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 systems monitor the system and component status and alert you when a problem arises. System conditions can be reported by any of the following:
Front or back panel indicators
System messages
Diagnostic indicator codes
Beep codes
Warning messages
Diagnostics messages
Alert messages
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.
Other Information You May Need
CAUTION: The Product Information Guide provides important safety and regulatory information. Warranty information may be included within this document or as a separate document.
The Rack Installation Guide and Rack Installation Instructions included with your rack solution describe how to install your system into a rack.
The Getting Started Guide provides an overview of system features, setting up your system, and technical specifications.
CDs included with your system provide documentation and tools for configuring and managing your system.
Systems management software documentation describes the features, requirements, installation, and basic operation of the software.
Operating system documentation describes how to install (if necessary), configure, and use the operating system software.
Documentation for any components you purchased separately provides information to configure and install these options.
Updates are sometimes included with the system to describe changes to the system, software, and/or documentation.
NOTE: Always check for updates on support.dell.com and read the updates first because they often supersede information in other documents.
Release notes or readme files may be included to provide last-minute updates to the system or documentation or advanced technical reference material intended for experienced users or technicians.
Accessing System Features During Startup
Table 1-1 describes keystrokes that may be entered during startup to access system features. If your operating system begins to load before you enter the keystroke, allow the system to finish booting, and then restart your system and try again.
Table 1-1. Keystrokes for Accessing System Features
Enters the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) Management Utility, which allows access to the system event log (SEL). See the BMC User's Guide for more information on setup and use of BMC.
<Ctrl+C>
Enters the SAS Configuration Utility. See your SAS adapter User's Guide for more information.
<Ctrl+R>
Enters the RAID configuration utility, which allows you to configure an optional RAID card. For more information, see the documentation for your RAID card.
<Ctrl+S>
Option is displayed only if you have PXE support enabled through the System Setup Program (see SATA Configuration Screen for options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the SATA Configuration screen). This keystroke allows you to configure NIC settings for PXE boot. For more information, see the documentation for your integrated NIC.
<Ctrl+D>
If you have the optional Dell Remote Access Controller (DRAC), this keystroke allows access to selected DRAC configuration settings. See the DRAC User's Guide for more information on setup and use of DRAC.
Front-Panel Features and Indicators
Figure 1-1 shows the controls, indicators, connectors, and features on the system front panel behind the optional bezel. (To remove the bezel, press the latch at the left end of the bezel. See Opening the System.) Table 1-2 provides component descriptions.
Figure 1-1. Front-Panel Features and Indicators
Table 1-2. Front-Panel Components
Item
Component
Icon
Description
1
Power-on indicator, power button
The power button turns system power off and on.
NOTICE: If you turn off the system using the power button and the system is running an ACPI-compliant operating system, the system can perform an orderly shutdown before power is turned off. If the power button is pressed for more than 4 seconds, the system power will turn off regardless of the current operating system state. If the system is not running an ACPI-compliant operating system, power is turned off immediately after the power button is pressed.
The power button is enabled in the System Setup program. When disabled, the button can only turn the system power on. For more information, see Using the System Setup Program and the operating system's documentation.
The power-on indicator lights or blinks to indicate the status of power to the system.
The power-on indicator lights when the system is on. The indicator is off when the system is off and power is disconnected from the system. The indicator blinks when the system is on but in standby state, or when the system is off but is still connected to the power source.
To exit from the standby state, briefly press the power button.
2
Diagnostic indicators (4)
The diagnostic indicators aid in diagnosing and troubleshooting the system. For more information, see Diagnostics Indicator Codes.
3
USB connectors (2)
Connect USB 2.0-compliant devices to the system.
4
Hard-drive activity indicator
The green hard-drive activity indicator flashes when the hard drives are in use.
5
Video connector
Connects a monitor to the system.
6
System status indicator
The blue system status indicator lights up during normal system operation.
The amber system status indicator flashes when the system needs attention due to a system problem.
7
System identification button
You can use the system identification buttons on the front and back panels to locate a particular system within a rack. When one of these buttons is pushed, the blue system status indicators on the front and back panels blink until one of the buttons is pushed again.
You can also use the systems management software to cause the indicators to flash to identify a particular system.
