Dell OptiPlex Gn Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide (.pdf) - Page 50

After running particular diagnostic tests and viewing the status messages generated by the tests in the result file, you can erase the contents of the file so that it is clear for the next set of messages generated. Otherwise, the next messages are added at the end of the previous ones in the file. Output Device for Error Messages Ordinarily, all error messages appear only on the screen. This parameter allows you to direct error messages to either a printer or a file, in addition to the screen. If you choose the File option, error messages are written to the result file used for status messages. This file is automatically created on a diskette that you insert into drive A when prompted. If you are running the diagnostics from a utility partition on your hard-disk drive, the result file is created on the hard-disk drive. If the result file already exists, new error messages are added to it. The result file is an ordinary ASCII text file. You can access and review the result file as described in the previous subsection, "Output Device for Status Messages." After running particular diagnostic tests and viewing the error messages generated by the tests in the result file, you can erase the contents of the file so that it is clear for the next set of messages generated. Otherwise, the next messages are added at the end of the previous ones in the file. Test Limits NOTE: The Dell Diagnostics sets default limits on all tests. The only reason to change the default would be to limit the amount of testing done. The RAM Test Group, the Video Test Group, the Diskette Drives Test Group, the Hard-Disk Drives (Non-SCSI) Test Group, the Serial/Infrared Ports Test Group, the Parallel Ports Test Group, and the SCSI Devices Test Group allow you to designate limits. Whether you select Test Limits for a highlighted test group (from the Main menu) or a subtest (from the Subtest menu), you set the limits for all the subtests in that test group. When you select Test Limits, a new screen appears and the Key-Help area lists keys to use with the new screen. Press to select the next menu or submenu. Press to return to the main Test Limits window. How you change a value for the limits of a test group or subtest depends on the type of parameter associated with it. Different keys are used to change values for different types of parameters. For example, memory address limits specified for the RAM Test Group are changed by typing in numbers over the digits of a given limit or by pressing the plus (+) or minus (-) keys to increase or decrease the given limit. In contrast, to set limits for the Serial/ Infrared Ports Test Group, you use the to toggle between Yes and No. After you are satisfied with the limits, return to the Dell Diagnostics main screen by pressing the key. The values you selected under Test Limits remain in effect during all the test groups or subtests you run, unless you change them. However, the values are reset to their defaults when you restart the diagnostics. About About in the Main menu lists all of the subtests for the selected test group and displays information about the subtest that is highlighted. Key-Help Key-Help always displays a list of key controls available for the particular category you have selected. Quit Selecting Quit from the Main menu exits the diagnostics and returns you to your operating system environment. After you return to the operating system environment, remove your diagnostics diskette from drive A and reboot the computer. CAUTION: It is important that you quit the diagnostics correctly because the program writes data to the computer's memory that can cause problems unless properly cleared. 4-8 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide