BIOS Loading question

[t0rek]

if a CPU is not installed correctly on a motherboard, the BIOS won't load, right? Or it still loads?

[smcd]

It should give you some "beeps" during POST. look in the motherboard manual as to what beep patterns mean what.

[Eagle]

if a CPU is not installed correctly on a motherboard, the BIOS won't load, right? Or it still loads?

In answer to the original question, no. The bios GUI is a software application, its just stored on a flash chip on the motherboard instead of the hard drive. In order to run the bulk of this software, you must have the CPU. As already mentioned, the motherboard and BIOS is capable of determining if there is a CPU present (or properly installed) and if it is not it can beep at you in patterns. Different BIOS types have different POST codes but you can find them by looking on the internet for your bios.