Difference between

BIOS & CMOS

The
termsBIOSandCMOSbot
h refer to essential parts of
your
computer'smotherboard.
They work together and
they're both important, but
they are not the same
thing.
Let's take a look at what
BIOS
 BIOS
TheBIOS, or "Basic
Input/Output System", is
specialfirmwarestored in a
chip on your computer's
motherboard. It is the first
programthat runs every
time you turn on your
computer.
The BIOS performs the
POST, which initializes and
tests your computer's
hardware. Then it locates
and runs yourboot loader,
or loads your
operating systemdirectly.
The BIOS also provides a
simple interface for
configuring your
When you start your
computer, you will often
see a message like "Press
F2 for setup." This setup is
your BIOS configuration
interface. For more
information about
configuring your BIOS, see
our guide to configuring yo
ur BIOS
 CMOS
When you make changes
your BIOS configuration,
the settings are not stored
on the BIOS chip itself.
Instead, they are stored on
a special memory chip,
which is referred to as "the
CMOS."CMOSstands for
"
Complementary Metal-Oxid
e-Semiconductor
." It's the name of a
manufacturing process
used to createprocessors,
RAM, and
digital logic circuits, and is
also the name for chips
created using that process.
Like most RAM chips, the
chip that stores your BIOS
settings is manufactured
using the CMOS process. It
holds a small amount of
data, usually 256bytes.
This information includes
what types of disk drives
are installed on your
computer, the current date
your computer's
boot sequence.

On some motherboards the

CMOS is a separate chip,
but on most modern
motherboards it is
integrated with the
realtime clock (RTC) on the
southbridge.
Your BIOS memory is
non-volatile: it retains its
information even when
your computer has no
power. This is important,
because your computer
needs to remember its
BIOS settings even when
it's turned off. That's why
the CMOS has its own
CMOS
battery
 CMOS battery
The CMOS battery is a
Lithium-ion batteryabout
the size of a coin. It can
hold a charge for up to ten
years before needing to be
replaced. If your CMOS
battery dies, your BIOS
settings will reset to their
defaultswhen your
Tip:If you turn on your
computer and notice that
your hardware settings
have changed, or that your
system clock has reset to a
date in the past (like
January 1st, 1970), there's
a good chance that your
CMOS battery is dead and
needs to be replaced.
Some motherboards,
including most modern
ATX motherboards, will
continue to provide power
to the CMOS if the battery
is replaced while the
computer is powered on.
Warning:If you want to
replace your CMOS battery,
make sure to consult your
motherboard
documentation for details
and safety information.
Visit your motherboard
manufacturer's support
website if you need to
download a new copy of
 CMOS or Setup
Option to use this
program is early in the
boot cycle long before
system loads Operating
System
Different key(s) to enter
different Setups
You should only get to
Setup on purpose
 CMOS or Setup (cont.)
Program stored in BIOS,
but only edits data in
CMOS
First CMOS was set of
switches!
 BIOS
information

CMOS
information
Terminology:
Firmware is data that is stored on a computer or
other hardware device's read-only memory
(ROM) that provides instruction on how that
device should operate. Unlike normal
software,firmwarecannot be changed or
deleted by anend-userwithout the aid of
special programs and remains on that
device whether or not it's on or off.
Afirmware updateis a software program
that can be used to update the firmware in
these devices. For example, a user could
download a firmware update for a network
router that enhances its capabilities or fixes
an issue. Firmware updates are available
from hardware manufacturers. In some
cases, computer enthusiast websites create
their own firmware updates to give a device
even more capabilities than the
manufacturer intended.
Terminology:
Bootstra Alternatively referred to
p loader asbootstrapping,bootloader, orboot
program, abootstrap loaderis aprogram
that resides in the computer'sEPROM,
ROM, or othernon-volatile memory. It is
automatically executed by the processor
when turning on the computer. The
bootstrap loader reads thehard drivesboot
sector to continue the process of loading
the computer'soperating system. The term
bootstrap comes from the old phrase "Pull
yourself up by your bootstraps.
The bootstrap loader is stored in the master
boot record (MBR) on the computer's hard
drive. When the computer is turned on or
restarted, it first performs the power-on
self-test, also known asPOST. If the POST is
successful and no issues are found, the
bootstrap loader will load the operating
system for the computer into memory.
Terminology:
Bootstra The computer will then be able to quickly
p loader access, load, and run the operating system.
The bootstrap loader has been replaced in
computers that have an Extensible
Firmware Interface (EFI) and is now part of
the EFIBIOS.
Boot Alternatively referred to asboot
sequence optionsorboot order, theboot
sequencedefines which devices a computer
should check for the operating system's
boot files. It also specifies in which order
those devices should be checked. The list
can be changed and re-ordered in the
computer'sBIOS, as shown in the example
below.
In the above example, the computer first looks at removable
devices
(e.g.floppy diskette drive) to see if it can be booted. If
nothing was in
the drive or it wasn't bootable, the computer next looks at the
Terminology:
Terminology:
Bootstra The computer will then be able to quickly
p loader access, load, and run the operating system.
The bootstrap loader has been replaced in
computers that have an Extensible
Firmware Interface (EFI) and is now part of
the EFIBIOS.
Boot Alternatively referred to asboot
sequence optionsorboot order, theboot
sequencedefines which devices a computer
should check for the operating system's
boot files. It also specifies in which order
those devices should be checked. The list
can be changed and re-ordered in the
computer'sBIOS, as shown in the example
below.
Terminology: