For a desktop or a laptop computer to work, it must have software as well as hardware. Apart from the operating system and applications, the computer uses the BIOS software in its operations as well. BIOS Stands for either Built In Operating System or Basic Input/Output System. In part, BIOS is firmware code that a PC runs when it is powered on. The basic role of BIOS is to make identifications of component hardware of the system and initialize them as well. Such hardware are like hard disk, floppy disk and card for displaying video. The identifying and initializing helps the machine to be in a state of low capability which will enable software programs that are stored in different media to control the PC, be loaded and executed. The above process is defined as bootstrapping often shortened as booting up or booting.
Previously, PROM OR ROM chips were the storage areas for BIOS and users could not alter them. With time, the need for more updates grew and they also became more complicated. Additionally, re-programmable parts were more available and all these led to the need for devices for flash memory and EEPROM as storage areas for firmware belonging to BIOS. BIO has different versions whose capacity is 8 megabytes. Typically, BIOS is placed in computers’ ROM chips and it is then called ROM BIOS. When BIOS is placed in ROM chips the problem of disk failures damaging it is eliminated. Furthermore, the availability of BIOS is guaranteed and the computer can boot itself. Due to RAM’s fastness as compared to ROM, most manufacturers of computers design systems that have the BIOS copied in a process called shadowing from ROM onto RAM.
A user may need to upgrade the BIOS in their system form time to time. The upgrading of BIOS is determined by a superior operating system. Many people would rather upgrade a system’s BIOS than change it altogether as changing is made difficult by BIOS’s position in the ROM and one may need an expert to do the changing. Modern PCs come with flash BIOS and users can upgrade it at their convenience. Prior to upgrading BIOS, one needs to make sure that their computer is compatible with the set up they intend to change. This will help prevent one’s BIOS from being corrupted which can make them unable to open their PC. Users should always find out for from their manufacturers the best set up to use when upgrading BIOS.