Where is the BIOS located? Example location on the motherboard

If not all, then most users have encountered the notion of BIOS and the parameters of this basic system. However, sometimes for some reason you need to completely reset its settings. That's when people start to disassemble computers and laptops, trying to determine where the BIOS (chip) is located. So that there are no misconceptions about the location of this element of the system, we will try to consider all aspects related to this.

What is the BIOS and why is it needed?

Before considering the question of where the BIOS is located on the laptop or in a stationary computer terminal, let's see what it is and why the whole system is needed.

In general, if you understand, the BIOS can be characterized in two ways. First, it is, so to speak, the "iron" component of any computer device, made in the form of a microchip. Secondly, it is a software suite designed to ensure that all elements of the system are operational before the start of the operating system. Incidentally, it should be noted that it retains basic information and settings relating to absolutely all devices present in the assembly at the "hardware" level.

Misconceptions about the location of the microchip

Now a little bit about myths. Some obviously unprepared users often wonder about where the BIOS is in Windows 7 for example. The answer is simple - nowhere! There are no files or folders in the system, though somehow related to the BIOS or its settings.

Another thing is that the operating system sees this device and is able to display brief information about it, for example, information about the manufacturer, version, etc. To do this, use the system information section, which can be accessed very simply from the standard "Control Panel" . Here among all other devices there is also a BIOS. Where is the information about this chip in Windows 8? All in the same section. However, in order not to search for the same "Control Panel", you can use the "Run" menu, where the command msinfo32 is prescribed.

Where is the BIOS on the motherboard

Now let's get down to the main question. So where is the BIOS? As many already guessed, exclusively on the motherboard. Note that this microchip is not installed, so if you are looking for a search, you should carefully inspect the motherboard. If, for some reason, the microcircuit is not found, you should thoroughly study the instruction that came with the device. As a rule, there is a diagram with the description and arrangement of all elements.

As for the installation of the chip, there may be two options: a removable device or firmly soldered into the motherboard. Owners of removable chips are lucky, because in case of a breakdown it can easily be replaced. Some manufacturers went even further. They install not one chip on their motherboards, but two. In this case, the first is the main one, and the second plays the role of the backup. It is not difficult to imagine that if the first fails, the second automatically connects.

To find the microchip itself, you need to look for a black or gray box, which, as a rule, has a size of about 1x1 cm. Sometimes it can have a producer name like American Megatrends. In some cases, there is a holographic label on top.

Location options

Some instructions are advised to look for the microchip BIOS next to the CMOS battery, which clearly stands out against the general background. It is not always so. The fact is that next to it sometimes there are no microcircuits, and the chip we are interested in can be located far enough, as, for example, on motherboards manufactured by MSI.

If you look at where the BIOS is located on ASUS A8N-SLI motherboards, the location option (in our case, from top to bottom) might look like the battery, the memory jumper, the I / O controller, and only then the BIOS chip itself. By the way, for him a special connector is provided, from which it can be removed quite simply.

BIOS Battery: where is the

Now a few words about the battery. Find it on the motherboard is easy enough. It is made in the form of a circular disk, and by the size of a factor of two or three exceeds immediately the battery used in the electronic clock.

It stands out against the background of all the other components and connectors is quite strong, since it has a typical metallic hue.

Why do I need a non-volatile CMOS memory?

No matter how universal the BIOS device, it can store not all the data about the installed equipment (here there are characteristics and settings of only standard components). In this case, the chip manufacturers may not know the parameters of other devices that are connected to the computer.

Here comes the so-called memory CMOS, which, in addition to the system clock settings, also stores data on coprocessors, floppy disks, etc. Its purpose is that the stored information is not erased when the computer is turned off. In turn, it is powered by a battery, the charge of which, according to the manufacturers, should be enough for an average of even a few years of power failure. Incidentally, it should be noted that the reset of the BIOS memory and password is the same as it is achieved by temporarily removing the battery from the corresponding socket.

The interconnection of the BIOS, CMOS and ROM

Where is the BIOS, it is already a little understandable. Now let's look at the relationship of the above components. It goes without saying that at this stage of the topic's consideration one could also formulate the question: where is the BIOS in the ROM (read-only memory)? In part, it will be put somewhat incorrectly, since the BIOS is, in fact, a set of programs "stitched" in ROM.

But back to the relationship. The fact is that at the moment the computer terminal is switched on the processor first turns to RAM, and as it is known, nothing remains after the shutdown. Therefore, the address is redirected to the ROM, where there are "wired" programs responsible for the parameters and identification of "iron" devices. In addition, a system timer is used, the settings of which directly affect the time and date set in the operating system. Of course, in the operating system itself, you can change these settings, but sometimes it does not help if some errors occur, and you must change the time with the date in the BIOS.

How to get into BIOS settings

Finally, consider the options for entering the I / O system settings. For stationary computers, as a rule, input is provided by pressing the Del key, sometimes Esc (on the screen in the center or below appears a line with the appropriate indication: Press ... to run BIOS Setup or something like that.

On laptops more variations. For example, it can be function keys, combinations with the Fn key or special buttons, rendered on the keyboard (like Sony Vaio).

Not to mention where the HP BIOS is (laptops), the main role is played by the Esc key, after clicking it, a short menu appears with instructions for the buttons responsible for certain operations. In devices like HP Pavilion, the BIOS entry from the initial menu is performed by using the F10 key. In general, it is necessary to look at the motherboard manufacturer and BIOS developer, because there can be quite a lot of combinations. They are indicated on the startup boot screen. True, the message itself lasts only a couple of seconds, and not everyone has time to notice what needs to be done. At this point, you can press the Pause key to lock the line on the screen.

Features of the location of the BIOS chip on the laptop

With laptops, the situation is somewhat more complicated than with stationary computers. Actually, motherboards are quite different. However, despite the numerous options for the arrangement of the elements, with a certain degree of certainty, we can say that on many models there is a standard solution for the location.

Most often, you need to look for the chip under the Wi-Fi module, which can be under the smallest cover on the bottom of the laptop, above the DVD-drive. The battery can be found under the upper right-hand corner of the touchpad. But this is not standard. There may be other options.

Conclusion

Here it is briefly and everything, as to where the BIOS is located on different devices, what its purpose and functions are. As already understood, depending on the manufacturer of the motherboard, the location of some elements may look illogical. Nevertheless, you can find this chip even if it does not have a holographic sticker or a manufacturer. The main thing is a little patience and attentiveness when looking around.

In the simplest version, of course, it is necessary to first find the battery, and then look for a look at its surroundings, because the motherboard is not that big in size. So the probability of finding a BIOS chip at first glance is quite large.

Apparently, many have already noticed that the BIOS location options can be quite a lot. How many manufacturers and varieties of motherboards, so many options. In this case, even from one manufacturer on different models, the microchip can be in completely different locations. You understand that you can not just enumerate everything, although in this case some unified basic schemes were considered. However, it is enough to look at the instructions to the motherboard, in vain not to waste time searching. If you do not have one, and you need to find the BIOS on the laptop, you can just go to the manufacturer's website and find it on the scheme there. The Internet now is almost all.