Qué pasa cuando enciendes una computadora

When you press the power button on your computer, it initiates a fascinating and complex process that happens in seconds. Electricity flows from the battery or external source through internal wires, similar to water pipes in a home, to the motherboard. Upon receiving this power, the motherboard acts as an efficient coordinator, distributing electricity to each component and initiating a sequence of automatic checks.

This sequence begins with a special chip, known as the boot chip, which runs the POST (Power-On Self Test). This test quickly checks each hardware component, making sure everything is operational. You may have noticed this with specific sounds emitted when you turn on the computer; a short beep usually indicates that everything is OK, while a series of different beeps may signal a problem.

Immediately after that, the boot chip uses a specific firmware, BIOS or UEFI, to continue booting. BIOS is an older, simpler technology, while UEFI is a modern version that offers better security, better graphics and the ability to handle larger hard drives. You can imagine the difference between these firmwares as a traditional switch versus an advanced digital panel that offers detailed information and configuration options.

The firmware looks for specific instructions on the hard drive, written in a language of zeros and ones. These instructions, like a recipe, clearly indicate how to load and run the operating system. The information on the hard disk is transferred to RAM, which is like the work desk where important documents are placed at the start of the day, allowing the processor (CPU) to quickly access them.

The CPU, the central core and brain of the computer, receives these instructions and interprets them through an internal process involving assembly language. This language can be viewed as a translator that converts commands into precise actions, making it possible for the hardware to perform the requested tasks.

In some devices, especially in cell phones and tablets, all these components (CPU, memory, GPU, among others) are integrated into a single chip called System on a Chip (SoC). This compact and efficient design saves space and power, ideal for smaller devices.

The operating system kernel plays an essential role as an intermediary, facilitating communication between the programs you use and the computer hardware. This kernel performs critical tasks, such as managing resources and ensuring that software instructions execute correctly on the hardware.

Finally, during startup, security mechanisms, such as digital signature verification and data encryption, are activated to protect the system against unauthorized access. These procedures ensure that only legitimate and trusted software is run.

At the same time, the operating system, in collaboration with pre-installed drivers, manages interaction with peripheral devices such as displays and graphics. These drivers work as automatic translators, allowing each pixel on the screen to receive precise instructions on what colors to display, thus creating the visual interface you use on a daily basis.

Each step described occurs in mere seconds, allowing you to use your computer in a streamlined, secure and efficient manner from the moment you turn it on.