3.4 - The BIOS

Question 1

BIOS - Basic Input/Output System

Answer 1

• The software used to start your computer
  – The firmware - System BIOS, ROM BIOS
  – ROM or flash memory
• Initializes CPU and memory - Build the workspace
• POST - Power-On Self-Test
• Look for a boot loader - Start the operating system

Question 2

Legacy BIOS

Answer 2

• The original / traditional BIOS
  – It’s been around for more than 25 years
• Older operating systems talked to hardware through the BIOS
  – Instead of accessing hardware directly
• Limited hardware support
  – No drivers for modern network, video, and storage devices

Question 3

UEFI BIOS

Answer 3

• Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
  – Based on Intel’s EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface)
• A defined standard - Implemented by the manufacturers
• Designed to replace the legacy BIOS
  – Need a modern BIOS for modern computers
  – Graphical and text-based