BIOS Drivers

BIOS drivers are a collection of programs stored in one or more EEPROM or EPROM (memory) chips, depending on the computer design, on the motherboard. BIOS is a computer term that stands for Basic Input/Output System. Actually the term BIOS technically refers to the entire set of device drivers in a computer that provide a link between the hardware and software used on the system. However, the term has now evolved into meaning the basic drivers needed to start the computer system.

In the early days of the PC the BIOS was the ONLY set of drivers. That’s because the devices for a system “came with the system” and were designed, produced, and/or created by the computer manufacturer. However, as computer components and peripherals became manufactured by different companies, or companies that were separate from the computer designer, device drivers had to be furnished so the computer and operating system could communicate with the device. It became impossible to store all the device drivers ever made on a ROM (Read Only Memory) chip on the motherboard. Instead, individual device drivers were created by the maker of each device and loaded and stored on the computer. The BIOS driver looks for devices with their own ROM (which normally contains their own BIOS) and initializes their drivers.

Today, the definition of BIOS drivers usually means the collection of actual drivers used to get the system started and running in a basic configuration. For example, on a PC running in safe mode, the system is running on almost entirely EPROM-based or EEPROM-based BIOS drivers, because no additional drivers have been loaded from the disk. BIOS drivers perform about four main tasks. BIOS drivers initiate POST (Power On Self Test), the system configuration and setup program, the bootstrap loader, and the coordination of loading all the basic device drivers. The BIOS is almost always created by the motherboard manufacturer or the computer system designer.

Common Problems Associated with BIOS Drivers

1) Incorrect BIOS for the motherboard model

2) Inoperability of the computer

3) Since BIOS is normally stored on an EEPROM or EPROM chip, it’s not as likely to become corrupt, but can on occasion

Troubleshooting the BIOS Driver

A computer cannot function without a BIOS. The BIOS is responsible for initiating the system and if the BIOS is incorrect, the system will not initiate. For this reason, always be certain that you are installing the correct updates or reinstalling the original BIOS for the proper motherboard model. This is usually done through “flashing” the EEPROM or EPROM chip the BIOS is stored on. When the computer is shut down and then re-booted, the new BIOS takes effect. For this reason, flashing an incorrect BIOS will usually result in total system failure! So be certain you are using the correct BIOS flash program.