Dell OptiPlex Gn Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide (.pdf) - Page 54
Error Messages, RAM Test Group, Subtests, Why Run a RAM Test?, System Set Test Group
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Error Messages When you run a test group or subtest in the Dell Diagnostics, error messages may result. These particular error messages are not covered in this chapter because the errors that generate these messages can be resolved only with Dell technical assistance. Record the messages on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 7, "Getting Help." For instructions on obtaining technical assistance and for informing the support technician of these messages, also see Chapter 7. RAM Test Group The RAM Test Group subtests check all the directly addressable RAM. The RAM Test program has parameters for the subtests that you can set: Test Limits and Options. Subtests Three subtests are available for RAM: the Quick Memory Test, the Comprehensive Memory Test, and the Secondary Cache Memory Test. The Quick Memory Test performs an address check to determine whether the computer is properly setting and clearing individual bits in RAM and whether the RAM read and write operations are affecting more than one memory address location at one time. This subtest checks all available RAM. The Comprehensive Memory Test also performs an address check, as well as the following: • Data pattern checks, to look for RAM bits that are stuck high or low, short-circuited data lines, and some data pattern problems that are internal to the memory chips • A parity check that verifies the ability of the memory subsystem to detect errors • A refresh check, to verify that the dynamic RAM (DRAM) is being recharged properly The Secondary Cache Memory Test confirms the functionality of the computer's cache controller chip and the cache memory. Why Run a RAM Test? Faulty memory can cause a variety of problems that may not, at first glance, appear to be happening in RAM. If your computer is displaying one or more of the following symptoms, run the subtests in the RAM Test Group to verify that the memory is not at fault: • A program is not running as usual, or a proven piece of software appears to malfunction and you confirm that the software itself is not at fault. (You can confirm that the software is functioning properly by moving it to another computer and running it there.) • Your computer periodically locks up (becomes unus- able and must be rebooted), especially at different places and times in different programs. • You get parity errors (any error message that con- tains the word parity) at any time during operation. These errors are usually accompanied by a reference to an address-the location of the portion of memory where the error occurred-which you should record on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 7, "Getting Help." System Set Test Group The subtests in the System Set Test Group check the computer's basic system board components and verify their related functions. Subtests The subtests that constitute the System Set Test Group and the computer functions they confirm follow: • CMOS Confidence Test Checks the NVRAM for accessibility and reliability of data storage by performing a data pattern check and verifying the uniqueness of memory addresses. • CMEM Confidence Test Verifies the accessibility and reliability of the 8 kilobytes (KB) of RAM on the Extended Industry-Standard Architecture (EISA) Configuration RAM chip, which stores the EISA hardware configuration information. On systems without flash 4-12 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide