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Checking Inside the Computer: Dell™ PowerEdge™ 4400
Systems Installation and Troubleshooting Guide
This topic provides troubleshooting procedures for components inside
the computer. Before you start any of the procedures in this topic, take the following
steps:
You need the following items to perform the procedures in this
section:
- The Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD
- A blank, formatted 3.5-inch diskette
- The key to the system keylock
 |
NOTE: When you see the question
"Is the problem resolved?" in a troubleshooting procedure, perform the operation
that caused the problem. |
The procedures in this guide require that you remove the cover and
work inside the computer. While working inside the computer, do not attempt to service the
computer except as explained in this guide and elsewhere in Dell documentation. Always
follow the instructions closely.
Working inside the computer is safe—if you observe the
following precautions.
 |
WARNING FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY
AND PROTECTION OF THE EQUIPMENT Before starting to work on the computer, perform the
following steps in the sequence listed:
- Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the chassis, such as
the metal around the card-slot openings at the back of the computer, before touching
anything inside your computer.
- While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface
on the computer chassis to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal
components.
- Disconnect your computer and peripherals from their power
sources (unless you are installing or removing a hard-disk drive). Also, disconnect any
telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or shock.
|
In addition, Dell recommends that you periodically review the "Safety Instructions" in this guide.
To troubleshoot problems inside the computer or add system options,
you may need to remove the cover.
Using the Computer Cover Keylock
The computer cover provides a three-position keylock that allows the
following access options to the system's interior (see Figure 1):
- The latch position (denoted by the square icon) allows access to the
expansion card compartment through the expansion card door.
- The unlocked position (denoted by the open lock icon) enables the
computer cover to be removed.
- The locked position (denoted by the lock icon) locks both the
computer cover and the expansion-card access door.
To remove the computer cover, perform the following steps:
- Observe the precautions in "Safety
First—For You and Your Computer" Also observe the safety
instructions in this guide.
- Turn the keylock on the back edge of the computer to the unlocked
position.
If necessary, unlock the keylock using the system key (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Removing the Computer Cover
 |
1 |
Keylock |
2 |
Computer cover |
|
- If the system is installed in a rack, slide the system out of the rack.
- Slide the cover about a centimeter (a half-inch) or so toward the back of the computer,
and grasp the top of the cover at both ends.
- Lift the cover away from the chassis.
To replace a computer cover, perform the following steps:
- Check all cable connections, especially those that might have come loose during your
work. Fold cables out of the way so that they do not catch on the computer cover.
- Be sure that no tools or parts (including screws) are left inside the computer.
- Make sure that the keylock on the cover is in the unlocked position.
- Fit the cover over the side rail at the bottom of the chassis, and slide it closed.
- If the system is installed in a rack, slide the system back into the rack.
- Secure the cover with the keylock.
To troubleshoot or add drives in the external drive bays, you may need to remove the
front bezel.
To remove the front bezel of the computer, perform the following steps:
- Remove the computer cover.
- With your fingertips, gently pry loose the four tabs along the right edge of the bezel,
and disengage the three clips on the opposite edge from the chassis
(see Figure 2 ).
- Rotate the bezel to the left to disengage and remove it.
Figure 2. Removing the Front Bezel
 |
1 |
Front bezel |
2 |
Clips (3) |
3 |
Tabs (4) |
|
To replace the front bezel of the computer, perform the following steps:
- Align the three clips on the edge of the bezel and press the bezel into place until the
four tabs on the opposite edge of the bezel snap into place.
- Reinstall the computer cover.
Your system provides an access door to the expansion card compartment (see Figure 3)
for easy installation and removal of the expansion cards. To open the access door, the
keylock must be in the latch position (designated by the square icon) or the unlocked
position (designated by the open lock icon).
To open the expansion card door, perform the following steps:
- Turn the keylock on the back edge of the computer cover to the latch position (denoted
by the square icon).
If necessary, unlock the keylock using the system key.
- If the system is installed in a rack, slide the system out of the rack.
- Slide the two door latches towards the centerline of the door, and open the door (see
Figure 3).
