To perform certain procedures in this document, you must remove the system cover and work inside the system. While working inside the system, do not attempt to service the system except as explained in this guide and elsewhere in your system documentation.
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
Start-Up Routine
Look and listen during the system's start-up routine for the indications described in Table 1-1.
Table 4-1. Start-Up Routine Indications
Look/listen for:
Action
A status or error message displayed on the front-panel LCD.
This section provides troubleshooting procedures for external devices attached to the system, such as the monitor, keyboard, or mouse. Before you perform any of the procedures, see Troubleshooting External Connections.
Troubleshooting IRQ Assignment Conflicts
Most PCI devices can share an IRQ with another device, but they cannot use an IRQ simultaneously. To avoid this type of conflict, see the documentation for each PCI device for specific IRQ requirements. Table 4-2 lists the IRQ assignments.
Table 4-2. IRQ Assignment Defaults
IRQ Line
Assignment
IRQ0
System timer
IRQ1
Keyboard controller
IRQ2
Interrupt controller 1 to enable IRQ8 through IRQ15
IRQ3
Available
IRQ4
Serial port 1 (COM1 and COM3)
IRQ5
Remote access controller
IRQ6
Reserved
IRQ7
Reserved
IRQ8
Real-time clock
IRQ9
ACPI functions (used for power management)
IRQ10
Available
IRQ11
Available
IRQ12
Available
IRQ13
Math coprocessor
IRQ14
IDE CD drive controller
IRQ15
Available
Troubleshooting External Connections
Loose or improperly connected cables are the most likely source of problems for the system, monitor, and other peripherals (such as a printer, keyboard, mouse, or other external device). Ensure that all external cables are securely attached to the external connectors on your system. See Front-Panel Features and Indicators and Back-Panel Features and Indicators for the front- and back-panel connectors on your system.
Troubleshooting the Video Subsystem
Problem
Monitor is not working properly.
Video memory is faulty.
Action
Check the system and power connections to the monitor.
Determine whether the system has an expansion card with a video output connector.
In this system configuration, the monitor cable should normally be connected to the connector on the expansion card, not to the system's integrated video connector.
To verify that the monitor is connected to the correct video connector, turn off the system and wait for 1 minute, then connect the monitor to the other video connector and turn the system on again.
Determine whether the system has monitors attached to both the front and rear video connectors.
The system supports only one monitor attached to either the front or rear video connector. When a monitor is connected to the front panel, the back-panel video connector is disabled.
If two monitors are attached to the system, disconnect one monitor. If the problem is not resolved, continue to the next step.
Error message indicates a problem with a serial port.
Device connected to a serial port is not operating properly.
Action
Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the serial port is enabled, and the serial port/COM
ports are configured appropriately for any applications you are using. See Using the System Setup
Program.
If the problem is confined to a particular application, see the application documentation for specific
port configuration requirements that the program may require.
Ensure that the NICs, hubs, and switches on the network are all set to the same data transmission
speed. See the network equipment documentation.
Ensure that all network cables are of the proper type and do not exceed the maximum length. See
Network Cable Requirements in your Getting Started Guide.
Troubleshooting a Wet System
Problem
Liquid spilled on the system.
Excessive humidity.
Action
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
System message indicates a problem with the battery.
System Setup program loses system configuration information.
System date and time do not remain current.
NOTE: If the system is turned off for long periods of time (for weeks or months), the NVRAM may lose its system configuration information. This situation is caused by a defective battery.
Turn off the system and disconnect it from the electrical outlet for at least one hour.
Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet and turn on the system.
Enter the System Setup program.
If the date and time are not correct in the System Setup program, replace the battery. See System Battery.
If the problem is not resolved by replacing the battery, see Getting Help.
NOTE: Some software may cause the system time to speed up or slow down. If the system seems to operate normally except for the time kept in the System Setup program, the problem may be caused by software rather than by a defective battery.
Troubleshooting Power Supplies
Problem
System-status indicators are amber.
Power-supply fault indicators are amber.
