of all BIOS standards is the IBM BIOS and you can know the cause of the
problem from Audio Beeps from your PC when it turns On and troubleshoot the
computer accordingly.
Signal Possible Cause
Continuous Beep Keyboard Stuck
Repeating Short Beep Power Supply Faulty
1 Long Beep followed by 1 short beep Motherboard error
1 Long Beep , 2 short beeps Display Card Faulty
1 short Beep, Blank screen Check Display Cable or Display Card

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