Epson Equity LT-286e User manual

EPSON
®
EQUITY™LT™-286e
System Diagnostics
User’s Guide

IMPORTANT NOTICE
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
Epson America makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, by
or with respect to anything in this manual, and shall not be liable for any implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or for any indirect,
special, or consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion of
incidental or consequential damages, so this exclusion may not apply to you.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Epson
America, Inc. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of information
contained herein. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this
publication, Epson America assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is
any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained
herein. Further, this publication and features described herein are subject to change
without notice.
TRADEMARKS
Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
Equity and LT are trademarks of Epson America, Inc.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Copyright 0 1989 by Epson America, Inc.
Torrance, California Y19499100200
ii

Contents
Introduction.. .........................................
1
Starting the Diagnostics Program.
..........................
2
Creating a Database
..................................... 2
The DIAG Main Menu Screen
............................
4
Selecting Diagnostics Tests
...............................
6
Setting the Run Time Parameters
..........................
7
Timebound Testing
.................................
9
Continuous Testing
.................................
9
Passbound Testing
..................................
9
Error Logging.. ....................................
10
Executing Diagnostics Tests in Batch Mode
.................. 12
Running the Tests.
......................................
12
System Board Diagnostics
.................................
13
Basic Functionality Test
............................. 13
CPU Protected Mode Test.
........................... 13
Processor Speed Test
................................
14
Coprocessor Test
...................................
14
DMA Controller Test ...............................
14
Interrupt Controller Test.
............................
15
Timer Test ........................................
15
RTC Test .........................................
16
CMOS Validity Test
................................ 16
Memory Diagnostics
.....................................
17
BIOS ROM Test
...................................
18
Parity Test
........................................
18
Pattern Test
.......................................
18
Walking 1’s Test.
...................................
19
Walking 0’s Test.
...................................
19
Address Test
.......................................
19
Refresh Test
.......................................
20
iii

Hard Disk Diagnostics
...................................
20
Hard Disk Parameters.
...............................
21
Disk drive identifier.
............................
21
Disk drive type
.................................
22
Interleave factor
...............................
22
Bad track list
..................................
23
Start and end cylinder numbers
...................
23
Start and end head numbers
......................
24
Hard Disk Format.
..................................
24
Auto Interleave
....................................
25
Media Analysis.
....................................
26
Performance Test
...................................
27
Seek Test
.........................................
28
Read/Verify Test
...................................
28
Check Test Cylinder
................................ 29
Force Bad Tracks
...................................
29
Hard Disk Error Messages
............................
30
Floppy Disk Diagnostics
..................................
31
Diskette Format
....................................
32
Drive Speed Test
...................................
32
Random R/W Test
..................................
32
Sequential R/W Test
................................
33
Disk Change Line Test
..............................
33
Floppy Disk Error Messages
...........................
33
Keyboard Diagnostics
....................................
34
Controller Test.
....................................
35
Scan/ASCII Code Test
..............................
35
Keyboard Clock Line Test
............................
35
Keyboard Data Line Test.
............................
35
iv

Video Diagnostics
.......................................
36
Adapter Test
......................................
36
Attribute Test
.....................................
36
80x25 Display Test.
................................. 36
40x25 Display Test.
................................. 37
320x200 Graphics Test
..............................
37
640x200 Graphics Test
..............................
37
Page Selection Test
................................. 37
Color Test .........................................
37
640x350 Graphics Test
..............................
38
Video Error Message.
................................
38
Miscellaneous Diagnostics
................................
38
Printer Adapter Test
................................ 38
Communication Adapter Test.
........................
39
Keyboard Scan/ASCII Codes
..............................
41
V

Introduction
This booklet describes how to use the diagnostics program,
called DIAG, to test the condition of your computer’s main unit
and peripheral devices, The DIAG program provides tests to
check the following hardware:
CI System board
Cl Memory
Ll Hard disk drive
0 Diskette drive
LI Keyboard
CI Video adapter board and monitor
CI Printer and communications ports
After you start the diagnostics program, you can create a
database that records the location of faulty memory chips, if any
exist. This database displays a graphic representing your
computer’s memory board and identifies the faulty chips.
Once you select a test, you need to specify how long to run it.
You use the Run Time Parameters window to specify a certain
length of time to run the test, run it continuously until you
interrupt it, or specify a number of times to run the test.
System Diagnostics 1

