1.1 Given a scenario, configure settings and use BIOS/UEFI tools on a pc Flashcards
What is BIOS?
Basic Input Output System.
The starting point for your computer. If there is no operating system, you can still run bios. Referred to as ROM, Flash memory, firmware. etc.
What does BIOS do?
Checks to make sure all your components needed to run your computer are working.
Checks cpu, memory, etc.
Also runs a POST, power on self test.
If there is a problem, it notifies you.
The next thing it does is look for the boot loader to load the OS.
What are the 2 different types of BIOS
Legacy Bios, been around a long time over 25 years. Older OS’s talked to hardware through BIOS.
This BIOS has limited hardware support. No drivers for modern network video and storage devices.
The UEFI(Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) BIOS is the modern kind of BIOS. Based on Intel’s EFI. It’s the current standard. Manufacturers can adjust the standard to personalize it.
What are the advantages to UEFI over Legacy?
Boot from large hard drives. GUID partition table disks. Also supports FAT and removable media.
Includes a pre-boot environment. Can be used to troubleshoot the computer before the OS is even loaded. Can use command lines to transfer files to storage, even has remote diagnostics.
Where is the BIOS settings stored?
Nonvolatile BIOS memory, used to be saved to the CMOS, the complementary metal oxide semiconductor. We still refer to as CMOS even though that is not used anymore. The main disadvantage to that method is you always had to have some electricity to the CMOS or you would lose your settings. They can be backed up with a battery, so when the computer is unplugged it maintains the BIOS settings. Can also be used to store date and time.
We now use flash memory to store BIOS configs.
If there is something wrong with the battery on older motherboards, everytime, you start up the computer you will get a message saying to check your BIOS config.
How can you practice adjusting BIOS settings?
Use virtualization software. Hyper V or Microsoft virtual PC.
What can you see inside BIOS?
How much and what kind of memory(RAM) you have.
Hard drive and SSD settings.
Check for an optical drive.
A lot of things
What should you do when making changes to your BIOS?
Write down or take a picture of what the settings were before you changed them.
What are ways to protect your computer through BIOS?
User password, operating system won’t start unless password is used.
Supervisor password, BIOS settings can’t be changed without this.
What is full disk encryption?
It encrypts everything, not just individual files. Even the OS!
You can boot an operating system that is already encrypted with windows bitlocker. BIOS integrates with the TPM(Trusted Platform Module). Built-in or can be added.
Lojack for laptops
Originally called computrace. It’s software that is built into BIOS.
Has phone home functionality. Provides location info.
Also has a theft mode. Remotely lock the laptop and/or delete files.
Protecting from Malicious software on your PC(secure boot)
BIOS has a comparison tool for checking bad software against good software. It’s built-in to most UEFI BIOS. Some OS’s require this secure boot capability.
