What does the acronym 'BIOS' stand for?

The acronym 'BIOS' stands for Basic Input/Output System. This is a crucial firmware found on motherboards that initializes and tests hardware components during the booting process before handing control over to the operating system. The BIOS provides a set of essential routines that facilitate communication between the operating system and the hardware components, including the keyboard, display, and storage devices.

Understanding the role of BIOS is fundamental in technical support because it helps in troubleshooting hardware issues and managing system settings such as boot order and hardware configuration. It operates in a low-level environment, unlike higher-level operating systems, emphasizing its importance in the early stages of a computer's startup sequence.