Dell PowerEdge VRTX: Using System Diagnostics
Using System Diagnostics: Dell PowerEdge VRTX
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Using System Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your system, run the system diagnostics before contacting Dell for technical
assistance. The purpose of running system diagnostics is to test your system hardware without requiring additional
equipment or risking data loss. If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, service and support personnel can use the
diagnostics results to help you solve the problem.
Dell Online Diagnostics
Dell Online Diagnostics, a stand-alone suite of diagnostic programs or test modules, allows you to run diagnostic tests
on the systems in a production environment, and helps you ensure maximum uptime of your systems. Online Diagnostics
allows you to run diagnostic tests on chassis and storage components such as hard drives, physical memory, and
network interface cards (NICs). You can use the graphical user interface (GUI) or the command line interface (CLI) to run
diagnostic tests on the hardware that Online Diagnostics discovers on your system. For information about using
diagnostics, see the
Dell Online PowerEdge Diagnostics User’s Guide
under Software → Serviceability Tools, at
dell.com/support/manuals.
Dell Embedded System Diagnostics
NOTE: Also known as Enhanced Pre-boot System Assessment (ePSA) diagnostics.
The embedded system diagnostics provides a set of options for particular device groups or devices allowing you to:
• Run tests automatically or in an interactive mode
• Repeat tests
• Display or save test results
• Run thorough tests to introduce additional test options to provide extra information about the failed device(s)
• View status messages that inform you if tests are completed successfully
• View error messages that inform you of problems encountered during testing
When To Use The Embedded System Diagnostics
If a major component or device in the system does not operate properly, running the embedded system diagnostics may
indicate component failure.
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Running The Embedded System Diagnostics
The embedded system diagnostics program is run from the Dell Lifecycle Controller.
CAUTION: Use the embedded system diagnostics to test only your system. Using this program with other systems
may cause invalid results or error messages.
1. As the system boots, press <F11>.
2. Use the up and down arrow keys to select System Utilities → Launch Dell Diagnostics .
The ePSA Pre-boot System Assessment window is displayed, listing all devices detected in the system. The
diagnostics starts executing the tests on all the detected devices.
Running Embedded System Diagnostics From An External Media
1. Format the external resource media (USB flash drive or CDROM) to emulate a hard drive.
See the documentation that came with the resource media for instructions.
2. Configure the resource media to be a bootable device.
3. Create a directory for the system diagnostics on the resource media.
4. Copy the system diagnostics files into the directory.
To download the Dell diagnostics utility, go to dell.com/support.
5. Connect the resource media on your system.
6. As the system boots, press <F11>.
7. When prompted, select the media to perform a one-time boot.
If diagnostics does not start automatically after the diagnostic media is booted, enter psa at the command prompt.
System Diagnostic Controls
Menu Description
Configuration Displays the configuration and status information of all detected devices.
Results Displays the results of all tests that are executed.
System Health Provides the current overview of the system performance.
Event Log Displays a time-stamped log of the results of all tests run on the system. This is displayed if at
least one event description is recorded.
For information about embedded system diagnostics, see the
Dell Enhanced Pre-boot System Assessment User Guide
at
dell.com/support/manuals.
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