Applications, operating systems, and the system itself are capable of identifying problems and alerting you to them. When a problem occurs, a message may appear on the monitor or a beep code may sound.
The system indicators and front- and back-panel features are illustrated in this section. This section also describes each type of message and lists the possible causes and actions you can take to resolve any problems indicated by a message.
The power button on the front panel controls the power input to the system's power supplies. The power indicator can provide information on power status (see Figure 3-3). Table 3-3 lists the power button indicator codes.
The indicators on the optional redundant power supplies show whether power is present and whether a power fault has occurred (see Figure 3-5).
Each hard-drive carrier has two indicators: a busy indicator and a status indicator (see Figure 3-6). The indicators provide information on the status of the respective hard drive.
The drive-busy indicator signifies whether the hard drive is active on the SCSI bus. This indicator is controlled by the hard drive.
The NIC connector on the back panel has an indicator that provides information on network activity and link status (see Figure 3-7). Table 3-6 lists the NIC indicator codes.
|
Message
|
Causes
|
Corrective Actions
|
|---|
Address mark not found
| Faulty CD drive, diskette drive, or hard-drive; faulty system board. | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
Alert! Back system fan was
not detected.
| Specified fan is missing, faulty, or improperly installed. | Check the fan cable connection. If the problem persists, replace the fan (see "System Fans"). |
Alert! CPU n fan was not
detected.
|
Alert! Front system fan
was not detected.
|
Alert! Cover was
previously removed!
| The chassis has been opened. | Information only. |
Alert! Previous back
system fan failure.
| Specified fan failed before last system startup (see Figure 4-6 to identify the fans). | Information only. |
Alert! Previous CPU n fan
failure.
|
Alert! Previous front
system fan failure.
|
Alert! Previous voltage
failure.
| Power supply failed before last system startup. | Information only. |
Alert! Processor thermal
probe failure detected.
| Microprocessor fan is missing, faulty, or improperly installed. | Check the fan cable connection. If the problem persists, replace the heat-sink assembly (see "Microprocessors"). |
Alert! Unsupported memory
or incomplete sets in the
following bank(s): Bank n
| Faulty memory module(s). | Ensure that the memory is installed correctly (see "Memory Module Installation Guidelines"). Remove and reseat the memory modules (see "Memory Modules"). If the problem persists, replace the memory module (see "Memory Modules"). |
Amount of available memory
limited to 256 MB!
| OS Install Mode is enabled in the System Setup program. | Disable OS Install Mode in the System Setup program (see "Using the System Setup Program"). |
Attachment failed to
respond
| Diskette-drive or hard-drive controller cannot send data to the associated drive; faulty or improperly installed diskette drive or hard drive. | Check the interface cable connections to the drive and system board. If the problem persists, replace the diskette drive or hard drive (see "Diskette Drive" or "Hard Drives"). |
Auxiliary device failure
| Loose or improperly connected mouse or keyboard cable; faulty mouse or keyboard. | See "External Visual Inspection." |
Bad error-correction
code(ECC) on disk read
| Faulty CD/diskette-drive subsystem or hard-drive subsystem; faulty system board. | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
Controller has failed
|
BIOS Update Attempt
Failed!
| Remote BIOS firmware update attempt failed. | Retry the BIOS firmware update. |
Caution! NVRAM_CLR jumper
is installed on system
board. Please run setup.
| NVRAM-clear jumper is installed. | Remove the NVRAM-clear jumper (see Figure 5-2 for jumper location). Check the System Setup configuration settings (see "Using the System Setup Program"). |
Data error
| Faulty diskette, diskette drive, CD drive, tape drive, or hard drive. | Replace the diskette or CD. Check the interface cable connections to the drive and system board. If the problem persists, replace the diskette drive, CD drive, or hard drive (see "Diskette Drive," "5.25-Inch Drives," or "Hard Drives"). |
Decreasing available
memory
| Faulty or improperly installed memory modules. | Ensure that the memory is installed correctly (see "Memory Module Installation Guidelines"). Remove and reseat the memory modules (see "Memory Modules"). If the problem persists, replace the memory module. |
Diskette drive seek
failure
| Incorrect configuration settings in the System Setup program. | Run the System Setup program to correct the settings (see "Using the System Setup Program"). |
Faulty or improperly installed diskette drive. | Check the interface cable connections to the drive and system board. If the problem persists, replace the diskette drive (see "Diskette Drive"). |
Diskette read failure
| Faulty or improperly inserted diskette. | Replace the diskette. |
Diskette subsystem reset
failed
| Faulty or improperly installed diskette drive. | Check the interface cable connections to the drive and system board. If the problem persists, replace the diskette drive (see "Diskette Drive"). |
Diskette write protected
| Diskette write-protect feature activated. | Move the write-protect tab on the diskette to the disabled position. |
Drive not ready
| Diskette missing or improperly inserted in diskette drive. | Reinsert or replace the diskette. |
Gate A20 failure
| Faulty keyboard controller; faulty system board. | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
General failure
| Operating system corrupted or improperly installed. | Reinstall the operating system. |
Hard disk controller
failure
| Incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program; improperly installed hard drive; loose interface or power cable; faulty hard-drive controller subsystem. | Run the System Setup program to correct the drive type setting (see "Using the System Setup Program"). If the problem persists, check the interface cable connections to the drive and controller. If the problem persists, replace the hard-drive controller card or system board (see "System Board"). |
Invalid memory
configuration detected.
