Dell Desktop computers have a special device that can help to diagnose when it not functioning properly. It is a small LED display that shows the fault code.  

Every code has a meaning for example there is a code for faulty RAM memory or faulty video card. Also there is a code for corrupted bios. This diagnostic tool works even when BIOS is not functioning properly. When system started properly it shows all green lights.
There are other tools provided by Dell to do diagnostics but I personally had little use of it just because there is more sophisticated tools  made by talented programmers that outstrips everything so far.
For example for every day memory diagnostics I use Memtest. For hard disk diagnostics I use MHDD or Hitachi Drive Fitness Test. Also I have UBCD4WIN. This is the best tool so far for every desktop and laptop computer and for every make would it be Dell, HP or Acer.

My computer here is Dell Optiplex desktop computer and I use here Memtest to check the memory.

Here I am using UBCD4WIN to check the hard disk. This program also shows the hard disk temperature what is really handy.

It is so broad topic about Dell computer troubleshooting that it is impossible to cover it in even 10 pages. Needs to say that Dell computers are also IBM type computer this means all tools described in this site would suit Dell computer.

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