Dell Inspiron 3700 - Manual (Page 77)

support.dell.com Basic Troubleshooting 3-33


Identification tests of the microprocessor, the video controller, the keyboard
controller, and other key components


Basic input/output system (BIOS) configuration information temporarily saved in
RAM
Do not be concerned if the Device Groups area does not list the names of all the
components or devices you know are part of your computer. For example, you may
not see a printer listed, although you know one is attached to your computer. Instead,
the printer is listed as a parallel port. The computer recognizes the parallel port as
LPT1, which is an address that tells the computer where to send outgoing information
and where to look for incoming information. Because your printer is a parallel
communications device, the computer recognizes the printer by its LPT1 address and
identifies it as a parallel port. You can test your printer connection with the Parallel
Ports tests.
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Six comprehensive, menu-driven, online Help categories provide instructions on how
to use the program and explain each menu item, test group, subtest, and test and
error result. To enter the Help menu, perform the following steps:
1. Highlight Select Devices to Test in the Diagnostics Menu.
2. Press <Enter>.
3. Press <h>.
The six Help menu categories are Menu, Keys, Device Group, Device, Test, and
Versions. The online Help also provides detailed descriptions of the devices that you
are testing. The Help categories are explained in the following subsections.

The Menu Help category provides descriptions of the main menu screen area, the
Device Groups, and the different diagnostic menus and commands and instructions
on how to use them.
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The Keys Help category explains the functions of the all of the keystrokes that can be
used in Dell Diagnostics.
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The Device Group Help category describes the test group that is presently
highlighted in the Device Groups list on the main menu screen. It also provides
reasoning for using some tests.