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Using system diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your system, run the system diagnostics before contacting Dell for technical assistance. The
purpose of running system diagnostics is to test yoursystem hardwarewithout requiring additional equipment or risking data loss. If
you are unable to fix the problem yourself, service and support personnel can use the diagnostics results to help you solve the
problem.
Dell Embedded System Diagnostics
NOTE: The Dell Embedded System Diagnostics is also known as Enhanced Pre-boot System Assessment (ePSA)
diagnostics.
The Embedded System Diagnostics provides a set of options for particular device groups or devices allowing you to:
• Runtestsautomaticallyorinaninteractivemode
• Repeat tests
• Display or save test results
• Run thorough tests to introduce additional test options to provide extra information about the failed device(s)
• Viewstatus messages that inform you if tests are completed successfully
• View error messages that inform you of problems encountered during testing
Running the Embedded System Diagnostics
Runthe EmbeddedSystem Diagnostics(ePSA)ifyoursystemdoesnotboot.Theembeddedsystemdiagnosticsprogramisrun
fromthe Dell LifecycleController.
Prerequisite
If a major component ordevice in the system does not operate properly,running theembedded system diagnostics may indicate
component failure.
CAUTION: Use the embedded system diagnostics to test only your system. Using this program with other systems may
cause invalid results or error messages.
Steps
1.
As the system boots, press F11.
2.
Use the up and down arrow keys to select
System Utilities
→
Launch Dell Diagnostics
.
The
ePSA Pre-boot System Assessment
window is displayed, listing all devices detected in the system. The diagnostics starts
running the tests on all the detected devices.
Running embedded system diagnostics from an external media
1.
Format the external resource media (USB flash drive or CDROM) to emulate a hard drive.
See the documentation that came withthe resource media for instructions.
2.
Configure the resource media to be a bootable device.
3.
Createa directoryfor the system diagnostics onthe resource media.
4.
Copy the system diagnostics files into the directory.
To download the Dell diagnostics utility, go to
Dell.com/support/home
.
5.
Connect the resource media on your system.
6.
As the system boots, press F11.
