Module 2 - BIOS & Boostrap Process Flashcards
BIOS stands for:
Basic Input Output System
T/F - Updating the BIOS with a version that is incompatible with the motherboard could render the computer unbootable.
True
Place the following in correct order as they pertain to the boot-up process:
- BIOS Loads
- Master Boot Record is loaded
- POST Runs
- System is powered up
- System is Powered Up
- BIOS loads
- POST runs
- Master Boot Record is loaded
Software stored in a chip is generically known as:
Firmware
CMOS is a special type of:
RAM
CMOS Setup is a program that is one of the programs in the
BIOS
Name reasons that the system BIOS should be updated:
Fix Problems/Bugs Add new features (such as faster processors or newer memory)
A manufacturer has instructed a technician to update the software that resides on the flash ROM chip of an integral system add-in component. Which type of software needs to be updated? A. System BIOS B. Firmware C. OS Patch D. Driver
B. Firmware
The system date and time on your computer is slowly losing time. What is the most LIKELY cause of this problem?
CMOS battery is weakening.
A user level CMOS password has been set. What does the user need to do when the system starts up in order to load the OS?
Enter the password
What type of BIOS password protects CMOS from being updated by anyone with access to the computer?
- Supervisor
- Ultimate
- Regular
- User
A. Supervisor
A technician would like to load an operating system CD on startup. Which of the following settings would a technician change in the BIOS?
- Enable TPM
- Enable BIOS password
- Disable TPM
- Boot Sequence
D. Boot sequence
What are common methods for clearing CMOS passwords:
- Remove the CMOS chip
- Remove the CMOS battery
- Change a Motherboard jumper
- Remove the CPU
- Remove the CMOS battery
- Change a motherboard jumper
What is POST?
Power-On Self-Test that checks RAM, CPU, and video functionality at system startup. If any of those components fail the test, a beep code will be heard or a diagnostic code will be displayed.
CMOS stands for:
Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
What is BIOS?
A set of 16-bit programs stored on a ROM/Flash memory chip on the motherboard.
Programs of the BIOS include:
- Post - Setup Program (called CMOS setup, BIOS setup, or system setup)
- Plug-n-Play support (for devices that are detected at boot time)
- Bootstrap program that kicks off the loading of the operating system.
- Programs to check CPU temperature and fan speeds, chassis intusion detection, and more
- Utilities to configure various devices, including voltages supplied to motherboard components, settings to modify CPU and bus clocks, enabling/disabling/configuring devices, such as hard drives, optical drives, network interface card(s), numlock key, and more.
Identify the following:
BIOS Chip - Dual Inline POle Legacy BIOS chip
Identify the following:
Surface Mount BIOS Chip
T/F - The BIOS is specific to the motherboard that contains it.
True
When is the BIOS loaded?
At boot time and typically stays in the background for as long as your computer is running.
What is ROM shadowing?
When BIOS is copied to system RAM to run faster.
When is BIOS used on newer systems?
Only at startup.
MS-DOS uses the BIOS to access hardware, but post-DOS systems use software known as device drivers to acess the hardware.
When does BIOS need to be upgraded (flashed)?
To provide support for new features such as faster processors, newer memory, and box fixes.
T/F - Older BIOSes were upgraded by physically replacing the ROM chip.
True
Where do you get upgrade files for BIOS?
Motherboard Manufacturer’s Website
Make sure to select the BIOS that exactly matches the motherboard make and model.
Wrong BIOS upgrade may result in computer failing to boot successfully. Most modern systems check the version and refuse to install if it’s the wrong one.
What might happen if you interrupt a BIOS upgrade?
Could end up with a computer that won’t boot.
If upgrading a laptop make sure that the laptop is running with the power adapter plugged in.
Where do you find the version ID of the BIOS?
- BIOS startup screens
- CMOS setup program
System Information utility (MSINFO32) on a Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7 computer
What is CMOS?
Special type of RAM used by the BIOS to store:
- system date/time
- boot order
- startup passwords
- power management
Systems today use flash memory for storing BIOS settings.
How is CMOS Ram kept alive?
- Powered by motherboard when the system is running.
- By battery when the system is shut down.
- Battery is usually on the motherboard, thought it may be imbedded in the Southbridge IC (Integrated Circuit) on the nmotherboard on more modern systems.
Another Name for CMOS?
- NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM)
Symptoms of CMOS Battery Weakening:
- May see system date and time slipping
- Error messages such as “CMOS checksum error.”
Where is the CMOS battery typically located in a laptop?
On the motherboard underneath the keyboard.
What happens if you remove a CMOS battery?
- Typically clears all settings
- May force their reentry
CMOS Clearing methods:
- Typically removing battery
- On other computers a jumper must also be set
- On still others, power cable must be removed.
Consult the motehrboard or system documentation for the CMOS clearing method used.
Most popular CMOS battery size:
CR2032
Other uses of CMOS battery:
- Some systems do not use the battery for keeping CMOS RAM alive since BIOS settings are stored in flash.
- Rather, the battery is used for keeping the real-time clock running
Identify the following:
CMOS battery and flash memory chip
Identify the following and the meaning of CLRTC:
- Jumper to clear BIOS settings stored in CMOS
- CLRTC = Clear Real Time Clock
Identify the following:
The Real Time Clock (RTC).
What is the purpose of the RTC?
- Provides clock functions
- May also contain RAM to function as CMOS.
- Clock runs continuously and provides time to the OS when the computer is booted.
- RTC either contains its own power source or uses the same power source as CMOS.
- Newer types use a supercapicitor, a rechargeable energy source.
