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BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, is firmware on a computer's motherboard that initializes hardware and starts the operating system. It performs the Power-On Self Test (POST) to check hardware, controls basic device functions, manages hardware settings, and facilitates data flow between the OS and connected devices. BIOS is stored on a non-volatile memory chip and is the first software to run when a computer powers on, ensuring it's always available.

What BIOS does:

Hardware Initialization: The BIOS performs a Power-On Self Test (POST) to check that crucial hardware components like the processor, memory, keyboard, and display are present and functioning correctly.

Bootstrapping: After a successful POST, the BIOS locates and loads the operating system (or a bootloader) from a storage device, which then takes over the computer's functions.

Hardware Control: It provides the fundamental software instructions needed to control and manage various hardware components, acting as an intermediary between the hardware and the OS.

System Configuration: Users can access the BIOS settings to adjust system configurations, such as the boot order for storage devices, and manage other hardware-related settings.

Power Management: The BIOS also plays a role in managing the computer's power, using ACPI tables to control how power is supplied to different devices.