Setup and Startup

When a computer is started or reset, it runs the power-on self test (POST), which determines the amount of memory in the computer and checks that required hardware devices, such as the keyboard, are present and functioning. After the POST sequence, adapters that have their own basic input/output system (BIOS) run individual POST routines.

Note

Some adapters (for example, some video adapters) run their POST sequence before the memory and device check, which runs during the initial POST.