Dell self test

M-BIST

About this task

The M-BIST (Built-In Self-Test) diagnostics tool allows users to diagnose system-board failures.

NOTE:

M-BIST can be manually-initiated before POST (Power-On Self-Test).

How to run M-BIST?

M-BIST must be initiated from a power-off state with the computer either connected to the supplied AC power adapter or running on a

fully-charged battery.

Steps

1. From the power-off state, press and hold both the M key on the keyboard and the power button to initiate M-BIST.

2. With both the M key and the power button held down, the battery indicator LEDs exhibit two states:

a. OFF: No fault is detected with the system board.

b. AMBER: Indicates a problem with the system board.

LCD Built-In Self-Test (BIST)

About this task

LCD BIST is a diagnostic tool that helps you determine if a screen abnormality is an inherent problem with the LCD screen of the

computer, with the video card or with the computer's settings.

It is recommended to run BIST to isolate the cause of a screen abnormality if you encounter display issues such as:

•

flickering

•

distortion

•

clarity issues

•

fuzzy or blurry image

•

horizontal or vertical lines

•

color fading

Starting the LCD BIST test

Steps

1. Power off your computer.

2. Disconnect any peripherals connected to your computer. Connect only the supplied AC power adapter to your computer.

3. Ensure that the LCD screen is clean with no dust particles on the surface of the screen.

4. From the power-off state, press and hold the D key and power button to enter LCD BIST mode. Continue to hold the D key, until you

see color bars on the LCD screen.

5. The screen displays multiple color bars and the entire screen changes to red, green and blue. During this process, carefully inspect the

screen for any abnormalities.

6. Press Esc to exit.

NOTE:

LCD BIST is also initiated when Enhanced Pre-Boot System Assessment (ePSA) diagnostics is launched. For

more information about ePSA, see

Recovering the operating system

When your computer is unable to boot to the operating system even after repeated attempts, it automatically starts Dell SupportAssist OS

Recovery.

Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery is a standalone tool that is preinstalled in all Dell computers installed with Windows 10 operating system. It

consists of tools to diagnose and troubleshoot issues that may occur before your computer boots to the operating system. It enables you

to diagnose hardware issues, repair your computer, back up your files, or restore your computer to its factory state.

78

Troubleshooting

Dell EPSA Diagnostic

3.0.

jpviewer1 start off by checking to see if this works for your model:

"Laptop LCD Built-In Self Test

To run the Built-In Self-Test perform the following:

Method 1

Turn the computer off.

Press and hold the D key while pressing the power button. This will start the Laptop LCD BIST.

The screen will display multiple flashing colors. Look for lines, distortion, or any other video issues you have observed.

The laptop will restart when the test is finished.

Method 2

Turn the computer off.

Press and hold the Fn key and power on your laptop while holding down the Fn key. This will start the Dell Pre-Boot System Assessment.

Your computer will now run a series of tests.

When your computer displays a series of horizontal and vertical color bars, it will prompt you with a pop-up message "Do you see the color bars? Yes / No

Press the N key to enter the Laptop LCD BIST. Note: If you do not respond for 30 seconds, the diagnostics will automatically assume your response as a 'No' and proceed to the Laptop LCD Built-In Self Test.

The screen will display multiple flashing colors. Look for lines, distortion, or any other video issues you have observed.

The laptop will restart when the test is finished."

With all the items you already replaced, I would go and check the inverter. your M6300 uses a CCFL backlight so this could be caused by a bad inverter. Take a flashlight and angle it against the LCD see if you can make out some images. If so, replace the inverter.

Cancel

Dell computers include a diagnostic software tool that tests your computer's hardware for errors. Follow the steps below to run Dell Diagnostics.

 1. Restart the computer.

 2. As the computer boots, press F12 when the Dell Splash Screen appears.

 3. When the Boot menu appears, highlight the Boot to Utility Partition option or the Diagnostics option and then press to start the 32-bit Dell Diagnostics.

 4. Press the Tab key to highlight Test System. Press Enter to continue to 32-bit Diagnostics.

• Express Test: A quick test of devices in the system. This typically can take 10 to 20 minutes.
• Extended Test: A thorough check of devices in the system. This typically can take one hour or more.
• Custom Test: Test a specific device or customize the tests to be run. Exit to MS-DOS will exit the diagnostics to a command prompt.
• Symptom Tree: Lists the most common symptoms and allows you to select tests based on those symptoms.

