Power-On Self-Test Post, Checkpoint Description

Power-On Self-Test (POST)

Each time you turn 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.

The Power-On Self Test (POST) is a BIOS procedure that boots the system, initializes and diagnoses the system components, and controls the operation of the power-on password option. If POST discovers errors in system operations at power-on, it displays error messages on screen, generates a check point code at port 80h or even halts the system if the error is fatal.

NOTE: When Post executes a task, it uses a series of preset numbers called check points to belatched atport 80h, indicating the stages it is currently running. This latch can be read and shown on a debug board.The following table describes the BIOS common tasks carried out by POST. Each task is denoted by an unique check point number. For other unique check point numbers that are not listed in the table, refer to the corresponding product service guide.

Post Checkpoints List: The list may vary accordingly depending on your BIOS

Bootblock Initialization Code Checkpoints

Checkpoint	Description

Before D1	Early chipset initialization is done. Early super I/O initialization is done including RTC and
	keyboard controller. NMI is disabled.

D1	Perform keyboard controller BAT test. Check if waking up from power management
	suspend state. Save power-on CPUID value in scratch CMOS.

D0	Go to flat mode with 4GB limit and GA20 enabled. Verify the bootblock checksum.

D2	Disable CACHE before memory detection. Execute full memory sizing module. Verify that
	flat mode is enabled.

D3	If memory sizing module not executed, start memory refresh and do memory sizing in
	Bootblock code. Do additional chipset initialization. Re-enable CACHE. Verify that flat
	mode is enabled.

D4	Test base 512KB memory. Adjust policies and cache first 8MB. Set stack.

D5	Bootblock code is copied from ROM to lower system memory and control is given to it.
	BIOS now executes out of RAM.

D6	Both key sequence and OEM specific method is checked to determine if BIOS recovery is
	forced. If BIOS recovery is necessary, control flows to checkpoint E0. See Bootblock
	Recovery Code Checkpoints section of document for more information.

D7	Restore CPUID value back into register. The Bootblock-Runtime interface module is
	moved to system memory and control is given to it. Determine whether to execute serial
	flash.

D8	The Runtime module is uncompressed into memory. CPUID information is stored in
	memory.

D9	Store the Uncompressed pointer for future use in PMM. Copying Main BIOS into memory.
	Leaves all RAM below 1MB Read-Write including E000 and F000 shadow areas but
	closing SMRAM.

DA	Restore CPUID value back into register. Give control to BIOS POST
	(ExecutePOSTKernel). See POST Code Checkpoints section of document for more
	information.

E1-E8 EC-EE	OEM memory detection/configuration error. This range is reserved for chipset vendors &
	system manufacturers. The error associated with this value may be different from one
	platform to the next.

Chapter 4