The end of BIOS?

Davidgt · Dec 30, 2003, 10:26 PM

Thanks to our good buddy`s Microsoft and Intel, this looks to becoming true.

"Intel and Microsoft are gearing up to move toward the first major overhaul of the innermost workings of the personal computer--the boundary where software and hardware meet--during 2004.

The companies will begin promoting a technology specification called EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) as a new system for starting up a PC's hardware before its operating system begins loading, a process that kicks in every time a PC is switched on or restarted."

Read more HERE

ivan300 · Dec 30, 2003, 11:52 PM

hmm i dont know if i trust ms writing my bios hmmm

caqde · Dec 31, 2003, 12:15 AM

Hmm bios blue screens? I am not sure if my computer would work with Microsoft running first. It is bad enough they created my OS but my bios? This is scary. And we even have Intel in there to boot. I don't trust either one of them. Every time I heard of an Idea by Intel there was a better idea by someone else or it was barely used. Anybody remember this from Intel.

Quote:

3D applications will also run faster when the need to pre-fetch and cache textures in local video memory is eliminated. How much faster? Up to 12.6 times more frames per second, according to the latest Ziff-Davis 3D WinBench* 97 performance comparisons.

By minimizing the need for video memory, AGP helps OEMs control the costs of new PC designs.

Yeah right Intel said this back when the Pentium II was out. I don't see this today. I see more memory on the VideoCards not none. And this wasn't their only dumb idea. Two companies that have stupid ideas = One Very Dumb Idea. This ought to be interesting.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 31, 2003, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ivan300
hmm i dont know if i trust ms writing my bios hmmm

yea i see bsod/and crashes in our future...

and severice packs and se editions lol

Mac Daddy · Dec 31, 2003, 02:54 AM

Thanks Davidgt for the info

I already adhere that I care not for MS OS's .. much less a BIOS from them ..
Whew Mr. Burns flashing a BIOS for me ?? I'd much rather Billy taking out my garbage

Dec 31, 2003, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ivan300
hmm i dont know if i trust ms writing my bios hmmm

they wrote their own BIOS back in the day, and language. For the... of dang i forget the name of it, it was a computer that all it did was blink. But still, bill gates and company wrote a language for it.

EDIT: either way, don't knock microsoft, they've done things you'll never be able to do. Like write an operating system. Though honestly, i would rather have the guy that made the linux core write my BIOS

BWX · Dec 31, 2003, 03:28 AM

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/showthre...eadid=34190&s=

Should we maybe merge these threads?

I think they should just come up with an "OS" that directly controls the bios, but the bios should still be directly accessible without the GUI just in case. They can call it whatever they want, it still will be a "bios" or at least serve the same purpose. Ya know? Or will it just be a bios with a GUI? As soon as you involve drivers (graphics and mouse at least you are asking for trouble. Plus, people that know enough about PC's to successfully adjust the bios really don't need a GUI, and people that need a GUI to adjust the bios probably shouldn't be messing with it.

drakesteakn · Dec 31, 2003, 04:19 AM

i think i like the idea of getting rid of "bios". but i would go back to"Bios" if Mircosoft was the only alternative to it.

edperks · Dec 31, 2003, 04:41 AM

I wonder if this is another way to take away us tweaking our systems? Or maybe EFI will have better a easier ways for us to get the most out of our motherboards.

No_Style · Dec 31, 2003, 04:46 AM

Since EFI will be closer to the OS..I think Overclocking can be done through the OS. Maybe tweaks like that can be done while the OS is up. (Just a guess)

caqde · Dec 31, 2003, 07:49 PM

Quote:

I think they should just come up with an "OS" that directly controls the bios, but the bios should still be directly accessible without the GUI just in case.

This is a BAD idea. Don't ever ever allow an insecure piece of software access the bios directly. This is just asking for trouble. I know it sounds like a good idea, but the reprocustions of such access is worse than the benifits. The only access the OS should have is READ ONLY. I know you would like to have access to overclocking, but think of a virus that overclocked your CPU for you by a GHZ or so making your CPU a piece of melted silicon.

When you think of an idea always think about what people will do with it. Anyway's why should Windows have control over the bios? Is there any benifit to it. Easier overclocking? Maybe, but at what cost.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 31, 2003, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by generalstupid
they wrote their own BIOS back in the day, and language. For the... of dang i forget the name of it, it was a computer that all it did was blink. But still, bill gates and company wrote a language for it.

EDIT: either way, don't knock microsoft, they've done things you'll never be able to do. Like write an operating system. Though honestly, i would rather have the guy that made the linux core write my BIOS

um your mis imformed ms'es first os wans't written by them the bought it for like $20
you really need to do some researh ... lol go see pirates of silacon valley

also most the stuff uses for the orgial windows came from MS working with apple on thier os and stealing thier ideas

PoopyTheJ · Dec 31, 2003, 09:37 PM

Here's a link to the Google cache since the site appears down at this point, EFI is just one of the first steps to the TCPA and the "Fritz" chip. http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache...hl=en&ie=UTF-8 Plus having the OS able to write to the BIOS, oh boy scary scary thought.

studbagel9 · Jan 2, 2004, 05:53 AM

Wow Gaborn, that's some really interesting and scary stuff. Stupid Microsoft, Intel and every other large corporation...

