Applications, 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, or a beep code may sound.
A variety of indicators, codes, and messages can alert you when the system is not functioning properly:
System-status indicators
Front-panel indicators and features
Back-panel indicators and features
Power indicator codes
Hard-drive indicator codes
NIC indicator codes
ERA/O Ethernet connector indicator codes
Cooling fan indicator codes
System beep codes
System messages
Warning messages
Diagnostics messages
Alert messages
System board LED codes
The system indicators and features are illustrated in Figure 3-1 through Figure 3-6. This section also 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 subsections.
The system has indictors that can represent system status. When the bezel is installed, the bezel system-status indicator (see Figure 3-1) signifies when the system is operating properly or when the system needs attention. A caution code signifies a problem with microprocessors, power supply, system or power-supply fans, system temperature, hard drives, system memory, expansion cards, or the integrated SCSI controller. When the bezel is off, the system status indicators on the system (see Figure 3-2) assumes the same functions as the bezel system status indicator.
Table 3-1 lists the system's status indicator codes.
Additional indicators are located behind the bezel on the power supplies, hard drives, and the control panel. The CD and diskette drives have green activity indicator.s
Figure 3-2 shows the front-panel indicators and features of the system. Table 3-2 describes the front-panel features.
If you turn off the system using the power button and the system is running an ACPI-compliant operating system, the system can perform an orderly shutdown before power is turned off.
If the system is not running an ACPI-compliant operating system, power is turned off immediately after the power button is pressed.
The button is enabled in the System Setup program. When disabled, the button can only turn system power on. For more information, see the User's Guide and the operating system's documentation.
Indicate whether the NIC has a valid link to the network (see "NIC Indicator Codes").
NMI button
Troubleshoots software and device driver errors when using certain operating systems. You can press this button using the end of a paper clip. The NMI option is enabled in the System Setup program.
NOTICE: Pressing this button halts the operating system and displays
a diagnostic screen.
The power button controls the power input to the system's power supplies. The power-button indicator can provide information on power status (see Figure 3-2).
Indicates that power is supplied to the system, and the system is operational.
Off
Indicates that no power is supplied to the system.
Blinking
Indicates that power is supplied to the system, but the system is in a standby state. For more information on standby states, see your operating system documentation.
Each hot-pluggable power supply has indicators that can provide information on power status, fault, and the presence of power (see Figure 3-4). Table 3-5 lists the power-supply indicator codes.
Each hard-drive carrier has two indicators: a busy indicator and a status indicator (see Figure 3-5). The indicators provide information on the status of the respective hard drive. Table 3-6 lists the drive indicator codes.
Figure 3-5. Hard-Drive Indicators
Table 3-6 lists the drive indicator codes. Different codes display as drive events occur in the system. For example, in the event of a hard-drive failure, the "drive fail" code appears. After the drive is selected for removal, the "preparing for removal" code appears. After the replacement drive is installed, the "preparing for operation, drive online" code appears.
Each NIC on the back panel has an indicator that provides information on network activity and link status (see Figure 3-6). Table 3-7 lists the NIC indicator codes on the back panel.
The front panel has a link indicator for each NIC (see Figure 3-2). Each indicator signifies whether the corresponding NIC is connected to a valid link partner on the network.
The optional embedded remote access (ERA/O) Ethernet connector indicators on the back panel provide information on network activity and link status for the ERA/O Ethernet connector (see Figure 3-7). Table 3-8 lists the ERA/O Ethernet connector indicator codes.
Each individual fan has a status indicator adjacent to the fan connectors on either the system board or on the SCSI backplane board (see Figure 3-8). To locate the fan connectors on the system board, see Figure 5-2. To locate the fan connector on the SCSI backplane board, see Figure 5-4. Table 3-9 lists the cooling fan indicator codes.
When an error that cannot be reported on the monitor occurs during a boot routine, the system may emit a series of beeps that identifies the problem.
When a beep code is emitted, make a note of it and then look it up in Table 3-10. If you are unable to resolve the problem by looking up the meaning of the beep code, use the system diagnostics to identify a more serious cause.
NOTE: If the system boots without a keyboard, mouse, or monitor attached, the
system will not issue beep codes related to those peripherals.
Check the keyboard cable and connector. If the problem persists, replace the keyboard. If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board").
Ensure that the system cooling fans are properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the faulty fan(s) (see "System Fans"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board").
4-4-3
Microprocessor speed control sequence failure.
Ensure that the microprocessors are properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the faulty microprocessor(s) (see "Microprocessors"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board").
System messages appear on the monitor during POST to notify you of a possible problem with the system. If you are performing console redirection, system messages will appear on the remote console. Table 3-11 lists the system messages that can occur and the probable cause for each message.
NOTE: If you receive a system message that is not listed in Table 3-11, check the
documentation for the application program that is running when the message appears
or the operating system's documentation for an explanation of the message and
recommended action.
Alert! All memory in the
system must have the same
primary SDRAM width. The
following memory DIMMs
have been disabled:
DIMMnX.
Memory modules installed are not the same type and size in all banks; faulty memory module(s).
Ensure that all banks contain memory modules of the same type and size and that they are properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the faulty memory module(s) (see "Memory Modules").
Alert! Unsupported memory
or incomplete sets in the
following bank(s): Bank
DIMMnX
Memory modules installed in the specified bank(s) are not the same type and size; faulty memory module(s).
Ensure that all banks contain memory modules of the same type and size and that they are properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the faulty memory module(s) (see "Memory Modules").
Amount of available memory
limited to 256 MB!
OS Install Mode is enabled in the System Setup program.
Loose or improperly connected mouse or keyboard cable; faulty mouse or keyboard.
Check the mouse and keyboard cables and connectors. If the problem persists, replace the mouse and keyboard. If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board").
BIOS Update Attempt
Failed!
Remote BIOS update attempt failed.
Retry the BIOS update. Download the latest firmware from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
CD-ROM drive not found
Improperly connected or missing CD/diskette drive.
Ensure that the CD/diskette drive is properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the CD/diskette drive (see "CD/Diskette Drive").
CPUs with different cache
sizes detected
Microprocessors with different cache sizes are installed.
Ensure that all microprocessors have the same cache size and that they are properly installed (see "Memory Modules").
Decreasing available
memory
Faulty or improperly installed memory modules.
Ensure that the memory modules are properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the faulty memory module(s) (see "Memory Modules").
Diskette drive n seek
failure
Incorrect configuration settings in the System Setup program.
Ensure that the diskette drive is properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the diskette drive (see "SCSI Configuration Information").
Diskette read failure
Faulty or improperly inserted diskette.
Replace the diskette.
Diskette subsystem reset
failed
Faulty or improperly installed diskette drive.
Ensure that the diskette drive is properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the diskette drive (see "SCSI Configuration Information").
ECC memory error
Faulty or improperly installed memory modules.
Ensure that the memory modules are properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the faulty memory module(s) (see "Memory Modules").
Embedded server management
error
Embedded server management
is not present.
Embedded server management memory may be temporarily corrupted
To clear the embedded remote access memory, shut down the system, disconnect the power cords, wait approximately 30 seconds, reconnect the power cords, and restart the system. If the problem persists, replace the ERA/O card (see "ERA/O Card").
Error: Maximum PCI option
ROM count exceeded!
Too many expansion cards have ROM enabled in the System Setup program.
Incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program; improperly installed hard drive, or loose interface or power cable; faulty hard-drive controller subsystem.
Run the System Setup program to correct the drive type (see "Using the System Setup Program"). If the problem persists, ensure that the hard drives are properly installed (see "Hard Drives"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board").
I/O parity interrupt at
address
Faulty or improperly installed expansion card.
Ensure that the expansion cards are properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the faulty expansion card(s) (see "Expansion Cards").
Invalid configuration
information - please run
SETUP program
Incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program; NVRAM_CLR jumper is installed; faulty system battery.
Check the System Setup configuration settings (see "Using the System Setup Program"). Remove the NVRAM_CLR jumper (see Figure 5-2 for jumper location). If the problem persists, replace the system battery (see "System Battery").
Invalid memory
configuration detected;
potential for data
corruption exists
Faulty or improperly installed memory modules.
Memory modules must be populated in the following order:
DIMM_1A and DIMM_1B must be in the first slots populated; DIMM_2A and DIMM_2B must be in the second slots populated, and so on.
Remove and reseat the DIMMs in their sockets. If the problem persists, replace the memory module ("Memory Modules").
Invalid SCSI
configuration; SCSI cable
not detected on connector
SCSIB of the primary SCSI
backplane, daughter card
present
Invalid SCSI
configuration; SCSI cable
detected on connector
SCSIB of the primary SCSI
backplane, daughter card
not present
A SCSI cable is not connected to the channel B connector on the SCSI backplane board; SCSI backplane daughter card is installed.
A SCSI cable is connected to the channel B connector on the SCSI backplane board; SCSI backplane daughter card is not installed.
If a cable is connected to the SCSIB backplane board connector, the SCSI backplane daughter card must be installed. Install the SCSI cable to SCSIB backplane board connector (see "Installing the SCSI Backplane Daughter Card").
If a cable is connected to the SCSIB backplane board connector, the SCSI backplane daughter card must be installed. Install the backplane daughter card (see "Installing the SCSI Backplane Daughter Card").
Check the keyboard cable and connector. If the problem persists, replace the keyboard. If the problem still persists, replace the system board (see "System Board").
Memory address line
failure at address, read
value expecting value
Memory double word logic
failure at address, read
value expecting value
Memory high address line
failure at start address
to end address
Memory high data line
failure at start address
to end address
Memory odd/even logic
failure at start address
to end address
Memory parity failure at
start address to end
address
Memory parity error at
address
Memory write/read failure
at address, read value
expecting value
Faulty or improperly installed memory modules.
Ensure that the memory modules are properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the faulty memory module(s) (see "Memory Modules").
No boot device available
Faulty or missing CD/diskette drive subsystem, hard drive, or hard-drive subsystem.
