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Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-17
Subtests
The four subtests in the Hard-Disk Drives (Non-SCSI)
test group confirm the following drive functions:
•
Disk Controller Test
Checks the internal microcode of the hard-disk drive
controller
•
Seek Test
Checks the drive’s ability to search for a specified
track on the drive and to position the read/write
heads of the drive to all tracks
•
Read Test
Positions the read/write heads at each cylinder of the
drive and verifies that all tracks on the drive can be
read correctly
•
Write Test
Positions the read/write heads at each cylinder of the
drive and verifies that all tracks on the drive can be
written to correctly
I
DE CD ROM Drives Test Group
The subtests in the IDE CD ROM Drives test group
check the functionality of the integrated drive electronics
(IDE) CD-ROM drive when it is installed in the options
bay. Before conducting an IDE CD ROM test, insert into
the CD-ROM drive a CD with audio and data tracks
(such as a multimedia CD).
NOTES: Before running the IDE CD ROM Drives test
group, install the CD-ROM drive in the options bay and
attach the diskette drive to the parallel connector on the
back of the computer. If you do not have a CD-ROM drive
in the options bay and the diskette drive attached to the
parallel port, the subtests fail.
You must have a diskette-drive cable to perform the fol-
lowing procedure. If you do not have a diskette-drive
cable, you can order one from Dell. See Chapter 5, “Get-
ting Help,” for information on contacting Dell.
The Audio Output Test requires a CD with audio tracks;
all other subtests in this test group require a CD with
data tracks. If the CD-ROM drive contains a CD that
does not have the required data or audio tracks, the
subtest fails.
Why Run an IDE CD ROM Drives Test?
If you encounter a problem while using an application
program on a CD, the problem could result from the disc
or from the drive. When you encounter problems, first try
using a different CD. If the problem recurs, run the IDE
CD ROM Drives test group.
These are the most common symptoms that might prompt
you to test an IDE CD-ROM drive:
•
Seek errors are reported by the operating system or
application programs.
•
An error message appears on the screen stating that
the computer cannot read from an IDE CD-ROM
drive.
Subtests
The five subtests in the IDE CD ROM Drives test group
confirm the following drive functions:
•
Drive Controller Test
Causes the drive to execute its internal self-test.
•
Seek Test
Checks the drive’s ability to search for each block on
the device.
•
Read Test
Positions the read heads at each block of the device
for reading data and verifies that all blocks on the
device can be read correctly.
•
Audio Output Test
Causes the drive to begin playing the first audio
track on an audio CD. (To determine if the test
passed, listen to the audio output of the drive.)
NOTE: The Audio Output Test does not run automat-
ically as part of the IDE CD ROM Drives test group;
you must select the subtest individually.
•
Eject Removable Media
Checks the drive’s ability to eject the CD tray.
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