Installation and Troubleshooting Guide

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1. Create a set of diagnostics diskettes from the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD. See "Using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD" in your User's
Guide for information on creating the diskettes.
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2. If your system does have the optional diskette drive installed, obtain a USB diskette drive and connect it to the system.
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3. Insert the first system diagnostics diskette, or the MP Memory diskette (if you are troubleshooting memory).
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4. Reboot the system.
If the system fails to boot, see "Getting Help."
When you start the system diagnostics, a message is displayed stating that the diagnostics are initializing. Next, the Diagnostics menu appears. The menu
allows you to run all or specific diagnostics tests or to exit the system diagnostics.
System Diagnostics Testing Options
Click the testing option in the Main Menu window. Table4-1 provides a brief explanation of testing options.
Table 4-1. SystemDiagnosticsTestingOptions
Using the Custom Test Options
When you select Custom Test in the Main Menu window, the Customize window appears and allows you to select the device(s) to be tested, select specific
options for testing, and view the test results.
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Selecting Devices for Testing
The left side of the Customize window lists devices that can be tested. Devices are grouped by device type or by module, depending on the option you select.
Click the (+) next to a device or module to view its components. Click (+) on any component to view the tests that are available. Clicking a device, rather
than its components, selects all of the components of the device for testing.
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Selecting Diagnostics Options
Use the Diagnostics Options area to select how you want to test a device. You can set the following options:
l Non-Interactive Tests Only — When checked, runs only tests that require no user intervention.
l Quick Tests Only — When checked, runs only the quick tests on the device. Extended tests will not run when you select this option.
l Show Ending Timestamp — When checked, time stamps the test log.
l Test Iterations — Selects the number of times the test is run.
l Log output file pathname — When checked, enables you to specify where the test log file is saved.
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Viewing Information and Results
The tabs in the Customize window provide information about the test and the test results. The following tabs are available:
l Results — Displays the test that ran and the result.
l Errors — Displays any errors that occurred during the test.
l Help — Displays information about the currently selected device, component, or test.
l Configuration — Displays basic configuration information about the currently selected device.
l Parameters — If applicable, displays parameters that you can set for the test.
NOTE: Before you read the rest of this section, start the system diagnostics so that you can see the utility on your screen.
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Testing
Option
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Function
Express Test
Performs a quick check of the system. This option runs device tests that do not require user interaction. Use this option to quickly identify the
source of your problem.
Extended Test
Performs a more thorough check of the system. This test can take an hour or longer.
Custom Test
Tests a particular device.
Information
Displays test results.