Manuals

Messages and Codes: Dell Precision WorkStation 420 Systems User's Guide

Messages and Codes: Dell Precision™ WorkStation 420 Systems User's Guide

	Overview		Diagnostics Messages
	System Messages		Diagnostic LEDs
	System Beep Codes		Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Platform Event Traps
	Warning Messages

Overview

Your application programs, operating system, and the computer itself are capable of identifying problems and alerting you to them. When a problem occurs, a message may appear on your monitor screen or a beep code may sound. See "System Messages" or "System Beep Codes" for information about each message or beep code.

System Messages

If you receive a system message, see Table 1 for suggestions on resolving any problems indicated by the message. The system messages are listed alphabetically.

NOTE: If the system message you received is not listed in the table, check the documentation for the application program that you were running at the time the message appeared and/or the operating system documentation for an explanation of the message and a recommended action.

Table 1. System Messages

Message	Cause	Action
Address mark not found	The basic input/output system (BIOS) found a faulty disk sector or could not find a particular disk sector.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
Alert! Card-cage fan not detected.	Expansion card cage fan is not installed in mini tower chassis; expansion card cage fan has failed; expansion card cage fan is not connected to the system board.	Ensure that an operational expansion card cage fan is installed and connected to the system board.
Alert! Cover was previously removed.	The computer cover was removed.	Reset Chassis Intrusion in System Setup.
Alert! Hard drive thermal probe not detected.	No hard-disk drive thermal probe is installed; system has a defective thermal probe; thermal probe cable is not connected to the control panel.	Ensure that an operational hard-disk drive thermal probe is installed and connected to the control panel.
Alert! Power supply fan failure.	Power supply fan has failed or is blocked.	Ensure that an operational power supply fan is installed and that chassis ventilation slots are not blocked.
Alert! Previous card-cage fan failure.	Expansion card cage fan has failed or is blocked.	Ensure that an operational expansion card cage fan is installed, connected to the system board, and that chassis ventilation slots are not blocked.
Alert! Previous hard drive temperature failure.	Hard-disk drive(s) exceeded recommended operating temperature range during the previous operating session.	Ensure that fans are operational and that chassis ventilation slots are not blocked.
Alert! Previous power supply fan failure.	Power supply fan failed or was blocked during the previous operating session.	Ensure that an operational power supply fan is installed and that chassis ventilation slots are not blocked.
Alert! Previous shutdown due to thermal event.	Microprocessor(s) or hard-disk drive(s) exceeded recommended operating temperature range during the previous operating session. System was shut down to protect the components.	Ensure that fans are operational and that chassis ventilation slots are not blocked.
Alert! Previous system fan failure.	System fan failed or was blocked during the previous operating session.	Ensure that an operational system fan is installed, connected to the system board, and that chassis ventilation slots are not blocked.
Alert! Previous temperature failure at Processor 0.	Processor 0 exceeded its recommended operating temperature range during the previous operating session.	Ensure that an operational processor fan is installed, connected to the system board, and that chassis ventilation slots are not blocked.
Alert! Previous temperature failure at Processor 1.	Processor 1 exceeded its recommended operating temperature range during the previous operating session.	Ensure that an operational processor fan is installed, connected to the system board, and that chassis ventilation slots are not blocked.
Alert! Previous voltage failure.	System voltage exceeded or fell below acceptable thresholds.	See "Troubleshooting the System Board."
Alert! Processor 0 failed Build-In Self Test (BIST).	Processor 0 is faulty or improperly seated.	Reseat or replace processor 0.
Alert! Processor 1 failed Build-In Self Test (BIST).	Processor 1 is faulty or improperly seated.	Reseat or replace processor 1.
Alert! Processor Cache Size Mismatch.	Two processors with different L2 cache sizes are installed.	Replace one of the processors so that the L2 cache sizes match, or install a termination card in PROC_1 slot on system board.
Alert! Processor Speed Mismatch. Install like processors or one processor and a termination card.	Two processors that are not of the same speed are installed.	Replace one of the processors so that the speeds match, or install a termination card in PROC_1 slot on system board.
Alert! Processor Type Mismatch. Install like processors or one processor and a termination card.	Two processors that are not of the same type are installed.	Replace one of the processors so that the types match, or install a termination card in PROC_1 slot on system board.
Alert! Single-bit memory error previously detected in XXXXh.	Faulty or improperly seated RIMMs or defective system board.	See "Troubleshooting System Memory." See "Troubleshooting the System Board."
Alert! System battery voltage is low.	System battery is providing inadequate voltage.	See "Troubleshooting the Battery."
Alert! System fan not detected.	No system fan is installed; system fan has failed; system fan is not connected to the system board.	Ensure that an operational system fan is installed and connected to the system board.
Alert! Uncorrectable memory error previously detected in XXXXh.	RIMMs are faulty or improperly seated, or system board is defective.	See "Troubleshooting System Memory." See "Troubleshooting the System Board."
Alert! Unsupported high power AGP Pro video adapter detected. System halted!	A high-power AGP Pro110 video adapter is installed in the desktop chassis.	Replace the AGP Pro110 video adapter with an AGP Pro50 video adapter.
Attachment failed to respond	The diskette drive or hard-disk drive controller cannot send data to the associated drive.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
Bad command or file name	The command you entered does not exist or is not in the pathname you specified.	Make sure you have spelled the command correctly, placed spaces in the proper location, and used the correct pathname.
Bad error-correction code(ECC) on disk read	The diskette drive or hard-disk drive controller detected an uncorrectable read error.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
Controller has failed	The hard-disk drive or the associated controller is defective.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
Data error	The diskette or hard-disk drive cannot read the data.	Run the ScanDisk utility in the Microsoft® Windows® operating system to check the file structure of the diskette or hard-disk drive. See your operating system documentation for more information. If you are using another operating system, run the appropriate utility to check the file structure of the diskette or hard-disk drive. See your operating system documentation.
