Specifications

EPC-3305 Hardware Reference
110
BIOS
Update
A process whereby an existing, uncorrupted BIOS image in the flash boot device is
overwritten with a new image. Also referred to as a flash update.
Bit
A binary digit.
Boot
The process of starting a computer and loading the operating system from a powered
down state (cold boot) or after a computer reset (warm boot). Before the operating
system loads, the computer performs a general hardware initialization and resets
internal registers.
Boot Block
A write-protected 16KB section of the flash boot device located at physical address
FFFFC000h to FFFFFFFFh which contains code to perform rudimentary hardware
intitialization at system power up. The boot block also contains code to recover the
BIOS via floppy disk.
Boot Device
The storage device from which the computer boots the operating system.
Boot
Sequence
The order in which a computer searches external storage devices for an operating
system to boot. The boot device must be the first in the boot sequence.
Byte
A group of 8 bits.
CPU
(Central Processing Unit) A semiconductor device which performs the processing of
data in a computer. The CPU, also referred to as the microprocessor, consists of an
arithmetic/logic unit to perform the data processing, and a control unit which
provides timing and control signals necessary to execute instructions in a program.
Chipset
One or more integrated circuits that, along with a CPU, memory, and other
peripherals, implements an IBM PC-AT compatible computer. The chipset typically
implements a DRAM controller, bus, interface logic, and PC peripheral devices.
CAS
(Column Address Strobe) An input signal from the DRAM controller to an internal
DRAM latch register specifying the column at which to read or write data. The
DRAM requires a column address and a row address to define a memory address.
Since both parts of the address are applied at the same DRAM inputs, use of column
addresses and row addresses in a multiplexed array allows use of half as many pins
to define an address location in a DRAM device as would otherwise be required.
COM Port
A bi-directional serial communication port which implements the RS-232
specification.
CMOS
(Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) A fast, low power semiconductor
RAM used to store system configuration data.
Convention
al Memory
The first 640 KB of a computer’s total memory capacity. If a computer has no
extended memory, conventional memory equals the total memory capacity. In
typical computer systems, conventional memory can contain BIOS data, the
operating system, applications, application data, and terminate and stay resident
(TSR) programs. Also called system memory.
CSR
(CMOS Save and Restore) A System BIOS feature that allows the user to backup the
contents of CMOS RAM (contained within the real time clock) to the BIOS Flash
device to be restored later if necessary (such as when the real time clock battery dies).