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Understanding Computer Operations and Boot Process

Learn about the fundamental operations of a computer - input, process, output, and storage - and explore the intricate boot process, from hardware initialization to loading the operating system and configuring hardware.

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Understanding Computer Operations and Boot Process

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  1. IT Chapter 2 Part A How Computers Work

  2. 2.1.1Input, process, output, and storage • The operating system helps the computer perform four basic operations, which include input-process-output-storage • Input – Recognizing input from the keyboard or mouse • Processing –- Manipulating data according to the user's instructions. • Output – Sending output to the video screen or printer. • Storage – Keeping track of files for use later. Usually saved on hard drive or floppy

  3. 2.2The Boot Process

  4. 2.2.1Initializing and testing the system hardware • For an operating system to run, it must be loaded into RAM • When a computer is first turned on, it launches a small program called the bootstrap loader that is built into the computer's hardware • hence the term "booting" the computer

  5. Power-on self-test (POST) • To test the computer's hardware, the bootstrap program runs a program called power-on self-test or POST • In this test, the computer's Central Processing Unit (CPU) checks itself first and then checks the computer's system timer • If the POST finds errors, it sends a message to the computer monitor. If the POST finds errors that cannot be displayed on the monitor, it sends errors in the form of "beeps." • The POST sends one beep and the screen begins to display OS loading messages once the bootstrap has determined that the computer has passed the POST

  6. 2.2.2 Loading the operating system and hardware configuration • The next step for the bootstrap program is to locate the OS and copy it to the computer's RAM • The bootstrap loader first looks to see if the OS boot file (or boot record) is located on a floppy drive. If not, it looks for it on the hard disk . Its order can be changed in the system BIOS setup. • When the bootstrap finds the OS, it looks for a file called the boot record. The boot record is copied to the computer's RAM and the bootstrap program then turns over the control of the boot process to the boot record. • The last step of the boot process is for the OS to find hardware configuration files that are specific to the computer

  7. 2.2.3The boot sequence • The number of events that happen in the boot process depends on whether you are doing a cold boot or a warm boot. • The cold boot involves many more events and bootstrap (BIOS) activities than the warm boot. The cold boot causes the BIOS to guide the computer's boot sequence through a series of steps that verify the system's integrity

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