Question: Which of the following software is the first one to work when you switch on your laptop?
A Operating System (OS)
B Web Browser
C Microsoft Office
D Video Editing Software
Answer: Operating System (OS)
| Software Component |
Description |
| Operating System (OS) |
· The first software to load when you turn on your laptop.
· The core software that manages the computer’s hardware and software resources.
· Provides a user-friendly interface and supports various applications and functions.
· Coordinates tasks, memory management and device drivers.
· Examples include Windows, macOS, Linux and more. |
| BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) |
· Firmware program stored in a chip on the motherboard. – Initializes hardware components, including the CPU, RAM, and storage devices.
· Performs Power-On Self-Test (POST) to check for hardware issues. – Determines the boot order (the sequence in which devices are checked for an operating system). |
| Bootloader |
· A small software program that loads the operating system into memory from the storage device (e.g., hard drive or SSD).
· Manages the startup process, including loading essential system files and drivers. Often provides a menu for selecting different OS options if multiple operating systems are installed (e.g., dual boot). |
| Kernel |
· The central component of the operating system.
· Manages hardware resources, such as CPU, memory, and I/O devices.
· Responsible for system initialization, process management, and system calls.
· Directly interacts with hardware and ensures smooth operation. |
| Login Screen |
· A graphical user interface (GUI) component that appears after the OS has loaded. Prompts the user to log in by entering a username and password (or other authentication methods).
· Acts as a security measure to protect user data and system access. |