Figure 3. Opening the Expansion Card Door
 |
1
|
Keylock |
2 |
Expansion-card access door |
3 |
Door latches (2) |
|
To access the microprocessors or the memory module inside the computer, you must remove
the interior support panel (see Figure 4 ). To remove the support
panel, perform the following steps.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the AC power
cable from its power source.
- Remove the computer
cover.
- Turn the two captive fasteners counter-clockwise (see Figure 4).
Figure 4. Removing the Interior Support Panel
 |
1
|
Captive fasteners (2) |
2 |
Support panel |
|
- Rotate the left side of the panel outward slightly.
- Lift the hinge side of the panel to clear the tabs from the hinge slots.
- Remove the panel.
To access the small computer system interface (SCSI) backplane board or the power
supply paralleling board (PSPB), you must open the system board tray to the service
position (see Figure 5 ). To open the system board tray, perform
the following steps.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the AC power
cable from its power source.
- Remove the computer
cover.
- Release the tray latch at the lower-back corner of the tray (see Figure 5).
Figure 5. Opening the System Board Tray
 |
1 |
SCSI backplane board |
2 |
System board tray |
3 |
Tray latch |
|
- Pull the tray open to the first slide position.
- To remove the tray completely, disconnect all cables connected to the system board. Pull
the tray slightly outward (or upward if the system is mounted horizontally) and press the
tray latch again, and then pull the tray out of the chassis.
To access the microprocessors, you must remove the plastic cooling shroud adjacent to
the microprocessors. To remove the cooling shroud, perform the following steps.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the AC power
cable from its power source.
- Remove the computer
cover.
- Remove the support panel.
- Lift the cooling shroud directly away from the system chassis (see Figure 6).
Figure 6. Removing the Cooling Shroud
In Figure 7, the computer cover and several internal components
are removed to provide an interior view.
The system board holds the computer's control circuitry and other electronic
components. The SCSI backplane board connects the system's hard-disk drives to a SCSI host
adapter on the system board or on an expansion card. Power cables leading from the
power-supply paralleling board (PSPB) supply power to the system board, SCSI backplane
board and externally accessible drives.
For non-SCSI drives such as the diskette drive, an interface cable connects each drive
to an interface connector on the system board or on an expansion card. For SCSI devices,
interface cables connect externally accessible SCSI devices and the SCSI backplane board
to a SCSI host adapter either on the system board or on an expansion card. (For more
information, see "Installing Drives in the External Bays"
and "Installing Hard-Disk Drives.")
During an installation or troubleshooting procedure, you may be required to change a
jumper or switch setting. For information on the system board jumpers, see "Jumpers, Switches, and Connectors."
Figure 7. Inside the System (Right-Side View)
 |
1 |
External drive bays |
2 |
Cooling fans (5) |
3 |
System board |
4 |
Tray latch |
5 |
PCI insulator |
6 |
Non-hot plug expansion card cover |
7 |
Expansion card |
8 |
Support panel |
9 |
Hard-disk drive bays (6 or 8) |
|
Liquid spills, splashes, and excessive humidity can cause damage to the system. If an
external device (such as a printer or an external drive) gets wet, contact the device
manufacturer for instructions. If the computer gets wet, perform the following steps.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the AC power
cable from its power source.
- Remove the computer
cover.
- Remove the support panel.
- Open the system board tray to the service
position.
- Remove all expansion cards installed
in the computer.
- Let the computer dry for at least 24 hours.
Make sure that it is thoroughly dry before proceeding.
- Before replacing any expansion cards, replace the support panel and computer cover, reconnect the system to the
electrical outlet, and turn on the system.
Does the system have power?
Yes. Go to step 8.
No. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- Turn off the system, disconnect it from the electrical outlet, remove the computer
cover, and reinstall all expansion cards
you removed in step 5.
- Replace the computer cover, and reconnect the system to the electrical outlet.
- Run the Dell Diagnostics and test the system.
Did the tests run successfully?
Yes. The system is operating properly.
No. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If the computer was dropped or damaged while being moved, you should check the computer
to see if it functions properly. If an external device attached to the computer is dropped
or damaged, contact the manufacturer of the device for instructions or see "Getting Help" for information on obtaining technical
assistance from Dell.
To troubleshoot a damaged computer, perform the following steps.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the AC power
cable from its power source.
- Remove the computer
cover.
