PCIPOST
PCIPOST
2 x 7 Segment LED
PCIPOST
Use of Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, and other Protected Names and Symbols
This manual may make reference to trademarks, registered trademarks, and other
protected names and/or symbols of third-party companies not related in any way to
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represent an endorsement of a product or service by StarTech.com, or an endorsement of the
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of any direct acknowledgement elsewhere in the body of this document, StarTech.com hereby
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Instruction Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction.............................................................................................1
Packaging Contents.................................................................................................................................. 1
Features......................................................................................................................................................... 1
Before You Begin........................................................................................................................................ 2
Installation...............................................................................................2
Using Your Card.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Quick Error Reference Guide.................................................................................................................. 4
Technical Support...................................................................................22
Warranty Information.............................................................................22
Instruction Manual
i
Introduction
This reliable PCI Post Card is the perfect diagnostics tool for pinpointing Power On
Self-Test problems.
A definite time saver, the PCI Post Card is easy to install and delivers simple PC
diagnostics in the form of error codes on the built-on LED display. Determining the
computer problem is then as simple as referring to the error code chart that’s included
with the PCI Post Card, eliminating unnecessary troubleshooting steps and preventing
non-defective parts from being replaced.
Backed by Lifetime Warranty and free lifetime technical support, StarTech.com’s PCI
Post card is designed and constructed to provide reliable computer diagnostics.
Please Note: You may have to refer to your motherboard manufacturer’s manual for
motherboard specific error diagnostic codes when using the PCI Post card.
Packaging Contents
• 1x PCI Diagnostic Card
• 1x Instruction Manual
Features
• Fits into any open PCI slot
• Lists generic errors for AMI BIOS, PHOENIX BIOS, and AWARD BIOS
• Error codes clearly visible through on-board LEDs
• Backed by StarTech.com’s lifetime warranty
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Before You Begin
To ensure a quick and easy card installation, please read through this section carefully
before attempting to install the card.
WARNING! PCI cards, like all computer equipment, can be severely damaged by static
electricity. Be sure that you are properly grounded before opening your computer
case or touching your PCI card. StarTech.com recommends that you wear an anti-static
strap when installing any computer component. If an anti-static strap is unavailable,
discharge yourself of any static electricity build-up by touching a large grounded metal
surface (such as the computer case) for several seconds. Also be careful to handle the
PCI card by its edges and not the gold connectors.
NOTE: Before you begin the test, make sure that you know the BIOS supplier and
BIOS version. Without this information, you will not be able to determine the
meaning of the error code. The PCIPOST card does not generate the error codes,
the codes are generated by the BIOS supplier and are specific to that BIOS. Contact
your motherboard manufacturer if you encounter any difficulties. The PCIPOST is
compatible with every IBM-compatible system, but since there are numerous BIOS
versions and suppliers, you may not find your system BIOS information in the error
code listing. This information may be available in your motherboard manufacturer’s
user guide. Your BIOS manufacturer can likely supply you with this information if you
contact them.
Installation
This section will guide you through the installation of your PCI card and the related
software. Please read through the instructions carefully and complete each step in the
order listed.
Installing the Card
1. Make sure that your system is unplugged and you are grounded.
2. Remove the cover of your system (see your computer’s user manual for details, if
necessary) and gently turn your computer onto its side.
3. Locate an empty PCI slot (usually white in colour) that can provide a clear view of
the LEDs on the card and remove the metal plate that covers the rear bracket. You may
need a Phillips screwdriver to perform this step. Hang on to the screw! You will need it
to secure the card later.
4. Gently insert the card into the empty slot, making sure it is firmly seated and that
you are able to see the LEDs on the card.
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5. Secure the card in place using the screw you removed in Step 3.
6. When you are ready to begin the test, plug your system in and turn it on.
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Quick Error Reference Guide
AMI
AMI
Error BIOS (c)
BIOS (c) Quadtel
Caused 1990 Award Phoenix Troubleshooting
1994 AT BIOS
by HiFLEX
WinBIOS
BIOS
Replace CPU
CPU 01~02 01~02 01~02 01 02~04 (speed should be
the same)
1. Replace CPU
Math
2. Replace CPU
Comp- 9C~9D 9C~9D 45 3E 76~78
if NPU is built in
ressor
CPU
1. Check and
1C~20
D1~D3 C1 clean RAM
13 28~2C
Memory 20 08 09~1F module
20~24 32, 3A
40~58 31~32 2. Replace RAM
60~68
module
1. Check and
clean display card
Display slot and golden
2C~34 2C~34 0D~0E 2B~33 46
Card finger
2. Replace display
card
Call Customer
Others Others
M/B Others Others Others service center for
DIY DIY
error DIY Code DIY Code DIY Code help or replace
Code Code
M/B
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4
AMI BIOS POST Test Codes
AMI WinBIOS/HiFLEX 101094
POST Code AMI WinBIOS uncompress code checkpoints description
C2 NMI is Disabled. Power on delay starting.
