Application programs, operating systems, and the system itself are capable of identifying problems and alerting you to them. When a problem occurs, a message may appear on the monitor screen or a beep code may sound.
Several different types of messages can indicate when the system is not functioning properly:
This section describes each type of message and lists the possible causes and actions you can take to resolve any problems indicated by a message. To determine what type of message you have received, read the following sections.
System messages alert you to a possible operating system problem or to a conflict between the software and hardware. Table 3-1 lists the system error messages that can occur and the probable cause for each message.
|
Message |
Cause |
Corrective Action |
|
Address mark not found |
Faulty diskette drive subsystem or hard-disk drive subsystem (defective system board) |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Alert! Single-bit memory
error previously detected
in xxxx xxxxh |
Improperly seated or faulty memory modules |
Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Alert! Unsupported memory
in DIMM slot(s) |
Unsupported memory module(s) installed in specified slot(s) |
Replace one or more memory modules so that all memory modules are the same type. |
|
Alert! Uncorrectable
memory error previously
detected in xxxx xxxxh |
Improperly seated or faulty memory modules |
Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Attachment failed to
respond |
Diskette drive or hard-disk drive controller cannot send data to associated drive |
Replace the drive. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Auxiliary device failure |
Mouse cable connector loose or improperly connected, or defective mouse |
Check the mouse cable connection. If the problem persists, replace the mouse. |
|
Bad error-correction
code(ECC) on disk read
Controller has failed |
Faulty diskette drive subsystem or hard-disk drive subsystem (defective system board) |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
CD-ROM drive not found |
Improperly connected CD-ROM drive |
Check that the diskette drive/CD-ROM drive unit is seated properly against the interposer board on the peripheral cage. See "Installing a Drive in the Peripheral Bay." Replace the drive. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
CPUs with different
level 2 cache sizes
detected |
Two different types of microprocessors are installed |
Install a correct version of the microprocessor so that both micro-processors have the same level 2 cache size. |
|
Data error |
Faulty diskette, diskette drive, or hard-disk drive |
Replace the diskette, diskette drive, or hard-disk drive. |
|
Decreasing available
memory |
One or more memory modules improperly seated or faulty |
Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Diskette drive 0 seek failure |
Faulty or improperly inserted diskette, incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program, loose diskette drive interface cable, or loose power cable |
Replace the diskette. Run the System Setup program to correct the diskette drive type. See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions. Check that the diskette drive/CD-ROM drive unit is seated properly against the interposer board on the peripheral cage. See "Installing a Drive in the Peripheral Bay." |
|
Diskette read failure |
Faulty diskette, faulty or improperly connected diskette drive, or loose power cable |
Check that the diskette drive/CD-ROM drive unit is seated properly against the interposer board on the peripheral cage. See "Installing a Drive in the Peripheral Bay." |
|
Diskette subsystem reset failed |
Faulty diskette drive controller (defective system board) |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Diskette write protected |
Diskette write-protect feature activated |
Move the write-protect tab on the diskette. |
|
Drive not ready |
Diskette missing from or improperly inserted in diskette drive |
Reinsert or replace the diskette. |
|
Embedded server
management error
Embedded server
management is not present |
Embedded server management memory may be temporarily corrupted |
Shut down the system to clear the memory, and then restart the system. If the problem persists, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Gate A20 failure |
Faulty keyboard controller (defective system board) |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
General failure |
Operating system corrupted or not installed properly |
Reinstall the operating system. |
|
Hard disk controller
failure |
Incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program, improperly connected hard-disk drive, faulty hard-disk drive controller subsystem (defective system board), or loose power cable |
Check the hard-disk drive configuration settings in the System Setup program. See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions. Reinstall the hard-disk drive. Check the interface cable and power cable connections to the backplane board. See "Installing Hard-Disk Drives." |
|
Invalid configuration information - please run SETUP program |
Incorrect ISA_CLR jumper configuration, incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program, or faulty battery |
Remove the plug from the ISA_CLR jumper. See "Jumpers, Switches, and Connectors" for instructions. Check the System Setup configuration settings. See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions. Replace the battery. See "Installing System Board Options." |
|
Invalid CPU speed detected |
Microprocessor not supported by system |
Install a correct version of the microprocessor in the specified microprocessor connector. |
|
Invalid NVRAM configuration, resource reallocated |
System detected and corrected a resource conflict when system resources were allocated using the Resource Configuration Utility |
No action is required. |
|
I/O parity interrupt at address |
Expansion card improperly installed or faulty |
Reinstall the expansion card. See "Installing System Board Options." If the problem persists, replace the expansion card. |
|
Keyboard failure |
Keyboard cable connector loose or improperly connected, defective keyboard, or defective keyboard/mouse controller (defective system board) |
Check the keyboard cable connection. Replace the keyboard. If the problem persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Keyboard controller failure |
Defective keyboard/mouse controller (defective system board) |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Keyboard data line failure
Keyboard stuck key failure |
Keyboard cable connector loose or improperly connected, defective keyboard, or defective keyboard/mouse controller (defective system board) |
Check the keyboard cable connection. Replace the keyboard. If the problem persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Memory address 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 |
Faulty or improperly seated memory modules or defective system board |
Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Memory allocation error |
Faulty application program |
Restart the application program. |
|
Memory parity interrupt at
address |
Improperly seated or faulty memory modules |
Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Memory tests terminated by
keystroke |
POST memory test terminated by pressing the spacebar |
No action is required. |
|
No boot device available |
Faulty diskette, diskette drive subsystem, CD-ROM drive, hard-disk drive, or hard-disk drive subsystem, or no boot disk in drive A |
Replace the diskette drive, CD-ROM, or hard-disk drive. If the problem persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
No boot sector on hard-
disk drive |
Incorrect configuration settings in the System Setup program |
Check the hard-disk drive configuration settings in the System Setup program. See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions. |
|
No timer tick interrupt |
Defective system board |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Non-system disk or disk
error |
Faulty diskette, diskette drive subsystem, or hard-disk drive subsystem |
Replace the diskette, CD-ROM, or hard-disk drive. If the problem persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Not a boot diskette |
No operating system on diskette |
Use a bootable diskette. |
|
Processor with different
speed detected |
The microprocessors have different speeds |
Install a microprocessor with the same speed. |
|
Processor in socket 1 not
installed! |
No microprocessor is installed in the primary socket |
Remove the microprocessor from the secondary socket and install it in the primary socket |
|
Read fault
Requested sector not found |
Faulty diskette, diskette/CD-ROM drive subsystem, or hard-disk drive subsystem (defective system board) |
Replace the diskette, CD-ROM, or hard-disk drive. If the problem persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Reset failed |
Improperly connected diskette drive, CD-ROM drive, hard-disk drive, or power cable |
Check that the diskette drive/CD-ROM drive unit is seated properly against the interposer board on the peripheral cage. See "Installing a Drive in the Peripheral Bay." Reinstall the hard-disk drive. Check the interface cable and power cable connections to the backplane board. See "Installing Hard-Disk Drives." |
|
ROM bad checksum = address |
Expansion card improperly installed or faulty |
Reinstall the expansion card. See "Installing System Board Options." If the problem persists, replace the expansion card. |
|
Sector not found |
Defective sectors on diskette or hard-disk drive |
Replace the diskette or hard-disk drive. |
|
Seek error |
Defective sectors on diskette or hard-disk drive |
Replace the diskette or hard-disk drive. |
|
Seek operation failed |
Faulty diskette or hard-disk drive |
Replace the diskette or hard-disk drive. |
|
Shutdown failure |
Defective system board |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
System backplane cable
error |
Improperly attached interface cables |
Check the primary and secondary SCSI interface cable connections to the backplane board. See "Installing Hard-Disk Drives." |
|
System backplane error |
Improperly attached or missing backplane |
Check the interface cable connections to the backplane board. See "Installing Hard-Disk Drives." |
|
Time-of-day clock stopped |
Defective battery or faulty chip (defective system board) |
Replace the system battery. If the problem persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Time-of-day not set -
please run SETUP program |
Incorrect Time or Date settings or defective system battery |
Check the Time and Date settings. See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions. If the problem persists, replace the system battery. If the problem still persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Timer chip counter 2
failed |
Defective system board |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Unexpected interrupt in
protected mode |
Improperly seated memory modules or faulty keyboard/mouse controller chip (defective system board) |
Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
Unsupported CPU detected
in SLOT n
Unsupported CPU speed
detected! |
Microprocessor not supported by system |
Install a correct version of the microprocessor in the specified microprocessor connector. |
|
Unsupported CPU speed in
CMOS |
Microprocessor not supported by BIOS |
Upgrade the BIOS. See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions. |
|
Unsupported CPU stepping
detected |
Microprocessor's stepping is not supported |
Install a correct version of the microprocessor in the specified microprocessor connector. |
|
Unsupported DIMM
installed in the RAID DIMM
slot! |
RAID DIMM not supported by system |
Install a correct version of the RAID memory module. |
|
Unsupported RAID key
detected! |
RAID hardware key not supported by system |
Install the RAID hardware key for your specific system. |
|
Utility partition not
available |
The <F10> key was pressed during POST, but no utility partition exists on the boot hard-disk drive |
Create a utility partition on the boot hard-disk drive. See "Using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD" in your User's Guide. |
|
Warning! Detected mode
switch from RAID to SCSI
on the onboard RAID
channel. Data loss will
occur! Press Y to confirm
the change; press any
other key to cancel. |
Type of controller has changed since previous system boot |
Back up information on the drives before changing the type of controller used with the hard-disk drives. |
|
Write fault
Write fault on selected
drive |
Faulty diskette or hard-disk drive |
Replace the diskette or hard-disk drive. |
|
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see "Abbreviations and Acronyms." |
When an error that cannot be reported on the monitor occurs during a boot routine, the system may emit a series of beeps that identify the problem. The beep code is a pattern of sounds; for example, one beep followed by a second beep and then a burst of three beeps (code 1-1-3) means that the system was unable to read the data in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). This information is valuable to the Dell technical support representative if you need to call for technical assistance.
