This section describes computer and software problems, offers corrective actions,
describes the utility, and provides computer messages and codes. Before you call Dell for
technical assistance, complete the following tasks to help you resolve computer problems:
Test the electrical outlet: ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it
with another device such as a lamp.
Connect the computer power cable directly to an electrical outlet: bypass power
protection devices, power strips, and extension cords to verify that the computer turns
on.
Check for interference: electrical appliances on the same circuit or operating in close
proximity to the computer can cause interference.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the
Diagnostics Checklist as you perform the following steps:
Turn off the computer and devices, and disconnect them
from their electrical outlets.
If you are using a surge protector, remove it.
Make sure the power cable is firmly connected to the
computer, and then verify that the power cable is directly connected to the electrical
outlet.
Turn on the computer.
Does the power light on the front of the computer light up?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. The computer may be defective. Contact
Dell for technical assistance.
If the monitor power light does not light, check the power connection.
If the external monitor is blank, the computer may be in suspend or hibernate mode. To
resume normal operation, press the power button.
Disconnect the monitor cable from the computer and check the cable connector for bent or
broken pins. Check for damaged or frayed cables.
If the cable is not damaged, make sure that it is firmly connected to the computer.
Test the electrical outlet. Verify that the device is connected to a working electrical
outlet. Verify that the device is turned on.
Check for interference: electrical appliances on the same circuit or operating in close
proximity to the computer can cause interference.
Adjust brightness and contrast settings on the monitor.
Reinstall the video driver for your operating system.
Restart the computer.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you perform the following steps:
Turn off the computer, wait at least 30 seconds, and
then turn the computer back on.
Allow 1 minute for the computer to initialize its
components, and then adjust the monitor's brightness and contrast controls.
Is the monitor readable?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 3.
Turn off nearby fans, lights, lamps, or other electrical
devices.
Is the monitor readable?
Yes. One or more of those devices was causing interference. The
problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 4.
Enter system setup and
make sure that Primary Video Controller under the Integrated Devices option
is set correctly. Then exit system setup properly to save the information, and reboot the
computer.
For a PCI expansion card, set Primary Video Controller to Auto.
Make sure that the speaker cables are firmly connected to the computer.
Test the electrical outlet: verify that the speakers are connected to a
working electrical outlet.
Ensure that the speakers are turned on.
If using a sound card, make sure external audio devices are connected to the sound
card's connectors and not to the microphone, line-out, or line-in connectors on the
computer's front or back panels.
Adjust the volume.
Reinstall the audio driver for your operating system.
Check for interference: electrical appliances on the same circuit or operating in close
proximity to the computer can cause interference.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you perform the following steps:
Turn off nearby fans, lights, lamps, or other electrical
devices.
Are the external speakers functioning properly?
Yes. One or more of those electrical devices was causing
interference. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 2.
Enter system setup and make sure that Sound under
the Integrated Devices option is set to On. Then exit system setup properly
to save the information, and reboot the computer.
No. The printer is probably defective. If you bought the printer
from Dell, contact Dell for technical assistance. If you
did not, take it to an authorized service center for repair.
NOTE: If you are having a problem
with a printer, see "Printer Problems."
If a computer error message indicates a port problem or if equipment connected to a
port seems to perform incorrectly or not at all, the source of the problem can be any of
the following:
A faulty connection between the I/O port and the device
Incorrect settings for system setup options
Incorrect settings in the operating system's configuration files
A faulty cable between the I/O port and the device
A faulty device
Faulty I/O port logic on the system board
Conflicting COM port settings
Lack of drivers
Basic Checks:
Disconnect the cable from the computer and check the cable connector for bent or broken
pins. Check for damaged or frayed cables.
If the cable is not damaged, make sure that it is firmly connected to the computer.
Test the electrical outlet. Verify that the device is connected to a working electrical
outlet.
Verify that the device is turned on.
Check for interference: electrical appliances on the same circuit or operating in close
proximity to the computer can cause interference.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you perform the following steps:
Enter system setup and
check the Integrated Devices option settings. Then exit system setup properly to
save the information, and reboot the computer.
