The boot sector contains the code that starts Ntldr which is the boot strap loader for Windows XP.

The MBR locates the active partition and loads the boot sector into memory.

Once the bootable device is found, the MBR (Master Boot Record) is loaded into memory.

Once POST completes, the PC will attempt to locate a bootable device configured via the system BIOS/CMOS.

This can usually be seen on the monitor as the system starts.

Hardware such as Memory is tested as well as all other hardware on the system being verified.

The POST stands for Power on Self Test and it tests your system hardware.

The first thing that happens when you power on your PC is you have a POST.

The boot process once understood will help you visualize why putting certain files on a floppy disk will help you so much. It is used typically on battery-powered computers and to save configuration information on other computers when they are turned off.

A chip which uses small amounts of electricity.

CMOS: Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor.

The BIOS also helps with the boot process. On PC systems, the BIOS is used to perform all necessary functions to properly initialize that system’s hardware when power is first applied.

BIOS: An abbreviation for Basic Input/Output System.

The program begins the boot process by looking up the partition table to determine which partition to use for booting Typically, the MBR resides on the first sector of the hard disk.

MBR: Short for Master Boot Record, a small program that is executed when a computer boots up.

Hearing beeps are indicators of a BIOS trying to either indicate a successful transition, or it’s giving you a beep code that helps you figure out a problem most likely in the BIOS. When a computer starts or boots, the BIOS carries out a procedure that verifies that all the system's components are operating properly. In this section we will cover terminology that will be used throughout the chapter and define it. 'For a complete guide to security, check out 'Security+ Study Guide and DVD Training System' from ' I recommend this disk be created and kept nearby in case you are in a jam and need to get a system up and running that will not boot. A non booting Server is not a good thing when it’s hosting a thousand web pages for a company. We cover some terminology and the boot process, possible problems and situations and then show you how to make a boot disk and use it. Problems that can occur are (but not limited to) boot sector damage, missing files, a virus, improper drivers and so on. Use the procedures in this article to work around the problems that hinder your system from starting.

Creat windows xp boot disk