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What is the primary purpose of POST?

A.) It is an add-on card to test the computer

B.) It applies power to the CPU

C.) It enables hardware to function before the OS boots

D.) It performs diagnostic tests before booting the operating system

2 Answers

6 votes

Final answer:

The primary purpose of POST is to perform diagnostic tests on the computer's hardware before the operating system is booted.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary purpose of POST, which stands for Power-On Self-Test, is D) It performs diagnostic tests before booting the operating system. When a computer is turned on, POST is the initial set of diagnostic tests that the computer's hardware runs to ensure that all essential hardware components are working correctly before the operating system is loaded. If a problem is detected during POST, the system usually signals an error through a series of beeps or a code displayed on the screen. This helps in identifying hardware-related issues at an early stage so they can be resolved before they cause system failure during operation.

User Brian Minton
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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.

User Veinhorn
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