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For HP Workstation and Server platforms, this information will be announced at a • later date. For more detailed information, refer to the HP support web sites (refer to page 7). NOTE e-Diagtools 4.0 is not compatible with HP computers that use e-Diagtools 3.5x or earlier.
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(For HP Notebook PCs and HP Workstations, e-Diagtools 4.0 is still installed in the Utility Partition, which was used for e-Diagtools 3.5x. For more information, refer to the e-Diagtools 3.5x User’s Guide, available from the web sites described on page 7.) New, more efficient and accurate hardware diagnostics tests •...
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This document explains how to install, configure and use the Virtual Call Assistant, an e-Diagtools diagnostic aid that is capable of detecting and recognizing audio error signals from remote computers. It is available on your HP computer’s support web site (refer to page 7 for web addresses).
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(supplied with some Windows and Linux HP computers released after May 2002.) Boot from this CD-ROM to run e-Diagtools. For more detailed information, refer to the HP support web sites (refer to page 7). Media for HP Notebook PCs and HP Workstations e-Diagtools 4.0 is supplied on the following media:...
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HP Support web sites: HP Support www.hp.com/go/support Business PC Support www.hp.com/go/support HP Workstation Support www.hp.com/workstations/support HP Notebook Support www.hp.com/go/support (select Notebook PCs) For more information about HP Customer Care Service and Support, refer to chapter 11, “HP Customer Care Service and Support“.
Pre-Boot Diagnostics and BIOS Errors This chapter describes Pre-boot Diagnostics and BIOS errors, which help you troubleshoot hardware problems when your Business PC or HP Workstation cannot boot (start) properly. Pre-boot diagnostics are not provided on all HP computers. It also describes a web-based troubleshooting tool related to pre-boot diagnostics, BIOS EMU errors, and e-Diagtools for HP Compaq Business PCs or HP Workstations.
• the Virtual Call Assistant. (For more information about the Virtual Call Assistant, refer to the Virtual Call Assistant User’s Guide, available on your HP computer’s support web site – refer to page 7 for web addresses The distinct beeps form a beep code that you can interpret using the following table: •...
Audio Error Signal For many errors, some HP computers can also emit the modulated audio signal that corresponds to the displayed error. This can be especially useful when you call your support provider (this feature is described below in “Calling Your Support Provider”).
The support provider can then decode the signal and provide a solution. For more information about Virtual Call Assistant, refer to the Virtual Call Assistant User’s Guide, available in PDF format on your HP computer’s support web site (refer to page 7 for web addresses).
These web-based troubleshooting tools can provide valuable support information and help you solve your problem. The tools are available for HP e-pc, HP Vectra, and HP Kayak computers. You can access e-Diagtools online troubleshooting by connecting to the web site www.hp.com/go/e-diagtools...
Starting e-Diagtools This chapter describes how to start and run e-Diagtools from the hard disk or from CD-ROM. this chapter applies to ✔ hp compaq business pcs ✔ hp workstations ✔ hp notebook pcs...
2 Starting e-Diagtools Before Starting e-Diagtools Before Starting e-Diagtools This section applies to Business PCs and Workstations. If you have an HP Notebook PC, skip this section and go directly to “Option 2: Starting e-Diagtools on HP Notebook PCs” on page 23.
How you start e-Diagtools depends on your computer model. Most of the latest Business PCs have a new configuration and diagnostics startup menu. Option 1: Starting e-Diagtools on HP Compaq Business PCs 1 Quit all applications, shut down the operating system, and restart your computer.
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2 Starting e-Diagtools Starting e-Diagtools from the Hard Disk 4 The e-Diagtools welcome screen appears. Press Actual screen may differ from the one shown English to run e-Diagtools.
Option 2: Starting e-Diagtools on HP Notebook PCs 1 Quit all applications and restart your computer. 2 After the initial splash screen with the logo, a message is displayed. The exact message may vary; here are two examples: Press <F10> to start Diagtools Press <F10>...
1 Insert the HP CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive. Restart your computer. 2 For Business PCs and HP Workstations, ensure that the option to start from the CD- ROM drive is enabled and that the CD-ROM is configured to be the first device to boot from (refer to “Before Starting e-Diagtools”...
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2 Starting e-Diagtools Starting e-Diagtools from CD-ROM 5 The e-Diagtools welcome screen appears. Press to run e-Diagtools. Actual screen may differ from the one shown...
2 Starting e-Diagtools The e-Diagtools Main Menu The e-Diagtools Main Menu Actual screen may differ from the one shown F1 ? (Help) Gives a brief explanation of menu options. In all e-Diagtools screens where pressing Run e-Diagtools Runs e-Diagtools hardware diagnostics. This process is described in subsequent chapters of this manual.
Exit Exits e-Diagtools and restarts the system. Support Ticket (when available) Allows you to: View the last available Support Ticket. • Copy the last available Support Ticket onto floppy disk. • For an up-to-date Support Ticket, run e-Diagtools first. If you do not run e-Diagtools first, the last available Support Ticket will be displayed.
