[Deep Analysis] What Does the Emergence of a System Depend On?

[Deep Dive] What Does the Generation of a System Depend On?

We might have a conventional assumption: if the C drive of a computer doesn’t have an operating system installed, then the computer has no system.

Is this statement accurate?

When we get a computer, we essentially obtain its hardware.

This hardware contains an embedded piece of software—the firmware stored in the NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) on the motherboard.

Firmware is what we commonly refer to as BIOS/UEFI.

Without BIOS or UEFI, we simply cannot boot the computer. Even if we connect it to a power source, we cannot start it. Without firmware, the computer is nothing more than a piece of scrap metal.

So, what is the essence of BIOS/UEFI?

The essence of firmware is also a micro operating system. Although the word “firm” might make it sound like a “solid object,” firmware is, in fact, software embedded within the hardware.

As a system, it is susceptible to damage. Even though it resides in the relatively safe location of NVRAM, damage is sometimes unavoidable.

What happens if the firmware gets corrupted?

We cannot repair the firmware on a computer where the firmware itself is already damaged, because the computer simply won’t boot.

Therefore, we need to remove the motherboard, connect it to another computer, and then flash new firmware onto the damaged motherboard.

What Does the Generation of a New System Depend On?

Installing a Windows system depends on the BIOS/UEFI firmware.

Installing firmware depends on the system of another computer.

Without another computer, we cannot reflash the firmware.