Say goodbye to BIOS — and hello to UEFI!

By Woody Leonhard

If you've ever struggled with your PC's BIOS — or been knee-capped by a rootkit that assailed the BIOS — you undoubtedly wondered why this archaic part of every PC wasn't scrapped long ago.

Well, be of good cheer: Windows 8 will finally pull the PC industry out of the BIOS generation and into a far more capable — and controversial — alternative, the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface.

To best understand where we're headed, it's helpful to look at where we've been. An integral part of every PC, the Basic Input/Output System spans the entire history of the personal computer — more than 30 years. The very first IBM PC had a BIOS. And despite extraordinary advances in hardware and software, the BIOS we still puzzle over today is not much different from the one in that original PC.

More HERE
 
Click to expand...
It's a good change lets hope they will allow it to run on anything like BIOS does.




W20120119-TS-AwardUEFI.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W7/WCPR
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq dc7600 MiniTower
    CPU
    Pentiun P4 3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    2G
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
    Sound Card
    HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC 500G ATA
TestAll, the UEFI interface is very interesting. Is this from any rig of yours ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
vrosa said:
TestAll, the UEFI interface is very interesting. Is this from any rig of yours ?
Click to expand...

Nop I copy/paste from the echrada post.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W7/WCPR
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq dc7600 MiniTower
    CPU
    Pentiun P4 3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    2G
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
    Sound Card
    HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC 500G ATA
Now I see.

Nice reading there :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
more pictures

UEFI1.jpgUEFI2.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W7/WCPR
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq dc7600 MiniTower
    CPU
    Pentiun P4 3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    2G
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
    Sound Card
    HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC 500G ATA
I had read about a year or two ago that "bios", as we know it today, was never intended to last as long as it did. I like the idea of the UEFI, but I worry about the security part of it. I've never had an attack on any bios I have used the past 15 years (that I am aware of). I wonder if it might become an issue with UEFI.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18xR2
    CPU
    i7 3820qm
    Motherboard
    Alienware / Dell
    Memory
    16gb Corsair ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Dual GTX 675m
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 120gb SSD
    1tb storage drive
    Internet Speed
    Not nearly fast enough
eUFI is gorgeous! I cannot wait until I complete my rebuild and have an eUFI board! OH!! :what:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Coke Robot said:
eUFI is gorgeous! I cannot wait until I complete my rebuild and have an eUFI board! OH!! :what:
Click to expand...

I just built one with new bios and love the new interface. i3 2105 with a P8H67M-LE Asus board with Kingston Hyperx DDR2 13333 4 gig of memory quite the nice snappy build. I like the new AI suite and so far so good run cool and quiet with stock cooler with the pad taken off smothed up the bottom of the intel heatsink and applied Artic Silver 5. Using Prime and 4 workers got it up to 38c for 2 hours no problem very stable.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built Antec P-180B Case
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    Asus P5QPro Turbo
    Memory
    Kingston PC6300 4 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD5670
Still stuck on BIOS for the next couple of years... until I change computers. I know that it's a "couple" of years coz I don't have a job, can't find one (in the state I am) and I live on 400$ a month, so yeah.

So I will use my good ol' BIOS until then...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium FR x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 950 3.06 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X35A-UD3R
    Memory
    Corsair XMS3 DDR3 3x2GB 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus nVidia GeForce GTX460 1GB Factory Overclocked
    Sound Card
    HT Omega Claro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus VW246H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x OCZ Vertex 2 90GB SSD, 1x Hitachi 7200RPM 500GB, 1x 1TB WD Green
    PSU
    Silverstone DA700 700W
    Case
    Lian-Li Lancool PC-K62
    Cooling
    Case : Stock, CPU : Cooler Master Hyper N520
    Keyboard
    Logitech Media Elite Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    30MBits down, 1Mbits up
    Other Info
    Scanner : Canon LiDE 200
    Printer : Samsung ML-2010
This year I will certainly build or a Core i7 or a Zambezi rig with a 7970 VGA and SSDs. I will need to buy a few parts every month because of my budget.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
I'm ready to move on, just have to convince the Minister of Finance, so far I've been given the :redcarded:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
    Other Info
    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
I love testing anything anytime, But I use hardware that is on sale and get most of it use and abuse lol
Like running WDP on a 20G laptop HD in a HP tower with 1G-RAM ---lmao--- it does have a P4 3.2GHz
I did load up WDP in a 30G HD and 512Ram with a P4 3.0GHz - it run with no problems.
Its all about testing YouAll :}
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W7/WCPR
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq dc7600 MiniTower
    CPU
    Pentiun P4 3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    2G
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
    Sound Card
    HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC 500G ATA
Its all about testing
Click to expand...

I have a Pentium 3 800 MHz w/ 1 GB. I will see if W8 can run on it tonight.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
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