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IT Services Circle

Oct 3, 2024 · Fundamentals

How an Operating System Starts: From Power‑On to the Boot Loader

This article explains how a computer powers on, the CPU fetches initial instructions from firmware such as BIOS or UEFI, performs hardware checks, reads the MBR, runs first‑stage and second‑stage boot loaders, and finally loads the operating system kernel into memory.

BIOSOS bootboot loader

0 likes · 6 min read

How an Operating System Starts: From Power‑On to the Boot Loader

Java Tech Enthusiast

Sep 12, 2024 · Fundamentals

How Operating Systems Boot Up

When a computer powers on, the CPU first runs firmware stored in ROM (BIOS or UEFI) that performs hardware checks, locates the boot device, loads the 512‑byte MBR containing a first‑stage bootloader, which then loads a more capable second‑stage loader that finally loads the operating system kernel into memory, after which the OS completes its own initialization and begins handling user programs.

BIOSComputer ScienceMBR

0 likes · 9 min read