Reference Guide

Quick Reference Guide 35
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 32
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" in your User’s Guide
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.