What is BIOS?

We’ve all heard the word BIOS pop up every once in a while, when we are at a service centre getting our laptops repaired. But what exactly does BIOS mean? In this blog, we’ll help you understand BIOS and BIOS settings, so you aren’t left clueless the next time you come across the term.

What does BIOS mean?

Coined back in 1975 by American computer scientist Gary Kildall, BIOS, which stands for basic input/output system, has been used to define the default program a computer uses to switch on your operating system. You can think of the BIOS as the very first layer of software your desktop or laptop interacts with when it is started.

The BIOS software is also a part of your motherboard in most desktops and laptops, unlike other bits of software which will often be stored in your local storage. When you change the motherboard on a desktop for instance and switch to a different brand, you’ll deal with a new BIOS interface.

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Like other software, most BIOS interfaces will have their own UI, support for inputs like the keyboard and mouse, as well as support for software updates which can bring new features.

How does the BIOS work?

When you turn on a desktop or laptop, the BIOS is the first bit of software to kick in. The system will run a quick check on all connected components and identify the ones needed for the system to successfully boot up. When these components (called boot devices) are functioning properly, the BIOS will load the necessary parts of the OS, or operating system into the machine’s RAM.

This allows the operating system to take over and start your computer, bringing you to your familiar lock screen or desktop view.

Accessing the BIOS

If you’re an advanced user looking to make some key changes to your system like changing the order boot devices load up in, or toggle security features like Secure Boot on or off, you may need to access the BIOS settings yourself.

To do this, the method will vary depending on which machine you have. To access most BIOS settings, most desktops and laptops will require you to shut down the system completely and repeatedly press a trigger key when the system is prompted to boot again.

There are multiple ways to identify the trigger key on your system. If you see a BIOS boot screen (the screen that flashes before you see the Windows logo on most machines), look for a text prompt that says something like “Press F2 for BIOS settings”.

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You can also run a quick Google search or get in touch with your laptop/desktop manufacturer’s customer care service to find out your BIOS trigger key. For a lot of machines, this will be the F2 or Del keys on your keyboard. When you find out what your trigger key is, repeatedly press it when you see the BIOS screen during the boot process and you should land straight into the BIOS settings.

Note that one should not mess with the settings in here unless they know what they’re doing. Incorrectly configuring your BIOS could result in problems like booting problems or even damage to your machine’s hardware.