SCHOOLS DIVISION OF PARAÑAQUE CITY

TLE 9 COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING

QUARTER 1
WEEK 4
Power-on Self-test and Basic Input/ Output System configuration and procedures and
Complementary Metal-oxide Semiconductor

Learning Competencies (Essential Competencies)

LO1. Assemble computer hardware (TLE_IACSS9-12-la-e-28)
1.3 Identify materials necessary to complete the work in accordance with
established procedures and check against system requirements:
• Power-on Self-test and Basic Input/ Output System (BIOS)
configuration and procedures
• Complimentary Metal-oxide Semiconductor

Objectives
A. Content Standard: The learners demonstrate an understanding of
concepts and principles in installing configuring computer systems
B. Performance Standard: The learner shall be able to install and configure
computer system based on established procedure and system requirements
C. Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. Determine the Power-on Self-test (POST) and identify the Basic Input/
Output System (BIOS) configuration and procedures
2. Identify the Complementary Metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)
3. Demonstrate understanding in the relationship of POST, BIOS and
CMOS
4. Explore the POST, BIOS and CMOS by accomplishing the tasks given
in this module

Let’s Recall (Review)

Direction: Classify the following peripherals into their correct category. Write your
answer in the box.
Hard Disk Drive Network Firewall Network Interface Card
Hub Digital Versatile Disc Modem
Sound Card Router LAN Card
Ethernet Switch Network Gateway Compact Disc
Memory Card Floppy Disk Flash Drive

Network and Communication Storage Multi-media

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 Let’s Understand (Study the Concept)
Boot Operation

Have you ever noticed that it takes a few seconds before the computer can actually
display the home screen whenever you power it on? The initial process that occurs as soon
as you press the power button is what we call the boot operation, also known as booting, or
simply boot. Booting doesn’t do much. But, in fact, it only has two functions: (1) to perform
Power on Self-test, and (2) to load the operating system (OS) from the internal storage (hard
disk) to the Random Access Memory (RAM).

Power-on Self-test (POST)

As soon as the computer powers on, it performs a diagnostic testing sequence known
as power-on self-test. POST is being run by the basic input/output system (BIOS) to determine
if the keyboard, RAM, disk drives, and other hardware are working properly. If any among
these are not detected nor found to be inoperative, the BIOS itself will issue an error message
in a form of series of coded beeps, depending on the nature of the problem. On the other
hand, if the POST found no evidence of any problem, you will hear a short beep sound and
then the BIOS setup takes over.
POST carries out the following:
• Checks the BIOS chip
• Tests the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) RAM
• Starts the Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Checks all hardware (keyboard, video card, primary storage, secondary
storage, etc.)

Basic Input/ Output System

The Basic Input/ Output System, known as BIOS, is a
software stored in BIOS chips that is usually found installed
on the motherboard (see Module 2: Parts of the Motherboard).
It provides instructions for a computer on how to perform a
number of fundamental functions such as booting and
contains drivers for keyboard and display, thus, it is the first
hardware component of the motherboard that becomes active
as soon as the computer is powered on. BIOS is also used to Figure 4.1 BIOS Chip
©
identify and configure the disk drives (such as hard drive, https://computer.howstuffworks.
optical drive, floppy disk drive), CPU, memory and other com/bios.htm
components that operate during booting process.

Furthermore, BIOS is accessed and configured through BIOS Setup Utility. This setup
contains programs to manage settings for the hardware devices. The configuration data is
saved to another memory chip found in the motherboard called Complementary Metal-oxide
Semiconductor (CMOS).
Men

Item

Guid

Figure 4.2 BIOS Setup

© https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19477-01/820-5830-
13/app_bios.html 2
Configuring BIOS

What settings do we usually configure in the BIOS Setup? We use BIOS Setup Utility
to manage memory settings, configure a new hard drive, change the boot order, reset BIOS
password, and similar operations.

Figure 4.3 BIOS Setup Utility Screens Overview

© https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19962-01/html/821-
1084/gkbmt.html#scrolltoc

Screen Menu Description

Main General product information including BIOS type, processor, memory, date
and time.
Advanced Configuration information for the CPU, memory, integrated development
environment (IDE), Super IO, trusted computing, USB, PCI, MPS and other
information.

PCI Clears Non-volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM), during next server
module boot.
Boot Configure boot settings, boot device priority, and enable or disable option
Read Only Memory (ROM)
Security Set or change the user and supervisor password.
Chipset Set or change the processor (CPU, North, South) bridges features.
Exit Save changes and exit, discard changes and exit, discard changes, or load
optimal defaults.
Table 4.1 Summary of BIOS Setup Utility Screen Menus

Listed below are the procedures on how to configure BIOS using BIOS Setup Utility:

