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Troubleshooting Your System

Dell™ PowerEdge™ 840 Systems Hardware Owner's Manual

  Safety First—For You and Your System

  Start-Up Routine

  Checking the Equipment

  Troubleshooting the Keyboard

  Troubleshooting Serial I/O Problems

  Troubleshooting a NIC

  Troubleshooting External Connections

  Troubleshooting a Wet System

  Troubleshooting a Damaged System

  Troubleshooting the System Battery

  Troubleshooting Power Supplies

  Troubleshooting System Cooling Problems

  Troubleshooting System Memory

  Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive

  Troubleshooting an Optical Drive

  Troubleshooting an External SCSI Tape Drive

  Troubleshooting a Hard Drive

  Troubleshooting SATA Hard Drives

  Troubleshooting a SAS RAID Controller

  Troubleshooting Expansion Cards

  Troubleshooting the Microprocessor

Safety First—For You and Your System

To perform certain procedures in this document, you must remove the system cover and work inside the system. While working inside the system, do not attempt to service the system except as explained in this guide and elsewhere in your system documentation.

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

Start-Up Routine

Look and listen during the system's start-up routine for the indications described in Table 4-1.

Table 4-1. Start-Up Routine Indications 

Look/listen for:	Action
A status or error message displayed on the monitor.	See System Messages.
A series of beeps emitted by the system.	See System Beep Codes.
Diagnostic indicator lights indicate a problem.	See Diagnostics Indicator Codes.
Alert messages from the systems management software.	See the systems management software documentation.
The monitor's power indicator.	See Troubleshooting the Video Subsystem.
The keyboard indicators.	See Troubleshooting the Keyboard.
The USB device activity indicator.	See Troubleshooting a USB Device.
The diskette drive activity indicator.	See Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive.
The optical drive activity indicator.	See Troubleshooting an Optical Drive.
The hard-drive activity indicator.	See Troubleshooting a Hard Drive.
An unfamiliar constant scraping or grinding sound when you access a drive.	See Getting Help.

Checking the Equipment

This section provides troubleshooting procedures for external devices attached to the system, such as the monitor, keyboard, or mouse. Before you perform any of the procedures, see "Troubleshooting External Connections."

Troubleshooting IRQ Assignment Conflicts

Most PCI devices can share an IRQ with another device, but they cannot use an IRQ simultaneously. To avoid this type of conflict, see the documentation for each PCI device for specific IRQ requirements. Table 4-2 lists the IRQ assignments.

Table 4-2. IRQ Assignment Defaults 

Troubleshooting the Video Subsystem

Problem

• Monitor is not working properly.
  
  
• Video memory is faulty.
  
  

Action

1. Check the system and power connections to the monitor.
   
   
2. Determine whether the system has an expansion card with a video output connector.
   
   

In this system configuration, the monitor cable should normally be connected to the connector on the expansion card, not to the system's integrated video connector.

To verify that the monitor is connected to the correct video connector, turn off the system and wait for 1 minute, then connect the monitor to the other video connector and turn the system on again.

3. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See Running the System Diagnostics.
   
   

If the tests run successfully, the problem is not related to video hardware.

If the tests fail, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting the Keyboard

Problem

• System message indicates a problem with the keyboard
  
  
• Keyboard is not functioning properly
  
  

Action

1. If you are using a USB keyboard, enter the System Setup program and ensure that the USB ports are enabled. See Using the System Setup Program.
   
   
2. Examine the keyboard and its cable for signs of damage.
   
   
3. Swap the faulty keyboard with a working keyboard.
   
   

If the problem is resolved, replace the faulty keyboard. See Getting Help.

4. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   

If the problem is not resolved, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting the Mouse

Problem

• System message indicates a problem with the mouse.
  
  
• Mouse is not functioning properly.
  
  

Action

1. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See "Using Server Administrator Diagnostics" in "Running the System Diagnostics."
   
