CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in this section and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.
NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.
NOTE: The ResourceCD is optional and may not ship with your computer.
Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the Dell Dimension ResourceCD.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately. Select Diagnostics from the boot
menu and press <Enter>.
NOTE: 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.
Press and hold the <Fn> key while powering the computer on.
NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell Diagnostics from the ResourceCD.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the ResourceCD
Insert the ResourceCD.
Shut down and restart the computer.
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.
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.
When the boot device list appears, highlight IDE CD-ROM Device and press <Enter>.
Select the Boot from CD-ROM option from the menu that appears and press <Enter>.
Type 1 to start the ResourceCD menu and press <Enter> to proceed.
Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list. If multiple versions are listed, select
the version appropriate for your computer.
When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the MainMenu screen appears, click the button for the option
you want.
Option
Function
Express Test
Performs a quick test of devices. This test typically takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your part. Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of tracing the problem quickly.
Extended Test
Performs a thorough check of devices. This test typically takes 1 hour or more and requires you to answer questions periodically.
Custom Test
Tests a specific device. You can customize the tests you want to run.
Symptom Tree
Lists the most common symptoms encountered and allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the problem you are having.
If a problem is encountered during a test, a message appears with an error code and a description of the
problem. Write down the error code and problem description and follow the instructions on the
screen.
If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell.
NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen. If you contact Dell, technical support will ask for your Service Tag.
If you run a test from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option, click the applicable tab described in
the following table for more information.
Tab
Function
Results
Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered.
Errors
Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and the problem description.
Help
Describes the test and may indicate requirements for running the test.
Configuration
Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device.
The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all devices from system setup, memory, and various internal tests, and it displays the information in the device list in the left pane of the screen. The device list may not display the names of all the components installed on your computer or all devices attached to your computer.
Parameters
Allows you to customize the test by changing the test settings.
When the tests are completed, if you are running the Dell Diagnostics from the ResourceCD, remove
the CD.
Close the test screen to return to the MainMenu screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the
computer, close the MainMenu screen.
System Lights
Your power button light and hard-drive light may indicate a computer problem.
Power Light
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
Solid green
Power is on, and the computer is operating normally. On the desktop computer, a solid green light indicates a network connection.
No corrective action is required.
Blinking green
The computer is in the suspended state (Microsoft® Windows® 2000 and Windows XP).
Press the power button, move the mouse, or press a key on the keyboard to wake the computer.
Blinks green several times and then turns off
A configuration error exists.
Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
Solid yellow
The Dell Diagnostics is running a test, or a device on the system board may be faulty or incorrectly installed.
If the Dell Diagnostics is running, allow the testing to complete.
Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
If the computer does not boot, contact Dell for technical assistance.
Blinking yellow
A power supply or system board failure has occurred.
Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
Solid green and a beep code during POST
A problem was detected while the BIOS was executing.
See "Beep Codes" for instructions on diagnosing the beep code. Also, check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
Solid green power light and no beep code and no video during POST
The monitor or the graphics card may be faulty or incorrectly installed.
Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified. See "Video and Monitor Problems" in your Owner's Manual.
Solid green power light and no beep code but the computer locks up during POST
An integrated system board device may be faulty.
Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified. If the problem is not identified, contact Dell for technical assistance.
Diagnostic Lights
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
Your computer has four lights labeled "1," "2," "3," and "4" on the front panel to help you troubleshoot problems. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, all four lights display solid green and then turn off. If the computer malfunctions, the color and sequence of the lights identify the problem
Light Pattern
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
The computer is in a normal "off" condition or a possible pre-BIOS failure has occurred.
The diagnostic lights turn off after the system successfully boots to the operating system.
NOTE: If all of the diagnostic lights are off and the system does not start, there may be a problem with the power supply or with the processor.
Plug the computer into a working electrical outlet
A processor failure was detected.
Contact Dell
Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred.
If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module (see Installing Memory), and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error.
If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see Installing Memory).
If the problem persists, contact Dell.
A possible graphics failure has occurred.
If the problem persists, contact Dell.
A possible floppy drive or hard drive failure has occurred.
Reseat all power and data cables and restart the computer.
A possible USB failure has occurred.
Reinstall all USB devices, check cable connections, and then restart the computer.
No memory modules are detected.
If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module (see Installing Memory), and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error.
If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see Installing Memory).
If the problem persists, contact Dell.
Memory modules are detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error exists.
Ensure that no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements exist (see Installing Memory).
Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your computer (see Specifications).
If the problem persists, contact Dell.
A possible expansion card failure has occurred.
Determine whether a conflict exists by removing a card and restarting the computer (see Cards).
If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card, and then restart the computer.
Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see page 28).
If the problem persists, contact Dell.
Another failure has occurred.
Ensure that the cables are properly connected to the system board from the hard drive and CD/DVD drive (see System Board Components).
If there is an error message on your screen identifying a problem with a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive), check the device to ensure that it is functioning properly.
The operating system is attempting to boot from a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive); check system setup (see the Owner's Manual) to make sure the boot sequence is correct for the devices installed on your computer.
If the problem persists, contact Dell.
During normal operation, all of the diagnostic lights turn on and then turn off before the system starts.
NOTE: If all of the diagnostic lights are on and the system does not start, there may be a problem with the power supply or with the processor.
If the system does not start, plug the computer into a working electrical outlet.
If there are no power problems and the system does not start, contact Dell.
Light Pattern
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
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 your computer beeps during start-up:
Write down the beep codes.
Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause.
