Dell Precision 390: инструкция

Dell Precision™ Workstation 390

Quick Reference Guide

Model DCTA

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

title.fm Page 2 Friday, June 2, 2006 4:24 PM

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid

the problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see Glossary in your

User’s Guide

.

®

®

If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft

Windows

operating systems are not applicable.

____________________

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.

© 2006 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Red Hat is a registered trademark of Red Hat Corporation.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products.

Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Model DCTA

May 2006 P/N GH459 Rev. A00

Contents

Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Setting Up Your Computer (Desktop Orientation)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

About Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Front View (Tower Orientation)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Back View (Tower Orientation)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Front View (Desktop Orientation)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Back View (Desktop Orientation)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Back-Panel Connectors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Inside View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

System Board Components

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Locating Your User’s Guide

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Removing the Computer Cover

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Caring for Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Solving Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Troubleshooting Tips

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

. . . . . . . . . . . 32

Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Using the Last Known Good Configuration

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Dell Diagnostics

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Before You Start Testing

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Beep Codes

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Error Messages

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Diagnostic Lights

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Frequently Asked Questions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Contents 3

4 Contents

Finding Information

NOTE: Some features may not be available for your computer or in certain countries.

NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• A diagnostic program for my computer

Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as ResourceCD)

• Drivers for my computer

Documentation and drivers are already installed on your

• My computer documentation

computer. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers, run

• My device documentation

the "Dell Diagnostics" on page 34, or access your

documentation.

• Desktop System Software (DSS)

Readme files may be

included on your CD

to provide last-minute

updates about technical

changes to your

computer or advanced

technical-reference

material for technicians

or experienced users.

NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates can be found

at support.dell.com.

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD is optional and may

not ship with your computer.

• How to set up my computer

Quick Reference Guide

• How to care for my computer

• Basic troubleshooting information

• How to run the Dell Diagnostics

• Error codes and diagnostic lights

• How to remove and install parts

• How to open my computer cover

NOTE: The Quick Reference Guide is optional and may

not ship with your computer.

NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at

support.dell.com.

Quick Reference Guide 5

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Warranty information

Dell™ Product Information Guide

• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)

• Safety instructions

• Regulatory information

• Ergonomics information

• End User License Agreement

• How to remove and replace parts

User’s Guide

• Specifications

®

®

Microsoft

Windows

XP Help and Support Center

• How to configure system settings

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support

.

• How to troubleshoot and solve problems

2

Click

User’s and system guides

and click

User’s guides

.

The User’s Guide is also available on the optional

Drivers

and Utilities

CD

.

• Service Tag and Express Service Code

Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License

• Microsoft Windows License Label

These labels are located on your computer.

• Use the Service Tag

to identify your

computer when you

use

support.dell.com

or contact technical

support.

• Enter the Express

Service Code to direct your call when contacting

technical support.

6 Quick Reference Guide

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles

Dell Support Website — support.dell.com

from technicians, online courses, frequently asked

NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support

questions

site.

• Community — Online discussion with other Dell

NOTE: Corporate, government, and education customers

customers

can also use the customized Dell Premier Support website

• Upgrades — Upgrade information for components,

at premier.support.dell.com. The website may not be

such as memory, the hard drive, and the operating

available in all regions.

system

• Customer Care — Contact information, service call

and order status, warranty, and repair information

• Service and support — Service call status and support

history, service contract, online discussions with

technical support

• Reference — Computer documentation, details on

my computer configuration, product specifications,

and white papers

• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and

software updates

• Desktop System Software (DSS) — If you reinstall

the operating system for your computer, you should

also reinstall the DSS utility. DSS provides critical

updates for your operating system and support for

®

Dell™ 3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel

®

Pentium

M processors, optical drives, and USB

devices. DSS is necessary for correct operation of

your Dell computer. The software automatically

detects your computer and operating system and

installs the updates appropriate for your

configuration.

• How to use Windows XP

Windows Help and Support Center

• Documentation for my computer

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support

.

• Documentation for devices (such as a modem)

2

Type a word or phrase that describes your problem

and click the arrow icon.

3

Click the topic that describes your problem.

4

Follow the instructions on the screen.

