This section describes the physical, firmware, and software interface features that provide and ensure the essential functioning of your system. The physical connectors on your system's front and back panels provide convenient connectivity and system expansion capability. The system firmware, applications, and operating system monitor the system and component status and alert you when a problem arises. System conditions can be reported by any of the following:
This section describes each type of message, lists the possible causes, and provides steps to resolve any problems indicated by a message. The system indicators and features are illustrated in this section.
The NIC on the back panel has an indicator that provides information on network activity and link status. See Figure 1-3. Table 1-3 lists the NIC indicator codes.
The voltage selection switch on the back panel of the system allows you to select one of two primary voltage inputs. Ensure that the switch is set to the proper voltage according to Table 1-4.
For information on system power requirements, see "Technical Specifications" in your Getting Started Guide.
The four diagnostic indicator lights on the system front panel display error codes during system startup. Table 1-5 lists the causes and possible corrective actions associated with these codes. A highlighted circle indicates the light is on; a non-highlighted circle indicates the light is off.
System messages appear on the screen to notify you of a possible problem with the system. Table 1-6 lists the system messages that can occur and the probable cause and corrective action for each message.
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Message
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Causes
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Corrective Actions
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A filename cannot contain any of the following characters:
\ / : * ? " < > |
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| Do not use these characters in filenames.
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A required .DLL file was not found
| The application that you are trying to open is missing an essential file.
| Remove and then reinstall the application.
See the application's documentation for installation instructions.
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Alert! CPU fan not detected
| The processor cooling fan is faulty or the fan assembly is not installed correctly.
| Ensure that the processor cooling fan is properly installed. See "Troubleshooting System Cooling Problems" on page 86.
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Alert! Previous reboot was due to voltage regulator failure
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| See "Getting Help" on page 107.
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Alert! System battery voltage is low
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| Replace the battery. See "Troubleshooting the System Battery" on page 85.
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Alert! Unable to initialize all installed memory | One or more memory modules might be faulty or improperly seated.
| See "Troubleshooting System Memory" on page 87.
If the problem persists, see "Getting Help" on page 107.
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Alert! Card-cage fan failure.
| A card-cage fan is not detected during POST. The system will halt at the <F1>/<F2> prompt even if Keyboard Errors Report option is disabled in the System Setup program.
| See "Troubleshooting System Cooling Problems" on page 86.
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Alert! Chipset heat sink not detected.
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| Ensure heatsink and shroud assembly are properly attached. See Figure 3-15.
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Alert! Cover was previously removed.
| The system was opened.
| Information only. To reset the chassis intrusion switch, see "Using the System Setup Program" on page 27.
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Alert! CPU fan failure.
| The processor cooling fan is faulty or the fan assembly is not installed correctly.
| Ensure that the processor cooling shroud is properly installed. See "Troubleshooting System Cooling Problems" on page 86 and "Microprocessor" on page 62.
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Alert! Error initializing PCI Express slot n (or bridge).
| The system encountered a problem while trying to configure a PCIe expansion card.
| See "Troubleshooting Expansion Cards" on page 93.
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Alert! Incompatible processor detected.
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| Use only Dell supported processors. See the Getting Started Guide for a list of supported processors.
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Alert! OS Install Mode enabled. Amount of available memory limited to 256MB.
| The OS Install Mode option in the System Setup program is set to On. This limits the amount of available memory to 256 MB because some operating systems will not complete installation with more than 2 GB of system memory.
| After the operating system is installed, enter the System Setup program and set the OS Install Mode option to Off. See "Using the System Setup Program" on page 27.
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Alert! Previous fan failure.
| The fan caused errors the last time the system was used.
| Ensure that nothing is blocking the airflow vents and that all fans are properly installed and operating correctly. See "Troubleshooting System Cooling Problems" on page 86.
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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 system failed to complete the boot routine three consecutive times for the same error.
| See "Getting Help" on page 107.
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Alert! Previous Processor Thermal Failure
| The processor overheated the last time the system was used.
| Ensure that nothing is blocking the airflow vents and that all fans are properly installed and operating correctly. Also, ensure that the processor heat sink is properly installed. See "Microprocessor" on page 62.
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Alert! Previous Shutdown Due to Thermal Event
| The processor or hard drive overheated the last time the system was used.
| Ensure that nothing is blocking the airflow vents and that all fans are working correctly. Also, ensure that the processor heat sink is properly installed. See "Microprocessor" on page 62.
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Alert! Uncorrectable Memory Error Previously Detected... Address XXXXXXXXH, Device DIMM_Y
| One or more memory modules might be improperly seated or faulty, or the system board may be faulty.
| See "Troubleshooting System Memory" on page 87.
If the problem persists, see "Getting Help" on page 107.
