The replacement for the BIOS

[owen]

Extensible Firmware Interface


The EFI, or Extensible Firmware Interface, is designed to be an update to the current BIOS technology that is now over 20 years old.

As it stands, the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the first thing that runs when a PC is switched on – it sets up and regulates the hardware connected in a series of registers, managing pre-boot data flow between the computer’s operating system and attached hardware.

The EFI is an updated software solution that will maintain interoperability but also optimise the BIOS structure, as well as significantly improving the look, feel and features of the existing BIOS. It supports all manner of new features like, graphical menus, the use of the mouse, access to a network and Internet, multiple language options and even "pre-OS" applications like games, media players and Internet browsers.

More <a href="http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/01/22/efi_extensible_firmware_interface_preview/1">Here</a>

[Skorp]

EFI has been around for ages. It's high time someone implemented it.

[chris000001]

EFI has been around for ages. It's high time someone implemented it.

Apple has had it since day one of the intel Macs

[Skorp]

Apple has had it since day one of the intel Macs

Yeah, I know. I'm talking about PCs - it's been dead simple to implement EFI, but nobody has tried to yet.

[yahooadam]

its been used since 2000 in server motherboards

Its just windows holding everyone up, again

[Nataku]

I would love to see EFI become the standard for PCs. If it does that will open the flood gates to upgrade equipment for my Mac Pro. Imagine a day when my Mac Pro is just as upgradeable AND just as overclockable as your PCs.

What do you think it would take for PCs to make the switch over? What do you think is the downside to them switching over?

P.S. Haven't seen you in a while Chris!

[yahooadam]

the mac isnt limited by EFI

Mac equipment has different firmware (like video cards) its up to apple to program those new firmwares

there is no reason you couldnt plop in an 8800GTX, apple just block it

[Nataku]

the mac isnt limited by EFI

Mac equipment has different firmware (like video cards) its up to apple to program those new firmwares

there is no reason you couldnt plop in an 8800GTX, apple just block it

Not exactly true. but I could be mistaking

The current 8800GT that was released last week isn't compatible with all Mac Pros (just the new ones), Why? Because Nvidia is making the card and firmware and drivers (NOT APPLE) Nividia released a statement saying they were working the resolve the compatibility issue.

But again I could be misinformed. I'm not looking to start a fight.

Also, the x1900 I'm running now is a PC version that I flash over the the EFI firmware. So that does show you that it's an EFI issue.

And actually I can run any GPU I want, as long as I boot into windows and Not OSX. Because when I boot into windows, Bootcamp is emulating a bios environment on top of the EFI. If all GPUs were EFI, I could purchase any card I wanted off the shelf and it would just be a driver situation at that point.

[yahooadam]

That shows you its not an EFI issue :s

Bootcamp emulates a bios, but the EFI bios has to recognise the equipment for that to work

So if any card works under bootcamp, its just something to do with the AppleOS or perhaps something in their EFI (maybe)
But if it was an apple EFI issue, they could just update the EFI chip

I think its more to do with apple trying to lock out equipment, and causing everyone headaches

[Crax]

I'm not looking to start a fight.


Fight fight fight fight! :p

[chris000001]

well to try and cool things off here a bit, windows server 2008 aka vista server will beable to boot off an EFI enabled board.

[Dizzious]

Yeah, I know. I'm talking about PCs - it's been dead simple to implement EFI, but nobody has tried to yet.

Aren't Asus and/or Gigabyte making a board that has EFI?