(a) Explain the difference between firmware and software. [2] (b) State one example of firmware. [1] (c) Explain why firmware is stored in ROM rather than R...

(a) Firmware is software that is permanently (or semi-permanently) stored in hardware, typically in ROM or flash memory. It controls the fundamental low-level operations of a device and is not routinely changed by the user. [1] Regular software (application or system software) is stored on secondary storage, loaded into RAM when needed, and can be easily installed, updated, or removed by the user at any time. [1]

(b) The BIOS/UEFI in a computer is a common example of firmware. It runs every time the computer is switched on, before the operating system loads. [1]

(c) Firmware is stored in ROM (Read-Only Memory) because ROM is non-volatile, meaning it retains its contents when the power is turned off. [1] This is essential because the firmware must be available immediately when the device is switched on, before the operating system or any other software has loaded from secondary storage. If it were in RAM (which is volatile), it would be lost every time the power was cut. [1]

(d) During the boot process, the BIOS/UEFI performs the following role:

1. It carries out a Power-On Self-Test (POST) to check that essential hardware components (CPU, RAM, storage devices) are present and functioning correctly. [1]
2. It identifies the boot device (hard drive, SSD, USB, or network) that contains the operating system, following a pre-configured boot order. [1]
3. It loads the operating system's boot loader from the boot device into RAM and transfers control to it, which then continues loading the full operating system. [1]