User Guide

Messages and Codes: Dell PowerEdge 4400 Systems Installation and Troubleshooting Guide

Messages and Codes: Dell™ PowerEdge™ 4400 Systems Installation and Troubleshooting Guide

	Overview		Diagnostics Messages
	System Messages		Alert Log Messages From the Dell OpenManage HIP Application
	System Beep Codes		SCSI Hard-Disk Drive Indicator Codes
	Warning Messages		Hot-Plug Expansion Card Error Codes

Overview

Applications, operating systems, and the computer 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:

System messages

System beep codes

Warning messages

Diagnostics messages

Alert log messages

Small computer system interface (SCSI) hard-disk drive indicator codes

This topic describes each type of message and code. It also lists the possible causes and actions you can take to resolve any problems indicated by a message.

System Messages

System messages alert you to a possible operating system problem or to a conflict between the software and hardware. Table 1 lists the system error messages that can occur and the probable cause for each message.

NOTE: If you receive a system message that is not listed in Table 1, check the documentation for the application that is running when the message appears or check the operating system documentation for an explanation of the message and recommended action.

Table 1. System Messages

Message	Cause	Corrective Action
Address mark not found	Faulty diskette/tape drive subsystem or hard-disk drive subsystem (defective system board)	Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Alert! Unsupported memory in DIMM slot(s) n	Unsupported DIMM(s) installed in specified slot(s)	Replace one or more DIMMs so that all DIMMs are the correct type.
Attachment failed to respond	Diskette drive or hard-disk drive controller cannot send data to associated drive	Replace the drive's interface cable.
Auxiliary device failure	Mouse cable connector loose or improperly connected, 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/tape drive subsystem or hard-disk drive subsystem (defective system board)	Replace the system board. 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 both microprocessors 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 DIMMs improperly seated or faulty	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Diskette drive 0 seek failure Diskette drive 1 seek failure	Faulty or improperly inserted diskette, incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program, loose diskette/tape 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 the diskette/tape drive interface cable and power cable connections to the drive.
Diskette read failure	Faulty diskette, faulty or improperly connected diskette/tape drive interface cable, or loose power cable	Check the diskette/tape drive interface cable and power cable connections to the drive. See "Installing Drives in the External Bays." Replace the diskette drive interface cable.
Diskette subsystem reset failed	Faulty diskette/tape 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 configuration settings in System Setup program, or faulty battery	Remove the plug from the CLEAR NVRAM 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."
I/O parity interrupt at address	Expansion card improperly installed or faulty	Reinstall the expansion cards (see "Installing System Board Options"). If the problem persists, replace the expansion card.
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 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 DIMMs or defective system board	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Memory allocation error	Faulty application	Restart the application.
Memory parity interrupt at address	Improperly seated or faulty DIMMs	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. 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/tape drive subsystem, hard-disk drive, hard-disk drive subsystem, or no boot disk in drive A	Replace the diskette 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 System Setup program, or no operating system on hard-disk drive	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/tape drive subsystem, or hard-disk drive subsystem	Replace the diskette 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 or terminator card not installed!	No microprocessor or terminator card installed in secondary microprocessor connector	Install a terminator card or microprocessor in the secondary microprocessor connector. See "Installing System Board Options" for instructions.
Processors with different speeds detected. System halted!	Microprocessors with different internal operating speeds are installed.	Install a correct version of the microprocessor so all microprocessors have the same internal operating speed.
Read fault Requested sector not found	Faulty diskette, diskette/tape drive subsystem, or hard-disk drive subsystem (defective system board)	Replace the diskette 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/tape drive, hard-disk drive, or power cable	Check the diskette/tape drive interface cable and power cable connections to the diskette drive. See "Installing Drives in the External Bays." Replace the diskette/tape drive interface cable. 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 cards (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.
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 persists, replace the I/O 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 DIMMs or faulty keyboard/mouse controller chip (defective system board)	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Unsupported CPU combination. System halted!	Two different types of microprocessors are installed.	Install a correct version of the microprocessor so both microprocessors are the same type.
Unsupported CPU detected in SLOT n	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 DIMM installed in the RAID DIMM slot!	RAID DIMM not supported by system	Install a correct version of the RAID DIMM.
Unsupported RAID key detected!	RAID hardware key not supported by system	Install the RAID hardware key for your specific system.
Utility partition not available.	<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 missing RAID hardware for the embedded RAID channel. Potential for data loss exists! Press <Y> to switch mode to SCSI, press any other key to disable both channels.	Missing RAID DIMM or RAID hardware key	Install the correct version of the RAID DIMM and RAID hardware key for your specific system.
Warning! Detected mode switch from RAID to SCSI on channel B of embedded RAID subsystem. Potential for data loss exists! 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.
Warning! Detected mode switch from SCSI to RAID on channel B of embedded RAID subsystem. Potential for data loss exists! 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."