   

If the test fails, continue to the next step.

2. Examine the mouse and its cable for signs of damage.
   
   

If the mouse is not damaged, go to step 4.

If the mouse is damaged, continue to the next step.

3. Swap the faulty mouse with a working mouse.
   
   

If the problem is resolved, replace the faulty mouse. See Getting Help.

4. Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the mouse controller is enabled. See "Using the System Setup Program."
   
   

If the problem is not resolved, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting Serial I/O Problems

Problem

• Error message indicates a problem with a serial port.
  
  
• Device connected to a serial port is not operating properly.
  
  

Action

1. Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the serial port is enabled and configured correctly for your application. See Using the System Setup Program.
   
   
2. If the problem is confined to a particular application, see the application documentation for specific port configuration requirements that the program may require.
   
   
3. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   

If the tests run successfully but the problem persists, see Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device.

Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device

Problem

• Device connected to the serial port is not operating properly.
  
  

Action

1. Turn off the system and any peripheral devices connected to the serial port.
   
   
2. Swap the serial interface cable with a working cable, and turn on the system and the serial device.
   
   

If the problem is resolved, replace the interface cable. See Getting Help.

3. Turn off the system and the serial device, and swap the device with a comparable device.
   
   
4. Turn on the system and the serial device.
   
   

If the problem is resolved, replace the serial device. See Getting Help.

If the problem persists, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting a USB Device

Problem

• System message indicates a problem with a USB device.
  
  
• Device connected to a USB port is not operating properly.
  
  

Action

1. Enter the System Setup program, and ensure that the USB ports are enabled. See "Using the System Setup Program."
   
   
2. Turn off the system and any USB devices.
   
   
3. Disconnect the USB devices, and connect the malfunctioning device to the other USB connector.
   
   
4. Turn on the system and the reconnected device.
   
   

If the problem is resolved, the USB connector might be defective. See Getting Help"

5. If possible, swap the interface cable with a working cable.
   
   

If the problem is resolved, replace the interface cable. See Getting Help.

6. Turn off the system and the USB device, and swap the device with a comparable device.
   
   
7. Turn on the system and the USB device.
   
   

If the problem is resolved, replace the USB device. See Getting Help.

If the problem persists, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting a NIC

Problem

• NIC cannot communicate with network.
  
  

Action

1. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See "Using Server Administrator Diagnostics" in "Running the System Diagnostics."
   
   
2. Check the appropriate indicator on the NIC connector. See NIC Indicator Codes.
   
   
   • If the link indicator does not light, check all cable connections.
     
     
   • If the activity indicator does not light, the network driver files might be damaged or missing.
     
     

Remove and reinstall the drivers if applicable. See the NIC's documentation.

• Change the autonegotiation setting, if possible.
  
  
• Use another connector on the switch or hub.
  
  

If you are using a NIC card instead of an integrated NIC, see the documentation for the NIC card.

3. Ensure that the appropriate drivers are installed and the protocols are bound. See the NIC's documentation.
   
   
4. Enter the System Setup program and confirm that the NICs are enabled. See "Using the System Setup Program."
   
   
5. Ensure that the NICs, hubs, and switches on the network are all set to the same data transmission speed. See the network equipment documentation.
   
   
6. Ensure that all network cables are of the proper type and do not exceed the maximum length.
   
   

Troubleshooting External Connections

Loose or improperly connected cables are the most likely source of problems for the system, monitor, and other peripherals (such as a printer, keyboard, mouse, or other external device). Ensure that all external cables are securely attached to the external connectors on your system. See Figure 1-2 for the back-panel connectors on your system.

Troubleshooting a Wet System

Problem

• Liquid spilled on the system.
  
  
• Excessive humidity.
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
   
   
2. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
3. Remove all expansion cards installed in the system. See Installing an Expansion Card.
   
   
4. Let the system dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours.
   
   
5. Close the system. See Closing the System.
   
   
6. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
   
   

If the system does not start properly, see Getting Help.

