Basic Input/Output System - Revision history

Jnc: +cat

2018-12-19T22:50:39Z

+cat

Jnc: avoid dab

2018-10-27T15:03:42Z

avoid dab

Jnc: typo

2018-10-25T16:04:05Z

typo

Jnc: A pretty good start

2018-10-25T16:02:10Z

A pretty good start

New page

The '''Basic Input/Output System''' (usually known by its acronym, '''BIOS''') is [[software]] stored, in [[binary[[ form, in [[non-volatile memory]] on the [[motherboard]] of a [[personal computer]], which performs two basic classes of function:

First, when the device is powered on, the [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] starts [[execute|executing]] [[instruction]]s from the BIOS: these check the computer for basic health, and then load a [[bootstrap]] from [[secondary storage]] which can load and start the [[operating system]].

Second, it provides a design-independent way for [[user]] [[application]]s to use [[peripheral|device]]s such as [[disk]]s, [[display]]s and [[keyboard]]s, without having to have code for the specific [[integrated circuit|chips]] used on that particular motherboard - hence the name. (This functionality is generally not used any more; most modern OS's interact with the devices directly.)

Originally the BIOS was stored in a [[Read-only memory#PROM|PROM]], but on recent motherboards it is in [[flash memory]], to allow it to be updated without removing the chip it is stored in. (This is a step that should be performed carefully; if it does not work properly, it can 'brick' the motherboard. Some motherboard vendors put the flash chip in a [[socket]], so that it can be replaced without resorting to un-soldering the chip.)

The BIOS on the original [[IBM PC]] set the de facto standard for the [[interface]] to the BIOS, although other companies now provide BIOS code to various PC manufacturers.

{{semi-stub}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:50, 19 December 2018
Line 10:		Line 10:

	{{semi-stub}}		{{semi-stub}}
		+
		+	[[Category: Compatible PCs]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:04, 25 October 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	The '''Basic Input/Output System''' (usually known by its acronym, '''BIOS''') is [[software]] stored, in [[binary[[ form, in [[non-volatile memory]] on the [[motherboard]] of a [[personal computer]], which performs two basic classes of function:	+	The '''Basic Input/Output System''' (usually known by its acronym, '''BIOS''') is [[software]] stored, in [[binary]] form, in [[non-volatile memory]] on the [[motherboard]] of a [[personal computer]], which performs two basic classes of function:

	First, when the device is powered on, the [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]] starts [[execute\|executing]] [[instruction]]s from the BIOS: these check the computer for basic health, and then load a [[bootstrap]] from [[secondary storage]] which can load and start the [[operating system]].		First, when the device is powered on, the [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]] starts [[execute\|executing]] [[instruction]]s from the BIOS: these check the computer for basic health, and then load a [[bootstrap]] from [[secondary storage]] which can load and start the [[operating system]].

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 Second, it provides a design-independent way for [[user]] [[application]]s to use [[peripheral|device]]s such as [[disk]]s, [[display]]s and [[keyboard]]s, without having to have code for the specific [[integrated circuit|chips]] used on that particular motherboard - hence the name. (This functionality is generally not used any more; most modern OS's interact with the devices directly.)
-Originally the BIOS was stored in a [[Read-only memory#PROM|PROM]], but on recent motherboards it is in [[flash memory]], to allow it to be updated without removing the chip it is stored in. (This is a step that should be performed carefully; if it does not work properly, it can 'brick' the motherboard. Some motherboard vendors put the flash chip in a [[socket]], so that it can be replaced without resorting to un-soldering the chip.)
+Originally the BIOS was stored in a [[Read-only memory#PROM|PROM]], but on recent motherboards it is in [[flash memory]], to allow it to be updated without removing the chip it is stored in. (This is a step that should be performed carefully; if it does not work properly, it can 'brick' the motherboard. Some motherboard vendors put the flash chip in a [[chip socket|socket]], so that it can be replaced without resorting to un-soldering the chip.)
 The BIOS on the original [[IBM PC]] set the de facto standard for the [[interface]] to the BIOS, although other companies now provide BIOS code to various PC manufacturers.
 {{semi-stub}}