FIC M296 - Manual (Page 136)

Troubleshooting and Repair
6.2.2 Informational Messages
This section lists the messages that provide information to the user but require no action.
Table 6-2 BIOS Informational Messages
Message Meaning
nnnK Base Memory The amount of base memory that tested successfully.
nnnK Extended The amount of extended memory that tested successfully.
Memory tests terminated by
keystroke The message indicates that a user pressed the spacebar while
memory tests were running and stopped the memory tests.
Press the F1 key to continue This message indicates that an error was found during POST.
Pressing the F1 key allows the system to attempt to reboot.
Beginning memory test A user can stop the memory tests by pressing the spacebar.
Press the F1 key to
continue, F2 to run the
Setup utility This message indicates that an error was found during POST.
Pressing the F1 key allows the system to attempt to boot. Press
F2 allows users to run the ROM-based SETUP utility to correct
configuration information.
6.2.3 Beep Codes
Beep codes are used to identify a POST error that occurs when the screen is not available.
Once the screen is operating, diagnostic messages are reported to the screen. There are beep
codes for both fatal and non-fatal system board errors.
L
No beep code is generated if a test is aborted while in progress. However,
diagnostic cards can be installed in order to display the contents of the
diagnostic port 80h and identify the area of failure.
Explanation of test terms for beep code table
The following terms are used in the Test Performed column of the beep code table:
1. Pattern test - One or more particular patterns are written to a location then read back
from the same location. Examples of patterns used are 55h and AAh. If the value read
does not match the value written, the test is considered a failure.
2. Rolling ones test - Several patterns are constructed. These patterns represent a one rolling
through the given location. For example, to roll a one through three bits, the following
patterns would be constructed: 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, and 111. The patterns are
written to the location and then read back, one by one. If the value read does not match
the value written, the test is considered a failure.
3. Rolling zeros test - Several patterns are constructed. These patterns represent a zero
rolling through the given location. For example, to roll a zero through three bits, the
following patterns would be constructed: 011, 001, and 000. The patterns are written to
the location and then read back, one by one. If the value read does not match the value
written, the test is considered a failure.
4. Checksum test - All of the values in a given range of locations are added together. The
range includes a location which when added to sum of the ranges, will produce a known
result, such as zero.
6-4 FIC M295 / M296 Service Manual