Quick Reference Guide 7

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• How to reinstall my operating system

Operating System CD

The operating system is already installed on your

computer. To reinstall your operating system, use the

Operating System CD. See your User’s Guide for

instructions.

After you reinstall your

operating system, use

the optional Drivers and

Utilities CD to reinstall

drivers for the devices

that came with your

computer.

Your operating system

product key label is

located on your

computer.

NOTE: The color of your CD varies based on the operating

system you ordered.

NOTE: The Operating System CD is optional and may

not ship with your computer.

• How to use Linux

Dell Supported Linux Sites

• E-mail discussions with users of Dell Precision™

• http://linux.dell.com

products and the Linux operating system

• http://lists.us.dell.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-precision

• Additional information regarding Linux

• http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/software/oslinux/

and my Dell Precision computer

8 Quick Reference Guide

Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation)

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located

in the Product Information Guide.

You must complete all steps to properly set up your computer.

Connect the keyboard and the mouse.

1

Connect the modem or the network cable.

2

NOTICE: Do not connect a modem cable to the

network adapter. Voltage from telephone

communications can damage the network adapter.

NOTE: If your computer has a network card installed,

connect the network cable to the card.

Quick Reference Guide 9

For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector

VGA Adapter

VGA

Use the VGA adapter when you have a single monitor

graphics card and you want to connect your computer

to a VGA monitor.

Dual VGA Y Cable Adapter

Dual DVI Y Cable Adapter

VGA

DVI

VGA

DVI

Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card

Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a

has a single connector and you want to connect your

single connector and you want to connect your computer

computer to one or two VGA monitors.

to one or two DVI monitors.

The dual-monitor cable is color coded; the blue connector is for the primary monitor, and the black

connector is for the secondary monitor. To enable dual-monitor support, both monitors must be attached

to the computer when it starts.

16 Quick Reference Guide

For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector

One DVI Connector and One VGA Connector

Two VGA Connectors With One VGA Adapter

DVI

VGA

VGA

VGA

Use the appropriate connector(s) when you want

Use the VGA adapter when you want to connect

to connect your computer to one or two monitors.

your computer to two VGA monitors.

For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors

Two DVI Connectors

Two DVI Connectors With One VGA

Two DVI Connectors With Two VGA

Adapter

Adapters

DVI

DVI

DVI

VGA

VGA

VGA

Use the DVI connector(s) to connect

Use the VGA adapter to connect a

Use two VGA adapters to connect

your computer to one or two DVI

VGA monitor to one of the DVI

two VGA monitors to the DVI

monitors.

connectors on your computer.

connectors on your computer.

Quick Reference Guide 17

Connect the speakers.

4

NOTE: If your computer has a sound card installed, connect the speakers to the card.

Connect the power cables

and turn on the computer

5

and monitor.

Your desktop computer has an

optional front IEEE 1394

connector. This connector is only

available if you purchased an

IEEE 1394 card. To purchase

a card, contact Dell. For

instructions on contacting Dell

and for more information on the

IEEE 1394 card, see your

User’s

Guide

.

Install additional software or devices.

6

Before you install any devices or software that did not come with your computer, read the documentation

that came with the software or device or contact the vendor to verify that the software or device is

compatible with your computer and operating system.

Congratulations! You have completed the setup for your desktop computer.

18 Quick Reference Guide

About Your Computer

Front View (Tower Orientation)

Quick Reference Guide 19

2

14

13

3

4

12

5

11

6

10

7

9

8

1 CD- or DVD-drive

The CD/DVD-drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from or

activity light

writes data to the CD/DVD drive. Wait until this light turns off before you remove

the CD or DVD from the drive.

2 CD- or DVD-drive

Press this button o eject a disc from the CD or DVD drive.

eject button

3 floppy-drive activity

The floppy-drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from or writes

light

data to the optional floppy drive. Wait until this light turns off before you remove

the floppy from the drive.

4 floppy-drive eject button Press this button to eject a floppy disk from the optional floppy drive.

5 hard-drive activity light The hard-drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from or writes

data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as your CD

player is operating.

6 IEEE 1394 connector

Use the optional IEEE 1394 connectors for high-speed data devices such as digital

(optional)

video cameras and external storage devices.

7 USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the USB connectors on the front of your computer for devices that you

connect occasionally, such as flash memory keys or cameras, or for bootable USB

devices (see

"System Setup" in your

User’s Guide

for more information on booting

to a USB device).

It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically

remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

8 Dell badge rotation

To rotate the badge, place your fingers around the outside of the badge, press in,

notch

and turn the badge. You can also rotate the badge by using the slot provided near

the bottom of the badge.

9 power button Press this button to turn the computer on.

NOTE: The power button can also be used to wake the system or to place it into

a power-saving mode. See "Power Management" in the User’s Guide for more

information.

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn the

computer off. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.

10 power light The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states:

• No light — The computer is turned off.

• Steady green — The computer is in a normal operating state.

• Blinking green — The computer is in a power-saving mode.

• Blinking or solid amber — See "Power Problems" in the

User’s Guide

.

To exit from a power-saving mode, press the power button or use the keyboard or

the mouse if it is configured as a wake device in the Windows Device Manager. For

more information about sleep modes and exiting from a power-saving mode, see

"Power Management" in the User’s Guide.

See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 37 for a description of light codes that can help

you troubleshoot problems with your computer.

11 microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for

voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.

12 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers.

13 diagnostic lights (4) Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the

diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 37.

14 network link light The network light is on when the computer sends or receives data over a network

connection. The light might also be on when a network device is establishing a

network connection.

20 Quick Reference Guide

Back View (Tower Orientation)

1

2

3

4

1 power connector Insert the power cable into this connector.

2 voltage selection switch See the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide for more

information.

3 back-panel connectors Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate connector.

4 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI or PCI Express cards.

Quick Reference Guide 21

Front View (Desktop Orientation)

22 Quick Reference Guide

910111213

4

1 floppy-drive activity

The floppy-drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from or writes

light

data to the optional floppy drive. Wait until this light turns off before you remove

the floppy from the drive.

2 CD- or DVD-drive

The CD/DVD-drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from or

activity light

writes data to the CD/DVD drive. Wait until this light turns off before you remove

the CD or DVD from the drive.

3 floppy-drive eject button Press this button to eject a floppy disk from the optional floppy drive.

4 CD- or DVD-drive

Press this button to eject a disc from the CD or DVD drive.

eject button

5 hard-drive activity light The hard-drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from or writes

data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as your CD

player is operating.

6 IEEE 1394 connector

Use the optional IEEE 1394 connectors for high-speed data devices such as digital

(optional)

video cameras and external storage devices.

7 USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the USB connectors on the front of the computer for devices that you connect

occasionally, such as flash memory keys or cameras, or for bootable USB devices

(see

"System Setup" in your

User’s Guide

for more information on booting to a USB

device).

It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically

remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

8 power button Press this button to turn the computer on.

NOTE: The power button can also be used to wake the system or to place it into a

power-saving mode. See "Power Management" in the User’s Guide" for more

information.

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn the

computer off. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.

9 power light The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states:

• No light — The computer is turned off.

• Steady green — The computer is in a normal operating state.

• Blinking green — The computer is in a power-saving mode.

• Blinking or solid amber — See "Power Management" in the User’s Guide."

To exit from a power-saving mode, press the power button or use the keyboard or

the mouse if it is configured as a wake device in the Windows Device Manager. For

more information about sleep modes and exiting from a power-saving mode, see

"Power Management" in the User’s Guide for more information. See "Diagnostic

Lights" on page 37 for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot

problems with your computer.

10 diagnostic lights (4) Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the

diagnostic code. For more information See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 37.

11 microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone

for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.

12 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers.

13 network link light The network light is on when the computer sends or receives data over a network

connection. The light might also be on when a network device is establishing a

network connection.

Quick Reference Guide 23

Back View (Desktop Orientation)

24 Quick Reference Guide

4

1 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI or PCI Express cards.

2 power connector Insert the power cable into this connector.

3 voltage selection switch See the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide for more

information.

4 back-panel connectors Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate connector.

Back-Panel Connectors

Quick Reference Guide 25

2 345

6

7

891011

1 mouse connector Plug a standard mouse into the green mouse connector. Turn off the computer

and any attached devices before you connect a mouse to the computer. If you have

a USB mouse, plug it into a USB connector.

