Filter
Top Products
Problem Solving 5-7
Monitoring POST
Each time you turn on the system, the Power-On Self-Test (POST) runs automatically
and checks the baseboard, processors, memory board, keyboard, and mouse.
During the memory test, POST displays the amount of memory that it is able to access
and test. Depending on the amount of memory, it may take several minutes to complete
the memory test. When the memory test completes, the following is displayed:
Press <F2> to enter SETUP
Press <
F2
> to enter BIOS SETUP. When the utility appears, follow the instructions on
your monitor to configure BIOS. See chapter 3, "Configuring Your System." If you do
not press <
F2>
, the above message remains for a few seconds and the boot process
continues.
When this message appears:
Press <Ctrl> <A> for SCSISelect
™
Utility!
Press <
Ctrl+A
> if you want to configure SCSI devices in your system. When the utility
appears, follow the instructions on your monitor to configure the SCSI host adapter
settings and run the SCSI disk utilities. See chapter3, Configuring Your System. If you
choose not to run SCSISelect
™
Utility, the boot process continues.
If POST finds an error, it displays an error message and, in case there is a problem with
the display, it emits a series of long and short beeps. Write down any beep code
emitted. This information is useful to your service representative.
Refer to the “Error Messages” section in this chapter for a list of items to check for each
error code and for an explanation of the error beep codes.
The POST Tests table at the end of this chapter lists keys active during POST and
provides a description of errors that may occur.
The BIOS indicates errors by writing an error code to the PS/2-standard logging area in
the Extended BIOS Data Area, and by displaying a message on the screen, which is
sometimes preceded by the POST Error Code. The error code will also be logged to the
Event Logging area.
Report any error code to your service representative.
POST Keys and Errors
Action/Message Description
If POST Beeps Before
Video Appears
Initialization failed before video initialized. Most beep code
errors are fatal; initialization cannot continue. Refer to the
section “Error Messages” in this chapter.
If Monitor Displays Error
Note error; press
F1
to continue boot or
F2
to enter Setup.
Refer to the section “Error Messages” in this chapter.
To Enter Setup Setup changes specific options, then writes to CMOS,
NVRAM. Press
F2
during initialization to run Setup. If you do
not press
F2
, the boot process continues.
Enter BOOT Diskette If prompted, insert the boot diskette.