For a serial device, check the Serial Port options; for a
parallel device, check the Parallel Port options. See the device's documentation
for additional information on port settings and configuration requirements.
Is the device working properly?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 2.
Run the Serial Ports device group and/or the Parallel
Ports device group in the Dell Diagnostics.
These device groups check the basic functions of the system board's I/O
port logic. If a printer is connected to the parallel port, the Parallel Ports
device group tests the communication link between the system board's I/O port logic and
the printer.
Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes. Go to step 3.
No. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
If the problem is confined to a particular application
program, see the application program's documentation for specific port configuration
requirements.
Is the device working properly?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 4.
Turn off the computer and the device, swap the device's
cable with a known working cable, and then turn on the computer and the device.
Is the device working properly?
Yes. You need a new device cable. Contact Dell for technical
assistance.
No. Go to step 5.
Turn off the computer and the device, swap the device
with a comparable working device, and then turn on the computer and the device.
Is the device working properly?
Yes. You need a new device. Contact Dell for technical
assistance.
Disconnect the cable from the computer and check the cable connector for bent or broken
pins. Check for damaged or frayed cables.
If the cable is not damaged, make sure that it is firmly connected to the computer.
Reinstall the mouse driver for your operating system.
Restart the computer.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the
Diagnostics Checklist as you perform the following steps:
If you are using a PS/2 mouse, enter system setup and
make sure that Mouse Port under the Integrated Devices option is set to On.
Then exit system setup properly to save the information, and reboot the computer.
Is the device working properly?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 2.
If you are using a PS/2 mouse, run the Mouse test
in the Pointing Devices device group in the Dell
Diagnostics.
Did the tests complete successfully?
Yes. Go to step 3.
No. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
Turn off the computer, connect another mouse to the
computer, and then turn the computer on.
If you do not have another mouse, contact Dell for technical assistance.
Is the mouse functioning properly?
Yes. The original mouse is defective. The problem is resolved.
Disconnect the cable from the computer and check the cable connector for bent or broken
pins. Check for damaged or frayed cables.
If the cable is not damaged, make sure that it is firmly connected to the computer.
Check for interference. Keyboard extension cables can cause problems.
Restart the computer.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the Diagnostic Checklist as you perform the following steps:
Turn off the computer, and then disconnect the keyboard
cable and check it for bent or broken pins.
Do you see bent pins?
Yes. If they can be straightened, straighten them and go to step
2. If they cannot be straightened or are broken, you must replace the keyboard.
No. Go to step 2.
Reconnect the keyboard to the computer.
Make sure the keyboard cable is firmly connected to computer.
Turn on the computer.
If you are using a keyboard that can be configured with
various switch settings, make sure the switch is set to PS/2, Enhanced XT/AT,
or PC/AT.
The switch settings are usually on the bottom of the keyboard, sometimes
behind a panel. Refer to the documentation that came with the keyboard for more
information.
Turn off the computer, wait 30 seconds, and turn it on
again.
During the boot routine, do the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock
lights on the keyboard blink momentarily?
Yes. Go to step 6.
No. Go to step 7.
Use the keyboard to type some characters.
Do the characters appear on the screen?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
Run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Did any of the diagnostics tests fail?
Yes. The original keyboard may be defective. Go to step 8.
No. Go to step 8.
Turn off the computer, connect another keyboard to the
computer, and then turn the computer on.
If you do not have another keyboard, contact Dell for technical
assistance.
Is the keyboard functioning properly?
Yes. The original keyboard is defective. The problem is resolved.
During the power-on self-test (POST), the computer checks the floppy drive, comparing
its characteristics with the computer configuration information. The floppy-drive access
light blinks as the computer performs this check.
Basic Checks:
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound when a drive is accessed, there
could be a hardware malfunction. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
When you turn on the computer, you can hear drive activity during the boot routine. If
your computer does not boot, contact Dell for technical assistance.
If you are trying to copy data to the floppy, make sure that it is not write-protected.
Try a different floppy in the drive. If the new floppy works, the original one may be
defective.
