[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.perthcomputer-repairs.com.au\/uefi-and-bios\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.perthcomputer-repairs.com.au\/uefi-and-bios\/","headline":"UEFI  and BIOS","name":"UEFI  and BIOS","description":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_text_color=”#0C71C3″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] The classic BIOS is now firmly a relic of the past thanks to Intel’s plans to replace it with UEFI in 2017. But what is UEFI, and how is it different from the BIOS we all know? […]","datePublished":"2024-01-31","dateModified":"2024-06-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.perthcomputer-repairs.com.au\/author\/admin\/#Person","name":"Digby Saunders","url":"https:\/\/www.perthcomputer-repairs.com.au\/author\/admin\/","identifier":1,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/07f69ae4be0ac9161acc3896df4c60993f6699394abd5e7edc36c3605e1bbbed?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/07f69ae4be0ac9161acc3896df4c60993f6699394abd5e7edc36c3605e1bbbed?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Person","name":"Digby Saunders","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.perthcomputer-repairs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/face.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.perthcomputer-repairs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/face.jpg","width":600,"height":60}},"url":"https:\/\/www.perthcomputer-repairs.com.au\/uefi-and-bios\/","about":["Computer Repairs"],"wordCount":2736,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_text_color=”#0C71C3″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]The classic BIOS is now firmly a relic of the past thanks to Intel’s plans to replace it with UEFI in 2017. But what is UEFI, and how is it different from the BIOS we all know?BIOS and UEFI: What Do They Do?Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) and BIOS are both low-level software that starts when you boot your PC before booting your operating system, but UEFI supports larger hard drives, faster boot times, more security features, and\u2014conveniently\u2014graphics and mouse cursors, making it a more modern solution.Newer PCs that ship with UEFI often call it the “BIOS” to avoid confusing traditional PC users. Even so, modern PCs you buy today almost certainly ship with UEFI firmware rather than a BIOS.BIOS: What Is It?Basically, BIOS is short for Basic Input-Output System. It’s low-level software that resides on the motherboard of your computer. As soon as you turn on your computer, your BIOS loads, and it starts your computer’s hardware components, checks to see if they’re working properly, and then boots Windows or another operating system.In the BIOS setup screen, you can configure various settings, including the configuration of your computer’s hardware, the time of your system, and the order in which your computer boots. When you boot your computer, you can access this screen by pressing a specific key-usually Esc, F2, F10, or Delete. When you save a setting, it’s saved to your motherboard’s memory, which is then reloaded by the BIOS. Before booting your operating system, the BIOS performs a Power-On Self Test. You’ll see an error message or hear cryptic beep codes if something is wrong with your hardware configuration. If something goes wrong, you’ll receive a cryptic series of beeps. Check the manual for more information about the different beep sequences.During boot-up, the BIOS searches for a Master Boot Record, or MBR, on your boot device, and then launches the bootloader.Additionally, you may have heard the acronym CMOS, which stands for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. This is a battery-backed memory system where the BIOS stores various settings on the motherboard. Since flash memory (also known as EEPROM) has replaced this method in modern systems, this method is no longer accurate.What is the problem with the BIOS?It has been around for a long time, and hasn’t evolved much over the years. Even MS-DOS PCs released in the 1980s had a BIOS!Since the days of MS-DOS, the BIOS has evolved and improved. There have been some extensions developed, including ACPI, the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface. As a result, the BIOS can perform advanced power management functions, such as sleep, more easily. Since the days of MS-DOS, however, the BIOS has not advanced as much as other PC technology.A BIOS can only boot from drives of 2.1 TB or less. 8 TB drives are now common, but a BIOS can’t boot them. That limitation is due to how the Master Boot Record system functions.When initializing all the hardware interfaces and devices on a modern PC, the BIOS runs in 16-bit processor mode, and has only 1 MB of space to execute in. It has trouble initializing multiple hardware devices simultaneously, which results in slower boot times. Since 1998, Intel has been working on the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) specification. Apple switched to the Intel architecture on its Macs in 2006, but other PC manufacturers did not.The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specification was established in 2007 by Intel, AMD, Microsoft, and PC manufacturers. UEFI is an industry-wide standard managed by the Unified Extended Firmware Interface Forum, which isn’t controlled by Intel. