Manuals

Chapter 3, "Beep Codes and Error Messages": Dell Dimension P133v, P166v, and P200v

Chapter 3, "Beep Codes and Error Messages": Dell™ Dimension™ P133v, P166v, and P200v

This chapter describes beep codes and system error messages that can occur during system start-up or, in the case of some failures, during normal system operation. In some cases, the system may display error messages and emit beep codes simultaneously. In other cases, such as when a video problem occurs, the system may emit a beep code even though it cannot display an error message.

If a faulty system does not emit beep codes or display system error messages to indicate a failure, run the appropriate tests in the diskette-based diagnostics to help you isolate the source of the problem. For instructions on starting and using the diskette-based diagnostics, see "Running the Diskette-Based Diagnostics" in Chapter 2.

POST Beep Codes

If the monitor cannot display error messages during the POST, the system may emit a series of beeps that identifies the problem or that can help identify a faulty component or assembly. All beep codes, except beep code 8, indicate a fatal error that prevents the system from completing the boot routine until the indicated condition is corrected.

NOTE: It is normal for the system to emit a single beep during the boot routine. If the boot routine completes successfully, this single beep is not considered a beep code.

When the system emits a beep code, record it and then find it in Table 3-1. If Table 3-1 does not lead to the source of the problem, run the appropriate tests in the diskette-based diagnostics to assist in troubleshooting the problem.

Table 3-1. POST Beep Codes
Beep Codes	Error	Probable Causes
1	Memory refresh failure.	Defective system board.
2	Error occurred in first 64 KB of main memory.	Faulty DIMM or defective system board.
3	Read or write error occurred in first 64 KB of main memory.	Faulty DIMM.
4	Timer on system board malfunctioned.	Defective system board.
5	Microprocessor error.	Defective microprocesor.
6	Gate A20 failure.	Defective system board.
7	Microprocessor-execption interrupt error.	Defective microprocessor.
8	Video memory read/write error.	Missing or faulty video adapter.
9	ROM checksum value does not match value encoded in system BIOS.	Corrupted system BIOS program or defective system BIOS chip.
10	NVRAM shutdown register read/write error.	Defective system board.
11	Cache memory error.	Defective microprocessor or cache card.
1-2	Video adapter failure.	Faulty video adapter.
1-3	No monitor connected.	Loose video cable connection or defective video cable. Faulty video adapter.

System Error Messages

Some system error messages indicate a fatal error, in which case the system cannot usually be rebooted until an appropriate hardware change has been made. The following messages indicate a fatal error:

```
8042 Gate - A20 Error   
```
```
DMA #1 Error       
```
```
DMA #2 Error     
```
```
DMA Error        
```
```
FDD Controller Failure  
```
```
HDD Controller Failure       
```
```
INTR #1 Error               
```

INTR #2 Error

Table 3-2. System Error Messages
Message	Definition	Probable Causes
8042 Gate - A20 Error	Gate A20 of keyboard controller is faulty.	Defective system board.
Address Line Short!	Address decoding not properly executed on system board.	Defective system board.
C: Drive Error	No response from drive C.	Incorrect drive settings in system setup program.
C: Drive Failure	Drive C failed.	Drive C needs reformatting. Drive interface or power cable not properly connected. Defective drive interface or power cable. Defective drive C.
Cache Memory Bad. Do Not Enable Cache!	Cache memory subsystem not functioning properly.	Defective microprocessor or cache.
CH-2 Timer Error	Error occurred in system timer 2.	Defective system board.
CMOS Battery State Low	System battery not maintaining contents of NVRAM.	System battery at or near depletion of its charge.
CMOS Checksum Failure	NVRAM checksum value changed since NVRAM contents were saved.	Incorrect settings in system setup program.
CMOS Display Type Mismatch	Video type in NVRAM does not match type of video system installed.	Video type detected by system BIOS does not match type actually installed.
CMOS Memory Size Mismatch	Amount of main memory installed on system board does not match amount reflected by NVRAM.	Amount of main memory detected by system BIOS does not match amount actually installed.
CMOS System Options Not Set	System option parameters in NVRAM not set.	One or more system configuration settings in system setup program are corrupted or improperly set.
CMOS Time and Date Not Set	System configuration settings for time and date in system setup program appear to be incorrect.	Time and/or Date categories in system setup program need resetting.
D: Drive Error	No response from drive D.	Incorrect drive settings in system setup program.
D: Drive Failure	Drive D failed.	Drive D needs reformatting. Drive interface or power cable not properly connected. Defective drive interface or power cable. Defective drive D.
Diskette Boot Failure	System cannot boot from diskette in drive A.	Diskette in drive A probably does not contain bootable operating system, or bootable operating system is corrupt.
DMA #1 Error DMA #2 Error DMA Error	Error condition occurred in DMA channel 1. Error condition occurred in DMA channel 2. Error condition occurred in DMA controller.	Defective system board.
DMA Bus Time-out	Device has driven DMA bus signal longer than allowable 7.8 microseconds.	Defective system board.
FDD Controller Failure	System BIOS cannot communicate with diskette/tape drive controller.	Diskette category in system setup program not set to Auto as required.
HDD Controller Failure	System BIOS cannot communicate with EIDE hard-disk drive interface.	Defective hard-disk drive controller card (if one is installed). Defective system board. Hard Disk category in system setup program not set to Auto.
INTR #1 Error INTR #2 Error	Failure detected in interrupt channel 1 during POST. Failure detected in interrupt channel 2 during POST.	Defective system board.
Invalid Boot Diskette	System cannot boot from diskette in drive A.	Diskette in drive A contains no operating system. Diskette in drive A is faulty. Drive A interface or power cable faulty or improperly connected. Drive A defective.
KB/Interface Error	Error detected at keyboard connector.	Keyboard improperly connected or faulty.
Keyboard Error	Keyboard has timing problem.	Keyboard may still operate if this problem is detected. To disable reporting of keyboard problems, set Keyboard Errors category in system setup program to Do Not Report.