A Certification Guide Chapter 3 BIOS, CMOS, and Firmware

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A Certification Guide Chapter 3BIOS, CMOS,
and Firmware
Bootup and Configuration Files
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Chapter 4Objectives

• Understand BIOS, CMOS, and Firmware
• Explain the motherboards firmware, known as the
  BIOS.
• Describe the relationship between the CMOS and
  the BIOS.
• Configure the System BIOS
• Demonstrate how to access the BIOS and modify
  settingsfor example, RAM, processor, and video
  settings.
• Power-On Self-Test and Error Reporting
• Describe the POST and audible and visible errors
  that the POST reports.
• BIOS Updates
• Learn how to upgrade the BIOS through flashing.

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What Is BIOS?

• BIOS Basic Input Output System
• BIOS is firmware that
• Identifies connected system devices.
• CPU
• RAM
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• CD-ROM
• Display
• Tests system devices (Power-On Self-Test)
• Initializes the system devices

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Where Is BIOS Found?

• Firmware
• Software that comes embedded in its own memory
  chip.
• Two types of memory used for BIOS firmware
• EEPROM
• Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only
  Memory
• EPROM
• Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
• Older PCs used EPROM
• Could be erased by exposure to ultraviolet light
• Also known as Flashing the BIOS.
• Motherboard is set up to initialize its
  operations using BIOS.

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BIOS Locations (Look for Battery)
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What Is CMOS?

• CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
• A type of random access memory (RAM).
• Memory can be lost without a power source.
• On-board battery keeps this functional.
• CMOS stores settings used by BIOS
• Boot sequence hard drive parameters.
• BIOS/CMOS access password.
• These options are passed to the BIOS soon after
  the power is turned on.
• Settings can be changed by using the CMOS editor.

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BIOS Settings and Screens

• Common methods to access the BIOS/CMOS editor
  during bootup
• Esc
• Del
• F1
• F2
• F10
• CtrlAlt?
• Most system splash screens provide information on
  which key to press.
• When in doubt, consult the motherboard manual.

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Alterable BIOS Settings

• Sampling of more frequently used options
• Boot sequence hard drive, CD-ROM, USB
• Memory configuration
• CPU clock and frequency (overclocking)
• CPU memory cache
• Hardware monitor (to get status of fans in case)
• Onboard audio/modem/network
• Integrated peripherals (disable/enable)
• PS/2 mouse (disable if using USB mouse)
• USB legacy for non-Windows USB keyboard
• Serial and parallel ports

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Alterable BIOS Settings

• USB options for 2.0 and 3.0
• Keyboard options
• Plug-and-play OS
• Primary VGA BIOS
• AGP card speed
• Serial and parallel ports
• Shadowing (for video BIOS)
• Boot Time Diagnostics
• Power management
• Virtualization
• Setup/BIOS password
• SATA/PATA drives

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BIOS Auto-Configuration

• Most preferred choice versus manual setup
• Three options
• BIOS defaults
• Original BIOS settings
• Setup defaults
• Optimized settings
• Turbo
• Engages overclocking when CPU is not under stress

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Sample CMOS Editor
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CMOS EditorSystem Information
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Setting Boot Sequence
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Integrated Peripherals

• What are integrated peripherals?
• Functions that used to be optional but are now
  considered mandatory
• Onboard video
• Onboard audio
• Onboard network card
• HDMI port
• USB ports
• External SATA drive port

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Power Management

• Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI)
• Offers less power consumption when enabled.
• Six standard setting options (S0-S5)
• S0 means no power management is in effect.
• Inputs, CPU, memory, and hard drive running.
• S1/POS (power on standby)
• CPU is off memory is being refreshed.
• PSU is on hard drive is off.
• S3/STR (suspend to RAM)
• Microsoft calls this standby.
• PSU is off RAM is refreshed.
• S0, S2, S4, and S5 are not commonly used.
• Note S4 is hibernate RAM saved to disk.

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Power Management
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Enabling Virtualization
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CPU System Clock and Overclocking Considerations

• CPU speed is set as a multiplier of the clock
  frequency.
• No adjustments are needed unless overclocking is
  employed.
• Should you overclock?
• Better to set BIOS to turbo or extreme.
• These allow temporary overclocking in unusual
  circumstances (gaming).
• Prolonged overclocking means
• Need bigger fan/cooling apparatus
• Better power supply (PSU)

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Understanding BIOS Error Codes

• Power-On Self-Test (POST)
• Codes for RAM, hard drive, and CPU failure.
• Memory, keyboard, and graphics cards are checked.
• Problems can be indicated by
• Beep codes
• On-screen error codes
• Text display
• Hexadecimal codes
• Be sure to review this section of the book before
  taking the A exam.

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Having a Successful BIOS Upgrade

• Do you need a BIOS upgrade?
• Usually notIf it aint broke, dont fix it.
• Issues that sometimes require a BIOS upgrade for
  the system to work properly
• New hardware, such as large SATA and PATA/IDE
  hard drives, and different types of
  removable-storage drives
• Faster CPUs
• New operating systems and features
• New BIOS options

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Before Doing a BIOS Upgrade

• Back up all important data.
• Record BIOS settings or take a digital picture of
  them
• Identify the current version of the BIOS
  software.
• Identify the exact make/model of your
  motherboard.
• Download the BIOS update software
• Most vendors provide an .exe file that requires
  minimal effort.
• Highly recommended that the PC is plugged into a
  UPS
• Power interruption during BIOS upgrade may make
  the entire motherboard unusable.

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When Things Go Wrong

• Some newer motherboards have two BIOS chips
• Reboot using the alternative BIOS chip if the new
  BIOS upgrade fails.
• Check for a flash write protect jumper.
• Reset the flash recovery jumper
• Video may not work during this process.
• Listen for beeps.
• Reset jumper to normal.
• Obtain a new flash chip from the motherboard
  manufacturer.

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Chapter 3Summary

• Understand BIOS, CMOS, and Firmware
• Explain the motherboards firmware, known as the
  BIOS.
• Describe the relationship between the CMOS and
  the BIOS.
• Configure the System BIOS
• Demonstrate how to access the BIOS and modify
  settingsfor example, RAM, processor, and video
  settings.
• Power-On Self-Test and Error Reporting
• Describe the POST and audible and visible errors
  that the POST reports.
• BIOS Updates
• Learn how to upgrade the BIOS through a process
  known as flashing.
• Next Lesson Chapter 4