Keyboard Test Group; Subtests; Why Run A Keyboard Test; Mouse Test - Dell OptiPlex N Troubleshooting Manual

If the following symptoms still occur, run the appropriate
test(s) as follows:
•
f your monitor shows a partially formed or distorted
image, run all of the subtests in the Video Test
Group.
•
If the alignment of text or images is off, regardless of
the program you are running, run the Text Mode
Character Test, Text Mode Pages Test, and Graphics
Mode Test.
•
If you have a color monitor or a program that runs in
color, but the color is intermittent or not displayed at
all, run the Text Mode Color Test, Color Palettes
Test, and Solid Color Test.
•
If your monitor malfunctions in one mode but works
fine in another (for example, text is displayed cor-
rectly, but graphics are not), run the Text Mode
Character Test, Text Mode Color Test, Text Mode
Pages Test, and Graphics Mode Test.
K
eyboard Test Group
The subtests in the Keyboard Test Group verify the cor-
rect operation of your keyboard and the keyboard
controller chip.

Subtests

The five keyboard subtests confirm the following key-
board functions:
•
Keyboard Controller Test
Confirms the ability of the keyboard controller chip
to communicate with the keyboard and the program-
ming of the controller chip
•
Keyboard Key Sequence Test
Verifies that the keys on the keyboard function cor-
rectly when you press the keys in a predefined order
•
Keyboard Interactive Test
Checks the internal microcode of the keyboard and
the external interface of the keyboard controller chip
for a malfunctioning key
•
Stuck Key Test
Checks the internal microcode of the keyboard and
the external interface of the keyboard controller chip
for a repeating key signal
•
External Key Pad Test
Checks the contact beneath the key for an electrical
impulse to ensure that the key is working properly

Why Run a Keyboard Test?

Keyboard problems are not always caused by the
keyboard. For example, a complete lockup of the com-
puter system, rendering the keyboard inoperable, is more
likely caused elsewhere. There are three symptoms that
are likely to be keyboard-related. Sometimes, the config-
uration of a program changes the function of a key or key
combination. Likewise, key configuration programs such
as ProKey can change a key's function. Because these
programs are memory resident, you should be sure to
clear them out of your computer's memory before run-
ning a subtest in the Keyboard Test Group. (Clear them
from memory by booting your computer from the diag-
nostics diskette.) When these possibilities have been
eliminated, and if the following symptoms occur, you
should run one or more of the subtests in the Keyboard
Test Group:
•
When you press a key, the character represented by
that key appears repeatedly; the key seems to be
stuck. Run the Stuck Key Test.
•
When you press a key and the response is different
from the usual response or the response you antici-
pated, the key contact may be damaged. Run the
Keyboard Interactive Test.
•
When a key does not work at all, run all of the sub-
tests in the Keyboard Test Group.
M
ouse Test
The Mouse Test checks the functionality of the mouse
controller (which coordinates cursor movement on the
screen with corresponding movement of your mouse or
touch pad) and the operation of the mouse keys/touch
pad.
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-15