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System Information Guide 21
Dell Diagnostics
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions at the
beginning of this document.
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Solving Problems" in your
User’s Guide
and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.
It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.
NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.
The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.
NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, contact Dell (see "Getting Help" in your User's
Guide for the appropriate contact information).
1
Shut down the computer.
2
If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation
that came with your docking device for instructions.
3
Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
4
Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: If you cannot see anything on your display, press and hold <Fn> and the power button for about
5 seconds to start the Dell Diagnostics. The computer automatically runs the Pre-boot System
Assessment.
NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell
Diagnostics from your Drivers and Utilities CD.
If you wait too long and the Microsoft
®
Windows
®
logo appears, continue to wait until you
see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the
Start
menu and try
again.
5
When the boot device list appears, highlight
Diagnostics
and press <Enter>.
The computer runs the Pre-boot System Assessment, a series of initial tests of your system
board, keyboard, hard drive, and display.
• During the assessment, answer any questions that appear.
• If a failure is detected, the computer stops and beeps. To stop the assessment and restart
the computer, press <n>; to continue to the next test, press <y>; to retest the
component that failed, press <r>.