Definition
A warm boot (soft boot) restarts the operating system without fully powering down the hardware. It clears active memory in RAM, but the computer’s hardware remains powered on.
This is a more effective method of rebooting the system and addressing specific software-related issues.
Warm Boot Examples
- System troubleshooting: A warm boot helps to solve software performance issues and minor system glitches.
- Software installation: Some software applications may require a warm boot after updates or installation to implement changes.
Warm Boot Compared to Cold Boot
In contrast to a warm boot, a cold boot involves a complete shutdown and restart, in which the computer system is entirely powered off before being turned on again.
Pros and Cons of Warm Boot
Pros
- Speed: A warm boot is faster than a cold boot as it evades many start-up processes.
- Convenience: Unlike in a cold boot, physical interaction isn’t required in a warm boot.
Cons
- Limited effect: Warm boot doesn’t address issues like a cold boot, especially errors deeply rooted within the system.
- Non-persistent data loss: Any non-persistent data not saved to the hard drive could be lost during a warm reboot. This can include open web pages, unsaved documents, and unsaved changes in software applications.
Using a Warm Reboot
- Use a warm reboot if your computer is slow, unresponsive, or showing minor software-related issues.
- A cold boot is more effective for more severe hardware issues.