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Dell Diagnostic Tools to Diagnose and Fix Hardware Problems on Your Dell PC, Tablet or Servers

Summary: Learn how to diagnose hardware problems and fix them using Dell built-in diagnostic tools (called 32-bit Diagnostics, PSA and ePSA). Access different diagnostic tools available on DellSee more

Article Content

Symptoms

When your Dell PC, monitor or tablet does not seem to be working correctly, diagnostic tools are available to help you identify what the issue may be, and provide troubleshooting steps to help resolve the issue.

Dell PCs and tablets come with pre-boot diagnostics (called 32-bit Diagnostics, PSA or ePSA), also newer computers have the Dell SupportAssist application installed to help you diagnose hardware problems.

Cause

It is recommended that you first run a diagnostic test to check for common errors with the hardware devices on your PC, monitor or tablet. You can choose to run a quick test, full test or even test a selection of hardware devices (custom test) on your Dell PC or tablet.

If the diagnostic test identifies a hardware issue, you can review troubleshooting suggestions that can help you resolve the problem, capture error codes that can help you fix your device or get replacement parts without calling technical support.

Note: Online replacement part request can be made only when you run Dell's Online Diagnostics. Online replacement part request depends on the warranty coverage of your Dell PC and varies by region. To learn how to run Dell's Online Diagnostics, refer to the Diagnostic tools for Dell PCs and Tablets section below.

Dell's online diagnostics help you troubleshoot a problem, get automated fixes and order replacement parts. Online diagnostics installs Dell SupportAssist to help you troubleshoot your Dell PC.

Note: Online replacement part request can be made only when you run Dell's Online Diagnostics. Online replacement part request depends on the warranty coverage of your Dell PC and varies by region.

Quick Test

Run a quick test to check for common errors with the processor, hard disk drive, memory and optical drive (CD/DVD/Blu-Ray) on your Windows-based PC or tablet. If an error is detected, we will fix it automatically, suggest troubleshooting steps, recommend further tests or help you get compatible replacement parts. This test will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Run Quick Test or Run Stress Test.

Custom Test (specific device test)

Test a specific device or choose multiple hardware devices that you want to test. We will combine your selections into a single test to run. This test will take approximately 20 minutes or more to complete, depending on the selected hardware devices.

Full Test

Run a full test to perform a thorough analysis of your Dell PC or tablet. This test runs a stress test on all the hardware devices on your Dell PC or tablet. This test will take approximately 40 minutes or more to complete. Run Full Test.

Running Online Diagnostics on a Dell PC

  1. Browse to the Dell Support website.
  2. Click Detect Product or enter the Service Tag and click Submit.
  3. Click the Diagnostics tab.
  4. Choose one of the diagnostic tests available:
    • To run a Quick Test, click Quick Test.
    • To run a Full Test, click Full Test.
    • To run a Custom Component Test, select the devices you want to test and click Run your test.
    • To run a Stress Test, click on Custom Component Test and check the System stress box under Performance, and then click Run your test.
Note: Dell SupportAssist app (formerly Dell System Detect) and Dell SupportAssist are required to identify your Dell device and run a diagnostic check. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install Dell SupportAssist app and Dell SupportAssist.
 
Note: Some diagnostic tests may display graphical patterns to test the video or display and some status dialog box that may require your response. The diagnostic test results may show incorrectly if there is no response provided when required.

Dell PCs, tablets and monitors come with pre-boot or built-in diagnostics which can help diagnose hardware issues and capture error codes. Built-in or pre-boot diagnostics are run before the PC boots into the operating system. Running a built-in or pre-boot diagnostics does not require your PC to be connected to the internet.

Running Dell Pre-boot System Assessment or enhanced Pre-boot System Assessment (Dell PSA or ePSA)

Dell ePSA or PSA diagnostics are available on Dell laptops, desktops, servers and Windows-based tablets.

  1. Restart your Dell PC.
  2. When the Dell logo appears, press F12 key to enter One-time Boot Menu.
  3. Use the arrow keys to select Diagnostics and press Enter key on the keyboard.
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts and respond appropriately to complete the diagnostics.
    If the test fails, write down the error code and validation code.

Refer to Dell Knowledge Base article Resolve Hardware Issues With Built-in and Online Diagnostics (SupportAssist ePSA, ePSA or PSA Error Codes) for information on how to look up the error code for additional help.
Alternatively, you can visit the SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check page to get more information about ePSA or PSA diagnostic error codes.

To learn more about Dell ePSA or PSA diagnostics, visit the Dell knowledge-base article Resolve Hardware Issues With Built-in and Online Diagnostics (ePSA or PSA Error Codes).

Note: Some diagnostic tests may display graphical patterns to test the video or display and some status dialog box that may require your response. The diagnostic test results may show incorrectly if there is no response provided when required.

Video (English Only) - ePSA Pre-boot System Assessment (Official Dell Tech Support)

Running Built-in Diagnostics on a Dell Monitor

Dell monitors are equipped with a built-in diagnostic tool that helps determine if the screen abnormality you are experiencing is an inherent problem with the Dell monitor or with the video card (GPU) and PC settings.

To learn how to run built-in diagnostics on a Dell monitor, refer to the Dell knowledge-base article How Do I Run Diagnostics on a Dell monitor?

Running LCD Built-in Self Test on a Dell laptop PC

Dell laptop PCs have a built-in diagnostic tool that helps you determine if the screen abnormality you are experiencing is an inherent problem with the LCD (screen) of the Dell laptop PC or with the video card (GPU) and PC settings.

