104

This was a Lenovo. Now I'm wondering if Windows or Linux has a better BIOS.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] dgriffith@aussie.zone 9 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

It's right there in the name:

Basic Input Output Operating System

It's the first stage of whatever os you run.

If you don't think the BIOS is part of your operating system, just remove it and see how far you get on the next boot.

Edit: I was always told the I in BIOS was "I/O". WAS I DECEIVED FOR ALL THIS TIME!?

[-] vardogor@mander.xyz 46 points 8 months ago

BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System.

Semantically sure, it's making your system operate, but it's technically part of your motherboard's firmware.

[-] dgriffith@aussie.zone 5 points 8 months ago

It's the underlying system. You can run tiny bare metal programs in your boot sector that simply call bios functions to output to the screen and write to disk and beep the speaker, just like you can call functions to the windows or Linux kernels to do the same.

Although granted the only functions called these days are to set the CPU to protected mode and goodbye BIOS until the next boot.

[-] vardogor@mander.xyz 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

hmm. it's a good point. it seems to me though that that just isn't what "operating system" refers to, since these programs can't actually manage the system in a meaningful way or do anything you'd really expect from an OS.

[-] dgriffith@aussie.zone 1 points 8 months ago

But circling back to OP's screenshot it only mentions that it's part of the OS. A pretty small part these days compared to DOS, but it's still doing stuff.

I guess it comes down to whether you consider all the initialisation/bootstrap/hardware configuration routines to be part of an operating system.

[-] MxM111@kbin.social -4 points 8 months ago

Which is Operating System too, just not windows.

[-] PixxlMan@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago

"Operating system" has a specific meaning and BIOS isn't one.

[-] Acid2688@lemmy.world 21 points 8 months ago
[-] dgriffith@aussie.zone 1 points 8 months ago

Chant it with me.... BIOOOOOOS haha.

There should be a slash in there.

Basic Input/Output Operating System.

At least, that's what I was taught it was many decades ago.

this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2023
104 points (76.8% liked)

Software Gore

4786 readers
1 users here now

Welcome to /c/SoftwareGore!


This is a community where you can poke fun at nasty software. This community is your go-to destination to look at the most cringe-worthy and facepalm-inducing moments of software gone wrong. Whether it's a user interface that defies all logic, a crash that leaves you in disbelief, silly bugs or glitches that make you go crazy, or an error message that feels like it was written by an unpaid intern, this is the place to see them all!

Remember to read the rules before you make a post or comment!


Community Rules - Click to expand


These rules are subject to change at any time with or without prior notice. (last updated: 7th December 2023 - Introduction of Rule 11 with one sub-rule prohibiting posting of AI content)


  1. This community is a part of the Lemmy.world instance. You must follow its Code of Conduct (https://mastodon.world/about).
  2. Please keep all discussions in English. This makes communication and moderation much easier.
  3. Only post content that's appropriate to this community. Inappropriate posts will be removed.
  4. NSFW content of any kind is not allowed in this community.
  5. Do not create duplicate posts or comments. Such duplicated content will be removed. This also includes spamming.
  6. Do not repost media that has already been posted in the last 30 days. Such reposts will be deleted. Non-original content and reposts from external websites are allowed.
  7. Absolutely no discussion regarding politics are allowed. There are plenty of other places to voice your opinions, but fights regarding your political opinion is the last thing needed in this community.
  8. Keep all discussions civil and lighthearted.
    • Do not promote harmful activities.
    • Don't be a bigot.
    • Hate speech, harassment or discrimination based on one's race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, beliefs or any other identity is strictly disallowed. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to discuss in this community.
  9. The moderators retain the right to remove any post or comment and ban users/bots that do not necessarily violate these rules if deemed necessary.
  10. At last, use common sense. If you think you shouldn't say something to a person in real life, then don't say it here.
  11. Community specific rules:
    • Posts that contain any AI-related content as the main focus (for example: AI “hallucinations”, repeated words or phrases, different than expected responses, etc.) will be removed. (polled)


You should also check out these awesome communities!


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS