is CMOS = BIOS in motherboard?


TIA

Hello, fixpc!
You wrote on Thu, 2 Mar 2006 20:45:14 +0800:

f is CMOS = BIOS in motherboard?

f TIA

Yes, the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is the first level operating
system which is typically written onto a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide
Semiconductor) programmable memory chip.

With best regards, 3T39. E-mail:

Hello, 3T39!
You wrote to fixpc on Thu, 2 Mar 2006 13:24:21 -0000:

f is CMOS = BIOS in motherboard?

f TIA

T Yes, the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is the first level operating
T system which is typically written onto a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide
T Semiconductor) programmable memory chip.

To make that a little clearer, I should have said that the BIOS is the
program, and the CMOS is the memory chip its kept on. Any reference to BIOS
or CMOS with regard to Motherboards is in most cases the same thing.
Hope this is helpful.

With best regards, 3T39. E-mail:

On Thu, 2 Mar 2006 20:45:14 +0800, "fixpc" wrote:

is CMOS = BIOS in motherboard?


TIA


No.

Damir wrote:
On Thu, 2 Mar 2006 20:45:14 +0800, "fixpc" wrote:

is CMOS = BIOS in motherboard?


TIA


No.

Well, yes and no. You are correct to say that CMOS is not technically
synonymous with BIOS, but in reference to computer setups the two terms
are often interchanged.

No. The BIOS is a collection of subroutines for communicating with
your hardware. Parameters and settings for the BIOS are usually kept
in CMOS memory, but the BIOS itself is usually in a EAROM.

fixpc wrote:
is CMOS = BIOS in motherboard?


TIA

On Thu, 2 Mar 2006 20:45:14 +0800, "fixpc" put
finger to keyboard and composed:

is CMOS = BIOS in motherboard?

No. Modern motherboards contain BIOS code in a flash EEPROM. The
realtime clock (RTC) and CMOS RAM are located in a different chip, or
are built into the chipset. CMOS RAM consists of 128 or 256 bytes
which store info such as date and time, chipset register settings,
hard drive geometry, etc. The flash EEPROM stores the compressed BIOS
code and the ESCD table. The latter contains device specific settings
such as lists of allowable IRQ, DMA, and IO addresses for PnP devices.
After exiting BIOS setup, you may see an "updating NVRAM" message
during the POST. This usually indicates that the ESCD table within the
EEPROM is being updated. The same message does not appear after
changing memory timings, for example, because these are determined by
chipset register settings which are written to CMOS RAM.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

"fixpc" wrote in message ...
is CMOS = BIOS in motherboard?


TIA


BIOS = software (firmware) for motherboard

CMOS = hardware (memory of specific type)

Windows = Intel in computer (no)

3T39 wrote:

Hello, 3T39!
You wrote to fixpc on Thu, 2 Mar 2006 13:24:21 -0000:

f is CMOS = BIOS in motherboard?

f TIA

T Yes, the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is the first level operating
T system which is typically written onto a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide
T Semiconductor) programmable memory chip.

To make that a little clearer, I should have said that the BIOS is the
program, and the CMOS is the memory chip its kept on. Any reference to BIOS
or CMOS with regard to Motherboards is in most cases the same thing.
Hope this is helpful.

With best regards, 3T39. E-mail:


The BIOS is the bootstrap program store in either an EPROM or flash
memory. This code is used to allow the CPU to talk to the floppy and
hard drives, as well as all the basic I/O ports.

The "CMOS" is a couple dozen bytes of Nonvolatile RAM in the Real
Time Clock. It may be a separate IC, or part of the chipset used on the
motherboard. These bytes are used to store some basic configuration
data that is needed at bootup.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida