Motherboards (AI) Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is flashing the BIOS/UEFI?
A process of upgrading the BIOS/UEFI firmware to support new hardware or improve system functionality.
Flashing the BIOS/UEFI may be necessary for hardware upgrades that are not recognized by the system.
What happens if there is a power loss during a BIOS/UEFI upgrade?
The system may become inoperable, necessitating a BIOS/UEFI chip replacement or motherboard replacement.
New systems often have fail-safe mechanisms to prevent complete failure during upgrades.
What should you do if you think you need a BIOS/UEFI upgrade?
Consult the motherboard or system manufacturer for the latest BIOS/UEFI code and flashing utility.
BIOS/UEFI manufacturers may not provide the latest updates directly.
What settings does the CMOS memory chip keep?
- Date
- Time
- Hard drive/optical drive configuration
- Memory
- CPU settings
- Integrated ports
- Boot sequence
- Power management
- Virtualization support
- Security settings
CMOS retains settings even when the computer is powered off.
What is CMOS?
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor, a type of memory chip that stores BIOS settings.
CMOS technology is used for low power integrated circuits.
How does the BIOS/UEFI interact with CMOS memory?
BIOS/UEFI starts with default information and reads from CMOS for configurations, with CMOS information overriding defaults.
The interaction is a merge process, not a write-over.
What is the purpose of the CMOS battery?
To provide power to the CMOS memory chip, preserving its settings when the computer is off.
Typically, CMOS batteries are long-life, non-rechargeable lithium batteries.
What are common form factors for motherboards?
- ATX
- ITX
Form factors determine the size and layout of the motherboard.
What types of connector types should you be familiar with for the A+ exam?
- PCI
- PCIe
- Power
- SATA
- eSATA
- M.2
- Headers
Connector types vary in function and compatibility.
What compatibility concerns exist for motherboards?
- AMD and Intel CPU sockets
- Different board types (server, multisocket, desktop, mobile)
Ensuring compatibility is crucial for hardware installations.
What BIOS/UEFI features should you know for security?
- Boot options
- USB permissions
- TPM
- Fan configurations
- Secure boot
- Boot passwords
These features enhance system security and management.
True or False: CMOS and BIOS/UEFI are used interchangeably in casual conversation.
True
While technically different, the terms are often used interchangeably.
What is the role of the BIOS/UEFI in a computer system?
To control the boot process and manage hardware initialization.
The BIOS/UEFI firmware is essential for system startup.
Fill in the blank: The first commonly used chip made from CMOS technology was a type of _______.
[memory chip]
This chip was primarily used for BIOS/UEFI storage.