To run diagnostics on a Dell laptop LCD, refer to the Dell knowledge-base article How do I Run Diagnostics on a Dell Laptop LCD?

Dell SupportAssist proactively checks the health of your PC's hardware and software. When an issue is detected, SupportAssist notifies you. SupportAssist is preinstalled on all new Dell home PCs and tablets. If you have a device less than a year old, simply search your device for "SupportAssist" and run the application. If your device did not come with SupportAssist preinstalled or you want to reinstall SupportAssist, make sure that your device meets the minimum system requirements and download SupportAssist for PCs and Tablets.

Running Hardware Checkup in Dell SupportAssist:

  1. Click Windows Start.
  2. Open Dell SupportAssist application.
  3. Click Hardware Checkup tile.
  4. Choose the type of diagnostic test you would like to run:
    • Default - This test will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
    • Stress - This test will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
    • Scan a Specific Device - This will allow you to run a diagnostic test on a specific device in your PC.

To learn more about Dell SupportAssist, visit the Dell SupportAssist for PC's and Tablets page.

Older (legacy) Dell computers ship with a utility partition on the hard drive that contains the legacy 32-bit Dell Diagnostic Utility, to help you determine any hardware issues.

Note: For personal computers bought after Jan 1, 2009, please refer to Dell Knowledge Base article Resolve Hardware Issues With Built-in and Online Diagnostics (ePSA or PSA Error Codes).

To run the built-in 32-bit diagnostics, perform the following steps:

  1. Restart the computer.
  2. As the computer boots, press F12 when the Dell Splash Screen appears.
  3. When the Boot menu appears, highlight the Boot to Utility Partition option, or the Diagnostics option and then press Enter to start the legacy 32-bit Dell Diagnostics. 
  4. Press the Tab key to highlight Test System Press Enter to continue to the legacy 32-bit Diagnostics.
    Note: In some cases the PSA Diagnostics will run first. When you receive an error during the PSA diagnostics, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article Resolve Hardware Issues With Built-in and Online Diagnostics (ePSA or PSA Error Codes). You will be given the option to go into the 32-bit Diagnostics, press the N (No) or Y (Yes) key to continue into the legacy 32-bit Diagnostics, when you are asked to Continue Memory Tests.
    • Express Test will run a quick test of devices in the system. This typically can take 10-20 minutes.
    • Extended Test performs a thorough check of devices in the system. This typically can take an hour or more.
    • Custom Test used to test a specific device or customize the tests to be run. Exit to MS-DOS will exit the diagnostics to a command prompt.
    • Symptom Tree. This option lists the most common symptoms and allows you to select tests based on those symptoms.
      Note: Express Test is the only test that will not require user involvement.
Note: When the diagnostics produces an error, make a note of the error and Contact Technical Support for further assistance.

Dell SupportAssist for enterprise systems (servers, storage and networking)

SupportAssist Enterprise is our comprehensive and easy to use, proactive and predictive, automated support technology. SupportAssist automatically identifies hardware faults, creates a case, and initiates contact from Dell EMC to the customer.

SupportAssist Enterprise monitors up to 15,000 server, storage and networking devices. It can be used as a stand-alone application or with OpenManage Essentials (OME) or Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM). SupportAssist Enterprise can be downloaded on either a Windows or Linux management server.

For technical documents, videos or to ask questions visit our SupportAssist Community at Dell.com/SupportAssistGroup.

 

To learn more about different diagnostic tools available for servers, storage and networking products, visit our Servers, Storage and Networking support library on how to run the online diagnostics.

Resolution
 

Article Properties

Affected Product

G Series, G Series, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Retired Models, Thin Clients, Fixed Workstations, Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB16, Dell G7 15 7588, Inspiron 3452, Inspiron 15 7572, Inspiron 7580, Inspiron 3052, Inspiron 20 3064, Inspiron 3264 AIOG Series, G Series, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Retired Models, Thin Clients, Fixed Workstations, Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB16, Dell G7 15 7588, Inspiron 3452, Inspiron 15 7572, Inspiron 7580, Inspiron 3052, Inspiron 20 3064, Inspiron 3264 AIO, Inspiron 3265, Inspiron 3452 AIO, Inspiron 3455, Inspiron 24 3464, Inspiron 3475, Inspiron 24 5488, Inspiron 27 7775, Inspiron 3252, Inspiron 3655, Latitude 5290 2-in-1, Latitude 5290, Latitude 7290, Latitude 3390 2-in-1, Latitude 7390 2-in-1, Latitude 7390, Latitude 3490, Latitude 5490, Latitude 5491, Latitude 7490, Latitude 3590, Latitude 5590, Latitude 5591, OptiPlex 3050 All-In-One, OptiPlex 3050, OptiPlex 3060, OptiPlex 5050, OptiPlex 5060, OptiPlex 5250 All-In-One, OptiPlex 7050, OptiPlex 7060, OptiPlex 7450 All-In-One, OptiPlex 7460 All-In-One, OptiPlex 7760 All-In-One, Vostro 5370, Vostro 14 3468, Vostro 5471, Vostro 15 3568, Vostro 3578, Vostro 15 5568, Vostro 3470, Vostro 3670, XPS 27 7760, XPS 8920See more

Last Published Date

29 Mar 2021

Version

6

Article Type

Solution

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