CMOS(HW) XENIX System V CMOS(HW)
Name
cmos - Displays and sets the configuration data base.
Syntax
cmos [ address [ value ] ]
Description
The cmos command displays and/or sets the values in the CMOS
configuration data base. This battery-powered data base
stores configuration information about the computer that is
used at power up to define the system hardware configuration
and to direct boot procedures. The data base is 64 bytes
long and is reserved for system operation. Refer to your
computer hardware manual for more information.
The cmos command is typically used to alter the current
hardware configuration when new devices are added to the
system. When only address is given, the command displays
the value at that address. If both address and a value are
given, the command assigns the value to that address. If no
arguments are given, the command displays the entire
contents of the data base.
The CMOS configuration data base may also be examined and
modified by reading from and writing to /dev/cmos file.
Because successful system operation depends on correct
configuration information, the data base should be modified
by experienced system administrators only.
The computer manufacturer's diagnostic diskette should be
run before setting the CMOS data base.
Files
/etc/cmos
/dev/cmos
Notes
Not all computers have a CMOS configuration data base. Some
computers use switches on the main system board to configure
the system. Refer to your computer hardware reference
manual to determine whether you have a configuration data
base.
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