💾 How to enter the BIOS: why is it necessary

What is a BIOS, and why you need it to go

BIOS stands for basic input-output system, which, in turn, can be translated as the basic input-output system. In the Russian terminology system and came to be called - BIOS. In terms of architecture, BIOS - a program stored in a separate form of computer memory - ROM. In practice, the BIOS chip can be found on the motherboard. The system is an important part of the operating system boot process. The fact that it is the BIOS when the computer polls the equipment is switched on performance, collects information about it and reads the settings stored in memory. Only then control is passed to the operating system loader. In addition to all the above, the BIOS allows you to change your settings, which, depending on the manufacturer, there may be many. This power management, and acceleration, and a choice of boot options, and so on. But the most common reason that people come in, is to change the media for operating system installation. For example, installing a flash card, and you need the computer to first read the information from there. Forced it can be done in the BIOS.

How to enter the BIOS on different computers

Manufacturers of personal desktop computers and laptops are commonly used third-party development of BIOS. The exception is Intel, Asus, Acer, sometimes kastomiziruyut BIOS for their style. One way or another, involved in the development of BIOS not the PC manufacturers and third-party companies, where in the world there are only three: AMI, Award and Phoenix. All of their products are different functionality, logon method and appearance.

AMI

American Megatrends Incorporated - one of the oldest developers of BIOS for computers. The company was founded in 1985. As such, the BIOS chips inside the AMI does not sell, it implements the source code, or configures the system for a particular developer PC or motherboard.

To enter the BIOS of the AMI, need at startup, when there is a POST equipment check, press a certain key or combination of them, which is rare. In fact, the what key will be used for input depends on the manufacturer of the motherboard or PC as a whole. Most often it is F2 or Del. Less common or F1 F9, and combinations Ctrl + Alt + Del or Ctrl + Alt + Esc. This applies to all versions of the BIOS. In general, remember it's not worth it, because, including any desktop computer or laptop during the information can be read POST-test on how to enter the BIOS. For example, because: «Press DEL to enter setup».

phoenix Technologies

Despite the fact that the company was founded in 1979, development of BIOS, she began much later than originally engaged release of the DOS clones. Then the developers moved on to manufacturing of the BIOS for various solutions based on IBM PC, versions of which at the time were produced in large quantities.

In 1998, Phoenix Acquires Award - another popular manufacturer BIOS. Now you can meet the system in three different formats: Award, Phoenix and the Phoenix Award BIOS. Brand Award is positioned as a solution to budget systems, although, by and large, the differences between the Phoenix Award, and not so much.

By analogy with AMI, a way to enter the setup depends on the manufacturer of the PC or motherboard.

Award

Also quite well-known developer of BIOS, which in 1998 became part of the Phoenix. The company, along with the BIOS, developed a variety of software products for testing PCs, preloader and the state of the control system of the computer.

In fact, after the merger, two different versions of the input-output systems have come to represent the same version with some functional differences.

A bit of UEFI

Despite the fact that the first moves towards an alternative to BIOS - UEFI Intel made back in the 90s, the maximum spread and the popularity of the system found in modern times. In general, this software is also built into the motherboard. But there are differences between the two interfaces. One of the key - the system load. Old BIOS turned to the boot sector MBR disk, where and chose where you need to boot the system. UEFI for this uses a special file in a special hard disk partition. That is, the disc could work with UEFI-, it should have the appropriate markings, which in this environment is called GPT - GUID partition table. This approach and the use of GPT 64-bit elements instead of the 32-bit, to increase the number of physical partitions from 4 to 128.

Another interesting difference is the support Secure Boot technology, the actual truth is only for Windows operating systems. In other words, UEFI may comprise means for verifying digital signatures, installed on the computer system. That is, if the UEFI version detects other than sewn into it, it will not allow the PC to start controlling all stages of loading. Thus, UEFI does not allow malicious code to penetrate into the system at boot time.

In order that the user can, if necessary, to use the old approach of downloading through MBR, you can switch to the Legacy Boot UEFI mode.

Generally, UEFI-has a modular structure, which over time is easy to expand, adding new features and capabilities. In addition, UEFI-opens a large space for the manufacturers of computers, as they can create their own unique versions of the upgraded BIOS.

A new functionality and features allow you to make the interface intuitive and chelovekoorientirovannym that any user can quickly deal with any type of setting.

instead of a conclusion

In any BIOS or UEFI can always be accessed by pressing at the time of testing equipment one of the most popular keys: DEL, F1, F2 or F8. Other rarely used. Seen BIOS is fairly rare, unless you reinstall Windows in a day or not testing overclock their PC. As for UEFI, it is possible for many users it will bring more order and ease of use with a computer.