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Advanced Troubleshooting

Dell™ Dimension™ 4500

  Diagnostic Codes

  Beep Codes

  System Messages

  Using System Restore

  Reinstalling Drivers

  Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

  Reinstalling Windows® XP


Diagnostic Codes

Your computer is equipped with four diagnostic 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 the following table. When the computer is turned on or restarted and it is functioning normally, the lights flash during 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 the following table.


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 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 the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

See "Safety Instructions," and then remove all cards. If the computer still does not start, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Recovery mode from BIOS failure.

See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Microprocessor has failed a BIOS test.

See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell 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 then 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 available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer.

If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

PCI bus failure has occurred.

  1. Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card and then restarting the computer.
  2. If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card, and then restart the computer.
  3. 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 the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Video controller failed to initialize or respond.

  • If the computer has a video card, remove the card and reinstall it.

If the problem persists or the computer has integrated video, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

IDE bus failure has occurred.

Reseat the drive cables.

If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

No memory modules are detected.

  • Reseat all memory modules, and then restart the computer.
  • 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 the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

System board failure.

See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Memory modules are detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error exists.

If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

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 the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Other failure.

  • Ensure that the cables are properly connected from the hard drive, CD drive, and DVD drive to the system board.

If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Computer has started and turned over control to the operating system.

No action is necessary.

Beep Codes

If the monitor cannot display errors or problems, during POST the computer might emit a series of beeps, or beep code, that identifies the problem. The POST beep codes are listed below.

Beep Codes


Possible Cause


Corrective Action

1

A memory refresh failure occurred.

Reseat the memory modules.

2

Memory parity cannot be reset.

Reseat the memory modules.

3

A failure occurred in the first 64 KB of memory.

Reseat the memory modules.

4

The system timer is not operational.

See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

6

8042 Gate A20 cannot be toggled.

See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

7

An exception interrupt error occurred.

See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

8

A read/write error occurred in the display memory.

See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

10

A CMOS shutdown register test error occurred.

See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

11

An invalid BIOS is installed.

See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

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 computer 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 Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

CH-2 Timer Error

An error is occurring on the timer on the system board.

See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

CMOS Battery State Low

CMOS Checksum Failure

CMOS System Options Not Set

CMOS Display Type Mismatch

CMOS Memory Size Mismatch

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 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 floppy drive or the hard drive is installed correctly in the computer 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 to 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.

Keyboard Error

The BIOS has detected a stuck key.

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.

KB/Interface Error

An error occurred with the keyboard connector.

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.

Using System Restore

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. To access Windows Help, see "Finding Help Information."

NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover them.

Creating a Restore Point

  1. Click the Start button.

  2. Click Help and Support.

  3. Click System Restore.

  4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

If problems occur after installing a device driver, first try using Device Driver Rollback. If that is unsuccessful, then use System Restore.

NOTICE: Before restoring 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.
  1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs—> Accessories—> System Tools, and then click System Restore.

  2. Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected, and then click Next.

  3. 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.

  1. Select a restore point, and then 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.

  1. Click Next.

The Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data, and then the computer automatically restarts.

  1. 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.

Undoing the Last System Restore

NOTICE: Before undoing 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.
  1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs—>
    Accessories—> System Tools    , and then click System Restore.

  2. Select Undo my last restoration and click Next.

  3. Click Next.

The System Restore screen appears, and then the computer automatically restarts.

  1. After the computer restarts, click OK.

Enabling System Restore

If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard drive space available, System Restore is automatically disabled. To see if System Restore is enabled:

  1. Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.

  2. Click Performance and Maintenance.

  3. Click System.

  4. Click the System Restore tab.

  5. Make sure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked.

Reinstalling Drivers

NOTICE: The Dell | Support website and the Dell Dimension ResourceCD provide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.

A driver is a software program that allows a hardware device controller to function properly and to communicate with the computer. Sometimes you can fix a device problem by reinstalling its driver.

Using Windows® XP Device Driver Rollback

Windows XP Device Driver Rollback replaces a device driver with the previously installed version if you install a new driver that causes system instability. If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then try using System Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new device driver.

To use Device Driver Rollback:

  1. Click the Start button, and then right-click My Computer.

  2. Click Properties.

  3. Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.

