Lenovo UEFI Diagnostics

1 Introduction

Lenovo UEFI Diagnostics is a hardware diagnosis tool designed to help users verify if hardware components in their machines are experiencing problems or malfunctioning. It achieves this by performing various tests on supported hardware components.

This document outlines the main functionalities of the application and provides instructions on how to use them.

2 Install the Lenovo UEFI Diagnostics

2.1 Step 1: Download the Required Files

1. Navigate to www.Lenovo.com/diags.

2. Select "Downloads."

3. Under the "Lenovo Diagnostics UEFI Bootable Versions" section, click "How to Create Bootable USB."

4. Download the appropriate UEFI Diagnostics ZIP file compatible with your machine's architecture.

5. Download the Bootable Generator ZIP file and follow the provided installation instructions.

2.2 Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive

1. Insert a USB flash drive into your computer.

2. Run BootableGenerator.exe from your desktop or Start menu.

3. Under the "Select a device" option, choose your flash drive. You may rename the drive if necessary.

4. Click "Search" and locate the Lenovo Diagnostics Tool file you previously downloaded.

5. Click "Generate."

6. A warning will appear indicating that all data on the USB drive will be erased. If this is acceptable, click "Yes" to proceed.

2.3 Step 3: Running the UEFI Diagnostics

1. Insert the prepared USB flash drive into the machine requiring diagnosis.

2. Restart the machine and press the F12 key during startup to access the boot menu.

3. Select the USB flash drive from the boot menu and press Enter.

4. The UEFI diagnostics menu will then appear.

3 Privacy Policy

Upon the first launch of the application, users will be presented with a Privacy Policy menu before accessing the home screen. This menu allows users to review Lenovo's privacy policies, accessible via a QR Code. Accepting this policy is mandatory, as the application collects diagnostic and usage data to ensure the security and up-to-dateness of Lenovo's UEFI application, and to provide troubleshooting and support.

The application collects diagnostic and usage data necessary to keep Lenovo's UEFI application secure, up to date, and to provide troubleshooting and support. Users can read the Privacy Policy at: www.lenovo.com/privacy or by scanning the QR code provided.

Accepting the Privacy Policy is essential for the application's full functionality. Without user consent, features like exporting diagnostic logs or sending data to Lenovo will be unavailable. This data is crucial for implementing improvements to the UEFI application. Users are strongly encouraged to accept the policy to utilize all features and contribute to ongoing maintenance and enhancement.

After diagnostics are completed, a QR Code is generated. Scanning this QR Code with policy acceptance automatically sends diagnostic log data and machine information to Lenovo's servers for future analysis, aiding in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring the application's effectiveness.

Users can access and withdraw their privacy policy acceptance at any time. Doing so will halt data collection and the ability to generate diagnostic logs.

4 Application Overview

Upon launching, the Lenovo UEFI application displays the home screen, providing access to all functionalities.

The application interface is divided into three main sections: Header, Footer, and Content Area.

Header: Displays the application name (Lenovo Diagnostics UEFI), current system time, and application version. It may also show battery charge level if supported.

Footer: Provides navigation tips and buttons. These vary based on the current screen. On the home screen, common buttons include Help [F8], Print Screen [F11], About [A], Privacy Settings [P], and Exit [Esc]. If a scrollbar is present, paging options appear. If not on the home screen, the "Exit" button may change to "Home" to return to the main screen.

Content Area: This is the interactive part of the application, displaying available options. Each feature is detailed in subsequent chapters. It lists modules for diagnostics, logs, and more. The home screen content area lists all supported modules for performing diagnostics on system components.

Navigation: Users can navigate using a mouse, touchpad, touch devices, or keyboard arrows and Tab key. Options are selected by clicking, touching, or pressing Enter or Space.

5 Module Diagnostic

To perform a diagnostic, users must first select a module from the Diagnostics section on the Home Screen. Not all modules are available on every machine due to BIOS protocol requirements. Each module offers specific diagnostics for the machine's devices.

5.1 Execution Flow

The execution process is generally consistent across modules, with minor variations explained later. The main steps are outlined here.

5.1.1 Select Device

After selecting a module, the user proceeds to the Device Selection Screen to choose the specific device for the diagnostic. Available devices for the selected module are listed here.

5.1.2 Select Algorithm

The next screen is Algorithm Selection, where users choose which algorithms to run. Algorithms are categorized as Quick (under 10 minutes) and Extended (longer duration). Users can select a single algorithm, all, or a custom combination.

5.1.3 Main Execution

Once diagnostics are selected, execution begins on the Diagnostics Execution Screen, which has three main sections: Device Information, Diagnostics Information, and Progress Information.

5.1.4 Diagnostic Result and Log

After algorithms complete, the Diagnostic Result Screen displays the status of each algorithm, end time, a QR Code with machine information, and a "View Log" button. Possible statuses include PASSED, FAILED, WARNING, CANCELED, and NOT APPLICABLE.

The "View Log" button leads to the Result Log screen for more detailed diagnostic results. Logs can be saved to a flash drive via the "Save Log" button, subject to Privacy Policy acceptance.

5.2 Attended Diagnostics

Attended diagnostics require user interaction to complete. The Diagnostic Execution Screen is customized for user interaction during these tests. Examples include prompts for actions like disconnecting the AC cable or confirming screen checks.

