Dell Diagnostics
What to know and how to run them
What to Know
Dell Diagnostics are traditionally a set of software tools that are included with all Dell Desktops and Laptops. Many times the Dell Support Tech on the telephone will ask a customer to run them and relay any errors that are found. These are handy for diagnosing suspected hardware issues.
Most desktops and laptops have the Dell Diagnostics on a hidden diagnostic partition that you can run if the drive was installed at the factory. This won't work if the hard drive has already been replaced. Check below for information by Model.
Desktop- GX260 Boot Menu has IDE Drive Diagnostics & Utility Partition or you can run CD
- GX270 Boot Menu has IDE Drive Diagnostics & Utility Partition or you can run CD
- GX270 Boot Menu has IDE Drive Diagnostics & Utility Partition or you can run CD
- SX270 Boot Menu has IDE Drive Diagnostics & Utility Partition or you can run CD
- D500 F12 -> Boot Menu -> Diagnostics or you can run CD
- D505 F12 -> Boot Menu -> Diagnostics or you can run CD
- D600 F12 -> Boot Menu -> Diagnostics or you can run CD
- D800 F12 -> Boot Menu -> Diagnostics or you can run CD
- D510 F12 -> Boot Menu -> Diagnostics or you can run CD
- D610 F12 -> Boot Menu -> Diagnostics or you can run CD
- D810 F12 -> Boot Menu -> Diagnostics or you can run CD
- At startup press F12
- Select Diagnostics from menu choices (if you need to run from CD there is a menu choice to do so here)
- Press enter and watch for any test to fail (take note of failures)
- Press Y at color bar display
- When test is finished it will ask to boot into diagnostics partition
- Select either Express or thorough test and take note of any errors (if it finds any errors - take note and select yes to continue to test)
*If you have trouble running diagnostics and are under warranty--- Dell Support can walk you thru the process. 1-800-624-9897 (option 3)