Tip #2337 - More on BIOS
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More
on BIOS
We have explained BIOS to you
in the past, but I've gotten some e-mails from people wondering more about
BIOS, so here you go!
As stated in our other tip,
BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. It is a program that comes
preinstalled on computers that are Windows compatible. It does not come
with Macs. BIOS is basically the program that your computer uses to start
each time you boot up.
Your CPU (central
processing unit) connects with the BIOS even before the operating system
is completely loaded. It then proceeds to check your hardware connections
and checks to make sure all of your devices, etc. are working correctly.
If everything is in ship shape condition, the BIOS finishes loading your
operating system and your computer is able to finish the start up process.
The BIOS are located
in an erasable programmable read only memory chip (EPROM), which coincides
with the ROM (read only memory) area of your computer. This chip works
with your CPU and gives control to the BIOS to make your computer function.
Along with helping
your computer to start, the BIOS are still used even after all of the
booting up is done. It serves as a medium between your CPU and the input/output
devices within your system. The BIOS keeps your operating system from
having to know even more information, such as hardware addresses about
the other devices. The BIOS takes care of all of that.
Most people do not
need to worry about their BIOS, but if changes ever need to be made, you
can access the BIOS while your system is starting up by holding down any
key (usually the Delete key) as soon as your computer starts to boot up.
Read this tip
for even more information to go along with this explanation of BIOS.
~ Erin
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