Diagnostic Aids  79
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: 
To start POST, turn on the monitor and then the 
system unit. The following will happen:
1. The IBM Personal Computer 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 Configuration/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 Personal 
Computer Type 2284, the F9 key will only work 
after exiting Configuration/Setup Utility. 
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 Configuration/Setup Utility menu to appear.
• 
System Board
• 
Mouse
• 
Memory
• 
Parallel Port(s)
• 
SVGA Controller
• 
Serial Port(s)
• 
Hard Disk Drive(s)
• 
CD/DVD-ROM Drive(s)
• 
Floppy Diskette 
Drive(s)
• 
Sound Controller*
• 
Keyboard