Decreasing available memory	One or more Rambus in-line memory modules (RIMMs) may be faulty or improperly seated.	See "Troubleshooting System Memory."
Diskette drive 0 seek failure Diskette drive 1 seek failure	A cable may be loose, or the system configuration information may not match the hardware configuration.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
Diskette read failure	A cable may be loose, or the diskette may be faulty.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
Diskette subsystem reset failed	The diskette drive controller may be faulty.	Run the Diskette tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Drive not ready	No diskette is in the drive. The operation requires a diskette in the drive before it can continue.	Put a diskette in the drive or close the drive latch.
Diskette write protected	The diskette write-protect feature is activated.	Remove the diskette from drive A and move the write-protect tab to the unlocked position.
Gate A20 failure	One or more RIMMs may be loose.	See "Troubleshooting System Memory."
General failure	The operating system is unable to carry out the command.	This message is usually followed by specific information—for example, PRINTER OUT OF PAPER. Respond by taking the appropriate action.
Hard disk configuration error	The hard-disk drive failed initialization.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
Hard disk controller failure Hard disk failure Hard-disk drive read failure	The hard-disk drive failed initialization.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
Invalid configuration information - please run SETUP program	The system configuration information does not match the hardware configuration.	Enter System Setup and correct the system configuration information.
Keyboard clock line failure Keyboard controller failure Keyboard data line failure Keyboard failure Keyboard stuck key failure	A cable or connector may be loose, or the keyboard or keyboard/mouse controller may be faulty.	See "Troubleshooting the Keyboard."
Memory address line failure at address, read value expecting value	One or more RIMMs may be faulty or improperly seated.	See "Troubleshooting System Memory."
Memory allocation error	The software you are attempting to run is conflicting with the operating system or another application program or utility.	Turn off the computer, wait 30 seconds, and then turn it on. Try to run the program again. If the problem persists, contact the software company.
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	One or more RIMMs may be faulty or improperly seated.	See "Troubleshooting System Memory."
Memory size in CMOS invalid	The amount of memory recorded in the system configuration information does not match the memory installed in the computer.	Reboot the computer. If the error appears again, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Memory tests terminated by keystroke	The memory test did not complete.	Rerun the memory test.
No boot device available	The computer cannot find the diskette or hard-disk drive.	Enter System Setup, check the system configuration information for the diskette and hard-disk drive, and if necessary, correct the information.
No boot sector on hard-disk drive	The system configuration information in System Setup may be incorrect, or the operating system may be corrupted.	Enter System Setup, check the system configuration information for the hard-disk drive, and if necessary, correct the information. If the message persists, reinstall your operating system. See the documentation that came with your operating system.
No timer tick interrupt	A chip on the system board might be malfunctioning.	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Non-system disk or disk error	The diskette in drive A or your hard-disk drive does not have a bootable operating system installed on it.	A nonbootable diskette is in drive A. Either replace the diskette with one that has a bootable operating system, or remove the diskette from drive A and restart the computer.
Not a boot diskette	There is no operating system on the diskette.	Boot the computer with a diskette that contains an operating system.
Plug and Play Configuration Error	The system has encountered a problem in trying to configure one or more expansion cards.	Turn your system off and unplug it. Remove all but one of the cards. Plug in your system and reboot it. If the message persists, the expansion card may be malfunctioning. If the message does not appear, turn off the power and reinsert one of the other cards. Repeat this process until you identify the malfunctioning card.
Processor or termination card not installed!	No secondary processor or termination card is installed.	Ensure that either a processor or termination card is installed in PROC_1 slot on system board.
Read fault Requested sector not found	The operating system cannot read from the diskette or hard-disk drive. The system could not find a particular sector on the disk, or the requested sector is defective.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
Reset failed	The disk reset operation failed.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
Sector not found	The operating system is unable to locate a sector on the diskette or hard-disk drive.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
Seek error	The operating system is unable to find a specific track on the diskette or hard-disk drive.	If the error is on the diskette drive, try another diskette in the drive.
Shutdown failure	A chip on the system board might be malfunctioning.	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Time-of-day clock stopped	The battery may be dead.	Enter System Setup and correct the date or time. If the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting the Battery."
Time-of-day not set	The time or date displayed in the system configuration information does not match the system clock.	Enter System Setup and correct the date or time.
Timer chip counter 2 failed	A chip on the system board might be malfunctioning.	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	The keyboard controller may be malfunctioning, or one or more RIMMs may be loose.	Run the System Memory and the Keyboard tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
WARNING:Dell's Disk Monitoring System has detected that drive [0/1] on the [primary/secondary] EIDE controller is operating outside of normal specifications. It is advisable to immediately back up your data and replace your hard-disk drive by calling your support desk or Dell Computer Corporation.	Power-on self-test (POST) has queried the enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE) drive for status information. The drive has returned a parameter from the call that indicates it has detected possible error conditions for its operating specifications.	When your computer finishes booting, immediately back up your data and replace your hard-disk drive. Restore the data to the replaced drive. If a replacement drive is not immediately available and the drive is not the only bootable drive, enter System Setup and change the appropriate drive setting to None. Remove the drive from the system. This should be done only after you have backed up the data.
Write fault Write fault on selected drive	The operating system cannot write to the diskette or hard-disk drive.	See "Troubleshooting Drives."
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary.

