New PCs could start in just seconds, thanks to an update to one of the oldest parts of desktop computers.

The upgrade will spell the end for the 25-year-old PC start-up software known as Bios that initialises a machine so its operating system can get going.

The code was not intended to live nearly this long, and adapting it to modern PCs is one reason they take as long as they do to warm up.

BBC News - Change to 'Bios' will make for PCs that boot in seconds

Hmmm, interesting that this is big news now as it certainly is not new. I've been hearing about this new revolution promising "instant on" computers for years! Note this December 2003 article from CNET, Writing an end to the bio of BIOS.