Dell OptiPlex E1 Troubleshooting Manual

Also see for OptiPlex E1: Documentation update Service manual Reference and installation guide Service manual Reference and installation guide

Contents

Dell OptiPlex E1 Troubleshooting Manual Manual pdf 37 page image

Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-1Chapter 4Running the Dell DiagnosticsUnlike many diagnostic programs, the Dell Diagnos-tics helps you check your computer’s hardware withoutany additional equipment and without destroying anydata. By using the diagnostics, you can have confidencein your computer system’s operation. And if you find aproblem you cannot solve by yourself, the diagnostictests can provide you with important information youwill need when talking to Dell’s service and supportpersonnel.Features of the Dell DiagnosticsThe Dell Diagnostics provides a series of menus andoptions from which you choose particular test groups orsubtests. You can also control the sequence in which thetests are run. The diagnostic test groups or subtests alsohave these helpful features:• Options that let you run tests individually orcollectively• An option that allows you to choose the number oftimes a test group or subtest is repeated• The ability to display or print out test results, or tosave them in a file• Options to temporarily suspend testing if an error isdetected, or to terminate testing when an adjustableerror limit is reached• A menu category called About that briefly describeseach test and its parameters• Status messages that inform you whether test groupsor subtests were completed successfully• Error messages that appear if any problems aredetectedW hen to Use the DellDiagnosticsWhenever a major component or device in your com-puter system does not function properly, you may have acomponent failure. As long as the microprocessor and theinput and output components of your computer system(the monitor, keyboard, and diskette drive) are working,you can use the Dell Diagnostics. If you are experiencedwith computers and know what component(s) you needto test, simply select the appropriate diagnostic testgroup(s) or subtest(s). If you are unsure about how tobegin diagnosing a problem, read the rest of this chapter.Before You Start TestingFollow these steps to create a master and/or workingcopy of the Dell Diagnostics Diskette.1. If you received a Dell Diagnostics Diskette withyour Dell system, go to step 4.CAUTION: Use the Dell Diagnostics to test onlyyour Dell computer system. Using this programwith other computers may cause incorrect com-puter responses or result in error messages.