DTA: Beep Codes and Error Messages
Beep Codes and Error Messages
POST Beep Codes
System Error Messages
POST Beep Codes
If the computer is unable to boot, and if the monitor cannot display error messages, the system may emit a series of beeps.
NOTE: A single beep during boot is normal. This is not a beep code unless the boot fails.
Beep Code Possible Cause Corrective Action
1 Memory refresh failure Reseat SIMMs.
2 Memory parity error Reseat SIMMs.
3 Memory failure in first 64 KB Contact Dell.
of RAM
4 Timer failure Contact Dell.
5 Microprocessor error Contact Dell.
6 Gate A20 failure Contact Dell.
7 Microprocessor-exception Contact Dell.
interrupt error
8 Video memory read/write errorContact Dell.
9 ROM checksum error Contact Dell.
10 CMOS shutdown register Contact Dell.
read/write error
11 Cache memory error Contact Dell.
System Error Messages
Message Possible Cause Corrective Action
8042 Gate - A20 Error Gate A20 of the keyboard Contact Dell.
controller is not operational.
Address Line Short! An error occurred in the
address-decoding circuitry on the
system board.
Bad command or file name The command entered does not Retype the command or filename correctly.
exist or is not in the pathname
specified.
C: Drive Error The first (or only) hard-disk See "Troubleshooting Hard-Disk
C: Drive Failure drive is not responding. Drive" in the Diagnostics and
Troubleshooting Guide.
Cache Memory Bad. One or more of the external cache Contact Dell.
Do Not Enable Cache! memory chips is faulty, or the
cache memory circuitry on the
system board is faulty.
CH-2 Timer Error An error has occurred in timer 2.Run the System Set Test Group in the
diskette-based diagnostics.
CMOS Battery State Low The battery charge is low. See "Troubleshooting the Battery"
in the Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Guide.
CMOS Checksum Failure The battery charge may be low, or Contact Dell.
the system BIOS may be corrupted.
CMOS Display Type Mismatch The system configuration Enter system setup and verify the
information for video memory in configuration information; then reboot.
system setup is incorrect.
CMOS Memory Size Mismatch The system configuration Enter system setup and verify the
information for system memory in configuration information; then reboot.
system setup is incorrect.
CMOS System Options Not Set The system configuration Enter system setup and verify the
information for system memory in configuration information; then reboot. If
system setup is incorrect, or the the problem persists, see
battery charge may be low. "Troubleshooting the Battery" in
the Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide.
CMOS Time and Date Not Set The system configuration Enter system setup and reset TIME and DATE
information for time and date in .
the system setup program has not
been set, or the battery charge is
low.
D: Drive Error The second hard-disk drive is not See "Troubleshooting Hard-Disk
D: Drive Failure responding. Drives" in the Diagnostics and
Troubleshooting Guide.
Diskette Boot Failure The diskette in drive A cannot be Insert another bootable diskette into
used to boot the system. drive A, and reboot the system.
DMA Bus Time-out A device has driven the DMA bus Contact Dell.
signal longer than the allowable
7.8 ms.
DMA #1 Error An error has occurred in one of Contact Dell.
DMA #2 Error the DMA channels.
DMA Error An error has occurred in the DMA Contact Dell.
controller.
FDD Controller Failure The system BIOS cannot Run the Diskette Drive(s) Test Group in
communicate with the built-in the diskette-based diagnostics.
diskette/tape drive controller.
General Failure The operating system cannot Retype the command correctly.
execute the command.
HDD Controller Failure The system's BIOS cannot Run the Hard-Disk Drive(s) Test Group in
communicate with the built-in IDE the diskette-based diagnostics.
hard-disk drive interface.
I/O Card Parity Error ???? An expansion card has failed at Reseat the expansion cards.
I/O Card Parity Error at xxxxx the address indicated by xxxx (if
the address can be determined);
???? if the address cannot be
determined.
INTR #1 Error One of the interrupt channels has Contact Dell.
INTR #2 Error failed the POST.
Invalid Boot Diskette There is no operating system on Insert another bootable diskette into
the diskette. drive A, and reboot the system.
KB/Interface Error The keyboard may be faulty or Make sure the keyboard is properly
Keyboard Error improperly connected. connected.
Keyboard Is locked ...
Unlock it
Memory Parity Error ???? A memory error has occurred at Reseat the SIMMs. Run the RAM Test Group
Memory Parity Error at xxxxx the address indicated by xxxxx (if in the diskette-based diagnostics.
the address can be determined);
???? if the address cannot be
determined.
Off Board Parity Error Addr xxxx An error has occurred in memory Reseat the expansion cards, and verify
on an expansion card at the that the memory card addresses do not
address indicated by xxxx conflict with other devices.
(expressed in hexadecimal
notation).
On Board Parity Error Addr xxxx An error has occurred in one of Reseat the SIMMs. Run the RAM Test Group
the SIMMs at the address indicated in the diskette-based diagnostics.
by xxxx (expressed in hexadecimal
notation).
Parity Error ???? An error has occurred in one of Reseat the SIMMs. Run the RAM Test Group
the SIMMs at an unknown address. in the diskette-based diagnostics.
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