Dell OptiPlex Gn Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide (.pdf) - Page 55

RAM, performs a data pattern and address uniqueness test. NOTE: This test applies only to systems with an EISA bus. • DMA Controller Test Tests the direct memory access (DMA) controller and verifies the correct operation of its page and channel registers by writing patterns to the registers. • Real-Time Clock Test Confirms the functionality and accuracy of the computer's real-time clock (RTC). • System Timers Test Checks the timers used by the microprocessor for event counting, frequency generation, and other functions. Only the functions that can be activated by software are tested. • Interrupt Controller Test Generates an interrupt on each interrupt request (IRQ) line to verify that devices using that line can communicate with the microprocessor and that the interrupt controllers send the correct memory addresses to the microprocessor. • Reset Button Test Confirms that the reset button works. • System Speaker Test Checks the functionality of the speaker by generating eight tones. • Coprocessor Calculation Test Checks the use of different types of numbers and the math coprocessor's ability to calculate correctly. • Coprocessor Error Exception Test Verifies the math coprocessor's ability to handle errors and to send IRQs to the microprocessor. • PC Card Controller Test Tests the functionality of the PC Card controller on the system board. • Thermal Control Test Checks the functionality of the thermal-monitoring and microprocessor speed-switching device on the system board. • Multiprocessor Test For systems with multiprocessors, confirms that the secondary microprocessor is operational. • USB Register Test Checks the onboard registers of the universal serial bus (USB) interface. This subtest does not test USB peripherals. • USB Memory Structure Test Monitors the ability of a USB controller to process a simple set of memory-resident instructions. Why Run a System Set Test? The System Set subtests double-check many system board components, such as the computer's input/output (I/O) circuitry, that are tested by other test groups or subtests in the diagnostics. You should run the System Set Test Group if you are having a problem and cannot isolate the failure or malfunction to a particular system board component. The System Set Test Group also verifies the proper operation of other computer components, such as the speaker, that are not tested elsewhere in the Dell Diagnostics. The following symptoms usually suggest a problem with a component or subassembly that warrants running a System Set subtest: • 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.) • An option card you previously accessed can no longer be accessed. • You get parity errors or page fault failures (any error message that contains the word parity or page fault) at any time during operation. These errors are usually accompanied by a reference to an address, which you should record on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 7, "Getting Help." Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-13