Basic Input Output System (BIOS)?

BIOS explained
   
  
       
BIOS is an acronym for Basic Input Output System. It is the program that stores configuration details about your computer hardware and enables your computer to boot up. Every time your computer is switched on the BIOS loads configuration data into main memory, performs a routine diagnostic test on your hardware, then loads the operating system.    

The BIOS resides in a ROM (Read-Only memory) chip, which is mounted on the motherboard, usually in a socket so it is removable.To the right is an example of what a BIOS chip may look like in your motherboard. This is a PLCC 32 pin type BIOS chip. It is a very common type. More information on BIOS chips can be found at bioschip.com

Every computer has BIOS. There are many types but the most common type of BIOS 's come from: AMI, Award and Phoenix. Motherboard manufacturers buy or lease the BIOS source code from these companies.
           
bios chip    
The BIOS tells the operating system in your computer how to boot up, where to load everything, what to load, whats memory and CPU are present and much much more.    
bios and the brain    

A good comparison to further understand the functionality of the BIOS would be to say that the BIOS is the Computer equivilant of the human hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, blood pressure, heartbeat, metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, and sugar levels in the blood. It is the subconscious nervous system sometimes it's called the brain of the brain.

In a PC we all know that the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain. Well the BIOS is the CPU's brain. Without a Hypothalamus you will die. Without a BIOS your PC is a paper weight.

The BIOS is programmed on an EEPROM. We refer to them as BIOS chips. Other names you may hear are: Firmware Hub, CMOS, ROM Chip IC, Flash Rom and I am sure there are a few more! If you want a common term for all these itesm when refering to motherboards, BIOS chip is the the most common term used.
   

Here are all the terms mentioned above with a description of what they actaully mean:

CMOS =(complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) A semiconductor technology that uses less power and generates less heat (enabling higher circuit density) than bipolar semiconductor technologies

Firmware = A category of memory chips that hold their content without electrical power. They include read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM) and electronically erasable PROM (EEPROM) technologies. Firmware becomes "hard software" when holding program code. The contents are generally permanent or semipermanent control coding implemented at a microinstruction level for an application program, instruction set, operating routine or similar user-oriented function. NOTE: Intel calls their BIOS chips Firmware Hubs.

EEPROM= (electrically erasable programmable ROM)
A type of programmable read-only memory (ROM) that can be erased or updated using electrical signals, a process often performed remotely.

ROM =(read-only memory) Data stored in computer memory that can be accessed and read by the user, but not modified. ROM is often permanent, and stores system control software.

flash memory=A nonvolatile storage chip that enables easy electrical erasability and reprogramming, often used to remotely update routers or modems with new versions of software.

IC= (integrated circuit)An assembly of electronic circuits contained on a single piece of semiconductor material.

So, a BIOS chip is an IC, CMOS, EEPROM, Flash memory , Firmware chip that holds software called the BIOS. The BIOS is programmable via software (flash programs such as AMIFLASH, AWDFLASH, PHLASH or Uniflash. You can see a link to these programs here here: BIOS Flash utils.

For the person who still has no idea about the BIOS on your PC, notice when you first turn on your PC or laptop a few screens pop up. It might be a logo such as DELL or HP or ASUS, Tyan , AMI BIOS, AWARD BIOS etc. You might also see a memory count . This is all part of the POST (Power On Self Test). POST is a test the BIOS runs before it hands over control to the OS (Operating System). You can see more of the post if you disable the logo option in your BIOS. Otherwise just know that if you see a logo the POST is running. For more infor on the POST click here: Power On Self Test.. You can read all about the POST codes etc on that site.

Well eventually I will add some settings to help you optimize your BIOS but for now I'll finish with a recommendation. Do not flash your motherboard BIOS! If you feel you need to update your BIOS buy a pre programmed BIOS update chip from BIOSMAN.com. Flashing your BIOS is risky. If anything goes wrong while you're flashing it your motherboard / PC is now a paperweight! Click here to buy a BIOS Update Chip

There are two methods to update yiour BIOS chip:

1. Flash it (software method)

2. Program it with an EEPROM programmer. This is a hardware method . This is how we at BIOSMAN program sall our BIOS chips.

It is much more thorough than a flash. Think of it like a hard drive. if you "format c: / "a hard drive you wipe out all the contents Or do you? Not really. That data is still recoverable. if you really want to clean the drive or start with a fresh drive you write O's and 1's to it, this is also known as a low-level format . Utilities such as wipe.exe will accomplish this. If you don't low level format your HD before loading it or selling it then you have pretty much left all your old data on the drive. Flashing a BIOS chip is the same procedure. It basically writes on top of the data already on the BIOS chip. The Boot Block won't be written over unless you specify it to be but for some BIOS's you have to (See AMI BIOS flash)!! An EEPROM programmer wipes the chip clean before writing the new BIOS to it. This is just one reason why buying a new BIOS chip from us is preferable to flashing one yourself. Ok I sort of skipped oiver what a boot block is so let me cover that. The Boot block is a section of a BIOS chip that won't be programmed. It contains a small amount of information. For instance, in an AMI BIOS the boot block contains the AMIFLASH.exe flash program and some code to allow it to run if the "CTRL" and "Home" keys are pressed on the keyboard. It will basically recover your BIOS if the flash went bad. You can read about AMI BIOS recovery and AWARD BIOS recovery here: AMI BIOS and AWARD BIOS. Oh yeah if you're wondering why I left off the Phoenix BIOS recovery technique, well there isnt' one! That's just another reason to buy a BIOS chip vs. trying to flash one!

Ok so now hopefully you are convinced to not flash your BIOS using a software utility. You also don't want to buy an EEPROM programmer for $1500.00 so just fork out the $25.00 and buy yoiur new BIOS update from BIOSMAN.COM! Ok so i'm pushing our store on you but BIOSMAN came into existence for a reason. 100's of people buy BIOS's every month from us because their system is down due to a failed flash! Why not be pro active rather then re active? Think of it like having a spare battery for your flashlight. Why wait till a power outtage to realize your batteries are dead? Speaking of power outtage, one of the top reasons for a BIOS flash failure is that there is a power outtage or a break in power to the PC while the flash is in progress.. Just another for the 1000's of reasons why not to attempt a BIOS update yourself!