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Power-On Self Test
Each time you power-on the system, the power-on self test (POST) is initiated.
Several items are tested during POST, but is for the most part transparent to
the user.
POST checks the following:
•
System Board
•
Memory
•
SVGA Controller
•
Hard Disk Drive(s)
•
Floppy Diskette Drive(s)
•
Keyboard
To start POST, turn on the monitor and then the system unit. The following will
happen:
1. The IBM Aptiva logo will appear on the screen.
2. At this time one of two hot-keys may be used. The F1 key will cause the
system Setup Utility menu to appear. The F9 key will switch the graphical
IBM logo screen to the traditional text-based system startup screen, which
displays BIOS version and system memory tested. For Aptiva, the F9 key
will only work after exiting BIOS Setup.
3. If an error is detected during POST, the IBM logo screen will automatically
switch to the text-based screen and display the error message or code with
a beep. Depending on the criticality of the POST error, the system may halt
and/or display the message "Press <F1> to enter to the Setup or <Enter> to
continue..."
If this message appears, pressing the Enter key will allow the system to
attempt to proceed despite the reported error; pressing F1 will cause the
system Setup Utility menu to appear.
4. If no keyboard keys are pressed, and if POST is completed without errors,
the system will then proceed with the loading of Windows98 or other
operating system from a hard disk drive or diskette drive A or CD-ROM
drive, depending on the Start options selected in the BIOS Setup Utility.
If any errors are detected by POST, there will be an error message
accompanied with an error code shown on display screen and a beep. See
"Index of Symptoms, Messages, Error Codes, or Beeps" to find the most
likely cause and countermeasure.
•
Mouse
•
Parallel Port(s)
•
Serial Port(s)
•
CD/DVD-ROM Drive(s)
•
Sound Controller*
Diagnostic Aids
75
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