Potential corruption
exists!
| Memory module installation guidelines have not been properly followed. | See "Memory Module Installation Guidelines." |
Keyboard controller
failure
| Faulty keyboard controller; faulty system board. | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
Keyboard data line failure
| Loose or improperly connected keyboard cable; faulty keyboard; faulty keyboard controller. | Check the keyboard cable connection. If the problem persists, replace the keyboard. If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
Keyboard failure
|
Keyboard stuck key failure
|
Memory address line
failure at address, read
value expecting value
| Faulty or improperly installed memory modules. | Ensure that the memory is installed correctly (see "Memory Module Installation Guidelines"). Remove and reseat the memory modules (see "Memory Modules"). If the problem persists, replace the memory module. If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
Memory double word logic
failure at address, read
value expecting value
|
Memory odd/even logic
failure at start address
to end address
|
Memory write/read failure
at address, read value
expecting value
|
Memory allocation error
| Faulty application program. | Restart the application program. |
Memory bank population
error!
| Memory module installation guidelines have not been properly followed. | Ensure that the memory is installed correctly (see "Memory Module Installation Guidelines"). |
Memory parity interrupt at
address
| Faulty or improperly installed memory modules. | Ensure that the memory is installed correctly (see "Memory Module Installation Guidelines"). Remove and reseat the memory modules (see "Memory Modules"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
Memory tests terminated by
keystroke
| The spacebar was pressed during POST to terminate the memory test. | Information only. |
No boot device available
| Faulty diskette, diskette drive, CD drive, or hard drive.
| Check the Integrated Devices settings in the System Setup program (see "Using the System Setup Program."). If the problem persists, replace the CD drive or diskette drive. If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
No boot sector on hard-
disk drive
| No operating system on hard drive. | Check the hard-drive configuration settings in the System Setup program (see "Using the System Setup Program"). |
No timer tick interrupt
| Faulty system board. | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
Non-system disk or disk
error
| Faulty diskette, diskette drive, CD drive, or hard drive.
| Use a bootable diskette. If the problem persists, replace the CD drive or diskette drive. If the problem persists, replace the hard drive (see "System Board"). |
Not a boot diskette
| No operating system on diskette. | Use a bootable diskette. |
One value1 MHz Processor,
L2 Cache: 512KB
One value2 MHz processor,
L2 Cache: 512KB
System running at
value1 MHz
| Microprocessors with different speeds are installed. The system operates at speed of slower microprocessor. | Replace the slower microprocessor with one that matches the faster microprocessor (see "Microprocessors"). |
PCI BIOS failed to install
| Loose cables to expansion card(s); faulty or improperly installed expansion card. | Ensure that all appropriate cables are securely connected to the expansion cards. If the problem persists, remove and reseat the expansion cards (see "Expansion Cards"). If the problem persists, replace the expansion card. |
Plug & Play Configuration
error
| Error encountered while initializing PCI devices. | Install the NVRAM-clear jumper and reboot the system (see Figure 5-2 for jumper location). If the problem persists, remove and reseat the expansion cards (see "Expansion Cards"). If the problem persists, replace the expansion card. |
Primary drive n not found
| The primary IDE channel is enabled in the System Setup program, but no drive is attached; improperly installed hard drive; loose interface or power cable. | Run the System Setup program to correct the drive type setting (see "Using the System Setup Program"). If the problem persists, check the interface cable connections to the drive and controller. If the problem persists, replace the hard-drive controller card (see "Expansion Cards") or system board (see "System Board"). |
Read fault
| Faulty diskette, diskette drive, CD drive, or hard drive.