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jan 2, 2004, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gaborn415
Here's a link to the Google cache since the site appears down at this point, EFI is just one of the first steps to the TCPA and the "Fritz" chip. http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache...n&ie=UTF-8</a> Plus having the OS able to write to the BIOS, oh boy scary scary thought.

interesting reading

Madgoat1979 · Jan 2, 2004, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Davidgt
Thanks to our good buddy`s Microsoft and Intel, this looks to becoming true.

"Intel and Microsoft are gearing up to move toward the first major overhaul of the innermost workings of the personal computer--the boundary where software and hardware meet--during 2004.

The companies will begin promoting a technology specification called EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) as a new system for starting up a PC's hardware before its operating system begins loading, a process that kicks in every time a PC is switched on or restarted."

Read more HERE

"EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) as a new system for starting up a PC's hardware before its operating system begins loading, a process that kicks in every time a PC is switched on or restarted."

isnt that what a BIOS is?!?! hehe... correct me if Im wrong, but this sounds the same... They might change the way its done... (IE put it on a different sort of media, instead of flashable memory)

MG

Mac Daddy · Jan 3, 2004, 01:57 AM

Dec 30, 2003, 10:26 PM	#1
Davidgt Car Audio Guy Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 499 Rep Power: 0	The end of BIOS? Thanks to our good buddy`s Microsoft and Intel, this looks to becoming true. "Intel and Microsoft are gearing up to move toward the first major overhaul of the innermost workings of the personal computer--the boundary where software and hardware meet--during 2004. The companies will begin promoting a technology specification called EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) as a new system for starting up a PC's hardware before its operating system begins loading, a process that kicks in every time a PC is switched on or restarted." Read more HERE

Dec 31, 2003, 02:54 AM	#5
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 80 System Specs	Thanks Davidgt for the info I already adhere that I care not for MS OS's .. much less a BIOS from them .. Whew Mr. Burns flashing a BIOS for me ?? I'd much rather Billy taking out my garbage __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Dec 31, 2003, 03:28 AM	#7
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	http://www.hardwareheaven.com/showthre...eadid=34190&s= Should we maybe merge these threads? I think they should just come up with an "OS" that directly controls the bios, but the bios should still be directly accessible without the GUI just in case. They can call it whatever they want, it still will be a "bios" or at least serve the same purpose. Ya know? Or will it just be a bios with a GUI? As soon as you involve drivers (graphics and mouse at least you are asking for trouble. Plus, people that know enough about PC's to successfully adjust the bios really don't need a GUI, and people that need a GUI to adjust the bios probably shouldn't be messing with it. __________________ Last edited by BWX; Dec 31, 2003 at 03:34 AM.

Dec 31, 2003, 04:19 AM	#8
drakesteakn boo!!!! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Meyers, FL Posts: 2,041 Rep Power: 0	i think i like the idea of getting rid of "bios". but i would go back to"Bios" if Mircosoft was the only alternative to it. __________________

Dec 31, 2003, 04:46 AM	#10
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	I think EFI.. Since EFI will be closer to the OS..I think Overclocking can be done through the OS. Maybe tweaks like that can be done while the OS is up. (Just a guess) __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Dec 30, 2003, 11:52 PM	#2
ivan300 Booooo Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Vancouver Bc Posts: 236 Rep Power: 0	hmm i dont know if i trust ms writing my bios hmmm

Dec 31, 2003, 04:41 AM	#9
edperks HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 780 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I wonder if this is another way to take away us tweaking our systems? Or maybe EFI will have better a easier ways for us to get the most out of our motherboards.

Dec 31, 2003, 09:37 PM	#13
PoopyTheJ DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,588 Rep Power: 66	Here's a link to the Google cache since the site appears down at this point, EFI is just one of the first steps to the TCPA and the "Fritz" chip. http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache...hl=en&ie=UTF-8 Plus having the OS able to write to the BIOS, oh boy scary scary thought. __________________ [COLOR=Blue]“Alright boys, let’s start her up and see why she doesn’t work.” - John Fritz "I aim to misbehave" Malcolm Reynolds ATI Catalyst Beta Tester[/COLOR]

Jan 2, 2004, 05:53 AM	#14
studbagel9 Rolling the Hard Six Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lock Haven, PA Posts: 767 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Wow Gaborn, that's some really interesting and scary stuff. Stupid Microsoft, Intel and every other large corporation... __________________

Jan 3, 2004, 01:57 AM	#17
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 80 System Specs	__________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen