BIOS and Motherboards

AGP

Accelerated Graphics Port some motherboards support video card as it evolved, different speeds were supported 2x, 4x, 8x Each type uses a different voltage important to install AGP card in correct expansion slot

Ways CMOS loses data

CMOS battery removed Change a setting in the CMOS setup utility reset the CMOS using a jumper

Heat Management

CMOS settings software designed for OS BIOS is best way because it's active before OS is initiated

CNR

Communication and Networking Riser found in older, less expensive motherboards supports riser cards rarely used today

Case Sensor on Motherboard

Controlled by CMOS utility detects whether computer case has been opened even when computer is off can alert you if someone has tampered with the system hardware you may need to enable it using the CMOS setup utility before you can use it some use light, some use a magnet

DIMMs

Dual inline memory modules successor to SIMMs Older DIMMs have 168 pins newer double data rate (DDR) DIMMs have 184 pins Most recent DDR2 and DDR3 DIMMs have 240 pins DIMM slot is back and has a white plastic clip on each side Motherboards usually have 2-4 DIMM slots Can accept individual DIMMs

hotter

Electronic devices that use a lot of electricity tend to run ____ than low-power devices

ISA

Industry Standard Architecture older technology phased out in favor of faster technologies black with 2 sections one section longer than other sections operates at speeds up to 8 MB/s

clock cycle

Interval that measures speed of data flow on bus against the clock speed of a computer. Some buses are synchronized with it. Others work slower and aren't in sync with it.

LIF

Low insertion force sockets require a small amount of force to insert CPU CPU usually removed using a lever or special tool less commonly used

Multicore Processor

More than one CPU on the same chip

Multiprocessor Motherboard

Motherboards that contain more than one CPU

Multipliers

New CPUs use these because as CPUs developed, it became clear that they'd be faster than the standard clock chips factor by which CPU operates for every single clock chip pulse

CPUID

Normally enables motherboard to provide correct voltage and clock speed automatically.

Slots

Older Pentium II and Pentium III families connected to a specific type of expansion card that was inserted into a long thin slot looks similar to expansion slots

Drives

On most motherboards you can install drives on primary and secondary channels, and each channel can accept a master and a slave drive a master drive has priority over a slave drive At system startup, the BIOS typically detects the type of each drive that's installed and its size and reflects this in the CMOS you may need to identify older drives manually by selecting their types from available options

PCIe

PCI Express not backwards compatible with PCI or PCI-X uses serial bus data transmitted in packets faster than other types transmits data in multiple lanes represented by # of lanes used PCIe x1, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, PCIe x16, PCIe x32 the greater number of lanes, faster speed Most modern motherboards use PCIe commonly used for graphics cards due to high transmission speed

PCI

Peripheral Component Interconnect 1st expansion slot capable of running in sync with system clock Initially ran at 33 MHz, had 32bit data path and could supply 5 volts to expansion cards Later enhanced to support 64bit data path, using 3.3 volts has small notch to indicate 5 volt slot or 3.3 volt slot installing card using wrong voltage can damage it.

PCI

Peripheral Component Interconnect introduced in Pentium and newer computers made ISA bus obsolete mostly Plug and Play split into 2 sections 3 inches long speeds up to 133 MB/s

POST

Power-On Self-Test when you start a computer, the BIOS initializes the main hardware components and tests the system before selecting a hard disk to boot from and loading the operating system 1 BIOS initialized and check 2 CPU registers are verified 3 size of main memory, or RAM, is verified, and optionally, RAM integrity is checked 4 system devices are detected and intialized 5 bott device with the highest priority is selected and its master boot record (MBR) is executed

S4 state

RAM contents are copied to the hard disk and the computer turns off. When its turned back on, the RAM contents are returned to the RAM chip so that the computer doesn't have to boot up. usually called hibernation mode. You press the power button to return the computer to an active state.

Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)

ROM can be changed using high voltage

RIMMs

Rambus inline memory modules successor to DIMMs by Rambus Corporation not commonly used generate more heat than DIMMs systems use heat spreader assemblies to cool them have either 168, 184, or 242 pins slight speed advantage over DIMMs high price due to licencing

SIMMs

Single inline memory module has either 30 or 72 pins metal clips lock SIMM in place Older motherboards have four SIMM slots in 2 banks of 2 slots you had to fill an entire bank for memory to be recognized by computer No longer used in newer computers

Power-on Self Test (POST)

Small application saved in the basic input/output system (BIOS) that a computer runs when it boots up. instructs each piece of hardware to perform a self-diagnostic test created by the manufacturer and reports any errors that are found results are only as good as the self-diagnostic firmware of the hardware that's tested.

