What happens immediately after the BIOS initialization in the boot process?

Immediately after the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) initialization during the boot process, control is passed to the bootloader. The BIOS is primarily responsible for performing a series of initializations to prepare the computer for operation, which includes detecting hardware components and initializing them.

Once these initialization tasks are completed, the BIOS performs the Power-On Self Test (POST) to ensure that hardware components are functioning correctly. After successfully completing the POST, the BIOS locates the bootable devices according to the specified boot order and identifies the bootloader code on the device (typically a hard drive or SSD) that holds the operating system.

The bootloader's role is crucial since it loads the operating system into memory and transfers control to it, allowing the system to begin the execution of OS processes. Thus, the handoff to the bootloader represents a pivotal moment in the boot sequence, as it transitions the system from firmware control to operating system control, enabling the user environment to be established.

Subsequent to this point, the screen typically displays the manufacturer’s logo, indicating that the BIOS has completed its tasks, and the operating system installation would only start if the system was set up for that, which is not the immediate next step in the normal boot process.