8
Hard drive 1
Optional 3.5-inch SAS or SATA hard drive.
9
Hard drive 0
A 3.5-inch SAS or SATA hard drive.
10
Optical drive
Optional.
11
Bezel
Optional
12
NMI button
The NMI button is used to troubleshoot software and device driver errors when using certain operating systems. This button can be pressed using the end of a paper clip. Use this button only if directed to do so by qualified support personnel or by the operating system's documentation.
Back-Panel Features and Indicators
Figure 1-2 shows the controls, indicators, and connectors located on the system's back panel.
Figure 1-2. Back-Panel Features and Indicators
1
power supply connector
2
keyboard connector
3
mouse connector
4
USB connectors (2)
5
Kensington lock
6
serial connector
7
video connector
8
NIC1 connector
9
NIC2 connector
10
expansion slots (2)
11
system status indicator
12
system identification button
Connecting External Devices
When connecting external devices to your system, follow these guidelines:
Most devices must be connected to a specific connector and device drivers must be installed before the device operates properly. (Device drivers are normally included with your operating system software or with the device itself.) See the documentation that accompanied the device for specific installation and configuration instructions.
Always attach an external device while your system and the device are turned off. Next, turn on any external devices before turning on the system (unless the documentation for the device specifies otherwise).
Each 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.
Figure 1-3. NIC Indicators
1
link indicator
2
activity indicator
Table 1-3. NIC Indicator Codes
Indicator
Indicator Code
Link and activity indicators are off.
The NIC is not connected to the network.
Link indicator is green.
The NIC is connected to a valid link partner on the network.
Activity indicator is blinking yellow.
Network data is being sent or received.
System Messages
System messages appear on the screen to notify you of a possible problem with the system. Table 1-4 lists the system messages that can occur and the probable cause and corrective action for each message.
NOTE: If you receive a system message that is not listed in Table 1-4, check the documentation for the application that is running when the message appears or the operating system's documentation for an explanation of the message and recommended action.
CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
Table 1-4. System Messages
Message
Causes
Corrective Actions
Attempting to update Remote Configuration. Please wait....
Remote Configuration is in progress.
Wait until the process is complete.
BIOS Update Attempt Failed!
Remote BIOS update attempt failed.
Retry the BIOS update. If the problem persists, see Getting Help.
Caution! NVRAM_CLR jumper is installed on system board.
The spacebar was pressed during POST to terminate the memory test.
Information only.
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, properly seated, and partitioned as a boot device.
Enter the System Setup program and verify the boot sequence information. See your Hardware Owner's Manual for details.
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 your Hardware Owner's Manual for details.
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.
No timer tick interrupt
A chip on the system board might be malfunctioning.
Faulty or improperly installed PCIe card in the specified slot number.
Reseat the PCIe card in the specified slot number. See Expansion Cards. If the problem persists, see Getting Help.
Plug & Play Configuration Error
Error encountered in initializing PCI device; faulty system board.
Install the NVRAM_CLR jumper and reboot the system. See Figure 6-1 for jumper location. Check for a BIOS update. If the problem persists, see Troubleshooting Expansion Cards. If the problem persists, see Getting Help.
Read fault
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.
The four diagnostics indicators 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.
Ensure that the diskette drive and hard-drive are properly connected. See Installing a Hard Drive for information on the drives installed in your system.
Ensure that the optical drive and hard drives are properly connected. See Troubleshooting Your System for the appropriate drive installed in your system.
The system is in a normal operating condition after POST.
Information only.
System Beep Codes
If an error that cannot be reported on the screen occurs during POST, the system may emit a series of beeps that identifies the problem.
NOTE: If the system boots without a keyboard, mouse, or monitor attached, the system does not issue beep codes related to those peripherals.
If a beep code is emitted, write down the series of beeps and then look it up in Table 1-6. If you are unable to resolve the problem by looking up the meaning of the beep code, use system diagnostics to identify the possible cause. If you are still unable to resolve the problem, see Getting Help.
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).
NOTE: Warning messages are generated by either the application or the operating system. For more information, see the documentation that accompanied the operating system or application.
Diagnostics Messages
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, and then follow the instructions in that section for obtaining technical assistance.
Alert Messages
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.
