Error Messages; Ram Test Group; Subtests; Why Run A Ram Test - Dell OptiPlex E1 Troubleshooting Manual

E
rror Messages
When you run a test group or subtest in the Dell Diagnos-
tics, error messages may result. These particular error
messages are not covered in this chapter because the
errors that generate these messages can be resolved only
with Dell technical assistance. Record the messages on a
copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 7,
"Getting Help." For instructions on obtaining technical
assistance and for informing the support technician of
these messages, also see Chapter 7.
R
AM Test Group
The RAM Test Group subtests check all the directly
addressable RAM.
The RAM Test program has parameters for the subtests
that you can set: Test Limits and Options.

Subtests

Three subtests are available for RAM: the Quick Mem-
ory Test, the Comprehensive Memory Test, and the
Secondary Cache Memory Test. The Quick Memory Test
performs an address check to determine whether the
computer is properly setting and clearing individual bits
in RAM and whether the RAM read and write operations
are affecting more than one memory address location at
one time. This subtest checks all available RAM. The
Comprehensive Memory Test also performs an address
check, as well as the following:
•
Data pattern checks, to look for RAM bits that are
stuck high or low, short-circuited data lines, and
some data pattern problems that are internal to the
memory chips
•
A parity check that verifies the ability of the memory
subsystem to detect errors
•
A refresh check, to verify that the dynamic RAM
(DRAM) is being recharged properly
The Secondary Cache Memory Test confirms the func-
tionality of the computer's cache controller chip and the
cache memory.
4-12 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide

Why Run a RAM Test?

Faulty memory can cause a variety of problems that may
not, at first glance, appear to be happening in RAM. If
your computer is displaying one or more of the following
symptoms, run the subtests in the RAM Test Group to
verify that the memory is not at fault:
•
A program is not running as usual, or a proven piece
of software appears to malfunction and you
confirm that the software itself is not at fault. (You
can confirm that the software is functioning properly
by moving it to another computer and running it
there.)
•
Your computer periodically locks up (becomes unus-
able and must be rebooted), especially at different
places and times in different programs.
•
You get parity errors (any error message that con-
tains the word parity) at any time during operation.
These errors are usually accompanied by a reference
to an address—the location of the portion of mem-
ory where the error occurred—which you should
record on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found
in Chapter 7, "Getting Help."
S
ystem Set Test Group
The subtests in the System Set Test Group check the
computer's basic system board components and verify
their related functions.
Subtests
The subtests that constitute the System Set Test Group
and the computer functions they confirm follow:
•
CMOS Confidence Test
Checks the NVRAM for accessibility and reliability
of data storage by performing a data pattern check
and verifying the uniqueness of memory addresses.
•
CMEM Confidence Test
Verifies the accessibility and reliability of the
8 kilobytes (KB) of RAM on the Extended
Industry-Standard Architecture (EISA) Configura-
tion RAM chip, which stores the EISA hardware
configuration information. On systems without flash