Dell 6100, 200 manual Running the System Diagnostics, Features of the System Diagnostics

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Chapter 5

Running the System Diagnostics

Unlike many diagnostic programs, Dell’s system diag- nostics helps you check the computer’s hardware without any additional equipment and without destroying any data. By using the diagnostics, you can have confidence in the computer system’s operation. And if you find a problem you cannot solve by yourself, the diagnostic tests can provide you with important information you will need when talking to Dell’s service and support per- sonnel.

CAUTION: Use the system diagnostics to test only Dell computer systems. Using this program with other computers may cause incorrect computer responses or result in error messages.

Features of the System

Diagnostics

The system diagnostics provides a series of menus and options from which you choose particular test groups or subtests. You can also control the sequence in which the tests are run. The diagnostic test groups or subtests also have these helpful features:

Options that let you run tests individually or collectively

An option that allows you to choose the number of times a test group or subtest is repeated

The ability to display or print out test results or to save them in a file

Options to temporarily suspend testing if an error is detected or to terminate testing when an adjustable error limit is reached

A menu category called About that briefly describes each test and its parameters

Status messages that inform you whether test groups or subtests were completed successfully

Error messages that appear if any problems are detected

When to Use the System Diagnostics

Whenever a major component or device in the computer system does not function properly, you may have a com- ponent failure. As long as the microprocessor and the input and output components of the computer system (the monitor, keyboard, or CD-ROM drive) are working, you can use the system diagnostics. If you know what compo- nent(s) you need to test, simply select the appropriate diagnostic test group(s) or subtest(s). If you are unsure about the scope of the problem, read the rest of this chapter.

