Specifications

2-4 Troubleshooting
COMPAQ CONFIDENTIAL - NEED TO KNOW REQUIRED
Writer: David Calvert Saved by: JAbercrombie Saved date: 07/06/00 3:56 PM
Part Number: 128679-004 File name: Ch02
2.3 Power-On Self-Test (POST)
The Power-On Self-Test (POST) is a series of tests that run every time
the computer is turned on. POST verifies that the system is configured
and functioning properly.
To run POST, complete the following steps:
1. Complete the preliminary steps (Section 2.1).
2. Turn on the computer.
If POST does not detect any errors, the computer beeps once or twice to
indicate that POST has run successfully. The computer boots from the
hard drive or from a bootable diskette if one is installed in the diskette
drive.
2.4 POST Error Messages
If the system is not functioning well enough to run POST, or if the
display is not functioning well enough to show POST error messages,
refer to the Troubleshooting tables in Section 2.6.
If POST detects an error, one of the following events occur:
A message with the prefix "WARNING" appears, informing you
where the error occurred. The system pauses until you press F1 to
continue.
A message with the prefix "FATAL" appears, informing you where
the error occurred. After the message, the system emits a series of
beeps, then stops.
The system emits a series of beeps, then stops.
Warning messages indicate that a potential problem, such as a system
configuration error, exists. When F1 is pressed, the system should
resume. You should be able to correct problems that produce WARNING
messages.