32 Quick Reference Guide
Dell Diagnostics CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Solving Problems" on page29 and
run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.
It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.
NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell computers. Using this program with other computers can cause
incorrect computer responses or result in error messages.
The Dell Diagnostics allow you to:
• Perform quick checks or extensive tests on one or all devices
• Choose how many times a test is run
• Display or print test results or save them in a file
• Suspend testing if an error is detected or terminate testing if a certain number of errors occur
• Access online
Help
screens that describe the tests and how to run them
• Read status messages that tell you whether tests completed successfully
• Receive error messages if problems are detected
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
1
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
2
When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, see "Starting the Dell
Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD" on page33.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the
Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again. For more information on
shutting down your computer, see your
User’s Guide.
3
When the boot device list appears, highlight
Boot to Utility Partition
and press <Enter>.
4
When the Dell Diagnostics
Main Menu
appears, select the test you want to run. For more information
on the tests, see your
User’s Guide.