- Remove the support panel.
- Open the system board tray to the service
position.
- Verify that all cables are properly connected and that all components are properly
seated in their connectors and sockets.
- Replace the system board tray, support panel, and computer cover and reconnect the system to the
electrical outlet.
- Run the system board tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Did the tests run successfully?
Yes. The system is operating properly.
No. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If an error message indicates a problem with the system battery, or if the System Setup
program loses the system configuration information when the computer is turned off, the
battery may be defective.
To troubleshoot the system battery, perform the following steps.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the AC power
cable from its power source.
- Remove the computer
cover.
- Remove the support panel.
- Remove all expansion cards.
- Remove the PCI insulator (see Figure 7).
To remove the PCI insulator, release the two latches on the PCI insulator along the
interior wall of the system tray, then lift the PCI insulator out of the system.
- Check the connection of the coin cell battery to the system board.
See "Replacing the System Battery"
for information on the battery socket.
- Is the battery firmly installed in the battery socket on the system board?
Yes. Go to step 9.
No. Go to step 8
- Reseat the battery in its socket.
- Replace the PCI insulator.
- Replace the expansion cards.
- Replace the support panel and computer cover,
and reconnect the system to the electrical outlet.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The battery was loose. You have fixed the problem.
No. Continue with this procedure.
| |
WARNING: 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. |
- Repeat steps 1 through 5.
- Replace the system battery.
- Repeat steps 9 through 11, and reconnect the system to the electrical outlet.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The battery's charge was low. You have fixed the problem.
No. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Your system may contain two nonredundant power supplies or three redundant,
hot-pluggable power supplies. The two indicators on the back of each power supply (see Figure 8) signal the power supply's current status. If
the red (lower) failure indicator lights up, or server management software indicates a
problem (the supply farthest from the expansion slots is designated as power supply #1),
replace the power supply as described in the following subsection.
Figure 8. Power Supply Features
 |
1 |
Latch |
2 |
Indicators (power [green, upper
indicator] and power supply failure [red, lower indicator]) |
3 |
Power receptacle |
4 |
Power supply |
5 |
Strain-relief clips (3) |
6 |
Handle |
|
To replace a power supply, perform the following steps.
NOTICE: A power supply is heavy. Support it with both hands when installing or
removing it.
- Unplug the power cord from the faulty power supply.
- Remove the power cable from the strain-relief clips (see Figure 9).
- Remove the power supply:
- Press down on the handle release in the middle of the power supply handle (see Figure 9).
- Rotate the handle outward to release the power supply from the system chassis (see Figure 9).
- Slide the power supply out of the chassis.
Figure 9. Removing a Power Supply
 |
1 |
Strain-relief clips (3) |
2 |
Power supply |
3 |
Handle |
|
- With the new power supply's handle in the open position, slide the power supply into the
chassis to the point where the power supply initially stops.
NOTICE: Do not use excessive force when sliding the power supply into the
chassis.
- Rotate the power supply handle to the closed position.
The handle acts as a lever to push the power supply into the proper position inside
the chassis.
- With the power supply fully inserted into the chassis, close the handle completely so
that the latch engages.
| |
NOTE: The power supply will not
function until the handle is closed. |
- Connect the power cable to the power supply and route the cable through the
strain-relief clips on the power supply handle.
- Plug the power cord into the power supply.
Follow these steps to troubleshoot power cable connections:
- Check the power outlet and power cable (see "Checking Connections and Switches").
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the AC power
cable from its power source.
- Remove the computer
cover.
- Remove the support panel.
- Check the power cable connections to connectors POWER1 and POWER2 on the system board.
See Figure 1 in "Installing System Board
Options" for the location of these connectors.
- Check the cable connections on the PSPB (see Table 1).
| Table 1. Power Cable
Connectors on the PSPB |
Connector |
Cable Connection |
| PS1.PB1 and PS1.PB2 |
To the power connector on the first power
supply |
| PS2.PB1 and PS2.PB2 |
To the power connector on the second power
supply |
| PS3.PB1 and PS3.PB2 |
To the power connector on the third power
supply |
| PWR1 |
To POWER1 connector on system board |
| PWR2 |
To POWER2 connector on system board |
| PWR3 |
To POWER3 connector on system board |
| FD |
To diskette drives and other devices in
external drive bays |
| HD_B/P |
To POWER connector on SCSI backplane board |
| NOTE: For the full name of an
abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see "Abbreviations
and Acronyms." |
Five cooling fans are installed in the system chassis. Two fans are located on the
front of the system board tray adjacent to the microprocessor(s), and three fans are
mounted in a removable assembly adjacent to the hard-disk drive bays.
