preboot sequence

During startup, a Windows Server 2003-based computer initializes the boot portion of the hard disk and the
preboot sequence begins. This sequence consists of four steps

• the computer runs power-on self test (POST) process to determine the amount of physical memory

• The hardware components are present

• If the computer has a Plug and Play (BIOS), enumeration and configuration of hardware devices occurs

• The computer BIOS locates the boot device and loads and runs the master boot record (MBR)