PC BOOT–UP

PROCESS
Hardware Initialization
1. Power button activates the
power supply in the PC.

2. CPU’s internal memory registers

are reset and the program
counter is set to 0xFFFF0h.

3. The CPU encounters the

beginning of a boot program
stored permanently on a flash
memory chip on the
computer’s motherboard.
BIOS
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
- also known as System BIOS, ROM
BIOS or PC BIOS
- a type of firmware used during the
booting process on IBM PC
compatible computers
- stored in a ROM chip located on
the motherboard
- is the third type of software your
computer needs to operate
successfully
Main Functions:

• To test the system using the Power-On Self-Test (POST)

• To act as a bootstrap loader

• To provide runtime services for operating system and

programs (BIOS drivers)

• As a software interface providing access to all hardware

components of the system (BIOS setup configurations)
Power-On Self-Test (POST)
- a process performed
by the BIOS during the
booting process

- tests the computer

hardware to make sure
the necessary parts are
present and functioning
properly
POST Process:

1. The BIOS reads the information stored in CMOS chip.

2. The CPU checks itself and the POST program.
3. The BIOS loads into memory the Device Drivers and Interrupt
Handler.
Device Drivers - a program that controls a
particular type of device
Interrupt Handler - responsible for bringing the
CPU's attention to the code waiting for the
microprocessor
4. The CPU checks the Real-Time Clock.
5. The CPU sends signals over the system bus.
6. The POST tests the memory contained on the display adapter.
7. The BIOS checks to see if it's a Cold Boot or a Warm Boot.
Cold Boot - the computer had been turned off
Warm Boot - reboot/restart
- 1234h at memory address 0000:0472
- skips the rest of the POST
8. The BIOS runs a series of tests to ensure that the RAM chips are
functioning properly.
9. The POST sends signals over specific paths on the bus to
any disk drives and listens for a response to determine
which drives are available.

10. The results of the

POST tests are
compared with
a record stored
in the CMOS
chip.
• If the computer passes the POST, the computer may give
a single beep as it starts and continue to boot.

• If the computer fails the POST, the computer will either

not beep or generate a beep code that tells the user
the source of the problem.

IBM BIOS beep codes

Beep Code Description
1 Short Beep Normal POST, system is ok
Power supply/system board
No Beep
problem/disconnected CPU
POST error – error code shown on
2 Short Beeps
screen

Continuous Beep
Repeating Short Beep
1 Long and 1 Short Beep
1 Long and 2 Short Beep
1 Long and 3 Short Beep
3 Long Beeps
1 Beep, Blank or Incorrect Display Video Display Circuitry
Power supply/system board/RAM
problem
Power supply/system board/
keyboard problem
Motherboard issue
Display Adapter problem
Enhanced Graphics Adapter
(EGA) problem
Keyboard Card error
Disk Boot
• The BIOS transfers control of the PC to the operating system
using a boot loader.

Boot loader - a program that initiates a search for

specific system files on disks and loading them to
the RAM

• The configuration saved in CMOS determines the order in

which drives should be examined for an operating system.
Boot Menu - allows the user to boot from a specific disk
- can be accessed during POST by pressing
ESC / F12 / F8
BIOS Setup Utility
- a hardware
configuration
program built into a
computer’s BIOS

To enter the BIOS

Utility, press F2 during
POST.
Ex: InsydeH20 Setup Utility
Menu options:
• Security
• Information
• Boot
• Main
• Exit
• Advanced

Navigation Instructions:
 To choose a menu, use the left and right arrow keys.

 To choose an item, use the up and down arrow keys.

 To change the value of a parameter, press F5 or F6.

 A plus sign (+) indicates the item has sub-items. Press

Enter to expand this item.

 You can change the value of a parameter if it is

enclosed in square brackets.

 Press Esc while you are in any of the menu options to

go to the Exit menu.

 In any menu, you can load default settings by

pressing F9. You can also press F10 to save any
changes made and exit the BIOS Setup Utility.
Information
The Information screen displays a summary of your
computer hardware information.
Main
The Main screen allows the user to set the system time and
date as well as enable and disable boot option
and recovery.
Advanced
The Advanced screen allows the user to configure the
various advanced BIOS options.
Security
The Security screen contains parameters that help
safeguard and protect your computer from unauthorized
use.
Power
The Power screen allows the user to configure various CPU
and power management options and device
wakeup behavior.
Boot
This menu allows the user to decide the order of boot
devices to load the operating system.
Exit
The Exit screen allows you to save or discard any changes
you made and quit the BIOS Utility.
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)

- a specification for a
software program
that connects a
computer's firmware
to its operating
system

- expected to
eventually replace
BIOS
TASK
Compare and contrast UEFI
with BIOS.
Advantages of UEFI.
Disadvantages of UEFI.