The three-fan assembly for the hard-disk drives is hot-pluggable; that is, you can
remove the entire three-fan assembly and replace it with another three-fan assembly while
the system is running. If you wish to replace the individual fans in the assembly, you
must turn off the system before removing the fan assembly to prevent system overheating
while the individual fan is replaced.
On the two-fan assembly for the system board, you can hot-plug the individual fans, but
only a single fan at a time. Because the fans in the two-fan assembly can be removed and
replaced without removing the assembly from the system, you can replace either fan while
the system is running.
NOTICE: You can only hot-plug the fans in the two-fan assembly one fan at a
time. Removing more than a single fan from operation at one time can result in system
overheating.
If you observe that one of the cooling fans is not operating or if the Dell HIP
server-management application issues a fan-related error message, perform the following
steps to troubleshoot the problem.
NOTICE: See "Protecting
Against Electrostatic Discharge."
- Remove the computer cover.
- Check the fan power connections:
- Replace the computer cover.
Do the fans operate properly?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. Replace the defective fan or fan assembly as described in the
following subsections.
Replacing a Fan in the Two-Fan Assembly
To replace a defective cooling fan in the two-fan assembly for the system board,
perform the following steps.
NOTICE: To maintain proper airflow within the system, do not remove the faulty
fan until you are ready to replace it.
|
NOTE: You can perform the following
procedure with the system turned on or off. |
NOTICE: See "Protecting
Against Electrostatic Discharge."
- Remove the computer cover.
- Identify the defective cooling fan in the assembly.
- Remove the faulty cooling fan from the fan assembly by releasing the fan retention tab
on the assembly and sliding the fan out of the carrier (see Figure 10).
Figure 10. Removing a Cooling Fan in the Two-Fan
Assembly
 |
1 |
System-board cooling fans (2) |
2 |
Fan retention tabs (1 per fan) |
|
- Insert the replacement cooling fan into the carrier.
If the system power is on, the cooling fan should begin operating.
- Replace the computer cover.
Replacing the Three-Fan Assembly
To replace the three-fan assembly for the hard-disk drives, perform the following
steps.
NOTICE: You can hot-plug the three-fan assembly only if you
immediately install a replacement assembly. Removing the three-fan assembly from a running
system for any period of time beyond what is needed for immediate replacement can result
in system overheating.
| |
NOTE: You can perform the following
procedure with the system turned on or off. |
NOTICE: See "Protecting
Against Electrostatic Discharge."
- Remove the computer cover.
- Lift up on the release latch on the back of the three-fan assembly and slide the
assembly out of the system (see Figure 11).
Figure 11. Removing the Three-Fan
Assembly
 |
1 |
Fan assembly power connector |
2 |
Cooling fans (3) |
3 |
Release latch |
|
- Slide the replacement assembly into the system, making sure that the electrical
connector is fully seated.
If the system power is on, the cooling fans should begin operating.
- Replace the computer cover.
- Do the fans operate properly?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
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. To troubleshoot expansion
cards, perform the following steps:
- Start the Resource Configuration Utility, and verify that all expansion cards have been
configured correctly. Save the configuration before exiting the utility.
See "Using the Resource Configuration Utility" in the User's Guide for
instructions.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from
its electrical outlet.
NOTICE: See "Protecting
Against Electrostatic Discharge."
- Open the expansion card door.
- Verify that each expansion card is firmly seated in its connector.
Are the expansion cards properly seated in their connectors?
Yes. Go to step 6.
No. Go to step 5.
- Reseat the expansion cards in
their connectors.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The connection was loose. You have fixed the problem.
No. Go to step 6.
- Verify that any appropriate cables are firmly connected to their corresponding
connectors on the expansion cards.
For instructions on which cables should be attached to specific connectors on an expansion
card, see the expansion card's documentation.
