40 Advanced Troubleshooting
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Dell Diagnostics
  CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions 
located in the Product Information Guide.
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Solving Problems" on 
page 21 and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.
  NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.
1
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
2
When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the 
Microsoft
®
 Windows
®
 desktop. Then shut down your computer (see page 47) and try again.
3
When the boot device list appears, highlight 
Boot to Utility Partition
 and press <Enter>.
Another failure has occurred.
• Ensure that the cables are properly 
connected to the system board from 
the hard drive, CD drive, and DVD 
drive (see page 56).
• If there is an error message on your 
screen identifying a problem with a 
device (such as the floppy drive or 
hard drive), check the device to make 
sure it is functioning properly.
• The operating system is attempting to 
boot from a device (such as the floppy 
drive or hard drive); check system 
setup (see page 95) to make sure that 
the boot sequence is correct for the 
devices installed on your computer.
• If the problem persists, contact Dell 
(see page 105).
The computer is in a normal operating 
condition after POST.
None.
Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
= yellow
= green
= off
ABCD
ABCD