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Nonvolatile BIOS memory refers to a small memory on PC motherboards that is used to store BIOS settings. It is traditionally called CMOS RAM because it uses a volatile, low-power complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) SRAM (such as the Motorola MC146818 [1] or similar) powered by a small battery when system and standby power is off. [2]
The BIOS uses the boot devices set in Nonvolatile BIOS memory , or, in the earliest PCs, DIP switches. The BIOS checks each device in order to see if it is bootable by attempting to load the first sector (boot sector). If the sector cannot be read, the BIOS proceeds to the next device.
CMOS inverter (a NOT logic gate). Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS, / ˈ s iː m ɒ s /, also US: /-ɔː s / [1]) is a type of metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) fabrication process that uses complementary and symmetrical pairs of p-type and n-type MOSFETs for logic functions. [2]
BIOS interrupt calls perform hardware control or I/O functions requested by a program, return system information to the program, or do both. A key element of the purpose of BIOS calls is abstraction - the BIOS calls perform generally defined functions, and the specific details of how those functions are executed on the particular hardware of the system are encapsulated in the BIOS and hidden ...
Ralf Brown's Interrupt List (aka RBIL, x86 Interrupt List, MS-DOS Interrupt List or INTER) is a comprehensive list of interrupts, calls, hooks, interfaces, data structures, CMOS settings, memory and port addresses, as well as processor opcodes for x86 machines from the 1981 IBM PC up to 2000 (including many clones), [1] [2] [nb 1] most of it still applying to IBM PC compatibles today.
Typical POST screen (AMI BIOS) Summary screen after POST and before booting an operating system (AMI BIOS) A power-on self-test ( POST ) is a process performed by firmware or software routines immediately after a computer or other digital electronic device is powered on.
A CMOS inverter is one example of a CMOS circuit, but not all CMOS circuits are inverters. For example if you were to say "Output is inversion of input" when talking about a CMOS NAND gate (or indeed anything else besides an inverter) you would be wrong.
However, BIOS manufacturers and OEMs have relied on SMM for newer functionality like Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI). [9] [10] Some uses of the System Management Mode are: Handle system events like memory or chipset errors; Manage system safety functions, such as shutdown on high CPU temperature; System Management BIOS (SMBIOS)