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BIOS is a program pre-installed inside the computer hardware, ensuring a safe and efficient startup. Through BIOS, users can delve deeper into computer hardware and configure advanced hardware settings.
What is BIOS? How to access BIOS on a computer
Explore the concept of BIOS, learn how to access BIOS on computers
1. What is the concept of BIOS?
BIOS is low-level software, the first executable software that runs immediately after the computer is turned on. To better understand low-level software, programs you frequently use on your computer like web browsers, media players are considered high-level software.
In contrast, applications like office software, ... are high-level software, straightforward because they interact with the operating system. The operating system can be considered intermediary software as it interacts with both high-level software and directly interacts with hardware components through drivers and BIOS.
In other words, BIOS is low-level software as it directly controls how the internal hardware components of the computer operate. BIOS provides some services allowing users and higher-level software to configure settings for internal hardware components and receive information directly from those hardware components.
2. What is Dual BIOS?
Essentially, BIOS is a read-only memory chip mounted on the motherboard. The software installed on this memory chip (BIOS) is created by the motherboard manufacturer.
In the event that this chip malfunctions, the motherboard also turns into a 'wreck.' This is why some motherboard manufacturers opt for a Dual BIOS configuration on their motherboards.
Specifically, Dual BIOS uses 2 chips to store BIOS, where one chip is the main BIOS, and the other chip contains a backup copy. In case the main BIOS is damaged, you can continue to use the motherboard with the backup chip.
3. Main Functions of BIOS
BIOS has a size of only about 16MB. Newer BIOS versions have a user interface integrated, allowing you to configure hardware settings in various ways. However, laptops and tablets are equipped with simpler BIOS, only allowing changes to time or boot order.
If the power supply to the CMOS battery runs out, the BIOS will have to resort to using default settings because, at that point, the BIOS cannot retain the configurations you made earlier.
4. Distinguishing BIOS and UEFI
BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System, a software stored on a chip on the motherboard. When you turn on the computer, it runs the BIOS to configure settings for the hardware before launching the operating system.
UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, a newer version of BIOS. Unlike traditional BIOS, UEFI supports hard drive capacities up to 2TB and allows up to 4 partitions per hard drive. UEFI also supports many advanced features, such as Secure Boot to protect the installation process from rootkits.
Whether your computer has BIOS or UEFI is not an overly crucial matter. Both are low-level software with the function of configuring hardware and allow you to modify system settings like boot order, set boot passwords, enable hardware virtualization support, ...
5. Guide to Accessing BIOS on a Computer
On different machine models, the method to access or enter the BIOS varies. Alongside the access guide, for accessing BIOS on Windows 11, readers can also refer to ways to enter BIOS on various machine models here for application.
- Learn more: How to access BIOS on different computer models
Thus, Mytour has elucidated the concept of what BIOS is? From there, you can optimize BIOS for faster computer startup, enhancing the overall performance of your computer.
