A system and method for identifying, analyzing, and repairing deviations in a power-on self-test routine (POST) of a computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes a basic input output system (BIOS) including a POST routine executed between power-on and hand off to an operating system. A memory stores a golden image POST code sequence. The controller and BIOS receive a sequence of POST codes from the execution of the POST routine. The sequence of POST codes is compared to the golden image POST code sequence. A deviation in the POST routine is identified based on at least one POST code of the sequence of the POST codes not matching the golden image POST code sequence. The identified deviation may be analyzed for further information in a message. The message may be used to recover from the deviation.