Dell PD050 manual When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

Other Options to Help Resolve Additional Device or Software Conflicts

NOTICE: The following processes erase all of the information on your hard drive.

•Reinstall your operating system using the operating system installation guide and Operating

System CD. During the operating system reinstallation, you can select to delete the existing partitions and reformat your hard drive.

•Reinstall all drivers, beginning with the chipset, using the Drivers and Utilities CD.

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 page 29 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

1Turn on (or restart) your computer.

2When 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 page 33.

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.

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. For more information on the tests, see your User’s Guide.

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Quick Reference Guide