C5 Power on delay complete. Going to disable cache, is any.
C6 Calculating ROM BIOS checksum.
C7 ROM BIOS checksum passed. CMOS shutdown register test to be done next.
C8 CMOS shutdown register test done. CMOS checksum calculation to be done next.
CA CMOS checksum calculation is done, CMOS Diag byte written. CMOS status
register about to initialization for Date and Time.
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Runtime code is uncompressed in F000 shadow ram
POST Code AMI HiFLES BIOS/WinBIOS runtime code description
01 Processor register test about to start and NMI to be disabled.
02 NMI is disabled. Power-on delay starting.
03 Power on delay complete. To check soft reset/power-on.
05 Soft reset/power-on determined. Going to disable cache if any.
06 POST code to be uncompressed.
POST code is uncompressed. CPU initialization and CPU data area
07
initialization is to be done next.
CPU and CPU data area initialization is done. CMOS checksum
08
calculation is to be done next.
CMOS checksum calculation is done, CMOS Diag byte written. CMOS
09
initialization is to begin.
CMOS initialization done (if any). CMOS status about to initialize for
0A
Data and Time.
CMOS status register initialization done. Any initialization before
0B
keyboard BAT is to be done next.
KB controller I/B free. Going to issue the BAT command to the
0C
keyboard controller.
BAT command to keyboard controller is issued. Going to verify the
0D
BAT command.
Keyboard controller BAT result verified. Any initialization before
0E
keyboard BAT is to be done next.
Initialization after KB controller BAT done. Keyboard command byte
0F
to be written next.
Keyboard controller command byte is written. Going to issue pin 23,
10
24 blocking/unblocking command.
Pin 23, 24 of keyboard controller is blocked/unblocked. Going to
11
check pressing of <INS> key during power-on.
Checking for pressing of <INS> key during power-on done. Going to
12
disable DMA and Interrupt controllers.
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DMA controller #1, #2, interrupt controller #1, #2 disabled. Video
13 display is disabled and port B is initialized. Chip set initialization
about to begin.
15 Chipset initialization over. 8254 timer test about to start.
19 8254 timer test over. About to start memory refresh test.
Memory refresh line is toggling. Going to check 15 micro second ON/
1A
OFF time.
Memory refresh period 30 micro second test complete. Base 64K
20
memory initialized.
Base 64K memory initialized. Going to set BIOS stack and to do any
23
setup before interrupt vector initialization.
Setup required before interrupt vector initialization is complete.
24
Interrupt vector initialization is about to begin.
Interrupt vector initialization is done. Going to read input port of
25
8042 for turbo switch and to clear password if post diag switch is on.
Input port of 8042 is read. Going to initialize global data for turbo
26
switch.
Global data initialization for turbo switch is over. Any initialization
27
before setting video mode is to be done next.
Initialization before setting video mode is complete, Going for
28
monochrome mode and colour mode setting.
2A Different BUSes initialization to start if present.
About to give control for any setup required before optional video
2B
ROM check.
Processing before video ROM control is done. About to look for
2C
optional video ROM and give control.
Optional video ROM control is done. About to give control to do any
2D
processing after video ROM returns control.
Return from processing after the video ROM control. If EGA/VGA not
2E
found the do display memory R/W test.
2F EGA/VGA not found. Display memory R/W test about to begin.
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Display memory R/W test passed. About to look for the retrace
30
checking.
Display memory R/W test or retrace checking failed. About to
31
alternate Display memory R/W test.
Alternate Display memory R/W test passed. About to look for the
32
alternate display retrace checking.
34 Video display checking over. Display mode to be set next.
37 Display mode set. Going to display the power-on message.
38 Different BUSes initialization to start if present.
39 Display different BUSes initialization error messages.
New cursor position read and saved. Going to display Hit <DEL>
3A
message.
Hit <DEL> message displayed. Virtual mode memory test about to
3B
start.
