BIOS

Bios can refer to two main concepts: the Basic Input/Output System in computing and short biographical sketches commonly labeled as bios. Both uses derive from the word biography, but they operate in different domains: technology and publishing.

BIOS, Basic Input/Output System, is firmware stored on a motherboard that initializes hardware during boot and provides low-level services to the operating system. It performs a Power-On Self-Test to verify essential components, locates a boot device, loads the bootloader, and hands control to the OS. Traditional BIOS operates in a 16-bit real mode and uses legacy interfaces. Modern systems use UEFI, which offers a graphical setup, faster boots, support for large drives with GPT, and Secure Boot to verify software authenticity. Firmware updates are possible but carry risk of rendering the motherboard unbootable if an update fails.

Biographical bios are short summaries of a person’s life and work, used in author bios, conference programs, and media kits. They typically include name, notable roles or achievements, education, and affiliations, and are written in the third person. The plural 'bios' is common in editorial usage; the singular is 'bio'.