7. If the system starts properly, shut down the system and reinstall all of the expansion cards that you removed. See Installing an Expansion Card.
   
   
8. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   

If the tests fail, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting a Damaged System

Problem

• System was dropped or damaged.
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

1. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
2. Ensure that the following components are properly installed:
   
   
   • Expansion cards
     
     
   • Power supplies
     
     
   • Fans
     
     
   • Processors and heat sinks
     
     
   • Memory modules
     
     
   • Drive-carrier connections to the backplane board, if applicable
     
     
3. Ensure that all cables are properly connected.
   
   
4. Close the system. See Closing the System.
   
   
5. Run the system board tests in the system diagnostics. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   

If the tests fail, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting the System Battery

Problem

• System message indicates a problem with the battery.
  
  
• System Setup program loses system configuration information.
  
  
• System date and time do not remain current.
  
  

NOTE: If the system is turned off for long periods of time (for weeks or months), the NVRAM may lose its system configuration information. This situation is caused by a defective battery.

Action

1. Re-enter the time and date through the System Setup program. See "Using the System Setup Program."
   
   
2. Turn off the system and disconnect it from the electrical outlet for at least one hour.
   
   
3. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet and turn on the system.
   
   
4. Enter the System Setup program.
   
   

If the date and time are not correct in the System Setup program, replace the battery. See "System Battery" in "Installing System Components."

If the problem is not resolved by replacing the battery, see Getting Help.

NOTE: Some software may cause the system time to speed up or slow down. If the system seems to operate normally except for the time kept in the System Setup program, the problem may be caused by software rather than by a defective battery.

Troubleshooting Power Supplies

Problem

• System-status indicators are amber.
  
  
• Power-supply fault indicators are amber.
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

1. Run the appropriate online diagnostics test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   
2. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
   
   
3. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
4. Ensure that the power supply is properly installed by removing and reinstalling it. See Power Supply.
   
   

NOTE: After installing a power supply, allow several seconds for the system to recognize the power supply and to determine if it is working properly. The power indicator turns green to signify that the power supply is functioning properly.

5. If the problem is resolved, close the system. See Closing the System.
   
   

If the problem persists, remove the faulty power supply. See Power Supply.

6. Install a new power supply. See Power Supply.
   
   

If the problem persists, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting System Cooling Problems

Problem

• Systems management software issues a fan-related error message.
  
  

Action

Ensure that none of the following conditions exist:

• System cover, cooling shroud, drive blank, or front or back filler panel is removed.
  
  
• Ambient temperature is too high.
  
  
• External airflow is obstructed.
  
  
• Cables inside the system obstruct airflow.
  
  
• An individual cooling fan is removed or has failed. See Troubleshooting a Fan.
  
  

Troubleshooting a Fan

Problem

• System-status indicator is amber.
  
  
• Systems management software issues a fan-related error message.
  
  
• Fan status indicator indicates a problem with the fan.
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

1. Run the appropriate diagnostic test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   
2. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   

CAUTION: The cooling fans are hot-pluggable. To maintain proper cooling while the system is on, only replace one fan at a time.

3. Ensure that the faulty fan's power cable is firmly attached to the fan power connector. For a hot-plug fan, remove and reseat the fan. See Cooling Fans.
   
   

NOTE: Wait 30 seconds for the system to recognize the fan and determine whether it is working properly.

4. If the problem is not resolved, install a new fan. See Cooling Fans.
   
   

If the replacement fan is working properly, close the system. See Closing the System.

If the replacement fan does not operate, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting System Memory

Problem

• Faulty memory module.
  
  
• Faulty system board.
  
  
• Front-panel diagnostic lights indicate a problem with system memory.
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

1. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   
2. Turn on the system and attached peripherals.
   
   

If an error message does not appear, continue to the next step.

If an error messages appears, go to step 10.