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2 Starting e-Diagtools The e-Diagtools Main Menu English...
Hardware Detection This chapter describes the hardware detection phase of e-Diagtools. this chapter applies to ✔ hp compaq business pcs ✔ hp workstations ✔ hp notebook pcs...
3 e-Diagtools Hardware Detection Overview of Hardware Detection Overview of Hardware Detection Once launched, e-Diagtools begins by detecting the hardware components of your computer. Hardware detection finds and lists the computer’s major hardware components. It also determines which tests are appropriate for your computer. For example, if your computer has an IDE or SCSI hard disk drive, it will be checked as part of the basic system test.
3 e-Diagtools Hardware Detection Hardware Detection Results Hardware Detection Results The following is an example of the screen that appears after the hardware detection phase. All main hardware components are listed after the computer product name and model. You can use the arrow keys to scroll through the list of detected components.
The hardware test for that component may not be available. For more information, • refer to the Readme file for your version of e-Diagtools, available on the HP support web site (described on page 7). NOTE e-Diagtools does not test components that have not been detected. However, we recommend that you continue with the basic system test to verify that the underlying components are functioning correctly.
Basic System Test This chapter describes the basic system test performed by e-Diagtools. this chapter applies to ✔ hp compaq business pcs ✔ hp workstations ✔ hp notebook pcs...
4 e-Diagtools Basic System Test Overview of the Basic System Test Overview of the Basic System Test The basic system test is performed after hardware detection. The purpose of this test is to verify the correct operation of the computer’s main hardware components. For each detected hardware component, the test will confirm that: The component is powered on •...
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4 e-Diagtools Basic System Test How to Run the Basic System Test 3 Once hardware detection is complete, this screen appears: 4 Press F2 and the basic system testing starts.
4 e-Diagtools Basic System Test Test Result: PASSED NOTE The screen image may become momentarily corrupted during the basic system test. This is normal when the graphics system is being tested. Do not restart your system. The image will be restored after the test is complete. Test Result: PASSED The following actions are recommended: If you are running e-Diagtools for verification purposes only, there is no need to...
Test Result: WARNING or FAILED NOTE A test warning or failure does not necessarily mean that a component needs replacement. For example, it may simply mean that there is a configuration error or that there is a loose cable. Important Recommendation Since e-Diagtools displays only one error at a time whereas the Support Ticket will list all errors, it is recommended that: 1 You consult the Support Ticket to see the full list of errors.
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The Support Ticket is a complete record of the test results. It is the most effective way to communicate the problem to your support provider. To learn more about the Support Ticket, refer to chapter 6. For HP Compaq Business PCs and some HP Workstations: • If the...
The tests vary to some extent from platform to platform. For the most up-to-date list of tests, refer to the Readme or Whatsnew file provided with the e-Diagtools software (available on HP Support web site described on page 7). The following components are included in the basic tests.
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4 e-Diagtools Basic System Test What is Tested English...
Advanced System Tests This chapter describes the advanced system tests. Individual computer components can be thoroughly tested using the advanced system tests. this chapter applies to ✔ hp compaq business pcs ✔ hp workstations ✔ hp notebook pcs...
5 Advanced System Tests Overview of the Advanced System Tests Overview of the Advanced System Tests The advanced system tests can be used to test each of the computer’s components. These tests are more thorough and cover a wider range of functionality than the basic system tests.
Some tests may not be available for your HP computer. These will appear in grey. 2 If you want to run the tests once, press If you want to run the tests repeatedly in a loop, press hardware problem occurs intermittently.
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The Support Ticket is a complete record of the test results. It is the most effective way to communicate the problem to your support provider. To learn more about the Support Ticket, refer to chapter 6. For HP Compaq Business PCs and some HP Workstations: • If the F11 - Emit Code audio error code signal for the error.
The Support Ticket This chapter describes the Support Ticket, which is a record of the test results and the computer’s configuration. this chapter applies to ✔ hp compaq business pcs ✔ hp workstations ✔ hp notebook pcs...
6 The Support Ticket What is the Support Ticket? What is the Support Ticket? The Support Ticket is a text file that contains a complete record of the test results and the computer’s configuration information. It is the most effective way of communicating this essential information to your support provider.
The e-Diagtools Support Ticket Screen Accessing the Support Ticket Screen To access the Support Ticket screen, start e-Diagtools as normal (refer to chapter 2, “Starting e-Diagtools“ for more information). You can then access the Support Ticket screen: From the e-Diagtools welcome screen (except when running e-Diagtools from •...
Retrieving the Support Ticket from Windows To retrieve the support ticket: For HP Notebook PCs: • Use e-Diagtools for Windows to email, print or consult the Support Ticket. For more information refer to chapter 7, “e-Diagtools for Windows (Notebook PCs only)“.
Windows (Notebook PCs only) This chapter describes e-Diagtools for Windows, the Windows-based application for HP Notebook PCs. this chapter applies to ✘ hp compaq business pcs ✘ hp workstations ✔ hp notebook pcs...
