What does the acronym 'POST' stand for in the context of troubleshooting?

The acronym 'POST' stands for "Power-On Self-Test." This is a diagnostic process that occurs when a computer is powered on. During POST, the computer performs a series of checks to ensure that the basic hardware components, such as the CPU, memory, and input/output devices, are functioning correctly. If any issues are detected during this phase, the computer typically emits beep codes or displays error messages to help users identify the nature of the problem. Understanding the role of POST is essential for troubleshooting hardware issues because it lays the foundation for ensuring that the system can boot up successfully and operate properly. Recognizing this process facilitates early detection and resolution of potential faults in the startup sequence.