BIOS research task

BIOS research task

1. Loads up the operating system when the computer is turned on. This is stored in a separate area of memory meaning that user data and software data don't mix.

2. The program counter register is set up to always hold the value of the address of the BIOS, as this needs to be loaded up before the operating system

3. The process in steps

   • 1. The power is turned on
   • 2. The POST (Power on Self Test) runs to ensure that the devices that are needed are connected and working.
     • Examples of these devices include the CPU, peripherals, motherboard, keyboard, mouse, HDD & RAM.
   • 3. The boot loader (bootstrap) is loaded, which will scan the available devices for CMOS RAM. This isn't essential, but if not working, your BIOS settings will change to their default settings, this is why sometimes your messages will have been sent in 1970, as this is the default time and date.
   • 4. The data stored in the CMOS RAM is combined with basic BIOS in ROM and this is sent to RAM as a boot file.
   • 5. The Operating system is now ready to be loaded up, once the file is found, usually this is on the hard disk but it can be on other devices too.