BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

The set of user-independent computer instructions stored in a computers ROM, immediately available to the computer when the computer is turned on. BIOS information provides the code necessary to control the keyboard, display screen, disc drives and communication ports in addition to handling certain miscellaneous functions.

A motherboard BIOS controls the basic functions of the computer such as the keyboard, monitor, etc. The BIOS on a SCSI card is used to control SCSI hard disk drives and perform the hard disk boot function.