Starting the Dell Diagnostics | Dell K0004, DHM specs

•Receive status messages that tell you whether tests completed successfully.

•Receive error messages if problems are detected.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics

NOTICE: Only use the Dell Diagnostics to test your Dell™ computer. Using this program with other computers can result in error messages.

Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive (see page 63) or from

the Dell Dimension ResourceCD (see page 63).

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

1Shut down and restart the computer.

2When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

If you wait too long and the Microsoft® Windows® logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.

3When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partition and press <Enter>.

4When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run (see page 64).

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the ResourceCD

1Insert the ResourceCD into the CD drive.

2Shut down and restart the computer.

When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.

3When the boot device list appears, highlight IDE CD-ROM Device and press <Enter>.

4Select the IDE CD-ROM Device option from the CD boot menu.

5Select the Boot from CD-ROMoption from the menu that appears.

6Type 1 to start the ResourceCD menu.

HINT: If you receive a message stating that no Diagnostics utility partition has been found, follow the instructions to run the Dell Diagnostics from your ResourceCD (see page 63).

HINT: This feature changes the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup program.

Advanced Troubleshooting

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Image 63

Dell K0004, DHM Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive, Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the ResourceCD

Contents

Dell Dimension 8250 Series Abbreviations and Acronyms Hints, Notices, and Cautions Contents Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Solving Problems If the screen is difficult to read Advanced Troubleshooting Adding or Replacing the AGP Card Reinstalling Drivers and SoftwareFront and Back View of the Computer Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms 114 103107 110 153 General W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m When Using Your Computer When Working Inside Your Computer Ergonomic Computing Habits Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Battery Disposal What Are You Looking For? Find it Here Finding Information for Your Computer E r a t i n g S y s t e m C D How to reinstall my operating system How to set up my computer Click User and system guides, and then click User’s guidesClick Tell Me How Finding Information for Your Computer Setting Up and Using Your Computer Setting Up a Printer Connecting a Parallel PrinterPrinter Cable Connecting a USB Printer Parallel connector on computerScrews Clips Parallel printer cable Notches USB printer On printer Cable Connecting Two MonitorsConnecting the Monitors to Your Computer USB connector on computer Optional VGA adapter Enabling Clone Mode Transferring Information to a New Computer Enabling Extended Desktop Mode Setting Up and Using Your Computer Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network AdapterNetwork Setup Wizard Setting Up Your Internet Connection Connecting to the Internet Click Connect to the Internet Copying CDs Using Easy CD Creator Basic Using Blank CD-R Discs or Blank CD-RW DiscsHelpful Tips How to Copy a CD Click Hardware and click Device Manager Hyper-Threading Turn off computer window, click Turn off Turning Off the Computer Solving Problems See Finding Solutions Solving Problems Finding Help Information Battery Problems Drive Problems Floppy drive problemsBack of floppy disk Write-protected Problems writing to a CD-RW drive CD drive problems Under Error-checking, click Check Now Click Start Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsDVD drive problems Hard drive problems Click Phone and Modem Options Error Messages Click Control Panel Click Add or Remove ProgramsClick the Change or Remove Program icon Click Applications General ProblemsComputer stops responding Program stops responding Solid blue screen appears Other software problemsProgram crashes repeatedly Program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system Other technical problems General hardware problems Ieee 1394 Device Problems Click Control Panel Click Printers and Other Hardware Keyboard Problems Mouse Problems Connection speed light Network Problems Power Problems Solving Problems Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakersClick Sounds and Audio Devices Video and