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System Codes and Messages: Dell™ Dimension™ 2100 System Reference

	Diagnostic Codes
	POST Beep Codes
	System Messages

Diagnostic Codes

Your computer is equipped with four diagnostic code lights, which are labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D" on the back of the computer. Each of the four lights can be yellow, green, or off, as shown in Table 1. When the computer is turned on or restarted and is functioning normally, the lights flash during power-on self-test (POST). After the computer starts, the lights remain green to signify normal computer operation.

If a malfunction is detected and the computer fails to start, the lights display a code that identifies the problem. Write down the diagnostic code displayed and look it up in Table 1.

Table 1. Diagnostic Codes

Diagnostic Code	Definition	Corrective Action
	Power up default.	Make sure that the computer is connected to a known working electrical outlet, and then check whether the front-panel power light is on or off. If the power light is off, check the power supply. If the problem persists, see  "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. Remove all cards. If the computer still does not start, see  "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
	System board is receiving power, but the BIOS is not executing.	Set the configuration jumper to Maintenance mode, and restart the computer. Enter the system setup program and ensure that the processor speed is set correctly. Exit and save the setting. Turn off the computer, reset the configuration jumper to Normal mode, and then restart the computer. Remove all cards and restart the computer to determine if a resource conflict exists. If a conflict exists, resolve the conflict. If the problem persists, see  "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
	Recovery mode from BIOS failure.	Set the configuration jumper to Maintenance mode, and restart the computer. Enter the system setup program and ensure that the processor speed is set correctly. Exit and save the setting. Turn off the computer, reset the configuration jumper to Normal mode, and then restart the computer. If the problem persists, see  "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
	Microprocessor has failed a BIOS test.	If the problem persists, see  "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
	Memory failed to be sized or enabled.	Reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, remove all but one memory module, and then restart the computer. Repeat this step until the malfunctioning memory module is identified.
	PCI bus failure has occurred.	Remove all cards and restart the computer to determine if a resource conflict exists. If a conflict exists, resolve the conflict.  If the problem persists, see  "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
	Video controller failed to initialize or respond.	If the problem persists, see  "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
	IDE bus failure has occurred.	Reseat the IDE cables. If the problem persists, see  "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
	USB port or a device connected to it has failed initialization.	Disconnect the device from the USB port. If the problem persists, see  "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
	Other failure.	See  "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
	Computer has started and turned over control to the operating system.	No action is necessary.

POST Beep Codes

If the monitor cannot display errors or problems, during power-on self-test (POST) the computer may emit a series of beeps, or beep code, that identifies the problem.

If the computer emits a beep code and then fails to start, write down the beep code and look it up in Table 2.

Table 2. System Beep Codes

System Messages

The first column in Table 3 lists (in alphabetical order) system messages that may appear on the screen during the boot routine or during normal computer operation. The second column in the table lists probable causes of the messages, and the third column either provides a corrective action or refers you to a source for resolving the problem.

Table 3. System Messages

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