Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference Guide - Page 68

Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions, Troubleshooting a Parallel Printer, ter 2

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If a system error message indicates a port problem or if equipment connected to a port seems to perform incorrectly or not at all, the source of the problem may be any of the following: • A faulty connection between the I/O port and the peripheral device • Incorrect settings for system setup options • Incorrect settings in the operating system's configuration files • A faulty cable between the I/O port and the peripheral device • A faulty peripheral device • Faulty I/O port logic on the system board • Conflicting COM port settings • Lack of device drivers Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5, and fill it out as you complete the following procedure. NOTE: Before you begin this procedure, make sure that the SYSTEM SWITCH option in the System Setup program is set to ON/OFF. For instructions, see "Using the System Setup Program" in Chapter 2. 1. Check the settings for the SERIAL PORT and PARALLEL MODE setup options. For information on configuring the ports, see Chapter 2, "Customizing System Features." Are the communication port options set correctly for the peripheral devices connected to the computer? Yes. Go to step 3. No. Continue to step 2. 2. Change the SERIAL PORT and PARALLEL MODE options to the appropriate settings; then reboot the system. Is the problem resolved? Yes. You have fixed the problem. No. Continue to step 3. 3. Check the contents of the initialization and startup files. (See "Installing and Configuring Software" found earlier in this chapter.) Are the port configuration commands correct? Yes. Go to step 5. No. Continue to step 4. 4. Change the necessary statements in the start-up files. If the port problem is confined to a particular application program, see the application program's documentation for specific port configuration requirements. Is the problem resolved? Yes. You have fixed the problem. No. Continue to step 5. 5. Insert the Dell Diagnostics Diskette into drive A, reboot the computer, and run the Serial/Infrared Ports Test Group and/or the Parallel Ports Test Group. (See Chapter 4, "Running the Dell Diagnostics.") The Serial/Infrared Ports Test Group and the Parallel Ports Test Group check the basic functions of the system board's I/O port logic. Also, if a parallel printer is connected to the parallel port, the Parallel Port Test Group tests the communication link between the system board's I/O port logic and the printer. Do the tests complete successfully? Yes. Continue to step 6. No. Call Dell for technical assistance. See Chapter 5, "Getting Help," for instructions. 6. The problem may be with the external device. Go to the next subsection, "Troubleshooting a Parallel Printer," or to "Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device" or "Troubleshooting the Infrared Ports," found later in this section, depending on which device appears to be malfunctioning. Troubleshooting a Parallel Printer If the preceding procedure, "Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions," indicates that the problem is with a parallel printer, use the following procedure. 3-28 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide

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3
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28
Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
If a system error message indicates a port problem or if
equipment connected to a port seems to perform incor-
rectly or not at all, the source of the problem may be any
of the following:
•
A faulty connection between the I/O port and the
peripheral device
•
Incorrect settings for system setup options
•
Incorrect settings in the operating system’s
configuration files
•
A faulty cable between the I/O port and the
peripheral device
•
A faulty peripheral device
•
Faulty I/O port logic on the system board
•
Conflicting COM port settings
•
Lack of device drivers
Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions
Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chap-
ter 5, and fill it out as you complete the following
procedure.
NOTE:
B
efore you begin this procedure, make sure that
the
SYSTEM SWITCH
option in the System Setup program is
set to
ON/OFF
. For instructions, see “Using the System Setup
Program” in Chapter 2.
1.
Check the settings for the
SERIAL PORT
and
PARAL-
LEL MODE
setup options.
For information on configuring the ports, see Chap-
ter 2, “Customizing System Features.” Are the com-
munication port options set correctly for the
peripheral devices connected to the computer?
Yes.
Go to step 3.
No.
Continue to step 2.
2.
Change the
SERIAL PORT
and
PARALLEL MODE
options to the appropriate settings; then reboot the
system.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes.
You have fixed the problem.
No.
Continue to step 3.
3.
Check the contents of the initialization and start-
up files. (See “Installing and Configuring Soft-
ware” found earlier in this chapter.)
Are the port configuration commands correct?
Yes.
Go to step 5.
No.
Continue to step 4.
4.
Change the necessary statements in the start-up
files.
If the port problem is confined to a particular appli-
cation program, see the application program’s
documentation for specific port configuration
requirements.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes.
You have fixed the problem.
No.
Continue to step 5.
5.
Insert the
Dell Diagnostics Diskette
into drive A,
reboot the computer, and run the Serial
/Infrared
Ports Test Group and/or the Parallel Ports Test
Group. (See Chapter 4, “Running the Dell
Diagnostics.”)
The Serial
/Infrared Ports Test Group and the Parallel
Ports Test Group check the basic functions of the system
board’s I/O port logic. Also, if a parallel printer is con-
nected to the parallel port, the Parallel Port Test Group
tests the communication link between the system
board’s I/O port logic and the printer.
Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes.
Continue to step 6.
No.
Call Dell for technical assistance. See Chap-
ter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.
6.
The problem may be with the external device.
Go to the next subsection, “Troubleshooting a
Parallel Printer,” or to “Troubleshooting a Serial
I/O Device” or “Troubleshooting the Infrared
Ports,” found later in this section, depending on
which device appears to be malfunctioning.
Troubleshooting a Parallel Printer
If the preceding procedure, “Troubleshooting the Basic
I/O Functions,” indicates that the problem is with a paral-
lel printer, use the following procedure.