Monitor Problems No sound from headphonesIf the screen is blank If the screen is difficult to read Click Appearance and Themes Advanced Troubleshooting Diagnostic Code Definition Corrective Action Diagnostic Lights Diagnostic Code Definition Corrective Action When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard DriveStarting the Dell Diagnostics From the ResourceCD Option Function Dell Diagnostics Main Menu What Is a Driver? DriversTab Function Reinstalling drivers Using Windows XP Device Driver RollbackIdentifying Drivers Click Roll Back Driver Using the Dell Dimension ResourceCD Using System Restore Creating a Restore PointRestoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Undoing the Last System Restore Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Enabling System Restore Preparing to Boot From the Operating System CD Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XPBefore You Reinstall Reinstalling Windows XP Completing the GUI Setup Starting Windows XP Setup Completing the Operating System Setup Reinstalling Drivers and Software Adding Parts Front View Front and Back View of the Computer Computer. Instead, perform a Windows shutdown Back View Adding Parts Reattaching the Hinge Arms Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms Use fingers to pull here Pivot bar Hinge arms in horizontal position View slots Reattaching the Front Door Opening the Computer Cover Arrow Release button Back of computer Looking Inside Your Computer Adding Parts RIMM1 RIMM2 System Board Cards Installing and Removing CardsInstalling a Card Follow the steps in When Working Inside Your Computer on Retention arm Lever Card Not fully seated card Fully seated card Filler bracket Retention arm Removing a Card Adding Memory Rdram OverviewMetal cover Memory module Continuity module Adding Parts Removing a Memory Module Continuity modules in connectors RIMM3 and RIMM4 Adding a Memory Module Cutouts Step Securing clips Notches Removing an AGP Card Adding or Replacing the AGP Card Card clip Slot connector Installing an AGP CardNotch Lever Tab Card clip AGP connector PCI connector Adding a Second Hard Drive Rail tabs First hard drive in lower bay Hard drive bay101 102 Power cable Removing the Front-Panel Insert Adding a Floppy Drive 104 105 Installing a Floppy Drive 106 Closing the Computer Cover W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m P e n d i Computer Information SpecificationsMicroprocessor Memory Drives VideoAudio1 Expansion Bus Connectors Controls and Lights112 113 PowerPhysical Environmental Altitude Operating 15.2 to 3048 m -50 to 10,000 ft Storage Standard Settings 115 Viewing Settings System Setup Screens Clearing Forgotten Passwords Replacing the Battery 118 Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Definition of Dell-Installed Software and Peripherals Antigua and Barbuda Contacting DellDefinition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals Anguilla 121 122 123 Canada North York, OntarioCayman Islands Chile Santiago Czech Republic Prague Website support.euro.dell.com China XiamenColombia Costa Rica 125 126 127 Hong KongIndia Ireland Cherrywood Website support.euro.dell.com 128 Italy Milan Website support.euro.dell.comJamaica Area Codes Local Numbers, Toll-Free Numbers Japan Kawasaki Website support.jp.dell.com Korea Seoul129 Malaysia Penang Latin AmericaLuxembourg Website support.euro.dell.com Macao Netherlands Amsterdam Website support.euro.dell.com MexicoMontserrat Netherlands Antilles 132 133 Spain Madrid Website support.euro.dell.com Sweden Upplands Vasby Website support.euro.dell.com134 135 136 Dell.co.uk/lca/customerservicesBracknell Website support.euro.dell.com Uruguay Venezuela A. Austin, TexasBusiness Virgin Islands Regulatory Information 139 NOM Information Mexico Only Appendix Limited Warranties and Return Policy Limited Warranty for the U.SWhat is covered by this limited warranty? What is not covered by this limited warranty? 142 How long does this limited warranty last?What do I do if I need warranty service? What will Dell do? 143 What if I purchased a service contract?How will you fix my product? What do I do if I am not satisfied? May I transfer the limited warranty? Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only144 145 Limited Warranty Terms for Canada 146 Technical Support and Customer Service 147 148 Total Satisfaction Return Policy Canada OnlyDell Software and Peripherals Canada Only Third-Party Software and Peripherals Products Exclusions GuaranteeDell-Branded Peripheral Products Return Policy Making a Claim Limitation and Statutory Rights150 151 Intel’s Three Year Limited Warranty What are ’Errata’? 152 153 D ex 154 155 Printer parallel, 20 setting up, 20 troubleshooting, 53 USB 156