BIOS and CMOS

[hongman]

Prouton + DrMDJ: I agree, I have thought that many times. Like IMO, you dont take lessons to learn to drive. You learn to pass the test...

But how can they do that? Assume that you know what the heck they are assuming...

10: Yes, exactly that.

Sometimes it feels like I'm geting nowhere fast! But I will pass it, just gotta have the right attitude ay

Thanks all

Hong

[prouton]

Well, I guess if you keep talking with us you'll never pass the test. We keep filling your head with all these up-to-date facts and alternate perspectives...

[hongman]

Yeah tell me bout it. I have to go out of my way to learn out of date stuff, and generally stuff thats either inaccurate or unneccesary.

Anyways...enough of that.

This has been a great thread on BIOS and CMOS, lot of head smashing along the way but well worth it.

I am truly indebted.

Hong

[104456]

So you`ll be starting one on serial printers now then?

[greengoose1]

Originally posted by greengoose1
DrMDJ, What I am wanted to know, when I asked that, was what examples of hardware would not be checked by the BIOS as a computer was booting up. I had always thought that it all was all checked and made sure each component was working correctly before control was passed to the operating system. Since that time enough comments were made to make me realize there was still more to the BIOS explanation than has been said.

Then I read that BIOS was more complex and did its work at different times in different ways. The operation is broken into operational pieces. Overall I thought BIOS was in layers as it executed its functions.

And lastly it has been said that BIOS is not as important as it was, yet I don't know of any computer that can become operational without it. Further comments here would help.

I have answered your question, but in the doing of that I have asked some more.

I hate to throw a wet blanket on these jubilant festivities, but were these questions adequately answered which in turn brings up another.

How do you use the BIOS for different issues that might come up - errors and such? Using it to help you check if the computer is working in this area properly or to change how it does things for normal operations?

[hongman]

How do you use the BIOS for different issues that might come up - errors and such? Using it to help you check if the computer is working in this area properly or to change how it does things for normal operations?

I thought that if the BIOS doesnt throw up any errors, then thats it...normal operation. How would one 'use' the BIOS to troubleshoot further than what it does on its own?

104456: Not far off mate Was gonna ask about Parallel Modes such as SPP, ECP, and EPP, etc...

[greengoose1]

Maybe I worded that wrong hongman. Maybe it should be - Can you use the BIOS for trouble shooting and/or normal operations.

Still on my first cup of coffee.

[DrMDJ]

I thought that if the BIOS doesnt throw up any errors, then thats it...normal operation.

I have a feeling you didn't mean this quite the way it sounds (to me anyway ), but just for clarity...

As has been said previously in this thread, just because the bios does not flag any problems by no means means that there are no problems (potential or real) or that all hardware is configured and/or working properly. The bios' checks, where checks are done, are generally very basic/rudimentary.

[hongman]

As has been said previously in this thread, just because the bios does not flag any problems by no means means that there are no problems (potential or real) or that all hardware is configured and/or working properly. The bios' checks, where checks are done, are generally very basic/rudimentary.

Yes, thats what I meant

But using the BIOS as a tool to troubleshoot? Now thats interesting, and intruiging...

[104456]

You can get a PCI/ISA test card to determine the stop error message [eBay has them] but for the cost of labour to carry out a repair verses component cost it is usually cheaper to replace the board but as has been said the bios only does a low level hardware check so there still could be a hardware problem it does not pick up.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...134636703&rd=1

Lots of different places do hardware and software diagnostic tools such as
http://www.uxd.com/
http://www.eurosoft-uk.com/pc_demo.htm

[hongman]

Cool, didnt even know they existed

[104456]

So youll be making some loop back plugs for testing port connections now wont you or do you already have some?

[hongman]

Ehh? What are those?

[Train]

Take a look at this then.

http://www.passmark.com/products/usbloopback.htm

Note the Serial and Parallel link at the bottom.

[jenae]

Hi, I had seen this thread and passed it by, another member mentoned it in another thread and I have just read it, you may expand what you have learnt here, this site is excellent:-
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/bios/index.htm