When a beep code is emitted, record it on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist in "Getting Help," and then look it up in Table 3-2. If you are unable to resolve the problem by looking up the meaning of the beep code, use the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause. If you are still unable to resolve the problem, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
|
Code |
Cause |
Corrective Action |
|
1-1-3 |
CMOS write/read failure |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
1-1-4 |
BIOS checksum failure |
This fatal error usually requires that you replace the BIOS firmware. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
1-2-1 |
Programmable interval-timer failure |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
1-2-2 |
DMA initialization failure |
Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
1-2-3 |
DMA page register write/read failure |
|
1-3-1 |
Main-memory refresh verification failure |
|
1-3-2 |
No memory installed |
Check that memory modules are installed in matched pairs. Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
1-3-3 |
Chip or data line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory |
Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
1-3-4 |
Odd/even logic failure in the first 64 KB of main memory |
Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. If the problem still persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
1-4- |
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. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
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 connections. If the problem persists, run the keyboard test in the Dell Diagnostics to determine whether the keyboard or keyboard controller is faulty. If the keyboard controller is faulty, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
3-3-1 |
CMOS failure |
Run the system board test in the Dell Diagnostics to isolate the problem. |
|
3-3-2 |
System configuration check failure |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
3-3-3 |
Keyboard controller not detected |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
3-3-4 |
Screen initialization failure |
Run the video test in the Dell Diagnostics. |
|
3-4-2 |
Screen-retrace test failure |
|
3-4-3 |
Search for video ROM failure |
|
4-2-1 |
No timer tick |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
4-2-2 |
Shutdown failure |
|
4-2-3 |
Gate A20 failure |
|
4-2-4 |
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode |
Ensure that all expansion cards are properly seated, and then reboot the system. |
|
4-3-1 |
Improperly seated or faulty memory modules |
Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, replace the memory modules. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
4-3-3 |
Defective system board |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
4-3-4 |
Time-of-day clock stopped |
Replace the battery. If the problem persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
4-4-1 |
Super I/O chip failure (defective system board) |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
4-4-2 |
Parallel-port test failure (defective system board) |
Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
4-4-3 |
Math coprocessor failure (defective microprocessor) |
Remove and reseat the specified microprocessor. If the problem still persists, replace the microprocessor. "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
4-4-4 |
Cache test failure (defective microprocessor) |
Remove and reseat the specified microprocessor. If the problem still persists, replace the microprocessor. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. |
|
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see "Abbreviations
and Acronyms." |
A warning message alerts you to a possible problem and asks you to take corrective action before the system continues 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 you to respond by typing y (yes) or n (no).
When you run a test group or subtest in the Dell Diagnostics, an error message may result. These particular error messages are not covered in this section. Record the message on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Getting Help"), and then follow the instructions in that section for obtaining technical assistance.
The optional Dell OpenManage Server Agent management application program generates alert messages that appear in the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) trap log file. To see the trap log, select any enterprise under the SNMP trap log icon. Alert log messages consist of information, status, warning, and failure messages for drive, temperature, fan, and power conditions. More information about the Alert Log window and options is provided in the Dell OpenManage Server Agent documentation found on the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant Applications CD.
If a redundant arrays of independent disks (RAID) controller such as the optional PowerEdge™ Expandable RAID Controller (PERC) 3/Di is installed in the system, three light-emitting diode (LED) indicators on each of the hard-disk drive carriers provide information on the status of the SCSI hard-disk drives (see Table 3-3). The SCSI backplane firmware controls the drive online and drive failure indicators.