Version 3.x or later for Notebook PCs. e-Diagtools for Windows includes the e-Diagtools LAN Configuration Agent and enables the user to get the Support Ticket from the HP Utility Partition, edit it, and send it to the Support Provider or copy it to hard disk.
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7 e-Diagtools for Windows (Notebook PCs only) What is e-Diagtools for Windows? Click on a command on the Command Bar to open a pulldown list of options associated with that command. In addition to the Command Bar, the main window features a Toolbar of icons located just below the Command Bar.
7 e-Diagtools for Windows (Notebook PCs only) “e-Diagtools for Windows” Commands “e-Diagtools for Windows” Commands This section describes the e-Diagtools for Windows commands available on the Command Bar. Support Ticket command opens a drop-down menu with options to view the latest Support Ticket Support Ticket, send the Support Ticket to the service provider’s support address via email, or to generate a new Support Ticket and update the stored Support Ticket data.
• Info • The BIOS can be updated, by LAN or by modem connection, from an HP server containing new BIOS versions for specific HP Notebook computers. When you choose ” to determine the source of the local version to be flashed. You can either...
Server. Click on the Connect / Download Options button if you want to alter any parameters. Change Settings For HP Notebook PCs, the update server URL is: http://ftp.hp.com/pub/mobile_computing/software/edtpackages/master.ini To check the connection parameters for sending the Support Ticket, open the Connection window.
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To send the Support Ticket you must provide your email address and the support provider email address. For BIOS downloads you must have a valid Update Server URL and the correct Proxy Server name and port number. If you are using the HP site, you can use the default Update Server URL: http://ftp.hp.com/pub/mobile_computing/software/edtpackages/master.ini...
BIOS stored in the HP Utility Partition • the version number and download size of the BIOS available on the HP Server that is • suitable for installation on this type of HP Notebook PC.
The HP Protected Partition This chapter describes the HP Protected Partition, its properties, and how to update it. The HP Protected Partition is available on selected Business PCs. For information about the HP Utility Partition used on HP Notebooks PCs and HP Workstations that are provided with e-Diagtools 4.0, refer to the e-Diagtools 3.5x User’s...
This renders the partition invisible and protected. NOTE If a SCSI hard disk is used, the HP Protected Partition uses a structure very similar to PARTIES except that it is not protected from deletion using ordinary disk partition tools.
Unobtrusive • 32 MB of disk space is used for the HP Protected Partition – this is a negligible amount for the current generation of massive multi-gigabyte hard disks. Easy to manage •...
"destructive" recovery, then: If the partition already exists, it is left intact and not modified. • If the partition does not exist (for example, on a new HP hard disk provided by HP • support), it is created. In both cases, the recovery process ensures that the HP Protected Partition is present on the hard drive –...
Support Solutions and Troubleshooting This chapter describes e-Diagtools in the context of support and troubleshooting. This information may be useful for system administrators and MIS. this chapter applies to ✔ hp compaq business pcs ✔ hp workstations ✔ hp notebook pcs...
Assistant For more information, refer to chapter 10, “Virtual Call Assistant“ or refer to the Virtual Call Assistant User’s Guide, available from HP’s support web site (refer to page 7 for web addresses). This web-based tool provides automated diagnostics and solutions, software solutions, and the troubleshooting knowledge base.
These occur during the computer’s POST. The computer displays an error message on the screen. For many of these errors, some HP computers can also emit the modulated audio signal that corresponds to the displayed error. To emit the audio...
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Support / Helpdesk Computer VCA Software Hardware Decoder ℡ When the end user calls to report the problem, they emit the audio signal into the telephone handset. The audio signal is transmitted by telephone from the buzzer on the computer’s system board to the helpdesk computer. On the receiving end, the audio signal is picked up by a DynaMetric decoder fitted to the telephone receiver, which is connected to the microphone input of the computer’s sound card.
HP Diagtools home page at: www.hp.com/go/e-diagtools For more detailed information about using the VCA, refer to the Virtual Call Assistant User’s Guide, available on the your computer’s HP support web site (refer to page 7 for web addresses). English...
Your HP Authorized Reseller Your HP Authorized Reseller HP Authorized Resellers have been trained on HP equipment and are familiar with its configuration and environment. Authorized Resellers can also answer questions regarding non-HP hardware, software and systems as well as answer queries about usage intended for, or not commonly used with HP computers.
HP Customer Care Center Phone Numbers HP Customer Care Centers can help you solve issues related to HP products and, if necessary, initiate appropriate service procedures. In the U.S.A, telephone support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Elsewhere, it is available during normal office hours.
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11 HP Customer Care Service and Support HP Customer Care Center Phone Numbers English...
It runs under Windows and is used to retrieve the Support Ticket which is located in the e-Diagtools hard disk partition. This utility is used for HP Compaq Business PCs and is available on the HP support web site. hp protected...
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Glossary utility partition This is a small, hidden hard disk partition provided on the hard disk of HP Business PCs released prior to April 2002, as well as all Notebook PCs and Workstations. Unlike the HP Protected Partition, it can be viewed or deleted using the standard DOS tools.