CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in this section and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.
NOTE: The Dell Diagnostics only operate on Dell computers.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release <F12> in even intervals to open the Boot Device Menu.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.
At the Boot Device Menu, use the up- and down-arrow keys or press the appropriate number on
the keyboard to highlight Boot to Utility Partition, and then press <Enter>.
NOTE: The Quickboot feature changes the boot sequence for the current boot only. Upon restart, the computer boots according to the boot sequence specified in system setup.
At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu, left-click with the mouse, or press <Tab> and then
<Enter>, to select the test you want to run (see Dell Diagnostics Main Menu).
NOTE: Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen.
After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics MainMenu.
Close the Main Menu windowto exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer.
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
The following tests can be run from the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu:
Option
Function
Express Test
Performs a quick test of system devices. The 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 system devices. The test typically takes an hour or more and peridocially requires your input to answer specific questions.
Custom Test
Tests a specific device in the system and can be used to customize the tests you want to run.
Symptom Tree
Lists a number of common symptoms and allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the problem you are having.
For any problem encountered during a test, a message appears with an error code and a description of the problem. Write down the error code and problem description exactly as it appears and follow the instructions on the screen. If you cannot resolve the problem, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen. When contacting Dell support, have your Service Tag ready.
The following tabs provide additional information for tests run from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option:
Tab
Function
Results
Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered.
Errors
Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and the problem description.
Help
Describes the test and any requirements for running the test.
Configuration
(Custom Test only)
Displays the hardware configuration for the selected device.
The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all devices from system setup, memory, and various internal tests, and it displays the information in the device list in the left pane of the screen.
NOTE: The device list may not display the names of all the components installed on your computer or all devices attached to your computer.
Parameters
(Custom Test only)
Allows you to customize the test, if applicable, by changing the test settings.
System Lights
Your power button light and hard drive activity light may indicate a computer problem.
Power Light
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
Solid green
Power is on and the computer is operating normally.
No corrective action is required.
Blinking green
The computer is in a sleep state (Microsoft® Windows® 2000 and Windows XP).
Press the power button, move the mouse, or press a key on the keyboard to wake the computer and resume normal operation.
Blinks green several times, and then turns off
A configuration error exists.
Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
Solid amber
The power supply is working properly, but the system board is not completing power up.
Check the diagnostic lights and determine if the specific problem is identified.
If the computer does not boot, contact Dell for technical assistance (see "Contacting Dell" in your computer Owner's Manual).
Blinking amber
The power supply is operating outside of its normal range.
Check the diagnostic lights and determine if the specific problem is identified.
See "Power Problems" in your computer Owner's Manual.
Solid green and a beep code during POST
A problem was detected while the BIOS was executing.
See Beep Codes for instructions on diagnosing the beep code.
Check the diagnostic lights and determine if the specific problem is identified.
Solid green power light, no beep code, and no video during POST
The monitor or the graphics card may be faulty or incorrectly installed.
Check the diagnostic lights and determine if the specific problem is identified.
See "Video and Power Problems" in your computer Owner's Manual.
Solid green power light and no beep code, but the computer locks up during POST
An integrated system board device may be faulty.
Check the diagnostic lights and determine if the specific problem is identified. If the problem is not identified, contact Dell for technical assistance (see "Contacting Dell" in your computer Owner's Manual).
Hard Drive Activity Light
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
Solid green
The hard drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from, or writes data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as a CD player is operating.
No corrective action is required.
Diagnostic Lights
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer has four lights labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the front panel (see Front View). When the computer starts normally, the lights flash before turning off. If the computer malfunctions, the sequence of the lights identify the problem.
NOTE: After the computer completes POST, all four lights turn off before booting to the operating system.
Light Pattern
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
The computer is in a normal off condition or a possible pre-BIOS failure has occurred.
Plug the computer into a working electrical outlet (see "Power Problems" in your Owner's Manual).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
A possible processor failure has occurred.
Contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred.
If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see Removing Memory), then reinstall one module (see Installing Memory) and restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, continue to install additional memory modules (one at a time) until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error.
If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see Installing Memory).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
If available, install a working graphics card into your computer.
If the problem persists or the computer has integrated graphics, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
A possible floppy drive or hard drive failure has occurred.
Reseat all power and data cables.
A possible USB failure has occurred.
Reinstall all USB devices and check all cable connections.
No memory modules are detected.
If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see Removing Memory), then reinstall one module (see Installing Memory) and restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, continue to install additional memory modules (one at a time) until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error.
If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see Installing Memory).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
Memory modules are detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error has occurred.
Ensure that no special requirements for memory module/connector placement exist (see Memory).
Ensure that the memory you are using is supported by your computer (see Memory).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
A possible expansion card failure has occurred.
Determine if a conflict exists by removing an expansion card (not a graphics card) and restarting the computer (see Cards).
If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, then remove a different card and restart the computer.
Repeat this process for each expansion card installed. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities" in your Owner's Manual).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
Another failure has occurred.
Ensure that all hard drive and CD/DVD drive cables are properly connected to the system board (see System Board Components).
If there is an error message on your screen identifying a problem with a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive), check the device to make sure it is functioning properly.
If the operating system is attempting to boot from a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive), check system setup (see System Setup) to make sure the boot sequence is correct for the devices installed on your computer.
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
Beep Codes
Your computer may emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies a problem. For example, beep code 1-3-1 (one possible beep code) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This beep code tells you that the computer encountered a memory problem.
