WBJECA 2025 — Computer PYQ

The process of starting a computer is known as "booting." When a computer is powered on, the CPU requires immediate instructions to begin its initialization sequence. These instructions cannot be stored in RAM because RAM is volatile (it loses all data when power is off).

• ROM (Read-Only Memory): This non-volatile memory chip holds the firmware—often referred to as the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI. This firmware contains the initial code necessary to test hardware, detect peripherals, and eventually load the Operating System (OS) from the storage drive into memory.

We can mathematically describe the memory characteristics as follows:

$$\text{Volatility}=\{\begin{array}{ll}\text{Non-volatile}& amp;\text{if ROM (contains boot firmware)}\\ \text{Volatile}& amp;\text{if RAM (temporary data storage)}\end{array}$$

The boot process logic can be simplified as:

$$\text{Boot Start}=\text{Execute Code}(\text{ROM})\to \text{Hardware Self-Test}\to \text{Load OS}$$

Because ROM retains its information without power, it is the only viable location for the essential instructions that start the machine.