Bios & UEFI

Question 1

Basic Input/Output System (System BIOS, ROM BIOS)

Answer 1

Software (firmware) used to start your computer
• POST - Power-On Self-Test
• BIOS settings are stored in nonvolatile BIOS memory
• Formerly the CMOS (Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor)
• Usually flash memory these days

Question 2

Legacy BIOS

Answer 2

• The original / traditional BIOS
• 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)
• Designed to replace the legacy BIOS
• Boot from large (> 2.2 TB)
GUID partition table (GPT) disks

Question 4

Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Answer 4

Adds advanced cryptographic functions
• Used by full disk encryption software
• May be a separate module or integrated
into the motherboard

Question 5

Secure Boot

Answer 5

Part of the UEFI specification
• Digitally sign known-good software
• Software won’t run without the proper signature
• Support in many different operating systems
• Windows 8, 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2
• Linux Fedora, openSUSE, Ubuntu Built into the BIOS

Question 6

BIOS Configurations

Answer 6

• Use BIOS configuration key during startup
• Configure and enable/disable components
• May include built-in hardware diagnostics
• Always have a backup before making changes

Question 7

The “CMOS” Battery

Answer 7

Not needed for today’s flash-based storage
• Maintains older BIOS configurations
• May only be used to maintain date/time
• A bad battery will require a BIOS
configuration on every boot
• Can reset the BIOS configuration by
removing the battery on older systems

Question 8

BIOS Passwords

Answer 8

User Password - Needed to start the computer

• Supervisor Password - Needed to make configuration changes

Question 9

LoJack for Laptops

Answer 9

Built into the BIOS
• Software installed into the OS
• Reinstalls itself if removed or new storage drive installed
• “Phone home” function provides location information
• Theft mode remotely locks the laptop and/or delete files
and can force a startup password

Question 10

Upgrading your BIOS firmware

Answer 10

• Identify current firmware version
• Read the upgrade documentation
• Have a reliable power source