Starting the Diagnostics Program
To start the diagnostics program, follow these steps:
1. Insert the Diagnostics diskette in drive A.
2. Turn on or reset the computer.
3. At the MS-DOS@ prompt, type the following and press
Enter:
DIAG
The Diagnostics program displays a title screen.
4. Press any key to continue.
Creating a Database
You can create a database to record the location of faulty
memory chips that are causing memory errors. To graphically
represent the memory board on the screen, you need to identify
your system’s memory configuration.
In the lower portion of the screen, you see this message:
Press <Esc> to bypass database creation
Press ESC if you do not want to create the database. The DIAG
main menu appears so you can select the tests you want to run.
2 System Diagnostics

If you want to create a database, follow these steps:
1. Type the name (from 1 to 50 characters) that identifies your
company or the computer and press Enter in response to
this prompt:
vendor's name :
(maximum 50 characters)
For example, type EPSON and press Enter.
2. Type the computer’s model number (from 1 to 8 characters)
and press Enter in response to this prompt:
model number
.
.
(maximum 8 characters)
For example, type LT-286e and press Enter.
DIAG stores this information in a file called DIAGS.CNF.
3. If a database with this vendor name and model number does
not exist, you see this message:
Database does not exist - press
any key except <Esc> to continue
To create the database, press any key other than ESC.
Now you respond to the screen prompts to update the
configuration. You can accept the default values that DIAG
presents by pressing Enter. When you see the diagram of
the motherboard, press ESC to continue the diagnostics.
If a database with the specified vendor name and model
number exists, you see this message:
Your database already exists -
want to update (Y/N)? N
System Diagnostics 3