System Beep Codes

When errors occur during a boot routine that cannot be reported on the monitor, your 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 invaluable to the Dell support staff if you need to call for technical assistance.

When a beep code is emitted, write it down on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist 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. If you are still unable to resolve the problem, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Table 2. System Beep Codes

Code	Cause	Action
1-1-2	Microprocessor register failure	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
1-1-3	NVRAM unreadable	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
1-1-4	ROM BIOS checksum failure	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics, if possible.
1-2-1	Programmable interval timer	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics, if possible.
1-2-2	Direct memory access (DMA) initialization failure	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics, if possible.
1-2-3	DMA page register read/write failure	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics, if possible.
1-3	Video Memory Test failure	Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
1-3-1	RIMMs not being properly identified or used	See "Troubleshooting System Memory."
1-3-2	No RIMM detected	Install RIMM pair or reseat RIMMs.
1-3-3 through 2-4-4	RIMMs not being properly identified or used	See "Troubleshooting System Memory."
3-1-1	Slave DMA register failure	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics, if possible.
3-1-2	Master DMA register failure	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics, if possible.
3-1-3	Master interrupt mask register failure	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
3-1-4	Slave interrupt mask register failure	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
3-2-2	Interrupt vector loading failure	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
3-2-4	Keyboard Controller Test failure	Run the Keyboard tests in the Dell Diagnostics. Otherwise, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
3-3-1	NVRAM power loss	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics, if possible.
3-3-2	NVRAM configuration	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics, if possible.
3-3-4	Video Memory Test failure	Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
3-4-1	Screen initialization failure	Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
3-4-2	Screen retrace failure	Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
3-4-3	Search for video ROM failure	Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
4-2-1	No time tick	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-2-2	Shutdown failure	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-2-3	Gate A20 failure	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-2-4	Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-3-1	Memory failure above address 0FFFFh	Run the System Memory tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
4-3-3	Timer-chip counter 2 failure	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-3-4	Time-of-day clock stopped	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-4-1	Serial or parallel port test failure	Run the Serial Ports and the Parallel Ports tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
4-4-2	Failure to decompress code to shadowed memory.	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
4-4-3	Math-coprocessor test failure	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
5-2-2-1	Mismatch RDRAM device count; unsupported RIMM device count or technology	Replace RIMM pair with supported matching device count.
5-2-2-2	Mismatch RDRAM technology or timing pair; unsupported RIMM timing	Replace RIMM pair with matching technology and timing.
5-2-2-3	RDRAM levelization failure	Reseat RIMMs and C-RIMMs or replace faulty or unsupported RIMMs.
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary.

Warning Messages

A warning message alerts you to a possible problem and asks you to do something before execution continues. 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 a y (yes) or n (no).

