The operating system, application programs, and the computer itself can generate status
and error information. This section explains the system messages generated by the basic
input/output system (BIOS). For other messages, refer to the application program or
operating system documentation.
If a message appears on the display or external monitor, make a note of the message.
See the following table for an explanation of the message and suggestions for correcting
errors. The system messages are listed alphabetically.
| Message |
Cause |
Action |
| Diskette drive A error |
A connector may be loose, or the
diskette may be faulty. |
If the diskette-drive access indicator
lights up when you access a file on the diskette, but you still get this
error message, try a different diskette. If using a different diskette does
not solve the problem, restart the computer. If the problem persists, call
Dell for technical assistance. |
| Fixed disk 0 failure |
The hard-disk drive failed to initialize. |
See "Resolve Hard-Disk Drive Problems"
in Chapter 2 of the Dell Inspiron 5000 Reference and Troubleshooting
Guide or "Drive Problems" in Chapter 2 of the Dell
Inspiron 5000e Solutions Guide. |
| Fixed disk controller failure |
The hard-disk drive controller may be faulty. |
Call Dell for technical assistance. |
| Keyboard controller error |
The keyboard controller is faulty. |
Call Dell for technical assistance. |
| Keyboard error |
If an external keyboard is being used, a cable
or connector may be loose or the keyboard may be faulty. If the integrated keyboard is
being used, it may be faulty. A key on the integrated keyboard may have been pressed while
the computer was booting. |
Run the Stuck Key Test in the PC-AT
Compatible Keyboards device group in the Dell Diagnostics. |
| Operating system not found |
The operating system may be corrupted. Or, the
operating system cannot be found on the hard-disk drive or on the diskette in the diskette
drive. |
Reinstall the operating system. See the
documentation that came with the operating system. If the problem persists, call Dell for
technical assistance. |
| Real time clock error |
The CMOS battery that supports data stored in
NVRAM may be dead. |
Call Dell for technical assistance. |
| CMOS battery is dead—Replace
and run Setup |
The CMOS battery is dead. |
Call Dell for technical assistance. |
| System CMOS checksum bad—run Setup |
The BIOS has been updated. CMOS has been
corrupted or modified, possibly by an application program that changes data stored in
CMOS. |
Enter the system setup program by restarting the
computer and pressing <F2> as soon as the Dell logo appears. Reconfigure the system.
If the problem persists, call Dell for technical assistance. |
