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PST44 POST Diagnostics Card |
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General DescriptionThe PST44 is a P.O.S.T (Power On Self Test) diagnostics card for the ISA bus. This card provides access to the error and general status information that a computer's BIOS produces during the bootup of a computer. When the computer's power is turned on, the BIOS performs a series of system tests before the operating system is loaded. This series of tests is referred to as the Power On Self Test, or POST; and it typically involves checking the memory, disk controllers, keyboard, video card, and a number of other things. If all goes well, then the computer moves on to loading the operating system. If a major problem occurs and the computer hangs up, then we need some feedback to tell us where the problem occurred. The POST card provides this feedback.As the BIOS steps through each test it must perform, it writes a numeric code to port 80H (on 286 and newer systems). The POST card detects this code, latches it, and displays it on its two 7-segment LED displays. If the system passes the test, the code will remain visible for only a short period of time before being replaced by the code for the next test. If the computer hangs up, then the code for the failed test is left on the display, indicating where the problem occurred. The computer technician must then consult a reference table for that particular brand of BIOS and see what area of hardware the POST code refers to. The manual for this product includes POST code tables for American Megatrends, Quadtel, Phoenix, Award, and MR BIOS. Other less popular codes can be obtained from internet sites (see links below). The card also includes 4 LEDs to assist in diagnosing a possible power supply problem. These LEDs simply indicate the presence or absence of the various power supply voltages; they do not actually indicate whether the voltages are within specifications. A DB-15 connector on the card's backplane provides access to the 7-segment data pins if desired. Using this connector, it is possible to connect an external cable and display board (not included) for displaying the POST codes outside of the computer. Features
Pricing and Ordering
Please call for pricing at higher quantities. Please visit our ordering page for our ordering policies and a list of ordering methods. User Manual
POST CodesHere are some links to sites with lists of POST code definitions for various versions of BIOS:
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