Now you are ready to learn how to boot up (to load an operating system into the computer's random access memory (RAM) a Windows computer. Different computer makers put the "on" button in different places and they are often different shapes (round, square, rectangular). However, for the most part, you can identify the "on" button by looking for one of the symbols below. The symbol will be located on or below the button.

Two symbols that indicate power buttons.

After the operating system is loaded, the computer performs a check to make sure that all peripheral devices (input, output and storage devices) are properly attache d to the computer. As soon as all devices are verified, the computer is ready to accept input from the user.