UEFI Vs BIOS

Question Of The Week

UEFI Vs BIOS

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is an interface between hardware and the operating system. It is similar to BIOS (Basic Input/ Output System ) but is not specific to any processor architecture. BIOS is specific to the 16-bit x86 processor architecture.

BIOS boots by reading the first sector on a hard disk and executing it; this boot sector in turn locates and runs additional code (System OS). UEFI boots by loading .EFI program files from a partition on the hard disk, known as the EFI System Partition (ESP).  

The BIOS system is very limiting because of space constraints and 16-bit code, whereas modern computers use 32-bit or 64-bit without space constraints. UEFI can be faster causing a reduction in the total boot time.

UEFI supports a feature called Secure Boot, as the name suggests, to improve security. Secure Boot requires a digital "signature" of boot loaders, which in turn should require signing of kernels, and so on up the chain. This should make it harder for malware authors to insert their code into the pre-boot process, thus improving security. This sounds good, but it also complicates dual-boot configurations.

UEFI provides a shell environment, which can be used to execute other UEFI applications. Commands available in the UEFI shell can be used to obtain information about the system, to modify boot manager, to load UEFI drivers, to run partitioning programs etc.,

In Windows, the boot disk's partition table type is linked to the firmware type (MBR to BIOS; GPT to UEFI). If it's GPT (GUID {Global Unique ID} Partition Table), you booted in EFI mode, and if it's MBR (Master Boot Record), you booted in BIOS mode. MBR tops out at 2TB (assuming standard sector sizes), which means that UEFI is a practical necessity to boot Windows for larger than 2TB disks.

The Compatibility Support Module (CSM) is a component of the UEFI firmware which provides legacy BIOS compatibility by emulating a BIOS environment, allowing the use of legacy operating systems (those do not support UEFI). CSM also features legacy System Management Mode functionality called CompatibilitySMM, providing USB legacy support for keyboard and mouse, by emulating their classic PS/2 counterparts.

UEFI requires the firmware and operating system loader (kernel) to be size-matched; for example, a 64-bit UEFI firmware can only load a 64-bit UEFI operating system boot loader. 32-bit UEFI is not prevalent since vendors did not have interest in producing native 32-bit UEFI firmware because of the mainstream status of 64-bit computing. Although Windows 8 includes 32-bit support, only the 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows 7 can be installed in UEFI firmware.

Now you know why you had problems in installing 32-bit Windows 7 in your latest laptop which either had DOS or Linux from the factory !! Try the legacy BIOS compatibility mode in the UEFI settings screen or simply go for Windows 8 (32-bit/64-bit).

GOM Player

Program Of The Week

GOM Player

For long, I was using BS Player (mostly) and VLC Player (occasionally) to watch video files. Recently, I found this GOM Player which has all the features combined together from BS and VLC Players. Moreover, GOM didn't frequently crash like BS Player because I have the habit of Pause n'Play to read lengthy subtitles. But, I still carry VLC Player in my PC just to check missing codecs if a video file doesn't run in GOM. 

Youtube Mp3

Website Of The Week

www.youtube-mp3.org

If you ever wanted to rip the audio from a Youtube video/ song, you will find this website quite handy. Enter that video/song's Youtube URL and just download. That's it. No need to become a member. And no need to install any browser extensions. You can use it with your Mac, a Linux PC or even an iPhone.

Question Of The Week

What is Wi-Fi?

1. Wi-Fi is not related to 2G, 3G, 4G or Bluetooth. It is a unique Wireless Local Area Network (W-LAN) protocol against LAN of wired connections via Ethernet cable.  A WiFi hotspot is simply an area with an accessible wireless network. The term is most often used to refer to wireless networks in public areas like airports and coffee shops. Some are free and some require fees for use.

2. Wi-Fi coverage has a range varying from 30 to 100 metres. Wi-Fi Connection Speed Varies With Distance. Wi-Fi signal may fail to reach even half that distance if heavy obstructions like walls exist on the radio signals' path.

3. Multiple overlapping Access Points (Hotspots) can cover an area of many square kilometers as large as a city. Mysore became India's first city enabled with Wi-Fi in 2004.

