Basic Computer Hardware - What is BIOS and How Does Memory Work?

BIOS which is an abbreviation for Basic Input/output Services is a set of short programs stored on a separate chip mounted on the motherboard which fires up the moment you start your computer. It is this software that does the checking for hardware compatibility, checks to see if everything is in order and then triggers another set of programs that lead to the starting of the operating system in use. Memory on the other hand is vital to the computer's CPU to help store its results on a temporary basis.