________ is responsible for setting up the hardware and starting an operating system.

​An operating system is a programme that controls all other application programmes in a computer.  

Key Points

• A basic Input/Output System is a type of firmware used in computers to execute hardware initialization during the booting process. 
• It offers runtime services for operating systems and programmes. 
• It controls the flow of information between the operating system (OS) of the computer and any attached hardware, including the hard drive, video adapter, keyboard, mouse, and printer.
• BIOS was created by Gary Kildall in 1975.  

Thus, BIOS is responsible for setting up the hardware and starting an operating system.

Additional Information

• System software is software designed to provide a platform for other software. 
• RAM is a computer's short-term memory that stores data for a temporary period. 
• ROM is a type of computer storage which contains non-volatile, permanent data.