Bubble.ro - because there is always something new to learn about

Learn more about BIOS

 

Category: Tuning your PC

If you've ever wondered about the process that takes place when you power on your computer or if you need more information about updating your BIOS, you can learn more by reading this article.

  The first software run by your PC when you first power it on is the BIOS. BIOS is an acronym for Basic Input/Output system and was first introduced by IBM, along with the first PCs.

  It is stored on a chip, integrated on your motherboard. Initially, this chip was a ROM memory, but it has now been replaced by EEPROM memory (also called flash ROM), which makes it easier to replace or update the software.

  What it does

  Older operating systems relied on BIOS to carry on input/output tasks.

  Currently, BIOS mainly provides the initial hardware setup and, once it was started, the operating system doesn't have to rely on it for other tasks.

  When the computer is turned on, information from the harddisk can't be accessed directly by the CPU, so BIOS provides the instructions necesary to load the operating system. It also does a POwer-On Self Test(POST), which verifies the system memory, initialises system buses and devices, identifies and selects devices available for booting. Finally, it takes care of any commands needed for the operating system to start.

  When you need to update it

  The process of updating or replacing your BIOS is called flashing.

   You need to update your BIOS if you want to use new hardware products that aren't supported by the old version or, sometimes, even new software products need an updated BIOS. Also, updating your BIOS can improve your computer's performances, for example by providing new settings for CPU frequency or RAM memory.

  Information you need before trying an update

  To update your BIOS, you need to download a BIOS image, which will be flashed over the old one.

   Before you attempt flashing your BIOS memory, you should find out your BIOS version and motherboard model, which will make it easier to find the right image for your system. Most of the time, you will find a new version available on the manufacturer's website.

   There are many ways to identify the chipset of your motherboard. If you know your bios ID(this ID is shown on your screen when you start your PC, in the bottom left corner), you can check www.wimsbios.com to find out the manufacturer of your motherboard.This is how to decode the id, in the case of an award BIOS: the first 5 characters identify the chipset, the next 2 the manufacturer, the rest being other references.

   Other ways to find information about your BIOS are provided by different applications.

BIOS Wizard

   You can download such applications from the internet, for example BIOS Wizard. Other applications are provided by motherboard manufacturers, along with different drivers or even applications that will help you flash the memory.
  

Posted by: Quarc on March 18, 2006 at 14:34.
 

» Comments

bios
this article was pretty knowledgeable . i want to learn more about bios.plz send me more article but in detail.

Posted by samson on September 6, 2011 at 04:36 AM.

Random Article


Search


Feeds


Bubble.ro RSS Feed

All Categories


Articles


Aetolia - The Midnight Age
How to create the histogram of an image using PHP
How to convert an image to grayscale using PHP
How to check if an image is grayscale in PHP
Interchanging 2 variables without the use of a third
Error launching browser window:no XBL binding for browser
Convert the AOL user session collection to a MySQL database
Introduction to Matlab
Creating a customized session handling system in PHP (part II)
Creating a customized session handling system in PHP (part I)
Firefox crashing with Yahoo! Messenger
ADL Search for oDC
Video codecs explained
Browsershots
How to use Auto-Away Message with oDC
Create complete Windows XP disk with SP2 and all updates
Data Execution Prevention error message in Windows XP
Google Mars
Logarithmic scale graphs in Excel
Urban Dictionary (or wtf does l33t mean?)
Learn more about BIOS
Backup your Firefox and Thunderbird settings
Syndicate your Yahoo 360 profile
What is Google PageRank?
'Cannot Open the File: Mk:@MSITStore' Error Message
Get your Gmail with Mozilla Thunderbird
E-Books links
Change the size of your Explorer thumbnails
Remove previews from Windows Explorer
How can I turn off system beeps?
How do I disable Internet Explorer?
What are proxies or how do I protect my anonymity?
How to set aliases triggers or macros in MushClient
What is RSS?
Palm Zire 31 fast review
oDC Installation and Basic Configuration
How I built a 2x80W amplifier (using power modules)
Leech/HotLink Protection
How to block referrer detection?
How to find out your IP address
Getting started with Mushclient
What is spyware and how do I protect my PC from it?
Stumble Upon - random surfing around the web
Automatic file backup for Windows users
How can I read foreign language sites?
Protect your web surfing privacy!
What is BitTorrent?
No more ads! Adblock for Firefox
Why use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer?
How do I create my own Yahoo ID?
© Copyright 2006-2020 Bubble. All rights reserved. Sitemap - Contact