Describe BIOS and UEFI

 

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) are firmware interfaces responsible for initializing hardware and launching an operating system during the boot process. While both serve similar purposes, they differ significantly in functionality, structure, and features:

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1. Architecture and Design

• BIOS:

  • A legacy firmware interface introduced in the 1980s.
  • Operates in 16-bit real mode, which limits its capabilities, such as addressing only 1 MB of memory.
  • Firmware is stored on a ROM or Flash chip on the motherboard.
  • Has a text-based interface and limited features.

• UEFI:

  • A modern replacement for BIOS, designed to overcome its limitations.
  • Operates in 32-bit or 64-bit mode, enabling faster and more efficient processing.
  • Firmware is stored on a dedicated flash memory or in the same place as the BIOS.
  • Features a more user-friendly graphical interface with mouse support.

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2. Boot Process

• BIOS:

  • Uses the Master Boot Record (MBR) for booting, which limits partition sizes to 2 TB and supports up to 4 primary partitions.
  • Executes POST (Power-On Self-Test) to initialize hardware and check for errors.
  • Loads the first sector (MBR) of the storage device to find and execute the bootloader.

• UEFI:

  • Uses the GUID Partition Table (GPT), supporting drives larger than 2 TB and virtually unlimited partitions.
  • Performs a similar initialization process but offers a more modular and efficient method for hardware checks.
  • Loads boot files (EFI executables) from a dedicated EFI System Partition (ESP).

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3. Features and Functionality

• BIOS:

  • Lacks built-in networking capabilities for firmware updates or troubleshooting.
  • Relatively simple and straightforward, but limited in expandability.
  • No native support for secure booting or advanced security measures.

• UEFI:

  • Includes advanced features such as Secure Boot, which prevents unauthorized operating systems or malware from booting.
  • Supports remote diagnostics and firmware updates over a network.
  • Can boot from larger and faster storage devices, including NVMe drives.

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4. Compatibility

• BIOS:

  • Compatible with older hardware and operating systems.
  • Still in use for legacy systems.

• UEFI:

  • Backward-compatible with BIOS through Compatibility Support Module (CSM), but modern systems are moving toward UEFI-only configurations.
  • Required for newer operating systems and technologies.

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5. Performance

• BIOS:
  • Slower boot times due to its older design and limited processing capabilities.
• UEFI:
  • Faster boot times and improved efficiency due to its modern design and ability to address more resources.

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Summary

• BIOS is an older, simpler system limited by design constraints, suitable for legacy devices.
• UEFI is a more robust and feature-rich interface designed for modern hardware, offering improved performance, scalability, and security.

UEFI is now the standard on most modern systems, with BIOS gradually being phased out.

 

How to Name a Window in Google Chrome

A new option has landed in the Google Chrome browser. It will allow you to name individual  windows, so you'll be able to find the required one at a glance. The feature is available to everyone starting in Chrome 90

Google Chrome receives an option to name its windows. The feature is currently controlled by a flag. You can try  to enable by entering chrome://flags/#window-naming into the Chrome Canary's address bar. After enabling the flag, you will need to restart your browser. This will add a new option to the titlebar context menu. Let's review the process in detail.

First of all, you need to turn on the window naming feature if you don't have it enabled in your browser. In the steps below I am using the latest Canary build of the browser. If you have the option available, you can omit the below steps and go to the second part of this post.

Update: Starting in Chrome 90 stable, the window naming option is no longer experimental and available to the public. You can omit the below step and go to the next chapter of this post.

Contents 

• To enable window naming in Google Chrome,
• To Name a Window in Google Chrome,

How to Name a Window in Google Chrome

A new option has landed in the Google Chrome browser. It will allow you to name individual  windows, so you'll be able to find the required one at a glance. The feature is available to everyone starting in Chrome 90.

Google Chrome receives an option to name its windows. The feature is currently controlled by a flag. You can try  to enable by entering chrome://flags/#window-naming into the Chrome Canary's address bar. After enabling the flag, you will need to restart your browser. This will add a new option to the titlebar context menu. Let's review the process in detail.

First of all, you need to turn on the window naming feature if you don't have it enabled in your browser. In the steps below I am using the latest Canary build of the browser. If you have the option available, you can omit the below steps and go to the second part of this post.

Update: Starting in Chrome 90 stable, the window naming option is no longer experimental and available to the public. You can omit the below step and go to the next chapter of this post.

To enable window naming in Google Chrome,

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Type chrome://flags/#window-naming in the address bar and hit the Enter key.
3. Select Enabled from the drop-down menu next to the Window Naming option.

4. Click on the Relaunch button to restart Google Chrome.

Now you can name windows in Google Chrome.

To Name a Window in Google Chrome,

1. Right-click on the window titlebar area (not on tabs!), and select Name window... from the context menu.

2. In the Set Window Name dialog, specify the desired name for the current Chrome window.

3. Repeat the above for all Chrome windows you want to name

4. You are done.

Thanks for Reading this Port

- Md. Masud Rana

Dell XPS 13 Battery Replacement

If your Dell XPS 13 (also known as Dell XPS 13 Infinity Edge Ultrabook or Dell XPS 13 Skylake) has lost its ability to hold a charge, you most likely have a dead battery, which requires replacement.

A functional battery provides power to your laptop. Eventually, laptop batteries will rapidly drain after going through a repeated amount of charge cycles. If you notice that your charged battery is draining more quickly than usual, consider calibrating your battery to determine an accurate charging capacity. If you continue to notice significant drops in battery percentage, you should replace your battery.

Step 1 Back Cover






• Remove the eight 4 mm T5 Torx screws from the bottom cover.

Step 2







• Use a plastic opening tool to pry open the 'XPS' flap in the middle.

Step 3



• Remove the single Phillips screw hidden beneath the flap.



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Step 4



• Use opening picks or a plastic pry tool to pry open the case clips, beginning from the back edge.

Step 5



• Remove the bottom cover.

Step 6 Battery Disconnection







• Pull the battery cable connector towards the battery to disconnect it from its socket.
• If the connector is stubborn, push a little at one side, then the other, to "walk" it out of its socket.
• If you have trouble walking the connector out of the socket, use the point of a spudger to gently push on the connector indent to slide the connector out.
• Do not pull up.
• Open the display and press the power button for five seconds to drain any remaining charge from the system.

Step 7 Battery



• Remove three Phillips screws labeled "M2x2"
• Remove a Phillips screw labeled "M1.6x4"

Step 8



• Peel up any tape securing the speaker cables to the battery.
• You don't need to remove the speakers, only the tape, allowing the battery to be removed out under the speaker cables.

Step 9



• Remove the battery.

 Edit

Thanks for Reading...

Masud Rana