Dell 3000 manual Keyboard Test Group, Why Run a Video Test?, Why Run a Keyboard Test?

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an external monitor, some of the test screens may flicker and appear to malfunction. This condition does not affect the accuracy of the video subtests or indicate a hardware problem.

Why Run a Video Test?

Many of the symptoms that would prompt you to run a subtest in the Video test group are obvious, because the display is the visual component of the computer. Before you run the Video test group or any of its subtests, you should make sure that the problem is not occurring in the software or caused by a hardware change.

If the following symptoms still occur, run the appropriate test(s) as follows:

If your display or external monitor shows a partially formed or distorted image, run all of the subtests in the Video test group.

If the alignment of text or images is off, regardless of the program you are running, run the Text Mode Character Test, Text Mode Pages Test, and Graphics Mode Test.

If the color on the display or external monitor is intermittent or not displayed at all, run the Text Mode Color Test, Color Palettes Test, and Solid Colors Test.

If your display or external monitor malfunctions in one mode but works fine in another (for example, text is displayed correctly, but graphics are not), run the Text Mode Character Test, Text Mode Color Test, Text Mode Pages Test, and Graphics Mode Test.

Subtests

The eight subtests in the Video test group confirm the fol- lowing video functions:

Video Memory Test

Checks the read/write capability of the video mem- ory in various video modes

Video Hardware Test

Checks the cursor registers and the horizontal and vertical retrace bit registers in the video controller

Text Mode Character Test

Checks the video subsystem’s ability to present data in text modes

Text Mode Color Test

Checks the video subsystem’s ability to present color in text modes

Text Mode Pages Test

Checks the video subsystem’s ability to map and present all available video pages on the screen, one page at a time

Graphics Mode Test

Checks the video subsystem’s ability to present data and color in graphics modes

Color Palettes Test

Checks the video subsystem’s ability to display all of the available colors

Solid Colors Test

Checks the video subsystem’s ability to show screens full of solid colors, and allows you to check for missing color pixels

Many of these tests display characters or graphics on the screen for you to verify. Samples of these screens are shown in Appendix B, “Diagnostic Video Tests.”

NOTE: The default limit for testing SVGA modes is No. If you are testing an external monitor, change the default to Yes.

Keyboard Test Group

The subtests in the Keyboard test group verify the correct operation of your keyboard and the keyboard controller chip.

NOTE: If you test the <Fn> key, use either the Microsoft Windows logo or the menu keys near the spacebar when prompted to press the <----> key.

Why Run a Keyboard Test?

Keyboard problems are not always caused by the key- board. For example, a complete lockup of the computer, rendering the keyboard inoperable, is probably not caused by a problem with the keyboard. There are two

