Settle an argument...

OK, I need some help to quell an argument here at the lab...

Half of us think that BIOS is an acronym for Basic In/Out System.
The rest think it is an acronym for BInary Operating System.

We've been looking through manuals, and have found both, and now a third, Built-In Operating System.

So, c'mon... what is it really?

Thanks!

When talking about PCs it's Basic Input/Output System. It always was and always will be.

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In computing, the BIOS (pronounced /ˈbaɪoʊs/) is an acronym that stands either for the Basic Input/Output System or for Built In Operating System (see Acronym definition). The latter term dates from the late 1970s and early 1980s when the PCs of the day normally contained a comprehensive operating system in their ROMs. The latter acronym is still much used in conjunction with gadgetry containing dedicated computers, such as modern cameras, white-wear, etc.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS

So in all fairness my old Amiga has an Built In Operating System..

BIOS is the third album of the Costa Rican music group Gandhi.


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&d...ition&ct=title

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Settle an argument...

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Here we go

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The latter term dates from the late 1970s and early 1980s

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Somebody's showing their age. :eek:

I like how nobody voted for the "that weird binary guy is out of his skull" (that is the correct answer) no need to repeat what has clearly been stated above :)

Thanks everybody.... maybe now my co-workers will get off my back. ;)

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Thanks everybody.... maybe now my co-workers will get off my back. ;)

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LOL - How could BIOS terminology become such a big deal? I have always known it as Basic Input Ouput System. Which, logically, is exactly what it is, and does.

What does CMOS stand for again? ...... ;)

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Originally Posted by CybertecOne

What does CMOS stand for again? ...... ;)

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Now you have to start a thread and have a poll up.

It's the rules and you have to follow the rules other wise you will have to hand back your AO Decoder ring. :D

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Originally Posted by CybertecOne

What does CMOS stand for again? ...... ;)

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Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor ;)

tisk tisk... SirDice I believe it stands for Current Memory On System (lol I am not serious but I just made that up) so start your poll and get the right answer!

A normal person would have thought that BIOS
had something to do with Biology, but it's obvious that
the computer gods never majored in english.

Actually I think that all three definitions have been used at one time or another. Currently, BIOS is generally taken to mean Basic Input Output System when referring to PCs.

http://www.bioscentral.com/

If you are talking about embedded systems then it would be the built in operating system, as no other OS is required by such devices.