The (Basic Input/Output System) is a stored in a computer's non-volatile memory, such as the (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor). It serves as the interface between the hardware and the operating system (OS). During startup, the BIOS performs a series of pre-boot processes, including the Power-On Self-Test (POST), which ensures the hardware components are functioning properly.
One crucial aspect managed by the BIOS is the Master Boot Record (), a small section on the disk's first . The MBR contains the , a program that enables the computer to boot the OS. It is responsible for locating the OS's boot files, typically stored in a on the disk. These boot files are often found within an , which is set as the designated bootable partition.
In modern systems, the (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) has largely replaced the traditional BIOS. UEFI firmware offers advanced features and improved security. It employs a partitioning scheme known as the GUID (GPT) as opposed to the older MBR-based partition table. GPT supports more extensive disk capacities and can accommodate larger numbers of s. Furthermore, it also allows for the creation of s, which can be further divided into s.
To facilitate the process of switching between multiple operating systems on a single machine, a technique called ing is often employed. This involves installing different OSs on separate partitions. A common bootloader, such as (GRand Unified Bootloader), serves as the intermediary between the user and the OS selection process, enabling the selection of the desired OS during startup.
and are methods used to create exact replicas or backup images of entire disks. Disk cloning involves copying all data from one disk to another, including the partition table and boot sectors. On the other hand, disk imaging refers to creating a compressed file that contains the disk's entire contents, preserving its structure and data.
In a traditional disk, data is organized into individual sectors, which are then grouped into tracks, s, and s. These components make up the physical structure of a hard disk drive. A consists of multiple tracks located at the same position on different platters. Together, sectors, heads, and platters form the foundation of data storage and retrieval on a disk.