To update the existing database, press Y and Enter. Now
you respond to the screen prompts to update the
configuration.
If you do not want to update the database, press N and
Enter. You see the DIAG main menu.
The DIAG Main Menu Screen
The DIAG main menu screen looks like this:
~~~~~~~~~~ Memoly
:.:-A. . . . ..I. _.... . . . .
Hard Disk Keyboard Video
Miscl.
.
Processor speed test
DMA Controller test
Interrupt Controller test
Timer test
Real Time Clock test
The program’s title, copyright information, and the date and
time appear at the top of the screen.
The DIAG options line shows these categories of tests: System
Board, Memory, Hard Disk, Floppy, Keyboard, Video, and
Miscellaneous.
After you select a category, DIAG provides a submenu of the
available diagnostics tests. When the main menu first displays,
you see the submenu of diagnostics tests for the System Board
category.
4 System Diagnostics

The Run Time Parameters window lets you specify how long
you want the test to run, whether you want DIAG to notify you
of each error as it occurs, and whether to create a log of all
errors that occur during testing.
The Help window shows the keys you use to make menu
selections.
A short message describing each test you highlight displays at
the bottom of the screen.
You use these keys to make menu selections and run diagnostics
tests:
Key
Function
+
Move to the next window (or device)
t
Move to the previous window (or device)
1Move to the next test
t Move to the previous test
Enter Start the test
F2
Set the Run Time Parameters
F3
Select or deselect a test
F4 Select all tests
F5
Deselect all tests
F6
Run all selected tests
system Diagnostics 5

Selecting Diagnostics Tests
This section describes the various ways you can select the tests
you want to run.
To start a single test, move the cursor to highlight the test
category on the main menu. Then move the cursor to the
submenu and highlight the test you want to perform. Press
Enter to start the test.
To select several tests at one time, move the cursor to each test
you want to perform and press F3. If you decide you do not
want to run a selected test, highlight the test name and press F3
again.
You can press F4 to select all tests for all devices, and press F5
to deselect all selected tests.
Once you select a test, it remains selected until you deselect it.
If you run a test or a group of tests and start testing again, DIAG
performs the same tests unless you deselect them.
You must enter certain parameters for the hard disk drive and
the diskette drive tests. If you use F3 to select these tests, DIAG
prompts you for the information. If you use F4 to select these
tests, DIAG prompts you for the information during the first
pass of the test. If you perform more than one pass of the test,
DIAG uses the same parameters for each pass.
6 Systems Diagnostics

You cannot include certain tests in a group. The tests that must
run separately include:
category
System Board
Test
Timer test
Real Time Clock test
Hard Disk Hard Disk Format
Auto Interleave
Media Analysis
Force Bad Tracks
Floppy
Disk Change Line Test
Keyboard Scan/ASCII Code Test
Miscellaneous Printer Adapter Test:
Comm. Adapter Test
After you select the test(s) you want to run, you must set the
Run Time Parameters.
Setting the Run Time Parameters
To specify the Run Time Parameters, press F2 to move to the
Run Time Parameters window. DIAG displays default values for
each of the run time parameters.
You can press ESC at any time to exit the Run Time Parameters
window and return to the submenu of diagnostics tests.
The first: run time parameter defines how long or how many
times to run the test. You see this prompt:
Testing Mode: (T)imebound / (C)ontinuous /
(P)assbound [max = 65535] (T/C/P) ? P
System Diagnostics 7

Type T and press Enter to run the selected tests in Timebound
mode. In Timebound mode, DIAG runs the tests for the
amount of time you specify.
Type C and press Enter to run the selected tests in Continuous
mode. In Continuous mode, the tests run until you interrupt
them.
Type P and press Enter to run the diagnostics tests in
Passbound mode. In Passbound mode, DIAG executes the
selected tests the number of times you specify. This is the
default setting.
The next prompt is:
Wait on error (Y/N) ? Y
Press Y and Enter if you want DIAG to pause when an error
occurs during a test. DIAG pauses and waits for you to press
Enter before continuing. This lets you view the error message
and make notes about the error. This is the default setting.
Press N and Enter if you want DIAG to continue when an error
occurs.
The next prompt is:
Error logging (Y/N) ? N
Press Y and Enter to record the errors that may occur during
the test. See the “Error Logging” subsection for details.
Press N and Enter if you do not want to create the log. This is
the default setting.
If you decide not to wait on errors, you should select error
logging so you can review the errors that occur during the tests.
Next, DIAG requests information it needs to perform the type
of testing you selected.
8 System Diagnostics

Timebound Testing
If you selected Timebound testing, you see this prompt:
Period :001 hr 00 min
Specify the amount of time you want to run the selected test(s).
Type the number of hours, from 000 to 999, and press Enter.
Then type the number of minutes, from 00 to 59, and press
Enter. You can use the backspace key (t) to edit your input.
Continuous Testing
If you selected Continuous testing, DIAG needs no additional
information. After you specify whether to create the error log,
DIAG returns to the main menu. You see this message in the
Run Time Parameters window:
Test Mode:
Continuous
Passbound Testing
If you selected Passbound testing, you see this prompt:
No.
of Passes : 00001
