Ch.5.3 Helpdesk: Starting the Computer: The Boot Process
Once the BIOS program is activated, what happens next?
The BIOS makes sure that all your computer's peripheral devices are attached and working.
What is the kernel?
The kernel is the essential component of the OS. It manages the processor and all other components of the system.
Loading the OS and Checking Further Configurations and Customizations
After the POST, BIOS loads the operating system from its permanent storage location on the hard drive to RAM. Once the OS files are loaded into RAM, the kernel (or supervisor program) is loaded. The kernel is the essential component of the OS. It manages the processor and all other components of the system. Because it stays in RAM the entire time your computer is on, the kernel is called memory resident.
Loading the OS and Checking Further Configurations and Customizations
Other parts of the OS that are less critical stay on the hard drive and are copied over to RAM on an as-needed basis. These programs are called nonresident. Once the kernel is loaded, the OS takes over control of the computer's functions. In the last step of the boot process, the OS checks the configuration of other system components. The registry contains all the configurations used by the OS, including the customized settings you put into place, such as display settings for your monitor.
What happens after the POST?
After POST, BIOS copies the operating system from the hard drive to RAM.
Errors in the Boot Process
If you are running Windows 10, you can also try resetting your computer. Reset your PC attempts to diagnose and fix errors in your Windows system files that are causing your computer to behave improperly.
Which of the following is a good suggestion for solving a boot problem?
If you've recently installed new software or hardware, try uninstalling it. If the problem no longer occurs when rebooting, you can reinstall the device or software.
Performing the Power-On Self Test
In the first step of the boot process, the CPU activates the basic input/output system, or BIOS, a program that manages the exchange of data between the OS and the input and output devices attached to the system. The first job BIOS performs is to ensure that the computer's peripheral devices are attached and working. This process is called the power-on self-test, or POST.
Once the kernel is loaded, is my computer up and running?
Not yet. The OS checks the registry for further configurations and customizations.
Errors in the Boot Process
Sometimes problems occur during the boot process. Here are some suggestions for solving a boot problem: If you've recently installed new software or hardware, try uninstalling it. (Make sure you use the Uninstall a program feature in the Control Panel to remove the software.) If the problem no longer occurs when rebooting, you can try reinstalling the device or software.
What is the first step in the boot process?
The CPU accesses the BIOS.
What is the boot process?
The boot process ensures that the operating system is loaded into RAM.
Loading the OS and Checking Further Configurations and Customizations Let's review the steps involved in the boot process, the special process that occurs when you start your computer.
Step 1: The CPU activates the basic input/output system (BIOS). The BIOS is located on a ROM chip. Data stored in ROM does not get erased when the computer is turned off. Step 2: BIOS checks that all attached devices are in place and working and that the video card and memory are responding correctly. This test is called a power-on self-test (POST). If the results of the POST are OK, the boot process continues. Step 3: BIOS goes through a preconfigured list of devices in its search for the drive that contains the system files. When located, the operating system loads into RAM from its permanent storage location on the hard drive. Step 4: The registry is checked for further configurations and customizations. If the entire system is checked out and loaded properly, the desktop appears on your screen. The computer system is now ready to accept your first command.
Performing the Power-On Self Test
The POST does the following: Tests the video card and video memory Identifies the BIOS Tests that the memory chips are working The BIOS then compares the results of the POST with the hardware configurations stored in CMOS, a special kind of memory that uses almost no power and is never erased. If the results of the POST compare favorably to the configurations stored in CMOS, the boot process continues.
Errors in the Boot Process
Try accessing the Windows Advanced Options Menu. If Windows detects a problem in the boot process, it will add Last Known Good Configuration to the Windows Advanced Options Menu. Every time your computer boots successfully, a configuration of the boot process is saved. When you choose to boot with the Last Known Good Configuration, the OS starts your computer by using the registry information that was saved during the last shut down.
