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Instructions on how to run the Dell 32-bit Diagnostics to check for Hardware problems. |
Table of Contents:
- Run the Dell 32-bit Diagnostics
- Incase 32-bit Diagnostics are not installed
All Dell computers ship with a utility partition on the hard drive that contains the Dell Diagnostic Utility:
- Restart the computer.
- As the computer boots, press <F12> when the Dell Splash Screen appears.
- 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.
- Press the <Tab> key to highlight Test System Press <Enter> to continue to 32-bit Diagnostics.
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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You can try Booting to your Resource Disk, to access the 32-bit Diagnostics on it.
- Insert the Resource Disk into your computer's CD/DVD Rom.
- Restart the computer.
- As the computer boots, press <F12> when the Dell Splash Screen appears.
- 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:
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Click Drivers and Downloads to enter the Drivers and Downloads page.
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Click
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Enter a Tag |
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Click Go. If the Product Type and Product Model had been selected, click Confirm.
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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.
Figure 1: Drivers and Downloads Drop-Down Selections
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Select the Dell 32-Bit Diagnostics (Graphical User Interface version) from the column labeled File Title to display the download page (Figure 2).
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File Title  |
Importance | Figure 2: File Title Column
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Note: |
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If you have the information provided from the online System Information utility or your invoice, please refer to it for what drivers to download. |
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Review the information on the page and take note of Installation Instructions and Important Information.
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Click Download Now. You may receive a warning and an option to run or save the file.
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Click Save.
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When the Save As window appears, designate a folder to save the file that is being downloaded and click Save.
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When the download is complete, follow the instructions provided in the Installation Instructions (as viewed in step 6 above). Back to Top
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