System BIOS



BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System, although the full 
term is used very infrequently. The system BIOS is the 
lowest-level software in the computer; it acts as an 
interface between the hardware (especially the chipset and 
processor) and the operating system. The BIOS provides access 
to the system hardware and enables the creation of the 
higher-level operating systems (DOS, Windows 95, etc.) that 
you use to run your applications. The BIOS is also responsible 
for allowing you to control your computer's hardware settings, 
for booting up the machine when you turn on the power or hit 
the reset button, and various other system functions.
