Indicators and Codes

Dell™ PowerEdge™ 700 Systems Installation and Troubleshooting Guide

	Front-Panel Indicators and Features		System Beep Codes
	Back-Panel Features		Warning Messages
	NIC Indicator Codes		Diagnostics Messages
	Hot-Plug SCSI Hard-Drive Indicator Codes		Alert Messages
	System Messages

The system, applications, and operating systems can identify problems and alert you to them. Any of the following can indicate when the system is not operating properly:

System indicators
System messages
Beep codes
Warning messages
Diagnostics messages
Alert messages

This section describes each type of message, lists the possible causes, and provides steps to resolve any problems indicated by a message. The system indicators and features are illustrated in this section.

Front-Panel Indicators and Features

Figure 2-1 shows the front-panel features of the system. Table 2-1 describes the front-panel features.

Figure 2-1. Front Panel Features

Table 2-1. Front-Panel Features and Indicators

Indicator or Feature	Description
Power button	Turns system power off and on. If you turn off the system using the power button and the system is running an ACPI-compliant operating system, the system can perform an orderly shutdown before power is turned off. If the power button is pressed for more than 4 seconds, the system power will turn off regardless of the current operating system state. If the system is not running an ACPI-compliant operating system, power is turned off immediately after the power button is pressed. The power button is enabled in the System Setup program. When disabled, the button can only turn the system power on. For more information, see your User's Guide and the operating system's documentation.
Power indicator	When the power indicator is on, the system is in a normal operating state. When the indicator is off, the system is off. To exit from a power-saving state, briefly press the power button or click or move the mouse.
Hard-drive activity indicator	Flashes when data is being read from or written to the SATA hard drives that are connected to the integrated drive controller.

Indicator or Feature

Description

Power button

Turns system power off and on.

If you turn off the system using the power button and the system is running an ACPI-compliant operating system, the system can perform an orderly shutdown before power is turned off. If the power button is pressed for more than 4 seconds, the system power will turn off regardless of the current operating system state.
If the system is not running an ACPI-compliant operating system, power is turned off immediately after the power button is pressed.

The power button is enabled in the System Setup program. When disabled, the button can only turn the system power on. For more information, see your User's Guide and the operating system's documentation.

Power indicator

When the power indicator is on, the system is in a normal operating state. When the indicator is off, the system is off.

To exit from a power-saving state, briefly press the power button or click or move the mouse.

Hard-drive activity indicator

Flashes when data is being read from or written to the SATA hard drives that are connected to the integrated drive controller.

Back-Panel Features

Figure 2-2 shows the back-panel features of the system. Table 2-2 describes the back-panel features.

Figure 2-2. Back-Panel Features

Table 2-2. Back-Panel Features

Component	Description
Power connector	Connects the system's power supply to a power source.
Cable tie	Relieves strain on the power cable.
NIC indicators	Provide information on NIC status. See "NIC Indicator Codes."
Expansion slots	Provide two 32-bit/33-MHz, 5-V PCI slots and three 64-bit/33-MHz, 3.3-V PCI-X slots
I/O ports and connectors	Connect peripheral devices to the system.

NIC Indicator Codes

The NIC connector on the back panel has indicators that provide information on network activity and link status (see Figure 2-3). Table 2-3 lists the NIC indicator codes.

Figure 2-3. NIC Indicators

Table 2-3. NIC Indicator Codes

Indicator	Normal Operation	Error Condition
Activity	Flashing amber indicates that network data is being sent or received	When off at the same time that the link indicator is off, the network adapter is not connected to the network.
Link	Steady green indicates that the network adapter is connected to a valid link partner on the network.	When off at the same time that the activity indicator is off, the network adapter is not connected to the network.

Hot-Plug SCSI Hard-Drive Indicator Codes

Each SCSI hard-drive carrier has two indicators: a busy indicator and a status indicator (see Figure 2-4). The indicators provide information on the status of the respective hard drive.

