Dell Latitude LM - Manual (Page 74)

4-18 Dell Latitude LM Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
I
DE CD ROM Drives Test Group
The subtests in the IDE CD ROM Drives Test Group
check the functionality of the integrated drive electronics
(IDE) CD-ROM drive when it is installed in the options
bay. Before conducting an IDE CD ROM test, insert into
the CD-ROM drive a CD with audio and data tracks
(such as a multimedia CD).
NOTES: Before running the IDE CD ROM Drives Test
Group, install the CD-ROM drive in the options bay and
attach the diskette drive to the parallel connector on the
back of the computer. If you do not have a CD-ROM drive
in the options bay and the diskette drive attached to the
parallel port, the subtests fail.
The Audio Output Test requires a CD with audio tracks;
all other subtests in this test group require a CD with
data tracks. If the CD-ROM drive contains a CD that
does not have the required data or audio tracks, the
subtest fails.
Why Run an IDE CD ROM Drives Test?
If you encounter a problem while using an application
program on a CD, the problem could result from the disc
or from the drive. When you encounter problems, first try
using a different CD. If the problem recurs, run the IDE
CD ROM Drives Test Group.
These are the most common symptoms that might prompt
you to test an IDE CD-ROM drive:
• Seek errors are reported by the operating system or
application programs.
• An error message appears on the screen stating that
the computer cannot read from an IDE CD-ROM
drive.
Subtests
The five subtests in the IDE CD ROM Drives Test Group
confirm the following drive functions:
• Drive Controller Test
Causes the drive to execute its internal self-test.
• 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.
• Audio Output Test
Causes the drive to begin playing the first audio
track on an audio CD. (To determine if the test
passed, listen to the audio output of the drive.)
NOTE: The Audio Output Test does not run auto-
matically as part of the IDE CD ROM Drives Test
Group; you must select the subtest individually.
• Eject Removable Media
Checks the drive’s ability to eject the CD tray.
S
erial/Infrared Ports Test Group
The subtests in the Serial/Infrared Ports Test Group
check the computer’s interface with external devices
(such as a serial mouse or a printer). The subtests in this test
group are not intended as a diagnostic test for the external
device itself.
Why Run a Serial/Infrared Ports Test?
It may not be immediately evident whether the port or the
external device is faulty. In both cases, the external
device (such as a serial mouse or a printer) might behave
erratically or not operate at all. Eliminate incorrect sys-
tem configuration information settings, peripheral
malfunctions, and software errors as potential causes of
infrared (IR) port problems, before you run the subtests
in the Serial/Infrared Port Test Group to check your
hardware.
If the diagnostics do not recognize the computer’s serial
or infrared port, check the
SERIAL PORT or INFRARED
options in the Peripherals Menu of the Setup program to see
if the port has been disabled. For instructions, see the topic
titled “Peripherals Menu” in the online System User’s Guide.
The subtests in the Serial/Infrared Ports Test Group cannot
test a port unless it is enabled.
Another possible cause for errors is a problem with the
external device itself. Use the documentation that came with
the peripheral to troubleshoot it and confirm that it is work-
ing properly.