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Boot

By Tim Fisher, About.com

Definition: The term boot is used to describe the process taken by the computer when turned on that loads the operating system and prepares the system for use.

The boot process is controlled by BIOS and begins after the POST.

Also Known As: boot up, start up
Examples:
"The reset button on my computer was not working so to get it to boot up I had to shut the power completely off and then turn it back on again."
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