Components: BIOS, CMOS and Supervisor Password

Someone has put a Supervisor Password on the CMOS Setup Utility, which prevents you from making changes to CMOS. You decide to erase the password by erasing CMOS.
What steps are necessary to wipe out the current CMOS password? (Select TWO.)
1. High-level format the hard drive.
2. Low-level format the hard drive.
3. Replace the power supply.
4. Flash the BIOS.
5. >>Remove the motherboard battery.
6. Replace the floppy drive.
7. >>Unplug power.
Explanation : With the power disconnected, you can clear the settings held in the CMOS if you remove the motherboard battery and then replace it (preferably with a new one). This temporarily removes voltage to the CMOS chip so that stored settings are erased, and it is reset. Some motherboards have a jumper to clear the CMOS chip, and some CMOS setup programs have a feature called Restore Default Settings.
Do not confuse the ROM that holds the BIOS with the CMOS chip that holds the configuration settings. BIOS is non-volatile, while CMOS is actually volatile RAM that is powered by battery.

Flashing the BIOS refers to upgrading the BIOS to a newer version. You upgrade the BIOS to take advantage of new features or bug fixes, not to wipe the CMOS settings.

Hard drives need to be high-level formatted before they can be used, but CMOS passwords will remain even after the hard drives are reformatted. Hard drives rarely if ever need low-level formatting. You might have to perform a low-level format if you were installing another operating system (for example, UNIX) on the same drive that used different track and sector divisions.
Replacing the power supply or the floppy drive will not delete the CMOS password.
Objective: Personal Computer Components

Components: BIOS flash after a hardware upgrade (Peripherals vs system devices)

You are upgrading components in a computer to refurbish it. The motherboard and BIOS are three years old. You are concerned that the BIOS may not properly support some of the components you want to install.
Which component might require updating Flash ROM contents before the installation will work properly?
1. >>Graphics card for 1600 x 1200 display
2. 56K modem
3. 100Base-TX network adapter
4. 128MB of physical SDRAM
5. DVD-ROM drive
6. 80 GB hard drive
Explanation : The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) program is required to enable a CPU to boot up and configure the system for use. The program is stored on a Read-Only Memory (ROM) chip. On older systems, the chip had to be replaced to update BIOS. Flash ROM chips allow a user to store a new BIOS program on the chip by running a DOS program and loading an update file. A Flash BIOS chip is technically called an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) chip. Circuitry built into the motherboard permits erasing and installing a new BIOS image file.

If components are added for which the BIOS is not programmed, it is necessary to run the Flash ROM program and update the BIOS. A new, higher capacity hard drive is one component that often creates the need for BIOS updates. Physical memory and hard drive size can be configured in CMOS, though memory size is often auto-detected during the Power On Self Test (POST) memory count. CMOS is external to the BIOS and can be looked at as being memory for the BIOS. CMOS is also known as the RTC/NVRAM chip.

Modems, network adapters, DVD drives, and graphics adapters are peripheral devices, not system devices. They use the existing slots and the expansion bus to communicate with the system and do not require BIOS upgrades.
Objective: Personal Computer Components

Components: Updating BIOS from Manufacturer (Flashing the BIOS)

You receive a service update from your PC's manufacturer for a PC you recently purchased. You need to update the PC's BIOS.
What is the best method for updating the BIOS?
1. >>Download the BIOS installation file from the manufacturer and flash the BIOS.
2. Order a new BIOS chip from the manufacturer and replace the BIOS chip.
3. Order a new motherboard from the manufacturer and replace the motherboard.
4. Download a BIOS patch from the manufacturer and install the patch on the hard disk.

Explanation : The correct way to update a computer's BIOS is to download the BIOS installation file and flash the BIOS. Depending on the manufacturer, the BIOS flash utility can run from the hard disk or from a floppy diskette.

The original IBM PC used a programmable, socket-mounted BIOS chip that could be reprogrammed and replaced. Current PCs have soldered-in BIOS chips that are not considered to be a field-replaceable unit (FRU) and should not be replaced.

It would be possible, in many cases, to replace a PC's motherboard. This is not considered the best method for updating the BIOS. That is because replacing the motherboard is neither time- nor cost-effective and is more effort than necessary to update the BIOS.

