Manuals

Messages, Codes, and Indicators: Dell PowerEdge 6400 Systems Service Manual

Messages, Codes, and Indicators: Dell™ PowerEdge™ 6400 Systems Service Manual

	Overview		System Beep Codes
	System Messages		Front Panel Indicators
	Warning Messages		SCSI Hard-Disk Drive Indicators
	Diagnostics Messages		Hot-Plug Expansion Card Indicators
	Alert Log Messages From the Dell OpenManage HIP Application		Power Supply Indicators

Overview

This section describes beep codes and system error messages that can occur during system start-up or, in the case of some failures, during normal system operation. The tables in this section list faults that can cause a beep code or system error message to occur and the probable causes of the fault in each case. This section also suggests actions you can take to resolve problems indicated by a message.

If a faulty system does not emit beep codes or display system error messages to indicate a failure, you should run the appropriate tests in the Dell Diagnostics to help isolate the source of the problem. See "Running the Dell Diagnostics" in the system Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.

Several different types of messages can indicate when the system is not functioning properly:

System messages
Warning messages
Diagnostics messages
Alert messages
System beep codes
Front panel indicators
SCSI hard-disk drive indicators
PCI hot-plug indicators
Power supply indicators

This section describes each type of message and lists the possible causes and actions you can take to resolve any problems indicated by a message. To determine what type of message you have received, read the following sections.

System Messages

System messages alert you to a possible operating system problem or to a conflict between the software and hardware. Table 1 lists the system error messages that can occur, the probable cause for each message, and the recommended action to correct the problem.

If the table does not lead to the source of the problem, run the appropriate tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see the system Installation and Troubleshooting Guide) to assist in troubleshooting the problem.

NOTE: If you receive a system message that is not listed in Table 1, check the documentation for the application program that is running when the message appears and/or the operating system documentation for an explanation of the message and recommended action.

Table 1. System Messages

Message	Cause	Corrective Action
Address mark not found	Faulty diskette/tape drive subsystem or hard-disk drive subsystem (defective system board)	Replace the system board.
Alert! One or more of the memory DIMMs are out of rev.	Unsupported DIMM(s) installed	Replace one or more DIMMs so that all DIMMs are the same type.
Auxiliary device failure	Mouse cable connector loose or improperly connected, defective mouse	Check the mouse cable connection. If the problem persists, replace the mouse.
Attachment failed to respond	Diskette drive or hard-disk drive controller cannot send data to associated drive	Replace the drive's interface cable.
Bad error-correction code(ECC) on disk read Controller has failed	Faulty diskette/tape drive subsystem or hard-disk drive subsystem (defective system board)	Replace the system board.
Caution! ISA_CLR jumper is installed on system board. Please run SETUP	The ISA_CLR jumper is installed	Remove the ISA_CLR jumper and run the System Setup Program.
Data error	Faulty diskette, diskette drive, or hard-disk drive	Replace the diskette, diskette drive, or hard-disk drive.
Decreasing available memory	One or more DIMMs improperly seated or faulty	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs.
Diskette drive 0 seek failure Diskette drive 1 seek failure	Faulty or improperly inserted diskette, incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program, loose diskette/tape drive interface cable, or loose power cable	Replace the diskette. Run the System Setup Program to correct the diskette drive type. Check the diskette/tape drive interface cable and power cable connections to the drive.
Diskette read failure	Faulty diskette, faulty or improperly connected diskette/tape drive interface cable, or loose power cable	Check the diskette/tape drive interface cable and power cable connections to the drive. See Installing Drives in the External Bays in the system Installation and Troubleshooting Guide. Replace the diskette drive interface cable.
Diskette subsystem reset failed	Faulty diskette/tape drive controller (defective system board)	Replace the system board.
Diskette write protected	Diskette write-protect feature activated	Move the write-protect tab on the diskette.
Drive not ready	Diskette missing from or improperly inserted in diskette drive	Reinsert or replace the diskette.
Embedded server management error Embedded server management is not present	Embedded server management memory may be temporarily corrupted	Shut down the system to clear the memory, and then restart the system. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Gate A20 failure	Faulty keyboard controller (defective system board)	Replace the system board.
General failure	Operating system corrupted or not installed properly	Reinstall the operating system.
