Do normal x86 or AMD PCs run startup/BIOS code directly from ROM, or do they copy it first to RAM? [closed]

Answer 1

If you remove the RAM completely the PC should start to beep incessantly when you turn it on.

Here is a good description of what happens: http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/bios/boot.htm

There's also Hans-Peter Messmer's 'The Indespensible PC Hardware Book' that describes the process too.