Viruses

Some viruses try to write to the boot sector of the hard disk so that they're executed when computers start up in some CMOS setup utilities, you can disable writing to the boot sector after installing or upgrading the OS to prevent viruses from infecting it.

TPM

Trusted Platform Modules some motherboards have a TPM chip that identifies specific hardware by its serial number. you can configure a hard disk to only work on the motherboard that contains the corresponding TPM.

Flashing the BIOS

Updating the ROM using high voltage on most newer motherboards on older computers, you may need to replace a BIOS ROM chip with a new one. dont unless necessary may cause permanent damage dont if there's a chance of power failure during process ensure ROM supports it and only use proper software

Sockets

Used with Modern CPUs Square bed of holes with a lever beside it lever locks CPU into place after it has been inserted

ZIF

Zero insertion force sockets designed to reduce damage to pins allows you to insert CPU with no resistance lever or other locking mechanism is engaged to ensure proper connection with pins and secure CPU

ACPI

advanced configuration and power interface standard identifies 4 power profiles: S1 state, S2 state, S3 state, S4 state

basic settings

all CMOS utilities enable you to change basic settings such as types and sizes of drives and whether they're enables set the system time and date

Clock Chip

all electronic activity originates here sends out a pulse at set intervals.

mini PCI

based on conventional PCI technology used in laptops smaller than normal PCI slot supports various mini PCI devices such as modems and Wi-Fi cards usually dedicated

BIOS

basic input/output system during start-up, information about hardware is provided by a this microchip on the motherboard. firmware you can upgrade the BIOS on a motherboard with new BIOS software you can download from the motherboard vendor selects the drive from which to boot an OS Performs a POST during system startup Allows computers to interact with certain hardware

ways to keep track of changes made to CMOS settings

best way: make a backup of original settings note original settings on a piece of paper only make one change at a time and restart computer after each change so you know which setting is causing problem

security settings

boot passwords drive lock protection Trusted Platform Modules (TPM) CMOS passwords

CPU

brain of computer system and processes all computer instructions fits into dedicated socket on the motherboard Processors and the sockets used to connect them vary depending on the manufacturer

local bus

bus in sync with system clock. Most buses are local.

expansion bus

bus not in sync with system clock

System Date and Time

can be set using CMOS settings ensures battery keeps it accurately If CMOS battery fails, CMOS reverts to factory default settings when computer starts up computer prompts you to enter it.

CMOS setup Utility

can use it to set temperature at which fans should activate some fans have variable speed, depending on temperature all fans can be set to be on continuously also ensure temperature alarms are on

Voltage Regulating Module (VRM)

checks the CPU voltage that's required during startup adjust the amount that the motherboard provides to match this value automatic process generally do not need to configure it unless you want to overclock the CPU

bus

collection of circuits that connects and transmits data between resources embedded network of circuits connect all components of the motherboard, allowing data to flow between them. link to expansion slots.

CMOS

complementary metal-oxide semiconductor microchip used by BIOS stores variable system settings such as date and time, CPU speed, and bus settings BIOS accesses these settings when a computer is started to obtain specific configuration information about the computer's hardware reset by removing or repositioning a motherboard jumper, depending on type of motherboard you're using

S2 state

computer is on except for the monitor, hard disks and processor you can re-activate the monitor and hard disks by moving the mouse, pressing a keyboard key, or pressing the power button.

S1 state

computer power is not but not supplied to the monitor and hard disk. you can re-activate the monitor and hard disks by moving the mouse, pressing a keyboard key, or pressing the power button. The computer quickly returns to its active state so you can resume working.

Motherboard

constantly monitors the temperature of the CPU If the CPU runs too hot, it will reduce power to the CPU to protect the CPU from damage

power management

control how different devices in the system manage their power ie set a system automatically to power down the hard disk and monitor once the system has been idle for 20 minutes

PCI-X

developed after PCI expansion slots backwards compatible with PCI most often used in servers than desktop computers Motherboards that use PCI-X usually contain multiple PCI slots that run at different speeds may be 32-bit or 64-bit slots

Flashing process

differs depending on manufacturer may need to boot from a disk that has the BIOS update on it may be able to flash the BIOS by running a flash program in the OS may need to set a jumper in a particular position before flashing and return it to its original position afterwards

text error messages

displayed onscreen by POST program after the display driver is checked on more modern motherboards easier than decoding beeps display adapter and monitor must be working

