112 Running System DiagnosticsWhen to Use the System DiagnosticsIf a major component or device in the system does not operate properly, component failure may beindicated. As long as the microprocessor and the system's input/output devices (monitor, keyboard, anddiskette drive) are functioning, you can use the system diagnostics to help identify the problem.Running the System DiagnosticsThe system diagnostics can be run either from the utility partition on your hard drive or from removablebootable media. You can create this media using the CDs that came with your system or from thediagnostic 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 causeinvalid results or error messages. In addition, use only the program that came with your system (or an updatedversion of that program).From the Utility Partition1 As the system boots, press during POST.2 From the utility partition main menu under Run System Utilities, select Run System Diagnostics.From Removable Bootable MediaYou can create a bootable diagnostic partition on a recordable CD, a USB flash drive, or on diskettesusing the CDs that came with your system, or the diagnostic utility that you can download fromsupport.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 systemor the file you downloaded from support.dell.com.3 Run the diagnostic utility and follow the on-screen instructions to create the diagnostic partition onthe bootable media.4 Restart the system, enter the System Setup program, and set the removable media type as the defaultboot 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 areinitializing. Then the Diagnostics menu appears. This menu allows you to run all or specific diagnosticstests, 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 yourscreen.