The BIOS is not patched using a software patch installed on the hard disk. The initial programs in the BIOS run before anything is retrieved from the hard disk. Software patches are used to update operating system and application software.
Objective:

Components: BIOS Checksum Error after upgrade

After upgrading your system BIOS with an update from the manufacturer, you receive a CMOS Checksum error after rebooting.
What should you do to clear the error?

1. >>Reboot the PC, enter CMOS setup, and check and save CMOS settings.
2. Press the ENTER key and turn off the computer before all data is lost.
3. Replace the BIOS chip with a new one from the manufacturer.
4. Reboot the PC and try to flash the BIOS again.

Explanation : After upgrading the BIOS on a motherboard, the new BIOS will likely take up more bytes of ROM than the replaced BIOS. The difference in the BIOS image file byte count is detected by the system as a checksum error. CMOS checksum errors require that you enter Setup, check and save your settings, and exit Setup a second time.

You should not reboot and flash the BIOS again because reflashing the BIOS would most likely result in the same error.

You should not replace the BIOS chip with a new one. A checksum error does not indicate a failure of the BIOS hardware.

You should not press the ENTER key and turn off the computer to avoid losing data. A checksum error will not cause any loss of data.
Objective: Personal Computer Components

Components: BIO and HDD capacity

You install a new, high-capacity hard disk as a secondary (slave) hard disk. The computer does not recognize the hard disk's full capacity. The computer is running Windows XP Professional.
How can you correct this problem?
1. Configure the hard disk as the primary (master) hard disk.
2. Install additional RAM.
3. Install the most recent hot fixes to the operating system.
4. >>Upgrade the computer's BIOS.

Explanation : You should upgrade the computer's BIOS. The most likely reason that a computer running Windows XP cannot access a hard disk's full capacity is that the BIOS cannot recognize the hard disk's full capacity. The most common fix is to update the BIOS to the most recent version. In some cases, the hard disk manufacturer will provide a BIOS patch for this purpose. If the BIOS is already updated to the current revision, the problem could be that auto-discover is not enabled for the computer. Auto-discover, in some cases, enables the computer to determine the hard drive's configuration automatically. However, if the BIOS is not up-to-date, auto-discover may not correct the problem, so you should first flash the BIOS if an update is available.

You should not install the most recent hot fixes to the operating system as a way to correct this problem. The problem is with the BIOS, not with the operating system.

You should not configure the hard disk as the primary (master) hard disk. The supported capacity is not dependent on whether the hard disk is configured as the primary or secondary hard disk. Either way, the computer will recognize the same hard disk capacity.

You should not install additional random access memory (RAM). Whether or not the computer is able to recognize the hard disk's capacity does not rely on the amount of RAM installed.
Objective: Personal Computer Components
Sub Objective(s):

Components: BIOS, POST and RAM

What does the memory test that occurs at boot up do?
1. >>Counts RAM memory locations
2. Tests CPU burst speed
3. Counts HDD memory locations
4. Tests RAM refresh rate and speed
5. Tests HDD memory locations
6. Tests ROM memory locations

Explanation : During the Power-On Self-Test (POST) process at boot up, a PC checks the basic hardware before loading the operating system. One of the hardware tests performed is a physical memory (RAM) check. The system performs a write and a read to each memory location to make sure all memory locations are good. It also counts each location, sequentially, to make sure memory addresses map to contiguous (adjacent or physically consecutive) physical memory. The memory test does not test RAM refresh rate and speed. It only tries to write and then read from each cell. The test either passes or fails. If the memory test fails, the system doesn't know whether it is because the RAM refresh rate or read/write speed is wrong or because the memory cell is bad.

The memory test that occurs at boot up does not count or test hard disk drive (HDD) memory locations. It does not test Read-Only Memory (ROM) locations, although it performs a checksum (a simple count) to make sure the BIOS instructions are all there and intact. It performs a CMOS memory check to make sure the contents of CMOS have not changed (as can happen if the backup battery has gone bad).

POST does not test microprocessor (CPU) speed. It only checks to see if the CPU is present and working, and then resets it to begin executing the BIOS program.
Objective: Personal Computer Components

Security

What should you do to require a user to enter a password before a computer will boot?
1. Run the BIOS flash utility.
2. >>Run the CMOS setup utility.-->Correct
3. Install a smart card reader.
4. Configure security through the operating system.


