To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer is equipped with four lights on the front panel labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D". These lights can be yellow or green. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, the lights remain green. If the computer malfunctions, the color and sequence of the lights identify the problem.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the System Information Guide.
Remove and reinstall all memory modules. Ensure that all the connector tabs are locked. For optimal performance, install the DIMMs in pairs (1 and 2 and 3 and 4).
Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card (not the video card) and then restarting the computer.
If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card, and then restart the computer.
Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities").
Remove and reinstall all memory modules. Ensure that all the connector tabs are locked. For optimal performance, install the DIMMs in pairs (1 and 2 and 3 and 4).
Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card and then restarting the computer.
If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card, and then restart the computer.
Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities").
Your computer might emit a series of beeps that identify a problem. One possible series (code 1-3-1) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This series tells you that the computer encountered a memory problem.
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Solving Problems" and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance. Running the Dell Diagnostics may help you resolve the problem without contacting Dell. If you do contact Dell, the test results can provide important information for Dell's service and support personnel.
The Dell Diagnostics allows you to:
Perform express, extended, or custom tests on one or all devices
Select tests based on a symptom of the problem you are having
Choose how many times a test is run
Display test results
Suspend testing if an error is detected
Access online help information that describes the tests and devices
Receive status messages that tell you whether tests completed successfully
It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.
NOTICE: Only use the Dell Diagnostics to test your Dell™ computer. Using
this program with other computers can result in error messages.
Enter system setup, review your computer's configuration information, and ensure that the device you want to test displays in system setup and is active.
Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as the ResourceCD).
If you wait too long and the Microsoft® Windows® logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.
When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partitionand press <Enter>.
When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you
want to run.
Insert the Drivers and Utilities CDinto the CD drive.
Shut down and restart the computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.
NOTE: This feature
changes the boot sequence
for one time only. On the
next start-up, the
computer boots according
to the devices specified in
system setup.
When the boot device list appears, highlight IDE CD-ROM Deviceand press <Enter>.
Select the IDE CD-ROM Device option from the CD boot menu.
Select the Boot from CD-ROM option from the menu that appears.
Type 1 to start the ResourceCD menu.
Type 2 to start the Dell Diagnostics.
Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list. If
multiple versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your
platform.
When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you
want to run.
If a problem is encountered during a test, a message displaying the
error code and a description of the problem appear. Write down the
error code and problem description and follow the instructions on the
screen.
If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell.
If you run a test from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option, click
the applicable tab described in the following table for more
information.
A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require a driver program.
A driver acts like a translator between the device and the programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes.
Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft® Windows® operating system. You may need to install drivers if:
You upgrade your operating system.
You reinstall your operating system.
You connect or install a new device.
If you experience a problem with any device, perform the steps in the following sections to identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and if necessary, to update the driver.
NOTICE: The Dell Support website and your Dell Precision Drivers and
Utilities CDprovide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install
drivers obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.
NOTE: To access device
drivers and user
documentation, you must
use the Drivers and
Utilities CD while your
computer is running
Windows.
Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD into the CD drive.
If this is your first time to use the Drivers and Utilities CD, the Installation window opens to inform you that the CD will begin the installation. Click OK, and respond to the installation program prompts to complete the installation.
Click Next at the Welcome Dell System Owner screen.
Choose the appropriate selections for System Model, Operating
System, Device Type, and Topic.
Click My Drivers in the Topic drop-down menu.
The Drivers and Utilities CD scans your computer's hardware and operating system and then displays a list of device drivers for your system configuration.
Click the appropriate driver and follow the instructions to download
the driver for your computer.
To view a list of all available drivers for your computer, click Drivers in the Topic drop-down menu.
To access the Dell Drivers and Utilities CD Guide, click User's Guides in the Topic drop-down menu, and then click Dell Precision ResourceCD.
If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows XP Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version.
To use Device Driver Rollback:
Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
In the Control Panel window, under Pick a Category, click
Performance and Maintenance.
In the Performance and Maintenance window, click System.
In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
Click Device Manager.
In the Device Manager window, right-click the device for which the
new driver was installed, and then click Properties.
Click the Drivers tab.
Click Roll Back Driver.
If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use Using System Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new driver.
The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. See Windows Help for information on using System Restore.
NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not
monitor your data files or recover them.
If problems occur after installing a device driver, first try using Device Driver Rollback. If that is unsuccessful, then use System Restore.
NOTICE: Before restoring the computer to an earlier operating state, save
and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or
delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.
Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® System
Tools, and then click System Restore.
Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected, and
then click Next.
Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.
The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points. All calendar dates with available restore points appear in bold.
Select a restore point, and then click Next.
If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected. If two or more restore points are available, click the restore point that you prefer.
Click Next.
The Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data, and then the computer automatically restarts.
After the computer restarts, click OK.
To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can undo the restoration.
NOTICE: Before undoing the last system restore, save and close all open files
and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs
until the system restoration is complete.
Click the Start button, point to All Programs ®
Accessories ® System Tools, and then click System Restore.
Select Undo my last restoration and click Next.
Click Next.
The System Restore screen appears, and then the computer automatically restarts.
If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available, System Restore is automatically disabled. To see if System Restore is enabled:
Click the Start button, and then click ControlPanel.
Click Performance and Maintenance.
Click System.
Click the System Restore tab.
Make sure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked.
Microsoft® Windows® XP IRQ conflicts occur if a device either is not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured.
To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows XP:
Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
In the Device Manager list, check for conflicts with the other devices.
Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) beside the conflicting device or a red X if the device has been disabled.
Double-click any conflicting device listed to bring up the Properties
window to determine what needs to be reconfigured or removed from
the Device Manager.
Resolve these conflicts before checking specific devices.
Double-click the malfunctioning device type in the Device Manager
list.
Double-click the icon for the specific device in the expanded list.
The Properties window appears.
Resolve any IRQ conflicts, as described in step 5.
If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties window reports the cards or devices that share the device's IRQ.
To use the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter:
Click the Start button, and then click Help and Support.
Type hardware troubleshooter in the Search field, and then click
the arrow to start the search.
Click Hardware Troubleshooter in the Search Results list.
In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a
hardware conflict on my computer, and then click Next.
To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows 2000:
Click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
In the Control Panel window, double-click System.
Click the Hardware tab.
Click Device Manager.
Click View, and then click Resources by connection.
Double-click Interrupt request (IRQ) to view the IRQ assignments.
Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) beside the conflicting device or a red X if the device has been disabled.
Double-click any conflicting device listed to bring up the Properties
window to determine what needs to be reconfigured or removed from
the Device Manager. Resolve these conflicts before checking specific
devices.
Double-click the malfunctioning device type in the Device Manager
list.
Double-click the icon for the specific device in the expanded list.
The Properties window appears.
If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties
window reports the cards or devices that share the device's IRQ.
Resolve the IRQ conflicts.
To use the Windows 2000 Hardware Troubleshooter:
Click the Start button, and then click Help.
Click Troubleshooting and Maintenance on the Contents tab, click
Windows 2000 troubleshooters, and then click Hardware.
In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a
hardware conflict on my computer, and then click Next.
