CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
The power button light located on the front of the computer indicates different states of the computer:
If the power light is white and the computer is not responding, see Beep Codes.
If the power light is blinking white, the computer is in standby mode. Press a key on the keyboard, move the mouse, or press the power button to resume normal operation.
If the power light is off, the computer is either turned off or is not receiving power.
Reseat the power cable into both the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet.
If the computer is plugged into a power strip, ensure that the power strip is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power strip is turned on.
Bypass power protection devices, power strips, and power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on properly.
Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Ensure that the main power cable and front panel cable are securely connected to the system board (see "System Board Components" in the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com).
Eliminate interference. Some possible causes of interference are:
Power, keyboard, and mouse extension cables
Too many devices on a power strip
Multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet
The power supply diagnostic LED located on the back of the computer indicates different states of the power supply. To test the power supply, press the power supply test switch.
If the power supply diagnostic LED is green, power is available for the power supply.
If the power supply diagnostic LED is off:
The power supply is not receiving power — Ensure that the main power cable is connected to the system.
The power supply is not working — This issue occurs either due to a bad power supply or a device attached to the power supply.
Your computer may emit a series of beeps during start up. The series of beeps is called a beep code and can be used to help identify a problem with your computer.
If your computer emits a series of beeps during start-up:
Write down the beep code.
Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify the cause (see Dell Diagnostics).
Code (repetitive short beeps)
Description
Suggested Remedy
1
BIOS checksum failure. Possible motherboard failure.
If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see "Removing Memory" in the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com), then reinstall one module (see "Installing Memory" in the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com) and restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, continue to install additional memory modules (one at a time) until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error.
If available, install working memory of the same type into your computer (see "Memory" in the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
Keyboard controller test failure. Possible keyboard failure.
Ensure that the cables are connected properly.
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
4
RAM Read/Write failure.
Ensure that no special requirements for memory module/connector placement exist (see "Memory" in the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com).
Ensure that the memory you are using is supported by your computer (see "Memory" in the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
5
RTC power failure.
Possible CMOS battery failure.
Replace the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" in the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
NOTE: If the message you received is not listed in the table, see the documentation for either the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared.
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 computer failed to complete the boot routine three consecutive times for the same error (see Contacting Dell for assistance).
CMOS checksum error —
Possible motherboard failure or RTC battery low. Replace the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" in the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com or see Contacting Dell for assistance).
CPU fan failure —
CPU fan failure. Replace the CPU fan (see "Removing the Processor Heatsink" in the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com).
Diskette drive0 seek failure —
A cable may be loose, or the computer configuration information may not match the hardware configuration. Check cable connections (see Contacting Dell for assistance).
Diskette subsystem reset failure —
Possible floppy disk controller failure.
Diskette read failure —
The floppy disk may be defective or a cable may be loose. Replace the floppy disk/check for a loose cable connection.
Hard-disk read failure —
Possible hard-disk failure during hard-disk boot test (see Contacting Dell for assistance).
Hard-disk drive failure —
Possible hard-disk failure during Power-on Self test (POST). Replace the hard-disk (see Contacting Dell for assistance).
No boot device available —
The system cannot detect a bootable device or partition.
If the floppy drive is your boot device, ensure that the cables are connected and that a bootable floppy disk is in the drive.
If the hard drive is your boot device, ensure that the cables are connected and that the drive is installed properly and partitioned as a boot device.
Enter System Setup and ensure that the boot sequence information is correct (see Entering System Setup).
No timer tick interrupt —
A chip on the system board might be malfunctioning or motherboard failure (see Contacting Dell for assistance).
Non-system disk or disk error —
Replace the floppy disk with one that has a bootable operating system or remove the floppy disk from drive A and restart the computer.
Not a boot diskette —
Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart your computer.
USB over current error —
Replace the USB device.
NOTICE - Hard Drive self monitoring system has reported that a parameter has exceeded its normal operating range. Dell recommends that you back up your data regularly. A parameter out of range may or may not indicate a potential hard drive problem. —
S.M.A.R.T. error indicating a possible HDD failure. This feature can be enabled or disabled in the BIOS setup.
Hardware Troubleshooter
If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected, but incorrectly configured, you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility.
Windows XP:
Click Start®Help and Support.
Type hardware troubleshooter in the search field and press
<Enter> to start the search.
In the Fix a Problem section, click Hardware Troubleshooter.
In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, select the option that best describes
the problem and click Next to follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.
Windows Vista:
Click the Windows Vista start button ™, and click Help and Support.
Type hardware troubleshooterin the search field and press
<Enter> to start the search.
In the search results, select the option that best describes the problem and
follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.
Dell Diagnostics
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in Lockups and Software Problems (see Lockups and Software Problems) and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.
It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.
NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media is optional and may not ship with your computer.
See System Setup to review your computer's configuration information, and ensure that the device that you want to test displays in the system setup program and is active.
Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities media.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.
Desktop Computers
NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, see Contacting Dell.
Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that is
known to be working properly.
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately. Select
Diagnostics from the boot menu and press <Enter>.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop; then, shut down your computer and try again.
NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities media.
Press any key to start the Dell Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility
partition on your hard drive.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media
Insert the Drivers and Utilities media.
Shut down and restart the computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop; then, shut down your computer and try again.
NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup program.
When the boot device list appears, highlight CD/DVD/CD-RW and press
<Enter>.
Select the Boot from CD-ROM option from the menu that appears and
press <Enter>.
Type 1 to start the CD menu and press <Enter> to proceed.
Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list. If multiple
versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your computer.
When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want
to run.
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the MainMenu screen appears, click
the button for the option you want.
NOTE: It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer.
Option
Function
Test Memory
Run the stand-alone memory test
Test System
Run System Diagnostics
Exit
Exit the Diagnostics
After you have selected the Test System option from the main menu, the
following menu appears:
NOTE: It is recommended that you select Extended Test from the menu below to run a more thorough check of devices in the computer.
Option
Function
Express Test
Performs a quick test of devices in the system. This typically can take 10 to 20 minutes.
Extended Test
Performs a thorough check of devices in the system. This typically can take an hour or more.
Custom Test
Use to test a specific device or customize the tests to be run.
Symptom Tree
This option allows you to select tests based on a symptom of the problem you are having. This option lists the most common symptoms.
If a problem is encountered during a test, a message appears with an error
code and a description of the problem. Write down the error code and
problem description and see Contacting Dell.
NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen. If you contact Dell, technical support will ask for your Service Tag.
If you run a test from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option, click the
applicable tab described in the following table for more information.
Tab
Function
Results
Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered.
Errors
Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and the problem description.
Help
Describes the test and may indicate requirements for running the test.
Configuration
Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device.
The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all devices from system setup, memory, and various internal tests, and it displays the information in the device list in the left pane of the screen. The device list may not display the names of all the components installed on your computer or all devices attached to your computer.
Parameters
Allows you to customize the test by changing the test settings.
When the tests are complete, close the test screen to return to the
MainMenu screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer,
close the MainMenu screen.
Remove the Dell Drivers and Utilities media (if applicable).
