What's system BIOS?

Answer 1

BIOS means Basic Input Output System. BIOS is actually firmware, the software that is programmed into a ROM (Read-Only Memory) chip built onto the motherboard of a computer. BIOS is what makes the system run an initial Power-On Self-Test of the computer, initialize circuits, load the boot program from the boot disk, and then handle low-level I/O to peripheral controllers such as keyboard and display.

Answer 2

Basic Input Output System

The computer has a memory chip with embedded basic instructions that execute to tell it how to read the disk, tape or other media or network when starting up. AFter this BIOS startup is run, the control transfers to the media (hard disk usually, CD or floppy optionally). The programs on that media then start the operation system (Windows, Linux, Unix, etc.). Interestingly, even though you have WIndows on your system, it is possible to "boot" from a CD with a different operating system and run that. I have done that with Linux. Then restart and let wndows take over again. The bios is the same in each case.

In some cases, the BIOS needs a refresh or patch or such. That is usually found on the PC manufacturers site. If you do this, do it carefully, it may be hard to restart if the BIOS is corrupted.

Answer 3

The computer has a micro-processor(CPU), some RAM, and other support chips on the motherboard to help communicate with the keyboard, video, hard disk, usb, floppy drive, and sound card etc.
The CPU only knows how to add, subtract compare, and shift two numbers. That is about all that it can do, it is actually very simple in concept. The CPU is processing so many of these simple instructions, that the computer appears almost magical, but is really only adding, subtracting, comparing binary numbers, two at a time. The speed is what makes it amazing. Computers are simple, but fast.

When power is first applied, the CPU needs to run instructions from some location. This first set of instructions is used to check itself, the ram, the keyboard, the support chips.
This is stored in a separate IC memory ROM chip. ( they are all flashable now a days).
After that the instructions in the ROM try to look for a boot sector on the floppy drive, or hard drive, or CDROM drive. If it finds that, it begins running instructions found there. After that, those instructions on the hard disk boot sector, usually start instructions to load Windows etc.

So the BIOS, is a memory chip which contains the first instructions ( in machine assembly code ), that the CPU runs when power is first applied. For example, if you buy a fancy new video card, and install it. The motherboard needs to know how to communicate with it. When the power is first applied, the cpu checks each piece of IC hardware, including any cards that may be inserted in the PCI, or AGP slots. The BIOS contains the instructions and protocol needed to communicate with this type of hardware. The AGP card, conforms to a standard designed for that slot. The BIOS contains instructions to support that standard. If a few years from now, you install a newer card that is different from the standard, it will not work.
You will need to get a flash update from your motherboard manufacturer, which may or may not bother to go back and issue an update. This was especially true for larger and larger hard drives. Because the future hard drive specifications were unknown at the time a motherboard/bios was manufactured, when the larger drives were available, they used different methods for translating cylinders/tracks/sectors etc. This is all set in the BIOS ( at power on), but is later translated by the operating system in XP, 2000, LINUX etc.

Actually, the hard disk, floppy disk, video, sound etc have their own bios chips, and their own microprocessor. So there are many processors on the motherboard, which must all work together. This communication, is standardized by the bios.

Austin Semiconductor

Answer 4

Basic Input Output System It is the operating system written into the motherboard unalterable read only. Then there is the POST Power On Self Test, when the keyboard is not plugged into the correct hole or not at all you hear a beep before a message comes on screen saying media test failure Keyboard error, also when jack cables are faulty or unplugged, a huge range of reasons. There is actually a code that you can get from places online that tell you what the beeps mean. More than you asked I know but I am a full service answerer lol.

Answer 5

Your motherboard's BIOS is the instructions that the motherboard uses to operate. It's stored on a flash memory chip (like a digital camera uses), right on the motherboard. BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System, in case you were wondering.

Answer 6

in the beginning a paper tape was used to start up a computer.

then someone got the idea to put that stuff on a disk, and later to put it on a chip.

it starts up the computer and provides some simple routines to run an operating system.

these days they support a wide variety of hardware... so the OS can deal with the higher level functionality.