Dell Latitude CPi User Guide - Page 123

System Set Test Group, Why Run a System Set Test?

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properly setting and clearing individual bits in RAM. It also determines whether the RAM read and write operations are affecting more than one memory address location at a time. This subtest checks all available RAM, including the secondary cache. The Comprehensive 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 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. Why Run a System Set Test? The System Set subtests double-check many system board components, such as the computer's 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 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.) A PC Card you previously accessed can no longer be accessed. The computer periodically locks up, especially at different places and times in different programs. Parity errors or page fault failures (any error message that contains the word parity or page fault) occur 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 Getting Help. Correcting errors in the system configuration information does not resolve a problem. The computer's clock/calendar stops. The speaker no longer functions. The problem could be a failure of the system timers as well as a failure of the speaker itself. Run the System Timers Test, followed by the System Speaker Test. If a peripheral device appears to malfunction, run the Interrupt Controllers Test. If the computer fails the test, the problem lies with the interrupt controller; if the computer passes, then the problem lies with the peripheral device. A spreadsheet program or other type of mathematical application runs abnormally slow, generates error messages concerning calculations or operations, runs incorrectly, or generates incorrect results; or a proven piece of the program appears to malfunction and you confirm that the software itself is not at fault. (You can confirm that the software is not at fault by moving the program to another computer and running it there.) The computer halts in the middle of performing calculations or complex mathematical operations.

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properly setting and clearing individual bits in RAM. It also determines whether the RAM read and write
operations are affecting more than one memory address location at a time. This subtest checks all available
RAM, including the secondary cache. The Comprehensive 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
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.
Why Run a System Set Test?
The System Set subtests double-check many system board components, such as the computer's 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 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.)
A PC Card you previously accessed can no longer be accessed.
The computer periodically locks up, especially at different places and times in different programs.
Parity errors or page fault failures (any error message that contains the word
parity
or
page fault
) occur
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
Getting Help
.
Correcting errors in the system configuration information does not resolve a problem.
The computer's clock/calendar stops.
The speaker no longer functions. The problem could be a failure of the system timers as well as a
failure of the speaker itself. Run the System Timers Test, followed by the System Speaker Test.
If a peripheral device appears to malfunction, run the Interrupt Controllers Test. If the computer fails the
test, the problem lies with the interrupt controller; if the computer passes, then the problem lies with the
peripheral device.
A spreadsheet program or other type of mathematical application runs abnormally slow, generates
error messages concerning calculations or operations, runs incorrectly, or generates incorrect results;
or a proven piece of the program appears to malfunction and you confirm that the software itself is not
at fault. (You can confirm that the software is not at fault by moving the program to another computer
and running it there.)
The computer halts in the middle of performing calculations or complex mathematical operations.