What is BIOS?

The BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. Its main job is to start a computer's Boot sequence. It configures all Input / Output Devices like Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Printer etc. Stored on EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) Chip in the BIOS Software Motherboard.


Functions of BIOS

As mentioned above, the BIOS helps to start Computer and it configures all Input / Output Devices. But along with this, BIOS also performs many other important functions, which help in running the computer.
The tasks performed by BIOS include:
Checking Computer Settings and CMOS Settings.
Loading All Computer Drivers
Power-on-self-test
Setting / Resetting BIOS Password

BIOS settings screen of a GIGABYTE motherboard

Access BIOS settings

Yes, you can access the BIOS setting before the PC boots up. For this you just have to restart the computer and you have to press a function key before you it boots.

BIOS keys

  • F2 for Dell PC.
  • F10 for HP PC (since 2006) & F1 (before 2006)
  • F2 for accer.
  • F1 & F2 for Lenovo
  • F2 for Samsung PC.
  • F1, F2 or F3 for Sony PC.
  • And some PCs enter BIOS Setup via the Esc. key. All you have to do is press the function key before the Windows Logo appears.

BIOS Update

You can check its version through BIOS Settings.
When logged in to your admin account, press the Windows Logo + R Key Press and enter MSINFO32. You can also check the BIOS Version from the System Information Setting.
For more information about updating the BIOS, open your Computer Brand's Official Website which can have proper tutorials on how to update the BIOS manually.

In this post I explained what BIOS is, how to access the BIOS settings and how to update BIOS. Hope the explanation was clear and you had a good time reading this post.

Ravi Rao, Digitrovert