Running the System Diagnostics

Dell™ PowerEdge™ 1950 Systems Hardware Owner's Manual

Using Server Administrator Diagnostics

System Diagnostics Features

When to Use the System Diagnostics

System Diagnostics Testing Options

Using the Custom Test Options

If you experience a problem with your system, run the diagnostics before calling for technical assistance. The purpose of the diagnostics is to test your system's hardware without requiring additional equipment or risking data loss. If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, service and support personnel can use diagnostics test results to help you solve the problem.

Using Server Administrator Diagnostics

To assess a system problem, first use the online Server Administrator diagnostics. If you are unable to identify the problem, then use the system diagnostics.

To access the online diagnostics, log into the Server Administrator home page, and then click the Diagnostics tab. For information about using diagnostics, see the online help. For additional information, see the Server Administrator User's Guide.

System Diagnostics Features

The system diagnostics provides a series of menus and options for particular device groups or devices. The system diagnostics menus and options allow you to:

Run tests individually or collectively.
Control the sequence of tests.
Repeat tests.
Display, print, or save test results.
Temporarily suspend testing if an error is detected or terminate testing when a user-defined error limit is reached.
View help messages that briefly describe each test and its parameters.
View status messages that inform you if tests are completed successfully.
View error messages that inform you of problems encountered during testing.

When to Use the System Diagnostics

If a major component or device in the system does not operate properly, component failure may be indicated. As long as the microprocessor and the system's input/output devices (monitor, keyboard, and diskette drive) are functioning, you can use the system diagnostics to help identify the problem.

Running the System Diagnostics

The system diagnostics is run from the utility partition on your hard drive.

NOTICE: Use the system diagnostics to test only your system. Using this program with other systems may cause invalid results or error messages. In addition, use only the program that came with your system (or an updated version of that program).

As the system boots, press <F10> during POST.
From the utility partition main menu, select Run System Diagnostics, or select Run Memory Diagnostics if you are troubleshooting memory.

When you start the system diagnostics, a message is displayed stating that the diagnostics are initializing. Next, the Diagnostics menu appears. The menu allows you to run all or specific diagnostics tests or to exit the system diagnostics.

NOTE: Before you read the rest of this section, start the system diagnostics so that you can see the utility on your screen.

System Diagnostics Testing Options

Click the testing option in the Main Menu window. Table 5-1 provides a brief explanation of testing options.

Table 5-1. System Diagnostics Testing Options

Testing Option	Function
Express Test	Performs a quick check of the system. This option runs device tests that do not require user interaction. Use this option to quickly identify the source of your problem.
Extended Test	Performs a more thorough check of the system. This test can take an hour or longer.
Custom Test	Tests a particular device.
Information	Displays test results.

Using the Custom Test Options

When you select Custom Test in the Main Menu window, the Customize window appears and allows you to select the device(s) to be tested, select specific options for testing, and view the test results.

Selecting Devices for Testing

The left side of the Customize window lists devices that can be tested. Devices are grouped by device type or by module, depending on the option you select. Click the (+) next to a device or module to view its components. Click (+) on any component to view the tests that are available. Clicking a device, rather than its components, selects all of the components of the device for testing.

Selecting Diagnostics Options

Use the Diagnostics Options area to select how you want to test a device. You can set the following options:

Non-Interactive Tests Only — When checked, runs only tests that require no user intervention.
Quick Tests Only — When checked, runs only the quick tests on the device. Extended tests will not run when you select this option.
Show Ending Timestamp — When checked, time stamps the test log.
Test Iterations — Selects the number of times the test is run.
Log output file pathname — When checked, enables you to specify where the test log file is saved.

Viewing Information and Results

The tabs in the Customize window provide information about the test and the test results. The following tabs are available:

Results — Displays the test that ran and the result.
Errors — Displays any errors that occurred during the test.
Help — Displays information about the currently selected device, component, or test.
Configuration — Displays basic configuration information about the currently selected device.
Parameters — If applicable, displays parameters that you can set for the test.

Back to Contents Page