
POST Check Points
When POST executes a task, it uses a series of preset numbers called check point to be latched at port 80h, indicating the stages it is currently running. This latch can be read and shown on a debug board.
The following table describes the Acer common tasks carried out by POST. A unique check point number represents each task.
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 | Checkpoint | 
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 | CFh | Test CMOS R/W functionality | 
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 | C0h | Early chipset initialization: | 
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 | • | Disable shadow RAM | 
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 | • | Disable L2 Cache (socket 7 or below) | 
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 | • | Program basic chipset registers | 
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 | C1h | Detect memory | 
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 | C3h | Expand compressed BIOS code to DRAM | 
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 | C5h | Call chipset hook to copy BIOS back to E000 & F000 | 
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 | shadow RAM | 
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 | 0h1 | Expand the Xgroup codes locating in physical address | 
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 | 1000:0 | 
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 | 02h | Reserved | 
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 | 03h | Initial Superio_Early_Init switch | 
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 | 04h | Reserved | 
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 | 05h | 1. | Blank out screen | 
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 | 2. | Clear CMOS error flag | 
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 | 06h | Reserved | 
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 | 07h | 1. | Clear 8042 interface | 
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 | 2. | Initialize 8042  | 
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 | 08h | 1. | Test special keyboard controller for Winbond 977 series | 
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 | Super I/O chips | 
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 | 2. | Enable keyboard interface | 
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 | 09h | Reserved | 
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 | 0Ah | 1. | Disable PS/2 mouse interface (optional) | 
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 | 2. | Auto detect ports for keyboard & mouse followed by a | 
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 | port & interface swap (optional) | 
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 | 3. | Reset keyboard for Winbond 977 series Super I/O | 
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 | 0Bh | Reserved | 
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 | 0Ch | Reserved | 
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 | 0Dh | Reserved | 
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 | 0Eh | Test F000h segment shadow to see whether it is  | 
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 | or not. If test fails. keep beeping the speaker. | 
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 | 0Fh | Reserved | 
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 | 10h | Auto detect flash type to load appropriate flash R/W codes | 
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 | into the run time area in F000 for ESCD & DMI support. | 
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| Chapter 4 | 63 |