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Basic Troubleshooting: Dell PowerEdge 1400 Systems Service Manual
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Basic Troubleshooting: Dell™ PowerEdge™ 1400 Systems
Service Manual
This section describes basic troubleshooting procedures that can help you diagnose a
computer system problem. These procedures can often reveal the source of a problem or
indicate the correct starting point for servicing the system. For a brief explanation of
how to load and start the system diagnostics, see " Running the Dell Diagnostics." For more information on the Dell Diagnostics, see the system Installation
and Troubleshooting Guide. Dell recommends that you perform the following procedures
in the order presented.
When you first contact a user who has a problem, ask the user to describe the problem
and the conditions under which it occurs. Ask whether the system was exposed to
water or another environmental hazard. After the user describes the problem, perform the
following steps:
- Ask the user to back up any data on the hard-disk drive if the
system’s condition permits. See the documentation that came with your operating
system for information about backing up data.
- Ask the user if they saw an alert message issued by the server management application.
Yes. Refer to the server management documentation for
information on the message.
No. Go to step 3.
- Ask the user to try to duplicate the problem by repeating the operations he or she was
performing at the time the problem occurred.
Can the user duplicate the problem?
Yes. Proceed to step 4.
No. Proceed to the next section, "External Visual Inspection."
Observe the user to determine if he or she is making an error, such
as typing an incorrect key combination or entering a command incorrectly.
Is the problem a result of user error?
Yes. Instruct the user in the proper procedure or direct the user to the
appropriate user documentation for the correct procedure.
No. Proceed to "External
Visual Inspection."
Improperly set switches and controls, and loose or improperly
connected cables are the most likely source of problems for the computer, monitor, or
other peripherals (such as a printer, keyboard, mouse, or other external equipment). A
quick check of all the switches, controls, and cable connections can easily solve
these problems. When you perform the visual inspection, see "System
Features" to identify components referenced in the inspection procedure.
The external visual inspection consists of a quick inspection of the exterior of the
computer, the monitor, the keyboard, any peripherals, and cables. While performing the
visual inspection, make any necessary corrections. To perform the external visual
inspection, perform the following steps:
- Turn off the computer, the monitor, and all peripherals.
- Verify that all power cables are properly connected to the computer, the monitor and
peripherals, and their power sources.
- Verify that the keyboard and mouse interface cables are firmly attached to the proper
connectors on the back of the computer.
For a PS/2-compatible mouse, the keyboard and mouse interface cable connectors are
identical except for their labels.
For a serial mouse, the mouse interface cable must be firmly attached to one of the serial
port connectors, and its captive screws must be secure enough to ensure a firm connection.
- Verify that network cables (if present) are properly attached.
- Verify that any devices attached to the serial and parallel port connectors are properly
connected.
Each of the serial and parallel port interface cables must be firmly attached to an
appropriate connector on the back of the computer as well as to the interface connector on
the device. The captive screws that secure these connectors at each end of the interface
cable must be secure enough to ensure a firm connection.
- Verify that the video interface cable is firmly attached to the video connector on the
back panel or to a video expansion card, and also to the connector on the back of the
monitor.
For proper connection of the video monitor, see the documentation for the
monitor.
- Inspect all external monitor controls for any obvious damage or improper settings. For
proper settings of the video monitor controls, see the documentation for the monitor.
- Inspect the keyboard to ensure that no keys are sticking.
If one or more keys are
sticking, it may be necessary to replace the keyboard.
- Inspect the exterior of the computer, including all controls and indicators, and all
user-accessible data storage devices for any signs of physical damage.
Does the inspection reveal any problems?
Yes. Proceed to the appropriate procedure in "Removing and Replacing Parts."
No. Proceed to "Observing the Boot Routine."
After you have performed an external visual inspection as described in the previous
section, you should boot the system and, while the boot routine is running, observe the
system for any indications of problems.
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NOTE: Most of the steps in this procedure require observation
of system functions and indications, some of which can occur simultaneously. It may be
necessary to reboot the system several times to complete all of these steps. |
To perform the following procedure, you need a Dell Diagnostics
diskette created from the Dell OpenManage™ Server Assistant CD.
If such a diskette is not available, you can create it as described in the system User’s
Guide.
To observe problem indications during the boot routine, perform the following steps:
- If the system is off, turn on
all peripherals and the computer. Insert the Dell Diagnostics diskette into the diskette
drive and reboot the system.
- Check the power supply fan.
Does the fan run normally?
Yes. Proceed to step 3.
No. If the AC power outlet the power cord is
connected to is OK, either the power cord or the power supply is faulty. If the power cord
checks good, go to "Power Supplies" in "Removing and Replacing
Parts."
- Watch the
Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock indicators on the upper-right corner of the keyboard.
After all three indicators flash momentarily, and following a long pause (approximately
30 seconds), the Num Lock indicator should light up and remain on (unless the Num
Lock option is set to Off in the System
Setup program).
