BIOS (P1, P2)

The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is defined as a, “collection of software utilities that forms part of the operating system”. The BIOS is found in a chip that is attached to the motherboard and is used to configure the hardware that the computer is using and the settings of the various pieces of hardware. The BIOS is also used to:

·         Start up the computer and load the operating system.

·         Check the hardware setting on start up to make sure there are no changes that are problematic.

·         To make sure that all of the components are working together.

·         Check the input and outputs and configure anything if it needs configuring.

BIOS chip on the motherboard

The BIOS also does a POST (Power-On-Self-Test) on all of the hardware components within the system and make sure they are functioning correctly. It also powers on the other BIOS chips that are within the system, on such devices as the graphics cards, as some devices have their own.

During boot up it also checks the CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) which is a small battery that is located on the motherboard. It has a tiny 64 byte chip in which it stores all the tome and date and settings for you computer. As mentioned previously, the POST also displays when something is wrong. It normal portrays this through the tiny case speaker being connected to the motherboard and beeps on boot up to show that there is either a missing piece of hardware or one that it suspects to be faulty. It my also show a fault through a flashing LED either on the case or motherboard.

CMOS battery on the motherboard

Finally, you can enter the BIOS on boot up and alter the hardware settings within your computer. You can alter the voltage going to your various devices, the timing of your RAM, speed of your CPU and many other alterations. However, these types of alterations are tampering with the product and so would void any warranty and may also cause your piece of equipment to break due to the added stress.