Manuals

System Codes and Messages: Dell Dimension 2100 System Reference

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

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.

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

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.

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