The Extensible Firmware Interface is an update to the nowadays BIOS technology that has been developed some time ago. If you are wondering why you didn't hear about it, relax, because it's not much
of your fault. The EFI has been implemented slowly and almost stealthily, and nothing special hit the market. Until now...
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a third type of software that exists on the user's computer, apart from system software and its program applications. The BIOS kicks in when the PC is turned on and starts setting up the connected hardware in a series of registers. It also intermediates the hardware and the computer's operating system. The BIOS is over 20 years old and it's high time to bid it farewell.
The EFI is an updated piece of software that will optimize the BIOS structure and will improve its interaction with the user through the addition of graphical menus, the use of the mouse or the capability of running "pre-OS" multimedia applications.
American Megatrends (AMI) is an extremely popular BIOS manufacturer that demonstrated one of the first implementations of the EFI in a MSI-built motherboard. The EFI specifications set has reached version 1.10 under the supervision of the UEFI Forum. At the moment, the server sector is widely using the EFI technology, but it also was adopted by Apple in their OSX.
Unfortunately, the very EFI solution will guide you through choosing your operating system. At the moment, there is no 32-bit support and only 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 and the upcoming Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista x64 will allow the user to enjoy the benefits of the new interface.
This is a major obstacle in spreading the technology, as many users are running 32-bit operating systems on their 32-bit processors, so shifting to x64 will require both a hardware and a software upgrade. The majority of users will refuse having their CPUs and OSes replaced and will continue to stick to the good-old BIOS. Unless the new firmware interface will let users better overclock their systems, an eye-candy welcome screen won't convince anyone invest a huge amount of money in new hardware and software.
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