3. Enter the System Setup program and check the system memory setting. See Using the System Setup Program.
   
   

If the amount of memory installed matches the system memory setting, go to step 10.

4. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
   
   
5. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
6. Reseat the memory modules in their sockets. See Installing Memory Modules.
   
   
7. Close the system. See Closing the System.
   
   
8. Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
   
   
9. Enter the System Setup program and check the system memory setting. See Using the System Setup Program.
   
   

If the amount of memory installed does not match the system memory setting, then perform the following steps:

1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from its electrical outlet.
   
   
2. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   

NOTE: Several configurations for memory modules exist; see General Memory Module Installation Guidelines.

3. Swap the memory module in socket 1 with another of the same capacity. See Installing Memory Modules.
   
   
4. Close the system. See Closing the System.
   
   
5. Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
   
   
6. As the system boots, observe the monitor screen and the indicators on the keyboard.
   
   
10. Perform the following steps:
    
    
    1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from its electrical outlet.
       
       
    2. Open the system. See Opening the System.
       
       
    3. Perform step d through step f in step 9 for each memory module installed.
       
       

If the problem persists, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting a Diskette Drive

Problem

• Error message indicates a diskette drive problem.
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

1. Enter the System Setup program and verify that the diskette drive is configured correctly. See Using the System Setup Program.
   
   
2. Remove the bezel. See Removing the Bezel.
   
   
3. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   
4. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
   
   
5. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
6. Ensure that the diskette drive interface cable is securely connected to the diskette drive and the system board.
   
   
7. Ensure that a power cable is properly connected to the drive.
   
   
8. Close the system. See Closing the System.
   
   
9. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
   
   
10. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test to see whether the diskette drive works correctly.
    
    
11. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from its electrical outlet.
    
    
12. Open the system. See Opening the System.
    
    
13. Remove all expansion cards installed in the system. See Removing an Expansion Card.
    
    
14. Close the system. See Closing the System.
    
    
15. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
    
    
16. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test to see whether the diskette drive works correctly.
    
    

If the tests run successfully, an expansion card may be conflicting with the diskette drive logic, or an expansion card may be faulty. Continue to the next step.

If the tests fail, see Getting Help.

17. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
    
    
18. Open the system. See Opening the System.
    
    
19. Reinstall one of the expansion cards you removed in step 13. See Installing an Expansion Card.
    
    
20. Close the system. See Closing the System.
    
    
21. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
    
    
22. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test to see whether the diskette drive works correctly.
    
    
23. Repeat step 17 through step 22 until all expansion cards are reinstalled or one of the expansion cards causes the tests to fail.
    
    

If the problem is not resolved, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting an Optical Drive

Problem

• System cannot read data from a CD or DVD in an optical drive.
  
  
• Optical drive indicator does not blink during boot.
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

1. To ensure that the problem is not media-related, try using a different CD or DVD that you know works properly.
   
   
2. Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the drive's IDE controller is enabled. See Using the System Setup Program.
   
   
3. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   
4. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
   
   
5. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
6. Ensure that the interface cable is securely connected to the optical drive and to the controller.
   
   
7. Ensure that a power cable is properly connected to the drive.
   
   
8. Close the system. See Closing the System.
   
   
9. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
   
   

If the problem is not resolved, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting an External SCSI Tape Drive

Problem

• Defective tape drive
  
  
• Defective tape cartridge
  
  
• Missing or corrupted tape-backup software or tape drive device driver
  
  
• Defective SCSI controller
  
  

Action

1. Remove the tape cartridge you were using when the problem occurred, and replace it with a tape cartridge that you know works.
   
   
2. Ensure that the SCSI device drivers for the tape drive are installed and are configured correctly.
   
   
3. Verify that the tape drive is configured for a unique SCSI ID number and that the tape drive is terminated or not terminated, based on the interface cable used to connect the drive.
   
   

See the documentation for the tape drive for instructions on selecting the SCSI ID number and enabling or disabling termination.