Test the floppy drive access light by using one of the following methods:
Using MS-DOS�, insert a floppy into the drive, type dir
a: at the DOS prompt, and press <Enter>.
Using Microsoft� Windows� or Windows NT�, insert a floppy into the drive,
open My Computer from the desktop, and double-click the floppy drive icon.
Check the settings in system setup.
Clean the drive using a commercially available cleaning kit.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean
drive heads with a swab. You may accidentally misalign the heads, rendering the drive
inoperable.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the Dell Diagnostics as you perform the following steps.
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound when a drive is accessed, there
could be a hardware malfunction. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
When you turn on the computer, you can hear drive activity during the boot routine. If
your computer does not boot, contact Dell for technical assistance.
Test the hard drive by using one of the following methods:
For Windows XP, run the chkdsk utility by following these steps:
Click the Start button, select Shutdown, and then click
Restart the Computer.
At the C: prompt, type: CD\Windows\Command and press
<Enter>.
Type chkdsk and press <Enter>.
This utility creates and displays a status report and lists and
corrects errors on the disk.
For Windows 2000, run the ScanDisk utility by clicking the Start button,
pointing to Run, typing scandskw, and clicking OK.
For Windows NT, run the error-checking utility by double-clicking My
Computer and selecting the hard drive that you want to check. Click the right mouse
button, select Properties, then click Tools, and select Check Now in
the Error-checking section.
For MS-DOS, type scandisk x: at an MS-DOS
prompt, where x is the hard drive letter, and press
<Enter>.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the Diagnostic Checklist as you perform the following steps.
Enter system setup and make sure the problem drive is
configured correctly. Make any necessary changes, and reboot the computer.
Is the drive operating properly?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Proceed to step 2.
Test the hard drive by using one of the following
methods:
For Windows XP, run the chkdsk utility by following these steps:
Click the Start button, select Shutdown, and then click
Restart the Computer.
At the C: prompt, type: CD\Windows\Command and press
<Enter>.
Type chkdsk and press <Enter>.
This utility creates and displays a status report, and lists and
corrects errors on the disk.
For Windows 2000, run the ScanDisk utility by clicking the Start button,
pointing to Run, typing scandskw, and clicking OK.
For Windows NT, run the error-checking utility by double-clicking My
Computer and selecting the hard drive that you want to check. Click the right mouse
button, select Properties, then click Tools, and select Check Now in
the Error-checking section.
For MS-DOS, type scandisk x: at an MS-DOS
prompt, where x is the hard drive letter, and press
<Enter>.
For an IDE hard drive, run the IDE Devices device group.
Did any of the diagnostics tests fail?
Yes. Go to the next question.
No. Proceed to step 4.
Did any of the diagnostics tests indicate a faulty drive?
Yes. The hard drive may be faulty. Contact Dell for technical
assistance.
No. Go to the next question.
Did any of the diagnostics tests indicate a faulty drive controller?
Yes. The system board may be faulty. Contact Dell for technical
assistance.
No. Proceed to step 4.
Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from
their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then open the computer cover.
Make sure the DC power cables from the power supply are
firmly connected to the connectors on each drive. Also verify that the interface cable for
each drive is firmly connected to the drive and to the system board.
Make sure the control panel cable is firmly connected to
the system board. The control panel contains the hard drive activity light. To locate the
control panel system board connector, see the system board.
Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and
devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Does the hard drive activity light blink during the boot routine?
Yes. Go to the next question.
No. The system board may be faulty. Contact Dell for technical
assistance.
Does the computer display a drive error message?
Yes. See "Computer Messages"
for an explanation of the message. If you cannot correct the problem by performing the
action described in the table, then contact Dell for technical assistance.
No. Go to the next question.
Is this the primary hard drive that contains the operating system?
Yes. Go to the next question.
No. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
Does the drive boot the operating system?
Yes. Go to the next question.
No. Files in the operating system may be corrupt. See your
operating system documentation.
If an error message indicates a problem with the battery or if configuration
information is lost from system setup when the computer is turned off, the battery may be
defective.
