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31 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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CMOS setup program |
program that lets one modify CMOS data |
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CMOS
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complementary metal oxide semiconductor: stores data read by the BIOS. Contains clock and info about specific devices. Now built into Southbridge. |
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TPM
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Trusted Platform Module: secure cryptoprocessor that accelerates cryptographic functions and provides secure storage of associated info. Setup in CMOS. |
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system BIOS
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Hundreds of small programs stored on the system ROM chip that tell the CPU how to communicate with devices. Collectively make up system BIOS or firmware.
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system ROM chip
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1. Stores the system BIOS, programs needed by the CPU to communicate with devices. 2. Holds the program that accesses info stored on the CMOS chip to support changeable hardware (CMOS setup program or system setup utility). 3. The CMOS holds a msall amount of data that describes changeable hardware supported by the system BIOS. CMOS is on the Southbridge.
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ROM
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read only memory: stores programs called services. ROM chips are non-volatile, i.e., once a programs is stored on it, it cannot be changed. See Flash ROM.
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BIOS
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basic input/output services (system) - programs dedicated to enabling the CPU to communicate with devices. These programs are called services.
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MB Intelligent Tweaker (MIT)
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A module in the system setup utility that lets one change the voltage and multiplier settings on the motherboard for the CPU from the defaults. Set overclocking parameters.
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hardware-assisted virtualization
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Optional technology that helps virtual machines use hardware more efficiently and is controlled by the BIOS. Available in system setup utility. Off by default. Intel Virtualization Technology/AMD Virtualization Technology
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chassis intrusion detection
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A feature provided by the computer case, or chassis. A switch that trips when someone opens the case. CMOS logs the event and posts a notice on subsequent boot.
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integrated peripherals
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Devices on the motherboard, such as the integrated sound card. Setup accessed through system setup utility.
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power management setup
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Option in the system setup utility to manage computer power. Works in conjunction with Window's power management.
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overclocking
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Making the CPU work faster than the default. Setttings are in system setup utility. Works by changing the bus speeds, clock multipliers, and voltage for components.
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PnP/PCI Configurations
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Plug and play (PnP) technology. PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect): slot used for additional cards in a computer. Configurations are accessed through system setup utility. Usually these are no longer necessary.
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ATA Security Mode Feature Set
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Also commonly referred to as drive lock or DriveLock. ATA Security Mode is the first line of defense for protecting hard disks from unwanted access when a system is lost or stolen. Setup through CMOS.
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Lojack
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A security feature that uses GPS to locate a stolen or lost computer. Setup in CMOS.
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Optimized CMOS settings
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Sets the CMOS to the best possible speed/stability for the system. Use this if you need to put the CMOS back like it was.
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Fail-Safe CMOS settings
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Fail-Safe sets everything to very simple settings for the CMOS. Use if freeze ups occur and you've checked everything else.
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option ROM
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BIOS for devices that is put on the device itself. Most display information on boot up screen. Every video card has its own BIOS. Otherwise, modern computers largely use device drivers.
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device drivers
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A file stored on the PC's hard drive that contains all of the commands necessary to talk to whatever device it was written to support.
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installation disc
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A CD-ROM provided with a device that holds all of the necessary device drivers and other software.
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registry
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A Windows database that stores everything about a PC including the device drivers. Do not access directly. Use the Device Manager.
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POST
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power-on self test: The POST program checks out the system every time the computer boots. POST tells devices to check themselves. Therefore, the quality of the self-diagnostic depends on the provider. POST either uses beep codes or text message to communicate status/problems.
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beep codes
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Beeps the occur to comminicate the status of devices after/during POST. If the video card has not been tested in the process, text messages are not available. The meaning of beep codes can be found in the motherboard manual. Most PCs have only two beep codes: bad/missing video (one long beep followed by two or three short beeps); bad/missing RAM (a single beep that repeats indefinitely). At the end of POST, one or two beeps says all is ok. After the system has been running for a while, a series of short beeps would indicate the CPU is approaching the high heat limit.
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POST card
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A POST cards snaps into an expansion slot and monitors the POST process and identified which device might be causing trouble. If the PC locks up, etc., and the POST card shows no reading, the problem is occuring before the POST and must be power, CPU, RAM, or motherboard.
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boot process
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1. Power supply tests for proper voltage and sends a signal down the power good wire to wake up the CPU. 2. The CPU sends sends a built-in memory address via the address bus. This is the first line of the POST program on the system ROM. 3. The POST passes control to the bootstrap loader. 4. The bootstrap loader find the OS by checking devices listed in the CMOS for a boot sector. The boot sector tells the system where the OS is. If the OS is found and loaded, the bootstrap loader removes itself from memory.
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boot sector
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The boot sector contains information about where the OS is on a bootable disc/disk.
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bootable disk/system disk
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Any device with a functional OS.
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PXE
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preboot execution environment. A PXE enables you to boot a PC without any local storage by retrieving an OS from a server over a network.
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flashing the BIOS
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A command-line program combined with a file with the updated BIOS that updates the BIOS. Update through the CMOS utility. CompTIA calls this "installing firmware upgrade."
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UEFI
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Unified Extensible Firmware Interface: acts as a super-BIOS for 32-bit and 64-bit environment. Old computers' BIOS work only in 16-bit mode and depend on x-86 compliant hardware. UEFI aslo acts as a mini-OS: supports 32-bit/64-bit booting; handles all boot-loading dutied; not dependent on x-86 firmware. Without UEFI, regular BIOS will only boot to master boot record (MBR) drives. MBRs don't support partitions greater than 2.2-TB. UEFI support drives larger than 2.2-TB by booting GUID Partition Table (GPT). Windows 7 installation will automatically make a GPT drive but only on 64-bit systems.
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