NIMCET 2008 — Computer PYQ

When a computer is powered on or restarted, the RAM (Random Access Memory) is empty because it is volatile. The CPU cannot load the operating system directly from the hard disk because it doesn't yet know how to communicate with the disk or where the OS files are located.

1. The Bootstrap Loader: This is a small, specialized program that has the single task of loading the rest of the operating system into RAM.

2. Storage Location: Because this program must be available immediately upon power-up, it is stored in a non-volatile memory chip on the motherboard. This chip is known as ROM (Read-Only Memory).

3. The BIOS Connection: In traditional systems, the initial instructions are part of the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), which resides in the ROM. Modern systems use UEFI, but the principle remains that the first instruction is fetched from firmware (BIOS/ROM).

Step-by-Step Execution:

• Power is applied to the CPU.

• The CPU looks at a fixed memory address (the reset vector).

• This address points to the BIOS chip.

• The BIOS runs the POST (Power-On Self-Test) and then executes the bootstrap loader.

Final Answer:

The correct option is (b) BIOS.