Are the appropriate cables firmly attached to their connectors?
Yes. Go to step 7.
No. Go to step 8.
- Reconnect the cable connectors to the appropriate connectors on the expansion cards.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The cable connections were loose. You have fixed the problem.
No. Go to step 8.
- Remove all expansion cards.
- Close the expansion card door, reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn
on the system.
- Run the system memory test in the Dell Diagnostics.
Did the test run successfully?
Yes. Go to step 11.
No. See "Getting Help" for
information on obtaining technical assistance.
- Turn off the system, disconnect it from the electrical outlet, and remove the computer
cover.
- Reinstall one of the expansion cards
you removed in step 8, and repeat steps 9 and 10.
- Run the system memory test in the Dell Diagnostics.
Did the test run successfully?
Yes. Go to step 14.
No. See "Getting Help" for
information on obtaining technical assistance.
- Repeat steps 12 and 13 for each of the remaining expansion cards that you removed in
step 8.
Have you reinstalled all of the expansion cards without encountering a test failure?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. See "Getting Help" for
information on obtaining technical assistance.
A system memory problem can be a faulty or incorrect type of dual in-line memory module
(DIMM) or a faulty system board. All system DIMMs should be registered PC133 DIMMs. If a
random-access memory (RAM) error message appears, the system probably has a memory
problem.
When you turn on or reboot the system, the Caps Lock and Scroll Lock indicators on the
keyboard should flash momentarily and then turn off. If the Num Lock
category in the System Setup program is set to On, the Num Lock indicator
should flash momentarily and then remain on; otherwise, it should turn off. A defective
DIMM in socket DIMM_A can cause abnormal operation of these indicators.
To troubleshoot system memory, perform the following steps:
- Turn on the system, including any attached peripherals.
Is there an error message indicating invalid system configuration information after the
memory count is completed?
Yes. Go to step 2.
No. Go to step 10.
- Enter the System Setup program to check the System Memory setting.
See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for
instructions.
Does the amount of memory installed match the System Memory setting?
Yes. Go to step 10.
No. Go to step 3.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the AC power
cable from its power source.
- Remove the computer
cover.
- Remove the support panel.
- Remove the cooling shroud.
- Reseat the DIMMs in their sockets.
- Replace the support panel and computer cover,
and reconnect the system to the electrical outlet.
- Enter the System Setup program and check the System Memory setting
again.
Does the amount of memory installed match the System Memory setting?
Yes. Go to step 10.
No. Go to step 11.
- Reboot the system, and observe the monitor screen and the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and
Scroll Lock indicators on the keyboard.
Does the monitor screen remain blank, and do the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock
indicators on the keyboard remain on?
Yes. Go to step 11.
No. Go to step 15.
- Repeat steps 3 through 6.
- Swap the DIMM in socket DIMM_A with one of the same capacity.
- Replace the cooling shroud, support panel, and computer
cover, and reconnect the system to the electrical outlet.
- Reboot the system, and observe the monitor screen and the indicators on the keyboard.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. Go to step 15.
- Run the system memory test in the Dell Diagnostics.
Did the test run successfully?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Troubleshooting video problems involves determining which of the following items is the
source of the problem: the monitor, the monitor interface cable, the video memory, or the
video logic of the computer. You can also have a high-resolution video expansion card
installed, which overrides the video logic of the computer.
The following procedure troubleshoots problems with the video memory and video logic
only. Before you begin, perform the procedure found in "Troubleshooting
the Monitor" to determine whether or not the monitor is the source of the
problem.
If you have a high-resolution video expansion card, first complete the steps in "Troubleshooting Expansion Cards" to
verify that the card is configured and installed correctly.
To troubleshoot the video subsystem, perform the following steps:
- Run the video tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Did the tests run successfully?
Yes. The problem is not related to video hardware. Go to "Finding Software Solutions."
No. Go to step 2.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from
its electrical outlet.
- Open the expansion card door.
- Determine whether a video expansion card is installed.
Is a video expansion card installed?
Yes. Go to step 5.
No. The integrated video controller is faulty. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
- Remove the video expansion card, and connect the monitor interface cable to the video
connector on the computer's back panel.
