Do drivers work at the BIOS level or the operating level?

[MagnaFarta]

Hi,

This probably sounds like a dumb question, but I am dumb, and my brain is tired.

I have a custom PC with multiple GPUs. I use Linux, and I have flashed the BIOS of each GPU. They work as I want them to. However, I now want to swap out the SSD on which Linux sits with a different SSD with a different Linux distribution on it. I intend to flip between the two regularly by simply loading the computer up having physically switched the desired SSD. Essentially I want to have two completely separate setups depending upon which SSD I plug in.

If I update the drivers for the GPU on the new SSD, will they effect the GPU when I re-plug in the original SSD? Basically, are the drivers at an operating system level (which I think and hope they are), or the BIOS level (which I hope they are not, as this will spoil my plans)?

Thanks. I understand that this is rookie stuff.

 

[rolli59]

Drivers are on OS level so swapping should be fine!

 

[mjslakeridge]

I think some drivers are at the "BIOS" level, like the motherboard chipset drivers, which allow a USB port to work prior to installing an OS, and a mouse and keyboard to work, but would guess that GPU drivers are at the OS level.

You don't have to physically swap out the SSDs when running the alternate OS, you could just change the Boot order in the BIOS when switching. That is of course if you have adequate SATA ports available (assuming you are using SATA SSDs).

 

[USAFRet]

Don't have to physically change the drives. You just need to select the desired drive+OS in the boot order when you start up.

Or, if you actually desire to physically swap the drives, look into an externally facing drive bay.
Forward facing, with a quick release for the drive.

Power off, take the old one out, put the new one in, power up.

 

[MagnaFarta]

Thank you, all. Much appreciated.

I think I will actually get a second SSD, as suggested by mjslakeridge - pretty sure I have a spare SATA port, but maybe not the cable!

 

[mjslakeridge]

I think any drive you buy (HDD or SSD) will come with a SATA cable.

 

[rolli59]

I think some drivers are at the "BIOS" level, like the motherboard chipset drivers, which allow a USB port to work prior to installing an OS, and a mouse and keyboard to work, but would guess that GPU drivers are at the OS level.

You don't have to physically swap out the SSDs when running the alternate OS, you could just change the Boot order in the BIOS when switching. That is of course if you have adequate SATA ports available (assuming you are using SATA SSDs).

Basic functions are built into BIOS! Drivers like chipset are loaded into OS install to get advanced functions.