Explanation : To require a user to enter a password before a computer will boot, you should run the CMOS setup utility. Most varieties of BIOS support a boot password that must be entered before the computer will boot. The boot password, like other BIOS configuration settings, is entered through the CMOS setup utility.

You should not configure security through the operating system as a way to affect the boot process. While operating system security is important, the user is not prompted for the information until after the boot process has completed and the operating system is loaded and running.

You should not run the BIOS flash utility. This is the process for updating the system BIOS, not the configuration settings. Often, this resets the configuration settings to their defaults, which would remove the boot password if one were already defined.

You should not install a smart card reader. A smart card reader is used for authentication control after the operating system is loaded and running. The smart card reader is not a BIOS-level supported device. It does not control the boot process.
Objective: Security

BIOS and Security

How can BIOS configuration options be used to enhance system security?

1. Disable power management options.
2. Modify the serial port options.
3. Disable plug-and-play support.
4. >>Enable a hardware-based password.- Correct

Explanation : You can enhance system security by enabling hardware-based passwords through the BIOS configuration settings. When you specify a hardware-based password, the user must provide the password during system startup to continue the boot process.

You should not modify serial port options as a way to enhance security. This action does nothing to enhance system security. You would modify serial port settings when the default settings cause the serial ports to conflict with other devices or when you want to disable the serial ports to free up their resources for use by other devices.

You should not disable plug-and-play support as a way to enhance system security. Most current expansion devices and peripherals are plug-and-play devices. Disabling plug-and-play support could make it difficult, if not impossible, to install new devices and could interfere with the operation of devices that are already installed.

You should not disable power management options as a way to enhance security. In fact, security is not as strong when you disable power management. The power management settings let you enable features like automatically causing an idle computer to go into stand-by mode or hibernation mode. You can actually improve system security by enabling power management and requiring a password when bringing a system out of standby or hibernation.
Objective: Security

BIOS: Virus Protection, Virus Warning for the HDD Master Boot Record

Disabling Virus Protection


Virus Protection/Virus Warning
This setting has one of the most misleading names of all of the parameters in the BIOS. The system BIOS has no way at all to tell which programs are viruses, and which are wanted/actual programs. When enabled, this setting will trap any and all writes to the hard disk's master boot record, and display a message to the screen each time asking if you are willing to allow the write. Since one common type of virus is the boot sector infector, this can help in preventing the spread of these viruses.

However, it will also cause the BIOS to display its warning message for any legitimate access to the boot sector. So if you are using any utilities that modify partitions, or even if you are reformatting your hard disk, this message will pop up unexpectedly. You can however just “authorize” the BIOS, asking it to proceed with the write, but this can become rather annoying if it happens often. It can also be quite confusing to someone who doesn't understand the meaning of these BIOS message.

Some people prefer the safety of having this enabled; others find it annoying and turn it off. Most people don't usually run utilities that modify the boot sector regularly. When turned off, you might probably find a similar feature, more elegantly implemented, in a memory-resident anti-virus program.

BIOS/CMOS: Setting HDD, (and SMART)

Most modern BIOS's allow automatic detection of hard disk drive parameters. These are some of the primary CMOS settings that apply to hard drives (and CD/DVD-ROM drives, etc.). This setting can be individually configured for the primary master and primary slave device and the secondary master and secondary slave device.

S.M.A.R.T. for Hard Disks
Some BIOS's have a specific BIOS setting to enable monitoring of hard disks that support the SMART (Self-Monitoring And Reporting Technology) feature, which can allow the hard disk to report impending failures of the hard disk, under some circumstances. The default for this setting is “Disabled”.
Common S.M.A.R.T Settings are as follows:

1. Type
This setting determines the "type" of the IDE device.

* Auto: This setting activates dynamic IDE auto detection for the device. The device will be auto detected by the BIOS each time the system boots.
* CD-ROM: To tell the BIOS that you are using a CD-ROM in that IDE device position.
* Disabled/None: Use this option to tell the BIOS that there is no drive at all in this IDE device position.


2. Size
Determines the capacity of the drive.
3. CHS values
Where 'C' is Cylinder which is the cylindrical surface formed by identical track numbers on vertically stacked discs.

'H' stands for Head. The head is the device which rolls across the platters in a hard disk and either lays down information (in write mode) or reads it (in read mode).

