Final answer:
The second step in the boot process is the Power-On Self-Test (POST), where the BIOS checks for necessary system hardware. Successful completion of POST leads to the system searching for a bootable device.
Step-by-step explanation:
The second step in the boot process is when the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) performs the Power-On Self-Test (POST).
After the computer is powered on and the BIOS is activated, POST is the diagnostic testing sequence that checks for the necessary system hardware, such as the RAM, processor, and disk drives.
If the POST completes successfully without any errors, the system will proceed to the next step, which typically involves searching for a bootable device such as a hard drive, SSD, or another bootable media.
The second step in the boot process is the POST (Power-On Self-Test). The POST is a series of diagnostic tests performed by the computer's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) to check the hardware and ensure that it is functioning properly.
It checks various components such as the RAM, hard drive, and CPU.