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Concept of Booting

Switching on of a computer notes

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Joyce Bosibori
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13 views

Concept of Booting

Switching on of a computer notes

Uploaded by

Joyce Bosibori
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Concept of Booting

Booting
Booting is basically the process of starting the computer. When the
CPU is first switched on it has nothing inside the Memory. In order to
start the Computer, load the Operating System into the Main Memory
and then Computer is ready to take commands from the User. Learn the
types of booting.

What happens in the Process of Booting?


Booting happens when you start the computer. This happens when we
turned ON the power or the computer restarts. The system BIOS (Basic
Input/Output System) makes the peripheral devices active. Further, it
requires that the boot device loads the operating system into the main
memory.

Boot Devices
Booting can be done either through hardware (pressing the start button)
or by giving software commands. Therefore, a boot device is a device
that loads the operating system. Moreover, it contains the instructions
and files which start the computer. Examples are the hard drive, floppy
disk drive, CD drive, etc. Among them, the hard drive is the most used
one.
Types of Booting
There are two types of booting:

Cold Booting

A cold boot is also called a hard boot. It is the process when we first
start the computer. In other words, when the computer is started from its
initial state by pressing the power button it is called cold boot. The
instructions are read from the ROM and the operating system is loaded
in the main memory.

Warm Booting

Warm Boot is also called soft boot. It refers to when we restart the
computer. Here, the computer does not start from the initial state. When
the system gets stuck sometimes it is required to restart it while it is ON.
Therefore, in this condition the warm boot takes place. Restart button or
CTRL+ALT+DELETE keys are used for warm boot.

Steps of Booting
We can describe the boot process in six steps:

1. The Startup

It is the first step that involves switching the power ON. It supplies
electricity to the main components like BIOS and processor.

2. BIOS: Power On Self Test

It is an initial test performed by the BIOS. Further, this test performs an


initial check on the input/output devices, computer’s main memory,
disk drives, etc. Moreover, if any error occurs, the system produces a
beep sound.

3. Loading of OS

In this step, the operating system is loaded into the main memory. The
operating system starts working and executes all the initial files and
instructions.

4. System Configuration

In this step, the drivers are loaded into the main memory. Drivers are
programs that help in the functioning of the peripheral devices.

5. Loading System Utilities

System utilities are basic functioning programs, for example, volume


control, antivirus, etc. In this step, system utilities are loaded into the
memory.

6. User Authentication

If any password has been set up in the computer system, the system
checks for user authentication. Once the user enters the login Id and
password correctly the system finally starts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Q1. What is booting?

A1. The starting up of the computer is known as booting. It initiates all


the devices before starting any work on the computer. Moreover, the
operating system is loaded into the main memory.
Q2. What is BIOS?

A2. BIOS stands for Basic Input/output System. It helps in the


functioning of all the input/output devices. Further, it also helps to start
and initiate the working of all devices during the boot process.

Q3. What are the boot devices?

A3. Boot devices are the devices that have the operating system loaded
inside them during the boot process. Common devices are the hard
drive, disk drive, floppy drive, etc.

Q4. What are the types of booting?

A4. There are two types of the boot:

1. Cold Boot/Hard Boot


2. Warm Boot/Soft Boot
Q5. Why do we need booting?

A5. We perform this so that the operating system along with the initial
files and instructions load into the main memory. And as a result, the
computer starts.

Q6. What are the basic steps of booting?

A6. Basic steps are:

1. The start-up
2. Power On Self Test
3. Loading OS
4. System Configuration
5. Loading system utilities
6. User authentication

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