*** Tim Hutzler wrote in a message to Scott Mcnay:
TH> Actually, BIOS is separate from the boot up and POST code,
In theory, yes.  In practice, you'll find them stuck in the same piece of 
silicon.  Also, in practice, they're not very separate at all, since the POST 
code initializes the data areas and does the initial configuration and 
performs minimal tests of function; without the POST doing this, the BIOS 
fuctions would not be able to function.  Similar for the boot code; the boot 
code would not be able to function without the BIOS proper, and the BIOS 
proper would be useless without the boot code loading up something that 
actually does something worthwhile.
Nowadays, the POST is a loader for the BIOS and the boot loader, which in 
turn loads up the OS, which in turn maps the BIOS out of the memory space. 
(thanks for the help, now scram!!) 
(This discussion is probably more for the benefit of the lurkers here... ;)
TH> However, there are BIOS areas that an operating doesn't mess
TH> with, and that's because it is very specific to the
TH> hardware, ie.
TH> a particular motherboard chip set, or video chep set, or a
TH> non-IDE interface like SCSI.
In the case of Windows 95, this is as untrue as can be managed;  If you look 
in the device manager, you'll see that on most computers, most devices are 
recognized by name.  Win95 may not handle certain different devices 
differently, but it could; it is up to the driver author.
TH> Certainly true for older cards, and the only alternative was
TH> direct screen writes. But todays accelerated and 3D cards
TH> are far more sophisticated. And the BIOS calls, or more
TH> often the supplied driver is the only way to go. I am
TH> agreeing with you on this point, BTW. 
That would likely be VESA calls, not BIOS calls.  I haven't looked at the 
VESA 2.x standard, though, so I don't know what new features it supports.
SM>The boot virus protection interferes with certain programs, such
TH> I don't enable it during installations.
I just don't enable it, period.  ;)  I've also had trouble with customers who 
think that IT is a virus!!  Some people are amazingly hard to explain things 
to.
Actually, it just occurred to me that if the BIOS manufacturers had an Auto 
feature, that would be best, so that if floppy boots are disabled, then the 
boot sector check would be disabled also, and vice versa.  You'd probably 
STILL have to disable it for Win95 installation, though.
--Scott.
--- timEd 1.01
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