IBM PC 365 Diagnostic Programs

Diagnostic Programs

IBM provides programs that you can run to diagnose hardware and some software

problems. A description of these programs follows.

QAPlus/PRO: You can use QAPlus/PRO to diagnose hardware problems.

QAPlus/PRO also includes several utility programs that provide helpful

information about your computer.

For testing purposes, QAPlus/PRO isolates your computer hardware from any

software that was preinstalled (or that you have installed) on your hard disk. The

program runs independent of the operating system, and must be run from diskette.

This method of testing is generally used when other methods are not accessible or

have not been successful in isolating a problem suspected to be hardware related.

QAPlus/PRO is provided on the Ready-to-Configure CD that comes with your

computer. You can create a startable QAPlus/PRO diskette using the Diskette

Factory on the Ready-to-Configure CD. Refer to Your Ready-to-Configure CD for

information and instructions on starting the CD. Once you start the CD, follow the

instructions on the screen.

Note: A startable QAPlus/PRO diskette might be provided with some PC models.

To start QAPlus/PRO, do the following:

1. Turn off your computer and any attached devices.

2. Insert the QAPlus/PRO diskette into diskette drive A.

3. Turn on all attached devices; then turn on your computer.

4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Other QAPlus Diagnostic Programs: The Ready-to-Configure CD that comes

with your computer also contains diagnostic programs designed specifically for

certain operating environments (QAPlus/WIN-WIN for Windows 3.1 and Windows

95). Because these versions of QAPlus work with the operating system, they not

only test the hardware, but also analyze certain software components of your

computer. They are especially useful in isolating problems related to the operating

system and device drivers. Although the hardware diagnostic capabilities of these

QAPlus programs are not quite as strong as those of QAPlus/PRO, they are still a

good tool for isolating hardware problems.

96 Using Your Personal Computer

Contents

Main Page Page Third Edition (February 1997) Contents iv Page vi Safety Information Laser Compliance Statement viii Lithium Battery Notice Page About This Book Related Publications xii Page Page Page What Your IBM Personal Computer Offers Support for Pentium Pro Microprocessors 2 ISA Bus PCI Bus High-Capacity Hard Disk Drives CD-ROM Drive PD/CD-ROM Drive ECP/EPP Parallel Port 4 Serial Port Universal Serial Bus Port Infrared Port Video Wake on LAN IBM-Preinstalled Software Operating System Support 6 Ease-of-Use Features Ergonomic Features Advanced Power Management Security Features Service and Support Expandability Drive Bays: 8 Expansion Slots: External Connectors 10 Page Features at a Glance 12 Page 14 System Specifications 16 Chapter 2. Arranging Your Workspace Comfort Glare and Lighting 18 Air Circulation Electrical Outlets and Cable Lengths Chapter 3. Operating Your Personal Computer Using Controls and Status Indicators Starting Your Personal Computer Using a Mouse 20 Shutting Down Configuring Your Computer 22 Starting the Configuration/Setup Utility Program Viewing and Changing Settings in the Configuration/Setup Utility Program 24 Exiting from the Configuration/Setup Utility Program Page Viewing the System Summary Setting the Date and Time Passwords 28 Power-On Password Page Setting and Changing a Power-On Password: 30 Deleting a Power-On Password: Administrator Password Setting and Changing an Administrator Password: 32 Deleting an Administrator Password: Erasing Lost or Forgotten Passwords Advanced Power Management Automatic Hardware Power Management Features 34 Setting Automatic Power-On Features: Automatic Power-On Features Setting Automatic Power-On Features: 36 Changing Keyboard Speed Installing Video Device Drivers Changing Monitor Settings 38 Updating System Programs Diskettes 40 Identifying Diskettes Handling and Storing Diskettes Labeling Diskettes Inserting and Removing Diskettes 42 Write Protecting Diskettes Formatting Diskettes Copying Diskettes 44 Using a CD-ROM Drive Handling a CD Loading a CD 46 Using a PD/CD-ROM Drive Handling and Storing PD/CD Drive Media 48 Loading and Ejecting PD/CD Drive Media Loading and Ejecting a CD: 50 Loading and Ejecting a PD Cartridge: 52 Formatting PD Cartridges 54 Using Locks Locking the Cover and Sliding Door Locking the Keyboard Page Chapter 4. Taking Care of Your Computer Basics Cleaning Your Computer Computer and Keyboard Mouse Replacing the Battery 58 Moving Your Computer Page Chapter 5. Solving Problems Using Diagnostic Tools Power-On Self-Test (POST) 62 Error Messages Solving POST Error Message Problems: 64 Page 66 POST Message Charts 68 Page 70 Page 72 Page 74 Page 76 Page 78 Page 80 Page 82 Page 84 Page Troubleshooting Charts 86 Page 88 Page 90 Page 92 Page 94 Page Diagnostic Programs QAPlus/PRO: 96 Other QAPlus Diagnostic Programs: CoSession: Installing Files from Option Diskettes Managing TSR Programs Page Chapter 6. Getting Help, Service, and Information Using the HelpWare Support Family Using Electronic Support Services Getting Information by Fax 100 Getting Help Online Getting Help by Telephone Getting Help Around the World Purchasing Additional HelpWare Services 102 Enhanced PC Support Line 900-Number Operating System and Hardware Support Line Network and Server Support Line Ordering Support Line Services Warranty and Repair Services 104 Ordering Publications Page Appendix A. Computer Records Serial Numbers and Keys Page Device Records 110 Appendix B. Product Warranties, License Information, and Notices Hardware Limited Warranty Production Status The IBM Warranty for Machines 112 Page Page Appendix C. License Information Program Name Additional Terms and Conditions Warranty 116 U.S. Government Users Restricted Rights Other Documentation Other Additional Terms and Conditions Page Notices 118 Trademarks Page Electronic Emission Notices Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement 120 Telecommunication Notices Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Telephone Company Requirements Canadian Department of Communications Certification Label 122 tiquette d'homologation du ministre des Communications du Canada Page Power Cord Notice 124 IBM power cords for a specific country are usually available only in that country: Page Index Numerics A B C D E 128 F G H I K L M N O 130 P Q R S T U V 132 W