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows 7 introduced UEFI support. A vast majority of computers today use UEFI rather than a traditional BIOS.The UEFI BIOS replaces and improves the BIOSSwitching from BIOS to UEFI on an existing PC is not possible. To utilize UEFI, new hardware that supports and includes UEFI must be purchased. UEFI implementations typically provide BIOS emulation, enabling the installation and booting of old operating systems that require a BIOS instead of UEFI, making them backwards compatible.With UEFI’s GPT partitioning scheme instead of MBR, the firmware can boot from drives up to 9.4 zettabytes. This represents a significant portion of all the information on the Internet. Consequently, it boots more standardizedly, launching EFI executables rather than code from the master boot record of the drive.UEFI allows for faster booting as it has a larger addressable address space than BIOS. Additionally, UEFI setup screens can be more visually appealing, with support for graphics and mouse cursor, although this is not mandatory. Some PCs still ship with text-mode UEFI settings that resemble old BIOS setup screens.Secure Boot functionality in UEFI allows the operating system to be checked for validity to ensure that malware has not tampered with the boot process. Furthermore, UEFI firmware can support networking features, enabling remote configuration and troubleshooting, unlike traditional BIOS, which requires physical presence for pc repairs.UEFI, as an operating system, offers more functionality than a BIOS. It may be stored in flash memory on the motherboard or loaded from a hard drive or network share at boot time. While the interfaces and features of PCs with UEFI vary by manufacturer, the core functionality remains consistent.e.Modern PC UEFI SettingsUEFI computers are faster to boot and shut down than BIOS-based computers, and you can use drives up to 2.2 TB in size. If you’re a normal PC user, you won’t notice the change.If you need to access low-level settings, there may be a slight difference. You may need to access UEFI settings via the Windows boot options menu rather than pressing a key when the computer starts. Now that PCs boot so quickly, manufacturers don’t want to wait to see if a key is pressed during boot-up to slow down the process. UEFI-equipped PCs can also allow you to access the BIOS by pressing a key during boot-up.I still see BIOS all the time, why is that?A number of factors have contributed (or may have contributed) to why the term UEFI hasn’t caught on as much as BIOS on modern computers.The term BIOS has been in use for decades, and it takes time for millions of people to change their linguistic habits.BIOS is easier to say. Most people have heard or would readily guess how “BIOS” is pronounced. But UEFI? How do you pronounce it? Yoo-eee-fee? Yoo-ee-fi? Uh-ee-fi? Yoo-fee? There is no consensus on this either. It will be harder to adopt a term that is hard to say than one that is easy to say.Since the transition from BIOS to UEFI was mostly behind the scenes and painless, and UEFI performs the same primary functions as BIOS, people didn’t notice it and it doesn’t affect them, so why bother learning the new term?It may just be one of those terms that stays around for much longer than it is technically accurate, as with “hanging up” a phone.Most PC users won’t notice-or care-that their new PCs use UEFI instead of a traditional BIOS. They’ll just work better and support more modern hardware and features.  [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1em” background_color=”#0C71C3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”review” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(3,55,104,0.57)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]What our Clients Say[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]             Posted on Google        Leki Wangdi     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Customer friendly with the great service and fixed within no time.         Posted on Google        Sharon Joby     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I called on Sunday for a last-minute repair on my MacBook Air, and the issue was fixed quickly and efficiently. The setup was at the front of the house and a little cluttered, but the quality of service was excellent. He\u2019s quite loud, but very friendly and professional. The price was very reasonable, especially for short-notice service. I would definitely recommend his work.         Posted on Google        Elke Lunn     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very happy with the prompt service I received from Rigby. My grandson broke the screen on his laptop, which he urgently needed for school. The screen was replaced within hours. The price was reasonable, and the service was very efficient. Thank you!         Posted on Google        Bernadette McEntee Hart     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Digby\u2019s service was excellent. The problems I was experiencing were solved and then some in good time . He was open to answering all my question with understandable language, not geek talk..         Posted on Google        Jack Baker     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very quick and professional. Will certainly return next time my compy bricks.         Posted on Google        Bronwyn Mutton     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I'm a happy customer! My HD had failed.Digby found parts and repaired it.He then retrieved precious data and copied to a good HD.Helpful, cheerful and a reasonable price         Posted on Google        Daniel Levis     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Digby is an intelligent and fast working man. Digby went above in helping me with my PC which started as a clean install to windows to rewriting the bios due a virus.Highly recommend.         Posted on Google        Loz Cumber     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Perth Computer Repairs Saved My Business!I have an old CNC machine that runs on Windows XP. When the hard drive failed, I also lost access to the obsolete software that operates the machine. I wasn\u2019t in a financial position to replace the CNC\u2014and even if I was, it would\u2019ve taken at least three months to get a new one.Thankfully, I called Digby. He came to my business promptly, clearly explained the recovery process, and outlined the potential risks. Digby managed to recover the hard drive and got my CNC up and running quickly.Since then, he\u2019s also built me a new computer and is helping with other IT-related needs.Thank you, Digby\u2014your expertise and support have been invaluable!         Posted on Google        Anthony Martin     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Digby helped my son rebuild his  computer, with components purchased. He was excellent in this endeavour and not expensive!               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