Running the System Diagnostics

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Contents 167$//$7,21$17528%/6+227,1**8 Page Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Safety InstructionsWhen Working Inside the Computer When Using the Computer System About This Guide PrefaceNotational Conventions Other Documentation You May NeedExamples autoexec.bat and c\windows Typographical ConventionsPage Contents Chapter Running the System Diagnostics Chapter Checking the Equipment Chapter Installing System Board Options Chapter Installing Drives in the External Bays Before You Call Figures Figure B-1 Column x 25-Line Character Set Subtest Screen Tables Page Dell Confidential Preliminary 12/17/96 Xxiv Is the computer wet or damaged? Checking the BasicsBacking Up Files Basic ChecksRun the system diagnostics as described in Chap- ter Checking Connections and SwitchesBack Panel Features Is the monitor operating properly? Yes. Continue to step Turn on the systemIs the mouse or printer operating properly? Boot Routine IndicationsLook and Listen Is the keyboard operating properly? Yes. Continue to stepSystem Configuration Utility System Setup ProgramSystem Messages Messages and CodesSystem Messages CodeMessage System Messages System Beep Codes System Beep CodesAlert Log Messages From the Dell HIP Program Diagnostics MessagesScsi Hard-Disk Drive Indicator Codes Scsi Hard-Disk Drive Indicator PatternsPage Error Messages Finding Software SolutionsInstalling and Configuring Software Using SoftwareAvoiding Interrupt Assignment Conflicts Input ErrorsDefault IRQ Line Assignments Program ConflictsWhen to Use the System Diagnostics Running the System DiagnosticsFeatures of the System Diagnostics Sample Diagnostics Menu Starting the System DiagnosticsSample System Diagnostics Main Screen How to Use the System DiagnosticsSelect How to Use the MenuMain Menu Categories RunRun Under Subtest SubtestOption Parameters OptionsKey-Help Test LimitsAbout Quit Tests in the System DiagnosticsSystem Diagnostics Tests System Diagnostics Tests System Set Test Group Error MessagesWhy Run a RAM Test? RAM Test GroupWhy Run a System Set Test? Video Test Group Why Run a Video Test?Mouse Test Why Run a Keyboard Test?Keyboard Test Group Serial/Infrared Ports Test Group Why Run the Mouse Test?Why Run a Diskette Drives Test? Diskette Drives Test GroupParallel Ports Test Group Why Run a Serial/Infrared Ports Test?Scsi Devices Test Group Why Run a Parallel Ports Test?Why Run a Scsi Devices Test? Page Checking the Equipment Troubleshooting the MonitorRun the system diagnostics software Troubleshooting I/O Ports Troubleshooting the KeyboardChange the necessary statements in the start-up files Troubleshooting the Basic I/O FunctionsCheck the contents of the start-up files Attempt another print operation on the parallel printer Troubleshooting a Parallel PrinterTroubleshooting a Serial I/O Device Run the parallel printer’s self-testChecking Inside the Computer Safety First- For You and the ComputerRemoving the Computer Covers Removing and Replacing the Computer CoversRemoving the Computer Covers Replacing the Computer CoversRemove the computer covers Removing the Front BezelInside the Chassis Inside the Chassis-Front/Left Side View Responding to a Dell HIP Alert Message Troubleshooting a Wet ComputerVerify all internal cable and component connections Troubleshooting a Damaged ComputerLet the computer dry for at least 24 hours Check all the board and card connections in the computerTroubleshooting the RTC Chip Replacing a Power Supply Troubleshooting Power Supply ProblemsCheck the cable connections listed in Table Troubleshooting a Cooling FanTroubleshooting Power Cable Connections Power Cable Connectors on Power-Supply Paralleling BoardReplace the left computer cover Reinstall the fan carrier in the computerReplacing a Cooling Fan Reseat the expansion cards in their connectors Troubleshooting Expansion CardsTurn on the system, including any attached peripherals Troubleshooting System MemoryCorrect the system board’s configuration jumper settings Run the RAM Test Group in the system diagnosticsTroubleshooting the Video Subsystem Remove the video expansion card, and repeat step Troubleshooting the System BoardDetermine whether a video expansion card is installed Disconnect the keyboard and reboot the system Troubleshooting the Diskette Drive SubsystemRepeat steps 1 and 2, and remove all expansion cards Troubleshooting the Diskette Drive Sub- systemChecking the Diskette Drive Subsystem Check the diskette drive cablingTroubleshooting a Scsi Tape Drive Drive Indicator Error Codes Troubleshooting Scsi Hard-Disk DrivesRemove the drive carrier and install it in another drive bay Troubleshooting the Scsi Hard-Disk DriveChecking Inside the Computer Page Installing System Board Options Installing System Board OptionsExpansion Cards System Board FeaturesExpansion Cards Installing an Expansion CardConnect any cables that should be attached to the card Relocating or Removing an Expansion CardAdding Memory Memory Upgrade KitsSimm Installation Guidelines Sample Simm Configurations Shows the location of the Simm sockets on the memory module Performing a Memory UpgradeInstalling SIMMs Removing SIMMs Valid Microprocessor Configurations Remove the left computer cover Remove the microprocessor from the socket Remove the appropriate modulesRemove the heat sink Unpack the new microprocessor Install the microprocessor in the socket see Fig- ureReplace the microprocessor securing clip Replacing the RTC Chip13. RTC Chip Install the new RTC chipPage Installing Drives in the External Bays Installing Drives in the External BaysExternal Drive Bay Hardware Before You BeginRemoving and Replacing Front-Panel Inserts Connecting the DriveScsi Configuration Information Installing Scsi Devices in the External BaysDC Power Cables Remove the computer covers and front bezel Installing a Scsi DevicePrepare the drive for installation Page Configure the controller card if necessary Remove both computer covers and the front bezel Prepare the tape drive and controller card for installationInstalling Drives in the Internal Bays 10-1 Installing Drives in the Internal BaysInternal Drive Hardware Scsi Hard-Disk Drive ConfigurationInstall any required Scsi device drivers Removing and Installing a Scsi Hard-Disk DriveRemove the hard-disk drive Scsi Hard-Disk Drive Indicator PatternsInstalling Drives in the Internal Bays 10-5 Partitioning and Formatting Scsi Hard-Disk Drives Configuring the Boot DeviceHelp Tools Run the diagnostics for your Dell systemGetting Help Technical AssistanceHelp Tools System DocumentationWorld Wide Web on the Internet TechFax Service Commercial Online ServicesDell Diagnostics Program AutoTech ServiceTechConnect BBS Problems With Your OrderTechnical Support Service Product InformationDell Contact Numbers Returning Items for Warranty Repair or CreditBefore You Call International Dialing Codes 1344Getting Help 11-7 Belgium Dell Contact NumbersAustralia AustriaCzech Republic CanadaChina Germany DenmarkFinland FranceKorea IrelandItaly JapanMexico LuxembourgMacau MalaysiaSingapore New ZealandNorway PolandTaiwan SwedenSwitzerland Austin, Texas AutoTech Automated technical support Page Diagnostics Checklist Diagnostics Checklist Video Hardware Test Diagnostic Video TestsText Mode Character Test Video Memory TestCharacter Set Subtest 40 x Character Attributes Subtest 80 xCharacter Set Subtest 80 x Character Attributes Subtest 40 xTable B-1. Color Attributes Text Mode Color TestColor Attributes Subtest 80 x Graphics Mode Test Text Mode Pages Test640 x 480 2-Color Graphics Mode Screen 320 x 200 16-Color Graphics Mode Screen640 x 200 16-Color Graphics Mode Screen 640 x 350 16-Color Graphics Mode ScreenColor Palettes Test Solid Colors Test Page Jumpers Jumpers, Switches, and ConnectorsJumpers and Switches General Explanation SwitchesSystem Board Figure C-1. System Board Jumpers and SwitchesClear Cmos Clear Password Reserved Bios Recovery Table C-1. System-Board Jumper and Switch SettingsVideo Sleep System Board Labels Table C-2. System Board Connectors and SocketsFigure C-2. Microprocessor Module Jumpers Microprocessor ModuleTable C-3. Microprocessor Module Jumper Settings Scsi Backplane Board Table C-4. Scsi Backplane Board ConnectorsFigure C-4. Power-Supply Paralleling Board Power-Supply Paralleling BoardTable C-5. Power-Supply Paralleling Board Connectors Disabling a Forgotten PasswordDer Telekommunikation Abbreviations and AcronymsDram LIF Verband Deutscher Elektro Index Page Index Page Index Page Switches settings table, C-3 Page Index
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