CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Ninth Edition (Exams 220-901 & 220-902), 9th Edition

CHAPTER 6

BIOS

In this chapter, you will learn how to

•   Explain the function of BIOS

•   Distinguish among various CMOS setup utility options

•   Describe option ROM and device drivers

•   Troubleshoot the power-on self test (POST)

•   Maintain BIOS and CMOS properly

In Chapter 4, “Microprocessors,” you saw how the address bus and external data bus connect RAM to the CPU via the memory controller chip (MCC) to run programs and transfer data. Assuming you apply power in the right places, you don’t need anything else to make a simple computer. The only problem with such a simple computer is that it would bore you to death—there’s no way to do anything with it! A PC needs devices such as keyboards and mice to provide input, and output devices ...