New technology beefs up BIOS

Intel and Microsoft are preparing a major PC technology change by augmenting basic input/output system (BIOS) software with a new hardware-startup approach called the Extensible Firmware Interface. EFI promises benefits such as accelerating the boot-up process; making it easier to both add improvements to PCs and support peripherals; cutting manufacturing and support costs; and improving remote management of PCs, servers, and networked devices.