StarTech.com PCIPOST User manual

Manual Revision: 02/09/2012
For the most up-to-date information, please visit: www.startech.com
DE: Bedienungsanleitung - de.startech.com
FR: Guide de l'utilisateur - fr.startech.com
ES: Guía del usuario - es.startech.com
IT: Guida per l'uso - it.startech.com
NL: Gebruiksaanwijzing - nl.startech.com
PT: Guia do usuário - pt.startech.com
PCIPOST
PCI POST PC System Diagnostics Test Card -
2 x 7 Segment LED
*actual product may vary from photos

Instruction Manual
FCC Compliance Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there
is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment
does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment o and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the receiver
is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Use ofTrademarks, 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
StarTech.com. Where they occur these references are for illustrative purposes only and do not
represent an endorsement of a product or service by StarTech.com, or an endorsement of the
product(s) to which this manual applies by the third-party company in question. Regardless
of any direct acknowledgement elsewhere in the body of this document, StarTech.com hereby
acknowledges that all trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks, and other protected
names and/or symbols contained in this manual and related documents are the property of
their respective holders.

Instruction Manual
i
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
AMI BIOS POST Test Codes....................................................................5
AMI WinBIOS/HiFLEX 101094................................................................................................................ 5
Runtime code is uncompressed in F000 shadow ram................................................................. 6
AWARD BIOS POST Test Code Listing................................................................................................. 14
Phoenix BIOS POST Test Code Listing................................................................................................ 17
Technical Support ..................................................................................22
Warranty Information............................................................................22

Instruction Manual
1
Introduction
This reliable PCI Post Card is the perfect diagnostics tool for pinpointing Power On
Self-Test problems.
A denite 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 specic 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

Instruction Manual
2
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 specic to that BIOS. Contact
your motherboard manufacturer if you encounter any diculties. The PCIPOST is
compatible with every IBM-compatible system, but since there are numerous BIOS
versions and suppliers, you may not nd 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 rmly seated and that
you are able to see the LEDs on the card.

Instruction Manual
3
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.
Using Your Card
When power is rst supplied to your computer, the power supply will generate a
power good signal that is received by the motherboard clock if all the output voltages
from the power supply are correct. When the clock receives this signal, it stops forcing
a reset signal to the CPU and the CPU begins processing instructions. These initial tasks
are monitored by the circular green D1+ and D2+ LEDs. If the top D1+ LED does not
light, there is a problem with the reset. If the D2+ LED does not light, there is a problem
with the system clock.
The BIOS will then initialize, verify, and test numerous functions in your computer.
Every initialization, verication, and test is its own separate program with its own
error code. As the BIOS scrolls through these processes, you will see these error codes
ashing across the LEDs. If an initialization, verication, or test fails, the system will
pause and the error code will remain on the LED. You can now consult the error code
listing and determine where the problem lies.
The error codes on the card are based on hex (0, 1, 2 ... 9, A, B, C, D, E, F, 10, 11, 12 ... 19,
1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 20 ...) as opposed to decimal arithmetic. Therefore, a range of“2C
~ 34” means “2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34”.

Instruction Manual
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Error
Caused
by
AMI
BIOS (c)
1990
HiFLEX
BIOS
AMI
BIOS (c)
1994
WinBIOS
Award Phoenix Quadtel
AT BIOS Troubleshooting
CPU 01~02 01~02 01~02 01 02~04
Replace CPU
(speed should be
the same)
Math
Comp-
ressor
9C~9D 9C~9D 45 3E 76~78
1. Replace CPU
2. Replace CPU
if NPU is built in
CPU
Memory 13
20~24
D1~D3
20
40~58
C1
08
31~32
09~1F
1C~20
28~2C
32, 3A
60~68
1. Check and
clean RAM
module
2. Replace RAM
module
Display
Card 2C~34 2C~34 0D~0E 2B~33 46
1. Check and
clean display card
slot and golden
nger
2. Replace display
card
M/B
error
Others
DIY
Code
Others
DIY Code
Others
DIY
Code
Others
DIY Code
Others
DIY Code
Call Customer
service center for
help or replace
M/B
Quick Error Reference Guide

Instruction Manual
5
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.
CB CMOS status register initialization done. Any initialization before keyboard
BAT is to be done next.
CD BAT command to keyboard controller is to be issued.
CE Keyboard controller BAT result veried. Any initialization after KB controller
BAT is to be done next.
CF Initialization after KB controller BAT done. Keyboard command byte is to be
written next.
D1 Keyboard controller command byte is written. Going to check pressing of
<INS> key during power-on.
D2 Check for pressing of <INS> key during power-on done. Going to disable
DMA and Interrupt controllers.
D3 DMA controller #1, #2, interrupt controller #1, #2 disabled. Chipset
initialization/auto memory detection about to begin.
D4 Chipset initialization/auto memory detection over. To uncompress the
RUNTIME code.
D5 RUNTIME code is uncompressed.
D0 Transfer control to uncompressed code in shadow ram at F000:FFF0

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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.
07 POST code is uncompressed. CPU initialization and CPU data area
initialization is to be done next.
08 CPU and CPU data area initialization is done. CMOS checksum
calculation is to be done next.
09 CMOS checksum calculation is done, CMOS Diag byte written. CMOS
initialization is to begin.
0A CMOS initialization done (if any). CMOS status about to initialize for
Data and Time.
0B CMOS status register initialization done. Any initialization before
keyboard BAT is to be done next.
0C KB controller I/B free. Going to issue the BAT command to the
keyboard controller.
0D BAT command to keyboard controller is issued. Going to verify the
BAT command.
0E Keyboard controller BAT result veried. Any initialization before
keyboard BAT is to be done next.
0F Initialization after KB controller BAT done. Keyboard command byte
to be written next.
10 Keyboard controller command byte is written. Going to issue pin 23,
24 blocking/unblocking command.
11 Pin 23, 24 of keyboard controller is blocked/unblocked. Going to
check pressing of <INS> key during power-on.
12 Checking for pressing of <INS> key during power-on done. Going to
disable DMA and Interrupt controllers.

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13
DMA controller #1, #2, interrupt controller #1, #2 disabled. Video
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.
1A Memory refresh line is toggling. Going to check 15 micro second ON/
OFF time.
20 Memory refresh period 30 micro second test complete. Base 64K
memory initialized.
23 Base 64K memory initialized. Going to set BIOS stack and to do any
setup before interrupt vector initialization.
24 Setup required before interrupt vector initialization is complete.
Interrupt vector initialization is about to begin.
25 Interrupt vector initialization is done. Going to read input port of
8042 for turbo switch and to clear password if post diag switch is on.
26 Input port of 8042 is read. Going to initialize global data for turbo
switch.
27 Global data initialization for turbo switch is over. Any initialization
before setting video mode is to be done next.
28 Initialization before setting video mode is complete, Going for
monochrome mode and colour mode setting.
2A Dierent BUSes initialization to start if present.
2B About to give control for any setup required before optional video
ROM check.
2C Processing before video ROM control is done. About to look for
optional video ROM and give control.
2D Optional video ROM control is done. About to give control to do any
processing after video ROM returns control.
2E Return from processing after the video ROM control. If EGA/VGA not
found the do display memory R/W test.
2F EGA/VGA not found. Display memory R/W test about to begin.