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Basic Troubleshooting: Dell PowerEdge 2400 Systems Service Manual
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Basic Troubleshooting: Dell™ PowerEdge™ 2400 Systems
Service Manual
This section describes basic troubleshooting procedures that can help you diagnose a
computer system problem. These procedures can often reveal the source of a problem or
indicate the correct starting point for troubleshooting the system. For a brief
explanation of how to load and start the system diagnostics, see "Running the Dell
Diagnostics" in the Dell PowerEdge 2400 Systems Installation and
Troubleshooting Guide. Dell recommends that you perform the following procedures in
the order presented.
When you first contact a user who has a problem, ask the user to describe the problem
and the conditions under which it occurs. After the user describes the problem,
perform the following steps:
- Ask the user to back up any data on the hard-disk drive if the
system’s condition permits. See "Maintaining the System" in the Dell
PowerEdge 2400 Systems User’s Guide for information about backing up data.
- Ask the user to try to duplicate the problem by repeating the operations he or she was
performing at the time the problem occurred.
Can the user duplicate the problem?
Yes. Proceed to step 3.
No. Proceed to the next section, "External Visual Inspection."
Observe the user to determine if he or she is making an error, such
as typing an incorrect key combination or entering a command incorrectly.
Is the problem a result of user error?
Yes. Instruct the user in the proper procedure, or direct him or her to the appropriate
user documentation for the correct procedure.
No. Proceed to "External Visual Inspection."
The external visual inspection consists of a quick inspection of the exterior of the
computer, the monitor, the keyboard, any peripherals, and cables. While performing the
visual inspection, make any necessary corrections. To perform the external visual
inspection, perform the following steps:
- Turn off the computer, the monitor, and all peripherals.
- Verify that all power cables are properly connected to the computer, the monitor and
peripherals, and their power sources.
- Verify that the keyboard and mouse interface cables are firmly attached to the proper
connectors on the back of the computer.
For a PS/2-compatible mouse, the keyboard and mouse interface cable connectors are
identical except for their labels.
For a serial mouse, the mouse interface cable must be firmly attached to one of the serial
port connectors, and its captive screws must be secure enough to ensure a firm connection.
- Verify that network cables (if present) are properly attached.
- Verify that any devices attached to the serial and parallel port connectors are properly
connected.
Each of the serial and parallel port interface cables must be firmly attached to an
appropriate connector on the back of the computer as well as to the interface connector on
the device. The captive screws that secure these connectors at each end of the interface
cable must be secure enough to ensure a firm connection.
- Verify that the video interface cable is firmly attached to the video connector on the
back panel or to a video expansion card, and also to the connector on the back of the
monitor. For proper connection of the video monitor, see the documentation for the
monitor.
- Inspect all external monitor controls for any obvious damage or improper settings. For
proper settings of the video monitor controls, see the documentation for the monitor.
- Inspect the keyboard to ensure that no keys are sticking. If one or more keys are
sticking, it may be necessary to replace the keyboard.
- Inspect the exterior of the computer, including all controls and indicators, and all
user-accessible data storage devices for any signs of physical damage.
Does the inspection reveal any problems?
Yes. Proceed to the appropriate procedure in "Removing and Replacing Parts."
No. Proceed to "Observing the Boot Routine."
After you have performed an external visual inspection as described in the previous
section, you should boot the system and, while the boot routine is running, observe the
system for any indications of problems.
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NOTE: Most of the steps in this procedure require observation
of system functions and indications, some of which can occur simultaneously. It may be
necessary to reboot the system several times to complete all of these steps. |
To perform the following procedure, you need a Dell Diagnostics Diskette
created from the "Dell OpenManage Server Assistant" CD. If such a
diskette is not available, you can create it as described in "Using the Dell
OpenManage Server Assistant CD," in the Dell PowerEdge 2400 Systems
User’s Guide. If a separate diagnostics diskette is included with the system,
you may need to use that diskette.
To observe problem indications during the boot routine, perform the following steps:
- If the system is off, turn on all peripherals and the computer.
Insert the Dell Diagnostics Diskette into the diskette drive and reboot the
system.
- Check the power supply fan.
Does the fan run normally?
Yes. Proceed to step 3.
No. Troubleshoot the system power supply.
- Watch the <Num Lock>, <Caps Lock>, and <Scroll
Lock> indicators on the upper-right corner of the keyboard. After all three indicators
flash momentarily, and following a long pause (approximately 30 seconds), the Num
Lock indicator should light up and remain on (unless the Num Lock option
is set to Off in the System Setup program).
Do these indicators flash on and off within approximately 10 seconds after the boot
routine starts?
Yes. Proceed to step 4.
No. Troubleshoot the system power supply. If the troubleshooting
procedure indicates that the system power supply is operational, troubleshoot the memory.
- During the boot routine, observe the system for any of the following
indications:
- Beep codes — A beep code is a series of beeps that
indicates an error condition. See "System Beep Codes."
