Dell Precision 490: Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive: Dell Precision 490
Table of contents
- Notes, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Contents
- Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation) Connect the keyboard and the mouse. Connect the modem or the network cable.
- Connect the monitor.
- For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
- For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
- Connect the speakers. Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor.
- Install additional software or devices. Setting Up Your Computer (Desktop Orientation) Connect the keyboard and the mouse.
- Connect the modem or the network cable. Connect the monitor.
- For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
- For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
- Connect the speakers. Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor. Install additional software or devices.
- About Your Computer Front View (Tower Orientation) 5 IEEE 1394 connector (optional)
- 13 diagnostic lights (4) Use these lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the
- Back View (Tower Orientation)
- Back Panel Connectors 4 link integrity light
- 11 serial connector Connect a serial device, such as a handheld device, to the serial port. If necessary,
- Front View (Desktop Orientation)
- Back View (Desktop Orientation)
- Inside View
- Inside View – Hard Drive Bay Rotated Out
- System Board Components
- 14 SATA connectors (SATA_4, SATA_3) Cable Colors Locating Your User’s Guide
- Removing the Computer Cover Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" in your If you have installed a security cable, remove it from the security cable slot. Lay your computer on a flat surface with the cover facing up.
- Pull back the cover latch release. Locate the three hinge tabs on the edge of the computer. Grip the sides of the computer cover and pivot the cover up, using the hinges as leverage points. Release the cover from the hinge tabs and set it aside in a secure location.
- Caring for Your Computer Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
- Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Creating a Restore Point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
- Undoing the Last System Restore Enabling System Restore Using the Last Known Good Configuration Other Options to Help Resolve Additional Device or Software Conflicts
- Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
- Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD Before You Start Testing Beep Codes
- Code Cause
- Error Messages Diagnostic Lights Diagnostic Light Codes Before POST Diagnostic Lights Power Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light
- Diagnostic Lights Power Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light
- Diagnostic Lights Power Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light Diagnostic Light Codes During POST Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Frequently Asked Questions How Do I... Solution Where to Find Additional Information
- How Do I... Solution Where to Find Additional Information
- Index
- 46 Index
Dell Diagnostics
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions
in the Product Information Guide.
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Solving Problems" on page 32
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. Using this program with other computers
can cause incorrect computer responses or result in error messages.
The Dell Diagnostics allow you to:
• Perform quick checks or extensive tests on one or all devices
• Choose how many times a test is run
• Display or print test results or save them in a file
• Suspend testing if an error is detected or terminate testing if a certain number of errors occur
• Access online
Help
screens that describe the tests and how to run them
• Read status messages that tell you whether tests completed successfully
• Receive error messages if problems are detected
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
1
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
2
When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, see "Starting
the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD" in your User’s Guide
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. For more information
on shutting down your computer, see your
User’s Guide.
3
When the boot device list appears, highlight
Boot to Utility Partition
and press <Enter>.
4
When the Dell Diagnostics
Main Menu
appears, select the test you want to run. For more information
on the tests, see your
User’s Guide.
Quick Reference Guide 35
