Overview of the Diagnostic Tools
Power-On Self-Test (POST)
Each time you turn on the system, it performs a series of tests that
check the operation of the system and some options. This series of
tests is called the power-on self-test, or POST. POST does the
following:
Checks some basic system-board operations
Checks the memory operation
Starts the video operation
Verifies that the diskette drives are working
Verifies that the hard disk drive is working
If POST finishes without detecting any problems, a single beep
sounds and the first screen of your operating system or application
program appears.
If POST detects a problem, an error message appears on your
screen. A single problem can cause several error messages to
appear. When you correct the cause of the first error message, the
other error messages probably will not appear on the screen the
next time you turn on the system.
POST Beep Codes
POST generates a beeping sound to indicate successful completion
of POST or to indicate that the tests detect an error.
One beep and the appearance of text on the monitor indicates
successful completion of the POST. More than one beep indicates
that POST detects an error.
Test Programs
The QAPlus/PRO test programs, developed by DiagSoft, Inc. for
IBM, are the primary method of testing the IBM PC Server 520.
These programs require minimal interaction from you. You can use
them to test the IBM components of the system and some external
devices. The amount of time required to test all components
depends on the number of components. The more optional adapters
and devices you have attached to your system, the longer the testing
takes.
308 PC Server 520 User's Handbook for PCI/EISA
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