How to use dell diagnostics – Dell OptiPlex GX110 User Manual
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Device Groups area on the main screen.
The following sources supply this configuration information for the diagnostics:
l
The system configuration information settings (stored in nonvolatile random-access memory [NVRAM]) that you selected while using System
Setup
l
Identification tests of the microprocessor, the video controller, the keyboard controller, and other key components
l
Basic input/output system (BIOS) configuration information temporarily saved in RAM
Do not be concerned if the Device Groups area does not list the names of all the components or devices you know are part of your computer
system. For example, you may not see a printer listed, although you know one is attached to your computer. Instead, the printer is listed as a
parallel port. The computer recognizes the parallel port as LPT1, which is an address that tells the computer where to send outgoing information
and where to look for incoming information. Because your printer is a parallel communications device, the computer recognizes the printer by its
LPT1 address and identifies it as a parallel port. You can test your printer connection in the Parallel Ports
tests.
How to Use Dell Diagnostics
Six comprehensive, menu-driven, online help categories provide instructions on how to use the program and explain each menu item, test group,
subtest, and test result. To enter the Help menu, perform the following steps:
1. Highlight Select Devices to Test in the Diagnostics Menu.
2. Press
3. Press
The six Help menu categories are
,
. The online help also provides detailed
descriptions of the devices that you are testing. The Help menu categories are explained in the following subsections.
Menu Category
The Menu help category describes the main menu screen area, the device groups, and the different diagnostic menus and commands and
instructs you on how to use them.
Keys Category
The Keys help category explains the functions of all keystrokes that you can use in the Dell Diagnostics.
Device Group Category
The Device Group help category describes the test group that is currently highlighted in the Device Groups list on the main menu screen. It also
provides reasoning for using some tests.
Device Category
The Device help category is the educational section of online help. It describes the function and purpose of the highlighted device in the Device
Groups. For example, the following information appears when you select the Device
help category for Diskette in the Device Groups list:
Diskette drive A:
The diskette disk drive device reads and writes data to and from diskettes. Diskettes are flexible
recording media, sometimes contained in hard shells. Diskette recording capacities are small and
access times are slow relative to hard disk drives, but they provide a convenient means of storing
and transferring data.
Test Category
The Test help category thoroughly explains the test procedure of each currently highlighted subtest. For example, the subtest Diskette Drive Seek
Test of the Diskette
device group lists the following information:
Diskette drive A: - Diskette Drive Seek Test
This test verifies the drive's ability to position its read/write heads. The test operates in two
passes: first, seeking from the beginning to ending cylinders inclusively, and second, seeking
alternately from the beginning to ending cylinders with convergence towards the middle.
Versions Category
The Versions help category lists the version numbers of the subtests that are used by your Dell Diagnostics program.