How to Run a Preboot Diagnostic Test on a Dell Computer (2024)

Table of Contents

1. Diagnostic Quick Test
2. Advanced Diagnostic Test
3. Other Resources
   • Configuration Tab
   • Health Tab
   • Firmware Tab
   • Logs of Previous Diagnostics Tests Tab

Diagnostic Quick Test

1. Turn on your computer.
2. At the Dell logo, press the F12 key several times until the One Time Boot Menu appears.
3. On the boot menu screen, select the Diagnostics option (Figure 1.)
   

   Figure 1: One Time Boot Menu

   The diagnostic quick test begins (Figure 2.)
   
   Figure 2: Diagnostic Quick Test

   NOTE: The mouse and touch screen (if installed) are not active during testing.

   NOTE: To run a diagnostic test on a specific device, press Esc and then select Advanced test on the lower left corner and then follow the steps in the Diagnostic advanced test section.

   Once the quick test completes, the results are shown.

   It will state either:

   • All tests passed successfully, either:
     • Scan the QR code for additional help.
     • Select EXIT in the lower right corner to reboot the computer.
     • Select ADVANCED TEST on the lower left corner to run a specific test, follow the steps in the Diagnostic advanced test section to learn how to run a specific test.
   • A message stating what hardware is not working correctly, either:
     • See the following articles for troubleshooting steps to possibly resolve the issue.

       Select the article which matches the error range and look up the specific error you have, and perform the troubleshooting steps.

       See Also

       Een diagnostische test voor het opstarten uitvoeren op een Dell computerUser manual Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7630 (EnglishDell Latitude 7400 : Owners ManualDell Computer Does Not Turn On or Boot Into Windows With Errors Such as No Bootable Device
       • Reference Table of ePSA, PSA Error Codes, and Troubleshooting Steps (2000-0NNN Series)
       • Reference Table of ePSA, PSA Error Codes, and Troubleshooting Steps (2000-4NNN Series)
       • Reference Table of ePSA, PSA Error Codes, and Troubleshooting Steps (2000-8NNN Series)
     • Scan the QR code to report the issue.
     • Browse to SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check to report the issue (Make a note of the error code, validation code, and service tag.)
     • Browse to Contact Technical Support to see what your options are (Make a note of the error code, validation code, and service tag.)

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Advanced Diagnostic Test

NOTE: The default is that all the tests are selected.

1. When you want to run a specific test, select to clear the Select all check box and then select the tests you want to run. (Figure 3.)
   
   Figure 3: Advanced Test Screen

   NOTE: The hardware test options may vary depending on the hardware installed on your Dell computer.

   NOTE: To run a thorough test on the hardware, select to check the Thorough mode box.

2. Select RUN TEST.

   NOTE: On Dell laptops, user response is required during the LCD test.

   Once the testcompletes, the results are shown.

   It will state either:

   • All tests passed successfully, either:
     • Scan the QR code for additional help.
     • Select EXIT in the lower right corner to reboot the computer.
     • Select QUICK TEST on the lower left corner.
   • A message stating what hardware is not working correctly, either:
     • See the following articles for troubleshooting steps to possibly resolve the issue.

       Select the article which matches the error range and look up the specific error you have, and perform the troubleshooting steps.

       • Reference Table of ePSA, PSA Error Codes, and Troubleshooting Steps (2000-0NNN Series)
       • Reference Table of ePSA, PSA Error Codes, and Troubleshooting Steps (2000-4NNN Series)
       • Reference Table of ePSA, PSA Error Codes, and Troubleshooting Steps (2000-8NNN Series)
     • Scan the QR code to report the issue.
     • Browse to SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check to report the issue (Make a note of the error code, validation code, and service tag.)
     • Browse to Contact Technical Support to see what your options are (Make a note of the error code, validation code, and service tag.)

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Other Resources:

The Preboot Diagnostic tool also provides information as outlined below:

Configuration

NOTE: To access the Configuration tab, select SYSTEM INFO from the options on the left.

Figure 4: Configuration Tab

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Health

NOTE: To access the Health tab, select SYSTEM INFO from the options on the left.

Figure 5: Health Tab

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Firmware

NOTE: To access the Firmware tab, select SYSTEM INFO from the options on the left.

Figure 6: Firmware Tab

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Logs of Previous Diagnostics Tests

NOTE: To access the logs of the previous diagnostics tests, select LOGS from the options on the left.

Figure 7: Diagnostics Logs Tab

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Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

• How to Run a Diagnostic Test Using SupportAssist.
• How to Run a Dell Online Diagnostic Test.
• How to Run a Diagnostic Test on a Dell Monitor.
• How to Run the LCD Built-in Self-Test on a Dell Laptop.
• How to Run a Power Supply Unit Self Test On a Dell Desktop or All-in-One Computer.
• How to Run Hardware Diagnostics on your PowerEdge Server.