CAUTION: There is a danger of
a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with the
same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according
to the manufacturer's instructions.
If an error message indicates an expansion card problem or if an expansion card seems
to perform incorrectly or not at all, the problem could be a faulty connection, a conflict
with software or other hardware, or a faulty expansion card.
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you perform the following steps.
Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from
their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then open the computer cover.
Make sure each expansion card is firmly seated in its
connector. If any expansion cards are loose, reseat them.
Make sure all cables are firmly connected to their
corresponding connectors on the expansion cards. If any cables appear loose, reconnect
them.
For instructions on which cables should be attached to specific
connectors on an expansion card, see the expansion card's documentation.
Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and
devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Is the computer working properly?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. You may have a faulty expansion card. Proceed to step 5.
Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from
their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then open the computer cover.
Remove all expansion cards except the video card.
NOTE: If your primary hard drive
is connected to a drive controller card and not one of the system board EIDE connectors,
leave the drive controller card installed in the computer.
Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and
devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Run the RAM test group in the Dell Diagnostics.
Did any of the diagnostics tests fail?
Yes. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
No. Proceed to step 9.
Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from
their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then open the computer cover.
Reinstall one of the expansion cards that you removed
previously, and repeat steps 7 and 8.
Did any of the diagnostics tests fail?
Yes. The expansion card you just reinstalled is faulty and needs
to be replaced.
No. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with another expansion card.
Proceed to step 11.
If you have replaced all the expansion cards and the
problem is not resolved, contact Dell for technical assistance.
Spills, splashes, and excessive humidity can cause damage to the computer. If an
external device, such as a printer or modem, gets wet, contact the manufacturer of the
device for instructions.
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you perform the following steps:
Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from
their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then open the computer cover.
Let the computer dry for at least 24 hours. Make sure
that it is thoroughly dry before you proceed.
Remove all expansion cards installed in the computer
except a video expansion card.
NOTE: If your primary hard drive
is connected to a drive controller card and not one of the system board EIDE connectors,
leave the drive controller card installed in the computer.
Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and
devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Does the computer have power?
Yes. Proceed to step 6.
No. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from
their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then open the computer cover.
Reinstall all expansion cards.
Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and
devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Run the System Board Devices test group in the
Dell Diagnostics.
Hardware conflicts occur when the operating system detects multiple devices that are
attempting to operate on the same computer resources when those resources cannot be shared
between the devices.
Symptoms:
Computer hangs or locks up, particularly while using a specific device.
Memory parity errors occur on parity-enabled computers.
Noise or other problems from sound cards.
Unintelligible characters printed on the printer.
Mouse pointer hangs and will not move or moves in a stuttering fashion.
Messages stating that the computer is not operating at maximum performance.
Errors and crashes of applications for no apparent reason.
Nothing displays on the video monitor.
To resolve hardware conflicts, remove any newly added hardware and contact the hardware
manufacturer. Also see your operating system documentation.
During POST, the computer checks the computer's memory, determines the amount of
installed memory, and then writes to and reads from the number of available bytes to
ensure proper operation.
Basic Checks:
If an insufficient memory message appears, save and close any open files and exit any
open application programs not in use.
Consider installing additional computer memory.
Run the System Memory test in the Dell Diagnostics.
Reseat the memory modules.
Restart the computer.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the Diagnostic Checklist as you perform the following steps.
A system board problem can result from a defective system board component, a faulty
power supply, or a defective component connected to the system board. If an error message
indicates a system board problem, fill out the Diagnostic
Checklist as you perform the following steps.
If you experience a problem with your computer, run the Dell Diagnostics before you
call Dell for technical assistance. The Dell Diagnostics tests check your computer's
hardware without additional equipment and without the risk of destroying data. When the
diagnostics tests complete without indicating any problems, you can have confidence in
your computer's operation. If the tests indicate a problem you cannot solve by yourself,
the test results provide important information you will need when talking to Dell's
service and support personnel.
NOTICE: Only use the Dell
Diagnostics to test your Dell computer. Using this program with other computers may cause
incorrect computer responses or result in error messages.