NOTE: Warning messages are generated by either your application programs or your operating system. See "Software Checks" and the documentation that came with your operating system and application programs.

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 on a copy of your Diagnostics Checklist. Also see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Diagnostic LEDs

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are located on the front panel and back panel of the chassis. These LEDs display diagnostic codes that can help you troubleshoot a system problem. The following sections describe the meaning of the diagnostic codes.

CAUTION: Before servicing any components inside your computer, see "Safety First—For You and Your Computer."

Front Panel LEDs

Table 3 lists the codes for the front panel diagnostic LEDs, probable causes, and suggested corrective actions.

Table 3. Front Panel Diagnostic LED Codes

Power LED Code	Hard-Disk Drive LED Code	Cause	Action
Blinking yellow	Off	System power supply has failed.	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Blinking yellow	Solid green	Voltage regulator on the system board has failed.	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Solid yellow	N/A	A device on the system board may be faulty or is incorrectly installed.	Be sure that each microprocessor is properly seated, remove all expansion cards, and then reboot. If the system does not boot, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Solid green and a beep code during POST	N/A	A problem was detected while the BIOS was executing.	See Table 2 for instructions on diagnosing the beep code.
Solid green power indicator and no beep code and no video during POST	N/A	The monitor or the graphics card may be faulty.	See "Troubleshooting the Monitor." If the monitor is operating properly and is correctly connected, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Solid green power indicator and no beep code but the system locks up during POST	N/A	An integrated system board device may be faulty.	See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary.

Back Panel LEDs

When you turn on your system, it performs a power-on-self-test (POST), which is a series of self-diagnostic checks. A successful POST ends with a single beep that signifies the start of normal operation. If the system fails to emit the single beep or appears to stop responding during POST, a series of LEDs located at the back of the computer can help you understand which POST test failed or why the system stopped responding. These LEDs indicate problems encountered during POST only, not during normal operation.

The LED patterns described in Table 4 can help you determine what to do to resolve the problem. If a problem resolution requires you to open the computer chassis, refer to "Working Inside Your Computer" for precautionary steps to take prior to performing the suggested action. If the problem persists after you perform the suggested problem resolution(s), contact Dell Technical Support for further help.

Table 4 lists the LED patterns for the back panel diagnostic LEDs, probable causes, and suggested corrective actions. The LED patterns are shown as they appear on the mini tower chassis. If you have a desktop chassis, locate the small circle by the top LED on your computer; this circle is shown in each LED pattern in Table 4. Use this circle to match the LED pattern your computer is displaying with one of the patterns shown in Table 4.

Table 4. Back Panel Diagnostic LED Codes

Key: Led OFF

LED Yellow

LED Green

State	LED pattern	Problem Description	Suggested Resolution
S0		Normal off condition or possible pre-BIOS failure	Check the power LED on the front panel to determine if the system is receiving proper power. See Table 3 for front panel LED codes.
S1		BIOS checksum failure was detected and the system is now in recovery mode	Insert the BIOS recovery diskette and wait for recovery completion.
S2		Possible processor failure	Reseat the processor(s) and, if present, the terminator card and restart the system to retest.
S3		Possible memory failure	Reseat all memory RIMMs and, if present, the C-RIMMS and restart the system to retest.
S4		Possible expansion card failure	Remove each expansion card individually and restart the system to retest. Reinstall the expansion card(s) one at a time and restart the system to retest. Move each expansion card, one at a time, to another PCI slot and restart the system to retest.
S5		Possible video card failure	Reseat the video card and restart the system to retest.
S6		Possible diskette drive or hard-disk drive failure	Reseat all power and data cables and restart the system to retest.
S7		Possible USB failure	Reseat all USB devices and cables and restart the system to retest.
S9		Possible system board failure	Remove any internal options recently added and restart the system to retest.
S11		Possible system board resource conflict	Remove any internal options recently added and restart the system to retest.
S12		Possible system board resource conflict	Remove any internal options recently added and restart the system to retest.
S14		Possible system board resource conflict	Remove any internal options recently added and restart the system to retest.
S15		Normal operating condition after POST	None
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary.

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Platform Event Traps

Your system can generate several SNMP platform event trap (PET) messages that are sent to network management software to inform the network manager that specific events have occurred on your system.

Table 5 lists the SNMP platform event traps your system may generate.

Table 5. SNMP Platform Event Traps

Description	Code
BIOS boot failure	02 03 23 6f 00
Fan failure	02 03 04 06 01
Chassis intrusion	02 03 05 6f 00
Temperature failure	02 03 01 06 01
Invalid password	02 03 06 6f 01
Voltage failure	02 03 02 06 01
SOS enable / PC presence	02 03 25 6f 00

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