Chapter 6: BIOS Flashcards
BIOS
basic input/output services - support programming that enables the CPU to communicate with devices
beep code
a non-graphical way the computer tells you if a problem happened during POST
bootable disk
a device with a functional operating system - also called a system disk
boot sequence
the order in which devices are checked for an operating system when the system is powered on
bootstrap loader
a few lines at the end of the POST program that tells the PC where to find the operating system
chassis intrusion detection/notification
a device that will let you know if someone has opened the case or not
flash ROM
ROM that is able to be updated through a process known as “flashing”
CMOS clear
a jumper on the motherboard that is used to clear CMOS settings
CMOS setup program
a program on the system ROM that allows you to access and change CMOS data - also called system setup utility
read-only memory (ROM)
ROM chips are not volatile and traditionally, once they’re written, it’s permanent
device driver
files stored on the hard drive that contain the commands necessary to use a certain device
DriveLock
protects hard drives from unwanted access in the event of a lost or stolen system
Southbridge
deals with mainly lower-speed devices such as USB and hard drive controllers
firmware upgrade
updating the BIOS
system ROM
a flash ROM chip that contains code that allows the CPU to communicate with the devices on the PC
installation disc
an optical disc that can contain drivers for a specific device
LoJack
enables you to track location, install keylogger, or remotely shut down a stolen machine
option ROM
allows devices to have their own BIOS stored on the device itself
Registry
a database in Windows that has information on everything about the system
Secure Boot
a UEFI tool that secures the boot process by requiring software to be signed - requires an Intel CPU, a UEFI BIOS, and a compatible OS
POST card
testing devices that help diagnose problems during POST
power good
a signal sent after the power supply checks voltage levels to awaken the CPU
POST
power-on self test - a program on the system ROM that is initiated when the computer boots up - tells each device in the PC to check itself
preboot execution environment
enables a PC to boot without local storage by retrieving an OS from a network
system disk
a device with a functional operating system - also called a bootable disk
