To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer is equipped with four lights on the back panel labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D." These lights can be yellow, green, or off. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, the lights remain green. If the computer malfunctions, the color and sequence of the lights identify the problem.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.
Diagnostic Code
Definition
Corrective Action
The computer is in its normal off condition or a possible pre-BIOS failure has occurred.
Ensure that the computer is connected to a known working electrical outlet, and then check whether the front-panel power light on the power button is on or off. If the power light is off, check the power supply. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
See the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual, and then remove all cards. If the computer still does not start, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
The computer is in a BIOS failure recovery mode.
See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
The microprocessor has failed a BIOS test.
See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred.
If you have one memory module installed, reinstall it and restart the computer.
If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module, and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty connector or reinstalled all modules without error.
If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
PCI bus failure has occurred.
Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card and then restarting the computer.
If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card, and then restart the computer.
Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities").
If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
The video controller failed to initialize or respond.
See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
To eliminate the possibility of a faulty memory connector, remove all memory modules, reinstall one memory module (if the computer supports a single module), and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, move the memory module to a different connector and restart the computer. Continue until you have identified a faulty connector or reinstalled all modules without error.
If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
System board failure has occurred.
See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Memory modules are detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error exists.
Be sure that there are no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements.
If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
A USB port or a device connected to it has failed initialization.
Disconnect the device from the USB connector. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Another type of failure has occurred.
Check the computer message that appears on your monitor screen.
The computer has started and is now controlled by the operating system.
If the monitor cannot display errors or problems during POST, the computer might emit a series of beeps (a beep code) that identifies the problem.
Reseating the memory modules may fix the POST beep code errors listed below. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Code
Cause
1 long beep; 1 short beep
Memory is not installed or is not detected.
1 long beep; 2 short beeps
Memory is detected, but a memory failure has occurred.
1 long beep; 3 short beeps
Memory is detected, but is incompatible with the computer.
If you hear one of the following POST beep codes, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Solving Problems" and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance. Running the Dell Diagnostics may help you resolve the problem without contacting Dell. If you do contact Dell, the test results can provide important information for Dell's service and support personnel.
The Dell Diagnostics allows you to:
Perform express, extended, or custom tests on one or all devices.
Select tests based on a symptom of the problem you are having.
Choose how many times a test is run.
Display test results.
Suspend testing if an error is detected.
Access online help information that describes the tests and devices.
Receive status messages that tell you whether tests completed successfully.
When the DELL� logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
HINT: If you receive a
message stating that no
Diagnostics utility
partition has been found,
follow the instructions
to run the Dell
Diagnostics from your
ResourceCD.
If you wait too long and the Microsoft® Windows® logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.
When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partitionand press <Enter>.
When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you
want to run.
When the DELL� logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.
HINT: This feature
changes the boot sequence
for one time only. On the
next start-up, the
computer boots according
to the devices specified in
the system setup program.
When the boot device list appears, highlight IDE CD-ROM Deviceand press <Enter>.
Select the IDE CD-ROM Device option from the CD boot menu.
Select the Boot from CD-ROM option from the menu that appears.
Type 1 to start the ResourceCD menu.
Type 2 to start the Dell Diagnostics.
Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list. If
multiple versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your
platform.
When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you
want to run.
After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the MainMenu screen appears,
click the button for the option you want.
HINT: The Service Tag
number for your computer
is located at the top of
each test screen.
Option
Function
Express Test
Performs a quick test of devices. This test typically takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your part. Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of tracing the problem quickly.
Extended Test
Performs a thorough check of devices. This test typically takes an hour or more and requires you to answer questions periodically.
Custom Test
Tests a specific device. You can customize the tests you want to run.
Symptom Tree
Lists the most common symptoms encountered and allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the problem you are having.
If a problem is encountered during a test, a message displaying the
error code and a description of the problem appear. Write down the
error code and problem description and follow the instructions on the
screen.
If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell. See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If you run a test from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option, click
the applicable tab described in the following table for more
information.
Tab
Function
Results
Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered.
Errors
Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and problem description.
Help
Describes the test and may indicate requirements for running the test.
Configuration
Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device.
The Dell Diagnostics obtains your configuration information for all devices from the system setup program, memory, and various internal tests and displays it in the device list in the left pane of the screen. The device list may not display the names of all the components installed on your computer or all devices attached to your computer.
Parameters
Allows you to customize the test by changing the test settings.
When the tests are completed, if you are running the Dell Diagnostics
from the ResourceCD, remove the CD.
Close the test screen to return to the MainMenu screen. To exit the
Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer, close the MainMenu
screen.
A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require a driver program.
A driver acts like a translator between the device and the programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes.
Many drivers such as the keyboard driver come with your Microsoft® Windows® operating system. You may need to install drivers if:
You upgrade your operating system.