Hard disk controller failure	Incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program, improperly connected hard-disk drive, faulty hard-disk drive controller subsystem (defective system board), or loose power cable	Check the hard-disk drive configuration settings in the System Setup Program. Reinstall the hard-disk drive. Check the interface cable and power cable connections to the backplane board.
Keyboard failure	Keyboard cable connector loose or improperly connected, defective keyboard, or defective keyboard/mouse controller (defective system board)	Check the keyboard cable connection. Replace the keyboard. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Keyboard controller failure	Defective keyboard/mouse controller (defective system board)	Replace the system board.
Keyboard data line failure Keyboard stuck key failure	Keyboard cable connector loose or improperly connected, defective keyboard, or defective keyboard/mouse controller (defective system board)	Check the keyboard cable connection. Replace the keyboard. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Memory address 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	Faulty or improperly seated DIMMs or defective system board	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs.
Memory allocation error	Faulty application program	Restart the application program.
Memory parity interrupt at address	Improperly seated or faulty DIMMs	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs.
Memory tests terminated by keystroke	POST memory test terminated by pressing the spacebar	No action is required.
No boot device available	Faulty diskette, diskette/tape drive subsystem, hard-disk drive, hard-disk drive subsystem, or no boot disk in drive A	Replace the diskette, diskette drive or hard-disk drive. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
No boot sector on hard-disk drive	Incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program, or no operating system on hard-disk drive	Check the hard-disk drive configuration settings in the System Setup program.
No timer tick interrupt	Defective system board	Replace the system board.
Non-system disk or disk error	Faulty diskette, diskette/tape drive subsystem, or hard-disk drive subsystem	Replace the diskette drive or hard-disk drive. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Not a boot diskette	No operating system on diskette	Use a bootable diskette.
Processor or terminator card not installed!	No microprocessor or terminator card installed in secondary microprocessor connector	Install a terminator card or microprocessor in the secondary microprocessor connector.
Read fault Requested sector not found	Faulty diskette, diskette/tape drive subsystem, or hard-disk drive subsystem (defective system board)	Replace the diskette, diskette drive, or hard-disk drive. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Reset failed	Improperly connected diskette/tape drive, hard-disk drive, or power cable	Check the diskette/tape drive interface cable and power cable connections to the diskette drive. See "Installing Drives in the External Bays" in the system Installation and Troubleshooting Guide. Replace the diskette/tape drive interface cable. Reinstall the hard-disk drive. Check the interface cable and power cable connections to the backplane board.
ROM bad checksum = address	Expansion card improperly installed or faulty	Reinstall the expansion cards. If the problem persists, replace the expansion card.
Sector not found	Defective sectors on diskette or hard-disk drive	Replace the diskette drive or hard-disk drive.
Seek error	Defective sectors on diskette or hard-disk drive	Replace the diskette drive or hard-disk drive.
Seek operation failed	Faulty diskette or hard-disk drive	Replace the diskette drive or hard-disk drive.
Shutdown failure	Defective system board	Replace the system board.
Time-of-day clock stopped	Defective battery or faulty chip (defective system board)	Replace the system battery. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Time-of-day not set - please run SETUP program	Incorrect Time or Date settings or defective system battery	Check the Time and Date settings in the System Setup Program. If the problem persists, replace the system battery. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Timer chip counter 2 failed	Defective system board	Replace the system board.
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	Improperly seated DIMMs or faulty keyboard/mouse controller chip (defective system board)	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Unsupported CPU detected in SLOT n	Microprocessor not supported by system	Install a correct version of the microprocessor in the specified microprocessor connector.
Unsupported CPU speed in CMOS	Microprocessor not supported by BIOS	Upgrade the BIOS. See "Using the System Setup Program" for instructions.
Warning! Primary disk controller changed from RAID to SCSI. May cause data loss. Press Y to continue.	Type of controller has changed since previous system boot	Back up information on the drives before changing the type of controller used with the hard-disk drives.
Write fault Write fault on selected drive	Faulty diskette or hard-disk drive	Replace the diskette or hard-disk drive.

