At 08:46 AM 5/2/2002 +0100, you wrote: >Macs are too advanced to need anything as basic as 'BIOS' ;-) >The nearest they have is PRAM (Parameter RAM) this holds basic >settings such as startup disk, keyboard repeat rate, and a few other >settings, they also have a separate clock for date & time. >Anything else is loaded at boot time using extensions and the >preference files. >Ben.
Actually, the ROM is very much like a BIOS. It has all the GUI elements, some basic fonts, the basic bootloader, etc. It's how Apple managed to boot a complete GUI off a 400k disk but Microsoft needed several 10s of megabytes to boot Windows 3.1. It is true the Mac ROM is a lot more advanced than a PC BIOS, but the purpose is the same. Scott Holder -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | RoadTools $30 PodiumPad available at Apple retail stores, $20 Traveler CoolPad at Staples. Both in white for iBooks at <http://roadtools.com>. Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
