Dell OptiPlex GX1 - Manual (Page 61)

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]
If a peripheral works intermittently or produces intermittent errors, the port may be faulty.
If the computer displays an error message that is related to the external device connected to a port, but
corrections to the device do not resolve the error, run the appropriate subtest in the Serial/Infrared
Ports Test Group.
If your software and the diagnostics do not recognize that you have a serial or infrared port, you should
check the Serial/Infrared Port category in the
System Setup program , and if necessary, run the
appropriate subtest in the Serial/Infrared Ports Test Group.
Parallel Ports Test Group
The subtests in the Parallel Ports Test Group check the computer’s interface with external devices, such as
a printer, that are connected to the computer through a parallel port. The subtests in this test group are not
intended as a diagnostic test for the actual peripheral attached to each port. (The only exception is a printer,
as described in the Parallel Internal Test.)
NOTE: If an external loopback connector is not attached to the parallel port, the Parallel External
Loopback Test will fail for that port and the results of this test should therefore be ignored.
The four subtests in the Parallel Ports Test Group confirm the following port functions:
Parallel Internal Test
Checks several internal functions of the parallel port
Parallel External Loopback Test
Tests the functionality of the control lines through an external loopback connector, if an external
loopback connector is available
Parallel External Interrupt Test
Tests the parallel port’s ability to generate interrupts from all possible sources, if an external
loopback connector or printer is available
Parallel Printer Pattern Test
Tests a printer and tests the parallel port’s ability to send a pattern to the printer, if connected
Why Run a Parallel Ports Test?
If the Dell Diagnostics does not recognize your computer’s parallel port, enter the System Setup program
and check the Parallel Port category to see if the port has been disabled. The subtests in the Parallel Ports
Test Group cannot test a port unless it is enabled.
When a port is faulty, it may not be immediately evident that the port, and not the device connected to the
port, is faulty. Instead, the peripheral (such as a printer) might behave erratically or not operate at all. If the
external device is not properly installed through your software, it also may not function properly. Try
operating the peripheral from different programs or through the operating system. If it still does not work, you
can eliminate the software setup as the cause of the problem.