Summary Screen

displayed when a computer performs a POST varies depending on BIOS or motherboard manufacturer usually identifies the BIOS version and the date gives option to enter CMOS setup utility can list available drives on the computer before starting the OS may also verify system memory or RAM this feature is usually turned off by default because RAM is more reliable than it used to be and testing RAM is time-consuming

Expansion bus

enables CPU to communicate with any device plugged into an expansion slot

Most CMOS Setup Utilities

enables you to configure: *security settings *boot sequence *power settings *date and time *overclocking *virtualization options

POST card

expansion card that you plug into motherboard displays a code on liquid crystal display (LCD) use card's documentation to determine what POST error code means can diagnosis problems when computer does not beep or display text messages or infinite loops only use if BIOS POST doesnt work. 1 turn off computer 2 open it 3 install POST card after test over 1 turn off computer 2 remove POST card

Potential Problems Addressed or Monitored by BIOS and CMOS setup utility

high CPU temperature unauthorized hardware changes incorrect CPU voltage incorrect clock multipliers incorrect bus settings

Advanced Chipset Control page or Onboard Devices page

includes low-level chipset functions dont need to configure unless instructed to do so

Metal Heat Sinks

installed with New CPUs usually includes a fan helps dissipate heat from the core

Overclocking

involves increasing the multiplier increases CPU performance beyond factory defaults can generate additional heat and lead to system instability.

bus

like a set of parallel wires group of circuits printed on the motherboard that run between components more than one on a normal computer each on has its own transmission speed, protocols, and access methods if settings aren't correct, computer might run slower than it should.

When inserting RAM

line up notches on module with slot after memory module firmly inserted, you may need to secure metal or plastic clips on either side of slot to lock module in place

Motherboard

main circuit board in a computer

Systems or Advanced BIOS features page

may contain a general collection of settings that dont fit in other categories options included depend on the motherboard ie system, processor, memory, PCI, date and time, and boot sequence settings

Power Management Options

need to enable power management using CMOS setup utility before using ACPI settings available in an OS. helps prevent setting conflicts between the BIOS and the OS. You can usually configure each state to become active after the system has been idle for a specific period. can also be used to control fan behavior depends on motherboard generally you can set the fans to turn on when the system reaches a certain temperature.

boot passwords

on most systems, you can set a boot time password that you configure in the CMOS utility. If users dont know the password, they cant start the OS.

boot options

order in which drives are checked for bootable OS also choose to disable booting of specific drives or devices

Parallel Circuit

passes information between electrical components faster than a single circuit

RAM

random access memory stores application and system data data used by CPU and other system components in normal course of computing Retrieving data from RAM is much faster than retrieving it from hard drive Increasing RAM generally reduces speed bottlenecks volatile memory when computer is turned off, all data stored in RAM is lost use RAM that motherboard is designed to support can only be inserted 1 way if notches don't line up, you may be using incorrect RAM form factor for motherboard

CPU

receives instructions from the BIOS, applications, and OS using CMOS setup utility, you can configure certain CPU settings i.e. optimize system performance by configuring the different levels of memory cache used by the CPU to ensure that frequently accessed data is available quickly

CPU multiplier

relates to clock speed of the computer number of CPU cycles for each pulse of electricity from the clock chip. set by manufacturer based on best balance of power usage, heat, and performance

volatile memory

retains information only when supplied with electric current

boot sector

sector that's reserved for bootup information on all bootable hard disks where the OS places its startup information once it's installed.

Form factors

shapes and designs of Motherboard

Virtual Maching (VM)

simulation of a computer that runs all the processes you'd run on a physical computer. you can host a number of them on a single physical computer function like completely separate machines but share the physical computer's underlying hardware resources. When you create one, you set its virtual hardware specifications, such as the amount of RAM and processor speed it uses, using a VM application in the OS. you can create them to host a number of network roles on a single server To check whether your system supports virtualization, you should consult the support documentation from the vendor of your motherboard and processor. Some operating systems requre that you enable VMs at the BIOS level you can do this using the CMOS setup utility for some BIOS and motherboards, the utility may include a Virtualization page or they may be available on a Config - CPU page After enabling VMs, you should cold-boot the computer

