Power-On Self Test (Aptiva 2165 - SL-A)


  Power-On Self Test - POST


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    ° Mouse
   ° Memory    ° Parallel Port(s)
   ° SVGA Controller    ° Serial Port(s)
   ° Hard Disk Drive(s)    ° CD-ROM Drive(s)
   ° Floppy Diskette Drive(s)    ° Sound Controller
   ° 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 center of the screen.
  2.  At this time one of two hot-keys may be used. The F1 key, as described on screen,  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 go 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 DOS or other operating  system from diskette drive A or a hard disk drive or CD-ROM drive,  depending on the options selected in the 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.

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