Figure 2-4. Hard-Drive Indicators

Table 2-4 lists the drive-status indicator codes. Different codes display as drive events occur in the system. For example, in the event of a hard-drive failure, the "drive fail" code appears. After the drive is selected for removal, the "preparing for removal" code appears. After the replacement drive is installed, the "preparing for operation, drive online" code appears.

The drive-busy indicator signifies whether the hard drive is active on the SCSI bus. This indicator is controlled by the hard drive.

Table 2-4. SCSI Hard-Drive Status Indicator Codes

Drive-Status Indicator	Indicator Code
Drive bay empty	Off
Drive being prepared for operation, drive online	Steady green
Drive being identified, prepared for removal, or drive offline	Blinks green 3 times per second at equal intervals
Drive rebuilding	Blinks green once per second
Drive failed	Steady amber

System Messages

System messages appear on the screen to notify you of a possible problem with the system. Table 2-5 lists the system messages that can occur and the probable cause and corrective action for each message.

NOTE: If you receive a system message that is not listed in Table 2-5, check the documentation for the application that is running when the message appears or the operating system's documentation for an explanation of the message and recommended action.

Table 2-5. System Messages

Message	Causes	Corrective Actions
Address mark not found	Faulty CD/diskette-drive subsystem or hard-drive subsystem; faulty system board.	See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive," "Troubleshooting a CD, DVD, or CD-RW/DVD Drive," "Troubleshooting SCSI Hard Drives," or "Troubleshooting SATA Hard Drives" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Alert! Back system fan was not detected.	Specified fan is missing, faulty, or improperly installed.	See "Troubleshooting System Cooling Problems" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Alert! Front system fan was not detected.	Specified fan is missing, faulty, or improperly installed.
Alert! Cover was previously removed.	The chassis has been opened.	Information only.
Alert! DIMM(s) n are unsupported	BIOS detected DIMM SPD contains invalid value or SPD checksum failed.	Replace the defective memory module. See "Memory Modules" in "Installing System Options."
Alert! Invalid configuration! When using a single hard disk drive, SATA Port 0 must be used.	SATA hard drive not connected to correct connector on system board.	If the system is configured with one hard drive, ensure that the drive's interface cable is connected to the SATA PORT0 connector on the system board. See Figure A-3 for connector location.
Alert! Mismatched DIMMs are detected in bank(s): Bank n	Memory modules installed in the specified bank are not the same type and size; faulty memory module(s).	Ensure that all banks contain memory modules of the same type and size and that they are properly installed. If the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting System Memory" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Alert! Previous back system fan failure.	Specified fan failed before last system startup.	Information only.
Alert! Previous front system fan failure.	Specified fan failed before last system startup.	Information only.
Alert! Previous thermal event.	BIOS detected a thermal event before the last system startup.	Ensure that thermal grease is applied to the heat sink and the heat sink is installed properly. Ensure that the front and back system fans are functioning properly. See "Replacing the Processor" in "Installing System Options" and "Troubleshooting System Cooling Problems" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Alert! Previous voltage failure.	ESM detected sensor voltage out of range before last system startup.	Information only.
Amount of available memory limited to 256 MB!	OS Install Mode is enabled in the System Setup program.	Disable OS Install Mode in the System Setup program (see "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide).
Auxiliary device failure	Loose or improperly connected mouse or keyboard cable; faulty mouse or keyboard.	See "Troubleshooting the Mouse" and "Troubleshooting the Keyboard" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
BIOS Update Attempt Failed!	Remote BIOS firmware update attempt failed.	Retry the BIOS firmware update (see "Getting Help").
Caution! NVRAM_CLR jumper is installed on system board. Please run setup.	NVRAM_CLR jumper is installed.	Remove the NVRAM_CLR jumper (see Figure A-2 for jumper location). Check the System Setup configuration settings (see "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide).
Data error	Faulty diskette, diskette drive, CD drive, tape drive, or hard drive.	Replace the diskette. If the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive," "Troubleshooting a CD, DVD, or CD-RW/DVD Drive," "Troubleshooting SATA Hard Drives," or "Troubleshooting SCSI Hard Drives" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Decreasing available memory	Faulty or improperly installed memory modules.	See "Troubleshooting System Memory" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Diskette drive n seek failure	Incorrect configuration settings in the System Setup program.	Run the System Setup program to correct the settings (see "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide).
Diskette drive n seek failure	Faulty or improperly installed diskette drive.	See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Diskette read failure	Faulty or improperly inserted diskette.	Replace the diskette.
Diskette subsystem reset failed	Faulty or improperly installed diskette drive.	See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Diskette write protected	Diskette write-protect feature activated.	Move the write-protect tab on the diskette to the disabled position.
Drive not ready	Diskette missing or improperly inserted in diskette drive.	Reinsert or replace the diskette.
Embedded server management error	Faulty or improperly installed remote access controller (RAC) or loose cable connection.	Ensure that the RAC's cable is properly connected. Ensure that the RAC is properly installed. See "Expansion Cards" in "Installing System Options." If the problem persists, see "Getting Help."
Error: More than one RAC detected, system halted.	Two RACs are installed, or faulty or improperly installed RAC.	Ensure that there is only one RAC installed and that it is installed in the correct slot. Ensure that the RAC is properly installed. See "Expansion Cards" in "Installing System Options." If the problem persists, see "Getting Help."
Error: RAC cannot be used with an add-in video card in this slot.	Add-in video card is installed.	Ensure that the RAC is installed in the correct slot. See "Expansion Cards" in "Installing System Options."
Error: RAC is not in the correct PCI slot, system halted.	The RAC card is not installed in the proper PCI slot.	Ensure that the RAC is installed in the correct PCI slot. See "Troubleshooting Expansion Cards" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Error: Remote Access Card initialization failure.	Faulty or improperly installed RAC.	Ensure that the RAC is properly installed. See "Troubleshooting Expansion Cards" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Gate A20 failure	Faulty keyboard controller; faulty system board.	See "Getting Help."
General failure	Operating system corrupted or improperly installed.	Reinstall the operating system.
Hard disk controller failure	Incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program; improperly installed hard drive; loose interface or power cable; faulty hard-drive controller subsystem.	Run the System Setup program to correct the drive type setting (see "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide). If the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting SCSI Hard Drives" or "Troubleshooting SATA Hard Drives" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Invalid memory configuration detected. Potential corruption exists!	Memory module installation guidelines have not been properly followed.	See "Memory Module Installation Guidelines" in "Installing System Options."
Keyboard controller failure	Faulty keyboard controller; faulty system board.	See "Getting Help."
Keyboard data line failure	Loose or improperly connected keyboard cable; faulty keyboard; faulty keyboard controller.	See "Troubleshooting the Keyboard" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Keyboard failure
Keyboard stuck key failure
Memory address line failure at address, read value expecting value	Faulty or improperly installed memory modules.	See "Troubleshooting System Memory" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Memory double word logic failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory odd/even logic failure at start address to end address
Memory write/read failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory allocation error	Faulty application program.	Restart the application program.
Memory bank population error!	Memory module installation guidelines have not been properly followed.	See "Memory Module Installation Guidelines" in "Installing System Options."
Memory parity interrupt at address	Faulty or improperly installed memory modules.	See "Troubleshooting System Memory" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Memory tests terminated by keystroke	The spacebar was pressed during POST to terminate the memory test.	Information only.
No boot device available	Faulty or missing CD/diskette-drive subsystem, hard drive, or hard-drive subsystem.	Use a bootable diskette, CD, or hard drive. If the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive," "Troubleshooting a CD, DVD, or CD-RW/DVD Drive," "Troubleshooting SATA Hard Drives," or "Troubleshooting SCSI Hard Drives" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
No boot sector on hard- disk drive	No operating system on hard drive.	Check the hard-drive configuration settings in the System Setup program (see "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide).
No timer tick interrupt	Faulty system board.	See "Getting Help."
Non-system disk or disk error	Faulty diskette, CD/diskette-drive subsystem, or hard-drive subsystem.	See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive," "Troubleshooting a CD, DVD, or CD-RW/DVD Drive," "Troubleshooting SATA Hard Drives," or "Troubleshooting SCSI Hard Drives" in "Troubleshooting Your System." If the problem persists, see "Getting Help."
Not a boot diskette	No operating system on diskette.	Use a bootable diskette.
PCI BIOS failed to install	Loose cable(s) to expansion card(s); faulty or improperly installed expansion card.	Ensure that all appropriate cable(s) are securely connected to the expansion card(s). If the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting Expansion Cards" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Plug & Play Configuration error	Error encountered while initializing PCI devices.	Install the NVRAM_CLR jumper and reboot the system (see Figure A-2 for jumper location). If the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting Expansion Cards" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Primary drive n configuration error Primary drive n failure	Faulty or improperly installed hard drive.	Ensure that the CD drive cables are properly connected. See "Troubleshooting a CD, DVD, or CD-RW/DVD Drive" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Primary drive n not found	The specified drive on the primary channel of the integrated hard drive controller is set to Auto in the System Setup program, but no drive is attached; improperly installed hard drive; loose interface or power cable.	Run the System Setup program to correct the drive settings (see "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide). If the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting SATA Hard Drives" or "Troubleshooting SCSI Hard Drives" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Read fault	Faulty diskette, CD/diskette-drive subsystem, or hard-drive subsystem.	See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive," "Troubleshooting a CD, DVD, or CD-RW/DVD Drive," "Troubleshooting SATA Hard Drives," or "Troubleshooting SCSI Hard Drives" in "Troubleshooting Your System." If the problem persists, see "Getting Help."
Requested sector not found
Reset failed	Improperly connected diskette drive, tape drive, hard drive, or power cable.	Ensure that all cables are securely connected. If the problem persists, see "Getting Help."
ROM bad checksum = address	Faulty or improperly installed expansion card.	See "Troubleshooting Expansion Cards" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
SATA port n hard disk drive auto-sensing error SATA port n hard disk drive configuration error SATA port n hard drive failure	Faulty or improperly installed hard drive.	Ensure that the hard drive cables are properly connected. See "Troubleshooting a SATA Hard Drive Connected to the Integrated Drive Controller" and "Troubleshooting a SATA Hard Drive in a RAID Configuration (When Available)" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
SATA port n hard drive not found	Incorrect configuration settings in the System Setup program. The drive setting is Auto but no drive is installed.	Run the System Setup program to correct the settings. See "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide.
Sector not found	Faulty diskette or hard drive.	Replace the diskette. If the problem persists, replace the hard drive. See "Hard Drives" in "Installing Drives."
Seek error
Seek operation failed
Shutdown failure	Shutdown test failure.	See "Troubleshooting System Memory" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Time-of-day clock stopped	Faulty battery.	See "Troubleshooting the System Battery" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Time-of-day not set - please run SETUP program	Incorrect Time or Date settings; faulty system battery.	Check the Time and Date settings (see "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide). If the problem persists, replace the system battery (see "System Battery" in "Installing System Options").
Timer chip counter 2 failed	Faulty system board.	See "Getting Help."
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	Faulty or improperly installed memory modules or faulty system board.	See "Troubleshooting System Memory" in "Troubleshooting Your System." If the problem persists, see "Getting Help."
Unsupported CPU stepping detected	Processor is not supported by the system.	Update the BIOS firmware (see "Getting Help").
Utility partition not available	The <F10> key was pressed during POST, but no utility partition exists on the boot hard drive.	Create a utility partition on the boot hard drive (see the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD).
Warning! No microcode update loaded for processor n	BIOS error.	Update the BIOS firmware (see "Getting Help").
Write fault	Faulty diskette, CD/diskette-drive subsystem, hard drive, or hard-drive subsystem.	See "Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive," "Troubleshooting a CD, DVD, or CD-RW/DVD Drive," Troubleshooting SATA Hard Drives," or "Troubleshooting SCSI Hard Drives" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
Write fault on selected drive

System Beep Codes

If an error that cannot be reported on the screen occurs during POST, the system may emit a series of beeps that identifies the problem.

NOTE: If the system boots without a keyboard, mouse, or monitor attached, the system does not issue beep codes related to those peripherals.

If a beep code is emitted, write down the series of beeps and then look it up in Table 2-6. If you are unable to resolve the problem by looking up the meaning of the beep code, use system diagnostics to identify the possible cause. If you are still unable to resolve the problem, see "Getting Help."

Table 2-6. System Beep Codes

Code	Cause	Corrective Action
1-1-2	CPU register test failure	See "Troubleshooting the Processor" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
1-1-3	CMOS write/read test failure	See "Getting Help."
1-1-4	BIOS ROM checksum failure	Reflash the BIOS firmware (see "Getting Help").
1-2-1	Programmable interval-timer test failure	See "Getting Help."
1-2-2	DMA initialization failure	See "Troubleshooting System Memory" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
1-2-3	DMA page register write/read test failure
1-3-1	Main-memory refresh verification failure
1-3-2	No memory installed
1-3-3	Chip or data line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
1-3-4	Odd/even logic failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
1-4-1	Address line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
1-4-2	Parity failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
1-4-3	Fail-safe timer test failure
1-4-4	Software NMI port test failure
2-1-1 through 2-4-4	Bit failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
3-1-1	Slave DMA-register failure	See "Getting Help."
3-1-2	Master DMA-register failure
3-1-3	Master interrupt-mask register test failure
3-1-4	Slave interrupt-mask register failure
3-2-2	Interrupt vector loading failure
3-2-4	Keyboard-controller test failure	See "Troubleshooting the Keyboard" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
3-3-1	CMOS power-fail and checksum checks failure	See "Getting Help."
3-3-2	System configuration check failure
3-3-3	Keyboard controller not detected
3-3-4	Video memory test failure
3-4-1	Screen initialization failure
3-4-2	Screen-retrace test failure
3-4-3	Video ROM search failure
4-2-1	No timer tick
4-2-2	Shutdown test failure
4-2-3	Gate A20 failure
4-2-4	Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	See "Troubleshooting Expansion Cards" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
4-3-1	Improperly installed or faulty memory modules	See "Troubleshooting System Memory" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
4-3-2	No memory modules installed in bank n	Install memory modules of the same type and size in bank n (see "Memory Modules" in "Installing System Options").
4-3-3	Interval timer channel 2 test failure	See "Getting Help."
4-3-4	Time-of-day clock stopped	See "Troubleshooting the System Battery" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
4-4-1	Super I/O chip failure; faulty system board	See "Getting Help."
4-4-4	Cache test failure; faulty processor	See "Troubleshooting the Processor" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

Warning Messages

A warning message alerts you to a possible problem and prompts you to respond before the system continues a task. For example, before you format a diskette, a message will warn you that you may lose all data on the diskette. Warning messages usually interrupt the task and require you to respond by typing y (yes) or n (no).

NOTE: Warning messages are generated by either the application or the operating system. For more information, see "Finding Software Solutions" and the documentation that accompanied the operating system or application.

Diagnostics Messages

When you run system diagnostics, an error message may result. Diagnostic error messages are not covered in this section. Record the message on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist in "Getting Help," and then follow the instructions in that section for obtaining technical assistance.

Alert Messages

Systems management software generates alert messages for your system. Alert messages include information, status, warning, and failure messages for drive, temperature, fan, and power conditions. For more information, see the systems management software documentation.

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