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Service Hints & Tips

Document ID: DETR-3THQ9G

Aptiva - Diagnostic Menus

Applicable to: World-Wide

Diagnostic Menus:

Select an Option Menu:

This menu appears first if the system options are correctly set.

SELECT AN OPTION 0 - SYSTEM CHECKOUT 1 - FORMAT DISKETTE 2 - COPY DISKETTE 9 - END DIAGNOSTICS To run SETUP: a. Press Ctrl+ALT+Del. b. Then press F1 while the configuration icon is displayed in the upper right hand corner. ENTER THE ACTION DESIRED ?

0 - SYSTEM CHECKOUT: Starts the system checkout procedure.
1 - FORMAT DISKETTE: Formats a scratch diskette for diagnostic use only.
2 - COPY DISKETTE: Copies the Advanced Diagnostics diskette to another diskette.
9 - END Diagnostics: Gives the option to restart the system.

Diskette Drive Menu:
This menu allows you to test the diskette drives and the control logic on the system board:

TESTING 600 DISKETTE DIAGNOSTIC MENU OPTION 1 - SEEK TEST 2 - WRITE, READ, COMPARE TEST 3 - VERIFY DISKETTE TEST 4 - SPEED TEST 5 - DISKETTE CHANGE TEST 9 - RETURN TO CONTROL PROGRAM FOR OPTION 9 TYPE '9' AND PRESS 'ENTER' FOR OTHER OPTIONS NUMBER DRIVE ID (1,A) AND PRESS 'ENTER'

1 - SEEK TEST: Tests the basic diskette seek operations, including sequential and random diskette drive head positioning.
2 - WRITE, READ, COMPARE TEST: Tests the basic diskette operations including a series of random seeks. Each seek is followed by a write, read, and comparison of data.
3 - VERIFY DISKETTE TEST: Verifies data accessing and each sector.
4 - SPEED TEST: Measures the time required for one revolution of the diskette.
5 - DISKETTE CHANGE TEST: Tests the diskette change signal and write-protect feature as you remove and insert a diskette.
9 - RETURN TO CONTROL PROGRAM: Returns to the System Checkout menu or continues with the next device test.

Hard Disk Drive Menu:
This menu allows you to test the hard disk drive and controller:

HARD DISK DIAGNOSTIC MENU 1 - WRITE, READ, COMPARE (ON TEST CYLINDER) 2 - SEEK TEST 3 - HEAD SELECT 4 - ERROR DETECTION AND CORRECTION 5 - RUN ALL TESTS 6 - READ VERIFY 7 - FORMAT UTILITY 9 - RETURN TO CONTROL PROGRAM FOR OPTION 9 TYPE '9' AND PRESS 'ENTER' FOR OTHER OPTIONS (1 THRU 5) TYPE THE OPTION NUMBER DRIVE ID (1,C) AND PRESS 'ENTER'

1 - WRITE, READ, COMPARE (ON TEST CYLINDER): Tests the hard disk read and write operations.
2 - SEEK TEST: Sequentially moves the hard disk heads inward one cylinder at a time until the last cylinder is reached. The heads then reset to the first cylinder and a random seek test is performed.
3 - HEAD SELECT: Data is written to the test cylinder by each hard disk head; the data is then read and checked for any errors.
4 - ERROR DETECTION AND CORRECTION: Tests the hard disk error checking and correction circuits by reading data, altering the data, and writing the data at the test cylinder. A comparison test detects any errors.
5 - RUN ALL TESTS: Run tests 1, 2, 3, and 4; also reads track 0.
6 - READ VERIFY: A read operation is performed on the entire hard disk; any tracks that cannot be read are reported with existing defects.
7 - FORMAT UTILITY: Selects the Format Selection menu.
9 - RETURN TO CONTROL PROGRAM: Returns to the System Checkout menu or continues with the next device test.

Video Graphics Array menu:
This menu allows you to test the VGA and SVGA monitors and control logic on the system board.