4. Run the appropriate online diagnostics tests. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   
5. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
   
   
6. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

7. Ensure that the SCSI controller card is firmly seated in its connector. See Installing an Expansion Card.
   
   
8. Ensure that the tape drive's data and power cables are properly connected to the tape drive and SCSI controller card.
   
   
9. Close the system. See Closing the System.
   
   
10. Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn on the system, including attached peripherals.
    
    
11. If the problem is not resolved, see the documentation for the tape drive for additional troubleshooting instructions.
    
    
12. Reinstall the tape backup software as instructed in the tape backup software documentation.
    
    
13. If you cannot resolve the problem, see Getting Help for information on obtaining technical assistance.
    
    

Troubleshooting a Hard Drive

Problem

• Device driver error.
  
  
• One or more hard drives not recognized by the system.
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

NOTICE: This troubleshooting procedure can destroy data stored on the hard drive. Before you proceed, back up all files on the hard drive.

1. Run the appropriate online diagnostics test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   

Depending on the results of the diagnostics test, proceed as needed through the following steps.

2. If your system has a SAS RAID controller, perform the following steps.
   
   
   1. Restart the system and press <Ctrl><R> to enter the host adapter configuration utility program.
      
      

See the documentation supplied with the host adapter for information about the configuration utility.

2. Ensure that the hard drive has been configured correctly for the RAID.
   
   
3. Exit the configuration utility and allow the system to boot to the operating system.
   
   
3. Ensure that the required device drivers for your SAS controller card or SAS RAID controller are installed and are configured correctly. See the operating system documentation for more information.
   
   
4. Verify that the controller is enabled and the drives appear in system setup.
   
   
5. Check the cable connections inside the system:
   
   
   1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
      
      
   2. Open the system. See Opening the System.
      
      
   3. Verify that the cable connections between the hard drive(s) and the drive controller are correct, whether the connections are to the SATA connectors on the system board (see Figure 3-12) or a SAS expansion card (see Figure 3-13).
      
      
   4. Verify that the SAS or SATA cables are securely seated in their connectors.
      
      
   5. Close the system. See Closing the System.
      
      
   6. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
      
      

If the problem persists, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting SATA Hard Drives

Troubleshooting a SATA Hard Drive

Problem

• Faulty hard drive
  
  
• Damaged or improperly connected hard-drive cables
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

NOTICE: This troubleshooting procedure can destroy data stored on the hard drive. Before you proceed, back up all files on the hard drive.

NOTE: If the hard drive is used in a RAID configuration, see "Troubleshooting a SATA Hard Drive in a RAID Configuration."

1. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See "Using Server Administrator Diagnostics" in "Running the System Diagnostics."
   
   
2. Enter the System Setup program and verify that the system is configured correctly. See "Using the System Setup Program."
   
   
3. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
   
   
4. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
5. Ensure that the hard-drive interface cable is properly connected between the drive and the system board.
   
   

To identify system board connectors, see System Board Connectors.

6. If the hard drive is the boot drive, ensure that the drive is configured and connected properly. See Configuring the Boot Drive."
   
   
7. Ensure that the power cable is properly connected to the drive.
   
   
8. Close the system. See Closing the System.
   
   
9. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
   
   
10. If the problem persists, continue to the next step.
    
    
11. Format and partition the hard drive. See the operating system documentation.
    
    
12. If possible, restore the files to the drive.
    
    

If the problem persists, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting a SATA Hard Drive in a RAID Configuration

Problem

• Device driver error
  
  
• Damaged or improperly connected hard-drive cables
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

NOTICE: This troubleshooting procedure can destroy data stored on the hard drive. Before you proceed, back up all files on the hard drive.

1. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   
2. Ensure that the required device drivers are installed and are configured correctly. See the RAID controller's documentation.
   
   
3. Restart your system and enter the RAID configuration utility (Ctrl+R) to verify that the controller is configured properly. See the RAID controller documentation.
   
