The Power On Self Test :: essays research papers

The Power On Self TestWhen the system is powered on, the BIOS will perform diagnostics and initializesystem components, including the ikon system. (This is self-evident when thescreen first flicks before the Video Card header is displayed). This is commonlyreferred as space (Power-On Self Test).Afterwards, the computer will proceed its last boot-up stage by calling theoperating system. Just before that, the user may interrupt to have access toSETUP.To allot the user to alter the CMOS settings, the BIOS provides a little program,SETUP. Usually, setup green goddess be entered by pressing a special key combination (DEL,ESC, CTRL-ESC, or CRTL-ALT-ESC) at boot time (Some BIOSes allow you to entersetup at any time by pressing CTRL-ALT-ESC). The AMI BIOS is mostly entered bypressing the DEL key after resetting (CTRL-ALT-DEL) or powering up the computer.You can bypass the extended CMOS settings by holding the key down duringboot-up. This is really helpful, especially if you bend the CM OS settings rightout of shape and the computer wont boot right on anymore. This is also a handytip for people who play with the older AMI BIOSes with the XCMOS setup. Itallows changes directly to the chip registers with very little technicalexplanation.A Typical BIOS POST SequenceMost BIOS POST instalments occur along four stages1.Display some basic information about the idiot box card like its brand,video BIOS version and video memory available.2.Display the BIOS version and copyright notice in upper middle screen.You will see a large sequence of numbers at the bottom of the screen. Thissequence is the .3.Display memory count. You will also hear tick sounds if you have enabledit (see Memory Test Tick get going piece).4.Once the POST have succeeded and the BIOS is ready to call the operatingsystem (DOS, OS/2, NT, WIN95, etc.) you will see a basic table of the systemsconfigurationsMain central processing unit The type of CPU identified by the BIOS. Usually Cx386DX,Cx486DX, etc.. Numeric Processor Present if you have a FPU or None on the contrary. Ifyou have a FPU and the BIOS does not recognize it, see section Numeric ProcessorTest in Advanced CMOS Setup.Floppy Drive A The drive A type. perk up section Floppy drive A in StandardCMOS Setup to alter this setting.Floppy Drive B Idem.Display Type See section Primary display in Standard CMOS Setup.AMI or Award BIOS Date The revision date of your BIOS. Useful tomention when you have compatibility problems with adaptor cards (notably count onones).Base Memory Size The number of KB of base memory. Usually 640.Ext. Memory Size The number of KB of extended memory.