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 illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states:
If the power light is green and the computer is not responding, see Diagnostic Lights.
If the power light is blinking green, 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).
If the power light is blinking amber, the computer is receiving electrical power, but an internal power problem might exist.
Ensure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power at your location, if applicable.
Ensure that the processor power cable is securely connected to the system board (see System Board Components).
If the power light is steady amber, a device may be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed.
Remove and then reinstall the memory modules (see Memory).
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
Diagnostic Lights
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
To help troubleshoot a problem, your computer has four lights labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the front panel (see Front View). When the computer starts normally, the lights flash before turning off. If the computer malfunctions, the sequence of the lights help to identify the problem.
NOTE: After the computer completes POST, all four lights turn off before booting to the operating system.
Light Pattern
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
The computer is in a normal off condition or a possible pre-BIOS failure has occurred.
The diagnostic lights are not lit after the system successfully boots to the operating system.
Plug the computer into a working electrical outlet (see "Power Problems" in your Owner's Manual).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred.
If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see Removing Memory), then reinstall one module (see Installing Memory) 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 Installing Memory).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
If available, install a working graphics card into your computer.
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
A possible floppy drive or hard drive failure has occurred.
Reseat all power and data cables.
A possible USB failure has occurred.
Reinstall all USB devices and check all cable connections.
No memory modules are detected.
If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see Removing Memory), then reinstall one module (see Installing Memory) 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 Installing Memory).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
Memory modules are detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error has occurred.
Ensure that no special requirements for memory module/connector placement exist (see Memory).
Ensure that the memory you are using is supported by your computer (see Memory).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
A possible expansion card failure has occurred.
Determine if a conflict exists by removing an expansion card (not a graphics card) and restarting the computer (see Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards).
If the problem persists, reinstall the card you removed, then remove a different card and restart the computer.
Repeat this process for each expansion card installed. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities" in your Owner's Manual).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
Another failure has occurred.
Ensure that all hard drive and CD/DVD drive cables are properly connected to the system board (see System Board Components).
If there is an error message on the screen identifying a problem with a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive), check the device to make sure it is functioning properly.
If the operating system is attempting to boot from a device (such as the floppy drive or CD/DVD drive); check system setup (see System Setup) to ensure the boot sequence is correct for the devices installed on your computer.
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
Beep Codes
Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies a problem. For example, beep code 1-3-1 (one possible beep code) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This beep code tells you that the computer encountered a memory problem.
Reseating the memory modules may correct the following beep code errors. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Code
Cause
1-3-1 through 2-4-4
Memory not being properly identified or used
4-3-1
Memory failure above address 0FFFFh
If you experience any of the following beep code errors, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Code
Cause
1-1-2
Microprocessor register failure
1-1-3
NVRAM
1-1-4
ROM BIOS checksum failure
1-2-1
Programmable interval timer
1-2-2
DMA initialization failure
1-2-3
DMA page register read/write failure
3-1-1
Slave DMA register failure
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
3-2-4
Keyboard Controller Test failure
3-3-1
NVRAM power loss
3-3-2
NVRAM configuration
3-4-1
Screen initialization failure
3-4-2
Screen retrace failure
4-2-1
No time tick
4-2-2
Shutdown failure
4-2-3
Gate A20 failure
4-2-4
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode
4-3-3
Timer-chip counter 2 failure
4-3-4
Time-of-day clock stopped
4-4-1
Serial or parallel port test failure
4-4-4
Cache test failure
System Messages
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.
Message
Possible Cause
Corrective Action
8042 Gate-A20 error
The keyboard controller failed its test.
If you receive this message after you make changes in the system setup program, enter the system setup program and restore the original value(s).
Address Line Short!
An error in the address decoding circuitry in the memory has occurred.
The hard drive is not working or is not configured correctly.
Ensure that the hard drive is installed correctly in the computer (see Hard Drive) and defined correctly in the system setup program (see System Setup).
Cache Memory Bad, Do Not Enable Cache
The cache memory is not operating.
See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
CH-2 Timer Error
An error is occurring on the timer on the system board.
See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
CMOS Battery State Low
CMOS Checksum Failure
CMOS System Options Not Set
CMOS Display Type Mismatch
CMOS Memory Size Mismatch
CMOS Time and Date Not Set
The system configuration information in the system setup program is incorrect or the battery charge may be low.
