Basic Input Output System

aliases:

long ahh list 😭

Power to the CPU; CPU searches ROM for memory address to the BIOS program
CPU loads BIOS program; BIOS runs it's POST test or whatnot; POST also checks and verifies:
- system memory
- video card and output displays
- available hard disks
BIOS then identifies all other peripherals and system devices; uses memory from CMOS to configure them; allocates resources to them; display information about them;
BIOS then locates and initializes the OS from the boot drive

BIOS searches for and loads the boot code in the MBR (located on the first sector of the disk)
The MBR boot code uses the partition table to find the first active disk partition
MBR searches for bootmgr.exe on the active disk partition
bootmgr.exe looks for the binary-coded decimal (BCD) store in either the C:\ drive or the System Reserved partition

OS finally starts loading. The OS loads and configures system devices and other peripherals and loads it's dependencies and required files.

winload.exe starts up. Advanced startup options (e.g. safe mode) are available at this stage
- the system registry, essential device drivers, and kernel functions (under ntoskrnl.exe) for Windows NT are loaded here as well
Control of the system is then handed off to ntoskrnl.exe. This is where the Windows logo is shown, and devices drivers, services, and startup apps are loaded.
- The OS environment is loaded and configured at this stage

System waits for a user to sign in using their credentials. OS is then configured according to that user's settings and preferences.

wininit and winlogon manage user logon.
All remaining drivers and user settings load. The current config is saved to something called the Last Known Good Configuration registry (what this does, I don't know)

#III