Features Of The Dell Diagnostics; When To Use The Dell Diagnostics - Dell Latitude CPx J Series User Manual

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Dell™ Diagnostics: Dell Latitude™ CPx H-Series/J-Series User's Guide
Overview

Features of the Dell Diagnostics

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

Starting the Dell Diagnostics
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
An option that allows you to choose the number of times a test group or subtest is repeated
The ability to display or print out test results, or to save them in a file
Options to temporarily suspend testing if an error is detected, or to terminate testing when an adjustable error
limit is reached
A menu category called Devices that briefly describes each test and its parameters
A menu category called Config that describes the configuration of the devices in the selected device group
Status messages that inform you whether test groups or subtests were completed successfully
Error messages that appear if any problems are detected
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.
Dell Diagnostics Main Screen Overview
Confirming the System Configuration Information
How to Use Dell Diagnostics