Enter the system setup program (see Entering System Setup), verify the system configuration, and then restart the computer.
Diskette Boot Failure
Drive A or B is present but has failed the BIOS POST.
Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the computer (see Drives) and defined correctly in the system setup program (see System Setup). Check the interface cable at both ends.
DMA Error
DMA 1 Error
DMA 2 Error
Error in the DMA controller on the system board.
The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced.
FDD Controller Failure
HDD Controller Failure
The BIOS cannot communicate with the floppy drive or hard drive controller.
Ensure that the floppy drive or the hard drive is installed correctly in the computer (see Drives) and defined correctly in the system setup program (see System Setup). Check the interface cable at both ends.
INTR1 Error
INTR2 Error
An interrupt channel on the system board failed to POST.
The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced.
Invalid Boot Diskette
The operating system cannot be located on drive A or drive C.
Enter the system setup program (see Entering System Setup) and confirm that drive A or drive C is properly identified.
Keyboard Error
The BIOS has detected a stuck key.
Ensure that nothing is resting on the keyboard; if a key appears to be stuck, carefully pry it up. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the keyboard.
KB/Interface Error
An error occurred with the keyboard connector.
Ensure that nothing is resting on the keyboard; if a key appears to be stuck, carefully pry it up. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the keyboard.
No ROM Basic
The operating system cannot be located on drive A or drive C.
Enter the system setup program (see Entering System Setup) and confirm that drive A or drive C is properly identified.
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 "Solving Problems" in your Owner's Manual and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.
NOTE: The Dell Diagnostics only operate on Dell computers.
Run Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities CD (ResourceCD).
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release <F12> in even intervals to open the Boot Device Menu.
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.
At the Boot Device Menu, use the up- and down-arrow keys or press the appropriate number on the
keyboard to highlight Boot to Utility Partition, and then press <Enter>.
NOTE: The Quickboot feature changes the boot sequence for the current boot only. Upon restart, the computer boots according to the boot sequence specified in system setup.
At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu, left-click with the mouse, or press <Tab> and then <Enter>, to
select the test you want to run (see Dell Diagnostics Main Menu).
NOTE: Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen.
After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics MainMenu.
Close the Main Menu windowto exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD
Turn on your computer.
Press the eject button on the front of the computer (see Front View) to open the drive tray.
Place the Drivers and Utilities CD in the center of the drive tray, then press the eject button or gently
push on the tray to close it.
Restart the computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key on the keyboard is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release <F12> in even intervals until the Boot Device Menu appears.
If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.
At the Boot Device Menu, use the up- and down-arrow keys or press the appropriate number on the
keyboard to highlight Onboard or USB CD-ROM, and then press <Enter>.
NOTE: The Quickboot feature changes the boot sequence for the current boot only. Upon restart, the computer boots according to the boot sequence specified in system setup.
At the CD-ROM Startup Menu, use the up- and down-arrow keys or press the appropriate number on
the keyboard to highlight Boot from CD-ROM, and then press <Enter>.
If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.
Press <1> to select the Dell Diagnostics.
At the Dell Diagnostics Menu press <1> to select the Dell Diagnostics for ResourceCD (graphical
user interface).
At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu, left-click with the mouse, or press <Tab> and then <Enter>, to
select the test you want to run (see Dell Diagnostics Main Menu).
NOTE: Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen.
After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics MainMenu.
Remove the Drivers and Utilities CD, then close the Main Menu windowto exit the Dell Diagnostics
and restart the computer.
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
The following tests can be run from the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu:
Option
Function
Express Test
Performs a quick test of system devices. The test typically takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your part. Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of tracing the problem quickly.
Extended Test
Performs a thorough check of system devices. The test typically takes an hour or more and peridocially requires your input to answer specific questions.
Custom Test
Tests a specific device in the system and can be used to customize the tests you want to run.
Symptom Tree
Lists a number of common symptoms and allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the problem you are having.
For any problem 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 exactly as it appears and follow the instructions on the screen. If you cannot resolve the problem, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen. When contacting Dell support, have your Service Tag ready.
The following tabs provide additional information for tests run from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option:
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 any requirements for running the test.
Configuration
(Custom Test only)
Displays the 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.
NOTE: The device list may not display the names of all the components installed on your computer or all devices attached to your computer.
Parameters
(Custom Test only)
Allows you to customize the test, if applicable, by changing the test settings.