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Attachment failed to respond
| The diskette or hard-drive controller cannot send data to the associated drive.
| See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" on page 89 or "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
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Bad command or file name
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| Ensure that you have spelled the command correctly, have put spaces in the proper place, and have used the correct pathname.
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Bad error-correction code (ECC) on disk read
| The diskette or hard-drive controller detected an uncorrectable read error.
| See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" on page 89 or "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
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bb/dd/f: Error allocating IRQ for PCI Device
bb/dd/f: Error allocating I/O BAR for PCI Device
bb/dd/f: Error allocating Mem BAR for PCI Device
bb/dd/f: Error allocating PMem BAR for PCI Device
bb/dd/f: Error allocating UMB for PCI Device
NOTE: bb is the bus number, dd is the device number, and f is the function number. All numbers are hexadecimal.
| The system encountered a problem while trying to configure an expansion card or integrated on-board devices.
| If the device number points to an expansion card, the card can be removed. See "Troubleshooting Expansion Cards" on page 93.
If the device number points to a an on-board device, disable the device. See "Using the System Setup Program" on page 27.
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Controller has failed
| The hard drive or the associated controller is defective.
| See "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
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Data error
| The diskette drive or hard drive cannot read the data.
| For the operating system, run the appropriate utility to check the file structure of the diskette drive or hard drive. See your operating system documentation for information on running these utilities.
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Decreasing available memory
| One or more memory modules might be faulty or improperly seated.
| Reinstall the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them. See "Troubleshooting System Memory" on page 87.
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Diskette drive 0 seek failure
| A cable might be loose or the system configuration information might not match the hardware configuration.
| See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" on page 89.
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Diskette read failure
| The diskette might be defective, or a cable might be loose.
| If the diskette-drive indicator turns on, try a different disk. See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" on page 89.
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Diskette subsystem reset failed
| The diskette drive controller might be faulty.
| Run the system diagnostics. See "Running the System Diagnostics" on page 98.
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Diskette write protected
| The diskette is write-protected.
| Slide the write-protect notch to the open position.
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Drive not ready
| No diskette is in the drive.
| Insert a diskette in the drive.
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Error auto-sensing primary master hard disk drive
Error auto-sensing primary slave hard disk drive
Error auto-sensing secondary master hard disk drive
Error auto-sensing secondary slave hard disk drive
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| See "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
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Floppy diskette seek failure
| A diskette drive is not connected but is enabled in the BIOS setup menu.
The diskette in the drive is faulty.
| See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" on page 89.
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Gate A20 failure
| Faulty keyboard controller (faulty system board).
| See "Getting Help" on page 107.
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General failure
| The operating system is unable to carry out the command.
| This message is usually followed by specific information. Take the appropriate action to resolve the problem.
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Hard-disk configuration error
Hard-disk controller failure
Hard-disk drive failure
| The hard drive failed initialization.
| Run the system diagnostics. See "Running the System Diagnostics" on page 97. Also, see "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
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Drive x not found: Serial (or Parallel) ATA, SATA-(or PATA-)n
NOTE: x is the drive number (0-6) and n is SATA0-3 or PATA0-1.
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| Run the system diagnostics. See "Running the System Diagnostics" on page 97. Also, see "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
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Insert bootable media
| The operating system is trying to boot from a nonbootable diskette or CD.
| Insert a bootable diskette or CD.
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Invalid configuration information - please run SETUP program
| The system configuration information does not match the hardware configuration.
| Enter the System Setup program and correct the system configuration information. See "Using the System Setup Program" on page 27.
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Keyboard Controller Failure
Keyboard Stuck Key Failure
Keyboard failure
| A cable or connector might be loose, or the keyboard or keyboard/mouse controller might be faulty.
| See "Troubleshooting the Keyboard" on page 81.
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Keyboard fuse has failed.
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| See "Troubleshooting the Keyboard" on page 81.
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Memory address line failure at address, read value expecting value
| A memory module might be faulty or improperly seated.
| Reinstall the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them. See "Troubleshooting System Memory" on page 87.
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Memory allocation error
| The software you are attempting to run is conflicting with the operating system, another program, or a utility.
| Turn off the system, wait 30 seconds, restart the system, and then try to run the program again. If the error message appears again, see the software documentation for additional troubleshooting suggestions.
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Memory data line failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory double word logic failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory odd/even logic failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory write/read failure at address, read value expecting value
| A memory module might be faulty or improperly seated.
| Reinstall the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them. See "Troubleshooting System Memory" on page 87.
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Memory size in CMOS invalid
| The amount of memory recorded in the system configuration information does not match the memory installed in the system.
| Restart the system. If the error message appears again, see "Troubleshooting System Memory" on page 87. If the problem persists, see "Getting Help" on page 107.
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Memory type or speed is not supported on this system. Please refer to system documentation for support memory configurations.