System Beep Codes

When an error that cannot be reported on the monitor occurs during a boot routine, the computer 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 computer 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 found in "Getting Help," and then look it up in Table 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 (see "Running the Dell Diagnostics"). If you are still unable to resolve the problem, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Table 2. System Beep Codes

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
1-2-3	DMA page register write/read failure
1-3-1	Main-memory refresh verification failure	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
1-3-2	No memory installed	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. 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 DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. 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
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. 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 connection. 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.
3-4-1	Screen memory test failure
3-4-2	Screen-retrace test failure
3-4-3	Search for video ROM failure
4-2-1 4-2-2	No timer tick Shutdown failure	Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-2-3	Gate A20 failure	Replace the system board. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
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 DIMMs	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. 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. See "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."

Warning Messages

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).

NOTE: Warning messages are generated by either the application or the operating system. See "Finding Software Solutions" and the documentation that accompanied the operating system and application program for more information on warning messages.

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 in this section. Record the message on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist, and then follow the instructions in that section for obtaining technical assistance.

Alert Log Messages From the Dell OpenManage HIP Application

The Dell Hardware Instrumentation Package (HIP) server management application 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. (More information about the Alert Log window and options is provided in the Dell HIP online help.

Alert log messages consist of information, status, warning, and failure messages for drive, temperature, fan, and power conditions. They can assist you with identifying a problem and may provide you with information to help you resolve the problem.

SCSI Hard-Disk Drive Indicator Codes

If a redundant arrays of independent disks (RAID) controller such as the optional PERC 3/Di or PERC 2 controller 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 Figure 1). The SCSI backplane firmware controls the drive online and drive failure indicators.

Figure 1. Hard-Disk Drive Indicators

1	Drive online indicator
2	Drive activity indicator
3	Drive failure indicator

Table 3 lists the drive indicator patterns established by the SCSI backplane firmware. Different patterns are displayed as drive events occur in the system. For example, in the event of a hard-disk drive failure, the "drive failed" pattern appears. After the drive is selected for removal, the "drive being prepared for removal" pattern appears, followed by the "drive ready for insertion or removal" pattern. After the replacement drive is installed, the "drive being prepared for operation" pattern appears, followed by the "drive online" pattern.

NOTE: If you do not have a RAID controller installed, you will see only the "drive online" and "drive bay empty" indicator patterns.

Table 3. SCSI Hard-Disk Drive Indicator Patterns

Condition	Indicator Code
Identify drive	All three drive status indicators blink simultaneously.
Drive being prepared for removal	The three drive status indicators flash sequentially.
Drive ready for insertion or removal	All three drive status indicators are off.
Drive being prepared for operation	The drive online indicator is on. The drive activity light may flash briefly.
Drive bay empty	All three drive status indicators are off.
Drive predicted failure	The drive online indicator is on. The drive failure indicator blinks on briefly each second.
Drive failed	The drive online indicator turns off. The drive failure indicator blinks off briefly each second.
Drive rebuilding	The drive online indicator blinks rapidly.
Drive online	The drive online indicator is on.

Hot-Plug Expansion Card Error Codes

Connectors PCI1 through PCI4 support hot-plug replacement of PCI expansion cards. Pairs of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) adjacent to each expansion slot display the expansion card connectors' current status. Table 4 lists the various codes for the hot-plug LED indicators.

Table 4. Hot-Plug Indicator Patterns

Green LED	Amber LED	Safe to Remove Expansion Card?	Description
Off	Off	Yes	Connector power is off
On	Off	No	Connector power is on
Flash	Off	No	Connector is being powered up or powered down
Off	Flash slow	Yes	Power-up fault
On	Flash fast	No	Identifying a slot by user application or device driver

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