NIMCET 2010 — Computer PYQ

Solution

When a computer is powered on or restarted, it needs an initial program to run to locate the operating system kernel and load it into memory. This initial program is known as the Bootstrap program (or Bootstrap loader).

Key Characteristics of the Bootstrap Program:

• Storage: It is typically stored in Read-Only Memory ($ROM$) or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory ($EEPROM$), commonly known as firmware.

• Function: It initializes all aspects of the system, from CPU registers to device controllers and memory contents.

• Goal: Its primary job is to find the Operating System on the disk and start its execution.

Analyzing other options:

• Window manager: A component of the graphical user interface that controls the placement and appearance of windows, but it runs after the OS has already started.

• Scheduler: An OS component that decides which process runs at a given time; it is part of the OS itself and cannot start the OS.

Correct Answer:

The correct option is (c).