| Replace the diskette or CD. Check the interface cable connections to the drive and system board. If the problem persists, replace the diskette drive, CD drive, or hard drive (see "Diskette Drive," "5.25-Inch Drives," or "Hard Drives"). |
Requested sector not found
|
Reset failed
| Improperly connected diskette drive, tape drive, hard drive, or power cable. | Ensure that all cables are securely connected. |
ROM bad checksum = address
| Faulty or improperly installed expansion card. | Remove and reseat the expansion cards (see "Expansion Cards"). If the problem persists, replace the expansion card. |
Secondary drive n not
found
| The secondary IDE controller is enabled in the System Setup program, but no drive is attached; improperly installed hard drive; loose interface or power cable. | Run the System Setup program to correct the drive settings (see "Using the System Setup Program.") If the problem persists, check the interface cable connections to the drive and system board. If the problem persists, replace the hard drive. |
Sector not found
| Faulty diskette or hard drive. | Replace the diskette. If the problem persists, replace the diskette drive (see "Diskette Drive"). If the problem persists, replace the hard drive (see "Hard Drives"). |
Seek error
|
Seek operation failed
|
Shutdown failure
| Shutdown test failure. | Ensure that the memory is installed correctly (see "Memory Module Installation Guidelines"). Remove and reseat the memory modules (see "Memory Modules"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
Time-of-day clock stopped
| Faulty battery. | Replace the system battery (see "System Battery"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
Time-of-day not set -
please run SETUP program
| Incorrect Time or Date settings; faulty system battery. | Check the Time and Date settings (see "Using the System Setup Program"). If the problem persists, replace the system battery (see "System Battery"). |
Timer chip counter 2
failed
| Faulty system board. | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
Unexpected interrupt in
protected mode
| Faulty or improperly installed memory modules or faulty system board. | Ensure that the memory is installed correctly (see "Memory Module Installation Guidelines"). Remove and reseat the memory modules (see "Memory Modules"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
Unsupported CPU stepping
detected
| Microprocessor is not supported by the system. | Update the BIOS firmware. |
Utility partition not
available
| The <F10> key was pressed during POST, but no utility partition exists on the boot hard drive. | Create a utility partition on the boot hard drive (see "Using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD" in the User's Guide). |
Warning! No microcode
update loaded for
processor n
| BIOS error. | Update the BIOS firmware. |
Write fault
| Faulty diskette, CD drive, diskette drive, hard drive, or hard-drive subsystem. | Replace the diskette. If the problem persists, replace the diskette drive or CD drive. If the problem persists, replace the hard drive (see "Hard Drives"). |
Write fault on selected
drive
|
When an error that cannot be reported on the monitor occurs during a boot routine, the system may emit a series of beeps that identify the problem.
When a beep code is emitted, record it on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist and then look it up in Table 3-8. If you are unable to resolve the problem by looking up the meaning of the beep code, use the system diagnostics to identify the cause.
|
Code
|
Cause
|
Corrective Action
|
|---|
1-1-2 | CPU register test failure | Replace the primary microprocessor (see "Microprocessors"). If the problem persists, replace the secondary microprocessor. |
1-1-3 | CMOS write/read failure; faulty system board | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
1-1-4 | BIOS error | Reflash the BIOS firmware. |
1-2-1 | Programmable interval-timer failure; faulty system board | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
1-2-2 | DMA initialization failure | Remove and reseat the memory modules (see "Memory Modules"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
1-2-3 | DMA page register write/read failure |
1-3-1 | Main-memory refresh verification failure |
1-3-2 | No memory installed |
1-3-3 | Chip or data line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory |
1-3-4 | Odd/even logic failure in the first 64 KB of main memory |
1-4-1 | Address line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory |
1-4-2 | Parity failure in the first 64 KB of main memory |
1-4-3 | Fail-safe timer test failure |
1-4-4 | Software NMI port test failure |
2-1-1 through
2-4-4 | Bit failure in the first 64 KB of main memory |
3-1-1 | Slave DMA-register failure | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
3-1-2 | Master DMA-register failure |
3-1-3 | Master interrupt-mask register failure |
3-1-4 | Slave interrupt-mask register failure |
3-2-2 | Interrupt vector loading failure |
3-2-4 | Keyboard-controller test failure | Check the keyboard cable connection. If the problem persists, replace the keyboard. If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
3-3-1 | CMOS failure | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
3-3-2 | System configuration check failure |
3-3-3 | Keyboard controller not detected |
3-3-4 | Video memory test failure |
3-4-1 | Screen initialization failure |
3-4-2 | Screen-retrace test failure |
3-4-3 | Video ROM search failure |
4-2-1 | No timer tick |
4-2-2 | Shutdown test failure |
4-2-3 | Gate A20 failure |
4-2-4 | Unexpected interrupt in protected mode | Remove and reseat the expansion cards (see "Expansion Cards"). If the problem persists, replace the expansion card. |
4-3-1 | Improperly installed or faulty memory modules | Ensure that the memory is installed correctly (see "Memory Module Installation Guidelines"). Remove and reseat the memory modules (see "Memory Modules"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
4-3-2 | No memory modules installed in the first memory module connector | Install a memory module in the first memory module connector (see "Installing Memory Modules"). |
4-3-3 | Faulty system board | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
4-3-4 | Time-of-day clock stopped | Replace the system battery (see "System Battery"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
4-4-1 | Super I/O chip failure; faulty system board | Replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
4-4-4 | Cache test failure; faulty microprocessor | Replace the microprocessor (see "Microprocessors"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board"). |
A warning message alerts you to a possible problem and asks you to take corrective action before the system continues a task. For example, before you format a diskette, a message may warn you that you may lose all data on the diskette. Warning messages usually interrupt the procedure and require you to respond by typing y (yes) or n (no).
When you run a test group or subtest in the system diagnostics, an error message may result. Diagnostic error messages are not covered in this section. Record the message on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist (located in "Getting Help" in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide), and then follow the instructions in that section for obtaining technical assistance.
Systems management software generates alert messages for the system. For example, the software generates messages that appear in the SNMP trap log file. Alert messages consist of information, status, warning, and failure messages for drive, temperature, fan, and power conditions. For more information, see the systems management software documentation.