Do these indicators flash on and off within approximately 10 seconds after the boot
routine starts?
Yes. Proceed to step 4.
No. Troubleshoot the system power supply. Go to "Power Supplies" in "Removing and Replacing Parts." If
the troubleshooting procedure indicates that the system power supply is operational,
troubleshoot the memory. Go to "Memory Modules" in "Removing and Replacing Parts."
- During the boot routine, observe the system for any of the following
indications:
- Beep codes — A beep code is a series of beeps that
indicates an error condition. See "System Beep
Codes."
- System error messages — These messages can indicate problems or
provide status information. If a system error message appears, see "System Messages."
- Diskette drive and hard-disk drive access
indicators — These indicators light up in response to data being transferred to or
from the drives. If either of these indicators fails to light up during the boot routine,
proceed to the appropriate procedure in "Removing and Replacing Parts."
- Observe the monitor screen for the Diagnostics menu.
Does the Diagnostics menu appear?
Yes. See "Running the Dell Diagnostics."
No. Proceed to step 6.
- Insert another copy of the Dell Diagnostics diskette
into the diskette drive, and reboot the system.
Does the Diagnostics menu appear?
Yes. See "Running the Dell Diagnostics."
No. Proceed to "Internal Visual Inspection."
NOTICE: Before you proceed with the internal visual
inspection described in this section, ensure that the user has saved all open files and
exited all open application programs, if possible.
A simple visual inspection of a computer’s interior hardware can often lead to the
source of a problem, such as a loose expansion card, cable connector, or mounting screw.
When you perform the visual inspection, see " System Features" to identify components
referenced in the inspection procedure.
To perform the internal visual inspection, perform the following steps:
- Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect
them from their electrical outlets.
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WARNING: Before beginning
to work inside the computer, disconnect the computer from the power source. |
- Remove the computer
cover.
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WARNING: The microprocessor
and heat sink assembly can get extremely hot during system operations. Be sure that it has
had sufficient time to cool before touching it. |
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WARNING: When handling the microprocessor and
heat sink assembly, take care to avoid sharp edges on the heat sink. |
- Verify that the chips, memory modules, expansion cards, and microprocessor heat sink assembly or assemblies are
fully seated in their sockets or connectors:
- To remove and reseat a microprocessor and heat sink assembly,
perform the steps described in "Microprocessor."
- To remove and reseat a memory module, perform the steps described in
"Memory Modules."
- If you need to remove and reseat an
expansion card, remove the card as described in "Expansion Cards," and carefully reinsert the card in its
connector until fully seated.
- Verify that all jumpers are set correctly.
For information about jumper settings, see "System Board Jumpers."
- Check all cable connectors inside the computer to verify that they
are firmly attached to their appropriate connectors.
- Install the computer cover.
- Reconnect the computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets,
and turn them on.
Does the problem appear to be resolved?
Yes. No further steps are necessary.
No. Proceed to "Getting Help."
The Dell Diagnostics contains tests that aid in troubleshooting all major components of
the computer system. Whenever a major component or device in the computer system does not
function properly, you may have a component failure that can be analyzed by the diagnostic
tests. You should also run the Dell Diagnostics immediately after you perform an upgrade
or replace a system component, and select the appropriate diagnostic device group(s) or
subtest(s).
You can run the Dell Diagnostics from either the utility partition on your hard-disk
drive or from a set of diskettes that you created from the Dell OpenManage Server
Assistant CD as described in the system User’s Guide. You can also
download the latest version of the Dell Diagnostics from the support.dell.com
Web site.
To start the Dell Diagnostics, insert the Dell Diagnostics diskette into the
diskette drive, and then reboot the system.
Starting the diagnostics causes the Dell logo screen to appear on the monitor, followed
by a message indicating that the diagnostics is loading. Before the diagnostics loads, a
program tests the portion of main memory (RAM) required for loading the diagnostics. If a
RAM error is detected, a message telling you which memory module has failed appears on the
screen.
If no errors are found in RAM, the diagnostics loads and the Diagnostics
menu appears. This menu lets you choose the following options or exit the Dell
Diagnostics:
- Run All Tests — Runs all tests for a thorough
check of the system
- Run Quick Tests — Runs selected tests from all
test groups to quickly identify a failure or to indicate where further testing is needed
to isolate a failure
- Run Specific Tests — Tests a particular area or
subsystem
See "Running the Dell Diagnostics" in the system Installation and
Troubleshooting Guide for specific information about the Dell Diagnostics.
If none of the troubleshooting procedures in this file or the tests
in the Dell Diagnostics reveal the source of
the problem or lead to the proper troubleshooting steps for determining the source of the
problem, refer to the Support site at http://support.dell.com
or call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions on contacting Dell, see
"Getting Help" in the system Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.
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