Network Interface Test Group; Subtests; Why Run A Network Interface Test; Audio Test Group - Dell OptiPlex N Troubleshooting Manual

N
etwork Interface Test Group
The subtests in the Network Interface Test Group verify
the basic operation of the network interface controller
(NIC). They test its internal functions, including read and
write access to its registers and internal transmit and
receive (loopback) capability.

Subtests

The subtests in the Network Interface Test Group con-
firm the following functions:
•
Registers Test
Writes patterns to the writable registers in the con-
troller and reads the patterns back to verify whether
they are accessible and able to retain data. This
subtest also tests interrupt generation and register-
specific functionality based on the type of controller.
•
Internal Loopback Test
Places the controller into its various internal loop-
back modes and tests its ability to transmit and
receive data.
NOTE: For some controllers, this test is not
applicable.
•
External Loopback Test
Places the controller into its various external loop-
back modes and tests its ability to transmit and
receive data. A loopback plug is required to perform
this test.
NOTE: For some controllers, this test is not
applicable.
•
Shared RAM Test
Performs a memory test on controllers with memory-
mapped shared RAM. On controllers with first-in
first-out (FIFO)-shared RAM, writes a data pattern
to all locations and reads the pattern back to verify
the operation. Some controllers do not support
shared RAM tests.
•
Display Information
Displays addresses and configuration information
about the NIC. This information includes the net-
work address used for communication on the local
area network (LAN).

Why Run a Network Interface Test?

Running a subtest in the Network Interface Test Group
helps diagnose problems that may be encountered while
the system is operating in a network environment. Most
network failures are caused by one of the following:
•
Poor network connections
•
Failure in the controller
•
Interrupt conflict (the controller trying to use the
same IRQ line as another device)
•
Software configuration error
If a problem occurs while the system is operating in a
network, the network connection should be inspected. If
the connection is good, the Network Interface Test Group
can be run to indicate whether the NIC is functioning,
and if the test group is run in a loop, it can be used to
detect intermittent failures.
The Registers Test subtest checks the interrupt generation
capability of the controller. The Display Information Test
displays the controller's IRQ level. You can then make
sure there is not an interrupt conflict by verifying that the
IRQ level is not being used by another device in the
system.
A
udio Test Group
The subtests in the Audio Test Group check the functions
of the audio controller and the computer's recording and
playback features.
NOTE: The following subtests are only applicable for
systems with built-in speakers.
Subtests
The eleven subtests in the Audio Test Group confirm the
following functions:
•
Software Reset Test
Checks for the presence of an active audio controller
in your system
•
Compatibility ID Test
Determines if the correct sound controller is installed
in your system
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-21