User Guide

Messages, Codes, and Indicators: Dell PowerEdge 1400 Systems Service Manual

Messages, Codes, and Indicators: Dell™ PowerEdge™ 1400 Systems Service Manual

	Overview		Warning Messages
	System Beep Codes		Diagnostics Messages
	System Messages		Alert Messages From the Dell OpenManage Server Agent

Overview

This file describes system beep codes and system error messages that can occur during system start-up or, in the case of some failures, during normal system operation. The tables in this file list faults that can cause a beep code or system error message to occur and the probable causes of the fault in each case.

If a faulty system does not emit beep codes or display system error messages to indicate a failure, you should run the appropriate tests in the Dell Diagnostics to help isolate the source of the problem. See "Running the Dell Diagnostics" in the system's Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.

System Beep Codes

If the monitor cannot display error messages during the power-on self-test (POST), the system may emit a series of beeps that identifies the problem or that can help you identify a faulty component or assembly. Table 1 lists the beep codes that may be generated during the POST. Most beep codes indicate an error that may prevent the system from completing the boot routine until the indicated condition is corrected. If the table does not lead to the source of the problem, run the appropriate tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide) to assist in troubleshooting the problem.

Table 1. System Beep Codes

Beep Code	Error	Corrective Action
1-1-3	NVRAM write/read failure	Replace the system board.
1-1-4	BIOS checksum failure	Reflash the BIOS firmware. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
1-2-1	Programmable interval-timer failure	Replace the system board.
1-2-2	DMA initialization failure
1-2-3	DMA page register write/read failure
1-3-1	Main-memory refresh verification failure	Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
1-3-2	No 133-MHz DIMM installed
1-3-3	Chip or data line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
1-3-4	Odd/even logic failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
1-4-1	Address line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
1-4-2	Parity failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
2-1-1 through 2-4-4	Bit failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
3-1-1	Slave DMA-register failure	Replace the system board.
3-1-2	Master DMA-register failure
3-1-3	Master interrupt-mask register failure
3-1-4	Slave interrupt-mask register failure
3-2-4	Keyboard-controller test failure	Check the keyboard cable and connector for proper connection. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
3-3-4	Screen initialization failure	Faulty video subsystem (defective graphics adapter card). Run the Video test group in the Dell Diagnostics.
3-4-1	Screen re-trace test failure
3-4-2	Search for video ROM failure
4-2-1	No timer tick	Replace the system board.
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	Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
4-3-3	Timer-chip counter 2 failure	Replace the system board.
4-3-4	Time-of-day clock stopped	Replace the battery. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
4-4-1	Serial/parallel port test failure	Replace the system board.

System Messages

Table 2 lists (in alphabetical order) system messages that can appear on the monitor screen and gives the meaning and corrective action to take.

