Final answer:
The process of starting up a computer is known as boot strapping or booting. It begins with a POST to check hardware, followed by the BIOS or UEFI initiating the operating system load, making the computer ready for use.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of starting up a computer is known as boot strapping, commonly referred to simply as booting. When you power on your computer, the system begins this process, which involves loading the operating system into the computer's main memory or random access memory (RAM) from its non-volatile storage, such as a hard drive or solid-state drive. The term comes from the phrase "to pull oneself up by one's bootstraps", reflecting the notion that a computer system is lifted from a state of inactivity to a state of functionality by its own means.
During the booting process, the computer's hardware will first perform a Power-On Self Test (POST) to ensure all critical components are working properly. Following this test, the computer's Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) will begin to run, initiating the sequence that will load the operating system. Once the OS is loaded, the system is ready for use.