- System error messages — These messages can indicate
problems or provide status information. If a system error message appears, see "System Messages."
- Diskette-drive and hard-disk drive access indicators — These
indicators light up in response to data being transferred to or from the drives. If either
of these indicators fails to light up during the boot routine, troubleshoot the diskette
drive or hard-disk drive subsystem, as appropriate.
- Observe the monitor screen for the Diagnostics menu.
Does the Diagnostics menu appear?
Yes. See "Running the Dell Diagnostics."
No. Proceed to step 6.
- Insert another copy of the Dell Diagnostics Diskette into
the diskette drive, and reboot the system.
Does the Diagnostics menu appear?
Yes. See "Running the Dell Diagnostics."
No. Proceed to "Internal Visual Inspection."
| NOTICE: Before you proceed with the internal
visual inspection described in this section, ensure that the user has saved all open files
and exited all open application programs if possible. |
A simple visual inspection of a computer’s interior hardware can often lead to the
source of a problem, such as a loose expansion card, cable connector, or mounting screw.
When you perform the visual inspection, see "System Features" to
locate components referenced in the inspection procedure.
To perform the internal visual inspection, perform the following steps:
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect all the AC power
cables from electrical outlets.
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CAUTION: Before beginning to work
inside the computer, disconnect the power supply from the power source and the power
supply cables from the power supply. |
- Remove the computer’s right side cover as described in "Removing the Computer Cover."
|
CAUTION: The SEC cartridge and heat sink
assembly can get extremely hot during system operations. Be sure that it has had
sufficient time to cool before touching it. |
|
CAUTION: When handling the SEC
cartridge and heat sink assembly, take care to avoid sharp edges on the heat sink. |
- Verify that the chips, DIMMs, expansion cards, and SEC cartridge and
heat sink assembly or assemblies are fully seated in their sockets or connectors.
- To ensure that the chips are fully seated in their sockets, press
firmly on the top of each chip.
- To remove and reseat an SEC cartridge and
heat sink assembly,perform the steps described in "Microprocessor SEC Cartridge/Heat Sink Assembly."
- To remove and reseat a DIMM, perform the steps described in "DIMMs."
- If you need to remove and reseat an
expansion card, remove the card as described in "Expansion Cards," and carefully reinsert the
card in its connector until fully seated.
- Verify that all jumpers are set correctly.
For information about jumper settings, see " System Board Jumpers."
- Check all cable connectors inside the computer to verify that they are firmly attached
to their appropriate connectors.
- Reinstall the computer cover.
- Reconnect the computer and any attached peripherals to their power sources, and turn
them on.
Does the problem appear to be resolved?
Yes. No further steps are necessary.
No. Proceed to " Eliminating Resource Conflicts" and to
"Getting Help."
Devices within the computer may require dedicated memory spaces, interrupt levels, or
DMA channels, all of which must be allocated during installation of the devices. Because
devices may be installed at different times, the same resource may be assigned to two or
more devices.
Resource conflicts can result in disorderly or erratic system operation or system
failure. If you suspect that resource conflicts might exist, check the system and reassign
the resources as necessary.
For additional information, see "Using the Resource Configuration Utility" in
the Dell PowerEdge 2400 Systems User’s Guide.
The Dell Diagnostics contains tests that aid in troubleshooting all major components of
the computer system. To run the tests, you must first create the Dell Diagnostics
Diskette using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD as described in
"Using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD" in the User’s Guide.
If a separate Dell Diagnostics Diskette is included with the system, you may need
to use that diskette.
To start the Dell Diagnostics, turn off the system, insert the Dell Diagnostics
Diskette into the diskette drive, and then turn on the system.
Starting the diagnostics causes the Dell logo screen to appear on the monitor, followed
by a message indicating that the diagnostics is loading. Before the diagnostics loads, a
program tests the portion of main memory (RAM) required for loading the diagnostics. If a
RAM error is detected, a message telling you which DIMM has failed appears on the screen.
If no errors are found in RAM, the diagnostics loads and the Diagnostics
menu appears. This menu lets you choose the following options or exit the Dell
Diagnostics:
- Run All Tests — Runs all tests for a thorough
check of the system
- Run Quick Tests — Runs selected tests from all
test groups to quickly locate a failure or to indicate where further testing is needed to
isolate a failure
- Run Specific Tests — Tests a particular area or
subsystem
See "Running Dell Diagnostics" in the Dell PowerEdge 2400 Systems
Installation and Troubleshooting Guide for specific information about the Dell
Diagnostics.
If none of the troubleshooting procedures in this section or the tests in the Dell
Diagnostics reveals the source of the problem or leads to the proper troubleshooting steps
for determining the source of the problem, refer to the Support pages at http://www.dell.com
or call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions on contacting Dell, see
"Getting Help" in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.
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