- Close the expansion card door, reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn
on the system.
Did the tests run successfully?
Yes. The video expansion card is faulty. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
No. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining assistance.
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, perform the following steps to troubleshoot the problem:
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from
its electrical outlet.
- Open the expansion card door.
NOTICE: See "Protecting
Against Electrostatic Discharge."
- Remove all expansion cards except
the SCSI host adapter card and the video expansion card (if they are installed).
- Close the expansion card door, reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn
on the system.
- Run the system board tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Did the tests run successfully?
Yes. Go to step 7.
No. Go to step 10.
- Turn off the system, disconnect it from AC power, and open the expansion card door.
- Reinstall one of the expansion cards
that you removed in step 3, repeat steps 4 and 5, and continue with step 8.
- Run the system board tests again.
Did the tests run successfully?
Yes. Go to step 9.
No. Go to step 11.
- Repeat step 6 through 8 for each of the remaining expansion cards that you removed in
step 4.
Have you reinstalled all of the expansion cards without a test failure?
Yes. Go to step 10.
No. One of the expansion cards is faulty. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
- Disconnect the keyboard and reboot the system.
Does the system boot successfully to the operating system?
Yes. Go to step 11.
No. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- Swap the keyboard with a comparable working keyboard and run the system board tests
again.
Did the tests run successfully?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If the monitor displays a system error message indicating a diskette drive problem
during execution of either the boot routine or the Dell Diagnostics, the problem may be
caused by any of the following conditions:
- The system configuration settings do not match the physical diskette subsystem
configuration.
- The diskette drive cable is not properly connected or is faulty.
- An expansion card is interfering with proper drive operations.
- A diskette drive is improperly configured.
- The diskette drive is faulty.
- The computer's power supply is not providing sufficient power for the drives.
- The computer's diskette drive logic is faulty.
To troubleshoot the diskette drive subsystem, perform the following steps:
- Enter the System Setup program, and verify that the system is configured correctly for
the Diskette Drive A setting.
See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for
instructions.
- If the system configuration settings are incorrect, make the necessary corrections in
the System Setup program, and then reboot the system.
- Run the diskette drives test in the Dell Diagnostics to determine
whether the diskette drive subsystem now works correctly.
Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes. If you were in the middle of another procedure, continue
with the next step in the procedure you were performing.
No. Go to step 4.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from
its electrical outlet.
- Remove the computer cover.
- Remove the support panel.
- Check the diskette drive cabling.
Is the diskette drive securely connected to the diskette drive interface cable connector?
Is the diskette drive interface cable connector securely connected to the interface
connector (labeled "FLOPPY") on the system board? Is the drive's DC power cable
firmly connected to the drive?
Yes. Go to step 9.
No. Go to step 8.
- Reconnect the cable connectors.
- Replace the support panel and computer cover, reconnect the system to the
electrical outlet, and turn on the system.
- Run the diskette drives test in the Dell Diagnostics to determine
whether the diskette drive subsystem now works correctly.
Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. Go to step 11.
- Repeat steps 4 through 6, and remove all expansion
cards.
- Replace the support panel and computer cover, reconnect the system to the electrical
outlet, and turn on the system.
- Run the diskette drives test in the Dell Diagnostics to determine whether the diskette
drive subsystem now works correctly.
Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes. An expansion card may be conflicting with the diskette
drive logic, or you may have a faulty expansion card. Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3.
No. Go to step 14.
- Repeat steps 4 through 6, and reinstall one of the expansion cards that you removed in
step 11.
- Replace the support panel and computer cover, reconnect the system to the electrical
outlet, and turn on the system.
- Run the diskette drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics to determine
whether the diskette drive subsystem now works correctly.
Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes. Go to step 17.
No. Go to step 18.
- Repeat steps 14 through 16 until all expansion cards have been reinstalled or until one
of the expansion cards prevents the system from booting from the diagnostics diskette.
- Repeat steps 4 through 6. Verify that the drive's termination is enabled and that the
drive-select jumper is set to the DS1 position.
For information about the drive's termination and drive-select settings, refer to the
documentation for the drive.
Is the drive configured correctly?
Yes. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
No. Go to step 19.
- Correct the drive-select jumper and drive termination settings.
