Dell Inspiron 7000 - Page 77

Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-31
5. Insert your diagnostics diskette into drive A, reboot the computer, and run the
Serial/Infrared Ports test group and/or the Parallel Ports test group in the Dell
Diagnostics. (See Chapter 4, “Running the Dell Diagnostics.”)
The Serial/Infrared Ports test group and the Parallel Ports test group check the
basic functions of the system board’s I/O port logic. Also, if a parallel printer is
connected to the parallel port, the Parallel Ports test group tests the communica-
tion link between the system board’s I/O port logic and the printer.
Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes.
Go to step 6.
No.
Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for
instructions.)
6. If the problem persists, go to “Troubleshooting a Parallel Printer” or “Trouble-
shooting a Serial I/O Device” found later in this chapter.
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If the preceding procedure, “Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions,” indicates that
the problem is with a parallel printer, use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the parallel printer and computer.
2. Swap the parallel printer’s interface cable with a known working cable.
3. Turn on the parallel printer and computer.
4. Attempt a print operation on the parallel printer.
Does the print operation complete successfully?
Yes.
You probably need a new interface cable. Call Dell for technical assistance.
(See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No.
Go to step 5.
5. Run the parallel printer’s self-test.
Does the self-test complete successfully?
Yes.
Go to step 6.
No.
The printer is probably defective. If you bought the printer from Dell, call Dell
for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.) If you
purchased the printer elsewhere, take it to one of the manufacturer’s authorized
service centers for repair.