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| See "Troubleshooting System Memory" on page 87.
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NIC failure.
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| See "Troubleshooting a NIC" on page 83.
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No boot device available
| The system cannot find the diskette or hard drive.
| If the diskette drive is your boot device, ensure that a bootable disk is in the drive.
If the hard drive is your boot device, ensure that the hard drive is installed, the interface cable is properly connected, and the hard drive is partitioned as a boot device.
Enter the System Setup program and verify the boot sequence information. See "Using the System Setup Program" on page 27.
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No boot sector on hard-disk drive
| The system configuration information in the System Setup program might be incorrect.
| Enter the System Setup program and verify the system configuration information for the hard drive. See "Using the System Setup Program" on page 27.
If the message continues to appear after verifying the information in the System Setup program, the operating system might have been corrupted. Reinstall the operating system. See your operating system documentation for reinstallation information.
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No timer tick interrupt
| A chip on the system board might be malfunctioning.
| Run the system diagnostics. See "Running the System Diagnostics" on page 97.
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Non-system disk or disk error
| The diskette in the diskette drive or your hard drive does not have a bootable operating system installed on it.
| Replace the diskette with one that has a bootable operating system or remove the diskette, and then restart the system.
If the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" on page 89 or "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
If the problem persists, see "Getting Help" on page 107.
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Not a boot diskette
| The operating system is trying to boot from a diskette that does not have a bootable operating system installed on it.
| Insert a diskette that has a bootable operating system.
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Not enough memory or resources. Close some programs and try again.
| You have too many programs open.
| Close all windows and open the program that you want to use. In some cases, you might have to restart your system to restore system resources. If so, try opening the program that you want to use first
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Mixing ECC and non-ECC DIMMs is not supported on this platform |
| See "Troubleshooting System Memory" on page 87. If the problem persists, see "Getting Help" on page 107.
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Operating system not found
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| See "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91. If the problem persists, see "Getting Help" on page 107.
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Please connect USB keyboard/mouse to USB ports on the back of the computer
| The keyboard and/or mouse is not properly connected.
| See "Troubleshooting a USB Device" on page 82.
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Plug and play configuration error
| An attached device is improperly configured.
| See "Troubleshooting Your System" on page 79.
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Read fault
| The operating system cannot read from the diskette or hard drive, the system could not find a particular sector on the disk, or the requested sector is defective.
| See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" on page 89 or "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
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Requested sector not found
| The operating system cannot read from the diskette or hard drive, the system could not find a particular sector on the disk, or the requested sector is defective.
| See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" on page 89 or "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
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Reset failed
| The disk reset operation failed.
| See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" on page 89 or "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
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Sector not found
Seek error
| A faulty diskette drive or hard drive.
| See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" on page 89 or "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
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Shutdown failure
| A chip on the system board might be malfunctioning.
| Run the system diagnostics. See "Running the System Diagnostics" on page 97.
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The amount of system memory has changed
| Memory has been added or removed, or a memory module may be faulty.
| If memory has been added or removed, this message is informative and can be ignored. If memory has not been added or removed, check the SEL to determine if single-bit or multi-bit errors were detected and replace the faulty memory module. See "Troubleshooting System Memory" on page 87.
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The file being copied is too large for the destination drive.
| The file that you are trying to copy is too large to fit on the disk.
| Try increasing disk space on the destination drive by deleting unnecessary files.
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Time-of-day clock stopped
| The battery might be faulty.
| See "Troubleshooting the System Battery" on page 85.
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Time-of-day not set
| The time or date stored in the System Setup program does not match the system clock.
| Enter the System Setup program and correct the Date and Time options. See "Using the System Setup Program" on page 27. If the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting the System Battery" on page 85.
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Timer chip counter 2 failed
| A chip on the system board might be malfunctioning.
| Run the system diagnostics. See "Running the System Diagnostics" on page 97.
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Unexpected interrupt in protected mode
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| Run the system diagnostics. See "Running the System Diagnostics" on page 97.
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Write fault
Write fault on selected drive
| The operating system cannot write to the diskette drive or hard drive.
| See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" on page 89 or "Troubleshooting a Hard Drive" on page 91.
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<drive letter>:\ is not accessible. The device is not ready.
| The diskette drive cannot read the diskette.
| Insert a diskette into the drive or replace the existing diskette, and try again.
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A warning message alerts you to a possible problem and prompts you to respond before the system continues a task. For example, before you format a diskette, a message will warn you that you may lose all data on the diskette. Warning messages usually interrupt the task and require you to respond by typing y (yes) or n (no).
When you run 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 in "Getting Help" on page 107, and then follow the instructions in that section for obtaining technical assistance.
Systems management software generates alert messages for your system. Alert messages include information, status, warning, and failure messages for drive, temperature, fan, and power conditions. For more information, see the systems management software documentation.