NOTE: Dell recommends that you
print these procedures before you begin. For additional information, refer to the Dell
OptiPlex User's Guide, located on the Dell ResourceCD.
Shut down and restart the computer.
Enter system setup.
Change the Boot Sequence to use the CD drive as
the first device in the boot sequence.
NOTE: Write down your current
boot sequence in case you want to restore it after running the Dell Diagnostics.
Insert the DellResourceCD into the CD
drive.
Press <Alt><b> to exit system setup and save
your changes.
The computer reboots and the Dell logo screen appears followed by a list
of the available languages.
NOTE: If you are using the
ResourceCD for the first time on this computer, the ResourceCD Installation window
opens to inform you that the ResourceCD is about to begin installation. Click OK to
continue. To complete the installation, respond to the prompts offered by the installation
program. If the Welcome Dell System Owner screen opens, click Next to
continue.
Select Start computer to run Dell Diagnostics.
Select the number for the language that you want.
A numbered list displays the following options:
Option 1– Dell Diagnostics — Loads the Dell Diagnostics
that run computer tests
Option 2– Exit — Exits the main menu and returns to an
MS-DOS prompt
Select Option 1– Dell Diagnostics.
After the diagnostics initialize, the Dell Diagnostics main menu
appears:
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
Test All Devices: Performs quick or extensive tests on all devices.
Test One Device: Performs quick or extensive tests on a single device
after you select it from a list of device groups. After you select Test One Device,
press <F1> for more information about a test.
Advanced Testing: Allows you to modify the parameters of a test,
select a group of tests to perform, and access additional information about Advanced
Testing.
Information and Results: Provides test results, test errors, version
numbers of subtests, and additional information on the Dell Diagnostics.
Program Options: Allows you to change the settings of the Dell
Diagnostics.
Exit to MS-DOS: Exits to the MS-DOS prompt.
Select the type of tests to perform:
To perform a quick check of your computer or a specific device, select Quick
Tests from the Test All Devices or Test One Device option.
Quick Tests runs only the tests that run fast and do not require user
interaction. Dell recommends that you choose Quick Tests first to increase the odds
of tracing the source of the problem quickly.
For a thorough check of your computer or to check a particular area of your
computer, select Extended Tests from the Test All Devices or Test One
Device option.
To customize your test(s), select the Advanced Testing option.
Remove the ResourceCD from the CD drive when you
have finished running the Dell Diagnostics.
Enter system setup and change the Boot Sequence
to your original configuration.
When you select Advanced Testing from the Diagnostics
Menu, the following screen appears:
Advanced Testing Screen
NOTE: The groups and devices
listed in your screen can vary somewhat based on the components installed in your
computer.
Information in the Advanced Testing screen is presented as follows:
Device Groups — lists the diagnostic test groups in the order they will run
if you select All from the Run tests menu option.
To select a test device group, press the up- or down-arrow key to
highlight the group.
NOTE: The diagnostics may not
list in the Device Groups area the names of all components or devices that are part of
your computer. For example, it may not list a printer even though it is connected to your
computer. However, the parallel port to which the printer is connected appears in the
Device Groups list. You can test your printer connection in the Parallel Ports tests.
Devices for Highlighted Group — lists the computer's current hardware.
Device groups menu bar — contains the options Run tests, Devices,
Select, Config, and Help.
To select a menu option, press the left- or right-arrow key to highlight
the option and press <Enter>, or press the key that corresponds to the highlighted
letter in the category title.
NOTE: The options displayed on
your screen should reflect the hardware configuration of your computer.
Your application programs, operating system, and the computer itself are capable of
identifying problems and alerting you to them. When a problem occurs, a message may appear
on your monitor screen or a beep code may sound. See "Computer
Messages" or "Computer Beep Codes"
for information about each message or beep code.
If you receive a computer message, see the table below for suggestions on resolving any
problems indicated by the message. The computer messages are listed alphabetically.
NOTE: If the computer message you
received is not listed in the table, check the documentation for the application program
that you were running at the time the message appeared and/or the operating system
documentation for an explanation of the message and a recommended action.
