How to Answer: Please detail the sequence of steps performed by the computer's bios when a computer is turned on.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Senior Technical Support Engineer job interview.
3. Please detail the sequence of steps performed by the computer's bios when a computer is turned on.
How to Answer
When diagnosing and resolving technical issues with computer systems and related hardware and software, you need to be aware of every process performed by the devices and the symptoms which indicate they have failed. The most basic process a computer performs is during the bootup sequence. This is when it verifies its functionality, sets up parameters, and loads the software and hardware connections needed to operate. Diagnosing these, recognizing issues, and resolving them is a vital part of your job.
Written by William Swansen on August 25th, 2021
Answer Example
"I am very familiar with the sequence of the steps the bios performs when a computer is first turned on. These are critical to the function of a computer because they verify its operations and sets up the parameters and computer needs to function properly. While these vary slightly depending on cycle processor, typically, they include:
Checking the CMOS where the Bios is stored for custom settings
Loading the interrupt handlers and device drivers
Initializing registers and power management setting
Performing the power-on self-test, or POST
Initiating the display system settings
Determining which devices are bootable
Initializing the bootstrap sequence"
Written by William Swansen on August 25th, 2021