What is BIOS (basic input/output system) & its Function?

Basic Input Output System is shortly known as the BIOS. BIOS is also popular with the names like System BIOS, ROM BIOS, BIOS RAM, or PC BIOS.

The BIOS is the small code, which is included onto the chip on the system board and it is the very first software that runs when we start our computer first.

BIOS is the firmware used during the booting process for performing the hardware initialization and for the operating systems and programs it provides the runtime services.

Onto the IBM PC compatibles system and on IBM PC board the BIOS firmware comes pre-installed and it is the first software that runs when the PC is powered on.

By interfacing with the chipsets, most of the BIOS implementations are specially designed to work with the particular computer or motherboard models.

To rewrite the stored content without removing any chip or doing any other thing it is stored onto the flash memory so that it will rewrite easily.

Originally BIOS firmware was stored onto the ROM chip on the computer system motherboard after that it was stored onto the flash memory of the computer system.

The word Basic Input Output System (BIOS) was created by Mr Gary Kildall and was first appeared in the CP/M operating system in the year 1975.

Also, Read:- Central Processing Unit (CPU)?

The question raised here is what is the use of this BIOS and why it is included in our computer systems.

The important use of the BIOS is to act as a bridge between the OS and the hardware they are running on.

Theoretically, the BIOS always acts as an intermediate between the microprocessors and input-output devices.

BIOS can be used to arrange the data flow directly to memory devices like a video card, which required a faster data flow to be effective.

How Does BIOS work?

BIOS come pre-installed onto the OS like Windows and iOS by the manufacturers or vendor and it comes fitted with computers as a firmware chip on the motherboard.

Microprocessor passed the access to the BIOS when the user turns on their computer system and it is also located at the same as EPROM.

BIOS first check and determines whether all the necessary attachments are in place and operational when it boots up a computer.

Functions of BIOS

once the computer system turns on BIOS immediately identifies, configures, tests, and connects computer hardware to the operating systems immediately.

For loading hardware, BIOS contains the various instructions and it also conducts small tests to ensure that the computer is meeting all the basic requirements for booting.

The computer starts beeping if the test indicates some of the fails and some issues within the computer.

Below are some of the main functions of BIOS

POST

The first and main function of BIOS is to make confirm that computer hardware is performing properly, correctly, and there is no issue with the hardware.

These all things are done by the POST (Power On Self Test). If this test fails computer generates the different types of alarm of beep showing the type of error.

If the Power on Self-Test pass successfully then the booting process starts.

Booting

Once the Power On Self-Test (POST) completes, the BIOS then finds and determines the operating systems.

Once BIOS finds and determines the operating system, it then passes the control to the operating system which it finds, this process is called the Booting.

BIOS drivers

The BIOS drivers are a group of programs that are stored in the non-volatile erasable.

The BIOS Drivers provides basic information about computer hardware.

Bottom Line

The BIOS functions are the set of instructions, which are the essential and important part of the firmware of motherboard and it is responsible for the testing of the hardware connected to the computer and booting, therefore, passing over the authority of the computer to the operating system. BIOS is as important that we can not imagine a computer system without it.