4-14 Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide

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Contents 551&$1 7528%/6+227,1 Page Safety Instructions When Using Your ComputerWhen Removing or Installing Memory Modules Ergonomic Computing HabitsProtecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Viii About This Guide Warranty and Return Policy InformationPreface Typographical Conventions Other Documents You May NeedNotational Conventions Examples autoexec.bat and c\windows Xii Contents Chapter Troubleshooting Your Computer Chapter Running the Dell Diagnostics Xvi Chapter Getting Help Xviii Appendix C Regulatory Notices Figures Dell Confidential Preliminary 2/4/98 Xxiv Xxv Xxvi Introduction Front View of the Portable ComputerHardware Features Back View of the Portable ComputerIntroduction Software Features Using the Power ButtonAccessing Online Documentation Available OptionsGetting Help Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Customizing System Features System UtilitiesMain Menu Options Setup ProgramAccessing the Setup Program Quiet Boot System TimeSystem Date Floppy DriveSystem Devices Menu Options System MemoryExtended Memory PS/2 Mouse IDE ControllerFDD Controller CD-ROM Drive SpeedAudio Security Menu OptionsSystem Password Set System PasswordPassword on Boot Power Menu OptionsPower Management Mode Smart CPU ModeStandby Time-Out Suspend Time-OutSuspend Mode Boot Menu OptionsResume on Modem Ring Resume on Time of DayBoot Menu of Setup Program Exit Menu OptionsReinstalling Utilities and Drivers Reinstalling Video Drivers Click the Settings tab Click the Advanced Properties buttonDouble-click the Display icon Adapter Type box, click the Change ButtonReinstalling Touch Pad Drivers Reinstalling Audio DriversReinstalling the Soft Wavetable Reinstalling Infrared DriversReinstalling the System User’s Guide Click the Service and Support iconWhen prompted, save the file to your hard-disk drive Click Technical Information, and then click DocumentationTroubleshooting Your Computer Backing Up Your FilesBasic Checks Is your computer wet or damaged?Checking Connections Did you receive a system message or beep code?Look and Listen Checking an Optional DeviceSetup Options Boot Routine IndicationsSystem Error Messages Messages and CodesFaulty Ter 5, Getting Help System Beep Codes CmosBeep Codes Finding Software Solutions Installing and Configuring SoftwareUsing Software Error MessagesInput Errors Memory-Resident ProgramsProgram Conflicts Avoiding Interrupt Assignment ConflictsTroubleshooting Procedures Troubleshooting a Wet ComputerTroubleshooting a Damaged Computer Troubleshooting a Power Failure Total Power Failure When Using the AC AdapterTotal Power Failure When Using a Battery Is the battery status indicator blinking? Yes. Go to stepUse the AC adapter to fully charge the battery Call Dell for technical assistanceNo Power to a Part of the Computer Troubleshooting the Diskette DriveTroubleshooting the CD-ROM Drive Does the computer display a drive error message?Troubleshooting the Hard-Disk Drive Troubleshooting an External Keyboard Does the computer recognize the external keyboard?Troubleshooting Memory Troubleshooting the Built-In DisplayTroubleshooting an External Monitor Is an external monitor connected to the computer?Troubleshooting the Serial and Parallel Ports Troubleshooting the Basic I/O FunctionsTroubleshooting a Parallel Printer Troubleshooting a Serial I/O DeviceChange the necessary statements in the start-up files Attempt another print operation on the parallel printerTroubleshooting the Infrared Port Troubleshooting the Touch PadTroubleshooting Audio Functions Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Running the Dell DiagnosticsFeatures of the Dell Diagnostics Install a CD-ROM drive in the options bay Before You Start TestingStarting the Dell Diagnostics Completing the Dell Diagnostics How to Use the Dell DiagnosticsConfirming the System Configuration Information How to Use the Menu Main Menu OptionsRun SelectOptions Maximum Errors Allowed Number of Times to Repeat TestsPause for User Response Option ParametersTest Limits Output Device for Error MessagesOutput Device for Status Messages Tests in the Dell Diagnostics AboutKey-Help QuitDell Diagnostics Tests RAMDell Diagnostics Tests System Set Test Group Error MessagesRAM Test Group Video Test Group Keyboard Test Group Why Run a Video Test?Why Run a Keyboard Test? Diskette Drives Test Group Why Run the Mouse Test?Mouse Test Hard-Disk Drives Non-SCSI Test Group Why Run a Diskette Drives Test?Why Run a Hard-Disk Drives Test? Why Run an IDE CD ROM Drives Test? IDE CD ROM Drives Test GroupWhy Run a Serial/Infrared Ports Test? Why Run a Parallel Ports Test?Serial/Infrared Ports Test Group Parallel Ports Test GroupWhy Run an Audio Test? Audio Test GroupDell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Run the diagnostics for your Dell computer Getting HelpTechnical Assistance Review the Dell Q&AHelp Tools Help ToolsReference and Troubleshooting Guide Commercial Online ServiceDell Diagnostics Program AutoTech ServiceTechFax Service Technical Support ServiceTechConnect BBS Automated Order-Status SystemProblems With Your Order Returning Items for Warranty Repair or CreditProduct Information Before You CallDiagnostics Checklist Diagnostics ChecklistDell Contact Numbers 1344International Dialing Codes Dell Contact Numbers AustraliaAustria BelgiumBrunei CanadaChile ChinaDenmark FinlandFrance GermanyIreland ItalyJapan KoreaLatin America LuxembourgMacau MalaysiaMexico NetherlandsNew Zealand NorwaySingapore South AfricaSoutheast Asian Pacific CountriesThailand SwitzerlandTaiwan Technical Specifications Table A-1. Technical SpecificationsSdram Audio Display XGA Touch Pad Table A-1. Technical Specifications AC Adapter Environmental Computer Diagnostic Video Tests Text Mode Character TestVideo Memory Test Video Hardware TestCharacter Attributes Subtest 80 x Character Set Subtest 80 xCharacter Attributes Subtest 40 x Character Set Subtest 40 xTable B-1. Color Attributes Text Mode Color TestColor Attributes Subtest 80 x Text Mode Pages Test Graphics Mode TestColor Palettes Test Solid Colors Test Regulatory Notices FCC Class B Notice U.S. OnlyModem Requirements IC Notice Canada OnlyCanadian Modem Requirements EN 55022 Compliance Czech Republic OnlyCE Notice Vcci Notices Japan Only Korean Regulatory NoticePolish Center for Testing and Certification Notice 8ZNBHBOJB 1PMTLJFHP$FOUSVNNOM 024 Information Mexico Only Limited One-Year Warranty U.S. and Canada Only Warranties and Return PolicyLimited Three-Year Warranty U.S. and Canada Only Coverage During Year OneCoverage During Years Two and Three GeneralTotal Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. and Canada Only Index Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Help tools TechFax service, 5-4 user’s documentation Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Post Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Index XGA display Dell Information Development File Names &
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