Check the boot device configuration settings in the System Setup program for Integrated Devices (see "Using the System Setup Program"). If they were disabled, enable them and reboot. Use a bootable diskette, CD, or hard drive. If booting from a SCSI controller, ensure that the controller is properly connected. If the problem persists, replace the faulty drive(s) (see "CD/Diskette Drive" and "Hard Drives"). If the problem still persists, replace the system board (see "System Board").
Loose cables to expansion card(s); faulty or improperly installed expansion card.
Ensure that cables to expansion cards are properly connected. Ensure that the expansion cards are properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the faulty expansion card(s) (see "Expansion Cards").
Plug & Play Configuration
Error Embedded xxx
Plug & Play Configuration
Error PCI_n
Error encountered in initializing PCI device; faulty system board.
Error encountered in initializing PCI adapter.
Install the NVRAM_CLR jumper and reboot the system (see Figure 5-2 for jumper location). If the problem persists, ensure that the expansion cards are properly installed. If the problem still persists, replace the faulty expansion card(s) (see "Expansion Cards"). If the problem still persists, update the BIOS firmware. Download the latest firmware from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Primary backplane is not
present
Faulty or improperly installed SCSI backplane board.
Ensure that the SCSI backplane board is properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the backplane board (see "SCSI Backplane Board").
Processor n internal error
Processor bus parity error
Faulty microprocessor; faulty system board.
Ensure that the microprocessors are properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the faulty microprocessor(s) (see "Microprocessors"). If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board").
Processor in socket 1 not
installed!
No microprocessor installed in primary microprocessor socket.
Install a microprocessor in the primary microprocessor socket. Also, ensure that a VRM for processor 1 is installed (see "Microprocessors").
SCSI cable not present on
connector SCSIA of the
primary backplane
SCSI cable is loose, improperly connected, or faulty.
Ensure that the SCSI cables are properly installed. If problem persists, add or replace the cables.
Shutdown failure
Shutdown test failure.
Ensure that the memory modules are properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the faulty memory module(s) (see "Memory Modules").
System backplane error
Faulty or improperly installed SCSI backplane board.
Ensure that the SCSI backplane board is properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the backplane board (see "SCSI Backplane Board").
System halted! Must power
down
Wrong password entered too many times.
Information only.
Time-of-day clock stopped
Faulty battery.
Ensure that the system battery is properly installed. If the problem persists, replace the battery (see "System Battery").
Time-of-day not set -
please run SETUP program
Incorrect Time or Date settings; faulty system battery.
Update the BIOS firmware. Download the latest firmware from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. If the problem persists, install a supported microprocessor combination (see "Microprocessors").
Unsupported DIMM detected
in the RAID DIMM slot!
RAID memory module is not supported by the system.
<F10> was pressed during POST, but no utility partition exists on the boot hard drive.
Create a utility partition on the boot hard drive (see "Using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD" in your User's Guide).
The VRM for the processor
in socket n is not
installed.
Specified microprocessor VRM is faulty, unsupported, improperly installed, or missing.
A VRM must be installed for each installed microprocessor. Install a VRM for the specified microprocessor or remove the VRM for the specified microprocessor if that microprocessor is not installed (see "Microprocessors"). To identify the microprocessors and VRMs, see Figure 5-2.
Warning: Detected mode
change from RAID to SCSI B
of the embedded RAID
subsystem.
Warning: Detected missing
RAID hardware for the
embedded RAID subsystem.
Data loss will occur!
Press Y to switch mode to
SCSI, press any other key
to disable both channels.
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 hard drives before changing the type of controller used with the drives.
Warning: Firmware is out-
of-date, please update.
Firmware error.
Update the firmware. Download the latest firmware from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Warning! No microcode
update loaded for
processor n
BIOS error.
Update the BIOS firmware. Download the latest firmware from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Warning! System FRU is not
programmed
Faulty or corrupt data in NVRAM.
Ensure that the system board is properly installed and configured. If the problem persists, replace the system board (see "System Board").
Write fault
Write fault on selected
drive
Faulty diskette, CD/diskette drive assembly, hard drive, or hard-drive subsystem.
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. Warning messages usually interrupt the procedure and require you to respond by typing y (yes) or n (no).
NOTE: Warning messages are generated by either the application program or the
operating system. For more information, see the documentation that accompanied the
operating system or application program.
When you run a test group or subtest in system diagnostics, an error message may result. Diagnostic error messages are not covered in this section. The message usually provides information for identification of the faulty component.
The optional systems management software generates alert messages for your system. For example, the software generates messages that appear in the SNMP trap log file. Alert messages consist of information, status, warning, and failure messages for drive, temperature, fan, and power conditions. For more information, see the systems management software documentation.
CAUTION: The power supplies in this system produce high voltages and energy hazards, which can cause bodily harm. Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system.
Errors that cannot be reported on the monitor during the boot routine can appear on the system board as a series of five lit or flashing LEDs. The LEDs can only be seen when the system cover is removed (see Figure 3-9). Table 3-12 defines these LED codes.
