Motherboard, BIOS and POST

The external data bus connects devices on

the motherboard together. Everything is
also connected to the address bus. These
busses are the physical connections
between the devices
But with what software does the CPU use to
communicate with these devices?

BIOS!
Bios is software that contains hundreds of
programs that allow for communication
between the CPU and devices
Bios is stored on ROM, which is a
permanent chip on the motherboard
Bios is software, ROM is hardware

Three kinds of BIOS software for

Hardware devices

Permanent never changing BIOS for permanent hardware

stored on the ROM chip
example-keyboard
Hardware that changes occasionally
requires extra volatile information so it must be stored
on a separate chip called the CMOS
example- RAM, hard drives, floppy drive
The other devices- 2 options
BIOS is stored on the devices(example-sound card)
or device drivers are installed to ensure
communication between CPU and device

First Group the Permanents

This BIOS is called firmware, since it is
software that does not change
It is stored on nonvolatile memory called a
ROM chip (Read Only Memory)
The Newer Flash ROM enables users to
change this ROM
Phoenix and AMI are most common brands

CMOS for the Devices that can

change
CMOS- Complimentary metal-oxide
semiconductor
Stores information that is updated
Also acts as a clock to keep time and date
Enter CMOS by pressing F1 or some other
combination of keys
Powered by separate 3 volt battery, usually a
lithium rechargable

Third kind of BIOS: BIOS is on the

device or comes with device
drivers
If your BIOS does not support a device, you must
add a device driver, which usually comes on a
disk with the device
For DOS programs you can use Config.sys to add
the BIOS
For Window 3x you can also use system.ini
For Windows 95/98 drivers are automaticly
stored in the Registry.

A Quick Word on the Registry

The registry, which first came with Windows
95, replaced config.sys, system.ini along
with other ini files found in DOS and
Windows 3x
If you need to edit the registry you run the
command regedit.exe
HOWEVER!, you usually dont need to. You
have Control Panel to most of the changes
you will ever need to make

POST- Power On Self Test

Stored on the ROM chip
Runs every time computer is turned on
Instructs all devices to run a self check to
determine if everything is working
First the basic devices checked and beeps
are sounded to indicate problems
Second the rest of the devices are run and
error codes are displayed to indicate
problems

POST cards- to check up on faulty

POST
POST cards can be used to check up on a
problem that the POST check has detected or
caused.
The card is inserted into an expansion slot,
and then the computer is turned on
Having this card can get you out of an
endless loop, where the POST test prevents
you from continuing on

The Boot Process

1st- When you press the power on switch the CPU
is awakened by a charge of electricity.
2nd- The POST is run
3rd-Errors are checked for and the screen
displays. After the screen is displayed other
devices are checked and an error message
displays is something is wrong

The Boot Process Continued

5th- Plug and play devices are searched for and
configured if needed. A brief summary of devices
is displayed on screen.
6th-BIOS then begins its search for the operation
system. It looks on the disks boot sector to see
where the operating system is on the disk. In most
computers the BIOS looks for the floppy drive first
to boot from
7th-The Operating System takes control!

Motherboard Layouts
The way components are positioned on the
motherboard is called the motherboards
form factor
There are two types: AT and ATX
AT older uses the P8 and P9s
other version called Baby AT which was smaller

ATX newer uses the P1 power connector

Replacing a Motherboard
Step by step instructions: