← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Bootloader

A small program stored in firmware that runs first at power-on, finds the operating system on storage, copies it into RAM and hands control to it.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts — Module 37

Understanding Bootloader in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Firmware is non-volatile, so the bootloader kept there is available at every power-on. The order shows the bootloader runs first, and only after it has run is the OS loaded. The bootloader loads the OS into RAM so that the computer can start working. The bootloader searches the secondary storage for the operating system files. The OS is copied from storage into RAM so that the CPU can access it quickly. Once the OS is loaded, the bootloader's job is finished and the OS takes over. This step shows the bootloader's main job: it finds the OS on storage, copies it into RAM and passes control to the OS.

Common mistakes: The bootloader copies the OS into RAM, not ROM. ROM is read-only, so the OS cannot be copied into it. The line should be COPY OS INTO RAM. The bootloader is stored in firmware, not RAM. RAM is empty when the computer is switched on, so the bootloader must run from firmware.

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Learning

Duo

Which statement about the bootloader is correct?

It is a large application the user installs after the operating system has loadedIt is a small program stored in firmware that runs when the computer is switched on

Matches

bootloader.location = RAM_at_power_on

↓

The bootloader is stored in firmware, not in RAM. RAM is volatile and empty at power-on, so no program could be kept there.

Applying

Meanings

Term

bootloader

Meaning

A small program stored in firmware that runs first at power-on, finds the operating system on storage, copies it into RAM and hands control to it.

Practice

PROCEDURE Bootloader()

Testing

Gaps

.run()

Check Answer

Spots

3FIND OS ON storage

4COPY OS INTO ROM

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement about the bootloader is correct?

A. It is a small program stored in firmware that runs when the computer is switched on ✓

B. It is a large application the user installs after the operating system has loaded

The bootloader is stored in firmware, so it is available as soon as the power is switched on.

2. What is the main job of the bootloader?

A. Load the operating system into RAM ✓

B. Delete old files from the hard drive

The bootloader loads the OS into RAM so that the computer can start working.

3. Which program runs first when a computer is switched on?

A. A web browser

B. The bootloader ✓

The bootloader runs first at power-on, before the operating system or any application.

4. Where is the bootloader stored?

A. In firmware ✓

B. In RAM

RAM is volatile and empty when the power is off, so the bootloader must be kept in firmware, which keeps its contents.

5. Where does the bootloader find the operating system?

A. Inside the keyboard

B. On storage, such as an SSD or hard drive ✓

The bootloader searches the secondary storage for the operating system files.

Match the Pairs

bootloader → A small program stored in firmware that runs first when the computer is switched on

load_os(storage, RAM) → Copies the operating system from storage into RAM, then hands control to it

The bootloader is stored in firmware, so it is still there when the computer is switched off → firmware.store(bootloader)

The bootloader runs first at power-on, before the operating system is loaded → power_on -> run(bootloader) -> load(OS)

bootloader.location = RAM_at_power_on → The bootloader is stored in firmware, not in RAM. RAM is volatile and empty at power-on, so no program could be kept there.

os.run_first(); bootloader.load(os) → The bootloader runs first and loads the OS. The OS cannot run before it has been loaded into RAM.

Key Term

bootloader

A small program stored in firmware that runs first at power-on, finds the operating system on storage, copies it into RAM and hands control to it.

Fill in the Blanks

1. powerOn() bootloader.run()

Hint: Type the name of the small firmware program that runs first when the computer is switched on.

2. firmware.store(bootloader)

Hint: Type the kind of permanent chip software where the bootloader is stored.

3. osPath = bootloader.find(storage)

Hint: Type the action the bootloader performs to locate the operating system on storage.

4. bootloader.copy(OS, RAM)

Hint: Type the memory the operating system is copied into so the CPU can use it.

5. bootloader.copy(OS, RAM) bootloader.handOver(OS)

Hint: Type the short name of the software that the bootloader hands control to once it is loaded into memory.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A POWER ON

B RUN bootloader FROM firmware

C FIND OS ON storage

D COPY OS INTO ROM

E HAND CONTROL TO OS

Line D — The bootloader copies the OS into RAM, not ROM. ROM is read-only, so the OS cannot be copied into it. The line should be COPY OS INTO RAM.

Question 2

A POWER ON

B RUN bootloader FROM RAM

C FIND OS ON storage

D COPY OS INTO RAM

Line B — The bootloader is stored in firmware, not RAM. RAM is empty when the computer is switched on, so the bootloader must run from firmware.

Question 3

A STORE bootloader IN RAM

B POWER ON

C RUN bootloader

Line A — The bootloader must be stored in firmware. RAM is volatile and loses its contents when the power is off, so the bootloader would be gone at the next start-up.

Question 4

A POWER ON

B RUN OS

C LOAD OS INTO RAM

D HAND CONTROL TO OS

Line B — The bootloader runs first at power-on. The OS is not in RAM yet, so it cannot run until the bootloader has loaded it. The line should be RUN bootloader.

Question 5

A POWER ON

B RUN bootloader

C FIND OS IN firmware

D COPY OS INTO RAM

Line C — The operating system is kept on storage, such as an SSD or hard drive, not in firmware. The bootloader finds it there. The line should be FIND OS ON storage.

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