The startup routine is commonly stored in non-volatile memory to survive power cycles. Which storage medium is typically used?

The startup routine is commonly stored in non-volatile memory to survive power cycles. Which storage medium is typically used?

• A. RAM
• B. ROM
• C. On disk
• D. Magnetic tape

Answer: (B)

The startup routine must survive power cycles, so it sits in non-volatile memory. ROM is the traditional medium for this because it stores firmware in a way that retains its contents without power and can be read directly by the processor at power-up to begin initialization. RAM would lose its contents when power is removed, so it isn’t suitable for boot code. Storing the startup routine on disk would require loading it after the system starts, which delays boot and depends on an operating system already being up. Magnetic tape is not practical for boot code due to slow, sequential access. (In modern systems, non-volatile options like flash memory serve the same role as ROM by keeping the firmware intact across power cycles.)

The startup routine must survive power cycles, so it sits in non-volatile memory. ROM is the traditional medium for this because it stores firmware in a way that retains its contents without power and can be read directly by the processor at power-up to begin initialization. RAM would lose its contents when power is removed, so it isn’t suitable for boot code. Storing the startup routine on disk would require loading it after the system starts, which delays boot and depends on an operating system already being up. Magnetic tape is not practical for boot code due to slow, sequential access. (In modern systems, non-volatile options like flash memory serve the same role as ROM by keeping the firmware intact across power cycles.)