Table 2. System Messages

Message	Cause	Corrective Action
Address mark not found	BIOS found faulty disk sector or could not find particular disk sector.	Check the disk interface cable and connector for a proper connection. If the problem persists, replace the cable. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Attachment failed to respond	Diskette drive or hard-disk drive controller cannot send data to associated drive.
Alert! Cover was previously removed.	Cover was previously removed.	Reset the chassis intrusion detector.
Alert! Hard disk drive thermal probe failure detected.	Hard-disk drive thermal probe has failed.	No hard-disk drive thermal probe installed, defective thermal probe, or thermal cable not connected to the control panel or is faulty. Check the thermal probe cable connection, and add or replace the probe assembly.
Alert! Maximum memory size exceeded.	System detected that more than 2 GB of memory are installed in the system.	Remove one or more memory modules so that the maximum memory size is no greater than 2 GB.
Alert! Power supply fan failure detected.	Power supply fan has failed.	Replace the power supply. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Alert! Previous fan failure.	System fan failed during the previous operating session.	Ensure the fan cable is connected and that a fan is installed. Reconnect the fan cable or replace the fan.
Alert! Previous hard-disk drive thermal failure.	The hard-disk drive thermal probe failed during the previous operating session.	Ensure the thermal probe is correctly connected to the control panel. If failure persists, replace the thermal probe.
Alert! Previous processor thermal failure.	The microprocessor exceeded its recommended operating temperature	Operating environment is too hot. Check for blocked system vents, missing cooling shroud, or faulty or disconnected fan.
Alert! Previous secondary system fan failure.	System fan failed during the previous operating session.	Check for blocked system vents, missing cooling shroud, or faulty or disconnected fan.
Alert! Previous voltage failure.	System voltage exceeded or fell below an acceptable threshold.	Replace the power supply.
Alert! Primary processor is out of rev.	System detected that the primary processor is not the correct revision. If the system contains more than 2 GB of RAM this message will be followed by a System Halted message. Indicates a fatal error.	Replace the microprocessor with a Dell-supported microprocessor.
Alert! Processor thermal probe failure detected.	Microprocessor or system board has failed.	Replace the microprocessor. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Alert! Secondary processor is out of rev.	System detected that the secondary processor is not the correct revision. If the system contains more than 2 GB of RAM this message will be followed by a System Halted message. Indicates a fatal error.	Replace microprocessor with a Dell-supported microprocessor.
Alert! Secondary system fan was not detected.	Secondary system fan (in front of the expansion card guide) was not detected.	Reseat fan power cable. If problem persists, replace the expansion card fan.
Alert! Single-bit memory error previously detected in XXXXh.	Single-bit ECC error was detected during the previous operating session.	Reseat or replace one or more memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Alert! System fan was not detected.	System fan was not detected.	Check that the fan cable is properly installed and connected. If the cable is connected, replace the fan.
Alert! Uncorrectable memory error previously detected in XXXXh.	Multibit ECC error was detected during the previous operating session.	reseat or replace one or more memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Alert! Unsupported memory in DIMM slot(s) xxx	System detected that one or more of the memory modules are not the correct revision	Replace the unsupported memory modules with Dell-supported memory modules.
Auxiliary Device failure. Verify that mouse and keyboard are securely attached to connectors.	System detected a mouse failure.	Ensure a mouse is connected to the mouse connector. If the failure persists, replace the system board.
Bad command or file name	Command entered does not exist, is faulty, or is not in pathname specified.	Correct the command or pathname and re-enter the command.
Bad error-correction code (ECC) on disk read	Diskette drive or hard-disk drive controller detected an uncorrectable read error. Indicates a fatal error.	Replace the system board.
Boot: Couldn't find NTLDR	A nonbootable diskette formatted with Microsoft® Windows NT® was detected in the diskette drive.	Remove the diskette from the diskette drive and allow the system to boot from the hard-disk drive or, replace the diskette with a bootable Windows NT diskette.
Controller has failed	Hard-disk drive or associated controller is defective. Indicates a fatal error.	Ensure the CMOS settings for the installed hard-disk drives are correct. If CMOS disk settings are correct, replace the hard-disk drive. If failure still occurs, replace the system board.
Data error	System received unrecoverable data-read error from diskette or hard-disk drive. Indicates a fatal error.	Replace the diskette drive or hard-disk drive.
Decreasing available memory	Read/write failure during POST prevents system from using available memory.	Reseat or replace one or more memory modules.
Diskette drive 0 seek failure	Diskette/tape drive controller could not locate specific sector or track.	Replace the diskette drive or tape drive. Ensure settings for diskette drive or tape drive are correct in the System Setup program. Check drive interface and power cables.
Diskette drive 1 seek failure
Diskette read failure	Failure occurred while system attempted to read diskette.	Replace the diskette. Ensure the diskette interface cables are properly connected and that the power cable is attached. Replace the diskette drive.
Diskette subsystem reset failed	System could not successfully issue reset command to diskette controller.	Replace the system board.
Diskette write protected	Diskette write-protect feature was activated.	Close the diskette write-protect sliding tab.
Drive not ready	Diskette is missing from or is improperly inserted in diskette drive.	Ensure the diskette is properly inserted in the drive. Examine and correct disk configuration settings in System Setup program. Run chkdsk or another disk verification utility to ensure the diskette is formatted and not defective.
