How to Troubleshoot Hardware with Ubuntu on Your Dell Computer

Learn information about possible hardware issues that you may experience on a Dell computer with Ubuntu installed.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Video Issues
3. Startup or Other Unlisted Issues
4. Wireless Networking Issues
5. Application or Program Issues
6. Printer Issues

Introduction

The information below takes you through a basic troubleshooting of the Dell hardware on your desktop or laptop. Dell supports your computer's hardware under your warranty terms. While this article covers some software issues, they are used to prove or disprove a fault with the computer's hardware.

You need:

• Ubuntu Live Media (either on a bootable USB stick or DVD)
• Access to the Onboard Dell ePSA diagnostics

Follow these instructions to create bootable Ubuntu Live Media:

1. Download the latest Ubuntu recovery image from Dell Support.
   Note: The computer must be purchased with Ubuntu to download an Ubuntu recovery image from Dell Support. If the computer is purchased with Windows, all hardware troubleshooting must be performed within the Windows operating system.
2. Create a bootable USB stick or DVD with the Dell Ubuntu image.
   • Burning a bootable DVD on a Windows computer:
     • Burning a bootable Ubuntu DVD:
       1. Right-click the downloaded .iso image and select Open with and then choose Windows Disc Image Burner.
       2. Select the location of your DVD-RW drive and choose Burn.
       3. Optionally, check the Verify disc after burning option to confirm that the image has been burned correctly.
     • Burning a bootable Ubuntu USB stick on a Windows computer:
       1. Download a USB installer such as Pen Drive Linux's USB Installer.
       2. For this particular installer, select Ubuntu from the drop-down list.
       3. Click Browse and open the downloaded .iso image.
       4. Choose the USB drive and click Create.

If you have reinstalled Ubuntu at any point or do not know how to run the ePSA diagnostics, reference the articles linked below:

• Resolve Hardware Issues Using ePSA or PSA Diagnostics and Guide to Error Codes
• How to Link to the Dell Diagnostic partition from your Ubuntu Linux operating system on a Dell PC

Video Issues

1. Run the onboard ePSA diagnostics on your computer. Do this by pressing the F12 key rapidly at the Dell splash screen. Select Diagnostics from the on-screen menu.
   • If the diagnostics pass all tests, then go to the next step.
   • If the diagnostics fail, write down the error code and your authentication code. Call technical support or go to SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check to take the issue further.
2. Start the computer using the Ubuntu Live Media. Do this by pressing the F12 key rapidly at the Dell splash screen and then select the appropriate boot option from the on-screen menu.
   • The video issue is not present: The video issue is a software issue, not a hardware issue. The recommended action is an operating system reinstall as testing with a known good working operating system does not see the same problem.
   • The video issue is present: Search online for Video Card Software Troubleshooting in the Ubuntu Communities.

Startup or Other Unlisted Issues

1. Run the onboard ePSA diagnostics on your computer. Do this by pressing the F12 key rapidly at the Dell splash screen. Select Diagnostics from the on-screen menu.
   • If the diagnostics pass all tests, then go to the next step.
   • If the diagnostics fail, write down the error code and your authentication code. Call technical support or go to SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check to take the issue further.
2. If the computer passes the diagnostics, then it has passed the Power On Self-Test (POST). The issue is an operating system startup or some other unlisted software error. Start the computer and boot to the Ubuntu Live Media.
   • The computer functions properly after booting to the Ubuntu Live Media: The recommended action is an operating system reinstall. Testing with a known good working operating system did not present the same issue.
   • The computer does not function properly after booting to the Ubuntu Live Media: Search online for Startup and Boot Troubleshooting in the Ubuntu Communities.

Wireless Networking Issues

Follow the instructions on the article linked below:

• How to troubleshoot Wireless network issues in Ubuntu Linux on your Dell Laptop or Desktop

Video Issues

1. Application or Program Problem: Search for "application or program name" troubleshooting in the Ubuntu Communities.

Printer Issues

Verify that the printer is recognized in Hardware Manager in Ubuntu.

1. Click System, go to Preferences, and then click Hardware Information. The Device Manager window appears.
2. Verify that the printer is recognized.

• The printer is recognized: Contact your printer's manufacturer to troubleshoot this further.
• The printer is not recognized:
  1. Try another power and data cable and another port (typically USB).
  2. Try another USB device if the printer is connected using USB.
     • Another known good USB device is also not recognized: Contact your local technical support.
     • Another known good USB device works fine: Contact your printer's manufacturer to troubleshoot this further.