2-10
Compaq Setup and Diagnostic Software
Writer: bj pereira Project: Compaq Professional Workstation SP700 Reference Guide Comments: 320280-001
File Name: C-CH02.DOC Last Saved On: 5/28/98 12:18 PM
COMPAQ CONFIDENTIAL - NEED TO KNOW REQUIRED
ROM BIOS
Your workstation contains a set of software called Basic Input/Output System
(BIOS), which is stored in Read Only Memory (ROM) on the system board.
The BIOS contains a set of routines for running Power-On Self-Test (POST)
and for accessing hardware specific information. The ROM is upgradable via
the ROMPaq software utility.
Power-On Self-Test
When you turn on your workstation, the BIOS runs a number of tests, called
Power-On Self-Tests (POSTs). These tests check and initialize many hardware
components. The basic sequence for POST is:
1. Check and initialize low level hardware.
2. Count memory.
3. Detect and spin up all drives.
4. Boot from, in sequence, either a CD, a diskette, or the hard drive.
Refer to Appendix D, “POST Error Messages,” for a listing of POST error
codes and steps you can take to resolve an error condition.
Runtime Services
After your workstation boots to the operating system, the BIOS still provides
some runtime services to the operating system. For instance, the BIOS provides
information to the operating system on how many processors are installed, how
the system interrupts are configured, and information on the disk drives. BIOS
also provides information about your workstation’s configuration and
maintenance.
