Booting Flashcards
What is the primary goal of the booting process?
The main goal is to initialize the operating system and essential software to make the computer functional.
What are the key stages of the booting process?
Booting comprises three main stages: Power-On Self-Test (POST), bootloader, and loading the operating system.
What does the Power-On Self-Test (POST) do?
POST checks hardware components like CPU, RAM, and storage for errors.
What is a bootloader?
The bootloader is a small program that loads the operating system into memory from storage.
How does the bootloader know where to find the operating system?
It’s configured with information about the OS location in the boot configuration.
What’s the role of the Master Boot Record (MBR)?
MBR is a small section of the disk that contains the bootloader code and information.
What happens after the bootloader loads the OS?
Control is passed to the OS kernel, which initializes the software environment.
Can you explain the difference between cold boot and warm boot?
A cold boot starts the computer from a powered-off state, while a warm boot restarts it without a full power cycle.
What is hibernation in the booting context?
Hibernation saves the current system state to disk and allows a quick startup from where you left off.
Are there variations in the booting process for different operating systems?
Yes, different OSs have unique boot procedures, but they generally follow the same basic stages.
