BIOS and UEFI

From Wikiversity
Jump to navigation Jump to search

BIOS[edit | edit source]

The BIOS (/ˈb.ɒs/, an acronym for Basic Input/Output System and also known as the System BIOS, ROM BIOS or PC BIOS) is a type of firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process (power-on startup) on IBM PC compatible computers, and to provide runtime services for operating systems and programs.[1] The BIOS firmware is built into personal computers (PCs), and it is the first software they run when powered on. The name itself originates from the Basic Input/Output System used in the CP/M operating system in 1975.[2][3] Originally proprietary to the IBM PC, the BIOS has been reverse engineered by companies looking to create compatible systems and the interface of that original system serves as a de facto standard.

UEFI[edit | edit source]

The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI, pronounced as an initialism U-E-F-I or like "unify" without the n[4]) is a specification that defines a software interface between an operating system and platform firmware. UEFI replaces the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) firmware interface originally present in all IBM PC-compatible personal computers[5], with most UEFI firmware implementations providing legacy support for BIOS services. UEFI can support remote diagnostics and repair of computers, even with no operating system installed.[6]

quiz[edit | edit source]

1 The BIOS is an acronym for ________ and is a type of firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process on IBM PC compatible computers.

Basic Input/Output System
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
Booting Input/Operating System
Basic Integrated Operating System

2 The BIOS firmware is built into ________ and it is the first software they run when powered on.

personal computers (PCs)
operating systems
IBM PC
UEFI systems

3 The name BIOS originates from the Basic Input/Output System used in the ________ operating system in 1975.

CP/M
UEFI
IBM PC
DOS

4 UEFI is a specification that defines a software interface between an operating system and ________.

platform firmware
BIOS
IBM PC
CP/M operating system

5 UEFI replaces the ________ firmware interface originally present in all IBM PC-compatible personal computers.

Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
CP/M
IBM PC

6 UEFI can support remote diagnostics and repair of computers, even with ________.

no operating system installed
BIOS installed
CP/M operating system
IBM PC compatibility


See Also[edit | edit source]

Related Videos[edit | edit source]

Resources[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Ref — System BIOS". PCGuide. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  2. Kildall, Gary A. (June 1975), CP/M 1.1 or 1.2 BIOS and BDOS for Lawrence Livermore Laboratories
  3. Kildall, Gary A. (January 1980). "The History of CP/M, THE EVOLUTION OF AN INDUSTRY: ONE PERSON'S VIEWPOINT" (Vol. 5, No. 1, Number 41 ed.). Dr. Dobb's Journal of Computer Calisthenics & Orthodontia. pp. 6–7. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  4. "UEFI BIOS Explained". pcpro.co.uk. 2013-05-03. Retrieved 2014-07-05.
  5. Michael Kinney (1 September 2000). "Solving BIOS Boot Issues with EFI" (PDF). pp. 47–50. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  6. "The 30-year-long Reign of BIOS is Over: Why UEFI W... - Input Output". hp.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2012-03-06.