Reference Guide

Troubleshooting
Basic troubleshooting steps
This section lists some basic troubleshooting steps you can use to resolve common issues with your computer.
● Ensure your computer is turned on and all the components are receiving power.
● Ensure all the cables are firmly connected to the respective ports.
● Ensure that the cables are not damaged or frayed.
● Ensure that there are no bent or broken pins on the connectors.
● Restart your computer and check whether the problem persists.
● For internet connection issues, unplug your modem and router from the electrical outlet, wait for about 30 seconds, plug in
the power cables, and try connecting again.
● For audio issues, ensure that the volume button is not on mute or connect an external speaker and check for sound.
NOTE: For more information on troubleshooting, solutions to common problems, and FAQs, see www.dell.com/support. To
contact Dell for technical support, see Contact Dell.
Diagnostics
Your computer has built-in diagnostic tools to help you determine the issue with you computer. These tools may notify you of a
problem using error messages, light codes, or beep codes.
Pre-Boot System Assessment
You can use the Pre-Boot System Assessment (PSA) to diagnose various hardware problems. The ePSA tests devices such as
the system board, keyboard, display, memory, hard drive, and so on.
NOTE: PSA may not be supported on all computers.
Invoking PSA
1. Turn on or restart your computer.
2. Press F12 at the Dell logo to access the BIOS setup program.
NOTE:
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop,
then restart your computer and try again.
3. Select Diagnostics and press Enter.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the test.
If a component fails the test, the test stops, the computer beeps, and an error code is displayed. Note the error code(s) and
search for solutions at www.dell.com/support or Contact Dell.
Follow the on-screen instructions to continue to the next test, retest the component that failed, or stop the test and restart the
computer. If the PSA completes successfully, the following message appears on your screen: No problems have been found
with this system so far. Do you want to run the remaining memory tests? This will take about 30 minutes or more.
Do you want to continue? (Recommended).
Press <y> to continue if you are experiencing memory issue, otherwise press <n> to finish the test.
NOTE: Press Esc anytime during the test to abort testing and restart your computer.
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