1. Restart/ Power on the PC – To enter BIOS, restart your computer if it’s on, or
simply turn it on if it’s off.

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 2. Press the BIOS Access Key -
Watch for an "entering setup"
message in the first few
seconds after turning on your
computer. This message varies
greatly from computer to computer
and also includes the key or keys you
need to press to enter BIOS. The
access key may depend on the
manufacturer of the computer, but
most common for Windows are F1,
F2, F10, DEL and ESC. On some
computers, pressing F2 will launch a
Figure 4.4 Screen showing BIOS Access Key
diagnostics utility. In that case, the © https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19962-01/html/821-
key to enter BIOS is probably F10. If 1084/gkbmt.html#scrolltoc
you find yourself in a boot menu after pressing F10, then try the F2 key as this is
probably the key to enter BIOS. (Note: You may need to press the BIOS access key
multiple times to enter BIOS.)
3. Navigate to the BIOS Setup Utility – Use the left and right arrow keys in the
keyboard to select through the menus in BIOS Setup. Use up and down arrow keys
to make selections within the items on each menu (see Figure 4.2 for navigation
pane).
Press ENTER to select the item – Once selected, a sublevel or a dialog box with the
available options field will appear. Use the arrow keys to change or select within each
option.
4. Save and Exit – Press F10 key in the keyboard to save changes you have configured
and exit the BIOS Setup Utility screen. A dialog box will pop-up to confirm the action.
If you want to proceed with the changes, you can press the arrow key to highlight
“OK” or if not, you may highlight the “Cancel” and then press ENTER to apply the
changes.

Figure 4.5 Save and Exit Setup

© https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19477-
01/820-5830-13/app_bios.html

Complementary Metal-oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)

Once the hardware devices settings have been configured

in the BIOS Setup Utility, the configuration data will be saved to a
special memory chip called Complementary Metal-oxide
Semiconductor (CMOS). As mentioned earlier, whenever the
computer boots, the BIOS initiates the POST. After POST, the
BIOS will then locate and read the configuration settings stored in Figure 4.6 CMOS Chip
©
the CMOS. https://techterms.com/definit

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 CMOS doesn’t have the capability to retain data without a source
of power. That’s the reason why there is also a special type of
lithium coin cell battery located nearby the CMOS chip known as
CMOS Battery. This is to ensure that the CMOS chip keeps
information about the computer’s hardware configuration and
keeps the system clock running even if the computer itself is turned
off.
Figure 4.7 CMOS Battery
© https://lennox-
it.uk/changing-a-bios-battery

Let’s Apply
True or False: Determine if the statement is TRUE by drawing ☺, and draw ☹
if the statement is FALSE.
1. One of the basic functions of booting is to load the operating system from the
computer’s internal storage to RAM.
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a chip that initiates Power-on Self-test (POST)
during the boot process.
3. BIOS is accessed and configured through BIOS Setup Utility.
4. A short beep sound indicates that there is a hardware problem detected during POST.
5. Mouse can be used to navigate through BIOS Setup Utility.

L Let’s Try (Evaluation)

Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. A type of lithium cell that provides power to a chip to retain its data even if the computer is
powered off.
a. BIOS c. CMOS Battery
b. CMOS d. POST
2. Which keyboard key(s) shall be pressed to apply highlighted option?
a. Arrow Keys c. ESCAPE
b. ENTER d. F10
3. Screen menu in BIOS Setup Utility where boot device priority is configured.
a. Advanced c. Exit
b. Boot d. Main
4. Which among the screen menus of BIOS Setup Utility can the general product information
be found?
a. Advanced c. Exit
b. Boot d. Main
5. Which keyboard key(s) shall be pressed to Save and Exit configuration in BIOS Setup?
a. Arrow Keys c. ESCAPE
b. ENTER d. F10

Let’s Create
Now, it’s time to explore what you have learned in this module.

Direction: Study the diagram below. Using another sheet of paper, create a storyline of the
different occurrences that are taking place throughout booting process, including the
operations being carried out and the role of each component as shown.

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(Note: You may look for additional information online or refer to the “Let’s Understand” section
of this module.)

Power BIO
C S
Switch
P

CMOS
Chip

Motherboard
Rubrics for Diagram
Criteria 5 4 3 2

Content and The learner The learner was The learner was able The learner failed to
writing was able to able to to appropriately provide most of the
appropriately appropriately provide the necessary data to
provide all the provide the necessary data, complete the
necessary data necessary data missing out 2-3 diagram. Sentence
as instructed. missing out few details. Most structure did not
Writing had a minor details. Some sentences did not change.
natural flow sentences did not flow smoothly.
that made it flow smoothly.
easy to read.

Creativity The learner The learner was The learner was able The learner was able
and was able to able to make good to make use images to use images and
presentation make excellent use of images and and resources but resources but these
of work use of images resources to occasionally these often distract from
and resources enhance the detract from the the presentation of
to enhance the presentation presentation of work work
presentation

Neatness and The learner’s The learner’s work The learner’s work is The learner’s work is
organization work is is neat, with a few with several disorganized with
incredibly neat smudges smudges or tears many smudges or
tears

Score 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 NW

Equivalent 95 93 90 88 85 82 80 78 76 75 70

*NW: No work presented