Warning Messages

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, 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 the application program or the operating system. See the documentation that accompanied the operating system and application program for more information on warning messages.

Diagnostics Messages

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 and then follow the instructions given to resolve the problem.

Alert Log Messages From the Dell OpenManage™ HIP Application

The Dell OpenManage Hardware Instrumentation Package (HIP) server management application generates alert messages that appear in the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) trap log file. To see the trap log, select any enterprise under the SNMP trap log icon. (More information about the Alert Log window and options is provided in the Dell OpenManage HIP online help and the optional HP OpenView Network Node Manager (NNM) Special Edition 1.5.x .)

Alert log messages consist of information, status, warning, and failure messages for drive, temperature, fan, and power conditions. They can assist you with identifying a problem and may provide you with information to help you resolve the problem.

System Beep Codes

When an error that cannot be reported on the monitor screen occurs during a boot routine, the 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 valuable to the Dell technical support representative if you need to call for technical assistance.

When a beep code is emitted, record it and then look it up in Table 2. 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.

Table 2. System Beep Codes

Code	Cause	Corrective Action
1-1-2	Microprocessor register test failure	Remove and reseat the specified microprocessor. If the problem still persists, replace the microprocessor.
1-1-3	CMOS write/read failure	Replace the system board.
1-1-4	BIOS checksum failure	This fatal error usually requires that you replace the BIOS firmware.
1-2-1	Programmable interval-timer failure	Replace the system board.
1-2-2	DMA initialization failure
1-2-3	DMA page register write/read failure
1-3-1	Main-memory refresh verification failure	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
1-3-2	No memory installed	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
1-3-3	Chip or data line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
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	Failsafe timer test failure	Replace the system board.
1-4-4	Software NMI port test failure	Replace the system board.
2-1-1 through 2-4-4	Bit failure in the first 64 KB of main memory	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
3-1-1	Slave DMA-register failure	Replace the 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	Replace the system board.
3-2-4	Keyboard-controller test failure	Check the keyboard cable and connector for proper connection. If the problem persists, run the keyboard test in the Dell Diagnostics to determine whether the keyboard or keyboard controller is faulty. If the keyboard controller is faulty, replace the system board.
3-3-1	CMOS failure	Run the system board test in the Dell Diagnostics to isolate the problem.
3-3-2	System configuration check failure	Replace the system board.
3-3-3	Keyboard controller not detected	Replace the system board.
3-3-4	Screen memory test failure	Run the video test in the Dell Diagnostics. See "Running Dell Diagnostics" in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide for detailed information.
3-4-1	Screen initialization failure
3-4-2	Screen-retrace test failure
3-4-3	Search for video ROM failure
4-2-1 4-2-2	No timer tick Shutdown failure	Replace the system board.
4-2-3	Gate A20 failure	Replace the system board.
4-2-4	Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	Ensure that all expansion cards are properly seated and then reboot the system.
4-3-1	Improperly seated or faulty DIMMs	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs.
4-3-2	No DIMMs in BANK 1	Remove and reseat the DIMMs in BANK 1. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs.
4-3-3	Defective system board	Replace the system board.
4-3-4	Time-of-day clock stopped	Replace the battery. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
4-4-1	Super I/O chip failure (defective system board)	Replace the system board.
4-4-4	Cache test failure (defective microprocessor)	Remove and reseat the specified microprocessor. If the problem still persists, replace the microprocessor.

Front Panel Indicators

The following indicators are on the system's front panel (see Figure 1): Table 3 lists the various codes for the front panel indicators.

Table 3. Front Panel Indicator Patterns

Indicator and Code	Condition
Green power LED is on steady.	Power supply is turned on and the system is receiving power.
Fan/temperature LED flashing amber. Green LED is off.	Fan fault or temperature is out of bounds.
Power supply status LED flashing amber.	Power supply fault. One power supply is powered down.

Figure 1. Front Panel Indicators and Controls

1	Power indicator
2	Power button
3	Keylock
4	Hard-disk drive
5	Fan/temperature status indicator
6	Power-supply status indicator
7	CD-ROM drive
8	Diskette drive

SCSI Hard-Disk Drive Indicators

If a RAID controller, such as the optional PowerEdge Expandable RAID Controller (PERC), is installed in the system, three light-emitting diode (LED) indicators on each of the hard-disk drive carriers provide information on the status of the SCSI hard-disk drives (see Figure 2). The SCSI backplane firmware controls the drive online and drive failure indicators.

Figure 2. Hard-Disk Drive Indicators

1	Drive online indicator
2	Drive activity indicator
3	Drive failure indicator

Table 4 lists the drive indicator patterns established by the SCSI backplane firmware. Different patterns are displayed as drive events occur in the system. For example, in the event of a hard-disk drive failure, the "drive failed" pattern appears. After the drive is selected for removal, the "drive being prepared for removal" pattern appears, followed by the "drive ready for insertion or removal" pattern. After the replacement drive is installed, the "drive being prepared for operation" pattern appears, followed by the "drive online" pattern.

NOTE: If you do not have a RAID controller installed, you will see only the "drive online" and "drive bay empty" indicator patterns.

Table 4. SCSI Hard-Disk Drive Indicators

Condition	Indicator
Identify drive	All three drive status indicators blink simultaneously.
Drive being prepared for removal	The three drive status indicators flash sequentially.
Drive ready for insertion or removal	All three drive status indicators are off.
Drive being prepared for operation	The drive online indicator is on. The drive activity light may flash briefly.
Drive bay empty	All three drive status indicators are off.
Drive predicted failure	The drive online indicator is on. The drive failure indicator blinks on briefly each second.
Drive failed	The drive online indicator turns off. The drive failure indicator blinks off briefly each second.
Drive rebuilding	The drive online indicator blinks rapidly.
Drive online	The drive online indicator is on.

Hot-Plug Expansion Card Indicators

Pairs of LEDs adjacent to each expansion slot display each expansion-card connector's current status (see Figure 3). Table 5 lists the various codes for the hot-plug LED indicators.

Figure 3. Hot-Plug PCI Board Features

1	Switch
2	Amber LED
3	Green LED

Table 5. Hot-Plug Indicator Patterns

Green LED	Amber LED	Safe to Remove Expansion Card?	Description
Off	Off	Yes	Connector power is off
On	Off	No	Connector power is on
Flash for 30 seconds	Flash for 30 seconds	No	Connector is being powered up or powered down
Off	Flash slow	Yes	Power-up fault
On	Flash fast	No	Identifying a slot by user application or device driver

Power Supply Indicators

The system may contain two non-redundant or three redundant, hot-pluggable power supplies. The two indicators on the back of each power supply signal the power supply's current status (see Figure 4).

If you have two power supplies in your system, you must shut down the system and disconnect all power cords to replace a faulty power supply.

If you have three power supplies in your system, you may disconnect the power cord to the faulty power supply, and then remove the faulty unit and replace it with a serviceable power supply.

Figure 4. Power Supply Indicators

1	Power indicator (green)
2	Failure indicator (red)

If the red failure indicator is lit, that power supply is faulty and must be replaced.

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