What does a Bootloader mean

[Doroteo]

Hi,
I am learning computer hardware. There are certain terms which is not easy to understand. First what does you mean by a Bootloader. What is the function of this tool. Second what is MBR (Master Boot Record ). It is related to a hard drive but how it works. And the last thing I want to know that how can I initialize BIOS of a newly assembled system.

[JonathanD]

The boot loader, as its name indicates, is software that lets you choose which partition to boot disk is to boot. It is usually installed in the sector MBR (Master Boot Record) of hard, but it may also exist on a disk or directly to a root partition. This is the program run by the BIOS to boot your computer. And a Master Boot Record is the first sector of a disk drive.

[Macarenas]

The very first sector on a hard disk is called as MBR. That is to say the sector located at cylinder 0, head 0 and sector 1 (or 0 if it sometimes has a logical address). It occupies a very small size (512 bytes). This area, located just before the first physical partition actually contains 2 things the partition table and the boot routine. The first contains information on the primary partition (other partitions are described in other partition tables that are not contained in the MBR) and second one is a startup program that will be executed by the BIOS each time you start your PC.

[ThoMas321]

The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is a non-volatile electronic circuit, located on the motherboard, which contains the recognition program of PC hardware, identification of the hard disk and booting the system. Sometimes your PC will not boot due to mishandling of a power failures, etc.. In this case, it may be useful to reset the BIOS.

[ZeDaX]

To initialize BIOS follow this steps. Turn off the computer and isolate it completely from the sector. Open the computer to access the motherboard. It is advisable to touch the body to avoid problems due to static charge of the body. Most often, a jumper on the motherboard to reset the BIOS. Its location differs depending on the model of motherboard, refer to the manual of your motherboard to find out where he is. Generally the position of the jumper on jumper 1 <> 2. You must change it to 2 <> 3 and wait a few minutes to make his initial position 1 <> 2 Normally indications for this procedure are in the documentation for the motherboard.