Because these may take a long time to run, we recommend starting them before you leave at the end of your day so they can run over night.

1. Reboot your computer and press the f12 key as soon as you see the
Dell screen that shows right before the Windows screen.  If you miss it,
just wait for Windows to finish starting and try again.

2. Now you should see the black boot menu screen.  From here it
depends on which model of computer you have, but the steps are similar for all.

3. Use the up/down arrows to select “Diagnostics” or “Utility
Partition” or something similar and press the enter key.

4. A few pre-boot tests may run and ask you some questions.  Answer as
best you can (these tests aren’t important now).  At the end of these tests
press any key to boot the utility partition.

5. Then the hardware diagnostics screen comes up while loading some
software, and then a menu with 4 buttons.  Click on the “Custom Tests”
button.

6.  Check the Non-interactive tests only box near the top of the window
and select “All Devices” from the tree on the left.

7. Click “Run Tests” button.

8. Email or call the IT Office with any error messages you get.  If you
don’t get an error message, then your issue is probably software or network
related.  Network issues outside the Methodist Bldg. will have to be resolved by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Back to Contents Page

Dell™ U2410 Flat Panel Monitor User's Guide

  Monitor Specific Troubleshooting

  Built-in Diagnostics

  Common Problems

  Video Problems

  Product Specific Problems

  Universal Serial Bus (USB) Specific Problems

  Troubleshooting the Dell™ Soundbar (Optional) 

  Card Reader Troubleshooting

WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the Safety Instructions.

Troubleshooting Your Monitor

Self-Test Feature Check (STFC)

Your monitor provides a self-test feature that allows you to check whether your monitor is functioning properly. If your monitor and computer are properly connected but the monitor screen remains dark, run the monitor self-test by performing the following steps:

1. Turn off both your computer and the monitor.
2. Unplug the video cable from the back of the computer. To ensure proper Self-Test operation, remove both Digital (white connector) and the Analog (blue connector) cables from the back of computer.
3. Turn on the monitor.

   The floating dialog box should appear on-screen (against a black background) if the monitor cannot sense a video signal and is working correctly. While in self-test mode, the power LED remains blue. Also, depending upon the selected input, one of the dialogs shown below will continuously scroll through the screen.

   	or
   	or

    

4. This box also appears during normal system operation if the video cable becomes disconnected or damaged.
5. Turn off your monitor and reconnect the video cable; then turn on both your computer and the monitor.

If your monitor screen remains blank after you use the previous procedure, check your video controller and computer system, because your monitor is functioning properly.

NOTE: Self-test feature check is not available for Composite, and Component video modes.

Built-in Diagnostics

NOTE: You can run the built-in diagnostics only when the video cable is unplugged and the monitor is in self-test mode.

To run the built-in diagnostics:

1. Ensure that the screen is clean (no dust particles on the surface of the screen).
2. Unplug the video cable(s) from the back of the computer or monitor. The monitor then goes into the self-test mode.
3. Press and hold the first and fourth buttons on the front panel, simultaneously for 2 seconds. A gray screen appears.

1. Carefully inspect the screen for abnormalities.
2. Press the fourth button on the front panelagain. The color of the screen changes to red.
3. Inspect the display for any abnormalities.
4. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to inspect the display in green, blue, and white colored screens.

The test is complete when the white screen appears. To exit, press the fourth button again. 

If you do not detect any screen abnormalities upon using the built-in diagnostic tool, the monitor is functioning properly. Check the video card and computer.

OSD Warning Messages

For OSD-related issues, see OSD Warning Messages.

Common Problems

The following table contains general information about common monitor problems you might encounter.

Video Problems

Product Specific Problems

NOTE: When choosing DVI-D, DisplayPort, HDMI, Composite or Component video, Auto Adjust function is not available.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) Specific Problems

Troubleshooting the Dell™ Soundbar

CAUTION:Do not remove the device while reading or writing media. Doing so may cause loss of data or malfunction in the media.

Back to Contents Page