What is POST?

POST i.e. Power-On Self-Test, as the name suggested that first, we have to power on the Computer, and then it starts testing for our hardware components in the computer to check if it is working properly or not. While POST always ensures that the hardware components are up to date so that the issues not occurs later. The best thing is that you don't need any installation. In this article, we will cover a brief explanation of POST.

What is POST?

When the system is switched on then the BIOS(Basic Input/Output System) of the computer runs some diagnostic testing sequence called POST. These tests are intended to check that RAM(Random Access Memory), Hard Disk Drives, and all other required peripheral devices like mouse, keyboard, etc are working properly or not. In case of any error or fault they generate warnings to the system either on the display or in forms of coded beeps. Coded beeps pattern contains a message about the problem detected. POST are automatic as they always run automatically just after switching the system on. When the testing sequence ended and everything is found working properly then the system move towards the booting process.

Advantages of POST

• Automatic Testing Sequence: POST is automatic so no extra command is needed to run them, they run automatically on the system just after switching ON the system.
• Works as Safety Feature: POST works as a safety feature of the system as it generates warning before booting the system if anything found faulty.
• Fast in Speed: It takes very little time to run the testing sequence of POST.
• Helps in Fault Detection: POST gives warning about the problem and the name of the device from where the problem is generated which makes it easy to detect the problem.

Disadvantages of POST

• The only major disadvantage of POST is that it only checks the internal functioning of the system, external interface logic is not tested.

Application of POST

• It identifies and detects the hardware issues present in the computer such as motherboard, RAM, etc.
• It provides reports for a user related to hardware configuration.
• POST ensures that the hardware component is up to date.
• It also verifies and tests audio and sound-related issues.
• It provides beep codes that represent the Status of POST. Beep codes nothing but audio signals.
• It ensures that the Power supply should be stable that's why it also tests the power supply unit.

Conclusion

POST acts as a troubleshooter of the Computer System that tests and lists the issues in the Computer System such as hardware-related issues. POST makes our system smoothly, we don't need to install anything to list the hardware issue just we need to power on the computer and POST will start testing the system.