BIOS

Also known as Basic Input Output System, Basic Input/Output System, System BIOS, ROM BIOS, PC BIOS, legacy BIOS

In computing, BIOS (, ; Basic Input/Output System, also known as the System BIOS, ROM BIOS, BIOS ROM or PC BIOS) is a type of firmware used to provide runtime services for operating systems and programs and to perform hardware initialization during the booting process (power-on startup). On a computer using BIOS firmware, the firmware comes pre-installed on the computer's motherboard.

AI overview

BIOS is a type of firmware that comes pre-installed on your computer's motherboard and handles the initial setup of your hardware when you turn on the computer. It also provides essential services that help your operating system and programs run properly once the computer has started up.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Technology standard.image: Pair of BIOS chips.jpg
Technology standard.caption: A pair of AMD BIOS chips for a Dell 310 computer from the 1980s. The bottom one shows the distinct window of an EPROM chip.
Technology standard.year_started: 1981
Technology standard.organization: Originally IBM as proprietary software, later industry wide as a de facto standard. In 1996, the BIOS Boot Specification was written by Compaq, Phoenix Technologies and Intel.
Technology standard.successor: UEFI

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image: AWD BIOS.jpg

Show 2 more facts

Commons category: Basic Input Output System
Stack Exchange tag: stackoverflow.com/tags/bios

Sources (5)

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~45 min read

Article

29 sections

Contents

History
{{Anchor|BCU}}User interface
Extensions (option ROMs)
Physical placement
Operation
System startup
Boot process
Boot priority
Boot failure
Boot environment
Operating system services
Processor microcode updates
{{Anchor|SLIC}}Identification
Overclocking
Modern use
Configuration
Setup utility
Hardware monitoring
{{anchor|Flashing the BIOS}}Reprogramming
Hardware
{{Anchor|COMPARISON}}Vendors and products
Open-source BIOS replacements
{{Anchor|MEBROMI|DualBIOS}}Security
Alternatives and successors
See also
Notes
References
Further reading
External links

The name originates from the Basic Input/Output System used in the CP/M operating system in 1975. The BIOS firmware was originally proprietary to the IBM PC; it was reverse engineered by some companies, such as Compaq, Phoenix Technologies, AMI and others, looking to create compatible systems. The interface of that original system serves as a de facto standard.