VIDEO GRAPHICS DISPLAY 1 - VGA TEST 2 - DISPLAY ATTRIBUTES 3 - CHARACTER TESTS 4 - GRAPHICS TESTS 5 - SCREEN PAGING 6 - RUN TESTS 1 THROUGH 5,8 7 - SYNC TEST 8 - EXTENDED MODE TESTS 9 - RETURN TO CONTROL PROGRAM

1 - VGA TEST: Verifies the video portion of the system board.
2 - DISPLAY ATTRIBUTES: Shows the following character attributes: normal and high intensity, reverse video, blinking, non-monitor, and 16 colors.
3 - CHARACTER TESTS: Shows the following character modes: 40x25, 80x25, 80x30 and 256 ASCII characters.
4 - GRAPHIC TESTS: Displays various patterns to test the monitor graphic needs.
5 - SCREEN PAGING: Tests the video-addressing circuitry.
6- RUN TESTS 1 THROUGH 5,8: Performs tests 1 through 5 on a VGA monitor and tests 1 through 5 plus 8 on SVGA and HiFunction monitors.
7 - SYNC TEST: Provides a test signal to allow voltage measurement at the video connector.
8 - EXTENDED MODE TESTS: Shows a subset of the following character modes: either 80x60 or 132x43; also 132x25. Also shows a subset of the following graphic modes: 640x480x256, 800x600x256, and 1024x768x16.

Note:
This test is only available for SVGA Tri-Synch and Multi-Scanning monitors. Availability also depends on the amount of video DRAM present.

9 - RETURN TO CONTROL PROGRAM: Returns to the System Checkout menu or continues with the next device test.

Formatting A Hard Disk:
Hard disks normally contain tracks in excess of their stand capacity to allow for defective tracks. The user is notified by a diagnostic message when the defect tracks. The user is notified by a diagnostic message when the defect limit has been reached and service is recommended.

The Advanced Diagnostics Format utility is different from the operating system format program. Before the customer can transfer information from the backup diskettes to the hard disk, the hard disk must be formatted using the operating system format program. Have the customer refer to the operating system manual for a description of the hard disk preparation commands.

Warning:
All data on the selected hard disk is destroyed during a format operation or surface analysis.

Format Utility

FORMAT SELECTION MENU 1 - CONDITIONAL FORMAT 2 - UNCONDITIONAL FORMAT 3 - SURFACE ANALYSIS 9 - RETURN TO HARD DISK MENU FOR OPTION 9 TYPE '9' AND PRESS 'ENTER' FOR OTHER OPTIONS (1 THRU 5) TYPE THE OPTION NUMBER DRIVE ID (1,C), AND PRESS 'ENTER'

1 - CONDITIONAL FORMAT: The hard disk is scanned for any defective tracks, then formatted (except for any known defective tracks).
2 - UNCONDITIONAL FORMAT: The hard disk is formatted, except for any defective tracks that you specify.
3 - SURFACE ANALYSIS: Scans the hard disk by writing, reading, and comparing a unique data pattern to detect any defective tracks.
9 - RETURN TO HARD DISK MENU: Returns to the Hard Disk menu.

Warning:
Formatting results in a complete loss of data on the hard disk, including system software. If you are directed to or elect to format the hard disk, you must do the following:

1. Prior to formatting, have the customer back up all information.
2. Prior to returning the system to the customer, you must reinstall the system software on the hard disk.

Formatting Procedure:
Before replacing a failing hard disk drive, try to format it as follows:
1. Power off the system unit. Check that the hard disk drive cable is tightly connected.
2. Insert the Advanced Diagnostics diskette into drive A.
3. Power on the system unit.
4. Press 0 (SYSTEM CHECKOUT), then press Enter.
5. Depending on the options installed in the system, questions about attached devices may appear on the screen. Answer as required, then press Enter.
6. Press Y (IS THE LIST CORRECT (Y/N)?), then press Enter. If the list is incorrect, follow the instructions on the screen to correct the list before answering "Yes."
7. Press 0 (RUN TESTS ONE TIME), then press Enter.
8. Select 17 (HARD DISK DRIVE), then press enter.
9. Press 7 (FORMAT MENU), then press Enter.
10. Press 1,C, then press Enter.
11. Press Y (DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE (Y/N)?), then press Enter.
12. Press Y or N (ALL DEFECTS WILL BE SHOWN ON THE MONITOR, THEY CAN ALSO BE PRINTED ON LPT1, IS A HARD COPY NEEDED?), then press Enter.
13. If you were instructed to perform an UNCONDITIONAL FORMAT, follow the instructions on the screen.
14. Prior to formatting, have the customer back up all information.
15. Prior to returning the system to the customer, you must reinstall the system software on the hard disk.

	Search Keywords
	Hint Category	Diagnostics
	Date Created	03-10-96
	Last Updated	13-11-98
	Revision Date	13-11-99
	Brand	IBM Aptiva
	Product Family	Aptiva
	Machine Type	2144, 2168
	Model
	TypeModel
	Retain Tip (if applicable)
	Reverse Doclinks and Admin Purposes