Dell Precision 490: Error Messages Diagnostic Lights Diagnostic Light Codes Before POST Diagnostic Lights Power Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light
Error Messages Diagnostic Lights Diagnostic Light Codes Before POST Diagnostic Lights Power Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light: Dell Precision 490
Table of contents
- Notes, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Contents
- Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation) Connect the keyboard and the mouse. Connect the modem or the network cable.
- Connect the monitor.
- For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
- For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
- Connect the speakers. Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor.
- Install additional software or devices. Setting Up Your Computer (Desktop Orientation) Connect the keyboard and the mouse.
- Connect the modem or the network cable. Connect the monitor.
- For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
- For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
- Connect the speakers. Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor. Install additional software or devices.
- About Your Computer Front View (Tower Orientation) 5 IEEE 1394 connector (optional)
- 13 diagnostic lights (4) Use these lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the
- Back View (Tower Orientation)
- Back Panel Connectors 4 link integrity light
- 11 serial connector Connect a serial device, such as a handheld device, to the serial port. If necessary,
- Front View (Desktop Orientation)
- Back View (Desktop Orientation)
- Inside View
- Inside View – Hard Drive Bay Rotated Out
- System Board Components
- 14 SATA connectors (SATA_4, SATA_3) Cable Colors Locating Your User’s Guide
- Removing the Computer Cover Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" in your If you have installed a security cable, remove it from the security cable slot. Lay your computer on a flat surface with the cover facing up.
- Pull back the cover latch release. Locate the three hinge tabs on the edge of the computer. Grip the sides of the computer cover and pivot the cover up, using the hinges as leverage points. Release the cover from the hinge tabs and set it aside in a secure location.
- Caring for Your Computer Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
- Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Creating a Restore Point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
- Undoing the Last System Restore Enabling System Restore Using the Last Known Good Configuration Other Options to Help Resolve Additional Device or Software Conflicts
- Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
- Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD Before You Start Testing Beep Codes
- Code Cause
- Error Messages Diagnostic Lights Diagnostic Light Codes Before POST Diagnostic Lights Power Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light
- Diagnostic Lights Power Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light
- Diagnostic Lights Power Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light Diagnostic Light Codes During POST Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Frequently Asked Questions How Do I... Solution Where to Find Additional Information
- How Do I... Solution Where to Find Additional Information
- Index
- 46 Index

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 your 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 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. If the
computer malfunctions, the pattern of the lights and also that of the power button help to identify the
problem.These lights also indicate sleep states.
Diagnostic Light Codes Before POST
Diagnostic Lights Power
Problem Description Suggested Resolution
Light
off No electrical power is
Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
supplied to the computer.
Ensure that the front-panel power light is on.
If the power light is off, ensure that the
computer is connected to a working electrical
outlet and then press the power button.
If the problem is still not resolved, contact
Dell for technical assistance.
off The computer is in a normal
Press the power button to turn the computer on.
off condition; the computer is
If the computer does not turn on, ensure that
connected to an electrical
the front-panel power light is on. If the power
outlet.
light is off, ensure that the computer is
connected to a working electrical outlet and
then press the power button.
If the problem is still not resolved, contact
Dell for technical assistance.
38 Quick Reference Guide