  4. In the Device Manager window, right-click the device for which the new driver was installed, and then click Properties.

  5. Click the Drivers tab.

  6. Click Roll Back Driver.

Using the Dell Dimension ResourceCD

If using Device Driver Rollback or System Restore does not resolve the problem, then reinstall the driver from the Dell Dimension ResourceCD:

  1. 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.

  1. When the ResourceCD installation program starts, follow the prompts on the screen.

  2. When the InstallShield Wizard Complete window appears, remove the ResourceCD and click Finish to restart the computer.

  3. When you see the Windows desktop, reinsert the ResourceCD into the CD or DVD drive.

  4. At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next.

HINT: The ResourceCD displays drivers only for the 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 that product.

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.

  1. 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.

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

Microsoft® Windows® XP IRQ conflicts occur if a device either is not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured.

To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows XP:

  1. Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.

  2. Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.

  3. Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.

  4. In the Device Manager list, check for conflicts with the other devices.

Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) beside the conflicting device or a red X if the device has been disabled.

  1. Double-click any conflicting device listed to bring up the Properties window to determine what needs to be reconfigured or removed from the Device Manager.

Resolve these conflicts before checking specific devices.

  1. Double-click the malfunctioning device type in the Device Manager list.

  2. Double-click the icon for the specific device in the expanded list.

The Properties window appears.

  1. Resolve any IRQ conflicts, as described in step 5.

If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties window reports the cards or devices that share the device's IRQ.

You can also use the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter:

  1. Click the Start button.

  2. Click Help and Support.

  3. Type hardware troubleshooter in the Search field, and then click the arrow to start the search.

  4. Click Hardware Troubleshooter in the Search Results list.

  5. In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer.

  6. Click Next.

Reinstalling Windows® XP

Before reinstalling the Microsoft® Windows XP operating system to correct a problem, try correcting the problem by performing a Windows XP System Restore. The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours, and you will need to reinstall your drivers, virus protection program, and other software when the process is complete.

NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling your Windows XP operating system. The options can potentially overwrite files installed by Dell and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive. Therefore, Dell does not recommend that you reinstall your operating system unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.
NOTICE: To prevent conflicts with Windows XP, you must disable any
virus protection software installed on your computer before you reinstall Windows XP.

To reinstall Windows XP:

  1. To reinstall Windows XP, insert the Operating System CD into the CD or DVD drive.

Close any program or utility that might run after you insert the CD into the drive.

  1. Turn off the computer, and then turn the computer on again.

  2. When the blue DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down the computer and try again.

  1. Use the arrow keys to select the CD-ROM option, and then press <Enter>.

  2. When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press <Enter> to select To set up Windows now.

  3. Read the information in the License Agreement window, and then press <F8> on your keyboard to agree with the license information.

  4. 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 go to step 16.

If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press <Esc> to select the fresh copy option, and then press <Enter> on the next screen to select the highlighted partition (recommended). Then follow the instructions on the screen.

The Windows XP Setup screen appears and Windows XP begins to copy files and install the devices. The computer automatically restarts multiple times before it requires additional input.

  1. When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click the green arrow icon at the bottom of the screen to continue. Follow the directions on the screen to finish.

  2. When the Regional Settings screen appears, select the settings for your locale, and then click Next.

  3. Enter your name and organization in the Personalize Your Software screen, and then click Next.

  4. If you are reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition, enter a name for your computer when the Computer Name window appears, and then click Next.

If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional, enter a name for your computer and a password when the Computer Name and Administrator Password window appears, and then click Next.

  1. If the Modem Dialing Information screen appears, enter the requested information. Then click Next.

  2. Enter the date, time, and time zone in the Date and Time Settings window, and then click Next.

  3. If you have a network card in your computer, select the appropriate network settings.

If you do not have a network card, this option does not appear.

Windows XP begins to install its components and configure the computer. The computer automatically restarts.

  1. When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click the green arrow icon at the bottom of the screen to continue. Follow the directions on the screen to finish.

  2. Remove the CD from the drive.

  3. Reinstall the chipset INF driver.

  4. Reinstall the appropriate drivers.

  5. Reinstall your virus protection software.

  6. Reinstall your other software programs.

See the documentation supplied with the software for instructions.

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