Dell 100-Mbps manual Basic Troubleshooting, Initial User Contact

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Chapter 2

Basic Troubleshooting

This chapter describes basic troubleshooting procedures that can help you diagnose a computer system problem. These procedures can often reveal the source of a problem or indicate the correct starting point for troubleshooting the system. A brief explanation of how to load and start the diskette-based diagnos- tics is located at the end of the chapter. Dell recommends that you perform the following procedures in the order they are presented in this manual.

Initial User Contact

When you first contact a user who has a problem, ask the user to describe the problem and the conditions under which it occurs. A verbal description can often indicate the cause of a problem or indicate the appropriate troubleshooting procedure to use. After the user describes the problem, follow these steps:

1.Ask the user to back up any data on the hard-disk drive if the system’s condition permits.

Appendix D, “Maintaining the System,” in the User’s Guide provides infor- mation about backing up data.

2.Ask the user to try to duplicate the problem by repeating the operations he or she was performing at the time the problem occurred.

Can the user duplicate the problem? Yes. Proceed to step 3.

No. Proceed to the next section, “External Visual Inspection.”

3.Observe the user to determine if he or she is making an error, such as typing an incorrect key combination or entering a command incorrectly.

Is the problem a result of user error?

Yes. Instruct the user in the proper procedure, or direct him or her to the appropriate user documentation for the correct procedure.

No. Proceed to the next section, “External Visual Inspection.”

Basic Troubleshooting

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Contents 659,&0$18$ Page Contents Chapter Removing and Replacing Parts Chapter Basic TroubleshootingChapter Beep Codes and Error Messages Figures Index16. Expansion-Card Cage Removal TablesPage Read This First System Overview System Features System Unit Orientation Front-Panel Features Advanced Expansion Subsystem Dual-Processor CapabilityEnhanced Dual-Interface Eide Subsystem Hard-Disk Drive OptionsAudio Controller PCI Video CardThermal Monitoring Desktop ChassisPin Assignments for the DC Power Connectors System Power SupplySystem Unit Smart SupportDC Power Connector P1 DC Power Connector P7 DC Power DistributionPower Distribution Video Memory System Board LayoutSystem Board Jumpers Main MemoryJumper Descriptions Interrupt AssignmentsIRQ14 DMA Channel AssignmentsTechnical Specifications Technical SpecificationsNIC CtrlAltEnter To 149 F Page Initial User Contact Basic TroubleshootingExternal Visual Inspection Observing the Boot Routine Internal Visual Inspection Eliminating Resource Conflicts Running the Diskette-Based DiagnosticsGetting Help Post Beep Codes Beep Codes and Error MessagesPost Beep Codes Halted System Error MessagesSystem Error Messages System could not suc System Setup program Incorrect configuration During memory test Faulty or improperly System does not recog Faulty diskette, diskette MS-DOS unable to Defective sectors on dis At system start-up One or both micro Recommended Tools Removing and Replacing PartsProtection of the Equipment Precautionary MeasuresPull the floor stand away from the system unit Floor StandSystem-Unit Cover Removal System Unit CoverEject, Power, and Reset Button Removal Eject, Power, and Reset ButtonsFront-Panel Insert Removal Front-Panel InsertsIndicator Card Removal Indicator CardSpeaker Removal SpeakerDrive Hardware Drives5-Inch Diskette Drive Removal Drives in the Drive Cage10 .25-Inch Drive Removal Lift the hard-disk drive bracket out of the system unit Hard-Disk Drives12. Hard-Disk Drive Removal 13. Power Supply Removal System Power Supply14. Microprocessor Fan Removal Microprocessor Fan15. System Board Components System Board ComponentsExpansion-Card Cage Expansion Cards17. Expansion-Card Removal Expansion Card18. Riser Board Removal Riser Board19. Dimm Removal DIMMs21. Microprocessor Securing Clip Microprocessor/Heat Sink Assembly22. Microprocessor Removal Terminator Card Terminator or Add-In Card24. Add-In Card Removal Add-In CardRemove the battery System BatteryRemove the system board as follows System BoardSystem Setup Program USB System Setup ScreensTable A-1. System Setup Categories Be shadowed or cached. If video problems Check the monitor documentation to make Table A-1. System Setup Categories Index Dskt connector, 1-12,4-16dual-processing,1-5 ECC DIMMs LINE-IN connector, 1-12,4-16 USB description Location, 1-4,1-12