If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in the "Solving Problems" section in your User's Guide or Owner's Manual and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance. Running the Dell Diagnostics may help you resolve the problem without contacting Dell. If you do contact Dell, the test results can provide important information for Dell's service and support personnel.
The Dell Diagnostics allows you to:
Perform tests on one or all devices.
Select tests based on a symptom of the problem you are having.
Choose how many times a test is run.
Suspend testing if an error is detected.
Access help information that describes the tests and devices.
Receive status messages that tell you whether tests completed successfully.
Receive error messages if problems are detected.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics
NOTICE: Use the Dell Diagnostics to test your Dell™ computer only. Using this program with other computers can result in error messages.
The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.
NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, contact Dell.
Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12>immediately.
NOTE: If you cannot see anything on your display, hold down the <Fn> key and press the computer's power button to begin the Dell Diagnostics. The computer automatically runs the Pre-boot System Assessment.
NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell Diagnostics from your Drivers and Utilities CD.
If you wait too long and the Microsoft® Windows® logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.
When the boot device list appears, highlight Diagnostics and press <Enter>.
The computer runs the Pre-boot System Assessment, a series of initial tests of your system board, keyboard, hard drive, and display.
During the assessment, answer any questions that appear.
If a failure is detected, the computer stops and beeps. To stop the assessment and restart the computer, press <N>; to continue to the next test, press <Y>; to retest the component that failed, press <R>.
If failures are detected during the Pre-boot System Assessment, write down the error code(s) and contact Dell before continuing on to the Dell Diagnostics.
If the Pre-boot System Assessment completes successfully, you receive the message Booting Dell Diagnostic Utility Partition. Press any key to continue.
Press any key to start the Dell Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility partition on
your hard drive.
When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the MainMenu screen appears, click the button
for the option you want.
Option
Function
Express Test
Performs a quick test of devices. This test typically takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your part. Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of tracing the problem quickly.
Extended Test
Performs a thorough check of devices. This test typically takes an hour or more and requires you to answer questions periodically.
Custom Test
Tests a specific device. You can customize the tests you want to run.
Symptom Tree
Lists the most common symptoms encountered and allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the problem you are having.
If a problem is encountered during a test, a message appears with an error code and a
description of the problem. Write down the error code and problem description and
follow the instructions on the screen.
If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell. See your User's Guide or Owner's Manual for contact information.
NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen. If you contact Dell, technical support will ask for your Service Tag.
If you run a test from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option, click the applicable
tab described in the following table for more information.
Tab
Function
Results
Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered.
Errors
Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and the problem description.
Help
Describes the test and may indicate requirements for running the test.
Configuration
Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device.
The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all devices from the system setup program, memory, and various internal tests, and it displays the information in the device list in the left pane of the screen. The device list may not display the names of all the components installed on your computer or all devices attached to your computer.
Parameters
Allows you to customize the test by changing the test settings.
When the tests are complete, close the test screen to return to the MainMenu screen.
To exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer, close the MainMenu screen.
