When To Use The Dell Diagnostics; Starting The Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive - Dell Vostro 420 Service Manual

4. In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, select the option that best describes the problem and click Next to follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.
®
Windows Vista
1. Click the Windows Vista start button
2. Type hardware troubleshooter in the search field and press <Enter> to start the search.
3. In the search results, select the option that best describes the problem and follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.
Dell Diagnostics
CAUTION:
safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in this section, and then run the Dell Diagnostics before contacting Dell for assistance.
Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities disc provided with your computer.
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities disc is optional and may not ship with your computer.
NOTE: The Dell Diagnostics only operate on Dell computers.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

Before running the Dell Diagnostics, enter the system setup program (see
ensure that the device you want to test is displayed in the system setup program and is active.
The Dell Diagnostics is located on a separate diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.
NOTE: If your computer does not display a screen image, contact Dell (see
1. Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that is known to be working properly.
2. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
3. When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE:
<F12> in even intervals to open the Boot Device Menu.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop, and then shut down your
computer and try again.
4. Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select Diagnostics from the boot menu and then press <Enter>.
NOTE:
(see
5. Press any key to start the Dell Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility partition on your hard drive.
6. Press <Tab> to select Test System and then press <Enter>.
NOTE:
memory test, which can take up to thirty minutes or more to complete. When the test completes, record the test results and then press any key to
return to the previous menu.
7. At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu, left-click with the mouse, or press <Tab> and then <Enter>, to select the test you want to run (see
Main Menu).
NOTE:
8. After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu.
Great user manuals database on
:
, and click Help and Support.
Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional
Keyboard failure may result when a key is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release
If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell Diagnostics from your Drivers and Utilities disc
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities
It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer. Selecting Test Memory initiates the extended
Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen.
UserManuals.info
System Setup Program) to review your computer's configuration information, and
Contacting Dell.
Disc).
Dell Diagnostics