Dell Latitude CS User Manual page 23

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Dell™ Diagnostics: Dell Latitude™ CS/CSx Portable Computers User's Guide
Overview
Features of the Dell Diagnostics
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
Before You Start Testing
Overview
Unlike many diagnostic programs, the Dell Diagnostics helps you check your computer's hardware without any additional equipment and without
destroying any data. By using the diagnostics, you can have confidence in your computer's operation. And if you find a problem you cannot solve
by yourself, the diagnostic tests can provide you with important information you will need when talking to Dell's service and support personnel.
NOTICE: Use the Dell Diagnostics to test only your Dell computer. Using this program with other computers may cause incorrect
computer responses or result in error messages.
Features of the Dell Diagnostics
The Dell Diagnostics provides a series of menus and options from which you choose particular test groups or subtests. You can also control the
sequence in which the tests are run. The diagnostic test groups or subtests also have these helpful features:
Options that let you run tests individually or collectively
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An option that allows you to choose the number of times a test group or subtest is repeated
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The ability to display or print out test results, or to save them in a file
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Options to temporarily suspend testing if an error is detected, or to terminate testing when an adjustable error limit is reached
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A Devices menu that briefly describes each test and its parameters
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A Config menu that describes the configuration of the devices in the selected device group
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Status messages that inform you whether test groups or subtests were completed successfully
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Error messages that appear if any problems are detected
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When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
Whenever a major component or device in your computer does not function properly, you may have a component failure. As long as the
microprocessor and the input and output components of your computer (the display, keyboard, and diskette drive) are working, you can use the
Dell Diagnostics. If you are experienced with computers and know what component(s) you need to test, simply select the appropriate diagnostic
test group(s) or subtest(s). If you are unsure about how to begin diagnosing a problem, read the rest of this section.
Before You Start Testing
If Dell installed the Microsoft® Windows® 95 or Windows 98 operating system on your computer's hard-disk drive, see the online help in Dell's
Program Diskette Maker utility, which is available in the Dell Accessories group or folder, for instructions on making a program diskette set
from the diskette image.
Refer to your operating system's documentation for information on how to duplicate diskettes. Put the original diskette away for safekeeping. Turn
on your printer if one is attached, and make sure it is online.
information, and enable all its components and devices, such as ports.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics
After you complete the preliminary instructions specified in
Starting the Dell Diagnostics
Dell Diagnostics Main Screen Overview
Confirming the System Configuration Information
How to Use Dell Diagnostics
Enter the System Setup program, confirm your computer's system configuration
"Before You Start Testing," perform the following steps to start the diagnostics: