Computers aren’t the only devices that run a POST.
Some appliances, medical equipment, and other devices also run very similar self-tests after being powered on.
You might also see POST abbreviated asP.O.S.T., but probably not too often anymore.
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POST doesn’t rely on any specificoperating system.
In fact, there doesn’t even need to be an OS installed for it to run.
This is because the test is handled by the system’sBIOS, not any installed software.
If an OSisinstalled, POST runs before it has a chance to start up.
The computer will continue tobootafter the POST, but only if it was successful.
Problems During the POST
Remember that the Power On Self Test is just that: aself-test.
Just about anything that might prevent the computer from continuing to start will prompt some kind of error.
