The Linux boot process begins with the BIOS initializing hardware and loading the boot loader from the master boot record. The boot loader then loads the GRUB boot loader which displays a menu to select the operating system. GRUB loads the Linux kernel which initializes hardware and loads drivers. The kernel then executes the init program as the parent of all processes. Init runs scripts to start essential services and enters the selected runlevel, where getty processes provide login prompts and spawn user shells.