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30 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What does POST stand for?
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Power-On Self Test
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What is the purpose of the Power-On Self Test?
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Every time a computer is turned on or rebooted it goes through a series of self-diagnostic tests. These test are collectively known as the POST or Power-On Self Test. This is a low level test and the only purpose is to confirm the basic built-in hardware components of the computer (the bare minimum hardware requirement is a processor, some RAM, and a video card).
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What are some of the things that are checked during POST?
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It does not guarantee that the operating system or software will work because it happens before any software is loaded.
it will test the power supply to ensure that sufficient power is available to run; it will test to make sure that a monitor is connected. It will test for drives, it will test for a keyboard, it will test the built-in speaker in the computer case, and it will test for memory errors. |
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How many phases is POST conducted in?
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The POST is conducted in two phases.
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What happens if the first phase of POST does not complete successfully?
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The first phase takes place before confirmation that the monitor is working. During these tests, any errors will be reported by an audible alert. Just to make sure that the speaker is working, the POST will test it by sending it a single beep. If you don‘t hear a beep, the speaker may not be working.
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What happens if the second phase of POST does not complete successfully?
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If all is well during the first phase (the monitor is confirmed to be functioning), the POST will continue to check the hardware and will report any errors by displaying a text code on the monitor screen.
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What should you do if the first phase of POST does not complete successfully and the system is making audible beeps?
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Unfortunately, these error beeps and messages are usually not specific enough to tell you what the problem may be, but only what general component has a problem. POST codes may have different meanings from different manufacturers.
If you get a beep code, you should refer to the manufacturers documentation for proper identification and troubleshooting practices. |
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If you get audible beeps from the system, this means the first phase of POST failed what are the 8 things that could be wrong in this case?
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(repair-y)Power supply
(repair-n) DMA controller (repair-n) Interrupt controller (repair-n) BIOS chip (repair-y/n) Processor Memory or ROM Video card Video cable |
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What happens if the power supply is bad?
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If the power supply is bad, you most likely will not even get started. No lights will come on and no activity will be heard from within the computer case. Remember, this may also mean that the computer is not plugged in or that the power strip is off.
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What happens if the DMA controller, interrupt controller, BIOS chip, or processor is the source of the problem?
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If the problem is in the DMA controller, interrupt controller, BIOS chip, or processor, you most likely have some serious motherboard problems. Replacement is probably the only recourse. Often these chips are soldered in place making them very difficult to replace. A new motherboard may be a more cost effective solution.
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What happens if the video card or the memory is causing a problem?
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The most likely cause of either of these to fail especially after working inside the case is a loose card or memory module. Do not forget to check the video cable.
Instead of beeps, POST will display either text or numeric error messages on the screen once it has performed the video test. |
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If a hard drive is causing a problem during post what will usually happen?
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As the memory limits for BIOS data increased, these codes have been replaced with error messages such as: ―primary hard disk failure‖, which could mean that the hard drive is fried, a cable is loose, or simply that the CMOS settings are incorrect. In any case, this type of error messages is much more user friendly than a "602" at the top of a blank screen, which would mean the same thing.
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What do the following common codes in older BIOS refer to?
161? 301? 501? 602? 1302? |
161 – CMOS battery failure
301 – Keyboard error 501 – Memory failure 602 – Floppy Drive failure 1302 – Joystick failure Note: Keyboard errors can occur as a result of stuck keys, broken pins, or an unplugged connector, and may produce an annoying continuous beeping noise. |
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In most cases, BIOS manufacturers have categorized their numerical codes into groups based on possible problems. While the following code may not represent all manufacturers, it will help when troubleshooting an unknown system. What does an error code of 1xx usually indicate?
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1xx - System board
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In most cases, BIOS manufacturers have categorized their numerical codes into groups based on possible problems. While the following code may not represent all manufacturers, it will help when troubleshooting an unknown system. What does an error code of 2xx usually indicate?
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2xx - Memory
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In most cases, BIOS manufacturers have categorized their numerical codes into groups based on possible problems. While the following code may not represent all manufacturers, it will help when troubleshooting an unknown system. What does an error code of 3xx usually indicate?
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3xx - Keyboard
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In most cases, BIOS manufacturers have categorized their numerical codes into groups based on possible problems. While the following code may not represent all manufacturers, it will help when troubleshooting an unknown system. What does an error code of 4xx usually indicate?
