BOOTING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

BOOTING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM At the end of this lesson, you will be able to;

(i) define the terms “booting” and “shut-down”.

(ii) differentiate between booting and shut-down.

(iii) narrate the booting process of the computer.

(iv) mention and explain the types of booting.

(v) identify system cables and their functions.

(vi) boot a dismantled system.

(vii) boot a connected powerless system. shut down the computer system.

(viii) list safety precautions before booting a system.

attempt all questions.

Introduction The computer as an electronic machine simply means it makes use of electrical energy. i.e you need to connect it to a power source e.g. socket and turn it on before it can be ready for use. The processes involved before the computer system can be made ready for use is referred to as booting.

What is Booting? Booting is the process of getting ready the computer for use. Or Booting is the stages involved in turning on the computer to make it ready for the user. Or Booting is the process of starting the computer for use.

Before booting process occur, the user has to press the power button after checking all connections are in order. In booting, the system reads all peripheral hardware parts e.g mouse, hard disk, ram, keyboard e.t.c connected to it and load all applications including the operating system into the memory.

All of these process takes place in the central processing unit. After using the computer, the user shuts- down the system.

What is Shut-down? Shut- down means to turn of the computer system completely after use. It is the opposite of booting.

Differences between Booting and Shut-down. Booting Shut-down

Booting turns on the computer before use. Shut- down turns off the computer after use.

(2). During booting all the applications including operating system loads into the memory. Shut- down closes all the loaded applications in the memory.

(3). In booting the computer gets ready for use. In shut down the computer goes to rest after use.

Booting process of the computer. Booting process starts when the user presses the power button on the system unit and the monitor. A power indicator light is been displayed which means there is supply of power to both the System Unit and the Monitor. After this, the Central processing unit (CPU) will check for all hardware parts connected to the system unit to see if they are faulty or not. This process is known as basic input and output system (BIOS). It will equally load the operating system and other applications, files, and folders into the memory as well.

Types of Booting There are two types of booting namely; Cold booting. Warm booting.

(a)What is Cold Booting? Cold booting is the process of turning on the computer from the beginning When power button is pressed. This is to say when the computer system is in its powerless state, the process of turning it on is referred to as cold booting.

(b) What is warm Booting? Warm booting refers to the type of booting that occurs when the system restarts due to an error or a fault detection. The system can also restart or reboot when the user initiates a reboot command.
When the system starts again after it had already been powered on, the process is known as warm booting

Identifying System Cables and their functions The following are computer peripheral cables connected to the system unit before a successful booting can occur.

Power cable: Power cable is used to supply electricity from the socket to the system unit and the monitor. The system unit will distribute this power to other peripherals (internal and external) in their right proportion.
Note: The printer, projector and copy-machine have its own power cable.

Mouse cable: The mouse cable connects the mouse to the system unit. Modern mouse is available in universal serial bus (USB) form as seen below.

Keyboard cable: Keyboard cable connects the keyboard to the system unit. Modern keyboard are also available in USB form.

Data cable: Data cable is used to transfer data between peripherals and the system unit. e.g printer data cable receives the data inform of text document, or file from the system unit and prints it.

Speaker cable: Speaker cable connect speakers to the system unit for transmitting audio.

Video Graphic Adapter Cable (VGA): Video Graphic Adapter Cable also known as VGA cable connects the monitor to the system unit to enable the display of graphics on the screen of the monitor.

Note: Graphics on the screen enables the user to interact with the system, you can click a file, folder or application to carryout any given activity.

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI): High-Definition Multimedia Interface also known as HDMI cable connects the system unit to peripherals such as the television and projector for display of video.

How to Boot a dismantled system A dismantled system means that no peripheral device is connected to the system unit in its powerless state. An example of a dismantled system is a newly bought one. The following are steps to boot a dismantled system.

Connect the mouse cable to the system unit in its right port.

Connect the keyboard cable to the system unit in its right port.

Connect the VGA cable from the monitor to the system unit and fix all screws properly.

Connect the speaker cable to its port on the system unit.

Connect the printer data cable to the system unit and the printer.

Connect the power cable of the system unit to a power protective device such as stabilizers, Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) e.t.c. This also apply to other peripheral devices with power cables.

Connect the Power protective device to the switch and turn it on.

Turn on the power protective device and press the power button on the system unit and the monitor.

Note: After completion of the above steps, The system indicate a power display light and booting process is initiated.

Booting a connected powerless system A connected powerless system means all peripherals are connected to the system unit and also connected to the power protective device but it’s not turned on.

The following are the steps to boot such system.

Turn on the power switch from the mains and turn on the power protective device.

Press the power button on the monitor and the system unit respectively.

Note After completing the above steps, a power indicator light comes up on the monitor and the system unit including all pheripherals. After which booting process is initiated.

How to shut down the computer system The term shut-down is used replace the word “turn-off”. It is a state at which the user has completed its task with the computer machine and wants to turn it off.

The following are steps to shut down the computer.

Click the windows button located on the bottom left side of the screen for windows XP, windows 7 and windows 10. It display looks like a home based window as shown below. For windows 8 click the edge right side of the screen.

Select the option shut- down. Wait for the system to close all applications and shut down properly.

Safety Precautions before booting a system Ensure all connections are properly done and fitted correctly.

Avoid contact with the ground on barefoot when system is turned on to prevent risk of electric shock.

It is advisable to use power protective device such as the stabilizer and the UPS before system boots.

Do not play with metal object on the system unit to avoid risk of electric conduction.

QUESTIONS ON BOOTING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM The process of getting ready the computer for use is referred to as _______________. Shut down (b) booting (c) dismantle During booting, one of the activities been done is ______________________. Movies are been displayed (b) sounds are been (c) applications are loaded into the memory To boot the computer system, we press ______________________. Green light (b) power button (c) keyboard __________________ means to turn off the computer system completely after use. Booting (b) re-booting (c) shut-down There are _________________ types of booting. 1 (b) 2 (c) 5 After a successful booting, all files, folders, applications and operating software are been loaded into the _________________. System (b) memory (c) phone ___________________ is used to supply power to the system unit and monitor. Power cable (b) printer cable (c) data cable The full meaning of VGA is ____________________________________. The full meaning of HDMI is ___________________________________. ________________ is used to transfer data between the system unit and pheripheral device.

SECTION B – THEORY Draw the power button of the system.

What is the difference between booting and shutdown?

Explain the following terms; Booting. Re- booting. Shutdown.

List the functions of the following cables; Power cable. Data cable. Video graphics adapter. Power button Practicals: Booting a dismantled system.

ANSWERS TO OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS B
C B C B B A Video graphic adapter. High definition multimedia interface. Data cable.