Computer Startup

When computer startup is activated, it goes through a complicated series of procedures to, firstly, discover what hardware items are attached, secondly, if everything is working; and finally, to hand over to an operating system.

In most computers, you can see all of this happening on three consecutive screens -

• The ‘first boot screen’: the computer begins checking the hardware. Depending on your computer, you may see white writing on a black background, or the logo of your computer’s manufacturer. If all is well, it beeps once. If it beeps more than once, then something is wrong. The error is indicated by the exact number and pattern of beeps (known as the ’beep code’). If all is well, the computer will give you a number of options. Commonly, these include:
  
  You can press the DEL key to enter BIOS setup;
  You can press the F12 key to change the boot sequence;
  Do nothing: If you do nothing, the computer continues to the 2nd screen.


• The ‘second boot screen’: the computer continues checking the hardware. If all is well, it may give you some different options, such as:
  
  Activate some previously installed boot-time software, such asAcronis True Image;
  Do nothing: If you do nothing, the computer continues to the 3rd screen.


• The ‘third boot screen’: this will be the splash screen for your operating system.
  For instance, if you have Windows XP installed, it will be the Windows XP startup screen






Homework TimeObserve the bootup procedure of your own computer, and take note of the different options it gives you on the first two screens..




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