BIOS Full Form
The BIOS full form is Basic Input Output System. It is a low-level program that can be specified as a combination of several softwares stored in ROM. The softwares are invoked at the time of system booting. The software interacts with the computer hardware (such as video card, keyboard, mouse, hard drive, and other devices), operating system, and software applications.
The BIOS usually acts as a link between hardware and software. It tests the PC each time it is turned on and allows the processor to check if the hardware is functioning properly or not. It also performs the job of allocating system resources.
The BIOS can be of several types that range from motherboard ROM BIOS to adapter BIOS such as video BIOS, drive controller BIOS, network adapter BIOS, SCSI adapter, etc.,
The programs in the BIOS are simple to function calls or small sub-programs employed by higher-level programs to carry out simple operations on computer devices.
Example
With the BIOS program, the user can write a character into memory on a video card
The three vital and useful functions performed by BIOS are as follows,
- It performs the task of booting the computer (invoking the software).
- It performs the validation of PC’s configuration.
- It serves as an interface between system hardware and software.
The BIOs play a critical role in performing the boot process. The PC’s obtains instructions from BIOS such as instruction needed for verification, testing, and starting the PC. This all constitutes in booting the computer. As soon as the computer boots up, the BIOS acts behind the scene by controlling and performing the actions.
The PC hardware is always dependent upon instruction to perform any action. These instructions are nothing but the software which are in the form of blocks that guide the hardware to carry out its operations. The operating systems in PCs introduce device drivers and related utilities in order to enhance the system performance. BIOS incorporates software for gaining access, reading, Writing, and transferring data virtually across all hardware devices.
When new hardware is added to the computer, the BIOS responsibility 1s to remove the necessity for the software to he kent. updated with the location of the hardware and its drivers. So, each time new hardware is added to the PC, only the configuration of the BIOS is updated and the process of configuration is solely carried out by BIOS itself.
The Importance of BIOS Settings
It serves as the basic controller that enables all the components of a system unit to interact with each other. In order to make the BIOS to perform its function, it requires to know a number of things related to its function. This is the reason why settings in BIOS are needed. The setting of BIOS is done using a BIOS setup program. For setting BIOS the setup program is required to carry out the tasks mentioned below.
- The main components of the system are examined by running its POST program in order to assure the proper functioning of the components
- The major components that are part of the motherboard or connected to it are configured in order to make the OS to perform the required task on it. This configuration is necessary for the computer system to perform the operation.
- The operating system is booted either from a hard disk drive or from a floppy disk or CD/DVD disk (provided for booting) at the start-up point.
- Certain components (like a keyboard) and features of the system are made accessible even if the OS is in running state. The BIOS once programmed can run a small routine in which the keyboard is handled based on the instruction provided by the OS. In this manner, the BIOS code offers a uniform interface to the system unit so that the varying hardware can carry out its function without requiring changes to be done in the OS when the hardware is changed.
- The BIOS is updated in order to eliminate the bugs or some additional hardware is supported by a process called reflashing.
