Dell Diagnostics

Dell Precision™ Workstation 340 User's Guide

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Finding Solutions" 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 express, extended, or custom 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
Display test results
Suspend testing if an error is detected
Access online 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

It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

NOTICE: Only use the Dell Diagnostics to test your Dell™ computer. Using this program with other computers can result in error messages.

Enter system setup, review your computer's configuration information, and ensure that the device you want to test displays in system setup and is active.

Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as the ResourceCD).

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

Shut down and restart the computer.
When the DELL® logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

NOTE: If you receive a message stating that no Diagnostics utility partition has been found, follow the instructions to 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 Boot to Utility Partition and press <Enter>.
When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD

Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD into the CD drive.
Shut down and restart the computer.

When the DELL® logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.

NOTE: This feature changes the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in system setup.

When the boot device list appears, highlight IDE CD-ROM Device and press <Enter>.
Select the IDE CD-ROM Device option from the CD boot menu.
Select the Boot from CD-ROM option from the menu that appears.
Type 1 to start the ResourceCD menu.
Type 2 to start the Dell Diagnostics.
Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list. If multiple versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your platform.
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 Main Menu screen appears, click the button for the option you want.

NOTE: The Service Tag number for your computer is located on the top of each test screen.

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 displaying the error code and a description of the problem appear. Write down the error code and problem description and follow the instructions on the screen.

If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell.

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 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 your configuration information for all devices from system setup, memory, and various internal tests and displays it 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 completed, if you are running the Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities CD, remove the CD.
Close the test screen to return to the Main Menu screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer, close the Main Menu screen.

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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.

Tab	Function
Results	Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered.
Errors	Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and 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 your configuration information for all devices from system setup, memory, and various internal tests and displays it 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.