CompTIA ITF+ Practice Test

Booting refers to the process of starting a computer and loading the operating system. When a computer is powered on, it goes through a series of steps to initialize hardware components, check for system integrity, and prepare the system for user interaction. This process begins with the execution of the bootloader located in the BIOS or UEFI firmware, which subsequently loads the operating system into the computer's memory.

During booting, the system performs various checks, including Power-On Self Test (POST), which ensures that essential hardware components such as RAM, CPU, and storage devices are functioning properly. Once the operating system is loaded, the computer becomes ready for use, allowing the user to interact with the software installed on the system. The term "booting" itself originates from the phrase "pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps," metaphorically describing how the system starts itself up.

The other options do not accurately describe booting. Accessing the BIOS is a specific step in the overall boot process but does not encompass the full process of starting up the computer. Shutting down a computer is the opposite of booting, as it involves terminating the operating system and powering down the hardware. Installing new hardware is a separate activity that may occur at any time,