An analyte meter is configured to digitally test for the presence of a test strip in the meter and for the presence of a sample in the test strip prior to activating an analog current measurement circuit of the meter. A test strip port connector having a plurality of contacts receives an inserted test strip in which the contacts electrically connect to electrodes on the test strip for digitally detecting both the presence of a test strip and a sample added to the test strip. A control circuit monitoring the contacts maintains the analyte meter in a low power mode until detecting both the test strip and the sample, whereupon the control circuit activates the meter and enables an analog analyte measurement circuit.