ECC memory error	Uncorrectable multibit ECC memory error is detected. Indicates a fatal error.	Reseat or replace all memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Gate A20 failure	Gate A20 of the keyboard controller malfunctioned. Indicates a fatal error.	Replace the system board.
General failure	Operating system cannot execute command.	Reinstall the operating system.
Hard disk controller failure	Hard-disk drive failed to initialize. Indicates a fatal error.	Examine and correct disk configuration settings in System Setup program. Check the drive power and interface cables to ensure they are properly connected. Replace the system board.
Hard disk drive read failure
Hard disk failure
Invalid configuration information - please run SETUP program	System Setup program contains incorrect system configuration settings.	Examine and verify the configuration settings in the System Setup program. Replace the battery and reconfigure using the System Setup program.
Keyboard clock line failure	System cannot communicate with keyboard. Indicates a fatal error.	Check the keyboard cable for a proper connection. Replace the system board.
Keyboard failure
Keyboard data line failure
Keyboard stuck key failure
Keyboard controller failure	Keyboard/mouse controller failed. Indicates a fatal error.	Replace the system board.
Memory address line failure at address, read value expecting value	During memory test, value read at address was incorrect.	Reseat or replace one or more memory modules. If problem persists, replace the system board.
Memory data line failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory double word logic failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory odd/even logic failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory write/read failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory allocation error	Software in use conflicts with operating system, application program, or utility.	Contact the application vendor for technical support.
Memory tests terminated by keystroke	Memory test did not complete.	No action required. The POST memory tests were terminated by the user by pressing <Spacebar>.
No boot device available	System does not recognize diskette drive or hard-disk drive from which it is trying to boot.	If booting from a diskette, ensure a bootable diskette is in the diskette drive. If booting from a hard-disk drive, replace the hard-disk drive. If problem persists, replace the system board.
No boot sector on hard-disk drive	Incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program, or corrupted operating system.	Verify the System Setup information is correct. Install an operating system on the hard-disk drive.
No timer tick interrupt	Timer on system board is malfunctioning. Indicates a fatal error.	Replace the system board.
Non-system disk or disk error	Diskette in drive A or hard-disk drive does not have bootable operating system installed on it.	Ensure the diskette is a bootable diskette. If booting from a hard-disk drive, ensure the hard-disk drive is formatted and contains an operating system. Replace the system board.
Not a boot diskette	No operating system on diskette.	Replace the diskette with a bootable diskette.
Read fault	The MS-DOS® operating system cannot read from diskette or hard-disk drive.	Repair (chkdsk), reformat, or replace the disk or diskette. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Requested sector not found	System could not find particular sector on disk, or requested sector is defective.
Reset failed	Disk reset operation failed.	Check the diskette, tape, or hard-disk interface and power cables for a proper connection.
Sector not found	MS-DOS is unable to locate sector on diskette or hard-disk drive.	Repair (chkdsk), reformat, or replace the diskette drive or hard-disk drive.
Seek error	MS-DOS is unable to locate specific track on diskette or hard-disk drive.	Replace the diskette drive or hard-disk drive.
Seek operation failed	System could not find particular address mark on disk.	Replace the diskette drive or hard-disk drive.
Shutdown failure	System board chip is faulty. Indicates a fatal error.	Replace the system board.
System halted	System locked up because the processor is not the correct revision.	Ensure at least 512 MB of RAM is installed. Replace the microprocessor with a Dell-supported microprocessor.
Time-of-day clock stopped	System battery is low.	Replace the battery. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Time-of-day not set	Time or Date settings in System Setup program are incorrect, or the system battery does not work.	Set the date and time. Replace the battery.
Timer chip counter 2 failed	Timer circuit on system board is malfunctioning. Indicates a fatal error.	Replace the system board.
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	Keyboard/mouse controller malfunctioning. Indicates a fatal error.	Reseat memory modules and keyboard and mouse cables. If problem persists, replace the system board.
Write fault	MS-DOS cannot write to diskette or hard-disk drive.	Replace the diskette drive or hard-disk drive.
Write fault on selected drive	MS-DOS cannot write to diskette or hard-disk drive.	Replace the diskette drive or hard-disk drive.

Warning Messages

A warning message is generated by an application program or by the operating system. Such warning messages alert you to a possible problem and ask you to take corrective action before the system continues with a task. For example, before you format a diskette, a message may warn you that you may lose all data on the diskette as a way to protect against inadvertently erasing or writing over the data. These warning messages usually interrupt the procedure and require that you respond by typing y (yes) or n (no).

Diagnostics Messages

When you run a test group or subtest in the Dell Diagnostics, an error message may result. These particular error messages are not covered on this page. If you cannot resolve the meaning of the diagnostics message, copy the information and see the chapter on "Getting Help" in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.

Alert Messages From the Dell OpenManage Server Agent

The optional Dell OpenManage Server Agent server-management application program generates alert messages that appear in the SNMP trap log file. To see the trap log, select any enterprise under the SNMP trap log icon.

More information about the Alert Log window and options is provided in the Dell OpenManage Server Agent documentation.

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