Dell Precision M65: When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive: Dell Precision M65

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Lockups and Software

Problems" on page 18 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.

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD is optional and may not ship with your computer.

Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities CD (also known

as the ResourceCD).

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.

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

The Dell Diagnostics can be invoked in one of two ways:

Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately. Select

Diagnostics

from the boot menu and press <Enter>.

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.

Press and hold the <Fn> key while powering the computer on.

NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell

Diagnostics from the optional Drivers and Utilities CD.

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 <Esc>; to continue to the next test, press <y>; to retest the component that

failed, press <r>.

If the Pre-boot System Assessment completes successfully, you receive the message

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.

16 Quick Reference Guide