Alert! Previous attempts at booting this
system have failed at checkpoint [nnnn]. For help in resolving this problem, please
note this checkpoint and contact Dell Technical Support.
The computer has failed to complete the boot routine three
consecutive times for the same error.
See "Getting Help"
for instructions on obtaining technical assistance, and report the checkpoint code (nnnn)
to the support technician.
Attachment failed to respond
The floppy drive or hard drive controller cannot send data
to the associated drive.
Run the chkdsk utility in the Microsoft Windows operating
system to check the file structure of the floppy or hard drive. See your operating system
documentation for more information.
If you are using another operating system, run the appropriate utility to check the file
structure of the floppy or hard drive. See your operating system documentation.
Decreasing available memory
One or more dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) may be
faulty or improperly seated.
The amount of memory recorded in the computer configuration
information does not match the memory installed in the computer.
Reboot the computer. If the error appears again, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
Memory tests terminated by keystroke
The memory test was not completed.
Rerun the memory test.
No boot device available
The computer cannot find the floppy or hard drive.
Enter system setup, check
the computer configuration information for the floppy and hard drive, and, if necessary,
correct the information.
No boot sector on hard-disk drive
The computer configuration information in system setup may
be incorrect, or the operating system may be corrupted.
Enter system setup, check
the computer configuration information for the hard drive, and if necessary, correct the
information.
If the problem persists, reinstall your operating system. See the documentation that came
with your operating system.
No timer tick interrupt
A chip on the system board might be malfunctioning.
The floppy in drive A or your hard drive does not have a
bootable operating system installed on it.
A nonbootable floppy is in drive A. Either replace the
floppy with one that has a bootable operating system, or remove the floppy from drive A
and restart the computer.
Not a boot diskette
There is no operating system on the floppy.
Boot the computer with a floppy that contains an operating
system.
Plug and Play Configuration Error
The computer has encountered a problem in trying to
configure one or more expansion cards.
Turn your computer off and unplug it. Remove all but one of
the cards. Plug in your computer and reboot it. If the problem persists, the expansion
card may be malfunctioning. If the message does not reappear, turn off the power and
reinsert one of the other cards. Repeat this process until you identify the malfunctioning
card.
Read fault
Requested sector not found
The operating system cannot read from the floppy or hard
drive.
The computer could not find a particular sector on the disk, or the requested
sector is defective.
The keyboard controller may be malfunctioning, or one or
more DIMMs may be loose.
Run the System Memory and the Keyboard tests
in the Dell Diagnostics.
WARNING: Dell's Disk Monitoring System has
detected that drive [0/1] on the [primary/secondary ] EIDE controller is operating outside
of normal specifications. It is advisable to immediately back up your data and replace
your hard drive by calling your support desk or Dell
Power-on self-test (POST) has queried the enhanced
integrated drive electronics (EIDE) drive for status information. The drive has returned a
parameter from the call that indicates it has detected possible error conditions for its
operating specifications.
Once your computer finishes booting, immediately back up
your data and replace your hard drive. Restore the data to the replaced drive.
If a
replacement drive is not immediately available and the drive is not the only bootable
drive, enter system setup and change the appropriate
drive setting to None. Remove the drive from the computer. This should be done only
after you have backed up the data.
Write fault
Write fault on selected drive
The operating system cannot write to the floppy or hard
drive.
When errors occur during a boot routine that cannot be reported on the monitor, your
computer may emit a series of beeps that identify the problem. The beep code is a pattern
of sounds: for example, one beep, followed by a second beep, and then a burst of three
beeps (code 1-1-3) means that the computer was unable to read the data in nonvolatile
random-access memory (NVRAM). This information is invaluable to the Dell support staff if
you need to call for technical assistance.
