Service manual

Running the Dell Diagnostics: Dell Latitude CP
-m number Stops the test if this number of errors occur. Valid numbers are 1 through
9999. A value of 0 causes the test to accept an unlimited number of
errors. The default value is 0.
-s hexadecimal
memory address
Starts the test at this hexadecimal address. Valid hexadecimal values are
0 up to the highest memory address. The default value is 0.
-e hexadecimal
memory address
Stops the test at this hexadecimal address. Valid hexadecimal values are
0 up to the highest memory address. The default is the highest memory
address.
-o[f filename,p] Outputs the test report to a file (f) or a printer (p). If you output to a file,
append the filename after the f parameter. If you do not specify a
filename when using the f parameter, the test report is output to a file
named result. If you output to the printer, the test file is output to LPT1.
-[q,c] Runs the quick (q) or comprehensive (c) subtest. The comprehensive
subtest is the default value.
-np Does not pause when an error occurs or a subtest finishes. Pause (p) is
the default value.
Why Run a RAM Test?
Faulty memory can cause a variety of problems that may not, at first glance, appear to be
happening in RAM. If the computer is displaying one or more of the following symptoms, run
both the subtests in the RAM test group to verify that the memory is not at fault:
● A program is not running as usual, or a proven piece of software appears to malfunction
and you confirm that the software itself is not at fault. (You can confirm that the software
is functioning properly by moving it to another computer and running it there.)
● The computer periodically locks up (becomes un-usable and must be rebooted),
especially at different places and times in different programs.
Subtests
Three subtests are available for the RAM test group: the Quick Test, the Comprehensive Test,
and the Secondary Cache Test. The Quick Test performs an address check to determine
whether the computer is properly setting and clearing individual bits in RAM, and whether the
RAM read and write operations are affecting more than one memory address location at a
time. This subtest checks all available RAM, including the secondary cache. The
Comprehensive Test also performs an address check, as well as the following:
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