Basic Input Output System( BIOS )

Every time you power on your computer, a small but powerful program is the first to come to life — the BIOS. While it might work silently in the background, it plays a critical role in booting your computer and making sure everything runs smoothly from the start. For someone new to computers, understanding what BIOS is and what it does can give you more confidence in managing your PC and troubleshooting basic issues.

BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. It is a small piece of software stored on a chip located on the computer’s motherboard. The BIOS is responsible for starting up the computer and preparing it to load the operating system. It works independently of any operating system and is built into the hardware.

BIOS is also known as the firmware because it connects the hardware with the software. When you turn on your PC, the BIOS runs first to check if all necessary hardware components are working correctly before handing control over to the operating system.

Functions of BIOS

The main functions of BIOS are as follows:

• POST (Power-On Self Test): The BIOS checks the computer’s hardware such as RAM, keyboard, and storage devices to ensure they are working properly.
• Bootloader: After the POST, the BIOS locates and starts the operating system from the hard drive or another bootable device.
• CMOS Setup: BIOS provides access to system settings where users can configure hardware settings such as date, time, boot order, and hardware configurations.
• Hardware Initialization: BIOS initializes CPU, memory, and peripherals like keyboard, mouse, and disk drives before handing over control to the operating system.
• BIOS Drivers: It contains low-level drivers for essential hardware components that help in initial communication between hardware and software.

 

Benefits of BIOS

Some of the benefits are as follows:

• Reliable Startup: BIOS ensures the hardware is functioning correctly before the operating system loads.
• Hardware Configuration: Users can configure hardware settings easily through the BIOS interface.
• Security: BIOS can include password protection to restrict access to system settings.
• Compatibility: BIOS helps in maintaining communication between old hardware and new operating systems.
• Firmware Updates: Modern BIOS versions (also known as UEFI) can be updated to add features or fix bugs, improving system stability and performance.

BIOS vs UEFI

	BIOS (Basic Input Output System)	UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
Full Form	Basic Input Output System	Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
Introduction Year	1980s	2005 (as a replacement for BIOS)
Boot Speed	Slower boot time	Faster boot time
User Interface	Text-based interface	Graphical user interface with mouse support
Storage Drive Support	Supports drives up to 2.2 TB (MBR)	Supports drives larger than 2.2 TB (GPT)
Boot Mode	Legacy Boot	Secure Boot
Processor Architecture	16-bit	32-bit or 64-bit
Security	Less secure	More secure (includes Secure Boot)
Compatibility	Compatible with older hardware/software	May not support older hardware
Extensibility	Limited	Highly extensible with drivers and apps
Updates	Harder to update	Easier to update firmware