And finally 'S' is Sectors, which are divisions on a hard drive used for storing digital information: a single sector is the smallest contiguous unit of information; multiple sectors make up a track. Not able to get any better image
4. Landing Zone
It specifies the cylinder to which the BIOS should send the heads of the hard disk when the machine is to be turned off. It is here that the heads will “land” after they finish their operation of either reading or writing.
5. Boot Sector Virus protection
This option when enabled gets the computer to make a beep sound each time a write operation is requested on the boot sector of the hard disk.

CMOS/BIOS: FDD settings

The floppy drive(s) can be enabled or disabled in the BIOS (e.g. set to Not Installed). The BIOS also allows you to choose the capacity of the media. Ex: 1.44 MB 3.5 inch, 2.88 MB 3.5 inch, etc. Further, some BIOS also allows you to swap A: and B: and also disable seeking a floppy disk for a boot sector during startup. The following are Floppy Drive Settings in the Setup program:

• Integrated Floppy Disk Controller This setting enables or disables the integrated Floppy Disk Controller (FDC). The default for this is "Enabled". If for some reason the system has a plug-in floppy disk controller card, the integrated controller has to be disabled.

Swap Floppy Drives This is a useful feature for those machines using two floppy drives. When enabled this swaps the A: and B: drives. This allows you to change the bootable floppy without having to open the case and switch the cable.

Floppy Drive Seek This causes the BIOS to search for floppy disk drives at boot time. If enabled, the BIOS will activate the floppy disk drives during the boot process: the drive activity light will come on and the head will move back and forth once. First A: will be done and then B: if it exists. If disabled, this seek will not be done.

BIOS VIII: troubleshooting: Devices misidentified

SYMPTOM
Devices misidentified

Probable Cause:
BIOS is incorrectly configured

Solution:
Use BIOS setup to reconfigure device options in BIOS

BIOS VII: Recovering from a failed BIOS update

Options for recovering from a failed BIOS update:

• Use the backup created by the flash util to restore the previous version
• Have an emergency floppy disk on hand that includes the "boot block" section of your BIOS. This has sufficient support to boot your PC from the floppy. No video is displayed. Once the PC has booted from the floppy and copied the correct BIOS over the corrupts one, reboot your PC.
• Flash Recovery Jumper Switch: Some mfgs include one of these on the mobo. You set the switch to the recovery position, insert the system upgrd into the drive and reboot. The system will boot from the disk and copy original BIOS over the corrupted one. Reset the jumper switch back to normal and reboot again.
• If none of the above work, will might need to replace the BIOS chip with a new one from your mfg.

Here's another source of advice from technibble

How To Recover From A Bad BIOS Update

BIOS V: Flashing the BIOS

This will depends on your getting an executable from the PC mfg.

1. Use the System Information tool(or MSINFO32) to determine your current BIOS version.
   
2. Visit the mfgs web site support pages to locate their BIOS update files. Compare their version # and release date with the info from the System Information tool to see if a new BIOS version is available.
   
3. Download the new BIOS installation executable.
   
4. If it isn't part of the installation pkg, also download the "flashing utility" from the website.
   
5. Close all open applications
6. Open and run the flashing utility and follow its instructions.
   
7. Restart PC when prompted.
   

BIOS IV: Version determination

MSINFO32 run cmd

Or
Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Information

• Record the value listed in the BIOS version
• Record the value listed in the SMBIOS field. SMBIOS is used by PC inventory pgms to collect data about your PC. (Not all PCs include this).

BIOS III: Updates

Normally the BIOS that ships with the PC is all you need. But sometimes you might need updates.

• You have device problems or bugs that your PC mfg identifies as BIOS based.
• You have device problems that seem to have no other cause than the BIOS, and you have exhausted all other avenues.
• You need to use new hardware options that are supported by your mobo but are NOt supported by BIOS.

The BIOS mfgs do not provide updates to consumers. They provide the BIOS to the mfgs in an incomplete state. The PC mfgs make the final mods and tailor the BIOS to their hardware. This "tailored" BIOS is what you get.

BIOS I: definition

Basic Input/Output system

A set of software instructions stored on a chip on the mobo

The BIOS enable basic computer functions such as

• getting input from the keyboard
• getting input from the mouse
• getting input from the serial ports
• etc

A mobo mfg will select a BIOS and integrate it into the board.

Answers.com basic entry for BIOS