Apparatus and method for accessing POST 80h codes via a computer port

A method of accessing POST 80h signals generated during a boot sequence of a computer, the method comprising:

• providing a main memory and a processor;
• connecting a graphics memory controller hub (GMCH) to the processor and the main memory for generating graphics data and control signals;
• further connecting the GMCH to an input/output controller hub (ICH) that includes a universal serial bus (USB) controller connected to a USB port having a USB connector, a general purpose input/output (GPIO) port and a PCI controller, the ICH being further connected to a ROM BIOs such that data written to the GPIO port is output from the computer via the USB port;
• connecting to the USB port a device for receiving data therefrom;
• determining whether the USB port has been disabled,
• disabling the USB port if necessary;
• during the boot sequence of the computer, writing the POST 80h signals to the GPIO port;
• receiving the POST 80h signals using the device connected to the USB port;
• and
• the connection between the USB controller and the USB port being used to communicate the POST 80h codes to the device so that the USB port does not need to be initialized until late in the boot sequence.