4. Wi-Fi is being used in Tablets, Laptops and many other devices which connect to internet via Wireless Access Point, usually a Network interface controller. Wireless DSL Broadband Routers and cable modems can act as Wi-Fi Access Points and connect Desktop PCs. Smart phones act as Wi-Fi Wireless Access Points themselves and reach nearby Wi-Fi station through 2G, 3G or 4G networks.

5. Wi-Fi is less secure than LAN of wired broadband. To keep your network private, you can use one or both of the following methods; 1.Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) of WiFi Protected Access version 2 (WPA2) involves signing on with a password. Use caution when connecting Public hotspots  2. Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering; Each device has its own unique MAC address. MAC address filtering allows only machines with specific MAC addresses to access the network. You must specify which addresses are allowed when you set up your router.

6. You can also set a limit to the number of devices that can connect to your router and even disable remote administration so that only computers plugged directly into your router can change your network settings. You should also change the Service Set Identifier (SSID), which is your network name, to something other than the default

7. Dutch engineer VIC HAYES is known as Father of Wi-Fi. The name Wi-Fi was derived from the term "Hi-Fi" which stands for High Fidelity in audio devices. Wi-Fi networking standard is labelled as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) ranging from 802.11a (oldest), 802.11b, 802.11g to 802.11n (newest). IEEE does not test devices for compliance with their standards. In 1999, a Wi-Fi Alliance was formed as a trade association to enforce the Wi-Fi standard and to hold the Wi-Fi trademark and Logo.

8. Among the types of Wi-Fi, 802.11n, 802.11g and 802.11b equipments can all network together, but 802.11a standard does not support cross-compatibility with any of the others.

9. Wi-Fi communcation from one particular device to another particular device only is known as Ad-Hoc Wi-Fi. It is used in portable video game consoles, digital cameras etc.,

10. Using Wi-Fi for a year results in exposure of radiation equal to that of 20 minutes of mobile phone call !!

Sumatra PDF and Nitro PDF

Program Of The Week

Sumatra PDF

Nitro PDF

For long, I have been suffering with Adobe Reader to read PDF filetypes. One fine morning, I googled and found these useful but free programs. 

Sumatra PDF is the smallest and easiest PDF file reader software available in the net. It has all needed features of Adobe except one. It lacks the thumbnail page view column on the left side. I don't mind.

Nitro PDF looks ugly but its free version does some extra work. It can extract text and images from PDF files and create PDF files from text. I haven't tried its pro version.

Snapdeal

Website Of The Week

www.snapdeal.com

This website has inarguably become the No.1 among the Indian online shopping websites (simply shown by the fact that eBay purchased Snapdeal shares a few months ago). It is very rare to see a product priced lesser at some other site than Snapdeal. Easy to order and even easier to cancel your order before the item is shipped. Useful reviews on the items are published in the same page like Amazon. Only thing you have to do carefully is to choose from the list of sellers according to their ratings. 

Debit Card Vs Net Banking

Question Of The Week

Debit Card Vs Net Banking

Which is Safer?

Well, you should know the answer if you have tried both methods at least once. In Debit Card transactions either the PIN number or VISA/Master password will be asked along with your card details, of course, through a secure gateway.

Net Banking login procedure starts with a virtual keyboard in which syllables are reshuffled everytime. This helps you to escape the viruses which can identify your strokes on the real keyboard. Once you have entered the transaction details, a confirmation SMS along with a numeric password will be sent to your mobile. Only if you enter that password, Net Banking transaction will be completed.

Since the chances of losing your password and your mobile at the same time to the same person are very less, you should know which is safer. Next time you come across an online transaction, (if both options available) don't choose Debit Card over Net Banking just because Debit Card is easy to go!!

EMI Calculator

Program Of The Week

EMI Calculator

Of course, EMI Calculators are available in most of the bank websites and even in our phones. But, this program gives you certain additional information in one glance. Apart from the EMI value, it also gives you the total amount of interest and the grand total of capital plus interest you have to pay during the loan period. Only con is the dollar symbol. Just forget it and imagine your own country's money symbol there. That's it.

Carbible

Website Of The Week

www.carbible.com

If you are a car-buff and if you have time and interest to know about the various functional parts of cars, this is an excellent website. It gives you quite a lot of information. Although some sub-sections are yet to be written, you have to watch for the links to sub-sections carefully at the end of each webpage. I personally found the Tyre and Engine oil sections useful when I was looking to change them recently.