DEPT OF ELECTRONICS SSM POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE TIRUR

BIOS

AIM

1. To study the BIOS and its Setting.

2. To find the system configuration using BIOS set up.
3. To set and remove the security password and system password.

Theory
BIOS (basic input/output system) is the program a personal
computer's microprocessor uses to get the computer system started after you turn
it on. It also manages data flow between the computer's operating system and
attached devices such as the hard disk, video
adapter, keyboard, mouse and printer.

BIOS is an integral part of your computer and comes with it when you bring it
home. (In contrast, the operating system can either be pre-installed by the
manufacturer or vendor or installed by the user.) BIOS is a program that is made
accessible to the microprocessor on an erasable programmable read-only memory
(EPROM) chip. When you turn on your computer, the microprocessor passes
control to the BIOS program, which is always located at the same place on EPROM.

When BIOS boots up (starts up) your computer, it first determines whether all of
the attachments are in place and operational and then it loads the operating
system (or key parts of it) into your computer's random access memory (RAM) from
your hard disk or diskette drive.

With BIOS, your operating system and its applications are freed from having to
understand exact details (such as hardware addresses) about the attached
input/output devices. When device details change, only the BIOS program needs
to be changed. Sometimes this change can be made during your system setup. In
any case, neither your operating system or any applications you use need to be
changed.

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Although BIOS is theoretically always the intermediary between the

microprocessor and I/O device control information and data flow, in some cases,
BIOS can arrange for data to flow directly to memory from devices (such as video
cards) that require faster data flow to be effective.

Functions of BIOS
(i) BIOS Power on Self-Test (POST): It is a built-in diagnostic program.
This self-test ensures that the computer has all of the necessary parts and
functionality needed to successfully start itself, such as use of memory, a
keyboard and other parts. Then additional tests are done during booting.
If errors are detected during the test, the BIOS instruct the computer to
give a code that reveals the problem. Error codes are typically a series of
beeps heard shortly after startup.

(ii) Bootstrap Loader: To boot the operating system. The BIOS contains a
program known as bootstrap loader whose responsibility is to search and
start the operating system boot program. Then the boot program of
operating system controls the computer system and boots the operating
system.

(iii) (iii) BIOS Setup Utility Program: A nonvolatile memory (NVRAM) is

used to store information about the computer system. During installation
of a system, the user run BIOS setup program and enter the correct
parameters. The settings of memory, disk types and other settings are
stored in NVRAM and not in BIOS chip itself. To construct NVRAM, the
material required is CMOS (Complementary metal oxide semiconductor).
These CMOS chips are very efficient storage devices as they store and
maintain data on very low values of current. The system's configurations
therefore are also termed as CMOS settings, which we can set using BIOS
set up program. The BIOS reads the parameters from CMOS RAM as and
when required.

(iv) System Service Routines: The BIOS provides various software routines
(subprograms) that can be called by higher-level software such, as DOS,
Windows, or their applications, to perform different tasks. Virtually every

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task that involves accessing the system hardware has traditionally been
controlled using one or more of the BIOS programs (although many
newer operating systems now bypass the BIOS for improved
performance). This includes actions like reading and writing from the hard
disk, processing information received from devices, etc.

Configure BIOS
To enter the CMOS Setup, you must press a certain key or combination of keys
during the initial startup sequence. Most systems use "Esc," "Del," "F1," "F2," "Ctrl-
Esc" or "Ctrl-Alt-Esc" to enter setup. There is usually a line of text at the bottom of
the display that tells you "Press ___ to Enter Setup."
Once you have entered setup, you will see a set of text screens with a number of
options. Some of these are standard, while others vary according to the BIOS
manufacturer. Common options include:

• System Time/Date - Set the system time and date

• Boot Sequence - The order that BIOS will try to load the operating system
• Plug and Play - A standard for auto-detecting connected devices; should
be set to "Yes" if your computer and operating system both support it
• Mouse/Keyboard - "Enable Num Lock," "Enable the Keyboard," "Auto-
Detect Mouse"...
• Drive Configuration - Configure hard drives, CD-ROM and floppy drives
• Memory - Direct the BIOS to shadow to a specific memory address
• Security - Set a password for accessing the computer
• Power Management - Select whether to use power management, as well
as set the amount of time for standby and suspend
• Exit - Save your changes, discard your changes or restore default settings
Be very careful when making changes to setup. Incorrect settings may keep your
computer from booting. When you are finished with your changes, you should
choose "Save Changes" and exit. The BIOS will then restart your computer so that
the new settings take effect.

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The BIOS uses CMOS technology to save any changes made to the computer's
settings. With this technology, a small lithium or Ni-Cad battery can supply enough
power to keep the data for years. In fact, some of the newer chips have a 10-year,
tiny lithium battery built right into the CMOS chip!

Updating Your BIOS

Occasionally, a computer will need to have its BIOS updated. This is especially true
of older machines. As new devices and standards arise, the BIOS needs to change
in order to understand the new hardware. Since the BIOS is stored in some form of
ROM, changing it is a bit harder than upgrading most other types of software.

To change the BIOS itself, you'll probably need a special program from the
computer or BIOS manufacturer. Look at the BIOS revision and date information
displayed on system startup or check with your computer manufacturer to find out
what type of BIOS you have. Then go to the BIOS manufacturer's Web site to see
if an upgrade is available. Download the upgrade and the utility program needed
to install it. Sometimes the utility and update are combined in a single file to
download. Copy the program, along with the BIOS update, onto a floppy disk.
Restart your computer with the floppy disk in the drive, and the program erases
the old BIOS and writes the new one. You can find a BIOS Wizard that will check
your BIOS at BIOS Upgrades.

As with changes to the CMOS Setup, be careful when upgrading your BIOS. Make
sure you are upgrading to a version that is compatible with your computer system.
Otherwise, you could corrupt the BIOS, which means you won't be able to boot
your computer. If in doubt, check with your computer manufacturer to be sure you
need to upgrade.

Major BIOS manufacturers

➢ American Megatrends Inc. (AMI)

➢ Phoenix Technologies
➢ ALi
➢ Winbond

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OBSERVATION RESULT

BIOS information

BIOS Manufacturer Version Built in date

Device connected in SATA

PORT DEVICE MANUFACTURE

SATA-1

SATA-2

SATA-3

SATA-4

Processor Configuration

Name Manufacturer Clock Speed L1 Cache CPU ID

RAM Configuration

Name Manufacturer Clock Speed Capacity Slot