BIOS and CMOS difference; in the daily operation and maintenance of the computer

in the process, can often hear about; what BIOS is;? Called BIOS, in fact, computer basic
input output system (; BIOS function; BIOSROM chip on the motherboard can not only
to see, and BI; 1.BIOS interrupt service routine; BIOS interrupt service routine is
essentially a computer system, software and hardware; 2.BIOS system setup; computer
component configuration records are placed in a read-write CMOSRAM;

BIOS and CMOS difference

In the daily operation and maintenance of the computer process, often can hear some
saying about BIOS settings and CMOS settings, many people often confuse the BIOS and
CMOS. This article focuses on the BIOS settings and CMOS settings and contacts on the
distinction between the basic concepts.

What is the BIOS?

The so-called BIOS, the computer is actually a basic input output system (Basic
Input-Output System), its content is integrated on the motherboard of a computer chip
ROM, mainly related to the computer system holds the most important basic input output
program, system information settings , turn the power on self test procedures and system
startup bootstrap procedures.

BIOS function

BIOS ROM chip on the motherboard can not only see, but also how the BIOS
management functions largely determine whether the performance is superior
motherboard. BIOS management features include:

1. BIOS interrupt service routine

BIOS interrupt service routine is essentially a computer system software and

hardware between a programmable interface between the program is mainly used in
computer software and hardware to achieve convergence. For example, DOS and
Windows operating systems to manage floppy disks, hard drives, optical drives,
keyboards, monitors and other peripherals, are directly based on the system BIOS on the
interrupt service routine, and the operator can also be accessed via INT 5, INT 13 such as
breakpoints and direct calls BIOS interrupt service routine.

2. BIOS System Setup

Computer parts are placed in a configuration record can read and write CMOS RAM
chips, preserved the basic situation of the main system, information CPU features, soft
hard drives, monitors, keyboards and other components. Equipped with "System Setup
Program" in the BIOS ROM chip, is mainly used to set the parameters of the CMOS
RAM. This program at boot time by pressing a particular key to enter setup mode, and
provides a good interface for the operator to use. In fact, this parameter is set CMOS
process, the habit is also known as "BIOS settings." Once the CMOS RAM chip on the
computer's configuration information is incorrect, the light will make the system to
reduce the overall operating performance, soft hard drives and other components can not
be identified will be triggered severe hardware failure of a system.

3. On POST POST

After the computer press pass power, the system first by the POST (Power On Self
Test, Power On Self Test) procedure to check the internal individual devices. Usually
complete POST, will include CPU, 640K base memory, 1M or more extended memory,
ROM, motherboard, CMOS memory, serial and parallel, VGA card, hard disk subsystem
and a soft keyboard for testing, once the self-test found the problem, the system will
prompt message or warning whistle

Reports.

4. BIOS boot bootloader

 System after the completion of POST, ROM BIOS will first follow the system
CMOS boot sequence settings saved search effectively boot drive soft hard drives and
CD-ROM, network servers, read into the operating system boot record, then the system
of control to the boot record, boot record to complete a smooth start of the system.

What is CMOS?

CMOS (complementary metal oxide intended to refer din semiconductor memory, is

applied to a large-scale integrated circuit chip manufactured material) is a motherboard of
the computer can read and write the RAM chips, mainly used to save the current system
configuration and hardware set by the operator of certain parameters. CMOS RAM chip
from the system through a battery backup, so whether it is in the off state, or brownout
conditions encountered in the system, CMOS information is not lost.

As the CMOS RAM chip itself is just a piece of memory, with only the function to
save the data, so the CMOS settings of the parameters to be passed in a special
program. Early CMOS setup program resides on a floppy disk (such as the IBM PC / AT
models), very easy to use. Most manufacturers will now do the BIOS CMOS setup chip,
at boot time by pressing a particular key can enter the CMOS setup program and very
easy to set up the system, so this is often called the CMOS settings and BIOS settings.

BIOS settings and CMOS settings difference and connection

BIOS is a piece of EPROM or EEPROM chip on the motherboard, which is

equipped with the system of important information and set system parameters setup
(BIOS Setup program); CMOS on the motherboard is a readable and writable RAM chip,
which is about the system installed specific configuration parameters, its contents can be
read by the setup program. CMOS RAM chip powered by back-up battery, the
information will not be lost even after the system is powered down. BIOS and CMOS are
both relevant and different: BIOS setup program in the system is the means to complete
the CMOS parameter settings; CMOS RAM BIOS setting system parameters as storage
areas, and is the result of the BIOS setting system parameters. Therefore, the complete
statement should be "through the BIOS setup program on the CMOS parameter
settings." Due to the system BIOS and CMOS settings related to the early close
correlation, with the result that the BIOS settings and CMOS settings to say in the actual
use of the process, in fact refer to the same thing, but the BIOS and CMOS is two
completely different concepts, do not be confused.

When should a BIOS or CMOS settings?

Known, BIOS or CMOS settings are performed by the operator according to the
actual situation manually complete microcomputer system initialization a very
important. In the following cases, the need for BIOS or CMOS settings:

A new computer purchase

Even if the system can only function with PnP identification part of computer
peripherals, while the soft disk parameters, the current date, and other basic information,
such as the clock must be set by the operator, and therefore must purchase a new
computer to tell the system by performing CMOS parameter settings The basic
configuration of the entire computer.

2. New equipment

Because the system may not be able to recognize the new device, it must be to tell it
through the CMOS settings. In addition, once the IRQ, DMA conflict between new
equipment and existing equipment, and often need to be ruled out through the BIOS
setup.

3. CMOS accidental loss of data

In the back-up battery system failure, virus damage the CMOS data program,
cleared the CMOS parameters accident case, often resulting in CMOS accidental loss of
data. At this time only to re-enter the BIOS setup program to complete the new CMOS
parameter settings.
 4. System Optimization

For memory read and write latency, disk data transfer mode, internal / external
Cache use, energy protection, power management, boot sequence and other parameters,
BIOS settings in the system as intended is not necessarily the best at this time often need
to go through several tests to find the optimal combination of system optimization.