®

If your computer is running the Microsoft

Windows XP operating system,

the necessary mouse drivers have been installed on your hard drive.

2 parallel connector Connect a parallel device, such as a printer, to the parallel connector. If you have

a USB printer, plug it into a USB connector.

NOTE: The integrated parallel connector is automatically disabled if the computer

detects an installed card containing a parallel connector configured to the same

address. For more information, see "System Setup Options" in the User’s Guide.

3 link integrity light

• Green — A good connection exists between a 10-Mbps network and the

computer.

• Orange — A good connection exists between a 100-Mbps network and the

computer.

• Yellow — A good connection exists between a 1000-Mbps (or 1-Gbps) network

and the computer.

• Off — The computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network.

Solving Problems

Troubleshooting Tips

Perform the following checks when you troubleshoot your computer:

• If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the installation procedures

and ensure that the part is correctly installed.

• If a peripheral device does not work, ensure that the device is properly connected.

• If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. The message may help

technical support personnel diagnose and fix the problem(s).

• If an error message occurs in a program, see the program’s documentation.

• If the recommended action in the troubleshooting section is to see a section in your

User’s Guide

,

go to

support.dell.com

(on another computer if necessary) to access your

User’s Guide.

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 the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility.

To resolve incompatibilities using the Hardware Troubleshooter:

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support

.

2

Ty p e

hardware troubleshooter

in the

Search

field and click the arrow to start the search.

3

Click

Hardware Troubleshooter

in the

Search Results

list.

4

In the

Hardware Troubleshooter

list, click

I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer

,

and click

Next

.

Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore

The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer

to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other

system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. See the Windows Help and

Support Center (see "Finding Information" on page 5) for information about using System Restore.

NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover

them.

Creating a Restore Point

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support

.

2

Click

System Restore

.

3

Follow the instructions on the screen.

32 Quick Reference Guide

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close any open files and exit any

open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

1

Click the

Start

button, point to

All Programs

→

Accessories

→

System Tools

, and then click

System

Restore

.

2

Ensure that

Restore my computer to an earlier time

is selected and click

Next

.

3

Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.

The

Select a Restore Point

screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points.

All calendar dates with available restore points appear in boldface type.

4

Select a restore point and click

Next

.

If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected. If two

or more restore points are available, click the restore point that you prefer.

5

Click

Next

.

The

Restoration Complete

screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data and then

the computer restarts.

6

After the computer restarts, click

OK

.

To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can

undo the restoration.

Undoing the Last System Restore

NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and exit any open programs.

Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

1

Click the

Start

button, point to

All Programs

→

Accessories

→

System Tools

, and then click

System

Restore

.

2

Click

Undo my last restoration

and click

Next

.

3

Click

Next

.

The

System Restore

screen appears and the computer restarts.

4

After the computer restarts, click

OK

.

Enabling System Restore

If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available, System Restore

is automatically disabled. To see if System Restore is enabled:

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Control

Panel

.

2

Click

Performance and Maintenance

.

3

Click

System

.

Quick Reference Guide 33

4

Click the

System Restore

tab.

5

Ensure that

Turn off System Restore

is unchecked.

Using the Last Known Good Configuration

1

Restart your computer and press <F8> when the message

Please select the operating

system to start

appears.

2

Highlight

Last Known Good Configuration

, press <Enter>, press <l>, and then select your

operating system when prompted.

Other Options to Help Resolve Additional Device or Software Conflicts

NOTICE: The following processes erase all of the information on your hard drive.

• Reinstall your operating system using the operating system installation guide and

Operating System

CD.

During the operating system reinstallation, you can select to delete the existing partitions and reformat

your hard drive.

• Reinstall all drivers, beginning with the chipset, using the

Drivers and Utilities

CD

.

Dell Diagnostics

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located

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" on page 32

and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers. Using this program with other computers can

cause incorrect computer responses or result in error messages.

The Dell Diagnostics allow you to:

• Perform quick checks or extensive tests on one or all devices

• Choose how many times a test is run

• Display or print test results or save them in a file

• Suspend testing if an error is detected or terminate testing if a certain number of errors occur

• Access online

Help

screens that describe the tests and how to run them

• Read status messages that tell you whether tests completed successfully

• Receive error messages if problems are detected

34 Quick Reference Guide

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

1

Turn on (or restart) your computer.

