User Guide

System Error Messages: Dell Inspiron 3800 System Reference

System Error Messages: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3800 System Reference

Your application programs, operating system, and the computer itself can identify problems and alert you to them. When this occurs, a message may appear on the computer's display or on an external monitor (if one is attached), or a flash code may be emitted.

If an error message appears on the display or external monitor, make a note of the message. For an explanation of the message and suggestions for correcting any errors, see Table 1. The messages are listed alphabetically.

NOTES: If the message is not listed in Table 1, see the documentation for the application program that was running at the time the message appeared and/or the operating system documentation for an explanation of the message and a recommended action.

When Table 1 suggests that you run a Dell Diagnostics test, refer to "Running the Dell Diagnostics" in Chapter 3 of the Reference and Troubleshooting Guide for instructions. When Table 1 suggests that you call Dell for technical assistance, refer to "Contacting Dell" in the system Help for instructions. When Table 1 suggests that you enable or disable a System Setup program option, see "System Setup Program."

Table 1. System Error Messages

Message	Cause	Action
Auxiliary device failure	The touch pad, track stick, or external Personal System/2 (PS/2) mouse may be faulty.	If you are using an external mouse only, check the connection for a loose or improperly connected cable. If the problem persists, enable the Pointing Device option. For information, see "Page 2 Options." If the problem persists, call Dell for technical assistance.
Bad command or file name	The command you entered does not exist or is not in the pathname you specified.	Make sure that you have typed the command correctly, placed spaces in the proper location, and used the correct pathname.
Cache disabled due to failure	The primary cache internal to the microprocessor has failed.	Call Dell for technical assistance.
CD-ROM drive controller failure 1	The CD-ROM drive does not respond to commands from the computer.	Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer again, reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. If the problem persists, try another drive. Then run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Data error	The diskette or hard-disk drive cannot read the data.	Run the appropriate utility to check the file structure of the diskette drive or hard-disk drive. See the documentation that came with your operating system.
Decreasing available memory	One or more memory modules may be faulty or improperly seated.	Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them.
Disk C: failed initialization	The hard-disk drive failed initialization.	Run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Diskette drive 0 seek failure	A cable may be loose, or the system configuration information may not match the hardware configuration.	Run the Diskette tests in the Dell Diagnostics. If the error is not corrected, have the cables checked by an authorized service technician.
Diskette read failure	A cable may be loose, or the diskette may be faulty.	If the diskette-drive access indicator lights up, try a different diskette.
Diskette subsystem reset failed	The diskette drive controller may be faulty.	Run the Diskette tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Diskette write-protected	Because the diskette is write-protected, the operation cannot be completed.	Slide the write-protect notch up.
Drive not ready	No diskette is in the diskette drive, or no hard-disk drive is in the media bay. The operation requires a diskette in the drive or a hard-disk drive in the bay before it can continue.	Put a diskette in the drive bay and push the diskette all the way into the drive until the eject button pops out. Or, install a hard-disk drive in the media bay.
Error reading PCMCIA card	The computer cannot identify the PC Card.	Reseat the card or try another PC Card that you know works.
Extended memory size has changed	The amount of memory recorded in NVRAM does not match the memory installed in the computer.	Reboot the computer. If the error appears on the display again, call Dell for technical assistance.
Gate A20 failure	An installed memory module may be loose.	Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them.
General failure	The operating system is unable to carry out the command.	This message is usually followed by specific information—for example, Printer out of paper. Respond by taking the appropriate action.
Hard-disk drive configuration error	The computer cannot identify the drive type.	Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer, reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. Run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Hard-disk drive controller failure 0	The hard-disk drive does not respond to commands from the computer.	Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer again, reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. If the problem persists, try another drive. Then run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Hard-disk drive failure	The hard-disk drive does not respond to commands from the computer.	Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer again, reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. If the problem persists, try another drive. Then run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics
Hard-disk drive read failure	The hard-disk drive may be faulty.	Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer again, reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. If the problem persists, try another drive. Then run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics
Invalid configuration information-please run System Setup Program	The system configuration information does not match the hardware configuration. This message is most likely to occur after a memory module is installed.	Correct the appropriate options in the System Setup program.
Keyboard clock line failure	A cable or connector may be loose, or the keyboard may be faulty.	Run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards test in the Dell Diagnostics.
Keyboard controller failure	A cable or connector may be loose, or the keyboard may be faulty.	Reboot the computer, and avoid touching the keyboard or the mouse during the boot routine. If the problem persists, run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards test in the Dell Diagnostics.
Keyboard data line failure	A cable or connector may be loose, or the keyboard may be faulty.	Run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards test in the Dell Diagnostics.
Keyboard stuck key failure	If an external keyboard or keypad is being used, a cable or connector may be loose or the keyboard may be faulty. If the integrated keyboard is being used, the keyboard may be faulty. A key on the integrated keyboard or external keyboard may have been pressed while the computer was booting.	Run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards test in the Dell Diagnostics.
Memory address line failure at address, read value expecting value	An installed memory module may be faulty or improperly seated.	Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them.
Memory allocation error	The software you are attempting to run is conflicting with the operating system, another application program, or a utility.	Turn off the computer, wait 30 seconds, and then restart it. Try to run the program again. If the problem persists, contact the software company.
Memory data line failure at address, read value expecting value	An installed memory module may be faulty or improperly seated.	Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them.
Memory double word logic failure at address, read value expecting value	An installed memory module may be faulty or improperly seated.	Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them.
Memory odd/even logic failure at address, read value expecting value	An installed memory module may be faulty or improperly seated.	Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them.
Memory write/read failure at address, read value expecting value	An installed memory module may be faulty or improperly seated.	Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them.
No boot device available	The computer cannot find the diskette or hard-disk drive.	If the diskette drive is your boot device, make sure that there is a bootable diskette in the drive. If the hard-disk drive is your boot device, make sure that the drive is installed, properly seated, and partitioned as a boot device.
No boot sector on hard-disk drive	The operating system may be corrupted.	Reinstall your operating system. See the documentation that came with your operating system.
No timer tick interrupt	A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning.	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Non-system disk or disk error	The diskette in drive A or your hard-disk drive does not have a bootable operating system installed on it.	If you are trying to boot from the diskette, replace it with one that has a bootable operating system.
Not a boot diskette	There is no operating system on the diskette.	Boot the computer with a diskette that contains an operating system.
Optional ROM bad checksum	The optional ROM apparently failed.	Call Dell for technical assistance.
Sector not found	The operating system cannot locate a sector on the diskette or hard-disk drive. You probably have a bad sector or corrupted file allocation table ( FAT) on the diskette or hard-disk drive.	Run the appropriate utility to check the file structure on the diskette or hard-disk drive. If a large number of sectors are defective, back up the data (if possible), and then reformat the diskette or hard-disk drive.
Seek error	The operating system cannot find a specific track on the diskette or hard-disk drive.	If the error is on the diskette drive, try another diskette in the drive.
Shutdown failure	A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning.	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Time-of-day clock lost power	Data stored in NVRAM has become corrupted.	Connect your computer to an electrical outlet to charge the battery. If the problem persists, try to restore the data. To restore the data, press <Fn><F1> to enter the System Setup program. Then immediately exit it. If the message reappears, call Dell for technical assistance.
Time-of-day clock stopped	The reserve battery that supports the data stored in NVRAM may be read.	Connect your computer to an electrical outlet to charge the battery. If the problem persists, call Dell for technical assistance.
Time-of-day not set-please run the System Setup program	The time or date stored in the System Setup program does not watch the system clock.	Correct the settings for the Date and Time options. (For instructions, see "System Setup Program.")
Timer chip counter 2 failed	A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning.	Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	The keyboard controller may be malfunctioning, or an installed memory module may be loose.	Run the System Memory tests and the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards test in the Dell Diagnostics.
Warning: Battery is critically low.	The battery is running out of charge.	Replace the battery, or connect the computer to an electrical outlet. Otherwise, activate save-to-disk suspend (S2D) mode or turn off the computer.

Back to Contents Page