What is the function of a Power-On Self Test (POST)?

The function of a Power-On Self Test (POST) is to verify that hardware components are functioning properly before the operating system starts. When a computer is powered on, POST runs a series of diagnostic tests to check critical hardware components such as the processor, memory, and storage devices. This ensures that all necessary hardware components are operational and ready for use.

If any issues are detected during the POST process, the system may generate error codes or beep patterns to indicate the specific problem, allowing the user or technician to troubleshoot the hardware effectively. Only after POST completes successfully will the system initiate the boot process to load the operating system.