BIOS is the short form for Basic Input / Output System which is a significant part of a computer system. BIOS is a chip which is implanted on the mother board of the computer. This chip contains important instructions and setup on how the computer system will boot and functions. It contains instructions on how to install or load common computer hardware. It also has Power On Self Test that aid in validating the booting process of the computer and makes sure that the computer meets the booting requirement. If the computer fails to qualify the POST or Power On Self Test then you will obtain a set of beeps which will depict the technical malfunction causing the issue in the computer.
Four core functions of BIOS:
POST: One of the most significant functions of BIOS is the working of Power On Self Test which in crucial for the start up of the computer system. This test involves examining important computer hardware and confirming that hardware of the system are functioning properly before the loading process of operating system onsets.
Bootstrap Loader – Bootstrap loader is a process wherein operating system is located and if the OS or operating system is find competent then the BIOS will transfer the charge to it.
BIOS- It also manages drivers or software applications that act as an intermediary between hardware and operating system. While you run DOS or Windows on your system you actually utilize BIOS support.
BIOS/CMOS setup: It also manages configuration that enables you to manipulate hardware settings which also includes system confutation or system settings containing passwords of the computer, time and date.
Checking important details of BIOS:
- At times you may want to check the manufacturing date of BIOS. Checking manufacturing date of BIOS is not so complicated task. There are two different and user friendly ways used to retrieve manufacturing date of BIOS which are stated below.
- The first method is by entering into BIOS and checking the details there are fair possibilities that you may be able to get manufacturing details of your BIOS within your BIOS.
- The other method of obtaining manufacturing date of BIOS is by running CMD and typing following commands. In order to access command prompt you have to click on ‘Start’ on the left hand bottom of your screen and select ‘Run’.
- In the popped up ‘run’ window type cmd and hit enter.
- You will see a new cmd window popped-up, in this window you should type ‘cd\’ and hit enter this will lead the console to the root directory.
- You will then see C:\> following which you need to type ‘debug’ and hit enter again and on the next line type – d FFFF : 5 L 8 and press enter. After pressing ‘Enter’ your console will display something like: FFFF: 0000 30 37 2F-30 33 2F 30 38 3/09/10. Wherein the last set of numbers 3/09/10 is the manufacturing date of your BIOS.
