112 Running System Diagnostics
When to Use the System Diagnostics
If a major component or device in the system does not operate properly, component failure may be
indicated. As long as the microprocessor and the system's input/output devices (monitor, keyboard, and
diskette drive) are functioning, you can use the system diagnostics to help identify the problem.
Running the System Diagnostics
The system diagnostics can be run either from the utility partition on your hard drive or from removable
bootable media. You can create this media using the CDs that came with your system
or from the
diagnostic utility that you can download from support.dell.com.
NOTICE: Use the system diagnostics to test only your system. Using this program with other systems may cause
invalid results or error messages. In addition, use only the program that came with your system (or an updated
version of that program).
From the Utility Partition
1
As the system boots, press <F10> during POST.
2
From the utility partition main menu under
Run System Utilities
, select
Run System Diagnostics
.
From Removable Bootable Media
You can create a bootable diagnostic partition on a recordable CD, a USB flash drive, or on diskettes
using the CDs that came with your system, or the diagnostic utility that you can download from
support.dell.com.
1
Insert a recordable CD, USB flash drive, or writable diskette into your system.
2
Run the self-extracting diagnostic utility package from the diagnostic CD that came with your system
or the file you downloaded from
support.dell.com
.
3
Run the diagnostic utility and follow the on-screen instructions to create the diagnostic partition on
the bootable media.
4
Restart the system, enter the System Setup program, and set the removable media type as the default
boot device.
See "Using the System Setup Program" on page 29 for instructions.
5
Ensure that the removable bootable media is inserted or attached to the system and reboot the system.
If the system fails to boot, see "Getting Help" on page 121.
When you start the system diagnostics, a message is displayed indicating that the diagnostics are
initializing. Then the
Diagnostics
menu appears. This menu allows you to run all or specific diagnostics
tests, or to exit the system diagnostics.
NOTE: Before you read the rest of this section, start the system diagnostics so that you can see the utility on your
screen.
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