40 Going to prepare the descriptor tables.
Descriptor tables prepared. Going to enter in Virtual mode for
42
memory test.
Entered in the virtual mode. Going to enable interrupts for
43
diagnostics mode.
Interrupts enabled (if diagnostics switch is on). Going to initialize data
44
to check memory wrap around at 0:0.
Data initialized. Going to check for memory wrap around at 0:0 and
45
finding the total system memory size.
Memory wrap around test done. Memory size calculation over. About
46
to go for writing patterns to test memory.
Pattern to be tested and written in extended memory. Going to write
47
patterns in base 640K memory.
Pattern written in base memory. Going to find out amount of
48
memory below 1M memory.
Amount of memory below 1M found and verified. Going to find out
49
amount of memory above 1M.
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Amount of memory above 1M found and verified. Check for soft reset
4B
and going to clear memory below 1M for soft reset.
4C Memory below 1M cleared. Going to clear memory above 1M.
4D Memory above 1M cleared. Going to save memory size.
4E Memory test started. About to display the first 64K memory size.
Memory size display started. This will be updated during memory
4F
test. Going for sequential and random memory test.
Memory testing/initialization below 1M complete. Going to adjust
50
display memory size for relocation/shadow.
Memory size display adjusted due to relocation/shadow. Memory test
51
above 1M to follow.
Memory testing/initialization above 1M complete. Going to save
52
memory size information.
Memory size information is saved. CPU registers are saved. Going to
53
enter in real mode.
Shutdown successful, CPU in real mode. Going to disable gate A20
54
line and disable parity/NMI.
A20 address line, parity/NMI disable successful. Going to adjust
57
memory size depending on relocation/shadow.
Memory size adjusted for relocation/shadow. Going to clear. Hit
58
<DEL> message.
Hit <DEL> message cleared. <WAIT...> message displayed. About to
59
start DMA and interrupt controller test.
60 DMA page register test passed. To do DMA#1 base register test.
62 DMA#1 base register test passed. To do DMA#2 base register test.
65 DMA#2 base register test passed. To program DMA unit 1 and 2.
DMA unit 1 and 2 programming over. To initialize 8259 interrupt
66
controller.
67 8259 initialization over.
7F Extended NMI sources enabling is in progress.
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Keyboard test started. Clearing output buffer and checking for stuck
80
key. About to issue keyboard reset command.
Keyboard reset error/stuck key found. About to issue keyboard
81
controller interface test command.
Keyboard controller interface test over. About to write command byte
82
and initialize circular buffer.
Command byte written. Global data initialization done. About to
83
check for lock key.
Lock key checking over. About to check for memory size mismatch
84
with CMOS.
Memory size check done. About to display soft error and check or
85
password or bypass setup.
86 Password checked. About to do programming before setup.
Programming before setup complete. Going to uncompress SETUP
87
code and execute CMOS setup.
Returned from CMOS setup program and screen is cleared. About to
88
do programming after setup.
Programming after setup complete. Going to display power on screen
89
message.
First screen message displayed. <WAIT...> message displayed. About
8B
to do Video BIOS shadow.
Video BIOS shadow successful. Setup options programming after
8C
CMOS setup about to start.
Setup options are programmed. Mouse check and initialization is
8D
next.
Mouse check and initialization complete. Going for hard disk
8E
controller reset.
8F Hard disk controller reset done. Floppy setup to be done next.
91 Floppy setup complete. Hard disk setup to be done next.
94 Hard disk setup complete. To set base and extended memory size.
Memory size adjusted due to mouse support. Initialization of
95
different BUSes and optional ROMs from C800 to start.
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96 Going to do any initialization before C800 optional ROM control.
Any initialization before C800 optional ROM control is over. Optional
97
ROM check and control will be done next.
Optional ROM control is done. About to give control to do any
98
required processing after optional ROM returns control.
Any initialization required after optional ROM test over. Going to
99
setup timer data area and printer base address.
Return after setting timer and printer base address. Going to set the
9A
RS-232 base address.
Returned RS-232 base address. Going to do any initialization before
9B
coprocessor test.
Required initialization before coprocessor is over. Going to initialize
9C
the coprocessor next.
Coprocessor initialized. Going to do any initialization after
9D
coprocessor test.
Initialization after coprocessor test is complete. Going to check
9E
extended keyboard, keyboard ID and num-lock.
Extended keyboard check is done, ID flag set, and num-lock on/off.
9F
Keyboard ID command to be issued.