6 Run All Diagnostics

An alternative to module-specific diagnostics is the "Run All" option, accessible from the Home screen. This feature combines and executes diagnostics from all available modules.

6.1 Run All Options

Users select from options like "Quick (Unattended)," "Quick," "Full (Unattended)," and "Full." "Quick" options exclude tests taking over 10 minutes, while "Full" includes all tests. "Unattended" options skip tests requiring user interaction (e.g., keyboard, mouse). The "Times to Run" feature allows repeating tests, with a limit of 5 executions for Run All.

6.2 Run All Execution Flow

After selecting a "Run All" option, the application displays the Run All Execution Screen, similar to the standard Execution Screen. Upon completion, the Run All Result Screen shows results, a QR Code, and a "View Log" button.

7 Modules and Diagnostics

Lenovo UEFI Diagnostics supports seventeen modules, including CPU, Keyboard, Memory, Motherboard, Mouse, Storage, and Wired Ethernet. This chapter details each module's diagnostics and attended test procedures.

7.1 CPU

Quick Diagnostics: Includes tests like Math Test, Floating Point Test, Extension Instruction Test, Zero Register Test, Neon Test, and Register Test, covering various arithmetic and instruction set operations.

Extended Diagnostics: Includes tests like BT Instruction Test, X87 Floating Point Test, MMX Test, 3DNow! Test, SSE Test, AES Test, FMA Test, AVX2 Test, Cache Test, AVX512 Test, CLMUL Test, SHA Test, TSX Test, and Stress Test, covering advanced processor functionalities.

7.2 Keyboard

Note: Keyboard module is only supported for ThinkPad machines.

Quick Diagnostics: Includes PS/2 Test, USB Test, Key Test, and USB Key Test to verify keyboard functionality and key presses.

7.2.1 Keyboard Diagnostic Interactions

For Key Test and USB Key Test, a custom screen displays recognized key presses. At the end, users confirm if keys were identified correctly.

7.3 Memory

Quick Diagnostics: Quick Random Pattern Test.

Extended Diagnostics: Advanced Integrity Test (March C Minus variations), Address Test, Bit High Test, Bit Low Test, Walking Ones Right/Left Tests, Modulo-20 Test, Moving Inversions (8-bit, 32-bit), Random Pattern Test, Random Number Sequence Test, Block Move Test, and Bit Fade Test.

7.4 Motherboard

Quick Diagnostics: PCI/PCIe Test, RTC Test, USB Test, USB Replaceable Type-C Test, and External Ports Test.

7.4.1 Motherboard Diagnostic Interactions

For External Ports Test, a counter tracks connected devices. The test validates port connectivity.

7.5 Mouse

Note: Mouse module is only supported for ThinkPad machines.

Quick Diagnostics: Reset Test, Mouse Test, USB External Mouse Test, and Precision Test.

7.5.1 Mouse Diagnostic Interactions

Custom screens validate mouse movement and button clicks. Users confirm if functions worked correctly.

7.6 Storage

Note: Storage devices connected as RAID are disabled and cannot be tested.

Quick Diagnostics: For SATA, SSD, and eMMC, tests include SMART Status, SMART Short Self-Test, Drive Self-Test, Random Seek Test, Funnel Seek Test, Target Read Test, and SMART Wearout Test (for SSDs).

NVMe: Includes Device Read Test, NVMe Controller Status Test, NVMe SMART Temperature Test, NVMe SMART Spare Space Test, NVMe SMART Reliability Test, and NVMe Short Self-Test.

Optane: Includes Device Read Test and Optane Health Test.

UFS: Includes Device Read Test.

Extended Diagnostics: Bad Block Test, Linear Read Test, NVMe Extended Self-Test, and UFS Read Test.

7.7 Wired Ethernet

Quick Diagnostics: Internet Connection Test, which performs a "ping" operation to check connectivity.

8 Lenovo UEFI Tools

In addition to diagnostics, the application offers tools for specific operations, accessible from the Home Screen.

8.1 Available Tools

Tools may vary by machine. Available tools include System Information, Bad Block Recovery, Data Disposal, and SMART Information.

8.1.1 System Information

Provides detailed information about supported modules. Data can be exported as a text file after user consent regarding sensitive information.

8.1.2 Bad Block Recovery

Reads storage devices to find and attempt to repair bad blocks (smallest addressable regions).

8.1.3 Data Disposal

Erases data from storage partitions using "Quick" (zeros MBR, GPT) or "Full" (erases all data) options. A warning advises backing up data before use.

8.1.4 SMART Information

Provides insights into hardware condition using S.M.A.R.T. monitoring for HDDs, SSDs, and NVMe devices to help prevent failures.

9 Features

This section details application features that enhance user experience and streamline operations.

9.1 Times to Run

Allows running diagnostic suites multiple times, configured in Algorithm Selection or Run All sections. Standard modules support up to 50 executions; Run All is limited to 5.

9.2 Screenshot Button

Located in the footer, this button (or F11 shortcut) captures the current screen and saves it to the flash drive.

9.3 Help Button

Provides guidance and navigation tips on all screens, aiding users in understanding app operation.

9.4 Hierarchical diagnostics

When a module fails, this feature prompts the user to diagnose correlated dependencies/modules. It prioritizes fundamental modules and helps identify root causes of failures.

10 Exit the application

To exit, select the "Exit" option on the Home screen and press Enter. The interface will close, and the machine will reset.