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Dell Solution Network: Knowledge Base Article

How to Run the Dell™ Diagnostics Utility

Journal ID:   09327QZDR7
Article ID:  155502
Date Published:  9/9/2009
Last Revised:  10/7/2009

Table of Contents
 Using the Dell Diagnstics Utility
» Using the Dell Diagnstics Utility

Article Summary: Instructions on how to run the Dell 32-bit Diagnostics to check for Hardware problems.

Table of Contents:

  1. Run the Dell 32-bit Diagnostics
  2. Incase 32-bit Diagnostics are not installed

    Step 1: Run the Dell 32-bit Diagnostics

    All Dell computers ship with a utility partition on the hard drive that contains the Dell Diagnostic Utility:

    1. Restart the computer.

    2. As the computer boots, press <F12> when the Dell Splash Screen appears.

    3. When the Boot menu appears, highlight the Boot to Utility Partition option, or the Diagnostics option and then press <Enter> to start the 32-bit Dell Diagnostics
    4. Press the <Tab> key to highlight Test System Press <Enter> to continue to 32-bit Diagnostics.
    5.  Note:
      In some cases PSA Diagnostics will run first. If you recieve an error during PSA diagnostics Click Here to go to the PSA Diagnostics Page. To continue onto 32-bit Diagnostics, Press N for No when it asks you to Continue Memory Tests. Press Y To Continue the Memory Tests.

      • Express Test will run a quick test of devices in the system. This typically can take 10-20 minutes.
      • Extended Test performs a thorough check of devices in the system. This typically can take an hour or more.
      • Custom Test used to test a specific device or customize the tests to be run.Exit to MS-DOS will exit the diagnostics to a command prompt.
      • Symptom Tree. This option lists the most common symptoms and allows you to select tests based on those symptoms.

         Note:
        Express Test is the only test that will not require user involvement.

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    Step 2: Incase 32-bit Diagnostics are not installed

    You can try Booting to your Resource Disk, to access the 32-bit Diagnostics on it.

    1. Insert the Resource Disk into your computer's CD/DVD Rom.
    2. Restart the computer.

    3. As the computer boots, press <F12> when the Dell Splash Screen appears.

    4. When the Boot menu appears, highlight CDROM or the equivialent and press the <Enter>  key to start the 32-bit Dell Diagnostics

    If the computer did not ship with a resource disk or the original diagnostics are not available, download the diagnostics by performing the following steps:

    1. Click Drivers and Downloads to enter the Drivers and Downloads page.

    2. Click
       
      Enter a Tag
       to use your Service Tag to find the diagnostics.

      Note:  
        If the Service Tag is not available, click
       
      Select Model
      and select the appropriate Product Type and Product Model.

    3. Click Go. If the Product Type and Product Model had been selected, click Confirm.

    4. Select the desired operating system, driver language, and importance settings from the drop-down boxes as pictured below (Figure 1). The Category drop-down box should be set to Diagnostics.

      Operating System:    
        Windows XP
      Driver Language:    
        English
      Category:    
        Diagnostics
      Importance:    
        All
      Figure 1: Drivers and Downloads Drop-Down Selections

    5. Select the Dell 32-Bit Diagnostics (Graphical User Interface version) from the column labeled File Title to display the download page (Figure 2).

        File Title  

        Importance

      Figure 2: File Title Column

      Note:
        If you have the information provided from the online System Information utility or your invoice, please refer to it for what drivers to download.

    6. Review the information on the page and take note of  Installation Instructions and Important Information.

    7. Click  Download Now. You may receive a warning and an option to run or save the file.

    8. Click Save.

    9. When the Save As window appears, designate a folder to save the file that is being downloaded and click Save.

    10. When the download is complete, follow the instructions provided in the Installation Instructions (as viewed in step 6 above).

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