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INT 10h, INT 10H or INT 16 is shorthand for BIOS interrupt call 10 hex, the 17th interrupt vector in an x86 -based computer system. The BIOS typically sets up a real mode interrupt handler at this vector that provides video services. Such services include setting the video mode, character and string output, and graphics primitives (reading and ...
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 ...
Break/Pause key on PC keyboard. The Break key (or the symbol ⎉) of a computer keyboard refers to breaking a telegraph circuit and originated with 19th century practice. In modern usage, the key has no well-defined purpose, but while this is the case, it can be used by software for miscellaneous tasks, such as to switch between multiple login sessions, to terminate a program, or to interrupt ...
INT is an x86 instruction that triggers a software interrupt, and 13 hex is the interrupt number (as a hexadecimal value) being called. Modern computers come with both BIOS INT 13h and UEFI functionality that provides the same services and more, with the exception of UEFI Class 3 that completely removes CSM thus lacks INT 13h and other interrupts.
When interrupt 19h is called, the BIOS attempts to locate boot loader software on a "boot device", such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, CD, or DVD. It loads and executes the first boot software it finds, giving it control of the PC. [27] The BIOS uses the boot devices set in Nonvolatile BIOS memory , or, in the earliest PCs, DIP switches.
A watchdog timer (WDT, or simply a watchdog), sometimes called a computer operating properly timer (COP timer), [1] is an electronic or software timer that is used to detect and recover from computer malfunctions. Watchdog timers are widely used in computers to facilitate automatic correction of temporary hardware faults, and to prevent errant ...
High Precision Event Timer. The High Precision Event Timer (HPET) is a hardware timer available in modern x86-compatible personal computers. Compared to older types of timers available in the x86 architecture, HPET allows more efficient processing of highly timing-sensitive applications, such as multimedia playback and OS task switching.
Input/output. v. t. e. In the context of an operating system, a device driver is a computer program that operates or controls a particular type of device that is attached to a computer or automaton. [1] A driver provides a software interface to hardware devices, enabling operating systems and other computer programs to access hardware functions ...