SODIMM

small outline dual in-line memory modules half the length of standard DIMMs have 72, 100, 144, 200, or 204 pins notches on bottom of modules identify types commonly used in laptops and laser printers

firmware

software that's hard-coded into hardware but can be modified

Overclocking

some computers can be overclocked to improve performance increases power components use and amount of heat they generate may decrease overall system stability warranties are usually rendered void if you overclock a component because permanent damage can occur, overclocking should be performed only by knowledgeable individuals and in keeping with precautions outlined by the motherboard and CPU manufacturers. Some motherboard and components dont support overclocking. To overclock a system, you need to manually change the CPU multiplier and voltage for various components. Generally you can do this on the Performance group in the CMOS setup utility.

drive lock protection

some hard disks offer drive lock protection. you can set a password that's specific to that drive even if it's moved to another computer. Some manufacturers also offer encryption of a disk when it's password protected

diagnostics and error handling

some newer motherboards support diagnostic and error handling you can configure in CMOS setup utility if there's a problem with the setup, the computer emits one or more beeps during POST each beep has a different mean depending on the nature of the error

Boot Sequence

specifies the order in which disks are queried for boot sector information. May computers search the floppy disk drive then the optical disk drive and finally hard disk drives for startup information this means you can create a bootable floppy disk to use when the OS stops working it also means you can boot from the installation disks for your OS configured in the CMOS useful for fixing bootup problems also a security risk ie someone leaves a bootable disk with a virus in drive

Clock Speed or External Speed

speed at which a pulse of electricity is generated before being sent to the CPU. measured in megahertz (MHz)

Motherboards

switches on a variety of fans, including the CPU fan, if the internal temperature reaches a certain threshold. tends to make system noisier because of fan noise

If you lose CMOS settings

system date and time is incorrect boot disk is unavailable

Plug and Play (PnP)

system resource allocation occurs automatically configuration options dont usually have to be modified in past, needed to configure devices after plugging them in

BIOS update

tend to include fixes for bugs enables computer to use newer technology

S3 state

the computer is off except for its RAM, which maintains power to keep its contents active. This is known as sleep or suspend mode. The computer quickly returns to an active state when you move the mouse, press a keyboard key, or press the power button.

CMOS setup program or system setup utility

tool to configure CMOS settings that is specific to a BIOS or motherboard manufacturer sometimes erroneously called the BIOS setup settings Generally starts when a computer is booting up instructions for accessing it are displayed during POST usually you need to press delete or a function key like F12 enables users to configure basic settings, diagnostic and error handling, memory management, a password prompt, boot options, power management navigate different pages each containing different groups of settings - depends on BIOS or motherboard manufacturer includes pages that list -advanced BIOS features -advanced chipset features -integrated peripherals -Plug and Play/Peripheral Component Interconnect (PnP/PCI) configuration

Cold-Boot

turning it off for 30 seconds or so before turning it back on.

Overclocked CPUs

use different voltage than their rated levels

page that lists details of integrated peripherals

used to configure onboard devices and controllers such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID) controller Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller LAN controller integrated sound card sometimes included on a Config page

expansion slots

used to install additional components on a motherboard

CMOS

uses a small amount of power from a batter on the motherboard to maintain contents if battery fails or removed, the CMOS chip reverts to factory default settings and computer will boot with fail-safe defaults useful if you have a hardware compatibility problem or if there is a problem with the computer botting up and you need to reset the CMOS

Password Prompt

using CMOS setup utility, you can configure a password prompt to display at boot time, before the OS starts

beep sequence

usually emitted by motherboard when a hardware problem is reported to the POST program. useful if display driver isn't work different depending on motherboard check vendor documentation to determine what it means.

memory management

view RAM settings, such as size, frequency, and voltage of installed RAM these settings are detected automatically improper settings can result in permanent system damage even if your CMOS setup utility allows it, these settings should never be changed unless expressly recommended by the motherboard and memory manufacturers

CMOS setup utility

view statistics or change certain settings on the CMOS you can change settings for: * RAM * internal and external media * power usage * system fans * the CPU indicated the amount and type of RAM installed modern systems update the CMOS settings automatically when you install new RAM You can enable or disable specific drives You can enable or disable external devices ie. you might choose to disable the USB port for a DVD writer if you didnt need to use it

Boot Order

you can also configure the priority and boot order of the drives to ensure that a specific OS boots from a particular drive When a computer is turned on, the BIOS checks the MBR of each of the drives in order of their assigned priorities, to obtain boot instructions for an OS Once it finds boot instructions, it boots and starts the OS

Before flashing the BIOS ensure that

you have the correct BIOS update for your motherboard the update is correct for your BIOS chip the update process is unlikely to be disrupted