Which chip is responsible for storing the settings in the BIOS?

The chip responsible for storing the settings in the BIOS is the Real Time Clock (RTC). The RTC is a small chip that maintains the current time and date settings when the computer is powered off. It often includes a small amount of non-volatile memory, allowing it to keep the BIOS settings intact even when the computer is unplugged.

Typically, the RTC works in conjunction with a coin cell battery, ensuring that these settings are preserved. This is essential for maintaining system configuration settings, such as system time, boot sequence, and hardware configuration options, which are crucial for the system to function properly on startup.

In contrast, while other chips might play roles in memory management or data storage, they do not specifically serve the purpose of retaining BIOS settings. For example, EPROM and Flash Memory are types of memory used for storing firmware but are not typically associated directly with the RTC uniquely in this context. Static RAM is generally volatile and does not retain information when power is removed, thus it is not responsible for storing BIOS settings either.