- Replace the support panel and computer cover, reconnect the system to the electrical
outlet, and turn on the system.
- Run the diskette drives tests in the Dell Diagnostics to determine whether the diskette
drive subsystem now works correctly.
Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes. You have solved the problem.
No. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
A SCSI tape drive or autoloader can be an internal device installed in one of the
externally accessible drive bays or an external device that attaches to a SCSI host
adapter connector on the back panel of the computer. The SCSI tape drive is controlled by
a SCSI host adapter card installed in the computer, which may also control other SCSI
devices connected to one or more SCSI cables. SCSI devices often require device drivers
for the particular operating system being used by the computer system.
Tape drive and autoloader problems often result from a defective tape drive, a
defective tape cartridge, or software. To troubleshoot a SCSI tape drive or autoloader,
perform the following steps:
- Remove the tape that was in use when the problem occurred, and replace it with a tape
that you know is not defective.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The original tape was defective. Replace it with a new
tape. You have fixed the problem.
No. Go to step 2.
- Reboot the system and press <F2> to enter the System Setup program.
Is Secondary SCSI set to Enabled?
Yes. Go to step 4.
No. Go to step 3.
- Verify that any required SCSI device drivers are installed on the hard-disk drive and
are configured correctly.
See "Installing and Configuring SCSI Drivers" in the User's Guide for
instructions on installing and configuring the SCSI device drivers for the system's
integrated SCSI host adapter or Dell PowerEdge Expandable RAID Controller 2 (PERC 2) host
adapter card. For any other type of SCSI host adapter card, see the documentation that
accompanied the SCSI host adapter card.
Are the drivers installed and configured correctly?
Yes. The SCSI device drivers were installed or configured
incorrectly or were corrupted. You have fixed the problem.
No. Go to step 4.
- Reinstall the tape backup software as instructed in the tape-backup software
documentation.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The tape backup software was corrupted. You have fixed the
problem.
No. Go to step 5.
- Reboot the system and check for the presence of the drive during the optional read-only
memory (ROM) scan sequence.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The drive is correctly cabled and is receiving power. Go to
step 10.
No. Go to step 6.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from
its electrical outlet.
- Remove the computer cover.
- Remove the support panel.
- Check the SCSI cable connections to the drive and to the SCSI host adapter connector. If
the drive is an internal device, check the DC power cable connection to the drive.
Are the cables firmly connected?
Yes. Go to step 11.
No. Go to step 10.
- Reseat the cable connectors and replace the support panel and computer cover. Reconnect the system to the
electrical outlet and turn it on.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. Go to step 11.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from
its electrical outlet. Then remove the computer cover and support panel.
- Remove the tape drive or autoloader. Then verify that the device is configured for a
unique SCSI ID number and that the tape drive is terminated or not terminated as
appropriate.
See the documentation for the tape drive for instructions on selecting the SCSI ID and
enabling or disabling termination.
Is the tape drive configured correctly?
Yes. Go to step 15.
No. Go to step 13.
- Reconfigure the drive's SCSI ID and termination settings as appropriate. Reinstall the
drive, replace the support panel and computer cover, and reconnect the system to the
electrical outlet and turn it on.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The drive was configured incorrectly. You have fixed the
problem.
No. Go to step 14.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from
its electrical outlet. Then remove the computer cover and support panel.
- Replace the SCSI cable that connects the drive to the SCSI host adapter. Replace the
support panel and computer cover, and then reconnect the system to the electrical outlet
and turn it on?
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. See "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Hard-disk drive problems can be caused by a number of conditions, including problems
with the drive itself, the SCSI backplane board, or a cable connected to the SCSI
backplane board.
The SCSI backplane board monitors the SCSI hard-disk drives connected to the backplane
board. In the event of a drive failure, systems using an optional Dell PowerEdge
Expandable RAID Controller (PERC) 3/Di integrated RAID controller or optional Dell PERC 2
controller card will issue the following signals using the drive indicator lights adjacent
to each SCSI hard-disk drive:
Your system may contain an optional Dell PERC 3/Di integrated RAID controller or
optional Dell PERC 2 controller card.
If you encounter problems with the optional integrated RAID controller on the system
board, perform the following steps to help diagnose the problem:
