CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
If you experience a problem with your computer, run the Dell Diagnostics and perform the checks in this section before you contact Dell for technical assistance.
Dell Diagnostics
It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.
NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.
Enter system setup, review your computer's configuration information, and ensure that the device you want to test displays in system setup and is active.
If you wait too long and the Microsoft® Windows® logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.
When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partition and press <Enter>.
When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD
Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD.
Shut down and restart the computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu 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 system setup.
When the boot device list appears, highlight
Onboard or USB CD-ROM Device and press <Enter>.
Select the Boot from CD-ROM option from the menu that appears.
Type 1 to start the ResourceCD menu.
Type 2 to start the Dell Diagnostics.
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.
Option
Function
Express Test
Performs a quick test of devices. This 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 devices. This test typically takes an hour or more and requires you to answer questions periodically.
Custom Test
Tests a specific device. You can customize the tests you want to run.
Symptom Tree
Lists the most common symptoms encountered and allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the problem you are having.
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 follow
the instructions on the screen.
If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact 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. Your computer's Service Tag is
listed in the System Info option in system setup.
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 completed, if you are running the Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and
Utilities CD, remove the CD.
Close the test screen to return to the MainMenu screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics and
restart the computer, close the MainMenu screen.
Power Adapter Light
The power adapter light can be used to diagnose power-related issues.
Power Adapter Light
Power Adapter State
Description
Suggested Resolution
Off
No AC power
or the power supply detected a fault
The power adapter is not receiving power from the electrical
outlet, or the power supply shut down due to a power fault event.
Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Verify that the AC power cable connection is properly seated in the power supply. Reseat the AC power connection on the power adapter.
Disconnect
the AC power cable from the power supply and the DC cable from the system
for at least 10 seconds. Reattach
the AC power cable to the power supply. The light on the power supply should turn yellow.
Reattach the DC cable to the system. The light on the power supply should turn green.
Yellow
AC power is present/no load
The power adapter is connected to an electrical outlet but not to the computer.
Ensure that the power adapter is firmly connected to the computer and the retention latch is engaged.
Reseat the power adapter cable to the computer.
Green
AC power is present/power to load
The power adapter is receiving power from the electrical outlet and is properly connected to the computer.
Check the power button light and see the "System Lights" table.
System Lights
Your power button light may indicate a computer problem.
Power Button Light
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
Solid green
Power is on, and the computer is operating normally.
No corrective action is required.
Blinking green
The computer is in the suspended state (Microsoft® Windows® 2000 and Windows XP).
Press the power button, move the mouse, or press a key on the keyboard to wake the computer.
Blinks green several times and then turns off
A configuration error exists.
Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
Solid yellow
The Dell Diagnostics is running a test, or a device on the system board may be faulty or incorrectly installed.
If the Dell Diagnostics is running, allow the testing to complete.
Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
If the computer does not boot, contact Dell for technical assistance.
Solid green and a beep code during POST
A problem was detected while the BIOS was executing.
See "Beep Codes" for instructions on diagnosing the beep code. Also, check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
Solid green power light and no beep code and no video during POST
The monitor may be faulty or attached incorrectly.
Solid green power light and no beep code but the computer locks up during POST
An integrated system board device may be faulty.
Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified. If the problem is not identified, contact Dell for technical assistance.
Diagnostic Lights
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer has four lights labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D" on the back panel. The lights can be amber or green. When the computer starts normally, the patterns or codes on the lights change as the boot process completes. If the POST portion of system boot completes successfully, all four lights display solid green. If the computer malfunctions during the POST process, the pattern displayed on the LEDs may help identify where in the process the computer halted.
Light Pattern
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
off off off off
The computer is in a normal off condition or a possible pre-BIOS failure has occurred.
Plug the computer into a working electrical outlet and press the power button.
green yellow yellow yellow
A possible BIOS failure has occurred; the computer is in recovery mode.
Run the BIOS Recovery utility, wait for recovery completion, and then restart the computer.
Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred.
If you have one memory module installed, reinstall it and restart the computer.
If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module, and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module.
A possible floppy or hard drive failure has occurred.
Reseat all power and data cables and restart the computer.
green green green yellow
A possible USB failure has occurred.
Reinstall all USB devices, check cable connections, and then restart the computer.
yellow yellow yellow green
No memory modules are detected.
If you have one memory module installed, reinstall it and restart the computer.
If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module, and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error.
The computer is in a normal operating condition after POST.
None.
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. One possible beep code (code 1-3-1) 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.
Programmable interval timer test in progress or failure
1-2-2
DMA initialization in progress or failure
1-2-3
DMA page register read/write test in progress or failure
1-3
Video Memory Test failure
1-3-1 through 2-4-4
Memory not being properly identified or used
3-1-1
Slave DMA register test in progress or failure
3-1-2
Master DMA register test in progress or failure
3-1-3
Master interrupt mask register test in progress or failure
3-1-4
Slave interrupt mask register test in progress or failure
3-2-2
Interrupt vector loading in progress
3-2-4
Keyboard Controller Test in progress or failure
3-3-1
NVRAM power fail and checksum test in progress
3-3-2
Invalid NVRAM configuration
3-3-3
RTC /keyboard controller not found
3-3-4
Video Memory Test in progress or failure
3-4-1
Screen initialization test in progress or failure
3-4-2
Screen retrace test in progress or failure
3-4-3
Search for video ROM in progress
4-2-1
Timer tick interrupt test in progress or failure
4-2-2
Shutdown test in progress or failure
4-2-3
Gate A20 failure
4-2-4
Unexpected interrupt in Protected Mode
4-3-1
Memory test in progress or failure above address 0FFFFh
4-3-3
Timer-chip counter 2 test in progress or failure
4-3-4
Time-of-day clock test in progress or stopped
4-4-1
Super I/O chip failure
4-4-4
Cache test failure
Error Messages
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you complete these checks.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared.
A filename cannot contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > | — Do not use these characters in filenames.
A required .DLL file was not found — The program that you are trying to open is missing an essential file. To remove and then reinstall the program:
Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.
Select the program you want to remove.
Click the Change or Remove Program icon.
See the program documentation for installation instructions.
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 — Contact Dell and report the checkpoint code (nnnn) to the support technician.
Turn off the computer, wait 30 seconds, and then restart the computer.
Try to run the program again.
If the error message appears again, see the software documentation for additional troubleshooting suggestions.
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 — Memory size in CMOS invalid —
Non-system disk or disk error — Replace the floppy disk with one that has a bootable operating system or remove the floppy disk from the module bay and restart the computer.
Not a boot diskette — Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart your computer.
Not enough memory or resources. Close some programs and try again — Close all windows and open the program that you want to use. In some cases, you might have to restart your computer to restore computer resources. If so, run the program that you want to use first.
Time-of-day not set-please run the System Setup program —
Enter system setup and correct the date or time. If the problem persists, replace the battery.
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode — Run 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 drive by calling your support desk or Dell —
If no replacement drive is immediately available and the drive is not the only bootable drive, enter system setup and change the appropriate drive setting to None. Then remove the drive from the computer.
<drive letter>:\ is not accessible. The device is not ready — The floppy drive cannot read the disk. Insert a floppy disk into the drive and try again.
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured, you can use Device Manager or the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility.
Microsoft® Windows® XP
To resolve incompatibilities using Device Manager:
Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
Click Performance and Maintenance and click System.
Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager.
In the Device Manager list, check for devices that are incorrectly configured.
Incorrectly configured devices are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) or a red X if the device has been disabled.
Double-click any device marked with an exclamation point to display the Properties window.
The Device status area in the Properties window reports the devices that need to be reconfigured.
Reconfigure the devices or remove the devices from the Device Manager. See the
documentation that came with the device for information on configuring the device.
To resolve incompatibilities using the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter:
Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
Type hardware troubleshooter in the Search field and click the arrow to start the search.
Click Hardware Troubleshooter in the Search Results list.
In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my
computer, and click Next.
