Dell 32 Bit Diagnostics (Graphical User Interface version)

Dell XPS 15 R2 - L502x

On Dell Downloads for XPS 15, I see:

Dell 32 Bit Diagnostics (Graphical User Interface version)
Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada]

You can choose either:

- GnuPG Signature for Linux Update Package: CL1394A0.bin (In order to create diagnostic media using this package, this file must be downloaded to and e system running Linux. This package can be used to create a bootable diskette set, USB flash drive, CD, or hard drive image)

- Hard-Drive: CW1394A0.exe (This file contains a compressed (or zipped) set of files. Download the file to a folder on your hard drive, and then run (double-click) it to unzip the set of files. Follow the instructions to complete the installation.)

Dell Diagnostics are designed to verify proper operation of the hardware in your system outside of a high level operating system environment. The packages in this release are designed to create bootable media from which to run these diagnostics. Both packages are capable of creating bootable USB flash drives, or CDs as well as a hard drive image file capable of being used for PXE booting or as a virtual media image with additional hardware and/or software. These packages are also capable of being used to update an existing diagnostic (utility) partition on a system supported by the package. Use CW1394A0.exe to create bootable media in Windows or CL1394A0.bin to create bootable media in a Unix/Linux environment.

Q.
Is this to replace what's on the hidden Dell diagnostics partition?
Or is this some separate utility?

When I select diagnostics from Boot Menu via pressing F12 at startup, I enter some hardware diagnostics. But, I don't know if that is part of BIOS or if that is running from the hidden Dell diagnostics partition. Does anyone know?

 

I installed the harddrive tools (CW1394A0.exe)

and selected create bootable CD


this created an iso file named mt420.iso

then I picked a vmware virtual machine and booted that image.
it automatically booted memtest without leting to select any other option.


so as for me, I think the tools mentionated at the other topic and this one are different tools.
this one just test the memory while the other test more stuff.

 

Then, I wonder if this one, that's downloadable as latest version from Dell, is the same as what's on Dell's hidden diagnostics partition?

 

not sure since we both removed the dell partition already ^^

and since you said on the other post it is like 19 Gb.

I supose it is a full backup of the windows stock installation with drivers or something like that.


about memtest. it is a free memory testing tool wich can be downloaded from its official site.

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

not sure why dell added it as it downloadable from its site and put it into a interface.

maybe to make it easier to use it for users with the gui selection?
not sure ^^

 

I know what the 19 GB partition was: it was Dell's Recovery partition, used solely to restore the system to factory state.

It's the small 102 MB partition that I'm uncertain about.

So you're saying that the diagnostics software downloadable from Dell downloads page is just MemTest?

 

yep, the iso file I tested contains just memtest or at least it didnt gave any other option while booting it via vmware, the iso file are 8mb, I supose the other options will be the same, except update the existing diagnosis partition wich I dont know what does exactly. (what it update I mean)