The exact list of hardware devices will depend on the system. This typically includes the following devices: Generally, the process verifies the viability of all the hardware necessary to ensure the OS and applications can run properly. The way in which a computer carries out the POST process depends on the system's hardware architecture and installed firmware. The Power-On Self-Test process verifies the viability of the hardware necessary to run a computer's OS and applications properly. Some appliances, medical equipment and other hardware run similar self-tests after being turned on. In computing, bootstrap means to boot or load a program, usually an OS, onto a computer using a much smaller initial program.Ĭomputers aren't the only devices that use POSTs. When a POST is completed successfully, bootstrapping - which starts the initialization of the boot-up - is enabled. This is important because numerous essential programs are loaded when systems boot up.

Power-On Self-Tests are an essential part of system troubleshooting because the boot-up can only proceed if the software is working correctly if the software isn't working, the BIOS produces an error message. The computer's firmware - BIOS, Unified Extensible Firmware Interface ( UEFI) or another system - carries out this operation by running a diagnostic testing sequence to determine if the computer's essential hardware is working properly. A Power-On Self-Test (POST) is an operation initiated by a computer after it has been turned on but before it boots up the OS.

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