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Introduction to BIOS

BIOS ("Basic Input/Output System" is an essential component in computers, which is used for controlling hardware. It is a small software program, part of which is loaded in ROM (readonly memory, which cannot be modified), and part of which is in EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, hence the term Flashing to indicate the action to change the EEPROM).

The POST
When a computer system is turned on or reset, the BIOS does an inventory of the hardware found on the computer and carries out a test (called POST for "Power-On Self Test") in order to verify that all of it is functioning properly.

Testing the processor (CPU) Checking the BIOS Checking CMOS configuration Initialising the timer (the internal clock) Initialising the DMA controller Checking RAM and cache memory Installing all BIOS functions Checking all configurations (such as the keyboard, disk drives, and hard drives)

If the POST discovers an error, it will attempt to continue booting the computer. However, if the error is serious, the BIOS will stop loading the system and:

display a message on the screen, if possible (as the display device might not yet have been initialised, or might be defective); emit a sequence of beeps, which refer to the source of the error; send a code (called the POST code) to the computer's serial port, which may be retrieved using special diagnostic hardware.

If everything is correct, the BIOS will usually play a short beep to report that there are no errors. Meaning of beeps in recent Award BIOS systems # of beeps Meaning How to resolve the problem PC is booting 1 short beep normally Reinitialise the CMOS by removing the BIOS stack 2 short beeps CMOS problem and replacing it, or by moving jumper JP4 1 long beep / 1 Problem with Place RAM modules correctly in slot, test RAM or

short beep motherboard or RAM change it 1 long beep / 2 Problem with Check that the graphics card is correctly placed in its short beeps graphics card slot. If need be, test with another video card. Check that the keyboard is correctly plugged in, and 1 long beep / 3 Problem with that no keys are depressed. If need be, test with another short beeps keyboard keyboard. 1 long beep / 9 The BIOS is invalid, replace it with a more recent BIOS failure short beeps version Base 64K RAM RAM contains errors. Try reinserting it correctly or 3 beeps failure replacing it. RAM is not refreshing correctly. Reset the refresh 4 beeps Refresh error values in the BIOS or reset the BIOS. Check that the processor is correctly plugged in, and 5 beeps Processor error that the fan is working. If need be, change it. Check that the keyboard is correctly plugged in, and Problem with 6 beeps that no keys are depressed. If need be, test with another keyboard keyboard. Problem with Check that the graphics card is correctly placed in its 8 beeps graphics card slot. If need be, test with another video card. Long incessant Place RAM modules correctly in slot, test RAM or RAM error beeps change it Check that all power cables are correctly connected to Short incessant Power supply error the motherboard, test with another power supply, or beeps change them

Meaning of beeps for an AMI BIOS # of beeps 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Meaning Refresh failure Parity Error Base 64K RAM failure System timer not operational Processor Error Gate A20 failure How to resolve the problem RAM is not refreshing correctly. Reset the refresh values in the BIOS or reset the BIOS. Place RAM modules correctly in slot, or change them. Place RAM modules correctly in slot, or change them. Test the RAM. Place RAM modules correctly in slot, or change them. If need be, update the BIOS. The motherboard must be sent for repairs. Check that the processor is correctly plugged in, and that the fan is working. If need be, change it. Check that the keyboard is correctly plugged in, and that no keys are depressed. If need be, test with another keyboard.

Processor exception The motherboard must be sent for repairs. interrupt error Display memory Check that the graphics card is correctly placed in its slot. If read/write failure need be, test with another video card. ROM checksum error The BIOS chip must be replaced or updated. CMOS shutdown The motherboard must be sent for repairs. register read/write

error 11 Cache memory problem Check that the processor is correctly plugged in, and that the fan is working. If need be, change it. Place the RAM modules correctly in their slots, or replace them.

Meaning of beeps in a Phoenix BIOS # of beeps 1-3-1-1 1-2-2-3 1-3-1-3 1-3-4-1 1-3-4-3 1-4-1-1 2-2-3-1 Meaning DRAM Refresh error ROM checksum error Keyboard Controller Error RAM error RAM error RAM error Unexpected interrupt How to resolve the problem Place the RAM modules correctly in their slots, or replace them. Place the RAM modules correctly in their slots, or replace them. Place the keyboard correctly in its slot, or replace it. Place the RAM modules correctly in their slots, or replace them. Place the RAM modules correctly in their slots, or replace them. Place the RAM modules correctly in their slots, or replace them.

For an Award BIOS, only video-related errors will trigger beeps. Other errors are sent as POST codes and are displayed onscreen. For example, a long beep, followed by two short beeps, indicates an error in a video device (graphics card). In such a case, you will have to try to place the video card in its slot correctly, or replace it altogether. Any other beep indicates a memory-based error. Here is the list of POST codes, and the meaning of beep sequences for each of the three main BIOS manufacturers:

Phoenix - Phoenix BIOS POST code AMIBIOS - AMIBIOS POST code Award - BIOS Award POST code

BIOS setup
Most BIOSes have a setup program for modifying basic system configurations. This kind of information is stored in self-powered memory (using a battery) so that the data remains saved even when the computer is off (RAM is reinitialised each time the system boots).

Each machine has several BIOSes:

The motherboard BIOS The BIOS which controls the keyboard The video card BIOS and possibly o the BIOS for SCSI controllers, used for booting from the SCSI device, which then communicate with the DOS without requiring an additional driver o (The network card BIOS for booting from the network)

When the computer is turned on, the BIOS displays a copyright message on the screen, then carries out diagnostic and initialisation tests. After these tests are complete, the BIOS displays a message prompting the user to press one or more keys in order to enter BIOS setup. Depending on what brand of BIOS it is, it may be the F2 key, the F10 key, the DEL key, or one of the following key sequences:

Ctrl+Alt+S Ctrl+Alt+Esc Ctrl+Alt+Ins

On Award BIOSes, the following message is displayed during POST:


TO ENTER SETUP BEFORE BOOT PRESS CTRL-ALT-ESC OR DEL KEY

Reinitialising the BIOS


As BIOS setup is used to edit hardware settings, changing them might cause the system to become unstable, and it might not even restart. When this happens, the changes to the BIOS must be cancelled, and the default settings must be restored. If the computer boots up and you can access the BIOS, it will usually allow you to return to the default settings. In PhoenixBIOS, press F9 to return the configuration to the defaults set by the manufacturer. In AwardBIOS, press F9 to restore the previous settings, F6 to restore Award BIOS's default settings, and F7 to restore the defaults set by the motherboard's manufacturer. If you cannot access the BIOS using standard procedures, most motherboards include a jumper for resetting the default values. Simply change the jumper's position, then leave it there for about ten seconds.

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