A0 Keyboard ID command issued. Keyboard ID flag reset.
A1 Keyboard ID flag reset. Cache memory test to follow.
A2 Cache memory test over. Going to display any soft errors.
A3 Soft error display complete. Going to set keyboard typematic rate.
A4 Keyboard typematic rate set. To program memory wait states.
Memory wait states programming over. Going to clear the screen and
A5
enable parity/NMI.
NMI and parity enabled. Going to do any initialization required before
A7
giving control to optional ROM at E000.
Initialization before E000 ROM control over. E000 ROM to get control
A8
next.
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Returned from E000 ROM control. Going to do any initialization
A9
required after E000 optional ROM control.
Initialization after E000 optional ROM control is over. Going to display
AA
the system configuration.
B0 System configuration is displayed.
A1 Going to copy any code to specific area.
Copying of code to specific area done. Going to give control to INT-19
00
boot loader.
The system BIOS gives control to various BUSes at the following checkpoints to do
various tasks on different BUSes.
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While control is inside the different BUS routine, additional checkpoints are outputted
to port 80h as WORD to identify the routines under execution. These are WORD
checkpoints: the LOW BYTE of the checkpoint is the system BIOS checkpoint from
where the control is passed to the different BUD routines and the HIGH BYTE of the
checkpoint is the identification of which the routine is being executed in the different
BUSes. The details of HIGH BYTE of these checkpoints are as follows:
HIGH BYTE XY
The upper nibble ‘X’ indicates the function #is being executed. ‘X’ can be from 0 to 7.
0=func#0, disable all devices on the BUS concerned.
1=func#1, static devices initialized on the BUS concerned.
2=func#2, output devices initialized on the BUS concerned.
3=func#3, input device initialized on the BUS concerned.
4=func#4, IPL device initialized on the BUS concerned.
5=func#5, general device initialized on the BUS concerned
6=func#6, error reporting for the BUS concerned.
7=func#7, add-on ROM initialized for all BUSes.
The lower nibble ‘Y’ indicates the BUS on which the different routines are being
executed. ‘Y’ can be from 0 to 5.
0=Generic DIM (Device Initialization Manager).
1=On-board system devices.
2= ISA devices.
3=EISA devices.
4=ISA PnP devices.
5=PCI devices.
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AWARD BIOS POST Test Code Listing
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14
14 Test Timer 0 counter 2
15 Test 8259-1 interrupt mask register (port 21H)
16 Test 82592 interrupt mask register (port A1H)
17 Test stuck 8259’s interrupt bits.
18 Test 8259 interrupt functionality.
19 Test stuck NMI bits (verify NMI can be cleared).
1A Display CPU clock.
1F Set EISA mode.
20 Enable Slot 0 (initialize slot 0 - system board)
21-2F Enable Slot 1-15 (initialize slot 1 to 15)
30 Size base memory and extended memory.
31 Test base memory and extended memory.
32 Test EISA extended memory. Skip in ISA mode.
3C Setup enabled.
3D Initialize and setup mouse.
3E Setup cache controller.
BF Chipset initialization (program chipset registers with setup values)
40 Display virus protest disabled or enabled.
41 Initialize floppy drive and controller.
42 Initialize hard drive and controller.
43 Detect and initialize the serial, parallel and game ports.
4E Check manufacture POST loop.
4F Security check.
50 Write CMOS (write all CMOS values back tp RAM and clear screen).
51 Pre-boot enabled (enable parity check, NMI and cache).
52 Initialize option ROMs (address range from 0C800H to 0EFFFFH).
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53 Initialize time value in 40h; BIOS area.
60 Setup virus protection according to setup.
61 Set system speed for boot.
62 Setup NumLock status according to setup.
63 Boot attempt (set low stack, and boot via INT 19H).
B0 Spurious (if interrupt occurs in protected mode).
B1 Unclaimed NMI (if NMI occurs, press F1 to disable NMI, F2 for reboot).
E1-EF Setup pages (E1 - page 1, E2 - page 2, ... etc).
FF Boot the operating system.
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Phoenix BIOS POST Test Code Listing
POST Code Phoenix POST Routine Description
02 Verify real mode.
04 Get CPU type.
06 Initialize system hardware.
08 Initialize chipset register with initial POST value.
09 Set in POST flag.
0A Initialize CPU register.
0C Initialize cache to initial POST values.
0E Initialize I/O CPU register.
0F Initialize the local BUS IDE.
