POST
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Power-on self-test |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Technology & Computing, Government & Politics |
POST has two meanings. It stands for Power-on self-test (computer) or Peace Officer Standards and Training (police).
Meanings of POST at a glance
| # | POST stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Power-on self-test | Technology & Computing › Computer |
| 2 | Peace Officer Standards and Training | Government & Politics › Police |
1. Power-on self-test
Technology & Computing · Computer Abbreviations
Diagnostic routine the firmware runs every time a computer is switched on, checking the processor, memory, graphics and storage before booting. Faults are reported through beep codes, motherboard LEDs or an on-screen message.
Example: The PC won't POST after the RAM upgrade; it just shows a red DRAM light on the motherboard.
Technicians say a machine "won't POST" when it powers on but never reaches the boot screen, which points to hardware rather than software trouble. Beep patterns differ by firmware vendor: a single short beep usually means success, while repeated long beeps on many boards point to memory. Plug-in POST cards display two-digit diagnostic codes for deeper troubleshooting.
2. Peace Officer Standards and Training
Government & Politics · Police Abbreviations
State commission that sets minimum hiring, training and certification standards for police officers, and in many states can revoke an officer's certification for misconduct. California's POST, created in 1959, was one of the first.
Example: The academy curriculum must meet POST requirements before graduates can be certified.
Nearly every state has a POST agency, though names vary. Decertification databases help prevent officers fired for misconduct from being hired elsewhere. The National Decertification Index tracks revocations across states.
Related abbreviations
More computer abbreviations
- PgUp – Page Up key
- PICNIC – Problem in chair, not in computer
- PnP – Plug and Play
- POSIX – Portable Operating System Interface
- PrtSc – Print Screen key
- ReFS – Resilient File System
- RTFM – Read the f***ing manual
- RTL – Right-to-left
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