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4xx - Monochrome video
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In most cases, BIOS manufacturers have categorized their numerical codes into groups based on possible problems. While the following code may not represent all manufacturers, it will help when troubleshooting an unknown system. What does an error code of 5xx usually indicate?
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5xx - Color video
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In most cases, BIOS manufacturers have categorized their numerical codes into groups based on possible problems. While the following code may not represent all manufacturers, it will help when troubleshooting an unknown system. What does an error code of 6xx usually indicate?
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6xx - Floppy disk
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In most cases, BIOS manufacturers have categorized their numerical codes into groups based on possible problems. While the following code may not represent all manufacturers, it will help when troubleshooting an unknown system. What does an error code of 17xx usually indicate?
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17xx - Hard drive
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In most cases, BIOS manufacturers have categorized their numerical codes into groups based on possible problems. While the following code may not represent all manufacturers, it will help when troubleshooting an unknown system. What does an error code of 3xxx usually indicate?
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3xxx - NIC
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When you encounter any of these messages BIOS error messages what 3 things should you do?
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1. Read the entire message and don't assume that you know what it is.
2. Don‘t let the content of the message intimidate you. Programmers tend to write a limited number of messages and often use the same message for many different events. The message should lead in the direction of the solution, not necessarily give you the answer. 3. Don't forget to write down the message, especially any error numbers. |
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With regard to installing, replacing or upgrading a motherboard what are 5 things you should always take into consideration?
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1. The physical size of the board
2. Location of the mounting screws 3. Size and speed of the processor 4. Number and type of expansion slots – determines if your peripherals will connect 5. Type and amount of memory |
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What is the function of the CPU?
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The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the part of a computer where arithmetic and logical operations are performed and instructions are decoded and executed. The CPU controls the operation of the computer. A microprocessor is an integrated circuit that contains a complete CPU on a single chip.
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What is a transistor and what does it do?
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A transistor is a small electronic device that allows a small current to control a larger current. They are used as amplifiers and switches in electronic circuits. Transistors replaced the old vacuum tubes used with the very first computers. Without the transistor, computers would not be what they are today. Microprocessors are made of thousands of transistors all incorporated into one chip. Today‘s Pentium chips have millions of transistors.
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What is an integrated circuit and what does it do?
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An integrated circuit is an electronic device consisting of many miniature transistors and other circuit elements (resistors, capacitors, etc.). The first integrated circuits were developed in the late 1950s. As manufacturing technologies have improved, so have integrated circuits. The ability to make circuits progressively smaller allows more devices to be placed on the same chip.
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What is a microprocessor and what does it do?
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A microprocessor is an integrated circuit containing the entire CPU of a computer, all on one chip. Only memory and input-output devices need to be added. The first microprocessor, (the Intel 4004) sold in 1971, and today‘s more powerful microprocessors are still rooted in that same technology.
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What are registers and what do they do?
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Once data has been placed on the data bus, the CPU needs a method of temporarily storing or manipulating the data. Inside the CPU are temporary memory storage areas called ―registers.‖ Each register is a microscopic circuit called a TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic). The TTL is made of a row of 16 ―flip flop‖ circuits (16 bits long). Each of these circuits can be held in one of two states (on or off). If they are holding a charge, they are "on.‖ If they are not holding a charge, they are "off.‖ The CPU uses these registers like workstations for manipulation of the data.
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What is a 'computer clock', how many clocks are usually in a computer, and what do the computer clocks do?
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Timing is everything. Without some means of timing and synchronization, there would be chaos. Just as a conductor or metronome sets the pace for an orchestra, clocks are used to set the pace for all activities inside the computer. Each time a computer‘s clock 'ticks', it sends a pulse. One pulse is considered a clock cycle. All the switching activity in the computer occurs while the clock is sending a pulse. Between the pulses, the electronic devices in the computer are allowed to stabilize and execute all internal commands. Usually, a motherboard will have two clocks. One is used to control the speed of the CPU while the other is used to control the speed of the external data bus. This is done so that a single motherboard can accommodate several different CPU speeds while maintaining a constant speed for all the devices on the external data bus.
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What is the term used when running a CPU at speeds that are faster than recommended?
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Remember that this speed is the CPU‘s maximum speed. If you adjust the computer‘s clock speed to be faster than that for which the CPU is rated, the CPU can overheat and stop working. The term used when running a CPU at speeds that are faster than recommended is overclocking. While this can be done, it is not recommended.
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