Datasheet

Error Messages and Beep Codes

4.5 Port 80h POST Codes

During the POST, the BIOS generates diagnostic progress codes (POST codes) to I/O

port 80h. If the POST fails, execution stops and the last POST code generated is left at

port 80h. This code is useful for determining the point where an error occurred.

Displaying the POST codes requires a Conventional PCI bus add-in card, often called a

POST card. The POST card can decode the port and display the contents on a medium

such as a seven-segment display.

NOTE

The POST card must be installed in the Conventional PCI bus connector.

The following tables provide information about the POST codes generated by the BIOS:

• Table 42 lists the Port 80h POST code ranges

• Table 43 lists the Port 80h POST codes themselves

• Table 44 lists the Port 80h POST sequence

NOTE

In the tables listed above, all POST codes and range values are listed in hexadecimal.

Table 42. Port 80h POST Code Ranges

Range Subsystem

0x00 – 0x05 Entering SX states S0 to S5.

0x10, 0x20, 0x30, 0x40, 0x50 Resuming from SX states. 0x10 –0x20 – S2, 0x30 – S3, etc.

0x08 – 0x0F Security (SEC) phase

0x11 – 0x1F PEI phase pre MRC execution

0x21 – 0x29 MRC memory detection

0x2A – 0x2F PEI phase post MRC execution

0x31 – 0x35 Recovery

0x36 – 0x3F Platform DXE driver

0x41 – 0x4F CPU Initialization (PEI, DXE, SMM)

0x50 – 0x5F I/O buses: PCI, USB, ATA etc. 0x5F is an unrecoverable error. Start

with PCI.

0x60 – 0x6F BDS

0x70 – 0x7F Output devices: All output consoles.

0x80 – 0x8F For future use

0x90 – 0x9F Input devices: Keyboard/Mouse.

0xA0 – 0xAF For future use

0xB0 – 0xBF Boot devices: Includes fixed media and removable media. Not that

critical since consoles should be up at this point.

0xC0 – 0xCF For future use

0xD0 – 0xDF For future use

0xF0 – 0xFF