UD6 Verificación de equipos 3

Overview of BIOS Functions

Introduction to BIOS and Setup

• The video begins with an introduction to the topic of BIOS functions, indicating a focus on setup configurations.

• It explains that the BIOS performs initial tests (POST) to recognize hardware and store parameters in auxiliary memory.

POST Process and Booting

• After completing POST, the BIOS searches for the operating system on the boot device, typically a hard drive or SSD.

• The control is then passed to the boot sector of the operating system, which loads it into memory for operation.

Firmware and Memory Types

• The firmware stores parameters in auxiliary memory known as CMOS, utilizing low-power RAM technology for quick access.

• This volatile memory requires a button cell battery (CR2032 model) to retain data when powered off.

Importance of Battery in CMOS

• The battery prevents loss of data stored in CMOS when power is cut; it also maintains system date and time.

• If the battery fails, both CMOS data and system clock settings are lost, necessitating reconfiguration upon reboot.

Consequences of Battery Failure

• A depleted battery leads to loss of stored parameters; users may be prompted to load default settings at startup.

• Important configurations like overclocking settings would be lost if not saved before battery failure occurs.

Evolution and Limitations of BIOS

Technological Advancements

• Modern motherboards are transitioning from traditional CMOS batteries due to advancements in NAND flash technology used for BIOS storage.

Current Limitations of BIOS

• Despite technological improvements, legacy limitations persist:

• Only supports partitions up to 2.2 TB.

• Allows a maximum of four primary partitions per storage device.

Understanding BIOS and UEFI Evolution

Traditional Partitioning Limitations

• The traditional partitioning scheme allows for four primary partitions on a hard disk, with the option to create additional logical partitions within an extended partition.

• Historically, this limitation of only four partitions could lead to slower boot times and potential vulnerabilities to viruses affecting the BIOS.

• Users can find more information about these limitations by searching online for legacy BIOS constraints.

Legacy BIOS vs. UEFI

• Legacy BIOS refers to the traditional system firmware that has been used for many years, which has inherent limitations in terms of functionality and performance.

• Comparisons between traditional BIOS and modern UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) highlight significant advancements in boot processes and hardware compatibility.

Transition to UEFI

• The introduction of UEFI around 2010 marked a significant improvement over legacy BIOS, transitioning from 16-bit to 32-bit operations, thus overcoming previous limitations.

• UEFI supports GPT (GUID Partition Table), allowing for up to 128 partitions in Windows, enhancing security features such as secure boot aimed at preventing malware attacks on the firmware.

Advantages of UEFI Over Legacy BIOS

• Secure Boot is a key feature of UEFI that helps prevent unauthorized software from loading during the startup process, improving overall system security.

• Modern interfaces provided by UEFI are more visually appealing and user-friendly compared to the simplistic blue-and-yellow screens of legacy BIOS setups.

Current Usage Trends