HP Diagnostic Tools
Module 1: POST Test
August 2021
1 Confidential
HP Diagnostic Tools
Module map
Module 1: Module 4:
POST Test HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI
Module 2: Module 5:
HP Support Assistant Other Diagnostic Apps and Tools
Module 3:
HP PC Hardware Diagnostics for Windows
2
Navigating the presentation
Interactivity
Attachments
URL links
Recommended training
Slide notes
Course resources
3 Confidential
Module 1: POST Test
Learning map
• Diagnostic tools overview
• POST Test
• Post Test results
4
What are diagnostic tools?
• Diagnose and fix hardware and network issues
• Includes:
– Tests that run as part of the BIOS
– Pre-boot utilities independent of the OS
– Support applications
5 Confidential
Purpose of diagnostic tools
• Detect malfunctioning hardware
• Check hardware is functioning properly
• Check for software issues
• Provide alerts through error messages
– LEDs
– Beep codes
• Generate test logs
NOTE: Run diagnostics before replacing hardware. Check
with region for the local process.
6 Confidential
Type of HP diagnostic tools
Run as part of computer firmware Pre-boot diagnostic tool that uses the
UEFI specification and performs advanced
hardware tests
Built-in tool with automated fixes, Hardware diagnostics tests that run
updates, and support independently of the OS from bootable code
on external media
Diagnostic tool that run in the OS, but are
independent of the OS
- Windows 7, 8.1, 10 & 11 OS only
Power-on self-test (POST)
What is it?
• Diagnostic tests that run automatically with system
power-on
• Stored in the NVRAM
• Provides alerts through error messages, LEDs or beep
codes
• First diagnostic resource
QuickBoot (configurable option)
Skips select POST tests
8
What does it test?
• Installed hardware
• Memory
Intel Optane
• Cache cache
• PCI data path
• Flash ROM
Graphics card
• CPU Memory
module
• SCSI devices
• Power supply
• Graphics cards (PCI/AGP/PCI-Express)
Hard drive
CPU
9
How does POST work?
Successful POST Unsuccessful POST
System boots into OS Error!
• Beep code
• LED code
• Error message
10
Responding to a POST error
Click the icons to learn about how to respond to a POST error.
F2 key
F10 key
Ignore the message
and continue. F1 key
Run the HP PC
Hardware Diagnostics
UEFI.
Run F10 Setup to
correct a system
configuration error.
View details about Enter
the message.
11 Confidential
Observing the computer at POST
During or after POST, check the following:
System boots? LED codes? Sound and beep codes?
• Initial screen display and cursor • Power LED—On or flashing • Hard drive and/or fan activity
• Computer does not boot after POST • LEDs flash properly at start-up • Optical drive activity
• POST error codes—audible and visual
NOTE:
POST messages, LED codes, and beep codes are different for HP desktops, notebooks, and tables. To decode a POST error code for a
specific model, refer to the
• Maintenance and Service Guide for a specific model.
• LED codes for HP business computers, available on WISE
12
Customer scenario
A customer calls and complains that their computer is beeping but not starting up. Other than a malfunctioning part,
what could the most common causes of beep codes be?
Enter your answer in the space provided.
Customer scenario
A customer calls and complains that their computer is beeping but not starting up. Other than a malfunctioning part,
what could the most common causes of beep codes be?
Enter your answer in the space provided.
You should inform the customer that a common cause of LED and beep codes is heat-related failures
caused by a build-up of dust in critical cooling areas. Over time, dust can collect in a computer's cooling
vents and clog the pathways that are part of the thermal cooling design. This can cause heat-sensitive
components, such as the processor and memory modules, to overheat and fail. If the computer is
beeping but not starting up, advise the customer to check for and remove any dust that might have
accumulated around or inside the computer.
Resources
URLs Recommended training
• HP Support Assistant • HP Support Assistant Fundamentals - HPSA 9.x (Course
ID: 02020007)
• HP PC Hardware Diagnostics
• HP PC Hardware Diagnostics for Windows (Course ID:
• HP Support website 01075376)
• WISE • HP Diagnostic Tools Overview (Course ID: 0001092656)
• LED/beep code recovery actions for HP notebooks • HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI (HPU Course ID
• LED/beep code recovery actions for HP desktops 00699664)
• HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (HP Supports Assistant)
15 Confidential
Thank you
16 Confidential