10 Initialize power management.
11 Load alternate registers with initial POST values.
12 Jump to UserPatch0.
14 Initialize keyboard control.
16 BIOS ROM checksum.
18 5254 timer initialization.
1A 8237 DMA controller initialization.
20 Test DRAM refresh.
22 Test 8042 keyboard controller.
24 Set ES segment register to 4 GB.
26 Autosize DRAM.
2A Clear 512K base RAM.
2C Teat 512K base address line.
2E Test 512K base memory.
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32 Test CPU BUS-clock frequency.
34 Test CMOS RAM.
35 Initialize alternate chipset registers.
37 Reinitialize the chipset.
38 Shadow system BIOS RAM.
39 Reinitialize the cache.
3A Autosize cache.
3C Configure advanced chipset registers.
3D Load alternate registers with CMOS values.
40 Set initial CPU speed.
42 Initialize interrupt vectors.
44 Initialize BIOS interrupts.
46 Check ROM copyright notice.
47 Initialize manager for PCI option ROMs.
48 Check video configuration against CMOS.
49 Initialize PCI BUS and devices.
4A Initialize all video adapters in system.
4C Shadow video BIOS ROM.
4E Display copyright notice.
50 Display CPU type and speed.
51 Initialize EISA board.
52 Test keyboard.
54 Set key click if enabled.
56 Enable keyboard.
58 Test for unexpected interrupts.
5A Display prompt “Press F2 to enter setup”.
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5C Test RAM between 512 to 640K.
60 Test extended memory.
62 Test extended memory lines.
64 Jump to UserPatch1.
66 Configure advanced cache registers.
68 Enable external and CPU cache.
6A Display external cache size.
6C Display shadow message.
6E Display non-disposable segments.
70 Display error messages.
72 Check for configuration errors.
74 Test real-time clock.
76 Check for keyboard error.
7C Setup hardware interrupt vectors.
7E Test coprocessor if present.
80 Disable onboard I/O ports.
82 Detect and install external RS-232 ports.
84 Detect and install external parallel ports.
86 Reinitialize onboard I/O ports.
88 Initialize BIOS data area.
8A Initialize extended BIOS data area.
8C Initialize floppy controller.
90 Initialize hard disk controller.
91 Initialize local BUS hard disk controller.
92 Jump to UserPatch2
93 Built MPTABLE for multi-processor boards.
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94 Disable A20 address line.
96 Clear huge ES segment register.
98 Search for option ROMs.
9A Shadow option ROMs.
9C Setup power management.
9E Enable hardware interrupts.
A0 Set time of day.
A2 Check key lock.
A4 Initialize typematic rate.
A8 Ease F2 prompt.
AA Scan for F2 stroke.
AC Enter SETUP.
AE Clear in-POST flag.
B2 POST done - prepare to boot operating system.
B4 One beep.
B6 Check password (option).
B8 Clear global descriptor table.
BC Clear parity checkers.
BE Clear screen (option).
BF Clear virus and backup remainders.
C0 Try to boot with INT 19.
D0 Interrupt handler error.
D2 Unknown interrupt error.
D4 Pending interrupt error.
D6 Initialize option ROM error.
D8 Shutdown error.
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DA Extended BLOCK move.
DC Shutdown 10 error.
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Technical Support
StarTech.com’s lifetime technical support is an integral part of our commitment to
provide industry-leading solutions. If you ever need help with your product, visit
www.startech.com/support and access our comprehensive selection of online tools,
documentation, and downloads.
For the latest drivers/software, please visit www.startech.com/downloads
Warranty Information
This product is backed by a lifetime warranty.
In addition, StarTech.com warrants its products against defects in materials
and workmanship for the periods noted, following the initial date of purchase.
During this period, the products may be returned for repair, or replacement with
equivalent products at our discretion. The warranty covers parts and labor costs only.
StarTech.com does not warrant its products from defects or damages arising from
misuse, abuse, alteration, or normal wear and tear.
Limitation of Liability
In no event shall the liability of StarTech.com Ltd. and StarTech.com USA LLP (or their
officers, directors, employees or agents) for any damages (whether direct or indirect,
special, punitive, incidental, consequential, or otherwise), loss of profits, loss of business,
or any pecuniary loss, arising out of or related to the use of the product exceed the
actual price paid for the product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation
of incidental or consequential damages. If such laws apply, the limitations or exclusions
contained in this statement may not apply to you.
Instruction Manual
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