2

When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, see "Starting the Dell

Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD" on page 35.

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. For more information on

shutting down your computer, see your

User’s Guide.

3

When the boot device list appears, highlight

Boot to Utility Partition

and press <Enter>.

4

When the Dell Diagnostics

Main Menu

appears, select the test you want to run. For more information

on the tests, see your

User’s Guide.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD

1

Insert the

Drivers and Utilities

CD.

2

Shut down and restart the computer. For more information on shutting down your computer,

see your

User’s Guide.

3

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 and try again. For more information on shutting down your

computer, see your

User’s Guide.

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.

4

When the boot device list appears, highlight

IDE CD-ROM Device

and press <Enter>.

5

Select the

IDE CD-ROM Device

option from the CD boot menu.

6

Select the

Boot from CD-ROM

option from the menu that appears.

7

Ty p e

1

to start the ResourceCD menu.

8

Ty p e

2

to start the Dell Diagnostics.

9

Select

Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics

from the numbered list. If multiple versions are listed, select

the version appropriate for your computer.

10

When the Dell Diagnostics

Main Menu

appears, select the test you want to run. For more information

on the tests, see your

User’s Guide.

Quick Reference Guide 35

Before You Start Testing

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product

Information Guide.

• Turn on your printer if one is attached.

• Enter system setup, review your computer’s configuration information, and enable all of your

computer’s components and devices, such as connectors.

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.

If a beep code is emitted, write it down and look it up in the following table.

Code Cause

1-1-2 Microprocessor register failure

1-1-3 NVRAM read/write failure

1-1-4 ROM BIOS checksum failure

1-2-1 Programmable interval timer failure

1-2-2 DMA initialization failure

1-2-3 DMA page register read/write failure

1-3 Video Memory Test failure

1-3-1 through 2-4-4 Memory not being properly identified or used

1-3-2 Memory problem

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 Invalid NVRAM configuration

3-3-4 Video Memory Test failure

3-4-1 Screen initialization failure

36 Quick Reference Guide

Code Cause

3-4-2 Screen retrace failure

3-4-3 Search for video ROM failure

4-2-1 No timer tick

4-2-2 Shutdown failure

4-2-3 Gate A20 failure

4-2-4 Unexpected interrupt in protected mode

4-3-1 Memory failure above address 0FFFFh

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

4-4-2 Failure to decompress code to shadowed memory

4-4-3 Math-coprocessor test failure

4-4-4 Cache test failure

Error Messages

NOTE: If the message is not listed, see the documentation for either the operating system or the program that was

running when the message appeared.

If an error occurs during start-up, a message may be displayed on the monitor identifying the problem.

See "Error Messages" in the

User’s Guide

for suggestions on resolving any problems.

Diagnostic Lights

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located

in the Product Information Guide.

To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer has four lights labeled "1," "2," "3," and "4" on the front.

The lights can be off or green. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash. After the computer

starts, all four lights display solid green briefly and then turn off to indicate normal operation. If the

computer malfunctions, the pattern of the lights identify the problem.

Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution

The computer is in a normal off

Plug the computer into a working

condition or a possible pre-BIOS

electrical outlet and press the power

failure has occurred.

button.

NOTE: The diagnostic lights turn off after

a short time if the computer is in a normal

operating condition after POST.

Quick Reference Guide 37

Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution

A possible BIOS failure has occurred;

Run the BIOS Recovery utility, wait for

the computer is in the recovery mode.

recovery completion, and then restart

the computer.

A possible processor failure

Reinstall the processor and restart

has occurred.

the computer.

Memory modules are detected,

1

Reseat the memory modules to ensure

but a memory failure has occurred.

that your computer is successfully

communicating with the memory.

2

Restart the computer.

3

If the problem still exists, remove all

the memory modules and install one

memory module in memory module

connector 4.

4

Restart the computer.

The following message appears:

Alert! Operating in Debug

Mode. Please Populate

Memory in Pairs for Normal

Operation

.

5

Press <F1> to boot to the operating

system.

6

Run the Dell Diagnostics. See page 34

for instructions.