   
4. If the problem persists, continue to the next step.
   
   
5. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
   
   
6. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
7. If the hard drive is the boot drive, ensure that the drive is configured and connected properly. See Configuring the Boot Drive.
   
   
8. Ensure that the hard-drive interface cable is properly connected to the drive and to the controller card. See the documentation that accompanied the controller card.
   
   
9. Ensure that the power cable is properly connected to the drive.
   
   
10. Close the system. See Closing the System.
    
    
11. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
    
    

If the problem persists, continue to the next step.

12. Format and partition the hard drive. See the operating system documentation.
    
    
13. If possible, restore the files to the drive.
    
    

If the problem persists, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting a SAS RAID Controller

NOTE: When troubleshooting a SAS RAID controller, also see the documentation for your operating system and the controller.

Problem

• Error message indicates a problem with the SAS RAID controller.
  
  
• SAS RAID controller performs incorrectly or not at all.
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

1. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   
2. Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the SAS RAID controller is enabled and drivers are loaded. See Using the System Setup Program.
   
   
3. Restart the system and press the applicable key sequence to enter the configuration utility program:
   
   
   • <Ctrl><C> for a SAS controller
     
     
   • <Ctrl><R> for a SAS RAID controller
     
     

See the controller's documentation for information about configuration settings.

4. Check the configuration settings, make any necessary corrections, and restart the system.
   
   

If the problem is not resolved, continue to the next step.

5. Remove the bezel. See Removing the Bezel.
   
   
6. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from its electrical outlet.
   
   
7. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
8. Ensure that the controller card is firmly seated into the system board connector.
   
   
9. If you have a SAS RAID controller, ensure that the following RAID components are properly installed and connected:
   
   
   • Memory module
     
     
   • Battery
     
     
10. Verify that the cable connections between the SAS backplane(s) and the SAS controller are correct. See Removing a Hot-Plug SAS or SATA Hard Drive.
    
    
11. Ensure that the cables are firmly connected to the SAS controller, the SAS backplane board and, if applicable, the 1x2 expansion backplane.
    
    
12. Close the system. See Closing the System.
    
    
13. Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals. If the problem persists, see Getting Help.
    
    

Troubleshooting Expansion Cards

NOTE: When troubleshooting an expansion card, see the documentation for your operating system and the expansion card.

Problem

• Error message indicates a problem with an expansion card.
  
  
• Expansion card performs incorrectly or not at all.
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

1. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics.
   
   
2. Open or remove the bezel. See Removing the Bezel.
   
   
3. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
   
   
4. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
5. Ensure that each expansion card is firmly seated in its connector. See Installing an Expansion Card.
   
   
6. Close the system. See Closing the System.
   
   
7. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
   
   

If the problem persists, go to the next step.

8. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
   
   
9. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
10. Remove all expansion cards installed in the system. See "Removing an Expansion Card" in "Installing System Components."
    
    
11. Close the system. See Closing the System.
    
    
12. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
    
    
13. Run the appropriate online diagnostic test.
    
    

If the tests fail, see Getting Help.

14. For each expansion card you removed in step 10, perform the following steps:
    
    
    1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
       
       
    2. Open the system. See Opening the System.
       
       
    3. Reinstall one of the expansion cards.
       
       
    4. Close the system. See Closing the System.
       
       
    5. Run the appropriate diagnostic test.
       
       

If the tests fail, see Getting Help.

Troubleshooting the Microprocessor

Problem

• Error message indicates a microprocessor problem.
  
  
• A heat sink is not installed for the processor.
  
  

Action

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

1. If possible, run the appropriate online diagnostics test.
   
   
2. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
   
   
3. Open the system. See Opening the System.
   
   
4. Ensure that the processor and heat sink are properly installed. See Installing a Processor.
   
   
5. Close the system. See Closing the System.
   
   
6. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.
   
   

If the problem persists, see Getting Help.

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