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Overview | |
Diagnostics Messages |
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System Messages | |
POST Beep Codes |
Your system can provide you with diagnostic, error, and status information in the form of messages that appear on the monitor screen, or beep codes that sound through the system speaker. This section documents the diagnostic and beep codes and system messages generated by the system basic input/output system (BIOS).
If a faulty system does not emit beep codes or display system error messages to indicate a failure, you should run the appropriate tests in the Dell Diagnostics to help isolate the source of the problem. See "Running the Dell Diagnostics" in the system Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.
Several different types of messages can indicate when the system is not functioning properly:
System messages during the system's power-on self-test (POST) alert you to a possible operating system problem or to a conflict between the software and hardware. Table 1 lists the system error messages that can occur and the probable cause for each message.
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NOTE: If you receive a system message that is not listed in Table 1, check the documentation for the application program that is running when the message appears and/or the operating system documentation for an explanation of the message and recommended action. |
| Message | Cause | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|
| 8042 Gate A20 Error | Faulty keyboard controller (defective system board) | Replace the system board. |
| Address line short! | Faulty memory circuitry on system board | Replace the system board. |
| C: Drive Error | Hard-disk drive is not responding correctly to system commands | Run the Dell
Diagnostics. See "Running the Dell Diagnostics" in the Installation and
Troubleshooting Guide for instructions. Replace the hard-disk drive. |
| C: Drive Failure | Faulty hard-disk drive | Replace the hard-disk drive. |
| Cache Memory Bad, Do Not Enable Cache! | Faulty cache memory | Replace the microprocessor. |
| CH-2 Timer Error | Faulty system board | Replace the system board. |
| CMOS Battery State Low | The system battery power is low | Replace the system battery. |
| CMOS System Options Not Set | Missing settings in system setup program | Check the System Setup program configuration settings. See "Using the System Setup Program." |
| CMOS Display Type Mismatch | Incorrect video configuration setting in system setup program | Correct the System Setup program video configuration settings. See "Using the System Setup Program." |
| CMOS Memory Size Mismatch | System memory value in system setup program is incorrect | Correct the System Setup program memory configuration settings. See "Using the System Setup Program." |
| CMOS System Options Not Set | Missing settings in the System Setup program. | Check the System Setup program configuration setting. |
| CMOS Time and Date Not Set | Defective system battery | Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Battery." |
| D: Drive error | Hard-disk drive is not responding correctly to system commands | Run the Dell
Diagnostics. See Chapter 5 in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide for
instructions. Replace the hard-disk drive. |
| D: Drive failure | Faulty hard-disk drive | Replace the hard-disk drive. |
| Diskette Boot Failure | No operating system on diskette | Use a bootable diskette. |
| DMA Error DMA 1 Error DMA 2 Error |
Faulty DMA controller | Replace the system board. |
| FDD Controller Failure | Faulty diskette/tape drive controller (defective system board) | Replace the system board. |
| HDD Controller Failure | Loose cable, improperly connected hard-disk drive, or faulty IDE controller. | Check the hard-disk drive cable connections. See "Hard-Disk Drive." If the problem persists, replace the system board. |
| INTR1 Error INTR2 Error |
Faulty system board | Replace the system board. |
| Invalid Boot Diskette | No operating system on diskette | Use a bootable diskette. |
| Keyboard/Interface Error | Keyboard cable connector loose or improperly connected, defective keyboard, or defective keyboard/mouse controller (defective system board) | Check the
keyboard cable connection. Replace the keyboard. If the problem persists, replace the system board. |
| No ROM BASIC | No bootable sector on diskette or CD | Use a different bootable diskette or CD, or remove nonbootable diskette from drive to allow system to boot from hard-disk drive. |
| Off Board Parity
Error Addr = xxxx On Board Parity Error Addr = xxxx Parity Error Addr = xxxx |
Faulty DIMMS or defective system board | Remove and reseat the memory modules on the expansion
card or on system board. If the problem persists, replace one or more memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board. |
When you test a device group or device 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 the Diagnostics Checklist (found in your system's Installation and Troubleshooting Guide), and then follow the instructions in that section for obtaining technical assistance.
If the monitor cannot display errors or problems during POST, the system may emit a series of beeps, or beep code, that identifies the problem.
When a beep code is emitted, record it on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist (found in your system's Installation and Troubleshooting Guide), 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. See "Running the Dell Diagnostics."
Table 2. System Beep Codes
| Code | Cause | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIOS checksum failure; the memory refresh circuitry on the system board is faulty. | Replace the system board. |
| 2 | Parity error; faulty memory modules or defective system board | Replace the memory modules or replace the system board. |
| 3 | Base 128 KB memory failure | Replace the first memory module. If the problem persists, replace the system board. |
| 4 | Timer not operating | Replace the system board. |
| 5 | Processor error | Replace the microprocessor. |
| 6 | 8042 - Gate A20 failure | Replace the system board. |
| 7 | Processor exception interrupt error | Remove and reseat the microprocessor. If the problem still persists, replace the microprocessor. |
| 8 | Display memory read-write error | Unless your system is connected to a monitor, no action is required. If a monitor is connected, the video adapter is faulty. |
| 9 | ROM checksum error | Reflash the BIOS firmware. If the problem persists, replace the system board. |
| 10 | CMOS shutdown register read/write error | Replace the system board. |
| 11 | Cache memory bad | The cache memory test has failed. Replace the system board. |