7

If the memory module passes, shut

down the computer, remove the

memory module, and then repeat the

process with the remaining memory

modules until a memory error occurs

during start-up or diagnostic testing.

If the first memory module tested is

defective, repeat the process with the

remaining modules to ensure that the

remaining modules are not defective.

8

When the defective memory module

is identified, contact Dell for a

replacement. For instructions on

contacting Dell, see your

User’s Guide

.

NOTE: If necessary, the computer can

operate in debug mode until new memory

modules are installed.

38 Quick Reference Guide

Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution

A possible expansion card failure

1

Determine if a conflict exists by

has occurred.

removing a card (not the graphics

card) and then restarting the

computer. For more information

on removing a card, see your

User’s

Guide

.

2

If the problem persists, reinstall

the card that you removed, remove

a different card, and then restart

the computer.

3

Repeat this process for each card.

If the computer starts normally,

troubleshoot the last card removed

from the computer for resource

conflicts (see"Resolving Software and

Hardware Incompatibilities" on

page 32).

4

If the problem persists, contact Dell.

For instructions on contacting Dell,

see your

User’s Guide

.

A possible graphics card failure

• If the computer has a graphics card,

has occurred.

remove the card, reinstall it, and

then restart the computer.

• If the problem still exists, install a

graphics card that you know works

and restart the computer.

• If the problem persists or the

computer has integrated graphics,

contact Dell. For instructions on

contacting Dell, see your

User’s Guide.

A possible floppy or hard drive failure

Reseat all power and data cables

has occurred.

and restart the computer.

A possible USB failure has occurred. Reinstall all USB devices, check cable

connections, and then restart the

computer.

Quick Reference Guide 39

Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution

No memory modules are detected. 1

Reseat the memory modules to ensure

that your computer is successfully

communicating with the memory.

2

Restart the computer.

3

If the problem still exists, remove all

the memory modules and install one

memory module in memory module

connector 4.

4

Restart the computer.

The following message appears:

Alert! Operating in Debug

Mode. Please Populate

Memory in Pairs for Normal

Operation

.

5

Press <F1> to boot to the operating

system.

6

Run the Dell Diagnostics. See page 34

for instructions.

7

If the memory module passes, shut

down the computer, remove the

memory module, and then repeat the

process with the remaining memory

modules until a memory error occurs

during start-up or diagnostic testing.

If the first memory module tested is

defective, repeat the process with the

remaining modules to ensure that the

remaining modules are not defective.

8

When the defective memory module

is identified, contact Dell for a

replacement.For instructions on

contacting Dell, see your

User’s Guide.

NOTE: If necessary, the computer can

operate in debug mode until new memory

modules are installed.

System board failure has occurred. Contact Dell for technical assistance.

For instructions on contacting Dell,

see your User’s Guide.

40 Quick Reference Guide

Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution

Memory modules are detected, but a

• Ensure that no special memory

memory configuration or compatibility

module/memory connector placement

error exists.

requirements exist.

• Verify that the memory modules that

you are installing are compatible with

your computer.

• Reinstall the memory modules and

restart the computer.

• If the problem persists, contact Dell.

For instructions on contacting Dell,

see your

User’s Guide.

A possible system board resource

• Perform the procedures in "Resolving

and/or hardware failure has occurred.

Software and Hardware

Incompatibilities" on page 32.

• If the problem persists, contact Dell.

For instructions on contacting Dell,

see your

User’s Guide.

A possible expansion card failure

1

Determine if a conflict exists by

has occurred.

removing a card (not a graphics card)

and restarting the computer.

2

If the problem persists, reinstall the

card that you removed, remove a

different card, and then restart the

computer.

3

Repeat this process for each card.

If the computer starts normally,

troubleshoot the last card removed

from the computer for resource

conflicts (see "Resolving Software and

Hardware Incompatibilities" on

page 32).

4

If the problem persists, contact Dell.

For instructions on contacting Dell,

see your

User’s Guide.

Another failure has occurred.

• Ensure that the cables are properly

connected to the system board from

This pattern also displays when

the hard drive, CD drive, and DVD

you enter system setup and may

drive.

not indicate a problem.

• If the problem persists, contact Dell.

For instructions on contacting Dell,

see your

User’s Guide.

Quick Reference Guide 41