CMOS setup program and CPU

[rookie1010]

Hi
I just read when you are in the CMOS setup program, your CPU is turned off.
Is that true, if it is, how is data being outputted to the monitor, i mean, some sort of graphics processing needs to be going on. and some sort of serial communication between the keyboard and some device (CMOS ?) and some device(CMOS ?) and the monitor(?)

 

[ekÆsine]

I think he meant idle not idel.

 

[mikesgroovin]

Either way, the answer is no. The keyboard and video controllers have IRQs which get the CPUs direct attention when needed. They do not access the memory directly through DMA channel which bypass the CPU. So, the CPU wouldn't be idle or "off".

-Mike

 

[rookie1010]

i thought so too, i did mean off.

i got this from
hardware guide for idiots

i think the author got this details wrong.

 

[rookie1010]

huh
thought there was a reply here from a becroydon!

 

[mikesgroovin]

There was.....but it was a pointless post and therefore may have been removed.

-Mike