When a beep code is emitted, write it down on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found
in "Getting Help," and then look it up in
"Computer Beep Codes." If you are unable to
resolve the problem by looking up the meaning of the beep code, use the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause. If you
are still unable to resolve the problem, see "Getting
Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
A warning message alerts you to a possible problem and asks you to do something before
execution continues. For example, before you format a floppy, a message may warn you that
you may lose all data on the floppy as a way to protect against inadvertently erasing or
writing over the data. These warning messages usually interrupt the procedure and require
you to respond by typing y (yes) or n (no).
NOTE: Warning messages are
generated by either your application programs or your operating system. See "Software Problems" and the documentation that
accompanied your operating system and application programs.
When you run a test group or subtest in the Dell
Diagnostics, an error message may result. These particular error messages are not
covered in this section. Record the message on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found
in "Getting Help." Also see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
Should your computer fail to operate, lights on the front
panel and back panel of the computer provide
diagnostic codes that can help you troubleshoot a computer problem. The following sections
describe the meaning of the diagnostic codes.
CAUTION: Before servicing any
components inside your computer, see "Safety
Instructions."
Ensure that the voltage switch setting is correct. If the
computer still has no power, see "Getting Help"
for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Solid yellow
A device on the system board may be faulty or is incorrectly
installed.
Be sure that each microprocessor is properly seated, remove
all expansion cards, and then reboot. If the computer does not boot, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
Solid green and a beep code during POST
A problem was detected while the BIOS was executing.
See the previous table for instructions on diagnosing the
beep code.
Solid green power light with no beep code and no video
during POST
The monitor or the graphics card may be faulty.
See "Video and Monitor
Problems" If the monitor is operating properly and is correctly connected, see
"Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
Solid green power light and no beep code but the computer
locks up during POST
An integrated system board device may be faulty.
See "Getting Help"
for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
When you turn on your computer, it performs a power-on self-test (POST), which is a
series of self-diagnostic checks. A successful POST ends with a single beep that signifies
the start of normal operation. If the computer fails to emit the single beep or appears to
stop responding during POST, a series of lights located at the rear of the computer can
help you understand which POST test failed or why the computer stopped responding. These
lights indicate problems encountered during POST only, not during normal operation.
CAUTION: Before servicing any
components inside your computer, see "Safety
Instructions."
The light patterns described in the following table can help you determine what to do
to resolve the problem. If a problem resolution requires you to open the computer chassis,
see "Finding Solutions" for procedures
you need to complete prior to performing the suggested resolution. If the problem persists
after you perform the suggested problem resolution(s), contact Dell for further help.
The following table lists the codes for the back panel diagnostic lights, gives their
probable causes, and offers suggested corrective actions. The light patterns are shown as
they appear on the back of the desktop chassis (vertical position).
This section provides general guidelines for analyzing software problems. For detailed
troubleshooting information on a particular program, see the documentation that
accompanied the software or consult the support service for the software.
If your computer is behaving erratically, back up your files immediately. If your
computer has a tape drive installed, see the documentation that came with the tape backup
software for instructions on performing a backup operation. Otherwise, see your operating
system documentation for information on backing up data files.
Basic Checks:
Ensure that the application program is compatible with the operating system installed in
your computer and that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run
the software.
Ensure that you properly installed and configured the application program. Reinstall the
program if necessary.
Consult the software documentation or contact the software manufacturer for detailed
troubleshooting information on a particular application program.
Ensure that you have not made an error while entering data.
Make sure that problems are not caused by a virus — Use a virus-scanning
application program to check the floppy disks or CDs.
Verify that the program's device drivers do not conflict with certain application
programs.
Confirm that a problem is software-related by running the System Board Devices
tests in the Dell Diagnostics. If all tests run successfully, the error condition may be
related to a software problem.
Ensure that the use of terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) programs has not resulted in a
memory conflict.
Remove or confirm the possibility of a program conflict by rebooting your computer.
Make sure that a hardware conflict does not exist between devices.
Make sure the computer's operating environment is set up to accommodate the application
programs you use. Whenever you change the operating environment parameters, you may also
affect the successful operation of the application programs. Sometimes, after modifying
the operating environment, you may need to reinstall a program that no longer runs
properly.