Front-panel status LCD indicates a problem with the power supplies.
Action
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
NOTICE: You can hot-plug the power supplies. One power supply must be installed for the system to operate. The
system is in the redundant mode when two power supplies are installed. Remove and install only one power supply
at a time in a system that is powered on. Operating the system for extended periods of time with only one power
supply installed, without a power supply blank installed, can cause the system to overheat.
Ensure that the power supply is properly installed by removing and reinstalling it. See Power Supplies.
NOTE: After installing a power supply, allow several seconds for the system to recognize the power supply and to determine if it is working properly. The power indicator turns green to signify that the power supply is functioning properly. See Power Indicator Codes.
Systems management software issues a fan-related error message.
Display module LCD indicates a problem with the fan.
Action
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
CAUTION: The cooling fans are not hot-pluggable. To maintain proper cooling while the system is on, only replace one fan at a time.
Locate the faulty fan indicated by the LCD display or diagnostic software. For the identification
number of each fan, see Removing and Installing a Cooling Fan.
Ensure that the faulty fan's power cable is firmly attached to the fan power connector. See Cooling Fan
Modules.
NOTE: Wait 30 seconds for the system to recognize the fan and determine whether it is working properly.
If the replacement fan does not operate, see Getting Help.
Troubleshooting System Memory
Problem
Faulty memory module.
Faulty system board.
Front-panel status LCD indicates a problem with system memory.
Action
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
System cannot read data from a CD or DVD in an optical drive.
Optical drive indicator does not blink during boot.
NOTE: DVD devices are data only.
Action
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
Try using a different CD or DVD that you know works properly.
Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the drive's IDE controller is enabled. See Using the
System Setup Program.
One or more hard drives not recognized by the system.
Action
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
NOTICE: This troubleshooting procedure can destroy data stored on the hard drive. Before you proceed, back up
all files on the hard drive.
If you are experiencing problems with multiple hard drives, skip to step 8. For a problem with a single
hard drive, continue to the next step.
Turn off your system, reseat the hard drive, and restart the system.
If your system has a SAS RAID controller daughter card, perform the following steps.
Restart the system and press <Ctrl><R> to enter the host adapter configuration utility program.
See the documentation supplied with the host adapter for information about the configuration utility.
Ensure that the hard drive has been configured correctly for the RAID.
Exit the configuration utility and allow the system to boot to the operating system.
Ensure that the required device drivers for your controller daughter card are installed and are
configured correctly. See the operating system documentation for more information.
NOTICE: Do not perform the following step if you have a SAS RAID controller daughter card.
If you have the non-RAID SAS controller daughter card, remove the hard drive and swap its drive bay
location with another hard drive that is functioning properly.
If the hard drive functions properly in the original bay, the drive carrier could have intermittent problems. Replace the hard-drive carrier. See Getting Help.
If the hard drive functioned properly in another bay but does not function in the original bay, the SAS backplane has a defective connector. See Getting Help.
Check the cable connections inside the system:
Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the
electrical outlet.
Troubleshooting a SAS or SAS RAID Controller Daughter Card
NOTE: When troubleshooting a SAS or SAS RAID controller daughter card, also see the documentation for your operating system and the controller daughter card.
Problem
Error message indicates a problem with the SAS or SAS RAID controller daughter card.
SAS or SAS RAID controller daughter card performs incorrectly or not at all.
Action
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals. If the
problem persists, proceed as follows:
If you have a SAS controller daughter card, see Getting Help.
If you have a SAS RAID controller daughter card, replace the SAS RAID daughter card battery. See Installing a RAID Battery. If replacing the battery does not solve the problem, see Getting Help.
Troubleshooting Expansion Cards
NOTE: When troubleshooting an expansion card, see the documentation for your operating system and the expansion card.
Problem
Error message indicates a problem with an expansion card.
Expansion card performs incorrectly or not at all.
Action
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
Front-panel status LCD indicates a problem with the processors or system board.
A heat sink is not installed for each processor.
Action
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