You reinstall your operating system.
You connect or install a new device.
If you experience a problem with any device, perform the steps in the following sections to identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and if necessary, to update the driver.
NOTICE: The Dell Support website and your Dell Dimension ResourceCD
provide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers obtained
from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.
If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows XP Device Driver Rollback or to replace the driver with the previously installed version.
To use Device Driver Rollback:
Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
In the Control Panel window, under Pick a Category, click
Performance and Maintenance.
In the Performance and Maintenance window, click System.
In the System Properties screen, click the Hardware tab.
Click Device Manager.
In the Device Manager window, right-click the device for which the
new driver was installed, and then click Properties.
Click the Drivers tab.
Click Roll Back Driver.
If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new driver.
With the Windows desktop displayed, insert the ResourceCD into the
CD or DVD drive.
If this is your first time to use the ResourceCD, go to step 2. If not, go to step 5.
When the ResourceCD installation program starts, follow the prompts
on the screen.
When the InstallShield Wizard Complete window appears, remove
the ResourceCD and click Finish to restart the computer.
When you see the Windows desktop, reinsert the ResourceCD into
the CD or DVD drive.
At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next.
HINT: The ResourceCD
displays drivers only for
hardware that came on
your computer. If you
installed additional
hardware, the drivers for
the new hardware might
not be displayed by the
ResourceCD. If those
drivers are not displayed,
exit the ResourceCD
program. For drivers
information, see the
documentation that came
with the device.
A message stating that the ResourceCD is detecting hardware in your computer appears.
The drivers that are used by your computer are automatically displayed in the My Drivers—The ResourceCD has identified these components in your system window.
Click the driver that you want to reinstall and follow the instructions
on the screen.
If a particular driver is not listed, then that driver is not required by your operating system.
The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. See Windows Help for information on using System Restore.
NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not
monitor your data files or recover them.
If problems occur after you install a device driver, use Device Driver Rollback to resolve the problem. If that is unsuccessful, then use System Restore.
NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save
and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or
delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.
Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® System
Tools, and then click System Restore.
Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected and
click Next.
Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.
The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points. All calendar dates with available restore points appear in bold.
Select a restore point and click Next.
If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected. If two or more restore points are available, click the restore point that you prefer.
Click Next.
The Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data and then the computer restarts.
After the computer restarts, click OK.
To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can undo the restoration.
NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open
files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or
programs until the system restoration is complete.
Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® System
Tools, and then click System Restore.
Click Undo my last restoration and click Next.
Click Next.
The System Restore screen appears and the computer restarts.
If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available, System Restore is automatically disabled. To see if System Restore is enabled:
If you are reinstalling the Windows XP operating system to correct a problem with a newly installed driver, use Windows XP Device Driver Rollback to replace the device driver with the previously installed version.
If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new device driver.
To reinstall Windows XP, perform the steps in the following sections in the order in which they are listed.
The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After the reinstallation is complete, you need to reinstall the device drivers, virus protection program, and other software.
NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling Windows
XP. The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs installed on
your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows XP unless instructed to
do so by a Dell technical support representative.
NOTICE: To prevent conflicts with Windows XP, disable any virus protection
software installed on your computer before you reinstall Windows XP. See the
documentation that came with the software for instructions.
When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press <Enter> to
select To set up Windows now.
Read the information in the Microsoft Windows Licensing
Agreement screen, and then press <F8> to accept the license
agreement.
If your computer already has Windows XP installed and you want to
recover your current Windows XP data, type r to select the repair
option, and then remove the CD from the drive.
If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press <Esc> to
select the fresh copy option.
Press <Enter> to select the highlighted partition (recommended),
and then follow the instructions on the screen.
HINT: The time required
to complete the setup
depends on the size of the
hard drive and the speed
of your computer.
The Windows XP Setup screen appears, and the operating system begins to copy files and install the devices. The computer restarts multiple times.
NOTICE: When the computer restarts, the following message appears:
Press any key to boot from the CD.Do not press any key when this
message appears.
When the Regional and Language Options screen appears, select the
settings for your location and click Next.
Enter your name and organization (optional) in the Personalize Your
Software screen and click Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition, at the What's your
computer's name window, enter a name for your computer (or accept
the name provided) and click Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional, at the Computer Name and Administrator Password window, enter a name for your computer (or accept the one provided) and a password, and then click Next.
If you have a modem installed, enter the requested information and
click Next when the Modem Dialing Information screen appears.
Enter the date, time, and time zone in the Date and Time Settings
window and click Next.
Click Typical in the Networking Settings screen and click Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional, you may be prompted
to provide further network information regarding your network
configuration, such as the domain name or workgroup name. If you are
unsure of your settings, accept the default selections.
Windows XP installs the operating system components, configures the computer, and then restarts the computer.
