BIOS TrainingBIOS Training

Eric ChiuAE Dept.2006.11

What is BIOS ?What is BIOS ?What is BIOS ?What is BIOS ?

Pronounced "bye-ose," an acronym for Basic Input/Output System. The BIOS is built-in software that determines what a computer can do without accessing programs from a disk. On PCs, the BIOS contain all the code required to control the keyboard, display screen, disk drives, serial communications, and a number of miscellaneous functions. The BIOS is typically placed in a ROM chip that comes with the computer (it is often called a ROM BIOS). This ensures that the BIOS will always be available and will not be damaged by disk failures. It also makes it possible for a computer to boot itself.

The BIOS installed in your computer system’s ROM supports main processors in a standard IBM-AT compatible I/O system.

The BIOS provides critical low-level support for standard devices such as disk drives, serial and parallel ports. It also adds virus and password protection as well as special support for detailed fine-tuning of the chipset controlling the entire system. 

Introduction

FeatureFeatureFeatureFeature

• The BIOS is a program and including with the ROM.

• The BIOS will test the system when the power on.

• It will link all the functions with the mainboard.

• The BIOS type of AXIOMTEK’s card is AWARD and AMI.

• The ROM size is 2MB, 4MB or 8MB.

FunctionFunctionFunctionFunction

• System Configuration Analysis

• POST – Power On Self Test

• Load Operating System

Where is BIOS ?Where is BIOS ?Where is BIOS ?Where is BIOS ?

PLCC Package DIP Package

Components in BIOS

SystemBIOS

VGA BIOS Boot ROM

Logo file

BIOS

BIOS ToolsBIOS ToolsBIOS ToolsBIOS Tools

• AWDFLASH

• MODBIN / MODBIN6

• CBROM

AWDFLASHAWDFLASHAWDFLASHAWDFLASH

• Update and overwrite the new BIOS into BIOS ROM

• Read and save the BIOS file from BIOS ROM

• Only for AWARD BIOS

• Supports MS-DOS only

AWDFLASHAWDFLASHAWDFLASHAWDFLASH

AWDFLASH.EXE v 8.23 = AWD823.EXE

Modbin / Modbin6Modbin / Modbin6Modbin / Modbin6Modbin / Modbin6

• Load the BIOS file to verify the CMOS data setting

• Modify the BIOS default setting

• Only for AWARD BIOS

Modbin6.exe

Modbin / Modbin6Modbin / Modbin6Modbin / Modbin6Modbin / Modbin6

CBROM.EXECBROM.EXECBROM.EXECBROM.EXE

•Change, release and extract VGA ROM

•Change, release and extract LAN Boot ROM

•Combine Logo file

•Only for AWARD BIOS

CBROM.exe v 2.20 = C220.exe

CBROM.EXECBROM.EXECBROM.EXECBROM.EXE

Beep code of AWARD BIOS

1 short : System Boot normally

2 short : CMOS setting error

1 long 1 short : DRAM error

1 long 2 short : VGA function error

1 long 3 short : Keyboard error

Long Beep continuously : DRAM, not detect

Short Beep continuously : Power error

What AE can do for BIOS modify request

Change VGA BIOS – change VGA BIOS for specific panel

Combine Logo file-- the logo file must be 640*480* 16 color

Change Ethernet Boot Rom-- change the boot Rom( RPL/ PXE) by customer’s request

Modify System BIOS-- change the default setting by customer’s request

How to know the correct BIOS version of AXIOMTEK’s SBC board? 

When the system boots, please check the title on the screen. You will find the message to show you the BIOS version. It looks like “A11.11.0”. It’s the real BIOS version of your SBC board.

FAQ

FAQ

What is the error message of “unknown IC chip” during the BIOS update by utility AWDFLASH.EXE ?

The utility version of AWDFLASH.exe is too old to detect some new IC type. Please update new version to solvethis problem.

FAQ

Why cannot save the setting after used Modbin ?

The utility Modbin release from AWARD directly, and it supports to work under MS-DOS mode. So, if the OS is Windows 98/2000 or others. If may happen some incontrollable problem.

FAQ

Why the error message happened “CMOS checksum error after BIOS update by AWDFLASH?

Because the CMOS still save the old BIOS data, even the BIOS update by AWDFLASH. Please clear CMOS data firstly. And then load setup default of BIOS to solve this problem.

FAQ

What is CMOS ?

CMOS is read/write RAM chip on the board . CMOS can save user parameter setting, on boardbattery continue provide power to it, when the systempower off the system configuration will not be lost.

FAQ

What is the work flow of BIOS ?

1.Power on2.CPU test3.To return power good4.POST (Power On Self Test)5.Initial VGA function and display information6.Show BIOS information7.Show CPU model and frequency8.Test RAM module and show progress

FAQ

What is the work flow of BIOS ?

9.Detect standard hardware device (IDE, serial port, parallel port....) 10.Detect Plug and play device and show Device name,

IRQ, DMA, Interrupt, I/O address...11.Show the hardware device detail information at table.12.Update "ESCD“ (Extended System Configuration Data).13.Start O/S...