软件工程专业BIOS资料外文翻译文献

软件工程专业BIOS资料外文翻译文献

What is the Basic Input Output System (BIOS)?

BIOS is an acronym for Basic Input Output System. It is the program that

stores configuration details about your computer hardware and enables your computer

to boot up. Every time your computer is switched on the BIOS loads configuration

data into main memory, performs a routine diagnostic test on your hardware, then loads the operating system. The BIOS resides in a ROM (Read-Only memory) chip, which

is mounted on the motherboard, usually in a socket so it is removable. To the right

is an example of what a BIOS chip may look like in your motherboard. This is a PLCC

32 pin type BIOS chip. It is a very common type.

Every computer has BIOS. There are many types but the most common type of BIOS

's come from: AMI, Award and Phoenix. Motherboard manufacturers buy or lease the BIOS source code from these companies. The BIOS tells the operating system in your computer how to boot up, where to load everything, what to load, what memory and CPU are present and much more. A good comparison to further understand the

functionality of the BIOS would be to say that the BIOS is the Computer equivilant of the human hypothalamus. hypothalamus regulates body temperature, blood pressure, heartbeat, metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, and sugar levels in the blood. It is the subconscious nervous system sometimes it's called the brain of the brain.In a PC we all know that the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain. Well the BIOS is the CPU's brain. Without a Hypothalamus you will die. Without a BIOS your PC is a paper weight.

The BIOS is programmed on an EEPROM. We refer to them as BIOS chips. Other names you may hear are: Firmware Hub, CMOS, ROM Chip IC, Flash Rom and I am sure there are a few more! If you want a common term for all these items when refering to motherboards, BIOS chip is the the most common term used.Here are all the terms mentioned above with a description of what they actaully mean:CMOS =(complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) A semiconductor technology that uses less power and generates less heat (enabling higher circuit density) than bipolar semiconductor technologies Firmware = A category of memory chips that hold their content without electrical power. They include read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM) and electronically erasable PROM (EEPROM) technologies. Firmware becomes "hard software" when holding program code. The contents are generally permanent or semipermanent control coding implemented at a microinstruction level for an application program, instruction set, operating routine or similar user-oriented function. NOTE: Intel calls their BIOS chips Firmware Hubs. EEPROM= (electrically erasable programmable ROM)A type of programmable read-only memory (ROM) that can be erased or updated using electrical signals, a process often performed remotely. ROM =(read-only memory) Data stored in computer memory that can be accessed and read by the user, but not modified. ROM is often permanent, and stores system control