User Guide

System Codes and Messages: Dell Dimension C System Reference

System Codes and Messages: Dell™ Dimension™ C System Reference

	POST Beep Codes
	System Messages

POST Beep Codes

If the monitor cannot display errors or problems, during power-on self-test (POST) the computer may emit a series of beeps, or beep code, that identifies the problem.

If the system emits a beep code and then fails to start, write down the beep code and look it up in Table 1.

Table 1. System Beep Codes

Beep Code	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
2-1-1	The Update BIOS with Boot Block option is set to Enabled in the system setup program.	Enter the system setup program, set the Update BIOS with Boot Block option to Disabled, and then restart the system.
2-2	SDRAM DIMMs are not installed or EDO DIMMs are installed.	Install SDRAM DIMMs from Dell.
2-2-1-1	Incompatible 100-MHz SDRAM DIMMs are installed.	Install 100-MHz SDRAM DIMMs from Dell.
2-2-2-1	An EDO DIMM is installed with an SDRAM DIMM.	Replace the EDO DIMM with an SDRAM DIMM from Dell.
2-2-2-1-1	One or more 66-MHz DIMMs are installed.	Replace the 66-MHz DIMMs with 100-MHz DIMMs from Dell.
2-2-2-1-1-1	The system contains a mixture of registered and unregistered DIMMs.	Use only DIMMs purchased from Dell.
NOTE: The Glossary defines abbreviations and acronyms.

The first column in Table 2 lists (in alphabetical order) system messages that may appear on the screen during the boot routine or during normal system operation. The second column in the table lists probable causes of the messages, and the third column either provides a corrective action or refers you to a source for resolving the problem.

Table 2. System Messages

Message	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
CMOS Battery Bad	The system board battery may be faulty.	Replace the system battery.
CMOS Checksum Error	A CMOS checksum error has occurred.	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Diskette Drive x Error Diskette Drive Controller Error	The diskette drive may be faulty, not configured correctly in the system setup program, or not installed correctly.	Run the Diskette tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Equipment Configuration Error	The hardware configuration does not match the system setup program configuration data.	Check the system setup program settings.
Expansion ROM Allocation Fail	An expansion ROM on an expansion card was not loaded correctly.	Turn off the computer, and disconnect your system and devices from their electrical outlets. Remove all of the expansion cards. Reconnect the system and devices, and reboot the computer. If the problem persists, the expansion card may be malfunctioning. If the message does not appear, turn off the system and reinsert the other card.
IDE Drive n Error IDE Drive n Auto Detection Failed	The IDE drive may be faulty, not configured correctly in the system setup program, or not installed correctly.	Run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
I/O Parity Error	The I/O address is not correct.	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Insert System Diskette and Press <Enter> to Reboot	The diskette in the diskette drive or the hard-disk drive does not have a bootable operating system installed on it.	Either replace the diskette with one that has a bootable operating system, or remove the diskette from the diskette drive and restart the computer.
IRQ Setting Error	An IRQ conflict has occurred.	See “Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities” in Chapter 4 of the Dell Dimension C System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide.
Keyboard Interface Error Keyboard Error or Keyboard Not Connected Keyboard Locked	The keyboard cable may be loose or the keyboard/mouse controller may be faulty.	Check the connection of the keyboard cable to the keyboard connector on the back of the computer. If the problem persists, run the Keyboard tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Memory Error at MMMM:SSSS:OOOO (R:xxxxh, W:xxxxh)	One or more DIMMs may be improperly seated or faulty.	Reseat the DIMMs.
NVRAM Checksum Error	A NVRAM checksum error has occurred.	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. If the tests do not identify the problem, clear NVRAM to set the system to its defaults.
On Board Serial Port 1 Conflict(s) On Board Parallel Port Conflict(s)	The serial or parallel port on the system board has an address conflict with an expansion card.	See “Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities” in Chapter 4 of the Dell Dimension C System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide.
On Board xxx ... Conflict(s)	A device on the system board has an address conflict with another device.	See “Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities” in Chapter 4 of the Dell Dimension C System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide.
PCI Device Error	A device on the PCI bus may be faulty.	Turn off the computer, and disconnect your system and devices from their electrical outlets. Remove all of the expansion cards Reconnect the system and devices and reboot the computer. If the problem persists, the expansion card may be malfunctioning. If the message does not appear, turn off the system and reinsert the other card.
Pointing Device Error Pointing Device Interface Error	The mouse cable may be loose, or the keyboard/mouse controller may be faulty.	Check the connection of the mouse cable to the mouse connector on the back of the computer. If the problem persists, run the Mouse tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Pointing Device IRQ Conflict	The mouse controller on the system board has an IRQ conflict with another device.	See “Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities” in Chapter 4 of the Dell Dimension C System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide.
Press <Del> Key to Enter SETUP or F1 Key to Continue...	A system configuration error has been detected, or the hardware configuration does not match the settings in the system setup program.	Verify that the settings in the system setup program are correct.
Press <Del> to Turn Off NMI, or Any Key to Reboot	A nonmaskable interrupt (NMI) has occurred.	Press carat (^) to reject the NMI error, or press any other key to restart the system.
RAM Parity Error	One or more DIMMs may be faulty or improperly seated.	Reseat the DIMMs.
Real Time Clock Error	A real-time clock error has occurred.	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
System Management Memory Bad	One or more DIMMs may be faulty or improperly seated.	Reseat the DIMMs.
System Resource Conflict	Two devices in the system are attempting to use the same resource.	See “Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities” in Chapter 4 of the Dell Dimension C System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide.
NOTE: The Glossary defines abbreviations and acronyms.

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