If a specific key or set of keys is pressed at the wrong time, a program may give you
unexpected results. See the documentation that came with your application program to make
sure the values or characters you are entering are valid.
Error messages can be produced by an application program, the operating system, or the
computer. "Messages and Codes" discusses the
error messages that are generated by the computer. If you receive an error message that is
not listed in "Messages and Codes," check
your operating system or application program documentation.
Programs that use specialized subroutines called device drivers can also cause
problems with your computer. For example, a variation in the way the data is sent to the
monitor may require a special screen driver program that expects a certain kind of video
mode or monitor. In such cases, you may have to develop an alternative method of running
that particular program—the creation of a boot file made especially for that program,
for example. Call the support service for the software you are using to help you with this
problem.
Many utilities and supplementary programs load either when the computer boots or from
an operating system prompt. These programs are designed to stay resident in computer
memory and thus always be available for use. Because they remain in the computer's memory,
memory conflicts and errors can result when other programs require use of all or part of
the memory already occupied by these TSR programs.
Typically, your operating system's start-up files (such as config.sys and autoexec.bat)
contain commands to start TSR programs when you boot your computer. If you suspect that
one of these TSR programs is causing a memory conflict, remove the commands that start
them from the start-up files. If the problem you were experiencing does not recur, one of
the TSR programs probably created the conflict. Add the TSR commands back into the
start-up files one at a time until you identify which TSR program is creating the
conflict.
Some programs may leave portions of their setup information behind, even though you
have exited from them. As a result, other programs cannot run. Rebooting your computer can
confirm whether or not these programs are the cause of the problem.
Memory address conflicts occur when two or more devices try to access the same address
in the upper memory blocks (UMB). For example, if a network expansion card and an
expanded-memory page frame are assigned an overlapping block of addresses, a memory
address conflict arises. As a result, when you try to log in to the network, the operation
fails.
To resolve this type of conflict, you can change the address of one of the devices. For
example, in the case of the network expansion card and expanded-memory page frame address
conflict, you can move the network card to an address block in the range of CC000h through
D0000h. To reassign the expansion card's address block, refer to the documentation for the
card.
Problems can arise if two devices attempt to use the same interrupt request (IRQ) line.
To avoid this type of conflict, check the documentation for the default IRQ-line setting
for each installed expansion card. Then consult the following table to configure the card
for one of the available IRQ lines.
NOTE: The following table lists
default IRQ settings. In computers with Plug and Play capabilities, you can modify the
default settings. If you install a Plug and Play card in a Plug and Play computer, the
computer automatically selects an open IRQ line if any are available.
If your computer loses power and beeps constantly but does not boot when power is
restored, the basic input/output system (BIOS) is probably corrupted. To restore the BIOS,
perform the following steps:
Disconnect the computer from its power source.
Go to another working computer, and download the BIOS
flash executable utility for the computer from the File Library located on Dell's support.dell.com
website.
On the working computer, go to an MS-DOS prompt and type
the command xxxxx- writehdrfile
(where xxxxx is the name of the BIOS flash executable utility
you downloaded).
Running this utility generates a file with a .hdr extension.
Copy the .hdr file to a floppy.
Insert the floppy into the floppy drive of the corrupted
computer and turn it on.
The computer automatically flashes the BIOS from the floppy.
When the computer begins to restart and the Dell logo
screen appears, remove the floppy from the floppy drive so that the computer does not boot
from the floppy again.
All prices, specifications and promotional offers are subject to error, change and/or substitution at Dell's discretion at any time without notice. Dell cannot be responsible for errors in typography or photography. Unless otherwise specifically advertised, promotional offers are not combinable with any other offer or volume based or other discounts to which you may be entitled. Advertised configurations and limited time offers only available to business customers in Canada with 99 employees or less. All purchases subject to your Customer Agreement or Dell's standard terms of sale, Dell's limited warranty terms and the applicable Dell or third party service agreement. Copies available on request or at www.dell.ca. Remember to back-up your data. Dell is not responsible for lost or corrupt data or software. Limit one (1) offer per eligible system. Dell reserves the right to limit quantities to five (5) systems per customer.
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