Dell OptiPlex GX1 - Manual (Page 58)

Dell Diagnostics: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide
file:///C|/infodev/2013/eDoc/OpGX1/UG/diag.htm[2/21/2013 11:47:14 AM]
diskette can be written to correctly
Why Run a Diskette Drives Test?
Very often, a diskette drive problem may first appear to be a diskette problem. A box of defective diskettes
might produce faulty-drive error messages. The test results can be confusing, so Dell suggests running the
subtests in the Diskette Drives Test Group more than once using diskettes from different sources.
Another possible cause of diskette drive problems is human error—typing a command in an incorrect form
(usually called a syntax error). Be sure you have entered the command in the proper form.
When the diskette(s) and command syntax are eliminated as causes, the following symptoms usually
suggest a drive problem and warrant running a subtest in the Diskette Drives Test Group:
An error message appears on the screen stating that the computer cannot read from or write to a
diskette.
A diskette cannot be properly formatted, or format error messages appear on the screen.
Data on diskettes is corrupted or lost; these problems may be intermittent.
IDE (ATA/ATAPI) Devices
The subtests in the IDE (ATA/ATAPI) Devices Test Group check the functionality of all drives connected to
the system IDE bus, including hard-disk and removable media drives. Some of the subtests listed in this
section apply only to particular types of drives, such as the Tape Retension Test, which applies only to tape
drives.
The eleven subtests in the IDE (ATA/ATAPI) Devices Test Group confirm the following drive functions:
Display Information
Displays information about any drives connected to the IDE bus.
Confidence Test
Runs a quick test on any hard-disk drives to ensure that they are operating properly.
Self Diagnostics Test
Uses the drive's internal test capability to determine whether the drive is functioning properly.
Seek Test
Checks the drive's ability to search for each block on the device.
Read Test
Positions the read heads at each block of the device for reading data and verifies that all blocks on the
device can be read correctly.
Verify Test