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Before running the Dell Diagnostics, enter the BIOS Setup Utility to review your computer's configuration information, and ensure that the device you want to
test is displayed in the BIOS Setup Utility and is active.
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.
4. Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select PSA+ from the boot menu and then press <Enter>.
The computer runs the PSA (Pre-boot System Assessment), a series of initial tests of your system board, keyboard, display, memory, hard drive, etc.
l Answer any questions that appear. If prompted, opt to run all memory tests.
l If failures are detected, write down the error code(s) and see Contacting Dell.
l If the Pre-boot System Assessment completes successfully, the following message appears: "Booting Dell Diagnostic Utility Partition.
Press any key to continue."
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>.
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 Dell Diagnostics
Main Menu).
8. After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu.
9. Close the main menu window to exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media
Before running the Dell Diagnostics, enter the BIOS Setup Utility (see Entering the BIOS Setup Utility) to review your computer's configuration information, and
ensure that the device you want to test is displayed in the BIOS Setup Utility and is active.
1. Connect an external optical drive to the computer.
2. Insert the Drivers and Utilities media into the optical drive.
3. Restart your computer.
4. When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
5. When the boot device list appears, use the up- or down- arrow keys to highlight CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive then press <Enter>.
NOTE: If your computer does not display a screen image, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release <F12>
in even intervals to open the Boot Device Menu.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, allow the operating system to boot, then shut off your computer and try again.
NOTE: The Pre-boot System Assessment may take several minutes to complete.
NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell Diagnostics from your Drivers and Utilities media
(see Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media).
NOTE: It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer. Selecting Test Memory initiates the extended 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.
NOTE: Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen.
NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release <F12>
in even intervals to open the Boot Device Menu.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop, then shut down your
computer and try again.