【 COMPUTER BIOS 】What is it? + Types ▷ 2022

You always hear about , but little is actually known about this program that runs first when . This tool has an outstanding function in the pc.

Regardless of which one you have on your computer, you will always need the help of the BIOS so that your equipment starts correctly.

So you don’t waste time and worry for no reason, every time the PC has a failure, you should know the type of configuration that you can perform from this tool. Continue reading and you will know how to do it.

What is the BIOS of a digital device and what is it for?

BIOSfor its acronym in English “Binary Input Output System”is a program that executes the functions of the PC’s motherboard which is installed in the chipsets Of the same. It is responsible for starting the entire set of hardware that the PC haseither the hard drive, RAM or peripherals.

In this way we can say that the BIOS is a software that takes care of the motherboard can do its job of coordinating the components that you have connected

History and evolution How have BIOSes changed over time?

The BIOS originated in the year 1975. when Gary Kildall launched his own operating system in which the part that was destined to the computer boot.

A few years later, the versions of programs MS DOS and PC DOSin which the BIOS had different types of names, but was always characterized because he was staying in the .

The term was changing names as Boot ROM or Bootloader until When entering the IBM-type PCs, the BIOS was divided into two groups, according to the operating system that maintained the device.

At that time they stood out for not having a graphical interface that can interact with the user. So the messages were sent through the screen or by coded methods that they made different sounds. Different switches were then established that were installed on the motherboard and on the other boards that belonged to the other hardware.

From the 90sthese ideas were changed until the user could access through the keyboard to the BIOS. This is done when the computer boots and thus be able to establish different types of combinations. But since 2010 there is an evolution to make a specification that defines an interface between firmware and the operating system, this is what is known as UEFI.

Types of BIOS What are all that exist and how are they different?

The different types of BIOS that you can find today are:

• ROM: derived from the English name “Read Only Memory”. It is characterized by being a non-volatile memory. This means that the data found in it cannot be altered nor can the information it has stored. it will be lost when the computer is turned off. Its operation does not depend on other storage units, such as the hard drive.
• EPROM: is the acronym for “Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory”. They differ from the previous classification because they can be reprogrammed by means of electronic impulses through a programmer EPROM on the chip. You must bear in mind that, to make a reprogramming, you will first have to delete its content. When you want to remove it, you must do it by means of ultraviolet rays, this process lasts up to 25 minutes.
• Flash BIOS: is characterized by being a volatile memory. for what can be re-recorded without the need to delete its content beforehand by any specific method. It is the most widely used today.since it can be configured in a simple and fast way.

What are all the tools that can be accessed from the BIOS?

The tools that you can access from the BIOS are the following:

• Standard CMOS Features: this means you can make standard configurations to the computer. For example, you will be able to modify the time and date of your device, as well as you will be able to find all the drives that you have connected.
• Advanced BIOS Features: are advanced configuration options. In this menu you will have the option to choose what you want the computer to do when you turn it on. A task in this section would be if you want me to perform a self check fast or not
• Advanced Chipset Features: This type of configuration is related to the chipsets. You will have the possibility of change the speed of RAM with this tool.
• Integrated Peripherals: when you need configure the integrated peripherals to the motherboardyou can enter from this menu.
• Power Management Setup: the tools for power settings you can find them with this function. This will help you automatically reduce electricity consumption when you do not use certain elements of the pc.
• PnP / PCI Configurations: if what you are looking for is advanced configuration of expansion cards that the motherboard has, you will have to use this tool from the BIOS.
• Fail-Safe Defaults: when you need load safe values ​​from BIOS, since the computer does not start normally sending warnings, or it does not start, this tool is the one you will need. You will be able to detect if they exist defective items and whose configuration does not allow your computer to work efficiently.
• Optimized Defaults: motherboard manufacturers consider this to be the best option before using the above tool. This will allow you to load the factory optimized values to check if you have solved the problem on your computer.
• Set Supervisor Password: with this option you can modify administrator password and in this way you will prevent the device from being blocked.
• Set User Password: whenever you want your computer have a user password you can configure it from this option.
• Save & Exit Setup: You should keep in mind that every time you make a modification in the BIOSyou shall save Y exit menu. To do this, you will have to click on this button.
• Exit Without Saving: is the opposite function to the previous one. With this tool you can exit without saving the changes in the BIOS.

BIOS and Firmware How are these software items different?

The BIOS is a software that helps start the computer and all its hardware components connected to the mother base. In this way, it ensures, among other things, that the operating system to load on the hard drive and in RAM.

Instead, a firmware performs the same tasks as the BIOS, but at a higher speed and with more features. Among these additional functions that it offers, it can be highlighted that, for its update it can be done through the Internet. The codes of the firmware can be run on 32 or 64 bitdouble or quadruple that does the BIOSthat is of 16 bit. What’s more, It has a more modern graphical interface.