BIOS- Basic Input-Output System

The BIOS (basic input/output system) is a program that a computer’s CPU uses to start the computer after it has been turned on. It also controls data flow between the computer’s operating system (OS) and peripherals including the hard disc, visual adapter, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

History of BIOS

Gary Kildall, an American computer scientist, created the word BIOS in 1975. It was included in IBM’s first personal computer in 1981, and it grew in favor among subsequent PCs over the years, eventually becoming an essential component of computers.

Some firms (such as Phoenix Technologies) have reverse engineered the BIOS that was previously proprietary to the IBM PC to manufacture compatible systems. IBM split the System BIOS into real-mode and protected-mode sections with the advent of PS/2 machines. new interfaces specifically suited for multitasking operating systems such as OS/2.

The popularity of BIOS has faded in favor of a newer technology known as the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) (UEFI). In 2017, Intel revealed a plan to phase out support for traditional BIOS systems by 2020, in favor of UEFI.

How does BIOS work?

BIOS is firmware on a chip on the motherboard that comes with computers. An operating system such as Windows or iOS, on the other hand, can be pre-loaded by the manufacturer or vendor or installed by the user. BIOS is software stored on an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) chip that is accessible to the CPU. When a user turns on their computer, the CPU sends the control to the BIOS program, which is stored in the same location on EPROM every time.

When a computer’s BIOS starts up, it checks to see if all of the necessary attachments are present and functional. A boot device is any piece of hardware that contains the files that the computer requires to start up. BIOS loads the operating system — or critical sections of it — into the computer’s random access memory (RAM) from a hard disc or diskette drive after testing and confirming boot devices are working (the boot device).

Uses of BIOS

BIOS serves as a bridge between operating systems and the hardware they run on. The BIOS is always the middleman between the CPU and the I/O device to control information and data flow, according to theory. Although BIOS can arrange for data to go straight to memory from devices that require quicker data flow, such as video cards, in some instances,

BIOS instructs the computer on how to perform basic functions such as booting and keyboard control. BIOS also identifies and configures the hardware of a computer, including the hard drive, floppy drive, optical drive, CPU, memory, and other peripherals.

The setup utility in BIOS allows you to adjust several hardware configuration options. By saving these modifications and restarting the computer, the changes are applied to the BIOS and the way the BIOS commands the hardware to function is altered.

The 4 functions of BIOS

1. POST (BIOS Power on Self-Test ):- Before loading the operating system, test the computer hardware and make sure there are no faults. On our POST and beep codes page, you may find more information about the POST.
2. Bootstrap Loader:- Locate the operating system with Bootstrap Loader. The BIOS will transmit control to a capable operating system if one is found.
3. BIOS drivers:- These are low-level drivers that provide your computer with fundamental operational control over its hardware.
4. BIOS setup:- Utility Program also known as CMOS setup, is a configuration tool that allows you to customize hardware settings as well as system settings like date, time, and computer passwords.

Features of BIOS

1. BIOS: Basic Input-Output unit
2. ROM BIOS's main function is to load the operating system
3. BIOS is placed inside a ROM chip called ROM BIOS
4. ROM BIOS also loads an initial set of driver
5. BIOS chip is powered by CMOS battery
6. ROM BIOS configuration is saved due to CMOS battery
7. BIOS finally handover control to the operating system

Accessing BIOS

The BIOS Setup Utility is used to access and configure the BIOS. For all intents and purposes, the BIOS Setup Utility is the BIOS itself. The BIOS Setup Utility allows you to customize every parameter in the BIOS.

This is how to access BIOS:

1. Restart or turn on your computer if it is already turned off.

2. In the first few seconds after turning on your computer, look for a “entering setup” message. This message varies greatly between computers and includes the key or keys you must press to enter BIOS.

Here are some examples of how you might encounter this BIOS access message:

• Press [key] to enter setup
• Setup: [key]
• Enter BIOS by pressing [key]
• Press [key] to enter BIOS setup
• Press [key] to access BIOS
• Press [key] to access system configuration

3. Quickly press the key or keys instructed by the previous message.

4. Use the BIOS setup utility as required.

BIOS security

BIOS security is a distinct component of cybersecurity but it is somewhat overlooked. However, there is still a need to manage it because various hackers can run malicious code on the operating system, which can be more harmful. In 2017, security firm Cylance demonstrated how modern BIOS security flaws could enable ransomware programs inside a motherboard’s UEFI.

Cyberattacks have become increasingly sophisticated, and traditional safeguards are proving to be rather ineffective in the face of these advanced attacks. If your BIOS is not secured, hackers can easily access and manipulate a computer’s information, gaining control over your system up to the highest level.

There are three primary methods used to protect your BIOS:

1. Passwords
2. Full Disk Encryption
3. Trusted Platform Modules

Because you may apply the latest security technology to tie down BIOS features and control, a secure, custom BIOS aids in strengthening protection against unauthorized usage and other assaults.

BIOS Manufacturers

BIOS was once owned by IBM. Other companies, however, reverse-engineered the original version to produce their own.

Phoenix granted these firms a license to produce clones of the IBM PC in exchange for this. Today, there are a variety of manufacturers of motherboards featuring BIOS chips, including the following:

• IBM
• AMI
• Hewlett Packard (HP)
• Ricoh
• Asus

Users may wish to upgrade their BIOS and chipset drivers, therefore knowing the motherboard manufacturer is vital.

Final words

I hope you find this information interesting. I guess I’ve covered almost everything about the BIOS from the history of BIOS, how the BIOS works, and also About the BIOS security.

PC makers have slowly been replacing BIOS with Unified Extensible Firmware Interface(UEFI).

Even before the twenty-first century dawned, computer companies realized that BIOS was obsolete. They couldn’t agree on how to replace it until lately. The “Intel Boot Initiative,” subsequently known as Extensible Firmware Interface, was developed by Intel. Intel’s competitors were not keen on adopting EFI, but in 2007, they all agreed to utilize (UEFI) as the universal replacement for BIOS, but don’t confuse UEFI for being just a BIOS replacement.

References

[1].En.wikipedia.org. 2022. BIOS — Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS>

[2].2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.learncomputerscienceonline.com/bios/>

[3].WhatIs.com. 2022. What is BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)?. [online] Available at: <https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/BIOS-basic-input-output-system#:~:text=BIOS%20(basic%20input%2Foutput%20system)%20is%20the%20program%20a,%2C%20keyboard%2C%20mouse%20and%20printer.>

[4].Definitions, B. and Hope, C., 2022. What is BIOS?. [online] Computerhope.com. Available at: <https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/b/bios.htm>

[5].HowStuffWorks, Tech, Computer, Hardware and Memory, 2022. How BIOS Works. [online] HowStuffWorks. Available at: <https://computer.howstuffworks.com/bios.htm> [Accessed 20 June 2022].

Author- Atharva Bakde