Vector Graphic Vector 4 - Page 47

How Does This QperafuJt System Get Started?
VECTOR 4 USER'S MANUAL
VECTOR 4 CP/M OVERVmW
While the computer is turned off, the operating system is stored on a disk.
To
operate the computer, these instructions must themselves be copied from
the disk into the memory. Since the computer's memory only works when the
power is on,
the operating system must be copied from the disk into the
computer's memory each time you turn on the power.
Recall from the Start-Up Instructions that this is called bootirli' the system.
Booting comes from the expression "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps",
since the computer is loading itself with its own instructions. It doesn't mean
kicking your computer
to get it started!
When you boot, you are telling the computer to copy the instructions that
make up the operating system into its memory. This runs an automatic
program (stored in a silicon chip inside the console) which tells the compu ter
togo to a specified location on the disk called the system tracks.
It will then copy the information it finds there into the computer's memory,
and "await further instructions". The operating system is now at the command
l.en].,
To boot, just press [P] for a floppy-only system, or [W] if you use a hard disk.
You need
to . press one of these keys whenever this banner is displayed on the
screen:
*
VECTOR 4 SSC EXECUTIVE 1.X
[W] ••• Winchester boot
[T] ••• System Test
SBe >
[F] ••• Floppy boot
* X represents current program number.
Rev. A - 9-01-82
PIN 7100-0001
IV-3