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4.1.3 Running of applications

The document explains the booting process of a computer, detailing how the BIOS loads the operating system into RAM and the role of EEPROM and CMOS in storing BIOS programs and settings. It also describes interrupts, which are signals that temporarily halt the microprocessor to address various events, and how they enable multitasking through the use of buffers. The process of servicing interrupts involves saving the current task's status, executing an interrupt service routine, and then restoring the task's status to continue processing.

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2 views

4.1.3 Running of applications

The document explains the booting process of a computer, detailing how the BIOS loads the operating system into RAM and the role of EEPROM and CMOS in storing BIOS programs and settings. It also describes interrupts, which are signals that temporarily halt the microprocessor to address various events, and how they enable multitasking through the use of buffers. The process of servicing interrupts involves saving the current task's status, executing an interrupt service routine, and then restoring the task's status to continue processing.

Uploaded by

knoxabyte.his
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Running of applications

• When a computer starts up, part of the operating system needs to be loaded into RAM – this is known as
booting up the computer (or a bootstrap loader).
• The start-up of the computer’s motherboard is handled by the basic input/output system (BIOS). The BIOS
tells the computer where the storage device that holds the operating system can be found; it then loads
the part of the operating system that is needed and executes it.
• The BIOS is often referred to as firmware. Firmware is defined as a program that provides low level control
for devices.
• The BIOS program is stored in a special type of ROM, called an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable
Programmable ROM). EEPROM is a flash memory chip, which means its contents remain even when the
computer is powered down.
• However, it also means the BIOS can be rewritten, updated or even deleted by a user.
• However, while the BIOS is stored on an EEPROM, the BIOS settings are stored on a CMOS chip
(Complementary Metal Oxide Semi-conductor). The CMOS is powered up at all times via a rechargeable
battery on the motherboard.
• Therefore, the BIOS settings would be reset if the battery was removed or disconnected for some reason.
Once the CMOS is re-started, it will access the same BIOS program from EEPROM, but the settings will now
be the default factory settings.
• Consequently, if a user has changed the BIOS settings (for example, the clock speed), the settings will
revert to those settings made at the factory once power is restored to the CMOS.
Interrupts
• An interrupt is a signal sent from a device or from software to the microprocessor. This will cause the
microprocessor to temporarily stop what it is doing so that it can service the interrupt.
• Interrupts can be caused by:
» a timing signal
» an input/output process (for example, a disk drive or printer requiring more data)
» a hardware fault (for example, a paper jam in the printer)
» user interaction (for example, the user presses a key (or keys) on a keyboard, such as <CTRL><ALT><BREAK>,
which causes the system to be interrupted)
» software errors that cause a problem (for example, an .exe file that cannot be found to initiate the execution of
a program, two processes trying to access the same memory location, or an attempt to divide by zero).is restored
to the CMOS.
• Once the interrupt signal is received, the microprocessor either carries on with what it was doing or stops to
service the device or program that caused the interrupt.
• The computer needs to identify the interrupt type and also establish the level of interrupt priority. Interrupts allow
computers to carry out many tasks or to have several windows open at the same time.
• This can all be achieved by using an area in memory known as a buffer. A buffer is a memory area that stores
data temporarily
• Whenever an interrupt is received it needs to be serviced. The status of the current task being run first needs to
be saved. The contents of the Program Counter (PC) and other registers are saved.
• Then the interrupt service routine (ISR) is executed by loading the start address into the Program Counter (PC).
• Once the interrupt has been fully serviced, the status of the interrupted task is reinstated (the contents of all the
saved registers are then retrieved) and the process continues.
• Buffers and interrupts are often used together to allow standard computer functions to be carried out.

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