BIOS and UEFI

BIOS
The BIOS (, an acronym for Basic Input/Output System and also known as the System BIOS, ROM BIOS or PC BIOS) is a type of firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process (power-on startup) on IBM PC compatible computers, and to provide runtime services for operating systems and programs. The BIOS firmware is built into personal computers (PCs), and it is the first software they run when powered on. The name itself originates from the Basic Input/Output System used in the CP/M operating system in 1975. Originally proprietary to the IBM PC, the BIOS has been reverse engineered by companies looking to create compatible systems and the interface of that original system serves as a de facto standard.

UEFI
The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI, pronounced as an initialism U-E-F-I or like "unify" without the n ) is a specification that defines a software interface between an operating system and platform firmware. UEFI replaces the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) firmware interface originally present in all IBM PC-compatible personal computers, with most UEFI firmware implementations providing legacy support for BIOS services. UEFI can support remote diagnostics and repair of computers, even with no operating system installed.

quiz
{The BIOS is an acronym for ________ and is a type of firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process on IBM PC compatible computers. + Basic Input/Output System - Unified Extensible Firmware Interface - Booting Input/Operating System - Basic Integrated Operating System
 * type="[]"}
 * Correct! BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System.
 * Incorrect. That's the definition for UEFI, not BIOS.
 * Incorrect. Review the provided text for the correct acronym.
 * Incorrect. The correct acronym is Basic Input/Output System.

{The BIOS firmware is built into ________ and it is the first software they run when powered on. + personal computers (PCs) - operating systems - IBM PC - UEFI systems
 * type="[]"}
 * Correct! The BIOS firmware is built into personal computers.
 * Incorrect. The BIOS is not built into operating systems.
 * Incorrect. While the BIOS is associated with IBM PC compatible computers, it's built into personal computers in general.
 * Incorrect. UEFI is a different firmware interface.

{The name BIOS originates from the Basic Input/Output System used in the ________ operating system in 1975. + CP/M - UEFI - IBM PC - DOS
 * type="[]"}
 * Correct! The name originates from the system used in the CP/M operating system.
 * Incorrect. UEFI is a different firmware interface.
 * Incorrect. IBM PC is a type of computer, not an operating system.
 * Incorrect. The correct operating system is CP/M.

{UEFI is a specification that defines a software interface between an operating system and ________. + platform firmware - BIOS - IBM PC - CP/M operating system
 * type="[]"}
 * Correct! UEFI defines a software interface between an OS and platform firmware.
 * Incorrect. UEFI replaces the BIOS firmware interface.
 * Incorrect. UEFI is not specifically tied to IBM PC.
 * Incorrect. UEFI has no direct relation to the CP/M operating system.

{UEFI replaces the ________ firmware interface originally present in all IBM PC-compatible personal computers. + Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) - Unified Extensible Firmware Interface - CP/M - IBM PC
 * type="[]"}
 * Correct! UEFI replaces the BIOS firmware interface.
 * Incorrect. UEFI doesn't replace itself.
 * Incorrect. CP/M is an operating system, not a firmware interface.
 * Incorrect. IBM PC is a type of computer, not a firmware interface.

{UEFI can support remote diagnostics and repair of computers, even with ________. + no operating system installed - BIOS installed - CP/M operating system - IBM PC compatibility
 * type="[]"}
 * Correct! UEFI can support diagnostics and repair even without an OS installed.
 * Incorrect. BIOS is a firmware, not an operating system.
 * Incorrect. The capability of UEFI is not specifically tied to the CP/M OS.
 * Incorrect. The capability of UEFI is not specifically tied to IBM PC compatibility.

Related Videos

 * Professor Messer - BIOS and UEFI

Resources

 * A+ Certification: Wikibook on A+ Certification