Understanding the BIOS and POST
Abdus-Salaam Sabir
NT1110: Computer Structure and Logic_ Module 5_Short Answer

August 22, 2015
Darius Banks

Understanding the BIOS and POST
Why is it necessary to use ROM for the BIOS and not RAM?
The basic input/output system (BIOS) is an essential component of the mother- board. This boot firmware, also known as System BIOS, is the first code run by a computer when it is booted. It prepares the machine by testing it during boot- up and paves the way for the operating system to start. It tests and initializes components such as the processor, RAM, video card, magnetic disks, and optical disks. If any errors occur, the BIOS reports them as part of the testing stage, known as the power-on self-test (POST). The BIOS resides on a ROM chip and stores a setup program that you can access when the computer first boots up. From this program, a user can change settings in the BIOS and upgrade the BIOS as well.
It is necessary to use ROM for the BIOS because the data in the RAM is cleared when the computer shuts down, but the data in the ROM is always there for the BIOS to use. The BIOS is typically placed in a ROM (Read-only memory) chip that comes with the computer. This ensures that the BIOS will always be available and will not be damaged by disk failures. It also makes it possible for a computer to boot itself. Read-only memory is computer memory on which data has been prerecorded. Once data has been written onto a ROM chip, it cannot be removed and can only be read.
How do the POST beep codes make troubleshooting a computer start-up problem easier?

Understanding the BIOS and POST
The POST beep codes make troubleshooting a computer start-up problem easier because without the codes a user would not know what was wrong with computer. There are so many different problems that can occur when your computer