Diagnosing computer hardware issues
Last updated: Aug 24, 2026
Computer hardware faults can cause spontaneous shutdowns, slow operation, or errors. Dell computers provided by Noldus include built-in diagnostics to test the CPU, memory, motherboard, disks, fans, and other components. To access these diagnostics, shut down the computer. Restart the computer and press the F12 key as soon as the Dell logo appears (before Windows opens). You should see a selective start menu with a diagnostics option. Once in the diagnostics, please carefully note any errors.