BSIS – IIIB
BIOS(Basic Input/Output System)
1. What is BOIS?
The term BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) was invented by Gary Kildall and first appeared in the CP/M operating system in 1975, describing the machine-specific part of CP/M loaded during boot time that interfaces directly with the hardware (a CP/M machine usually has only a simple boot loader in its ROM). Later versions of CP/M (as well as Concurrent CP/M, Concurrent DOS, DOS Plus,Multiuser DOS, System Manager and REAL/32) come with an XIOS (Extended Input/Output System) instead of the BIOS. Most versions of DOS have a file called "IO.SYS", "IBMBIO.COM", "IBMBIO.SYS", or "DRBIOS.SYS"; this file is known as the "DOS BIOS", which is analogous to the "CP/M BIOS".
Among other classes of computers, the generic terms boot monitor, boot loader, and boot ROM have been commonly used. Some Sun and PowerPC-based computers use Open Firmware for this purpose. There are a few alternatives for "Legacy BIOS" in the x86 world:Extensible Firmware Interface, Open Firmware (used on the OLPC XO-1), and coreboot.
2. Function of BIOS.
The BIOS (basic input output system) provides the processor with the information required to boot the system from a non volatile storage unit (HDD, FDD, CF or other). It provides the system with the settings and resources that are available on the system.
The Basic Input/Output System code is responsible for: 1. bootstrapping the computer 2. providing primitive input/output drivers 3. loading and starting the operating system 4. usually provides interface to allow user to change NOVRAM settings
3. BOIS Upgrade.
BIOS Upgrade really means an upgrade on the programs stored on the motherboard ROM Memory. Even though the procedure name is “BIOS upgrade,” you actually upgrade all these programs (BIOS, POST and setup). The way to update the motherboard ROM depends on the type of memory chips used