POST Code Checkpoints

 

The POST code checkpoints are the largest set of checkpoints during the BIOS pre-

 

boot process. TABLE A-2describes the type of checkpoints that might occur during

 

the POST portion of the BIOS. These two-digit checkpoints are the output from

 

primary I/O port 80.

TABLE A-2POST Code Checkpoints

 

 

Post Code

Description

 

 

03

Disable NMI, Parity, video for EGA, and DMA controllers. At this point, only ROM

 

accesses go to the GPNV. If BB size is 64K, turn on ROM Decode below FFFF0000h. It

 

should allow USB to run in the E000 segment. The HT must program the NB specific

 

initialization and OEM specific initialization, and can program if it need be at beginning of

 

BIOS POST, similar to overriding the default values of kernel variables.

04

Check CMOS diagnostic byte to determine if battery power is OK and CMOS checksum is

 

OK. Verify CMOS checksum manually by reading storage area. If the CMOS checksum is

 

bad, update CMOS with power-on default values and clear passwords. Initialize status

 

register A. Initialize data variables that are based on CMOS setup questions. Initialize both

 

the 8259-compatible PICs in the system.

05

Initialize the interrupt controlling hardware (generally PIC) and interrupt vector table.

06

Do R/W test to CH-2 count reg. Initialize CH-0 as system timer. Install the POSTINT1Ch

 

handler. Enable IRQ-0 in PIC for system timer interrupt. Traps INT1Ch vector to

 

“POSTINT1ChHandlerBlock.”

C0

Early CPU Init Start--Disable Cache--Init Local APIC.

C1

Set up boot strap processor information.

C2

Set up boot strap processor for POST. This includes frequency calculation, loading BSP

 

microcode, and applying user requested value for GART Error Reporting setup question.

C3

Errata workarounds applied to the BSP (#78 & #110).

C5

Enumerate and set up application processors. This includes microcode loading and

 

workarounds for errata (#78, #110, #106, #107, #69, #63).

C6

Re-enable cache for boot strap processor, and apply workarounds in the BSP for errata

 

#106, #107, #69, and #63 if appropriate. In case of mixed CPU steppings, errors are sought

 

and logged, and an appropriate frequency for all CPUs is found and applied. NOTE: APs

 

are left in the CLI HLT state.

C7

The HT sets link frequencies and widths to their final values. This routine gets called after

 

CPU frequency has been calculated to prevent bad programming.

0A

Initializes the 8042 compatible Keyboard Controller.

0B

Detects the presence of PS/2 mouse.

0C

Detects the presence of Keyboard in KBC port.

 

 

Appendix A Event Logs and POST Codes

33

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Sun Microsystems X4440, X4240, X4140 manual Post Code Checkpoints, Primary I/O port

X4140, X4440, X4240 specifications

Sun Microsystems was a prominent player in the computing industry, known for its innovative and powerful server systems. Among its notable offerings were the Sun Fire X4240, X4440, and X4140 servers, which made significant inroads in the market for high-performance computing solutions.

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In summary, the Sun Fire X4240, X4440, and X4140 were pivotal servers from Sun Microsystems that provided robust performance, scalability, and efficiency. Their features made them suitable for a variety of workloads, from virtualization to data management, cementing their place in the server market during their era.