BUILDING YOUR PC

BIOS
The acronym BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System and represents the software code
that's run by a computer when first turned on. The primary function of this is to prepare the
machine so other software programs stored on various media (such as hard drives, floppies,
and CDs) can load, execute, and assume control of the computer and it is this process which
his generally known as 'booting-up'.
In effect the BIOS is a program that's encoded a chip (an example of which is shown
above). Originally the BIOS was encoded onto PROM or EPROM programmable chips,
but these days is more commonly written onto flash memory which is included as an
integral part of the motherboard. After initialization the BIOS performs an initial check on
system integrity and then decompresses itself from the BIOS memory space on the flash
RAM and loads itself into main memory where it starts executing. In addition nearly all
BIOS implementations can optionally execute a setup program interfacing the nonvolatile
BIOS memory (CMOS) which holds user-defined data accessed by BIOS code.
BIOS can sometimes be referred to as firmware as it is an integral part of the motherboard
and thus the system hardware. With the advent of flash memory BIOS it is now possible to
update the bios of a motherboard by flashing it (replacing the original code with new code)
so that the motherboard can keep pace with updates in technology. This obviously can be a
dangerous process because the BIOS can become corrupted and if it does the system will
not boot. However, modern BIOSes evaluate their own integrity and if there is a problem
with the BIOS (if it is 'corrupt') they will boot to a floppy drive so that the user can try
flashing it again (this remains the most convincing reason for purchasing an integral floppy
drive with a new computer system).
CMOS
On almost every modern motherboard you will notice a tiny button battery (like the one on
the left). This is a small rechargeable cell that is used to power the Nonvolatile BIOS
memory (generally referred to as CMOS) when the main power is off. In effect, the CMOS
is an area of memory that contains BIOS settings and sometimes the code used to initialize
the computer and load the operating system. Though modern motherboards utilize a flash
memory chip or an EPROM for this function the original versions used a low-power
CMOS memory chip and this was kept powered by the back-up battery. These days,
however, as the memory itself is non-volatile the function of the battery is to power the
RTC chip (this provides the real-time clock function that keeps track of time and date). On
occasion, such as when a device is added to or removed from your PC the CMOS internal
integrity check may report a CMOS mismatch. In this case the POST (power-on self-test)
will fail and the computer will refuse to boot. The only way to overcome this is to re-set the
CMOS which can be done by means of a jumper located on the motherboard. All settings
are set to default and, with any luck, the problem can be rectified.