Specify the number of times (from 1 to 65535) you want DIAG
to run the test(s). Or press Enter without entering a number to
select the default of one pass. You can use the backspace key to
edit your input.
Running a test multiple times provides reliability testing of
essential functions only. In most cases, running a test once is
sufficient.
System Diagnostics 9

If you specify a number larger than 65535, DIAG subtracts
65535 from your entry to determine how many times to run the
test. For example, if you enter a value of 65540, DIAG runs the
test(s) five times.
Error Logging
When you request error logging, DIAG displays the following
pop-up window:
Log errors on disk
Log errors to printer (LPT1)
Log errors to serial port (COM1)
Cancel error logging
Highlight the device you want to use to store or print the error
messages. Press Enter to select the device, or press ESC to exit
the pop-up window and return to the Error logging prompt.
If you select Log errors on disk, DIAG displays
another pop-up window:
Floppy disk A:
Floppy disk B:
Hard disk C:
Highlight the disk where you want to store the error messages.
Press Enter to select the specified disk drive.
DIAG creates a file called ERROR.LOG in the current
directory of the specified disk drive. After running the tests, you
can open the ERROR.LOG file to review the errors that
occurred during the tests.
10 System Diagnostics

After selecting error logging, DIAG uses this device (and/or
disk drive) for error logging until you indicate you do not want
error logging. You can then specify a new device and/or disk
drive by selecting error logging in the Run Time Parameters
window. When you specify a new device and/or disk drive,
DIAG erases the existing ERROR.LOG file.
If you select the printer, DIAG writes the error messages to the
device connected to your parallel port assigned LPT1. If you
select the serial port, DIAG writes the error messages to the
device connected to your serial port assigned COM1.
If you select Cancel error logging, DIAG changes
the error logging response from Y to N.
When you specify the device for error logging, one of the error
messages may appear:
Floppy disk A not present
Floppy disk B not present
Hard disk C not present
Printer port not present
Serial port not present
Error in printer status
Error in serial port status
Error in floppy drive A
Record the error message and select a different device for error
logging.
System Diagnostics
11

Executing Diagnostics Tests in Batch Mode
To execute the selected group of diagnostics tests in batch
mode, simply press F6.
DIAG highlights each test name as it runs the test.
If you selected Passbound testing, DIAG displays the pass
number on the right side of the screen above the Run Time
Parameters window. For example:
Pass : 00001
When DIAG is executing a group of tests, you can stop the
testing and return to the System Board submenu of tests by
pressing Ctrl Break. DIAG completes the current test before it
stops.
If you specified Wait on error in the Run Time
Parameters, DIAG pauses each time an error occurs. When you
press Enter, DIAG continues the diagnostics testing.
Running the Tests
When DIAG completes a test, you see this prompt:
Press <ENTER> to return to MAIN MENU.
Press Enter to return to the main menu.
If an error occurs during a test, note the error message and
contact your Epson dealer. Your dealer may be able to solve the
problem; if not, he or she can refer you to an authorized Epson
Customer Care Center. If necessary, call the Epson Consumer
Information number (1-800-922-891 1) for the location of your
nearest authorized Epson Customer Care Center.
12 System Diagnostics

System Board Diagnostics
The tests listed in the System Board submenu provide a
complete diagnostics check of the system board.
Basic Functionality test
CPU Protected Mode test
Processor speed test
CoProcessor test
DMA Controller test
Interrupt Controller test
Timer test
Real Time Clock test
CMOS Validity test
Basic Functionality Test
This test verifies the operation of each major component on the
system board. It checks the instructions, registers, and flags of
the CPU.
When the test completes successfully, you see this message:
Basic functionality test of CPU passed OK.
CPU Protected Mode Test
This test switches to protected mode and checks the protected
mode instructions, such as LSL, VER, and LAR.
When the test completes successfully, you see this message:
Protected mode test of CPU passed OK.
System Diagnostics 13

Processor Speed Test
This test identifies the CPU clock speed and displays a message
similar to this:
Measure CPU speed in Megahertz = 12.00
Coprocessor Test
This test checks the math coprocessor.
If the math coprocessor is not installed, you see this message:
Numeric Data processor not present.
DMA Controller Test
This test performs read/write tests on the memory address
registers and page registers of DMA controller 1 and 2.
During the test, you see this message:
Testing Programmable DMA Controller.
When the test completes successfully, you see this message:
Programmable DMA Controller test
passed OK.
14 System Diagnostics

Interrupt Controller Test
This test performs read/write tests on the interrupt mask
registers and checks for invalid interrupts.
During the test, you see this message:
Testing Programmable Interrupt
Controller . . . .
When the test completes successfully, you see this message:
Programmable Interrupt Controller test
passed OK.
Timer Test
This test verifies the accuracy of the timer count by comparing
it to the periodic interrupt of the system’s real time clock
(RTC).
During the test, you see this message:
Testing Programmable Interval Timer.
When the test completes successfully, you see this message:
Programmable Interval Timer test
passed OK.
System Diagnostics 15