On Saturday 10 Jan 2004 12:49 pm, Anne Wilson wrote: > Bios = basic input/output protocol, and is not part of your operating > system. It is the configuration that is held by a cmos battery on > your motherboard.
Pedantic note: The BIOS is help on a ROM (Read Only Memory.) Usually a Flash or Electronically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM). The configuration is kept in a non-volatile RAM (Random Access Memory - ie read/write) This is traditionally a low power volatile memory, traditionally manufactured using Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology, and incorporates the clock which also needs to run all the time. Since CMOS RAM is volatile, (and the clock needs power,) it needs a constant power source to maintain its contents, but since it is low power a small battery is able to do this. The battery (lithium type for its long shelf-life) will usually last longer than the PC, ten years say. This battery is known as the CMOS battery. -- Richard Urwin
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