From the course: Cert Prep: LPIC-1 Exam 101 (Version 5.0)

Enable/disable integrated hardware - Linux Tutorial

From the course: Cert Prep: LPIC-1 Exam 101 (Version 5.0)

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Enable/disable integrated hardware

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- [Narrator] The most simple and lowest level of system configuration is enabling and disabling hardware in the system firmware. Often we need to go into the BIOS or UEFI to enable hardware before we can use it. If the hardware is not enabled, then we can't load the kernel module for it in the OS. Most PC compatible computers built from the early 1980s until about 2005 had a BIOS system. The BIOS, or basic input/output system, configured low level hardware and passed it to the OS. The problem with a BIOS, was that due to its age it was limited and was not programmable. The UEFI system, or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, came out in 2005. UEFI was built on the EFI code written by Intel and as a replacement for the legacy BIOS. With UEFI, system manufacturers can extend and modify the boot code by including drivers in the system firmware, or even other pieces of code. As of this recording, the most recent version of UEFI is 2.8, which came out in 2019. Some of the advantages of UEFI over the legacy BIOS are the ability to use disks larger than two terrabytes with GUID Partition Tables, CPU-independent architecture, CPU-independent drivers, flexible pre-OS environment, including network capability, modular design, as well as backward and forward compatibility. Their may be systems that only have a BIOS in them, but you can expect a UEFI to replace the BIOS in time, although many systems have a BIOS compatibility mode. No matter if you have a BIOS or UEFI, you'll need to press a keystroke when the system boots to get into the interface. This keystroke will be different depending on your computer manufacturer, so you'll need to check the manual for your specific computer. Once in the interface, you need to move around in the menus to configure low level system settings. In a UEFI system, you'll most likely have a mouse interface so you can click on items. In a BIOS system, you'll need to use your cursor keys to select and deselect items. Don't forget to save before you exit. The system will then boot up. One last stop before we move on. If you're not using a piece of hardware, then it's a pretty good idea to turn it off, if you're allowed to do so. If you turn it off then the drivers won't load and troubleshooting your system will be easier. It will use less memory, and maybe even run faster.

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