The boot-up process of a computer is typically initiated by instructions stored in:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

ROM (BIOS/UEFI) contains the non-volatile firmware that the CPU executes immediately after power-on, so the boot sequence begins from ROM (BIOS/UEFI).

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Firmware (BIOS or UEFI) is stored in non-volatile ROM or flash memory on the motherboard.
- On reset/power-on the CPU uses a fixed reset vector to fetch its first instructions from firmware.
- POST and hardware initialization are performed by BIOS/UEFI; then a bootloader from a boot device is loaded into RAM.
- RAM and CPU caches are volatile and empty/undefined at power-on; the hard drive contains the OS but is not the source of the first instructions.

2) Step-by-step reasoning process
- Step 1: Power is applied and the CPU reset line is asserted.
- Step 2: The CPU fetches its initial instruction from a predefined address (the reset vector) mapped to motherboard firmware.
- Step 3: BIOS/UEFI code (in ROM/flash) runs POST, initializes devices and chipset, and configures hardware.
- Step 4: BIOS/UEFI locates a boot device (e.g., hard drive), reads the boot sector or EFI binary, and loads the bootloader into RAM.
- Step 5: The bootloader on the disk then loads the operating system kernel into RAM and transfers control to it.

3) Intermediate steps (explicit)
- CPU reset -> fetch instruction at reset vector -> execute BIOS/UEFI routine -> initialize devices -> load bootloader from disk into RAM -> OS startup.

4) Why the correct answer is correct
- The first code executed must be persistent across power cycles and immediately available to the CPU; ROM/flash containing BIOS/UEFI satisfies this. BIOS/UEFI performs the initial hardware checks and hands off to the OS loader on the hard drive.

5) Why the other options are incorrect
- a) The hard drive’s OS is loaded later by the bootloader; it cannot run before hardware is initialized. 
- b) RAM is volatile and empty at power-on; it cannot hold the permanent startup firmware.
- d) CPU cache is small, volatile, and is used for speed, not for storing boot firmware.

6) Conclusion
- Therefore the correct choice is c. ROM (BIOS/UEFI), which matches the provided answer.

The boot-up process of a computer is typically initiated by instructions stored in:Single choice

Similar Questions

Is the following statement true or false? There is a program stored in the ROM and it is used to perform start-up procedures when the computer is turned on.

Match the term in the name with its correct description. 1: BIOS 2: SATA 3: ext4 4: GPT 5: GRUB

What is the primary role of a boot disk?

What is the primary role of a boot disk?

Match the term in the name with its correct description. 1: SATA 2: ext4 3: BIOS 4: GRUB 5: GPT

What is the primary role of a boot disk?

Match the term in the name with its correct description. 1: GPT 2: ext4 3: BIOS 4: GRUB 5: SATA

In a Computer boot process, BIOS starts with Power-On-Self-Test

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler

The boot-up process of a computer is typically initiated by instructions stored in:Single choice

Similar Questions

Is the following statement true or false? There is a program stored in the ROM and it is used to perform start-up procedures when the computer is turned on.

Match the term in the name with its correct description. 1: BIOS ____ 2: SATA ____ 3: ext4 ____ 4: GPT ____ 5: GRUB ____

What is the primary role of a boot disk?

What is the primary role of a boot disk?

Match the term in the name with its correct description. 1: SATA ____ 2: ext4 ____ 3: BIOS ____ 4: GRUB ____ 5: GPT ____

What is the primary role of a boot disk?

Match the term in the name with its correct description. 1: GPT ____ 2: ext4 ____ 3: BIOS ____ 4: GRUB ____ 5: SATA ____

In a Computer boot process, BIOS starts with Power-On-Self-Test

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Making Your Study Simpler

Match the term in the name with its correct description. 1: BIOS 2: SATA 3: ext4 4: GPT 5: GRUB

Match the term in the name with its correct description. 1: SATA 2: ext4 3: BIOS 4: GRUB 5: GPT

Match the term in the name with its correct description. 1: GPT 2: ext4 3: BIOS 4: GRUB 5: SATA