Understanding BIOS: Input/Output System

• Unit 3 focuses on the input, process, and output components of a computer system.
• The unit aims to equip students to recommend input/output devices, describe programming language differences, and propose computer memory solutions.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

• BIOS handles the start-up of a computer's motherboard by using a sequence of commands to start or boot the system.
• Part of the OS gets loaded into random access memory(RAM) during the boot process
• It is a basic operating system accessed upon startup, controlled with a keyboard.
• Common settings that can be managed via the BIOS include boot order, secure boot control, device control, and system settings.
• The boot order setting determines which hard drive the computer uses to load the operating system first.
• Secure boot control sets up a password requirement to prevent unauthorized computer access.
• Device control enables or disables connected peripherals like sound or network cards.
• System settings allows setting the date and time in the BIOs.
• Overclocking allows you to speed up a CPU beyond its original design, but should not be attempted.
• Originally used since the 1980s, BIOS specification is getting replaced by The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI).
• The newer UEFI can be stored in flash memory or the hard drive, and is easier to access/edit inside the OS

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

• ROM is a programmable chip inside the computer for storing key information.
• The information is permanently stored even without power, ideal for storing the BIOS of a computer system.
• ROM is used in many computer-based devices such as printers or microwaves, where it stores firmware with instructions
• Firmware instructions, although not editable by the user, are updatable by the original manufacturer.
• Classic computer and console games cartridges (1970s-1990s) used ROM.
• ROM chips contained the installed the games and the game data would be read directly from the cartridge.

Volatile vs Non-Volatile Memory

• Memory can be volatile or non-volatile.
• Volatile memory erases stored data when power is removed, with RAM as an example.
• With non-volatile memory, data remains even without power, remaining until actively erased or edited, with ROM as an example.