Running Applications

• When a computer starts up

  1. Part of the OS is loaded into RAM

  2. Referred to as booting up the computer
• Startup of the motherboard

  1. Handled by the BIOS

  2. BIOS tells the computer where the storage device that holds the OS is

  3. BIOS loads the part of the OS needed to execute it
• BIOS

  Firmware which is a program that provides low level control for devices
• BIOS programmes are stored in a special kind of ROM called an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM
• EEPROM

  A flash memory chip which keeps its content when the computer is powered down
• BIOS

  Stored on EEPROM
• CMOS chip

  Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor, powered at all times by a rechargeable battery on the motherboard
• BIOS settings reset

  If CMOS battery was removed/disconnected
• CMOS restart

  1. Access BIOS from EEPROM

  2. Restore settings to default factory
• Different parts of the OS may be loaded in and out of RAM as software runs