Dell Latitude XPi Reference Guide - Page 83

Switch -r number -m number -s hexadecimal memory address -e hexadecimal memory address -o[f filename,p] -[q,c] -np Table 4-3. RAM Test Switches Description Repeats the subtest this number of times. Valid numbers are 1 through 9999. A value of 0 causes the test to run until you press . The default value is 1. Stops the test if this number of errors occur. Valid numbers are 1 through 9999. A value of 0 causes the test to accept an unlimited number of errors. The default value is 0. Starts the test at this hexadecimal address. Valid hexadecimal values are 0 to the highest memory address. The default value is 0. Stops the test at this hexadecimal address. Valid hexadecimal values are 0 to the highest memory address. The default is the highest memory address. Outputs the test report to a file (f) or a printer (p). If you output to a file, append the filename after the f parameter. If you do not specify a filename when using the f parameter, the test report is output to a file named result. If you output to the printer, the test file is output to LPT1. Runs the quick (q) or comprehensive (c) subtest. The comprehensive subtest is the default value. Does not pause when an error occurs or a subtest finishes. Pause (p) is the default value. 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 the computer is displaying one or more of the following symptoms, run both 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.) • The computer periodically locks up (becomes un- usable and must be rebooted), especially at different places and times in different programs. Subtests Two subtests are available for RAM: the Quick Test and the Comprehensive Test. The Quick 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 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 Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-13