There are many types of hardware and software in computers, with the help of which the computer is able to perform the tasks given by the user. Every hardware and software is made to complete a particular task. We all have heard many names of hardware and software. But there is one more thing without the use of which the computer cannot even be started and that is the firmware form. All of you must have heard the name of ware, but do you know what is its role in starting the computer? No.
Now we were just thinking that the computer works because of the operating system and CPU. But this is only a half-truth. A computer is of no use without firmware. You would be surprised to know that firmware is not only used in computers but it is also used in many electrical and hardware devices. Such as smartphones, smart TVs, washing machines, smartwatches, etc.
Even though its work is small, it is very important for every machine device. That’s why in today’s Article you will be given complete information about what is firmware and where it is stored, let us first tell you what is firmware.
To understand firmware, you need to understand hardware and software. Hardware is an electronic device which are the parts of the computer that we can touch and see. These are the physical parts of the computer with the help of which the body of the computer is prepared. Hardware example is monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU, etc. Software is a set of instructions and programs that instruct the computer to perform a specific task.
The software provides the user with the ability to work on a computer. The main example of software is the operating system. Together hardware and software complete the work of the computer and give output to the user. Now let us tell you what firmware is. Software is a type of software that is attached to a piece of hardware.
Firmware contains instructions and programs to perform the basic functions of any hardware. That is why we can also call firmware software for hardware. Firmware is a program that comes bundled with hardware. That is, firmware is installed in any hardware at the time of manufacturing, such as a keyboard, hard drive, graphic card, and printer apart from this, firmware is also attached to any of your home appliances like a TV, microwave oven, washing machine, etc.
Firmware is a small piece of software that makes hardware work. It gives instructions to all hardware devices to communicate with other devices in the system and perform basic input-output tasks. Without firmware, most of the electronic devices we use would not work. Every small and big electronic device has software installed, with the help of which it understands the input given by the user, and works accordingly. For example, a simple example is a washing machine, which has some buttons using which the machine is controlled and we get it done as per our requirement. But have you thought that as soon as we press a button, how does the machine understand that at what speed or in which mode to work? It understands because there is a memory inside it in which the firmware is installed and the same software Because of this the machine understands our inputs.
Similarly, you must have seen the bios of your computer, it is also the firmware, which is installed in the computer hardware room. Before loading the operating system into the computer, the firmware checks all the hardware devices whether they are in the right condition or not and whether they also work properly. Whether they have been there or not and whether there is any defect in them or not. After that loading the operating system into RAM brings the computer into working condition.
After understanding this, we will know where the firmware is stored in the computer. By now you have learned that firmware is a program written in the form of software to give instructions directly to the hardware device. But the question comes where the firmware is actually stored on the device. Firmware is usually stored in a special type of memory. Which is called Flash ROM. ROM, which is called Read OnlyMemory. In this, the program is written only once by the manufacturing company. Later it can be rewritten again if needed.
The computer device needs ROM to understand our input as the data is stored permanently in it. Data is stored in it only when the device does not get power or when the device is turned off. If there was no ROM, the firmware could not be stored and the device would not be able to do its work. Like other software, the updated version of firmware is also prepared so that it can give even better performance than before. Let us now know why and how to update firmware. In the present time we can update any software and firmware is also software so it can also be updated. But before 2013 this was not possible.
Earlier, the firmware program used to come loaded with the hardware only once, but due to some bug ie an error, when the hackers hacked the firmware, since then the software update started coming. The firmware already comes attached to a product. When it gets damaged or the company making that product feels that this device is not working properly or there is a problem with it. If there is an error, the company updates the firmware and many electronic companies keep updating the compatible form with the hardware based on the technology of the product so that the updated device gets upgraded with new and advanced operations instructions.
Firmware update is done to improve the performance of the hardware or add new features. are issued to add. By updating the firmware it plays a vital role in enhancing the performance of your device. After the update, the device works like a new device. Also makes its performance even better.
To update the firmware, you can download the updated version directly from the product’s manufacturer’s website or you can update it using its CDs and DVDs. Updating the firmware of a device is not a difficult task. It will simply notify you whenever your system is ready to be updated. To update firmware. After that, you can download and install the pair updating software from the company’s website and run it. Then the system has to be shut down and restarted. So in this way, the firmware of your system will be updated.
Before updating firmware software, you have to keep in mind that your device should not be switched off while you are updating firmware. This puts your device at risk of damage. Another thing to keep in mind here is that you can trust only those updated software that are sent directly by the manufacturers or software companies. Never trust third-party sources to update any software, because it may lead to a virus attack on your system. Equally important is to avoid updating the wrong firmware on the system.
Updating the firmware of one device on another device may not work as before and may corrupt your firmware. Do this, which could seriously damage the working of the device. Before updating the firmware, check whether the model number of your hardware is matching with the firmware software. After you download that software, it is expected that you must have understood what is firmware, where it is stored, and why it is necessary to keep updating it from time to time.
