Final Answer:
The primary purpose of POST (Power-On Self-Test) is D.) It performs diagnostic tests before booting the operating system.
Step-by-step explanation:
POST is a process that occurs when a computer is powered on. Its main purpose is to perform a series of diagnostic tests on the computer's hardware components. These tests ensure that essential components such as the processor, memory, storage devices, and other peripherals are functioning correctly before the operating system (OS) starts to boot. If any issues or discrepancies are detected during the POST, the system may generate error codes or beep patterns to indicate the nature of the problem. This pre-boot diagnostic process helps identify hardware problems early in the startup sequence, allowing users to address issues before the OS is loaded.
Option D is the answer.