| 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. |
 |
| Beep Code |
Possible Cause |
Corrective Action |
| 1 |
Memory refresh failure |
Reseat the memory
modules. |
| 2 |
Parity cannot be reset |
Reseat the memory
modules.
|
| 3 |
Memory failure within the first 64 KB of memory |
Reseat the memory
modules.
|
| 4 |
Timer not operational |
See "Contacting Dell" in the
Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
|
| 5 |
Processor failure |
See "Contacting Dell" in the
Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
|
| 6 |
8442 keyboard controller error |
See "Contacting Dell" in the
Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
|
| 7 |
Processor exception error |
See "Contacting Dell" in the
Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
|
| 8 |
Video display memory error |
See "Contacting Dell" in the
Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
|
| 9 |
Optional ROM checksum error |
See "Contacting Dell" in the
Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
|
| 10 |
CMOS memory error |
See "Contacting Dell" in the
Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
|
| 11 |
BIOS checksum error |
See "Contacting Dell" in the
Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
|
| Message |
Possible Cause |
Corrective Action |
| 8042 Gate-A20 Error |
The keyboard controller failed its
test. |
If you receive this message after making changes in
the system setup program, enter the program and restore the original value(s). |
| Address Line Short! |
Error in the address decoding circuitry in the memory. |
Reseat the memory
modules. |
| C: Drive Error C:
Drive Failure |
The hard drive is not working or
is not configured correctly. |
Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the chassis and defined correctly in the system setup program. |
| Cache Memory Bad, Do Not Enable Cache |
Cache memory is not operating. |
See "Contacting Dell" in the
Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
|
| Ch-2 Timer Error |
System board timer error occurred. |
See "Contacting Dell" in the
Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
|
| CMOS Battery State Low CMOS Checksum Failure
CMOS Display Type Mismatch
CMOS Memory Size Mismatch
CMOS System Options Not Set
CMOS Time and Date Not Set |
The system configuration
information in the system setup program is incorrect, or the battery charge may be low. |
Enter the system setup program and verify the system
configuration; then restart the computer. |
| Diskette Boot Failure |
Drive A or B is present but has failed the BIOS POST. |
Ensure that the drive
is installed correctly in the computer frame and defined correctly in the system setup program.
Check the interface cable at both ends. |
| DMA Error DMA
1 Error
DMA 2 Error |
Error in the DMA controller on the system board. |
The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced. |
| FDD Controller Failure HDD Controller Failure |
BIOS cannot communicate with the floppy drive or
hard drive controller. |
Ensure that the drive
is installed correctly in the computer frame and defined correctly in the system setup program.
Check the interface cable at both ends. |
| INTR1 Error INTR2
Error |
Interrupt channel on the system board failed the POST. |
The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced. |
| Invalid Boot Diskette |
The operating system cannot be located on drive A or
drive C. |
Enter the system setup program and confirm that drive A
or drive C is properly identified. |
| KB/Interface Error |
An error occurred with the keyboard connector. |
The keyboard or system board may need to be
replaced. |
| Keyboard Error nn |
The BIOS has detected a stuck key represented by scan
code nn. |
Make sure that nothing is resting on the keyboard; if a key appears
to be stuck, carefully pry it up. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the
keyboard. |
| No ROM Basic |
The operating system cannot be located on drive A or
drive C. |
Enter the system setup program and confirm that drive A
or drive C is properly identified. |