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Running the System Diagnostics 5-13
The System Set Test Group also verifies the proper oper-
ation of other computer components, such as the speaker,
that are not tested elsewhere in the diagnostics.
The following symptoms usually suggest a problem with
a component or subassembly that warrants running a Sys-
tem Set subtest:
•
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 con-
firm that the software is functioning properly by
moving it to another computer and running it there.)
•
An option card you previously accessed can no
longer be accessed.
•
You get parity errors or page fault failures (any error
message that contains the word parity or page fault) at
any time during operation. These errors are usually
accompanied by a reference to an address, which
you should record on a copy of the Diagnostics
Checklist found in Appendix A.
•
Correcting errors in the system configuration infor-
mation in the System Setup program does not
resolve a problem.
•
The computer’s clock/calendar stops.
•
The speaker no longer functions. The problem could
be a failure of the system timers as well as a failure
of the speaker itself. Run the System Timers Test,
followed by the System Speaker Test.
•
If a peripheral device appears to malfunction, run the
Interrupt Controllers Test.
•
A spreadsheet program or other type of mathemat-
ical application runs abnormally slow, generates
error messages concerning calculations or opera-
tions, runs incorrectly, or generates incorrect results,
or a proven piece of the program appears to mal-
function and you confirm that the software itself is
not at fault. (You can confirm that the software is not
at fault by moving the program to another computer
and running it there.)
•
The computer periodically locks up, especially at
different places and times in different programs.
•
The computer halts in the middle of performing cal-
culations or complex mathematical operations.
V
ideo Test Group
The subtests in the Video Test Group verify the proper
operation of the video controller and the video control
circuitry installed in the computer. These subtests check
for the correct operation of the readable registers in the
video circuitry and the controller. They write, read, and
verify data patterns in the cursor registers of the control-
ler. The Video Test Group also tests all the video memory
and provides additional subtests to test the color features
of a color monitor.
Subtests
The eight subtests in the Video Test Group and the video
functions they confirm follow:
•
Video Memory Test
Checks the read/write capability of video memory in
various video modes.
•
Video Hardware Test
Checks the cursor registers and the horizontal and
vertical retrace bit registers in the video controller.
•
Text Mode Character Test
Checks the video subsystem’s ability to present data
in text modes.
•
Text Mode Color Test
Checks the video subsystem’s ability to present color
in text modes.
•
Text Mode Pages Test
Checks the video subsystem’s ability to map and
present all available video pages on the screen, one
page at a time.
•
Graphics Mode Test
Checks the video subsystem’s ability to present data
and color in graphics modes.
•
Color Palettes Test
Checks the video subsystem’s ability to display all of
the available colors.
•
Solid Colors Test
Checks the video subsystem’s ability to show
screens full of solid colors. Allows you to check for
missing color subpixels.