If you experience a problem with your system, run the diagnostics before calling for technical assistance. The purpose of the diagnostics is to test your system's hardware without requiring additional equipment or risking data loss. If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, service and support personnel can use diagnostics test results to help you solve the problem.
Using Server Administrator Diagnostics
To assess a system problem, first use the online Server Administrator diagnostics. If you are unable to identify the problem, then use the system diagnostics.
To access the online diagnostics, log into the Server Administrator home page, and then click the Diagnostics tab. For information about using diagnostics, see the online help. For additional information, see the Server Administrator User's Guide.
System Diagnostics Features
The system diagnostics provides a series of menus and options for particular device groups or devices. The system diagnostics menus and options allow you to:
Run tests individually or collectively.
Control the sequence of tests.
Repeat tests.
Display, print, or save test results.
Temporarily suspend testing if an error is detected or terminate testing when a user-defined error limit is reached.
View help messages that briefly describe each test and its parameters.
View status messages that inform you if tests are completed successfully.
View error messages that inform you of problems encountered during testing.
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 processor 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 a set of diskettes that you create using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD. To use diskettes you must either have the optional diskette drive installed in your system, or a USB diskette drive.
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
As the system boots, press <F10> during POST.
From the utility partition main menu, select Run System Diagnostics, or select Run Memory
Diagnostics if you are troubleshooting memory.
From the Diagnostics Diskettes
Create a set of diagnostics diskettes from the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD. See
"Using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD" in your User's Guide for information on
creating the diskettes.
If your system does have the optional diskette drive installed, obtain a USB diskette drive and
connect it to the system.
Insert the first system diagnostics diskette, or the MP Memory diskette (if you are
troubleshooting memory).
Reboot the system.
If the system fails to boot, see "Getting Help."
When you start the system diagnostics, a message is displayed stating that the diagnostics are initializing. Next, the Diagnostics menu appears. The 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.
System Diagnostics Testing Options
To select an option from the Diagnostics menu, highlight the option and press <Enter>, or press the key that corresponds to the highlighted letter in the option.
Table 4-1 provides a brief explanation of testing options.
Table 4-1. System Diagnostics Testing Options
Testing Option
Function
Quick Tests
Performs a quick check of the system. Select Test All Devices and then select Quick Tests. This option runs device tests that do not require user interaction. Use this option to quickly identify the source of your problem.
Test One Device
Tests a particular device.
Extended Tests
Performs a more thorough check of the system. Select Test All Devices and then select Extended Tests.
Advanced Testing
Checks a particular area of the system.
Information and Results
Displays test results.
Program Options
Sets various test parameters.
Device Configuration
Displays an overview of the devices in the system.
Exit to MS-DOS
Exits the diagnostics and returns to the System Utilities menu.
Using the Advanced Testing Options
When you select Advanced Testing from the Diagnostics menu, the main screen of the diagnostics appears and displays the following information:
Two lines at the top of the screen identify the diagnostics utility, the version number, and the system's service tag number.
The left side of the screen under Device Groups liststhe diagnostic device groups in the order that they are tested if you select All under the Run Tests submenu. Press the up- or down-arrow keys to highlight a particular device group. Press the left- or right-arrow keys to select the options on the menu. As you move from one menu option to another, a brief explanation of the highlighted option appears at the bottom of the screen.
The right side of the screen under Devices for Highlighted Group lists the specific devices within a particular test group.
The menu area consists of two lines at the bottom of the screen. The first line lists the menu options that you can select; press the left- or right-arrow key to highlight an option. The second line provides information about the highlighted option.
For more information about a device group or device, highlight the Help option and press <Enter>. Press <Esc> to return to the previous screen.
Error Messages
When you run a system diagnostics test, you may receive an error message during testing. Record the message on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist. For a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist and instructions for obtaining technical assistance, see "Getting Help."
