After pressing the power button, when does the CPU, exactly, start working?

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In summary, the part of the CPU that ensures stable voltage and power levels before enabling the rest of the processor is called a power supervisor circuit. The idea of one electron traveling through a wire is not accurate, as electrons move together in a jostling motion similar to a Newton's cradle. The electric field must first be established before the current can start flowing, and the field propagates along the length of the wire at a speed slightly slower than the speed of light. For more information on how this process works, one can refer to an electrical engineering book on sequential circuits and clocking.
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wajed
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and which part of it exactly receives the foremost electron?
 
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Probably the part that makes sure that voltage and power levels are stable before enabling the rest of the CPU. That might sound somewhat cheeky, but it's true! (It's called a power supervisor circuit)

EDIT: The part about receiving the foremost electron is somewhat nonsensical since it's not like in a water pipe where one molecule of water makes its way through the pipe. You establish the electric field first (propagates outwards first) and then electrons jostle themselves around in a fashion not unlike a Newton's cradle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton's_cradle

So the current starts up everywhere once the field is established. As for how the field propagates, well that goes along the length of the wire at some velocity a little less than the speed of light.
 
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  • #3
you might want to read an electrical engineering book on sequential circuits vs. combinatorial circuits (i.e., the concept of clocking)
 

1. When does the CPU actually start processing data after pressing the power button?

The CPU starts working immediately after the power button is pressed. As soon as the power is supplied to the computer, the CPU starts executing the instructions stored in the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) chip, which is responsible for starting up the computer's hardware.

2. Is there any delay between pressing the power button and the CPU starting to work?

In modern computers, there is usually no noticeable delay between pressing the power button and the CPU starting to work. This is because technology has advanced to the point where the CPU can start processing data almost instantly after receiving power.

3. What happens during the time between pressing the power button and the CPU starting to work?

During this time, several things are happening in the computer. The power supply is providing electricity to the different components, the BIOS is initializing the hardware, and the motherboard is checking for any potential issues. Once these processes are completed, the CPU starts working.

4. Can the CPU start working before the operating system is loaded?

Yes, the CPU starts processing data before the operating system is fully loaded. As mentioned before, the BIOS chip is responsible for starting up the computer's hardware, including the CPU, before the operating system is loaded.

5. Does the CPU always start working when the power button is pressed?

In most cases, yes. However, if there is a hardware issue or a problem with the power supply, the CPU may not start working. In these cases, the computer will not turn on at all or may display an error message. It is important to troubleshoot and fix any hardware issues to ensure the CPU can start working properly.

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