Dell OptiPlex GX1 - Manual (Page 64)

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]
Places the controller into its various internal loopback modes and tests its ability to transmit and
receive data.
NOTE: For some controllers, this test is not applicable.
External Loopback Test
Places the controller into its various external loopback modes and tests its ability to transmit and
receive data. A loopback plug is required to perform this test.
NOTE: For some controllers, this test is not applicable.
Shared RAM Test
Performs a memory test on controllers with memory-mapped shared RAM. On controllers with
first-in first-out (FIFO)-shared RAM, writes a data pattern to all locations and reads the pattern
back to verify the operation. Some controllers do not support shared RAM tests.
Display Information
Displays addresses and configuration information about the NIC. This information includes the
network address used for communication on the local area network (LAN).
Why Run a Network Interface Test?
Running a subtest in the Network Interface Test Group helps diagnose problems that may be encountered
while the system is operating in a network environment. Most network failures are caused by one of the
following:
Poor network connections
Failure in the controller
Interrupt conflict (the controller trying to use the same IRQ line as another device)
Software configuration error
If a problem occurs while the system is operating in a network, the network connection should be inspected.
If the connection is good, the Network Interface Test Group can be run to indicate whether the NIC is
functioning, and if the test group is run in a loop, it can be used to detect intermittent failures.
The Registers Test subtest checks the interrupt generation capability of the controller. The Display
Information Test displays the controller’s IRQ level. You can then make sure there is not an interrupt conflict
by verifying that the IRQ level is not being used by another device in the system.
Audio Test Group
The subtests in the Audio Test Group check the functions of the audio controller and the computer’s
recording and playback features.